Song#: 0826
Date: 11/21/1981
Debut: 86
Peak: 66
Weeks: 9
Genre: Country
Pop Bits: After a series of pop-country hits, Rogers went with a more traditional country tune for the third single from his album "Share Your Love." It may not have been the best move as pop radio and listeners pretty much ignored the song. It was Rogers' first single to not reach the pop Top 40 since 1977.
ReduxReview: I didn't much care for this song back then and I still don't. I find it a very bland song that could have been done by any country artist, especially since Rogers doesn't bring much to the tune. It kind of killed Rogers' pop-country hit momentum and it has become a forgotten entry in his catalog (rightfully so).
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: There seemed to be a calculated reason for this song's release. Country artist Razzy Bailey recorded this song around the same time as Rogers. Bailey's version was to be issued as a single. Rogers version was slated for his album, but not schedule for single release. Apparently, someone from Rogers' camp heard Bailey's take and thought it would be a hit. Rogers' label then decided to get the song out as a single right away. It hit before Bailey's version and Bailey made the decision to keep the song as an album track. It may have worked out for Bailey as the single he then issued, "She Left Love All Over Me," hit #1 on the country chart. Rogers' version of "Blaze of Glory" peaked at #9 and although it was a Top 10 single, it was his worst showing on the country chart in four years and was a dud at pop.
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Saturday, May 3, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
"WKRP in Cincinnati" by Steve Carlisle
Song#: 0825
Date: 11/21/1981
Debut: 87
Peak: 65
Weeks: 10
Genre: Pop, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: "WKRP in Cincinnati" was a sitcom that ran for four seasons on CBS beginning in 1979. It was successful for its first two years, but ratings ran aground when the network kept switching the show's time slot. It's catchy theme song, sung by Steve Carlisle, was popular and it finally got issued as a single late in the show's run - perhaps in an effort to boost sagging ratings. It didn't catch on very well and remained in the bottom third of the chart for a couple of months. Carlisle issued an album called "Sings WKRP in Cincinnati," but it never took off. It's unclear what happened to Carlisle. I've seen where he might have done some acting or sang jingles, but also that he might have quit music and moved to Australia to become a minister. I'm not sure what the true story is, but his voice will live on through this TV theme song.
ReduxReview: As a TV theme song, this is great. It's a memorable sing-a-long that was perfect for the show. However, as a full-length single it's just okay. The cuteness of it wears thin real quick and the instrumental sections don't really add anything. I love it as a short theme song, but as a single...bleh.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: This recording was produced by the team of Buckner and Garcia. That duo were on the verge of have their own chart hit as "Pac-Man Fever" would soon spread. Carlisle provided background vocals on that song.
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Date: 11/21/1981
Debut: 87
Peak: 65
Weeks: 10
Genre: Pop, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: "WKRP in Cincinnati" was a sitcom that ran for four seasons on CBS beginning in 1979. It was successful for its first two years, but ratings ran aground when the network kept switching the show's time slot. It's catchy theme song, sung by Steve Carlisle, was popular and it finally got issued as a single late in the show's run - perhaps in an effort to boost sagging ratings. It didn't catch on very well and remained in the bottom third of the chart for a couple of months. Carlisle issued an album called "Sings WKRP in Cincinnati," but it never took off. It's unclear what happened to Carlisle. I've seen where he might have done some acting or sang jingles, but also that he might have quit music and moved to Australia to become a minister. I'm not sure what the true story is, but his voice will live on through this TV theme song.
ReduxReview: As a TV theme song, this is great. It's a memorable sing-a-long that was perfect for the show. However, as a full-length single it's just okay. The cuteness of it wears thin real quick and the instrumental sections don't really add anything. I love it as a short theme song, but as a single...bleh.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: This recording was produced by the team of Buckner and Garcia. That duo were on the verge of have their own chart hit as "Pac-Man Fever" would soon spread. Carlisle provided background vocals on that song.
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Thursday, May 1, 2014
"Come Go with Me" by The Beach Boys
Song#: 0824
Date: 11/21/1981
Debut: 89
Peak: 18
Weeks: 15
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: The recent "Beach Boys Medley" (#12) compilation single sparked some renewed interest in the group. Unfortunately, the Boys were quite fractured at the time so trying to get them together to record new material was just not going to happen. So instead of anything new, a double-album compilation of previously released songs titled "Ten Years of Harmony" was thrown together. It covered their 1970-1980 era in which they only had one significant hit, 1976's #5 "Rock and Roll Music." To promote the album, this song was issued as a single. It originally appeared on their 1978 LP "The M.I.U. Album," but it was not released as a single at that time. Thanks to the wave of nostalgia after the "Medley" hit, the single found its way into the Top 20.
ReduxReview: This was a real low period for the group. Fighting, craziness, alcohol, etc., left them as a dysfunctional mess of a family. The music was often scattered and disconnected as well. "Ten Years of Harmony" was probably not the most appropriate title to describe the period. Had it not been for the "Medley," I don't think this song would have gotten off the ground. It kind of sounds Beach Boys-ee, but there is just something missing. It almost sounds depressing in a way. The original (see below) was a fun and bubbly hit that can still elicit nostalgic smiles. But the Boys just kind of plod their way through the tune and it sounds rather joyless.
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: This song is a remake of a hit originally done by the Dell-Vikings. Their version reached #4 in 1957. It was revived in 1963 in a version by Dion that reached #48. It has been written that when Paul McCartney first saw John Lennon perform, Lennon was covering this song with his band The Quarrymen.
