"The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  0411
Date:  11/22/1980
Debut:  81
Peak:  8
Weeks:  26
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Sweden's ABBA were worldwide superstars with #1 hits in many countries beginning with 1974's "Waterloo" (#6 US). And although the group had good success in the US, it seems odd now with their enduring popularity that they only had four Top 10 hits here including their only #1 "Dancing Queen" in 1976. By comparison, they had nine #1's in the UK and multiple #1's in other countries. As 1980 rolled in, the group was experiencing changes. Most notably, one of the two husband-and-wife couples that comprised the group divorced in late 1979. But the foursome remained intact as a musical act and issued their "Super Trouper" album featuring this initial single. It became their fourth and last US Top 10 hit.

ReduxReview:  I've stated many times to folks that ABBA created perfect pop music. Songs like "Dancing Queen" are some of the best examples of pop writing and recording from the era. It's taken folks in the US years to realize this, but thanks to nostalgia and films/musicals featuring their music, ABBA has finally gotten some well-deserved respect. So much so that they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. This song is another great example of what they could create. It's a huge ballad done in their unmistakable style with solid lyrics. For me, it is one of their top songs.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) The two women of the group, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (aka Frida), were solo artists before ABBA fully came together. Each had songs reach #1 on the Swedish charts. After ABBA's break-up, each one would have a solo hit reach the Top 30 in the US.  2) Although the song (written by ABBA's two men Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson) is considered a reflection of Ulvaeus and Fältskog divorce, the couple both deny that the song is their story. Regardless, it struck a chord with folks and in two separate polls, the song was voted as the UK's favorite ABBA song.

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"Teacher Teacher" by Rockpile

Song#:  0410
Date:  11/22/1980
Debut:  84
Peak:  51
Weeks:  12
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Rockpile had a bit of an unusual formation and history. The name stems from group member Dave Edumnds' first solo album in 1972 and he used the name for his backing band for that tour. That group disbanded after the tour but after working with Nick Lowe, the band was revived and consisted of Edumuds, Lowe, Terry Williams, and Billy Bremner. Together they recorded material that would be released on albums billed as by Edmunds or Lowe, in addition to supporting each artist's tours. In fact, it was Rockpile that recorded "Cruel to Be Kind," a #12 hit for Nick Lowe in 1979. They had a chance to formally record an album as Rockpile in 1980 when they issued "Seconds of Pleasure." It is the only studio album credited to the band. This first single from the album would be the only Rockpile song to hit the chart, making it halfway up. Unfortunately, issues within the group caused a break-up the following year, but Edmunds and Lowe would work together again later in the 80s.

ReduxReview:  If you just want some good ol' rock n' roll, this is pretty terrific. For anyone who likes Edmunds or Lowe's style of rock, Rockpile will be right up your alley. That is, if you haven't already heard the group. The two musicians are masters at the style of music they write/perform and together they are explosive.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  With the initial pressing of the LP, a bonus EP was attached called "Dave Edmunds & Nick Lowe Sing the Everly Brothers." They covered four Everly songs including "Crying In the Rain" and "When Will I Be Loved." Subsequent CD reissues include these tracks.

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"My Mother's Eyes" by Bette Midler

Song#:  0409
Date:  11/22/1980
Debut:  85
Peak:  39
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Pop, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  After Midler's highly successful film debut in "The Rose," with it's hit soundtrack and title song (#3), her next venture also combined film and music. "Divine Madness" was a concert film of Midler's stage show. It featured musical performances along with stand-up routines that highlighted some of the characters she brought to life like Dolores Delgado, a singing mermaid, or her imitation of the bawdy comedianne Sophie Tucker. The soundtrack album featured this single which just barely cracked the Top 40.

ReduxReview:  Although it drips with sentimentality, this is quite a pretty song. Midler does a great job as usual, but we always used to cringe and kind of make fun of her last note in the song. She does a swoop-up to the final note that a lot of singers from the 40's-50's used to do. When we would say something that include the word "eyes," we would imitate Midler.  So something like "oh, the fumes from that onion really burned my aahhyyeeeezzzz..."  But c'mon. It's Bette Midler. She is truly the Divine Miss M and always will be.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Although on the soundtrack and released as a single, this song did not make it into the final cut of the film.  2) Midler had a backing group called The Harlettes. The line-up changed over the years but had included Melissa Manchester, who broke into her own solo career, and Katy Sagal, famous for her character Peg Bundy on TV's "Married with Children" (and now on the successful show "Sons of Anarchy"). Segal is in The Harlettes for "Divine Madness" as well as soon-to-be dance/R&B star Jocelyn Brown.

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"He Can't Love You" by the Michael Stanley Band

Song#:  0408
Date:  11/22/1980
Debut:  86
Peak:  33
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Cleveland native Stanley had been recording music since 1969 when his first group Silk release their debut album. A few years later, Stanley struck out on his own and released a couple of solo discs. By 1975, he had formed a group and the Michael Stanley Band released their debut album for Epic. Throughout the 70s, the group would release a string of albums that nicked the lower reaches of the chart with no singles sparking nationally. However, in Stanley's hometown and in the Midwest, they were hugely popular. National recognition finally arrived when their 1980 album "Heartland" was released. This single from the LP got them their first real taste of national success and became their best effort on the singles chart.

ReduxReview:  Although released at the end of November, this just screams summer to me. It's a nice rockin' song that kind of reminds me of a solid Kenny Loggins tune mixed with a little Huey Lewis. And it sounds very movie-theme-y too.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This song was written by band member and co-lead singer Kevin Raleigh. After the group disbanded in 1987, he issued a solo album in 1989 that yielded the #60 pop chart entry "Moonlight on Water." Laura Branigan covered the song and took it to #59 in 1990. However, Raleigh did not write the song. It was written by Andy Goldmark and Steve Kipner. Kipner was co-writer of one of the most famous songs from the 80s - Olivia Newton-John's "Physical."  2) The sax solo was played by E-Streeter Clarence Clemons.

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"Killin' Time" by Fred Knobloch and Susan Anton

Song#:  0407
Date:  11/22/1980
Debut:  87
Peak:  28
Weeks:  18
Genre:  Pop, Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  Knobloch's pop chart follow-up to his Top 20 "Why Not Me" (#18) was this one-off single duet with actress/singer Anton. Although it was a minor pop hit, the song did reach #10 on the country chart. This would be his last song to get on the pop chart, but he did release two more singles that did well at country - the #10 "Memphis" and the #33 "I Had It All." This was Anton's one and only chart song.

ReduxReview:  The thing about this song is that their voices are so different. He is high and twangy and she is low and sultry. It doesn't sound bad, just a little odd. This ballad kind of lumbers along and I can hear how it might have worked better at country radio than pop. Overall, not bad but not great.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Besides her numerous TV appearances, Anton also became famous in the early 80s for her relationship with actor Dudley Moore. What grabbed headlines and attention was their height difference. Anton was about 8-inches taller than the short-of-stature Moore and it provided good fodder for tabloids and comedians. They remained together for about five years.

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