Song#: 0422
Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 83
Peak: 24
Weeks: 21
Genre: Country Crossover
Pop Bits: Although he would go on to become a country music superstar, few know that Milsap originally started his career in R&B. He signed with Scepter Records in 1965 and had #19 R&B hit with "Never Had It So Good," written by Ashford & Simpson. He recorded other songs but none made the charts except for a lone pop single in 1970 called "Loving You Is a Natural Thing" which reached #87. Milsap made a move to Nashville, changed his sound based on a conversation with country star Charley Pride, and signed with RCA Records. He issued his first country-based album for them in 1973 and scored immediately on the country chart with the #10 "I Hate You." The rest of the 70s saw him get 12 #1 country songs and the 80s were even better. This song from his "Greatest Hits" album caught him in the midst of a streak of 10 #1 country hits and it was his second biggest pop hit at the time.
ReduxReview: It's funny that I really like Ronnie Milsap and I probably only have a couple songs of his. I really need to get a compilation of his stat! First, he has a great voice. If you have not heard him sing "It Was Almost Like a Song," you should. Second, Milsap wasn't a songwriter, but he got hold of some solid country/pop tunes over the years. This is one of those songs. Milsap really should have done better on pop radio than he did, getting only four Top 20 hits, but songs like this should always get folks interesting in his music.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In 2010, this was adopted as an official state song for Tennessee. The state has a short list of official songs that also includes "Rocky Top" and "Tennessee Waltz."
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Saturday, June 22, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
"Love T.K.O." by Teddy Pendergrass
Song#: 0421
Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 85
Peak: 44
Weeks: 13
Genre: R&B, Quiet Storm
Pop Bits: The second single from Pendergrass' "TP" album did better than its first "Can't We Try" (#52 pop, #3 R&B) by almost going Top 40 at pop and reaching #2 at R&B. Although it wasn't his biggest pop or R&B hit, it has become one of his most recognizable songs and one that has been covered by many artists including Hall & Oates, Bette Midler, Seal, and Michael McDonald.
ReduxReview: I'm a little surprised this didn't peak higher. It just seems like one of those songs that at least went Top 20. It's a nice slow jam that sizzles right along. Pendergrass was a great singer, but I wasn't always in love with his material. This one is an exception and probably my favorite of his solo songs.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: The original version of this song was done by soul singer David Oliver and came out in 1980 prior to Pendergrass' version. It appeared on Oliver's final album "Here's to You" (he passed away in 1982). His most well-known single was the #13 R&B hit "Ms." in 1978.
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Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 85
Peak: 44
Weeks: 13
Genre: R&B, Quiet Storm
Pop Bits: The second single from Pendergrass' "TP" album did better than its first "Can't We Try" (#52 pop, #3 R&B) by almost going Top 40 at pop and reaching #2 at R&B. Although it wasn't his biggest pop or R&B hit, it has become one of his most recognizable songs and one that has been covered by many artists including Hall & Oates, Bette Midler, Seal, and Michael McDonald.
ReduxReview: I'm a little surprised this didn't peak higher. It just seems like one of those songs that at least went Top 20. It's a nice slow jam that sizzles right along. Pendergrass was a great singer, but I wasn't always in love with his material. This one is an exception and probably my favorite of his solo songs.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: The original version of this song was done by soul singer David Oliver and came out in 1980 prior to Pendergrass' version. It appeared on Oliver's final album "Here's to You" (he passed away in 1982). His most well-known single was the #13 R&B hit "Ms." in 1978.
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Thursday, June 20, 2013
"Miss Sun" by Boz Scaggs
Song#: 0420
Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 87
Peak: 14
Weeks: 17
Genre: Soft Rock, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: Tying the peak of his previous single, "Look What You've Done to Me" from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack, this song became his fourth in a row to just miss the Top 10. The song was a new recording included on the compilation "Hits!" After this single and album, Scaggs took an extended break from the music business. His next single and album wouldn't come out until 1988.
ReduxReview: There is just something about Boz Scaggs that makes my mind discard him. With the exception of a couple of songs, all these Top 20 hits he had I swear I've never heard before. And even after I have a few times, I have zero recollection of them. This is another one. It is pleasant enough, but this lite SoCal jazzy sound doesn't seem stick in my brain. And I'm a little boggled that it made is up the chart as far as it did.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: This song was written by David Paich and recorded in 1977 as a demo by him and a few other musicians. This song plus some other demos led to these folks getting signed by Columbia Records and they went on to record as the group Toto. On the demo, part of the vocals were done by Lisa Dal Bello. When the song was revived for Scaggs, she was asked back to do her vocals again for the recording. The original demo version of the song appeared later on the compilation album "Toto XX" in 1998.
