The last of the last.
20 - "Wrap Her Up," Elton John
Elton and George Michael sing about famous women they'd like to take home with them. But in this case, what they intend to do with them isn't obvious.
19 - "Don't Look Down," Go West
The duo's fourth hit was more funk-lite about telling a woman that she has more reason to be confident than fearful. Okay, but it can't top "We Close Our Eyes."
18 - "A Good Heart," Feargal Sharkey
The ex-Undertone's only #1 was this pop-rock tune about the difficulty of finding true love, written by Maria McKee of American folk rocker band Lone Justice. It's good, but I don't love it as much as I did at the time.
17 - °Don't You Just Know It," Amazulu
These ska poppers seemed to specialize in covers, and their second hit was a version of a 1958 it by the New Orleans group Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns. You may not know the song by title, but you've possibly heard its call-and-response, "Ha Ha Ha Ha!, Hey-ay-oh! A-Gooba-Gooba-Gooba-Gooba!" chorus. Disposable nonsense pop, without the original's R&B grit.
16 - "Spies Like Us," Paul McCartney
Paul's dumb rock song from a Dan Aykroyd/Chevy Chase Cold War comedy. I still don't know what all the fuss was.
15 - "Girlie Girlie," Sophia George
Jamaican singer George had her biggest international success with this reggae toastfest about a man who has the proverbial "girl in every port." The lesson: don'the "flash it round the worldie." Good advice.
14 - "Say You, Say Me," Lionel Richie
The smash ballad from another Cold War film, White Nights, was denied a Triple Crown by the Brits. Naturally.
13 - "Hit That Perfect Beat," Bronski Beat
Though named for keyboardist Steve Bronski, this openly gay synth band originally attracted attention mostly for the distinctive falsetto of singer Jimmy Somerville. Somerville left in early '85, but the group managed one more Top Five with new singer John Foster in the form of this celebration of gay nightlife. Foster's voice sounds like a cross between Somerville and Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant, so it fits right in to the group's sound. Unfortunately the group lost steamy after one more hit, while Somerville would continue having hits for another ten years.
12 - "We Built This City," Starship
Another smash denied the Triple Crown by Britain. Maybe if they had done a version with a Radio 1 DJ doing the bit in the middle...
11 - "My Hometown," Bruce Springsteen
This evocative number about economic devastation was the Boss' third Top Ten here. It was likely helped by the addition of his classic 1975 live version of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" on the B side, That is one of rock's most joyous moments, and the polar opposite of the A.
The Top Ten Awakens.
10 - "See the Day," Dee C. Lee
A native of Balham in South London, Diane Catherine Sealy first had success singing backup for Wham!, then left to join future husband Paul Weller in The Style Council. In the midst of that, she scored a solo hit with this big ballad about learning to trust in love. Fine dramatic soul.
9 - "Dress You Up," Madonna
Madge's eighth Top Five. Sex as clothing. Leave it to her to make that connection. And we should be glad.
8 - "I'm Your Man," Wham!
Their third #1 was this boisterous Motown homage. By the end they had become a respectable pop act, making George's solo transition much smoother.
7 - "Separate Lives," Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
Another case of the U.K. throwing up a block to a Triple Crown. This is probably the most justified incidence.
6 - "Last Christmas," Wham!
Their 1984 tale of holiday heartbreak has become a Yuletide perennial. This is the second of fourteen Top Forty runs the song has had, making it the best-selling single to have never hit Number One. It deserves to be what it's become.
5 - "Walking in the Air," Aled Jones
From Wales, Jones' childhood treble voice made him a British sensation, peaking at age 15 with this version of a song from a 1982 ITV animated holiday special called The Snowman. It's full of ethereal childlike wonder and such. Jones' career would hit a bump the next year when his voice broke, but he eventually rebounded to have a solid career performing in stage musicals and presenting on TV and radio.
4 - "West End Girls," Pet Shop Boys
Finally, a song that completed the Triple Crown. And I think I would put it no lower than Top 40 among the winners of this honour.
3 - "Do They Know it's Christmas," Band Aid
The grandaddy of all charity singles kept "Last Christmas" out of the top spot last year, and ironically is the highest of four George Michael appearancesing in the Top Twenty. Seek out the 12-inch version, which contains spoken messages from artists who sang on the record, and a few who didn’t. The highlights include a goofy Paul McCartney, a jokily threatening Holly Johnson, a deadly serious David Bowie, and a relieved-sounding Bob Geldof recorded at the end of the session.
2 - "Saving All My Love for You," Whitney Houston
Okay, this time it was Canada denying a song a Triple Crown. We were wrong. I'll say it.
And the song of British Christmas 32 years ago was...
1 - "Merry Christmas Everyone," Shakin' Stevens
Shaky's fourth and final Number One was this simple Yuletide pop song about all the traditional stuff like snow and mistletoe and trees. An okay addition to the holiday rotation, nothing more or less.
So there's my last look back of this year. A happy 2018 to you all, and if you decide to include this space in your new annum, I hope I'll make it pleasant for you.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Friday, December 22, 2017
GATW: UKT40 December 28, 1985
Christmas 1985. On the day, the Comic Relief charity was founded, spawning an annual telethon and, most relevant to this organ, several high-charting benefit singles. In fact, one was released in December 1987 to compete for that year's holiday #1. What were the contenders this year? Let's find out.
40 - "Because," Julian Lennon
John's son had his second Top 40 here with a cover of a 1964 Dave Clark Five song recorded for Time, a concept album version of a science-fictional stage musical Clark wrote for London's West End. It's a simple ballad that Julian does well by. Nothing more, nothing less.
39 - "The Sun Always Shines on TV," A-ha
The Norwegians' second hit would become their only U.K. #1. It still, well, shines.
38 - "Alice I Want You Just for Me," Full Force
The New York hip-hop crew actually had a hit without Lisa Lisa and/or Cult Jam, in the form of this funky plea to a lady which includes the line "Baby, I'm your carpenter, please let me lay your tile." How that hasn't become a timeless pickup line is beyond me.
37 - "Take On Me," A-ha
The 80s touchstone with the weird video. It will be gone from pop culture in a century or twoooooooooo! Maybe.
36 - "Abide with Me," The Inspirational Choir
Founded just a few years earlier as The Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First Born Church of the Living God, this London gospel group gained attention by singing backup on Madness' 1983 hit "Wings of a Dove," This led to their own record deal and a Top 40 version of an 1847 Scottish hymn. It's simple and indeed inspirational, and spiced up with a guitar solo that actually fits in. I like it.
35 - "That’s What Friends are For," Dionne and Friends
The charity smash took two thirds of the Triple Crown, yet only got to #16 here. That just doesn't make sense to me.
34 - "We All Stand Together," Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus
In 1984, Macca released two passion projects. One was the feature film Give My Regards to Broad Street; the other was the animated short Rupert and the Frog Song, in which he himself voiced the popular cartoon bear. One of the biggest successes from these films was this song from the latter, which hit #3 at the end of '84 and was now charting again a year later. In the film, it's performed as a rare event when the frogs of the world gather to sing in solidarity. The song reflects that theme, and it features backing frog noises, a couple of meows, a kazoo, and heavy orchestration. A bigger WTF for Sir Paul than the time he put out "Mary Had a Little Lamb." And unquestionably an Uneasy Rider.
