Song#: 1748
Date: 01/14/1984
Debut: 90
Peak: 81
Weeks: 5
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: U2 broke through to the US with their third album War. Featuring the #2 Rock song (#53 Pop) "New Years Day," the album would reach #12 and over time would sell four million copies. Of course a tour would follow and their reputation as a live band along with a hit album led to sold-out venues in the US and Europe. Some of their performances were recorded and songs from select shows were used to create the live album Under a Blood Red Sky. This lone single from the album was from a performance in Germany and it was able to spend a few weeks on the Pop chart. It somehow missed the Rock chart, but oddly went to #34 on the Dance chart. Two of the songs from the album were recorded at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. That concert was filmed and later in the year a video of the performance would be released. Titled U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky, the video would be a best-seller that would cement the band's reputation as an outstanding live act.
ReduxReview: As you may know, I'm not keen on concert recordings. However, I will say that this is a song that is made to be done live. As always, I prefer the studio version, but the band does a solid, blistering reading of the tune and Bono's excitement comes through on the recording. It's one of the rare instances where I actually get something from the live version. Lots of artists are brilliant in concert, but live recordings typically can't capture the magic of the performance. U2 is one of the rare acts that can bring something to any medium that captures their work. I also remember this song vividly from college. My roommate had a band and they were doing a wedding gig. I went along to help and take some performance pictures. For whatever reason, they decided to break into this song late in the evening. It was rather jarring and it certainly confused wedding guests who had previously been dancing to standard wedding band fare like "Celebration." Needless to say, it didn't go over well and the band returned to familiar pop tunes. But the sight of them rockin' out to this song while the wedding guests looked on in horror was pretty priceless.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The original studio version of this song served as U2's first single to hit any chart. It would be a mid-level charter in a few countries while getting to #20 on the US Rock chart. It was from their 1980 debut album Boy. 2) A version of their song "The Electric Co." that was included on the live album got the band in a little hot water. In the performance, lead singer Bono riffs on the melody to the song "Send in the Clowns" during a band vamp. That song was written by Stephen Sondheim for his 1973 Tony-winning Best Musical A Little Night Music. Unfortunately, the band didn't get permission from Sondheim to use his work and after the album's release, a bit of a dust-up ensued. The band quickly agreed to pay a penalty fee for the unauthorized use of the song and subsequent pressings of the album featured an edited version of the track.
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Sunday, August 14, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
"Wrapped Around Your Finger" by The Police
Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 1747 Date: 01/07/1984
Debut: 61
Peak: 8
Weeks: 16
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: After rockin' it out a bit with "Synchronicity II" (#16 Pop, #9 Rock), the third single from their album Synchronicity, the trio retreated back to ballad territory with this next release. The tactic worked will with Pop listeners who embraced the song and its video. It would become the third song from the album to reach the Top 10. It would also reach #9 at Rock/#13 at AC and be the last track from the album to be issued as a single. What no one knew at the time (not even The Police) is that this song would be their final significant hit (excluding a mid-chart revisit of an older hit in 1986). The band would call it quits after an attempt to record a follow-up album.
ReduxReview: This should have been the third single from the album, but at least it was finally released and got them back in the Top 10. Again, like "Every Breath You Take," it's a very pretty song with dark lyrics. I could do without all the mythological references, but overall the message is there and it works. The video with all its slo-mo and Sting knocking over the candles was a highlight as well. Not a bad way to end a career (well, at least for the band).
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Back in 1978 when The Police were just about to break out with their debut album, they needed money. They were approached to do a commercial for Wrigley gum. They decided to do it, but there was one condition - they all had to die their hair blonde. Needing the money, they did it. The commercial was filmed, but in the end the company decided to not use it. However, the bleach blonde look seemed to work for the band and they kept it going, especially lead singer Sting.
