tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80961494925666820522024-03-14T02:17:30.209-04:00PopRedux80Revisiting, reviving, re-listening, reviewing every pop chart hit from the 80s.ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.comBlogger4161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-34889029005801451732023-06-30T18:00:00.591-04:002023-07-03T14:15:58.123-04:00Milestone! The Decade in Review: The 80s<div style="text-align: left;">Alas, the task is complete!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My journey to write about every song to debut on the <i>Billboard</i> Hot 100 chart in the 1980s has come to an end. Frankly, when I started this I didn't know if I would actually see it through, but the posts became part of my routine and the longer it went on, the more determined I was to complete my mission. I'm happy (and sad) to say that it is over after nearly 11 years and 4,000+ songs later.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">When I began, I started to do quick posts. Just some minor blurbs about the songs and I'd usually post two per day. However, the more I got involved and vested, I began to offer more details about the songs and the posts became longer and (hopefully) more informative. It helped that over the years more information became available via internet and books about the artists and songs, which added to my research time. After a while it got to the point where I could only post once a day usually six days a week. It stretched out the time it took to complete the project, but I wasn't sad about that. I was having fun!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My fascination with the <i>Billboard</i> charts began in 1981. While I'm not sure the exact date, I believe it was Saturday, May 23, 1981, that I first tuned into Casey Kasem's <i>American Top 40</i> radio show. The program aired each Saturday starting at 9:00 am and lasted four hours. At the time I was enamored with "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/09/bette-davis-eyes-by-kim-carnes.html">Bette Davis Eyes</a>" by Kim Carnes and I knew it had already hit #1. I just happened to tune into the show to see if it was still at the top (it was, for a second week). From that point I had to follow the next week to see if the song would remain at #1. It did for five consecutive weeks. Then "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/10/medley-by-stars-on-45.html">Medley</a>" by Stars on 45 stopped Carnes' run. Still, I listed to the show the following week and "Bette Davis Eyes" returned to the #1 spot! Then it became exciting to see how long it might stay on its second run at #1 (four weeks, finally succumbing to Air Supply's "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/11/the-one-that-you-loved-by-air-supply.html">The One That You Love</a>"). Yet as the Carnes tune began to fade, other songs I liked were making their way up the chart and I got in the habit of tuning into <i>AT40</i> every week. I even went as far as logging all the songs each week in a notebook (sadly long gone during a move ages ago). Then sometime around '82/'83 I saw that the local bookstore carried <i>Billboard</i> magazine. It was $3 at the time and I started to buy it. I remember making sure I had $3 set aside each week to buy the magazine (I couldn't afford the yearly subscription). I couldn't wait to get my hands on it each week! The information, charts, reviews, and especially the "Chart Beat" column that had all the trivia of the week just thrilled me. I kept on buying <i>Billboard</i> through to about '93 or so. That was when I began to lose interest in pop sounds of the day and started to explore artists and genres that wouldn't necessarily be fodder for the Hot 100. I'd still check out the chart on occasion and try to keep up with popular hits. I don't do that as often these days as I absolutely hate the current chart methodology. When all songs from a newly released album are suddenly all on the chart at once, that is just ridiculous. Overnight the artist just added 10+ "hits" to their total. It makes zero sense. They should have just made a new chart with that methodology and left the Hot 100 alone. Ah well. Plus it doesn't help that I'm really not a fan of what is considered popular these days. I'll still listen and at least give them a shot and a few will come along that I like, but for the most part...meh. I guess I finally turned into that old man who shakes their fist and says "turn down that racket - that's not music!"<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Still, despite what is popular now it seems that a lot of the younger generation gravitate towards 80s music. They know artists, songs, lyrics, etc. It probably helps that many TV shows like <i>Stranger Things</i> incorporate songs from the decade and that leads the kids to discovering what made 80s music so awesome. My brother once asked me what kind of playlist he could use for a gathering of people of varying ages from teens to 70s. I told him to get a good 80s pop playlist and he would be surprised how many of them will know the songs. He did and he said it was perfect. Everyone was familiar with something and they all had fun with it. That's why I think the 80s more than any other decade of music will truly live on and remain popular. The music was unique, fun, varying, and included everything from country to rap. The decade started out with new wave and synthpop and ended with freestyle and glam rock. It was an exhilarating ride and I loved it all. Still do.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My personal favorite year out of my personal favorite decade of music was 1984. From what I've seen, several other 80s music bloggers agree. There was even a book written about that specific year titled <i>Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year</i> by Michaelangelo Matos. There was just something magical about that year. It was the era of long running #1 albums. Only 5 albums would reach #1 in 1984, the fewest in history. It started off with <i>Thriller</i> finishing its domination with an additional 15 weeks at #1 and ended with <i>Purple Rain</i> dominating for the last 22 weeks of the year. In between, the <i>Footloose </i>soundtrack, <i>Sports</i> by Huey Lewis & the News, and Bruce Springsteen's <i>Born in the U.S.A.</i> would each spend time at the top. Artists like Prince and Springsteen were at their most creative/popular peaks and the singles chart were chock full of gems. It was not a surprise that I rated the most songs a 10 with 19 ('83 was close behind at 16 which I'd rank as my second favorite year). Also, for a good chunk of the year I owned nearly all the Top 10 singles. It was a crazy, wonderful year.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Will all that blah-blah out of the way, here are some fun and interesting (hopefully) stats and info from the decade and from my entries.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In all, I posted entries for 4,149 songs. However, the actual total of
new songs to make the Pop chart for the first time in the 80s was <b>4,124</b>.
That is because there were 23 singles that initially charted, fell off,
and then re-charted at another point in the decade. In addition, there were two hits
from the early 60s that re-charted in the 80s (The Contours' "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/06/do-you-love-me-by-contours.html">Do You Love Me</a>" and Ben E. King's "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2019/09/stand-by-me-by-ben-e-king.html">Stand By Me</a>"). <br /></div><p>Here is what <i>Billboard</i> listed as the Top 10 Pop singles of the 80s:</p><div style="text-align: left;"> 1. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/03/physical-by-olivia-newton-john.html">Physical</a>" by Olivia Newton-John (1981/82, 10 weeks at #1)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> 2. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/09/bette-davis-eyes-by-kim-carnes.html">Bette Davis Eyes</a>" by Kim Carnes (1981, 9 weeks at #1) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> 3. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/01/endless-love-by-diana-ross-lionel-richie.html">Endless Love</a>" by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie (1981, 9 weeks at #1)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 4. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/11/eye-of-tiger-by-survivor.html">Eye of the Tiger</a>" by Survivor (1982, 6 weeks at #1)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 5. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2015/12/every-breath-you-take-by-police.html">Every Breath You Take</a>" by The Police (1983, 8 weeks at #1)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 6. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2015/09/flashdancewhat-feeling-by-irene-cara.html">Flashdance...What a Feeling</a>" by Irene Cara (1983, 6 weeks at #1)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 7. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/03/another-one-bites-dust-by-queen.html">Another One Bites the Dust</a>" by Queen (1980, 3 weeks at #1)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 8. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2016/05/say-say-say-by-paul-mccartney-and.html">Say Say Say</a>" by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson (1983, 6 weeks at #1)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 9. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2012/09/call-me-by-blondie.html">Call Me</a>" by Blondie (1980, 6 weeks at #1)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">10. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/05/lady-by-kenny-rogers.html">Lady</a>" by Kenny Rogers (1980, 6 weeks at #1)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now my Top 10 favorites chart hits of the decade. Note that this list could change in an instant depending on mood or whatever else I may be listening to at any given time. Regardless of order or what I may subtract/add, these were certainly highlights for me and songs that I think are brilliant and I'll always have in rotation. I kept the list to one song per artist.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> 1. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/06/running-up-that-hill-by-kate-bush.html">Running Up That Hill</a>" by Kate Bush</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 2. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/04/dont-stop-believin-by-journey.html">Don't Stop Believin'</a>" by Journey</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 3. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/09/bette-davis-eyes-by-kim-carnes.html">Bette Davis Eyes</a>" by Kim Carnes</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 4. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/02/start-me-up-by-rolling-stones.html">Start Me Up</a>" by The Rolling Stones</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 5. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/11/in-air-tonight-by-phil-collins.html">In the Air Tonight</a>" by Phil Collins</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 6. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/04/i-cant-go-for-that-no-can-do-by-daryl.html">I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)</a>" by Daryl Hall & John Oates</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 7. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/09/small-town-by-john-cougar-mellencamp.html">Small Town</a>" by John Cougar Mellencamp</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 8. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/02/when-doves-cry-by-prince.html">When Doves Cry</a>" by Prince</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 9. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2020/03/with-or-without-you-by-u2.html">With or Without You</a>" by U2</div><div style="text-align: left;">10. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/01/would-i-lie-to-you-by-eurythmics.html">Would I Lie to You?</a>" by Eurythmics</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course where there is good there is usually bad and the 80s had its share of stinkers. It is easy to pick on novelty tunes, oddball tracks by celebrities, or charity/specialty singles, so I wanted to keep the list to legit, popular artists who let off some stink bombs. Here then are what I'd like to list as my 10 least favorites of the decade (oddly, all but two were cover tunes).<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> 1. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/03/i-saw-him-standing-there-by-tiffany.html">I Saw Him Standing There</a>" by Tiffany</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 2. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/01/sittin-on-dock-of-bay-by-michael-bolton.html">(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay</a>" by Michael Bolton</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 3. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/didnt-i-blow-your-mind-by-new-kids-on.html">Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)</a>" by New Kids on the Block</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 4. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2015/07/bread-and-butter-by-robert-john.html">Bread and Butter</a>" by Robert John</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 5. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/08/party-all-time-by-eddie-murphy.html">Party All the Time</a>" by Eddie Murphy</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 6. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2020/01/lean-on-me-by-club-nouveau.html">Lean on Me</a>" by Club Nouveau</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 7. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/still-cruisin-by-beach-boys.html">Still Cruisin'</a>" by The Beach Boys</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 8. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/04/case-of-you-by-frank-stallone.html">Case of You</a>" by Frank Stallone</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 9. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2016/10/to-all-girls-ive-loved-before-by-julio.html">To All the Girls I've Loved Before</a>" by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson</div><div style="text-align: left;">10. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/10/baby-i-love-your-wayfreebird-medley.html">Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley (Free Baby)</a>" by Will to Power <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Other chart stats (note that these stats are based on my project, which was to cover all the songs that debuted on a chart in the 80s, therefore lingering songs that debuted in 1979 but were still on the chart in 1980 were not considered):<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Most weeks at #1: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/03/physical-by-olivia-newton-john.html">Physical</a>" by Olivia Newton-John - <b>10 </b>weeks</div><div style="text-align: left;">Most weeks on the chart: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/06/tainted-love-by-soft-cell.html">Tainted Love</a>" by Soft Cell - <b>43 </b>weeks</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Number of songs to debut on the Pop chart in the 80s and get to #1: <b>230</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Number of songs to debut on the Pop chart in the 80s and reach the Top 10 (excluding #1s): <b>741</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Artist with the most #1 hits that debuted the Pop chart in the 80s: <b>Michael Jackson - 8 </b>(7 solo, 1 with Paul McCartney)*</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">*Just looking at all the songs to reach #1 in the 80s, Jackson actually had 9 #1s in the 80s, but the first one, "Rock with You," debut on a chart in 1979. So for my stats, that one would not count. One could also argue that George Michael and Phil Collins also had 8 #1s each. However, those totals would include #1 hits with their groups (Wham! / Genesis). Most lists keep a distinct line between being listed as a lead solo artist and being part of a group. I get that. I may not fully agree with it, but I get it. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Artist with the most Top 10 hits that debuted the Pop chart in the 80s (including #1s): <b>Madonna - 17</b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Artist with the most songs that debuted the Pop chart in the 80s: <b>Prince -25**</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">**If including his singles with Genesis, Phil Collins actually had the most with 30. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Number of singles to go gold: <b>308</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Number to reach platinum: <b>56 </b>(Tone Lōc's "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/01/wild-thing-by-tone-loc.html">Wild Thing</a>" went 2x platinum, USA for Africa's "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/12/we-are-world-by-usa-for-africa.html">We Are the World</a>" reached 4x platinum) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Artist with the most gold/platinum singles: (tie) Madonna and Phil Collins - <b>8</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song to debut highest on the chart: <b>#20</b> - "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2016/09/thriller-by-michael-jackson.html">Thriller</a>" by Michael Jackson (peaked at #4).</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lowest debut: Five songs debuted at #100 with only one, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/thats-when-i-think-of-you-by-1927.html">That's When I Think of You</a>" by 1927, spending only one week on the chart.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Longest climb to peak position: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/12/the-lover-in-me-by-sheena-easton.html">The Lover in Me</a>" by Sheena Easton debuted at #99 and climbed <b>97</b> spots to peak at #2.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Longest trip to #1 on a single's first run: <b>22 </b>weeks for "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/search?q=vangelis">Chariots of Fire</a>" by Vangelis</div><div style="text-align: left;">Longest trip to #1 for a single that initially peaked, fell of the chart, then re-entered: A combined 25 weeks for "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/09/red-red-wine-by-ub40.html">Red, Red Wine</a>" by UB40</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Quickest trip to #1: <b>4 </b>weeks for "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/12/we-are-world-by-usa-for-africa.html">We Are the World</a>" by USA for Africa<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Average number of weeks for a song to be on the chart: <b>13</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Position on the chart where the most songs debuted: <b>90 </b>(270 songs)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Longest song title: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/07/what-can-you-get-wookiee-for-christmas.html">What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)</a>" by The Star Wars Intergalactic Droid Choir and Chorale (note that I excluded "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/10/medley-by-stars-on-45.html">Medley</a>" by Stars on 45, which because of US requirement had to have each song in the medley listed in the title, so at 41 words it would be the longest, however elsewhere it was simply known as "Stars on 45," so I chose to list the longest singular title for a full song.)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Shortest song title: (tie) "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/10/go-by-asia.html">Go</a>" by Asia, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/03/17-by-rick-james.html">17</a>" by Rick James, and "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/03/17-by-rick-james.html">19</a>" by Paul Hardcastle</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Biggest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s - artists that reached #1 in the 80s, yet never had another single make the Pop chart:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Bobby McFerrin</b> - reached #1 with "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/09/dont-worry-be-happy-by-bobby-mcferrin.html">Don't Worry, Be Happy</a>"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sheriff </b>- reached #1 with "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/01/when-im-with-you-by-sheriff.html">When I'm with You</a>" (the song charted twice - reached #1 on its second run)</div></div> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Number of songs rated 10: <b>108</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Number of songs rated 1: <b>23</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Number of songs rated 0: <b>6</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rating used most often: <b>7 </b>- 976 given that rating</div><div style="text-align: left;">Average rating for all songs in the 80s: <b>6.24</b> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Year that had the highest average rating: <b>1984 </b>- 6.4<br /></div>Year that had the lowest average rating: <b>1980 </b>- 5.7</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Year that had the most amount of songs debut on the chart: <b>1980 </b>- 452</div>Year that had the least amount of songs debut on the chart: <b>1988 </b>-385<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lowest peaking song that I rated a 10: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2019/09/like-flames-by-berlin.html">Like Flames</a>" by Berlin - peaked at <b>#82</b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highest peaking song that I rated a 0: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/03/i-saw-him-standing-there-by-tiffany.html">I Saw Him Standing There</a>" by Tiffany - peaked at <b>#7</b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Artist that had the highest average rating: <b>Eurythmics </b>averaged an 8.06 rating out of 15 chart entries (from artist that had at least 10 songs reach the chart)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Artist that had the most songs rated a 10: <b>U2 </b>with 4<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Artist that had the most songs rated 1 or zero: <b>New Kids on the Block</b> with 3</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Project time - how long it took to cover/post all songs: <span class="big"><b>10 years, 9 months, 11 days</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">According to the Blogger stats, here are the 10 most viewed pages/songs from the project (save for "King of the Hill" and maybe "Ewok Celebration," I'm not sure why the others were the most accessed pages):</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> 1. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/12/urgent-by-foreigner.html">Urgent</a>" by Foreigner</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 2. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/10/somebody-by-bryan-adams.html">Somebody</a>" by Bryan Adams</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 3. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/01/high-school-nights-by-dave-edmunds.html">High School Nights</a>" by Dave Edmunds</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 4. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/03/she-loves-my-car-by-ronnie-milsap.html">She Loves My Car</a>" by Ronnie Milsap</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 5. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2019/11/ballerina-girl-by-lionel-richie.html">Ballerina Girl</a>" by Lionel Richie</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 6. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/03/first-be-woman-by-leonore-omalley.html">First Be a Woman</a>" by Lenore O'Malley</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 7. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2012/11/king-of-hill-by-rick-pinette-and-oak.html">King of the Hill</a>" by Rick Pinette and Oak</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 8. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/search?q=ewok">Ewok Celebration</a>" by Meco</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 9. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/03/i-want-you-so-bad-by-heart.html">I Want You So Bad</a>" by Heart</div><div style="text-align: left;">10. "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2013/07/breakfast-in-america-by-supertramp.html">Breakfast in America</a>" by Supertramp<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's all folks! Perhaps I'll see you in another decade!</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-50124128607925818592023-06-16T18:00:00.009-04:002023-06-16T18:00:00.139-04:00Milestone! The Year in Review: 1989<div style="text-align: left;"><div>The final year of the decade is in the books! <br /></div><div> </div><div>There was plenty happening as the new decade loomed. Freestyle was reaching its heyday as was glam metal and new jack swing. Rap was transitioning from old school to gangsta and if that wasn't controversial enough, 2 Live Crew came along and battled censorship and even arrests. House music began to break through on the Pop chart as did several alternative rock artists that ruled the college crowd. Several long standing artists reached new heights including The Cure, The B-52's, Luther Vandross, and Michael Bolton. There was even a very unexpected comeback via Donny Osmond. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the previous chart year of '88, I set a new low by giving two songs a zero rating. Sadly, it ended up that zeroes for '89 matched that pace. What is worse is that I set a new record for the amount of songs rated a 1 with seven of them. I doubled the amount of 10s from '88, but still more than half of the songs in '89 were rated six or less. That was most likely due to me losing interest in some artists and genres. I know I grew tired of freestyle as the material became average and it all started to sound the same. Plus there was some highly successful artists that I didn't fall for like Michael Bolton and New Kids on the Block.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I most certainly enjoyed doing this blog and I'm sad that I've reached the end of the decade and it is over. However, it is the internet, so I hope folks will continue to discover, read, and pass it along. Here is a recap of 1989:</div><div><br /></div><div>Number of charted songs in 1989: <b>392 </b>(385 in 1988)</div><div>Time it took to listen/post all songs: <b>1 year, 76 days</b> (1 year, 37 days for 1988)<br />Number of songs that debuted in 1989 to hit #1: <b>31 </b>(29 in 1988)<br />Number of songs that debuted in 1989 to reach the Top 10 (excluding #1's): <b>86 </b>(85 in 1988)<br />Number of gold singles: <b>51 </b>(26 in 1988)<br />Number of platinum singles: <b>14 </b>(3 in 1988)</div><div>Number of double-platinum singles: <b>0 </b>(1 in 1988)<br />Number of songs that won a Grammy: <b>14 </b>(8 in 1988)<br />Number of One-Hit Wonders: <b>4 </b>(5 in 1988)<br />Number of Rated 10 songs: <b>10 </b>(5 for 1988)<br />Number of Rated 1 songs: <b>7 </b>(2 for 1988)</div><div>Number of Rated 0 songs: <b>2</b> (2 for 1988)</div><div> </div><div>Top 5 favorite chart songs of the year:</div><ol><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/05/like-prayer-by-madonna.html">Like a Prayer</a>" by Madonna<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/05/woman-in-chains-by-tears-for-fears.html">Woman in Chains</a>" by Tears for Fears<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/love-shack-by-b-52s.html">Love Shack</a>" by The B-52's<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/11/closer-to-fine-by-indigo-girls.html">Closer to Fine</a>" by Indigo Girls<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/07/this-time-i-know-its-for-real-by-donna.html">This Time I Know It's for Real</a>" by Donna Summer<br /></li></ol><div>Worst song of the year: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/didnt-i-blow-your-mind-by-new-kids-on.html">Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)</a>" by New Kids on the Block<br /></div><div>Best song I didn't know existed: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/09/right-next-to-me-by-whistle.html">Right Next to Me</a>" by Whistle<br /></div><div>Favorite discovery: Q-Feel's "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/09/dancing-in-heaven-orbital-be-bop-by-q.html">Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)</a>" and its eyebrow raising (quite literally) video.