33 - "Ring of Ice," Jennifer Rush
Her follow-up to "The Power of Love," was this uptempo number about people being defensively cold to each other. It's not bad.
32 - "Mr. DJ," The Concept
Can't find out much about the group, but the song consists of a disc jockey from the fictional station WONE, taking requests and mentioning songs like "Crazy for You" and "We are the World." He even does a weather report and is propositioned by a female admirer. All over a dance/hip-hop beat. A fun little artifact.
31 - "Hokey Cokey," Black Lace
The last of four hits for these novelty popsters was a strait version of the song that accompanies the children's dance game that most of the rest of the world calls "The Hokey Pokey." Although apparently in New Zealand it's "The Hokey Tokey." What are they smoking up there?
30 - "Run to the Hills (Live)," Iron Maiden
A concert version of the band's 1982 hit, recorded that March in Long Beach, California. Not very different from the original.
29 - "Road to Nowhere," Talking Heads
David Byrne and crew had their only Top Ten here with this rolling rocker about going joyfully into the end of the world. It fits somewhere in my Heads Top 5.
28 - "After the Love Has Gone," Princess
Desiree Heslop was one of Stock/Aitken/Waterman's early hit makers, and her second single is generic pop about getting over someone. She would have been better off covering the Earth Wind and Fire song.
27 - "Don't Break My Heart," UB40
Their ninth Top Ten was this sad plea to leave a vital organ intact. Bland pop was becoming their default setting.
26 - "Russians," Sting
Shockingly, this dirge of nuclear fear is to date the Stinger's second highest-charting single. The usually impeccable British taste is a bit off in this case.
25 - "She's Strange," Cameo
The Atlanta funk stars with an ode to a woman who is both Larry Blackmon's Twilight Zone and his Al Capone. Strange doesn't do that justice.
24 - "The Show," Doug E. Fresh
Born in Barbados and raised in Harlem, Douglas Davis became known in his teens for his mastery of rhyming and beatboxing, and at 19 he scored an international hit with this cavalcade of hip-hop joy. Fresh and fellow Get Fresh Crew member Slick Rick rhyme with amazing flow and chemistry, Doug does some impressive sound effects, and the Inspector Gadget theme has never sounded better. Simply one of the greatest rap songs of all time.
23 - "Leaving Me Now," Level 42
Blah ballad about feeling that a lover was unjustified in leaving. These guys have not aged well.
22 - "The Power of Love," Jennifer Rush
Sometimes I am frightened that I'll never hear this song again. No, actually quite the opposite. I'm ready to learn to live without it.
21 - "Saturday Love," Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal
A Top Ten teamup for the two American R&B stars. A good Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis warmup for the great stuff they'd go on to do with Janet Jackson.
In Part Two: an awful lot of George Michael, among other things.
40 - "Because," Julian Lennon
John's son had his second Top 40 here with a cover of a 1964 Dave Clark Five song recorded for Time, a concept album version of a science-fictional stage musical Clark wrote for London's West End. It's a simple ballad that Julian does well by. Nothing more, nothing less.
39 - "The Sun Always Shines on TV," A-ha
The Norwegians' second hit would become their only U.K. #1. It still, well, shines.
38 - "Alice I Want You Just for Me," Full Force
The New York hip-hop crew actually had a hit without Lisa Lisa and/or Cult Jam, in the form of this funky plea to a lady which includes the line "Baby, I'm your carpenter, please let me lay your tile." How that hasn't become a timeless pickup line is beyond me.
37 - "Take On Me," A-ha
The 80s touchstone with the weird video. It will be gone from pop culture in a century or twoooooooooo! Maybe.
36 - "Abide with Me," The Inspirational Choir
Founded just a few years earlier as The Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First Born Church of the Living God, this London gospel group gained attention by singing backup on Madness' 1983 hit "Wings of a Dove," This led to their own record deal and a Top 40 version of an 1847 Scottish hymn. It's simple and indeed inspirational, and spiced up with a guitar solo that actually fits in. I like it.
35 - "That’s What Friends are For," Dionne and Friends
The charity smash took two thirds of the Triple Crown, yet only got to #16 here. That just doesn't make sense to me.
34 - "We All Stand Together," Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus
In 1984, Macca released two passion projects. One was the feature film Give My Regards to Broad Street; the other was the animated short Rupert and the Frog Song, in which he himself voiced the popular cartoon bear. One of the biggest successes from these films was this song from the latter, which hit #3 at the end of '84 and was now charting again a year later. In the film, it's performed as a rare event when the frogs of the world gather to sing in solidarity. The song reflects that theme, and it features backing frog noises, a couple of meows, a kazoo, and heavy orchestration. A bigger WTF for Sir Paul than the time he put out "Mary Had a Little Lamb." And unquestionably an Uneasy Rider.
33 - "Ring of Ice," Jennifer Rush
Her follow-up to "The Power of Love," was this uptempo number about people being defensively cold to each other. It's not bad.
32 - "Mr. DJ," The Concept
Can't find out much about the group, but the song consists of a disc jockey from the fictional station WONE, taking requests and mentioning songs like "Crazy for You" and "We are the World." He even does a weather report and is propositioned by a female admirer. All over a dance/hip-hop beat. A fun little artifact.
31 - "Hokey Cokey," Black Lace
The last of four hits for these novelty popsters was a strait version of the song that accompanies the children's dance game that most of the rest of the world calls "The Hokey Pokey." Although apparently in New Zealand it's "The Hokey Tokey." What are they smoking up there?
30 - "Run to the Hills (Live)," Iron Maiden
A concert version of the band's 1982 hit, recorded that March in Long Beach, California. Not very different from the original.
29 - "Road to Nowhere," Talking Heads
David Byrne and crew had their only Top Ten here with this rolling rocker about going joyfully into the end of the world. It fits somewhere in my Heads Top 5.
28 - "After the Love Has Gone," Princess
Desiree Heslop was one of Stock/Aitken/Waterman's early hit makers, and her second single is generic pop about getting over someone. She would have been better off covering the Earth Wind and Fire song.
27 - "Don't Break My Heart," UB40
Their ninth Top Ten was this sad plea to leave a vital organ intact. Bland pop was becoming their default setting.
26 - "Russians," Sting
Shockingly, this dirge of nuclear fear is to date the Stinger's second highest-charting single. The usually impeccable British taste is a bit off in this case.
25 - "She's Strange," Cameo
The Atlanta funk stars with an ode to a woman who is both Larry Blackmon's Twilight Zone and his Al Capone. Strange doesn't do that justice.
24 - "The Show," Doug E. Fresh
Born in Barbados and raised in Harlem, Douglas Davis became known in his teens for his mastery of rhyming and beatboxing, and at 19 he scored an international hit with this cavalcade of hip-hop joy. Fresh and fellow Get Fresh Crew member Slick Rick rhyme with amazing flow and chemistry, Doug does some impressive sound effects, and the Inspector Gadget theme has never sounded better. Simply one of the greatest rap songs of all time.
