Welcome to late March 1978. In America, a rock festival called California Jam II had just drawn over 350,000 people to a speedway in the town of Ontario. The lineup featured Heart, Ted Nugent, Santana, Aerosmith, and more. None of these bands, however, were having an impact on the British charts at the time. What was? Well...
40 - "We've Got the Whole World," Nottingham Forest and Paper Lace
As you may be aware of, soccer is quite popular in Britain, and its impact has been felt over the years on the pop chart, with songs not only about the sport, but with vocal contributions by players and teams, appearing with some regularity over the years. The first example we come across is this collaboration between the band best known for "The Night Chicago Died" and their local club, who were in the midst of the most successful period in their history. The team sings as a chorus a modified versions of the spiritual "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," featuring lyrics about how great they are and how they're going to win. Simple, but effective. Football songs and chants are one of the things I like about British culture that I wish could somehow be adapted to sports here. But singing players...not so much. You get stuff like the near-Top 40 from 1985 "The Super Bowl Shuffle" by The Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew. Not good. And I say that as a Bears fan.
39 - "Too Much Too Little Too Late," Johnny Mathis and Deneice Williams
The breakup duet between Mr. "Misty" and the future Ms. "Let's Hear it for the Boy," went to #1 in the States and Top Five here. Covered it a long time ago. Smooth and okay. I still prefer their Family Ties theme.
38 - "Too Hot ta Trot/Zoom," The Commodores
Double-sided hit from the pride of Tuskegee, Alabama. The A is good solid sex-funk. The B is a Lionel Richie-fronted ballad about longing for a place where "people can be what they wanna be." I think these guys are underrated.
37 - "Figaro," Brotherhood of Man
This two-man, two-woman British vocal group first gained world attention with the transatlantic 1970 hit "United We Stand." They didn't do much more until 1976, when they had a run that featured three U.K. #1s, the last of which was this disco pop song about a lothario who wows women when he "plays guitar at the disco bar." It's in the same genre as ABBA, but they are the monarchs, and this effort is below their standard, and that of Bucks Fizz, the group that would soon usurp them as the nation's leaders in this field.
36 - "Baby Come Back," Player
This very familiar U.S. #1 soft rocker was also their only U.K hit. But here it only made it to #32. I tend to side with the Brits.
35 - "5 Minutes," The Stranglers
The band's fourth hit was this blast of anger from bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel toward the men who raped a woman who lived in his neighborhood. You feel his conflicted feelings about his desire for revenge. A good example of the urgency punk brought to rock.
34 - "Singin' in the Rain," Sheila B. Devotion
French singer Annie Chancel, who took the stage name "Sheila," had been having hits at home for over a decade when she was paired with a disco group of singers and dancers called "B.Devotion." For much of the world, they were known together as Sheila B. Devotion. Anyway, they had two U.K. hits, the first and biggest of which was this dance cover of a 1929 song that was popularized in 1952 in a 1952 Gene Kelly musical. Interesting, but inconsequential.
33 - "Never Let Her Slip Away," Andrew Gold
The late Californian, best known in the States for "Lonely Boy," and writing the eventual Golden Girls theme "Thank You for Being a Friend," had a Top Five here with this jaunty pop love song inspired by the moment he met his then-girlfriend, Saturday Night Live "Not Ready for Prime Time Player" Laraine Newman. It also features background vocals from Gold's buddy Freddie Mercury. Yet another gem I've discovered.
32 - "Love is Like Oxygen," Sweet
The last major hit on both sides of the Atlantic for the British glam stars. I always like to breathe in its goodness.
31 - "The Ghost of Love," Tavares
The last non re-release U.K Top 40 for these funky Rhode Island brothers is vibrant disco about how a man's memories of a previous lover scare future prospects away. They sound a little too happy about what seems like a depressing predicament, but I guess disco helps the medicine go down.
30 - "Sometimes When We Touch," Dan Hill
The timeless sapfest. Again, his only U.K. hit, and it didn't hit as big. I definitely think British tastes match up more with my own.
29 - "Just the Way You Are," Billy Joel
Billy's American breakthrough was his first hit here, but it only got this high. If it were up to me, I'd probably split the difference between this and its U.S peak of #3.
28 - "I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me," Tina Charles
The last Top 40 for the former Tina Hoskins was this bit o'disco about being really in love with a musician. There's xylophone on it, which is nice. Otherwise, irrelevant.
27 - "News of the World," The Jam
The legendary band's fourth hit (and the only one written solely by bassist Bruce Foxton) was this snarling punk roar at the British tabloid media. It doesn't have the impeccable pop hooks of the band at their best, but still a very good song.
26 - "I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea," Elvis Costello
The son of a London bandleader, Declan Patrick McManus took on a stage surname Dad had used and an iconic first name when he began his career as punk's bespectacled poet laureate. His second hit was this rubbery rock song about flirting girls, dirty old men, violent thugs, and other reasons he doesn't want to visit a certain section of London. I think that's it. Anyway, great stuff. It's hard to go wrong with EC from this period.
25 - "I Wonder Why," Showaddywaddy
This eight-piece from Leicester racked up 23 Top 40s between 1974 and 1982, including a #1 and four Number Twos. The last of the latter was this pretty faithful cover of a 1958 hit by Dion and the Belmonts. Covering songs from that era without changing much was their style, and it worked for them. I prefer more adventurousness, but good for them for succeeding with their thing. But I must say they have a contender for my dream all-name band in drummer Romeo Challenger. And speaking of Leicester, it's amazing what their doing in the Premiership this year. They could actually win the league, which would be the stuff of legend. I'm kind of rooting for them, but I can't go all the way, because their closest pursuers are my club, Tottenham Hotspur, and I don't know when we'll ever get another chance this good to win the league.
24 - "Walk in Love," The Manhattan Transfer
The New York jazz-pop vocal group had twice as many hits here than they did at home. They had a #1 with "Chanson D'Amour," but their second-biggest, this ballad about falling in love and having sex on a beach, only hit #12. It's okay romantic mood-setting.
23 - "All Right Now," Free
Here it is again. It must have been re-released for some reason in '78. Oh well, it's always good for a rock-out.
22 - "Follow You Follow Me," Genesis
The first U.S. Top 40 and first U.K. Top Ten for the now Gabriel-less ones. Slick pop sung by Phil Collins. We had no idea how much more of that there would be to come.
21 - "Just One More Night," Yellow Dog,
The only hit by this British band, fronted by American Kenny Young, had their only hit with this pop-rocker about a woman who keeps extending her stand beyond a single evening with sweet talk and promises. Silly fun. The false ending that resumes with a ringing telephone and a continuation of the pledges of chore-doing was a nice touch.
In Part two: art, literature, and more football.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Gloves Across the Water: UK Top 40 March 25, 1978 Part Two
It's a chart of two halves, and this is the second one.
20 - "If You Can't Give Me Love," Suzi Quatro
Born in Detroit in 1950, Susan Kay Quatro saw Elvis for the first time at age 5 and decided that was what she wanted to be. And once she moved to England in the early 70s, she gave it a pretty good run with her style and attitude. She only hit once at home with the duet "Stumblin' In," but in Britain she was a major star, scoring eleven Top 40s and two Number Ones. This pop-rocker about turning down the advances of a smooth loverboy went Top Five. It's good, but I'm intrigued to hear more from the lady I once knew as Leather Tuscadero.
19 - "Rumour Has It," Donna Summer
As big as she was at home during the disco era, she was even bigger here, with even more hit singles. One that hit here but not in the States was this song about a hoping the one you once loved will find his way back to you again. Not as strong as her bigger hits, so I see how this would have fallen short in America. But it seems to improve with every listen.
18 - "Whenever You Want My Love," The Real Thing
The fifth hit for these Liverpool soulsters is romantic disco that reminds me a lot of the O'Jays. Sounds good, but not a must-hear.
17 - "Lilac Wine," Elkie Brooks
Elkie again, with her third hit, a cover of an oft-performed song that dates back to 1950. It's about drowning your sorrow over a lost love in alcohol made from flowers. Brooks gives a dramatic, powerhouse performance that conveys everything the song was meant to. For someone I'd never heard of a couple months ago, I like her a lot.
16 - "Ally's Tartan Army," Andy Cameron
More soccer music, this time a tune performed by comedian Cameron to celebrate his native Scotland`s qualification for the upcoming World Cup in Argentina. Set to a melody that dates back to the American Civil War, the song sings the praises of the team's manager, Alistair "Ally" MacLeod (referred to as "our Muhammad Ali,"), and reminds everyone that they are Britain's only representative in the tournament ("England cannae do it 'cause they didnae qualify.") A fun artifact. Unfortunately, the Scots didn't come close to winning the Cup, as Cameron had boasted they would; they went out in the first round.
15 - "Fantasy," Earth, Wind and Fire.
This midtempo funk ballad offering a trip to an eternal utopia was EWF's ninth U.S. Top 40, but only their second here. But it charted higher here. Advantage: Britain.
14 - "Every 1's a Winner," Hot Chocolate
And yet this classic slab of funk by Britain's own charted higher in the States. I don't get that. That riff! In this case, the Americans were the winners.
13 - "Is This Love," Bob Marley and the Wailers
Born on a farm is Saint Anne Parrish, Jamaica, Robert Nesta Marley moved to Kingston at age twelve, and began a music career with a band made up of his friends in the early sixties, combining the emerging ska sound with American R&B to help create what would become known as reggae. In the 70s, with his band, The Wailers, he became an international sensation, and his move to England in 1977 helped further his popularity. An underground phenomenon in the U.S. during his life, Marley was a genuine pop star in Britain, and this was his third Top Ten. It's a fairly straightforward love song inviting a woman to come live with him in his small room and "share the shelter of my single bed." One of his best known songs, and deservedly so.
12 - "Emotions," Samantha Sang
The Aussie singer's Gibb-written sole major hit reached #3 in the States, but only #11 here. Destiny's Child's 2001 cover, however, hit #3 here and #10 in the U.S. Interesting.
11 - "Mr. Blue Sky," Electric Light Orchestra
My ELO favorite Happy epic sunshine. Top Ten here, barely Top 40 in the U.S. I'm with U, K.
10 - "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass," Nick Lowe
Surrey's Lowe is best known in the States for his 1979 hit "Cruel to be Kind," but his biggest hit at home was this pop-rock shuffle about how he finds "the noises of destruction" relaxing. Head-bobbingly wonderful.
9 - "Stayin' Alive," The Bee Gees
The disco monster that everyone knows because it is truly great. You may not want to believe that, but it's undeniable. How did it only get to #4 here?
8 - "Take a Chance on Me," ABBA
Almost as well known as "Stayin' Alive." Not quite the masterpiece, but still, I love it, and I will not change my mind.
7 - "Come Back My Love," Darts
Another of the major players in Britain's retro-rock scene, this Brighton group picked up eight hits between '77 and '80, and this cover of a 1955 hit by The Wrens was the first of three #2s. It's okay, but I imagine the original is better. Still, a good listen.
6 - "Wishing on a Star," Rose Royce
The L.A. funk band hit #1 in the U.S. with 1976's "Car Wash," but that only hit #9 here. This one didn't even reach the Billboard Hot 100, but it was the first of two British Top Fives. It's a fine, lush ballad about hoping to get back together with a lover. Britain wins the taste contest again.
5 - "I Can't Stand the Rain," Eruption
The biggest hit by this British-based Afro-Caribbean disco group, this cover of Memphis soul lady Ann Peebles' 1973 song hit #18 in America and got this high here. It's well sung, but the spare grit of the original blows it away.
4 - "Baker Street," Gerry Rafferty
The Scotsman's biggest worldwide hit was inspired by his struggles getting out of the contracts signed by his former band Stealers Wheel. #2 in the U.S, #3 here, so it was up to Canada to give it it's true charttopping due. And I'm not sure which is the most famous saxophone melody in pop history is, this one or the one from "Careless Whisper." Maybe the latter now, because of it's use in Deadpool.
3 - "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs," Brian and Michael
This Manchester duo were actually Kevin and Michael, because Brian had left them just before this song hit. It's a folk-pop song about the life and art of L.S. Lowry, a painter who became famous in the thirties for his depictions of working-class life in the Salford and Ancoats areas of Manchester, and would go on to be the official artist of Queen Elizabeth's coronation. It's a catchy singalong, aided by the backing of the St. Winifred's School Choir. I can't help but enjoy its sincerity and earnestness.
2 - "Denis," Blondie
Before they hit the American charts, Debbie Harry and her pop-punk cohorts had four hits in Britain, the first being this cover of a 1963 hit "Denise" by one-hit wonders Randy and the Rainbows. They flipped genders and made it about a Frenchman named "den-NEE," complete with Harry improvising French lyrics. A good tone setter for the band's pattern of combining existing pop styles with their own unique sound.
And topping the charts a whopping 38 years ago was...