<br /></div><div> </div><div> A few other fun stats:<br /><br />Highest debut: <b>#37</b> - "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/cherish-by-madonna.html">Cherish</a>" by Madonna (peaked at #2)<br /> </div><div>Lowest debut: <b>#100</b> - "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/walkin-shoes-by-tora-tora.html">Walkin' Shoes</a>" by Tora Tora (peaked at #86) and "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/thats-when-i-think-of-you-by-1927.html">That's When I Think of You</a>" by 1927 (peaked at #100, and is one of the rare singles to spend one week on the chart at the #100 spot)<br /><br />Longest climb to peak position: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/05/wind-beneath-my-wings-by-bette-midler.html">Wind Beneath My Wings</a>" by Bette Midler and "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/03/she-drives-me-crazy-by-fine-young.html">She Drives Me Crazy</a>" by Fine Young Cannibals climbed <b>96</b> positions from #97 to #1<br /><br />Longest trip to #1 for a song debuting in 1989: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/05/wind-beneath-my-wings-by-bette-midler.html">Wind Beneath My Wings</a>" by Bette Midler took <b>16</b> weeks to reach #1<br /> </div><div>Quickest trip to #1 for a song debuting in 1989: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/05/like-prayer-by-madonna.html">Like a Prayer</a>" by Madonna, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/10/right-here-waiting-by-richard-marx.html">Right Here Waiting</a>" by Richard Marx, and "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/miss-you-much-by-janet-jackson.html">Miss You Much</a>" by Janet Jackson each took <b>6</b> weeks to reach #1.<br /> </div><div>Most weeks at #1 for a song debuting in 1989: <b>4</b> - "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/miss-you-much-by-janet-jackson.html">Miss You Much</a>" by Janet Jackson and "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/04/another-day-in-paradise-by-phil-collins.html">Another Day in Paradise</a>" by Phil Collins<br /><br />Most weeks on the chart for a song debuting in 1989: <b>39 </b>- "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/11/bust-move-by-young-mc.html">Bust a Move</a>" by Young MC (it peaked at #7).<br /><br />Average number of weeks a song spent on the chart: <b>13</b><br /> </div><div>Position on chart where the most songs debuted: <b>#93</b> - 27 songs debuted at that spot (none made the Top 10)</div><div><br />Longest song title: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/puss-n-bootsthese-boots-are-made-for.html">Puss N' Boots/These Boots (Are Made for Walkin')</a>" by Kon Kan</div><div><br />Shortest song title: "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/11/one-by-bee-gees.html">One</a>" by Bee Gees, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/04/one-by-metallica.html">One</a>" by Metallica, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/06/cry-by-waterfront.html">Cry</a>" by Waterfront<br /><br />A
few artists who got their first chart single in 1989: Cathy Dennis, Enya, Indigo Girls, Roxette, Metallica, Melissa Etheridge<br /></div><div><br />Runners-Up: <b>15 </b>songs peaked at #2, <b>10 </b>songs peaked at #11, and <b>3 </b>songs peaked at #41</div><div><br />Some interesting things learned (click links for more details in previous posts): </div><div><ul><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/05/a-girl-like-you-by-smithereens.html">A Girl Like You</a>" was originally written for a classic Cameron Crowe flick and it was supposed to feature vocals by a newly minted icon.</li><li><a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/05/owwww-by-chunky-a.html">Arsenio Hall</a> created a rap character and recorded an album.</li><li>The Kiss song "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/04/hide-your-heart-by-kiss.html">Hide Your Heart</a>" was released by four different artists in the same year. And all of those were remakes.</li><li>A rebuffed come-on by a popular actress was the inspiration for Don Henley's "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/02/the-last-worthless-evening-by-don-henley.html">The Last Worthless Evening</a>."</li><li>A <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/lay-down-your-arms-by-graces.html">new band</a> formed by a former member of the Go-Go's included an artist that would go on to be a solo one-hit wonder in the late 90s.</li><li>A <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/11/thats-way-by-katrina-waves.html">band </a>with a classic 80s hit would later go on to win the Eurovision Song Contest.</li><li>A songwriter begged and practically forced a superstar to record <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/10/if-i-could-turn-back-time-by-cher.html">her song</a>. It turned into a big signature hit for the artist.</li><li>The second album by an 80s <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/10/gonna-make-it-by-sa-fire.html">freestyle artist</a> contained a song written by a pair of superstars from different generations.</li><li>While it wasn't a remake, a hit by <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/07/i-drove-all-night-by-cyndi-lauper.html">Cyndi Lauper</a> was first recorded by an early rock pioneer.</li><li>A <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022_06_12_archive.html">teen phenom</a> helped to inspire the backstory of a character on a hit TV show. <br /></li></ul></div><div>According to the year-end chart for 1989, these were the year's Top 10 singles:</div><ol><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/10/look-away-by-chicago.html">Look Away</a>" by Chicago<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/12/my-prerogative-by-bobby-brown.html">My Prerogative</a>" by Bobby Brown<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/12/every-rose-has-its-thorn-by-poison.html">Every Rose Has Its Thorn</a>" by Poison<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/01/straight-up-by-paula-abdul.html">Straight Up</a>" by Paula Abdul<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/miss-you-much-by-janet-jackson.html">Miss You Much</a>" by Janet Jackson<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/10/cold-hearted-by-paula-abdul.html">Cold Hearted</a>" by Paula Abdul<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/05/wind-beneath-my-wings-by-bette-midler.html">Wind Beneath My Wings</a>" by Bette Midler<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/02/girl-you-know-its-true-by-milli-vanilli.html">Girl You Know It's True</a>" by Milli Vanilli<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/10/baby-i-love-your-wayfreebird-medley.html">Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird</a>" by Will to Power<br /></li><li>"<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/10/giving-you-best-that-i-got-by-anita.html">Giving You the Best That I Got</a>" by Anita Baker<br /></li></ol><div>So
long '89! And actually, adios to the whole decade! As always it was another fun years on the charts.</div><div><br /></div><div>_________________________________________________________________________________</div><div><br /><br /></div></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-79225244728984455292023-06-15T18:00:00.004-04:002023-06-15T18:00:00.148-04:00"Price of Love" by Bad English<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Top 10 Alert! </b></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4149</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/23/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 68</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Peak: 5</b></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 19</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">**This is the last song to be covered in this blog. It was the highest debuting song on the very last Pop chart of 1989 wrapping up the decade. I made it! I covered all songs to enter the Pop chart in the 80s. Thanks to any and all who followed along or even dropped in for an entry or two.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: This glam rock supergroup fronted by John Waite was able to score a #1 Pop gold record with the Diane Warren-penned power ballad "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/when-i-see-you-smile-by-bad-english.html">When I See You Smile</a>." It was the second single from the band's self-titled debut album. For a follow up, the label selected another power ballad from the album, "Price of Love," which was written by band member Waite and Jonathan Cain. It would do well enough to become the band's second Pop Top 10 hit (#30 Rock/#38 AC). The pair of hits would help send the album to #21 and it would become a platinum seller. Two other singles from the LP would make the Pop chart. "Heaven Is a 4 Letter Word" would get to #66 (#12 Rock) while "Possession" would make it to #21 (#42 AC).<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: With perhaps the most single worthy rock track already released ("<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/11/forget-me-not-by-bad-english.html">Forget Me Not</a>," #45), it wasn't surprising that the label chose to push out another power ballad in hopes of a second hit. The ploy worked, but at what price? <pun intended> With their only other Top 40 entry another power ballad, it sort of painted the band in a corner. Obviously they could rock out, but it seemed all folks wanted was big ballads featuring Waite's voice. It kind of put the band at odds. Were they a hard rock supergroup or commercial balladeers? It all would lead to a breakup after their second album, which wasn't surprising as that tends to happen with supergroups like this. But before all that they scored one last Top 10 with this tune. It was a nicely done, but really wasn't all that memorable. I think it had just enough radio ready flare to ride the coattails of "When I See You Smile." Had it been released first, I don't think it would have done nearly as well. It didn't have legs either as I haven't heard this song since its chart days. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 5/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: With the debut album becoming a success, the band needed to record a follow up. They did so and in 1991 their second album <i>Backlash</i> was ready. Unfortunately, it seems tensions rose in the band during the recording of the LP concerning the direction of the band, so they were on shaky ground even before the LP's release. Then it all came crashing down when the LP's first single, "Straight to Your Heart," stalled at #42 Pop (#9 Rock) and a second single failed to chart. In turn the album stalled at #72 and couldn't even go gold. With those results, the band called it quits. John Wait would return to a solo career while Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain would eventually reform Journey along with Bad English drummer Deen Castronovo. Bassist Ricky Phillip would mainly return to session work while later joining an iteration of Styx.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-81937529544560846122023-06-14T18:00:00.177-04:002023-06-14T18:00:00.141-04:00"Here and Now" by Luther Vandross<div style="text-align: right;"><b style="color: red;">Top 10 Alert!</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Gold Record Alert! <br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b style="color: red;">Grammy Alert!</b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4148</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/23/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 78</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Peak: 6</b></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 27</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: R&B, Pop, Adult Contemporary<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: Six albums into his career (all platinum/double-platinum sellers), Vandross still had yet to have a single reach the Pop Top 10. The closest he got was the #15 "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2019/10/stop-to-love-by-luther-vandross.html">Stop to Love</a>," which was from his '86 album <i>Give Me the Reason</i>. His popularity was so great that his '88 album <i>Any Love</i> would be his first to make the Pop Top 10 (#9) despite not containing a major hit. After that effort, Vandross' label chose to close out the decade with a compilation album. The double disc set <i>The Best of Luther Vandross...The Best of Love</i> would be issued out in the fall of '89. It contained hits and key tracks from Vandross including tracks from when he fronted the group Change. It also featured two new tracks including this single, which was released to help promote the set. The song would be Vandross' fifth to top the R&B chart. It would cross over to Pop where the tune would take a leisurely climb up the chart finally peaking at #6 in its 18th week. It would also get to #3 at AC. Not only would the song earn Vandross his first Pop Top 10 hit, but it would win him his first Grammy (Best Male R&B Vocal Performance). The single would also go gold (it would receive a platinum certification in 2021). The compilation would get to #2 R&B/#26 Pop and eventually hit the triple platinum mark.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: Finally! After having a few terrific songs unable to crack the Pop Top 10, this ballad finally did the trick for Vandross. It would lead to more Top 10s (see below) and kick off what was arguably Vandross' most successful period. Vandross was an excellent songwriter, but unfortunately he did not have a hand in this one. It was written by Terry Steele and David L. Elliott (Dionne Warwick's eldest son). Regardless, it was a beautiful song that was worthy of its Top 10 placement. It took a long while to get there, but with folks finally realizing the goods Vandross had to offer, it eventually became a big crossover hit. The Vandross catalog is chock full of great songs and performances that are essential listening. That first compilation album, which had to be made into a double disc due to all his hits and key tracks, ended up being the tip of the iceberg with more classics to follow. At minimum, folks should go and listen to that comp at least once. Whether you become a fan from it or not doesn't matter. You just have to appreciate the talent that was Luther Vandross.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 8/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: With plenty of momentum following this hit, Vandross would return in '91 with his next studio album <i>Power of Love</i>. Its lead single, "Power of Love/Love Power," would be a #1 R&B/#3 AC/#4 Pop hit, Its follow up, "Don't Want to Be a Fool," would be another winner getting to #4 R&B/#5 AC/#9 Pop. The album would be a #1 R&B/#7 Pop double platinum seller. Vandross would earn a fourth Pop Top 10 with the collaboration soundtrack single "The Best Things in Life Are Free" (#10 Pop/#1 R&B/#3 Dance). Used in the 1992 film <i>Mo' Money</i>, the song would be a duet between Vandross and Janet Jackson, and would featured supporting vocals by Bell Biv DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant. Vandross' final Pop Top 10 hit would come in 1994 via a remake of the 1981 Diana Ross/Lionel Richie #1 classic "Endless Love." Mariah Carey would join Vandross on the track, which peaked at #2 Pop/#7 R&B/#11 AC. Vandross would continue to record albums over the years with all of them at least hitting the gold mark. He would have one last significant hit in his career. In 2004, Vandross would release the album <i>Dance with My Father</i>. The title track, written by Vandross and Richard Marx, would go on to be a sentimental hit reaching #4 AC/#28 R&B/#38 Pop. However, its popularity rose when the tune won two Grammys, one for Song of the Year and one for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The album would debut at #1, become a double platinum seller, and would win the Grammy for Best R&B Album. Prior to its release, Vandross had suffered a stroke and was in a coma for about two months. He would recover enough to do a video thank you when he won the Grammy for Song of the Year. However, just over a year later in 2005 Vandross would die from a heart attack. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-22843565046845445802023-06-13T18:00:00.003-04:002023-06-13T18:00:00.156-04:00"Roam" by The B-52's<div style="text-align: right;"><b><span style="color: red;">Top 10 Alert!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><span style="color: red;">Gold Record Alert! </span></b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4147</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/23/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 88</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: red;">Peak: 3</b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 20</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop, Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: The B-52's scored their first Pop Top 10 hit with "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/love-shack-by-b-52s.html">Love Shack</a>," the second single from their album <i>Cosmic Thing</i>. It would be a #3 gold seller that took the band to new heights of popularity. For a follow up, this next single was selected. It would basically replicate the results of their previous hit by getting to #3 and going gold (#10 Dance, #6 Modern Rock). In turn, the album would reach #4 and eventually reach the 4x platinum mark. A fourth single, "Deadbeat Club," would be a modest hit just cracking the Pop Top 30 at #30. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: For this song, vocalist Fred Schneider stepped to the side and let Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson take full charge of the song. It turned into a great showcase for their vocals and harmonies. Both singers had interesting voices, but when put together they created something unique and memorable, which when paired with Schneider made the B-52's sound. However, the two on their own were awesome and this hit proved it. This was a fun, catchy pop tune that was perfect for driving with the windows down on a warm summer day. Wherever you were headed, this song provided a wonderful soundtrack for the trip. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 9/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: After everything wrapped up with <i>Cosmic Thing</i> and the associated tour, original member Cindy Wilson chose to go on hiatus from the band. The remaining trio decided to carry on and would record their next album <i>Good Stuff</i> with producers Nile Rodgers and Don Was. Both had produced tracks for <i>Cosmic Thing</i>. The LP was highly anticipated, but then the title track first single surprisingly stalled at #28 on the Pop chart (#1 Modern Rock) and that left the album stalling at #16. It would go gold, but it was a disappointment after the multi-platinum success of their previous LP. The band would have one last Pop chart entry in 1994 with "(Meet) The Flintsones," the theme song to the live action movie version of the 60s animated TV show <i>The Flintstones</i>. For the single, they were billed as The BC-52's. Wilson would rejoin the band soon after and they would tour and work on various projects as a group and individually. They wouldn't record another album until 2008's <i>Funplex</i>, which peaked at #11.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-64116451014604894452023-06-12T18:00:00.002-04:002023-06-13T09:25:49.449-04:00"Too Hot" by Loverboy<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4146</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/23/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 90</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 84<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 5</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Glam Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: After a run of four consecutive double platinum albums, Loverboy's career hit a bump with their fifth effort, '87's <i>Wildside</i>. It would be their lowest peaking studio album (#42) and would only reach gold level sales. With the band's popularity on the decline combined with tensions arising among the members, Loverboy decided to split in '88. The breakup would prove to be brief due to the band needing one more album to fulfill their label contract. A compilation package titled <i>Big Ones</i> would be put together and nestled among hits would be three new tracks including this first single. The song would peak at a minor #27 at Rock and was nearly a non-starter at Pop where it fizzled after a few weeks on the chart. The compilation would stall at a minor #189. Following some supporting tour dates, Loverboy would once again call it a day. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: I think Loverboy had learned that their earlier 80s arena/synth rock wasn't going to cut it anymore in the late 80s and consciously amped up their sound with this song to try and compete with the glam metal of the day. It was a valiant attempt, but it was too little too late. For me, this just didn't sound like Loverboy. Even lead singer Mike Reno seemed to be trying to metal up his vocal and it was a bit too much of a stretch. It didn't help that the song wasn't all that memorable. Loverboy were a product of a certain time period and they were able to toss out some terrific radio hits that are still in rotation. It gave them the fodder to have a long lasting career. They really didn't need to reinvent the wheel. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 4/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: As before, the band's breakup wouldn't last all that long. In 1991, the band was asked to perform at a benefit show for Brian MacLeod, a member of the popular Canadian group Chilliwack who was fighting cancer. In the US, Chilliwack was known for their 1981 #22 hit "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2014/03/my-girl-gone-gone-gone-by-chilliwack.html">My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)</a>." The reunion worked out so well that the band decided to continue on and do a few tour dates. From that point on, Loverboy would remain together. They would tour and issue out a few albums along the way. Loverboy would be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2009.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-52734272241357768652023-06-10T14:00:00.065-04:002023-06-10T14:00:00.144-04:00"Right and Hype" by Abstrac'<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4145</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/23/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 93</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 89<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 6</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: R&B, New Jack Swing<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: This vocal trio from NYC consisted of Mary Brown, Marsha McClurkin, and Topaz Del Bettis. Formed via Teddy Riley (Guy, Bobby Brown) and Gene Griffin, the trio got signed to Reprise Records and work began on a self titled debut album. Griffin would co-write and co-produce the majority of the album with Riley doing some side work. This first single would be issued out. It would be a minor hit at R&B reaching #23. The tune would cross over to Pop, but only spend a few weeks near the bottom. In turn, the album would get little attention and disappear quickly. Afterwards, Del Bettis would depart the trio leaving Brown and McClurkin to carry on. The pair would rename themselves M&M and record an album titled <i>Get Ta Know Ya Betta</i> for Atlantic Records. The title track would scrape the bottom of the R&B chart and that would be it for the duo.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: While female vocal groups were more entrenched in freestyle at the time, there was potential for one to break through on the new jack scene and Reilly gave it a go with Abstrac'. The song was catchy, the production solid, and the vocals good. However, it just didn't have that little extra something needed to make it a memorable, standout track. I've read that Reilly and Griffin may have been going through a breakup of their partnership at the time and that may have affected the progress and promotion of artists they were handling like Abstrac'. The trio had potential, but in the end it just didn't work out.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 5/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Abstrac' member Mary Brown would step out of the limelight after M&M failed and begin working behind the scenes as a background singer and songwriter. Although prior to 1998 Brown would sell songs to a few artists including SWV, it would be a song that she co-wrote for a new vocal group that would truly kick off her career. Brown co-wrote "No, No, No," which would be the first single released by Destiny's Child. It would be a hit getting to #1 R&B and #3 Pop in 1998. The track would appear on the group's self-titled debut album. Although it would be her biggest hit as a writer, songs that she co-wrote would appear on albums by Diana Ross, Wyclef Jean, Kelly Rowland, Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah, and others. In between she would provide background vocals for artists such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, TLC, and Michael Jackson.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-5417851004730602172023-06-09T18:00:00.001-04:002023-06-09T18:00:00.147-04:00"Dangerous" by Roxette<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Top 10 Alert! </b></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4144</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/16/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 65</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: red;">Peak: 2</b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 21</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: The Swedish duo scored their second #1 US Pop hit with the power ballad "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/listen-to-your-heart-by-roxette.html">Listen to Your Heart</a>" (#2 AC). It was the third single from their album <i>Look Sharp!</i> and to keep the ball rollin', this next single was issued out. It would just miss out on becoming the duo's third #1 at Pop (#21 AC), but they would rectify that with their next single. Meanwhile, the album would turn platinum after peaking at #23.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: This was another catchy track from the duo. It didn't have as long of legs as their other big hits as you never hear it these days, but it was still a quality pop tune. The album had plenty of gems mainly supplied by duo member Per Gessel. With both <i>Look Sharp!</i> and <i>Joyride</i> he was really at the peak of his powers dishing out well crafted pop tracks. It came to an end in the US when the more conceptual <i>Tourism</i> didn't spark interest. Still, the duo certainly made their mark in the US with six Pop Top 10s including four #1s.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 7/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Double Shot! 1) While on a hot streak, Roxette was tapped to contribute a song for the soundtrack to the upcoming rom-com film <i>Pretty Woman</i> starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Instead of writing a brand new song, Roxette reached back a couple years to a Christmas themed song they released in Sweden in 1987. Titled "It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)," the single got to #4 in Sweden. For the <i>Pretty Woman</i> soundtrack, the duo would alter the lyrics to take out any Christmas references and give the track a remix. Roxette's track would be the second single lifted from the soundtrack and it would be a #1 Pop/#2 AC gold seller. Of course it didn't hurt that the film became a huge box office success with Julia Roberts later winning a Golden Globe and getting an Oscar nod for her role. 2) Roxette would return with a new album in '91 titled <i>Joyride</i>. It would be another platinum success that reached #12. That was thanks to a pair of hit singles, the #1 title track and the #2 "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)." Unfortunately, the duo's luck faded quickly after that album. Their next effort, '92's <i>Tourism</i>, would scrape the chart at #117 with none of its singles able to make the top half of the Pop chart. They would get two more minor singles on the Pop chart and that would be it for them in the US. However, Roxette would remain very successful in Europe and especially in their home country of Sweden. In 2002, one-half of the duo, Marie Fredriksson, was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was successfully removed. Roxette would be put on hiatus and during that time period she and duo partner Per Gessel would release successful solo albums. They would reunite in 2009 for performances, which led to a new album and tour. They would continue to record an perform over the years, but that would end in 2016 when she could no longer perform due to her health condition after battling cancer stemming from the brain tumor. She died in 2019. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-56655650143133357402023-06-08T18:00:00.093-04:002023-06-08T18:00:00.141-04:00"Here We Are" by Gloria Estefan<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: red;">Top 10 Alert! </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4143</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/16/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 68</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: red;">Peak: 6</b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 21</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: Estefan's first official solo billed album <i>Cuts Both Ways</i> quickly went platinum thanks in part to the #1 gold selling lead single "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/10/dont-wanna-lose-you-by-gloria-estefan.html">Don't Wanna to Lose You</a>." The second single, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/02/get-on-your-feet-by-gloria-estefan.html">Get on Your Feet</a>," did well, but stalled at #11 Pop. Estefan would return to the Top 10 with this third single. The ballad would make it to #6 while becoming her first solo #1 at AC. The hit would help sales of the album, which would go double platinum in the summer of '90. Eventually it would go triple platinum. Two further singles from the album would miss out on the Pop Top 40, but the album's title track would become another #1 AC hit for Estefan. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: While the Miami Sound Machine had success with upbeat tracks, when Estefan started to branch out on her own, it was her ballads that turned into hits for her. That was not a bad thing, but it may have started to put her in a more AC light with the kids moving on to newer, hipper artists. Estefan would score one more major hit (a ballad, natch), but then besides a #13 remake of "Turn the Beat Around" in '94, her Pop chart singles were middling affairs. However, she'd score fourteen solo Top 10 hits at AC, so really that format kept her going (and helped album sales). This track was the first of three #1s at AC and it was just right for that format. It was a pretty ballad that was well written and performed by Estefan. It wasn't quite as memorable as her other ballad hits, but it was a quality tune.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 6/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: In March of '90 while on tour supporting the album, Estefan's tour bus was involved in a crash with a semi during a snowstorm near Scranton, PA. The accident left Estefan with a fractured spine. She would go through months of recovery and therapy. Along the way she would still find a way to write and record and in January of '91 she would release her second solo effort <i>Into the Light</i>. It was preceded by the single "Coming Out of the Dark" along with a triumphant return to the stage performing the song on the American Music Awards. The single would reach #1 Pop/#1 AC/#60 R&B. It would end up being Estefan's last Pop Top 10 hit. The album topped out at #5 and would be a double platinum seller. Estefan would continue to have a successful recording career scoring platinum and gold selling LPs, which included Spanish language albums that would earn her three Grammy awards and five Latin Grammys.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-22569079203026472422023-06-07T18:00:00.024-04:002023-06-07T18:00:00.153-04:00"Opposites Attract" by Paula Abdul (Duet with The Wild Pair)<div style="text-align: right;"><b style="color: red;">#1 Alert </b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4142</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/16/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 72</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: red;">Peak: 1 (3 weeks)</b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 23</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: By this point in time, Abdul's debut album <i>Forever Your Girl</i> was showing only a few signs of slowing down. In October of '89, more than a year after it first reached the chart the LP finally made it to #1 after spawning four Pop Top 10 hits including three #1s. With the iron still hot, Abdul's label gambled on this sixth single. To boost it along, an inventive video was created for MTV. The ploy worked and Abdul would end up with her fourth #1 Pop hit (#3 R&B). It made her only the fourth artist at the time to generate four #1 songs from one album (Whitney Houston, George Michael, and Michael Jackson attained that mark previously). The hit would close out that album, which would reach the seven million sales mark in July of '90 to become one of the most successful debut albums ever.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: This was the last song to debut on the Pop chart in '89 that would go on to become a #1 hit in 1990. I can't say it was a good one, but it gave Abdul another chart topper. I wasn't a fan of the song when it came out and it is still not one of my favorites among Abdul's hits. I think it was the video, which was kinda cool at the time, that pushed this one over the top. I mean, the track was fine, but the whole you-like/I-like concept had been done before and I didn't find it as fun or catchy as some of her other hits. Abdul's next LP was a bit of a mess, but it had a few keepers. "The Promise of a New Day" comes up in a couple of my playlists. Let's face it - Abdul was not a good singer, but with her debut she set a goal and had just the right songs and videos in place to capture an audience. You knew it couldn't last (and it didn't), but she certainly made a mark.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 4/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Double Shot! 1) This single was billed as a duet with The Wild Pair, which consisted of Bruce DeShazer (aka Tony Christian) and Marvin Gunn. The pair were formerly members of the Minneapolis R&B/funk band Mazarati, who were signed to Prince's Paisley Park label. Their self-titled '86 debut album would spawn the #19 R&B single "100 MPH." The Wild Pair would do background vocals on a couple of Abdul's tracks while take a turn at the lead for this tune. For single release, the label requested a remix with a rap and so producer Oliver Leiber collaborated with Derrick "Delite" Stevens and came up with the new version. Then there was the video. Inspired by an animated/live action dance sequence in the 1945 Gene Kelly musical <i>Anchors Away</i>, the video had Abdul doing a duet/dance with the animated character MC Skat Kat (voiced by The Wild Pair). It proved to be very successful and would go on to win a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video. The MC Scat Kat would prove to be so popular that the character would be spin off as a recording artist. With Derrick Stevens providing the vocals, <i>MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob</i> would be released in 1991. The LP's first single, "Skat Strut," would get to #80 Pop/#94 R&B. The album would not chart and with that MC Skat Kat would pretty much disappear. 2) The difficult thing about having a wildly successful debut album is following it up. Abdul gave it a go with her '91 effort <i>Spellbound</i>. For it, she pretty much ditched her cohorts from her debut and mainly worked with Peter Lord and V. Jeffrey Smith who were from the NYC R&B/soul band The Family Stand. They would write and produce the majority of the album with Abdul joining them as co-writer on four tracks. Abdul also did a John Hiatt cover tune with producer Don Was and recorded one Prince song that was produced by folks in his Paisley Park stable. The LP started off well with its first two singles, "Rush, Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day," both hitting #1. Another Top 10 arrived with the #6 "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" followed by a couple of Top 20s. The album would spend two weeks at #1 and sell three million copies. Overall, it was a good result, but it couldn't get close to the success of her debut. After a break, Abdul would return in '95 with <i>Head Over Heels</i>. None of its singles would crack the Pop Top 30 and the album would stall at #18 and only go gold. To-date, Abdul has yet to release a fourth studio album. Her career floundered for a bit, but then in 2002 she got a major revival when she became a judge on the hugely successful reality competition show <i>American Idol</i>. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-27915574084108530382023-06-06T18:00:00.001-04:002023-06-06T18:00:00.142-04:00"I Will Survive" by Sa-Fire<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4141</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/16/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 80</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 53<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 11</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Dance-Pop, House<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: Sa-Fire's self-titled debut album did fairly well. It peaked at a respectable #79 while spawning the #12 Pop/#4 AC hit "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/04/thinking-of-you-by-sa-fire.html">Thinking of You</a>." A follow up LP was in order, but prior to that Sa-Fire would be assigned by her label to record a song for the soundtrack to an upcoming film. She would perform the cover tune "I Will Survive" for the Meryl Streep/Roseanne Barr comedy flick <i>She-Devil</i>. It would be released as a single, but it didn't quite catch fire. The tune would stop short of the halfway mark on the Pop chart while topping out at #30 Dance. Without a better boost the soundtrack then failed to chart. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: You know a song is quality when it can be performed in various styles and it still sounds good. Sa-Fire's house-leaning take served the song well especially for the time period. I could do without the rap section, but again, it was right for the late 80s. If the arrangement sounds like something that Paula Abdul would do that is because it was produced by Oliver Leiber, who helmed hits for Abdul including "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/01/its-just-way-that-you-love-me-by-paula.html">(It's Just) The Way You Love Me</a>." It might have been nice to have this single touch the Pop Top 40, but I don't think it could have gone much further. It was a nice, timely take on a classic.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 6/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: This is a cover of a song originally recorded by singer Gloria Gaynor. Written by Freddie Perrin and Dino Fekaris, the tune was meant to be the b-side to "Substitute," a song Gaynor's label wanted as a single. Gaynor knew "I Will Survive" would be a hit and tried to take the label into making it the a-side, but they refused and pushed out "Substitute." That tune barely scraped the R&B chart at #78, however "I Will Survive" started to become very successful in discos and it wasn't long before the song started climbing the charts. It would reach #1 Pop/#1 Dance/#4 R&B/#9 AC in 1979 and would become a platinum seller. It was Gaynor's second and final Pop Top 10 hit. The tune would go on to become a classic disco track and gay anthem. It would also be the one and only song to win a Grammy for Best Disco Recording as that category would exist for only one year. The song would be covered by many artists. The first charting cover of the song would be in 1979 when country artist Billie Jo Spears would take it to #21 on the Country chart. Sa-Fire would be the second artist to make the Pop chart with the tune. In 1996, a Diana Ross cover would get to #37 Dance. That same year, singer Chantay Savage would do a version that would get to #24 Pop/#5 R&B/#35 Dance. The following year alt rock band Cake would record the tune and it would get to #28 on the Modern Rock chart. Then of course the cast of the TV show <i>Glee</i> would do a mashup version of the tune along with Destiny Child's 2001 hit "Survivor." That medley would get to #51 Pop.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-29786468850759050702023-06-05T18:00:00.001-04:002023-06-05T18:00:00.173-04:00"Foolish Heart" by Sharon Bryant<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4140</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/16/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 90</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 90<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 5</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: R&B<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: This former Atlantic Starr vocalist was finally able to issue out a debut solo album five years after leaving the band. A single from the LP, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/let-go-by-sharon-bryant.html">Let Go</a>," would become a hit at R&B reaching #2. The tune would also do fairly well at Pop where it got inside the Pop Top 40 (#34). Next up for release was this follow up single. Again, it would crack the R&B Top 10 peaking at #7. The ballad would get on the Pop chart, but it would end up peaking where it debuted and would disappear after a few weeks. Another single, "Body Talk," would only get to #38 R&B. The album was able to reach #27 R&B and #139 Pop. Despite scoring a couple of R&B Top 10, it seems it wasn't enough for her label, Wing Records, to keep her on the roster. Bryant would then move on to work as a background singer on record an on tour with many artists including Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Seal, and Vanessa Williams, who was Bryant's labelmate at Wing Records.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: This was an interesting choice for a cover and it worked out quite well. With its 80s quiet storm arrangement, the track was quite different from the original's soft rock sound (see below), which I think benefited the song. I also liked Bryant's vocal take. She didn't overdo it and knew the right times to give a little zest. Overall a very nice cover that should have done a lot better at Pop and also should have been promoted at AC.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 7/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: This is a remake of a song originally recorded by Journey frontman Steve Perry. Released as the <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/08/foolish-heart-by-steve-perry.html">fourth single</a> from Perry's 1984 double platinum solo debut album <i>Street Talk</i> (#12), the song would become a #2 AC/#18 Pop hit. The tune was co-written by Perry along with Randy Goodrum. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-42636757274778907262023-06-03T14:00:00.001-04:002023-06-03T14:00:00.140-04:00"C'mon and Get My Love" by D-Mob introducing Cathy Dennis<div style="text-align: right;"><b style="color: red;">Top 10 Alert! </b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4139</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/16/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 96</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Peak: 10</b></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 21</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Dance-Pop, Acid House<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: British producer/remixer/songwriter Daniel Poku, aka Dancin' Danny D, worked his way through the music biz as a DJ and promoter until landing an A&R job at Chrysalis Records. He would continue to work remixer for various artists including ones on Chrysalis while branching out to do his own projects. After leaving Chrysalis, Danny would write and produce a track titled "We Call It Acieed." The song featured vocals by Gary Haisman. Released in the UK in the fall of '88 on the FFRR label and credited to D-Mob, the single became an unexpected hit reaching #3 on the UK chart. With the sudden success of his D-Mob project, Danny needed to get a follow up out and his next effort was "It Is Time to Get Funky" featuring rapper LRS and DJ Sarome. It would also reach the UK Top 10 (#5) in the spring of '89. The second success prompted Danny to create a debut album from D-Mob. In the meantime, across the pond in the US, the two D-Mob singles would both reach #1 on the Dance chart. By the fall of '89, the D-Mob debut album <i>A Little Bit of This, a Little Bit of That</i> would be set and this next single that featured singer Cathy Dennis would be issued out. While the song would do fine in the UK getting to #15, over in the US it would be D-Mob's third #1 at Dance while becoming a surprise Pop Top 10 hit. Another Cathy Dennis-led track, "That's the Way of the World," would stall in the UK at #48, but would hit #1 on the US Dance chart (#59 Pop). The album would sell modestly well in the US reaching #82 (#46 UK). <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: House music was certainly popular in clubs, but it would only break through to the mainstream on occasion and this was one of them. With its relentless beat, the track was a catchy dancefloor filler that was made all the better by Dennis' vocal. Acid house music is generally not something I gravitate towards as I find it too repetitive, but when the beats are paired with a catchy melody and chorus and edited to a single, it can be terrific. This song was a good example. It was a whirlwind house track that was easy to get caught up in.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 8/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Double Shot! 1) The D-Mob outfit would go on to release a couple more singles later in '94 that didn't catch on as well and with that Dancin' Danny D would go on to other projects. He would run his own record label and also team up with Tim Blacksmith to form a publishing company. They would also manage the Norwegian songwriting/production team Stargate. That outfit would work on hits by major acts like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Selena Gomez, Sam Smith, and many others. 2) While at Chrysalis, Poku would befriend a co-worker by the name of Simon Fuller, who would later become widely known for the UK's <i>Pop Idol</i> show (aka <i>American Idol</i> in the US along with franchises in many other countries). The connection came in handy when Poku needed a vocalist for a couple tracks. Fuller started his own management company and had signed on singer/songwriter Cathy Dennis. With her two D-Mob tracks becoming hits, Dennis then got her own record deal and later in 1990 issued out her debut solo album <i>Move to This</i>. While it would only reach #62 in the US, it would spawn three Pop Top 10 hits: "Just Another Dream" (#9), "Touch Me (All Night Long)" (#2), and "Too Many Walls" (#8). Dennis co-wrote all three songs along with the majority of tracks on her debut. Unfortunately, her 1992 second album didn't fare as well and it more or less brought an end to her solo career (save for a '97 album). However, it would be Dennis' songwriting skills that would take her career to new heights. She began writing songs for other artists and things would start to rev starting in 1999 when she co-wrote four Top 10 hits for the UK pop outfit S Club 7. Her next hit would be a biggie. Dennis would co-write and co-produce the 2001 worldwide #1 "Can't Get You Out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue (#7 US). Dennis then got involved in <i>Pop Idol</i> thanks to Fuller. She would co-write the theme song, which would later be used for <i>American Idol</i> as well. Dennis would also be tapped to write songs for winners including the first UK winner Will Young and <i>American Idol</i> winner Kelly Clarkson. Many more hits would follow for Dennis including Britney Spears' 2004 "Toxic" (#9 US) and 2008's "I Kissed a Girl" (#1 US) by Katy Perry. Along the way Dennis would win two Grammys.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-82480145743154324982023-06-02T18:00:00.007-04:002023-06-02T18:00:00.132-04:00"Never 2 Much of U" by Dino<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4138</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/16/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 96</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 61<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 9</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: After a fourth single from Dino's debut album <i>24/7</i> was able to make the Pop Top 30 ("<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/sunshine-by-dino.html">Sunshine</a>," #23), his label took a chance and decided to push out a fifth single. This next track was selected, but it really didn't do much to boost Dino or the album. The song would be unable to crack the top half of the Pop chart and it would do nearly the same at R&B (#69). Regardless, Dino's debut album was a success peaking at #34 and going gold.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: With its Prince-like spelling, I figured this would be some kind of Minneapolis style jam. However, it was a more meditative mid-tempo soul-leaning tune a la George Michael. The track contained little production techniques/enhancements to boost the tune, which was needed as the song wasn't all that interesting or memorable. It probably wasn't the best decision to shove this out, but you can't blame them for trying.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 4/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: In 1990, Dino would issue out his second album <i>Swingin'</i>. Its first single, "Romeo," would end up becoming Dino's highest peaking on the Pop chart getting to #6. It would also reach #35 Dance and #69 R&B. Unfortunately, the LP's next single, "Gentle," would halt at #31 Pop/#31 R&B and that result would do little for album sales. Without a string of chart singles, the LP then would only peak at #82 and miss out on going gold. It then seems that Dino would be left off of the Island Records roster. He'd sign on with the Atlantic offshoot label EastWest and release a third album in '93 titled <i>The Way I Am</i>, but it came and went to little notice save for the #27 Pop single "Ooh Child," which was a cover of the 1970 #4 Pop/#14 R&B hit by The Five Stairsteps. With his time in the sunshine done, Dino would then step behind the scenes and mainly work writing and producing for other artists.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-14670466681746694792023-06-01T18:00:00.007-04:002023-06-01T18:00:00.140-04:00"Tell Me Why" by Exposé<div style="text-align: right;"><b style="color: red;">Top 10 Alert! </b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4137</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 67</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: red;">Peak: 9</b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 15</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: New Jack Swing, Dance-Pop<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: The trio's second album <i>What You Don't Know</i> was off to a good start with its first two singles making the Pop Top 10 including the ballad "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/when-i-looked-at-him-by-expose.html">When I Looked at Him</a>" (#10). For a third single, this new jack swing track was selected for release. It would be another winner for the trio becoming their seventh consecutive Pop Top 10. The tune also made it to #3 at Dance. Oddly, even though the LP featured three Pop Top 10 hits, it didn't sell as well as expected. It would top out at #33 and only reach gold status. That was a far cry from their triple platinum '87 debut. Alas, all good things have to come to and end and the album's fourth single, the mid-tempo Diane Warren-penned "Your Baby Never Looked Good in Blue," would bring a halt to the trio's Top 10 streak when it peaked at #17 (#9 AC).<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: I thought I knew all of Exposé's hits, but I don't remember this one at all. It seems to be a hit in their catalog that has disappeared. It was another pretty good track from the trio's writer/producer Lewis A. Martineé, but it certainly wasn't as strong or memorable as previous hits. I wouldn't have pegged this for a Top 10 hit, but somehow it did well enough to just make it in.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 5/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Later in 1990, group member Gioia Bruno experienced vocal issues. Eventually she lost her voice and was unable to sing. With the trio still needing to push out a third album, she would be replaced by Kelly Moneymaker. Arista Records head Clive Davis would take a more hands-on approach with the trio's self-titled third effort and move them more towards a pop/AC-leaning sound. The person who assembled the trio and produced their first to albums, Lewis A. Martineé, would only get to contribute four tracks to the new LP while the balance featured tracks written by Diane Warren and other songwriters. A first single, "I Wish the Phone Would Ring," would falter at #28 Pop, but then the Warren-penned "I'll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me)" would become a #8 Pop/#1 AC gold selling hit. Two further singles failed to crack the top half of the Pop chart. None of the four singles were written/produced by Martineé. Despite containing a major hit, the LP would stall at #135, however, over a two year period it would somehow sell well enough to be certified gold. After a '95 <i>Greatest Hits </i>album, the trio would be cut loose from Arista. Members would go their own ways, but then in 2003 the trio's third album lineup would get back together and start to perform. Bruno, who had recovered from her vocal outage, would come back in 2006 taking over her original spot from Moneymaker. The original trio would continue to perform over the years with Moneymaker subbing in as needed.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-12312677878457753772023-05-31T18:00:00.001-04:002023-05-31T18:00:00.142-04:00"We Can't Go Wrong" by The Cover Girls<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Top 10 Alert! </b></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4136</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 73</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: red;">Peak: 8</b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 19</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: The vocal trio's second album, <i>We Can't Go Wrong</i>, didn't get off to the best start. Its first single, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2023/01/my-heart-skips-beat-by-cover-girls.html">My Heart Skips a Beat</a>," would be a #4 Dance hit, but that didn't really help its mainstream prospects with the song peaking just inside the Pop Top 40 (#38). With that freestyle track not able to gain a bigger audience, the trio's label decided to change tactics and push out this title track ballad. It ended up being the right choice with the single becoming the trio's first to crack the Pop Top 10. However, despite the song doing well, it didn't help sales of the album, which halted at a minor #108. A third single, "All That Glitters Isn't Gold," wasn't able to contribute much either with the song topping out at #18 Dance and #48 Pop. It seems the results left the trio looking for a new label.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: With its big sing-a-long chorus that made it sound like a charity single of some sorts, this ballad is what broke the trio into the Pop Top 10. It was a little surprising as they were more known for their freestyle hits, but since those were not connecting on a larger scale outside of the dance clubs, this big ballad was given a shot and it paid off.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 6/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: After things crumbled with Capitol Records, the trio caught a break and were tapped to record the track "Don't Stop Now" for the 1990 benefit album <i>Music Speaks Louder Than Words</i> that was put out by Epic Records. Epic decided to release the song as a single and it got a little attention reaching #8 Dance and #65 Pop. Its b-side, "Funky Boutique," started to pick up some airplay, so Epic released it as a one-off single. It would do slightly better getting to #55 Pop. With those results, Epic wanted more from the trio (who by that point had a lineup change) and decided to sign them on. A third album <i>Here It Is</i> would be ready by 1992 and a first single, "Wishing on a Star," would do well enough to become the trio's second Pop Top 10 hit (#9). It would also get to #7 Dance and #19 R&B. The track was a cover of a song originally recorded by Rose Royce in 1977 (#52 R&B). Yet despite The Cover Girls taking the song into the Pop Top 10, it seems that was not enough to spark any album sales and it would fail to chart. With those results, the trio were left off the Epic roster. Lineup changes would ensue and an indie LP in '96 titled <i>Satisfy</i> would fail to win an audience. Since that time, various iterations of The Cover Girls have continued to perform.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-9374089039978896572023-05-30T18:00:00.021-04:002023-05-30T18:00:00.141-04:00"Electric Boogie" by Marcia Griffiths<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4135</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 90</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 51<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 11</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop, R&B, Reggae<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: By this point in time, Jamaican singer Marcia Griffiths had already been a star for over twenty years. After basically being discovered in the early 60s singing at a friend's party, Griffiths became a singer for the influential ska band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. A solo career would follow and in 1968 she had her first hit "Feel Like Jumping." Not long after that, Griffiths would team up professionally and personally with reggae singer/songwriter Bob Andy. As Bob and Marcia, the pair would record a couple of albums in the early 70s and score a major #5 UK hit in 1970 with their version of Nina Simone's "Young, Gifted and Black." After the duo parted ways, Griffith would become a member of Bob Marley's backing vocal group the I Three's. She would continue working with Marley until his death in '81. Along the way Griffiths would maintain her solo career recording several albums. In '83, she would record a cover version of a song called "Electric Boogie" that would become popular in Jamaica. By a stroke of luck, six years later the tune experienced a revival. It became popular enough that a new remix of the track was done and issued out by Island Records. Thanks in part to a popular dance (see below), the single started to sell and it would eventually make the US Pop chart where it stalled just a notch shy of the halfway point. It also got on the R&B chart at #83. With the song a hit, an album was quickly assembled and pushed out. <i>Carousel</i> would arrive in '90, but it would not chart. Griffiths would continue to record solo albums and work with other artists, but for many around the world she will mainly be recognized for "Electric Boogie" and its associated dance.