1980. The year "O Canada," officially became our national anthem. Before that it was either "God Save the Queen" or Stompin' Tom Connors' "Sudbury Saturday Night." I forget which. Here's a look at a few of the song's that were almost as popular at the time.
Bonus Track: #65 - "Knee Deep in Love," Klaatu
This Toronto prog-psychedelia trio emerged in the mid 1970s, and their sound and the lack of biographical information on their album packaging initially caused some speculation that they were a front for a secretly reunited Beatles. In the U.S., they managed one Hot 100 single with a 45 that included the future Carpenters hit "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft." At home they managed three Top 50 singles, not including this more conventional acoustic love ballad, which in spite of being part of their label's concerted effort to mainstream them, only reached #52. It's okay, but hardly a lost gem. I'm more interested in having a listen to their other stuff, whenever I get a chance.
49 - "Drugs in My Pocket," The Monks
There former members of the mainstream British rock band Strawbs formed a new band with a punk-pop sound. They weren'the embraced at home, but in the Dominion they scored a double-platinum album and a Top Twenty hit in the form of this tune about possessing narcotics and being unsure how or when to use them. Definitely more a parody of punk than the genuine article, but charming in its way.
46 - "Free Me," Roger Daltrey
The Who front man scored a rare solo hit with this rocker about inner turmoil from McVicar, a movie in which he starred as a real life 1960s bank robber. Not that interesting, There is more and better solo Who coming up.
45 - "Too Bad," Doug and the Slugs (CanCon!)
This Vancouver band led by Toronto-born had a few CanCon earworms in this decade, and the first and arguably best of these was this snappy, ska-tinged number about a con man who gets conned himself. I think that's it. To me, these guys were the better, Canadian version of Huey Lewis and the News, and it would be nice if in a parallel universe the two band's swapped careers. But as it stands, this is the second entry in the Official Glovehead Registry of CanConClassics.
44 - "Clones (We're All)," Alice Cooper
King Coopa's first single of the 80s just scraped into the Top 40 at home, but here it got as high as #25. Musically, it finds Alice embracing New Wave synths, and lyrically, it sees him turning from horror to science fiction as he takes on genetic engineering. I like it a lot, even though it heralded the beginning of a commercially fallow and creatively confused period for Cooper that lasted for most of the decade.
36 - "Play the Game," Queen
Their follow-up to the almost Triple Crown-winning "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" missed the U.S. Top 40 but got into the middle reaches of it here. It's a theatrical Freddie power ballad about not being afraid of romance. Another solid entry in the band's hit collection.
34 - "My Mistake," The Kingbees (CanCon!)
Formed in California by Torontonian Jamie James, this band melded rockabilly and new wave on their biggest hit, a song about romantic trial and error. Honestly, I like it better than anything the Stray Cats would put out.
32 - "Can I Come Near," Graham Shaw and the Sincere Serenaders
A Winnipeg native who was in a band with Burton Cummings in the 60s before the latter joined the Guess Who, Shaw and the band he formed in 1977 scored the biggest of his two hits with this soft rock plea to get next to someone. Decent enough for what it is.
26 - "Young and Restless," Prism (CanCon!)
This Vancouver band had their biggest run between 1978 and 1981, picking up five Top 50s at home, including a U.S. #39 in '81 with "Don't Let Him Know," Their most successful hit was rock tune about being youthful and ready for something you can't name. Okay playlist filler.
15 - "Echo Beach," Martha and the Muffins (CanCon!)
The first hit for the future M+M was this New Wave bouncer about an office clerk daydreaming about relaxing by the lakeshore. A great song that also went Top Ten in Britain. Muffintastic.
12 - "Fine State of Affairs," Burton Cummings (CanCon!)
Graham Shaw's ex-bandmate's third and last solo Top Ten was this 50s-style midtempo ballad that I think might be about the loneliness of life on the road. It's his usual competent songcraft that made him one of CanCon's cornerstones for a good quarter century or so.
Top Ten, hosers.
10 - "Tired of Toein' the Line," Rocky Burnette
The only hit for the second generation rocker from Memphis. Another terrific new wave/rockabilly hybrid.
9 - "Games Without Frontiers," Peter Gabriel
Pete's first U.K. Top Ten was Top Ten here too, but missed the Top 40 to the south of us. Big mistake, Uncle Sam, because this is a masterpiece about children playing war that was inspired by a French game show, And it has Kate Bush singing the title in a way that sounds like "She's so popular." It's gold. And an Uneasy Rider too.
8 - "Cocaine/Tulsa Time," Eric Clapton's
A double-sided live single containing two covers; the former a grinding version of J.J. Cale's ode to nose candy, the latter a take on a 1978 hit by the recently passed country legend Don Williams. Not released in Britain, only #30 in the States, but Top Five here. Canada loved itself some Slowhand. And/or coke.
7 - "Misunderstanding," Genesis
These guys had more #1s here than in Britain and America combined, and this was the first. And yes, we knew what we were doing. I think. Much worse songs have topped charts.
6 - "Shining Star," The Manhattans
A cross border Top Ten. It still shines.
5 - "Let My Love Open the Door," Pete Townshend
Pete's perfect little pop song about the power of love was a Top Ten here and in America, but didn't even reach the Top 40 in the U.S.
4 - "Boulevard," Jackson Browne
He never made the Top Five at home, but he did so for the third and final time here with this tough rocker about L.A. street kids. Appropriately gritty.
3 - "Sailing," Christopher Cross
The least rousing sea chantey ever went to #1 on both sides of the border. If you listened to this while actually sailing, you'd probably fall asleep and fall overboard.
2 - "Emotional Rescue," The Rolling Stones
Their second-best disco hit. The falsetto was a worthy experiment, but Mick was right to shelve it.
1 - "Magic," Olivia Newton-John
ONJ's fifth Canuck #1 was her Xanadu showcase. I can't listen to anything from this soundtrack anymore without being in absolute bewilderment that this movie got made.
And there it is. Back to Britain next time. See you then.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Friday, September 22, 2017
GATW: UKT40 September 16, 1972 Part Two
The other twenty.
20 - "Come on Over to My Place," The Drifters
This seven-year old invitation to a dance party went Top Ten and helped launch these guys' 70s U.K. career revival. Maybe too similar to Sam Cooke's "Having a Party," but still fine fun.
19 - "Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby," Mardi Gras
This New York group had the bulk of their success in Europe, and their biggest Brit hit was this cover of a 1969 Marvin Gaye hit. A cool little garage-band version.
18 - "Lean on Me," Bill Withers
Another example of Britain being off its taste game at this time, as this is the highest this U.S. #1 and stone cold soul immortal got here. For shame.
17 - "Popcorn," Hot Butter
The early synth earwormy was Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic. Still tinny perfection.
16 - "School's Out," Alice Cooper
Alice's first hit here, and his only charttopper here or at home. Okay, that one the Brits got right. As we know from their later embrace of punk, they like youth rebellion.
15 - "The Loco-Motion," Little Eva
A reissue of Brooklynite Eva Boyd's dance-craze smash of ten years earlier. Neither Grand Funk nor Kylie came close to topping it.
14 - "Children of the Revolution," T. Rex
The seventh of eight straight Top 2s for Bolan's boys was this this slinky rocker that might be a parody of glam posturing ("I drive a Rolls-Royce 'cos it's good for my voice") or, conversely, a celebration of same. A great song either way.
13 - "Silver Machine," Hawkwind
This London band has been around since 1969, playing to a loyal fan base enamored with their mix of prog, psychedelia, and science fiction. Their most famous song is this spacey rocker that seems to be about a device that can be used to travel through time and space. It's certainly a trip. And if you think the lead singer's voice is vaguely familiar, it's because it is that of the band's then-bass player, one Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister. Three years later, he got kicked out of the band for a drug busts, and that gave birth to the legend that is Motorhead.
12 - "Living in Harmony," Cliff Richard
Yet another hit for him. Okay soft rock about loneliness. Product from a machine.
11 - "Layla," Derek and the Dominos
Clapton's classic about wanting George Harrison's wife. The riff and the piano breakdown are standalone standards, but it is worth listening to the whole song if you somehow have never heard it. But please don't bother with the unplugged version. That's just dreary on so many levels.
Ain't no Ten like a Top Ten.
10 - "How Can I be Sure," David Cassidy
Keith Partridge's first of two British Number Ones was this Turtles cover. Sounds like a deep, deep Tom Jones cut.
