Song#: 0815
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 51
Peak: 11
Weeks: 15
Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: For Diamond it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. He starred in the 1980 box office bomb "The Jazz Singer," yet its soundtrack became his best-selling album that featured three Top 10 hits. After the dust settled, it was time move on with a new album and Diamond issued "On the Way to the Sky." It featured this first single that peaked at the dreaded #11 spot. However, it was a #1 hit at AC. Even though he had recent hits, the musical landscape was changing fast and Diamond's brand of AC/pop was falling out of favor. Although it did well, this song was not considered a major success and the album became Diamond's first to not reach the Top 10 since 1971. He would briefly rally back in another year, but this is pretty much where Diamond's hit-making days began to dwindle.
ReduxReview: After putting out some of his best singles with "The Jazz Singer," this was certainly a disappointment. I didn't like this song when it first came out and I can't say I'm a big fan of it even now. It just sounded so old fashioned at the time (yeah, I know the theme of the song is yesterday stuff, but still...) and it's almost like Diamond went backwards in time instead of moving his music forward. The rest of the album wasn't much better. I don't know what he or his label was thinking, but this was totally the wrong album at the wrong time.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: Diamond has always been a staple artist on AC radio. He's had more success on that chart than pop. He currently ranks as the third most successful artist on the AC chart (behind Barbra Streisand and Elton John). He has amassed 37 Top 10 hits with 7 of those reaching #1.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
"Centerfold" by J. Geils Band
#1 Alert!
Gold Record Alert!
Song#: 0814 Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 70
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)
Weeks: 25
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: In the 10 years since their first chart entry, the J. Geils Band had only one song even get close to the Top 10 (1974's #12 "Must of Got Lost"). Their albums sold well thanks to rock radio staples like "Love Stinks," but their singles didn't fare well on the pop chart. That all changed when this first single from their "Freeze Frame" album was released. Helped by the video that became an recurring MTV favorite, the song reached the top spot and became their first and only #1 single. Its success pushed the album to #1 for four weeks as well.
ReduxReview: As soon as that keyboard lick starts, you recognize the song immediately. It really is a fun tune and a great party jam. The lyrics are so tame by today's standards, but I remember there was a bit of controversy back in the day because some thought it glorified porn magazines. I'm sure the publicity helped the song up the chart. Controversy usually does.
ReduxRating: 9/10
Trivia: Paul Justman, brother to band member Seth Justman, directed the music video for this song. Paul went on to direct the 2002 documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," which told the story of the Funk Brothers who were the backing band used on many recordings at the famous studio. The soundtrack went on to win a Grammy award.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, April 24, 2014
"Wrack My Brain" by Ringo Starr
Song#: 0813
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 79
Peak: 38
Weeks: 11
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: By the time the 70s arrived, the Beatles were splintering and each were recording their own solo projects. All would have numerous hits, including Starr, but his solo work seems to have been overshadowed by the other Beatles leaving the impression that he was not a successful solo act. However, even though he had the lowest amount of chart hits of the solo Beatles with fourteen, between 1971 and 1975 he had seven consecutive Top 10 hits, including the #1's "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen." By comparison, George Harrison only had five Top 10's during his entire solo career (Lennon had eight, McCartney currently has twenty-two). But the hits disappeared quickly and after a couple of late-70s LPs that bombed, Starr regrouped after Lennon's murder and issued "Stop and Smell the Roses." Featuring contributions from Harrison and McCartney, as well as Harry Nilsson, the album seemed like a sure hit. However, this lead-off single written by Harrison barely reached the Top 40 and the LP fizzled at a lowly #98. Its failure caused his label to drop him and this single would be his last to reach the chart. It would take eleven years before Starr would get a proper album released in the US.
