"Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" by Journey

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  1341
Date:  02/05/1983
Debut:  36
Peak:  8
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Arena Rock



Pop Bits:  Journey became superstars when their 1981 #1 album "Escape" spawned three Top 10 hits including the #2 "Open Arms." A year and a half later they readied their follow-up LP "Frontiers." This first single got things kicked off in a big way hitting #1 at Mainstream Rock while spending an unusual six-weeks at #8 on the pop chart. The album could have been their second #1, but Michael Jackson's "Thriller" blocked the top spot and Journey had to settle for a #2 peak.

ReduxReview:  This was a loud song. It sounded so big with every instrument turned to 11 and filling up the speakers. I always thought it sounded muddy on conventional radios, but when I cranked it on my home stereo it was awesome. It was as if they took the arena sound and put it right there on the record. I loved the sound, the song, and the album. Most critics panned the LP and I can understand why. It's full of big, glossy, commercial, formulaic arena rock that was meant to appeal to the masses. And it did. I bought into it as well and I still enjoy an occasional spin of the album. There's no shame in that. I remember that this album and Styx's "Kilroy Was Here" were paired up into a single review in Rolling Stone. I believe they both got two stars. I loved both albums and was so mad I sent them some hate mail - you know, back when you actually had to write a hate letter and buy a stamp and send it to someone...

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Prior to this single, the videos for Journey's songs were typically in-concert or edited stage performances. With MTV gaining popularity, the band decided to do their first real choreographed video, despite reservations from some of the band members. The video was shot on a wharf in New Orleans and featured the band lip syncing and playing instruments as a girl walked along the wharf. It did not turn out well. In addition to the video's weak concept, there were certain parts of it where the band mimes playing their instruments - aka air banding. It just didn't work. Although not a career killer, it was considered bad enough to be #13 on MTV's list of the worst videos of all time in 1999. (Note:  What was the #1 worst video on the list?  Don Johnson's "Heartbeat.") It also got skewered on an episode of MTV's Beavis and Butthead.

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"So Close" by Diana Ross

Song#:  1340
Date:  02/05/1983
Debut:  65
Peak:  40
Weeks:  10
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Ross' album "Silk Electric" started off well with the #10 Michael Jackson-penned "Muscles." For her follow-up single, this tune co-written by Ross was selected. Featuring a background vocal arrangement by Luther Vandross (in which he sang as well), the song just barely made it into the Top 40. It did a little better at AC reaching #13.

ReduxReview:  I wasn't sure what Ross would come up with for a follow-up to the sexy kitsch of "Muscles," but I certainly didn't expect this doo-wop throwback. Playing sweet to the saltiness of "Muscles," I think Ross was trying to replicate the success of her 1981 remake of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," but by this time it wasn't working. I mean, did anyone on her team even turn on a radio? "Muscles" made Ross sound current, but this one made her sound out of touch. Although over-produced, the song itself is a nice reproduction of 50s doo-wop that might have served her well a few years earlier. However, by 1983 the kids were not having it. "Silk Electric" is one of Ross' most unusual albums. The songs are all over the map. Besides the two singles, there was a Reggae influenced tune, a couple power ballads, a pop tune, a post-disco song, and oddly, a hard rock outing that sounds like Ross fronting Alice Cooper. It's all bizarre and none of it very good.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  The cover of "Silk Electric" was designed by Andy Warhol. He based it off of several Polaroids that he took of Ross. At the time, another album featuring a Warhol cover was also riding the charts - Billy Squier's "Emotions in Motion."

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"Nice Girls" by Melissa Manchester

Song#:  1339
Date:  02/05/1983
Debut:  69
Peak:  42
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Manchester scored her biggest pop hit with the Grammy-winning "You Should Hear How She Talks About You" (#5). It pushed her album "Hey Ricky" to #19, which was her second most successful chart LP. Unfortunately, Manchester couldn't score a second chart single from the album. So in order to strike while the iron was hot, Arista went ahead and issued Manchester's first "Greatest Hits" collection. In addition to her chart hits, the album included this new song that got issued as a single. It peaked just shy of the Top 40. It would be Manchester's last single to get near the Top 40.