9 - "I Get the Sweetest Feeling," Jackie Wilson
Mr. Excitement picked up a Top Ten here with a four-year-old track about the exhilaration of love. It lands right in that Northern Soul sweet spot.
8 - "Ain't No Sunshine," Michael Jackson
This cover of Bill Withers' immortal blues was just a B-side in America, but here it became Michael's third Top Ten. It's hard to compete with the absolute perfection of the original, but the kid gives it his own spin that works well in a different way.
7 - "All the Young Dudes," Mott the Hoople
Mott's breakthrough and biggest hit. Bowie could have kept it for himself, but these guys more than did it justice. They carried the news better than any paperboy.
6 - "Standing in the Road," Blackfoot Sue
Led by twins Tom and David Farmer, thetbiggest of this Birmingham band's two hits was this blues rocker about being down and out. It's much, much better than that meager description would tell you. Find it and have a listen.
5 - "Sugar Me," Lynsey de Paul
Her first and biggest hit was this bouncy pop song about craving something sweet, and she probably doesn't really mean candy, wink wink nudge nudge say no more. Well-performed, well-arranged, well done.
4 - "Virginia Plain," Roxy Music
Roxy's debut single was this arty rock song about travelling and doing cool stuff and meeting girls. It doesn't make sense, it just sounds great. Which is kind of Roxy at their best in a nutshell.
3 - "It's Four in the Morning," Faron Young
Not only did this Waltz about not being able to leave a lover give former "Hillbilly Heartthrob" Young his first country #1 in ten years, it was a surprise smash over here. And deservedly so. This is primo heartbreak balladry.
2 - "You Wear it Well," Rod Stewart
Moddy Roddy got his second #1 with a sweet ode to a first lost love. This is the stuff I try to think of whenergy I'm confronted with the "Love Touch"es of his catalogue.
And Britain's favourite 45 45 years ago was...
1 - "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," Slade
The Wolverhampton hit machine's third #1 was this raucous paean to booze. A raucous racket with all the sleaze and grime that made their name. Once again, the Quiet Riot cover only skimmed the surface.
More musical musings to come. Bye for now.
20 - "Come on Over to My Place," The Drifters
This seven-year old invitation to a dance party went Top Ten and helped launch these guys' 70s U.K. career revival. Maybe too similar to Sam Cooke's "Having a Party," but still fine fun.
19 - "Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby," Mardi Gras
This New York group had the bulk of their success in Europe, and their biggest Brit hit was this cover of a 1969 Marvin Gaye hit. A cool little garage-band version.
18 - "Lean on Me," Bill Withers
Another example of Britain being off its taste game at this time, as this is the highest this U.S. #1 and stone cold soul immortal got here. For shame.
17 - "Popcorn," Hot Butter
The early synth earwormy was Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic. Still tinny perfection.
16 - "School's Out," Alice Cooper
Alice's first hit here, and his only charttopper here or at home. Okay, that one the Brits got right. As we know from their later embrace of punk, they like youth rebellion.
15 - "The Loco-Motion," Little Eva
A reissue of Brooklynite Eva Boyd's dance-craze smash of ten years earlier. Neither Grand Funk nor Kylie came close to topping it.
14 - "Children of the Revolution," T. Rex
The seventh of eight straight Top 2s for Bolan's boys was this this slinky rocker that might be a parody of glam posturing ("I drive a Rolls-Royce 'cos it's good for my voice") or, conversely, a celebration of same. A great song either way.
13 - "Silver Machine," Hawkwind
This London band has been around since 1969, playing to a loyal fan base enamored with their mix of prog, psychedelia, and science fiction. Their most famous song is this spacey rocker that seems to be about a device that can be used to travel through time and space. It's certainly a trip. And if you think the lead singer's voice is vaguely familiar, it's because it is that of the band's then-bass player, one Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister. Three years later, he got kicked out of the band for a drug busts, and that gave birth to the legend that is Motorhead.
12 - "Living in Harmony," Cliff Richard
Yet another hit for him. Okay soft rock about loneliness. Product from a machine.
11 - "Layla," Derek and the Dominos
Clapton's classic about wanting George Harrison's wife. The riff and the piano breakdown are standalone standards, but it is worth listening to the whole song if you somehow have never heard it. But please don't bother with the unplugged version. That's just dreary on so many levels.
Ain't no Ten like a Top Ten.
10 - "How Can I be Sure," David Cassidy
Keith Partridge's first of two British Number Ones was this Turtles cover. Sounds like a deep, deep Tom Jones cut.
9 - "I Get the Sweetest Feeling," Jackie Wilson
Mr. Excitement picked up a Top Ten here with a four-year-old track about the exhilaration of love. It lands right in that Northern Soul sweet spot.
8 - "Ain't No Sunshine," Michael Jackson
This cover of Bill Withers' immortal blues was just a B-side in America, but here it became Michael's third Top Ten. It's hard to compete with the absolute perfection of the original, but the kid gives it his own spin that works well in a different way.
7 - "All the Young Dudes," Mott the Hoople
Mott's breakthrough and biggest hit. Bowie could have kept it for himself, but these guys more than did it justice. They carried the news better than any paperboy.
6 - "Standing in the Road," Blackfoot Sue
Led by twins Tom and David Farmer, thetbiggest of this Birmingham band's two hits was this blues rocker about being down and out. It's much, much better than that meager description would tell you. Find it and have a listen.
5 - "Sugar Me," Lynsey de Paul
Her first and biggest hit was this bouncy pop song about craving something sweet, and she probably doesn't really mean candy, wink wink nudge nudge say no more. Well-performed, well-arranged, well done.
4 - "Virginia Plain," Roxy Music
Roxy's debut single was this arty rock song about travelling and doing cool stuff and meeting girls. It doesn't make sense, it just sounds great. Which is kind of Roxy at their best in a nutshell.
3 - "It's Four in the Morning," Faron Young
Not only did this Waltz about not being able to leave a lover give former "Hillbilly Heartthrob" Young his first country #1 in ten years, it was a surprise smash over here. And deservedly so. This is primo heartbreak balladry.
2 - "You Wear it Well," Rod Stewart
Moddy Roddy got his second #1 with a sweet ode to a first lost love. This is the stuff I try to think of whenergy I'm confronted with the "Love Touch"es of his catalogue.
And Britain's favourite 45 45 years ago was...
1 - "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," Slade
The Wolverhampton hit machine's third #1 was this raucous paean to booze. A raucous racket with all the sleaze and grime that made their name. Once again, the Quiet Riot cover only skimmed the surface.
More musical musings to come. Bye for now.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
GATW: UKT40 September 16, 1972
September 1972. The BBC debuts a game show called Mastermind, whose style of questioning contestants was apparently inspired by interrogation techniques its creator experienced while being held by the Gestapo in World War II. Sounds like a solid foundation for wholesome family entertainment. And I guess it is, because the show is still airing today. But if you weren't interested in watching people put under stress to win prizes, you could have put on a record. Like
40 - "Conquistador," Procol Harum
The Essex prog pioneers teamed up with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for this live rendition of an ode to some kind of medieval warrior. I'm a little surprised that they used a Spanish word but gave it a mangled English-style pronunciation ("con-KWISS-tador," rather than "con-KEESE-tador," Usually bands with that sort of bent are sticklers for that sort of thing.
39 - "I'm Still in Love with You," Al Green
One of the Reverend'so smoothest. Top Five at home, only #35 here. I'm quite surprised.
38 - "Moldy Old Dough," Lieutenant Pigeon
An odd little novelty instrumental, with the only vocals being someone raspily growling the title. Kind of jazzy, kind of rockish, there's a tin whistle. And it was a #1. Like it.
37 - "Circles," The New Seekers
The easy listening squad's fourth Top Five was this pleasant enough tune about the cyclical nature of life and love. I'd probably like it better done by the Carpenters, though.
36 - "10538 Overture," Electric Light Orchestra
ELO's first hit (and only one with future Wizzard man Roy Wood) was this song about an escaped prisoner. Good hard rock, enhanced by cello. Probably the closest the band would come to realizing its vision.
35 - "Heykens Serenade/The Day Has Ended," The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The military regiment's pipe and drum corps picked up their third hit with a jaunty march by Dutch composer Jonny Heykens, backed with a 19th century hymn. Nice if you like bagpipes. And Uneasy Riders.
34 - "Honky Cat," Elton John
Sir Elton's third hit here only got to #31, but Top Ten in the States. Get back.