ReduxReview: I was never a Starr fan. I don't think he's a good singer and his writing contributions to the Beatles catalog are among my least favorites. Yet I do believe he was an essential part of the group. On his own, not so much. I remember just hating this song when it came out. Listening now, I can tell is is a very Harrison song and it works well for Starr. I still wouldn't call it a terrific single, but it's not as bad as I remembered. I always thought Starr was more the vaudevillian of the Beatles, so the songs he recorded with Nilsson seem to work better.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Starr was on the Portrait label when these songs were recorded and the original title of the album was "Can't Fight Lightning." But disagreements with CBS caused him to leave the label for Boardwalk. Once with them, the title track was eliminated with the other tracks getting shuffled around. It was then titled after the Nilsson co-penned track and released. 2) Lennon wrote two songs and demoed them for Starr as contenders for the album. The two set a recording date in January, 1981, to do "Nobody Told Me" and "Life Begins at 40." Unfortunately, the session never took place due to Lennon's murder in December, 1980. Starr couldn't bring himself to record the songs on his own. Lennon's demo version of "Nobody Told Me" would be finished off after his death and issued as a single. It reached #5 in 1984.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 79
Peak: 38
Weeks: 11
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: By the time the 70s arrived, the Beatles were splintering and each were recording their own solo projects. All would have numerous hits, including Starr, but his solo work seems to have been overshadowed by the other Beatles leaving the impression that he was not a successful solo act. However, even though he had the lowest amount of chart hits of the solo Beatles with fourteen, between 1971 and 1975 he had seven consecutive Top 10 hits, including the #1's "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen." By comparison, George Harrison only had five Top 10's during his entire solo career (Lennon had eight, McCartney currently has twenty-two). But the hits disappeared quickly and after a couple of late-70s LPs that bombed, Starr regrouped after Lennon's murder and issued "Stop and Smell the Roses." Featuring contributions from Harrison and McCartney, as well as Harry Nilsson, the album seemed like a sure hit. However, this lead-off single written by Harrison barely reached the Top 40 and the LP fizzled at a lowly #98. Its failure caused his label to drop him and this single would be his last to reach the chart. It would take eleven years before Starr would get a proper album released in the US.
ReduxReview: I was never a Starr fan. I don't think he's a good singer and his writing contributions to the Beatles catalog are among my least favorites. Yet I do believe he was an essential part of the group. On his own, not so much. I remember just hating this song when it came out. Listening now, I can tell is is a very Harrison song and it works well for Starr. I still wouldn't call it a terrific single, but it's not as bad as I remembered. I always thought Starr was more the vaudevillian of the Beatles, so the songs he recorded with Nilsson seem to work better.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Starr was on the Portrait label when these songs were recorded and the original title of the album was "Can't Fight Lightning." But disagreements with CBS caused him to leave the label for Boardwalk. Once with them, the title track was eliminated with the other tracks getting shuffled around. It was then titled after the Nilsson co-penned track and released. 2) Lennon wrote two songs and demoed them for Starr as contenders for the album. The two set a recording date in January, 1981, to do "Nobody Told Me" and "Life Begins at 40." Unfortunately, the session never took place due to Lennon's murder in December, 1980. Starr couldn't bring himself to record the songs on his own. Lennon's demo version of "Nobody Told Me" would be finished off after his death and issued as a single. It reached #5 in 1984.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie
Song#: 0812
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 80
Peak: 29
Weeks: 15
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: After great success with their #1 1980 album "The Game," and contributions to the "Flash Gordon" soundtrack, Queen issued their first "Greatest Hits" album. This particular single found its way onto the compilation in a few countries (including the US), but really it was meant to server as the lead-off single to their next studio album "Hot Space." The song was an immediate hit in the UK soaring to #1 and it was a Top 10 success in many other countries. However, the US didn't follow suit and the single barely cracked the Top 30. At the time it was a big disappointment, but over time the song had grown into one of their most popular and recognizable tracks.
