Song#: 1505
Date: 06/25/1983
Debut: 76
Peak: 38
Weeks: 11
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: This UK band fronted by Terry Thomas got their start with Decca Records in 1973, which resulted in a lone single release that went nowhere. Three years later, they were signed to Polydor and issued their first LP Fantasy Girls. Nothing much came from it, but Polydor kept with them and a second album was recorded. No Second Chance was a blip in the UK and the band almost folded. However, news came that the Janus label in the US picked up the LP and radio support was positive. Their song "Turning to You" reached #96 and the album charted as well. Their next two albums did even better with two singles almost cracking the Top 50. Two follow-up LPs ended up tanking, but 1983's self-titled disc got the band some much needed attention thanks to this single that reached #13 Rock and just got into the Pop Top 40. It would be their biggest hit, but it just wasn't enough to keep the band going and they would split the following year.
ReduxReview: This was a blip on the Top 40, but I do remember the song. I haven't heard it in mega years. I'm surprised it hasn't shown up on some 80s collection. It's a good tune with a solid arrangement and hooky chorus. It doesn't make me want to explore the band much further, but I wouldn't mind adding this into my iTunes.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: The band originally got its name from a racehorse. Apparently there was one called Charlie Cuckoo and the group adopted that name. However, by the time it came to record and issue records, they decided to shorten their name to just Charlie.
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For many of us, during that timeframe, the only way we'd hear minor hits like this one was on American Top 40. Unfortunately, Charlie lost 50% of their airtime on the show. We heard it debut on August 6th at #40, but the following week (its last on the countdown) when it moved up to 38, it wasn't played. Instead, AT40 played Diana Ross's "Pieces Of Ice," which had actually fallen out that week.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting because AT40 was where I would have heard this song. Like you said, it was the only place on radio to heard many lower peaking hits or, as it was in my little town, R&B/rap hits. I listened to the show religiously for years.
DeleteI wish I had heard this before. It's quite a jam. Now I have to dig through the archive to see if I can get the disc. Or have Woodstra go through his LPs.
ReplyDeleteIt's in there. The real album and anthology. I probably should take a listen. Maybe.
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