August 1987 -- Really Good and Really Bad

The movie soundtrack trend continues with the top 2 songs being from movies.  Madonna's is one of my least favorite from her, ditto on Michael Jackson's 2nd odd choice for a lead single in a row.

Cool synchronization:  Smokey Robinson with a legit hit, while a tribute record is going strong.  They'll both be top 10 in coming weeks.  

Cool and obscure:  Making Love in the Rain

Last Hurrah -- Dionne Warwick with her last major hit, the Whispers (back after a long absence), Dan Hill (ditto), and ABC, who transitioned better than 80 from the early 80's new wave sound.

Craziest duet & Most awkward -- Prince and Sheena Easton (yuck).  Runner up for awkward:  Lisa Lisa mispronouncing que sera sera.

One hit wonders:  Living in a box, suzanne vega, T'Pau, Los Lobos (basically), Danny Wilson,  and yes, the Grateful Dead.

Very bad songs:  Richard Marx, Starship, Carrie 

Favorites:  Alone, Paper in Fire, Heart and Soul, Didn't We Almost Have it All, Can't We Try, Rock Steady -- and #1 " I Heard a Rumour"

In between -- lots of mid-80's blah, but with Richard Marx, Debbie Gibson about to rule the charts, it's gonna get ugly...

1 2 LA BAMBA –•– Los Lobos (Slash)-10 (1) (1 Week at #1)
2 1 WHO’S THAT GIRL –•– Madonna (Sire)-8 (1)
3 4 DON’T MEAN NOTHING –•– Richard Marx (Manhattan)-12 (3)
4 3 LUKA –•– Suzanne Vega (A&M)-13 (3)
5 7 ONLY IN MY DREAMS –•– Debbie Gibson (Atlantic)-17 (5)
6 10 I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU –•– Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett (Epic)-4 (6)
7 8 ROCK STEADY –•– The Whispers (Solar)-13 (7)
8 16 DIDN’T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL –•– Whitney Houston (Arista)-5 (8)
9 11 IT’S NOT OVER (‘Til It’s Over) –•– Starship (Grunt)-10 (9)
10 12 CAN’T WE TRY –•– Dan Hill & Vonda Shepard (Columbia)-13 (10)

11 6 I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR –•– U2 (Island)-12 (1)
12 13 LOVE POWER –•– Dionne Warwick & Jeffrey Osborne (Arista)-8 (12)
13 5 I WANT YOUR SEX –•– George Michael (Columbia)-13 (2)
14 19 DOING IT ALL FOR MY BABY –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-7 (14)
15 20 HERE I GO AGAIN –•– Whitesnake (Geffen)-9 (15)
16 18 WHEN SMOKEY SINGS –•– ABC (Mercury)-9 (16)
17 17 LIVING IN A BOX –•– Living In A Box (Chrysalis)-11 (17)
18 9 HEART AND SOUL –•– T’Pau (Virgin)-18 (4)
19 25 TOUCH OF GREY –•– Grateful Dead (Arista)-6 (19)
20 23 WIPE OUT –•– Fat Boys & Beach Boys (Tin Pan Apple)-8 (20)

21 26 I HEARD A RUMOUR –•– Bananarama (London)-7 (21)
22 15 BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE AGAIN –•– Steve Winwood (Island)-14 (13)
23 24 GIVE TO LIVE –•– Sammy Hagar (Columbia)-11 (23)
24 31 I NEED LOVE –•– L.L. Cool J. (Def Jam)-5 (24)
25 33 WHO FOUND WHO –•– Jellybean Featuring Elisa Fiorillo (Chrysalis)-8 (25)
26 28 MARY’S PRAYER –•– Danny Wilson (Virgin)-13 (26)
27 30 LIES –•– Jonathan Butler (Jive)-10 (27)
28 14 CROSS MY BROKEN HEART –•– The Jets (MCA)-13 (7)
29 36 ONE HEARTBEAT –•– Smokey Robinson (Motown)-7 (29)
30 37 LOST IN EMOTION –•– Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (Columbia)-5 (30)