1 - "Wuthering Heights," Kate Bush
From Kent, Bush was only 19 when she topped the U.K. charts with this ballad based on Emily Bronte's 1847 novel. It depicts the protagonist, Heathcliff, being haunted by visions of his unrequited childhood love, Catherine. The gothic atmosphere of the music and lyrics are only enhanced by Bush's distinctive voice, which sounds like that of a lovesick banshee. But in the most wonderful way. Music wouldn't be the same without that voice. Anyway, with all that taken into account, I give Kate this week's Uneasy Rider. Let her into your window.
That's a wrap for another chart. Still on 1 Twitter follower @MrBGlovehead, but I'm still doing stuff. Maybe I'll ramp it up soon, maybe I won't. Only one way to find out. See you all again real soon. Why? Because I like you.
20 - "If You Can't Give Me Love," Suzi Quatro
Born in Detroit in 1950, Susan Kay Quatro saw Elvis for the first time at age 5 and decided that was what she wanted to be. And once she moved to England in the early 70s, she gave it a pretty good run with her style and attitude. She only hit once at home with the duet "Stumblin' In," but in Britain she was a major star, scoring eleven Top 40s and two Number Ones. This pop-rocker about turning down the advances of a smooth loverboy went Top Five. It's good, but I'm intrigued to hear more from the lady I once knew as Leather Tuscadero.
19 - "Rumour Has It," Donna Summer
As big as she was at home during the disco era, she was even bigger here, with even more hit singles. One that hit here but not in the States was this song about a hoping the one you once loved will find his way back to you again. Not as strong as her bigger hits, so I see how this would have fallen short in America. But it seems to improve with every listen.
18 - "Whenever You Want My Love," The Real Thing
The fifth hit for these Liverpool soulsters is romantic disco that reminds me a lot of the O'Jays. Sounds good, but not a must-hear.
17 - "Lilac Wine," Elkie Brooks
Elkie again, with her third hit, a cover of an oft-performed song that dates back to 1950. It's about drowning your sorrow over a lost love in alcohol made from flowers. Brooks gives a dramatic, powerhouse performance that conveys everything the song was meant to. For someone I'd never heard of a couple months ago, I like her a lot.
16 - "Ally's Tartan Army," Andy Cameron
More soccer music, this time a tune performed by comedian Cameron to celebrate his native Scotland`s qualification for the upcoming World Cup in Argentina. Set to a melody that dates back to the American Civil War, the song sings the praises of the team's manager, Alistair "Ally" MacLeod (referred to as "our Muhammad Ali,"), and reminds everyone that they are Britain's only representative in the tournament ("England cannae do it 'cause they didnae qualify.") A fun artifact. Unfortunately, the Scots didn't come close to winning the Cup, as Cameron had boasted they would; they went out in the first round.
15 - "Fantasy," Earth, Wind and Fire.
This midtempo funk ballad offering a trip to an eternal utopia was EWF's ninth U.S. Top 40, but only their second here. But it charted higher here. Advantage: Britain.
14 - "Every 1's a Winner," Hot Chocolate
And yet this classic slab of funk by Britain's own charted higher in the States. I don't get that. That riff! In this case, the Americans were the winners.
13 - "Is This Love," Bob Marley and the Wailers
Born on a farm is Saint Anne Parrish, Jamaica, Robert Nesta Marley moved to Kingston at age twelve, and began a music career with a band made up of his friends in the early sixties, combining the emerging ska sound with American R&B to help create what would become known as reggae. In the 70s, with his band, The Wailers, he became an international sensation, and his move to England in 1977 helped further his popularity. An underground phenomenon in the U.S. during his life, Marley was a genuine pop star in Britain, and this was his third Top Ten. It's a fairly straightforward love song inviting a woman to come live with him in his small room and "share the shelter of my single bed." One of his best known songs, and deservedly so.
12 - "Emotions," Samantha Sang
The Aussie singer's Gibb-written sole major hit reached #3 in the States, but only #11 here. Destiny's Child's 2001 cover, however, hit #3 here and #10 in the U.S. Interesting.
11 - "Mr. Blue Sky," Electric Light Orchestra
My ELO favorite Happy epic sunshine. Top Ten here, barely Top 40 in the U.S. I'm with U, K.
10 - "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass," Nick Lowe
Surrey's Lowe is best known in the States for his 1979 hit "Cruel to be Kind," but his biggest hit at home was this pop-rock shuffle about how he finds "the noises of destruction" relaxing. Head-bobbingly wonderful.
9 - "Stayin' Alive," The Bee Gees
The disco monster that everyone knows because it is truly great. You may not want to believe that, but it's undeniable. How did it only get to #4 here?
8 - "Take a Chance on Me," ABBA
Almost as well known as "Stayin' Alive." Not quite the masterpiece, but still, I love it, and I will not change my mind.
7 - "Come Back My Love," Darts
Another of the major players in Britain's retro-rock scene, this Brighton group picked up eight hits between '77 and '80, and this cover of a 1955 hit by The Wrens was the first of three #2s. It's okay, but I imagine the original is better. Still, a good listen.
6 - "Wishing on a Star," Rose Royce
The L.A. funk band hit #1 in the U.S. with 1976's "Car Wash," but that only hit #9 here. This one didn't even reach the Billboard Hot 100, but it was the first of two British Top Fives. It's a fine, lush ballad about hoping to get back together with a lover. Britain wins the taste contest again.
5 - "I Can't Stand the Rain," Eruption
The biggest hit by this British-based Afro-Caribbean disco group, this cover of Memphis soul lady Ann Peebles' 1973 song hit #18 in America and got this high here. It's well sung, but the spare grit of the original blows it away.
4 - "Baker Street," Gerry Rafferty
The Scotsman's biggest worldwide hit was inspired by his struggles getting out of the contracts signed by his former band Stealers Wheel. #2 in the U.S, #3 here, so it was up to Canada to give it it's true charttopping due. And I'm not sure which is the most famous saxophone melody in pop history is, this one or the one from "Careless Whisper." Maybe the latter now, because of it's use in Deadpool.
3 - "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs," Brian and Michael
This Manchester duo were actually Kevin and Michael, because Brian had left them just before this song hit. It's a folk-pop song about the life and art of L.S. Lowry, a painter who became famous in the thirties for his depictions of working-class life in the Salford and Ancoats areas of Manchester, and would go on to be the official artist of Queen Elizabeth's coronation. It's a catchy singalong, aided by the backing of the St. Winifred's School Choir. I can't help but enjoy its sincerity and earnestness.
2 - "Denis," Blondie
Before they hit the American charts, Debbie Harry and her pop-punk cohorts had four hits in Britain, the first being this cover of a 1963 hit "Denise" by one-hit wonders Randy and the Rainbows. They flipped genders and made it about a Frenchman named "den-NEE," complete with Harry improvising French lyrics. A good tone setter for the band's pattern of combining existing pop styles with their own unique sound.
And topping the charts a whopping 38 years ago was...
1 - "Wuthering Heights," Kate Bush
From Kent, Bush was only 19 when she topped the U.K. charts with this ballad based on Emily Bronte's 1847 novel. It depicts the protagonist, Heathcliff, being haunted by visions of his unrequited childhood love, Catherine. The gothic atmosphere of the music and lyrics are only enhanced by Bush's distinctive voice, which sounds like that of a lovesick banshee. But in the most wonderful way. Music wouldn't be the same without that voice. Anyway, with all that taken into account, I give Kate this week's Uneasy Rider. Let her into your window.
That's a wrap for another chart. Still on 1 Twitter follower @MrBGlovehead, but I'm still doing stuff. Maybe I'll ramp it up soon, maybe I won't. Only one way to find out. See you all again real soon. Why? Because I like you.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Gloves Across the Water: UK Top 40 March 16, 1991 Part Two
More more more.
20 - "Rhythm of My Heart," Rod Stewart
Rod's first hit of the decade went Top Five on both sides of the Atlantic. This midtempo rock ballad was written five years ago for a Dutch singer named Rene Shuman, but Rod added his own touch by putting bagpipes on it. It's about wanting to go home and return to love after running from it for so long. I think that's it. Helicopters and kerosene and bridges and slot machines. It's not as profound as it thinks it is, but it's all right.
19 - "Losing My Religion," R.E.M.
The Athens, Georgia band that had built from cult act to genuine rock stars in the 80s gained superstar status with the Out of Time album, which hit #1 both at home and abroad largely on the strength of this iconic first single. Based on a southern expression for giving up hope, it's not about denying faith but rather being hopelessly in love and not having the courage to do anything about it. Both it and its striking video are now deserved 90s touchstones.
18 - "The One and Only," Chesney Hawkes
From Berkshire, Hawkes was 19 when he went #1 with this catchy, self-affirming pop rocker. We encountered it in the States, where it hit #10. His career went downhill from here, although apparently he had become a staple of British celebrity reality shows. It's a living, I suppose.
17 - "Happy," Ned's Atomic Dustbin
This West Midlands punk-pop band produced five Top 40s, the first and biggest of which was this song about frustration. It plays, I kind of like it, but then it's gone.
16 - "Get Here," Oleta Adams
Born in Seattle in 1953, Adams moved to L.A. in the 70s to pursue her music career, but finding little success, she found herself singing in a Kansas City hotel bar in 1985 when she was spotted by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears, who would later call her to sing backup on their album The Seeds of Love. Her performances on that album led to her getting her own record deal, and she was vaulted to stardom when this cover of a Brenda Russell song about wanting someone to come home whatever way they can became an anthem for U.S. troops fighting the Gulf War in Iraq and their families awaiting their return. (The line about "cross(ing) the desert like an Arab man" may have provided extra resonance). On it's own, it's a very good ballad powerfully performed.
15 - "Over Rising," The Charlatans
Like Ned's Atomic Dustbin, these guys were from the West Midlands. But because of their trippy, dance-floor friendly sound, they were able to ride the "Madchester" wave. But they were one of the few bands from that scene to carve out a long career (surviving member deaths and prison stints along the way), as this was the third of what would be 21 Top 40 singles. This is a swirly rock tune that might be about having sex. Or being suspicious that a lover might steal from you. Or both. Either way, I like it. And if you're looking these guys up, you might have to look under "The Charlatans UK," because of an American band by that name from the sixties.
14 - "Today Forever EP," Ride
This Oxford band was one of the early pioneers of a feedback-and-effect-pedal heavy style of rock known as "shoegaze" (so dubbed by British journalists because the bands often performed with their heads down rather than looking at the audience). I've decided not to listen to this whole four-song, 20-minute EP, but instead to focus on its semi-title track "Today." It's sleepy. ethereal droning about being indecisive about a girl. This just isn't for me. It seems like music to be lazy and depressed to. And I for one don't need music for that.
13 - "Unfinished Sympathy," Massive
This band would be better known by their full name, Massive Attack, but because of the ongoing Gulf War, their label opted to shorten it for this single's release. Although it only reached this high on the charts, it has become a classic in Britain, often appearing high on "Best Songs of All Time" lists, and it helped create a new genre known as "trip-hop." Do I get it? Absolutely. It's spacey and ethereal, but in a much more exciting way than, say, Ride. The beats provided by 3D, Daddy G, and Mushroom move body and soul, and Shara Nelson singing about being devastated by an emotionally distant lover complements that perfectly. This is more than just a mere dance track, although it is excellent in that context. It's a truly timeless piece of music.
12 - "Love Rears Its Ugly Head," Living Colour
This New York band were distinctive when they broke through in 1989, as they were African-Americans playing hard rock. Their biggest UK hit, however, didn't really reflect this. The album version of this track about the risks of falling in love was kind of a midtempo funk rocker. But what hit in Britain was the "Soulpower" mix, which strips out pretty much everything but the vocals and the guitar solo sets them to essentially a trip-hop arrangement. I prefer the original, but Corey Glover's vocals work just as well in this context. Anyway, I'm glad Britain eventually rewarded them for spelling the second word in their name the "right" way.
11 - "All Right Now," Free
The 1970 smash by Paul Rodgers' first band was remixed and re-released to promote a greatest-hits compilation. It's not a radical reworking, but you can tell it's different, especially the drums and the choruses. Wasn't really necessary. The song was all right as it was.
10 - "(I Wanna Give You) Devotion," Nomad
This trio's biggest hit was this okay dance rapper. The MC on this however, one Mikee Freedom, doesn't really distinguish himself though. I prefer the slightly differently named Freedom Williams, of C+C Music Factory fame.
9 - "It's Too Late," Quartz featuring Dina Carroll
Another U.K. with their biggest hit, a cover of the Carole King classic. The beat is unintrusive, and guest Carroll gives a performance that illustrates why her career would be much more fruitful than Quartz' Not exactly an essential cover, but a decent listen.
8 - "Joyride," Roxette
Coming off their massive Pretty Woman hit "It Must Have Been Love," the Swedish duo continued their roll in the English-speaking world with this, the fourth of their five U.K. Top Tens and their fourth and final U.S #1. It's somewhat Beatlesque pop, with somewhat hippieish lyrics that wouldn't make more sense even if English was their first language. Me, I think it's a mini-masterpiece, and by far my favorite of their hits. If it was a person, I would introduce myself to it by saying "Hello, you fool, I love you."
