"Hazy Shade of Winter" by The Bangles

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3334
Date:  11/14/1987
Debut:  73
Peak:  2
Weeks:  21
Genre:  Pop, Rock, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  The Bangles' second album, Different Light, was a triple-platinum #2 success thanks to a pair of Top 10 hits including the #1 "Walk Like an Egyptian." As the band was riding high with the LP, they got an opportunity to contribute a song to an upcoming film titled Less Than Zero. Instead of recording a new song, the band chose to do a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade of Winter" (see below). It was a song that they had been performing in their shows as early as 1981. Working with the soundtrack's producer Rick Rubin, the Bangles got the song recorded and it ended up being released as a single. The tune caught on and became the band's third Pop Top 10. It also got to #41 at Rock. The hit helped the soundtrack get to #31 and go gold.

ReduxReview:  At their core, the Bangles were a rock band but they didn't sound much like one on record until this tune was unleashed. When the song started off with a massive guitar lick and slammin' snare beat, you knew immediately this wasn't the adorable Bangles of "Manic Monday." They meant business and had something to prove. I think it helped quite a bit that they got hooked up with Rick Rubin as he helped the band achieve the sound they wanted. The Bangles were truly a band on the disc and it should have been the catalyst that carried them into a new era, but internal struggles and record label shenanigans held them back on their next album. Still, this exciting track highlighted what the band was capable of and it remains one of their best efforts.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This is a remake of a song originally written by Paul Simon and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel in 1966. It was done for their fourth album Bookends, which was their first to reach #1. The track was issued out as the first single from the album and it got to #13. The Bangles took the song in a more rock oriented direction and also made it more concise by cutting out half of the bridge. All four of the Bangles sang the lead vocals, which was unusual for them since most of their songs featured only one member handling the lead. Their version not only surpassed Simon & Garfunkel's on the Pop chart, but many folks consider it superior to the original.  2) The film Less Than Zero was based on the Bret Easton Ellis' debut novel of the same name. It starred Andrew McCarthy, Robert Downey, Jr, Jamie Gertz, and James Spader. Upon release it received mixed reviews and barely made back its budget at the box office. Ellis initially hated the film saying it was nothing like his novel and that some roles were miscast. In later years, he spoke more favorably about it and the performances.

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"I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" by Prince

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3333
Date:  11/14/1987
Debut:  81
Peak:  10
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Pop, Rock



Pop Bits:  After a misstep with "If I Was Your Girlfriend" (#67 Pop), the second single from Sign o' the Times, Prince rebounded in a big way with the #2 Sheena Easton duet "U Got the Look." For a follow-up, this next track was released. It would be the fourth and final single issued out from the album. The song would catch on and get to #14 R&B and #4 Dance while just scratching the Top 10. It was the first time Prince had back-to-back Pop Top 10s from an album since 1985. The hit helped to keep the album on the chart, but it wouldn't do enough to get the album to double-platinum status. At this time the LP is still only listed as a platinum seller.

ReduxReview:  This is one of Prince's hits that I didn't hear a lot when it first came out and I hooked into later on. I don't think the song got a lot of airplay on my local radio and I don't even remember seeing the video on MTV. Still, it was a solid pop/rock track that reminded me of something Prince would have done pre-Purple Rain or even 1999, which in fact he did (see below). The bouncy tune was nice ear candy from Prince. At the time it came out I didn't pay much attention to the song. In fact, I kind of forgot about it. It wasn't until years later when it appeared on a Prince hits compilation that I truly began to dig it. I like both the snappy single version and the album version with its extended breaks. The track has kind of disappeared over the years in favor of his bigger hits, but it was a worthy Top 10 and shouldn't be forgotten.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This song was first written and recorded in 1979 during sessions for Prince's 1979 self-titled second album. It ended up not being used and set aside. Prince ended up dusting off the tune and fully re-recording it in the summer of '86. It was to be included on Dream Factory, an album that was to be the next one by Prince & the Revolution, but ended up getting shelved when Prince dissolved the Revolution. The song survived though all the various iterations of what was to be Prince's follow-up to Parade and made it to the Sign 'o the Times album. Over eight years after it was first recorded, the song became a hit.

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"Guaranteed for Life" by Millions Like Us

Song#:  3332
Date:  11/14/1987
Debut:  83
Peak:  69
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul



Pop Bits:  This UK duo consisted of Scottish singer/songwriter John O'Kane and English musician Jeep Hook (possible real name John MacNichol). Both had been honing their skills with other bands and projects before connecting and forming Millions Like Us. The were signed to the Virgin Records offshoot label Circa and recorded a self-titled debut album. This first single was issued out and while it didn't do anything in their UK homeland, it made a slight impression in the US. The track made to to #28 at AC while spending a few weeks on the Pop chart. The album sold a couple copies and got to #171 on the chart. It seems the duo stayed together for a while following the album, but ultimately split as the 90s began.