31 38 CARRIE –•– Europe (Epic)-5 (31)
32 35 JAM TONIGHT –•– Freddie Jackson (Capitol)-10 (32)
33 40 JUMP START –•– Natalie Cole (Manhattan)-6 (33)
34 22 SHAKEDOWN –•– Bob Seger (MCA)-15 (1)
35 43 U GOT THE LOOK –•– Prince with Sheena Easton (Paisley Park)-5 (35)
36 21 RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU –•– Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine (Epic)-14 (5)
37 45 PAPER IN FIRE –•– John Cougar Mellencamp (Mercury)-3 (37)
38 46 WHO WILL YOU RUN TO –•– Heart (Capitol)-3 (38)
39 44 MAKING LOVE IN THE RAIN –•– Herb Alpert featuring Lisa Keith (A&M)-7 (39)
40 29 ALONE –•– Heart (Capitol)-16 (1)

August 1981 -- bring on the country!

Yeah!  Back to 1981 again, bursting with some I like, and fond memories.

After a few country #1's earlier in the year, we've got quite another batch here, including the indesputably country "Elvira" and "It's Now or Never" -- the juice newton, kenny rogers, and ronnie milsap songs are more adult contemporary.  Alabama and Eddie Rabbitt are further down -- only missing Willie and Dolly!  Even the Pointer Sisters song sounds a lot like a country record....and then there's Frankie Smith with "Double Dutch Bus"...whoa...

I count less than 5 songs here that 80's on 8 would even touch, which is a shame.  Lots of midtempo songs.

I was rooting for Endless Love to be the #1 song of the year, but it was edged out by Bette Davis Eyes, and to this day, on multiple Top Charting Hits of All Time surveys, they're always consecutive, with Bette Davis Eyes ahead.

Favorites among the favorites:  Love on a Two way street, Endless Love, Fire and Ice, Urgent, Lady, and #1...The Voice!

1 1 ENDLESS LOVE –•– Diana Ross and Lionel Richie (Motown)-7 (2 weeks at #1) (1)

2 2 THEME FROM “GREATEST AMERICAN HERO” (Believe It Or Not) –•– Joey Scarbury (Elektra)-16 (2)
3 3 I DON’T NEED YOU –•– Kenny Rogers (Liberty)-11 (3)
4 6 SLOW HAND –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-13 (4)
5 4 JESSIE’S GIRL –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-22 (1)
6 21 STOP DRAGGIN’ MY HEART AROUND –•– Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) (Modern)-5 (6)
7 7 BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY –•– The Manhattan Transfer (Atlantic)-14 (7)
8 9 QUEEN OF HEARTS –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-13 (8)
9 10 (There’s) NO GETTIN’ OVER ME –•– Ronnie Milsap (RCA)-9 (9)
10 11 LADY (You Bring Me Up) –•– The Commodores (Motown)-10 (10)

11 13 WHO’S CRYING NOW –•– Journey (Columbia)-6 (11)
12 8 HEARTS –•– Marty Balin (EMI-America)-14 (8)
13 5 ELVIRA –•– The Oak Ridge Boys (MCA)-15 (5)
14 14 IT’S NOW OR NEVER –•– John Schneider (Scotti Brothers)-13 (14)
15 18 URGENT –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-8 (15)
16 16 TOUCH ME WHEN WE’RE DANCING –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-10 (16)
17 17 THE STROKE –•– Billy Squier (Capitol)-15 (17)
18 20 COOL LOVE –•– Pablo Cruise (A&M)-8 (18)
19 19 IN THE AIR TONIGHT –•– Phil Collins (Atlantic)-13 (19)
20 25 THE BREAKUP SONG (They Don’t Write ‘Em) –•– The Greg Kihn Band (Beserkley)-14 (20)

21 23 REALLY WANNA KNOW YOU –•– Gary Wright (Warner Brothers)-8 (21)
22 24 FIRE AND ICE –•– Pat Benatar (Chrysalis)-6 (22)
23 27 STEP BY STEP –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-5 (23)
24 26 FEELS SO RIGHT –•– Alabama (RCA)-12 (24)
25 36 THAT OLD SONG –•– Ray Parker, Jr. and Raydio (Arista)-7 (25)
26 28 DON’T GIVE IT UP –•– Robbie Patton (Liberty)-7 (26)
27 29 YOU’RE MY GIRL –•– Franke and the Knockouts (Millennium)-8 (27)
28 33 HOLD ON TIGHT –•– ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) (Jet)-5 (28)
29 31 LOVE ON A TWO WAY STREET –•– Stacy Lattisaw (Cotillion)-10 (29)
30 37 THE BEACH BOYS MEDLEY –•– The Beach Boys (Capitol)-5 (30)

