Song#: 0584
Date: 05/02/1981
Debut: 90
Peak: 52
Weeks: 8
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: Snow's rock-oriented album "Rock Away" already produced the minor single "Games" (#46) and this second single did about as well. It would be another eight years before Snow would return to recording and although she would get a couple of songs on the AC chart, this would be her final pop chart entry.
ReduxReview: This is certainly more amped up when compared to the original (see below) and Snow sounds great on it. Rock doesn't fit her very well, however with the R&B twinge to this, it is a bit better. Not sure if it makes the best single, but it seemed to do okay.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: This song was originally just called "Mercy Mercy" and was co-written and recorded by R&B artist Don Covay in 1964. The song only reached #35 on the pop chart (#1 R&B), but is now more famous for the guitarist who performed on the track - Jimi Hendrix.
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Saturday, October 19, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
"Shaddap You Face" by Joe Dolce
Song#: 0583
Date: 05/02/1981
Debut: 94
Peak: 53
Weeks: 14
Genre: Pop, Novelty
Pop Bits: Ohio-born musician Dolce moved to Australia after he hit 30 and has remained there since. Soon after his move he released his first solo recording, a protest tune about the treatment of Vietnamese refugees called "Boat People," and developed a one-man performance show. This second single he recorded was inspired by his Italian grandparents back in Ohio. He funded the single and a video for the song himself and it became an unexpected hit in Australia hitting #1 for eight weeks. The song became a hit in other countries like Germany, Canada, and New Zealand. In the US, it didn't seem to translate as well and it only made it about halfway up the chart. But it didn't matter as the single sold millions worldwide. It would be his only US chart entry and his only major hit outside of Australia. Dolce has continued to record music over the years, including setting many classic poems to music. He has also become a prize-winning poet and essayist.
ReduxReview: I don't know if this song is considered offensive these days or enhancing a stereotype or what. I just know that I'm not a fan. Maybe certain folks can relate to it and I guess that is fine. I find it kind of annoying.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: While still in Ohio, Dolce was a member of the group Headstone Circus. Another member of the group was Jonathan Edwards who would go on to be a one hit wonder in 1971 with his #4 song "Sunshine."
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Date: 05/02/1981
Debut: 94
Peak: 53
Weeks: 14
Genre: Pop, Novelty
Pop Bits: Ohio-born musician Dolce moved to Australia after he hit 30 and has remained there since. Soon after his move he released his first solo recording, a protest tune about the treatment of Vietnamese refugees called "Boat People," and developed a one-man performance show. This second single he recorded was inspired by his Italian grandparents back in Ohio. He funded the single and a video for the song himself and it became an unexpected hit in Australia hitting #1 for eight weeks. The song became a hit in other countries like Germany, Canada, and New Zealand. In the US, it didn't seem to translate as well and it only made it about halfway up the chart. But it didn't matter as the single sold millions worldwide. It would be his only US chart entry and his only major hit outside of Australia. Dolce has continued to record music over the years, including setting many classic poems to music. He has also become a prize-winning poet and essayist.
ReduxReview: I don't know if this song is considered offensive these days or enhancing a stereotype or what. I just know that I'm not a fan. Maybe certain folks can relate to it and I guess that is fine. I find it kind of annoying.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: While still in Ohio, Dolce was a member of the group Headstone Circus. Another member of the group was Jonathan Edwards who would go on to be a one hit wonder in 1971 with his #4 song "Sunshine."
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Thursday, October 17, 2013
"This Little Girl" by Gary U.S. Bonds
Song#: 0582
Date: 04/25/1981
Debut: 67
Peak: 11
Weeks: 18
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Bonds was a star in the early days of rock 'n' roll with five Top 10 hits between 1960 and 1962. His biggest hit was the #1 "Quarter to Three" (1961), which has long been considered an influential song in rock history. Bonds also influenced a young Jersey guy named Bruce Springsteen and almost 20 years after Bonds' last chart entry, the two got together with Steven Van Zandt and recorded the album "Dedication." Springsteen contributed three song to the album that were originally meant for his hit album "The River," and dueted with Bonds on the Cajun traditional "Jole Blon." This first single, written by Springsteen, petered out in the unfortunate #11 spot, but the comeback of Bonds was considered a triumph.
ReduxReview: Springsteen was super-hot at the time, so probably anything he did or worked on or promoted would do pretty well, and this one did. Back then, I wasn't a big fan of the song. But I wasn't really into that sound (or even Springsteen) those days. Now, it sounds good. I can't say it is one of The Boss' best tunes, but I like it much better than I did previously.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: When Bonds first got a recording deal, the label head decided to change Bonds' name (real name was Gary Anderson). The guy chose U.S. Bonds thinking that the confusion between artist and the advertised government bonds would result in airplay. But folks thought it was a group instead of a person, so his first name was tacked on as Gary (U.S.) Bonds. When the Springsteen collaboration came long, the parentheses were taken out.
