Putting a bow on it.
20 - "Watching the Detectives," Elvis Costello
Costello's first hit was this reggae-rocker about a woman who would rather watch TV cop shows than engage with her lover. The sarcasm and cynicism we would grow to love were already in full force. This remains near the top of his catalogue to this day.
19 - "It's a Heartache," Bonnie Tyler
The country-rock classic was a Transatlantic Top Five. But Canada was wise enough to make it a #1. Even at the age of 7, I knew that was what it deserved.
18 - "Turn to Stone," Electric Light Orchestra
The first single, a typical-for-them big pop rocker about loneliness, didn't crack the Top Ten here or in America, but again, Canada made it a #1. I don't agree as strongly with my countrymen as with "It's a Heartache," but I definitely get it.
17 - "Live in Trouble," The Barron Knights
The satire meisters first Top Ten in over a decade features a parody of Leo Sayer's "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" (about the state of Leo's trousers), a take on Brotherhood of Man's "Angelo," (about a couple who meet their end due to their love of motorcycles), and a spoof of The Floaters' "Float On" (containing cheesy jokes revolving around the original's Zodiac-based premise). Of its time.
16 - "Love's Unkind," Donna Summer
Though not a single at home, this became Donna's fourth Top Five here. It's kind of a hybrid of disco and 60s girl group pop, with lyrics about being overlooked by your crush in favor of your best friend. Pretty cool. There was definite artistry in the Summer/Moroder commercial machine.
15 - "Mary of the 4th Form," The Boomtown Rats
Geldof and the boys had their second hit about a schoolgirl who teases her teacher sexually. Like "Don't Stand So Close to Me," but that played more like a BBC drama, where this was like a 50s juvenile delinquent movie.
14 - "She's Not There," Santana
This bland cover of The Zombies' 1964 classic was only Carlos' second hit, and their biggest until 22 years later and the infamous "Smooth." Surprising.
13 - "Love of My Life," The Dooleys
The family outfit's second hit was this bit of disco sap. What it says it is, it isn't.
12 - "Put Your Love in Me," Hot Chocolate
Their seventh Top Ten was this excellent sex-funk jam. It will warm the areas the beverage they're named after can't.
11 - "Name of the Game," ABBA
Their fifth U.K. charttopper was this slick midtempo ballad about being shy and careful about entering a relationship. It's not among my top favorites, but I appreciate it more as time goes on.
Step into Top Ten, step all together.
10 - "Belfast," Boney M
The German pop entity decided that it was appropriate to tackle Northern Ireland's Troubles through the medium of disco. From this song, you'd learn that people are believing, and children are leaving. Brilliant political analysis. When they distorted the stories of American bank robbers and mad Russian monks, it was cheerily charming, When they tried commenting on contemporary events, it was just...baffling.
9 - "Egyptian Reggae," Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
The second and biggest hit by the Massachusetts eccentric was this instrumental that sounds to these ears more like the theme to a spaghetti western than anything Egyptian or reggae. The clip-clop sounds evoke horses, and there's also some spur-like jangling. But regardless, it's great.
8- "Rockin' All Over the World," Status Quo
The Quo's found their signature tune when they covered this 1975 John Fogerty track about musical circumnavigation. It's the best kind of mindless fun.
7 - "We are the Champions," Queen
The ultimate song of rock triumph didn’t top any singles chart in the world, yet apparently a group of scientific researchers did a study that declared it the catchiest song in the history of pop music. Hard to argue with it.
6 - "Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It," Darts
The first hit for the doo-wop revivalists was this medley of a 1957 song by The Ray's and a 1956 Little Richard number. Stick to the originals.
5 - "I Will," Ruby Winters
Cincinnati soul singer Winters had picked up a handful of R&B hits over the previous ten years, but then she scored a surprise hit here with a version of a thirteen-year-old song that had been a hit for Dean Martin in America and for Billy Fury here. Winters reveals the song's true blues nature.
4 - "Dancin' Party," Showaddywaddy
Leicester's retro reps reaches the Top Five for the sixth time with an original rave-up about a swinging bash. Spirited enough to be infectious.
3 - "How Deep is Your Love," Bee Gees
Yes, it was Britain that blocked the monster Saturday Night Fever ballad from a Triple Crown, only letting it get this high. Apparently, the depth of their adopted home's affection wasn't as big here as it was elsewhere at this time.
2 - "Floral Dance," Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band
This community-supported band from West Yorkshire got a surprise hit with an instrumental version of a tune from 1911 describing a ritual called the "Furry Dance," which is performing every May in Cornwall to celebrate the arrival of spring. It's a jaunty tune that evokes ye olden times, and I guess that sort of thing had an audience then, perhaps as a reaction to the "tear down the old" ethos of punk.
And 40 years ago, the top of the heap was occupied by:
1 - "Mull of Kintyre/Girls' School," Wings
McCartney's only home #1 of the Wings era was powered by the A-side, an ode to the beauty of the tip of a Scottish peninsula. It's driven by acoustic guitar and, of course, bagpipes. It's the kind of thing that I think you have to be British to really get. And get it they did, as it sold over 2 million copies and remains the best-selling non-charity single in U.K. history. The B-side, a rocker about naughtiness in an all-female educational institution, was a minor Top 40 in the States, and isn't very memorable at all. I doubt it accounted for much of the record-breaking sales figures.
The end, beautiful friends. I will have another December chart look coming soon, but in case it arrives late, Merry Christmas to all.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Thursday, December 14, 2017
GATW: UKT40 December 10, 1977 Part One
The last month of 1977. On the date of this chart, Brits won Nobel Prizes in Economics and Physics. There were prizes on offer here too in the form of chart positions. Let's see who claimed them.
40 - "Really Free," John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett
From Buckinghamshire, folk-punk oddballs Otway and Barrett had their biggest hit with this rollicking rocker about girl trouble. Snottily charming.
39 - "You're Fabulous Babe," Kenny Williams
I can't find much about Williams, but this okay bit of heavily-produced disco-soul was created for a commercial for Faberge's Babe perfume starring Ernest Hemingway's actress-model daughter Margaux. It was so associated with the perfume that the BBC banned it to avoid providing free advertising. YouTubing the commercial rang some bells of familiarity, but it didn't stay on my mind like the jingle for another fragrance of the era, Wind Song. Damn you, Prince Matchabelli!
38 - "Run Back," Carl Douglas
The Jamaican behind the 1974 Triple Crown winner "Kung Fu Fighting," managed two more Top 40s here, the last being this disco reconciliation plea. Okay, but it could maybe use a visit from Funky Billy Chin and/or Funky Sammy Chong.
37 - "I Believe You," Dorothy Moore.
The second and last hit for the Mississippian who had a transatlantic Top Five with "Misty Blue" was this ballad about placing faith in a man who will presumably break one's heart. She was great at this kind of soul. She may have been bigger if she'd come along a decade later.
36 - "Only the Strong Survive," Billy Paul
Yet another singer mainly known for one song, in this case the 1972 American charttopper "Me and Mrs. Jones." That only got to #12 here, but Britain did reward him with five further hits, the last being this cover of a 1968 Jerry Butler hit about perseverance. On the right side of the border between Philly soul and disco.
35 - "Needles and Pins," Smokie
The fifth Top Ten for these prolific Yorkshiremen was a cover of a song co-written by a pre-Cher Sonny Bono that was a 1964 hit for The Searchers. It's okay, but future versions by the Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers blow it away.
34 - "Only Women Bleed," Julie Covington
The only other solo hit for the woman who hit #1 with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was a cover of Alice Cooper's 1975 surprise feminist anthem. The original wasn't released as a single here, so it was likely the first exposure to the song for much of Britain. It's a very theatrical performance, but it grows on you steadily.
33 - "I Love You," Donna Summer
Donna's disco celebration of found love just scraped into the Top 40 at home, but it was a Top Ten here. Another U.K.win.
32 - "Georgina Bailey," Noosha Fox
Australian Susan Traynor had moved to England when she changed her name upon joining a band called Fox. They picked up three hits between '74 and '76, then Noosha left the band and had this solo hit. It's a pop ballad about a girl who leaves home to go live with her uncle Jean-Paul in France. She develops forbidden romantic feelings for him, but when she finally reveals this to him, he tells her not only that he doesn't feel like that for her, but he "keeps company with a man from gay Paris." This too was banned by the BBC, though I can’t imagine why. And 40 years later, I am making it an extremely Uneasy Rider.
31 - "L.A. Run," The Carvells
I think this band's British, and I think they had their only hit with this Beach Boys soundalike about skateboarding in California. I do know that a band called Magnum Bonum did a Swedish version and took it to #1 there a year later. That's nice.
30 - "Goin' Places," The Jacksons
Not one of the boys' better post-Motown efforts, this is showbizzy horn-pop about riding in airplanes. Better suited to a variety show production number than a song sung by Michael Jackson rounding into his prime.