23 - "Leaving Me Now," Level 42
Blah ballad about feeling that a lover was unjustified in leaving. These guys have not aged well.
22 - "The Power of Love," Jennifer Rush
Sometimes I am frightened that I'll never hear this song again. No, actually quite the opposite. I'm ready to learn to live without it.
21 - "Saturday Love," Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal
A Top Ten teamup for the two American R&B stars. A good Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis warmup for the great stuff they'd go on to do with Janet Jackson.
In Part Two: an awful lot of George Michael, among other things.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
GATW: UKT40 December 10, 1977 Part Two
Putting a bow on it.
20 - "Watching the Detectives," Elvis Costello
Costello's first hit was this reggae-rocker about a woman who would rather watch TV cop shows than engage with her lover. The sarcasm and cynicism we would grow to love were already in full force. This remains near the top of his catalogue to this day.
19 - "It's a Heartache," Bonnie Tyler
The country-rock classic was a Transatlantic Top Five. But Canada was wise enough to make it a #1. Even at the age of 7, I knew that was what it deserved.
18 - "Turn to Stone," Electric Light Orchestra
The first single, a typical-for-them big pop rocker about loneliness, didn't crack the Top Ten here or in America, but again, Canada made it a #1. I don't agree as strongly with my countrymen as with "It's a Heartache," but I definitely get it.
17 - "Live in Trouble," The Barron Knights
The satire meisters first Top Ten in over a decade features a parody of Leo Sayer's "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" (about the state of Leo's trousers), a take on Brotherhood of Man's "Angelo," (about a couple who meet their end due to their love of motorcycles), and a spoof of The Floaters' "Float On" (containing cheesy jokes revolving around the original's Zodiac-based premise). Of its time.
16 - "Love's Unkind," Donna Summer
Though not a single at home, this became Donna's fourth Top Five here. It's kind of a hybrid of disco and 60s girl group pop, with lyrics about being overlooked by your crush in favor of your best friend. Pretty cool. There was definite artistry in the Summer/Moroder commercial machine.
15 - "Mary of the 4th Form," The Boomtown Rats
Geldof and the boys had their second hit about a schoolgirl who teases her teacher sexually. Like "Don't Stand So Close to Me," but that played more like a BBC drama, where this was like a 50s juvenile delinquent movie.
14 - "She's Not There," Santana
This bland cover of The Zombies' 1964 classic was only Carlos' second hit, and their biggest until 22 years later and the infamous "Smooth." Surprising.
13 - "Love of My Life," The Dooleys
The family outfit's second hit was this bit of disco sap. What it says it is, it isn't.
12 - "Put Your Love in Me," Hot Chocolate
Their seventh Top Ten was this excellent sex-funk jam. It will warm the areas the beverage they're named after can't.
11 - "Name of the Game," ABBA
Their fifth U.K. charttopper was this slick midtempo ballad about being shy and careful about entering a relationship. It's not among my top favorites, but I appreciate it more as time goes on.
Step into Top Ten, step all together.
10 - "Belfast," Boney M
The German pop entity decided that it was appropriate to tackle Northern Ireland's Troubles through the medium of disco. From this song, you'd learn that people are believing, and children are leaving. Brilliant political analysis. When they distorted the stories of American bank robbers and mad Russian monks, it was cheerily charming, When they tried commenting on contemporary events, it was just...baffling.
9 - "Egyptian Reggae," Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
The second and biggest hit by the Massachusetts eccentric was this instrumental that sounds to these ears more like the theme to a spaghetti western than anything Egyptian or reggae. The clip-clop sounds evoke horses, and there's also some spur-like jangling. But regardless, it's great.
8- "Rockin' All Over the World," Status Quo
The Quo's found their signature tune when they covered this 1975 John Fogerty track about musical circumnavigation. It's the best kind of mindless fun.
7 - "We are the Champions," Queen
The ultimate song of rock triumph didn’t top any singles chart in the world, yet apparently a group of scientific researchers did a study that declared it the catchiest song in the history of pop music. Hard to argue with it.
6 - "Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It," Darts
The first hit for the doo-wop revivalists was this medley of a 1957 song by The Ray's and a 1956 Little Richard number. Stick to the originals.
5 - "I Will," Ruby Winters
Cincinnati soul singer Winters had picked up a handful of R&B hits over the previous ten years, but then she scored a surprise hit here with a version of a thirteen-year-old song that had been a hit for Dean Martin in America and for Billy Fury here. Winters reveals the song's true blues nature.
4 - "Dancin' Party," Showaddywaddy
Leicester's retro reps reaches the Top Five for the sixth time with an original rave-up about a swinging bash. Spirited enough to be infectious.
3 - "How Deep is Your Love," Bee Gees
Yes, it was Britain that blocked the monster Saturday Night Fever ballad from a Triple Crown, only letting it get this high. Apparently, the depth of their adopted home's affection wasn't as big here as it was elsewhere at this time.
2 - "Floral Dance," Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band
This community-supported band from West Yorkshire got a surprise hit with an instrumental version of a tune from 1911 describing a ritual called the "Furry Dance," which is performing every May in Cornwall to celebrate the arrival of spring. It's a jaunty tune that evokes ye olden times, and I guess that sort of thing had an audience then, perhaps as a reaction to the "tear down the old" ethos of punk.
And 40 years ago, the top of the heap was occupied by:
1 - "Mull of Kintyre/Girls' School," Wings
McCartney's only home #1 of the Wings era was powered by the A-side, an ode to the beauty of the tip of a Scottish peninsula. It's driven by acoustic guitar and, of course, bagpipes. It's the kind of thing that I think you have to be British to really get. And get it they did, as it sold over 2 million copies and remains the best-selling non-charity single in U.K. history. The B-side, a rocker about naughtiness in an all-female educational institution, was a minor Top 40 in the States, and isn't very memorable at all. I doubt it accounted for much of the record-breaking sales figures.
The end, beautiful friends. I will have another December chart look coming soon, but in case it arrives late, Merry Christmas to all.
20 - "Watching the Detectives," Elvis Costello
Costello's first hit was this reggae-rocker about a woman who would rather watch TV cop shows than engage with her lover. The sarcasm and cynicism we would grow to love were already in full force. This remains near the top of his catalogue to this day.
19 - "It's a Heartache," Bonnie Tyler
The country-rock classic was a Transatlantic Top Five. But Canada was wise enough to make it a #1. Even at the age of 7, I knew that was what it deserved.
18 - "Turn to Stone," Electric Light Orchestra
The first single, a typical-for-them big pop rocker about loneliness, didn't crack the Top Ten here or in America, but again, Canada made it a #1. I don't agree as strongly with my countrymen as with "It's a Heartache," but I definitely get it.
17 - "Live in Trouble," The Barron Knights
The satire meisters first Top Ten in over a decade features a parody of Leo Sayer's "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" (about the state of Leo's trousers), a take on Brotherhood of Man's "Angelo," (about a couple who meet their end due to their love of motorcycles), and a spoof of The Floaters' "Float On" (containing cheesy jokes revolving around the original's Zodiac-based premise). Of its time.