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Friday, August 12, 2016
"Bang Your Head (Metal Health)" by Quiet Riot
Song#: 1746
Date: 01/07/1984
Debut: 72
Peak: 31
Weeks: 12
Genre: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Pop Bits: This band really busted through that wall that separated mainstream pop music heavier rock with their song "Cum on Feel the Noize." The tune caught on and soon pop listeners were demanding to hear it on the radio. Programmers began spinning the single and soon it would reach #5 on the Pop chart. The result would help push their album Metal Health to #1. The song is often cited as the first metal song to go Top 5 while the album is considered to be the first metal album to reach the top spot. For their follow-up, the band chose this title-track song. It wouldn't do as well as "Cum on Feel the Noize," but it did almost get into the Pop Top 30 (#37 Rock). Unfortunately, the band would fizzle quickly and this song would be their last to visit the Pop Top 40.
ReduxReview: Whereas "Cum on Feel" was a cover tune, this is an original by the band. It's actually pretty good and I like the verse a lot, but I just don't think it had the same pop-ish hook and appeal as the previous hit. It's a little harder and rougher around the edges and that probably didn't sit as well with pop audiences. However, in some respects, I like this song a bit better than "Come on Feel."
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The title and song lyrics refer to the act of headbanging, which was commonly done by folks who were listening to hard rock, punk, or metal music either on record or in a live setting. Headbanging is simply shaking or bobbing your head in a violent manner to the beat of the music. Although the origin of the movement and/or its name is disputed, one of the stories is that it began during a 1969 Led Zeppelin tour when it was noticed that people in the front row seemed like they were banging their heads against the edge of the stage in time with the music. Even musicians themselves began doing it on stage while performing. (And is certainly helped if you had long hair to whip around too...). Later on, it was discovered that the move could pose a health risk. In addition to accidentally banging your head against something (or someone), some people have experienced strokes and other brain disorders attributed to headbanging. 2) This song was heard in the movie Footloose, but the song was not included on the soundtrack. It was playing in Ren's (Kevin Bacon) car during one scene. Apparently, it was also used in the 2011 remake of the film as well.
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Date: 01/07/1984
Debut: 72
Peak: 31
Weeks: 12
Genre: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Pop Bits: This band really busted through that wall that separated mainstream pop music heavier rock with their song "Cum on Feel the Noize." The tune caught on and soon pop listeners were demanding to hear it on the radio. Programmers began spinning the single and soon it would reach #5 on the Pop chart. The result would help push their album Metal Health to #1. The song is often cited as the first metal song to go Top 5 while the album is considered to be the first metal album to reach the top spot. For their follow-up, the band chose this title-track song. It wouldn't do as well as "Cum on Feel the Noize," but it did almost get into the Pop Top 30 (#37 Rock). Unfortunately, the band would fizzle quickly and this song would be their last to visit the Pop Top 40.
ReduxReview: Whereas "Cum on Feel" was a cover tune, this is an original by the band. It's actually pretty good and I like the verse a lot, but I just don't think it had the same pop-ish hook and appeal as the previous hit. It's a little harder and rougher around the edges and that probably didn't sit as well with pop audiences. However, in some respects, I like this song a bit better than "Come on Feel."
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The title and song lyrics refer to the act of headbanging, which was commonly done by folks who were listening to hard rock, punk, or metal music either on record or in a live setting. Headbanging is simply shaking or bobbing your head in a violent manner to the beat of the music. Although the origin of the movement and/or its name is disputed, one of the stories is that it began during a 1969 Led Zeppelin tour when it was noticed that people in the front row seemed like they were banging their heads against the edge of the stage in time with the music. Even musicians themselves began doing it on stage while performing. (And is certainly helped if you had long hair to whip around too...). Later on, it was discovered that the move could pose a health risk. In addition to accidentally banging your head against something (or someone), some people have experienced strokes and other brain disorders attributed to headbanging. 2) This song was heard in the movie Footloose, but the song was not included on the soundtrack. It was playing in Ren's (Kevin Bacon) car during one scene. Apparently, it was also used in the 2011 remake of the film as well.
