Song#: 1378
Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 65
Peak: 24
Weeks: 14
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Loggins' album "High Adventure" made it to #13 on the strength of two Top 20 singles; "Don't Fight It" (#17) and "Heart to Heart" (#15). The LP would go gold, however that result would be a slight disappointment since his first three studio albums all went platinum. He tried to keep the momentum up with this third single, but it didn't have enough gas to join the other two singles in the Top 20. It did only slightly better at AC where it reached #17.
ReduxReview: This was an odd single. Jungle sounds, a place called Heartlight, he's lovin' rain and thunder, and a kid's choir. Plus, the single's sleeve was the same as the "High Adventure" cover with Loggins looking like Indiana Jones a year before that film came out. What the hell is this? At the time I didn't know and didn't really care. I just liked the song and bought the single. At the time I liked the b-side, "Only a Miracle," even better. That sentimental piece doesn't sound as good now, but "Heartlight" still rocks out pretty well.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This song was inspired by students at a school in Los Angeles. Heartlight was the name of a private alternative school that focused on cross-cultural learning and the use of councils (as in a Native American council) in the classes. Loggins visited the school and the students had written papers on why they like the school. One student wrote in their paper "I like the love." That phrase, which is the opening line of the song, and the school itself prompted Loggins to write this song. Near the end of the song you can hear a children's choir. It includes members of the school's singing and dancing groups. Unfortunately, the school no longer exists. 2) If you look at the back cover of the "High Adventure" album, you will see that this song is just called "Heartlight." It is also listed as such on his compilation albums. A change in title was made when this song got issued as a single. The "Welcome to" part was added to avoid any confusion with the recent Neil Diamond hit "Heartlight" (#5).
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Saturday, August 22, 2015
Friday, August 21, 2015
"I Won't Hold You Back" by Toto
Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 1377 Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 67
Peak: 10
Weeks: 17
Genre: Soft Rock, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: Toto's third single, "Africa," from their Grammy-winning album "Toto IV" returned them to the Top 10 (#1 actually) after a slight misstep with the LP's second single "Make Believe" (#30). This fourth single would become another major hit for them just peaking inside the Top 10 and reaching #1 at AC. The success of "Africa" and this single pushed the album back into the Top 10 where it initially peaked at #4 when "Rosanna" was riding high on the chart. The album would eventually go triple-platinum.
ReduxReview: I always thought this was a very pretty ballad. It almost trespasses on Alan Parsons Project territory, especially in the instrumental section. I didn't buy "Toto IV" until after this single came out (which I mentioned in the "Make Believe" post). After the two major hits and this one, I figured the album was a safe bet. I was kind of wrong. I ended up not liking the album. The three singles were the only songs I really liked. I can't say it's a bad album. After all, it won the Album of the Year Grammy. It's just the bar was set so high with the three songs that the rest were completely underwhelming. It's one of the few major hit albums from the 80s that I never upgraded to CD or digital. I bought a Toto compilation instead. As for this song, it's a delicious slice of MOR pie.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: In addition to their own work in Toto, the band members were sought after studio musicians. They all have played on countless recordings over the years. Arguably their most memorable contributions to an album would be their work on Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Of the six members of Toto at the time, four participated in the "Thriller" sessions including Steve Porcaro who co-wrote the hit "Human Nature." Although Toto needed to tour in order to support the "Toto IV" album, they ended up delaying the tour due to their work on "Thriller."
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Thursday, August 20, 2015
"Even Now" by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
Song#: 1376
Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 74
Peak: 12
Weeks: 12
Genre: Arena Rock
Pop Bits: The band's album "The Distance" got off to a great start thanks to what would be their biggest pop hit, the #2 "Shame on the Moon" (#1 AC, #15 country). Although that song failed to make headway on rock radio, this next single would make an impact and reach #2 at Mainstream Rock. Pop audiences continued their support and sent the song up near the Top 10.
ReduxReview: I'm not sure why I didn't buy "The Distance" back then. I have a feeling it was due to lack of money. My budget for buying LPs was limited so I had to be careful with my choices. Between this song and "Shame on the Moon" (and soon my favorite track "Roll Me Away"), it should have been an easy pick. I did finally get it, but it was many years later in the CD era. This charging tune could almost pass for a Bruce Springsteen track, but it's still got that heartland Seger touch that keeps it in his camp. It's an exciting tune that seems to have become forgotten. Despite the fact that it was a significant pop and rock radio hit, the song has been left off of every Seger compilation. That just seems odd. I consider it among his best songs.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: By this time, the glory days of the 8-track tape format were over. Record companies and stores had been phasing them out with new titles now being stocked as LPs and cassettes. Initially, Seger's album "The Distance" was not to be issued on 8-track, but Seger insisted that a lot of his core audience were still buying 8-tracks and he wanted it available for them. His record company obliged. Although no one seems absolutely sure, this album may have been the last 8-track by a major artist that was released to stores. A couple of other major labels would continue to offer 8-tracks via their mail order clubs for a few more years. If you take those club items into account, it seems the last major artist 8-track offered for sale was Fleetwood Mac's 1988 "Greatest Hits" album.