29 - "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)," Rod Stewart
A transatlantic Top Five, this is a sorta sappy but somehow genuinely moving acoustic ballad about how much he loved Britt Ekland. And yes, the past tense already applied.
28 - "Going for the One," Yes
The second home hit single for the prog stalwarts contained their usually obtuse lyrics, but the music is uncharacteristically bluesy rock, although there is some keyboard noodling. A more interesting direction change then the flat out sellout that was "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
27 - "Gettin' Ready for Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross with a peppy jazz-pop love song in the Natalie Cole vein. She works it like a pro, and raises it above average.
26 - "My Way," Elvis Presley
The King's posthumously released live version of Paul Anka's ode to living life on one's own terms was a Top Ten here, but didn't crack the Top 20 at home. He does his showy Vegas thing with it, and it's okay, but Frank and Sid did it better ways.
25 - "White Christmas," Bing Crosby
Irving Berlin's holiday standard returned to the charts a month after Crosby died of a heart attack on a golf course in Spain. You've heard it, you have your opinion of it, I can’t imagine Christmas without it.
24 - "Yes Sir I Can Boogie," Baccara
The Spanish female duo of Mayte Mateos and Maria Mendiola had two Top Tens, including their charttopping debut, this bit of ESL disco. They clearly aimed for Donna Summer, but they landed well short of even ABBA. I'd like to think that much of their success came from camp value, but it was the 70s, so who knows?
23 - "2-4-6-8 Motorway," The Tom Robinson Band
In 1963, at the age of 13, Cambridge native Thomas Giles Robinson realised he was gay, at a time when homosexuality was still a crime in Britain. It caused him shame and self-loathing at first, but he eventually embraced who he was and turned to political activism and punk rock. The debut single from his eponymous band, this catchy rock song about an all-night truck driver, was a Top Five hit. They never reached those charts heights again, but they would soon create a legacy with their 1978 anthem "Glad to Be Gay."
22 - "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)," Chic
The debut hit for the disco-funk kings went to #6 here, #6 in the U.S., and...#6 in Canada. Three sixes. Does this mean disco is the true devil's music? Um, no.
21 - "Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue," Crystal Gayle
The pop ballad that made Gayle an international star was a Top Five on the big two charts, but Canada made it a Number One. That's right. It's a fantastic song. Shirley Bassey, for whom it was originally intended, would have done okay, but it ended up where it belonged.
In Part Two: multiple tributes to rhythmic movement and female education.
40 - "Really Free," John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett
From Buckinghamshire, folk-punk oddballs Otway and Barrett had their biggest hit with this rollicking rocker about girl trouble. Snottily charming.
39 - "You're Fabulous Babe," Kenny Williams
I can't find much about Williams, but this okay bit of heavily-produced disco-soul was created for a commercial for Faberge's Babe perfume starring Ernest Hemingway's actress-model daughter Margaux. It was so associated with the perfume that the BBC banned it to avoid providing free advertising. YouTubing the commercial rang some bells of familiarity, but it didn't stay on my mind like the jingle for another fragrance of the era, Wind Song. Damn you, Prince Matchabelli!
38 - "Run Back," Carl Douglas
The Jamaican behind the 1974 Triple Crown winner "Kung Fu Fighting," managed two more Top 40s here, the last being this disco reconciliation plea. Okay, but it could maybe use a visit from Funky Billy Chin and/or Funky Sammy Chong.
37 - "I Believe You," Dorothy Moore.
The second and last hit for the Mississippian who had a transatlantic Top Five with "Misty Blue" was this ballad about placing faith in a man who will presumably break one's heart. She was great at this kind of soul. She may have been bigger if she'd come along a decade later.
36 - "Only the Strong Survive," Billy Paul
Yet another singer mainly known for one song, in this case the 1972 American charttopper "Me and Mrs. Jones." That only got to #12 here, but Britain did reward him with five further hits, the last being this cover of a 1968 Jerry Butler hit about perseverance. On the right side of the border between Philly soul and disco.
35 - "Needles and Pins," Smokie
The fifth Top Ten for these prolific Yorkshiremen was a cover of a song co-written by a pre-Cher Sonny Bono that was a 1964 hit for The Searchers. It's okay, but future versions by the Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers blow it away.
34 - "Only Women Bleed," Julie Covington
The only other solo hit for the woman who hit #1 with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was a cover of Alice Cooper's 1975 surprise feminist anthem. The original wasn't released as a single here, so it was likely the first exposure to the song for much of Britain. It's a very theatrical performance, but it grows on you steadily.
33 - "I Love You," Donna Summer
Donna's disco celebration of found love just scraped into the Top 40 at home, but it was a Top Ten here. Another U.K.win.
32 - "Georgina Bailey," Noosha Fox
Australian Susan Traynor had moved to England when she changed her name upon joining a band called Fox. They picked up three hits between '74 and '76, then Noosha left the band and had this solo hit. It's a pop ballad about a girl who leaves home to go live with her uncle Jean-Paul in France. She develops forbidden romantic feelings for him, but when she finally reveals this to him, he tells her not only that he doesn't feel like that for her, but he "keeps company with a man from gay Paris." This too was banned by the BBC, though I can’t imagine why. And 40 years later, I am making it an extremely Uneasy Rider.
31 - "L.A. Run," The Carvells
I think this band's British, and I think they had their only hit with this Beach Boys soundalike about skateboarding in California. I do know that a band called Magnum Bonum did a Swedish version and took it to #1 there a year later. That's nice.
30 - "Goin' Places," The Jacksons
Not one of the boys' better post-Motown efforts, this is showbizzy horn-pop about riding in airplanes. Better suited to a variety show production number than a song sung by Michael Jackson rounding into his prime.
29 - "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)," Rod Stewart
A transatlantic Top Five, this is a sorta sappy but somehow genuinely moving acoustic ballad about how much he loved Britt Ekland. And yes, the past tense already applied.
28 - "Going for the One," Yes
The second home hit single for the prog stalwarts contained their usually obtuse lyrics, but the music is uncharacteristically bluesy rock, although there is some keyboard noodling. A more interesting direction change then the flat out sellout that was "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
27 - "Gettin' Ready for Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross with a peppy jazz-pop love song in the Natalie Cole vein. She works it like a pro, and raises it above average.
26 - "My Way," Elvis Presley
The King's posthumously released live version of Paul Anka's ode to living life on one's own terms was a Top Ten here, but didn't crack the Top 20 at home. He does his showy Vegas thing with it, and it's okay, but Frank and Sid did it better ways.
25 - "White Christmas," Bing Crosby
Irving Berlin's holiday standard returned to the charts a month after Crosby died of a heart attack on a golf course in Spain. You've heard it, you have your opinion of it, I can’t imagine Christmas without it.
24 - "Yes Sir I Can Boogie," Baccara
The Spanish female duo of Mayte Mateos and Maria Mendiola had two Top Tens, including their charttopping debut, this bit of ESL disco. They clearly aimed for Donna Summer, but they landed well short of even ABBA. I'd like to think that much of their success came from camp value, but it was the 70s, so who knows?
23 - "2-4-6-8 Motorway," The Tom Robinson Band
In 1963, at the age of 13, Cambridge native Thomas Giles Robinson realised he was gay, at a time when homosexuality was still a crime in Britain. It caused him shame and self-loathing at first, but he eventually embraced who he was and turned to political activism and punk rock. The debut single from his eponymous band, this catchy rock song about an all-night truck driver, was a Top Five hit. They never reached those charts heights again, but they would soon create a legacy with their 1978 anthem "Glad to Be Gay."
22 - "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)," Chic
The debut hit for the disco-funk kings went to #6 here, #6 in the U.S., and...#6 in Canada. Three sixes. Does this mean disco is the true devil's music? Um, no.
21 - "Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue," Crystal Gayle
The pop ballad that made Gayle an international star was a Top Five on the big two charts, but Canada made it a Number One. That's right. It's a fantastic song. Shirley Bassey, for whom it was originally intended, would have done okay, but it ended up where it belonged.
In Part Two: multiple tributes to rhythmic movement and female education.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
GATW: UKT40 November 21, 1981 Part Two
Over and out.
20 - "Hold Me," B.A. Robertson and Maggie Bell
Scot Brian Robertson had scored four solo hits before charting once more with this duet with Margaret Bell, a fellow Glaswegian who'd only had one previous Top 40. It's a rock version of a song written in 1933. Okay radio pop for the time.
19 - "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross's meh Frankie Lydon cover was a transatlantic Top Ten. I'm proud to say it only got to #17 in my homeland. She should have known how unnecessary this was.
18 - "Steppin' Out," Kool and the Gang
This one by the funk machine was only a pop hit over here. Okay pop-soul about hitting the town. I'll take this over the ten millionth spin of "Celebration."