ReduxReview: I have to admit that back in the day, I didn't latch onto this song. It's mini-epic format kind of confused me and I wasn't connecting with the tune. It wasn't until later when I was getting into Bowie that I finally latched onto it. Now, it comes close to being my favorite Queen song. Based on its peak, US audiences seemed perplexed as well, but many would later jump on board as I did.
ReduxRating: 9/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This song came about when Bowie was at the studio with Queen to work on another song. A jam session began that was based off another song Queen had been working on called "Feel Like." Soon, the song took shape and the jam session resulted in this song. 2) One reason contributing to the song's longevity comes from its prominent use in the #1 1990 hit "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice. A sample of the song's opening provided the backdrop to "Ice Ice Baby," but neither Queen nor David Bowie received credit for the use. This started a controversy where Ice denied he used a sample (even though the opening of both songs are identical) and claimed he changed it a little. Lawsuits ensued and eventually it was settled with Queen and Bowie getting credit. Later, Ice did set the record straight and admit he used a direct sample from "Under Pressure."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 80
Peak: 29
Weeks: 15
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: After great success with their #1 1980 album "The Game," and contributions to the "Flash Gordon" soundtrack, Queen issued their first "Greatest Hits" album. This particular single found its way onto the compilation in a few countries (including the US), but really it was meant to server as the lead-off single to their next studio album "Hot Space." The song was an immediate hit in the UK soaring to #1 and it was a Top 10 success in many other countries. However, the US didn't follow suit and the single barely cracked the Top 30. At the time it was a big disappointment, but over time the song had grown into one of their most popular and recognizable tracks.
ReduxReview: I have to admit that back in the day, I didn't latch onto this song. It's mini-epic format kind of confused me and I wasn't connecting with the tune. It wasn't until later when I was getting into Bowie that I finally latched onto it. Now, it comes close to being my favorite Queen song. Based on its peak, US audiences seemed perplexed as well, but many would later jump on board as I did.
ReduxRating: 9/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This song came about when Bowie was at the studio with Queen to work on another song. A jam session began that was based off another song Queen had been working on called "Feel Like." Soon, the song took shape and the jam session resulted in this song. 2) One reason contributing to the song's longevity comes from its prominent use in the #1 1990 hit "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice. A sample of the song's opening provided the backdrop to "Ice Ice Baby," but neither Queen nor David Bowie received credit for the use. This started a controversy where Ice denied he used a sample (even though the opening of both songs are identical) and claimed he changed it a little. Lawsuits ensued and eventually it was settled with Queen and Bowie getting credit. Later, Ice did set the record straight and admit he used a direct sample from "Under Pressure."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
"Cool Night" by Paul Davis
Song#: 0811
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 83
Peak: 11
Weeks: 19
Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: Davis started out the 80s with the minor hit "Do Right," which peaked at #23. At that time, Davis was the last artist to be releasing material on the famous Bang label. Bang then closed up in 1981 and Davis moved over to Arista for his next album. This title track single got him back near the Top 10 peaking at the dreaded #11. The song become his biggest hit at AC by reaching #2. The album would be his best showing rising to #52 on the LP chart.
ReduxReview: This is a sultry song that rises above a lot of the other pop/AC tunes that were coming out around this time. It's a sleek mid-tempo ballad with a solid, memorable chorus. Davis wrote the tune and it ranks as one of his best.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In 1986, Davis was leaving a Nashville hotel when a man stopped him, demanded his wallet, and then proceeded to shoot Davis. Luckily, Davis survive the shooting.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 83
Peak: 11
Weeks: 19
Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: Davis started out the 80s with the minor hit "Do Right," which peaked at #23. At that time, Davis was the last artist to be releasing material on the famous Bang label. Bang then closed up in 1981 and Davis moved over to Arista for his next album. This title track single got him back near the Top 10 peaking at the dreaded #11. The song become his biggest hit at AC by reaching #2. The album would be his best showing rising to #52 on the LP chart.
