Song#: 0462
Date: 01/24/1981
Debut: 89
Peak: 75
Weeks: 4
Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary, Classical Crossover
Pop Bits: The 1980 film "Ordinary People" was a success for director Robert Redford and it would soon go on to win Oscars including Best Picture. The film's music included the well-known classical piece Pachelbel's "Canon in D." Use of the piece must have made it popular at the time as composer Charles Fox created this song based on the work. Fox may not be a well-known name, but most likely you've heard some of his songs. He co-wrote (with Norman Gimble) hits like "Killing Me Softly with His Song" by Roberta Flack and "Ready to Take a Chance Again" by Barry Manilow. He also wrote the themes to TV shows like "Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley" that also became hit singles. This was Fox's only pop chart entry, but after winning a Grammy and an Emmy and being nominated for an Oscar, he really didn't need pop stardom.
ReduxReview: Okay, so not as horrible as the premise sounds. Sometimes classical pieces updated to a more pop version can be just awful. However, this one is not too modernized and the main add is drums. For poppin' up a dusty classic, this is listenable.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: In addition to writing/co-writing themes for TV shows like the ones mentioned above, along with "Love, American Style" (which got him an Emmy) and "The Love Boat," Fox also did themes for game shows. The one that folks may recognize even today is the theme to the hilarious "Match Game."
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Saturday, July 20, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
"Lipstick" by Suzi Quatro
Song#: 0461
Date: 01/24/1981
Debut: 90
Peak: 51
Weeks: 9
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: This Detroit native had minor success in her home country with only the #4 "Stumblin' In" (1979) her only big chart hit. However, in the UK/Europe and Australia she was a star with #1 songs and hit albums - to the tune of 50 million sold. She has been cited by many as a groundbreaking musician by being the first true female rocker who could write/play/lead a band and give the boys a run. Producer Mickie Most is the one who picked up Quatro and took her to the UK and kickstarted her career, but for some reason it didn't translate to major stardom in the US. For most folks here, you mention her name and they think of her portrayal of "Leather Tuscadero" in the TV show "Happy Days," most likely her biggest success here along with the one hit single. Her seventh album "Rock Hard" contained this single, which would be her last chart entry.
ReduxReview: Written by the hit songwriting team of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, this is kind of odd song with attitude and interesting lyrics. It kind of reminds me of "Gloria" (the Them song, not Laura Branigan's). I think this would stand out on radio, but not sure if many pop radio fans would warm up to this song. I kind of dig it.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Quatro began her career in a band that included two of her sisters called The Pleasure Seekers. They issued a couple of singles and then later changed their name to Cradle. It was while she was in Cradle that Mickie Most spotted her and offered a contract. Her sister Patty went on to be a part of the all-female band Fanny, which were also highly influential despite a lack of hits.
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Date: 01/24/1981
Debut: 90
Peak: 51
Weeks: 9
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: This Detroit native had minor success in her home country with only the #4 "Stumblin' In" (1979) her only big chart hit. However, in the UK/Europe and Australia she was a star with #1 songs and hit albums - to the tune of 50 million sold. She has been cited by many as a groundbreaking musician by being the first true female rocker who could write/play/lead a band and give the boys a run. Producer Mickie Most is the one who picked up Quatro and took her to the UK and kickstarted her career, but for some reason it didn't translate to major stardom in the US. For most folks here, you mention her name and they think of her portrayal of "Leather Tuscadero" in the TV show "Happy Days," most likely her biggest success here along with the one hit single. Her seventh album "Rock Hard" contained this single, which would be her last chart entry.
ReduxReview: Written by the hit songwriting team of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, this is kind of odd song with attitude and interesting lyrics. It kind of reminds me of "Gloria" (the Them song, not Laura Branigan's). I think this would stand out on radio, but not sure if many pop radio fans would warm up to this song. I kind of dig it.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Quatro began her career in a band that included two of her sisters called The Pleasure Seekers. They issued a couple of singles and then later changed their name to Cradle. It was while she was in Cradle that Mickie Most spotted her and offered a contract. Her sister Patty went on to be a part of the all-female band Fanny, which were also highly influential despite a lack of hits.
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Thursday, July 18, 2013
"Woman" by John Lennon
Top 10 Alert!
Gold Record Alert!
Song#: 0460 Date: 01/17/1981
Debut: 36
Peak: 2
Weeks: 20
Genre: Pop, Rock
Pop Bits: At the time of Lennon's murder, "(Just Like) Starting Over" was in the Top 10 as was the album "Double Fantasy." Both rose quickly to #1 after his death and spent several weeks at the top. Apparently, Lennon had already picked "Woman" to be the follow-up single and it became his first posthumous release peaking at #2 for three weeks.
