Song#: 0849
Date: 12/12/1981
Debut: 90
Peak: 69
Weeks: 7
Genre: Rock, Arena Rock
Pop Bits: Rush was at the peak of the prog-rock popularity with 1981's "Moving Pictures" becoming their most successful album in the US. The song "Tom Sawer" from the LP became their biggest pop hit at the time reaching #44. Since they were a very successful concert draw, the group's next move was to cull performances for a live album. "Exit...Stage Left" was assembled from shows in the UK and Canada and released. This first single, a live version of an earlier hit, was issued and it stayed on the lower end of the chart, which was typical for most Rush singles. However, it did best the original recording's effort on the chart, which reached #76 in 1977.
ReduxReview: This is a great Rush song and I'm sure if you were lucky enough to see one of their concerts around this time, it was probably awesome. But as I've said several times before, live albums don't do much for me. I'd rather listen to the original recording or be there in person. So while I really like this song, a live single similar to the original just leaves me longing for the original.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The group got the album title from a cartoon character. It was the catchphrase of Snagglepuss, a pink mountain lion who made appearances on shows like "The Yogi Bear Show." Whenever Snagglepuss had to get out of a situation or leave, he would say "exit, stage left" (or right). 2) The front and back covers of the LP paid tribute to all of Rush's previous albums by incorporating images or figures/characters from those albums.
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Saturday, May 17, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
"A World Without Heroes" by Kiss
Song#: 0848
Date: 12/12/1981
Debut: 92
Peak: 56
Weeks: 9
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: It will happen. A successful artist will take a "new direction" (typically after a career decline) and will usually hit bottom. Kiss reached that point when they recorded the concept album "Music from 'The Elder'," a botched attempt to create a "Wall"-type rock piece with a storyline. Guided by the co-producer of Pink Floyd's "The Wall," Bob Ezrin, the recording of the album was shrouded in secrecy. Upon release, the LP was a failure peaking at a lowly #75 and not even going gold - their first album to not be certified. It didn't help that the story was a bit incomprehensible and dialog that was to move the story along was cut from the album. Plus, the track order was moved around to put focus on the singles to be released, which then made the storyline almost impossible to follow. The group was also splintered with Ace Frehley not liking the new direction (but outvoted by the others) and recording his parts separately, submitting via mail. This eventually led to his departure the following year. The reception to the album was so bad that a planned tour in support was cancelled. It was obvious that Kiss had to regroup and focus, or just die off. Luckily, they did come back and rebuilt their dynasty. But before that, this single from "The Elder" album got near the top half of the chart, but didn't really help to promote any sales of the LP.
ReduxReview: I'm not sure what to make of this. On it's own, the song is not bad. I don't think it is really single-worthy, but it is interesting. However, knowing this came from Kiss just makes it very strange. In a way it kind of sounds like Pink Floyd meets Alan Parsons. I don't know what the guys were thinking here. Were the looking for more artistic cred or something? Whatever the motivation, it just didn't work - and they found this out very quick. However, it did make a pretty good Cher track (see below).
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Original group member Peter Criss had left the band the year before. Kiss then hired Paul Caravello to replace him. Caravello chose the stage name Eric Carr and he remained with the group until his death from a heart cancer in 1991 (oddly, the exact same day as when Queen's Freddie Mercury died). This album was his first with the group. 2) This song was covered by Cher for her 1991 album "Love Hurts." Cher and Kiss band member Gene Simmons dated for a while in 1980.
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Date: 12/12/1981
Debut: 92
Peak: 56
Weeks: 9
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: It will happen. A successful artist will take a "new direction" (typically after a career decline) and will usually hit bottom. Kiss reached that point when they recorded the concept album "Music from 'The Elder'," a botched attempt to create a "Wall"-type rock piece with a storyline. Guided by the co-producer of Pink Floyd's "The Wall," Bob Ezrin, the recording of the album was shrouded in secrecy. Upon release, the LP was a failure peaking at a lowly #75 and not even going gold - their first album to not be certified. It didn't help that the story was a bit incomprehensible and dialog that was to move the story along was cut from the album. Plus, the track order was moved around to put focus on the singles to be released, which then made the storyline almost impossible to follow. The group was also splintered with Ace Frehley not liking the new direction (but outvoted by the others) and recording his parts separately, submitting via mail. This eventually led to his departure the following year. The reception to the album was so bad that a planned tour in support was cancelled. It was obvious that Kiss had to regroup and focus, or just die off. Luckily, they did come back and rebuilt their dynasty. But before that, this single from "The Elder" album got near the top half of the chart, but didn't really help to promote any sales of the LP.
