Saturday, June 27, 2015

"Tied Up" by Olivia Newton-John

Song#:  1308
Date:  01/15/1983
Debut:  76
Peak:  38
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Newton-John found herself excessively busy following the mega-success of her "Physical" single and album. To keep her music career on track, "Olivia's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" was issued. It contained eight of her hits and two brand new songs. The first new song, "Heart Attack," was issued as a single and reached #3. This second new song was then pushed out as a follow-up. The single found its way into the Top 40, but that was all it could do.

ReduxReview:  This is a good song from Newton-John, but it's just not as strong as some of her recent hit singles. It's missing that extra oomph that made songs like "Physical" and "Magic" such immediate attention getters. You could hear them once and get hooked immediately. This song is a slow burner. It takes a few listens to settle into your brain. I like the song and its arrangement, but it's not one of her better singles.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:   Newton-John's song "Hopelessly Devoted to You" (#3, 1978) from the movie "Grease" was nominated for an Oscar. But it wasn't the first song she sang to get an Oscar nomination. In 1975 she sang the theme song to the film "The Other Side of the Mountain." Titled "Richard's Window," the song was featured on the soundtrack but not released as a single. The song's writers received an Oscar nod for Best Song. It's a rare track by Newton-John that has never been issued anywhere except on the film's original soundtrack LP.

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Friday, June 26, 2015

"Dreamin' Is Easy" by Steel Breeze

Song#:  1307
Date:  01/15/1983
Debut:  80
Peak:  30
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Steel Breeze's first single, "You Don't Want Me Anymore," was an immediate success reaching #16 on the pop chart. They grabbed one more Top 30 entry with this second single from their self-titled debut album. This should have set them up for further success, but the band ended up losing their record deal and basically split. They regrouped (with personnel changes) and would independently issues four more albums, but nothing would come close to their successful debut. This single would be their last to reach the pop chart.

ReduxReview:  This song is not as good as "You Don't Want Me Anymore," but it is a worthy follow-up. It has catchy new wave feel to it with a chorus that almost sounds like it could be a theme from an 80s TV sitcom. It's a shame that it all kind of fell apart for them. At least they were able to get out a fun debut album full of good songs.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Apparently, the band got their name from a Pink Floyd song. In the track "Shine on You Crazy Diamond," from their 1975 album "Wish You Were Here," there is the line "You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom, blown on the steel breeze." That last little bit of the line was captured for the band's name.

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Thursday, June 25, 2015

"I Can't Stand Still" by Don Henley

Song#:  1306
Date:  01/15/1983
Debut:  83
Peak:  48
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  After the gold success of his #3 hit "Dirty Laundry," Henley released this title-track single from his debut solo album. Despite coming on the heels of his biggest solo hit, the song didn't catch on and it failed to reach the Top 40. Rock radio ignored the tune but another song on the album ended up getting a few spins. The track "You Better Hang Up" nicked the Mainstream Rock chart at #44.

ReduxReview:  This mid-tempo track didn't win me over with its lumbering beat and swirling keyboard. It's just not a good single. The strength of "Dirty Laundry" probably helped to push this song further up the chart. If it wasn't for that, I would venture to guess that this single would have totally flopped. There were no other surefire hits on the album, but there were better choices than this one.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  While still in college, Henley joined a country rock band that eventually became known as Shiloh. Thanks to a chance meeting, the band found a fan in Kenny Rogers, who was having success at the time with his band The First Edition. Rogers invited them out to Los Angeles to do some recording. They did and the song "Jennifer (O' My Lady)" got issued as a single on Amos Records. It did well enough on a local level to call for a full album from the band. With Kenny Rogers producing, Shiloh issued their self-titled debut in 1970. Unfortunately, it went nowhere and the band went their own ways with Henley joining Glenn Frey in Linda Ronstadt's backing band (the initial beginnings of the Eagles). Another member of Shiloh also had a significant music career. Jim Ed Norman went on to be a noted string arranger and producer who worked with the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Anne Murray, Crystal Gayle, and many others. He later served as the president of Warner Bros. Nashville from 1984 through 2004.

