April 1981 -- Where I began

In January 1981, I began following the pop chart, clipping the list from the newspaper.  But in April, I turned a corner -- I received my first two 45's for my birthday, and I began to regularly listen to and write down American Top 40 with Casey Kasem.  That was this chart, played on Sirius XM this week, and (though I missed Casey Kasem), I loved it all --

Adult Contemporary, dance, R&B, rock, pop, yacht rock, country, ballads, jazz, even rap -- all mixed together.

Milestones:

-- last top 10 hit: Abba, Don McLean, Blondie (in a big fall from grace)

-- last week on the top 40:  Andy Gibb, Emmy Lou Harris

-- first big hit:  Sheena Easton, Loverboy, Phil Collins (solo)

-- First miss:  Barry Manilow will miss the top 40 for the first time with Lonely Together

Favorites: 5-stars (12!) -- Hall & Oates, Sheena Easton, Steve Winwood, REO Speedwagon (2x), Barbra Striesand, Neil Diamond, John Cougar, Kim Carnes, Franke & the Knockouts, Whispers, The Who -- and the top one... While You See a Chance

1 4 KISS ON MY LIST –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-12 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 1 RAPTURE –•– Blondie (Chrysalis)-11 (1)
3 3 THE BEST OF TIMES –•– Styx (A&M)-12 (3)
4 2 WOMAN –•– John Lennon (Geffen)-13 (2)
5 7 JUST THE TWO OF US –•– Grover Washington, Jr. (with Bill Withers) (Elektra)-9 (5)
6 11 MORNING TRAIN (Nine To Five) –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-9 (6)
7 5 CRYING –•– Don McLean (Millennium)-12 (5)
8 9 WHILE YOU SEE A CHANCE –•– Steve Winwood (Island)-10 (8)
9 8 KEEP ON LOVING YOU –•– REO Speedwagon (Epic)-20 (1)
10 12 DON’T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME –•– The Police (A&M)-10 (10)

11 13 I CAN’T STAND IT –•– Eric Clapton and His Band (RSO)-7 (11)
12 15 ANGEL OF THE MORNING –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-8 (12)
13 6 HELLO AGAIN –•– Neil Diamond (Capitol)-11 (6)
14 20 BEING WITH YOU –•– Smokey Robinson (Tamla)-9 (14)
15 18 HER TOWN TOO –•– James Taylor and J.D. Souther (Columbia)-5 (15)
16 16 9 TO 5 –•– Dolly Parton (RCA)-20 (1)
17 19 SOMEBODY’S KNOCKIN’ –•– Terri Gibbs (MCA)-13 (17)
18 10 WHAT KIND OF FOOL –•– Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb (Columbia)-11 (10)
19 21 DON’T STOP THE MUSIC –•– Yarbrough and Peoples (Mercury)-10 (19)
20 14 THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL –•– Abba (Atlantic)-21 (8)

21 32 LIVING INSIDE MYSELF –•– Gino Vannelli (Arista)-4 (21)
22 25 JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME –•– April Wine (Capitol)-10 (22)
23 26 AIN’T EVEN DONE WITH THE NIGHT –•– John Cougar (Riva)-11 (23)
24 27 TAKE IT ON THE RUN –•– REO Speedwagon (Epic)-4 (24)
25 28 TIME OUT OF MIND –•– Steely Dan (MCA)-5 (25)
26 29 TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS –•– Styx (A&M)-4 (26)
27 31 SWEETHEART –•– Franke and the Knockouts (Millennium)-6 (27)
28 35 YOU BETTER YOU BET –•– The Who (Warner Brothers)-4 (28)
29 33 IT’S A LOVE THING –•– The Whispers (Solar)-9 (29)
30 17 CELEBRATION –•– Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-25 (1)

31 36 HOW ‘BOUT US –•– Champaign (Columbia)-9 (31)
32 38 I LOVE YOU –•– The Climax Blues Band (Warner Brothers)-8 (32)
33 57 BETTE DAVIS EYES –•– Kim Carnes (EMI-America)-3 (33)
34 43 SUKIYAKI –•– A Taste Of Honey (Capitol)-6 (34)
35 47 I MISSED AGAIN –•– Phil Collins (Atlantic)-4 (35)
36 37 TURN ME LOOSE –•– Loverboy (Columbia)-11 (36)
37 39 THE PARTY’S OVER (Hopelessly In Love) –•– Journey (Columbia)-7 (37)
38 52 WATCHING THE WHEELS –•– John Lennon (Geffen)-3 (38)
39 42 MISTER SANDMAN –•– Emmylou Harris (Warner Brothers)-7 (39)
40 41 ME (Without You) –•– Andy Gibb (RSO)-5 (40)