ReduxReview: This is a sultry song that rises above a lot of the other pop/AC tunes that were coming out around this time. It's a sleek mid-tempo ballad with a solid, memorable chorus. Davis wrote the tune and it ranks as one of his best.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In 1986, Davis was leaving a Nashville hotel when a man stopped him, demanded his wallet, and then proceeded to shoot Davis. Luckily, Davis survive the shooting.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"Living Eyes" by Bee Gees
Song#: 0810
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 84
Peak: 45
Weeks: 10
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: The Bee Gee's first single of the decade, "He's a Liar," was a resounding thud. Haunted by their now-reviled disco days, the more rock-oriented tune couldn't overcome the disco stigma assigned to them. With the single peaking at #30 and fading fast, this second single was quickly issued. It did even worse by not getting into the Top 40, becoming their first single to miss that mark since 1974.
ReduxReview: If a rock tune doesn't work, then why not try a ballad? Unfortunately, that didn't work either. There were still radio stations that refused to play any Bee Gees singles, even if the songs were non-disco. It was truly a crappy thing to do and the trio didn't deserve it. Had the backlash not happened, their music might have been better too. Their label forced them to get an album out and the material just wasn't among their best. "He's a Liar" was not a good song and this mid-tempo ballad was only slightly better.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Pop culture states that the group got their name by using the initials BG, which stood for "Brothers Gibb." This is actually false. The trio was named by Australian DJ Bill Gates. He came to know the brothers through race car driver/promoter Bill Goode. Goode had hired them as entertainment at the local race track. Since the initials of Gates, Goode, and Barry Gibb were all the same, Gates tagged them as the BG's. This was later updated to Bee Gees.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 84
Peak: 45
Weeks: 10
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: The Bee Gee's first single of the decade, "He's a Liar," was a resounding thud. Haunted by their now-reviled disco days, the more rock-oriented tune couldn't overcome the disco stigma assigned to them. With the single peaking at #30 and fading fast, this second single was quickly issued. It did even worse by not getting into the Top 40, becoming their first single to miss that mark since 1974.
ReduxReview: If a rock tune doesn't work, then why not try a ballad? Unfortunately, that didn't work either. There were still radio stations that refused to play any Bee Gees singles, even if the songs were non-disco. It was truly a crappy thing to do and the trio didn't deserve it. Had the backlash not happened, their music might have been better too. Their label forced them to get an album out and the material just wasn't among their best. "He's a Liar" was not a good song and this mid-tempo ballad was only slightly better.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Pop culture states that the group got their name by using the initials BG, which stood for "Brothers Gibb." This is actually false. The trio was named by Australian DJ Bill Gates. He came to know the brothers through race car driver/promoter Bill Goode. Goode had hired them as entertainment at the local race track. Since the initials of Gates, Goode, and Barry Gibb were all the same, Gates tagged them as the BG's. This was later updated to Bee Gees.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
"Talking Out of Turn" by The Moody Blues
Song#: 0809
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 88
Peak: 65
Weeks: 7
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: The Moodies' #1 LP "Long Distance Voyager" produced a pair of Top 20 singles with "Gemini Dream" (#12) and "The Voice" (#15). They tried for a third with this next single, but it couldn't break into the top half of the chart.
ReduxReview: I like this song a lot, but was a little surprised it was chosen for a single. Maybe after two upbeat lead-off singles, they wanted to showcase a mid-tempo ballad. It's not a bad choice, but I think the superior "Meanwhile" from the album would have clicked better. Still, this is a very good tune and the full version with the orchestral outro is a highlight from the album.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: After their tour in support of the 1972 LP "Seventh Sojourn," the Moodies took an extended break that lasted until 1978's "Octave." During the hiatus, several members worked on their own projects. One such project had members Justin Hayward and John Lodge collaborating on an album. The result was titled "Blue Jay" and in 1975 it reached #16 on the album chart. Helping the album along was the single "I Dreamed Last Night," which reached #47 that year.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 88
Peak: 65
Weeks: 7
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: The Moodies' #1 LP "Long Distance Voyager" produced a pair of Top 20 singles with "Gemini Dream" (#12) and "The Voice" (#15). They tried for a third with this next single, but it couldn't break into the top half of the chart.