16 - "Love's Unkind," Donna Summer
Though not a single at home, this became Donna's fourth Top Five here. It's kind of a hybrid of disco and 60s girl group pop, with lyrics about being overlooked by your crush in favor of your best friend. Pretty cool. There was definite artistry in the Summer/Moroder commercial machine.
15 - "Mary of the 4th Form," The Boomtown Rats
Geldof and the boys had their second hit about a schoolgirl who teases her teacher sexually. Like "Don't Stand So Close to Me," but that played more like a BBC drama, where this was like a 50s juvenile delinquent movie.
14 - "She's Not There," Santana
This bland cover of The Zombies' 1964 classic was only Carlos' second hit, and their biggest until 22 years later and the infamous "Smooth." Surprising.
13 - "Love of My Life," The Dooleys
The family outfit's second hit was this bit of disco sap. What it says it is, it isn't.
12 - "Put Your Love in Me," Hot Chocolate
Their seventh Top Ten was this excellent sex-funk jam. It will warm the areas the beverage they're named after can't.
11 - "Name of the Game," ABBA
Their fifth U.K. charttopper was this slick midtempo ballad about being shy and careful about entering a relationship. It's not among my top favorites, but I appreciate it more as time goes on.
Step into Top Ten, step all together.
10 - "Belfast," Boney M
The German pop entity decided that it was appropriate to tackle Northern Ireland's Troubles through the medium of disco. From this song, you'd learn that people are believing, and children are leaving. Brilliant political analysis. When they distorted the stories of American bank robbers and mad Russian monks, it was cheerily charming, When they tried commenting on contemporary events, it was just...baffling.
9 - "Egyptian Reggae," Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
The second and biggest hit by the Massachusetts eccentric was this instrumental that sounds to these ears more like the theme to a spaghetti western than anything Egyptian or reggae. The clip-clop sounds evoke horses, and there's also some spur-like jangling. But regardless, it's great.
8- "Rockin' All Over the World," Status Quo
The Quo's found their signature tune when they covered this 1975 John Fogerty track about musical circumnavigation. It's the best kind of mindless fun.
7 - "We are the Champions," Queen
The ultimate song of rock triumph didn’t top any singles chart in the world, yet apparently a group of scientific researchers did a study that declared it the catchiest song in the history of pop music. Hard to argue with it.
6 - "Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It," Darts
The first hit for the doo-wop revivalists was this medley of a 1957 song by The Ray's and a 1956 Little Richard number. Stick to the originals.
5 - "I Will," Ruby Winters
Cincinnati soul singer Winters had picked up a handful of R&B hits over the previous ten years, but then she scored a surprise hit here with a version of a thirteen-year-old song that had been a hit for Dean Martin in America and for Billy Fury here. Winters reveals the song's true blues nature.
4 - "Dancin' Party," Showaddywaddy
Leicester's retro reps reaches the Top Five for the sixth time with an original rave-up about a swinging bash. Spirited enough to be infectious.
3 - "How Deep is Your Love," Bee Gees
Yes, it was Britain that blocked the monster Saturday Night Fever ballad from a Triple Crown, only letting it get this high. Apparently, the depth of their adopted home's affection wasn't as big here as it was elsewhere at this time.
2 - "Floral Dance," Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band
This community-supported band from West Yorkshire got a surprise hit with an instrumental version of a tune from 1911 describing a ritual called the "Furry Dance," which is performing every May in Cornwall to celebrate the arrival of spring. It's a jaunty tune that evokes ye olden times, and I guess that sort of thing had an audience then, perhaps as a reaction to the "tear down the old" ethos of punk.
And 40 years ago, the top of the heap was occupied by:
1 - "Mull of Kintyre/Girls' School," Wings
McCartney's only home #1 of the Wings era was powered by the A-side, an ode to the beauty of the tip of a Scottish peninsula. It's driven by acoustic guitar and, of course, bagpipes. It's the kind of thing that I think you have to be British to really get. And get it they did, as it sold over 2 million copies and remains the best-selling non-charity single in U.K. history. The B-side, a rocker about naughtiness in an all-female educational institution, was a minor Top 40 in the States, and isn't very memorable at all. I doubt it accounted for much of the record-breaking sales figures.
The end, beautiful friends. I will have another December chart look coming soon, but in case it arrives late, Merry Christmas to all.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
GATW: UKT40 December 10, 1977 Part One
The last month of 1977. On the date of this chart, Brits won Nobel Prizes in Economics and Physics. There were prizes on offer here too in the form of chart positions. Let's see who claimed them.
40 - "Really Free," John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett
From Buckinghamshire, folk-punk oddballs Otway and Barrett had their biggest hit with this rollicking rocker about girl trouble. Snottily charming.
39 - "You're Fabulous Babe," Kenny Williams
I can't find much about Williams, but this okay bit of heavily-produced disco-soul was created for a commercial for Faberge's Babe perfume starring Ernest Hemingway's actress-model daughter Margaux. It was so associated with the perfume that the BBC banned it to avoid providing free advertising. YouTubing the commercial rang some bells of familiarity, but it didn't stay on my mind like the jingle for another fragrance of the era, Wind Song. Damn you, Prince Matchabelli!
38 - "Run Back," Carl Douglas
The Jamaican behind the 1974 Triple Crown winner "Kung Fu Fighting," managed two more Top 40s here, the last being this disco reconciliation plea. Okay, but it could maybe use a visit from Funky Billy Chin and/or Funky Sammy Chong.
37 - "I Believe You," Dorothy Moore.
The second and last hit for the Mississippian who had a transatlantic Top Five with "Misty Blue" was this ballad about placing faith in a man who will presumably break one's heart. She was great at this kind of soul. She may have been bigger if she'd come along a decade later.
36 - "Only the Strong Survive," Billy Paul
Yet another singer mainly known for one song, in this case the 1972 American charttopper "Me and Mrs. Jones." That only got to #12 here, but Britain did reward him with five further hits, the last being this cover of a 1968 Jerry Butler hit about perseverance. On the right side of the border between Philly soul and disco.
35 - "Needles and Pins," Smokie
The fifth Top Ten for these prolific Yorkshiremen was a cover of a song co-written by a pre-Cher Sonny Bono that was a 1964 hit for The Searchers. It's okay, but future versions by the Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers blow it away.
34 - "Only Women Bleed," Julie Covington
The only other solo hit for the woman who hit #1 with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was a cover of Alice Cooper's 1975 surprise feminist anthem. The original wasn't released as a single here, so it was likely the first exposure to the song for much of Britain. It's a very theatrical performance, but it grows on you steadily.
33 - "I Love You," Donna Summer
Donna's disco celebration of found love just scraped into the Top 40 at home, but it was a Top Ten here. Another U.K.win.
32 - "Georgina Bailey," Noosha Fox
Australian Susan Traynor had moved to England when she changed her name upon joining a band called Fox. They picked up three hits between '74 and '76, then Noosha left the band and had this solo hit. It's a pop ballad about a girl who leaves home to go live with her uncle Jean-Paul in France. She develops forbidden romantic feelings for him, but when she finally reveals this to him, he tells her not only that he doesn't feel like that for her, but he "keeps company with a man from gay Paris." This too was banned by the BBC, though I can’t imagine why. And 40 years later, I am making it an extremely Uneasy Rider.
