"Stand Up" by David Lee Roth

Song#:  3476

Date:  04/16/1988

Debut:  94

Peak:  64

Weeks:  8

Genre:  Rock

Pop Bits:  Roth got his second Pop Top 10 with "Just Like Paradise" (#1 Rock), the lead single from his second solo album Skyscraper. For a follow-up, this next track was selected. It would easily make the Rock Top 10 at #5, but it was far less successful over at Pop where it stayed in the bottom half of the chart for a couple of months. Still, the album would get to #6 and go platinum. A third single from the LP, "Damn Good," would reach #2 at Rock, but fail to make the Pop chart. "Stand Up" would be Roth's last Pop chart single as a solo act. His next album, 1991's A Little Ain't Enough, would spawn two Rock Top 10's and go gold. Three more albums would follow over the years, but they would sell far less than his first three efforts.

ReduxReview:  As far as tracks with big Pop chart potential, "Just Like Paradise" was really the only one on Roth's eclectic album to truly fit the bill. It definitely did the job in promoting the disc. After that, there was little to push out for pop radio consumption. This song was probably the best choice as it had fairly solid chorus, but it wasn't nearly as hooky or memorable as "Just Like Paradise" or even his previous album's "Yankee Rose." The Zeppelin-ish "Damn Good" was a terrific track and was perfect for rock radio, but it was just too low-key for pop. Still, sometimes all an established rock artist needed at the time was one good mainstream hit along with a couple of other rock radio friendly tracks in order to get albums sold and in Roth's case, that worked with Skyscraper.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  The love/hate relationship between David Lee Roth and his former Van Halen bandmates, in particular Eddie Van Halen, would persist over the years. Roth had been gone from the band since 1985. He kicked of his solo career while VH would continue on with Sammy Hagar taking over for Roth. Hagar would quit or be fired from VH (depending on who you talk to) in 1996. That left the door open for a new lead singer. At the time, the band was assembling a hits compilation. Roth found out and called Eddie to ask about the project. Things went well between them, so Roth went into the studio with the band to record two new tracks for the compilation. Meanwhile, Eddie was still auditioning singers for the lead spot. Mitch Malloy was nearly on board, but after a promo appearance of the "reunited" VH on the MTV Music Video Awards, Malloy balked and walked. At the time, Roth thought he was back in the band, but later found out different. Arguments ensued and Roth took off. VH then hired on Extreme singer Gary Cherone. He stayed for one album and then departed. Hagar returned for a brief period in 2003 recording a couple of track for another hits compilation and going out on tour. Yet once again, disputes resulted in him leaving. By 2007, Roth was once again back in VH and heading out on tour. A new album, A Different Kind of Truth, would be issued out in 2012. It would reach #2 and would spawn VH's final Pop chart single, "Tattoo," which got to #67 (#13 Rock). The LP would be the last studio effort from VH. Eddie Van Halen would die in 2020.

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"I'm Still Searching" by Glass Tiger

Song#:  3475

Date:  04/09/1988

Debut:  67

Peak:  31

Weeks:  11

Genre:  Pop, Rock

Pop Bits:  This Canadian band's 1986 debut album, The Thin Red Line, would be a gold seller here in the US thanks to a pair of Top 10 hits including the #2 "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)." It led to them receiving a Grammy nod for Best New Artist. As soon as they could, the band went back into the studio for a second time with producer Jim Vallance (of Bryan Adams fame) to record a follow-up. They would emerge with Diamond Sun and this first single introduced the new set. In Canada, the song was an instant hit that reached #2. In the US, it didn't do that well. The tune got to #12 at Rock, but over on the Pop chart it stalled just outside of the Top 30. The title track would provide them with another Top 10 at home, but it failed to chart in the US. With those results, the LP halted at a low #82 in the US. This single would be the band's last to reach a US chart.