ReduxReview:  This song kept up Manchester's new contemporary pop sound, but it just wasn't as good or catchy as "You Should Hear." To me, it sounds like a lost track from Kim Carnes' 1983 album "Cafe Racers." I like the song and its dark tone, but it's not strong enough to cut its way through to the upper reaches of the chart. I have to say that I've always felt bad for Manchester around this time. Clive Davis and her next label, MCA, tried to make her into some pop/dance diva and besides "You Should Here," it really did not work. And her songwriting credits began to disappear. She wrote/co-wrote most of the songs on her early albums, but by the time she recorded 1985's "Mathematics," she didn't have a single writing credit. She didn't find her voice again until she wrote her 2004 album "When I Look Down That Road" (which I highly recommend). Chances are had Manchester kept her AC ways after "You Should Hear," her career probably would have dropped off anyway. But at least it would have been a more comfortable and graceful path to follow than the corporate pop rabbit hole to nowhere that she got shoved down.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Manchester began to dip her toe in the acting pool around this time. She appeared in a 1984 episode of the TV show "Fame" and later found herself once again supporting Bette Midler in the 1991 film "For the Boys." Fans of the TV show "Blossom" may remember that Manchester appeared as Blossom's mom for a couple of seasons.

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"I Like It" by DeBarge

Song#:  1338
Date:  02/05/1983
Debut:  70
Peak:  31
Weeks:  17
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  This group of siblings from Grand Rapids, Michigan, got a leg up in the music biz thanks to their brothers Bobby and Tommy who were members of the Motown band Switch. Switch had grabbed three Top 10 R&B hits from 1978-80 for the label so when four younger DeBarge siblings formed a group, the elder brothers helped them get the attention of Berry Gordy. Gordy signed them up and in 1981 they released their debut album "The DeBarges." The album tanked, but Gordy's confidence in the group led them back to the studio. They added another brother to the lineup and the quintet released their second LP "All This Love." This time around their smooth R&B/AC sound clicked and this second single from the album got to #2 at R&B. The song got enough attention at pop to send the single into the Top 40.

ReduxReview:  I'd have to say that my overall critique of this song would be that "I Like It!" Randy and El DeBarge share lead vocals on the tune with El handling the soaring passages at the end, which he did in one take. This is the song that set the group up for further success and it's a gem of a tune. Silky and creamy with a sprinkle of funk, the song is a delicious treat.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Okay, so there are five DeBarges in the group plus two others in Switch. So how many DeBarge siblings are there? The final count is ten. Known mainly by their nicknames, the DeBarges from oldest to youngest are Bunny, Bobby, Tommy, Randy, Marty, El, James, Chico, Peaches, and Young. All were born between 1955 and 1969 with the two youngest, Peaches and Young, being twins. All have been involved in the music business and have released recordings. DeBarge was made up of Bunny, Randy, Marty, El, and James. Bobby and Tommy were in Switch. Chico and Young had a solo careers while Peaches later recorded a gospel album in 1991 with other DeBarge family members.  2) This song was remade in 1993 by house music trio Jomanda. Their version reached #83 pop, #45 R&B, and #29 dance. The trio's best effort was the 1991 #1 dance hit "Got a Love for You," which reached #40 on the pop chart.

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"Little Too Late" by Pat Benatar

Song#:  1337
Date:  02/05/1983
Debut:  80
Peak:  20
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Benatar's album "Get Nervous" got off to a solid start with the #13 hit "Shadows of the Night" (#3 Mainstream Rock). This second single reached the Top 20 becoming her fifth to do so. It would help the album reach #4 and get to platinum status. Rock radio wasn't quite as fond of the single and it peaked at a relatively low #38.

ReduxReview:  I think this song wants to reach rock anthem status, but it just doesn't have enough power to make it that far. The beat just seems a bit slow. I keep wanting to make it go faster. I don't know if that would make it sound any better, but I think it would have given the song a bit more guts and excitement. As is, Benatar delivers another good pop/rock tune that may not rank among her best, but is a good addition to her catalog.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  This song is written by Alex Call. He was a founding member of the country rock band Clover. Formed in 1967, the band would release four albums before disbanding in 1978. Although they never had any hits, the band is famous for members that would hit it big later (Huey Lewis, Jeff Porcaro of Toto) and for being the backup band for Elvis Costello's 1977 debut album "My Aim Is True." This song was Call's second major hit as a songwriter. He also co-wrote "867-5309/Jenny" for Tommy Tutone (#4, 1982).

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