Song#: 1367
Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 73
Peak: 44
Weeks: 10
Genre: Alternative Rock, New Wave
Pop Bits: This English band formed by brothers Richard and Tim Butler came out of the late 70s UK punk scene. They would record a self-titled debut album in 1980 that hit #18 in the UK. US listeners started to catch up with the band with their second album "Talk Talk Talk," which cracked the Top 100 (#89). The band's third album, "Forever Now," would be an even bigger success thanks to this first single that came close to the pop Top 40 (#30 Mainstream Rock). Its success would push the album to #61 and eventually it would turn into a gold seller.
ReduxReview: I didn't catch up with the Furs until their next album, so I missed this song the first time around. It's a well-produced singled that should have done better. However, I wonder at the time if Richard Butler's voice was just a bit too odd for pop listeners. It certainly is unique and I know some folks found it a bit grating. I liked his deep, English accented voice and it particularly worked well on this song. Producer Todd Rundgren helped the band refine their sound and some critics didn't care for it, but I liked it.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: The memorable marimba part in the song comes courtesy of producer Todd Rundgren. The band was recording the album in Rundgren's studio and originally there were other instruments playing that melodic line. Rundgren just happen to have a marimba in the studio and tried the line out on the instrument. The experiment worked and Rundgren's idea gave the song that recognizable sound. Very few chart hits have featured the marimba. Arguably the most famous may be its use in the songs "Moonlight Feels Right" by Starbuck (#3, 1976) and "Island Girl" by Elton John (#1, 1975). Although not released as a single, Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones played the instrument on their 1966 song "Under My Thumb."
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Saturday, August 15, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
"Swingin'" by John Anderson
Gold Record Alert!
Song#: 1366 Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 75
Peak: 43
Weeks: 13
Genre: Country
Pop Bits: Florida native Anderson took a chance and moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. After several years toiling in the local clubs, he finally got an offer from Warner Bros. to join their roster. A couple of low-charting singles were issued before Anderson's self-titled debut album appeared in 1980. The fifth single from the album, "1959," became his first country Top 10 reaching #7. It started a streak of Top 10's for Anderson which included this single from his fourth album "Wild & Blue." The song was his second #1 country hit and it became so popular that it crossed over onto the pop chart where it came close to reaching the Top 40. The addition of a pop audience helped make this a gold record. It would end up being his only pop chart entry.
ReduxReview: This was one of those songs where the genre didn't matter much. There was just something about it that made a ton of people love it regardless if they liked pop, country, R&B, hard rock, etc. The tune is just loads of fun and hard to resist, kind of like "Elvira" was for the Oak Ridge Boys. The production was solid and it still sounds fresh today. We all should be swingin'!
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) After this major hit, Anderson's popularity started on a slow descent that lasted the rest of the decade. A couple of label changes didn't help anything and by the 90s, he had been without a major country hit for several years. In 1991, Anderson made another label jump to BNA and with producer James Stroud recorded the album "Seminole Wind." The album's second single, "Straight Tequila Night," soared to #1 on the country chart while three other singles from the album reached the Top 10. The run of hits helped the album become Anderson's biggest seller eventually reaching double-platinum status. It was a solid comeback for Anderson which he would ride for the next few years. 2) "Seminole Wind" included the track "Steamy Windows." The song was a remake of Tina Turner's 1989 single from her album "Foreign Affair." While Turner's single reached the Top 10 in several countries, it could only hit #39 in the US. Anderson's version was not issued as a single.