ReduxReview:  While this song wasn't co-written by Vallance like their previous two hits, it seems like the band picked up some writing tips from him and Bryan Adams as it kind of sounds like something Adams and Vallance might have composed/produced. The quick-paced rocker was a good song, but wasn't nearly as catchy or memorable as their two US Top 10s. It was a better fit for rock radio and indeed it became their highest peaking song on the Rock chart. For Pop, it just didn't play as well and its Top 40 showing was really the best it was going to do.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  In 1991, Glass Tiger would release their third album, Simple Mission. It would do well for them in Canada getting to #11. It contained four Top 10 hits. Oddly, the last three of those all peaked at #8. Most likely due to the performance of their previous LP, the new set was not released in the US. After a hits collection came out in '93, the band would go on hiatus. It would turn into an extended ten-year break. Finally in 2003, the band got back together and started touring again. However, they would not release any new recordings until 2018. For their fourth album 31, the band re-recorded several of their hits to celebrate their thirty-plus years of success. An EP of new material titled 33 would come out the following year. A holiday album was then released in 2020. With the exception of their drummer, the band had maintained the same lineup since their formation in 1983.

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"We All Sleep Alone" by Cher

Song#:  3474

Date:  04/09/1988

Debut:  84

Peak:  14

Weeks:  15

Genre:  Pop, Rock

Pop Bits:  After winning an Oscar, Cher returned to music and made quite the comeback with the #10 hit "I Found Someone." It was the lead single from her self-titled album and was her first Top 10 hit since 1979. To follow it up, this next track was selected. It wouldn't do quite as well, but it still managed to crack the Pop Top 20 while getting to #11 at AC. It would mark the first time since 1971 that Cher got a pair of Pop Top 20s from one album. Just about a month after this song debuted on the chart, the Cher album would reach its peak of #32. It would become her first gold album since 1979 and eventually would go platinum.

ReduxReview:  This song was written and produced by Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi, and Richie Sambora. It came at a time when Bon Jovi and Sambora were trying to branch out as writers for hire. In addition, the whole Bon Jovi crew played on the track. It gave the tune some late-80s rock radio cred, but it wasn't one that I'd say sounded like Bon Jovi, and that was probably a good thing. I doubt anyone really wanted to hear Cher singing lead on "Livin' on a Prayer." This song seemed to be more custom fitted to what Cher was doing with her album and I think it worked well. She got to rock out a bit without going overboard and the song itself was well-arranged and produced. It wasn't quite as memorable as "I Found Someone," but it performed well as a follow-up.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  The videos for this song and for "I Found Someone" featured Cher with Rob Camilletti, her boyfriend at the time. Much was made of the relationship due to the 18-year age gap between the two and the fact that he was a struggling actor working at a bagel shop when they met in 1986. He would be her date to the Oscars when she won Best Actress for Moonstruck. The pair seemed happy and Cher just brushed aside all the tabloid fodder about them. His first professional job was doing the "I Found Someone" video. From there his newfound fame and connections got him some acting jobs including spots on TV shows like Roseanne and NYPD Blue. However, after an incident Camilletti had with the paparazzi in '88 landed him in jail, things took a turn. They would break up in '89. Cher would continue with her career, but Camilletti decided that acting and showbiz wasn't for him and he ended up getting his pilots license. He eventually got a job piloting private planes for celebrities and other rich folks - even one time for Cher. After the breakup, the pair had remained friends.

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"Nite and Day" by Al B. Sure!

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3473

Date:  04/09/1988

Debut:  86

Peak:  7

Weeks:  21

Genre:  R&B, New Jack Swing

Pop Bits:  The music bug hit Albert Brown III early on. As a teen, he scrambled some equipment together and began recording music with his cousin Kyle West. While still in high school, Brown became friends with Eddie Ferrell, who was going by the name DJ Eddie F. Eddie was working with rapper Heavy D. at the time and after hearing Brown's music brought him along to the studio to meet Heavy D and his manager. They immediately put Brown to work. He sang on three tracks that would appear on the 1987 debut album by Heavy D. & the Boys. His work on the songs along with a push from Heavy D.'s management helped Brown secure a deal with Warner Bros. Records. With the stage name of Al B. Sure!, Brown began work on a solo album with West. The pair would co-write and co-produce the majority of the album that would be titled In Effect Mode. This first single was issued out and it certainly made a splash. The song reached the top of the R&B chart while cracking the Pop Top 10. It also got to #19 at AC. By the beginning of July, the album would also get to #1 at R&B. Eventually, it would make it to #20 Pop. This song would go on to earn Al B. Sure! a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.

