Song#: 1532
Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 87
Peak: 77
Weeks: 5
Genre: Adult Contemporary, Country Crossover
Pop Bits: AC crooner Humperdinck grabbed a quick chart entry with "Love's Only Love" (#28 AC/#83 Pop), the title track to his 1980 album. His next LP, Don't You Love Me Anymore, contained the title-track single, which fizzled quickly only reaching #41 at AC. For his next effort, Humperdinck decided to hit up the country market and issued the crossover LP You and Your Lover. This first single did make it onto the Country chart and reached a respectable #39. It did much better at AC hitting #17. The attention got it onto the Pop chart, but after a little over a month the best it could do was #77. It would be Humperdinck's final US chart single on any format. He would continue to issue albums over the years with a few finding their way on to the UK Album chart. In 2014, he issued a new duets album titled Englebert Callling that reached #31 on the UK Album chart. His duet partners included Elton John, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Dionne Warwick, Shelby Lynne, and even Gene Simmons from Kiss.
ReduxReview: Humperdinck infringes on Kenny Rogers' pop/country territory and doesn't come out too bad. It's not a great song, but it's not so bad either. Humperdinck sounds great and I like that he didn't try to sound like a country artist. There are times when pop vocalists try to cross over into country and they feel like they have to twang or drawl it up and it sounds weird and forced. Luckily, Englebert just sings the song and sells it. I just wish he was peddling a better song.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Fans of the MTV animated series Beavis and Butt-head may be familiar with Humperdinck. In the 1996 film based on the TV show, Beavis and Butt-head Do America, a character (voiced by creator Mike Judge) sings a song called "Lesbian Seagull." Originally written and recorded by Tom Wilson Weinberg in 1979, Judge discovered the song via a David Letterman segment and got permission to use it in the film. During the closing credits, the song is heard again in a recorded version by Humperdinck. His take appeared on the movie soundtrack and it also served as the b-side to The Red Hot Chili Pepper's remake of "Love Rollercoaster," which they recorded for the movie. The single reached #40 on the Pop chart. The Ohio Players original version of "Love Rollercoaster" hit #1 in 1976.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
"Legal Tender" by The B-52's
Song#: 1531
Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 88
Peak: 81
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock, New Wave, Synthpop
Pop Bits: After two hit albums and an interim EP, the B's returned with the full-length Whammy! Their first two albums each spawned a Pop chart entry and this third one did the same with this first single. Although it would only scrape the bottom of the chart for a month, the tune combined with two other tracks from the album, "Whammy Kiss" and "Song for a Future Generation," would hit #9 on the Dance chart. The album would reach #29 on the chart and go on to become their third gold disc.
ReduxReview: The B's decided to tone down their guitar/keyboard rock and wrap their songs in the decade's new synthpop sound. It worked well enough for them to grab another chart single and gold album. I remember buying this LP when it came out and was a bit disappointed. There were a couple of good tunes, including this single, but nothing matched the outrageous rock of "Private Idaho" or "Rock Lobster." It also seemed like they were trying to be quirky rather than letting it just flow out of them. Initially I wasn't having it and I pretty much set the album aside. However, years later I've realized that it's actually a good effort from the band. Side one is very solid and showcases songs that could easily show up on a list of their best tunes. Side two is less interesting, especially since it lost "Don't Worry" (see below), but the throwaways here are a notch above ones on their other discs. While I could never imagine that "Legal Tender" would become a radio hit, it's still a great introduction to one of their most overlooked albums.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: The Whammy! album initially contained the song "Don't Worry." This was their cover version of a song originally written by Yoko Ono. Ono's song, title "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow)" was done first by the Plastic Ono Band and used as the b-side to John Lennon's "Cold Turkey" single (#30, 1969). It would then end up on Ono's 1971 album Fly. Inspired by her custody fight with her ex-husband over their daughter Kyoko, the majority of lyrics just have Ono repeating "don't worry." After Whammy! was first issued, some kind of rights issue came up with Ono regarding the B's remake and on further pressings of the album the song is replace with one titled "Moon 83." That song was an updated version of their own tune "There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)" that appeared on their self-titled debut album.
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Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 88
Peak: 81
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock, New Wave, Synthpop
Pop Bits: After two hit albums and an interim EP, the B's returned with the full-length Whammy! Their first two albums each spawned a Pop chart entry and this third one did the same with this first single. Although it would only scrape the bottom of the chart for a month, the tune combined with two other tracks from the album, "Whammy Kiss" and "Song for a Future Generation," would hit #9 on the Dance chart. The album would reach #29 on the chart and go on to become their third gold disc.