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Date: 11/21/1981
Debut: 89
Peak: 18
Weeks: 15
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: The recent "Beach Boys Medley" (#12) compilation single sparked some renewed interest in the group. Unfortunately, the Boys were quite fractured at the time so trying to get them together to record new material was just not going to happen. So instead of anything new, a double-album compilation of previously released songs titled "Ten Years of Harmony" was thrown together. It covered their 1970-1980 era in which they only had one significant hit, 1976's #5 "Rock and Roll Music." To promote the album, this song was issued as a single. It originally appeared on their 1978 LP "The M.I.U. Album," but it was not released as a single at that time. Thanks to the wave of nostalgia after the "Medley" hit, the single found its way into the Top 20.
ReduxReview: This was a real low period for the group. Fighting, craziness, alcohol, etc., left them as a dysfunctional mess of a family. The music was often scattered and disconnected as well. "Ten Years of Harmony" was probably not the most appropriate title to describe the period. Had it not been for the "Medley," I don't think this song would have gotten off the ground. It kind of sounds Beach Boys-ee, but there is just something missing. It almost sounds depressing in a way. The original (see below) was a fun and bubbly hit that can still elicit nostalgic smiles. But the Boys just kind of plod their way through the tune and it sounds rather joyless.
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: This song is a remake of a hit originally done by the Dell-Vikings. Their version reached #4 in 1957. It was revived in 1963 in a version by Dion that reached #48. It has been written that when Paul McCartney first saw John Lennon perform, Lennon was covering this song with his band The Quarrymen.
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"Falling in Love" by Balance
Song#: 0823
Date: 11/21/1981
Debut: 90
Peak: 58
Weeks: 11
Genre: Pop, Soft Rock
Pop Bits: Balance's self-titled debut album included the modest Top 30 song "Breaking Away." This follow-up single was issued but it couldn't quite crack the top half of the chart. The group would record another album the next year, but no singles charted and the group disbanded. This would be their last charting single.
ReduxReview: The song almost has a 70's, AC feel to it. I think it is a worthy follow-up to "Breaking Away" and probably should have done a little better. The harmony sections are quite nice and the strings are tastefully arranged. I'm not sure what held this tune back from doing better. It is a bit sappy, but Air Supply wasn't having any issues going Top 10 with their delicious sap.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Band member Bob Kulick originally auditioned for the lead guitar spot for Kiss. They liked him, but ended up choosing Ace Frehley. However, Kulick did play on several Kiss albums and Paul Stanley's solo disc. Then later, based on Kulick's recommendation, his brother Bruce joined Kiss as the lead guitarist around 1984. He remained a band member for twelve years - the longest stint of any non-original member. He came into the band after they stopped wearing makeup and during his whole time with them, he never donned the makeup or created a persona.
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Date: 11/21/1981
Debut: 90
Peak: 58
Weeks: 11
Genre: Pop, Soft Rock
Pop Bits: Balance's self-titled debut album included the modest Top 30 song "Breaking Away." This follow-up single was issued but it couldn't quite crack the top half of the chart. The group would record another album the next year, but no singles charted and the group disbanded. This would be their last charting single.
ReduxReview: The song almost has a 70's, AC feel to it. I think it is a worthy follow-up to "Breaking Away" and probably should have done a little better. The harmony sections are quite nice and the strings are tastefully arranged. I'm not sure what held this tune back from doing better. It is a bit sappy, but Air Supply wasn't having any issues going Top 10 with their delicious sap.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Band member Bob Kulick originally auditioned for the lead guitar spot for Kiss. They liked him, but ended up choosing Ace Frehley. However, Kulick did play on several Kiss albums and Paul Stanley's solo disc. Then later, based on Kulick's recommendation, his brother Bruce joined Kiss as the lead guitarist around 1984. He remained a band member for twelve years - the longest stint of any non-original member. He came into the band after they stopped wearing makeup and during his whole time with them, he never donned the makeup or created a persona.
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Wednesday, April 30, 2014
"I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" by Daryl Hall & John Oates
#1 Alert!
Gold Record Alert!
Rated 10 Alert!
Song#: 0822 Date: 11/14/1981
Debut: 59
Peak: 1 (1 week)
Weeks: 21
Genre: Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul, R&B
Pop Bits: The duo hit #1 with the lead title-track to their album "Private Eyes" and this second single followed suit to become their fourth #1. It also accomplished a chart rarity by hitting #1 on the R&B chart. Few White acts have had songs reach the upper portion of the R&B chart and fewer still have hit #1. When the "Private Eyes" single hit #1, the song that replace it at the top was Olivia Newton-John's "Physical," which sat in the top spot for 10 weeks. Oddly enough, Hall & Oates returned the kicking-out favor and "I Can't Go for That" knocked "Physical" out of the top spot.
ReduxReview: For me, this is one of the all-time great blue-eyed soul hits. It is easily my favorite Hall & Oates song. They would have further hits, but I think this was their peak moment. Everything came together for them. What's great about the song is that even though the arrangement uses equipment and sounds that by today's standards are dated, the song remains fresh because of how they utilized them. Play it anytime, anywhere and folks will start groovin'. Brilliance captured in five minutes.
ReduxRating: 10/10
Trivia: Apparently, years later at the sessions for the multi-artist "We Are the World" song, Michael Jackson confessed to Daryl Hall that he kind of took the bass line for this song and modified it for his hit "Billie Jean."
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