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Thursday, August 13, 2015
"Sex (I'm A...)" by Berlin
Song#: 1365
Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 79
Peak: 62
Weeks: 7
Genre: Synthpop, New Wave
Pop Bits: Inspired by bands like Kraftwerk and Devo, Berlin's roots began in L.A. in 1978 with John Crawford and Terri Nunn. With the addition of other band members, they issued an indie single titled "A Matter of Time" the following year. However, Nunn had acting aspirations and left the group. A new vocalist, Virginia Macolino, was hired and the band recorded their first album "Information" in 1980. "A Matter of Time" was issued again with Macolino on vocals. Nothing much came from the releases and soon Nunn wanted back into the fold. With a new lineup, Crawford and Nunn recorded the album "Pleasure Victim." Their first single didn't attract attention, but this second one did. The subject matter and lyrics of this song made it somewhat controversial and certain stations refused to play it. Talk about the song quickly reached ears at Geffen Records who picked up the band and gave the album and single a major label release. Despite the controversy over the song and lack of airplay, the single did well reaching #62. It also prompted folks to buy the album which would reach #30 and eventually be certified platinum. Berlin showed that a little sex and controversy does indeed sell.
ReduxReview: I remember first hearing this in college. My dorm roommate was playing it and I was like..."what the hell?" It just seemed so graphic at the time with the lyrics and all the moaning. I think I was both shocked and titillated. I then read a review in Rolling Stone that gave the album one star. So I shrugged off the LP. That would change with their second single. I then became a big fan. But initially, this one eluded me. I caught up with it later. It was slutty fun. I still think it's a hoot. It's a goofy song that by today's standards would be considered tame.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Prior to starting Berlin, Nunn's acting career almost took off in a big way. She auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in "Star Wars." The auditions seemed to be going well, but in the end George Lucas cast Carrie Fisher. Would Nunn have been a good Leia? You can judge for yourself. Footage of her audition with Harrison Ford can be found on YouTube.
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Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 79
Peak: 62
Weeks: 7
Genre: Synthpop, New Wave
Pop Bits: Inspired by bands like Kraftwerk and Devo, Berlin's roots began in L.A. in 1978 with John Crawford and Terri Nunn. With the addition of other band members, they issued an indie single titled "A Matter of Time" the following year. However, Nunn had acting aspirations and left the group. A new vocalist, Virginia Macolino, was hired and the band recorded their first album "Information" in 1980. "A Matter of Time" was issued again with Macolino on vocals. Nothing much came from the releases and soon Nunn wanted back into the fold. With a new lineup, Crawford and Nunn recorded the album "Pleasure Victim." Their first single didn't attract attention, but this second one did. The subject matter and lyrics of this song made it somewhat controversial and certain stations refused to play it. Talk about the song quickly reached ears at Geffen Records who picked up the band and gave the album and single a major label release. Despite the controversy over the song and lack of airplay, the single did well reaching #62. It also prompted folks to buy the album which would reach #30 and eventually be certified platinum. Berlin showed that a little sex and controversy does indeed sell.
ReduxReview: I remember first hearing this in college. My dorm roommate was playing it and I was like..."what the hell?" It just seemed so graphic at the time with the lyrics and all the moaning. I think I was both shocked and titillated. I then read a review in Rolling Stone that gave the album one star. So I shrugged off the LP. That would change with their second single. I then became a big fan. But initially, this one eluded me. I caught up with it later. It was slutty fun. I still think it's a hoot. It's a goofy song that by today's standards would be considered tame.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Prior to starting Berlin, Nunn's acting career almost took off in a big way. She auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in "Star Wars." The auditions seemed to be going well, but in the end George Lucas cast Carrie Fisher. Would Nunn have been a good Leia? You can judge for yourself. Footage of her audition with Harrison Ford can be found on YouTube.
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"Minimum Love" by Mac McAnally
Song#: 1364
Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 81
Peak: 41
Weeks: 12
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: McAnally was playing music at an early age and began composing songs in his teens. By the time he was in high school, McAnally was good enough to leave and become a session player at the famed Muscle Shoals studios. During a break in a recording session, McAnally started to play some of his original material. That impromptu performance led to his first recording contract with Ariola Records. His 1977 self-titled LP featured the single "It's a Crazy World," which found its way to #37 on the pop chart. It was a promising start, but follow-up singles and albums failed to make any impact. However, he continued to be a successful studio musician and songwriter. Many artists over the years have hit the country chart with McAnally's songs including Alabama (the #1 "Old Flame" in 1981), Sawyer Brown, Kenny Chesney, and Ricky Van Shelton. His songwriting success allowed McAnally to push out a solo album every now and then and in 1983 he issued his fourth album "Nothing But the Truth." It was the first of two albums he would do for Geffen Records. The LP featured this first single that just missed out on the Top 40 peaking at the dreaded #41. It would be McAnally's last single to reach the pop chart. The '90s saw him shift to the country market and he had a few minor chart singles including the #14 "Back Where I Come From."