ReduxReview:  Al B. Sure! kind of brought romantic new jack swing to the masses with this sleek track. For a pair of newbies who were just getting their feet wet, Al and Kyle West truly hit the mark with this song. Apparently, it was the first track they recorded for the LP. What a way to kick things off! It was easy to hear that this was going to be a hit. That hip-swaying groove, indelible chorus, and Al's sensuous vocal made the tune ripe and ready for lots of radio airplay.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  In 1987, the Sony Corporation decided to hold a talent contest. It became part of the company's awards program and was called the Sony Innovator Talent Search. They acquired a judging panel of professionals that included famed producer/musician Quincy Jones. The contest was to be judged "blind" and over 50 unknown young artists participated including Al B. Sure! He would end up being the winner of the contest, but it is not clear what Sony gave him for the win. While Al would be the first to win the talent contest, it seems like he may also have been the last. No evidence exists that it turned into an annual event. Being selected as winner by Jones would later lead to Al working with the legend. In 1989, Al would contribute lead vocals to "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)," a track from Quincy Jones' album Back on the Block. Al would be one of four lead vocalists for the song. The others were El DeBarge, James Ingram, and Barry White. It would be released as a single in 1990 and would reach #1 at R&B (#31 Pop). It would also be a gold seller. The album would go on to win seven Grammys including Album of the Year.

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"Take It While It's Hot" by Sweet Sensation

Song#:  3472

Date:  04/09/1988

Debut:  87

Peak:  57

Weeks:  13

Genre:  Latin Freestyle

Pop Bits:  This female vocal trio released a pair of indie singles in '86/'87, including "Hooked on You" (#64 Pop), that helped them get a record deal with ATCO Records. Work began on a debut album titled Take It While It's Hot and once it was ready this title-track single was issued out. It would do well on the Dance chart reaching #14. That action helped the song cross over to the Pop chart where it got near the halfway point. Although it wasn't a major hit, the song kicked off a run of popular singles for the trio that would eventually culminate in a #1 Pop hit.

ReduxReview:  This track expanded on the Latin freestyle feel of their first single, which made it more club friendly, hence the better showing on the Dance chart. It was a well-crafted dance tune that was expertly produced, but it just didn't have a strong enough hook to take it further on the Pop chart, unlike singles from one of their competitors Exposé. As a club song, this one should definitely make folks shimmy on the dance floor, but as a pop single it didn't quite hit the mark.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Apparently, when this trio first formed they went by the name Sweet Temptation. Unfortunately (or fortunately because it happened early on), someone at Motown found out about the name and since it was so close to one of their superstar acts, The Temptations, the label sent word that they were not happy with the trio's choice. Wisely, the trio then updated their name to Sweet Sensation. That name could have gotten them in hot water as well as there had already been a group called Sweet Sensation to reach the Pop chart. The first Sweet Sensation was a 70s British soul band. Formed in '71, the majority of the eight-piece outfit originally hailed from Jamaica. They became popular in local pubs/discos and in '74 they found themselves competing on a British TV talent show called New Faces. They made it to that season's finale, but lost to an impressionist. The song they performed on the show was called "Sad Sweet Dreamer," which the public seemed to love. On the show's judging panel was producer/songwriter Tony Hatch. Impressed by the band, he got them signed to Pye Records. Their first single failed to chart, but then they released "Sad Sweet Dreamer." It got to #1 on the UK chart and then to #14 on the US Pop chart. A self-titled debut album followed in '75 and another single, "Purely By Coincidence," got to #11 in the UK. A few more singles would be released from the band over the next couple of years, but nothing charted and they were dropped by Pye. The band split soon after. How the new Sweet Sensation trio was able to used the previous band's name without issue is not known, but without a trademark or any ownership rights, multiple bands could use the same name especially if the first one has long been defunct.

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