POWER PLAYS

41 44 WASN’T THAT A PARTY –•– The Rovers (Cleveland International)-8 (41)
42 45 HOLD ON LOOSELY –•– 38 Special (A&M)-7 (42)
43 53 LOVE YOU LIKE I NEVER LOVED BEFORE –•– John O’Banion (Elektra)-3 (43)
44 48 A WOMAN NEEDS LOVE (Just Like You Do) –•– Ray Parker, Jr. and Raydio (Arista)-6 (44)
45 51 LONELY TOGETHER –•– Barry Manilow (Arista)-5 (45)

 

March 1978 — The Bee Gees shall rule them all,

They picked an extraordinary chart this week with the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack 9 weeks into its run at #1.  The whole chart was good— classics of yacht rock, general adult contemporary, dance, rock classic, even R&B and a little country.  Not an awkward song in the bunch.

But the only story that mattered was The Bee Gees.  They had a clear hand in 6 top 40 hits, three of which were there own.  They knocked their own brother from the top spot, and with a resurgent Stayin' Alive, managed to have the top 2 spots on the chart for the first time since the Beatles did so in 1964.  And they were background vocalists on the song at #3.   For that season in 1978: it was The Bee Gees total domination, the likes of which even Michael Jackson couldn’t pull off in 1983.

In other news chuck Mangione debuts, starting a run of jazz-influenced pop that lasted through 1982. 

Crazy out of place:  Lay Down Sally amidst all the disco and pop.

First timers:  Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio, Van Halen
Casey's false prediction:  Barry Manilow would hit #1.

Favorites:  many 4-stars, with the top 2 being 5 stars, but my favorite overall is "If I Can't Have You"

1 2 NIGHT FEVER –•– The Bee Gees (RSO) -7 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 6 STAYIN’ ALIVE –•– The Bee Gees (RSO) -15 (1)
3 4 EMOTION –•– Samantha Sang (Private Stock) -18 (3)
4 5 LAY DOWN SALLY –•– Eric Clapton (RSO) -11 (4)
5 1 (Love Is) THICKER THAN WATER –•– Andy Gibb (RSO) -20 (1)
6 10 CAN’T SMILE WITHOUT YOU –•– Barry Manilow (Arista) -7 (6)
7 8 I GO CRAZY –•– Paul Davis (Bang) -30 (7)
8 3 SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH –•– Dan Hill (20th Century) -17 (3)
9 7 DANCE, DANCE, DANCE (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) –•– Chic (Atlantic) -21 (6)
10 9 JUST THE WAY YOU ARE –•– Billy Joel (Columbia) -19 (3)

11 14 THUNDER ISLAND –•– Jay Ferguson (Asylum) -14 (11)
12 12 THE NAME OF THE GAME –•– Abba (Atlantic) -13 (12)
13 13 WHAT’S YOUR NAME –•– Lynyrd Skynyrd (MCA) -16 (13)
14 21 IF I CAN’T HAVE YOU –•– Yvonne Elliman (RSO) -8 (14)
15 17 FALLING –•– LeBlanc and Carr (Big Tree) -23 (15)
16 16 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY –•– The Little River Band (Harvest) -14 (16)
17 18 WONDERFUL WORLD –•– Art Garfunkel with James Taylor and Paul Simon (Columbia) -9 (17)
18 19 OUR LOVE –•– Natalie Cole (Capitol) -10 (18)
19 22 JACK AND JILL –•– Raydio (Arista) -10 (19)
20 20 THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO –•– Rita Coolidge (A&M) -10 (20)

21 23 ALWAYS AND FOREVER –•– Heatwave (Epic) -11 (21)
22 24 EBONY EYES –•– Bob Welch (Capitol) -8 (22)
23 25 DUST IN THE WIND –•– Kansas (Kirshner) -8 (23)
24 28 GOODBYE GIRL –•– David Gates (Elektra) -14 (24)
25 37 RUNNING ON EMPTY –•– Jackson Browne (Asylum) -6 (25)
26 39 WE’LL NEVER HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE AGAIN –•– England Dan and John Ford Coley (Big Tree) -4 (26)
27 29 THEME SONG FROM “WHICH WAY IS UP” –•– Stargard (MCA) -8 (27)
28 30 FLASH LIGHT –•– Parliament (Casablanca) -6 (28)
29 32 SWEET TALKIN’ WOMAN –•– The Electric Light Orchestra (Jet) -5 (29)
30 33 BEFORE MY HEART FINDS OUT –•– Gene Cotton (Ariola America) -7 (30)