ReduxReview: The B's decided to tone down their guitar/keyboard rock and wrap their songs in the decade's new synthpop sound. It worked well enough for them to grab another chart single and gold album. I remember buying this LP when it came out and was a bit disappointed. There were a couple of good tunes, including this single, but nothing matched the outrageous rock of "Private Idaho" or "Rock Lobster." It also seemed like they were trying to be quirky rather than letting it just flow out of them. Initially I wasn't having it and I pretty much set the album aside. However, years later I've realized that it's actually a good effort from the band. Side one is very solid and showcases songs that could easily show up on a list of their best tunes. Side two is less interesting, especially since it lost "Don't Worry" (see below), but the throwaways here are a notch above ones on their other discs. While I could never imagine that "Legal Tender" would become a radio hit, it's still a great introduction to one of their most overlooked albums.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: The Whammy! album initially contained the song "Don't Worry." This was their cover version of a song originally written by Yoko Ono. Ono's song, title "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow)" was done first by the Plastic Ono Band and used as the b-side to John Lennon's "Cold Turkey" single (#30, 1969). It would then end up on Ono's 1971 album Fly. Inspired by her custody fight with her ex-husband over their daughter Kyoko, the majority of lyrics just have Ono repeating "don't worry." After Whammy! was first issued, some kind of rights issue came up with Ono regarding the B's remake and on further pressings of the album the song is replace with one titled "Moon 83." That song was an updated version of their own tune "There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)" that appeared on their self-titled debut album.
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Sunday, January 24, 2016
"Don't You Get So Mad" by Jeffery Osborne
Song#: 1530
Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 89
Peak: 25
Weeks: 14
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Osborne's first solo album after leaving LTD, the group he founded with his brothers, was a success. The self-titled LP featured the #3 R&B hit "I Really Don't Need No Light" (#39 Pop) and the #7 AC hit "On the Wings of Love" (#29 Pop, #13 R&B). His follow-up album, Stay with Me Tonight, didn't waver from the formula set by the first. He retained George Duke as producer and this first single hit a similar groove to "I Really" and even peaked at the same #3 at R&B. At Pop, the song did a bit better and became his second Top 30 entry.
ReduxReview: To me, this could have been subtitled "Don't Need Light, Pt. 2." It's a similar groove and it also has a chorus that is a little light in the hook area. But just like "Light," it's a solid tune led by Osborne's great vocals. It's the rare case where the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy worked.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Osborne co-wrote this song with Don Freeman and Michael Sembello. It was Sembello's second charting co-write for Osborne. "Eenie Meenie," the third single from Osborne's debut disc, reached #18 AC/#76 Pop. Sembello co-wrote that song with Raymond Lee Pounds. At the time this single debuted on the Pop chart, Sembello's own single "Maniac" had climbed to the #19 position on its ascent to the #1 spot.
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Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 89
Peak: 25
Weeks: 14
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Osborne's first solo album after leaving LTD, the group he founded with his brothers, was a success. The self-titled LP featured the #3 R&B hit "I Really Don't Need No Light" (#39 Pop) and the #7 AC hit "On the Wings of Love" (#29 Pop, #13 R&B). His follow-up album, Stay with Me Tonight, didn't waver from the formula set by the first. He retained George Duke as producer and this first single hit a similar groove to "I Really" and even peaked at the same #3 at R&B. At Pop, the song did a bit better and became his second Top 30 entry.
ReduxReview: To me, this could have been subtitled "Don't Need Light, Pt. 2." It's a similar groove and it also has a chorus that is a little light in the hook area. But just like "Light," it's a solid tune led by Osborne's great vocals. It's the rare case where the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy worked.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Osborne co-wrote this song with Don Freeman and Michael Sembello. It was Sembello's second charting co-write for Osborne. "Eenie Meenie," the third single from Osborne's debut disc, reached #18 AC/#76 Pop. Sembello co-wrote that song with Raymond Lee Pounds. At the time this single debuted on the Pop chart, Sembello's own single "Maniac" had climbed to the #19 position on its ascent to the #1 spot.
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Saturday, January 23, 2016
"Don't Change" by INXS
Song#: 1529
Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 90
Peak: 80
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock, New Wave
Pop Bits: The Australian band broke through to the US with their single "The One Thing" (#30 Pop/#2 Rock) from their third album Shabooh Shoobah. This second single made a slight indent in the Rock chart reaching #17, but it only entertained Pop audiences for a short month. The singles pushed the album to #46. It would end up being a gold-seller for them in the US while going double platinum in their Australian home.