31 - "L.A. Run," The Carvells
I think this band's British, and I think they had their only hit with this Beach Boys soundalike about skateboarding in California. I do know that a band called Magnum Bonum did a Swedish version and took it to #1 there a year later. That's nice.
30 - "Goin' Places," The Jacksons
Not one of the boys' better post-Motown efforts, this is showbizzy horn-pop about riding in airplanes. Better suited to a variety show production number than a song sung by Michael Jackson rounding into his prime.
29 - "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)," Rod Stewart
A transatlantic Top Five, this is a sorta sappy but somehow genuinely moving acoustic ballad about how much he loved Britt Ekland. And yes, the past tense already applied.
28 - "Going for the One," Yes
The second home hit single for the prog stalwarts contained their usually obtuse lyrics, but the music is uncharacteristically bluesy rock, although there is some keyboard noodling. A more interesting direction change then the flat out sellout that was "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
27 - "Gettin' Ready for Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross with a peppy jazz-pop love song in the Natalie Cole vein. She works it like a pro, and raises it above average.
26 - "My Way," Elvis Presley
The King's posthumously released live version of Paul Anka's ode to living life on one's own terms was a Top Ten here, but didn't crack the Top 20 at home. He does his showy Vegas thing with it, and it's okay, but Frank and Sid did it better ways.
25 - "White Christmas," Bing Crosby
Irving Berlin's holiday standard returned to the charts a month after Crosby died of a heart attack on a golf course in Spain. You've heard it, you have your opinion of it, I can’t imagine Christmas without it.
24 - "Yes Sir I Can Boogie," Baccara
The Spanish female duo of Mayte Mateos and Maria Mendiola had two Top Tens, including their charttopping debut, this bit of ESL disco. They clearly aimed for Donna Summer, but they landed well short of even ABBA. I'd like to think that much of their success came from camp value, but it was the 70s, so who knows?
23 - "2-4-6-8 Motorway," The Tom Robinson Band
In 1963, at the age of 13, Cambridge native Thomas Giles Robinson realised he was gay, at a time when homosexuality was still a crime in Britain. It caused him shame and self-loathing at first, but he eventually embraced who he was and turned to political activism and punk rock. The debut single from his eponymous band, this catchy rock song about an all-night truck driver, was a Top Five hit. They never reached those charts heights again, but they would soon create a legacy with their 1978 anthem "Glad to Be Gay."
22 - "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)," Chic
The debut hit for the disco-funk kings went to #6 here, #6 in the U.S., and...#6 in Canada. Three sixes. Does this mean disco is the true devil's music? Um, no.
21 - "Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue," Crystal Gayle
The pop ballad that made Gayle an international star was a Top Five on the big two charts, but Canada made it a Number One. That's right. It's a fantastic song. Shirley Bassey, for whom it was originally intended, would have done okay, but it ended up where it belonged.
In Part Two: multiple tributes to rhythmic movement and female education.
40 - "Really Free," John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett
From Buckinghamshire, folk-punk oddballs Otway and Barrett had their biggest hit with this rollicking rocker about girl trouble. Snottily charming.
39 - "You're Fabulous Babe," Kenny Williams
I can't find much about Williams, but this okay bit of heavily-produced disco-soul was created for a commercial for Faberge's Babe perfume starring Ernest Hemingway's actress-model daughter Margaux. It was so associated with the perfume that the BBC banned it to avoid providing free advertising. YouTubing the commercial rang some bells of familiarity, but it didn't stay on my mind like the jingle for another fragrance of the era, Wind Song. Damn you, Prince Matchabelli!
38 - "Run Back," Carl Douglas
The Jamaican behind the 1974 Triple Crown winner "Kung Fu Fighting," managed two more Top 40s here, the last being this disco reconciliation plea. Okay, but it could maybe use a visit from Funky Billy Chin and/or Funky Sammy Chong.
37 - "I Believe You," Dorothy Moore.
The second and last hit for the Mississippian who had a transatlantic Top Five with "Misty Blue" was this ballad about placing faith in a man who will presumably break one's heart. She was great at this kind of soul. She may have been bigger if she'd come along a decade later.
36 - "Only the Strong Survive," Billy Paul
Yet another singer mainly known for one song, in this case the 1972 American charttopper "Me and Mrs. Jones." That only got to #12 here, but Britain did reward him with five further hits, the last being this cover of a 1968 Jerry Butler hit about perseverance. On the right side of the border between Philly soul and disco.
35 - "Needles and Pins," Smokie
The fifth Top Ten for these prolific Yorkshiremen was a cover of a song co-written by a pre-Cher Sonny Bono that was a 1964 hit for The Searchers. It's okay, but future versions by the Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers blow it away.
34 - "Only Women Bleed," Julie Covington
The only other solo hit for the woman who hit #1 with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was a cover of Alice Cooper's 1975 surprise feminist anthem. The original wasn't released as a single here, so it was likely the first exposure to the song for much of Britain. It's a very theatrical performance, but it grows on you steadily.
33 - "I Love You," Donna Summer
Donna's disco celebration of found love just scraped into the Top 40 at home, but it was a Top Ten here. Another U.K.win.
32 - "Georgina Bailey," Noosha Fox
Australian Susan Traynor had moved to England when she changed her name upon joining a band called Fox. They picked up three hits between '74 and '76, then Noosha left the band and had this solo hit. It's a pop ballad about a girl who leaves home to go live with her uncle Jean-Paul in France. She develops forbidden romantic feelings for him, but when she finally reveals this to him, he tells her not only that he doesn't feel like that for her, but he "keeps company with a man from gay Paris." This too was banned by the BBC, though I can’t imagine why. And 40 years later, I am making it an extremely Uneasy Rider.
31 - "L.A. Run," The Carvells
I think this band's British, and I think they had their only hit with this Beach Boys soundalike about skateboarding in California. I do know that a band called Magnum Bonum did a Swedish version and took it to #1 there a year later. That's nice.
30 - "Goin' Places," The Jacksons
Not one of the boys' better post-Motown efforts, this is showbizzy horn-pop about riding in airplanes. Better suited to a variety show production number than a song sung by Michael Jackson rounding into his prime.
29 - "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)," Rod Stewart
A transatlantic Top Five, this is a sorta sappy but somehow genuinely moving acoustic ballad about how much he loved Britt Ekland. And yes, the past tense already applied.
28 - "Going for the One," Yes
The second home hit single for the prog stalwarts contained their usually obtuse lyrics, but the music is uncharacteristically bluesy rock, although there is some keyboard noodling. A more interesting direction change then the flat out sellout that was "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
27 - "Gettin' Ready for Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross with a peppy jazz-pop love song in the Natalie Cole vein. She works it like a pro, and raises it above average.
26 - "My Way," Elvis Presley
The King's posthumously released live version of Paul Anka's ode to living life on one's own terms was a Top Ten here, but didn't crack the Top 20 at home. He does his showy Vegas thing with it, and it's okay, but Frank and Sid did it better ways.