31 34 LADY LOVE –•– Lou Rawls (Philadelphia International) -9 (31)
32 11 PEG –•– Steely Dan (ABC) -18 (11)
33 35 HOT LEGS –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers) -6 (33)
34 36 THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND –•– Andrew Gold (Asylum) -6 (34)
35 15 HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE –•– The Bee Gees (RSO) -26 (1)
36 26 WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS / WE WILL ROCK YOU –•– Queen (Elektra) -22 (4)
37 38 YOU REALLY GOT ME –•– Van Halen (Warner Brothers) -8 (37)
38 40 IT’S YOU THAT I NEED –•– Enchantment (Roadshow) -7 (38)
39 48 THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU –•– Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway (Atlantic) -5 (39)
40 44 FEELS SO GOOD –•– Chuck Mangione (A&M) -6 (40)

March 1984...the very end of the 70's

They love 1984 on this station -- so many of these songs are still played on 80's on 8.

But the big distinctive of this chart is the extraordinary number of prominent artists with their last chart appearance -- some of the biggest names of the 70s and early 80's:
K.C., this time without the Sunshine Band
Kenny Rogers, after an amazing run of pop/country/AC which wouldn't return until the Faith Hill days in the last 90's.
Dan Fogelburg -- the end of singer/songwriter AC.  But lest you think him not cool enough in the MTV era, this was the week of the first MTV video countdown, and he was in the top 5!
Queen, mocking radio with their last top 40 hit
Manfred Mann -- with a one-off late career hit, 20 years after first hitting #1...just like: 

John Lennon -- with a posthumous hit

The Police...before their breakup.

To replace them, were debut or breakthrough hits for Genesis, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Thompson Twins, Paul Young, Wang Chung, Howard Jones, Tina Turner (whose resurgence might not have been predicted by the modest success of "Let's Stay Together")

"Thriller" was the 7th top 10 hit from the album of the same name.  No one to date had had more than 4, so this was stunning, and 17 months after the album's release...without any modern tricks of re-releasing the album with "extra" songs (Katy Perry, Lady Gaga).  In 1982, he wrote and recorded a song that held up in 1984 and has recharted many Octobers since.

Bruce Springsteen had no #1's, but did log 7 top 10's from "Born in the USA."  Janet matched this feat a few years later, with all hitting the top 5.  Drake topped them all, in an utterly different era including streaming and YouTube, with 7 top 10's at the same time in 2018, all appearing on "Scorpion."

Many 4-stars on this chart, plus 3 5-stars:  debuting Phil Collins, retreating Yes, and Thriller.  Favorite:  Thriller!

1 1 JUMP –•– Van Halen (Warner Brothers)-9 (3 Weeks at #1) (1)
2 3 GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN –•– Cyndi Lauper (Portrait)-13 (2)
3 2 99 LUFTBALLONS –•– Nena (Epic)-14 (2)
4 4 THRILLER –•– Michael Jackson (Epic)-5 (4)
5 7 SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME –•– Rockwell (Motown)-7 (5)
6 5 NOBODY TOLD ME –•– John Lennon (Polydor)-8 (5)
7 10 I WANT A NEW DRUG –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-9 (7)
8 11 HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN –•– Eurythmics (RCA)-7 (8)
9 16 FOOTLOOSE –•– Kenny Loggins (Columbia)-7 (9)
10 6 KARMA CHAMELEON –•– Culture Club (Virgin)-15 (1)

11 8 WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER –•– The Police (A&M)-10 (8)
12 13 NEW MOON ON MONDAY –•– Duran Duran (Capitol)-9 (12)
13 9 LET THE MUSIC PLAY –•– Shannon (Mirage)-18 (8)
14 17 GOT A HOLD ON ME –•– Christine McVie (Warner Brothers)-7 (14)
15 21 AUTOMATIC –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-7 (15)
16 18 THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE –•– Dan Fogelberg (Full Moon / Epic)-6 (16)
17 25 ADULT EDUCATION –•– Daryl Hall & John Oates (RCA)-4 (17)
18 14 AN INNOCENT MAN –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-13 (10)
19 12 JOANNA –•– Kool & The Gang (De-Lite)-19 (2)
20 24 GIVE IT UP –•– K.C. (Meca)-12 (20)

