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…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 109
Chart Week: January 7, 1978 Song: “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” – Crystal Gayle Chart Position: #16, 22nd week on the chart. Peaked at #2 for three weeks in November/December 1977. What is the first American Top 40 show I remember listening to? If you know me, you understand that I wish I could identify that broadcast to…