17 - "Ay Ay Ay Moosey," Modern Romance
These guys again, this time with their first Top Ten. It's a song about a girl who likes Latin music. What moose have to do with it, I have no idea. Although I am tickled by the mental picture of a salsa-dancing caribou.
16 - "A Good Year for the Roses," Elvis Costello
EC'S third Top Ten was this cover of a 1970 George Jones hit about the heartbreak of a dissolving marriage. Elvis had no problem shifting gears to country. And he wasn't the only New Wave act to try the genre at this time, as we'll soon see.
15 - "It's My Party," Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin
Not to be confused with Eurythmic David Allan Stewart, David Lloyd Stewart was a keyboardist with several 70s prog-rock band's before teaming up with Gaskin, who had sung backup with many of those same bands, on this unorthodox synth cover of Leslie Gore's teen heartbreak classic. It still sounds gothy and futuristic. It was a four-week #1 here, and now it's an Uneasy Rider.
14 - "When You Were Sweet Sixteen," The Fureys and Davey Arthur
This Irish folk group consisting of brothers Finbar, Eddie, Paul and George Furey, as well as Mr. Arthur, had their only major hit outside their homeland with a song written by American vaudeville performer James Thornton in 1898 and popularized further by Perry Como a half-century later. A sweet song about enduring love, delivered sweetly. That works.
13 - "Bedsitter," Soft Cell
The duo'scored follow up to debut smash "Tainted Love" was this cool new wave tune about the drudgery of the days following nights of hard clubbing and partying. It's a comedown, but in a good way.
12 - "I Go to Sleep," Pretenders
Chrissie and the boys had their third Top Ten with this cover of a song written by Kink Ray Davies for the Birmingham band The Applejacks in 1965. It's a waltzy ballado of romantic pining, and the mighty Ms. Henderson makes you fell the loneliness. Wonderful.
11 - "Happy Birthday," Altered Images
The first and biggest hit for these Scots was more New Wave with a waily female singer. It's still good for that, with Clare Grogan singing about a special present she wants to give her loved one. But I like their next hit "I Could be Happy" even better.
10 - "Labelled with Love," Squeeze
More country dabbling from Brits, coincidentally enough co-produced by Elvis Costello. But this is a Glenn Tilbrook/Chris Difford original about a British woman who marries an American pilot after the war, but the marriage doesn't end well, and she returns to an indifferent family and now drinks her days away. Very authentic to the genre, and it deservedly became their third and last Top Five.
9 - "Let's Groove," Earth Wind and Fire
Transatlantic Top Five funk from the masters. Allllll right.
8 - "Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)," Rod Stewart
Roddy's first Top Ten here of this decade was this New Wavish plea for a one night stand. This was still pretty good, but the downturn was in sight.
7 - "Physical," Olivia Newton-John
ONJ's tribute to different ways of working out only got this high here, thus denying it a Triple Crown. There's nothing left to talk about unless it's...no, actually, there's absolutely nothing left to talk about.
6 - "When She Was My Girl," The Four Tops
The Tops managed two 80s Top Tens here, the first being this this soul-funk lost love lament. Okayness made great by Levi Stubbs.
5 - "Joan of Arc," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
The first of OMD's two hits about Saint Joan was this ethereal ballad that compares her martyrdom to a love affair gone wrong. Interesting take, cool song.
4 - "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," Haircut One Hundred
The London band's first hit was this fast jitterer that seems to be about the thrill of sex in a new relationship. There's certainly and appropriate level of frenzied, ecstatic energy on display.
3 - "Begin the Beguine (Volver a empazar)," Julio Iglesias
Born in 1943, Madrid native Iglesias was an aspiringet professional soccer goalkeeper until his career was ended by a car accident. Turning to music, his success spread from Spain to the rest of Europe through the 70s, and then he cracked Britain with this charttopping Spanish-language version of a 1935 Cole Porter tune. It's him doing his breathy Latin heartthrob thing, and if it moves you, good for you. It doesn’t begin to do anything for me.
2 - "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," The Police
Their fourth #1 was this sprightly tune about romantic reluctance. Apparently the two non-Stings in the band thought it was "too soft," but they eventually relented. It probably is a little too overtly pop to really fit in to their catalogue, but it's still great.
1 - "Under Pressure," Queen and David Bowie
Queen's only home charttopper of the 80s was theither immortal Bowie teamup. It came out of a jam session, which apparently explains the amount of scatting Freddie does on the the track. Rock's two premier male divas duke it out, and the listener wins. And in case I haven't said it before, fuck Vanilla Ice.
It will continue. Thank you for reading.
20 - "Hold Me," B.A. Robertson and Maggie Bell
Scot Brian Robertson had scored four solo hits before charting once more with this duet with Margaret Bell, a fellow Glaswegian who'd only had one previous Top 40. It's a rock version of a song written in 1933. Okay radio pop for the time.
19 - "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," Diana Ross
Miss Ross's meh Frankie Lydon cover was a transatlantic Top Ten. I'm proud to say it only got to #17 in my homeland. She should have known how unnecessary this was.
18 - "Steppin' Out," Kool and the Gang
This one by the funk machine was only a pop hit over here. Okay pop-soul about hitting the town. I'll take this over the ten millionth spin of "Celebration."
17 - "Ay Ay Ay Moosey," Modern Romance
These guys again, this time with their first Top Ten. It's a song about a girl who likes Latin music. What moose have to do with it, I have no idea. Although I am tickled by the mental picture of a salsa-dancing caribou.
16 - "A Good Year for the Roses," Elvis Costello
EC'S third Top Ten was this cover of a 1970 George Jones hit about the heartbreak of a dissolving marriage. Elvis had no problem shifting gears to country. And he wasn't the only New Wave act to try the genre at this time, as we'll soon see.
15 - "It's My Party," Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin
Not to be confused with Eurythmic David Allan Stewart, David Lloyd Stewart was a keyboardist with several 70s prog-rock band's before teaming up with Gaskin, who had sung backup with many of those same bands, on this unorthodox synth cover of Leslie Gore's teen heartbreak classic. It still sounds gothy and futuristic. It was a four-week #1 here, and now it's an Uneasy Rider.
14 - "When You Were Sweet Sixteen," The Fureys and Davey Arthur
This Irish folk group consisting of brothers Finbar, Eddie, Paul and George Furey, as well as Mr. Arthur, had their only major hit outside their homeland with a song written by American vaudeville performer James Thornton in 1898 and popularized further by Perry Como a half-century later. A sweet song about enduring love, delivered sweetly. That works.
13 - "Bedsitter," Soft Cell
The duo'scored follow up to debut smash "Tainted Love" was this cool new wave tune about the drudgery of the days following nights of hard clubbing and partying. It's a comedown, but in a good way.
12 - "I Go to Sleep," Pretenders
Chrissie and the boys had their third Top Ten with this cover of a song written by Kink Ray Davies for the Birmingham band The Applejacks in 1965. It's a waltzy ballado of romantic pining, and the mighty Ms. Henderson makes you fell the loneliness. Wonderful.
11 - "Happy Birthday," Altered Images
The first and biggest hit for these Scots was more New Wave with a waily female singer. It's still good for that, with Clare Grogan singing about a special present she wants to give her loved one. But I like their next hit "I Could be Happy" even better.
10 - "Labelled with Love," Squeeze
More country dabbling from Brits, coincidentally enough co-produced by Elvis Costello. But this is a Glenn Tilbrook/Chris Difford original about a British woman who marries an American pilot after the war, but the marriage doesn't end well, and she returns to an indifferent family and now drinks her days away. Very authentic to the genre, and it deservedly became their third and last Top Five.
9 - "Let's Groove," Earth Wind and Fire
Transatlantic Top Five funk from the masters. Allllll right.
8 - "Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)," Rod Stewart
Roddy's first Top Ten here of this decade was this New Wavish plea for a one night stand. This was still pretty good, but the downturn was in sight.
7 - "Physical," Olivia Newton-John
ONJ's tribute to different ways of working out only got this high here, thus denying it a Triple Crown. There's nothing left to talk about unless it's...no, actually, there's absolutely nothing left to talk about.
6 - "When She Was My Girl," The Four Tops
The Tops managed two 80s Top Tens here, the first being this this soul-funk lost love lament. Okayness made great by Levi Stubbs.
5 - "Joan of Arc," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
The first of OMD's two hits about Saint Joan was this ethereal ballad that compares her martyrdom to a love affair gone wrong. Interesting take, cool song.
4 - "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," Haircut One Hundred
The London band's first hit was this fast jitterer that seems to be about the thrill of sex in a new relationship. There's certainly and appropriate level of frenzied, ecstatic energy on display.
3 - "Begin the Beguine (Volver a empazar)," Julio Iglesias
Born in 1943, Madrid native Iglesias was an aspiringet professional soccer goalkeeper until his career was ended by a car accident. Turning to music, his success spread from Spain to the rest of Europe through the 70s, and then he cracked Britain with this charttopping Spanish-language version of a 1935 Cole Porter tune. It's him doing his breathy Latin heartthrob thing, and if it moves you, good for you. It doesn’t begin to do anything for me.
