"Sherry" by Robert John

Song#:  0379
Date:  10/25/1980
Debut:  82
Peak:  70
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  John's last major label album, "Back on the Street," already provided a remake chart single with "Hey There Lonely Girl" hitting #31. He followed that up with another remake, but this time the song couldn't climb out of the lower rungs of the chart. 

ReduxReview:  This song seemed like a good fit for John's falsetto voice since the original was sang in that manner by Frankie Valli. It worked for Valli because his falsetto and real voice were very strong. John's is lighter in comparison and doesn't have the depth in tone that Valli's did, so the song (along with it's dated arrangement) sounds tinny and more like a child singing it than a man. John can certainly hit the really high notes to good effect, but the whole thing just falls flat and it is just an unnecessary remake and single for me.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  This song was a hit for the Four Season in 1962. It was the group's first #1 record. They would go on to have four more #1's over their career.

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"Every Woman In the World" by Air Supply

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  0378
Date:  10/25/1980
Debut:  84
Peak:  5
Weeks:  22
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Air Supply's 1980 breakthrough album, "Lost in Love," already produced two Top 10 hits with the title track (#3) and "All Out of Love" (#2). This third single followed suit and became their third straight Top 5 hit. Although their next album would achieve the same feat, this LP remains as their best-selling studio album.

ReduxReview:  And yet another delicious piece of pop from Air Supply. These early confections are so wonderful that you sometimes don't even know you are ingesting some serious sugar. For me, not as good as "All Out of Love" but better than "Lost in Love." I'm just disappointed that "love" was not somehow in the title...

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Air Supply initially came into being after lead members Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock met while performing in the Australian production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1975. Their self-titled debut album came out in Australia in 1976 and was a hit with the single "Love and Other Bruises" charting at #6.

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"It's My Turn" by Diana Ross

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  0377
Date:  10/25/1980
Debut:  86
Peak:  9
Weeks:  21
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  This song charted as Ross was still reaping the rewards of her biggest hit album, "diana." The second single from that smash LP was just entering the Top 10 ("I'm Coming Out") the same week this tune (not from the album) debuted on the chart. Most likely because one was a dance tune and the other a big-ass ballad, they didn't step all over each other on radio or the chart and this song followed the other right into the Top 10, making it Ross' third of the year.

ReduxReview:  While "Upside Down" and "I'm Coming Up" was feeding the dance/pop crowd, this giant ballad was served up for the AC/pop folks. And I enjoyed both sides of Ms. Ross. I remember loving this song and I ran out and got the single. I still like it, but it does seem bombastic and a bit theatrical now. Plus, as I've mentioned before, Ross may be a diva but her voice is not that of one. She practically drowns in this song. Now, just imaging if Streisand or Celine Dion got a hold of this. They would rip it to shreds. Whereas Ross just leisurely provides a nice vocal. Regardless, I still like it.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This song was from the soundtrack album to the film "It's My Turn." The rom-com, which starred Jill Clayburgh and Michael Douglas, was not a big box office hit and was not critically well-received. At least the theme song was a hit.

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"Celebration" by Kool & the Gang

#1 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  0376
Date:  10/25/1980
Debut:  87
Peak:  1 (2 weeks)
Weeks:  30
Genre:  R&B, Dance



Pop Bits:  Kool & the Gang's previous album, "Ladies Night," yielded two Top 10 hits with the title track (#8) and "Too Hot" (#5). It signaled a change and resurgence for the band with the album reaching #1 on the R&B chart. Their follow-up album, "Celebrate!," continued the success when this legendary party single became their first and only #1 pop hit. The song also reached #1 on the R&B and Dance charts. The success of the single helped to push the album to peak at #10 and it ended up being their only Top 10 pop album.

ReduxReview:  This is a song I wish I had written - not because it's a great song (it's okay), but because it's one that will be around forever and most likely made the writers a butt load of money - and still does. When was the last time you went to something like a wedding reception and this was NOT played by the DJ or the band? It is a staple at parties and events all over the world. Does that mean it is a fantastic song? No, not really. But it is a good anthem song and it is hard to resist once it starts playing. I can't say I've ever had the want to listen to this song, but if it plays somewhere within earshot, it is difficult to dislike or ignore. Overall, this is a classic 80s track. Celebrate good times! Yaa-Hoo!

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) November 4, 1979, began the 444 day Iran hostage crisis where 52 Americans were held when the American Embassy in Tehran overtaken. After their release in 1981, this was the song that played to welcome them back home to the US.  2) Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue covered this song in 1992 for her "Greatest Hits" CD. It peaked at #20 in the UK.