7 - "Move Your Body," Xpansions
The dance duo consisting of Phil Drummond and Sally Ann Marsh had their biggest hit with this okay but unmemorable dance track. My body did move a bit, but not very enthusiastically.
6 - "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)," Stevie B.
Miami's Steven Bernard Hill had a lot of uptempo Latin freestyle hits, but his only U.S. #1 (and sole British hit) was this goopy ballad about getting a letter and writing a song. Blecch. But he's still big in Brazil, so good for him.
5 - "You Got the Love," The Source featuring Candi Staton
Alabama soul singer Staton had a couple hits in the 70s, but then had her biggest with a remix of a song she first recorded in 1986. Staton's voice has gospel power as she sings about how faith keeps her going, and the beats are danceable yet unintrusive. Good stuff.
4 - "Crazy for You," Madonna
Madge's first ballad hit made it to #2 here in 1984, then did it again on this re-release to promote her Immaculate Collection hits package. She did the slow stuff better and better as time went on, but this was a decent start.
3 - "Do the Bartman," Bart Simpson
Yes, at last, a song related to that show I reference so much here. In 1990, The Simpsons was a white-hot cultural phenomenon. Merchandise was everywhere, pundits debated its influence on children, and Fox moved it to Thursday to take on the juggernaut that was The Cosby Show. In the wake of all this came The Simpsons Sing The Blues, an album featuring songs performed by the show's characters. The featured track on the album was this track featuring a rap by the show's most popular character at the time, son Bart. He (or rather voice actor Nancy Cartwright) rhymes about cheating on tests, leaving banana peels for people to trip on, and "put(ting) mothballs in the beef stew." He also talks about his new would-be dance craze, which, if successfully performed, means you are "bad like Michael Jackson." That line came at the insistence of Jackson himself, a big fan of the show, who actually sang backup on the track and, depending on who you believe, may or may not have written it. Anyway, to me, it's not much more of a curio, and its blatant commercial nature seems disconnected with the subversive spirit the show had in its golden years (which to me are the first ten seasons, after which it started to dip and then descend into being derivative of its self to the point where I haven't watched a new episode in years). But it was a huge smash, hitting #1 here and in several other countries (but not the U.S., where it wasn't released as a single despite getting major radio and video airplay). Anyway, if I want to listen to Simpsons music, I'll play one of the many great original songs that have actually been used in the show. My favorite is probably the medley from Troy McClure's musical, Stop the Planet of the Apes, I Want to Get Off! But this does get the Uneasy Rider.
2 - "The Stonk," Hale and Pace and The Stonkers
The comedy duo of Gareth Hale and Norman Pace were frequent presences on British radio and television in the 80s and 90s, but their lasting legacy is this rockabilly novelty that they performed with the help of other comedians and musicians (including Queen's Brian May) for the anti-poverty charity Comic Relief. It's about a dance that involves "put(ting) a red nose on your conk," a reference to the charity's signature event, Red Nose Day. The song is inconsequential frivolity, but the worthiness of the cause cannot be denied.
And on top in Britain a quarter century ago was...
1 - "Should I Stay or Should I Go," The Clash
The punk legends only U.K. charttopper came when this nine-year-old song was re-released to promote a best-of album. One of their most famous songs, it's an urgent rocker about indecision, enhanced by those shouted Spanish phrases in the background. Nothing to say but good good good.
And another one's gone. I have a Twitter follower now. Yes, as in one. Wanna join him? Look me up @MrBGlovehead.
I shall return.
20 - "Rhythm of My Heart," Rod Stewart
Rod's first hit of the decade went Top Five on both sides of the Atlantic. This midtempo rock ballad was written five years ago for a Dutch singer named Rene Shuman, but Rod added his own touch by putting bagpipes on it. It's about wanting to go home and return to love after running from it for so long. I think that's it. Helicopters and kerosene and bridges and slot machines. It's not as profound as it thinks it is, but it's all right.
19 - "Losing My Religion," R.E.M.
The Athens, Georgia band that had built from cult act to genuine rock stars in the 80s gained superstar status with the Out of Time album, which hit #1 both at home and abroad largely on the strength of this iconic first single. Based on a southern expression for giving up hope, it's not about denying faith but rather being hopelessly in love and not having the courage to do anything about it. Both it and its striking video are now deserved 90s touchstones.
18 - "The One and Only," Chesney Hawkes
From Berkshire, Hawkes was 19 when he went #1 with this catchy, self-affirming pop rocker. We encountered it in the States, where it hit #10. His career went downhill from here, although apparently he had become a staple of British celebrity reality shows. It's a living, I suppose.
17 - "Happy," Ned's Atomic Dustbin
This West Midlands punk-pop band produced five Top 40s, the first and biggest of which was this song about frustration. It plays, I kind of like it, but then it's gone.
16 - "Get Here," Oleta Adams
Born in Seattle in 1953, Adams moved to L.A. in the 70s to pursue her music career, but finding little success, she found herself singing in a Kansas City hotel bar in 1985 when she was spotted by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears, who would later call her to sing backup on their album The Seeds of Love. Her performances on that album led to her getting her own record deal, and she was vaulted to stardom when this cover of a Brenda Russell song about wanting someone to come home whatever way they can became an anthem for U.S. troops fighting the Gulf War in Iraq and their families awaiting their return. (The line about "cross(ing) the desert like an Arab man" may have provided extra resonance). On it's own, it's a very good ballad powerfully performed.
15 - "Over Rising," The Charlatans
Like Ned's Atomic Dustbin, these guys were from the West Midlands. But because of their trippy, dance-floor friendly sound, they were able to ride the "Madchester" wave. But they were one of the few bands from that scene to carve out a long career (surviving member deaths and prison stints along the way), as this was the third of what would be 21 Top 40 singles. This is a swirly rock tune that might be about having sex. Or being suspicious that a lover might steal from you. Or both. Either way, I like it. And if you're looking these guys up, you might have to look under "The Charlatans UK," because of an American band by that name from the sixties.
14 - "Today Forever EP," Ride
This Oxford band was one of the early pioneers of a feedback-and-effect-pedal heavy style of rock known as "shoegaze" (so dubbed by British journalists because the bands often performed with their heads down rather than looking at the audience). I've decided not to listen to this whole four-song, 20-minute EP, but instead to focus on its semi-title track "Today." It's sleepy. ethereal droning about being indecisive about a girl. This just isn't for me. It seems like music to be lazy and depressed to. And I for one don't need music for that.
13 - "Unfinished Sympathy," Massive
This band would be better known by their full name, Massive Attack, but because of the ongoing Gulf War, their label opted to shorten it for this single's release. Although it only reached this high on the charts, it has become a classic in Britain, often appearing high on "Best Songs of All Time" lists, and it helped create a new genre known as "trip-hop." Do I get it? Absolutely. It's spacey and ethereal, but in a much more exciting way than, say, Ride. The beats provided by 3D, Daddy G, and Mushroom move body and soul, and Shara Nelson singing about being devastated by an emotionally distant lover complements that perfectly. This is more than just a mere dance track, although it is excellent in that context. It's a truly timeless piece of music.
12 - "Love Rears Its Ugly Head," Living Colour
This New York band were distinctive when they broke through in 1989, as they were African-Americans playing hard rock. Their biggest UK hit, however, didn't really reflect this. The album version of this track about the risks of falling in love was kind of a midtempo funk rocker. But what hit in Britain was the "Soulpower" mix, which strips out pretty much everything but the vocals and the guitar solo sets them to essentially a trip-hop arrangement. I prefer the original, but Corey Glover's vocals work just as well in this context. Anyway, I'm glad Britain eventually rewarded them for spelling the second word in their name the "right" way.
11 - "All Right Now," Free
The 1970 smash by Paul Rodgers' first band was remixed and re-released to promote a greatest-hits compilation. It's not a radical reworking, but you can tell it's different, especially the drums and the choruses. Wasn't really necessary. The song was all right as it was.
10 - "(I Wanna Give You) Devotion," Nomad
This trio's biggest hit was this okay dance rapper. The MC on this however, one Mikee Freedom, doesn't really distinguish himself though. I prefer the slightly differently named Freedom Williams, of C+C Music Factory fame.
9 - "It's Too Late," Quartz featuring Dina Carroll
Another U.K. with their biggest hit, a cover of the Carole King classic. The beat is unintrusive, and guest Carroll gives a performance that illustrates why her career would be much more fruitful than Quartz' Not exactly an essential cover, but a decent listen.
8 - "Joyride," Roxette
Coming off their massive Pretty Woman hit "It Must Have Been Love," the Swedish duo continued their roll in the English-speaking world with this, the fourth of their five U.K. Top Tens and their fourth and final U.S #1. It's somewhat Beatlesque pop, with somewhat hippieish lyrics that wouldn't make more sense even if English was their first language. Me, I think it's a mini-masterpiece, and by far my favorite of their hits. If it was a person, I would introduce myself to it by saying "Hello, you fool, I love you."
7 - "Move Your Body," Xpansions
The dance duo consisting of Phil Drummond and Sally Ann Marsh had their biggest hit with this okay but unmemorable dance track. My body did move a bit, but not very enthusiastically.
6 - "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)," Stevie B.
Miami's Steven Bernard Hill had a lot of uptempo Latin freestyle hits, but his only U.S. #1 (and sole British hit) was this goopy ballad about getting a letter and writing a song. Blecch. But he's still big in Brazil, so good for him.
5 - "You Got the Love," The Source featuring Candi Staton
Alabama soul singer Staton had a couple hits in the 70s, but then had her biggest with a remix of a song she first recorded in 1986. Staton's voice has gospel power as she sings about how faith keeps her going, and the beats are danceable yet unintrusive. Good stuff.
4 - "Crazy for You," Madonna
Madge's first ballad hit made it to #2 here in 1984, then did it again on this re-release to promote her Immaculate Collection hits package. She did the slow stuff better and better as time went on, but this was a decent start.
3 - "Do the Bartman," Bart Simpson
Yes, at last, a song related to that show I reference so much here. In 1990, The Simpsons was a white-hot cultural phenomenon. Merchandise was everywhere, pundits debated its influence on children, and Fox moved it to Thursday to take on the juggernaut that was The Cosby Show. In the wake of all this came The Simpsons Sing The Blues, an album featuring songs performed by the show's characters. The featured track on the album was this track featuring a rap by the show's most popular character at the time, son Bart. He (or rather voice actor Nancy Cartwright) rhymes about cheating on tests, leaving banana peels for people to trip on, and "put(ting) mothballs in the beef stew." He also talks about his new would-be dance craze, which, if successfully performed, means you are "bad like Michael Jackson." That line came at the insistence of Jackson himself, a big fan of the show, who actually sang backup on the track and, depending on who you believe, may or may not have written it. Anyway, to me, it's not much more of a curio, and its blatant commercial nature seems disconnected with the subversive spirit the show had in its golden years (which to me are the first ten seasons, after which it started to dip and then descend into being derivative of its self to the point where I haven't watched a new episode in years). But it was a huge smash, hitting #1 here and in several other countries (but not the U.S., where it wasn't released as a single despite getting major radio and video airplay). Anyway, if I want to listen to Simpsons music, I'll play one of the many great original songs that have actually been used in the show. My favorite is probably the medley from Troy McClure's musical, Stop the Planet of the Apes, I Want to Get Off! But this does get the Uneasy Rider.
2 - "The Stonk," Hale and Pace and The Stonkers
The comedy duo of Gareth Hale and Norman Pace were frequent presences on British radio and television in the 80s and 90s, but their lasting legacy is this rockabilly novelty that they performed with the help of other comedians and musicians (including Queen's Brian May) for the anti-poverty charity Comic Relief. It's about a dance that involves "put(ting) a red nose on your conk," a reference to the charity's signature event, Red Nose Day. The song is inconsequential frivolity, but the worthiness of the cause cannot be denied.
And on top in Britain a quarter century ago was...
1 - "Should I Stay or Should I Go," The Clash
The punk legends only U.K. charttopper came when this nine-year-old song was re-released to promote a best-of album. One of their most famous songs, it's an urgent rocker about indecision, enhanced by those shouted Spanish phrases in the background. Nothing to say but good good good.
And another one's gone. I have a Twitter follower now. Yes, as in one. Wanna join him? Look me up @MrBGlovehead.
I shall return.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Gloves Across the Water: UK Top 40 March 16, 1991
Now we're in the spring of 1991. The Gulf War was essentially over, with Saddam Hussein's troops vacating Kuwait. Meanwhile, in Britain, six men who were jailed for the 1975 for the IRA bombing of two pubs in Birmingham had their convictions overturned. In that climate, these were the hits.
40 - "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," Definition of Sound
The first and biggest of two U.K. Top 40s by this London hip-hop group wasn't, to my surprise, a cover of Donovan's 60s hit, but rather a double-entendre-filled rap come-on. It's pretty good, as these things go. Extra points for the opening sample of the preacher decrying "Long John Barleycorn, nicotine, and the temptations of Eve."