ReduxReview: They are given a more cinematic/atmospheric production for this song, which makes it sound rather grand. It takes a while for the tune to really resonate in the ears, but once it does it hangs around. It's not as pop-ish as "The One Thing," so I can see why it had some trouble at Pop radio. The track may not be a great candidate for a single, but it is a worthy listen.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: The video for this song was directed by Scott Hicks. His involvement most likely came through an association with INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence. Hicks' first full-length directorial effort was the 1982 Australian road film Freedom. Don Walker, of the popular Aussie rock band Cold Chisel, wrote the music for the film and for a couple of songs he employed Hutchence as vocalist. One song titled "Speed Kills" was issued as a single. Unfortunately, it didn't get anywhere, but it is considered Hutchence's first solo recording. Hutchence would start recording a full solo album in 1995, but it wouldn't get issued until 1999 - two years after his unfortunate death. As for Hicks, he went on to direct the 1996 Oscar winning film Shine that starred Best Actor winner Geoffrey Rush. Hicks would be nominated for Best Director.
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Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 90
Peak: 80
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock, New Wave
Pop Bits: The Australian band broke through to the US with their single "The One Thing" (#30 Pop/#2 Rock) from their third album Shabooh Shoobah. This second single made a slight indent in the Rock chart reaching #17, but it only entertained Pop audiences for a short month. The singles pushed the album to #46. It would end up being a gold-seller for them in the US while going double platinum in their Australian home.
ReduxReview: They are given a more cinematic/atmospheric production for this song, which makes it sound rather grand. It takes a while for the tune to really resonate in the ears, but once it does it hangs around. It's not as pop-ish as "The One Thing," so I can see why it had some trouble at Pop radio. The track may not be a great candidate for a single, but it is a worthy listen.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: The video for this song was directed by Scott Hicks. His involvement most likely came through an association with INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence. Hicks' first full-length directorial effort was the 1982 Australian road film Freedom. Don Walker, of the popular Aussie rock band Cold Chisel, wrote the music for the film and for a couple of songs he employed Hutchence as vocalist. One song titled "Speed Kills" was issued as a single. Unfortunately, it didn't get anywhere, but it is considered Hutchence's first solo recording. Hutchence would start recording a full solo album in 1995, but it wouldn't get issued until 1999 - two years after his unfortunate death. As for Hicks, he went on to direct the 1996 Oscar winning film Shine that starred Best Actor winner Geoffrey Rush. Hicks would be nominated for Best Director.
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Friday, January 22, 2016
"When You Were Mine" by Mitch Ryder
Song#: 1528
Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 95
Peak: 87
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul
Pop Bits: This Detroit rock 'n' roll legend (real name William Levise) played with a few bands around town in the early 60s, but it wasn't until he fronted Billy Lee & the Rivieras that things began to happen. They quickly gained a big following and it wasn't long before producer Bob Crewe (of The 4 Seasons fame) picked them up and signed them to his label. Due to another group existing called The Rivieras, a name change was in order and they then became Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. With Crewe's help, the band scored a major hit with the #10 "Jenny Take a Ride" in 1965. Over the next two years they would score two more Top 10 hits including their biggest, the #4 "Devil with a Blue Dress On." However, Crewe had plans for Ryder as a solo artist and was somehow able to convince Ryder to leave the Detroit Wheels behind. It was not a good move and it pretty much killed his recording career. Ryder finally got out from under Crewe and quickly tried to restart the Wheels, but after one album in 1971 (credited to Detroit featuring Mitch Ryder), Ryder left the music scene behind and moved to Colorado to focus on other interests. He returned to music in 1979 with an album on his own label, which triggered big interest in Europe. A series of albums followed for the overseas market that did quite well. His return to the US market came about via one of Ryder's biggest fans, John Mellencamp. Following the success of Mellecamp's American Fool album (as John Cougar), he set out to produce a set for Ryder. Titled Never Kick a Sleeping Dog, the album got some attention thanks to Mellecamp's involvement and this first single, a remake of a Prince track from his 1980 LP Dirty Mind. Unfortunately, it didn't do much business and ended up scraping the bottom of the Pop chart for a month. It wasn't quite the big return they hoped for and the single became Ryder's last to hit the chart. It would be almost 30 years before Ryder would issue another album in the US.