2 - "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," The Police
Their fourth #1 was this sprightly tune about romantic reluctance. Apparently the two non-Stings in the band thought it was "too soft," but they eventually relented. It probably is a little too overtly pop to really fit in to their catalogue, but it's still great.
1 - "Under Pressure," Queen and David Bowie
Queen's only home charttopper of the 80s was theither immortal Bowie teamup. It came out of a jam session, which apparently explains the amount of scatting Freddie does on the the track. Rock's two premier male divas duke it out, and the listener wins. And in case I haven't said it before, fuck Vanilla Ice.
It will continue. Thank you for reading.
Sunday, December 3, 2017
GATW: UKT40 November 21, 1981
November 1981. After missing the previous two World Cups, England qualified for the 1982 tournament in Spain with a 1-0 win over Hungary. They had no problem getting in to the one in Russia next year, and they got a good draw. Take a moment to mourn for the Netherlands, the U.S., and Italy, who will all be watching from home this coming June. Now that you've done that, let's kick off our look at an old chart.
40 - "Me and Mr. Sanchez," Blue Rondo a la Turk
Named for a track from pianist Dave Brubeck's classic Time Out, these jazz-poppers had their only scrape into their home Top 40 with this samba tune about Mardi Gras. Perhaps inevitably, it was a #1 in Brazil. A fun little butt-shaker.
39 - "Thunder in the Mountains," Toyah
Birminghammer Toyah Wilcox started as an actress in the late 70s, and soon branched out into punk-pop music. The second of her eponymous band's two Top Fives was this synth-driven song about some kind of impending revolution. It's very much in the same mold as Hazel O'Connor and Lene Lovich, but I don't like it as much as what I've heard from thoseveral two.
38 - "Flashback," Imagination
This London funk band scored the third of their nine hits with this cool bit of reminiscence electro funk. Bonus points for their lead singer giving himself the name Leee John.
37 - "Daddy's Home," Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff went to #2 covering Shep and the Limelites. Jermaine Jackson did it better. When do you get to say that?
36 - "Turn Your Love Around," George Benson
George went Top Five at home with this smoothie, but just scraped into the Top 30 here. Another case where justice would be somewhere in between.
35 - "Paint Me Down," Spandau Ballet
The fifth hit for the Islington New Romantics was this funky bit that seems to equate painting and sex. Interesting comparison. I suppose both often involve viscous fluids. Is that enough of a connection?
34 - "Twilight," Electric Light Orchestra
ELO again, this time with some of their big pop rock about time travel. Not a standout.
33 - "Visions of China," Japan
This South London quartet started in the 70s as glam rockers, but it was a turn to an electronic goth sound that gave them nine 80s hits. Their second was this jittery number that talks about learning to fight and "building heroes." Maybe it's about Kung Fu movies? I don't know, but I find it interesting that they had two hits with titles inspired by China and only one inspired by their namesake country.
32 - "Cambodia," Kim Wilde
The Asian theme continues with the second-generation singer's fourth hit, a song about the wife of a military pilot who participated in Richard Nixon's covert bombing of Cambodia in the midst of the Vietnam War. An odd subject for an up and coming pop singer at any time, but Wilde does well with what her father and brother gave her. Not quite as incongruous as I expected.
31 - "Yes Tonight Josephine," The Jets
Not the Wolfgramms of Minnesota via Tonga, but a British rockabilly group with the first of their two hits. It's a cover of a 1958 Perry Como love song that's a play off of the saying "Not tonight, Josephine," which refers to Napoleon allegedly passing up sex with his empress. Though historians have since claimed that Josephine would have more likely been the reluctant one, as she had several other lovers whose company she preferred. All that is way more interesting than the song, although it has some retro charm and a good use of the Bo Diddley beat.
30 - "The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum)," Fun Boy Three
The first hit from the Specials offshoot was this cool, spooky track about how modern life is a former of insanity. Or something. Anyway, quite good, and a sleeper pick for your next Halloween mix.
29 - "Love Me Tonight," Trevor Walters
The first of two hits for the British reggae singer is this sweet bit of lovers' rock. Nice. That is all.
28 - "It's Raining," Shakin' Stevens
Old Shaky is back with his fourth Top Ten, a covery of a 1961 Irma Thomas hit about loneliness and bad weather. Okay, but I gotta track down the original.
27 - "Absolute Beginners," The Jam
Their fifth Top Five was this horn-heavy number about conquering tyranny with love. Not relevant to today's world at all, is it?
26 - "Tears are Not Enough," ABC
Their first hit was this danceable drama about a breakup. More rough-edged than their later hits. Cool to hear that side of them.
25 - "Tom Sawyer," Rush
The third hit here for the Canadian prog trio was their best known song. It imagines Mark Twain's mischievous young boy in the present day as a "modern day warrior" Standing up against injustice. The synths, the drums, and the guitar solo combined with the lyrics to make something truly iconic. Classic rock at its most...classic.
24 - "Let's Hang On," Barry Manilow
Barry scored just his third U.K. Top 20 with this Four Seasons cover. Neither artist nor subject are well-served.
23 - "The Voice," Ultravox
Midge Ure et al had their sixth hit with this synther about hearing things. Don't know what it means, but it's decent enough new wave.
22 - "Birdie Song," Tweets
It's that chicken dance song again. Well, at least it's not "Macarena."
21 - "Open Your Heart," The Human League
Their second Top Ten was this icy song with a warm message about staying positive about the world even when all you can see is awfulness. Another song that doesn't in any way apply to the world we live in right now.
In Part Two: gardening, sorcery, and two kinds of tops.
40 - "Me and Mr. Sanchez," Blue Rondo a la Turk
Named for a track from pianist Dave Brubeck's classic Time Out, these jazz-poppers had their only scrape into their home Top 40 with this samba tune about Mardi Gras. Perhaps inevitably, it was a #1 in Brazil. A fun little butt-shaker.
39 - "Thunder in the Mountains," Toyah
Birminghammer Toyah Wilcox started as an actress in the late 70s, and soon branched out into punk-pop music. The second of her eponymous band's two Top Fives was this synth-driven song about some kind of impending revolution. It's very much in the same mold as Hazel O'Connor and Lene Lovich, but I don't like it as much as what I've heard from thoseveral two.
38 - "Flashback," Imagination
This London funk band scored the third of their nine hits with this cool bit of reminiscence electro funk. Bonus points for their lead singer giving himself the name Leee John.
37 - "Daddy's Home," Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff went to #2 covering Shep and the Limelites. Jermaine Jackson did it better. When do you get to say that?
36 - "Turn Your Love Around," George Benson
George went Top Five at home with this smoothie, but just scraped into the Top 30 here. Another case where justice would be somewhere in between.
35 - "Paint Me Down," Spandau Ballet
The fifth hit for the Islington New Romantics was this funky bit that seems to equate painting and sex. Interesting comparison. I suppose both often involve viscous fluids. Is that enough of a connection?
34 - "Twilight," Electric Light Orchestra
ELO again, this time with some of their big pop rock about time travel. Not a standout.
33 - "Visions of China," Japan
This South London quartet started in the 70s as glam rockers, but it was a turn to an electronic goth sound that gave them nine 80s hits. Their second was this jittery number that talks about learning to fight and "building heroes." Maybe it's about Kung Fu movies? I don't know, but I find it interesting that they had two hits with titles inspired by China and only one inspired by their namesake country.
32 - "Cambodia," Kim Wilde
The Asian theme continues with the second-generation singer's fourth hit, a song about the wife of a military pilot who participated in Richard Nixon's covert bombing of Cambodia in the midst of the Vietnam War. An odd subject for an up and coming pop singer at any time, but Wilde does well with what her father and brother gave her. Not quite as incongruous as I expected.
31 - "Yes Tonight Josephine," The Jets
Not the Wolfgramms of Minnesota via Tonga, but a British rockabilly group with the first of their two hits. It's a cover of a 1958 Perry Como love song that's a play off of the saying "Not tonight, Josephine," which refers to Napoleon allegedly passing up sex with his empress. Though historians have since claimed that Josephine would have more likely been the reluctant one, as she had several other lovers whose company she preferred. All that is way more interesting than the song, although it has some retro charm and a good use of the Bo Diddley beat.
30 - "The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum)," Fun Boy Three
The first hit from the Specials offshoot was this cool, spooky track about how modern life is a former of insanity. Or something. Anyway, quite good, and a sleeper pick for your next Halloween mix.
29 - "Love Me Tonight," Trevor Walters
The first of two hits for the British reggae singer is this sweet bit of lovers' rock. Nice. That is all.
