Song#: 1913
Date: 05/26/1984
Debut: 90
Peak: 48
Weeks: 11
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: The New Jersey band's self-titled debut album was shaping up to be a good seller due to the lead single, "Runaway," getting to #5 at Rock and #39 at Pop. This next single nearly became their second Pop Top 40 entry, but it stopped a little short. It probably didn't help that it only got to #44 at Rock. Regardless, the album certainly did it's job in helping to establish the new band.
ReduxReview: There are definitely some good things going on with this song. The verse and main part of the chorus is quite good, however there is a weird transition from the chorus back to the verse that almost brings the song to a halt. It's very odd and probably could have been handled better. In general, this is a solid song even if it is not quite as catchy as "Runaway" or the band's future hits.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: This song has a bit of a long history. Written by Mark Avsec (Donnie Iris' co-writer and bandmate), it was originally intended for the disco band LaFlavour's second album. However, LaFlavour decided to scrap the disco, make a move towards rock, and change their name to Fair Warning. As the dust settled, this track was still pegged for Fair Warning's debut album and would most likely be the lead single. However, the band encountered issues and in the end their album was shelved. Bon Jovi was on the same label and were looking for another strong song for single contention. This one ended up in their lap and they got it recorded. But before it got issued on Bon Jovi's debut LP, the song did get released by two other artists. The 60s band The Grass Roots ("Midnight Confessions," #5, 1968) took a swing at the song for a 1982 comeback album. The song was released as a single, but it and the album failed to do any business. Then Peter Emmett (aka Sonny Geraci, lead singer of Climax who hit #3 in 1972 with "Precious and Few") recorded the song, which featured backing by Avsec and others from Donnie Iris' band. Again, it went nowhere. Finally, Bon Jovi's version came out and the tune found its way to the Pop chart. It was the only song on their debut album not written by a band member.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
"Magic" by The Cars
Song#: 1912
Date: 05/19/1984
Debut: 59
Peak: 12
Weeks: 17
Genre: Rock, New Wave
Pop Bits: The Cars got the second Top 10 hit of their career when "You Might Think" reached #7. The #1 Rock track was the lead single from their fifth album Heartbeat City. This next one would be another big hit at Rock getting to #1, but it just missed out on placing in the Pop Top 10. The album would be a big seller for them hitting #3 and going 4x platinum. It would be their second album to hit both of those marks. Their 1979 album Candy-O was also a #3 quad-platinum disc.
ReduxReview: The beefier sound, courtesy of producer "Mutt" Lange, is even more apparent on this song than on "You Might Think." Once again the band hits a sweet spot and maintains their track record for doing nice, concise, straight-ahead pop tunes. Although some of their earlier songs were better, this album was their commercial peak and deservedly so. I wasn't totally on board with it at the time, but now I find it to be a solid, fun 80s album.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Although not quite as groundbreaking as "You Might Think," the video for this song became another hit on MTV. Directed by Tim Pope, the video has the band at a poolside party with various characters. At one point, lead singer Ric Ocasek begins to walk on top of the water of the pool. Others try to do the same, but fail and fall into the water. Ocasek's water walk was achieved by using a plexiglass platform that met the surface of the water. Unfortunately, the builders didn't take into account Ocasek's weight and on the first take, the platform collapsed. Once they got the platform built correctly, the illusion worked. The video was filmed at the Hilton family mansion/compound. Kathy Hilton (Paris' mom) rented out the house for the shoot.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 05/19/1984
Debut: 59
Peak: 12
Weeks: 17
Genre: Rock, New Wave
Pop Bits: The Cars got the second Top 10 hit of their career when "You Might Think" reached #7. The #1 Rock track was the lead single from their fifth album Heartbeat City. This next one would be another big hit at Rock getting to #1, but it just missed out on placing in the Pop Top 10. The album would be a big seller for them hitting #3 and going 4x platinum. It would be their second album to hit both of those marks. Their 1979 album Candy-O was also a #3 quad-platinum disc.