ReduxReview: I remember as a kid that my brother had the 45 single of Ryder's #24 1967 hit "Too Many Fish in the Sea/Three Little Fishes." I liked playing it and especially dug the end where they are calling off all the fish. Beyond that, I didn't really get into Ryder's music. I think the key to him was to see a live performance as apparently he was the shizzle. The comeback single sounds exactly like a John Mellencamp song a la "Hurts So Good." It's almost as if Mellencamp recorded the song himself and then brought in Ryder and said "sing to this." That's not necessarily a bad thing, but besides his trademark yowling, there is not a lot of Ryder going on here. However, I really like it and the Prince song fits in quite well with the Mellencamp sound. It's a solid remake.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Triple Shot! 1) How did William Levise become Mitch Ryder? The story goes that when a name change was necessary for the band, Levise opened a New York phone book and happened upon the name Mitch Ryder and decided to adopt that moniker. 2) Although John (Cougar) Mellencamp produced the album, you won't see his name credited. Instead, for the producer credit you will see the name Little Bastard. That was a self-given nickname that Mellencamp went by back in the day. He used it in credits on several recordings. 2) Winona Laura Horowitz had aspirations of becoming an actor. But not with that name. She needed a stage name. Her father happened to be a big fan of Mitch Ryder, so she decided to adopt that name and became Winona Ryder. Her screen debut came in 1986 in the film Lucas. By 1986 she won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for The Age of Innocence and received an Oscar nomination for the film in the same category.
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Date: 07/16/1983
Debut: 95
Peak: 87
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul
Pop Bits: This Detroit rock 'n' roll legend (real name William Levise) played with a few bands around town in the early 60s, but it wasn't until he fronted Billy Lee & the Rivieras that things began to happen. They quickly gained a big following and it wasn't long before producer Bob Crewe (of The 4 Seasons fame) picked them up and signed them to his label. Due to another group existing called The Rivieras, a name change was in order and they then became Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. With Crewe's help, the band scored a major hit with the #10 "Jenny Take a Ride" in 1965. Over the next two years they would score two more Top 10 hits including their biggest, the #4 "Devil with a Blue Dress On." However, Crewe had plans for Ryder as a solo artist and was somehow able to convince Ryder to leave the Detroit Wheels behind. It was not a good move and it pretty much killed his recording career. Ryder finally got out from under Crewe and quickly tried to restart the Wheels, but after one album in 1971 (credited to Detroit featuring Mitch Ryder), Ryder left the music scene behind and moved to Colorado to focus on other interests. He returned to music in 1979 with an album on his own label, which triggered big interest in Europe. A series of albums followed for the overseas market that did quite well. His return to the US market came about via one of Ryder's biggest fans, John Mellencamp. Following the success of Mellecamp's American Fool album (as John Cougar), he set out to produce a set for Ryder. Titled Never Kick a Sleeping Dog, the album got some attention thanks to Mellecamp's involvement and this first single, a remake of a Prince track from his 1980 LP Dirty Mind. Unfortunately, it didn't do much business and ended up scraping the bottom of the Pop chart for a month. It wasn't quite the big return they hoped for and the single became Ryder's last to hit the chart. It would be almost 30 years before Ryder would issue another album in the US.
ReduxReview: I remember as a kid that my brother had the 45 single of Ryder's #24 1967 hit "Too Many Fish in the Sea/Three Little Fishes." I liked playing it and especially dug the end where they are calling off all the fish. Beyond that, I didn't really get into Ryder's music. I think the key to him was to see a live performance as apparently he was the shizzle. The comeback single sounds exactly like a John Mellencamp song a la "Hurts So Good." It's almost as if Mellencamp recorded the song himself and then brought in Ryder and said "sing to this." That's not necessarily a bad thing, but besides his trademark yowling, there is not a lot of Ryder going on here. However, I really like it and the Prince song fits in quite well with the Mellencamp sound. It's a solid remake.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Triple Shot! 1) How did William Levise become Mitch Ryder? The story goes that when a name change was necessary for the band, Levise opened a New York phone book and happened upon the name Mitch Ryder and decided to adopt that moniker. 2) Although John (Cougar) Mellencamp produced the album, you won't see his name credited. Instead, for the producer credit you will see the name Little Bastard. That was a self-given nickname that Mellencamp went by back in the day. He used it in credits on several recordings. 2) Winona Laura Horowitz had aspirations of becoming an actor. But not with that name. She needed a stage name. Her father happened to be a big fan of Mitch Ryder, so she decided to adopt that name and became Winona Ryder. Her screen debut came in 1986 in the film Lucas. By 1986 she won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for The Age of Innocence and received an Oscar nomination for the film in the same category.
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