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"Don't Tell Me You Love Me" by Night Ranger

Song#:  1305
Date:  01/15/1983
Debut:  86
Peak:  40
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Jack Blades and Brad Gillis were members of a San Francisco-based soft rock band called Rubicon who would grab one minor hit in 1978 with "I'm Gonna Take Care of Everything" (#28). Unfortunately, Rubicon would fold the following year so Blades and Gillis decided to developed a new band with a harder rock edge. Boardwalk Records signed Night Ranger and issued their debut album "Dawn Patrol." This first single became a hit on rock radio peaking at #4. It proved to be popular enough to crossover to the pop chart where it reached the Top 40 - just barely.

ReduxReview:  I remember this tune quite well. Night Ranger were a hot band on our local rock station, so this was played a lot. I think they had really good commercial appeal and their music leaned that way as well. They didn't necessarily impress the critics, but if you like fluffy, inoffensive rock, Night Ranger can be a pretty sweet listen. I enjoy them and this single was a good way to get their career kicked off.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The group was initially called Ranger when recording their first album. At the time it was the go-ahead name and so the initial printing of albums listed the band as Ranger. However, there was a country group called The Rangers that had issues with that name. So the band decided to change their name to Night Ranger, which happened to be the closing song on the album. The initial printings of the Ranger album had not been distributed yet, so the label destroyed them and did a reprint for the new band name of Night Ranger.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

"Windows" by Missing Persons

Song#:  1304
Date:  01/15/1983
Debut:  88
Peak:  63
Weeks:  8
Genre:  New Wave, Synthpop



Pop Bits:  The first two singles from Missing Persons' album "Spring Session M," "Words" and "Destination Unknown," both peaked at #42. Still looking for a song to break into the Top 40, this third single was issued. Unfortunately, it fared a bit worse and stalled before even hitting the top half of the chart.

ReduxReview:  Here is another radio-ready song from the band that once again failed to make any significant waves. I'm not exactly sure why their songs were not bigger hits. The only thing I can think of is that pop radio was just beginning to warm up to this type of synthpop so there may have been reluctance to shove a song like this between Lionel Richie and Toto. I would bet that had their album and singles been released a year later, the band would have had a lot more success. However, being a cult-ish early leader of a style has a certain cool-factor that can last longer than actual hits.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  In a "before they were famous" moment, Missing Persons appeared in the 1981 sex-romp comedy "Lunch Wagon." They played a band (duh!) called U.S. Drag. That band name would become the title of one of their songs that would appear on "Spring Session M." Throughout the film they performed two of their early songs, "Mental Hopscotch" and "I Like Boys." Both songs were from their 1980 debut EP.

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"Betcha She Don't Love You" by Evelyn King

Song#:  1303
Date:  01/15/1983
Debut:  90
Peak:  49
Weeks:  11
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  King grabbed her second #1 R&B hit with "Love Come Down," the lead single from her fifth album "Get Loose." It was a winner at pop as well reaching #17. This follow-up single came close to being her third R&B #1, but it stopped just shy at #2. Pop radio was not quite as enamored and the single petered out before it could get into the Top 40. It hardly mattered though because the album would benefit from the R&B hits and become a double-platinum best-seller.

ReduxReview:  This is kind of sneaky song. It's not all that exciting, but that bass groove creeps up on you and becomes infectious. Once I got groovin', I couldn't really stop. King's vocals are quality, per usual. I'm surprised this song hasn't been sampled more. Monica used it for her 2010 song "If You Were My Man," but this groove has a lot more life to it. Remake anyone?

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  King's uncle was actor/singer Avon Long. He has notably starred in Broadway productions of "Porgy and Bess" (1942) and "Beggar's Holiday" (1946). Long grabbed a Tony nomination in 1973 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his appearance in "Don't Play Us Cheap." He also appeared on TV ("Roots: The Next Generation") and in film ("The Sting," "Trading Places"). He passed away in 1984.

