September 1979. We were just here two months ago, but both the news and the charts are are very different. The headlines are dominated by the Yorkshire Ripper and the IRA’s assassination of the Queen’s cousin Lord Mountbatten. The music, suffice to say, was less horrifying.
40 - “Get it Right Next Time,” Gerry Rafferty
The third and last U.K.Top 40 for the former Stealers Wheelman was this jazz-pop ovv(de to persistence. Sprightly and catchy. He didn’t have to wait for next time.
39 - “Can’t Stand Losing You,” The Police
This single originally charted below the Top 40 the previous year, but it made it to #2 on this reissue. It’s one of their catchiest numbers, on which Sting just throws hissy fits after a breakup instead of confronting the separation like an adult. Not the greatest behaviour, but it makes for a great song.
38 - “Don’t Bring Me Down,” Electric Light Orchestra
A big rocker that went Top Five on the big two charts, but became ELO’s third #1 in Canada. What a can I say? Jeff Lynne knew how to light up the Great White North.
37 - “Lines,” The Planets
Liverpudlian Steve Lindsey first Gaines notice in the cult band Deaf School, but his only chart success came with this band and this reggae/New Wave number about different kinds of lines (washing, dotted, picket, etc.). It falls on the right side of my line.
36 - “Spiral Scratch EP,” Buzzcocks
In the midst of their peak run, the Bolton boys picked up another hit with a reissue of their 1977 debut EP, which was their only recording with original singer Howard Devoto. Four blasts of their incisive, incendiary pop-punk, highlighted by third track “Boredom,” which depicts punk as just another fashion that was already burning out. Further evidence that they deserve appreciation on the Clash/Pistols level.
35 - “Strut Your Funky Stuff,” Frantique
The soul label Philadelphia International was waning in its influence and commercial success, but it managed a one-off Top Ten for this band. Straightforward disco, but well-crafted enough to stand out.
34 - “Boy Oh Boy,” Racey
The third of four hits for the Somerset glam-poppers was this veiled description of not-so-chaste teen romance. They come off like a less edgy Bay City Rollers. Imagine that.
33 - “Girls Talk,” Dave Edmunds
A holdover from two months ago. Still great.
32 - “Beat the Clock,” Sparks
The third and final Top Ten for the Maels was this thumping bit of New Wave Disco with lyrics about growing up really, really fast. Seriously, where were these guys all my life?
31 - “You Never Know What You’ve Got,” Me and You
The biggest hit for this Jamaican trio was this reggae groove about appreciating what you have while you have it. It’d be handy to have in rotation.
30 - “Reggae for it Now,” Bill Lovelady
This white Liverpudlian has his biggest hit with this celebration of beautiful women discovering reggae. Not bad. I like the harmonica on it.
29 - “Teenage Warning,” Angelic Upstarts
The biggest of two hits for the punks from South Shields was this rocker about being young and full of energy and frustration and self-consciousness. A solid example of the genre, and singer Mensi’s voice on the choruses wasn’t the only thing that reminded me of the legendary almost-weres New York Dolls.
28 - “Gone Gone Gone,” Johnny Mathis
The last hit here for the Texas-born crooner sees him going jazz-disco. Boz Scaggs would have done well with this, but Johnny seems as helpless as...a kitten up a tree?
27 - “Stay With Me Till Dawn,” Judy Tzuke
Born Judie Myers in London to Polish immigrants, this lady reclaimed her ancestral name when she began a singing career which was highlighted by this ballad about needing company. Sophisticated and well-sung, it’s apparent why it’s reputation has lingered longer than most songs that only reach #16.
26 - “Wanted,” The Dooleys
Another returnee. Still a surprisingly good encroachment into ABBA-land.
25 - “Duchess,” The Stranglers
The Surreymen’s seventh hit was this portrait of a bored rich lady romantically pursued by “Rodneys.” Apparently, that means lazy men. This song makes boredom listenable.
24 - “Lost in Music,” Sister Sledge
The Sledges fourth hit was more Nile Rodgers goodness about abandoning everything for beat, groove and melody. This is a one-song refutation of the blanket statement “disco sucks.”
23 - “Love’s Got a Hold on Me,” Dollar
The duo’s first Top Ten was this unabashed variation on the “How Deep is Your Love” template. They’re lucky the Gibbs’ lawyers didn’t get a hold of it.
22 - “If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold it Against Me,” The Bellamy Brothers
David and Homer’s country wordplay scrapped into the pop at home, but went Top Five here. Makes sense. It’s the definition of “cheeky.”
21 - “Morning Dance,” Spyro Gyra
The Buffalo group’s transatlantic jazz instrumental hit. Relaxing, which I guess was enough.
In Part Two: envy, cash, and lunaedisophobia.
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