Mid-autumn, 1989. Iconic British carmaker Jaguar is purchased by Ford. A U.K. company in the hands of a former colony. And now it’s owned by Tata Motors, based in India. The Empire is truly dead, isn’t it? But there’s always the charts.
40 - “The Message is Love,” Arthur Baker and Al Green
Boston-born producer/remixer Baker teamed up with Reverend Green for this midtempo soul outing about how kindness and caring can heal the world. Okay song, but with Al singing, it becomes something great.
39 - “Take Care of Yourself,” Level 42
The bonus track from a greatest hits album. A more spirited than normal funk tune about looking out for number one. It only got this high, which is a shame. I would have rather they had been rewarded for stepping out of their comfort zone.
38 - “The Time Warp,” Damian
Mancunian Damian Davey had his only hit with a dance-pop cover of the classic number from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Not the worst idea, and it’s pretty well-executed. Damian’s snotty delivery works well, and the rapped step instructions weave in well. Still, there’s no replacing the original for inspiring madness-inducing pelvic thrusts.
37 - “The Sun Rising,” The Beloved
The first hit for this London outfit was this spacey house tune featuring a sample of a song written by the 12th century nun/composer/theologian St. Hildegard of Bingen. Some nice calming sounds to start your day with.
36 - “Chocolate Box,” Bros
The seventh Top Ten for the Goss twins was this tune about not wanting to be just one of many lovers. A lot of sweets are used as metaphors here. To me, this is more like Thrills, the purple gum whose box proudly declares “It still tastes like soap!” Somebody must buy it, but why?
35 - “Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice),” Gloria Estefan
The recently solo-billed Miami star returns to her Latin roots with this mambo about wanting to be respected. Nice to hear her stepping out of homogenized pop for a bit.
34 - “I Can’t Forget You,” Sonia
This Liverpudlian’s second hit is basic Stock/Aitken/Waterman product. She’s no Kylie, so it doesn’t matter now.
33 - “Swing the Mood,” Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
The first of three medlery hits masterminded by Yorkshireman Les Hemstock and the father/son team of John and Andrew Pickles string together oldies by Glenn Miller, Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Little Richard, and more. It almost makes me long for Stars on 45. Almost.
32 - “State of Mind,” Fish
The first solo hit for former Marillion singer Derek Dick was this proggy pop song about fear and paranoia. He comes off like a second-rate Peter Gabriel here.
31 - “Never Too Much,” Luther Vandross
A remix of Luther’s debut single. The update was unnecessary, but giving more exposure to that voice cannot be criticized, er, too much.
30 - “Right Here Waiting,” Richard Marx
The Chicagoan’s blerggh ballad missed a Triple Crown by one British chart position. Arguably the most important triumph over Marxism in history.
29 - “The Real Wild House,” Raul Orellana
House en España from a Spanish DJ, with a lot of flamenco touches and an Iggy Pop sample. A cool little twist on the genre.
28 - “Oh Well,” Oh Well
This group’s only hit was this dance/rap cover of a 1969 hit by the early incarnation of Fleetwood Mac. This time the random sample is Moon Unit Zappa from her dad’s hit “Valley Girl.” Dumb fun.
27 - “Drama!” Erasure
The dance duo’s ninth hit was this anthemic call-out of someone who is wrapped up in shame and loathing. One of my favourites of theirs.
26 - “Love on a Mountain Top,” Sinitta
Ms. Malone’s seventh hit was a dance cover of Robert Knight’s Northern Soul hit. A tiny anthill.
25 - “Scandal,” Queen
Their 34th hit was this midtempo rocker about intrusive press, inspired by coverage of Brian May’s love life and speculation about Freddie Mercury’s health. Okay, but in the lower tier of their singles. And thanks to Bohemian Rhapsody, they’re suddenly the hottest rock band in the world, 29 years later. That’s half testament to their greatness, half sad commentary on the current state of rock.
24 - “The Best,” Tina Turner
This now-cliched anthem was first recorded by Bonnie Tyler. I’m sure she did well with it. Maybe not as good as Tina did, but the dream would be to hear them duet on it. I can picture heads exploding under the force of the intensity.
23 - “C’mon and Get My Love,” D-Mob with Cathy Dennis
The third hit for producer Daniel “Dancin’ Danny D” Poku was this catchy bit of house-pop that launched Dennis toward a solo career. I’m glad I came and got it.
22 - “Name and Number,” Curiosity Killed the Cat
The fourth hit by these Londoners was this loosey-goosey jazz-funk groove about trying to get hold of a lover. Another surprise gem.
21 - “Lean on You,” Cliff Richard
We can’t escape Sir Cliff for long, can we? This devotion ballad sounded like the times, but isn’t interesting enough that it would have been a definite hit by someone else. But Cliff probably guaranteed some spins on Radio 1 and a couple appearances on Top of the Pops, and presto, Top Twenty.
In Part Two: time, fire, and thoroughfares.
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