39 - "Cherry Pie," Warrant
This single and video was one of the defining moments of hair metal. The song is basic hard rock, with lyrics that are pretty much thematically the same as Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me," but more coded, and thus dirtier. The video is pretty blatant, including a scene where the band turns a fire hose on a scantily clad woman. It definitely throws the pie right in your face, so to speak. It's big and dumb and loud and raunchy, and there are times and places for that. And it was the band's only hit in Britain. Don't know what, if anything, it says about our friends across the pond.
38 - "I've Got News for You," Feargal Sharkey
This Northern Irishman first found success in the late 70s with the punk-pop band The Undertones, then began a solo career in the mid-80s. The last of his hits was this soul ballad about still loving someone who's with another and promising that you'll be there if she's available again. Well done, but I'd much rather listen to his biggest hit "A Good Heart," or The Undertones' "Teenage Kicks."
37 - "Not a Minute Too Soon," Vixen
Made up of two Minnesotans, a Michigander, and an Alaskan who met up in Los Angeles, this band was one of the few major female presences on the hair metal scene. Interestingly, they had twice as many Top 40s in Britain as they did at home (4 to 2.) Their last was this poppy rocker about love coming just in time. Listening to it makes it obvious why some called them "the female Bon Jovi."
36 - "Around the Way Girl," LL Cool J
Long before he was chasing bad guys on NCIS: Los Angeles, the man born James Todd Smith was one of rap's first superstars, and his third U.K. hit was this rhyme about his ideal woman, who among other things, should have "extensions in her hair" and "bamboo earrings, at least two pair." And when he finds this lady, he plans to "eat her like a cookie." Also, her name is likely either Lisa, Angela, Pamela or Renee. Or maybe that's her full name. Anyway, this is all right. And apparently, he's found time to make another album which is scheduled to come out this year. Not high on my future listening priority list, but good for him.
35 - "Here Comes the Hammer," MC Hammer
The fourth single from the monster that was Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em missed the Top 40 in America, but managed to hit #15 here. I think his countrymen were right. It's pretty basic and uninspired.
34 - "People are Strange," Echo and the Bunnymen
These Liverpudlians, led by singer Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant, were big stars at home in the 80s, racking up four Top Ten albums and ten Top 40 singles. They had broken up by the time this Doors cover from the soundtrack of The Lost Boys returned to the charts as a reissue. It sounds too much like the original to be at all necessary. Better to look up their originals, like "The Killing Moon," or "Bring On the Dancing Horses," to name just two.
33 - "In Yer Face," 808 State
This Mancunian electronic group broke through in 1989, and ended up being kind of a bridge between late-80s acid house and the early-90s "Madchester" dance-rock scene. Their biggest hit was this bit of trippy techno. It's probably make good workout music. Or it would be something to play if you were making some kind of getaway.
32 - "Bow Down Mister," Jesus Loves You
After his post-Culture Club solo career began to peter out, Boy George founded a new band, and their biggest hit was this track that combines acoustic folk, dance beats, and Indian sounds in a celebration of worship inspired in particular by his recent embrace of Hare Krishna. Not "My Sweet Lord" by any means, but actually pretty good for what it is. Plus he didn't get sued because of it, which is always a plus.
31 - "Outstanding," Kenny Thomas
London soul man Thomas carved out a decent career in the 90s, picking up eight Top 40s. His first was this Gap Band cover. Okay loverman lite-funk, but I'm sure the original is better.
30 - "Hangar 18," Megadeth
Dave Mustaine could have been a footnote in rock history a la Pete Best after he was fired by Metallica during the recording of their first album. Instead, he formed his own thrash metal band and became successful in his own right. Megadeth weren't much of a singles band in America, but in more metal-friendly Britain they found the Top 40 seven times. Their third such hit was this stomping five-minute mini-epic about the alleged government cover-up of an alien landing in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, and the subsequent hiding of the evidence in an Ohio Air Force base. A solid 4.5 on the Headbangometer (I wonder if I could trademark that), with an ending that involves plenty of guitar shredding.
29 - "Adrenalin," N-Joi
From Essex, the duo of Nigel Champion and Mark Franklin managed four hits in the early 90s. Their first was this zippy house track that reminded me a bit of Daft Punk, which is always good.
28 - "Don't Go Messin' With My Heart," Mantronix
This New York duo blended hip-hop and electro-funk into a concoction that, as we've seen before, was much more popular in Britain than at home. Straightforward lyrics, decent beats, a typical-for-the-time rap. The whistling was a nice touch, though.
27 - "3 AM Eternal," The KLF
We encountered these guys and this song about rocking you and Mu Mu and all that stuff when it hit in the States later in the year. It's still quirky dancefloor fun. And it's still hard to believe these guys were crazy enough to burn a million pounds sterling in the name of art.
26 - "This is Your Life," Banderas
The sole major hit by this female duo is this dance track about taking charge of your destiny instead of letting life pass you by. Good message, good song. Reminds me of the stuff fellow Brits Lisa Stansfield and Cathy Dennis were putting out at the time.
25 - "Loose Fit," Happy Mondays
Remember when I mentioned "Madchester" earlier? Well these guys, led by the Ryder brothers, Shaun and Paul, were at the centre of that scene, emerging from the Hacienda club and the Factory Records label (both of which were owned by TV presenter-turned-music mogul Tony Wilson, whose life was depicted in the film 24 Hour Party People). The peak of their success was between the springs of '90 and '91, during which they scored three Top 20 singles. The last of these was this spare dance tune that seems to be about doing your own thing whatever it may be, even if it involves purchasing military bases or committing genocide. I'm sure that last part was metaphorical or in character or something, not an endorsement. Anyway, after this, the band would go to Barbados to do lots of drugs and bankrupt their record label while recording a career-killing album in their spare time. They've since cleaned up and reunited a few times. And it always impressed me that this band had a member who did pretty much nothing but dance like a maniac.
24 - "I'm Going Slightly Mad," Queen
From Innuendo, their final album released before Freddie Mercury's death, this midtempo track is basically Freddie reciting a bunch of euphemisms for impending insanity ("one wave short of a shipwreck," "only knitting with one needle," etc.) Not one of their greats, but fun and charming.
23 - "Who Where Why," Jesus Jones
These Wiltshire techno-rockers had two Top Fives in America with "Real Real Real" and the sappily serious "Right Here Right Now." At home, they would have eight Top 40s, but none would reach higher than #7. This one shows some Indian influences and is about uncertainty and confusion. You almost forget it before it's even over.
22 - "Secret Love," The Bee Gees
The brothers Gibb continued their late-80s revival with this midtempo ballad about a clandestine love affair. It went Top Five
here, but I'm not sure why. It's nothing special. Very phoned in.
21 - "Go For It," Joey B. Ellis and Tynetta Hare
I really don't know much about either of these two people, but apparently this was the theme from Rocky V. It's basically the kind of dance-rap that was being peddled by Snap! and C+C Music Factory at the time, only not as well-crafted or catchy. Sly, you should have called Survivor again. But congrats on the Oscar nod for Creed.
40 - "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," Definition of Sound
The first and biggest of two U.K. Top 40s by this London hip-hop group wasn't, to my surprise, a cover of Donovan's 60s hit, but rather a double-entendre-filled rap come-on. It's pretty good, as these things go. Extra points for the opening sample of the preacher decrying "Long John Barleycorn, nicotine, and the temptations of Eve."
39 - "Cherry Pie," Warrant
This single and video was one of the defining moments of hair metal. The song is basic hard rock, with lyrics that are pretty much thematically the same as Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me," but more coded, and thus dirtier. The video is pretty blatant, including a scene where the band turns a fire hose on a scantily clad woman. It definitely throws the pie right in your face, so to speak. It's big and dumb and loud and raunchy, and there are times and places for that. And it was the band's only hit in Britain. Don't know what, if anything, it says about our friends across the pond.
38 - "I've Got News for You," Feargal Sharkey
This Northern Irishman first found success in the late 70s with the punk-pop band The Undertones, then began a solo career in the mid-80s. The last of his hits was this soul ballad about still loving someone who's with another and promising that you'll be there if she's available again. Well done, but I'd much rather listen to his biggest hit "A Good Heart," or The Undertones' "Teenage Kicks."
37 - "Not a Minute Too Soon," Vixen
Made up of two Minnesotans, a Michigander, and an Alaskan who met up in Los Angeles, this band was one of the few major female presences on the hair metal scene. Interestingly, they had twice as many Top 40s in Britain as they did at home (4 to 2.) Their last was this poppy rocker about love coming just in time. Listening to it makes it obvious why some called them "the female Bon Jovi."
36 - "Around the Way Girl," LL Cool J
Long before he was chasing bad guys on NCIS: Los Angeles, the man born James Todd Smith was one of rap's first superstars, and his third U.K. hit was this rhyme about his ideal woman, who among other things, should have "extensions in her hair" and "bamboo earrings, at least two pair." And when he finds this lady, he plans to "eat her like a cookie." Also, her name is likely either Lisa, Angela, Pamela or Renee. Or maybe that's her full name. Anyway, this is all right. And apparently, he's found time to make another album which is scheduled to come out this year. Not high on my future listening priority list, but good for him.
35 - "Here Comes the Hammer," MC Hammer
The fourth single from the monster that was Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em missed the Top 40 in America, but managed to hit #15 here. I think his countrymen were right. It's pretty basic and uninspired.
34 - "People are Strange," Echo and the Bunnymen
These Liverpudlians, led by singer Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant, were big stars at home in the 80s, racking up four Top Ten albums and ten Top 40 singles. They had broken up by the time this Doors cover from the soundtrack of The Lost Boys returned to the charts as a reissue. It sounds too much like the original to be at all necessary. Better to look up their originals, like "The Killing Moon," or "Bring On the Dancing Horses," to name just two.
33 - "In Yer Face," 808 State
This Mancunian electronic group broke through in 1989, and ended up being kind of a bridge between late-80s acid house and the early-90s "Madchester" dance-rock scene. Their biggest hit was this bit of trippy techno. It's probably make good workout music. Or it would be something to play if you were making some kind of getaway.
32 - "Bow Down Mister," Jesus Loves You
After his post-Culture Club solo career began to peter out, Boy George founded a new band, and their biggest hit was this track that combines acoustic folk, dance beats, and Indian sounds in a celebration of worship inspired in particular by his recent embrace of Hare Krishna. Not "My Sweet Lord" by any means, but actually pretty good for what it is. Plus he didn't get sued because of it, which is always a plus.
31 - "Outstanding," Kenny Thomas
London soul man Thomas carved out a decent career in the 90s, picking up eight Top 40s. His first was this Gap Band cover. Okay loverman lite-funk, but I'm sure the original is better.
30 - "Hangar 18," Megadeth
Dave Mustaine could have been a footnote in rock history a la Pete Best after he was fired by Metallica during the recording of their first album. Instead, he formed his own thrash metal band and became successful in his own right. Megadeth weren't much of a singles band in America, but in more metal-friendly Britain they found the Top 40 seven times. Their third such hit was this stomping five-minute mini-epic about the alleged government cover-up of an alien landing in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, and the subsequent hiding of the evidence in an Ohio Air Force base. A solid 4.5 on the Headbangometer (I wonder if I could trademark that), with an ending that involves plenty of guitar shredding.
29 - "Adrenalin," N-Joi
From Essex, the duo of Nigel Champion and Mark Franklin managed four hits in the early 90s. Their first was this zippy house track that reminded me a bit of Daft Punk, which is always good.
28 - "Don't Go Messin' With My Heart," Mantronix
This New York duo blended hip-hop and electro-funk into a concoction that, as we've seen before, was much more popular in Britain than at home. Straightforward lyrics, decent beats, a typical-for-the-time rap. The whistling was a nice touch, though.
27 - "3 AM Eternal," The KLF
We encountered these guys and this song about rocking you and Mu Mu and all that stuff when it hit in the States later in the year. It's still quirky dancefloor fun. And it's still hard to believe these guys were crazy enough to burn a million pounds sterling in the name of art.
26 - "This is Your Life," Banderas
The sole major hit by this female duo is this dance track about taking charge of your destiny instead of letting life pass you by. Good message, good song. Reminds me of the stuff fellow Brits Lisa Stansfield and Cathy Dennis were putting out at the time.
25 - "Loose Fit," Happy Mondays
Remember when I mentioned "Madchester" earlier? Well these guys, led by the Ryder brothers, Shaun and Paul, were at the centre of that scene, emerging from the Hacienda club and the Factory Records label (both of which were owned by TV presenter-turned-music mogul Tony Wilson, whose life was depicted in the film 24 Hour Party People). The peak of their success was between the springs of '90 and '91, during which they scored three Top 20 singles. The last of these was this spare dance tune that seems to be about doing your own thing whatever it may be, even if it involves purchasing military bases or committing genocide. I'm sure that last part was metaphorical or in character or something, not an endorsement. Anyway, after this, the band would go to Barbados to do lots of drugs and bankrupt their record label while recording a career-killing album in their spare time. They've since cleaned up and reunited a few times. And it always impressed me that this band had a member who did pretty much nothing but dance like a maniac.