33 - "I Can See Clearly Now," Johnny Nash
The optimistic classic was denied a Triple Crown by...this country, which held it to #5. You're trippin', Britain.
32 - "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress," The Hollies
Great song, a #2 in America...only got this high here. Wow, the U.K. was whiffing
on some fat pitches. Then again, they're more familiar with cricket, so maybe we should have bowled it to them. I'll end that weird metaphor digression now.
31 - "Journey," Duncan Browne
The song of a Royal Air Force pilot, Browne's only big hit was this folk-rocker that both musically and vocally sounds remarkably like George Harrison. And even still, I like it well enough on its own merit.
30 - "Puppy Love," Donny Osmond
Donny's Anka cover topped the chart here, was a #3 in the USA. Both results are okay by me.
29 - "Who Was It," Hurricane Smith
The Beatles' and Pink Floyd recording engineer only hit the Top 40 in the States with "Oh Babe, What Would You Say," but he had two more such hits in the U.K., the last being this cover of a Gilbert O'Sullivan song about "pure unabashed devotion " to a woman that seems to modern eyes more like stalking. Still, Smith's voice is entertainingly unique, so I like it better than if it were ol' Gil singing it.
28 - "Suzanne Beware of the Devil," Dandy Livingstone
Jamaican Robert Livingstone Thompson had his sole British hit with this reggae number about worrying that his lady is straying due to otherworldly evil influences. I think that's it. Snappy and catchy.
27 - "Run to Me," The Bee Gees
Their only pre-disco Top Ten of the decade here. An underrated gem.
26 - "Seaside Shuffle," Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs
Before his 1980 hits "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" and "Stop the Cavalry," Jona Lewie (as John Lewis), wrote and sung this accordion-driven novelty about going to Brighton for a beach vacation. Basically a slightly (but only just) less annoying version of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime."
25 - "Wig-Wam Bam," Sweet
The band's fourth hit was this glam jam about Native American romance inspired by both Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Song of Hiawatha and Johnny Preston's 1960 hit "Running Bear." Sort-of dodgy material in an extremely hooky package.
24 - "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," The Partridge Family
The fictional group's biggest U.K. hit was this meh cover of the Neil Sedaka oldie. His was in the midst of Britain's David Cassidy mania, and as such, there will be moreleased of him higher on the chart.
23 - "Big Six," Judge Dread
Our second encounter with the randy reggae white boy from Kent is his first hit, which chronicles the sexual misadventures of Little Boy Blue, inclouding an unfortunate mishap with a cricket ball. It also extensively employs the word "pussy." So no, radio play did not factor much into the song's success.
22 - "Too Young," Donny Osmond
Donny covers Nat King Cole. He does his best, but he's not as good here as he is on "Puppy Love."
21 - "Walk in the Night," Junior Walker and the All-Stars
Walker and Co.'s last British Top 40 was this Philly-influenced showcase for his sax playing. Great strutting music.
In Part Two: sweetness, darkness, and flatness.
40 - "Conquistador," Procol Harum
The Essex prog pioneers teamed up with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for this live rendition of an ode to some kind of medieval warrior. I'm a little surprised that they used a Spanish word but gave it a mangled English-style pronunciation ("con-KWISS-tador," rather than "con-KEESE-tador," Usually bands with that sort of bent are sticklers for that sort of thing.
39 - "I'm Still in Love with You," Al Green
One of the Reverend'so smoothest. Top Five at home, only #35 here. I'm quite surprised.
38 - "Moldy Old Dough," Lieutenant Pigeon
An odd little novelty instrumental, with the only vocals being someone raspily growling the title. Kind of jazzy, kind of rockish, there's a tin whistle. And it was a #1. Like it.
37 - "Circles," The New Seekers
The easy listening squad's fourth Top Five was this pleasant enough tune about the cyclical nature of life and love. I'd probably like it better done by the Carpenters, though.
36 - "10538 Overture," Electric Light Orchestra
ELO's first hit (and only one with future Wizzard man Roy Wood) was this song about an escaped prisoner. Good hard rock, enhanced by cello. Probably the closest the band would come to realizing its vision.
35 - "Heykens Serenade/The Day Has Ended," The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The military regiment's pipe and drum corps picked up their third hit with a jaunty march by Dutch composer Jonny Heykens, backed with a 19th century hymn. Nice if you like bagpipes. And Uneasy Riders.
34 - "Honky Cat," Elton John
Sir Elton's third hit here only got to #31, but Top Ten in the States. Get back.
33 - "I Can See Clearly Now," Johnny Nash
The optimistic classic was denied a Triple Crown by...this country, which held it to #5. You're trippin', Britain.
32 - "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress," The Hollies
Great song, a #2 in America...only got this high here. Wow, the U.K. was whiffing
on some fat pitches. Then again, they're more familiar with cricket, so maybe we should have bowled it to them. I'll end that weird metaphor digression now.
31 - "Journey," Duncan Browne
The song of a Royal Air Force pilot, Browne's only big hit was this folk-rocker that both musically and vocally sounds remarkably like George Harrison. And even still, I like it well enough on its own merit.
30 - "Puppy Love," Donny Osmond
Donny's Anka cover topped the chart here, was a #3 in the USA. Both results are okay by me.
29 - "Who Was It," Hurricane Smith
The Beatles' and Pink Floyd recording engineer only hit the Top 40 in the States with "Oh Babe, What Would You Say," but he had two more such hits in the U.K., the last being this cover of a Gilbert O'Sullivan song about "pure unabashed devotion " to a woman that seems to modern eyes more like stalking. Still, Smith's voice is entertainingly unique, so I like it better than if it were ol' Gil singing it.
28 - "Suzanne Beware of the Devil," Dandy Livingstone
Jamaican Robert Livingstone Thompson had his sole British hit with this reggae number about worrying that his lady is straying due to otherworldly evil influences. I think that's it. Snappy and catchy.
27 - "Run to Me," The Bee Gees
Their only pre-disco Top Ten of the decade here. An underrated gem.
26 - "Seaside Shuffle," Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs
Before his 1980 hits "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" and "Stop the Cavalry," Jona Lewie (as John Lewis), wrote and sung this accordion-driven novelty about going to Brighton for a beach vacation. Basically a slightly (but only just) less annoying version of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime."
25 - "Wig-Wam Bam," Sweet
The band's fourth hit was this glam jam about Native American romance inspired by both Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Song of Hiawatha and Johnny Preston's 1960 hit "Running Bear." Sort-of dodgy material in an extremely hooky package.
24 - "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," The Partridge Family
The fictional group's biggest U.K. hit was this meh cover of the Neil Sedaka oldie. His was in the midst of Britain's David Cassidy mania, and as such, there will be moreleased of him higher on the chart.
23 - "Big Six," Judge Dread
Our second encounter with the randy reggae white boy from Kent is his first hit, which chronicles the sexual misadventures of Little Boy Blue, inclouding an unfortunate mishap with a cricket ball. It also extensively employs the word "pussy." So no, radio play did not factor much into the song's success.
22 - "Too Young," Donny Osmond
Donny covers Nat King Cole. He does his best, but he's not as good here as he is on "Puppy Love."
21 - "Walk in the Night," Junior Walker and the All-Stars
Walker and Co.'s last British Top 40 was this Philly-influenced showcase for his sax playing. Great strutting music.
In Part Two: sweetness, darkness, and flatness.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
GATW: UKT40 September 1, 1990 Part Two
Wrap it up.
20 - "King of Wishful Thinking," Go West
The duo's big Pretty Woman hit. #8 in the States, only #18 here. Another win for British taste.
19 - "Hardcore Uproar," Together
Another one-hit techno wonder. Bleep bloop blah.
18 - " Blaze of Glory," Jon Bon Jovi
Jonny's first solo hit from the Young Guns II soundtrack topped the American charts, but missed the Top Ten here. Britain wins again.
17 - "I'm Free," The Soup Dragons
These Scots were just a run of the mill indie band until they embraced the trendy dance-rock style and picked up a Top Five with this cover of a lesser Rolling Stones song. They called in dancehall toaster Junior Reid for good measure. The result isn't good for much more than nostalgia now.
16 - "Vision of Love," Mariah Carey
The diva debut was another U.S. #1 that fell short here, but at least it was a Top Ten. And I still think it's her best.
15 - "U Can't Touch This," MC Hammer
Stan Burrell's infamous, Rick James-dependent blockbuster. Actually a bigger hit, chartwise, over here. Although with this country's love of remixing old stuff, that's not uncharacteristic.