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Date: 04/25/1981
Debut: 67
Peak: 11
Weeks: 18
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Bonds was a star in the early days of rock 'n' roll with five Top 10 hits between 1960 and 1962. His biggest hit was the #1 "Quarter to Three" (1961), which has long been considered an influential song in rock history. Bonds also influenced a young Jersey guy named Bruce Springsteen and almost 20 years after Bonds' last chart entry, the two got together with Steven Van Zandt and recorded the album "Dedication." Springsteen contributed three song to the album that were originally meant for his hit album "The River," and dueted with Bonds on the Cajun traditional "Jole Blon." This first single, written by Springsteen, petered out in the unfortunate #11 spot, but the comeback of Bonds was considered a triumph.
ReduxReview: Springsteen was super-hot at the time, so probably anything he did or worked on or promoted would do pretty well, and this one did. Back then, I wasn't a big fan of the song. But I wasn't really into that sound (or even Springsteen) those days. Now, it sounds good. I can't say it is one of The Boss' best tunes, but I like it much better than I did previously.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: When Bonds first got a recording deal, the label head decided to change Bonds' name (real name was Gary Anderson). The guy chose U.S. Bonds thinking that the confusion between artist and the advertised government bonds would result in airplay. But folks thought it was a group instead of a person, so his first name was tacked on as Gary (U.S.) Bonds. When the Springsteen collaboration came long, the parentheses were taken out.
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"America" by Neil Diamond
Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 0581 Date: 04/25/1981
Debut: 76
Peak: 8
Weeks: 17
Genre: Pop, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: Diamond nabs another hit from his highly successful soundtrack to "The Jazz Singer." The album became his biggest US seller and it was the first and only time he had three song go Top 10 from one album. The patriotic song quickly became a favorite at his concerts.
ReduxReview: For me, I think this is the last great classic Diamond song before he got tossed in the AC bucket and his music followed suit. It's an anthem with a solid melody and the big "today" shout that folks always did when hearing this song. It's exciting, has nice sentiment in the lyrics, and is just hard to resist.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Although it sounds like it was recorded in concert, the song was recorded in the studio and crowd noises were added to make it seem like a live performance. 2) After the September 11 attacks, radio giant Clear Channel issued a list of song to their stations deemed insensitive or inappropriate for play at the time. Despite the song having a pro-America patriotic theme, this song was included on their list.
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Wednesday, October 16, 2013
"Just So Lonely" by Get Wet
Song#: 0580
Date: 04/25/1981
Debut: 80
Peak: 39
Weeks: 9
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: The duo of Sherri Beachfront and Zecca Esquibel met, fell in love, and formed a musical partnership that got them signed to Boardwalk Records. Their self-titled debut album was issued with this song being the first single. It just barely cracked the Top 40, which seemed to suggest that the group could go places. Unfortunately, the head of their label died and the label eventually folded. That left the duo without a contract and they ended things both professionally and personally. This would be their only chart entry.
ReduxReview: They have a cool retro-rock, power pop sound and the song is kind of catchy. Apparently Beachfront had a kind of day-glo/retro/thrift shop look and has come just short of saying that Cyndi Lauper took her look (but will say she was the better singer!). She does have a solid voice and sells this song well (and really knocks out one off the album called "It's You It's Me"). It's a shame this group didn't go further. They are fun.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Esquibel was in the punk band Cherry Vanilla in the late 70s. Sting and Stewart Copeland of The Police played in the band for a stretch in exchange for their group (The Police) getting the opening slot on the tour. 2) Beachfront had an unfortunate dive into drugs after Get Wet split and was even destitute and homeless for a point. She sought help and went into recovery. However, years later when taking a blood test for a marriage license, she tested HIV-positive. Since then she has been very pro-active in support for folks with HIV and has a podcast called "Straight Girl in a Queer World" that interviews activists and others in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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Date: 04/25/1981
Debut: 80
Peak: 39
Weeks: 9
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: The duo of Sherri Beachfront and Zecca Esquibel met, fell in love, and formed a musical partnership that got them signed to Boardwalk Records. Their self-titled debut album was issued with this song being the first single. It just barely cracked the Top 40, which seemed to suggest that the group could go places. Unfortunately, the head of their label died and the label eventually folded. That left the duo without a contract and they ended things both professionally and personally. This would be their only chart entry.
ReduxReview: They have a cool retro-rock, power pop sound and the song is kind of catchy. Apparently Beachfront had a kind of day-glo/retro/thrift shop look and has come just short of saying that Cyndi Lauper took her look (but will say she was the better singer!). She does have a solid voice and sells this song well (and really knocks out one off the album called "It's You It's Me"). It's a shame this group didn't go further. They are fun.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Esquibel was in the punk band Cherry Vanilla in the late 70s. Sting and Stewart Copeland of The Police played in the band for a stretch in exchange for their group (The Police) getting the opening slot on the tour. 2) Beachfront had an unfortunate dive into drugs after Get Wet split and was even destitute and homeless for a point. She sought help and went into recovery. However, years later when taking a blood test for a marriage license, she tested HIV-positive. Since then she has been very pro-active in support for folks with HIV and has a podcast called "Straight Girl in a Queer World" that interviews activists and others in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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