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"When We Get Married" by Larry Graham

Song#:  0375
Date:  10/25/1980
Debut:  88
Peak:  76
Weeks:  4
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Graham just had a major hit with the title track to his album "One In a Million You" reaching #9 and going gold (and #1 R&B). This second single from the album couldn't quite get out of the basement of the pop chart, but it did reach #9 at R&B.

ReduxReview:  Frankly, I hate corny wedding songs. I know this is an oldie (see below) and back in the day this was kind of a cute doo-wop song, but there was no reason to bring this thing back. After the sublime "One In a Million You," this is a big letdown and for 1980, probably not the best choice for a single.

ReduxRating:  3/10

Trivia:  This song was originally a hit for the Dreamlovers in 1961. The doo-wop group's version hit #10 and was their only Top 10 song. The song was covered by the Intruders in 1970, but the song only managed to get to #45. However, it did reach #8 R&B, which was a notch higher than Graham's version.

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"Deep Inside My Heart" by Randy Meisner

Song#:  0374
Date:  10/18/1980
Debut:  79
Peak:  22
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  By 1977, Meisner was done with the band he co-founded, the Eagles. Tensions in the group and a desire to be with his family took a toll and he departed the group. A year later, he issued a self-titled debut solo album that barely scratched the album chart and produced no chart singles. But that changed in 1980 with his second album "One More Song." This single got Meisner his first chart entry and it almost broke into the Top 20.

ReduxReview:  The Eagles obviously had some good tunes, but they were never a favorite of mine. However, solo stuff from group members I almost prefer. Don Henley's solo stuff was great and I liked tunes from Glenn Frey as well. Meisner also had a few choice cuts too and I think this is one of them. Plus the addition of Kim Carnes is a nice touch. Their voices go well together.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Although not officially listed as a duet, the female vocal on the song was provided by Kim Carnes, who just had her first solo hit with "More Love" (#10). Meisner's album was produced by Val Garay who would soon produce Carnes' hit album "Mistaken Identity."

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"Love X Love" by George Benson

Song#:  0373
Date:  10/18/1980
Debut:  81
Peak:  61
Weeks:  6
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Benson's title track to his album "Give Me the Night" was a multi-format hit peaking at #4 on the pop chart and #1 R&B. This second single was another Rod Temperton composition and even though it had a good showing on the R&B chart (#9) and hit #10 in the UK, it didn't really register on the pop chart.

ReduxReview:  This is about as silky smooth as R&B/lite-jazz can get. The sound is terrific and it goes into your ears very easily, but it is not an outstanding song. For pop radio, this might have been a little lackluster. But if you need a nice mid-tempo jam for a romantic evening, add this to your playlist.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Over a thirty-year span from 1977 to 2007, Benson won a total of ten Grammy awards. Five were for instrumental performances, four were for vocal performances, and one was for Record of the Year in 1977 for "This Masquerade."

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"Let's Be Lovers Again" by Eddie Money with Valerie Carter

Song#:  0372
Date:  10/18/1980
Debut:  82
Peak:  65
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Rock, Pop



Pop Bits:  The first two singles from Money's third album "Playing for Keeps," were not racing up the chart and this third one didn't do anything to reverse the trend. This time he had some help with vocalist Valerie Carter (James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Christopher Cross), but it wasn't really enough to lift this song into the upper reaches of the chart.

ReduxReview:  I love Valerie Carter and I think she sounds great and melds well with Money. But the mid-tempo ballad just doesn't grab you with anything significant. It is just alright and nothing that would make me want to run out and buy it. Kind of unremarkable and unmemorable.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  I posted about Valerie Carter earlier as she seemed to be the subject of the Jackson Browne song "That Girl Could Sing." So if you missed it, look that song up on here as I posted a solo song from Carter on that entry. She was an in-demand session singer and did other duets as well such as the song "Spinning" on Christopher Cross' debut album.

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"Running Back" by Eddie Money

Song#:  0371
Date:  09/13/1980
Debut:  89
Peak:  78
Weeks:  4
Genre:  Rock, Reggae

Note:  Oops Alert! I don't know how I can do this, but I missed an entry along the way. Somehow I thought I had covered this, but I didn't. So this is a catch-up song that should have been posted with the 9/13/80 chart entries.



Pop Bits:  Brooklyn-born rocker Money started his recording career off pretty well with two significant rock radio songs from his self-titled debut from 1978. "Baby Hold On" (#11) and "Two Tickets to Paradise" (#22) helped his album reach #37 and go platinum. His follow-up album also reach platinum status, but only "Maybe I'm a Fool" reached the Top 40 (#22). His third album "Playing for Keeps" started off sluggish with the #46 single "Get a Move On," and from there is was kind of downhill. This second single could barely get a foothold on the chart and the lack of singles support pretty much sunk the album and it didn't even reach gold status. However, his best successes were still yet to come.