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Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 74
Peak: 12
Weeks: 12
Genre: Arena Rock
Pop Bits: The band's album "The Distance" got off to a great start thanks to what would be their biggest pop hit, the #2 "Shame on the Moon" (#1 AC, #15 country). Although that song failed to make headway on rock radio, this next single would make an impact and reach #2 at Mainstream Rock. Pop audiences continued their support and sent the song up near the Top 10.
ReduxReview: I'm not sure why I didn't buy "The Distance" back then. I have a feeling it was due to lack of money. My budget for buying LPs was limited so I had to be careful with my choices. Between this song and "Shame on the Moon" (and soon my favorite track "Roll Me Away"), it should have been an easy pick. I did finally get it, but it was many years later in the CD era. This charging tune could almost pass for a Bruce Springsteen track, but it's still got that heartland Seger touch that keeps it in his camp. It's an exciting tune that seems to have become forgotten. Despite the fact that it was a significant pop and rock radio hit, the song has been left off of every Seger compilation. That just seems odd. I consider it among his best songs.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: By this time, the glory days of the 8-track tape format were over. Record companies and stores had been phasing them out with new titles now being stocked as LPs and cassettes. Initially, Seger's album "The Distance" was not to be issued on 8-track, but Seger insisted that a lot of his core audience were still buying 8-tracks and he wanted it available for them. His record company obliged. Although no one seems absolutely sure, this album may have been the last 8-track by a major artist that was released to stores. A couple of other major labels would continue to offer 8-tracks via their mail order clubs for a few more years. If you take those club items into account, it seems the last major artist 8-track offered for sale was Fleetwood Mac's 1988 "Greatest Hits" album.
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"Outstanding" by The Gap Band
Song#: 1375
Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 79
Peak: 51
Weeks: 8
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: The R&B outfit's album "The Gap Band IV" would be their biggest success hitting #1 R&B (#14 pop) and going platinum. The album's first two singles, "Early in the Morning" (#1 R&B/#24 pop) and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" (#2 R&B/#31 pop), were certainly instrumental in its success. This third single would just be the icing on the cake. Although it stalled halfway up the pop chart, it was another smash at R&B hitting #1 - their third to do so. They would continue to have more success at R&B throughout the 80s and early 90s earning seven more Top 10's including a fourth #1, but this song would mark an end to their pop chart days.
ReduxReview: After the great funk outings of "Early" and "Bomb," the band goes for a slinkier groove. As much as I'd like to do something dorky and say that the song is "outstanding," I really can't. It is definitely good, but it's not one of my favorites from the band. However, I am able to say that the vocals are outstanding. The lead vocal is what saves this from being a mid-tempo bore.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Samples of this song have been used by many artists over the years. Songs by Mary J. Blige, Madonna, R. Kelly, and even Shaquille O'Neal have used samples from this track. Detroit rocker Kid Rock fully covered the song in a live performance. It was chosen to be the closing song on his 2006 concert album "Live Trucker."
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Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 79
Peak: 51
Weeks: 8
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: The R&B outfit's album "The Gap Band IV" would be their biggest success hitting #1 R&B (#14 pop) and going platinum. The album's first two singles, "Early in the Morning" (#1 R&B/#24 pop) and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" (#2 R&B/#31 pop), were certainly instrumental in its success. This third single would just be the icing on the cake. Although it stalled halfway up the pop chart, it was another smash at R&B hitting #1 - their third to do so. They would continue to have more success at R&B throughout the 80s and early 90s earning seven more Top 10's including a fourth #1, but this song would mark an end to their pop chart days.
ReduxReview: After the great funk outings of "Early" and "Bomb," the band goes for a slinkier groove. As much as I'd like to do something dorky and say that the song is "outstanding," I really can't. It is definitely good, but it's not one of my favorites from the band. However, I am able to say that the vocals are outstanding. The lead vocal is what saves this from being a mid-tempo bore.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Samples of this song have been used by many artists over the years. Songs by Mary J. Blige, Madonna, R. Kelly, and even Shaquille O'Neal have used samples from this track. Detroit rocker Kid Rock fully covered the song in a live performance. It was chosen to be the closing song on his 2006 concert album "Live Trucker."
