"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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"Lovely One" by The Jacksons

Song#:  0351
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  71
Peak:  12
Weeks:  18
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  The Jacksons hit it big with their first self-produced album "Destiny" in 1978. The album contained their first platinum single with the #7 "Shake Your Body Down (To the Ground)." It was after this success that brother Michael took time to do his solo album "Off the Wall." As we all know, that album was a mega-hit and there was speculation that Michael may not rejoin his brothers. That was all squared away when he returned and the group recorded "Triumph." Although it would have no Top 10 hits (this first single was the best effort), the album was a success and was their first Top 10 pop album since 1972. Most likely some of Michael's new-found solo fame helped sell a few copies.

ReduxReview:  It is strange that I've never heard this song. But not being a fan of The Jacksons in this era maybe I shouldn't be too surprised. After the first listen, even if I had heard this back in the day I probably wouldn't have remember it today. It is kind of a one-chord, one-groove song with little going for it. However, what is interesting is that you can hear the beginnings of a soon-to-be penned Jackson ditty - "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." If you listen close, there are (fake) horn lines that are quite similar to lines featured on "Wanna Be." That angle and watching Jackson's progression as a songwriter makes this interesting - but not essential in any way.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  As you can see, this album and any released after 1975 came listed as by The Jacksons. So what happened to The Jackson 5? The group was on Motown and their success was waning. It was felt that the group was stifled by Motown who didn't want to change their sound and would not allow them to write their own material or even play their own instruments. Their father Joseph shopped for a better deal and ended up signing the group to CBS who allowed them more creative control. Motown tried to woo them back, but could not and ended up suing the Jacksons for breach of contract. During the settlement, Motown let the group go but retained the rights to "The Jackson 5" name. Therefore, the group changed their name to just The Jacksons.

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"She's So Cold" by The Rolling Stones

Song#:  0350
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  72
Peak:  26
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Their album "Emotional Rescue" and it's title track single were riding high on the charts with the album going to #1 and the track to #3. After that discofied single became a hit, it seemed a little surprising that the next slated single was this three-chord stomper. The album's opener was "Dance (Pt. 1)" and it seemed like that tune with it's danceable beat would have been the better choice. But "She's So Cold" kind of kept the old school Stones sound alive, even though it could only manage a Top 30 showing.

ReduxReview:  I like this song, but I find it one of the more bland singles that the Stones released. It has a nice groove, but everything about it is so repetitive and there are no peaks to give the song some oomph. It is just a rambling jam of a song. That is not necessarily bad, but it just makes for a not very interesting single.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  It has been said that a song not included on their previous album "Some Girls" was supposed to show up on "Emotional Rescue." The tune "Claudine" was to be a "Some Girls" track but due to legalities and potential controversy, it was shelved. It seemed the song was still causing issues for the next album and it remained a curious bootleg item. The song revolves around Claudine Longet, former wife of singer Andy Williams, who shot and killed her live-in boyfriend skier Spider Sabich. Longet maintains that the shooting was accidental and the jury convicted her of criminal negligence, a misdemeanor which carried a light sentence. The song deals with the sentence and how it was served. Eventually, the song found its way to an official release via the 2011 deluxe release of "Some Girls."

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"More Than I Can Say" by Leo Sayer

Top 10 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  0349
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  82
Peak:  2
Weeks:  23
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Sometimes it takes a while for a song to be a hit. If the right artist, arrangement, and timing all finally come together, the tune can finally find a wide audience. This was the case with "More Than I Can Say." Originally written by two of Buddy Holly's bandmates in The Crickets, that group recorded the song soon after Holly's death in 1959. Their single flopped in the US, but did reach #42 in the UK. A couple of years later, singer Bobby Vee put his spin on the tune and got a minor chart entry when his version hit #61. Almost twenty years later, UK singer/songwriter Sayer update the song and it was the first single released from his "Living In a Fantasy" album. Sayer previously had two #1 songs in the mid-70s with "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" and "When I Need You," but he missed a third #1 when this song stayed at #2 for five weeks. It would be Sayer's last Top 10 hit.

ReduxReview:  Even though I'm not a real fan of the song, Sayer does a nice job updating this tune. It sounds fresh for the time period and if you didn't know it was a remake, you would probably never guess that it was originally a late-50s song. This is a case where the update is arguably better than the original.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  When putting material together for his album, Sayer was looking for an oldie to cover. He was watching TV when an ad came on that was selling a Bobby Vee hits compilation. A snippet of Vee's version of this song played and Sayer knew right away it was the song he wanted to record.

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"This Time" by John Cougar

Song#:  0348
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  84
Peak:  27
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Folks often forget that before "Hurts So Good" and the legend of "Jack and Diane" (and before being known as a heartland rocker), John Mellencamp was finding his way through the music business and had a couple of minor hits. He was given the name Johnny Cougar when he started and after one failed album and one shelved (later released) for MCA, he signed to Riva Records and his first US release for the label was the self-titled "John Cougar," which resulted in the #28 "I Need a Lover." His follow-up album, "Nothin' Matters and What If It Did," started off just as well with this Top 30 song. Critics were not kind to these early albums, but soon Mellencamp would find big success and it allowed him some artistic freedom that brought about critical praise and a string of hits.