31 39 THE VOICE –•– The Moody Blues (Threshold)-3 (31)
32 34 EVERLASTING LOVE –•– Rex Smith/Rachel Sweet (Columbia)-9 (32)
33 12 THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE –•– Air Supply (Arista)-15 (1)
34 46 I COULD NEVER MISS YOU (More Than I Do) –•– Lulu (Alfa)-4 (34)
35 47 FOR YOUR EYES ONLY –•– Sheena Easton (Liberty)-5 (35)
36 40 BREAKING AWAY –•– Balance (Portrait)-7 (36)
37 15 TIME –•– The Alan Parsons Project (Arista)-19 (15)
38 22 BETTE DAVIS EYES –•– Kim Carnes (EMI-America)-22 (1)
39 30 DOUBLE DUTCH BUS –•– Frankie Smith (WMOT)-15 (30)
40 32 ROCK AND ROLL DREAMS COME THROUGH –•– Jim Steinman (with Rory Dodd) (Cleveland International)-13 (32)

Aug 1975 -- Rolling into Disco

Sirius XM played a 1975 countdown just a few weeks ago, so not a lot of big changes in that time, but the disco boom I mentioned before ramped up again with "Jive Talking" being at #1 and KC and the Sunshine band rocketing up to toward the same peak with their first hit.

Further down the charts, it was time for some goodbyes.  After 21 top 40 hits in a row, Three Dog Night was at their peak for their last ever hit.  The Carpenter's "Solitaire" also strongly debuted, but it missed the top 10 ultimately, and despite being in the top 40 as late as 1981, they never made the top 10 again.  Cat Stevens also had his very last hit, and cheesy kings Tony Orlando and Dawn never again charted higher than this week.

Debuting was ZZ Top with an eye-opening title, "Tush," and Casey could not have envisioned them at pioneers in music videos 10 years later, with another body part.

Two strange chart moves -- the Eagles popped back up to #2, having previously fallen from #1.  They did not regain the #1 spot.  Another former #1, "Love Will Keep Us Together" popped back up from 17 to 13

1 1 JIVE TALKIN’ –•– Bee Gees (RSO)-12 (2 weeks at #1) (1)
2 4 ONE OF THESE NIGHTS –•– Eagles (Asylum)-12 (1)
3 3 PLEASE MR. PLEASE –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-11 (3)
4 5 SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT –•– Elton John (MCA)-7 (4)
5 15 FALLIN’ IN LOVE –•– Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds (Playboy)-9 (5)
6 7 RHINESTONE COWBOY –•– Glen Campbell (Capitol)-12 (6)
7 8 WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS? –•– War (United Artists)-16 (7)
8 9 HOW SWEET IT IS (To Be Loved By You) –•– James Taylor (Warner Brothers)-9 (8)
9 6 MIDNIGHT BLUE –•– Melissa Manchester (Arista)-15 (6)
10 10 THE ROCKFORD FILES –•– Mike Post (MGM)-14 (10)

11 2 I’M NOT IN LOVE –•– 10cc (Mercury)-14 (2)
12 22 GET DOWN TONIGHT –•– K.C. and the Sunshine Band (T.K.)-6 (12)
13 17 LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER –•– The Captain and Tennille (A&M)-18 (1)
14 14 MORNIN’ BEAUTIFUL –•– Tony Orlando and Dawn (Elektra)-9 (14)
15 18 FIGHT THE POWER (Part 1) –•– The Isley Brothers (T-Neck)-9 (15)
16 20 AT SEVENTEEN –•– Janis Ian (Columbia)-10 (16)
17 12 LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAN SAID –•– Wings (Capitol)-12 (1)
18 21 HOLDIN’ ON TO YESTERDAY –•– Ambrosia (20th Century)-10 (18)
19 26 COULD IT BE MAGIC –•– Barry Manilow (Arista)-8 (19)
20 24 WASTED DAYS AND WASTED NIGHTS –•– Freddy Fender (ABC / Dot)-9 (20)