ReduxReview: I like this James Taylor....oh, sorry...Mac McAnally song. I'm not sure if McAnally's or Geffen's intent was to sound like a James Taylor recording, but it is kind of what happened. In a good way, I might add. Although McAnally sounds like he got trapped into a conventional pop sound/format, it worked out pretty well for this song. There's nothing here that would make anyone go "I gotta have that record!," but it is certainly an easy going listen with a nice chorus.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Triple Shot! 1) McAnally wrote the song "It's My Job" for Jimmy Buffett in 1981. The song reached #57 on the pop chart. After that, McAnally continued to write songs for Buffett and also tour as part of the Coral Reefer Band, which he continues to do so currently. 2) Although he didn't have great success as a solo artist, McAnally did finally record a #1 hit. McAnally's #70 country chart song from 1990, "Down the Road," got covered in 2008 by Kenny Chesney. Chesney recorded the song as a duet with McAnally and the song reached #1 on the country chart. The pair were also nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. 3) McAnally continues to be one of Nashville's prime musicians. He has won the CMA's Musician of the Year award a record seven consecutive years from 2008 through 2014.
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Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 81
Peak: 41
Weeks: 12
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: McAnally was playing music at an early age and began composing songs in his teens. By the time he was in high school, McAnally was good enough to leave and become a session player at the famed Muscle Shoals studios. During a break in a recording session, McAnally started to play some of his original material. That impromptu performance led to his first recording contract with Ariola Records. His 1977 self-titled LP featured the single "It's a Crazy World," which found its way to #37 on the pop chart. It was a promising start, but follow-up singles and albums failed to make any impact. However, he continued to be a successful studio musician and songwriter. Many artists over the years have hit the country chart with McAnally's songs including Alabama (the #1 "Old Flame" in 1981), Sawyer Brown, Kenny Chesney, and Ricky Van Shelton. His songwriting success allowed McAnally to push out a solo album every now and then and in 1983 he issued his fourth album "Nothing But the Truth." It was the first of two albums he would do for Geffen Records. The LP featured this first single that just missed out on the Top 40 peaking at the dreaded #41. It would be McAnally's last single to reach the pop chart. The '90s saw him shift to the country market and he had a few minor chart singles including the #14 "Back Where I Come From."
ReduxReview: I like this James Taylor....oh, sorry...Mac McAnally song. I'm not sure if McAnally's or Geffen's intent was to sound like a James Taylor recording, but it is kind of what happened. In a good way, I might add. Although McAnally sounds like he got trapped into a conventional pop sound/format, it worked out pretty well for this song. There's nothing here that would make anyone go "I gotta have that record!," but it is certainly an easy going listen with a nice chorus.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Triple Shot! 1) McAnally wrote the song "It's My Job" for Jimmy Buffett in 1981. The song reached #57 on the pop chart. After that, McAnally continued to write songs for Buffett and also tour as part of the Coral Reefer Band, which he continues to do so currently. 2) Although he didn't have great success as a solo artist, McAnally did finally record a #1 hit. McAnally's #70 country chart song from 1990, "Down the Road," got covered in 2008 by Kenny Chesney. Chesney recorded the song as a duet with McAnally and the song reached #1 on the country chart. The pair were also nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. 3) McAnally continues to be one of Nashville's prime musicians. He has won the CMA's Musician of the Year award a record seven consecutive years from 2008 through 2014.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2015
"Escalator of Life" by Robert Hazard
Song#: 1363
Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 83
Peak: 58
Weeks: 9
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Musician Hazard (real name Robert Rimato) played around his hometown of Philadelphia for many years before developing his band The Heroes. They had a strong set of songs, five of which appeared on an EP that they recorded. Things started to fall in place for the band when Rolling Stone writer Kurt Loder saw them perform one night. Loder wrote a little article on the band that appeared in the magazine and it wasn't long before the record companies started to knock on Hazard's door. He answered the call from RCA, who took the band's EP and remixed it for release. This song was issued as the first single and it did well enough to get near the halfway point of the chart. A follow-up song didn't fare as well, but it was enough for RCA to flip the bill for a full album. "Wings of Fire" got released in 1984, but unfortunately the album flopped and Hazard's time at RCA came to an end. Hazard continued to perform and record up until the time he passed away in 2008 following surgery for pancreatic cancer. Although his solo career never fully took flight, he will always be remembered for one specific song (see below).