ReduxReview: I like this song a lot, but was a little surprised it was chosen for a single. Maybe after two upbeat lead-off singles, they wanted to showcase a mid-tempo ballad. It's not a bad choice, but I think the superior "Meanwhile" from the album would have clicked better. Still, this is a very good tune and the full version with the orchestral outro is a highlight from the album.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: After their tour in support of the 1972 LP "Seventh Sojourn," the Moodies took an extended break that lasted until 1978's "Octave." During the hiatus, several members worked on their own projects. One such project had members Justin Hayward and John Lodge collaborating on an album. The result was titled "Blue Jay" and in 1975 it reached #16 on the album chart. Helping the album along was the single "I Dreamed Last Night," which reached #47 that year.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Roger
Song#: 0808
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 91
Peak: 79
Weeks: 7
Genre: R&B, Funk
Pop Bits: Roger's group Zapp had a successful self-titled debut album in 1980 that produced the #2 R&B hit "More Bounce to the Ounce" (#86 pop). Before gathering the group for a follow-up, Roger (whose given name Roger Troutman) worked up his own debut solo album that he titled "The Many Facets of Roger." This cover tune was the first single from the LP and it reached the top spot on the R&B chart. At pop, it did a little better than the Zapp single, but not by much.
ReduxReview: Well, this certainly is an interesting version of the song, although I don't know if "version" is the right word. I'm sure the talk box thing was really cool back then, but it certainly goes a long way. It gets annoying real quick. The effect is interesting, but should be used sparingly as an accent, not as a replacement for all vocals. Roger's take on the song is cringe-worthy as well. You can recognize the song in a few passages, but the classic just gets beaten down and the melody is left struggling to survive. If you need an example of how not to cover a song, look no further than this one.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: Roger's version of this famous song would be the fifth to reach the pop chart. The first artist to have a hit with the tune was the #2 version by Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1967. The following year, Marvin Gaye's classic performance reached #1 (although it was recorded prior to Gladys Knight's). These hits were followed by lesser performing versions by King Curtis (#83, 1968) and Creedence Clearwater Revival (#43, 1976).
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 11/07/1981
Debut: 91
Peak: 79
Weeks: 7
Genre: R&B, Funk
Pop Bits: Roger's group Zapp had a successful self-titled debut album in 1980 that produced the #2 R&B hit "More Bounce to the Ounce" (#86 pop). Before gathering the group for a follow-up, Roger (whose given name Roger Troutman) worked up his own debut solo album that he titled "The Many Facets of Roger." This cover tune was the first single from the LP and it reached the top spot on the R&B chart. At pop, it did a little better than the Zapp single, but not by much.
ReduxReview: Well, this certainly is an interesting version of the song, although I don't know if "version" is the right word. I'm sure the talk box thing was really cool back then, but it certainly goes a long way. It gets annoying real quick. The effect is interesting, but should be used sparingly as an accent, not as a replacement for all vocals. Roger's take on the song is cringe-worthy as well. You can recognize the song in a few passages, but the classic just gets beaten down and the melody is left struggling to survive. If you need an example of how not to cover a song, look no further than this one.
ReduxRating: 2/10
Trivia: Roger's version of this famous song would be the fifth to reach the pop chart. The first artist to have a hit with the tune was the #2 version by Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1967. The following year, Marvin Gaye's classic performance reached #1 (although it was recorded prior to Gladys Knight's). These hits were followed by lesser performing versions by King Curtis (#83, 1968) and Creedence Clearwater Revival (#43, 1976).
_________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, April 21, 2014
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
Top 10 Alert!