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015
"Let Me Go" by Heaven 17
Song#: 1374
Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 80
Peak: 74
Weeks: 5
Genre: Synthpop
Pop Bits: Martyn Ware and Ian Marsh got their first taste of success as founding members of the Human League. The band issued a pair of gold albums in the UK before clashes within the group caused Ware and Marsh to leave. Philip Oakey retained the Human League name and went on to success with their album "Dare" and it's #1 single "Don't You Want Me." Ware and Marsh then went on to form Heaven 17. With vocalist Glenn Gregory, the trio issued their UK debut album, "Penthouse and Pavement," in 1981. Although the LP featured no major hits, it would eventually do well enough to reach gold-level in the UK. As the band recorded new material for their next album, their label decided to break them in the US. They took six tracks from their debut and paired them with three new tracks for a self-titled album that featured this first single. It got a little traction thanks to its #4 showing on the US dance chart, but it never broke wide and therefore just spent a month on the pop chart. It didn't do a whole lot better in the UK where it fizzled at #41. It would be the band's only charting song in the US. The trio finally broke wide in the UK with their next LP "The Luxury Gap." The album would go platinum and featured their biggest hit, the #2 "Temptation."
ReduxReview: I was aware of Heaven 17, but had not heard any of their songs until I encountered this one on an 80s compilation. I'm not sure why this song did not catch on more. I wouldn't peg it for a Top 10, but it certainly deserved a Top 40 showing. Maybe the darker tone didn't set well on pop radio. Not sure. Whatever it was, it's a shame as this song and the UK version of their LP "The Luxury Gap" (which included this song) are terrific and remain touchstones of 80s British new wave. It's a bummer "Temptation" didn't catch on in the US. That song is even better.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The trio got their name from the 1962 novel "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess (which was later made into the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film). In the book, Burgess mentions that the band The Heaven Seventeen is at #4 on the chart with their song "Inside." The band is also mentioned in the film version in the record store scene. One woman asks another what record she will buy and lists a few artists including The Heaven Seventeen. 2) When Human League initially formed, their original choice for a vocalist was Glenn Gregory. Unfortunately, he ended up being unavailable so they found Philip Oakey. When forming Heaven 17, Ware and Marsh once again contacted Gregory. He was available this time around and the trio was off and running.
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Date: 03/12/1983
Debut: 80
Peak: 74
Weeks: 5
Genre: Synthpop
Pop Bits: Martyn Ware and Ian Marsh got their first taste of success as founding members of the Human League. The band issued a pair of gold albums in the UK before clashes within the group caused Ware and Marsh to leave. Philip Oakey retained the Human League name and went on to success with their album "Dare" and it's #1 single "Don't You Want Me." Ware and Marsh then went on to form Heaven 17. With vocalist Glenn Gregory, the trio issued their UK debut album, "Penthouse and Pavement," in 1981. Although the LP featured no major hits, it would eventually do well enough to reach gold-level in the UK. As the band recorded new material for their next album, their label decided to break them in the US. They took six tracks from their debut and paired them with three new tracks for a self-titled album that featured this first single. It got a little traction thanks to its #4 showing on the US dance chart, but it never broke wide and therefore just spent a month on the pop chart. It didn't do a whole lot better in the UK where it fizzled at #41. It would be the band's only charting song in the US. The trio finally broke wide in the UK with their next LP "The Luxury Gap." The album would go platinum and featured their biggest hit, the #2 "Temptation."
ReduxReview: I was aware of Heaven 17, but had not heard any of their songs until I encountered this one on an 80s compilation. I'm not sure why this song did not catch on more. I wouldn't peg it for a Top 10, but it certainly deserved a Top 40 showing. Maybe the darker tone didn't set well on pop radio. Not sure. Whatever it was, it's a shame as this song and the UK version of their LP "The Luxury Gap" (which included this song) are terrific and remain touchstones of 80s British new wave. It's a bummer "Temptation" didn't catch on in the US. That song is even better.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The trio got their name from the 1962 novel "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess (which was later made into the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film). In the book, Burgess mentions that the band The Heaven Seventeen is at #4 on the chart with their song "Inside." The band is also mentioned in the film version in the record store scene. One woman asks another what record she will buy and lists a few artists including The Heaven Seventeen. 2) When Human League initially formed, their original choice for a vocalist was Glenn Gregory. Unfortunately, he ended up being unavailable so they found Philip Oakey. When forming Heaven 17, Ware and Marsh once again contacted Gregory. He was available this time around and the trio was off and running.
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