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Thursday, August 11, 2016
"Baby I'm Hooked (Right Into Your Love)" by Con Funk Shun
Song#: 1745
Date: 01/07/1984
Debut: 83
Peak: 76
Weeks: 5
Genre: R&B, Quiet Storm
Pop Bits: Between 1977-80, this funk band was on a roll. They issued four consecutive gold albums that featured five Top 10 R&B hits including 1978's #1 "Ffun" (#23 Pop). But as the 80s rolled on, the hits became less frequent and the gold albums stopped. By 1987, the band decided to wrap things up and call it a day. But before then, they were able to enjoy three more R&B Top 10's including this single from their album Fever. It did well enough to get on the Pop chart for a few weeks, but it would be their last song to do so.
ReduxReview: It seems that the band was sticking with what they do best here, but trying to jazz it up a bit in 80s clothes. That's not necessarily bad, but with so much happening at the time, I don't think it was different enough. It worked well at R&B and they got a hit out of it, but their albums were not selling as well so it makes me think that folks were tiring of the band. What's weird is that an almost exact replica of this arrangement would work out well in a few years for singer Gregory Abbott. His 1987 #1 hit "Shake You Down" mimics this song pretty well, but it was almost considered retro R&B by that point (and it had a far better chorus).
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Band member Felton Pilate would later co-produce what would be the biggest selling rap/hip-hop album of its time. MC Hammer's 1990 album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em would hit the 10 million mark a little over a year after it was released. The album would be boosted by three songs that would hit the Top 10 on three charts (Pop, R&B, and Rap) and included his signature #1 R&B (#2 Rap, #8 Pop) hit "U Can't Touch This." Pilate would also help produce Hammer's follow-up LP Too Legit to Quit. Since that time, several other rap/hip-hop albums have either matched or exceeded the sales of Please Hammer.
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Date: 01/07/1984
Debut: 83
Peak: 76
Weeks: 5
Genre: R&B, Quiet Storm
Pop Bits: Between 1977-80, this funk band was on a roll. They issued four consecutive gold albums that featured five Top 10 R&B hits including 1978's #1 "Ffun" (#23 Pop). But as the 80s rolled on, the hits became less frequent and the gold albums stopped. By 1987, the band decided to wrap things up and call it a day. But before then, they were able to enjoy three more R&B Top 10's including this single from their album Fever. It did well enough to get on the Pop chart for a few weeks, but it would be their last song to do so.
ReduxReview: It seems that the band was sticking with what they do best here, but trying to jazz it up a bit in 80s clothes. That's not necessarily bad, but with so much happening at the time, I don't think it was different enough. It worked well at R&B and they got a hit out of it, but their albums were not selling as well so it makes me think that folks were tiring of the band. What's weird is that an almost exact replica of this arrangement would work out well in a few years for singer Gregory Abbott. His 1987 #1 hit "Shake You Down" mimics this song pretty well, but it was almost considered retro R&B by that point (and it had a far better chorus).
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Band member Felton Pilate would later co-produce what would be the biggest selling rap/hip-hop album of its time. MC Hammer's 1990 album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em would hit the 10 million mark a little over a year after it was released. The album would be boosted by three songs that would hit the Top 10 on three charts (Pop, R&B, and Rap) and included his signature #1 R&B (#2 Rap, #8 Pop) hit "U Can't Touch This." Pilate would also help produce Hammer's follow-up LP Too Legit to Quit. Since that time, several other rap/hip-hop albums have either matched or exceeded the sales of Please Hammer.
