Song#: 1027
Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 79
Peak: 36
Weeks: 11
Genre: Blue-Eyed Soul
Pop Bits: Lewis and crew's second album, "Picture This," featured their first Top 10 hit with "Do You Believe in Love" hitting #7. The pop-oriented tune became the band's breakthrough. Hoping for another solid hit, this second single was issued. It couldn't replicate the success of the first one, but it did get into the Top 40 and it extended the life of their LP, which would eventually be their first gold album.
ReduxReview: The band's music included elements of pop, rock, new wave, old-school rock, and even blue-eyed soul (like this song) and somehow they managed to make it all work together. This song was certainly different from the pop of "Do You Believe in Love" yet it still sounds like the same band. Of course having distinct vocals like Lewis' helps. This is not one of my favorites of theirs but I do think they perform the tune well. The song is really a five, but I'm adding an extra point for the nice horn arrangement.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Lewis is a proficient harmonica player. Prior to the News taking off, Lewis performed harmonica on several other artists' albums. He has appeared on albums by Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, and most notably, Thin Lizzy. Billed as "Huey Harp," Lewis performed on Thin Lizzy's 1978 recording "Live and Dangerous." He also played on two solo discs by Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott. On "Picture This," Lewis and the band cover a song that appeared on 1980 Lynott's debut solo album. Lynott's composition "Tattoo (Giving It All Up for Love)" was redone by the News and put on their second album as "Giving It All Up for Love."
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014
"Piece of My Heart" by Sammy Hagar
Song#: 1026
Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 83
Peak: 73
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Hagar's "Standing Hampton" LP would be his best-selling solo effort that was bolstered by the #2 rock hit "I'll Fall in Love Again" (#43 pop). This next single from the album couldn't catch on as well and only spent a month near the bottom of the chart while not even hitting at rock radio. Although the LP had only two singles reach the pop chart, four songs would reach the Mainstream Rock chart. In addition to "I'll Fall in Love Again," three other tunes got on the chart including the #31 "There's Only One Way to Rock," which went on to become one of his signature tunes. It was also one of two Hagar solo songs that Van Halen would perform in concert during Hagar's days with the band. The other was "I Can't Drive 55."
ReduxReview: Hagar certainly rocked up this cover tune (see below). It's not completely awful, but I don't like that he took a very soulful song and turned it into a straight 4/4 rock anthem. I compare it to when Muzak would turn rock songs into elevator fare. Hagar has basically done the same thing here, just in more of a stripper bar fashion than easy listening.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: This oft covered tune has hit the pop chart in five different versions. The original was done by Erma Franklin (Aretha's sister) in 1967. She hit #62 on the pop chart and #10 at R&B. Arguably, the most famous version was by Big Brother & the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin. Their bluesy take reached #12 in 1968. Reggae-fusion musician Shaggy took the song to #72 in 1997 and then a live medley by Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone that included the song (from a Grammy awards show appearance) reached #32 in 2005. The song's appeal was not limited to pop and R&B. Country star Faith Hill had a #1 country hit with the standard in 1994.
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Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 83
Peak: 73
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Hagar's "Standing Hampton" LP would be his best-selling solo effort that was bolstered by the #2 rock hit "I'll Fall in Love Again" (#43 pop). This next single from the album couldn't catch on as well and only spent a month near the bottom of the chart while not even hitting at rock radio. Although the LP had only two singles reach the pop chart, four songs would reach the Mainstream Rock chart. In addition to "I'll Fall in Love Again," three other tunes got on the chart including the #31 "There's Only One Way to Rock," which went on to become one of his signature tunes. It was also one of two Hagar solo songs that Van Halen would perform in concert during Hagar's days with the band. The other was "I Can't Drive 55."
ReduxReview: Hagar certainly rocked up this cover tune (see below). It's not completely awful, but I don't like that he took a very soulful song and turned it into a straight 4/4 rock anthem. I compare it to when Muzak would turn rock songs into elevator fare. Hagar has basically done the same thing here, just in more of a stripper bar fashion than easy listening.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: This oft covered tune has hit the pop chart in five different versions. The original was done by Erma Franklin (Aretha's sister) in 1967. She hit #62 on the pop chart and #10 at R&B. Arguably, the most famous version was by Big Brother & the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin. Their bluesy take reached #12 in 1968. Reggae-fusion musician Shaggy took the song to #72 in 1997 and then a live medley by Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone that included the song (from a Grammy awards show appearance) reached #32 in 2005. The song's appeal was not limited to pop and R&B. Country star Faith Hill had a #1 country hit with the standard in 1994.