21 19 YAH MO B THERE –•– James Ingram (with Michael McDonald) (Qwest)-14 (19)
22 15 THAT’S ALL –•– Genesis (Atlantic)-16 (6)
23 23 THIS WOMAN –•– Kenny Rogers (RCA)-9 (23)
24 34 HOLD ME NOW –•– Thompson Twins (Arista)-5 (24)
25 28 ALMOST OVER YOU –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-14 (25)
26 29 THE POLITICS OF DANCING –•– Re-Flex (Capitol)-16 (26)
27 40 MISS ME BLIND –•– Culture Club (Virgin)-2 (27)
28 31 BACK WHERE YOU BELONG –•– 38 Special (Capitol)-6 (28)
29 32 RUNNER –•– Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (Arista)-8 (29)
30 30 LET’S STAY TOGETHER –•– Tina Turner (Capitol)-8 (30)

31 33 NEW SONG –•– Howard Jones (Elektra)-8 (31)
32 36 COME BACK AND STAY –•– Paul Young (Columbia)-6 (32)
33 35 LIVIN’ IN DESPERATE TIMES –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-5 (33)
34 47 AGAINST ALL ODDS (Take A Look At Me Now) –•– Phil Collins (Atlantic)-3 (34)
35 38 RADIO GA-GA –•– Queen (Capitol)-4 (35)
36 20 TALKING IN YOUR SLEEP –•– The Romantics (Nemperor)-23 (3)
37 50 HELLO –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-3 (37)
38 39 GIRLS –•– Dwight Twilley (EMI-America)-4 (38)
39 22 OWNER OF A LONELY HEART –•– Yes (Atco)-19 (1)
40 41 DON’T LET GO –•– Wang Chung (Geffen)-6 (40)

March 1979 -- all time icons in lots of genres

Unfortunately, I only got to hear the first 2/3 of the countdown today -- it had plenty of movement down the charts, making room for some of the most iconic songs of the era to crowd the top 10 -- can you believe that top 10!  Yacht Rock, disco, pure pop...and classic rock & country further down:

1 1 DA YA THINK I’M SEXY? –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers)-11 (4 weeks at #1) (1)
3 4 I WILL SURVIVE –•– Gloria Gaynor (Polydor)-12 (3)
4 6 TRAGEDY –•– Bee Gees (RSO)-4 (4)
7 7 LE FREAK –•– Chic (Atlantic)-19 (1)
8 5 Y.M.C.A. –•– The Village People (Casablanca)-20 (2)
10 23 WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES –•– The Doobie Brothers (Warner Brothers)-7 (10)
13 29 SULTANS OF SWING –•– Dire Straits (Warner Brothers)-4 (13)
16 17 THE GAMBLER –•– Kenny Rogers (United Artists)-18 (16)
24 38 KNOCK ON WOOD –•– Amii Stewart (Ariola America)-6 (24)

Meanwhile, even Casey was taken aback a bit at the debut of a very country sounding Eddie Rabbitt, not knowing he'd be at #1 within 2 years!

I'm a fan of Neil Diamond, but he sounded very out of place amidst all these disco records.

Favorites all over the place, but  three 5-stars:  Nicolette Larson, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees.  Tough call, but I'm going with the Nicolette -- it's gonna take a lotta love...

1 1 DA YA THINK I’M SEXY? –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers)-11 (4 weeks at #1) (1)

2 2 FIRE –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-17 (2)
3 4 I WILL SURVIVE –•– Gloria Gaynor (Polydor)-12 (3)
4 6 TRAGEDY –•– Bee Gees (RSO)-4 (4)
5 3 A LITTLE MORE LOVE –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-15 (3)
6 11 HEAVEN KNOWS –•– Donna Summer with Brooklyn Dreams (Casablanca)-8 (6)
7 7 LE FREAK –•– Chic (Atlantic)-19 (1)
8 5 Y.M.C.A. –•– The Village People (Casablanca)-20 (2)
9 8 LOTTA LOVE –•– Nicolette Larson (Warner Brothers)-15 (8)
10 23 WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES –•– The Doobie Brothers (Warner Brothers)-7 (10)