21 25 FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE –•– Bad Company (Swan Song)-7 (21)
22 27 THAT’S THE WAY OF THE WORLD –•– Earth, Wind and Fire (Columbia)-7 (22)
23 23 JUST A LITTLE BIT OF YOU –•– Michael Jackson (Motown)-11 (23)
24 29 BALLROOM BLITZ –•– Sweet (Capitol)-10 (24)
25 30 THIRD RATE ROMANCE –•– The Amazing Rhythm Aces (ABC)-9 (25)
26 31 HELP ME RHONDA –•– Johnny Rivers (Epic / Soul City)-6 (26)
27 33 THAT’S WHEN THE MUSIC TAKES ME –•– Neil Sedaka (Rocket)-8 (27)
28 34 RENDEZVOUS –•– The Hudson Brothers (Rocket)-9 (28)
29 13 DYNOMITE (Part 1) –•– Tony Camillo’s Bazuka (A&M)-18 (10)
30 35 FAME –•– David Bowie (RCA)-8 (30)

31 41 TUSH –•– ZZ Top (London)-5 (31)
32 38 ‘TIL THE WORLD ENDS –•– Three Dog Night (ABC)-7 (32)
33 43 BLACK SUPERMAN / MUHAMMAD ALI –•– Johnny Wakelin and the Kinshasa Band (Pye)-21 (33)
34 11 THE HUSTLE –•– Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony (Avco)-18 (1)
35 44 I BELIEVE THERE’S NOTHING STRONGER THAN OUR LOVE –•– Paul Anka with Odia Coates (United Artists)-4 (35)
36 46 DAISY JANE –•– America (Warner Brothers)-5 (36)
37 45 TWO FINE PEOPLE –•– Cat Stevens (A&M)-5 (37)
38 40 (Shu-Doo-Pa-Poo-Poop) LOVE BEING YOUR FOOL –•– Travis Wammack (Capricorn)-9 (38)
39 39 LOOK AT ME (I’m In Love) –•– The Moments (Stang)-7 (39)
40 65 SOLITAIRE –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-3 (40

August 1970 -- A/C rules

I heard most of the countdown this week --

New hit by Elvis, the Jackson 5 falling with their 3rd #1 in a row, the Supremes and Diana Ross separately on the chart, and a general mix of country, gospel, R&B, protest songs, adult contemporary, 60's style rock, even rock opera!

Both a song by War, and a song called "War" back to back in the top 5.

Notable first week on the charts ever for Anne Murray.

A rather embarassing song by James Brown, but much safer music in the top spots, with the Carpenters giving way to Bread, in their only week at #1 in their career.

My favorite:  The Love You Save

1 2 MAKE IT WITH YOU –•– Bread (Elektra)-11 (1 week at #1)
2 1 (They Long To Be) CLOSE TO YOU –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-10
3 4 SPILL THE WINE –•– Eric Burdon and War (MGM)-14
4 6 WAR –•– Edwin Starr (Gordy)-7
5 5 IN THE SUMMERTIME –•– Mungo Jerry (Janus)-7
6 3 SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED (I’m Yours) –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-9
7 16 PATCHES –•– Clarence Carter (Atlantic)-6
8 7 BAND OF GOLD –•– Freda Payne (Invictus)-18
9 12 I JUST CAN’T HELP BELIEVING –•– B.J. Thomas (Scepter)-10
10 9 TIGHTER, TIGHTER –•– Alive and Kicking (Roulette)-12

