"Lady" by Kenny Rogers

#1 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  0356
Date:  10/04/1980
Debut:  39
Peak:  1 (6 weeks)
Weeks:  25
Genre:  Pop, Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  This song arguably represents Rogers' peak moment of success. The song was an instant smash and was the first song of the new decade to be an entry on Billboard's four main charts - pop, country, adult contemporary, and R&B. It was included on Rogers' "Greatest Hits" album which became his only #1 pop album and the best-selling country compilation album in history, selling over 12 million copies. The song would earn Rogers a Best Pop Male Vocalist Grammy nomination and the song would be nominated for Record of the Year. Richie would receive a nomination for Song of the Year as the songwriter.

ReduxReview:  This is a very well-written and produced song. For my ears, Rogers really does not have the most attractive voice, especially on something so exposed as this song. But he is actually good here tempering his wide vibrato a bit and providing a convincing performance. Honestly, I can't say it is one of my favorites, but I appreciate the songwriting and performance and recognize that this was really a terrific recording.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Why did this pop tune by a country artist end up on the R&B chart? The song was written specifically for Rogers by Lionel Richie. At the time, Richie was still in the Commodores and was beginning to write songs for other artists. It was well-known that the two artists worked together on this song and the combo attracted a multi-genre audience. It wouldn't be long before Richie would start keeping songs for himself and embark on a solo career.

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"Cry Like a Baby" by Kim Carnes

Song#:  0355
Date:  10/04/1980
Debut:  72
Peak:  44
Weeks:  8
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Carnes' remake of The Miracles' "More Love" had just finished up a Top 10 run when this second single from her album "Romance Dance" hit the chart. Since a cover version did well already, why not release another one? So the second single was this remake of the #2 hit by The Box Tops from 1968. Unfortunately, the magic didn't strike twice in a row and this single peaked outside of the Top 40.

ReduxReview:  I wasn't a fan of the original version and although Carnes kind of amps it up a notch for a fresh take, it is still not a song I really like. I could see where they were going by selecting this as the next single, but I think there were better choices on the album that might have kept up the momentum a bit more. Whether her choice or the record label's, Carnes's follow-ups to chart hits were not always well-chosen, which is too bad. As a huge fan, I think she could have had more hits with better single selections.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Carnes' third album was 1976's "Salin'," which was produced by the legendary Jerry Wexler (Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield). Although the album didn't chart, one of the songs, "Love Comes from the Most Unexpected Places," won the 1977 American Song Festival and was recorded by Barbra Streisand for her "Streisand Superman" album. Streisand would also record Carnes' song "Stay Awhile" for 1978's "Songbird."

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"Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar

Top 10 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  0354
Date:  10/04/1980
Debut:  73
Peak:  9
Weeks:  24
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  The lead-off single from Benatar's second album "Crimes of Passion" didn't really set the charts on fire. "You Better Run" just missed the Top 40 peaking at #42. However, this second single sent her into the Top 10 for the first time and it helped to make "Crimes of Passion" her best-selling album. It is arguably her most recognizable song and one that has had a long life by being played at major sporting events. Benatar won a Grammy for Best Rock Female Vocal for the album.

ReduxReview:  Everything about this song worked. Benatar's vocal, the production, and the songwriting. Really, I only think it takes one listen for this song to get planted in your brain. I can't say definitively that this is her best song, but it is the one where all the stars aligned for her and is probably her most indelible career moment.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  In addition to covering The Young Rascals' "You Better Run," the "Crimes of Passion" album also contained Benatar's cover of Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights." It was Bush's debut single in 1978 and hit hit #1 in the UK and several other countries. It also remains her best-selling single. However, the song was never able to hit the US chart. The song's lyrics are based on the Emily Brontë book of the same name.

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"More Bounce to the Ounce" by Zapp

Song#:  0353
Date:  10/04/1980
Debut:  97
Peak:  86
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Funk



Pop Bits:  Cincinnati musicians/friends Roger Troutman and Bootsy Collins made a pact that whoever made it big first would turn around and lend a hand to the other. Collins found success with George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic outfit and remembering the agreement introduced Troutman to Clinton. They helped secure a deal at Warner for Troutman and his group Zapp, which included three of his brothers. This first single from their self-titled debut album became hugely influential with it's hand-clapped rhythm and use of the "talk box" effect. The song hit #2 on the R&B chart and was their only pop chart entry. Zapp's music has remained popular in many West Coast youth cultures with "Bounce" being cited as the most sampled song in Chicano and West Coast rap.

ReduxReview:  I like funk, but I don't care for it too much if the song is just a continuous groove with little in the way of a melody or hook. This is interesting because of the production and sound, but after a couple minutes of it, I'm pretty much over it. The tune just doesn't go anywhere interesting for me.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Zapp came to an unfortunate end in 1999 when group member Larry Troutman fatally shot his brother (and group leader) Roger and then shot himself. A reason or motive for the murder-suicide has never been found but speculation is that it may have had to do with a business dispute.

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"You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by Hall & Oates

Song#:  0352
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  68
Peak:  12
Weeks:  20
Genre:  Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul



Pop Bits:  Their album "Voices" got off to a slow start with the #30 "How Does It Feel to Be Back." This second single did much better and just missed hitting the Top 10. It was their biggest hit since their 1977 #1 "Rich Girl."

ReduxReview:  Although they are a duo, most of their hits are sung by Daryl Hall with a couple by John Oates. This is one that really is a true duet and it works well for them. It's a good update of the Phil Spector "wall of sound" lush original (see below).

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This song was originally a #1 hit for the Righteous Brothers in 1964. Hall & Oates' version was the sixth chart appearance for the song and the second highest peaking, just besting Dionne Warwick's 1969 version which hit #16. The song written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil was named the top most played song (radio and TV) of the 20th century by BMI, the performance rights organization. It was followed by "Never My Love," "Yesterday," "Stand By Me," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You."

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