Song#: 0641
Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 83
Peak: 55
Weeks: 8
Genre: Pop, Rock
Pop Bits: VanWarmer's previous album, "Terraforma," couldn't find any solid ground and pretty much sank along with its associated single, "Whatever You Decide" (#77). His next album, "Beat of Love," didn't reverse the downward trend, but it did feature this single which made it about halfway up the chart. It would be his last chart entry.
ReduxReview: This song falls even further away from his lovely ballad "Just When I Needed You Most" (#4, 1979). It almost crosses over into new wave territory. It's nothing that makes you go "wow!," but it chugs along pretty good. I kind of sounds like an outtake from a Cars session.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Growing up, VanWarmer dreamed of being an astronaut and loved the space program. Although that did not work out for him, he did eventually end up in space. After his death in 2004 from leukemia, his cremated remains were sent into space in 2007.
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Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)" by The Commodores
Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 0640 Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 84
Peak: 8
Weeks: 22
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: The group scored two #1 ballads in the late 70s ("Three Times a Lady" and "Still") and continued to be ballad-heavy moving into the 80s, which pretty much brought a halt to their hit streak. They made a change and with their next LP, "In the Pocket," and issued this uptempo first single that got them back into the Top 10 (#5 R&B). This eighth pop Top 10 for them would appropriately peak at #8.
ReduxReview: The Richie ballads were basically taking over and they were on the verge of becoming a smooth pop/AC group. Luckily, this single came along and rescued them. It was a fresh blast from them and, for me, one of their best hits.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: The lead vocal duties of the group were usually shared by Lionel Richie and Walter "Clyde" Orange. But as Richie's penned ballads that he sang were becoming major hits, he started to become the voice and face of the group. Although this song was not written by Richie, he did handle the lead vocals and it only increased his popularity. This would be his final album before leaving for a solo career.
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Thursday, November 28, 2013
"Love on a Two-Way Street" by Stacy Lattisaw
Song#: 0639
Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 85
Peak: 26
Weeks: 17
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Teenager Lattisaw reached #21 on the pop chart with her #8 R&B tune "Let Me Be Your Angel." With some momentum going, her next single would be this ballad from her new LP, "With You." It got her a second pop chart entry and a #2 R&B hit. The album would be her second (and last) to reach the R&B Top 10.
ReduxReview: Although the hit version (see below) is kind of an R&B classic, it's not one of my favorites. It's a little dramatic, but not quite. Then it sounds like it's going to rev into epic mode, but then it doesn't. I dunno. It almost sounds unfinished to me. Lattisaw's teen voice almost matches that of the singer in The Moments, so there is not much new she's offering here. For me, neither are bad, but neither are great.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: This song is a remake of the #3 hit by The Moments in 1970 (#1 R&B). Co-written by Sylvia Robinson (of Mikey & Sylvia and Sugar Hill Records fame), the tune was first recorded by vocalist Lezlie Valentine before The Moments included it on an album in 1968. However, it wasn't issued as a single until two-years later and it became a gold record for the group.
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Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 85
Peak: 26
Weeks: 17
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Teenager Lattisaw reached #21 on the pop chart with her #8 R&B tune "Let Me Be Your Angel." With some momentum going, her next single would be this ballad from her new LP, "With You." It got her a second pop chart entry and a #2 R&B hit. The album would be her second (and last) to reach the R&B Top 10.
ReduxReview: Although the hit version (see below) is kind of an R&B classic, it's not one of my favorites. It's a little dramatic, but not quite. Then it sounds like it's going to rev into epic mode, but then it doesn't. I dunno. It almost sounds unfinished to me. Lattisaw's teen voice almost matches that of the singer in The Moments, so there is not much new she's offering here. For me, neither are bad, but neither are great.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: This song is a remake of the #3 hit by The Moments in 1970 (#1 R&B). Co-written by Sylvia Robinson (of Mikey & Sylvia and Sugar Hill Records fame), the tune was first recorded by vocalist Lezlie Valentine before The Moments included it on an album in 1968. However, it wasn't issued as a single until two-years later and it became a gold record for the group.
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Wednesday, November 27, 2013
"Don't Want to Wait Anymore" by The Tubes
Song#: 0638
Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 86
Peak: 35
Weeks: 12
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Formed from bits of other bands, The Tubes gained popularity through their live shows that played out like performance art production numbers. Their early songs were often parodies or satirical in nature and lead singer Fee Waybill would often perform as characters like the British druggy pop artist Quay Lewd. They signed with A&M Records and issued their self-titled debut LP in 1975, which featured the cult hit "White Punks on Dope." However, studio recordings couldn't capture the manic frenzy of their stage shows and sales were not great. A&M hung on to the group for five albums, but finally ditched the band after the release of their well-reviewed concept album "Remote Control" (#46, 1979). Capital picked up the band, brought on board mega-producer David Foster, and their next concept album, "The Completion Backward Principle," was released. This glossy pop/rock ballad (unusual for the group) was issued as the first single and it became their first to hit the Top 40.