ReduxReview: The beefier sound, courtesy of producer "Mutt" Lange, is even more apparent on this song than on "You Might Think." Once again the band hits a sweet spot and maintains their track record for doing nice, concise, straight-ahead pop tunes. Although some of their earlier songs were better, this album was their commercial peak and deservedly so. I wasn't totally on board with it at the time, but now I find it to be a solid, fun 80s album.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Although not quite as groundbreaking as "You Might Think," the video for this song became another hit on MTV. Directed by Tim Pope, the video has the band at a poolside party with various characters. At one point, lead singer Ric Ocasek begins to walk on top of the water of the pool. Others try to do the same, but fail and fall into the water. Ocasek's water walk was achieved by using a plexiglass platform that met the surface of the water. Unfortunately, the builders didn't take into account Ocasek's weight and on the first take, the platform collapsed. Once they got the platform built correctly, the illusion worked. The video was filmed at the Hilton family mansion/compound. Kathy Hilton (Paris' mom) rented out the house for the shoot.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, January 15, 2017
"Legs" by ZZ Top
Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 1911 Date: 05/19/1984
Debut: 64
Peak: 8
Weeks: 19
Genre: Blues-Rock
Pop Bits: The band's experiment with a more synth-driven sound was paying off well for them. Their album Eliminator was shaping up to be a major hit. The LP's first two singles were Top 10 hits at Rock while also crossing over to the Pop chart. Both were enhanced by themed MTV videos that got into heavy rotation. However, it would be this third single that would really push the album into a whole other realm. Thanks to the third video in their Eliminator trilogy, this song attracted a larger audience, which allowed the song to become the band's first Top 10 at Pop. It would also be another hit at Rock getting to #3. This boosted album sales considerably and even though it would only peak at #9, it would be a consistent seller. A year and a half after its release the album would be certified 4x platinum. By 1996, it was awarded Diamond status (10 million copies) and would be the band's best selling LP.
ReduxReview: This is one of those cases where there is quite a difference between the album version of the song and the single version. The album version (posted above) is very clean sounding with the guitars forward and the synths more in the background. The single version (also available on Spotify) pushes the synths forward and adds more reverb. It makes for a fuller sound, but a bit on the muddy side. Initially, the fuller sounding single version caught my ear, but I think the album version is better. The focus is on the guitar work rather than beefy synths. Really, you can't go wrong with either of them.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This song got an unexpected boost courtesy of a new mix. In addition to the single version of the song, which amped up the synth sound, a dance mix was also created. It proved popular in the clubs and the song made it to #13 on the Dance chart. It would be their first and most popular entry on that chart. Two future singles would find their way on to the Dance chart, but they were far less successful peaking only in the 40s. 2) The video for this song won the MTV Music Video Award for Best Group Video in the award show's inaugural year. They were nominated in that category twice that year. The other nod was for their video to "Sharp Dressed Man."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, January 14, 2017
"Prime Time" by Alan Parsons Project
Song#: 1910
Date: 05/19/1984
Debut: 83
Peak: 34
Weeks: 11
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: The Project's Ammonia Avenue would be their seventh consecutive gold certified album. It accomplished that feat mainly on the strength of its first single "Don't Answer Me," which got to #15 at Pop, #4 AC, and #15 Rock. Although this next single wouldn't be quite as strong at Pop, it did very well at Rock hitting #3. It also got to #10 at AC. Unfortunately, it would end up being their final song to land in the Pop Top 40.
ReduxReview: Although this song is cut from the same vein as "Eye in the Sky," it still works quite well on its own. Rock radio loved it, but I'm not sure why it didn't catch on more at Pop. Maybe it was a little to akin to "Eye" and so folks ignored it after the brilliant retro-rock sound of "Don't Answer Me." It's too bad because this ranks among their strongest singles. Everything works on this tune from the chugging beat to the memorable chorus. The production was top-notch as well. Frankly, this should have been the second Pop Top 10 from the album.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: This song's video about mannequins that turn into human and try to escape their plastic world looked to the John Collier short story "Evening Primrose" for inspiration. Written in 1940, it's Twilight Zone-ish plot centers on a poet who decides to take refuge in a big department store to escape the world. Overnight, he discovers a secret society of other folks who have done the same. He joins up with them, but the catch is that once you are part of the society you can never reveal yourself to anyone outside of the group and you can never leave the store. If you do, you will be handed over to the Dark Men who will then turn you into a mannequin. The story became the basis of a 1947 radio show and was later turned into an hour-long television musical in 1966 featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The role of the poet in the musical was played by Anthony Perkins (of Psycho fame).
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 05/19/1984
Debut: 83
Peak: 34
Weeks: 11
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: The Project's Ammonia Avenue would be their seventh consecutive gold certified album. It accomplished that feat mainly on the strength of its first single "Don't Answer Me," which got to #15 at Pop, #4 AC, and #15 Rock. Although this next single wouldn't be quite as strong at Pop, it did very well at Rock hitting #3. It also got to #10 at AC. Unfortunately, it would end up being their final song to land in the Pop Top 40.