28 - "It's Raining," Shakin' Stevens
Old Shaky is back with his fourth Top Ten, a covery of a 1961 Irma Thomas hit about loneliness and bad weather. Okay, but I gotta track down the original.
27 - "Absolute Beginners," The Jam
Their fifth Top Five was this horn-heavy number about conquering tyranny with love. Not relevant to today's world at all, is it?
26 - "Tears are Not Enough," ABC
Their first hit was this danceable drama about a breakup. More rough-edged than their later hits. Cool to hear that side of them.
25 - "Tom Sawyer," Rush
The third hit here for the Canadian prog trio was their best known song. It imagines Mark Twain's mischievous young boy in the present day as a "modern day warrior" Standing up against injustice. The synths, the drums, and the guitar solo combined with the lyrics to make something truly iconic. Classic rock at its most...classic.
24 - "Let's Hang On," Barry Manilow
Barry scored just his third U.K. Top 20 with this Four Seasons cover. Neither artist nor subject are well-served.
23 - "The Voice," Ultravox
Midge Ure et al had their sixth hit with this synther about hearing things. Don't know what it means, but it's decent enough new wave.
22 - "Birdie Song," Tweets
It's that chicken dance song again. Well, at least it's not "Macarena."
21 - "Open Your Heart," The Human League
Their second Top Ten was this icy song with a warm message about staying positive about the world even when all you can see is awfulness. Another song that doesn't in any way apply to the world we live in right now.
In Part Two: gardening, sorcery, and two kinds of tops.
Monday, November 27, 2017
BGH: CT50 November 25, 1989
November of 1989. In Canada, we were at a pivotal moment in the national institution that is the Degrassi franchise, as the scene switched from junior high to high school. They eased their way into the transition with a episode where Erica has an abortion. And Saved by the Bell thought tackling caffeine pill addiction was pushing the envelope. Meanwhile, on the radio:
Bonus Track #1: 72 - °The Maker," Daniel Lanois (CanCon!)
Based in my birthplace of Hamilton, Ontario, Lanois first made his name as a producer of Canadian artists, then got his big break when Brian Enough asked him to produce U2's blockbusters The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree. He became one of the most sought-after producers in rock, and in between assignments he put together an album called Acadie which featured this atmospheric track about longing for God. It's moving and stirring, and gets a boost from a vocal cameo from Aaron Neville. I love it, and I also love that CanCon regulations are the only reason it charted.
BonusTrack #2: 63 - "Blow at High Dough," The Tragically Hip (CanCon!)
Founeed in Kingston, Ontario, in 1984, the future national heroes made their first chart appearance with this driving, inscrutable rocker that references taxis, supper bells, wedding rings, and the Elvis movie Speedway. And the title is apparently a saying Gord Downie's grandmother would use that compared a rising cake to going too far too fast. No one is really sure what it all means, but it hasn't mattered, as this is one of the band's most beloved songs.
49 - "House of Dreams," Blue Rodeo (CanCon!)
Formed in 1984, this Toronto country-rock band became CanCon superstars near the end of the 80s. Their fifth Top 50 hit was this ballad about being left by the one you love. This one features smooth-voiced Jim Cuddy instead of their other singer, the more weathered-sounding Greg Keelor. It's not one of their bigger hits, but it's good enough that it would be a signature moment for many other bands.
48 - "You've Got It," Simply Red
Mick Hucknall and Co. followed up their Triple Crown near-miss "If You Don't Know Me By Now" with this ballad about an inescapable love. Performed well, but not much.
47 - "Sons and Daughters," Chalk Circle (CanCon!)
The final hit for these Newcastle Ontarians was this tune that I think is about American cultural imperialism. It chugs along nicely, then finishes with kind of a gospel breakdown. A nice little moment in a nice little career.
46 - "Another Day," Paradox (CanCon!)
This Quebec band sounds like Glass Tiger on their second of three hits, a decent enough acoustic rocker about carrying on. They broke up in 1991, but leader Sylvain Cossette subsequently became a major solo star in Quebec. I had no idea, which will give any outsiders reading this a taste of how French-Canadian pop culture is an island unto itself.
44 - "Another Man's Gun," Ray Lyell and the Storm (CanCon!)
Another Hamiltonian, Lyell and his band scored their first hit with this Old West-themed roots rocker. My favorite of their handful of hits. And for the record, Lyell is the only artist I have written about here who I have seen perform live at a funeral in a small church.
43 - "Let Love Rule," Lenny Kravitz
The son of Jeffersons actress Roxie Roker and a Jewish TV news producer, Kravitz launched his career with this idealistic bit of retro psychedelia. Soulful, maybe too derivative of his influences, but shot through with charisma. You could probably use the previous sentence to describe his entire career.
42 - "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be," Fine Young Cannibals
FYC's sixth and final Top 50 here was this contemplative soul song that employs the then-ubiquitous "Funky Drummer" sample. Another fine Roland Gift vocal.
41 - "The Way to Your Heart," Soulsister
This Belgian duo had their biggest international success with this Motown-styled love plea. A nice little footnote to be reminded of.
40 - "Rockin' In the Free World," Neil Young (CanCon!)
The 80s were a time of experimentation and commercial struggle for Mr. Young. It was a time when he was sued by his then-record label for not making albums that sounded like him. But he ended the decade on a high note with this blistering rocker about staying positive in a troubled world. Like Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A.," it has been misinterpreted as a jingoistic fist-pumper for mindless patriotism, but the lyrics lament the hopelessness of a junkie mother and take multiple stabs at Bush 41. It deservedly took a place among his standards.
34 - "Crossroads," Tracy Chapman
After her debut album went multi-platinum and spawned the smash "Fast Car," folkie Chapman returned with this defiant number that rails at the "demons" that would have her compromise her art for continued commercial success. Perhaps inevitably, it bombed in the U.S., and while it did a little better her, it spelled the end of her as a player on pop radio until her surprise 1996 hit "Give Me One Reason."
32 - "Sold Me Down the River," The Alarm
From Rhyl, Wales, this band were consistent charters in Britain, but their peak I North America was the late 80s when they dented the charts with both 1987's "Rain in the Summertime," and this gritty rocker about romantic betrayal. Maybe not their best, but swampy goodness all the same.
27 - °What'cha Do to My Body," Lee Aaron (CanCon!)
Born Karen Greening in Belleville, Ontario, Aaron carved out a career as Canada's metal queen (she even named an album Metal Queen) which peaked with her biggest hit, an exuberant hard rock sex jam. She had the attitude to pull off the rock chick thing, but she also had a versatile enough voice that she was able to credibly perform jazz and even opera later in her career. One of our lesser-known musical treasures.
17 - "Hey Men," Men Without Hats (CanCon!)
Though this didn't crack America like previous hits "The Safety Dance" and "Pop Goes the World," these Montrealers managed one more Top Ten at home with this rock number admonishing males for their mistreatment of women. They get the message across without preachiness, and it's a message that still resonates, particularly in this cultural moment.
16 - "Rockland Wonderland," Kim Mitchell (CanCon!)
The cottage rocker scored another hit with this midtempo tune about out the positive communal experience of being at a rock concert. The song isn't quite as powerful as the sentiment it describes, but it's okay.
14 - "Giving Away a Miracle," Luba (CanCon!)
Our second encounter with Ms. Kowalchyk of Montreal comes in the form of this folk rocker about an angelic figure who can change lives with music. Kind of a grandiose and potentially sappy topic, but her passionate vocal sells it remarkably. Anthemic and wonderful, and it deservedly became her only non-cover to crack the Top Ten.
Keepin' it Top Ten.
10 - "We Didn’t Start the Fire," Billy Joel
Billy J had a U.S, #1 and a #2 here with this rock laundry list of stuff that had been in the news from his birth year of 1949 until the then-present. If you're a kid trying to use it as a history cheat sheet, be warned that while there's a lot of events mentioned that happened up until the end of 1963 ("JFK! Blown away!"), he then ran out of room and he squeezed the other 26 years into one verse. Yes, more happened in the 70s than just Watergate and punk rock. It seemed like a neat gimmick at the time, but it has not aged well.
9 - "The Best," Tina Turner
Tina's finished off her great 80s with a CanadIan and British Top Five in the form of this song of praise that was first recorded by Bonnie Tyler. Tina's version is okay, but it's been blunted by its repeated use in athlete retirement ceremonies. If you're making a playlist of cliches, you need to add this.
8 - "Another Day in Paradise," Phil Collins
Big Phil narrowly missed a Triple Crown with this maudlin three minutes PSA reminding us that homeless people exist, and that sucks. His heart was in the right place, but the result isn't very affecting.
7 - "Cover Girl," New Kids on the Block
The Kids tried to rock on this song about a girl they like better than the ones they see in magazines and such. They didn’t quite get there, but at the time that didn't matter. It was product for an audience that needed little encouragement to buy.