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Wednesday, August 10, 2016
"Something's on Your Mind" by D Train
Song#: 1744
Date: 01/07/1984
Debut: 88
Peak: 79
Weeks: 6
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: This duo made up of James "D-Train" Williams and Hubert Eaves III initially started performing together after they met in high school. In the late 70s, they each went their own way with Williams becoming a producer and Eaves joining the group Mtume. As the 80s started, they rekindled their partnership and formed D Train (named after Williams' high school football nickname). They signed with Prelude Records and issued their debut LP You're the One for Me in 1982. The title track would end up hitting #1 at Dance (#13 R&B) while another track, "Keep On," would get to #2 (#15 R&B). Their second album wasn't as successful, but their third effort spawned this title-track single that became their biggest hit at R&B getting to #5. It would also crossover to the Pop chart for a few minor weeks. They seemed on the verge of a bigger breakthrough, but at some point after their third album, the duo split. Williams would go for a solo career and score a #10 R&B hit in 1986 with "Misunderstanding."
ReduxReview: It might just be me, but this song seems a bit too slow. I kept wanting to dance to it, but that was hard to do considering the tempo. It seems caught in this weird fine-line world between a slinky ballad and something more groovy. I think it's a good song, but I keep wanting to make it go faster. Had it been more danceable, I think it could have done a lot better. The guts are there for something pretty great, but as-is I find it a bit sluggish.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: This song was later covered by jazz legend Miles Davis. He recorded an instrumental version of the song for his 1985 album You're Under Arrest. The tune was bookended by two Davis compositions titled "MD 1" and MD 2." Initially, Davis wanted to do a full album of his interpretations of modern pop songs. Apparently, he recorded several, but then changed his mind on the album's concept. By the time the tracks for You're Under Arrest were compiled, only three pop covers made it to the album - this song, Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." The album would mark the end of his relationship with his label Columbia with whom he had been with since 1955. Issues between the artist and the label would arise, including Columbia delaying the release of a completed album titled Aura. Davis would sign on with Warner Bros. and in 1986 issue what many consider another classic in his catalog, Tutu. Columbia would finally release the completed Aura LP in 1989.
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Date: 01/07/1984
Debut: 88
Peak: 79
Weeks: 6
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: This duo made up of James "D-Train" Williams and Hubert Eaves III initially started performing together after they met in high school. In the late 70s, they each went their own way with Williams becoming a producer and Eaves joining the group Mtume. As the 80s started, they rekindled their partnership and formed D Train (named after Williams' high school football nickname). They signed with Prelude Records and issued their debut LP You're the One for Me in 1982. The title track would end up hitting #1 at Dance (#13 R&B) while another track, "Keep On," would get to #2 (#15 R&B). Their second album wasn't as successful, but their third effort spawned this title-track single that became their biggest hit at R&B getting to #5. It would also crossover to the Pop chart for a few minor weeks. They seemed on the verge of a bigger breakthrough, but at some point after their third album, the duo split. Williams would go for a solo career and score a #10 R&B hit in 1986 with "Misunderstanding."
ReduxReview: It might just be me, but this song seems a bit too slow. I kept wanting to dance to it, but that was hard to do considering the tempo. It seems caught in this weird fine-line world between a slinky ballad and something more groovy. I think it's a good song, but I keep wanting to make it go faster. Had it been more danceable, I think it could have done a lot better. The guts are there for something pretty great, but as-is I find it a bit sluggish.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: This song was later covered by jazz legend Miles Davis. He recorded an instrumental version of the song for his 1985 album You're Under Arrest. The tune was bookended by two Davis compositions titled "MD 1" and MD 2." Initially, Davis wanted to do a full album of his interpretations of modern pop songs. Apparently, he recorded several, but then changed his mind on the album's concept. By the time the tracks for You're Under Arrest were compiled, only three pop covers made it to the album - this song, Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." The album would mark the end of his relationship with his label Columbia with whom he had been with since 1955. Issues between the artist and the label would arise, including Columbia delaying the release of a completed album titled Aura. Davis would sign on with Warner Bros. and in 1986 issue what many consider another classic in his catalog, Tutu. Columbia would finally release the completed Aura LP in 1989.
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