Closing.
20 - "Living by Numbers," New Musik
The first and biggest hit for the London synthpop outfit was this tune about the impersonality of the even-then increasingly digital world. Nothing that the Buggles didn't do better, but still quite good.
19 - "Jazz Carnival," Azymuth
The biggest international hit for these Brazilians was this synth-jazz-funk-samba instrumental. Nice enough, but the full nine-and-a-half minute version is a bit of a slog.
18 - "Spacer," Sheila and B. Devotion
The second and final British hit for this French act (now billing Annie Chancel and her backups as separate entities) was this disco track that's essentially a more straight-faced version of Hot Gossip's "I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper." I gotta give the nod to the pre-Phantom Sarah Brightman.
17 - "Tears of a Clown," The Beat
The Birmingham ska boys picked up their first hit with this cover of the Miracles' classic. A fun and different take that introduced a short-lived but influential act.
16 - "London Calling," The Clash
Their seventh, biggest, and best hit. A churning blast of rage and fear of nuclear armageddon, police brutality, the media hype over punk ("phony Beatlemania"), and more. A canonical song in punk, rock, pop, and music in general.
15 - "I Hear You Now," Jon and Vangelis
The first of two Top Tens for the team of once and future Yes singer Jon Anderson and the man who,would soundtrack British runners for Chariots of Fire was this song that seems to be about post-costal warm fuzzies. Not sure this is the kind of thing I'd want to hear in such moments, but all right.
14 - "Someone's Looking at You," The Boomtown Rats
Their fourth Top Five was this number about the paranoia that comes with fun. Deceptively poppy. Probably the most serious challenger to "I Don't Like Mondays" for best in their catalogue.
13 - "Better Love Next Time," Dr. Hook
The dregs of their soft-disco period, bottomed only by "Sexy Eyes." Blecch.
12 - "7 Teen," The Regents
The one hit for these New Wave wonders was this Costello-ish tune about an attractive girl in her late teens and the reactions of her peers to her. Not particularly lyrically interesting, but all the vibes you want expressed in a song like this are expressed clearly and effectively nonetheless.
11 - "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," Dollar
The second Top Ten for the Can-Brit male-female duo was indeed a Beatles cover, done as minimalist synthpop. Surprisingly not horrible, but nother essential either.
10 - "Coward of the County," Kenny Rogers
Kenny'so sombre tale of a pacifist violently avenging his wife's gang rape picked up two-thirds of the Triple Crown. Surprisingly, it was his homeland that threw up the block. Savage revenge too much for delicate American ears? Who would have imagined?
9 - "Green Onions," Booker T. and the MGS
The 1962 proto-funk instrumental by the house band of Memphis' Stax label didn't chart here until now. Justice served, eventually.
8 - "Please Don't Go," KC and the Sunshine Band
This time it was the British preventing a Triple Crown for the disco machine's bland ballad. Good job.
7 - "Babe," Styx
And they stopped another one. But Dennis DeYoung's sap showcase was the Bob Seger of Chicago's only Top 40 here, so there's that.
6 - "With You I'm Born Again," Billy Preston and Syreeta
The fifth Beatle and Stevie Wonder's ex had a transatlantic Top Ten with this treacly ballad. Shouldn't have been born the first time.
5 - "It's Different for Girls," Joe Jackson
The Staffordshireman's biggest hit here was this midtempo tune that's a lyrical cross between "You Better Shop Around" and "All Right Now." He was the second-string Elvis Costello, but he could still make winners.
4 - "I'm in the Mood for Dancing," The Nolan Sisters
The sister act that would soon go simply by the Nolans had their first and biggest hit with this decent bit of disco-lite. Notable mainly for being one of the rare pop songs to use the word "shan't." That's an underrated word.
3 - "My Girl," Madness
The Nutty Boys' third hit was this song about I guy who doesn't know how he's making his girlfriend angry. All I know is, she's right. I don't need to know the details, she's just right. Right?
2 - "Brass in Pocket," The Pretenders
Chrissie Hynde's strut of supreme confidence was her band's only #1. It really is special. So, so, sooooooo special.
And at the top 38 years ago was...
1 - "Too Much Too Young," The Specials
The first of two chart toppers for the 2 Tone standard bearers was a live EP featuring this song warning of the dangers and burdens of not using birth control. It veers between educational and judgmental, but all in all, it's solid skanking ska.
Done again. Join the facebook, see if I've advanced the twitter at all, and stay tuned for next time.
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