25 - "White Christmas," Bing Crosby
Irving Berlin's holiday standard returned to the charts a month after Crosby died of a heart attack on a golf course in Spain. You've heard it, you have your opinion of it, I can’t imagine Christmas without it.
24 - "Yes Sir I Can Boogie," Baccara
The Spanish female duo of Mayte Mateos and Maria Mendiola had two Top Tens, including their charttopping debut, this bit of ESL disco. They clearly aimed for Donna Summer, but they landed well short of even ABBA. I'd like to think that much of their success came from camp value, but it was the 70s, so who knows?
23 - "2-4-6-8 Motorway," The Tom Robinson Band
In 1963, at the age of 13, Cambridge native Thomas Giles Robinson realised he was gay, at a time when homosexuality was still a crime in Britain. It caused him shame and self-loathing at first, but he eventually embraced who he was and turned to political activism and punk rock. The debut single from his eponymous band, this catchy rock song about an all-night truck driver, was a Top Five hit. They never reached those charts heights again, but they would soon create a legacy with their 1978 anthem "Glad to Be Gay."
22 - "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)," Chic
The debut hit for the disco-funk kings went to #6 here, #6 in the U.S., and...#6 in Canada. Three sixes. Does this mean disco is the true devil's music? Um, no.
21 - "Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue," Crystal Gayle
The pop ballad that made Gayle an international star was a Top Five on the big two charts, but Canada made it a Number One. That's right. It's a fantastic song. Shirley Bassey, for whom it was originally intended, would have done okay, but it ended up where it belonged.
In Part Two: multiple tributes to rhythmic movement and female education.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
GATW: UKT40 November 21, 1981 Part Two
Over and out.
20 - "Hold Me," B.A. Robertson and Maggie Bell
Scot Brian Robertson had scored four solo hits before charting once more with this duet with Margaret Bell, a fellow Glaswegian who'd only had one previous Top 40. It's a rock version of a song written in 1933. Okay radio pop for the time.
19 - "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross's meh Frankie Lydon cover was a transatlantic Top Ten. I'm proud to say it only got to #17 in my homeland. She should have known how unnecessary this was.
18 - "Steppin' Out," Kool and the Gang
This one by the funk machine was only a pop hit over here. Okay pop-soul about hitting the town. I'll take this over the ten millionth spin of "Celebration."
17 - "Ay Ay Ay Moosey," Modern Romance
These guys again, this time with their first Top Ten. It's a song about a girl who likes Latin music. What moose have to do with it, I have no idea. Although I am tickled by the mental picture of a salsa-dancing caribou.
16 - "A Good Year for the Roses," Elvis Costello
EC'S third Top Ten was this cover of a 1970 George Jones hit about the heartbreak of a dissolving marriage. Elvis had no problem shifting gears to country. And he wasn't the only New Wave act to try the genre at this time, as we'll soon see.
15 - "It's My Party," Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin
Not to be confused with Eurythmic David Allan Stewart, David Lloyd Stewart was a keyboardist with several 70s prog-rock band's before teaming up with Gaskin, who had sung backup with many of those same bands, on this unorthodox synth cover of Leslie Gore's teen heartbreak classic. It still sounds gothy and futuristic. It was a four-week #1 here, and now it's an Uneasy Rider.
14 - "When You Were Sweet Sixteen," The Fureys and Davey Arthur
This Irish folk group consisting of brothers Finbar, Eddie, Paul and George Furey, as well as Mr. Arthur, had their only major hit outside their homeland with a song written by American vaudeville performer James Thornton in 1898 and popularized further by Perry Como a half-century later. A sweet song about enduring love, delivered sweetly. That works.
13 - "Bedsitter," Soft Cell
The duo'scored follow up to debut smash "Tainted Love" was this cool new wave tune about the drudgery of the days following nights of hard clubbing and partying. It's a comedown, but in a good way.
12 - "I Go to Sleep," Pretenders
Chrissie and the boys had their third Top Ten with this cover of a song written by Kink Ray Davies for the Birmingham band The Applejacks in 1965. It's a waltzy ballado of romantic pining, and the mighty Ms. Henderson makes you fell the loneliness. Wonderful.
11 - "Happy Birthday," Altered Images
The first and biggest hit for these Scots was more New Wave with a waily female singer. It's still good for that, with Clare Grogan singing about a special present she wants to give her loved one. But I like their next hit "I Could be Happy" even better.
10 - "Labelled with Love," Squeeze
More country dabbling from Brits, coincidentally enough co-produced by Elvis Costello. But this is a Glenn Tilbrook/Chris Difford original about a British woman who marries an American pilot after the war, but the marriage doesn't end well, and she returns to an indifferent family and now drinks her days away. Very authentic to the genre, and it deservedly became their third and last Top Five.
9 - "Let's Groove," Earth Wind and Fire
Transatlantic Top Five funk from the masters. Allllll right.
8 - "Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)," Rod Stewart
Roddy's first Top Ten here of this decade was this New Wavish plea for a one night stand. This was still pretty good, but the downturn was in sight.
7 - "Physical," Olivia Newton-John
ONJ's tribute to different ways of working out only got this high here, thus denying it a Triple Crown. There's nothing left to talk about unless it's...no, actually, there's absolutely nothing left to talk about.
6 - "When She Was My Girl," The Four Tops
The Tops managed two 80s Top Tens here, the first being this this soul-funk lost love lament. Okayness made great by Levi Stubbs.
5 - "Joan of Arc," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
The first of OMD's two hits about Saint Joan was this ethereal ballad that compares her martyrdom to a love affair gone wrong. Interesting take, cool song.
4 - "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," Haircut One Hundred
The London band's first hit was this fast jitterer that seems to be about the thrill of sex in a new relationship. There's certainly and appropriate level of frenzied, ecstatic energy on display.
3 - "Begin the Beguine (Volver a empazar)," Julio Iglesias
Born in 1943, Madrid native Iglesias was an aspiringet professional soccer goalkeeper until his career was ended by a car accident. Turning to music, his success spread from Spain to the rest of Europe through the 70s, and then he cracked Britain with this charttopping Spanish-language version of a 1935 Cole Porter tune. It's him doing his breathy Latin heartthrob thing, and if it moves you, good for you. It doesn’t begin to do anything for me.
2 - "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," The Police
Their fourth #1 was this sprightly tune about romantic reluctance. Apparently the two non-Stings in the band thought it was "too soft," but they eventually relented. It probably is a little too overtly pop to really fit in to their catalogue, but it's still great.
1 - "Under Pressure," Queen and David Bowie
Queen's only home charttopper of the 80s was theither immortal Bowie teamup. It came out of a jam session, which apparently explains the amount of scatting Freddie does on the the track. Rock's two premier male divas duke it out, and the listener wins. And in case I haven't said it before, fuck Vanilla Ice.
It will continue. Thank you for reading.
20 - "Hold Me," B.A. Robertson and Maggie Bell
Scot Brian Robertson had scored four solo hits before charting once more with this duet with Margaret Bell, a fellow Glaswegian who'd only had one previous Top 40. It's a rock version of a song written in 1933. Okay radio pop for the time.
19 - "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross's meh Frankie Lydon cover was a transatlantic Top Ten. I'm proud to say it only got to #17 in my homeland. She should have known how unnecessary this was.