11 18 SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING –•– Peaches and Herb (Polydor)-12 (11)
12 12 GOT TO BE REAL –•– Cheryl Lynn (Columbia)-14 (12)
13 29 SULTANS OF SWING –•– Dire Straits (Warner Brothers)-4 (13)
14 15 NO TELL LOVER –•– Chicago (Columbia)-11 (14)
15 16 BLUE MORNING, BLUE DAY –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-11 (15)
16 17 THE GAMBLER –•– Kenny Rogers (United Artists)-18 (16)
17 19 DON’T CRY OUT LOUD –•– Melissa Manchester (Arista)-16 (17)
18 20 DANCIN’ SHOES –•– Nigel Olsson (Bang)-12 (18)
19 22 EVERY TIME I THINK OF YOU –•– The Babys (Chrysalis)-9 (19)
20 26 WHAT YOU WON’T DO FOR LOVE –•– Bobby Caldwell (Clouds)-11 (20)

21 24 LADY –•– Little River Band (Harvest)-9 (21)
22 27 I JUST FALL IN LOVE AGAIN –•– Anne Murray (Capitol)-6 (22)
23 51 BIG SHOT –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-4 (23)
24 38 KNOCK ON WOOD –•– Amii Stewart (Ariola America)-6 (24)
25 28 CRAZY LOVE –•– Poco (ABC)-7 (25)
26 10 I WAS MADE FOR DANCIN’ –•– Leif Garrett (Scotti Brothers)-17 (10)
27 31 HAVEN’T STOPPED DANCING YET –•– Gonzalez (Capitol)-9 (27)
28 34 FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS –•– Neil Diamond (Columbia)-6 (28)
29 33 SONG ON THE RADIO –•– Al Stewart (Arista)-6 (29)
30 37 STUMBLIN’ IN –•– Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman (RSO)-6 (30)

31 9 SOMEWHERE IN THE NIGHT –•– Barry Manilow (Arista)-12 (9)
32 32 STORMY –•– Santana (Columbia)-9 (32)
33 13 SHAKE IT –•– Ian Matthews (Mushroom)-16 (13)
34 14 SOUL MAN –•– The Blues Brothers (Atlantic)-13 (14)
35 30 TOO MUCH HEAVEN –•– Bee Gees (RSO)-16 (1)
36 36 YOU MAKE ME FEEL (Mighty Real) –•– Sylvester (Fantasy)-8 (36)
37 39 MAYBE I’M A FOOL –•– Eddie Money (Columbia)-6 (37)
38 41 I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S RIGHT –•– Evelyn “Champagne” King (RCA)-9 (38)
39 43 EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-7 (39)
40 45 MUSIC BOX DANCER –•– Frank Mills (Polydor)-6 (40)

March 1986 — mid decade blahs

It’s early 1986, and it’s hard to draw a lot of conclusions since the charts are a reasonable mix of rock, dance, pop, and adult contemporary, with a touch of jazz.  It’s a lull in hard rock, country is long gone.  The slow songs are really slow (Sara), and the upbeat are really so.

Whitney is storming the charts with her first album full of hits, as is Gloria Estefan as well as inxs.  Sophisti-pop has established a foothold with Sade and dream academy in the top 10.  Middle of the road pop is doing fine with billy ocean and mr. Mister.  Quite a few notable one hit wonders...dream academy, Charlie Sexton, Baltimora, Faldo, Robert tapper, Marilyn Martin, sly fox, 

 Some veterans are running out of steam...ELO most notably, while the breakthrough 2nd life for heart is about to lead to their first #1.

But overall, I get bored just reading this chart!  Not that I hated every song, but especially the big hits are rather bland, if not deadly slow -- Mr Mister, Starship, Heart, Loverboy, Dionne and Friends, Elton John...  Throw in sophisticated, but slow records, and ZZZZZZ

To liven things up, we have the biggest hit (though last ever) by James Brown, who had enormous numbers of hits, but mostly in the 20's to 30's on the chart...debuting Falco...

Favorite:  Aretha Franklin!


