Song#: 0437
Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 85
Peak: 71
Weeks: 6
Genre: Pop, Rock
Pop Bits: New Hampshire's Oak had their first and only Top 40 hit when "King of the Hill" peaked at #36 earlier in the year. (I chose the song as a Redux Spotlight selection.) Trying to keep the momentum going, the group had a personnel change and then released their second album "Set the Night on Fire." The lead title-track single made it to the chart, but it couldn't capitalize on the success of their previous single. The band dissolved once their label, Mercury, dropped them.
ReduxReview: I found some info on the group that said they wanted to expand on their sound from the first album. And with this single, it seems like that was the case. The first album was quite fun and had interesting pop tunes. This song is a bit darker and is almost reminiscent of the Alan Parsons Project's "Games People Play," which hit the chart the week before. It's an average rock tune, but I kind of like it. Just not as much as I enjoyed the material on their debut album.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: In a newspaper article on the band from 1981 featured in the Lewiston, Maine paper, it said that in Stephen King's book "The Dead Zone," there is a scene where a bar burns down. Apparently the band mentioned playing in the bar was Oak. I've never read the book, but something to look for if you do!
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Tuesday, July 2, 2013
"A Little In Love" by Cliff Richard
Song#: 0436
Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 88
Peak: 17
Weeks: 22
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: After a massive career in the UK beginning in the late 50's, Richard finally got some recognition in the US with a string of hits starting with 1976's "Devil Woman" (#6). This second single from his "I'm No Hero" album couldn't quite reach the Top 10 and it brought an end to his US hit days as it would be his last Top 20 song.
ReduxReview: I love this song just as much as his previous hit, the #10 "Dreaming." Again, just a solid, well-done pop song. It should have gone Top 10, but his duet with Olivia Newton-John "Suddenly" was still climbing the chart at the same time so it may have had an effect on this single's performance. But doesn't really matter. It is a wonderful piece of pop.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: This song was written and produced by Alan Tarney. In the late 70's he was part of the Tarney/Spencer Band which ended up putting three low-peaking singles on the pop chart between 1978 and 1981. Also during this time he was also a musician working with Cliff Richard. It ended up being Tarney's composition "We Don't Talk Anymore" that started the resurgence of Richard's career in 1979. The song was such a hit that Tarney was then asked to write and produce Richard's next album, "I'm No Hero," which featured this hit plus "Dreaming." Tarney would do one more album with Richard and then later he would hit again producing the hit albums and singles by a-ha.
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Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 88
Peak: 17
Weeks: 22
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: After a massive career in the UK beginning in the late 50's, Richard finally got some recognition in the US with a string of hits starting with 1976's "Devil Woman" (#6). This second single from his "I'm No Hero" album couldn't quite reach the Top 10 and it brought an end to his US hit days as it would be his last Top 20 song.
ReduxReview: I love this song just as much as his previous hit, the #10 "Dreaming." Again, just a solid, well-done pop song. It should have gone Top 10, but his duet with Olivia Newton-John "Suddenly" was still climbing the chart at the same time so it may have had an effect on this single's performance. But doesn't really matter. It is a wonderful piece of pop.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: This song was written and produced by Alan Tarney. In the late 70's he was part of the Tarney/Spencer Band which ended up putting three low-peaking singles on the pop chart between 1978 and 1981. Also during this time he was also a musician working with Cliff Richard. It ended up being Tarney's composition "We Don't Talk Anymore" that started the resurgence of Richard's career in 1979. The song was such a hit that Tarney was then asked to write and produce Richard's next album, "I'm No Hero," which featured this hit plus "Dreaming." Tarney would do one more album with Richard and then later he would hit again producing the hit albums and singles by a-ha.
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Monday, July 1, 2013
"Ah! Leah!" by Donnie Iris
Song#: 0435
Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 90
Peak: 29
Weeks: 18
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Already hugely popular in his native Pennsylvania, Iris formed his backing group The Cruisers and issued this first solo album. Initially released on the small Midwest Records label, the album and this track became popular in midwest markets and got the attention of MCA Records. They signed Iris and reissued the album and single nationally. The song proved popular on rock radio and crossed over to the pop chart where it peaked just inside the Top 30. Although it wouldn't be his highest peaking chart entry, it proved to be his most popular song and remains a rock radio favorite.