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Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 87
Peak: 14
Weeks: 17
Genre: Soft Rock, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: Tying the peak of his previous single, "Look What You've Done to Me" from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack, this song became his fourth in a row to just miss the Top 10. The song was a new recording included on the compilation "Hits!" After this single and album, Scaggs took an extended break from the music business. His next single and album wouldn't come out until 1988.
ReduxReview: There is just something about Boz Scaggs that makes my mind discard him. With the exception of a couple of songs, all these Top 20 hits he had I swear I've never heard before. And even after I have a few times, I have zero recollection of them. This is another one. It is pleasant enough, but this lite SoCal jazzy sound doesn't seem stick in my brain. And I'm a little boggled that it made is up the chart as far as it did.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: This song was written by David Paich and recorded in 1977 as a demo by him and a few other musicians. This song plus some other demos led to these folks getting signed by Columbia Records and they went on to record as the group Toto. On the demo, part of the vocals were done by Lisa Dal Bello. When the song was revived for Scaggs, she was asked back to do her vocals again for the recording. The original demo version of the song appeared later on the compilation album "Toto XX" in 1998.
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"Keep On Loving You" by REO Speedwagon
#1 Alert!
Gold Record Alert!
Song#: 0419 Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 88
Peak: 1 (1 week)
Weeks: 28
Genre: Rock, Arena Rock
Pop Bits: REO toned down the hard rock of their previous albums and shuffled a little closer to pop with their 1980 album "Hi Infidelity." The album reached #1 and stayed there for 15 weeks becoming their best-selling album. This first power ballad single certainly had a lot to do with the album's success as it became both their first Top 10 and #1 hit. The album would also get them a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Group.
ReduxReview: I just remember that this song and album were huge when I was in high school. I also had a typing teacher who loved this song, so of course the kids all thought she was hip and cool. I didn't latch on to it back in the day, but I actually own a copy now. This song is probably the best on the album and I appreciate it a lot more now than I did then. However, Kevin Cronin's vocals still irritate me a bit. Especially when he sings words that end in "er." Like when he sings "still I don't remembrrrrrr." The "bur" part is so pronounced. Most singers will sing it like "bah," which is preferable to me. It's just that emphasis he puts on pronouncing the syllable grinds in my ears. Ah, well. It's still a great song.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: When this song hit #1, it became the 500th song to do so on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
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Wednesday, June 19, 2013
"Gypsy Spirit" by Pendulum
Song#: 0418
Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 98
Peak: 89
Weeks: 7
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: There is not a lot of information on this group but I've found that they were from Long Beach, California and were a trio. Two members were David Quintana and Paul Kenny. The group was signed to Venture Records and this single, written by Quintana, was issued. It seems Venture had some money problems and couldn't really promote the group. But it seemed to be enough to get this song on the chart. The group disbanded in 1982.
ReduxReview: Wow. Where to begin. This is such an odd single. It's a strange mix of European-ish disco and something theatrical like "Phantom of the Opera" with a little Styx-ish arena rock tossed in. Frankly, it is pretty awful, but I'd have to saw awful in a good way. It is just so weird that I feel compelled to like it. I think it is one of those "so bad it is good" songs. Not sure what else the band came up with but I guess I'll find out - I found a vinyl copy of the album and ordered it. Hope it is just as cray-cray as this song.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: On a pressing of the 45, the label says the artist is "Pendulum" and it is from their album "Just Bitchin'," but I don't see any evidence that this album existed. However, it appears at some point there was a slight change to the name and an album did come out. "Pendullum" released the album "Don't Make Me Eat" which included this song and another called "Without You" that was a single issued under the "Pendullum" name.
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Date: 11/29/1980
Debut: 98
Peak: 89
Weeks: 7
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: There is not a lot of information on this group but I've found that they were from Long Beach, California and were a trio. Two members were David Quintana and Paul Kenny. The group was signed to Venture Records and this single, written by Quintana, was issued. It seems Venture had some money problems and couldn't really promote the group. But it seemed to be enough to get this song on the chart. The group disbanded in 1982.
ReduxReview: Wow. Where to begin. This is such an odd single. It's a strange mix of European-ish disco and something theatrical like "Phantom of the Opera" with a little Styx-ish arena rock tossed in. Frankly, it is pretty awful, but I'd have to saw awful in a good way. It is just so weird that I feel compelled to like it. I think it is one of those "so bad it is good" songs. Not sure what else the band came up with but I guess I'll find out - I found a vinyl copy of the album and ordered it. Hope it is just as cray-cray as this song.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: On a pressing of the 45, the label says the artist is "Pendulum" and it is from their album "Just Bitchin'," but I don't see any evidence that this album existed. However, it appears at some point there was a slight change to the name and an album did come out. "Pendullum" released the album "Don't Make Me Eat" which included this song and another called "Without You" that was a single issued under the "Pendullum" name.
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