24 - "I'm Going Slightly Mad," Queen
From Innuendo, their final album released before Freddie Mercury's death, this midtempo track is basically Freddie reciting a bunch of euphemisms for impending insanity ("one wave short of a shipwreck," "only knitting with one needle," etc.) Not one of their greats, but fun and charming.
23 - "Who Where Why," Jesus Jones
These Wiltshire techno-rockers had two Top Fives in America with "Real Real Real" and the sappily serious "Right Here Right Now." At home, they would have eight Top 40s, but none would reach higher than #7. This one shows some Indian influences and is about uncertainty and confusion. You almost forget it before it's even over.
22 - "Secret Love," The Bee Gees
The brothers Gibb continued their late-80s revival with this midtempo ballad about a clandestine love affair. It went Top Five
here, but I'm not sure why. It's nothing special. Very phoned in.
21 - "Go For It," Joey B. Ellis and Tynetta Hare
I really don't know much about either of these two people, but apparently this was the theme from Rocky V. It's basically the kind of dance-rap that was being peddled by Snap! and C+C Music Factory at the time, only not as well-crafted or catchy. Sly, you should have called Survivor again. But congrats on the Oscar nod for Creed.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Gloves Across The Water: UK Top 40 February 27, 1982 Part Two
And the rest.
20 - "Deutscher Girls," Adam and the Ants
For the first three years of the 1980s, Londoner Stuart Goddard and his insectly-named cohorts were one of the biggest bands in Britain, scoring 9 Top 40s, including two #1s. Their last Top 40, which only reached #13, was this tango-rocker about the pleasures of German ladies. Solid new wave.
19 - "Run to the Hills," Iron Maiden
These Londoners were arguably the brightest stars of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, accruing 35 Top 40 singles. This one, the first recorded with lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson, would be their first Top Ten. It's a flat-out, foot-to-the-floor rocker about the injustices done to Native Americans by invading Europeans. The lyrics are unblinkingly vivid. A terrific song in any genre, and an easy 5 on the headbangometer.
18 - "Never Give Up on a Good Thing," George Benson
The smooth jazz king had a few more hits in Britain than he had at home. This one's pretty basic stuff about hanging on to quality love. Mildly funky. For when you want to dance but not look too excited about it.
17 - "Fool if You Think it's Over," Elkie Brooks
Our second encounter with our Miss Brooks is this cover of Chris Rea's 1978 song about the difficulty of getting over love. Rea's version was big in the States, but Brooks charted higher at home. I think both have their charms. But Elkie's voice grows on me with each listen.
16 - "Senses Working Overtime," XTC
These new wavers from Swindon have a cult following as kind of a junior Kinks, with Andy Partridge penning insightful lyrics and catchy melodies. They did manage six Top 40s, and their only Top Ten was this jaunty number about what happens to the innocent and the guilty, kicking the world like a football and/or eating it like a biscuit, bullies, bus accidents, and "trying to taste the difference between a lemon and a lime." Just really good pop music.
15 - "Dead Ringer for Love," Meat Loaf featuring Cher
In America, the man born Marvin Lee Aday pretty much disappeared from pop consciousness in the time between Bat Out of Hell dropped out of the charts and the 1993 release of its sequel. In Britain, however, he managed a handful of 80s hits, the biggest of which was this Jim Steinman-written-and-co-produced raveup about two people hooking up in a bar because "man doesn't live by rock n' roll and brew alone." Accompanying Meat is another 70s star going through a drought, Cher. They have real chemistry together. An underrated high point in both their careers.
14 - "Oh Julie," Shakin' Stevens
Born Michael Barratt in Cardiff, Wales. Stevens stared in bands during the 60s, but his big break didn't come until 1977, when he portrayed one era of the King's life in the West End musical Elvis! Beginning in 1980, his retro-rock stylings produced a run of 28 Top 40 singles, including four #1s. His third charttopper, unlike his first two, wasn't a cover, but rather a Stevens-penned original. It's toned-down rockabilly with a zydeco twist thanks to the prominent accordion. Simple lyrics, but still, a catchy enough pop number. A little better than I expected.
13 - "The Model/Computer Love," Kraftwerk
More from the Germans. Originally, "Computer Love" was released as the A-side, as it was from the band's then current album Computer World, while the other side was from their previous LP The Man-Machine. In that configuration, the single reached #36. But DJs started playing the B-side more, and a re-release flipping the order became the group's only U.K. #1. "The Model" is definitely the more commercial track, with a more accessible melody and lyrics about a beauty who poses for magazines and to sell "consumer products." "Computer Love" is a little darker, with sparse lyrics about infatuation with technology. But both are great, and it was the latter's melody hook that Coldplay borrowed (with permission) for their song "Talk."
12 - "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)," Christopher Cross
Topped the charts in America, was Top Ten here, won an Oscar, bored me to tears.
11 - "Mickey," Toni Basil
The renamed cover of Racey's "Kitty" went to #2 here in March, but didn't hit #1 in Basil's homeland until December. And I imagine that was fine with her. So fine, perhaps, that it may have even blown her mind.
10 - "See You," Depeche Mode
This was the third Top 40 for the Essex synth stars, and the first single without Vince Clarke, who left to form Yazoo. It's a plea for a former lover to allow the narrator to simply watch her, not to come in contact with her or engage her or anything, at least not yet. A little creepy and complicated. Kind of a bridge between their poppier "Just Can't Get Enough" beginnings and their darker, more gothy future.
9 - "It Ain't What You Do It's the Way You Do It," Fun Boy Three and Bananarama
Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, and Neville Staple were founding members of the pioneering Coventry ska band The Specials, but they left that group in 1981 to form a more minimalist pop band. The biggest of their seven home Top 40s was this shuffly cover of a jazz number first recorded in 1939 by, among others, Ella Fitzgerald. It featured backup vocals by the up and coming vocal trio of Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, and Siobahn Fahey. That's what got results.
8 - "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," Daryl Hall and John Oates
At home, these guys owned the 80s, with Top Tens and #1s galore. Here though, they only managed six Top 40s and two Top Tens. This one peaked at this spot, and I wonder how they felt when Simply Red sampled it and got one place higher with "Sunrise" 21 years later.
7 - "Maid of Orleans," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
These Liverpudlians have been called "the Beatles of synth-pop." Not sure I'd go that far, but they had a nice run of hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Interestingly, this was the second of back to back singles about Joan of Arc. The first was called, um, "Joan of Arc." Haven't heard that one. This one is kind of waltzy, with very few lyrics. Anyway, both went Top Five, so good for them.
6 - "Golden Brown," The Stranglers
Pub-rockers turned punks turned new wave, this band from Surrey racked up 22 Top 40s between 1977 and 2004. Their biggest hit was this harpsichord-heavy tune that singer Hugh Cornwell has said can be both about heroin or a woman. I can relate to the latter, not gonna try to compare it to the former. Good song either way.
5 - "Say Hello Wave Goodbye," Soft Cell
The Leeds duo of Marc Almond and Dave Ball were red-hot at this point, as this was their third of five straight Top Fives (the first being the UK #1 and only American hit "Tainted Love."). This is a midtempo synth ballad about a relationship that was doomed from the start. Almond's impassioned vocals lift it to memorability.
4 - "Love Plus One," Haircut 100
Led by Kent's Nick Heyward, these guys blazed onto the scene with four straight Top Tens, the biggest of which was this catchy song about a missed connection that was also their only American hit. But by 1983, Heyward left for a solo career, and the rest of the band put out one more album that failed to chart. Oh well. This is fantastic, as I said when we encountered this in the USA. I still don't know what's so scary about going down to the lake, though.
3 - "Centrefold," The J. Geils Band
The tale of discovering an old crush in a nudie mag not only topped the U.S. charts, it was also the band's biggest U.K. hit. This memory was indeed sold, and a lot of people bought it.
2 - "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," Tight Fit
This group was formed when British producer Ken Gold decided to put together some oldies medleys to follow in the wake of Starsound's success. In '81, they hit the Top 40 with two strings of 60s hits, then scored a #1 with this cover of the song that was first written in 1939 by South African Solomon Linda. This is absolutely inessential, but at least it added to the royalties that Linda would eventually rightfully claim. And the video is terrible, even by early 80s standards. As for Tight Fit, they scored one more Top Five, then their grip on the British attention span mercifully loosened.
And ruling the British airwaves 34 years ago was...
1 - "A Town Called Malice/Precious," The Jam
This Woking band led by Paul Weller combined punk and new wave with 60s rock and soul and a Ray Davies-esque eye for English detail. And England loved them for it, as all 18 of their singles between 1977 and 1982 reached the Top 40. Four went to #1, the third of which was this double-sided hit. The much better known A was this soul-rocker about smalltown desolation and desperation that is nothing less than classic. The B is almost-discoish funk about a desperate need for a lover, and is fantastic as well. The band would break up by the end of this year, but Weller continued having hits in the 80s with The Style Council, and in the 90s he began a solo career that continues to garner sales and acclaim to this day.
So there's another one. The next will follow soon. The Twitter thing has gotten off to a slow start, but it has started, and if you want to encourage me by becoming one of my first followers, feel free to check out https://twitter.com/MrBGlovehead . Bye for now.
20 - "Deutscher Girls," Adam and the Ants
For the first three years of the 1980s, Londoner Stuart Goddard and his insectly-named cohorts were one of the biggest bands in Britain, scoring 9 Top 40s, including two #1s. Their last Top 40, which only reached #13, was this tango-rocker about the pleasures of German ladies. Solid new wave.
19 - "Run to the Hills," Iron Maiden
These Londoners were arguably the brightest stars of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, accruing 35 Top 40 singles. This one, the first recorded with lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson, would be their first Top Ten. It's a flat-out, foot-to-the-floor rocker about the injustices done to Native Americans by invading Europeans. The lyrics are unblinkingly vivid. A terrific song in any genre, and an easy 5 on the headbangometer.
18 - "Never Give Up on a Good Thing," George Benson
The smooth jazz king had a few more hits in Britain than he had at home. This one's pretty basic stuff about hanging on to quality love. Mildly funky. For when you want to dance but not look too excited about it.
17 - "Fool if You Think it's Over," Elkie Brooks
Our second encounter with our Miss Brooks is this cover of Chris Rea's 1978 song about the difficulty of getting over love. Rea's version was big in the States, but Brooks charted higher at home. I think both have their charms. But Elkie's voice grows on me with each listen.
16 - "Senses Working Overtime," XTC
These new wavers from Swindon have a cult following as kind of a junior Kinks, with Andy Partridge penning insightful lyrics and catchy melodies. They did manage six Top 40s, and their only Top Ten was this jaunty number about what happens to the innocent and the guilty, kicking the world like a football and/or eating it like a biscuit, bullies, bus accidents, and "trying to taste the difference between a lemon and a lime." Just really good pop music.
15 - "Dead Ringer for Love," Meat Loaf featuring Cher
In America, the man born Marvin Lee Aday pretty much disappeared from pop consciousness in the time between Bat Out of Hell dropped out of the charts and the 1993 release of its sequel. In Britain, however, he managed a handful of 80s hits, the biggest of which was this Jim Steinman-written-and-co-produced raveup about two people hooking up in a bar because "man doesn't live by rock n' roll and brew alone." Accompanying Meat is another 70s star going through a drought, Cher. They have real chemistry together. An underrated high point in both their careers.
14 - "Oh Julie," Shakin' Stevens
Born Michael Barratt in Cardiff, Wales. Stevens stared in bands during the 60s, but his big break didn't come until 1977, when he portrayed one era of the King's life in the West End musical Elvis! Beginning in 1980, his retro-rock stylings produced a run of 28 Top 40 singles, including four #1s. His third charttopper, unlike his first two, wasn't a cover, but rather a Stevens-penned original. It's toned-down rockabilly with a zydeco twist thanks to the prominent accordion. Simple lyrics, but still, a catchy enough pop number. A little better than I expected.
13 - "The Model/Computer Love," Kraftwerk
More from the Germans. Originally, "Computer Love" was released as the A-side, as it was from the band's then current album Computer World, while the other side was from their previous LP The Man-Machine. In that configuration, the single reached #36. But DJs started playing the B-side more, and a re-release flipping the order became the group's only U.K. #1. "The Model" is definitely the more commercial track, with a more accessible melody and lyrics about a beauty who poses for magazines and to sell "consumer products." "Computer Love" is a little darker, with sparse lyrics about infatuation with technology. But both are great, and it was the latter's melody hook that Coldplay borrowed (with permission) for their song "Talk."
12 - "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)," Christopher Cross
Topped the charts in America, was Top Ten here, won an Oscar, bored me to tears.
11 - "Mickey," Toni Basil
The renamed cover of Racey's "Kitty" went to #2 here in March, but didn't hit #1 in Basil's homeland until December. And I imagine that was fine with her. So fine, perhaps, that it may have even blown her mind.