ReduxReview:  I think during these early years, Mellencamp was being marketed as a tough, punk-like troubadour with attitude to spare. But the music seemed empty and false. Yes, he had a couple of good singles, but everything else was pretty much throwaways. Mellencamp has said that this album was a lazy effort because he thought his career was pretty much over. Luckily, the label really believed in him and it lead to a remarkable career. He slowly became one of my all-time favorite artists ("Scarecrow" is the album that put me over the top). But I do have to agree that these few early albums are bunk and don't even come close to sounding like the real Mellencamp. This particular tune sounds like a poor man's Rod Stewart song. It's not really bad, but when you know the rest of his catalog, this just doesn't even compare.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  Both the album cover and the video for this song features Edith Massey. Massey became a well-known cult figure/actress when she co-starred in five John Waters films including "Pink Flamingos" where she famously played the egg lady.

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"Turning Japanese" by The Vapors

Song#:  0347
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  86
Peak:  36
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Power Pop, New Wave



Pop Bits:  This short-lived UK band was discovered and co-managed by Bruce Foxton, the bass player for The Jam (an influential UK group that never really broke in the US) and the father of another Jam member, Paul Weller. Their debut album, "New Clear Days," generated this first single which went to #3 in the UK. It didn't quite catch on as much in the US where it managed to squeak into the Top 40. It would also be their only chart entry. The group had a couple more minor UK chart entries, but after the failure of their second album the group called it quits.

ReduxReview:  Probably because of the potential salacious nature of the song (see below), I don't think this was ever played on our local stations. I didn't hear the song until a few years later when someone played it for me and told me what it was supposed to be about. Of course, as a younger person, listening to a "dirty" song seemed so daring and exciting! But it just made me confused. I had to have it explain to me the slang term of the title, which did make me chuckle, but I still didn't really think the song was big deal. However, it is some pretty catch 80s power pop.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  There is an urban legend that said this song is about masturbation - being that "turning Japanese" is interpreted as a euphemism for the act. But group member and the song's writer David Fenton had denied this meaning. The song's true meaning is about someone who lost their relationship and it is basically driving them crazy. But Fenton has acknowledged that the misinterpretation most likely contributed to the success of the single.

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"I'm Happy That Love Has Found You" by Jimmy Hall

Song#:  0346
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  89
Peak:  27
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul



Pop Bits:  This was Hall's first release after the break-up of his band Wet Willie. That Southern rock/soul outfit placed a few songs on the chart beginning in 1974 with their only Top 10 "Keep on Smilin'" (#10). They finished up the decade with the #29 "Weekend" and called it a day. Hall stayed with their label, Epic, and released his first solo album "Touch You," featuring this Top 30 entry.

ReduxReview:  I kind of liked Wet Willie. Even though they get labeled as Southern rock (which is not one of my favorite genres), they lean more towards Little Feat than Lynyrd Skynrd, which is my preference. I really like their #30 song "Street Corner Serenade" (take a listen if you get a chance). So I thought Hall's solo stuff might be similar. But he really moved towards a blue-eyed soul/pop sound and I think it works well. It kind of reminds me of Hall & Oates and I think it's a good song. It's a little bit of a lost chart gem.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Hall served as the main vocalist for Jeff Beck's most successful album, 1985's "Flash."

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"Case of You" by Frank Stallone

Song#:  0345
Date:  09/27/1980
Debut:  90
Peak:  67
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Admit it, when you saw the artist name you immediately thought this was his song from the film "Staying Alive," right? Well, years before that tune, Sly Stallone's little brother was a struggling musician and even did bit parts in films like "Rocky." He eventually moved to California and found himself living next door to his musical idol, Harry Nilsson. The two became friends and Nilsson ended up producing some songs for Stallone. One of the recordings, this cover version of the Joni Mitchell song, was issued as a single and it spent a little time on the chart. However, not much came from it and there was no album released at the time with this song or the others from the Nilsson sessions.

ReduxReview:  Okay, this was a real WTF moment for me. When I looked at the chart entry and saw Frank Stallone, that was one thing - as I didn't know he had an earlier chart song. But then I looked closer and saw this was the Joni Mitchell song AND that it was produced by Nilsson AND that is was arranged by Van Dyke Parks! WTF! I've recently gone through a major Nilsson phase and I had no idea that he worked with Stallone. It is just bizarre. And then...you hear the song. Mind you, I'm a big Joni fan and this is probably in my top three of favorite Joni songs, so if you are doing this song, it had better be damn good. Oh...my...god. I want you to think of a ballad that is truly meaningful to you. Then put it to an island/calypso arrangement. Does it work for you? NO! This is just a tragedy. The killing of this Joni classic is pretty much unforgivable. It even drops half the first verse! However, since Nilsson had stopped recording solo albums by this time, I don't hold it against him - still love him. Frank...not so much. Overall, this song may not be as bad as I make it out to be, but I consider the desecration of a Joni song most foul.

ReduxRating:  1/10

Trivia:  Nilsson was very good friends with John Lennon. Nilsson has said in a radio interview that it was during a recording session with Stallone that the news came into the studio about Lennon's murder.

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