ReduxReview: I'll have to state that I don't think "Double Fantasy" is a great album. And with the events tied to it, the LP is a little hard to listen to sometimes. I've listened to it several times and the pairing of Ono's odd little tunes with some average-to-great Lennon songs just does not work for me (and yes I understand the concept - which makes his death even sadder). However, Lennon did have some solid songs and this is one of them. It was actually this song that got me to listen to the album. If pushed, I would admit that this seems a bit of a simple ditty from Lennon, but he does such a great job with it and it just works.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: When "Double Fantasy" was release, it initially received a good chunk of negative reviews including ones from Rolling Stone and The Village Voice. After his death, many publications chose to remove the bad reviews and the album went on to be a big hit and even win the Grammy for Album of the Year. And now the album has basically reach "classic" status and is typically included in many "best of" album lists. Had Lennon not been killed, chances are the legacy of the album might have been different. But with his death comes a certain attachment to the LP and perhaps even new meaning to some of the songs. Historical moments have affected music before and this is definitely one of those cases.
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"Treat Me Right" by Pat Benatar
Song#: 0459
Date: 01/17/1981
Debut: 68
Peak: 18
Weeks: 18
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: This third single from Benatar's album "Crimes of Passion" was her first chart single where she was credited as co-writer. The charging anthem couldn't quite follow "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" into the Top 10, but it helped to keep the album alive on the chart, eventually becoming her best-selling LP.
ReduxReview: Although a bit more rockier and darker than "Hit Me," I think this is a solid single. But I think radio at the time and record buyers kind of preferred the pop-leaning Benatar than the full-on rock one with songs like this just getting into the Top 20. Doesn't matter though because they are still great and remain rock standards.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: One of the popular songs from "Crimes of Passion" was not released as a single, but became an airplay favorite at rock radio. Benatar's child abuse song "Hell Is for Children" (which was not autobiographical in any way) got a lot of play and attention. And due to the positive response Benatar received, a foundation for abused children was established at the time. The song was also featured in the animated film "American Pop" (1981) and on its soundtrack.
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Date: 01/17/1981
Debut: 68
Peak: 18
Weeks: 18
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: This third single from Benatar's album "Crimes of Passion" was her first chart single where she was credited as co-writer. The charging anthem couldn't quite follow "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" into the Top 10, but it helped to keep the album alive on the chart, eventually becoming her best-selling LP.
ReduxReview: Although a bit more rockier and darker than "Hit Me," I think this is a solid single. But I think radio at the time and record buyers kind of preferred the pop-leaning Benatar than the full-on rock one with songs like this just getting into the Top 20. Doesn't matter though because they are still great and remain rock standards.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: One of the popular songs from "Crimes of Passion" was not released as a single, but became an airplay favorite at rock radio. Benatar's child abuse song "Hell Is for Children" (which was not autobiographical in any way) got a lot of play and attention. And due to the positive response Benatar received, a foundation for abused children was established at the time. The song was also featured in the animated film "American Pop" (1981) and on its soundtrack.
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Wednesday, July 17, 2013
"Flash's Theme aka Flash" by Queen
Song#: 0458
Date: 01/17/1981
Debut: 79
Peak: 42
Weeks: 10
Genre: Rock, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: While their previous album "The Game" was topping the chart, Queen finished off their soundtrack album to the movie "Flash Gordon." Very few films at the time used a rock score written and performed by a specific band and Queen's venture certainly became memorable. This first and only single from the album was done in a style reflective of the cartoon-ish nature of the film and became instantly recognizable. Although the single did not reach the Top 40 and the album petered out at #23, it has become something of a cult hit - the same as what would happen with the film. Although not a major box office dud, it didn't do great business and was considered a failure in the US. However, in the UK the film was a smash hit and the song and album went into the Top 10.
ReduxReview: "FLASH! Aaaa...Aaaaa!" I really don't know a person who would not know what this is if I said (sang?) it. It is pure camp classic in my book. However, as a single it borders on novelty and besides the chuggin' beat and the aforementioned line, there really is little here in the way of an actual song. But it does remain a well-known oddity in the Queen catalog.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Over the years, the film and soundtrack have become pop culture touchstones and both have been used on TV shows, commercials and films. Most recently, the soundtrack was used in the 2012 movie "Ted," where the "Flash Gordon" movie is important in the plot of the film.
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Date: 01/17/1981
Debut: 79
Peak: 42
Weeks: 10
Genre: Rock, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: While their previous album "The Game" was topping the chart, Queen finished off their soundtrack album to the movie "Flash Gordon." Very few films at the time used a rock score written and performed by a specific band and Queen's venture certainly became memorable. This first and only single from the album was done in a style reflective of the cartoon-ish nature of the film and became instantly recognizable. Although the single did not reach the Top 40 and the album petered out at #23, it has become something of a cult hit - the same as what would happen with the film. Although not a major box office dud, it didn't do great business and was considered a failure in the US. However, in the UK the film was a smash hit and the song and album went into the Top 10.
ReduxReview: "FLASH! Aaaa...Aaaaa!" I really don't know a person who would not know what this is if I said (sang?) it. It is pure camp classic in my book. However, as a single it borders on novelty and besides the chuggin' beat and the aforementioned line, there really is little here in the way of an actual song. But it does remain a well-known oddity in the Queen catalog.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Over the years, the film and soundtrack have become pop culture touchstones and both have been used on TV shows, commercials and films. Most recently, the soundtrack was used in the 2012 movie "Ted," where the "Flash Gordon" movie is important in the plot of the film.
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