10 - "See You," Depeche Mode
This was the third Top 40 for the Essex synth stars, and the first single without Vince Clarke, who left to form Yazoo. It's a plea for a former lover to allow the narrator to simply watch her, not to come in contact with her or engage her or anything, at least not yet. A little creepy and complicated. Kind of a bridge between their poppier "Just Can't Get Enough" beginnings and their darker, more gothy future.
9 - "It Ain't What You Do It's the Way You Do It," Fun Boy Three and Bananarama
Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, and Neville Staple were founding members of the pioneering Coventry ska band The Specials, but they left that group in 1981 to form a more minimalist pop band. The biggest of their seven home Top 40s was this shuffly cover of a jazz number first recorded in 1939 by, among others, Ella Fitzgerald. It featured backup vocals by the up and coming vocal trio of Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, and Siobahn Fahey. That's what got results.
8 - "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," Daryl Hall and John Oates
At home, these guys owned the 80s, with Top Tens and #1s galore. Here though, they only managed six Top 40s and two Top Tens. This one peaked at this spot, and I wonder how they felt when Simply Red sampled it and got one place higher with "Sunrise" 21 years later.
7 - "Maid of Orleans," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
These Liverpudlians have been called "the Beatles of synth-pop." Not sure I'd go that far, but they had a nice run of hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Interestingly, this was the second of back to back singles about Joan of Arc. The first was called, um, "Joan of Arc." Haven't heard that one. This one is kind of waltzy, with very few lyrics. Anyway, both went Top Five, so good for them.
6 - "Golden Brown," The Stranglers
Pub-rockers turned punks turned new wave, this band from Surrey racked up 22 Top 40s between 1977 and 2004. Their biggest hit was this harpsichord-heavy tune that singer Hugh Cornwell has said can be both about heroin or a woman. I can relate to the latter, not gonna try to compare it to the former. Good song either way.
5 - "Say Hello Wave Goodbye," Soft Cell
The Leeds duo of Marc Almond and Dave Ball were red-hot at this point, as this was their third of five straight Top Fives (the first being the UK #1 and only American hit "Tainted Love."). This is a midtempo synth ballad about a relationship that was doomed from the start. Almond's impassioned vocals lift it to memorability.
4 - "Love Plus One," Haircut 100
Led by Kent's Nick Heyward, these guys blazed onto the scene with four straight Top Tens, the biggest of which was this catchy song about a missed connection that was also their only American hit. But by 1983, Heyward left for a solo career, and the rest of the band put out one more album that failed to chart. Oh well. This is fantastic, as I said when we encountered this in the USA. I still don't know what's so scary about going down to the lake, though.
3 - "Centrefold," The J. Geils Band
The tale of discovering an old crush in a nudie mag not only topped the U.S. charts, it was also the band's biggest U.K. hit. This memory was indeed sold, and a lot of people bought it.
2 - "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," Tight Fit
This group was formed when British producer Ken Gold decided to put together some oldies medleys to follow in the wake of Starsound's success. In '81, they hit the Top 40 with two strings of 60s hits, then scored a #1 with this cover of the song that was first written in 1939 by South African Solomon Linda. This is absolutely inessential, but at least it added to the royalties that Linda would eventually rightfully claim. And the video is terrible, even by early 80s standards. As for Tight Fit, they scored one more Top Five, then their grip on the British attention span mercifully loosened.
And ruling the British airwaves 34 years ago was...
1 - "A Town Called Malice/Precious," The Jam
This Woking band led by Paul Weller combined punk and new wave with 60s rock and soul and a Ray Davies-esque eye for English detail. And England loved them for it, as all 18 of their singles between 1977 and 1982 reached the Top 40. Four went to #1, the third of which was this double-sided hit. The much better known A was this soul-rocker about smalltown desolation and desperation that is nothing less than classic. The B is almost-discoish funk about a desperate need for a lover, and is fantastic as well. The band would break up by the end of this year, but Weller continued having hits in the 80s with The Style Council, and in the 90s he began a solo career that continues to garner sales and acclaim to this day.
So there's another one. The next will follow soon. The Twitter thing has gotten off to a slow start, but it has started, and if you want to encourage me by becoming one of my first followers, feel free to check out https://twitter.com/MrBGlovehead . Bye for now.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Gloves Across the Water: U.K Top 40 February 27, 1982 Part One
Yeah, we're in a groove now. This time, we go to a period where Britain was just over a month away from a war over some islands near Argentina. But while peace still reigned, so did these songs.
40 - "Restless," Gillan
We start with metal, a genre that generally didn't do well on the American singles charts until it popped up, poofed out, and power balladed itself. Britain, however, was a different story, as this unapologetically heavy band fronted by once-and-future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan hit the top 40 six times in the early 80s. Their last such hit was this tune that I think is about a kid named Jimmy who starts making money but then ignores his friends. I'd put it at about 3/5 on the headbang scale.
39 - "Turn Up the Night," Black Sabbath
More metal, this time from the band who were one of its founding entities. This one features the vocals of the man who replaced Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, the legendary-in-his-own right Ronnie James Dio. Fast, loud stuff about rumbling thunder and lurking evil, with Dio doing his unholy best to sound like a screaming demon. What you'd expect from Sabbath, and definitely a 5 on the headbangometer. Fun fact: Shortly after this, Dio would leave and be replaced for one album by none other than Ian Gillan.
38 - "Being Boiled," The Human League
The Sheffield synth stars released this as their first single in 1978, but it went nowhere. However, after they broke through in '81 with their Dare LP and the #1 "Don't You Want Me," it was re-released and went Top Ten. It's spare, spooky synthpop with lyrics that protest the killing of moths for silk. Not as poppy as the stuff that would make them famous, but there's still enough to attract the ear.
37 - "Queen of the Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan)," Modern Romance
One of many New Wave bands that had made it in Britain but not far beyond, these guys had nine Top 40s and incorporated different genres into their sound, including salsa and, in this case, rap. The first part of this song is just singing about romantic frustration, but the second his a rhymed exchange between singer Geoff Deane and Bev Page, who is apparently English but raps in an accent that I can't tell whether it's supposed to be German or French. Either way, she's not as good as the title she bestows upon herself. This is all right, but it won't make anyone forget about "Rapture."
36 - "You're the One for Me," D Train
Brooklyn-born James Williams has had a long career as a producer, songrwriter, and backing vocalist, but he's here with one of the three U.K. Top 40s he had with keyboardist Hubert Eaves III. It's love funk that sounds like poor man's Gap Band. It was a #1 dance hit in America. Good for them.
35 - "Showroom Dummies," Kraftwerk
Founded by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1970, this band started out as a traditional pop-rock band before embracing technology and becoming arguably the most influential force in the history of electronic music. This track about mannequins coming to life was first on the 1977 album Trans-Europe Express, but didn't chart in the U.K until five years later. It's the kind of robotic awesomeness you want from these guys.
34 - "Head Over Heels," ABBA
The ABBA run in Britain produced 24 Top 40s, including nine #1s. Hit # 21, from swan song The Visitors, has a synthpop backing track that, at least at first, one might almost mistake for Kraftwerk themselves. The lyrics are about a take-charge lady and the man who stands by her. It's very hooky. Too far buried in their catalogue, in my opinion.
33 - "I Won't Close My Eyes," UB40
Their sixth home hit was this slowed-down, traditional reggae track that advocated continuing to stand for justice in the world in the face of never-ending resistance. Even though these guys would start watering things down more and more starting about a decade into their career, back in the day, they were the real deal.
32 - "Get Down on It," Kool and the Gang
Robert Bell and co. backtrack a little to the funk that made their name after starting their slide into slickness. It would make me get my back up off the wall.
31 - "The Land of Make Believe," Bucks Fizz
Named after a cocktail of champagne and orange juice, this two-man, two-woman vocal group was formed to challenge to represent Britain at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. They won that right, and then the contest itself, with the song "Making Your Mind Up." It went to #1, and they would pick up twelve more Top 40s and two more #1s. The second of the latter was this bouncy pop number about imagination that namechecks Superman, Captain Kidd, outlaws, circuses, and for some reason "the corn in Carolina." I liked it much better than I thought I would. They hit the same sweet spot that I have for ABBA.
30 - "Some Guys Have All the Luck," Robert Palmer
Palmer's second hit at home is and isn't the same song originally recorded by The Persuaders in 1973 and covered by Rod Stewart in 1984. The chorus has the same melody, but the lyrics and the verses are very different. There's a lot more innuendo in this take. I like it. It's funky and sexy.
29 - "Stars on Stevie," Starsound
This is Stars on 45, but Starsound is the name they went by in the U.K. It's the Stevie Wonder medley we encountered in America. Unnecessary, but listening to it brought me to the revelation that Stevie is the one artist I would pay arena concert prices to see. What a catalogue.
28 - "Cardiac Arrest," Madness
The ska-poppers from Camden Town are only known for "Our House" in the USA, but at home they are an institiution that has scored 29 Top 40 hits since 1979. This one's about a guy whose stressing out about whether the bus will get him to work on time results in him having a fatal heart attack. Apparently, the BBC decided to limit its airplay because of deaths in the families of two of their DJs, and this is why it became only the second (of ten to date) of their singles not to reach the Top Ten. Can't judge that decision one way or the other, but the song is great as a vivid three-minute snapshot of the end of a man's life.
27 - "Landslide," Olivia Newton-John
This third single from Physical missed the Top 40 in America, but didn't in Britain. Advantage: U.K. It's a fast dance track about falling in love that I like much better than the album's monster title track. There's even vocoder on it, and it works.
-
26 - "Easier Said Than Done," Shakatak
The first of six Top 40s for these London jazz-poppers was this groove about a hard-to-let-go relationship. It's like Chic lite, but in a charming way. And despite their name, this wasn't what Marge Simpson told son Bart to watch out for when she played basketball with him. She warned him that she was no Harvey Globetrotter. If you made sense out of those last two sentences, I love you.
25 - "Theme from Hill Street Blues," Mike Post and Larry Carlton
The scene-setter from the groundbreaking 80s cop show. And "Let's be careful out there" remains good advice.
24 - "Drowning in Berlin," The Mobiles
The only hit by these New Wavers from Eastbourne was this dramatic semi-waltz that seems to be about something horrible that happened in Germany. There's carousel music in it for some reason. It sounds like it could be from some futuristic reboot of Cabaret. A very cool discovery, and weird enough to get an Uneasy Rider.
23 - "Go Wild in the Country," Bow Wow Wow
After all the attention and controversy of his previous creation The Sex Pistols, impresario Malcolm McLaren formed a band with three former members of Adam and the Ants and teenage Anglo-Burmese singer Anabella Lwin. Three Top 40 hits would follow, the biggest of which was this beat-heavy number that espouses going back to nature; giving up bacon and strawberry milkshakes for a life "where snakes in the grass are absolutely free." Fun pop, but of course, there was an uproar about the single's cover, which featured a then-15-year-old Lwin posed tastefully yet completely nude with her clothed bandmates in a recreation of the Edouard Manet painting Luncheon on the Grass. McLaren led his artists to lots of attention and headlines, but long careers were never part of the deal.
22 - "Classic," Adrian Gurvitz
North Londoner Gurvitz had his first major success when his band The Gun had a Top Ten hit with the song "Race With the Devil." Since then he has been in a number of bands and had been a prolific producer and songwriter, but his biggest solo hit was this MOR ballad about wanting to write a song to get back his lost love. For some reason, it has to be written "in an attic," and it can't just be a good song, it has to be one of the all-time greats. Kinda cheesy, but I get why it was a big hit. The song makes me feel like I'm in a waiting room getting ready to have a physical. And maybe, in Adrian's eyes, that does make it a "classic."
21 - "Let's Get it Up," AC/DC
We end where we started with METAL!!! The Aussie legends have had 21 Top 40s in the U.K (compared to a mere three in America). One of their biggest was this track from For Those About to Rock. Pounding, double entendre-filled rock. Prime AC/DC, in other words. And a solid four on the headbang scale.
In Part Two: meat, martyrdom, and more METAL.
40 - "Restless," Gillan
We start with metal, a genre that generally didn't do well on the American singles charts until it popped up, poofed out, and power balladed itself. Britain, however, was a different story, as this unapologetically heavy band fronted by once-and-future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan hit the top 40 six times in the early 80s. Their last such hit was this tune that I think is about a kid named Jimmy who starts making money but then ignores his friends. I'd put it at about 3/5 on the headbang scale.
39 - "Turn Up the Night," Black Sabbath
More metal, this time from the band who were one of its founding entities. This one features the vocals of the man who replaced Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, the legendary-in-his-own right Ronnie James Dio. Fast, loud stuff about rumbling thunder and lurking evil, with Dio doing his unholy best to sound like a screaming demon. What you'd expect from Sabbath, and definitely a 5 on the headbangometer. Fun fact: Shortly after this, Dio would leave and be replaced for one album by none other than Ian Gillan.
38 - "Being Boiled," The Human League
The Sheffield synth stars released this as their first single in 1978, but it went nowhere. However, after they broke through in '81 with their Dare LP and the #1 "Don't You Want Me," it was re-released and went Top Ten. It's spare, spooky synthpop with lyrics that protest the killing of moths for silk. Not as poppy as the stuff that would make them famous, but there's still enough to attract the ear.