14 - "The Joker," The Steve Miller Band
The rock staple didn't chart here until 16 years after it first came out, then a jeans commercial propelled it to #1. Ah, the pompetus of advertising.
13 - "Groove is in the Heart," Deee-Lite
The jam of the time, and and maybe all time. The song starts by promising "We're going to dance and have some fun," and goes on to deliver a thousandfold. The seeds for this were planted in the late 80s when Ohioan Kierin Kirby, Ukrainian Dmitry Brill, and Japan native Towa Tei met in New York and transformed into Lady Miss Kier, Supa DJ Dmitry, and Jungle DJ Towa Towa. Their debut single stormed the clubs like a tank full of funk, and it escaped the discos to be a transatlantic Top Five. The samples, the bass of the legendary Bootsy Collins, the rhymes of A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, Kier's sexy coo, the freaking slide whistle, it all comes together in one irresistible booty-shaking package. Simply one of the best pop songs of all time.
12 - "Turtle Power," Partners in Kryme
The very definition of going from the sublime to the ridiculous. A rap from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie that, as rap songs from movies of the time were required to do, laid out the plot of the movie. The track is okay synthpop funk, and the rapping is competent, but these guys rap names (DJ Keymaster Snow and MC Golden Voice!) are even more impossible to take seriously than the phrase "teenage mutant ninja turtles." An artifact of the time.
11 - "What Time is Love," The KLF
The first hit for Bill Drummond and Jimmy Carty under this name. The prototype of the "stadium house" sound that later helped them break America with "3 am Eternal." One of the few group's of the genre that really stood out. And that was before they burned £1 million.
Don't go Toppin' My Ten.
10 - "Silhouettes," Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff's first Top Ten of this decade was a live cover of a 1957 doo-wop classic about seeing your crush kissing another. He does what he does, and Britain seemed to like that a lot and for a long time.
9 - "Naked in the Rain," Blue Pearl
The first hit for the team of American singer Durga McBroom and Brit Martin "Youth" Glover, a former member of the band Killing Joke. Decent soul-house. That's it.
8 - "Can Can You Party," Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
A collective of DJs from Rotherham, these guys used a cartoon rabbit as a front and scored eight hits, including three #1s, from '89 to '91. Basically, they were just updating the Stars on 45 format, as this track proves. The medley includes three rock classics (the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann" and "Surfin' USA," Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite,"), two 70s doo-wop revival hits (Darts' "Daddy Cool," Showaddywaddy's "Dancin' Party,"), and a cleaned-up version of John Travolta doing "Greased Lightning.") No effort, no creativity, just lazy cash-in hackwork.
7 - "Listen to Your Heart/Dangerous," Roxette
A double-sided reissue of two songs that were hits the previous year in the U.S. I like the strutting pop rock of the latter to the bland power balladry of the former.
6 - "Praying for Time," George Michael
A surprisingly potent social statement from George. Didn’t think he had it in him before this. The most surprising thing may be is that his homeland prevented him from a Triple Crown, only lifting it this high. This, they got wrong.
5 - "Tom's Diner," DNA featuring Suzanne Vega
The first and biggest hit for Bath DJs Nick Batt and Neal Slateford came when they added beats and horn samples to a 1987 a capella track by American folkie Vega. The minimalist track and Vega's casual observations of life around her as she has her morning coffee blend perfectly, as if they were meant to be together from the start.
4 - "Where Are You Baby," Betty Boo
Born in London of Scottish and Malaysian ancestry, Alison Clarkson had the biggest of her five hits with this hybrid of rap and 60s pop-soul. Her rhyming and singing are both very good. This is just high-quality radio pop.
3 - "Tonight," New Kids on the Block
The Boston boys final Top Five, their showy reflection on their experiences with fame to that point, including "(meeting) a lot of people, and girls." That "and" still bothers me. They still linger in pop culture thanks to the restaurant chain/reality show Wahlburgers. My brother went to the Toronto location once (appropriately enough, before taking his daughter to a One Direction concert), and he says they make a good burger. Maybe someday I'll find out for myself.
2 - "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," Deacon Blue
This Glasgow band named for a Steely Dan song had a huge run between 1987 and 1994, picking up two #1 albums and seventeen Top 40 singles, the biggest of the latter being this cover of a Burt Bacharach/Hal David number about trying to convince oneself that romance is for chumps but knowing you'll still pursue it. Dionne Warwick made it a jaunty lark in 1969, but these guys make it slow and morose, and it doesn't work. Plus the singer sounds a lot like Michael Buble on it. I know they have better stuff, and hopefully we'll run into some down the line.
And your 27-year-old charttopper was...
1 - "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini," Bombalurina
So...this is a house cover of BrIan Hyland's 1960 novelty perennial about a girl so embarrassed by the brevity of her swimwear that she was apparently willing to ironically die of exposure rather than come out of the ocean. It's sung by Timmy Mallett, who at the time hosted a children's show alongside a cockatiel and a talking hammer. And it was produced by none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber, who did so to win a bet with his post-Sarah Brightman wife that he was too "pompous" to produce a dumb summer pop hit. You couldn't have drawn up an Uneasier Rider if you tried.
So yeah, that happened. Othere stuff happened at other times, and I'll tell you about one of those times soon.
20 - "King of Wishful Thinking," Go West
The duo's big Pretty Woman hit. #8 in the States, only #18 here. Another win for British taste.
19 - "Hardcore Uproar," Together
Another one-hit techno wonder. Bleep bloop blah.
18 - " Blaze of Glory," Jon Bon Jovi
Jonny's first solo hit from the Young Guns II soundtrack topped the American charts, but missed the Top Ten here. Britain wins again.
17 - "I'm Free," The Soup Dragons
These Scots were just a run of the mill indie band until they embraced the trendy dance-rock style and picked up a Top Five with this cover of a lesser Rolling Stones song. They called in dancehall toaster Junior Reid for good measure. The result isn't good for much more than nostalgia now.
16 - "Vision of Love," Mariah Carey
The diva debut was another U.S. #1 that fell short here, but at least it was a Top Ten. And I still think it's her best.
15 - "U Can't Touch This," MC Hammer
Stan Burrell's infamous, Rick James-dependent blockbuster. Actually a bigger hit, chartwise, over here. Although with this country's love of remixing old stuff, that's not uncharacteristic.
14 - "The Joker," The Steve Miller Band
The rock staple didn't chart here until 16 years after it first came out, then a jeans commercial propelled it to #1. Ah, the pompetus of advertising.
13 - "Groove is in the Heart," Deee-Lite
The jam of the time, and and maybe all time. The song starts by promising "We're going to dance and have some fun," and goes on to deliver a thousandfold. The seeds for this were planted in the late 80s when Ohioan Kierin Kirby, Ukrainian Dmitry Brill, and Japan native Towa Tei met in New York and transformed into Lady Miss Kier, Supa DJ Dmitry, and Jungle DJ Towa Towa. Their debut single stormed the clubs like a tank full of funk, and it escaped the discos to be a transatlantic Top Five. The samples, the bass of the legendary Bootsy Collins, the rhymes of A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, Kier's sexy coo, the freaking slide whistle, it all comes together in one irresistible booty-shaking package. Simply one of the best pop songs of all time.
12 - "Turtle Power," Partners in Kryme
The very definition of going from the sublime to the ridiculous. A rap from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie that, as rap songs from movies of the time were required to do, laid out the plot of the movie. The track is okay synthpop funk, and the rapping is competent, but these guys rap names (DJ Keymaster Snow and MC Golden Voice!) are even more impossible to take seriously than the phrase "teenage mutant ninja turtles." An artifact of the time.
11 - "What Time is Love," The KLF
The first hit for Bill Drummond and Jimmy Carty under this name. The prototype of the "stadium house" sound that later helped them break America with "3 am Eternal." One of the few group's of the genre that really stood out. And that was before they burned £1 million.
Don't go Toppin' My Ten.
10 - "Silhouettes," Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff's first Top Ten of this decade was a live cover of a 1957 doo-wop classic about seeing your crush kissing another. He does what he does, and Britain seemed to like that a lot and for a long time.
9 - "Naked in the Rain," Blue Pearl
The first hit for the team of American singer Durga McBroom and Brit Martin "Youth" Glover, a former member of the band Killing Joke. Decent soul-house. That's it.