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: While it may not be as popular now, back in the day there wasn't a prom, wedding reception, or event with a DJ where this was not played. Folks would crowd the dance floor and the Electric Slide would commence. It was an fairly easy line dance to learn so it often got everyone participating including some of the most stubborn "I don't dance" kind of people. I remember doing it a few times, but these days I don't remember one step of it. There are times when a song behind a dance craze is really annoying, but this is one that stands on its own. It's a fun, engaging tune that can be easily listened to without having to dance. The remix is a lot slicker than Griffiths' previous '83 version and that definitely helped its mainstream chances. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 6/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: This is a cover of a song originally written and recorded by reggae star Bunny Wailer (step-brother to the legendary Bob Marley and original member of The Wailers). By most accounts, Wailer wrote the song in 1976 and recorded a demo. It seems a single of the song was issued out later in 1980 under his name. Then in '83, Griffiths would record the song with Wailer producing, arranging, and singing background vocals. It was a popular tune at the time, but then later in '89 a DJ in Washington, D.C., started to spin the tune and it unexpectedly gained an audience. A new remix of the song would be created and become a minor hit. But what took the song to a whole new level was an associated dance that was developed back when Bunny Wailer wrote the tune. Choreography/performer Ric Silver heard the demo and created a line dance that was known as The Electric. The original 22-step dance would become popular with variations popping up. One of those variations, the 18-step Electric Slide, would receive renewed interest when Griffiths' song regained popularity and it soon started to find its way into mainstream culture. It would become a staple at parties, receptions, events, bars, etc., for years after. For the 2023 Super Bowl, a new remix of Griffiths' hit song was done by reggae rapper/singer Shaggy and used in a Jeep commercial. In the spot, CGI animals perform the Electric Slide.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-87909778266355974182023-05-29T18:00:00.002-04:002023-05-30T08:57:36.483-04:00"I Don't Know" by Michael Morales<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4134</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 92</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 81<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 6</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Pop, Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u> </u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: After the second single from Morales' self-titled debut album, the cover tune "What I Like About You," managed to crack the Pop Top 30 (#28), his label decided to give this third single a try. This time around the tune didn't catch on and it would only spend a few weeks near the bottom of the Pop chart. The single obviously didn't help sell the album any further, which had already topped out at #113.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: This was a is good, serviceable mid-tempo pop/rock song. It had a nice chorus and was well produced. It had all the basic elements needed for a Pop Top 40 entry. Yet it was one of those records that despite having everything in place didn't stand out from the pack. It probably didn't help that this style of pop/rock wasn't what the kids were gravitating towards at the time. Morales would return with a second album, but after an initial single faltered (it was actually a pretty good tune), there was no second single, which usually indicates a lack of label support. It seems the cards were stacked against Morales and unfortunately he came out on the losing end.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 5/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: With his first album making some inroads, Morales was given the green light to record a follow up. In 1991, he would release <i>Thump</i>, an album mainly written, performed, and produced by Morales along with an assist from his brother Ron. Its first single, "I Don't Wanna See You," would fail to make an impact stalling at #73. A second single was not issue out and that left the LP disappearing quickly along with his label contract. However, by that point Morales and his brother had already opened up their own studio and were working with other artists. One project that the brothers would producer (also engineer and mix), singer Freddy Fender's 2002 album <i>La Musica de Baldmar Huerta</i>, would earn them a Grammy when the LP won for Best Latin Pop Album. The brothers would work on other albums that would go on to win Grammys including Selena's 1993 <i>Live!</i> and 1998's <i>Said and Done</i> by Flaco Jiménez.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-45757693523324880292023-05-27T14:00:00.006-04:002023-05-27T14:00:00.140-04:00"A Girl Like You" by The Smithereens<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4133</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 93</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 38<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 20</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Alternative Rock, Power Pop<br /></div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="80" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/4qz8PpznLcX5AtoUusIiAh?utm_source=generator&theme=0" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="50%"></iframe>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: This band's second album <i>Green Thoughts</i> performed well getting to #60 thanks to three Rock Top 40 tracks including the #1 "Only a Memory." It was a good setup for their next LP <i>11</i>. Switching producers to Ed Stasium (Living Colour) who gave the band a crunchier, radio-ready sound, the album got kicked off with this first single. It would become a hit at both Rock (#2) and Modern Rock (#3) while becoming their first song to make the Pop Top 40. A second single, "Blues Before and After," would make it to #7 Rock/#18 Modern Rock, but stall on the Pop chart at #94. A third single, "Yesterday Girl," would reach the Top 20 at both Rock and Modern Rock. Thanks to the success of the singles, the album would become the band's highest peaking getting to #41. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: The Smithereens are a favorite of mine and it started with this song. First of all, it was a great song, but then Stasium's production really took the band to a new level. It was big, brash, crisp, and rockin'. The song hooked me from the get-go and I immediately bought the album. They'd follow it up with another great LP, '91's <i>Blow Up</i>. I'm glad this track made the Pop Top 40, but I wish it could have gone further. They should have had a few other hits as well. The Smithereens had a real knack of slinging out some solid power pop.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 9/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Double Shot! 1) Lead singer Pat DiNizio originally wrote this song for the 1989 Cameron Crowe-written/directed film <i>Say Anything...</i>, which starred John Cusack. DiNizio was approached by Crowe to write what would be the title song to the film. DiNizio was sent the script and based on dialog he read, he came up with "A Girl Like You," which references the film's title in the chorus. Unfortunately, it seems like Crowe and the film's producer thought the song revealed too much about the plot and asked for some lyric changes. DiNizio chose not to make the changes and decided to keep the song for him and the band. A demo version of the song would later find its way on the 2021vinyl expanded edition of the soundtrack. 2) The backing vocals on this track were performed by Maria Vidal. She had a minor hit on the Pop chart (#48) in 1984 with the <a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2017/05/body-rock-by-maria-vidal.html">theme song</a> to the film <i>Body Rock</i>. A self titled debut album for A&M Records would arrive in '87, but it disappeared quickly. Vidal continue to do vocal work including on this Smithereens hit. However, it seems that she was not the original person for the job. Apparently the Smithereens and Madonna had management folks in common and Madonna was asked to do the vocal part. It seems she agreed, but then cancelled prior to the scheduled session. Another attempt was made, but Madonna became a no-show. With the Material Girl out of the picture, Vidal was secured to do the work.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-61821615940475125242023-05-26T18:00:00.003-04:002023-05-26T18:00:00.161-04:00"Heart" by Neneh Cherry<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4132</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 94</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 73<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 8</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: R&B, Hip-Hop<br /></div>
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<iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/7wYlTznyA4pwedDSVZmSfC?utm_source=generator&theme=0" width="50%" height="80" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: Cherry's second single from her debut album <i>Raw Like Sushi</i>, "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/11/kisses-on-wind-by-neneh-cherry.html">Kisses on the Wind</a>," would become her second to make the Pop Top 10 topping out at #8. It seems next up for release was the track "Manchild," which had been her second single in the UK. It reached #5 there. However, the song just didn't click in the US and it failed to chart. The label then quickly issued out this next single that was only released in the US and Australia (UK and Europe would get "Inna City Mama" as the fourth single). While this time around the song did get on the Pop chart, it would only stick around for a few weeks. The album had already peaked at #40. The lack of a third hit would keep the album from reaching the gold sales mark.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: Besides the first two hits, there wasn't anything else on the album that was of that commercial caliber. While "Manchild" seemed to work in the UK, it definitely wasn't something that was going to make it in the US. I'm surprised it was even attempted. This track had a chorus that was fairly radio ready, so it was perhaps the better choice for single release in the US, but its mix of spoken word/rap/singing didn't fully click. The album was terrific and between the two hits, critical reception, and a Grammy nod for Best New Artist, I'm still surprised it didn't do better on the chart and at least go gold. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 5/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Cherry would return in '92 with her second album <i>Homebrew</i>. It would be another critical success for the artists, but it seems radio and record buyers in the US didn't connect with it. The LP's first single, "Money Love," failed to chart. A second single, "Buddy X," would fare better reaching #43 Pop/#4 Dance/#96 R&B, but it didn't spark any interest in the album and it would fail to chart. While none of her follow up albums would reach the US chart, she would get on the Pop chart one last time as half of a duet. Cherry would team up with Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour for the song "7 Seconds." The song was recorded for N'Dour's 1994 album <i>The Guide (Wommat)</i>. It would be a major worldwide hit reaching the Top 3 in many countries including the UK. In the US, the tune would just make the Pop chart at #98. N'Dour's album would get to #2 on the US World Albums chart. In '95, Cherry would reach #1 in the UK via a charity single. Recorded for the British charity Comic Relief, "Love Can Build a Bridge" featured Neneh Cherry, Cher, Chrissie Hynde, and Eric Clapton. The single, which was a cover of a 1990 #6 Country hit by The Judds, would be a hit getting to #1. After that, Cherry would grab one last Top 10 in the UK. The track "Woman" from her '96 album <i>Man</i> would get to #9.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-88685885174313716072023-05-25T18:00:00.001-04:002023-05-25T18:00:00.136-04:00"Gimme Your Good Lovin'" by Diving for Pearls<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4131</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 96</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 84<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 6</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: The roots of this band go back to Boston in 1984 when singer/guitarist Danny Malone teamed up with keyboardist Jack Moran. They cut their teeth around the Boston area, but later decided to give it a go in New York City. They filled out the band with three new members and began performing around town. In '88, an A&R rep from Epic Records caught a performance of the band. A deal with the label would follow and work would begin on a self-titled debut album. Upon completion, this first single would be issued out. It would see a bit of action getting to #21 on the Rock chart while spending a few weeks near the bottom of the Pop chart. It seems Epic chose to not officially issue out a second single and with that, the LP quickly came and went. Apparently, the band was scheduled to record a second album, but before that would happen they would end up getting dropped by Epic. Diving for Pearls would then disband.