37 - "Queen of the Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan)," Modern Romance
One of many New Wave bands that had made it in Britain but not far beyond, these guys had nine Top 40s and incorporated different genres into their sound, including salsa and, in this case, rap. The first part of this song is just singing about romantic frustration, but the second his a rhymed exchange between singer Geoff Deane and Bev Page, who is apparently English but raps in an accent that I can't tell whether it's supposed to be German or French. Either way, she's not as good as the title she bestows upon herself. This is all right, but it won't make anyone forget about "Rapture."
36 - "You're the One for Me," D Train
Brooklyn-born James Williams has had a long career as a producer, songrwriter, and backing vocalist, but he's here with one of the three U.K. Top 40s he had with keyboardist Hubert Eaves III. It's love funk that sounds like poor man's Gap Band. It was a #1 dance hit in America. Good for them.
35 - "Showroom Dummies," Kraftwerk
Founded by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1970, this band started out as a traditional pop-rock band before embracing technology and becoming arguably the most influential force in the history of electronic music. This track about mannequins coming to life was first on the 1977 album Trans-Europe Express, but didn't chart in the U.K until five years later. It's the kind of robotic awesomeness you want from these guys.
34 - "Head Over Heels," ABBA
The ABBA run in Britain produced 24 Top 40s, including nine #1s. Hit # 21, from swan song The Visitors, has a synthpop backing track that, at least at first, one might almost mistake for Kraftwerk themselves. The lyrics are about a take-charge lady and the man who stands by her. It's very hooky. Too far buried in their catalogue, in my opinion.
33 - "I Won't Close My Eyes," UB40
Their sixth home hit was this slowed-down, traditional reggae track that advocated continuing to stand for justice in the world in the face of never-ending resistance. Even though these guys would start watering things down more and more starting about a decade into their career, back in the day, they were the real deal.
32 - "Get Down on It," Kool and the Gang
Robert Bell and co. backtrack a little to the funk that made their name after starting their slide into slickness. It would make me get my back up off the wall.
31 - "The Land of Make Believe," Bucks Fizz
Named after a cocktail of champagne and orange juice, this two-man, two-woman vocal group was formed to challenge to represent Britain at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. They won that right, and then the contest itself, with the song "Making Your Mind Up." It went to #1, and they would pick up twelve more Top 40s and two more #1s. The second of the latter was this bouncy pop number about imagination that namechecks Superman, Captain Kidd, outlaws, circuses, and for some reason "the corn in Carolina." I liked it much better than I thought I would. They hit the same sweet spot that I have for ABBA.
30 - "Some Guys Have All the Luck," Robert Palmer
Palmer's second hit at home is and isn't the same song originally recorded by The Persuaders in 1973 and covered by Rod Stewart in 1984. The chorus has the same melody, but the lyrics and the verses are very different. There's a lot more innuendo in this take. I like it. It's funky and sexy.
29 - "Stars on Stevie," Starsound
This is Stars on 45, but Starsound is the name they went by in the U.K. It's the Stevie Wonder medley we encountered in America. Unnecessary, but listening to it brought me to the revelation that Stevie is the one artist I would pay arena concert prices to see. What a catalogue.
28 - "Cardiac Arrest," Madness
The ska-poppers from Camden Town are only known for "Our House" in the USA, but at home they are an institiution that has scored 29 Top 40 hits since 1979. This one's about a guy whose stressing out about whether the bus will get him to work on time results in him having a fatal heart attack. Apparently, the BBC decided to limit its airplay because of deaths in the families of two of their DJs, and this is why it became only the second (of ten to date) of their singles not to reach the Top Ten. Can't judge that decision one way or the other, but the song is great as a vivid three-minute snapshot of the end of a man's life.
27 - "Landslide," Olivia Newton-John
This third single from Physical missed the Top 40 in America, but didn't in Britain. Advantage: U.K. It's a fast dance track about falling in love that I like much better than the album's monster title track. There's even vocoder on it, and it works.
-
26 - "Easier Said Than Done," Shakatak
The first of six Top 40s for these London jazz-poppers was this groove about a hard-to-let-go relationship. It's like Chic lite, but in a charming way. And despite their name, this wasn't what Marge Simpson told son Bart to watch out for when she played basketball with him. She warned him that she was no Harvey Globetrotter. If you made sense out of those last two sentences, I love you.
25 - "Theme from Hill Street Blues," Mike Post and Larry Carlton
The scene-setter from the groundbreaking 80s cop show. And "Let's be careful out there" remains good advice.
24 - "Drowning in Berlin," The Mobiles
The only hit by these New Wavers from Eastbourne was this dramatic semi-waltz that seems to be about something horrible that happened in Germany. There's carousel music in it for some reason. It sounds like it could be from some futuristic reboot of Cabaret. A very cool discovery, and weird enough to get an Uneasy Rider.
23 - "Go Wild in the Country," Bow Wow Wow
After all the attention and controversy of his previous creation The Sex Pistols, impresario Malcolm McLaren formed a band with three former members of Adam and the Ants and teenage Anglo-Burmese singer Anabella Lwin. Three Top 40 hits would follow, the biggest of which was this beat-heavy number that espouses going back to nature; giving up bacon and strawberry milkshakes for a life "where snakes in the grass are absolutely free." Fun pop, but of course, there was an uproar about the single's cover, which featured a then-15-year-old Lwin posed tastefully yet completely nude with her clothed bandmates in a recreation of the Edouard Manet painting Luncheon on the Grass. McLaren led his artists to lots of attention and headlines, but long careers were never part of the deal.
22 - "Classic," Adrian Gurvitz
North Londoner Gurvitz had his first major success when his band The Gun had a Top Ten hit with the song "Race With the Devil." Since then he has been in a number of bands and had been a prolific producer and songwriter, but his biggest solo hit was this MOR ballad about wanting to write a song to get back his lost love. For some reason, it has to be written "in an attic," and it can't just be a good song, it has to be one of the all-time greats. Kinda cheesy, but I get why it was a big hit. The song makes me feel like I'm in a waiting room getting ready to have a physical. And maybe, in Adrian's eyes, that does make it a "classic."
21 - "Let's Get it Up," AC/DC
We end where we started with METAL!!! The Aussie legends have had 21 Top 40s in the U.K (compared to a mere three in America). One of their biggest was this track from For Those About to Rock. Pounding, double entendre-filled rock. Prime AC/DC, in other words. And a solid four on the headbang scale.
In Part Two: meat, martyrdom, and more METAL.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Gloves Across the Water: UK Top 40 February 14, 1987 Part Two - Plus a Special Announcement
Big finish
20 - "Rock the Night," Europe
The follow-up to "The Final Countdown." They didn't rock any night as well as they soundtracked the last seconds before that microwave popcorn was ready. Ah, Geico, resurrecting figures from the 80s that would otherwise be lost to history. It's what they do. My life wasn't complete until I learned how excited Ickey Woods is by cold cuts.
19 - "Stand by Me," Ben E. King
More revived old soul, but this happened on both sides of the pond, thanks to the movie. A sequel wouldn't be a good idea, but I would pay to see a spinoff film featuring Lard Ass Hogan getting more and more revenge on his haters.
18 - "Running in the Family," Level 42
From the Isle of Wight, the British island where Paul McCartney said he wanted to rent a summer cottage when he was of a certain age, these jazzy popsters hit the Top 40 twenty times here compared to just twice in the States. This was their last single to even reach the Hot 100 there, peaking at #83, whereas at home it was their third of six Top Tens. I think the Brits got it right. This is bouncy synth-pop about the fun and consequences of sneaking out of the house and getting up to no good, and respecting the parental point of view with the passage of time. Easily my favorite by these guys.
17 - "Behind the Mask," Eric Clapton
It had been nine years since Slowhand had cracked the 40 in his homeland when he broke through with a song that was originally by Japanese electronic pioneers Yellow Magic Orchestra, who wrote it in 1978 for a watch commercial. This version contains new lyrics written by none other than Michael Jackson, depicting a cheating lover. It's slick pop, kinda catchy. But I'd like to hear the original.
16 - "C'est La Vie," Robbie Nevil
The future songsmith behind Hannah Montana's biggest hit was Top #5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Its sophisticated white funk fits in well with some of the British-only hits here, so I'm not surprised.
15 - "Is This Love," Alison Moyet
We encountered the Essex-born former Yazoo singer in America with her only hit there, the powerful "Invisible." This, the fourth of here five Top Tens at home, is slick synthpop about a complicated relationship. It was produced and co-written by Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, and it shows. Moyet is a vastly different singer than Annie Lennox, but this still works well for her. I am shocked, however, that "Invisible didn't even go Top 20 here.
14 - "Once Bitten Twice Shy," Vesta
The daughter of a DJ from Coshocton, Ohio, Vesta Williams did her time singing backup for a wide range of artists before getting a record deal in 1986. Over the next five years, she would score six Top Tens on the U.S. R&B charts, but she never cracked the Top 40 on the Hot 100, and her only major hit in Britain was this soul-popper comparing romantic travails to vampirism ("Your name is Dracula, you suck the life out of me."). Snappy and cool. Sadly, Williams died from a heart condition in September 2011 at only 53 years old.
13 - "No More the Fool," Elkie Brooks
Born Elaine Bookbinder in Lancashire, Brooks' older brother drummed for the British Invasion footnotes Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, and she followed him into music, first gaining notice with the R&B group Vinegar Joe, whose lineup also contained Robert Palmer. She then went solo in the mid-70s, and she scored 7 Top 40s between 1977 and 1987, the biggest of which being this heartbreak ballad. Her voice lands somewhere between Bonnie Tyler and Alison Moyet, and she uses it to great effect. I'm certainly interested in hearing more.
12 - "Shoplifters of the World Unite," The Smiths
My introduction to this highly influential Manchester band came in 1985, but it wasn't through their music, but rather their T-shirts, most notably ones depicting the cover of their album Meat is Murder. But the majority of those shirts were worn by people much higher on the high school popularity food chain than I, so my opinion of them was colored in a negative way before I heard a note. It was in the summer of 1986 when I first heard "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want," and while I appreciated Morrissey's artfully anguished desire to finally have something he desired, I still hesitated to get into them more, wondering if perhaps too much of that voice would grate on me. It was years later before I looked more closely, and now I fully appreciate what a special thing they had going. In their homeland, however, attention was not a problem, as they had fifteen Top 40 singles between 1983 and 1987, and Morrissey grabbed plenty of headlines with his opinions about meat, monarchy, and Margaret Thatcher. Their 11th big hit was this midtempo rocker that apparently isn't a plead for a unionization of the planet's petty thieves, but more about taking the things around you and using them to your own benefit. The singing's convincing, and Johnny Marr's sparkling guitar stands out. One of their best. Later that year they would release their final album, and what has followed has included lawsuits, Marr forming and joining multiple bands, and Morrissey embarking on a solo career and remaining a viable touring act to this day, despite his continued penchant to say outrageous and offensive things almost every time he is given a forum to do so. He's definitely in my "he makes good and sometimes great music, but..." pile.
11 -"Stay Out of My Life," Five Star
The five Pearson siblings from Essex became a pop band in the mid-80s under the management of their father Buster, a Jamaican-born musician and music executive. They had some success in the U.S., with a hand full of R&B Top 40s and a pop #41 in "Can't Wait Another Minute." At home they had a hot streak that gave them fifteen Top 40s between '85 and '88. The penultimate of their six Top Tens was this jazzy popper about finding out about a lovers unfaithfulness. Not bad, not special. More like Two and a Half Star.
10 - "You Sexy Thing," Hot Chocolate
The one they will always be remembered for. I do believe in miracles, and, on an unrelated note, where are you from, you...attractive object?
9 - "Male Stripper," Man 2 Man meet Man Parrish
New York brothers Paul and Miki Zone started out in the mid-70s in a rock band called The Fast, but became more of a dance/club music act in the early 80s and changed their name. /Their one major moment came with this collaboration with producer Manuel Parrish, a throbbing techno number about a "ladies' night Adonis" who entertains in "hot cop drag," and for whom "tips in my G-string made my living." It's suitably sleazy, and a club classic. Sadly, shortly before it peaked on the U.K. charts, Miki Zone died of AIDS-related spinal meningitis. Paul continued recording under the name "Man to Man," but he never reached these heights again. But now, he and his brother will be immortalized by me as an Uneasy Rider.
8 - "Jack Your Body," Steve "Silk" Hurley
Chicagoan Hurley originally pursued a career in engineering, but decided to switch to music full time at age 19. Five years later, he was an accomplished radio DJ and producer who was one of the key founders of house music, and this minimally-lyriced floor filler would top the charts here for two weeks. Definitely the superior of this week's "jack" songs. Hurley wouldn't release much under his own name after this, but he would have a prolific career as a producer and remixer to the stars.