8 - "Can Can You Party," Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
A collective of DJs from Rotherham, these guys used a cartoon rabbit as a front and scored eight hits, including three #1s, from '89 to '91. Basically, they were just updating the Stars on 45 format, as this track proves. The medley includes three rock classics (the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann" and "Surfin' USA," Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite,"), two 70s doo-wop revival hits (Darts' "Daddy Cool," Showaddywaddy's "Dancin' Party,"), and a cleaned-up version of John Travolta doing "Greased Lightning.") No effort, no creativity, just lazy cash-in hackwork.
7 - "Listen to Your Heart/Dangerous," Roxette
A double-sided reissue of two songs that were hits the previous year in the U.S. I like the strutting pop rock of the latter to the bland power balladry of the former.
6 - "Praying for Time," George Michael
A surprisingly potent social statement from George. Didn’t think he had it in him before this. The most surprising thing may be is that his homeland prevented him from a Triple Crown, only lifting it this high. This, they got wrong.
5 - "Tom's Diner," DNA featuring Suzanne Vega
The first and biggest hit for Bath DJs Nick Batt and Neal Slateford came when they added beats and horn samples to a 1987 a capella track by American folkie Vega. The minimalist track and Vega's casual observations of life around her as she has her morning coffee blend perfectly, as if they were meant to be together from the start.
4 - "Where Are You Baby," Betty Boo
Born in London of Scottish and Malaysian ancestry, Alison Clarkson had the biggest of her five hits with this hybrid of rap and 60s pop-soul. Her rhyming and singing are both very good. This is just high-quality radio pop.
3 - "Tonight," New Kids on the Block
The Boston boys final Top Five, their showy reflection on their experiences with fame to that point, including "(meeting) a lot of people, and girls." That "and" still bothers me. They still linger in pop culture thanks to the restaurant chain/reality show Wahlburgers. My brother went to the Toronto location once (appropriately enough, before taking his daughter to a One Direction concert), and he says they make a good burger. Maybe someday I'll find out for myself.
2 - "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," Deacon Blue
This Glasgow band named for a Steely Dan song had a huge run between 1987 and 1994, picking up two #1 albums and seventeen Top 40 singles, the biggest of the latter being this cover of a Burt Bacharach/Hal David number about trying to convince oneself that romance is for chumps but knowing you'll still pursue it. Dionne Warwick made it a jaunty lark in 1969, but these guys make it slow and morose, and it doesn't work. Plus the singer sounds a lot like Michael Buble on it. I know they have better stuff, and hopefully we'll run into some down the line.
And your 27-year-old charttopper was...
1 - "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini," Bombalurina
So...this is a house cover of BrIan Hyland's 1960 novelty perennial about a girl so embarrassed by the brevity of her swimwear that she was apparently willing to ironically die of exposure rather than come out of the ocean. It's sung by Timmy Mallett, who at the time hosted a children's show alongside a cockatiel and a talking hammer. And it was produced by none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber, who did so to win a bet with his post-Sarah Brightman wife that he was too "pompous" to produce a dumb summer pop hit. You couldn't have drawn up an Uneasier Rider if you tried.
So yeah, that happened. Othere stuff happened at other times, and I'll tell you about one of those times soon.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
GATW: UKT40 September 1, 1990
September 1990. As she had been throughout the 80s, Margaret Thatcher was still Britain's Prime Minister. As she entered the fall, she might very well have felt she had quite a few more years in charge ahead of her. Talk of a recession and opposition in her own party to her approach to Europe were mere speed bumps that she would surely overcome as she had other obstacles. I'll let you look up for yourself if she was right. Meanwhile, these were the results of the weekly election known as the singles chart.
40 - "Groovy Train," The Farm
This Liverpool band formed in 1983, but it wasn't until 1990 when their dance-rock sound dovetailed with the Madchester phenomenon that they scored their first major hit with this chugging track about not being impressed with a girl who used to be cool but is now posh. I think that's it. It's okay, but it might sound better on Ecstasy. I'll never try, though.
39 - "Life's What You Make It," Talk Talk
A four-years-later reissue of the London band's biggest home hit, a minimally-lyriced New Wave hymn to focusing on the future. Simple and beautiful.
38 - " Sacrifice/Healing Hands," Elton John
The previous year, these songs, a gospellish pop tune about reaching out for help in crisis and a ballad about a married couple growing apart respectively, made the Top 20 individually in America. Released together here, they became his first solo #1 at home. They’re pretty good songs, but really Britain? Nothing in the past 20 years deserved it as much or more than this. Really?!
37 - "Release Me," Wilson Phillips
This MOR number about wanting a lover to let you go followed "Hold On," to become the Beach Boys/Mamas and the Papas legacy group's second charttopper. Here, it scraped into the Top 40 after its predecessor hit #6. Better judgment on this, Blighty. Besides, "Impulsive," is better than both of these by miles.
36 - "Rockin' Over the Beat," Technotronic
The fourth hit for the Belgian dance outfit best known for "Pump Up the Jam," is their usual groove with rapper Ya Kid K rhyming about beats and sounds and stuff. It was their thing, it had it's time, it's done.
35 - "LFO," LFO
Not to be confused with American boy band Lyte Funky Ones, this Leeds electronic group named themselves and their only major hit after the Lower Frequency Oscillator section of a synthesizer. It's your basic techno collection of bleeps and bloops, but there's something of a tune in there, so it's somewhat listenable in settings that aren't loud, crowded and sweaty.
34 - "Don't be a Fool," Loose Ends
The fourth hit for these Britfunkers was this track about making the most of life and not making bad decisions. It has a Soul II Soul vibe that I really like.
33 - "Look Me in the Heart," Tina Turner
Tina's first hit of the 90s was this midtempo number about trying to convince a lover that you're serious about a new start. Meh material sold by one of the greats.
32 - "Amanda," Craig McLachlan
This Aussie followed Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan on the Neighbours to pop stardom path. His second of four hits was this nondescript soft rock love song. He soon went back to acting. Wise choice.
31 - "Now You're Gone," Whitesnake
Their last non-reissued hit. Slick hair metal, and nothing more. The Tawny Kitaen years have aged horribly.
30 - "Heart Like a Wheel," Human League
Their 90s debut was this big-sounding synth number about dishonesty and bad stuff in the world. It doesn't come off as profound as it wants to be. They'd have a little commercial rebound later in the decade, but creatively, they were a spent force.
29 - "In My World," Anthrax
The Queens branch of thrash metal's Big 4 scored six hit singles in the U.K., the fourth being this loud and fast ode to being hardened to defend against a cruel unfeeling world. Standard material for the genre, but well delivered, and a 4.5 on the Headbangometer.
28 - "Tricky Disco," Tricky Disco
The London duo of Michael Wells and Lee Newman were known for most of their career as Greater Than One, but their first hit was under the name of the song. Bleeps, bloops, and manipulated voices. Another one that’s slightly better than average.
27 - "Come Together," Primal Scream
The Scots' second hit combined guitars, dance beats, a choir, and Bobby Gillespie's blessed out vocals. Perfect for the Madchester era, and it still has appeal beyond.
26 - "Hanky Panky," Madonna
Oh yes, the days when Madge was so untouchable that she could release a jazz song about having a spanking fetish and go Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic. This may have been why she thought doing the Sex book was a good idea. "They want kinky? I'll show them kinky!" We never know the unintended consequences of our actions, do we?
25 - "Next to You," Aswad
This London reggae band, named for the Arabic word for "black," started in the 70s, but didn't break through until they hit #1 in 1988 with "Don't Turn Around," which would later be covered by Ace of Base. They had a handful of hits after that, and this was one of them. More pop than reggae, and not very memorable.
24 - "End of the World," Sonia
Ms. Evans sixth hit was this Stock Aitken Waterman cover of Skeeter Davis' 1962 heartbreak country classic. No. This was not to be shined up and turned into a mall ballad. Shame on all involved.
23 - "Rhythm of the Rain," Jason Donovan
Another Neighbours star, and another cover, this time of the Cascades' 1962 hit that employs the literary device of pathetic fallacy. This one's more pointless than offensive.
22 - "Silly Games," Lindy Layton featuring Janet Kay
Londoner Layton first gained attention singing lead on "Dub Be Good to Me," a #1 earlier this year for Norman Cook's group Beats International. Her first and biggest solo hit was this cover of Kay's 1979 #2 romantic reggae hit. Haven't heard the original, but I'll guess it's better than this uninspiring dance yawner.