1 2 KYRIE –•– Mr. Mister – 11 (1)
2 1 HOW WILL I KNOW –•– Whitney Houston – 13 (1)
3 4 SARA –•– Starship – 10 (3)
4 5 LIVING IN AMERICA –•– James Brown – 13 (4)
5 6 THE SWEETEST TABOO –•– Sade – 15 (5)
6 3 WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING –•– Billy Ocean – 14 (2)
7 7 LIFE IN A NORTHERN TOWN –•– Dream Academy – 14 (7)
8 8 SILENT RUNNING –•– Mike + The Mechanics – 15 (8)
9 11 SECRET LOVER –•– Atlantic Starr – 10 (9)
10 14 THESE DREAMS –•– Heart – 7 (10)

11 12 A LOVE BIZARRE –•– Sheila E – 16 (11)
12 17 KING FOR A DAY –•– Thompson Twins – 7 (12)
13 16 TARZAN BOY –•– Baltimora – 20 (13)
14 9 BURNING HEART –•– Survivor – 18 (2)
15 15 CONGA –•– Miami Sound Machine – 20 (10)
16 19 RUSSIANS –•– Sting – 7 (16)
17 26 R.O.C.K. IN THE U.S.A. –•– John Cougar Mellencamp – 5 (17)
18 18 DAY BY DAY –•– The Hooters – 12 (18)
19 22 NIKITA –•– Elton John – 7 (19)
20 10 THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR –•– Dionne & Friends – 17 (1)

21 24 SANCTIFY YOURSELF –•– Simple Minds – 6 (21)
22 23 STAGES –•– ZZ Top – 7 (22)
23 28 WHAT YOU NEED –•– INXS – 7 (23)
24 13 I’M YOUR MAN –•– Wham! – 14 (3)
25 27 THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT –•– Loverboy – 7 (25)
26 29 BEATS SO LONELY –•– Charlie Sexton – 12 (26)
27 33 (HOW TO BE A) MILLIONAIRE –•– ABC – 7 (27)
28 21 DIGITAL DISPLAY –•– Ready For The World – 13 (21)
29 40 ROCK ME AMADEUS –•– Falco – 4 (29)
30 35 LET’S GO ALL THE WAY –•– Sly Fox – 10 (30)

31 34 ANOTHER NIGHT –•– Aretha Franklin – 7 (31)
32 20 THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON T.V. –•– A-Ha – 14 (20)
33 39 MANIC MONDAY –•– The Bangles – 6 (33)
34 38 NIGHT MOVES –•– Marilyn Martin – 7 (34)
35 25 HE’LL NEVER LOVE YOU (LIKE I DO) –•– Freddie Jackson – 12 (25)
36 43 GOODBYE IS FOREVER –•– Arcadia – 5 (36)
37 46 NEEDLES AND PINS –•– Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers & Stevie Nicks – 5 (37)
38 44 NO EASY WAY OUT –•– Robert Tepper – 6 (38)
39 47 TENDER LOVE –•– Force MD’s – 5 (39)
40 50 CALLING AMERICA –•– Electric Light Orchestra – 5 (40)

February 1988 -- The Good, the Bad, and the Boring

We're entering that dreadful period at the end of the 80's, and the DJs even acknowledged it today. Some highlights, as in any countdown, but I did an unusual amount of skipping through the today.

On the boring side, check out all the middle-of-the-road stuff...especially in the top 10:  Paul Carrack, Foreigner (long past peak), Eric Carmen.  Throw in an actor (Patrick Swayze) and you've got it complete....but add in Richard Marx who was considered cool back then and Michael Bolton talented.  Yawn!

Some otherwise good artists had some snoozers here too -- Gloria Estefan beginning a long string of very similar ballads, Bangles had a mystery hit, Fleetwood Mac (Zzzz), and Sting's snoozer was even a major award nominee.

On the bad side was a string from #33 up to #29.  Rocket 2 U was embarrassing, as was Billy Ocean.  Plus Debbie Gibson and Tiffany were very popular.

On the plus side, this was the time for a big breakout for Cher and Def Leppard, David Lee Roth had a solid followup, and Rick Astley hits the top 10.  George Michael and Michael Jackson were in the middle of record-setting runs with their albums.   Two iconic hip hop records were breaking through (which generated momentum for changing the pop charts!) -- Salt n' Pepa and MARRS.  R&B Icon Keith Sweat had his first top 40 hit, and legend Gladys Knight had her last.

And at #1, Expose, in their only week ever atop the chart despite 7 top 10s in a row.  Not my favorite of theirs, but a solid ballad.