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Monday, October 6, 2014
"Dreamin'" by John Schneider
Song#: 1025
Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 85
Peak: 45
Weeks: 8
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: TV star Schneider's debut LP did well thanks to his #14 remake of "It's Now or Never." After issuing a Christmas album, Schneider pushed out a third studio disc titled "Quiet Man" and this tune served as the first single. It was a modest chart entry not making the pop Top 40 and only reaching #21 AC/#32 country. Lacking a major hit, the LP failed to make the chart and sank quickly. Schneider would release one more pop/country album before moving to a new label as a full-fledged country artist. He would have good success over the remainder of the decade getting a string of nine Top10 country hits including four #1's. Country music proved to be a much better fit than his early pop-crossover efforts.
ReduxReview: Thankfully, Schneider went on to country music and left these embarrassing first recordings behind. These really seem more like cash-in LPs rather than legit stabs at a musical career. I'm sure Schneider was a willing participant in this, but I'd venture a guess that his label (Scotti Brothers) directed it all. Once he got out from under that machinery, he did legit country and was far better. But for this song, it was all I could do to get through it just once.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) As with his other two charting pop singles, this one is also a remake. The original was done by rockabilly artist Johnny Burnette who took the song to #11 on the pop chart in 1960. 2) In 1983, Schneider worked with Marie Osmond to form the Children's Miracle Network. The non-profit organization gathers funds that are used to support various children's hospitals, medical research, and other children's heath-related issues.
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Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 85
Peak: 45
Weeks: 8
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: TV star Schneider's debut LP did well thanks to his #14 remake of "It's Now or Never." After issuing a Christmas album, Schneider pushed out a third studio disc titled "Quiet Man" and this tune served as the first single. It was a modest chart entry not making the pop Top 40 and only reaching #21 AC/#32 country. Lacking a major hit, the LP failed to make the chart and sank quickly. Schneider would release one more pop/country album before moving to a new label as a full-fledged country artist. He would have good success over the remainder of the decade getting a string of nine Top10 country hits including four #1's. Country music proved to be a much better fit than his early pop-crossover efforts.
ReduxReview: Thankfully, Schneider went on to country music and left these embarrassing first recordings behind. These really seem more like cash-in LPs rather than legit stabs at a musical career. I'm sure Schneider was a willing participant in this, but I'd venture a guess that his label (Scotti Brothers) directed it all. Once he got out from under that machinery, he did legit country and was far better. But for this song, it was all I could do to get through it just once.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) As with his other two charting pop singles, this one is also a remake. The original was done by rockabilly artist Johnny Burnette who took the song to #11 on the pop chart in 1960. 2) In 1983, Schneider worked with Marie Osmond to form the Children's Miracle Network. The non-profit organization gathers funds that are used to support various children's hospitals, medical research, and other children's heath-related issues.
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"I Predict" by Sparks
Song#: 1024
Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 86
Peak: 60
Weeks: 7
Genre: New Wave, Rock
Pop Bits: Brothers Russell and Ron Mael formed Halfnelson in 1968 and issued a self-titled debut in 1971 that went nowhere. After a label switch, they reissued their debut album under their new name, Sparks, and grabbed attention with the song "I Wonder," which just missed hitting the pop chart. Their follow-up albums found the band gaining popularity in the UK (via the #2 hit "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us") while in the US they maintained a cult status. Their genre shifting experiments (art-rock, synthpop, disco, chamber pop) were mostly met with rave reviews but it didn't translate to anything major on the US charts. Finally, their eleventh album, "Angst in My Pants," opened the band up to a wider audience thanks to this single that became their first pop chart entry. While not a major hit, it did set them up for what would be their most successful single and album the following year.
ReduxReview: I really haven't explored Sparks nearly enough. I've listened to a few songs from their catalog and there are some I don't necessarily connect with while others, like this one, I like. Being a band that morphs their sound, that is not uncommon. Perhaps fans of their initial art-rock sound found little to like in their disco phase or the more commercial new wave of this tune. But whatever the brothers do, it's always interesting and you don't know what to fully expect. This era of Sparks is loaded with quirky-fun new wave that I enjoy.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: This single was helped along by a video that featured mustachioed Ron Mael doing a drag striptease. The video was directed by David Lynch.