21 - "Englishman in New York (The Ben Liebrand Mix)," Sting
The Stinger's first hit of this decade was a remix by Dutch DJ Liebrand of this wistful, jazzy rumination on being British in the Big Apple. I prefer the original, but this is hardly a desecration.
In Part Two: among the covers, remixes and movie songs, one genuine classic.
40 - "Groovy Train," The Farm
This Liverpool band formed in 1983, but it wasn't until 1990 when their dance-rock sound dovetailed with the Madchester phenomenon that they scored their first major hit with this chugging track about not being impressed with a girl who used to be cool but is now posh. I think that's it. It's okay, but it might sound better on Ecstasy. I'll never try, though.
39 - "Life's What You Make It," Talk Talk
A four-years-later reissue of the London band's biggest home hit, a minimally-lyriced New Wave hymn to focusing on the future. Simple and beautiful.
38 - " Sacrifice/Healing Hands," Elton John
The previous year, these songs, a gospellish pop tune about reaching out for help in crisis and a ballad about a married couple growing apart respectively, made the Top 20 individually in America. Released together here, they became his first solo #1 at home. They’re pretty good songs, but really Britain? Nothing in the past 20 years deserved it as much or more than this. Really?!
37 - "Release Me," Wilson Phillips
This MOR number about wanting a lover to let you go followed "Hold On," to become the Beach Boys/Mamas and the Papas legacy group's second charttopper. Here, it scraped into the Top 40 after its predecessor hit #6. Better judgment on this, Blighty. Besides, "Impulsive," is better than both of these by miles.
36 - "Rockin' Over the Beat," Technotronic
The fourth hit for the Belgian dance outfit best known for "Pump Up the Jam," is their usual groove with rapper Ya Kid K rhyming about beats and sounds and stuff. It was their thing, it had it's time, it's done.
35 - "LFO," LFO
Not to be confused with American boy band Lyte Funky Ones, this Leeds electronic group named themselves and their only major hit after the Lower Frequency Oscillator section of a synthesizer. It's your basic techno collection of bleeps and bloops, but there's something of a tune in there, so it's somewhat listenable in settings that aren't loud, crowded and sweaty.
34 - "Don't be a Fool," Loose Ends
The fourth hit for these Britfunkers was this track about making the most of life and not making bad decisions. It has a Soul II Soul vibe that I really like.
33 - "Look Me in the Heart," Tina Turner
Tina's first hit of the 90s was this midtempo number about trying to convince a lover that you're serious about a new start. Meh material sold by one of the greats.
32 - "Amanda," Craig McLachlan
This Aussie followed Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan on the Neighbours to pop stardom path. His second of four hits was this nondescript soft rock love song. He soon went back to acting. Wise choice.
31 - "Now You're Gone," Whitesnake
Their last non-reissued hit. Slick hair metal, and nothing more. The Tawny Kitaen years have aged horribly.
30 - "Heart Like a Wheel," Human League
Their 90s debut was this big-sounding synth number about dishonesty and bad stuff in the world. It doesn't come off as profound as it wants to be. They'd have a little commercial rebound later in the decade, but creatively, they were a spent force.
29 - "In My World," Anthrax
The Queens branch of thrash metal's Big 4 scored six hit singles in the U.K., the fourth being this loud and fast ode to being hardened to defend against a cruel unfeeling world. Standard material for the genre, but well delivered, and a 4.5 on the Headbangometer.
28 - "Tricky Disco," Tricky Disco
The London duo of Michael Wells and Lee Newman were known for most of their career as Greater Than One, but their first hit was under the name of the song. Bleeps, bloops, and manipulated voices. Another one that’s slightly better than average.
27 - "Come Together," Primal Scream
The Scots' second hit combined guitars, dance beats, a choir, and Bobby Gillespie's blessed out vocals. Perfect for the Madchester era, and it still has appeal beyond.
26 - "Hanky Panky," Madonna
Oh yes, the days when Madge was so untouchable that she could release a jazz song about having a spanking fetish and go Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic. This may have been why she thought doing the Sex book was a good idea. "They want kinky? I'll show them kinky!" We never know the unintended consequences of our actions, do we?
25 - "Next to You," Aswad
This London reggae band, named for the Arabic word for "black," started in the 70s, but didn't break through until they hit #1 in 1988 with "Don't Turn Around," which would later be covered by Ace of Base. They had a handful of hits after that, and this was one of them. More pop than reggae, and not very memorable.
24 - "End of the World," Sonia
Ms. Evans sixth hit was this Stock Aitken Waterman cover of Skeeter Davis' 1962 heartbreak country classic. No. This was not to be shined up and turned into a mall ballad. Shame on all involved.
23 - "Rhythm of the Rain," Jason Donovan
Another Neighbours star, and another cover, this time of the Cascades' 1962 hit that employs the literary device of pathetic fallacy. This one's more pointless than offensive.
22 - "Silly Games," Lindy Layton featuring Janet Kay
Londoner Layton first gained attention singing lead on "Dub Be Good to Me," a #1 earlier this year for Norman Cook's group Beats International. Her first and biggest solo hit was this cover of Kay's 1979 #2 romantic reggae hit. Haven't heard the original, but I'll guess it's better than this uninspiring dance yawner.
21 - "Englishman in New York (The Ben Liebrand Mix)," Sting
The Stinger's first hit of this decade was a remix by Dutch DJ Liebrand of this wistful, jazzy rumination on being British in the Big Apple. I prefer the original, but this is hardly a desecration.
In Part Two: among the covers, remixes and movie songs, one genuine classic.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
GATW: UKT40 August 20, 1983 Part Two
The back end.
20 - "Wait Until Tonight," Galaxy featuring Phil Fearon
This London funk group led by singer Fearon had their second of four hits with this promise that he'll be home in the evening. Competent is the best adjective I can come up with.
19 - "Wings of a Dove," Madness
Another hit for the Nutty Boys, this one is a jaunty call to live fearlessly that features steel drums and a gospel choir. A fun three-minute party.
18 - "Moonlight Shadow," Mike Oldfield
Reading- born multi-instrumentalist Oldfield is mainly known in America for Tubular Bells, the instrumental piece that soundtracked The Exorcist. An edited version made the Top Ten there, but he had no further hits. At home he scored eight Top 40s and three Top Fives, the last of the latter being this poppy number sung by Scottish vocalist Maggie Reilly that I think is about a woman in love with some kind of outlaw. But it doesn't matter, it's pretty and catchy.
17 - "Watching You Watching Me," David Grant
Londoner Grant's biggest true solo hit since the breakup of the duo Linx was this funk-pop tune about finding romance. It's good, in that Go West/Living in a Box vein. More interesting than most Level 42, for sure.
16 - "Cruel Summer,"Bananarama
Their fifth Top Ten. Still solid seasonal pop.
15 - "The First Picture of You," The Lotus Eaters
The only major hit for this Liverpool band was this spare New Waver about summer romance. It seems trifling at first, but it grows on me with every listen.
14 - "Right Now," The Creatures
The biggest hit for the side project of Siouxsie Sioux and Banshees drummer Budgie was this cover of an uptempo jazz love song first sung on record by Mel Torme in 1962. Perhaps the only song that you can picture goth kids jitterbugging to. I like that image for some reason.
13 - "Who's That Girl," Eurythmics
Their third Top Ten. Annie sounds very pissed at whoever is cheating on her. Run, whoever you are!
12 - "Big Log," Robert Plant
His biggest solo hit. And if it's a double entedre, he doesn't make that as obvious as it would have been back in the Zeppelin days.
11 - "The Crown," Gary Byrd and the GB Experience
Buffalo-born Byrd and his band had their biggest success with this ten-and-a-half minute rap epic about the accomplishments of African people throughout history, and how this knowledge can empower people today. It features a sung verse by the track's producer, none other than Stevie Wonder. And it's probably the only song to mention King Tut, Malcolm X, the Incredible Hulk, Harriet Turman, Jackie Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Langston Hughes. A terrific discovery, and this week's co-Uneasy Rider.
Jumpin' Top Ten is a gas gas gas.
10 - "I.O.U.," Freeez
A song we encountered in an '87 recap. Electro-dance okayness, but not much more.
9 - "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)," Paul Young
Young's first hit, this cover of a 1969 Marvin Gaye B-side, would be his only home charttopper. A great showcase for his soulful voice, and probably his best performance.
8 - "Rockit," Herbie Hancock
The jazz star's foray into hip-hop beats and scratches may have swept the MTV awards in America with its iconic Godley and Creme robot video, but as a single it didn't even crack the Top 70 there. But Britain made it the Top Ten it should be. A landmark record that still holds up.