Unheralded favorite:  Twilight World, the 2nd and last top 40 hit by Swing Out Sister, but Top song of the week -- Cher's triumphal comeback, "I Found Someone," despite being written and produced by Michael Bolton!

1 2 SEASONS CHANGE –•– Expose – 13 (1)
2 5 WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS? –•– Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield – 11 (2)
3 1 COULD’VE BEEN –•– Tiffany – 13 (1)
4 12 FATHER FIGURE –•– George Michael – 6 (4)
5 4 HUNGRY EYES –•– Eric Carmen – 16 (4)
6 8 SAY YOU WILL –•– Foreigner – 12 (6)
7 10 SHE’S LIKE THE WIND –•– Patrick Swayze Featuring Wendy Fraser – 10 (7)
8 11 NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP –•– Rick Astley – 10 (8)
9 9 DON’T SHED A TEAR –•– Paul Carrack – 15 (9)
10 3 I WANT TO BE YOUR MAN –•– Roger – 15 (3)

11 16 CAN’T STAY AWAY FROM YOU –•– Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – 14 (11)
12 18 I GET WEAK –•– Belinda Carlisle – 6 (12)
13 17 PUMP UP THE VOLUME –•– M/A/R/R/S – 13 (13)
14 6 NEED YOU TONIGHT –•– INXS – 18 (1)
15 7 HAZY SHADE OF WINTER –•– The Bangles – 15 (2)
16 19 I FOUND SOMEONE –•– Cher – 14 (16)
17 14 EVERYWHERE –•– Fleetwood Mac – 13 (14)
18 23 JUST LIKE PARADISE –•– David Lee Roth – 6 (18)
19 21 PUSH IT –•– Salt-N-Pepa – 14 (19)
20 26 ENDLESS SUMMER NIGHTS –•– Richard Marx – 5 (20)

21 13 TUNNEL OF LOVE –•– Bruce Springsteen – 12 (9)
22 27 LOVE OVERBOARD –•– Gladys Knight & The Pips – 7 (22)
23 15 I LIVE FOR YOUR LOVE –•– Natalie Cole – 16 (13)
24 33 OUT OF THE BLUE –•– Debbie Gibson – 4 (24)
25 31 BE STILL MY BEATING HEART –•– Sting – 6 (25)
26 34 I WANT HER –•– Keith Sweat – 6 (26)
27 36 MAN IN THE MIRROR –•– Michael Jackson – 3 (27)
28 35 HYSTERIA –•– Def Leppard – 5 (28)
29 30 BECAUSE OF YOU –•– The Cover Girls – 13 (29)
30 20 POP GOES THE WORLD –•– Men Without Hats – 17 (20)

31 37 (SITTIN’ ON) THE DOCK OF THE BAY –•– Michael Bolton – 5 (31)
32 40 ROCKET 2 YOU –•– The Jets – 5 (32)
33 32 853-5937 –•– Squeeze – 10 (32)
34 42 TWILIGHT WORLD –•– Swing Out Sister – 10 (34)
35 49 GET OUTTA MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR –•– Billy Ocean – 2 (35)
36 25 GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU –•– George Harrison – 18 (1)
37 24 THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL –•– Michael Jackson – 14 (1)
38 22 I COULD NEVER TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR MAN –•– Prince – 15 (10)
39 28 TELL IT TO MY HEART –•– Taylor Dayne – 20 (7)
40 41 LIVE MY LIFE –•– Boy George – 9 (40)

February 1983 -- a whole new cast & slow movers

We're nearing the end of the early 80's, leading to a fascinating crossover of styles.  Country crossover will be gone by year's end, but for now, mainstays of Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, and Juice Newton are still doing well.  And Bob Seger's huge hit was basically a country ballad.

Yacht Rock is hanging in there with Kenny Loggins, Little River Band, Christopher Cross, and Toto.

Jazz influenced songs are gone, and this year is the last real hurrah for the easy listening of Air Supply, Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, and Barbra Striesand.

Meanwhile, the new cast of artists who would come to define the 80's are making huge marks.  Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Don Henley, and Phil Collins aren't new...but are on the leading edge of a huge breakout.  Culture Club and Duran Duran have their first of many hits each.  Men at Work and the Stray Cats are a few months ahead of them, though won't last as long. 

