Song#: 0312
Date: 08/30/1980
Debut: 89
Peak: 63
Weeks: 8
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Stewart had a massive hit in 1979 with her #1 discofied remake of "Knock on Wood" from her debut disc, but her second LP failed to generate any chart songs. Looking for a hit, she was pared with famous Motown songwriter/producer Bristol for this mash-up of two major Motown hits, "My Guy" (Mary Wells) and "My Girl" (The Temptations). Bristol had not been on the chart since the early 70s where his best effort was the lone Top 10 "Hang On In There Baby" (#8, 1974). The duet got them both back on the chart, but not in any significant way and it would be the last pop chart entry for both of them. Oddly, they both had some better chart success in Europe, but in the US they are often considered one-hit wonders despite a few other low charters.
ReduxReview: This is just...odd. And I'm having a hard time figuring out if it is odd in a good way or bad. And for 1980, this has more of a mid-80s sound. Some of the effects like the keyboard synth pad (those one-beat big, almost orchestral swipes) I haven't heard on any songs prior to this. So this kind of seems progressive for the time. But it is kind of loud and overbearing too. It's like the arrangement has sucked the soul right out of both songs. Weird. I don't hate it (and I like Bristol's voice), but I don't love it either.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Stewart's birth name is Amy, but when she signed up with Actor's Equity, the name Amy Stewart was already being used, so she altered the spelling to Amii. 2) Besides co-producing classics like the Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell duet "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Bristol has written/co-written major hits like "Someday We'll Be Together" (The Supremes).
_________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
"Look What You've Done to Me" by Boz Scaggs
Song#: 0311
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 69
Peak: 14
Weeks: 17
Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: This song is the fifth single from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack to hit the chart. The ballad was written specifically for the film by Boz Scaggs and producer David Foster. Scaggs' other single at the time, "JoJo," was just peaking on the chart when this one debuted, so the timing was perfect. Unfortunately, like his previous two singles, this one finished just shy of the Top 10.
ReduxReview: Although not as hip as some of his solid blue-eyed soul songs, I think this ballad is probably my favorite Boz Scaggs song. It's got that magic David Foster-pop touch to it that he was doing so well around this time and it really makes this song sing.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: This song actually came out in two versions with just minor variations. In the movie and on the soundtrack, the background vocals are from a female chorus, but on Scaggs' "Hits!" album released at this time (and probably the one mostly played now), the vocals were done by the Eagles. On this version, Scaggs added some vocals near the end of the song as well.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 69
Peak: 14
Weeks: 17
Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: This song is the fifth single from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack to hit the chart. The ballad was written specifically for the film by Boz Scaggs and producer David Foster. Scaggs' other single at the time, "JoJo," was just peaking on the chart when this one debuted, so the timing was perfect. Unfortunately, like his previous two singles, this one finished just shy of the Top 10.
ReduxReview: Although not as hip as some of his solid blue-eyed soul songs, I think this ballad is probably my favorite Boz Scaggs song. It's got that magic David Foster-pop touch to it that he was doing so well around this time and it really makes this song sing.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: This song actually came out in two versions with just minor variations. In the movie and on the soundtrack, the background vocals are from a female chorus, but on Scaggs' "Hits!" album released at this time (and probably the one mostly played now), the vocals were done by the Eagles. On this version, Scaggs added some vocals near the end of the song as well.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"I'm Almost Ready" by Pure Prairie League
Song#: 0310
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 79
Peak: 34
Weeks: 13
Genre: Country Rock, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: After grabbing their first (and only) Top 10 hit with "Let Me Love You Tonight," the group released this second single from their successful "Firin' Up" album. Although it didn't do as well as the previous single, it did make it into the Top 40 and also hit #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song was written by group member Vince Gill.
ReduxReview: Odd that this song didn't get on the country chart. It is definitely a country crossover/rock tune that would certainly hit these days. But it does almost border on Southern rock, which is not my favorite style (as mentioned on previous posts, if you are keeping up). It's a good jam, but nothing memorable for me. In fact, there is a song on the album called "Give It Up" that is far better and should have been the single.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: The unusual group name came courtesy of original member Tom McGrail. He happened to catch a late night showing of the 1939 film "Dodge City" starring Errol Flynn. In the film there is a women's temperance group and their name was the "Pure Prairie League."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 79
Peak: 34
Weeks: 13
Genre: Country Rock, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: After grabbing their first (and only) Top 10 hit with "Let Me Love You Tonight," the group released this second single from their successful "Firin' Up" album. Although it didn't do as well as the previous single, it did make it into the Top 40 and also hit #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song was written by group member Vince Gill.
ReduxReview: Odd that this song didn't get on the country chart. It is definitely a country crossover/rock tune that would certainly hit these days. But it does almost border on Southern rock, which is not my favorite style (as mentioned on previous posts, if you are keeping up). It's a good jam, but nothing memorable for me. In fact, there is a song on the album called "Give It Up" that is far better and should have been the single.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: The unusual group name came courtesy of original member Tom McGrail. He happened to catch a late night showing of the 1939 film "Dodge City" starring Errol Flynn. In the film there is a women's temperance group and their name was the "Pure Prairie League."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, April 4, 2013
"My Prayer" by Ray, Goodman & Brown
Song#: 0309
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 83
Peak: 47
Weeks: 10
Genre: R&B, Soul
Pop Bits: The trio's second album came out on the heels of their highly successful debut LP which featured the hit "Special Lady" (#5, pop). The album didn't have the same success as the first, but it did get this minor entry on the pop and R&B charts. They would go on to have a few more R&B chart entries, but this would be their last time on the pop chart.