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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

"Always" by Firefall

Song#:  1302
Date:  01/15/1983
Debut:  91
Peak:  59
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  After their 1980 album "Clouds Across the Sun," Firefall fell apart. Members were leaving for solo careers (or rehab) and diminishing returns combined with mounting debt caused their label, Atlantic, to drop the band. That could have been the end of Firefall, but original member Jock Bartley decided to keep going and created a new version of the band. They resigned with Atlantic and issued the album "Break of Dawn." This first single got off to a slow start and was able to notch some noticeable weeks on the chart, but in the end it failed to make any real impact. It would be the band's final pop chart single. They would continue to tour and record a few more albums over the years with Bartley remaining at the helm.

ReduxReview:  The band sounds like they are going for broke on this power ballad. It's got soaring vocals, a wailing sax, and a chorus that practically whacks you over the head. With a few changes, this might have been a good song for a hair metal band. I can hear that the band was trying to change it up and move forward with the times (sounding slightly like the revamped Chicago), but it just wasn't connecting with listeners. It's a good effort, but by this time the band was past its prime and the future was not looking so bright.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Before forming Firefall, Jock Bartley was the guitarist for the Colorado hard rock band Zephyr. That band is known for one of its original members, renown guitarist Tommy Bolin. Zephyr was Bolin's first signed band and he stayed with them for two albums. Bolin would leave the band and go on to join the James Gang and Deep Purple while doing his own solo projects. When Bolin left Zephyr, Bartley was hired as his replacement and played on the band's third album. Bolin would later die from an overdose in 1976.

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"Got to Be There" by Chaka Khan

Song#:  1301
Date:  01/08/1983
Debut:  82
Peak:  67
Weeks:  7
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Khan's self-titled fourth solo album wasn't a major hit, but it got lots of praise from critics and it won two Grammy awards including one for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female. It was helped along by this first single that reached #5 at R&B. Pop radio wasn't as interested and that lead to the song only spending a few weeks in the bottom third of the chart.

ReduxReview:  For about half of this song, Khan gives a lovely, understated performance that is beautiful. The arrangement is nice and I was really enjoying the song until about halfway through when Ms. Screech showed up. As I've mentioned before, Khan is an excellent vocalist but when she revs up into her upper register, her tone just becomes piercing. It just hits my ears wrong. Especially on a ballad like this that didn't need to be zoomed into high gear. Her final big note about split my head apart. Totally unnecessary and a bad choice in my opinion. It's a disappointment. Half of this song is lush and gorgeous, but sadly the second half turns around and stomps the shit out of it.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This is a remake of Michael Jackson's first solo single. His original version peaked at #4 on both the pop and R&B charts in 1971.  2) In 1982, Khan took a break from solo work to record a jazz project. The resulting album called "Echos of an Era" featured Khan and five prominent jazz musicians: Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clark, Freddie Hubbard, and Lenny White. With Khan singing standards, the project was well-received and would reach #11 on the jazz chart (#105 pop, #38 R&B). Khan would receive a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female.

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Monday, June 22, 2015

"Burning Heart" by Vandenberg

Song#:  1300
Date:  01/08/1983
Debut:  83
Peak:  39
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Rock, Hair Metal



Pop Bits:  This Dutch hard rock band was formed and named after guitarist Adrianus van den Berg (updated to Adrian Vandenberg). Their demos got the attention of Atlantic Records in the US and soon the band was recording their self-titled debut album for the ATCO label. This power ballad from the LP did well reaching #5 at Mainstream Rock and peaking just inside the Top 40 at pop. Unfortunately, it would end up being their only pop chart entry. Their follow-up album featured the #29 rock chart entry "Friday Night," but it failed to chart at pop. The band would record one more album before fizzling out.

ReduxReview:  This single was one of the earlier hair metal successes of the 80s. While bands were revving up at clubs on Sunset Strip, Vandenberg notched this one before Def Leppard, Night Ranger, and Quiet Riot would break the genre wide open later in '83. This is a solid power ballad and a good example of what was soon to come. Had this song come out a year or two later, it might have done a lot better. But for the time period, having this get into the Top 40 was a real win.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  In 1986, Adrian Vandenberg was invited to play on Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again," which was being re-recorded for their 1987 self-titled LP. Vandenberg supplied the guitar solo. The song would end up getting issued as a single and would reach #1 on the pop chart. Soon after, Vandenberg was invited to be a member of the band. He accepted and stayed with them until the band's initial split in 1991. Vandenberg would later join up with the band again for a couple of reunion ventures.