ReduxReview: I was only slightly familiar with The Tubes before this song came out - mainly because I had heard "White Punks on Dope" and read about their freaky shows. When I first heard this song, I didn't know who was doing it and I loved it. Then I was really surprised when I found out it was The Tubes. It just didn't fit what I knew about them. This is the point where they moved towards the mainstream, which probably didn't suit their old fans very well. Yeah, it's glossy pop, but it was well done and I still really like the song.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: The concept for the "The Completion Backward Principle" LP was based on an actual sales training manual. Although the songs may not exactly follow a concept, the packaging was designed like a business document complete with photos of the band in suits, position titles, and a mission statement.
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Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 86
Peak: 35
Weeks: 12
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Formed from bits of other bands, The Tubes gained popularity through their live shows that played out like performance art production numbers. Their early songs were often parodies or satirical in nature and lead singer Fee Waybill would often perform as characters like the British druggy pop artist Quay Lewd. They signed with A&M Records and issued their self-titled debut LP in 1975, which featured the cult hit "White Punks on Dope." However, studio recordings couldn't capture the manic frenzy of their stage shows and sales were not great. A&M hung on to the group for five albums, but finally ditched the band after the release of their well-reviewed concept album "Remote Control" (#46, 1979). Capital picked up the band, brought on board mega-producer David Foster, and their next concept album, "The Completion Backward Principle," was released. This glossy pop/rock ballad (unusual for the group) was issued as the first single and it became their first to hit the Top 40.
ReduxReview: I was only slightly familiar with The Tubes before this song came out - mainly because I had heard "White Punks on Dope" and read about their freaky shows. When I first heard this song, I didn't know who was doing it and I loved it. Then I was really surprised when I found out it was The Tubes. It just didn't fit what I knew about them. This is the point where they moved towards the mainstream, which probably didn't suit their old fans very well. Yeah, it's glossy pop, but it was well done and I still really like the song.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: The concept for the "The Completion Backward Principle" LP was based on an actual sales training manual. Although the songs may not exactly follow a concept, the packaging was designed like a business document complete with photos of the band in suits, position titles, and a mission statement.
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"Fly Away" by Blackfoot
Song#: 0637
Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 89
Peak: 42
Weeks: 12
Genre: Southern Rock
Pop Bits: Originally forming as Fresh Garbage in 1969, the band went through numerous personnel and location changes before seeking a contract as Blackfoot. However, the group couldn't find any label interest and basically stopped when two members were offered roles in the Lynyrd Skynyrd band. The band began to reform again around 1972 and by 1975 they had a new line-up and record contract. Their first two albums tanked, but their third for Atco Records did the trick and they hit the Top 40 with "Highway Song" (#26) and "Train Train" (#38). Another successful album came out a year later followed by the LP "Marauder." This single from that album just missed the Top 40 and it would be their last to hit the chart. With the MTV generation beginning, Blackfoot wasn't quite prepared and with diminishing returns they tried to change their look and sound to little success. By 1985 the group called it quits (although a few iterations would reform and tour later).
ReduxReview: I knew going in that Blackfoot was Southern rock, so I was not real excited about this one. However, it was a slight surprise on the good side. It rocks along in a nice carefree way that almost moves north into heartland rock. It's kind of refreshing when set next to their standard hard/Southern rock tunes. I'm still no fan, but this was a nice listen.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Their Top 40 song "Train Train" was actually written by group member Rickey Medlocke's grandfather Shorty. Several artists have covered this song including a bluegrass version by Dolly Parton that appeared on her Grammy-winning album "The Grass Is Blue" (1999).
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Date: 06/20/1981
Debut: 89
Peak: 42
Weeks: 12
Genre: Southern Rock
Pop Bits: Originally forming as Fresh Garbage in 1969, the band went through numerous personnel and location changes before seeking a contract as Blackfoot. However, the group couldn't find any label interest and basically stopped when two members were offered roles in the Lynyrd Skynyrd band. The band began to reform again around 1972 and by 1975 they had a new line-up and record contract. Their first two albums tanked, but their third for Atco Records did the trick and they hit the Top 40 with "Highway Song" (#26) and "Train Train" (#38). Another successful album came out a year later followed by the LP "Marauder." This single from that album just missed the Top 40 and it would be their last to hit the chart. With the MTV generation beginning, Blackfoot wasn't quite prepared and with diminishing returns they tried to change their look and sound to little success. By 1985 the group called it quits (although a few iterations would reform and tour later).
ReduxReview: I knew going in that Blackfoot was Southern rock, so I was not real excited about this one. However, it was a slight surprise on the good side. It rocks along in a nice carefree way that almost moves north into heartland rock. It's kind of refreshing when set next to their standard hard/Southern rock tunes. I'm still no fan, but this was a nice listen.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Their Top 40 song "Train Train" was actually written by group member Rickey Medlocke's grandfather Shorty. Several artists have covered this song including a bluegrass version by Dolly Parton that appeared on her Grammy-winning album "The Grass Is Blue" (1999).
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