Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 119
Chart Week: September 24, 1983 Song: “It’s A Mistake” – Men At Work Chart Position: #38, 13th week on the chart. Peaked at #6 for two weeks in August. What clichés about Eighties music jump into your head the quickest? Big hair and spandex? Synthesizers? Gender ambiguous British men in suits wearing more makeup than your mom? Artists with little-to-no…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 118
Chart Week: September 8, 1984 Song: “Sunglasses At Night” – Corey Hart Chart Position: #9, 16th week on the chart. Peaked at #7 the week of September 1. Every era of music has its own unique set of identifiers that some listeners use to immediately discredit and dismiss a song. Two entries ago, I discussed string sections in Seventies rock.…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 117
Chart Week: August 30, 1986 Song: “Dreamtime” – Daryl Hall Chart Position: #23, 5th week on the chart. Would peak at #5 the week of October 4. Through the history of pop music, there has been a natural career progression for lead singers of successful bands: once your group peaks, hit the eject button and record a solo album. Sometimes…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 116
Chart Week: August 20, 1977 Song: “Telephone Line” – Electric Light Orchestra Chart Position: #16, 11th week on the chart. Peaked at #7 for two weeks in September and October. When I dove into this countdown last Saturday I was interested to see what it had to offer. Would a particular song jump out and lead to my next RFTS…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 115
Chart Week: August 14, 1982 Song: “And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going” – Jennifer Holliday Chart Position: #26, 7th week on the chart. Would peak at #22 for three weeks. One aspect of the pop chart that messed with my head when I was young was how songs that were huge hits on the genre charts would…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 114
Chart Week: August 5, 1978 Song: “Love Will Find A Way” – Pablo Cruise Chart Position: #9, 10th week on the chart. Peaked at #6 the week of August 26. There are many factors that go into determining my favorite musical years. Clearly the songs are the biggest factor. It is a huge bonus if most of the best tracks…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 113
Chart Week: June 23, 1984 Song: “I’ll Wait” – Van Halen Chart Position: #32, 11th week on the chart. Peaked at #13 for two weeks. I made my three-hour drive to Lexington, KY last Saturday morning solo. As it was also my birthday weekend, I thought the best way to celebrate would be to listen to an American Top 40…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 112
Chart Week: June 5, 1976 Song: “Love Really Hurts Without You” – Billy Ocean Chart Position: #36, 10th week on the chart. Peaked at #22 for two weeks in May. It’s always fun to be surprised when listening to old American Top 40’s. As I worked my way through this countdown, and glanced ahead at the list of songs on…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 111
Chart Week: April 4, 1981 Song: “Take It On The Run” – REO Speedwagon Chart Position: #27, third week on the chart. Peaked at #5 for two weeks in May/June. What makes a song great? There are like a million different things we could talk about when breaking that question down. I respect you and don’t want to type up…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 110
Chart Week: March 24, 1984 Song: “Eat It” – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Chart Position: #18, 3rd week on the chart. Peaked at #11 the week of April 14. It’s been a while, and for that I offer my endless apologies. I still listen to at least part of an AT40 show every weekend. Over the past couple months I’ve started…