ReduxReview: Although this song is cut from the same vein as "Eye in the Sky," it still works quite well on its own. Rock radio loved it, but I'm not sure why it didn't catch on more at Pop. Maybe it was a little to akin to "Eye" and so folks ignored it after the brilliant retro-rock sound of "Don't Answer Me." It's too bad because this ranks among their strongest singles. Everything works on this tune from the chugging beat to the memorable chorus. The production was top-notch as well. Frankly, this should have been the second Pop Top 10 from the album.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: This song's video about mannequins that turn into human and try to escape their plastic world looked to the John Collier short story "Evening Primrose" for inspiration. Written in 1940, it's Twilight Zone-ish plot centers on a poet who decides to take refuge in a big department store to escape the world. Overnight, he discovers a secret society of other folks who have done the same. He joins up with them, but the catch is that once you are part of the society you can never reveal yourself to anyone outside of the group and you can never leave the store. If you do, you will be handed over to the Dark Men who will then turn you into a mannequin. The story became the basis of a 1947 radio show and was later turned into an hour-long television musical in 1966 featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The role of the poet in the musical was played by Anthony Perkins (of Psycho fame).
_________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, January 13, 2017
"Little Bit of Love" by Dwight Twilley
Song#: 1909
Date: 05/19/1984
Debut: 84
Peak: 77
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Twilley's third solo LP, Jungle, would be his best charting effort (#39) thanks to the album's #2 Rock track "Girls." The single would also do well at Pop reaching #16. This follow-up tune wouldn't catch on as well. It only managed a #44 showing at Rock while not making it out of the bottom quarter of the Pop chart. The success of "Girls" and the LP should have led to another platter for EMI, but it didn't happen. Twilley left the label and signed on to the indie Private I imprint. He recorded an album for them, but bad luck hit when the label folded prior to the LP's release. Epic picked up Wild Dogs and got it out, but coming two years after Jungle, the momentum was gone and the album quickly disappeared. Label and distribution issues continued to plague the artist, but in later years he continued to record and was able to get his works released.
ReduxReview: This song has a very dramatic opening that really draws attention. If it had been orchestrated a bit more, I'd almost say it was in the Alan Parsons Project realm. It then moves into a dark, rock groove that I like quite a bit. The brighter chorus is a nice change and works quite well. I don't think it's as Pop radio hooky or friendly as "Girls," but I actually like the song slightly better. It should have gone higher on both the Pop and Rock charts.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In addition to being a musician, Twilley was also a divorced parent. His pre-teen daughter lived with her mom and stepdad and due to Twilley's touring schedule, he didn't get to spend a lot of time with her. In order to keep things interesting and active between father and daughter, Twilley came up with an idea. He would write his daughter letters that included a series of questions. Some would be basic while others would be humorous, creative, or introspective. His first letter had thirty-seven questions and his daughter responded. Over the years, he would send her more questions and she would respond. The communications kept their relationship close and going. It worked out so well that in 1994 Twilley wrote a parenting book based on the experience titled Questions from Dad that was well-received.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 05/19/1984
Debut: 84
Peak: 77
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Twilley's third solo LP, Jungle, would be his best charting effort (#39) thanks to the album's #2 Rock track "Girls." The single would also do well at Pop reaching #16. This follow-up tune wouldn't catch on as well. It only managed a #44 showing at Rock while not making it out of the bottom quarter of the Pop chart. The success of "Girls" and the LP should have led to another platter for EMI, but it didn't happen. Twilley left the label and signed on to the indie Private I imprint. He recorded an album for them, but bad luck hit when the label folded prior to the LP's release. Epic picked up Wild Dogs and got it out, but coming two years after Jungle, the momentum was gone and the album quickly disappeared. Label and distribution issues continued to plague the artist, but in later years he continued to record and was able to get his works released.
ReduxReview: This song has a very dramatic opening that really draws attention. If it had been orchestrated a bit more, I'd almost say it was in the Alan Parsons Project realm. It then moves into a dark, rock groove that I like quite a bit. The brighter chorus is a nice change and works quite well. I don't think it's as Pop radio hooky or friendly as "Girls," but I actually like the song slightly better. It should have gone higher on both the Pop and Rock charts.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In addition to being a musician, Twilley was also a divorced parent. His pre-teen daughter lived with her mom and stepdad and due to Twilley's touring schedule, he didn't get to spend a lot of time with her. In order to keep things interesting and active between father and daughter, Twilley came up with an idea. He would write his daughter letters that included a series of questions. Some would be basic while others would be humorous, creative, or introspective. His first letter had thirty-seven questions and his daughter responded. Over the years, he would send her more questions and she would respond. The communications kept their relationship close and going. It worked out so well that in 1994 Twilley wrote a parenting book based on the experience titled Questions from Dad that was well-received.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)