18 - "Steppin' Out," Kool and the Gang
This one by the funk machine was only a pop hit over here. Okay pop-soul about hitting the town. I'll take this over the ten millionth spin of "Celebration."
17 - "Ay Ay Ay Moosey," Modern Romance
These guys again, this time with their first Top Ten. It's a song about a girl who likes Latin music. What moose have to do with it, I have no idea. Although I am tickled by the mental picture of a salsa-dancing caribou.
16 - "A Good Year for the Roses," Elvis Costello
EC'S third Top Ten was this cover of a 1970 George Jones hit about the heartbreak of a dissolving marriage. Elvis had no problem shifting gears to country. And he wasn't the only New Wave act to try the genre at this time, as we'll soon see.
15 - "It's My Party," Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin
Not to be confused with Eurythmic David Allan Stewart, David Lloyd Stewart was a keyboardist with several 70s prog-rock band's before teaming up with Gaskin, who had sung backup with many of those same bands, on this unorthodox synth cover of Leslie Gore's teen heartbreak classic. It still sounds gothy and futuristic. It was a four-week #1 here, and now it's an Uneasy Rider.
14 - "When You Were Sweet Sixteen," The Fureys and Davey Arthur
This Irish folk group consisting of brothers Finbar, Eddie, Paul and George Furey, as well as Mr. Arthur, had their only major hit outside their homeland with a song written by American vaudeville performer James Thornton in 1898 and popularized further by Perry Como a half-century later. A sweet song about enduring love, delivered sweetly. That works.
13 - "Bedsitter," Soft Cell
The duo'scored follow up to debut smash "Tainted Love" was this cool new wave tune about the drudgery of the days following nights of hard clubbing and partying. It's a comedown, but in a good way.
12 - "I Go to Sleep," Pretenders
Chrissie and the boys had their third Top Ten with this cover of a song written by Kink Ray Davies for the Birmingham band The Applejacks in 1965. It's a waltzy ballado of romantic pining, and the mighty Ms. Henderson makes you fell the loneliness. Wonderful.
11 - "Happy Birthday," Altered Images
The first and biggest hit for these Scots was more New Wave with a waily female singer. It's still good for that, with Clare Grogan singing about a special present she wants to give her loved one. But I like their next hit "I Could be Happy" even better.
10 - "Labelled with Love," Squeeze
More country dabbling from Brits, coincidentally enough co-produced by Elvis Costello. But this is a Glenn Tilbrook/Chris Difford original about a British woman who marries an American pilot after the war, but the marriage doesn't end well, and she returns to an indifferent family and now drinks her days away. Very authentic to the genre, and it deservedly became their third and last Top Five.
9 - "Let's Groove," Earth Wind and Fire
Transatlantic Top Five funk from the masters. Allllll right.
8 - "Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)," Rod Stewart
Roddy's first Top Ten here of this decade was this New Wavish plea for a one night stand. This was still pretty good, but the downturn was in sight.
7 - "Physical," Olivia Newton-John
ONJ's tribute to different ways of working out only got this high here, thus denying it a Triple Crown. There's nothing left to talk about unless it's...no, actually, there's absolutely nothing left to talk about.
6 - "When She Was My Girl," The Four Tops
The Tops managed two 80s Top Tens here, the first being this this soul-funk lost love lament. Okayness made great by Levi Stubbs.
5 - "Joan of Arc," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
The first of OMD's two hits about Saint Joan was this ethereal ballad that compares her martyrdom to a love affair gone wrong. Interesting take, cool song.
4 - "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," Haircut One Hundred
The London band's first hit was this fast jitterer that seems to be about the thrill of sex in a new relationship. There's certainly and appropriate level of frenzied, ecstatic energy on display.
3 - "Begin the Beguine (Volver a empazar)," Julio Iglesias
Born in 1943, Madrid native Iglesias was an aspiringet professional soccer goalkeeper until his career was ended by a car accident. Turning to music, his success spread from Spain to the rest of Europe through the 70s, and then he cracked Britain with this charttopping Spanish-language version of a 1935 Cole Porter tune. It's him doing his breathy Latin heartthrob thing, and if it moves you, good for you. It doesn’t begin to do anything for me.
2 - "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," The Police
Their fourth #1 was this sprightly tune about romantic reluctance. Apparently the two non-Stings in the band thought it was "too soft," but they eventually relented. It probably is a little too overtly pop to really fit in to their catalogue, but it's still great.
1 - "Under Pressure," Queen and David Bowie
Queen's only home charttopper of the 80s was theither immortal Bowie teamup. It came out of a jam session, which apparently explains the amount of scatting Freddie does on the the track. Rock's two premier male divas duke it out, and the listener wins. And in case I haven't said it before, fuck Vanilla Ice.
It will continue. Thank you for reading.
Sunday, December 3, 2017
GATW: UKT40 November 21, 1981
November 1981. After missing the previous two World Cups, England qualified for the 1982 tournament in Spain with a 1-0 win over Hungary. They had no problem getting in to the one in Russia next year, and they got a good draw. Take a moment to mourn for the Netherlands, the U.S., and Italy, who will all be watching from home this coming June. Now that you've done that, let's kick off our look at an old chart.
40 - "Me and Mr. Sanchez," Blue Rondo a la Turk
Named for a track from pianist Dave Brubeck's classic Time Out, these jazz-poppers had their only scrape into their home Top 40 with this samba tune about Mardi Gras. Perhaps inevitably, it was a #1 in Brazil. A fun little butt-shaker.
39 - "Thunder in the Mountains," Toyah
Birminghammer Toyah Wilcox started as an actress in the late 70s, and soon branched out into punk-pop music. The second of her eponymous band's two Top Fives was this synth-driven song about some kind of impending revolution. It's very much in the same mold as Hazel O'Connor and Lene Lovich, but I don't like it as much as what I've heard from thoseveral two.
38 - "Flashback," Imagination
This London funk band scored the third of their nine hits with this cool bit of reminiscence electro funk. Bonus points for their lead singer giving himself the name Leee John.
37 - "Daddy's Home," Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff went to #2 covering Shep and the Limelites. Jermaine Jackson did it better. When do you get to say that?
36 - "Turn Your Love Around," George Benson
George went Top Five at home with this smoothie, but just scraped into the Top 30 here. Another case where justice would be somewhere in between.
35 - "Paint Me Down," Spandau Ballet
The fifth hit for the Islington New Romantics was this funky bit that seems to equate painting and sex. Interesting comparison. I suppose both often involve viscous fluids. Is that enough of a connection?
34 - "Twilight," Electric Light Orchestra
ELO again, this time with some of their big pop rock about time travel. Not a standout.
33 - "Visions of China," Japan
This South London quartet started in the 70s as glam rockers, but it was a turn to an electronic goth sound that gave them nine 80s hits. Their second was this jittery number that talks about learning to fight and "building heroes." Maybe it's about Kung Fu movies? I don't know, but I find it interesting that they had two hits with titles inspired by China and only one inspired by their namesake country.