Gold Record Alert!
Rated 10 Alert!
Redux Spotlight!
Song#: 0807 Date: 10/31/1981
Debut: 56
Peak: 9
Weeks: 16
Genre: Rock, Arena Rock
Pop Bits: Well, here it is folks. The time has come to cover one of the biggest rock anthems of the decade (and beyond). Journey was coming off of their first Top 10 hit with "Who's Crying Now" (#4) from their album "Escape" when this second single from the LP was issued. The song did well at the time reaching #9 and going gold. However, the song's continued popularity over the years has far outlasted its initial chart run thanks to its use at sporting events, on TV, in films, and even on Broadway. It's pretty much guaranteed that if you ask anyone to name the first Journey song that pops into their head, this song will be the answer. The song is inescapable. Chances are you've probably heard it somewhere quite recently (I just heard it on TV two nights ago). Although Journey would have higher peaking chart hits, this is the one that has outlasted them all to become the group's signature anthem.
ReduxReview: I loved, loved, loved this song when it came out. I thought for sure it would hit #1. But it didn't and initially the song just kind of faded like most after their chart run was complete. It remained popular on rock radio and I continued to play it quite a bit. But then sometime around the late 90s the song started getting used a lot more. And then in the aughts it seemed to be all over the place. Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon wrote the song and it boggles my mind the amount of money they have probably made from it. As far as rock anthems go, for me it is the tops and a solid go-to karaoke song; even though there is no "South Detroit." Streetlight people? Hows about "PopRedux80 Spotlight people?"
ReduxRating: 10/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) In the UK, the initial release of the single didn't do well and it only reached #62. In 2009, the song was sung on the hugely popular "The X-Factor" singing competition TV show. The attention got Journey's single back on the chart. After another performance of the song late in the season on the show, the song rose up to #6 - 28 years after it originally appeared on the chart. 2) As of this date, the song has sold almost 6 million downloads making it the highest selling song from the pre-digital era. 3) Arguably the song's most famous uses are from two very different TV shows. In 2007, Journey's original version was used over the controversial series closing scene of HBO's "The Sopranos." Two years later, the song was covered by the cast of the TV show "Glee" in the series pilot and in the first season finale. The Glee cast version from the pilot show hit #4 on the pop chart, going higher than Journey's original single.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"Heart Like a Wheel" by The Steve Miller Band
Song#: 0806
Date: 10/31/1981
Debut: 74
Peak: 24
Weeks: 14
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Miller and his band had been consistently charting albums since their debut in 1968, but it would be 1973's "The Joker" that finally put them over the top when the title-track single reached #1. More success followed through the rest of the 70s with another #1 hit, "Rock'n Me," and two other Top 10's. However, the 80s brought on some musical changes and their first album of the decade, "Circle of Love," didn't quite click and only reached gold status; a disappointment after several multi-platinum releases. This first single got into the Top 30, but it wasn't enough to really push the album.
ReduxReview: Wow. I have zero recollection on this song. Not one second of it sounds familiar. Perhaps there is a reason for that. I'm not finding too much here to recommend a listen. For a retro-rock tune, it doesn't have much punch and Miller practically sounds bored or lazy during the whole thing. As a kid, I was kind of blown away by "Fly Like an Eagle" and ran out to get the song. That and his other major hits were terrific. Unfortunately, this one is a snoozer and it was probably a wake-up call to Miller and crew to get on board the 80s train (which they did on their next LP).
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: Choices for a single from "Circle of Love" were a bit limited. The album only contained five tracks thanks to the LP's b-side completely taken up by one track - the 16 minute jam "Macho City." That left only four tracks for singles contention with "Heart Like a Wheel" being picked for the lead single.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 10/31/1981
Debut: 74
Peak: 24
Weeks: 14
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Miller and his band had been consistently charting albums since their debut in 1968, but it would be 1973's "The Joker" that finally put them over the top when the title-track single reached #1. More success followed through the rest of the 70s with another #1 hit, "Rock'n Me," and two other Top 10's. However, the 80s brought on some musical changes and their first album of the decade, "Circle of Love," didn't quite click and only reached gold status; a disappointment after several multi-platinum releases. This first single got into the Top 30, but it wasn't enough to really push the album.