7 - "Double Dutch," Malcolm McLaren and the World Famous Supreme Team
After his stints managing the Sex Pistols and Bow Wow Wow, McLaren tried his handat being a recording artist himself, and he scored his biggest hit with this tribute to the teams of girls who practiced the titular rope-skipping style in New York City (in particular a group called the Ebonettes. It is set to the sort of African music that three years later would form the base of Paul Simon's Graceland album. Very spirited and joyful, and also this chart's other Uneasy Rider.
6 - "Everything Counts," Depeche Mode
The Mode's third Top Ten was this critique of corporate greed. Their transformation into seriousness was complete, and in the end, it was for the best. They wouldn't have lasted as long as they have just doing variations on "Just Can't Get Enough."
5 - "I'm Still Standing," Elton John
Elton's triumphant declaration of survival. It was up to Canada to make it a #1. I don't mind that we did that at all.
4 - "Club Tropicana," Wham!
The boys' fourth hit was this tropical jam about cheap vacations. It doesn't quite have the spark of most of their other biggies. More like Wham period than Wham exclamation point.
3 - "The Long Hot Summer," The Style Council
The group's biggest hit was this languid, jazzy ballad about the point at the end of a relationship where it seems all you can do is hurt each other. Gorgeously sad, and proof that Weller's second chapter was going to be pretty significant.
2 - "Gold," Spandau Ballet
Their sixth Top Ten. As exhilarating as "True" is relaxed.
And up on top back then was
1 - "Give it Up," K.C. and the Sunshine Band
Surprisingly, Harry and the Disco-Suns' last major hit was their only #1 here. Later, it would crack the Top 20 in America, but it was billed there as being just by K.C., probably because "disco sucks" was still a thing and the label wanted you to know that no matter what you thought, this wasn't disco. It probably worked on Homer Simpson: "It looks like disco, it sounds like disco, but brother, it ain't disco!
Done again. Until next time, keep watching the skis.
20 - "Wait Until Tonight," Galaxy featuring Phil Fearon
This London funk group led by singer Fearon had their second of four hits with this promise that he'll be home in the evening. Competent is the best adjective I can come up with.
19 - "Wings of a Dove," Madness
Another hit for the Nutty Boys, this one is a jaunty call to live fearlessly that features steel drums and a gospel choir. A fun three-minute party.
18 - "Moonlight Shadow," Mike Oldfield
Reading- born multi-instrumentalist Oldfield is mainly known in America for Tubular Bells, the instrumental piece that soundtracked The Exorcist. An edited version made the Top Ten there, but he had no further hits. At home he scored eight Top 40s and three Top Fives, the last of the latter being this poppy number sung by Scottish vocalist Maggie Reilly that I think is about a woman in love with some kind of outlaw. But it doesn't matter, it's pretty and catchy.
17 - "Watching You Watching Me," David Grant
Londoner Grant's biggest true solo hit since the breakup of the duo Linx was this funk-pop tune about finding romance. It's good, in that Go West/Living in a Box vein. More interesting than most Level 42, for sure.
16 - "Cruel Summer,"Bananarama
Their fifth Top Ten. Still solid seasonal pop.
15 - "The First Picture of You," The Lotus Eaters
The only major hit for this Liverpool band was this spare New Waver about summer romance. It seems trifling at first, but it grows on me with every listen.
14 - "Right Now," The Creatures
The biggest hit for the side project of Siouxsie Sioux and Banshees drummer Budgie was this cover of an uptempo jazz love song first sung on record by Mel Torme in 1962. Perhaps the only song that you can picture goth kids jitterbugging to. I like that image for some reason.
13 - "Who's That Girl," Eurythmics
Their third Top Ten. Annie sounds very pissed at whoever is cheating on her. Run, whoever you are!
12 - "Big Log," Robert Plant
His biggest solo hit. And if it's a double entedre, he doesn't make that as obvious as it would have been back in the Zeppelin days.
11 - "The Crown," Gary Byrd and the GB Experience
Buffalo-born Byrd and his band had their biggest success with this ten-and-a-half minute rap epic about the accomplishments of African people throughout history, and how this knowledge can empower people today. It features a sung verse by the track's producer, none other than Stevie Wonder. And it's probably the only song to mention King Tut, Malcolm X, the Incredible Hulk, Harriet Turman, Jackie Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Langston Hughes. A terrific discovery, and this week's co-Uneasy Rider.
Jumpin' Top Ten is a gas gas gas.
10 - "I.O.U.," Freeez
A song we encountered in an '87 recap. Electro-dance okayness, but not much more.
9 - "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)," Paul Young
Young's first hit, this cover of a 1969 Marvin Gaye B-side, would be his only home charttopper. A great showcase for his soulful voice, and probably his best performance.
8 - "Rockit," Herbie Hancock
The jazz star's foray into hip-hop beats and scratches may have swept the MTV awards in America with its iconic Godley and Creme robot video, but as a single it didn't even crack the Top 70 there. But Britain made it the Top Ten it should be. A landmark record that still holds up.
7 - "Double Dutch," Malcolm McLaren and the World Famous Supreme Team
After his stints managing the Sex Pistols and Bow Wow Wow, McLaren tried his handat being a recording artist himself, and he scored his biggest hit with this tribute to the teams of girls who practiced the titular rope-skipping style in New York City (in particular a group called the Ebonettes. It is set to the sort of African music that three years later would form the base of Paul Simon's Graceland album. Very spirited and joyful, and also this chart's other Uneasy Rider.
6 - "Everything Counts," Depeche Mode
The Mode's third Top Ten was this critique of corporate greed. Their transformation into seriousness was complete, and in the end, it was for the best. They wouldn't have lasted as long as they have just doing variations on "Just Can't Get Enough."
5 - "I'm Still Standing," Elton John
Elton's triumphant declaration of survival. It was up to Canada to make it a #1. I don't mind that we did that at all.
4 - "Club Tropicana," Wham!
The boys' fourth hit was this tropical jam about cheap vacations. It doesn't quite have the spark of most of their other biggies. More like Wham period than Wham exclamation point.
3 - "The Long Hot Summer," The Style Council
The group's biggest hit was this languid, jazzy ballad about the point at the end of a relationship where it seems all you can do is hurt each other. Gorgeously sad, and proof that Weller's second chapter was going to be pretty significant.
2 - "Gold," Spandau Ballet
Their sixth Top Ten. As exhilarating as "True" is relaxed.
And up on top back then was
1 - "Give it Up," K.C. and the Sunshine Band
Surprisingly, Harry and the Disco-Suns' last major hit was their only #1 here. Later, it would crack the Top 20 in America, but it was billed there as being just by K.C., probably because "disco sucks" was still a thing and the label wanted you to know that no matter what you thought, this wasn't disco. It probably worked on Homer Simpson: "It looks like disco, it sounds like disco, but brother, it ain't disco!
Done again. Until next time, keep watching the skis.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
GATW: UKT40 August 20, 1983 Part One
Late August 1983. London was going through a heatwave. Let's see what was burning up the charts. (Sorry, they can't all be winners.)
40 - "Baby Jane," Rod Stewart
Rod's sixth and last #1. And the worst. But at least it's not "Love Touch."
39 - "It's Over," Funk Masters
This amalgamation of British funk musicians and singer Juliet Roberts teamed up for this Top Ten hit, a smooth groove about getting over a breakup. Very good for what it is.
38 - "Do it Again/Billie Jean," Club House
The first of a few scattered hits for this Italian dance group was one of the first popular "mash-ups," which seamlessly combines elements of Steely Dan's 1973 breakthrough and Michael Jackson's more recent smash. Well-blended, and as it turned out, ahead of its time. I wonder if they ever did this on Glee. If not, they should have.
37 - "Don't Cry," Asia
The prog-to-pop supergroup's only Top 40 here. How did they miss on "Heat of the Moment?" A rare big whiff for the U.K.
36 - "Red Red Wine," UB40
The Neil Diamond cover hit #1 here the first time around, not five years later like in the States. I guess justice was done, but I'm so familiar with this I don't care.
35 - "Bad Boy," Carmel
Led by Lincolnshire singer Carmel McCourt, this band had their first of two hits with this retro torch-soul ballad of perseverance. It's the kind of song on which Adele has built a career, but McCourt is more of a belter than a singer. And that works.
34 - "Flashdance...What a Feeling," Irene Cara
Britain prevented this from the Triple Crown, only making it a #2. I guess she couldn't have it all.