ReduxReview: I'm not sure what to make of this. On it's own, the song is not bad. I don't think it is really single-worthy, but it is interesting. However, knowing this came from Kiss just makes it very strange. In a way it kind of sounds like Pink Floyd meets Alan Parsons. I don't know what the guys were thinking here. Were the looking for more artistic cred or something? Whatever the motivation, it just didn't work - and they found this out very quick. However, it did make a pretty good Cher track (see below).
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Original group member Peter Criss had left the band the year before. Kiss then hired Paul Caravello to replace him. Caravello chose the stage name Eric Carr and he remained with the group until his death from a heart cancer in 1991 (oddly, the exact same day as when Queen's Freddie Mercury died). This album was his first with the group. 2) This song was covered by Cher for her 1991 album "Love Hurts." Cher and Kiss band member Gene Simmons dated for a while in 1980.
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"Every Home Should Have One" by Patti Austin
Song#: 0847
Date: 12/12/1981
Debut: 93
Peak: 62
Weeks: 8
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Throughout the 60s and 70s, Austin was an in-demand session vocalist who sang on hundreds of recordings by major artists like James Brown, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, and many others. Along the way she launched a solo career as an R&B/Jazz vocalist and was able to get a few minor singles to hit the R&B chart. Her albums found their way on both the R&B and Jazz charts as well. But it wasn't until she signed with Quincy Jones' Qwest label that she finally started to break through to the mainstream. This title track to her 1981 album was her first to reach the pop chart. It wasn't a huge hit, only managing a #55 showing at R&B and #24 AC, but it set her up for her next single which would be the biggest of her career.
ReduxReview: While it is not a forceful single contender, this is really a nice R&B tune. Written by Rod Temperton* (who wrote songs for Michael Jackson and others), it's better than a lot of other pop/R&B songs that were hitting the chart and doing better. This really should have at least made the Top 40.
*As one reader nicely commented - I got the songwriter incorrect. I must have looked at the wrong song on the liner notes when researching. That'll teach me! Information on the real songwriters is in the comment below. Thanks for the correction!
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In addition to her session work, Austin at one point was considered the "queen of jingles" because she sang on so many advertisements. Even if you didn't think you had heard her sing at all, you probably did due to her commercial work - you just didn't know it. From McDonald's to the US Army, her voice was all over TV and radio.
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Date: 12/12/1981
Debut: 93
Peak: 62
Weeks: 8
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Throughout the 60s and 70s, Austin was an in-demand session vocalist who sang on hundreds of recordings by major artists like James Brown, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, and many others. Along the way she launched a solo career as an R&B/Jazz vocalist and was able to get a few minor singles to hit the R&B chart. Her albums found their way on both the R&B and Jazz charts as well. But it wasn't until she signed with Quincy Jones' Qwest label that she finally started to break through to the mainstream. This title track to her 1981 album was her first to reach the pop chart. It wasn't a huge hit, only managing a #55 showing at R&B and #24 AC, but it set her up for her next single which would be the biggest of her career.
ReduxReview: While it is not a forceful single contender, this is really a nice R&B tune. Written by Rod Temperton* (who wrote songs for Michael Jackson and others), it's better than a lot of other pop/R&B songs that were hitting the chart and doing better. This really should have at least made the Top 40.
*As one reader nicely commented - I got the songwriter incorrect. I must have looked at the wrong song on the liner notes when researching. That'll teach me! Information on the real songwriters is in the comment below. Thanks for the correction!
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In addition to her session work, Austin at one point was considered the "queen of jingles" because she sang on so many advertisements. Even if you didn't think you had heard her sing at all, you probably did due to her commercial work - you just didn't know it. From McDonald's to the US Army, her voice was all over TV and radio.
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Thursday, May 15, 2014
"Chariots of Fire - Titles" by Vangelis
#1 Alert!