ReduxReview: Wow. I have zero recollection on this song. Not one second of it sounds familiar. Perhaps there is a reason for that. I'm not finding too much here to recommend a listen. For a retro-rock tune, it doesn't have much punch and Miller practically sounds bored or lazy during the whole thing. As a kid, I was kind of blown away by "Fly Like an Eagle" and ran out to get the song. That and his other major hits were terrific. Unfortunately, this one is a snoozer and it was probably a wake-up call to Miller and crew to get on board the 80s train (which they did on their next LP).
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: Choices for a single from "Circle of Love" were a bit limited. The album only contained five tracks thanks to the LP's b-side completely taken up by one track - the 16 minute jam "Macho City." That left only four tracks for singles contention with "Heart Like a Wheel" being picked for the lead single.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, April 20, 2014
"Pay the Devil (Ooo, Baby, Ooo)" by The Knack
Song#: 0805
Date: 10/31/1981
Debut: 81
Peak: 67
Weeks: 5
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: The Knack were definitely having difficulty following up their massive 1979 #1 hit "My Sharona" and #1 debut album "Get the Knack." Their second album couldn't supply a significant hit and it failed to make the Top 10, although it did reach gold-level. Then their third album, "Round Trip," couldn't get off the ground thanks in part to this first single which couldn't even muster a Top 40 showing. This plus some pretty harsh critical backlash weighed on the group and soon after the album's release the band called it quits. They would reunite years later and issue a new album in 1991 called "Serious Fun," but their moment in the spotlight had long faded by that point.
ReduxReview: Well, this certainly is an interesting single from a band known for their new wave power pop. The song is alright and a good listen, but I can't imagine this being a hit single at all, especially for this time period. The band was just unfortunately plagued by issues, negative press, backlash, etc., and releasing a song like this as a single didn't help.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This song was not the band's choice as a first single from the album. The track "Soul Kissin'" was selected by the band, but the label chose "Pay the Devil" instead. "Soul Kissin'" was never issued as a single. 2) The Knack would make one more brief appearance on the pop chart. Due to its inclusion in the 1994 film "Reality Bites" (and its soundtrack), their hit song "My Sharona" went back on the chart for a few weeks reaching #91.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date: 10/31/1981
Debut: 81
Peak: 67
Weeks: 5
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: The Knack were definitely having difficulty following up their massive 1979 #1 hit "My Sharona" and #1 debut album "Get the Knack." Their second album couldn't supply a significant hit and it failed to make the Top 10, although it did reach gold-level. Then their third album, "Round Trip," couldn't get off the ground thanks in part to this first single which couldn't even muster a Top 40 showing. This plus some pretty harsh critical backlash weighed on the group and soon after the album's release the band called it quits. They would reunite years later and issue a new album in 1991 called "Serious Fun," but their moment in the spotlight had long faded by that point.
ReduxReview: Well, this certainly is an interesting single from a band known for their new wave power pop. The song is alright and a good listen, but I can't imagine this being a hit single at all, especially for this time period. The band was just unfortunately plagued by issues, negative press, backlash, etc., and releasing a song like this as a single didn't help.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This song was not the band's choice as a first single from the album. The track "Soul Kissin'" was selected by the band, but the label chose "Pay the Devil" instead. "Soul Kissin'" was never issued as a single. 2) The Knack would make one more brief appearance on the pop chart. Due to its inclusion in the 1994 film "Reality Bites" (and its soundtrack), their hit song "My Sharona" went back on the chart for a few weeks reaching #91.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)