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Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 86
Peak: 60
Weeks: 7
Genre: New Wave, Rock
Pop Bits: Brothers Russell and Ron Mael formed Halfnelson in 1968 and issued a self-titled debut in 1971 that went nowhere. After a label switch, they reissued their debut album under their new name, Sparks, and grabbed attention with the song "I Wonder," which just missed hitting the pop chart. Their follow-up albums found the band gaining popularity in the UK (via the #2 hit "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us") while in the US they maintained a cult status. Their genre shifting experiments (art-rock, synthpop, disco, chamber pop) were mostly met with rave reviews but it didn't translate to anything major on the US charts. Finally, their eleventh album, "Angst in My Pants," opened the band up to a wider audience thanks to this single that became their first pop chart entry. While not a major hit, it did set them up for what would be their most successful single and album the following year.
ReduxReview: I really haven't explored Sparks nearly enough. I've listened to a few songs from their catalog and there are some I don't necessarily connect with while others, like this one, I like. Being a band that morphs their sound, that is not uncommon. Perhaps fans of their initial art-rock sound found little to like in their disco phase or the more commercial new wave of this tune. But whatever the brothers do, it's always interesting and you don't know what to fully expect. This era of Sparks is loaded with quirky-fun new wave that I enjoy.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: This single was helped along by a video that featured mustachioed Ron Mael doing a drag striptease. The video was directed by David Lynch.
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Sunday, October 5, 2014
"Back to School Again" by The Four Tops
Song#: 1023
Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 87
Peak: 71
Weeks: 7
Genre: Pop, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: The Four Tops' comeback hit, "When She Was My Girl" (#11 pop/#1 R&B), reignited interest in the vocal group and provided new opportunities. One such opportunity was the chance to sing the opening number for a musical. The highly anticipated sequel "Grease 2" began with this number and The Four Tops were selected to perform the song for the soundtrack. Considering that the original film version of "Grease" and its soundtrack were major hits, this seemed like a golden opportunity. That is, until the film actually came out. The musical landed with a giant thud and this lead off single from the soundtrack followed suit. What seemed like a sure thing quickly turned sour for the group. In addition, their label at the time, Casablanca, was folding leaving them stranded. They would return to their home label Motown, but their hit making days were pretty much over.
ReduxReview: Well, this "Grease" was not the word. I'm sure you've heard. How the Tops got saddled with this turd is truly a mystery. First, it's not even close to being something in their genre and second, there are no group harmonies. I'm sure it seemed like a great opportunity at the time but it was all a big mess. The movie was awful and the songs were just as bad. This legendary group deserved far better.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: "Grease 2" was the first of three planned sequels after the huge success of the first film. Plans for a TV series were in the works as well. Once this bomb landed, it blew apart everything including the future films and TV series, along with some acting careers. The one person who survived the catastrophe? Lead actress Michelle Pfeiffer. In her first starring role, she ended up being the only bright spot in the film. Six years later in 1988, she would receive her first Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress in "Dangerous Liaisons." Two more Oscar nod for Best Actress would follow for "The Fabulous Baker Boys" (1989) and "Love Field" (1992).
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Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 87
Peak: 71
Weeks: 7
Genre: Pop, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: The Four Tops' comeback hit, "When She Was My Girl" (#11 pop/#1 R&B), reignited interest in the vocal group and provided new opportunities. One such opportunity was the chance to sing the opening number for a musical. The highly anticipated sequel "Grease 2" began with this number and The Four Tops were selected to perform the song for the soundtrack. Considering that the original film version of "Grease" and its soundtrack were major hits, this seemed like a golden opportunity. That is, until the film actually came out. The musical landed with a giant thud and this lead off single from the soundtrack followed suit. What seemed like a sure thing quickly turned sour for the group. In addition, their label at the time, Casablanca, was folding leaving them stranded. They would return to their home label Motown, but their hit making days were pretty much over.
ReduxReview: Well, this "Grease" was not the word. I'm sure you've heard. How the Tops got saddled with this turd is truly a mystery. First, it's not even close to being something in their genre and second, there are no group harmonies. I'm sure it seemed like a great opportunity at the time but it was all a big mess. The movie was awful and the songs were just as bad. This legendary group deserved far better.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: "Grease 2" was the first of three planned sequels after the huge success of the first film. Plans for a TV series were in the works as well. Once this bomb landed, it blew apart everything including the future films and TV series, along with some acting careers. The one person who survived the catastrophe? Lead actress Michelle Pfeiffer. In her first starring role, she ended up being the only bright spot in the film. Six years later in 1988, she would receive her first Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress in "Dangerous Liaisons." Two more Oscar nod for Best Actress would follow for "The Fabulous Baker Boys" (1989) and "Love Field" (1992).
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