7 - "The Music of the Night/Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
Only months after its premiere on London's West End in October of 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version of Gaston Leroux's novel about a disfigured composer's obsession with a young singer was already a phenomenon, and this was the second single from the cast album to hit the Top Ten. Side A, sung by Crawford as the phantom, is his attempt to seduce the object of his desire, Christine, into becoming his muse and perhaps more. The B, by Brightman's Christine, is sung at her father's grave as she pleads for his guidance to help her through the entanglement she finds herself in. I had heard the former several times, and it is what it is, and it was clearly effective in selling people on the charms of the whole enterprise. The latter was new to me, and I thought it was nice, although I spent much of it thinking about how far Brightman had come from the days of "I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper." Anyway, the show would be on Broadway a year from this time, and would become the longest-running production there ever. It also had a long run in Toronto, during which none other than Kiss' Paul Stanley donned the iconic mask. However, Webber's attempt at a sequel, Love Never Dies, flopped a few years ago. All he asked of the public was to love it, but they didn't. Too bad.
6 - "I Love My Radio," Taffy
New York singer Katherine Quaye had her only major success with a song about enjoying a disc jockey's work. It was produced by an Italian, and was bigger there than anywhere else. Not much more interesting to say. It's pop, it's okay, we're done.
5 - "It Doesn't Have to be This Way," The Blow Monkeys
These guys are best known for their only American hit, the wonderfully subversive "Digging Your Scene." At home, they had a few more hits, the biggest of which was this sophisticated funk-pop about romantic trials and tribulations. It's cool. Though I'm guessing that the band most profitable venture was their cover of Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me" from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. If they had a nickel for every copy that record has sold...they'd have over $1.5 million. I wonder if that's above or below the actual royalty they get. Hmmmm...
4 - "Almaz," Randy Crawford
Georgia-born jazz singer Crawford only charted in America with the Crusaders on "Street Life," but had a handful of hits here, including two top fives. The second of these was this ballad Crawford wrote about her neighbors, a Ethiopian refugee couple, the wife of which had a name that meant "diamond." It's a sweet, affecting depiction of boundless love. Definitely a hidden almaz.
3 - "Down to Earth," Curiosity Killed the Cat
These Londoners were yet another band on the "sophist-pop" scene, and this was the beginning of a brief but successful run of hits for them. It's cool slick pop about not wanting a lover to drag one down with them. Very nice.
2 - "Heartache," Pepsi and Shirlie
Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman were first brought together as backing singers for Wham! (You will likely remember them dancing in "Choose Life" shirts from the "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," video). After the boys broke up, they had a brief career on their own, and this was the first of their two Top Tens. They do okay on this dance-popper about romantic strife. They seem to pop up sporadically in British pop culture since. That's cool.
And 29 years ago, Brits were mad for...
1 - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," George Michael and Aretha Franklin
Pepsi and Shirlie's former boss teamed up with the Queen of Soul and did the transatlantic charttopping double. I've covered this before, obviously. Song's not much, but George holds his own with a legend. He's a legit talent.
And now, my announcement. Perhaps years too late, Bobby Glovehead is now on Twitter. It just happened. What will I do with it? I imagine I'll flash back to charts I've previously covered, preview future posts, link to songs that catch my interest, maybe give some "bonus material," share my thoughts on anything and everything pop music, and who knows what else. Or maybe I'll do it for a week and give up. But you won't find out unless you follow me. Follow me, minions! If you are interested, look me up at https://twitter.com/MrBGlovehead #Irememberwhenthiswascalledapoundsign #getoffmylawn
20 - "Rock the Night," Europe
The follow-up to "The Final Countdown." They didn't rock any night as well as they soundtracked the last seconds before that microwave popcorn was ready. Ah, Geico, resurrecting figures from the 80s that would otherwise be lost to history. It's what they do. My life wasn't complete until I learned how excited Ickey Woods is by cold cuts.
19 - "Stand by Me," Ben E. King
More revived old soul, but this happened on both sides of the pond, thanks to the movie. A sequel wouldn't be a good idea, but I would pay to see a spinoff film featuring Lard Ass Hogan getting more and more revenge on his haters.
18 - "Running in the Family," Level 42
From the Isle of Wight, the British island where Paul McCartney said he wanted to rent a summer cottage when he was of a certain age, these jazzy popsters hit the Top 40 twenty times here compared to just twice in the States. This was their last single to even reach the Hot 100 there, peaking at #83, whereas at home it was their third of six Top Tens. I think the Brits got it right. This is bouncy synth-pop about the fun and consequences of sneaking out of the house and getting up to no good, and respecting the parental point of view with the passage of time. Easily my favorite by these guys.
17 - "Behind the Mask," Eric Clapton
It had been nine years since Slowhand had cracked the 40 in his homeland when he broke through with a song that was originally by Japanese electronic pioneers Yellow Magic Orchestra, who wrote it in 1978 for a watch commercial. This version contains new lyrics written by none other than Michael Jackson, depicting a cheating lover. It's slick pop, kinda catchy. But I'd like to hear the original.
16 - "C'est La Vie," Robbie Nevil
The future songsmith behind Hannah Montana's biggest hit was Top #5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Its sophisticated white funk fits in well with some of the British-only hits here, so I'm not surprised.
15 - "Is This Love," Alison Moyet
We encountered the Essex-born former Yazoo singer in America with her only hit there, the powerful "Invisible." This, the fourth of here five Top Tens at home, is slick synthpop about a complicated relationship. It was produced and co-written by Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, and it shows. Moyet is a vastly different singer than Annie Lennox, but this still works well for her. I am shocked, however, that "Invisible didn't even go Top 20 here.
14 - "Once Bitten Twice Shy," Vesta
The daughter of a DJ from Coshocton, Ohio, Vesta Williams did her time singing backup for a wide range of artists before getting a record deal in 1986. Over the next five years, she would score six Top Tens on the U.S. R&B charts, but she never cracked the Top 40 on the Hot 100, and her only major hit in Britain was this soul-popper comparing romantic travails to vampirism ("Your name is Dracula, you suck the life out of me."). Snappy and cool. Sadly, Williams died from a heart condition in September 2011 at only 53 years old.
13 - "No More the Fool," Elkie Brooks
Born Elaine Bookbinder in Lancashire, Brooks' older brother drummed for the British Invasion footnotes Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, and she followed him into music, first gaining notice with the R&B group Vinegar Joe, whose lineup also contained Robert Palmer. She then went solo in the mid-70s, and she scored 7 Top 40s between 1977 and 1987, the biggest of which being this heartbreak ballad. Her voice lands somewhere between Bonnie Tyler and Alison Moyet, and she uses it to great effect. I'm certainly interested in hearing more.
12 - "Shoplifters of the World Unite," The Smiths
My introduction to this highly influential Manchester band came in 1985, but it wasn't through their music, but rather their T-shirts, most notably ones depicting the cover of their album Meat is Murder. But the majority of those shirts were worn by people much higher on the high school popularity food chain than I, so my opinion of them was colored in a negative way before I heard a note. It was in the summer of 1986 when I first heard "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want," and while I appreciated Morrissey's artfully anguished desire to finally have something he desired, I still hesitated to get into them more, wondering if perhaps too much of that voice would grate on me. It was years later before I looked more closely, and now I fully appreciate what a special thing they had going. In their homeland, however, attention was not a problem, as they had fifteen Top 40 singles between 1983 and 1987, and Morrissey grabbed plenty of headlines with his opinions about meat, monarchy, and Margaret Thatcher. Their 11th big hit was this midtempo rocker that apparently isn't a plead for a unionization of the planet's petty thieves, but more about taking the things around you and using them to your own benefit. The singing's convincing, and Johnny Marr's sparkling guitar stands out. One of their best. Later that year they would release their final album, and what has followed has included lawsuits, Marr forming and joining multiple bands, and Morrissey embarking on a solo career and remaining a viable touring act to this day, despite his continued penchant to say outrageous and offensive things almost every time he is given a forum to do so. He's definitely in my "he makes good and sometimes great music, but..." pile.
11 -"Stay Out of My Life," Five Star
The five Pearson siblings from Essex became a pop band in the mid-80s under the management of their father Buster, a Jamaican-born musician and music executive. They had some success in the U.S., with a hand full of R&B Top 40s and a pop #41 in "Can't Wait Another Minute." At home they had a hot streak that gave them fifteen Top 40s between '85 and '88. The penultimate of their six Top Tens was this jazzy popper about finding out about a lovers unfaithfulness. Not bad, not special. More like Two and a Half Star.
10 - "You Sexy Thing," Hot Chocolate
The one they will always be remembered for. I do believe in miracles, and, on an unrelated note, where are you from, you...attractive object?
9 - "Male Stripper," Man 2 Man meet Man Parrish
New York brothers Paul and Miki Zone started out in the mid-70s in a rock band called The Fast, but became more of a dance/club music act in the early 80s and changed their name. /Their one major moment came with this collaboration with producer Manuel Parrish, a throbbing techno number about a "ladies' night Adonis" who entertains in "hot cop drag," and for whom "tips in my G-string made my living." It's suitably sleazy, and a club classic. Sadly, shortly before it peaked on the U.K. charts, Miki Zone died of AIDS-related spinal meningitis. Paul continued recording under the name "Man to Man," but he never reached these heights again. But now, he and his brother will be immortalized by me as an Uneasy Rider.
8 - "Jack Your Body," Steve "Silk" Hurley
Chicagoan Hurley originally pursued a career in engineering, but decided to switch to music full time at age 19. Five years later, he was an accomplished radio DJ and producer who was one of the key founders of house music, and this minimally-lyriced floor filler would top the charts here for two weeks. Definitely the superior of this week's "jack" songs. Hurley wouldn't release much under his own name after this, but he would have a prolific career as a producer and remixer to the stars.
7 - "The Music of the Night/Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
Only months after its premiere on London's West End in October of 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version of Gaston Leroux's novel about a disfigured composer's obsession with a young singer was already a phenomenon, and this was the second single from the cast album to hit the Top Ten. Side A, sung by Crawford as the phantom, is his attempt to seduce the object of his desire, Christine, into becoming his muse and perhaps more. The B, by Brightman's Christine, is sung at her father's grave as she pleads for his guidance to help her through the entanglement she finds herself in. I had heard the former several times, and it is what it is, and it was clearly effective in selling people on the charms of the whole enterprise. The latter was new to me, and I thought it was nice, although I spent much of it thinking about how far Brightman had come from the days of "I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper." Anyway, the show would be on Broadway a year from this time, and would become the longest-running production there ever. It also had a long run in Toronto, during which none other than Kiss' Paul Stanley donned the iconic mask. However, Webber's attempt at a sequel, Love Never Dies, flopped a few years ago. All he asked of the public was to love it, but they didn't. Too bad.
6 - "I Love My Radio," Taffy
New York singer Katherine Quaye had her only major success with a song about enjoying a disc jockey's work. It was produced by an Italian, and was bigger there than anywhere else. Not much more interesting to say. It's pop, it's okay, we're done.
5 - "It Doesn't Have to be This Way," The Blow Monkeys
These guys are best known for their only American hit, the wonderfully subversive "Digging Your Scene." At home, they had a few more hits, the biggest of which was this sophisticated funk-pop about romantic trials and tribulations. It's cool. Though I'm guessing that the band most profitable venture was their cover of Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me" from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. If they had a nickel for every copy that record has sold...they'd have over $1.5 million. I wonder if that's above or below the actual royalty they get. Hmmmm...
4 - "Almaz," Randy Crawford
Georgia-born jazz singer Crawford only charted in America with the Crusaders on "Street Life," but had a handful of hits here, including two top fives. The second of these was this ballad Crawford wrote about her neighbors, a Ethiopian refugee couple, the wife of which had a name that meant "diamond." It's a sweet, affecting depiction of boundless love. Definitely a hidden almaz.
3 - "Down to Earth," Curiosity Killed the Cat
These Londoners were yet another band on the "sophist-pop" scene, and this was the beginning of a brief but successful run of hits for them. It's cool slick pop about not wanting a lover to drag one down with them. Very nice.
2 - "Heartache," Pepsi and Shirlie
Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman were first brought together as backing singers for Wham! (You will likely remember them dancing in "Choose Life" shirts from the "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," video). After the boys broke up, they had a brief career on their own, and this was the first of their two Top Tens. They do okay on this dance-popper about romantic strife. They seem to pop up sporadically in British pop culture since. That's cool.
And 29 years ago, Brits were mad for...
1 - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," George Michael and Aretha Franklin
Pepsi and Shirlie's former boss teamed up with the Queen of Soul and did the transatlantic charttopping double. I've covered this before, obviously. Song's not much, but George holds his own with a legend. He's a legit talent.
And now, my announcement. Perhaps years too late, Bobby Glovehead is now on Twitter. It just happened. What will I do with it? I imagine I'll flash back to charts I've previously covered, preview future posts, link to songs that catch my interest, maybe give some "bonus material," share my thoughts on anything and everything pop music, and who knows what else. Or maybe I'll do it for a week and give up. But you won't find out unless you follow me. Follow me, minions! If you are interested, look me up at https://twitter.com/MrBGlovehead #Irememberwhenthiswascalledapoundsign #getoffmylawn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)