ReduxReview:  This reggae shuffle seems like an odd fit for Money. I've really only just heard straight-ahead rockers from him, so this is a little unusual. I can't say that it is bad and I appreciate him experimenting with other genre sounds, but I don't think it makes for a very good single.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  Money's grandfather, father, and brother were all NYPD cops. Money also followed the family business and went into police training for a couple of years. But his love of music pushed him to quit the force and make a move to California to pursue music full-time.

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"Private Idaho" by The B-52's

Song#:  0370
Date:  10/18/1980
Debut:  85
Peak:  74
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  The quirky, retro, new wave of the B-52's self-titled debut with it's #56 party song "Rock Lobster" was certainly a bit of a sensation when it came out. I'm sure many questioned whether or not the group could maintain such a sound and unique identity. Then this song hit the airwaves and their follow-up album, "Wild Planet," came out. Although it was not as critically well-received as their debut, the album showed that the B's could move forward and not be a one-trick pony band. With a punchier and tighter sound, the album proved to be a success and hit #18 on the album chart and went gold. This song, in combination with two others from the album, ended up being a hit on the dance chart where the mix peaked at #5.

ReduxReview:  Whereas their first album had a new wave jam feel to it, this song came out of the gate like a full-fledged rock tune. Once the opening guitar licks and the girls' first "woo-woo's" hit, I was hooked. Although it can't quite make it into the classic category where "Rock Lobster" resides, it comes pretty darn close. I still don't think pop radio knew what to do with this song because it should have been a bigger hit.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  This song was the inspiration for the title of the 1991 Gus Van Sant movie "My Own Private Idaho" starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. The song, however, is not used in the film.

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"Texas in My Rear View Mirror" by Mac Davis

Song#:  0369
Date:  10/18/1980
Debut:  87
Peak:  51
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  Davis followed up his novelty song "It's Hard to Be Humble" (#43 pop, #10 country) with a second album for Casablanca and this title track was the first single issued. Even though it was a middling song on the pop chart, it became his third consecutive country Top 10 reaching #9. His next single from the album, "Hooked on Music," became his biggest country hit going to #2, but unfortunately it would not reach the pop chart.

ReduxReview:  Even though he can get a bit hokey, Davis is a darn good songwriter. This is a pretty solid tune and I really like the feel of it. The song is relaxed in a folk-ish way and tells a nice story. Small parts of the production are a little dated and stuck in the 70s (and I could do without the pedal steel), but this is certainly a pleasant listen.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Davis also dabble in acting and after some appearances on TV, he made his film debut in the 1979 film "North Dallas Forty" with Nick Nolte. In 1991, he was cast as the lead in the Broadway production of "The Will Rogers Follies" where he took over the role originated by Keith Carradine.

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"Let's Do Something Cheap and Superficial" by Burt Reynolds

Song#:  0368
Date:  10/18/1980
Debut:  93
Peak:  88
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Country, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  Yup - you read that right. Burt Reynolds. Betcha you didn't know he could sing? He probably didn't either. Back in the 50s and into the early 70s, it was practically required that a big star sing. Usually they had to do some song for a variety show or in some oddball musical. Even Bette Davis croaked out some singles and an album along the way. But as the 80s came along, the practice of turning stars into singers kind of went away so it was an oddity that for the film "Smokey & the Bandit II," Reynolds recorded this song. He doesn't sing it in the film, but there is a scene with Sally Field where he gives her a gift of this 45 that he had recorded. Since the Bandit films were so popular and the first one had a popular soundtrack, featuring Jerry Reed's #2 country hit "East Bound and Down," someone probably thought it was a good idea to get Reynolds on the soundtrack as another marketing angle. But like he says in the movie about his single, only about 75 were pressed and he still has 74 of them...and that about sums up this chart appearance (although it did manage to get to #51 on the country chart). Thankfully, it was his one any only chart song (although he did warble in the movie version of the musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.")

ReduxReview:  I'm sure that this song was not done seriously and was just supposed to be a comedic addition to the film and soundtrack, so it makes it a little hard to critique. I mean, what can you say? The guy can't sing, the song is barely funny, and it's not even a good parody of a country tune. It's a giant mess - kind of like the film. So maybe in that way, it worked! This is really just publicity/marketing gone awry.

ReduxRating:  1/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) I had no idea he was born in Lansing, Michigan, which is my neck of the woods.  2)  Being that he was the biggest box office draw in the 70s, Reynolds was offered some significant roles that he ended up turning down. When Sean Connery dropped out as James Bond, Reynolds was offered the role. He declined saying that an American just can't play Bond. Later, he was offered the part of Han Solo in "Star Wars." He turned that down too, and after Tom Selleck also declined, the part when to Harrison Ford.

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