ReduxReview: The song was really good at the time, but I think this is one that has grown better with age. The sound is terrific and is punctuated by crunchy guitars and cool vocals in the chorus and the bridge. Iris and his group didn't get the full national recognition they deserved, but at least this song continues to live on.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: In the mid-60's, Iris helped form a group that became locally popular by covering R&B tunes. The group began writing their own songs and released a locally successful album in 1969. But their second album in 1970 put the group on the map. The Jaggerz issued the album "We Went to Different Schools Together" which featured the #2 pop chart hit "The Rapper," written by Iris. Despite the title, the song does not have any actual rap in it (this predates rap by quite a long time). Rapping was the term for having a conversation and in this case it referred to how a guy talks to and seduces women. The hit became the only Top 10 for the group and follow-ups failed to replicate the success. The group disbanded in 1977.
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Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 90
Peak: 29
Weeks: 18
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Already hugely popular in his native Pennsylvania, Iris formed his backing group The Cruisers and issued this first solo album. Initially released on the small Midwest Records label, the album and this track became popular in midwest markets and got the attention of MCA Records. They signed Iris and reissued the album and single nationally. The song proved popular on rock radio and crossed over to the pop chart where it peaked just inside the Top 30. Although it wouldn't be his highest peaking chart entry, it proved to be his most popular song and remains a rock radio favorite.
ReduxReview: The song was really good at the time, but I think this is one that has grown better with age. The sound is terrific and is punctuated by crunchy guitars and cool vocals in the chorus and the bridge. Iris and his group didn't get the full national recognition they deserved, but at least this song continues to live on.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: In the mid-60's, Iris helped form a group that became locally popular by covering R&B tunes. The group began writing their own songs and released a locally successful album in 1969. But their second album in 1970 put the group on the map. The Jaggerz issued the album "We Went to Different Schools Together" which featured the #2 pop chart hit "The Rapper," written by Iris. Despite the title, the song does not have any actual rap in it (this predates rap by quite a long time). Rapping was the term for having a conversation and in this case it referred to how a guy talks to and seduces women. The hit became the only Top 10 for the group and follow-ups failed to replicate the success. The group disbanded in 1977.
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"What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?) by The Star Wars Intergalactic Droid Choir & Chorale
Song#: 0434
Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 91
Peak: 69
Weeks: 6
Genre: Novely, Christmas
Pop Bits: Typically, each year there is a song on the chart that is based off of some pop culture thing. And then there are ones that come out for the holidays. But singles that are a combo of both are quite rare and that is what we have here. Capitalizing on both the Star Wars trilogy phenomenon and Christmas, RSO Records issued the album "Christmas In the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album" for the 1980 holiday season. Overseen by Meco, who hit the charts with his discofied versions of "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" (#1, 1977) and "Empire Strikes Back" (#18, 1980), the album actually sold well and this single had enough support to spend some time on the chart. The album had Christmas-related songs and also narration that told the story of droids in a factory that make toys.
ReduxReview: What a lump of Christmas coal. This was just a stupid idea. I mean, probably for little kids who loved Star Wars it was kind of fun. And the tunes seemed to be geared towards that crowd - simplistic melodies and structures where anyone can sing along. But really, this is just awful. In fact, I don't want to insult coal. I'd say it is more like a stocking full of turds.
ReduxRating: 1/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The co-producer of the album was Tony Bongiovi. Tony got his cousin John to sing the lead vocals on the song "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Thus, it became the first professional recording of superstar rocker Jon Bon Jovi. (Bonus track above for listening pleasure!) 2) Composer Maury Yeston wrote most of the original music on the album. He would go on to write the music for the Broadway hits "Nine" (1982) and "Titanic" (1997), and would win Tony awards for each for Best Original Score.
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Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 91
Peak: 69
Weeks: 6
Genre: Novely, Christmas
Pop Bits: Typically, each year there is a song on the chart that is based off of some pop culture thing. And then there are ones that come out for the holidays. But singles that are a combo of both are quite rare and that is what we have here. Capitalizing on both the Star Wars trilogy phenomenon and Christmas, RSO Records issued the album "Christmas In the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album" for the 1980 holiday season. Overseen by Meco, who hit the charts with his discofied versions of "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" (#1, 1977) and "Empire Strikes Back" (#18, 1980), the album actually sold well and this single had enough support to spend some time on the chart. The album had Christmas-related songs and also narration that told the story of droids in a factory that make toys.