11 13 LAY A LITTLE LOVIN’ ON ME –•– Robin McNamara (Steed)-13
12 14 (If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) WHY CAN’T I TOUCH YOU –•– Ronnie Dyson (Columbia)-10
13 18 25 OR 6 TO 4 –•– Chicago (Columbia)-5
14 10 BALL OF CONFUSION (That’s What the World Is Today) –•– The Temptations (Gordy)-14
15 8 MAMA TOLD ME (Not To Come) –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-14
16 11 O-O-H CHILD / DEAR PRUDENCE –•– The Five Stairsteps (Buddah)-21
17 26 AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH –•– Diana Ross (Motown)-3
18 19 OVERTURE FROM TOMMY (A Rock Opera) –•– The Assembled Multitude (Atlantic)-9
19 20 TELL IT ALL BROTHER –•– Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (Reprise)-8
20 23 LOOKIN’ OUT MY BACK DOOR / LONG AS I CAN SEE THE LIGHT –•– Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy)-3

21 15 GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING A SEX MACHINE (Parts 1 and 2) –•– James Brown (King)-6
22 25 HI-DE-HO –•– Blood, Sweat, and Tears (Columbia)-4
23 48 DON’T PLAY THAT SONG –•– Aretha Franklin with the Dixie Flyers (Atlantic)-3
24 21 OHIO –•– Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (Atlantic)-9
25 28 EVERYBODY’S GOT THE RIGHT TO LOVE –•– The Supremes (Motown)-6
26 29 HAND ME DOWN WORLD –•– The Guess Who (RCA)-6
27 27 SUMMERTIME BLUES –•– The Who (Decca)-7
28 34 SOLITARY MAN –•– Neil Diamond (Bang)-17
29 30 BIG YELLOW TAXI –•– The Neighborhood (Big Tree)-9
30 31 THE SLY, SLICK, AND THE WICKED –•– The Lost Generation (Brunswick)-12

31 17 THE LOVE YOU SAVE / I FOUND THAT GIRL –•– Jackson 5 (Motown)-13
32 35 DO YOU SEE MY LOVE (For You Growing) –•– Jr. Walker and the All Stars (Soul)-7
33 38 JULIE, DO YA LOVE ME –•– Bobby Sherman (Metromedia)-4
34 36 GROOVY SITUATION –•– Gene Chandler (Mercury)-7
35 37 I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER –•– Ike and Tina Turner and the Ikettes (Liberty)-14
36 44 I’VE LOST YOU / THE NEXT STEP IS LOVE –•– Elvis Presley (RCA)-4
37 47 (I Know) I’M LOSING YOU –•– Rare Earth (Rare Earth)-4
38 42 SNOWBIRD –•– Anne Murray (Capitol)-6
39 24 WESTBOUND #9 –•– The Flaming Ember (Hot Wax)-14
40 53 IT’S A SHAME –•– The Spinners (V.I.P.)-5

August 1984

I read not long ago that the summer of 1984 was one of the great summers for pop music because of the variety of great songs.  Both veteran artists at their peak (Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Rod Stewart, ... ) and new artists bursting on the scene (Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Corey Hart).   Rock, hard rock, pop, dance, adult R&B, & Prince.  

SiriusXM plays so many of these songs, it's easier to pick out the ones a bit out of place:

Peabo Bryson sounding a bit too a/c, Diana Ross with one of her last hits, Breakin' sounding a bit dated, good old Sergio Mendes....and at #1, a novelty soundtrack song.

As before, despite the fame of these songs, many of these aren't favorites of mine, and a few I still basically hate (state of shock, sexy girl), and a few I never, ever need to hear again, but still, 4 5-stars: Rock Me Tonight, Dancing in the Dark, Jump for my love, Cruel Summer.  I'll take Billy Squier as my favorite.

1 1 GHOSTBUSTERS –•– Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista)-10 (2 Weeks at #1) (1)
2 4 WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT –•– Tina Turner (Capitol)-14 (2)
3 3 STATE OF SHOCK –•– The Jacksons with Mick Jagger (Epic)-8 (3)
4 2 WHEN DOVES CRY –•– Prince (Warner Brothers)-12 (1)
5 6 STUCK ON YOU –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-9 (5)
6 8 I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU –•– Dan Hartman (MCA)-16 (6)
7 12 MISSING YOU –•– John Waite (EMI-America)-9 (7)
8 5 SAD SONGS (Say So Much) –•– Elton John (Geffen)-11 (5)
9 10 SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT –•– Corey Hart (EMI-America)-13 (9)
10 13 IF EVER YOU’RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN –•– Peabo Bryson (Elektra)-15 (10)