6 - "No Souvenirs," Melissa Etheridge
More proof that Canada was an early Etheridge adopter, as this torrid tune about a clean break with a lover that isn't quite as clean as it seems. She was really fantastic at depicting desperation and lust in those early years.
5 - "Angelia," Richard Marx
The Marxman was deep into boring balladeer territory with this blah about wanting a lady back. Don't mean nothing to me. He should've known better.
4 - "Miss You Much," Janet Jackson
Miss Jackson cemented her superstardom with the first single from her Rhythm Nation 1814 album, another blazing blast of Jam/Lewis goodness. No Janet, that wasn't the end.
3 - "When I See You Smile," Bad English
During that time when Journey was broken up, guitarist Neal Schoen and keyboardist Jonathan Cain teamed up with Cain's fellow former Baby John Waite and scored a cross-border #1 with a Diane Warren power ballad. Better perhaps than those parts would seem to add up to, but still a hit with a shelf life.
2 - "Sowing the Seeds of Love," Tears for Fears
The sad and scared ones picked up their third and last charttopper here with a song reminiscent of Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles. The lyrics mostly criticize "politician granny" Margaret Thatcher, but they throw in a line indicating their preference in Paul Weller band's ("Kick out the Style, bring back the Jam.") Their last great moment.
And on top way back when was...
1 - "Listen to Your Heart," Roxette
The Swedes were denied a Triple Crown because they never got to the top in the U.K., but this power ballad inspired by the romantic travails of a friend of Per Gessle was the first of three Can-Am Number Ones. It was intended to be almost a parody of power ballads, but I guess they imitated them too well for it to be a joke.
There's another one. And it's been over seven years since I started this, so why stop now. See you again.
Bonus Track #1: 72 - °The Maker," Daniel Lanois (CanCon!)
Based in my birthplace of Hamilton, Ontario, Lanois first made his name as a producer of Canadian artists, then got his big break when Brian Enough asked him to produce U2's blockbusters The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree. He became one of the most sought-after producers in rock, and in between assignments he put together an album called Acadie which featured this atmospheric track about longing for God. It's moving and stirring, and gets a boost from a vocal cameo from Aaron Neville. I love it, and I also love that CanCon regulations are the only reason it charted.
BonusTrack #2: 63 - "Blow at High Dough," The Tragically Hip (CanCon!)
Founeed in Kingston, Ontario, in 1984, the future national heroes made their first chart appearance with this driving, inscrutable rocker that references taxis, supper bells, wedding rings, and the Elvis movie Speedway. And the title is apparently a saying Gord Downie's grandmother would use that compared a rising cake to going too far too fast. No one is really sure what it all means, but it hasn't mattered, as this is one of the band's most beloved songs.
49 - "House of Dreams," Blue Rodeo (CanCon!)
Formed in 1984, this Toronto country-rock band became CanCon superstars near the end of the 80s. Their fifth Top 50 hit was this ballad about being left by the one you love. This one features smooth-voiced Jim Cuddy instead of their other singer, the more weathered-sounding Greg Keelor. It's not one of their bigger hits, but it's good enough that it would be a signature moment for many other bands.
48 - "You've Got It," Simply Red
Mick Hucknall and Co. followed up their Triple Crown near-miss "If You Don't Know Me By Now" with this ballad about an inescapable love. Performed well, but not much.
47 - "Sons and Daughters," Chalk Circle (CanCon!)
The final hit for these Newcastle Ontarians was this tune that I think is about American cultural imperialism. It chugs along nicely, then finishes with kind of a gospel breakdown. A nice little moment in a nice little career.
46 - "Another Day," Paradox (CanCon!)
This Quebec band sounds like Glass Tiger on their second of three hits, a decent enough acoustic rocker about carrying on. They broke up in 1991, but leader Sylvain Cossette subsequently became a major solo star in Quebec. I had no idea, which will give any outsiders reading this a taste of how French-Canadian pop culture is an island unto itself.
44 - "Another Man's Gun," Ray Lyell and the Storm (CanCon!)
Another Hamiltonian, Lyell and his band scored their first hit with this Old West-themed roots rocker. My favorite of their handful of hits. And for the record, Lyell is the only artist I have written about here who I have seen perform live at a funeral in a small church.
43 - "Let Love Rule," Lenny Kravitz
The son of Jeffersons actress Roxie Roker and a Jewish TV news producer, Kravitz launched his career with this idealistic bit of retro psychedelia. Soulful, maybe too derivative of his influences, but shot through with charisma. You could probably use the previous sentence to describe his entire career.
42 - "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be," Fine Young Cannibals
FYC's sixth and final Top 50 here was this contemplative soul song that employs the then-ubiquitous "Funky Drummer" sample. Another fine Roland Gift vocal.
41 - "The Way to Your Heart," Soulsister
This Belgian duo had their biggest international success with this Motown-styled love plea. A nice little footnote to be reminded of.
40 - "Rockin' In the Free World," Neil Young (CanCon!)
The 80s were a time of experimentation and commercial struggle for Mr. Young. It was a time when he was sued by his then-record label for not making albums that sounded like him. But he ended the decade on a high note with this blistering rocker about staying positive in a troubled world. Like Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A.," it has been misinterpreted as a jingoistic fist-pumper for mindless patriotism, but the lyrics lament the hopelessness of a junkie mother and take multiple stabs at Bush 41. It deservedly took a place among his standards.
34 - "Crossroads," Tracy Chapman
After her debut album went multi-platinum and spawned the smash "Fast Car," folkie Chapman returned with this defiant number that rails at the "demons" that would have her compromise her art for continued commercial success. Perhaps inevitably, it bombed in the U.S., and while it did a little better her, it spelled the end of her as a player on pop radio until her surprise 1996 hit "Give Me One Reason."
32 - "Sold Me Down the River," The Alarm
From Rhyl, Wales, this band were consistent charters in Britain, but their peak I North America was the late 80s when they dented the charts with both 1987's "Rain in the Summertime," and this gritty rocker about romantic betrayal. Maybe not their best, but swampy goodness all the same.
27 - °What'cha Do to My Body," Lee Aaron (CanCon!)
Born Karen Greening in Belleville, Ontario, Aaron carved out a career as Canada's metal queen (she even named an album Metal Queen) which peaked with her biggest hit, an exuberant hard rock sex jam. She had the attitude to pull off the rock chick thing, but she also had a versatile enough voice that she was able to credibly perform jazz and even opera later in her career. One of our lesser-known musical treasures.
17 - "Hey Men," Men Without Hats (CanCon!)
Though this didn't crack America like previous hits "The Safety Dance" and "Pop Goes the World," these Montrealers managed one more Top Ten at home with this rock number admonishing males for their mistreatment of women. They get the message across without preachiness, and it's a message that still resonates, particularly in this cultural moment.
16 - "Rockland Wonderland," Kim Mitchell (CanCon!)
The cottage rocker scored another hit with this midtempo tune about out the positive communal experience of being at a rock concert. The song isn't quite as powerful as the sentiment it describes, but it's okay.
14 - "Giving Away a Miracle," Luba (CanCon!)
Our second encounter with Ms. Kowalchyk of Montreal comes in the form of this folk rocker about an angelic figure who can change lives with music. Kind of a grandiose and potentially sappy topic, but her passionate vocal sells it remarkably. Anthemic and wonderful, and it deservedly became her only non-cover to crack the Top Ten.
Keepin' it Top Ten.
10 - "We Didn’t Start the Fire," Billy Joel
Billy J had a U.S, #1 and a #2 here with this rock laundry list of stuff that had been in the news from his birth year of 1949 until the then-present. If you're a kid trying to use it as a history cheat sheet, be warned that while there's a lot of events mentioned that happened up until the end of 1963 ("JFK! Blown away!"), he then ran out of room and he squeezed the other 26 years into one verse. Yes, more happened in the 70s than just Watergate and punk rock. It seemed like a neat gimmick at the time, but it has not aged well.
9 - "The Best," Tina Turner
Tina's finished off her great 80s with a CanadIan and British Top Five in the form of this song of praise that was first recorded by Bonnie Tyler. Tina's version is okay, but it's been blunted by its repeated use in athlete retirement ceremonies. If you're making a playlist of cliches, you need to add this.
8 - "Another Day in Paradise," Phil Collins
Big Phil narrowly missed a Triple Crown with this maudlin three minutes PSA reminding us that homeless people exist, and that sucks. His heart was in the right place, but the result isn't very affecting.
7 - "Cover Girl," New Kids on the Block
The Kids tried to rock on this song about a girl they like better than the ones they see in magazines and such. They didn’t quite get there, but at the time that didn't matter. It was product for an audience that needed little encouragement to buy.
6 - "No Souvenirs," Melissa Etheridge
More proof that Canada was an early Etheridge adopter, as this torrid tune about a clean break with a lover that isn't quite as clean as it seems. She was really fantastic at depicting desperation and lust in those early years.