ReduxReview:  This easy-going track has a bit of a Michael McDonald feel to it. Even O'Kane's vocals have that similar mumble factor. Had McDonald recorded the song, it actually might have done better on the charts or at least gotten more attention due to his name. Although the tune was a pleasant listen, it didn't necessarily have a standout, memorable hook. The soulful groove and 80s production kept the song interesting, but it wasn't one that was going to easily cruise up the chart.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Jeep Hook had already experienced performing with a hit band in front of large crowds. Prior to forming Millions Like Us, Hook played with the British band Talk Talk. Although not listed as an official member, Hook toured with the band as a guitarist during their most successful period when they scored a big worldwide hit with "It's My Life." Hook later moved behind the scenes in music operating recording studios including one in Atlanta, Georgia, where he took up residence. He has also been on the faculty at the Atlanta Rock 'N Blues Camp where young musicians go to learn and live out their dreams of being in a rock band.  2) John O'Kane stayed signed to Circa as a solo artist and released a debut album in 1991 titled Solid. The LP and its singles failed to chart, but in 1992 O'Kane re-recorded a song from the album, "Stay," and released it as the single, "Stay with Me." It ended up on the UK chart at #41.

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"I Want to Be Your Man" by Roger

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3331
Date:  11/14/1987
Debut:  88
Peak:  3
Weeks:  21
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  The last time Roger (Troutman) was on the Pop chart was way back in 1981 when his debut solo album, The Many Facets of Roger, spawned the #79 (#1 R&B) remake of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." A second solo effort would follow in 1984 along with works by his band Zapp. When '87 came rolling around, Roger decided it was time to work on a third solo album. He assembled Unlimited! and then pushed out this first single. It became a hit at R&B becoming his second song to top that chart. It then crossed over to Pop and after slowly catching on, it got near the top of the chart. The hit would send the album to #4 at R&B and #35 Pop. Unfortunately, the single would be Roger's last solo Top 10 at R&B and his final one to make the Pop chart. He would release one more solo album in 1991, but it failed to replicate the success of Unlimited!

ReduxReview:  Here's a big #3 hit and I don't remember it at all. I'm guessing that it wasn't popular in my little town and the only place I heard it was the Top 40 countdown. It must have not made an impression on me as it doesn't sound familiar at all. You'd think I'd at least remember Roger's obsession with the talk box. While that tool can be overused, it was fairly effective here because it was used in the chorus. Troutman's then-current production has definitely kept the song grounded in the 80s. It's actually a nice jam, but I think a sleeker production without all the effects and synths would have made the song much better.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Although this was Troutman's final solo R&B #1 and last solo Pop chart single, he did later reach #1 on both charts as a featured artist. In the fall of '95, rapper 2Pac recorded the song "California Love." Roger was featured singing on the chorus with his talk box effect. Dr. Dre contributed a rap. The song was 2Pac's first release after a stint in prison. It was a big double-platinum hit in 1996 reaching #1 at both Pop and R&B. The associated album, All Eyez on Me, would also reach #1 on both charts and sell over 5 million copies. A little less than a year after he recorded the song, 2Pac would be shot to death in Las Vegas.

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"What's Too Much" by Smokey Robinson

Song#:  3330
Date:  11/14/1987
Debut:  90
Peak:  79
Weeks:  10
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Robinson would earn his second solo gold album with One Heartbeat. The LP featured back-to-back Pop Top 10 hits, which was a first for Robinson as a solo artist. He tried to keep the streak going with this third single from the album, but it wasn't able to capture the same audience who liked the first two singles. While the song did okay at R&B (#16) and AC (#15), it just couldn't get anywhere on the Pop chart and after a little over two months the song disappeared. Still, the One Heartbeat (#1 R&B/#26 Pop) album proved to be his second best solo effort after 1981's Being with You (#1 R&B/#10 Pop).

ReduxReview:  One Heartbeat was a strategic album for Robinson. The two hits from the album were written by outside songwriters and most likely selected for their chart potential. The balance of the album was written or co-written by Robinson, which included this third single (co-written with Ivory Stone). His songwriting skills were spotty during the 80s, but this track was a solid one for him. The slinky song had a slightly jazzy feel similar to tunes from Sade. It fit his voice well and the light-handed 80s production was appropriate. I thought it was a good, memorable song, but the subtle tune may not have been the right fit for Pop. It should have done better on all the charts.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Robinson wouldn't issue out another solo studio LP until 1990, however, he stayed active recording a few songs with other artists. In 1988, he did a duet with Dolly Parton for her album Rainbow. They performed "I Know You By Heart," which was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam along with Dean Pitchford. Merrill and Rubicam were on a hot streak writing a pair of #1's for Whitney Houston while also scoring their own hits as the duo Boy Meets Girl. "I Know You By Heart" seemed like a sure bet coming from Parton and Robinson, but when released as a single, it failed to make a big impression.. The best it could do was reach #22 on the AC chart. For the album, Parton also did a cover of a song originally written by Robinson. She recorded "Two Lovers," which Mary Wells took to #1 R&B/#7 Pop in 1962. Rainbow was one of Parton's worst performing albums of her career. It was released around the time as her failed TV variety series. She would finally set aside her pop/mainstream ambitions to refocus on country music and in 1989 she returned with the gold-selling #3 country album White Limozeen. Her next two non-holiday studio albums would return her to platinum status.

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