11 9 INFATUATION –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers)-13 (6)
12 7 DANCING IN THE DARK –•– Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)-13 (2)
13 15 PANAMA –•– Van Halen (Warner Brothers)-9 (13)
14 17 ROUND AND ROUND –•– Ratt (Atlantic)-10 (14)
15 20 SHE BOP –•– Cyndi Lauper (Portrait)-5 (15)
16 19 IF THIS IS IT –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-5 (16)
17 25 THE WARRIOR –•– Scandal Featuring Patty Smyth (Columbia)-8 (17)
18 23 LIGHTS OUT –•– Peter Wolf (EMI-America)-6 (18)
19 22 ROCK ME TONITE –•– Billy Squier (Capitol)-7 (19)
20 24 SEXY GIRL –•– Glenn Frey (MCA)-8 (20)

21 21 SHE’S MINE –•– Steve Perry (Columbia)-8 (21)
22 11 BREAKIN’… THERE’S NO STOPPING US –•– Ollie & Jerry (Polydor)-12 (9)
23 35 LET’S GO CRAZY –•– Prince & The Revolution (Warner Brothers)-3 (23)
24 14 LEGS –•– ZZ Top (Warner Brothers)-14 (8)
25 30 ALL OF YOU –•– Julio Iglesias & Diana Ross (Columbia)-7 (25)
26 27 THE GLAMOROUS LIFE –•– Sheila E. (Warner Brothers)-10 (26)
27 34 DRIVE –•– The Cars (Elektra)-3 (27)
28 33 DYNAMITE –•– Jermaine Jackson (Arista)-5 (28)
29 29 ALIBIS –•– Sergio Mendes (A&M)-13 (29)
30 31 LEAVE A TENDER MOMENT ALONE –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-7 (30)

31 36 WHEN YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES –•– Night Ranger (MCA / Camel)-6 (31)
32 37 CRUEL SUMMER –•– Bananarama (London)-5 (32)
33 18 JUMP (For My Love) –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-17 (3)
34 16 EYES WITHOUT A FACE –•– Billy Idol (Chrysalis)-16 (4)
35 40 RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE –•– Eurythmics (RCA)-5 (35)
36 43 17 –•– Rick James (Gordy)-6 (36)
37 39 MY, OH MY –•– Slade (CBS Associated)-7 (37)
38 42 TWO SIDES OF LOVE –•– Sammy Hagar (Geffen)-6 (38)
39 47 WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT –•– Twisted Sister (Atlantic)-4 (39)
40 52 COVER ME –•– Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)-2 (40)

The return of Africa -- stagnation

THe charts must be desparate -- Toto's quirky but earnest #1 song from 1982, "Africa," has found a new life.  No one would've called it a rock song then, but now it sits at #2 on Rock Airplay in a remake by Weezer.  Hard to call it a rock song now either since it's a virtual note-for-note remake. 

But over on Rock Songs, which also wraps in sales, streams, and the like, the top 3 are all by Imagine Dragons, all dating from their album from 80 weeks ago.  Talk about stagnant!

Aug 1973 -- Country break out & iconic Classic Rock

Usual interesting early-70's mix this week.  Classic R&B and Adult Contemporary doing very well as usual.  Classic Rock had two iconic entries -- Smoke on the Water way up at #4, and "Money" at #21.  Casey mentioned that the album had been #1, but what he didn't know was that it would be on the top 200 list of albums for over 800 weeks, including into 2018! 

Breaking out a bit this week is a particular kind of country music, epitomized by Charlie Rich, whose "Behind Closed Doors" is credited with opening the door to an acceptance of country (as opposed to the more folk sound of John Denver or the country-rock of the Eagles) on the pop charts.  It swept the country awards that year and is a country hall of fame song, but to me it sounds like so many others, perhaps proving its influence.