ReduxReview: I became aware of this song thanks to an 80s compilation. Hazard kind of sounds like the American version of Peter Murphy (Bauhaus). He has one of those deep, dark voices that is very distinctive. It adds a bit of menace to his songs. I like the lyrics to this one and the first part of the chorus that includes "we're shopping in the human mall" reminds me of that scene in "Dawn of the Dead" when the zombies are on the escalator. I can't say this song should have done much better than it did, but I like it. Hearing this tune though makes it a little difficult to believe he wrote the hit mentioned below. But his original version is kind of cool and it works for him.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Hazard is responsible for one of the biggest hits of the 80s. While sitting in a bathtub in a hotel room, Hazard ended up writing "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." Told from a male perspective, he added the song to his set list and recorded a demo version in 1979. Another Philly band, The Hooters, ended up getting involved with the debut album of newcomer Cyndi Lauper thanks to her producer (and their friend) Rick Chertoff. The Philly connection seemed to bring "Girls" to Lauper's attention and with Hazard's participation, the lyrics were modified to reflect a woman's point of view. Lauper's version would be her debut single. It would go on to become a #2 platinum record and a classic of the decade. Hazard's more rock-oriented original can be heard via YouTube.
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Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 83
Peak: 58
Weeks: 9
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Musician Hazard (real name Robert Rimato) played around his hometown of Philadelphia for many years before developing his band The Heroes. They had a strong set of songs, five of which appeared on an EP that they recorded. Things started to fall in place for the band when Rolling Stone writer Kurt Loder saw them perform one night. Loder wrote a little article on the band that appeared in the magazine and it wasn't long before the record companies started to knock on Hazard's door. He answered the call from RCA, who took the band's EP and remixed it for release. This song was issued as the first single and it did well enough to get near the halfway point of the chart. A follow-up song didn't fare as well, but it was enough for RCA to flip the bill for a full album. "Wings of Fire" got released in 1984, but unfortunately the album flopped and Hazard's time at RCA came to an end. Hazard continued to perform and record up until the time he passed away in 2008 following surgery for pancreatic cancer. Although his solo career never fully took flight, he will always be remembered for one specific song (see below).
ReduxReview: I became aware of this song thanks to an 80s compilation. Hazard kind of sounds like the American version of Peter Murphy (Bauhaus). He has one of those deep, dark voices that is very distinctive. It adds a bit of menace to his songs. I like the lyrics to this one and the first part of the chorus that includes "we're shopping in the human mall" reminds me of that scene in "Dawn of the Dead" when the zombies are on the escalator. I can't say this song should have done much better than it did, but I like it. Hearing this tune though makes it a little difficult to believe he wrote the hit mentioned below. But his original version is kind of cool and it works for him.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Hazard is responsible for one of the biggest hits of the 80s. While sitting in a bathtub in a hotel room, Hazard ended up writing "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." Told from a male perspective, he added the song to his set list and recorded a demo version in 1979. Another Philly band, The Hooters, ended up getting involved with the debut album of newcomer Cyndi Lauper thanks to her producer (and their friend) Rick Chertoff. The Philly connection seemed to bring "Girls" to Lauper's attention and with Hazard's participation, the lyrics were modified to reflect a woman's point of view. Lauper's version would be her debut single. It would go on to become a #2 platinum record and a classic of the decade. Hazard's more rock-oriented original can be heard via YouTube.
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