32 - "Cambodia," Kim Wilde
The Asian theme continues with the second-generation singer's fourth hit, a song about the wife of a military pilot who participated in Richard Nixon's covert bombing of Cambodia in the midst of the Vietnam War. An odd subject for an up and coming pop singer at any time, but Wilde does well with what her father and brother gave her. Not quite as incongruous as I expected.
31 - "Yes Tonight Josephine," The Jets
Not the Wolfgramms of Minnesota via Tonga, but a British rockabilly group with the first of their two hits. It's a cover of a 1958 Perry Como love song that's a play off of the saying "Not tonight, Josephine," which refers to Napoleon allegedly passing up sex with his empress. Though historians have since claimed that Josephine would have more likely been the reluctant one, as she had several other lovers whose company she preferred. All that is way more interesting than the song, although it has some retro charm and a good use of the Bo Diddley beat.
30 - "The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum)," Fun Boy Three
The first hit from the Specials offshoot was this cool, spooky track about how modern life is a former of insanity. Or something. Anyway, quite good, and a sleeper pick for your next Halloween mix.
29 - "Love Me Tonight," Trevor Walters
The first of two hits for the British reggae singer is this sweet bit of lovers' rock. Nice. That is all.
28 - "It's Raining," Shakin' Stevens
Old Shaky is back with his fourth Top Ten, a covery of a 1961 Irma Thomas hit about loneliness and bad weather. Okay, but I gotta track down the original.
27 - "Absolute Beginners," The Jam
Their fifth Top Five was this horn-heavy number about conquering tyranny with love. Not relevant to today's world at all, is it?
26 - "Tears are Not Enough," ABC
Their first hit was this danceable drama about a breakup. More rough-edged than their later hits. Cool to hear that side of them.
25 - "Tom Sawyer," Rush
The third hit here for the Canadian prog trio was their best known song. It imagines Mark Twain's mischievous young boy in the present day as a "modern day warrior" Standing up against injustice. The synths, the drums, and the guitar solo combined with the lyrics to make something truly iconic. Classic rock at its most...classic.
24 - "Let's Hang On," Barry Manilow
Barry scored just his third U.K. Top 20 with this Four Seasons cover. Neither artist nor subject are well-served.
23 - "The Voice," Ultravox
Midge Ure et al had their sixth hit with this synther about hearing things. Don't know what it means, but it's decent enough new wave.
22 - "Birdie Song," Tweets
It's that chicken dance song again. Well, at least it's not "Macarena."
21 - "Open Your Heart," The Human League
Their second Top Ten was this icy song with a warm message about staying positive about the world even when all you can see is awfulness. Another song that doesn't in any way apply to the world we live in right now.
In Part Two: gardening, sorcery, and two kinds of tops.
40 - "Me and Mr. Sanchez," Blue Rondo a la Turk
Named for a track from pianist Dave Brubeck's classic Time Out, these jazz-poppers had their only scrape into their home Top 40 with this samba tune about Mardi Gras. Perhaps inevitably, it was a #1 in Brazil. A fun little butt-shaker.
39 - "Thunder in the Mountains," Toyah
Birminghammer Toyah Wilcox started as an actress in the late 70s, and soon branched out into punk-pop music. The second of her eponymous band's two Top Fives was this synth-driven song about some kind of impending revolution. It's very much in the same mold as Hazel O'Connor and Lene Lovich, but I don't like it as much as what I've heard from thoseveral two.
38 - "Flashback," Imagination
This London funk band scored the third of their nine hits with this cool bit of reminiscence electro funk. Bonus points for their lead singer giving himself the name Leee John.
37 - "Daddy's Home," Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff went to #2 covering Shep and the Limelites. Jermaine Jackson did it better. When do you get to say that?
36 - "Turn Your Love Around," George Benson
George went Top Five at home with this smoothie, but just scraped into the Top 30 here. Another case where justice would be somewhere in between.
35 - "Paint Me Down," Spandau Ballet
The fifth hit for the Islington New Romantics was this funky bit that seems to equate painting and sex. Interesting comparison. I suppose both often involve viscous fluids. Is that enough of a connection?
34 - "Twilight," Electric Light Orchestra
ELO again, this time with some of their big pop rock about time travel. Not a standout.
33 - "Visions of China," Japan
This South London quartet started in the 70s as glam rockers, but it was a turn to an electronic goth sound that gave them nine 80s hits. Their second was this jittery number that talks about learning to fight and "building heroes." Maybe it's about Kung Fu movies? I don't know, but I find it interesting that they had two hits with titles inspired by China and only one inspired by their namesake country.
32 - "Cambodia," Kim Wilde
The Asian theme continues with the second-generation singer's fourth hit, a song about the wife of a military pilot who participated in Richard Nixon's covert bombing of Cambodia in the midst of the Vietnam War. An odd subject for an up and coming pop singer at any time, but Wilde does well with what her father and brother gave her. Not quite as incongruous as I expected.
31 - "Yes Tonight Josephine," The Jets
Not the Wolfgramms of Minnesota via Tonga, but a British rockabilly group with the first of their two hits. It's a cover of a 1958 Perry Como love song that's a play off of the saying "Not tonight, Josephine," which refers to Napoleon allegedly passing up sex with his empress. Though historians have since claimed that Josephine would have more likely been the reluctant one, as she had several other lovers whose company she preferred. All that is way more interesting than the song, although it has some retro charm and a good use of the Bo Diddley beat.
30 - "The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum)," Fun Boy Three
The first hit from the Specials offshoot was this cool, spooky track about how modern life is a former of insanity. Or something. Anyway, quite good, and a sleeper pick for your next Halloween mix.
29 - "Love Me Tonight," Trevor Walters
The first of two hits for the British reggae singer is this sweet bit of lovers' rock. Nice. That is all.
28 - "It's Raining," Shakin' Stevens
Old Shaky is back with his fourth Top Ten, a covery of a 1961 Irma Thomas hit about loneliness and bad weather. Okay, but I gotta track down the original.
27 - "Absolute Beginners," The Jam
Their fifth Top Five was this horn-heavy number about conquering tyranny with love. Not relevant to today's world at all, is it?
26 - "Tears are Not Enough," ABC
Their first hit was this danceable drama about a breakup. More rough-edged than their later hits. Cool to hear that side of them.
25 - "Tom Sawyer," Rush
The third hit here for the Canadian prog trio was their best known song. It imagines Mark Twain's mischievous young boy in the present day as a "modern day warrior" Standing up against injustice. The synths, the drums, and the guitar solo combined with the lyrics to make something truly iconic. Classic rock at its most...classic.
24 - "Let's Hang On," Barry Manilow
Barry scored just his third U.K. Top 20 with this Four Seasons cover. Neither artist nor subject are well-served.
23 - "The Voice," Ultravox
Midge Ure et al had their sixth hit with this synther about hearing things. Don't know what it means, but it's decent enough new wave.
22 - "Birdie Song," Tweets
It's that chicken dance song again. Well, at least it's not "Macarena."
21 - "Open Your Heart," The Human League
Their second Top Ten was this icy song with a warm message about staying positive about the world even when all you can see is awfulness. Another song that doesn't in any way apply to the world we live in right now.
In Part Two: gardening, sorcery, and two kinds of tops.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)