5 - "Angelia," Richard Marx
The Marxman was deep into boring balladeer territory with this blah about wanting a lady back. Don't mean nothing to me. He should've known better.
4 - "Miss You Much," Janet Jackson
Miss Jackson cemented her superstardom with the first single from her Rhythm Nation 1814 album, another blazing blast of Jam/Lewis goodness. No Janet, that wasn't the end.
3 - "When I See You Smile," Bad English
During that time when Journey was broken up, guitarist Neal Schoen and keyboardist Jonathan Cain teamed up with Cain's fellow former Baby John Waite and scored a cross-border #1 with a Diane Warren power ballad. Better perhaps than those parts would seem to add up to, but still a hit with a shelf life.
2 - "Sowing the Seeds of Love," Tears for Fears
The sad and scared ones picked up their third and last charttopper here with a song reminiscent of Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles. The lyrics mostly criticize "politician granny" Margaret Thatcher, but they throw in a line indicating their preference in Paul Weller band's ("Kick out the Style, bring back the Jam.") Their last great moment.
And on top way back when was...
1 - "Listen to Your Heart," Roxette
The Swedes were denied a Triple Crown because they never got to the top in the U.K., but this power ballad inspired by the romantic travails of a friend of Per Gessle was the first of three Can-Am Number Ones. It was intended to be almost a parody of power ballads, but I guess they imitated them too well for it to be a joke.
There's another one. And it's been over seven years since I started this, so why stop now. See you again.
Friday, November 10, 2017
GATW: UKT40 October 28, 1978 Part Two
The finish.
20 - "Mexican Girl," Smokie
Their eleventh and last hit of this decade was this soft rock ode to a comely senorita. All I'll say is that if you have "a heart as big as a stone," you should probably have that looked at.
19 - "Darlin'," Frankie Miller
The biggest of the Scot's two hits was this countryish loneliness lament. Solid wallowing material.
18 - "Dippety Day," Father Abraham and the Smurfs
The second of three hits for Dutchman Pierre Kartner and the fictional blue creatures is this jaunty nonsense. Dippety don't bother.
17 - "Blame it on the Boogie," Mick Jackson
This Englist singer co-wrote this tune about an uncontrollable urge to dance and took it to the Top 20. It's okay, in a Leo Sayer disco-lite sort of way. But the song also ended up in the hands of a group from across the pond, and you will soon find out who.
16 - "Hurry Up Harry," Sham 69
The Surrey punks' second hit was this simple rocker about trying to get a friend to come along with them to the pub. Inconsequential fun.
15 - "Givin' Up, Givin' In," The Three Degrees
Another Brit hit for the Philly trio. Solid disco soul about finally dumping a duplicitous lover. Always glad to see them again.
14 - "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn'tve)," The Buzzcocks
The Bolton boys' third and biggest hit. A perfect encapsulation of angst and conflicted feelings. Fine Young Cannibals missed the point entirely when they covered it.
13 - "Public Image," Public Image Ltd.
When not recommending songs about jerking off, John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon spent his post-Pistols year forming a new band with a slightly more musical sound. And he was actually attempting to sing instead of just snarl aloud. Their first single was this song about how his former band mates and manager cared more about style than substance. Shocking, I know. A very good record, and the beginning of a more than worthy second act.
12 - "Now That We Found Love," Third World
The Jamaicans' first and best-known hit was this disco-reggae cover of a 1973 O'Jays song. A sweet little groover.
11 - 'Talking in Your Sleep," Crystal Gayle
The second and last hit here for Loretta Lynn's little sister with all the hair was this ballad about being cheated on in dreams, and possibly IRL, as the kids say. Okay, but it won't change anyone's eye colour.
Ten times the tuneage.
10 - "I Can't Stop Lovin' You (Though I Try)," Leo Sayer
Leo's last Top Ten of this decade was this ballad about accompanying a lover to the train that will take her out of his life. A solid weepie.
9 - "Blame It on the Boogie," The Jacksons
Yes, Mick Jackson's song ended up in the hands of Michael Jackson and his brothers, who sped it up and funked it over. Yeah, they win on every level.
8 - "Love Don't Live Here Anymore," Rose Royce
The L.A. funk crew's biggest U.K. hit was this sumptuous ballad about being left by your love. Heartbreak encapsulated.
7 - "Rat Trap," The Boomtown Rats
Their first of two Number Ones was this Springsteeny mini-epic about hopeless youth in a dead-end town. This would be the first time a band identified as punk or New Wave topped the chart, and I would say it's worthy of that distinction.
6 - "Sweet Talkin' Woman," Electric Light Orchestra
Their ninth Top Ten was this tune about chasing a loquacious lady. Apparently, thetc first copies of the single were transparent purple vinyl, though the song came from the album Out of the Blue. What a colourful anecdote.
5 - "MacArthur Park," Donna Summer
Summer's cover of Jimmy Webb's bizarre song comparing a breakup to a cake being left out in the rain was denied a Triple Crown by the Brits, who only lifted it this high before it started flowing down the chart. Donna definitely was an improvement on Richard Harris. Maybe they should have asked her to replace him as Dumbledore.
4 - "Lucky Stars," Dean Friedman
The pride of Paramus, New Jersey, Friedman followed up his quirky U.S. hit of the previous year, "Ariel," with this duet with an uncredited Denise Marsa. It's a ballad depicting a bedtime conversation between a husband and wife about the husband running into a former lover that day. There is anger, doubt, and apology, leading to a seemingly tenuous resolution. It's almost voyeuristic in its detail. You feel like you've watched an entire one-act play when it's over. I really need to explore more of Mr. Friedman's oeuvre to see if there's even more gold.
3 - "Sandy," John Travolta
Only released as a single here , this is the song Danny Zuko sings in Grease after Sandy runs out on him at the drive-in movie after he comes on too strong with her. Travolta sings it well, but every time I hear it I just think of the screen behind him with the cartoon of the performing snack foods. I remember being thrilled seeing those cartoons actually being played between movies at a drive-in years later. Those are gems of modern culture.
2 - "Rasputin," Boney M
At last, here it is, the German disco machine's incredible telling of the tale of Grigori Rasputin, a mystical con man who became a leading advisor to the ruling Romanovs I early 20th century Russia. He claimed to be able to heal Nicholas and Alexandra's sickly son Alexei, but he seemed more interested in accruing power and bedding the ladies of the royal court. He was killed in December 1916 by a group of aristocrats and politicians resentful of his influence on the Tsar. The song succinctly (if not entirely accurately) tells the story enthusiastically and danceably. It made no impact in the States, but it got this high here and went Top Ten in Canada, which is how it became a treasured earworm from my childhood. It never fails to make me happy. Ooooohhhh, those Russians!
And on top 39 years ago, we find..
1 - "Summer Nights," John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
More Grease, this time the song where Danny and Sandy tell their respective peer group's about their summer romance. They have conflicting accounts of what happened between them, but both seem to agree that that the relationship is over due to distance. Little do they know...Anyway, always a fun listen.
That's done. But I'm not. You'll see.
20 - "Mexican Girl," Smokie
Their eleventh and last hit of this decade was this soft rock ode to a comely senorita. All I'll say is that if you have "a heart as big as a stone," you should probably have that looked at.
19 - "Darlin'," Frankie Miller
The biggest of the Scot's two hits was this countryish loneliness lament. Solid wallowing material.
18 - "Dippety Day," Father Abraham and the Smurfs
The second of three hits for Dutchman Pierre Kartner and the fictional blue creatures is this jaunty nonsense. Dippety don't bother.
17 - "Blame it on the Boogie," Mick Jackson
This Englist singer co-wrote this tune about an uncontrollable urge to dance and took it to the Top 20. It's okay, in a Leo Sayer disco-lite sort of way. But the song also ended up in the hands of a group from across the pond, and you will soon find out who.
16 - "Hurry Up Harry," Sham 69
The Surrey punks' second hit was this simple rocker about trying to get a friend to come along with them to the pub. Inconsequential fun.
15 - "Givin' Up, Givin' In," The Three Degrees
Another Brit hit for the Philly trio. Solid disco soul about finally dumping a duplicitous lover. Always glad to see them again.
14 - "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn'tve)," The Buzzcocks
The Bolton boys' third and biggest hit. A perfect encapsulation of angst and conflicted feelings. Fine Young Cannibals missed the point entirely when they covered it.
13 - "Public Image," Public Image Ltd.
When not recommending songs about jerking off, John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon spent his post-Pistols year forming a new band with a slightly more musical sound. And he was actually attempting to sing instead of just snarl aloud. Their first single was this song about how his former band mates and manager cared more about style than substance. Shocking, I know. A very good record, and the beginning of a more than worthy second act.
12 - "Now That We Found Love," Third World
The Jamaicans' first and best-known hit was this disco-reggae cover of a 1973 O'Jays song. A sweet little groover.