I had not previously heard about 10 of these songs, including the ones by artists I'm familiar with like Cat Stevens, Carole King, and Bobby Womack.  Daniels' was another in a small trend of songs about hippies receiving poor treatment -- and Dolly Parton should sue for using her tune for "Joshua"

Casey mentioned how the original two versions of "Young Love" were released simultaneously, leading to  Sonny James and Tab Hunter having the top 2 records in the U.S. with the same song.  Other songs have hit the charts more than once (like The Twist, or "Monster Mash," below, re-entering the top 10 after hitting #1 in 1962 -- and it's nowhere near halloween!), or the same song title has charted concurrently ("I Can't Wait" or "9 to 5"), but never the same song at the same time.

A year ago I heard the chart immediately before this which had Maureen McGovern rocketing from #9 to #1, and Wings moving 21 to #3, but it never did hit #1.

Favorites:  Chicago, Croce, McCartney -- all 4-stars, w/ no 5's.  Favorite: Bad Bad Leroy Brown! 

1 1 THE MORNING AFTER –•– Maureen McGovern (20th Century)-8 (2 weeks at #1)

2 3 LIVE AND LET DIE –•– Wings (Apple)-6
3 8 BROTHER LOUIE –•– The Stories (Kama Sutra)-8
4 7 TOUCH ME IN THE MORNING –•– Diana Ross (Motown)-11
5 2 BAD, BAD LEROY BROWN –•– Jim Croce (ABC)-17
6 4 SMOKE ON THE WATER –•– Deep Purple (Warner Brothers)-12
7 17 LET’S GET IT ON –•– Marvin Gaye (Tamla)-5
8 5 YESTERDAY ONCE MORE –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-11
9 15 UNEASY RIDER –•– Charlie Daniels (Kama Sutra)-7
10 12 MONSTER MASH –•– Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (Parrot)-32

11 11 FEELIN’ STRONGER EVERY DAY –•– Chicago (Columbia)-8
12 13 I BELIEVE IN YOU (You Believe In Me) –•– Johnnie Taylor (Stax)-8
13 14 GET DOWN –•– Gilbert O’Sullivan (MAM)-8
14 10 SHAMBALA –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-13
15 22 DELTA DAWN –•– Helen Reddy (Capitol)-8
16 6 DIAMOND GIRL –•– Seals and Crofts (Warner Brothers)-14
17 19 HERE I AM (Come and Take Me) –•– Al Green (Hi)-6
18 24 SAY, HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY SWEET GYSPY ROSE –•– Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando (Bell)-5
19 20 IF YOU WANT ME TO STAY –•– Sly and the Family Stone (Epic)-7

20 9 WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES –•– Billy Preston (A&M)-20
21 18 MONEY –•– Pink Floyd (Harvest)-13
22 30 ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH –•– The Four Tops (Dunhill)-8
23 23 NATURAL HIGH –•– Bloodstone (London)-17
24 26 ANGEL –•– Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)-6
25 27 HOW CAN I TELL HER –•– Lobo (Big Tree)-8
26 25 SO VERY HARD TO GO –•– The Tower Of Power (Warner Brothers)-15
27 33 GYPSY MAN –•– War (United Artists)-4
28 28 WHERE PEACEFUL WATERS FLOW –•– Gladys Knight and the Pips (Buddah)-9
29 29 BEHIND CLOSED DOORS –•– Charlie Rich (Epic)-16
30 16 BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY –•– Bette Midler (Atlantic)-14

31 36 YOUNG LOVE / A MILLION TO ONE –•– Donny Osmond (MGM / Kolob)-5
32 52 I WAS CHECKIN’ OUT SHE WAS CHECKIN’ IN –•– Don Covay (Mercury)-6
33 32 MISDEMEANOR –•– Foster Sylvers (Pride / MGM)-11
34 74 SATURDAY NIGHT’S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING –•– Elton John (MCA)-2
35 46 NOBODY WANTS YOU WHEN YOU’RE DOWN AND OUT –•– Bobby Womack (United Artists)-9
36 39 THE HURT –•– Cat Stevens (A&M)-6
37 45 BELIEVE IN HUMANITY / YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE –•– Carole King (Ode)-5
38 21 KODACHROME –•– Paul Simon (Columbia)-13
39 34 PLAYGROUND IN MY MIND –•– Clint Holmes (Epic)-21
40 42 I’LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA (Part 1) –•– The Intruders (Gamble)-11