33 - "Disappearing Act," Shalamar
Their tenth Brit hit was this Jody Watley showcase about about an absentee lover. One of their best.
32 - "Don't Try to Stop It," Roman Holiday
This English band combined new wave, ska and swing on their biggest hit, a song about how they will not be restrained from making their music. It's a good tune, but they did eventually stop. Their guitarist is now a professor of Russian history at a university in Ohio. Appropriate, since the title of this song seems to be the basic message of every statement Vladimir Putin makes these days.
31 - "Guilty of Love," Whitesnake
The sixth hit for the Coverdale crew was this fast rock affection confession. They were getting a little slicker, but still very far from synths and Tawny Kitaen.
30 - "Walking in the Rain," Modern Romance
This band's tenth and final hit was this blah take-me-back tune. Even the eccentric Brits could sometimes let raw boredom sneak into the Top Ten, apparently.
29 - "Come Dancing," The Kinks
Ray Davies memories of his sister's teenage dating life missed the Top Ten here, but made #6 in the States. I think I'll give it to America.
28 - "Tour de France," Kraftwerk
The German duo's sixth hit was this evocative electronic tribute to the annual July bicycle race later made infamous by Lance Armstrong. The sounds of chains, brakes, and riders groaning with exertion make you feel like you're in the middle of the pelloton. It may have surpassed "Autobahn" as their most famous song.
27 - "Come Live with Me," Heaven 17
The Sheffield duo of Martyn Ware and Ian Marshall formed Human League in the late 70s, but they left thegroup in late 1980 to form their own synth outfit with singer Glenn Gregory. While they weren't as big as their old group became, they managed a couple Top Fives, the second being this number about a thirtysomething man pursuing a doomed romance with a teenager. It's colder and more sterile-sounding than their old band's biggest hits, but it fits the subject matter.
26 - "Wrapped Around Your Finger," The Police
The second Synchronicity single here, the fourth in the States, Top Ten in both countries. For better or for worse, I believe this is what gave Sting the idea that more flowery and obscure lyrical references were the way to go.
25 - "Freak," Bruce Foxton
While Jam singer Paul Weller moved in the soul-R&B direction with the Style Council after the group's breakup, guitarist Foxton stayed with rock on his only solo hit, a song inspired by the film The Elephant Man. It's a little more polished than The Jam, but still, a pretty good effort.
24 - "Give it Some Emotion," Tracie
Speaking of The Jam, Tracie Young was discovered by Paul Weller in the band's waning days, and after performing backing vocals on both Jam and Style Council singles she managed two hits of her own, the last being this electronically enhanced girl-group tribute about wanting to get a reaction out of her lover even if it requires drastic measures. It's cool and catchy, and makes one wish there were even more to hear from her.
23 - "Love Blonde," Kim Wilde
The Wilde child's sixth hit was this jazzy strut about an alluring lady. I like it better than most of her more conventional hits. She was more than just a voice to plug in over synthesized beats.
22 - "It's Late," Shakin' Stevens
Shaky's tenth hit was a cover of a 1959 Ricky Nelson hit that’s basically a rewrite of "Wake Up Little Susie." He does his thing, and I spend the whole three uminutes wondering how much better the original is. Pretty much my experience with most of his hits.
21 - "The Sun Goes Down (Living it Up)," Level 42
Their first Top Ten was typical synthetic funk about having fun and, uh, not wanting to go to war. It's becoming clearer to me that everything this band did except "Running in the Family," is interchangeable.
In Part Two: some are flying, some are skipping, and some are just happy that they're remaining upright.
40 - "Baby Jane," Rod Stewart
Rod's sixth and last #1. And the worst. But at least it's not "Love Touch."
39 - "It's Over," Funk Masters
This amalgamation of British funk musicians and singer Juliet Roberts teamed up for this Top Ten hit, a smooth groove about getting over a breakup. Very good for what it is.
38 - "Do it Again/Billie Jean," Club House
The first of a few scattered hits for this Italian dance group was one of the first popular "mash-ups," which seamlessly combines elements of Steely Dan's 1973 breakthrough and Michael Jackson's more recent smash. Well-blended, and as it turned out, ahead of its time. I wonder if they ever did this on Glee. If not, they should have.
37 - "Don't Cry," Asia
The prog-to-pop supergroup's only Top 40 here. How did they miss on "Heat of the Moment?" A rare big whiff for the U.K.
36 - "Red Red Wine," UB40
The Neil Diamond cover hit #1 here the first time around, not five years later like in the States. I guess justice was done, but I'm so familiar with this I don't care.
35 - "Bad Boy," Carmel
Led by Lincolnshire singer Carmel McCourt, this band had their first of two hits with this retro torch-soul ballad of perseverance. It's the kind of song on which Adele has built a career, but McCourt is more of a belter than a singer. And that works.
34 - "Flashdance...What a Feeling," Irene Cara
Britain prevented this from the Triple Crown, only making it a #2. I guess she couldn't have it all.
33 - "Disappearing Act," Shalamar
Their tenth Brit hit was this Jody Watley showcase about about an absentee lover. One of their best.
32 - "Don't Try to Stop It," Roman Holiday
This English band combined new wave, ska and swing on their biggest hit, a song about how they will not be restrained from making their music. It's a good tune, but they did eventually stop. Their guitarist is now a professor of Russian history at a university in Ohio. Appropriate, since the title of this song seems to be the basic message of every statement Vladimir Putin makes these days.
31 - "Guilty of Love," Whitesnake
The sixth hit for the Coverdale crew was this fast rock affection confession. They were getting a little slicker, but still very far from synths and Tawny Kitaen.
30 - "Walking in the Rain," Modern Romance
This band's tenth and final hit was this blah take-me-back tune. Even the eccentric Brits could sometimes let raw boredom sneak into the Top Ten, apparently.
29 - "Come Dancing," The Kinks
Ray Davies memories of his sister's teenage dating life missed the Top Ten here, but made #6 in the States. I think I'll give it to America.
28 - "Tour de France," Kraftwerk
The German duo's sixth hit was this evocative electronic tribute to the annual July bicycle race later made infamous by Lance Armstrong. The sounds of chains, brakes, and riders groaning with exertion make you feel like you're in the middle of the pelloton. It may have surpassed "Autobahn" as their most famous song.
27 - "Come Live with Me," Heaven 17
The Sheffield duo of Martyn Ware and Ian Marshall formed Human League in the late 70s, but they left thegroup in late 1980 to form their own synth outfit with singer Glenn Gregory. While they weren't as big as their old group became, they managed a couple Top Fives, the second being this number about a thirtysomething man pursuing a doomed romance with a teenager. It's colder and more sterile-sounding than their old band's biggest hits, but it fits the subject matter.
26 - "Wrapped Around Your Finger," The Police
The second Synchronicity single here, the fourth in the States, Top Ten in both countries. For better or for worse, I believe this is what gave Sting the idea that more flowery and obscure lyrical references were the way to go.
25 - "Freak," Bruce Foxton
While Jam singer Paul Weller moved in the soul-R&B direction with the Style Council after the group's breakup, guitarist Foxton stayed with rock on his only solo hit, a song inspired by the film The Elephant Man. It's a little more polished than The Jam, but still, a pretty good effort.
24 - "Give it Some Emotion," Tracie
Speaking of The Jam, Tracie Young was discovered by Paul Weller in the band's waning days, and after performing backing vocals on both Jam and Style Council singles she managed two hits of her own, the last being this electronically enhanced girl-group tribute about wanting to get a reaction out of her lover even if it requires drastic measures. It's cool and catchy, and makes one wish there were even more to hear from her.
23 - "Love Blonde," Kim Wilde
The Wilde child's sixth hit was this jazzy strut about an alluring lady. I like it better than most of her more conventional hits. She was more than just a voice to plug in over synthesized beats.
22 - "It's Late," Shakin' Stevens
Shaky's tenth hit was a cover of a 1959 Ricky Nelson hit that’s basically a rewrite of "Wake Up Little Susie." He does his thing, and I spend the whole three uminutes wondering how much better the original is. Pretty much my experience with most of his hits.
21 - "The Sun Goes Down (Living it Up)," Level 42
Their first Top Ten was typical synthetic funk about having fun and, uh, not wanting to go to war. It's becoming clearer to me that everything this band did except "Running in the Family," is interchangeable.
In Part Two: some are flying, some are skipping, and some are just happy that they're remaining upright.
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