11 - 'Talking in Your Sleep," Crystal Gayle
The second and last hit here for Loretta Lynn's little sister with all the hair was this ballad about being cheated on in dreams, and possibly IRL, as the kids say. Okay, but it won't change anyone's eye colour.
Ten times the tuneage.
10 - "I Can't Stop Lovin' You (Though I Try)," Leo Sayer
Leo's last Top Ten of this decade was this ballad about accompanying a lover to the train that will take her out of his life. A solid weepie.
9 - "Blame It on the Boogie," The Jacksons
Yes, Mick Jackson's song ended up in the hands of Michael Jackson and his brothers, who sped it up and funked it over. Yeah, they win on every level.
8 - "Love Don't Live Here Anymore," Rose Royce
The L.A. funk crew's biggest U.K. hit was this sumptuous ballad about being left by your love. Heartbreak encapsulated.
7 - "Rat Trap," The Boomtown Rats
Their first of two Number Ones was this Springsteeny mini-epic about hopeless youth in a dead-end town. This would be the first time a band identified as punk or New Wave topped the chart, and I would say it's worthy of that distinction.
6 - "Sweet Talkin' Woman," Electric Light Orchestra
Their ninth Top Ten was this tune about chasing a loquacious lady. Apparently, thetc first copies of the single were transparent purple vinyl, though the song came from the album Out of the Blue. What a colourful anecdote.
5 - "MacArthur Park," Donna Summer
Summer's cover of Jimmy Webb's bizarre song comparing a breakup to a cake being left out in the rain was denied a Triple Crown by the Brits, who only lifted it this high before it started flowing down the chart. Donna definitely was an improvement on Richard Harris. Maybe they should have asked her to replace him as Dumbledore.
4 - "Lucky Stars," Dean Friedman
The pride of Paramus, New Jersey, Friedman followed up his quirky U.S. hit of the previous year, "Ariel," with this duet with an uncredited Denise Marsa. It's a ballad depicting a bedtime conversation between a husband and wife about the husband running into a former lover that day. There is anger, doubt, and apology, leading to a seemingly tenuous resolution. It's almost voyeuristic in its detail. You feel like you've watched an entire one-act play when it's over. I really need to explore more of Mr. Friedman's oeuvre to see if there's even more gold.
3 - "Sandy," John Travolta
Only released as a single here , this is the song Danny Zuko sings in Grease after Sandy runs out on him at the drive-in movie after he comes on too strong with her. Travolta sings it well, but every time I hear it I just think of the screen behind him with the cartoon of the performing snack foods. I remember being thrilled seeing those cartoons actually being played between movies at a drive-in years later. Those are gems of modern culture.
2 - "Rasputin," Boney M
At last, here it is, the German disco machine's incredible telling of the tale of Grigori Rasputin, a mystical con man who became a leading advisor to the ruling Romanovs I early 20th century Russia. He claimed to be able to heal Nicholas and Alexandra's sickly son Alexei, but he seemed more interested in accruing power and bedding the ladies of the royal court. He was killed in December 1916 by a group of aristocrats and politicians resentful of his influence on the Tsar. The song succinctly (if not entirely accurately) tells the story enthusiastically and danceably. It made no impact in the States, but it got this high here and went Top Ten in Canada, which is how it became a treasured earworm from my childhood. It never fails to make me happy. Ooooohhhh, those Russians!
And on top 39 years ago, we find..
1 - "Summer Nights," John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
More Grease, this time the song where Danny and Sandy tell their respective peer group's about their summer romance. They have conflicting accounts of what happened between them, but both seem to agree that that the relationship is over due to distance. Little do they know...Anyway, always a fun listen.
That's done. But I'm not. You'll see.
Friday, November 3, 2017
GATW: UKT40 October 28, 1978 Part One
Fall 1978. Britain was about to experience a bakers' strike, which led to bakeries rationing bread to prevent panic buying. There was no shortage of 45 rpm vinyl records, however, and these were the ones people were buying most.
40 - "Dreadlock Holiday," 10cc
40 - "Dreadlock Holiday," 10cc
Their third and last #1 was this bouncy tale of a tourist in Jamaica dealing with an attempted mugging and being offered drugs by trying to smonth things over with proclamations of love for cricket, reggae, and Jamaica itself. Slick, smart, and singalongable, like they are at their best.
39 - "The Winker's Song (Misprint)," Ivor Biggun and the Red-Nosed Burglars
Comedian and musician Robert "Doc" Cox made several naughty comedy records under this suitably suggestive name. Obviously he didn't get any radio play, but this ukulele-driven novelty about masturbation got as high as #22 when it was recommended by Johnny Rotten in an issue of the influential music publication New Musical Express. It's not at all subtle; there's no pretending that the song is about anything else. You know what your getting, so listen at your own risk. And it seems very appropriate to give it this week's Uneasy Rider Award. Just don't tell me what you do with it, Mr. Biggun.
38 - "Teenage Kicks," The Undertones
The first and best-known hit for these Northern Irishmen is this power-pop blast of young lust. It almost sounds like it's being sung through gritted teeth. One of the best representations of the adolescent male libido in any artist form.
37 - "Hard Road," Black Sabbath
Their last single of the first Ozzy era was this grinder about how life is hard, but there are good moments, so hang on in the times in between. I think that's it. Good song, but maybe only a 3 on the Headbangometer. Oh, and I didn't rate "Paranoid" last time, but do I even need to say it's a 5?
36 - "Silver Machine," Hawkwind
A reissue of their 1972 smash. Still spacey Lemmy goodness.
35 - "Get it While You Can," The Olympic Runners
There were no world-class athletes among these Britfunkers: they were named for the London studio where they first recorded. The first of the three singles they scraped into the Top 40 was this boogie about taking advantage of opportunities. It blends in, and not much more.
34 - "Summer Night City," ABBA
Their ninth Top Five was this whirly disco number about the appeal of hot urban evenings. This is a track where you can hear how superior they were to imitators like Brotherhood of Man. Only they could put white bread on a turntable and make it sound like something truly approaching funk.
33 - "Got to Get You Into My Life," Earth Wind and Fire
33 - "Got to Get You Into My Life," Earth Wind and Fire
EWF's authentically funky contribution to the soundtrack of the spectacularly failed Beatles tribute film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band went Top Ten at home but only this high here. Maybe it was because the country was offended by the desecration of their national treasures this was a part of, I don’t know. If they had been more open-eared, it might have done better. It deserved to.
32 - "Part-Time Love," Elton John
Sir Elton's first hit with lyricist Gary Osborne was this flirtation with disco about one-night stands. It's all right, but he was always better with Bernie.
31 - "Kiss You All Over," Exile
#1 at home, #2 in Canada, #6 here. That seems just. It's this perfect little disco-rock come-on. I would never lock it out of my musical rotation.
30 - "Fool (If You Think It's Over," Chris Rea
The Middlesbrough man's debut hit got to #12 across the pond, but only this high here. I think America had it right. Very good pop song about the fleetingness of heartbreak.
29 - "One for You, One for Me," Jonathan King
A bland disco effort by this guy who pops up a lot but turned out to be a creep. Nothing to linger on.
28 - "Instant Replay," Dan Hartman
The disco smash and only U.K. Top Ten for Edgar Winter's former bassist. A very good genre representative.
27 - "Bicycle Race/Fat Bottomed Girls," Queen
Their double-sided,interconnected disc about butts and the vehicles they sit on. Two classic rock songs about two different kinds of exercise.
26 - "Respectable," The Rolling Stones
Their last British hit of the decade was this balls-out rocker that may be about a trip to Washington which involves "talking heroin with the president" and finding a woman who's "the easiest lay on the White House lawn." Apparently, this was the sound of them being influenced by punk, and it suited them.
25 - "Down at the Tube Station at Midnight," The Jam
The sixth hit for the Mod rockers was this tune about a man trying to get a late train home to his wife only to be robbed by skinhead hooligans. It perfectly evokes the fear and helplessness of being in that situation. I could make a case for it being their best song, easily.
24 - "A Rose Has to Die," The Dooleys
The third hit for this family pop group reinforces the point I made about ABBA above. Acording to this, lies kill flowers. It'd be kind of ironic if that was a lie, wouldn't it?
23 - "Grease," Frankie Valli
Britain held this to #3, robbing Frankie of a Triple Crown. That's okay. And "Grease is the way we are feeling"? That doesn't sound pleasant. It sounds like you have a stomachache.
22 - "Brandy," The O'Jays
The Philly soulsters with a ballad about sitting home alone hoping against hope for the return of a departed lover. It's fantastic cry-in-your-cherry-soda music. The discoveries keep piling up.
21 - "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," Sylvester
The disco legend's only Top Ten. One of the genre's standards. A boogie tornado.
In Part Two: two easily-confused versions of the same song, a punk's second chapter, and some forgivably fractured history.
In Part Two: two easily-confused versions of the same song, a punk's second chapter, and some forgivably fractured history.
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