ReduxReview: What a lump of Christmas coal. This was just a stupid idea. I mean, probably for little kids who loved Star Wars it was kind of fun. And the tunes seemed to be geared towards that crowd - simplistic melodies and structures where anyone can sing along. But really, this is just awful. In fact, I don't want to insult coal. I'd say it is more like a stocking full of turds.
ReduxRating: 1/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The co-producer of the album was Tony Bongiovi. Tony got his cousin John to sing the lead vocals on the song "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Thus, it became the first professional recording of superstar rocker Jon Bon Jovi. (Bonus track above for listening pleasure!) 2) Composer Maury Yeston wrote most of the original music on the album. He would go on to write the music for the Broadway hits "Nine" (1982) and "Titanic" (1997), and would win Tony awards for each for Best Original Score.
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Sunday, June 30, 2013
"Spend the Night in Love" by Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons
Song#: 0433
Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 96
Peak: 91
Weeks: 5
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: As The 4 Seasons, this group started their chart career in 1962 with the #1 "Sherry." They would continue on and have hits throughout the 60s and 70s racking up 15 Top 10 hits including 5 #1's. Their resurgence in the mid-70s was of particular note as a good part of the lead vocals on their hits went to Gerri Polchi with Frankie Valli providing backing vocals. However, Valli was also having solo success with hits that were recorded with the same production team. The resurgence ended up being short-lived as they failed to follow-up their last hit, 1975's #1 "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" with anything significant. The group started the 80s with a double LP of live recordings called "Reunited Live." Although primarily all concert performances, there were two studio songs included (even though the recording seems to make them out to be part of the concert). This first single was one of them. Unfortunately it couldn't crawl out of the chart basement and it ended up being the group's final pop chart entry.
ReduxReview: With echoes of the BeeGees, this song just sounds like a cheap knock-off. It's a pretty lazy groove and performance. There is no energy or anything to this recording. It's not a great song to begin with, but at least I'd expect a vibrant performance by the group instead of this snooze-fest. It's a sad last chart entry for a truly amazing group.
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Discounting a one-off holiday single, The 4 Seasons were the first rock group to have three consecutive singles hit #1 on the chart. In 1962 and 1963, they hit with "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." The singles spent a combined total of 13 weeks at the top of the chart. 2) In 2005, the stage musical "Jersey Boys" debuted on Broadway. The show, which was about the group's beginnings through to their breakup, was a hit and ended up winning four Tony awards including Best Musical.
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Date: 12/13/1980
Debut: 96
Peak: 91
Weeks: 5
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: As The 4 Seasons, this group started their chart career in 1962 with the #1 "Sherry." They would continue on and have hits throughout the 60s and 70s racking up 15 Top 10 hits including 5 #1's. Their resurgence in the mid-70s was of particular note as a good part of the lead vocals on their hits went to Gerri Polchi with Frankie Valli providing backing vocals. However, Valli was also having solo success with hits that were recorded with the same production team. The resurgence ended up being short-lived as they failed to follow-up their last hit, 1975's #1 "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" with anything significant. The group started the 80s with a double LP of live recordings called "Reunited Live." Although primarily all concert performances, there were two studio songs included (even though the recording seems to make them out to be part of the concert). This first single was one of them. Unfortunately it couldn't crawl out of the chart basement and it ended up being the group's final pop chart entry.
ReduxReview: With echoes of the BeeGees, this song just sounds like a cheap knock-off. It's a pretty lazy groove and performance. There is no energy or anything to this recording. It's not a great song to begin with, but at least I'd expect a vibrant performance by the group instead of this snooze-fest. It's a sad last chart entry for a truly amazing group.
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Discounting a one-off holiday single, The 4 Seasons were the first rock group to have three consecutive singles hit #1 on the chart. In 1962 and 1963, they hit with "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." The singles spent a combined total of 13 weeks at the top of the chart. 2) In 2005, the stage musical "Jersey Boys" debuted on Broadway. The show, which was about the group's beginnings through to their breakup, was a hit and ended up winning four Tony awards including Best Musical.
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