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: This would have done much better on the chart had it been released years earlier. This style of radio ready rock was popular back when bands like Loverboy and Night Ranger were ruling the airwaves. In the late 80s it practically sounded retro. That doesn't mean it was bad. The track is actually quite fun, catchy, and well done. However, with glam metal ruling the day and alt rock coming up quickly, this style of arena rock just didn't fit in, which was too bad. Diving for Pearls was just a bit too late to the party.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 7/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Band member guitarist Yul Vazquez had a little success prior to joining Diving for Pearls. He was a member of the band Urgent, who cracked the Pop chart in '85 with "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/05/running-back-by-urgent.html">Running Back</a>." After that band and Diving for Pearls split, Vazquez would embark on a successful acting career. In addition to earning a Tony nomination, Vazquez also appeared in numerous films and TV shows including appearances on <i>Seinfeld</i> as half of the intimidating gay couple. Another member of Diving for Pearls, bassist David Weeks, would set aside the music business to become an attorney. He would get some significant attention in '97 when he would represent Pamela Anderson in the highly publicized lawsuit concerning the infamous sex tape she made with husband Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-54871881210298545792023-05-24T18:00:00.001-04:002023-05-24T18:00:00.142-04:00"Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Gold Record Alert! </b></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4130</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 97</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 28<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 20</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Alternative Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: Depeche Mode's sixth album, 1987's <i>Music for the Masses</i>, became their biggest success yet in the US getting to #35 and going gold. While none of its singles cracked the Pop Top 40, two of them made the Dance Top 3 including the #1 "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2020/07/strangelove-by-depeche-mode.html">Strangelove</a>." Following a world tour, the band would get back into the studio in the summer of '89 with producer Flood and the initial result was "Personal Jesus." It would be issued out as a single in the fall of '89 in the UK where it would get to #12. A US release would follow with the tune getting to #3 Modern Rock and #12 Dance while becoming their second Pop Top 40 hit. The single (mainly the 12" version) sold well enough to reach gold status. The band would continue to record and as 1990 rolled around they had their next LP <i>Violator</i> ready to go. A second single, "Enjoy the Silence," would become the biggest hit of their career getting to #8 Pop/#1 Modern Rock/#6 Dance and going gold. <i>Violator</i> would go on to reach #7 and eventually would become their best selling LP in the US going triple platinum. It also included the #15 Pop/#1 Modern Rock/#2 Dance hit "Policy of Truth."<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: For me, <i>Violator</i> was Depeche Mode at their best. It was as if everything they did before culminated in that album. It just hit all the exact right buttons and certainly helped to break them wider into the mainstream. I bought the album as soon as it came out, but before that we got blessed with this track and the brilliant "Enjoy the Silence." This song really should have gone Top 10. It just jacked up your radio when it came on. It was a slammin' track that was different from the regular Top 40 fare. I will say that I run hot n' cold with Depeche Mode albums, but <i>Violator</i> is solid from beginning to end. A classic for sure.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 9/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Double Shot! 1) Songwriter Martin Gore has said that Priscilla Presley's book <i>Elvis and Me</i> was the inspiration for the lyrics. However, a legendary singer/songwriter approached it in a different way. Johnny Cash recorded a stripped down version of the song for his final album prior to his death in 2003, 2002's <i>American IV: The Man Comes Around</i>. Cash heard the song and viewed it from a gospel angle. He loved the tune and included it on the album. 2) Thanks to the success of <i>Violator</i>, the band's next album, '93's <i>Songs of Faith and Devotion</i>, would hit #1 and quickly go platinum. Although their luck on the Pop chart faded quickly (they would only have a couple songs scratch the Top 40), they would remain successful on the Dance chart over the years collecting up a total of ten #1s (to-date). All of their studio albums from <i>Violator</i> through to 2017's <i>Spirit</i> would all make the Top 10. The highly influential band would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-52113296351442990552023-05-23T18:00:00.105-04:002023-05-23T18:00:00.153-04:00"500 Miles" by The Hooters<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4129</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/09/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 99</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 97<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 5</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Folk-Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: The Philly band's third album <i>One Way Home</i> would be a #27 gold seller thanks mainly to a couple of Top 15 Rock hits including the #3 "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2020/07/johnny-b-by-hooters.html">Johnny B</a>" (#61 Pop). That LP found the band altering their sound a bit to something a shade more darker that leaned towards folk rock. For their next effort, <i>Zig Zag</i>, the band would amp the folk up even more and toss in some cultural and political themes. This first single was certainly a sign of their latest direction. It didn't quite ignite interest with the tune stopping at #20 Rock while barely scraping the Pop chart. A second single would fare less well and not even make the Pop chart. With those results, the LP stalled at a minor #115. It would be the band's third and last album for Columbia Records.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: While I appreciate that the band recorded this as a topical political statement of sorts, I'm not sure why they chose it as the lead single from the album. While I like what they did with the tune, it wasn't going to get anywhere on the Pop chart. Maybe they thought that with some contemporary folk breaking through in the late 80s, it might catch on, especially since the band basically used a slower version of the backing rhythm they developed for "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2018/02/all-you-zombies-by-hooters.html">All You Zombies</a>" (#58). While the results were haunting, there was just no way this was going to become a hit. It more or less doomed the LP and left the band looking for a new label.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 5/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Double Shot! 1) This is an updated version of an early 60s folk song written by American folk singer Hedy West. The origins of her song are a little sketchy, but it seems that West cobbled the tune together from melodies learned from folks in her family, which in turn could have been based on other folk songs that date back to the 1920s or even as early as the Civil War. The tune has become one of the most popular in the American folk catalog. While many artists have covered the song, only one has made a hit out of it. Country star Bobby Bare released a version in 1963. It would make it to #10 Pop/#5 Country/#4 AC. The Hooters would revisit the tune, but would add their own lyrics with a reference to the anonymous man who stood in front of the tank at the June '89 Tiananmen Square protests. Background vocals on the track were done by the famous folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary, who recorded their own take on the song for their 1962 debut album. 2) The Hooters would move over to MCA for their next album, '93's <i>Out of Body</i>. Neither the album nor any of its singles would reach the US charts. However, that album along with <i>Zig Zag</i> proved to be popular in some European countries. The albums would reach the Top 15 in Sweden and Norway with both LPs going gold in Sweden. A live album in '94 would be released in Europe only and do well there, yet it seemed that wasn't enough for the band and they would choose to go on hiatus in '95. Lead vocalist/guitarist Eric Bazilian would then write/co-write songs for Joan Osborne's 1995 debut album <i>Relish</i>. That LP featured Osborne's lone chart single, the #4 "One of Us," which was written by Bazilian. That song would earn Grammy nominations for Record and Song of the Year. Osborne's album would get to #9 and go triple platinum and be nominated for Album of the Year. Osborne would earn two further nominations for Best Pop Vocal Performance and Best New Artist. The Hooters would reunite in 2001 and release a new album in 2007.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-34954657224977207902023-05-22T18:00:00.018-04:002023-05-22T18:00:00.159-04:00"Peace in Our Time" by Eddie Money<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4128</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/02/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 86</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 11<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 15</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: Although Money's '88 album <i>Nothing to Lose</i> would peak at #49 and miss the gold mark, it would spawn a pair of Pop Top 30 hits including the #9 "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2021/11/walk-on-water-by-eddie-money.html">Walk on Water</a>" (#2 Rock). To wrap up the 80s, Money's label, Columbia, would assemble the compilation <i>Greatest Hits: The Sound of Money</i>. The collection would include key hits from Money's career along with an unreleased live track and two newly recorded songs. One of those new tunes, "Peace in Our Time," would be issued out as a single to help promote the album. It would just miss out on the Pop Top 10 stalling just shy at the dreaded #11 spot. The song would also get to #2 Rock and #34 AC. The hits package would peak at #53 and eventually go gold.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: Money took a bland pop/gospel anthem (see below) and turned it into a pretty good rock tune. While it wasn't as memorable as his previous big hits, enough folks paid attention to nearly send the tune into the Pop Top 10. It seems to be one lost to time as I can't say I've heard this song since its chart days. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 5/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Double Shot! 1) This is a remake of a song originally recorded by singer Jennifer Holliday. Written by Andy Hill and Peter Sinfield, Holliday's version would be done for the 1988 Summer Olympics soundtrack <i>One Moment in Time</i>. It was not released as a single. A few years later in '93, British superstar Cliff Richard would record the song for his LP titled <i>The Album</i>. It was the second single released from the LP and it would peak at #8 in the UK. 2) Money would push out his next studio album in '91. <i>Right Here</i> signaled a big dip in Money's career when it peaked at a very minor #160. While two of its tracks would make the Rock Top 10, the only single to do well at Pop was the #21 "I'll Get By" (#7 AC). The album and singles would be Money's last ones to reach the Pop charts. After an unplugged EP, Money would be left off of the Columbia rosters. He would continue to tour over the years and release three indie studio albums before his death in 2019.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096149492566682052.post-70928285388652731532023-05-19T18:00:00.002-04:002023-05-22T08:05:24.278-04:00"Lullaby" by The Cure<div style="text-align: left;">Song#: 4127</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Date: 12/02/1989</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Debut: 85</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Peak: 74<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Weeks: 8</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Alternative Rock<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Pop Bits</u>: The Cure secured their biggest hit in the US with "<a href="http://www.popredux80.com/2022/12/lovesong-by-cure.html">Lovesong</a>," the second single from their album <i>Disintegration</i>. It would reach #2 Pop/#2 Modern Rock. The hit would help send the LP to #12. Up next for release was this third single. Over in the UK, the song was the first single released from the album and it would become their biggest hit there getting to #5. However, it didn't quite catch on in the US and it would stall low on the Pop chart while only reaching #23 Modern Rock and #31 Dance. The album had already gone platinum in October of '89 and it would remain at that level until 2004 when it got bumped up to double platinum status. Two further singles from the album would be released with both peaking around the same position as this one. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxReview</u>: This creepy track from the band had an equally creepy video, which won British Video of the Year at the Brit Awards. Its cool groove wasn't the stuff Top 10 dreams were made of, but the haunting track was certainly memorable in its own way. <br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>ReduxRating</u>: 7/10</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Trivia</u>: Thanks to their breakthrough hit "Lovesong" and platinum sales of <i>Disintegration</i>, anticipation was high for the next album. However, before that would happen, a remix album titled <i>Mixed Up</i> would be issued out in late 1990. It would reach #14 and go gold (later platinum). The Cure would then work on their next studio album. Upon the release, 1992's <i>Wish</i> would debut at #2 and within a couple of months it would go platinum. It got a boost thanks to a pair of Modern Rock #1s including "Friday I'm in Love," which became the band's second biggest US hit reaching #18. The band would continue over the years in various iterations with Robert Smith always at the forefront. All their studio albums from 1996 through to 2008, would make the Top 20. In 2019, The Cure would be induced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>ArnieNuvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286800706511671018noreply@blogger.com0