Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 59
Chart Week: July 12, 1986 Song: “If She Knew What She Wants” – The Bangles Chart Position: #29, 10th week on the chart. This was the song’s peak; it fell out of the Top 40 the next week. I recall being in love with a lot of unattainable women in the summer of 1986. There was Heather Thomas, whose poster…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 58
Chart Week: June 12, 1982 Song: “Fantasy” – Aldo Nova Chart Position: #32, 12th week on the chart. Peaked at #23 for two weeks in May/June. I only caught a few songs of this countdown, but I tuned in at the perfect time. I’m guessing I had not heard this jam in a long, long time. Which is a damn…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 57
Chart Week: May 12, 1979Song: “In the Navy” – The Village PeopleChart Position: #5, 9th week on the chart. Peaked at #3 for two weeks. I wasn’t old enough to “get” the Village People when they were at the height of their powers. I was 6–7 years old during their brief moment at the top of the pop culture pyramid.…
A Disturbance in the Force
Before I get to our next Reaching for the Stars entry, I realized that I first need to share some disturbing news in the AT40 world that has radically changed my life. The local station that played American Top 40 on Sundays for at least 12 years has stopped airing the show. A week after we returned from spring break…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 56
Chart Week: May 1, 1982 Song: “867–5309/Jenny” – Tommy Tutone Chart Position: #8, 15th week on the chart. Peaked at #4 for three weeks in May and June. Quick show of hands: if you were alive and old enough in 1982, how many of you dialed 867–5309 to see if Jenny would answer? I know I did. I believe in…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 55
Chart Week: March 26, 1983 Song: “I Know There’s Something Going On” – Frida Chart Position: #13, 21st week on the chart. Peaked there for three weeks. One great thing about The Number Ones series is how it has forced me to re-evaluate artists I soured on over the years. Phil Collins is a perfect example. I forgot how many…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 54
Chart Week: February 16, 1980 Song: “Coward of the County” – Kenny Rogers Chart Position: #3, 14th week on the chart. This was the song’s chart peak. One of my complaints about the old American Top 40s that I listen to is that only a small selection of the total library of shows gets played. If you listen often enough,…
Reaching for the Stars, Bonus Tracks
Songs: “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond. Peaked at #4 the week of August 16, 1969 “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver. Peaked at #2 the week of August 28, 1971 “Smoky Mountain Rain” – Ronnie Milsap. Peaked at #24 for two weeks in February/March of 1981 A different kind of RFTS post today. Rather than breaking down a…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 53
Chart Week: January 21, 1984 Song: “Undercover of the Night” – The Rolling Stones Chart Position: #20, 11th week on the chart. Peaked at #9 for two weeks in December and January. This edition is more about how I listened to the song than the song itself. Although there will be some song trivia before we’re done. 1983 was a…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 52
Chart Week: December 22, 1984 Song: “Bruce” – Rick Springfield Chart Position: #33, 6th week on the chart. Peaked at #27 for a week in January. As artists move through their careers they often jump from one record company to another. This can lead to uncomfortable situations when the artists break through and their previous employers attempt to capitalize. Rick…