ReduxReview: Eeeghads...no. I think it is the arrangement that kills it for me. It is like Meco (of the disco "Star Wars" fame) recorded this with them. For a terrific vocal group like this it seems like they would have focused more on doing a great vocal group arrangement, but that is not the case. It can be very hard to update a classic standard (see below) and I think this was just not the way to do this song. Do yourself a favor and listen to the classic Platters version.
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: This song a remake of The Platters #1 hit from 1956. However, The Platter's version was also a remake of a song from a different era. The song was originally written in 1926 by violinist Georges Boulanger and then lyrics were added in 1939 by Jimmy Kennedy. Both Glenn Miller and The Ink Spots recorded the song and each had a Top 10 hit with it that same year. But it wasn't until The Platters version came out that the song charted in the rock era and reached the top rung.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 83
Peak: 47
Weeks: 10
Genre: R&B, Soul
Pop Bits: The trio's second album came out on the heels of their highly successful debut LP which featured the hit "Special Lady" (#5, pop). The album didn't have the same success as the first, but it did get this minor entry on the pop and R&B charts. They would go on to have a few more R&B chart entries, but this would be their last time on the pop chart.
ReduxReview: Eeeghads...no. I think it is the arrangement that kills it for me. It is like Meco (of the disco "Star Wars" fame) recorded this with them. For a terrific vocal group like this it seems like they would have focused more on doing a great vocal group arrangement, but that is not the case. It can be very hard to update a classic standard (see below) and I think this was just not the way to do this song. Do yourself a favor and listen to the classic Platters version.
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: This song a remake of The Platters #1 hit from 1956. However, The Platter's version was also a remake of a song from a different era. The song was originally written in 1926 by violinist Georges Boulanger and then lyrics were added in 1939 by Jimmy Kennedy. Both Glenn Miller and The Ink Spots recorded the song and each had a Top 10 hit with it that same year. But it wasn't until The Platters version came out that the song charted in the rock era and reached the top rung.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
"Girl, Don't Let It Get You Down" by The O'Jays
Song#: 0308
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 84
Peak: 55
Weeks: 11
Genre: R&B, Soul
Pop Bits: As a quintet, the O'Jays first hit the pop chart in 1963 and through to 1970 had an unremarkable run of chart songs with none of them ever reaching the pop Top 40. They fared a bit better on the R&B chart, but still only managed one Top 10 hit in that time. As the 70s started, the group was about to call it a day. Two members left and the future seemed bleak. But as a trio, the group worked with the team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and joined their Philadelphia International label - a rival of Motown. Together, they created recordings that became a part of the Philly soul movement with their first release "Back Stabbers" hitting #3 and going gold. Over the next decade, the group would go on to have five more pop Top 10's including the 1973 #1 smash "Love Train." This streak included ten R&B #1's as well. Although they would continue to put songs on the R&B chart throughout the 80s, this song ended up being their last pop chart entry (and a #3 R&B hit).
ReduxReview: The O'Jays are terrific. I think they kind of get overlooked with Motown groups like The Temptations and the Miracles getting more attention. So if you haven't heard their brand of Philly soul from their prime 70s era, look it up and listen. This song is not one of their prime time best, but it is a very pretty mid-tempo selection with a solid arrangement and great vocals.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) There was no one in the group with the name of O'Jay. The name was chosen as a tribute to Cleveland radio DJ Eddie O'Jay. 2) Group member Eddie Levert's two sons, Gerald and Sean, had successful music careers as well. The two were part of the group LeVert who had five R&B #1 hits including their #5 pop hit "Casanova" in 1987. Gerald would have further success as a solo artist and as a part of the R&B supergroup LSG (with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill). Gerald and his dad would record together as well and they topped the R&B chart in 1992 with "Baby Hold On to Me."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 08/23/1980
Debut: 84
Peak: 55
Weeks: 11
Genre: R&B, Soul
Pop Bits: As a quintet, the O'Jays first hit the pop chart in 1963 and through to 1970 had an unremarkable run of chart songs with none of them ever reaching the pop Top 40. They fared a bit better on the R&B chart, but still only managed one Top 10 hit in that time. As the 70s started, the group was about to call it a day. Two members left and the future seemed bleak. But as a trio, the group worked with the team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and joined their Philadelphia International label - a rival of Motown. Together, they created recordings that became a part of the Philly soul movement with their first release "Back Stabbers" hitting #3 and going gold. Over the next decade, the group would go on to have five more pop Top 10's including the 1973 #1 smash "Love Train." This streak included ten R&B #1's as well. Although they would continue to put songs on the R&B chart throughout the 80s, this song ended up being their last pop chart entry (and a #3 R&B hit).
ReduxReview: The O'Jays are terrific. I think they kind of get overlooked with Motown groups like The Temptations and the Miracles getting more attention. So if you haven't heard their brand of Philly soul from their prime 70s era, look it up and listen. This song is not one of their prime time best, but it is a very pretty mid-tempo selection with a solid arrangement and great vocals.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) There was no one in the group with the name of O'Jay. The name was chosen as a tribute to Cleveland radio DJ Eddie O'Jay. 2) Group member Eddie Levert's two sons, Gerald and Sean, had successful music careers as well. The two were part of the group LeVert who had five R&B #1 hits including their #5 pop hit "Casanova" in 1987. Gerald would have further success as a solo artist and as a part of the R&B supergroup LSG (with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill). Gerald and his dad would record together as well and they topped the R&B chart in 1992 with "Baby Hold On to Me."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)