And check out the one (or few) hit wonders:  Musical Youth, Adam Ant, The Clash, Golden Earring, Saga, Joe Jackson, Flock of Seagulls.  Quite a list.  Coming soon:  ABC, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard

Among the slow movers, Moving Pictures crept and crept their way to #29.  Golden Earring crawled all the way to #10 somehow.  Frida took 15 weeks to make the top 40, yet hit #13, and at #2 (#1 next week) were Patti Austin and James Ingram, boosted by play on General Hospital, in one of the slowest climbs ever to #1.

Like in 1981, there are many favorites here

5 star:  Donna Summer, Billie Jean, Phil Collins, and Separate Ways (favorite of the year!)
4-star: The clash, Duran Duran, Patti Austin, The Flock, Sammy Hagar, Juice Newton, Lionel Richie, Tom Petty, Moving Pictures, Saga,


1 2 DOWN UNDER –•– Men At Work (Columbia)-15 (4 weeks at #1) (1)
2 4 BABY, COME TO ME –•– Patti Austin with James Ingram (Qwest)-22 (2)
3 3 SEXUAL HEALING –•– Marvin Gaye (Columbia)-16 (3)
4 5 SHAME ON THE MOON –•– Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (Capitol)-9 (4)
5 1 AFRICA –•– Toto (Columbia)-16 (1)
6 6 MANEATER –•– Daryl Hall & John Oates (RCA)-18 (1)
7 9 YOU AND I –•– Eddie Rabbitt with Crystal Gayle (Elektra)-19 (7)
8 8 ROCK THE CASBAH –•– The Clash (Epic)-20 (8)
9 12 STRAY CAT STRUT –•– The Stray Cats (EMI-America)-8 (9)
10 10 YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE –•– Phil Collins (Atlantic)-15 (10)

11 11 THE OTHER GUY –•– The Little River Band (Capitol)-13 (11)
12 13 GOODY TWO SHOES –•– Adam Ant (Epic)-14 (12)
13 14 PASS THE DUTCHIE –•– Musical Youth (MCA)-10 (13)
14 18 YOUR LOVE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY –•– Sammy Hagar (Geffen)-10 (14)
15 15 HEART TO HEART –•– Kenny Loggins (Columbia)-12 (15)
16 19 ALL RIGHT –•– Christopher Cross (Warner Brothers)-4 (16)
17 17 ALLENTOWN –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-12 (17)
18 21 DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME –•– Culture Club (Virgin)-11 (18)
19 22 HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF –•– Duran Duran (Harvest)-8 (19)
20 20 YOU GOT LUCKY –•– Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Backstreet)-14 (20)

21 24 YOU ARE –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-5 (21)
22 26 BACK ON THE CHAIN GANG –•– The Pretenders (Sire)-10 (22)
23 27 BILLIE JEAN –•– Michael Jackson (Epic)-4 (23)
24 28 WE’VE GOT TONIGHT –•– Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton (Liberty)-3 (24)
25 25 HEART OF THE NIGHT –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-12 (25)
26 33 TWILIGHT ZONE –•– Golden Earring (21 Records)-12 (26)
27 36 SEPERATE WAYS (Worlds Apart) –•– Journey (Columbia)-2 (27)
28 37 ONE ON ONE –•– Daryl Hall & John Oates (RCA)-3 (28)
29 30 WHAT ABOUT ME –•– Moving Pictures (Network)-22 (29)
30 31 SPACE AGE LOVE SONG –•– A Flock Of Seagulls (Jive)-14 (30)

31 34 ON THE LOOSE –•– Saga (Portrait)-11 (31)
32 7 DIRTY LAUNDRY –•– Don Henley (Asylum)-16 (3)
33 39 BREAKING US IN TWO –•– Joe Jackson (A&M)-5 (33)
34 16 THE GIRL IS MINE –•– Michael Jackson / Paul McCartney (Epic)-15 (2)
35 42 FALL IN LOVE WITH ME –•– Earth, Wind & Fire (Columbia)-4 (35)
36 41 I KNOW THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON –•– Frida (Atlantic)-15 (36)
37 38 I KNEW YOU WHEN –•– Linda Ronstadt (Asylum)-10 (37)
38 43 THE CLAPPING SONG –•– Pia Zadora (Elektra)-10 (38)
39 40 THE WOMAN IN ME –•– Donna Summer (Geffen)-9 (39)
40 — MR. ROBOTO –•– Styx (A&M)-1 (40)