One-Hit Wonder Alert!
Song#: 0846 Date: 12/12/1981
Debut: 94
Peak: 1 (1 week)
Weeks: 28
Genre: Soundtrack, New Age, Electronic, Instrumental
Pop Bits: If you mention the name Vangelis to people, mainly they just think of this chart-topping song. But Vangelis had an established career long before this tune hit. Early on he was part of prog-rock band in Europe called Aphrodite's Child who had some success there. But the group splintered and Vangelis went solo and found his real calling in electronic music and composition. He issued a debut album in 1972 and released 16 more over the years. In between, he found time to do film scores and be part of a duo with Yes' Jon Anderson called Jon & Vangelis. He had a lot of success, but none would define his career more than this single lifted from his soundtrack to the film "Chariots of Fire." It was a surprise hit that took five months to reach the summit and it helped to push the album to #1 as well. The film would go on to with the Oscar for Best Picture and Vangelis' score would also win. This single would grab a nomination for Record of the Year at the Grammys. The song and album also brought more attention to the growing New Age genre. And although Vangelis did get two middling single on the chart in the duo Jon & Vangelis, this was his only solo song to get on the chart, getting him one-hit wonder status.
ReduxReview: I'm pretty sure that most folks would recognize this song quickly. They may not know the title or the artist, but they would know it. The song has been on countless sporting event shows, commercials, the Olympics, comedy sketches, and even TV shows like "Seinfeld." It really sounded unique at the time, especially for pop music, and I liked it. These days I think it's value as a composition has kind of been lost because it gets referenced so much in comedic ways. It's almost viewed as a novelty. But it deserves a better fate.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The unexpected hit didn't really have a name. On the soundtrack album, it was just listed as "Titles" because it played over the opening titles of the film. When it first hit the chart, it was listed as "Titles." But as it grew in popularity, that name was just confusing and unmemorable. So it got re-dubbed "Chariots of Fire - Titles." 2) Thanks to this song, Vangelis still remains the only Greek artist to have ever topped the pop singles chart.
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"Waiting on a Friend" by The Rolling Stones
Song#: 0845
Date: 12/05/1981
Debut: 70
Peak: 13
Weeks: 15
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: The Stones' "Start Me Up" got their album "Tattoo You" off to a great start when it reached #2, becoming their final Top 3 appearance. This second single did well by making it into the Top 20, but didn't quite have enough power to make it into the Top 10. The backing track was originally recorded around 1972 during the sessions for their "Goats Head Soup" album. Since time was limited to get "Tattoo You" recorded, this track was revived, adjustments made, and lyrics written. Almost 10 years after its initial recording, the song ended up being a hit for the group.
ReduxReview: I've always liked this song and had the single back in the day. But with a catalog of killer songs, this breezy effort has kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. I admit that I kind of pass it up now and then, but when I do turn it on, I realize it is one of their most charming songs.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The Stones got famous jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins to come in and do the solo for this song. Rollins also played on two other tracks on the album. 2) The video for this song was popular in the early MTV days. It was filmed in front of the same building that was featured on Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" LP cover. Reggae artist Peter Tosh appears in the video as well.
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Date: 12/05/1981
Debut: 70
Peak: 13
Weeks: 15
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: The Stones' "Start Me Up" got their album "Tattoo You" off to a great start when it reached #2, becoming their final Top 3 appearance. This second single did well by making it into the Top 20, but didn't quite have enough power to make it into the Top 10. The backing track was originally recorded around 1972 during the sessions for their "Goats Head Soup" album. Since time was limited to get "Tattoo You" recorded, this track was revived, adjustments made, and lyrics written. Almost 10 years after its initial recording, the song ended up being a hit for the group.
ReduxReview: I've always liked this song and had the single back in the day. But with a catalog of killer songs, this breezy effort has kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. I admit that I kind of pass it up now and then, but when I do turn it on, I realize it is one of their most charming songs.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The Stones got famous jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins to come in and do the solo for this song. Rollins also played on two other tracks on the album. 2) The video for this song was popular in the early MTV days. It was filmed in front of the same building that was featured on Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" LP cover. Reggae artist Peter Tosh appears in the video as well.
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