"Do I Do" by Stevie Wonder

Song#:  1053
Date:  05/29/1982
Debut:  52
Peak:  13
Weeks:  14
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Wonder's duet with Paul McCartney, "Ebony and Ivory," was in the #1 slot when this solo single was issued. It was the second single from Wonder's hits compilation "Original Musiquarium I" (the first single being the #4 "That Girl"). While it was another smash at R&B hitting #2, it peaked just short of the pop Top 10.

ReduxReview:  For me, this marked the end of Wonder's classic period. Any of his work after this just could not compete with his amazing 70s output. There would be a bright spot now and then, but I think most folks would agree that "Musiquarium" closed out the era of his most impressive work. This is a terrific song and one that doesn't get played much any longer. I prefer the single version to the lengthy album version as it drones on a bit too long.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  On the album, this song runs more than 10 minutes. That version includes a rap done by Wonder near the end and also features jazz great Dizzy Gillespie doing a trumpet solo. Both of these sections were cut for the single version.

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"Island of Lost Souls" by Blondie

Song#:  1052
Date:  05/29/1982
Debut:  66
Peak:  37
Weeks:  10
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Following the success of their album "Autoamerican," which featured the dual #1 hits "Rapture" and "The Tide is High," members of the band took a hiatus. However, they all kept busy with different projects of their own with the most high profile one being Deborah Harry's first solo album. When it came time to reconvene for the next Blondie album, dynamics had changed in the group and they were fractured at best (a lawsuit didn't help matters). They rallied to fulfill their label contract with a concept album of-sorts titled "The Hunter." This first single was issued and it debuted fairly high on the pop chart. However, its initial success was short-lived as the song petered out just inside the Top 40. Without a major hit, lackluster interest from fans, and dismal critical reviews, the album limped to #33 and tanked. The disappointment coupled with drug use, illness, and media focus always on Harry weighed on the band and by November the group announced their breakup. They would reform many years later for the 1999 album "No Exit," which included their final pop chart entry "Maria" (#82).

ReduxReview:  Okay, so "The Tide Is High," which was a remake, was well-done, catchy, campy fun. This song sounds like they were trying to capture that magic again via a calypso style. Oh...just...no. In what universe would this be a good idea? Harry and Chris Stein wrote it, so I would think the blame for this mess resides with them. Blondie liked to genre hop throughout their albums, but on this one they just took it one hop too far and landed in the drink. And that is basically what this song sounds like - a once-great band drowning and dying.

ReduxRating:  2/10

Trivia:  Before her music career, Harry was a Playboy Bunny - the term coined for the wait staff at one of Hugh Heffner's Playboy Clubs (thanks to their outfits). She worked in the New York club from 1968-1973. At the time she had long brown hair.

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"Abracadabra" by Steve Miller Band

#1 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  1051
Date:  05/29/1982
Debut:  75
Peak:  1 (2 weeks)
Weeks:  25
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Miller's previous LP, "Circle of Love," was certified gold, but its showing was a disappointment coming on the heels of three platinum (or multi-platinum) releases. The lack of a true hit didn't help, so for his next album, Miller decided to change out of his blues-rock roots to try on something a little more poppy. The result was the album "Abracadabra" and this title-track turned into a crowd pleaser that became his third #1 as well as his biggest pop chart hit. It was a terrific comeback for Miller, but it would be short-lived. Not only was the single his last Top 10 hit, but he would never even reach the Top 40 again.

ReduxReview:  I did not like this song whatsoever. I thought it was supremely (pun intended, see below) stupid and dorky. I mean, c'mon. The guy who wrote classics like "Fly Like an Eagle" and "Rock'n Me" put out this claptrap shizzle? No thanks! But like several hit songs I hated back then, I've relented a bit and can hear it differently as an ol' geezer. I'm still no fan of the tune, but I do like the chugging rhythm and for the time period the production and sound was kind of cool. It's no "Jet Airliner," but at least I don't run for the fast-forward button when it plays any longer.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Apparently, this song was inspired by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Miller had met Ross when they performed on the TV show "Hullabaloo" in 1966. Years later, Miller spotted Ross while skiing in Sun Valley. According to an interview with Miller, he said he had written some pretty awful lyrics to a piece of music and after seeing Ross, he skied down for lunch, was thinking of the Supremes, and in 15 minutes he had the lyrics to "Abracadabra." (Note - if you can make some connection between this song and the Supremes, then good on ya. Makes zero sense to me. But inspiration can come from unlikely sources, so I guess you never really know.)

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"What Do All the People Know" by The Monroes

Spotlight Alert!

Song#:  1050
Date:  05/29/1982
Debut:  80
Peak:  59
Weeks:  8
Genre:  Pop, New Wave



Pop Bits:  You can add The Monroes to the list of "could have been" bands whose unfortunate luck derailed their potential success. This San Diego group got picked up by the Japanese-based label Alfa. Alfa had opened a US subsidiary in 1980 and was able to get a few singles on the chart including the original release of Billy Vera's "At This Moment" (#79). The Monroes recorded a self-titled EP for the label that featured this first single. The track was off to a good start and was expected to do very well. Unfortunately, as the track began to climb the chart, Alfa decided to close their US office. The closing took away all promotion and everything the group needed to secure a hit. Without the label's support, the single took an immediate dive and it left The Monroes in the lurch. The band did get picked up by CBS (Alfa's distributor), but lack of support from them kept their recordings on the shelf. They soldiered on for most of the decade, but by 1988 they finally called it quits.

ReduxReview:  Was it bad luck or just fated to be? That question gets asked when this happens to a promising artist. I think this group had potential and this song should have really kicked it off for them. It's a little bit of Elvis Costello mixed with a tidge of Squeeze. I love the dual lead vocals. It's a shame this didn't get further. It's a cool lost 80s track that could use a revival. Therefore, a Spotlight was in order.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Although called The Monroes, there wasn't anyone in the band with the real name of Monroe. The closest was Bob Davis who maintained a stage name of Bob Monroe. Before joining the band, he was in another group called Rick Elias and the Monroes. When Elias decided to be a solo act, he allowed Davis to retain The Monroes moniker and Davis then used it for the new group. Davis continued to use the name Bob Monroe and lead vocalist Jesus Oritz adopted the name Tony Monroe. A few years later, the band was successfully sued for using the name by another band called The Monroes. Forced into a name change, they came up with Man to Man.

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"Right Kind of Love" by Quarterflash

Song#:  1049
Date:  05/29/1982
Debut:  82
Peak:  56
Weeks:  8
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  After two successful singles from their self-titled debut album, including the #3 "Harden My Heart," the band issued a third. This ballad-leaning tune, featuring lead singer Rindy Ross' sax playing, didn't catch fire and remained in the bottom half of the chart.

ReduxReview:  I'm not sure a third single was really necessary. The two strongest songs from the LP were already hits and while the balance of the album had some good material, there was nothing left that was truly single-worth. This one was probably the best of the remainder. It's a good song, but I think they would have been better off to quickly get a solid lead single released from their next album.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  The group's name is rooted in Australian slang (despite the band being from Portland, Oregon). It is a take on a phrase that was used in reference to new immigrants who were "one quarter flash and three parts foolish." Group founders Marv and Rindy Ross apparently found the phrase in a book at their producer's house.

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