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"Industrial Disease" by Dire Straits

Song#:  1299
Date:  01/08/1983
Debut:  86
Peak:  75
Weeks:  4
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Dire Straits' 1980 album "Making Movies" ended up being a platinum seller despite the lack of a real radio-supported song. The track "Skateaway" did the best reaching #58 pop and #31 at Mainstream Rock. The strength of their music, live shows, and fan base proved you didn't need a hit single to be a major rock artist, however, it doesn't hurt. Their next album "Love Over Gold" was a major hit in Europe hitting #1 in several countries thanks in part to the album's first single "Private Investigations." The song reached #2 in the UK and Top 10 elsewhere, but the single did not get issued in the US. Instead, this song was pushed to rock radio where it reached #9. Eventually the single was released and it was able to get onto the pop chart for a short month. Although "Love Over Gold" would become one of the band's best-selling albums worldwide, in the US it would only manage gold certification - a drop from their previous LP.

ReduxReview:  Nope. Can't get into it. Same goes for the band. Yes, I know Dire Straits are great musicians, terrific live, etc., but I've just never been a fan of their music. This one sounds like Bob Dylan had a baby with Eric Clapton and they dressed it up in swaddling new wave clothes. The lyrical commentary is interesting, but that's about all I can say for this one. However, I can now understand why this was chosen for US release over "Private Investigations." Have you heard that one? It's basically spoken word verses over a noodling classical guitar. I will say it is one of their more interesting tracks, but as a single? What was Europe smoking? At least this song chugged along in an attempt to sound like single. Oh Dire Straits...maybe someday I'll get you.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) The lyrics of the song reference a "disease" called Brewer's Droop. There is no disease with that name. It is a slang term for a man's inability to get an erection brought on by heavy drinking. It also happens to be the name of a band that Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler was in during his early career.  2) The band recorded a few songs during the session for the "Love Over Gold" album that didn't make it onto the LP. One of those songs was "Private Dancer." Apparently, the music was all recorded, but Knopfler thought a female voice would be better for the track. He gave the track over to Tina Turner to use for her comeback album. It would be a #3 hit for her in 1984.

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Sunday, June 21, 2015

"Still Taking Chances" by Michael Martin Murphey

Song#:  1298
Date:  01/08/1983
Debut:  88
Peak:  76
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  With a label change to Liberty, Murphey released a self-titled album that did well thanks to the single "What's Forever For." The song became his first #1 country hit while also reaching #4 AC and #19 pop. This next single wasn't as successful at pop or AC (#28), but it was another Top 10 country hit that peaked at #3. Although this song would be his last pop chart entry, Murphey would continue to place songs on the country chart through to 1991. Overall he would end up with twelve Top 10 country hits that would include two #1's. His switch to more country-oriented music would prove to be popular enough to win him the Academy of Country Music's New Male Vocalist of the Year award in 1982 (he beat out a newbie who became a country legend - George Strait).

ReduxReview:  I was sure I had not heard this song before, but as soon as the chorus kicked in the song came right back to me. The chorus is quite strong so I'm not surprised that it took up residence in the back of my brain. Its pop showing is disappointing since similar sounding songs by Ronnie Milsap and Alabama were hitting the Top 40 at the time. At least country radio got on board and made it a hit as it certainly deserved to be one.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Growing up in Texas, Murphey became fond of old western Cowboy music. During his country hit making days in the 80s, he got opportunities to perform these songs in themed shows with various symphony orchestras. His love of the western songs grew until eventually he released a full album of them. "Cowboy Songs" was released in 1990 and it featured many western standards like "Home on the Range" and "Red River Valley." It was a hit with critics and fans of the genre and would end up becoming a surprise gold seller - the first western-based album to do so since 1980. Murphey followed up with several sequels to the album and still continues to record western and bluegrass music. In 2009, Murphey was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. He has also won several awards from various organizations for his Cowboy music.

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