Find a Brighter Day

If there’s a lot of extra metal and dance music, it must be the late 80s. It’s as if that’s all that Pop radio was pushing back then. Let’s finish up our review of chart week forty-seven with a look at 1987, 1988, and 1989.

November 28th, 1987

85. Mick Jagger – Throwaway

The first single from the solo Stone’s second album, Primitive Cool, snuck into the Top 40, peaking at #39. This was the follow-up and lived up to its title, topping out at #67. The role of Keef was played by Jeff Beck.

91. Europe – Cherokee

Nothing like a Swedish metal band to tell the story of this Appalachian Native American tribe. The fourth single from The Final Countdown album left its own trail of tears at #72.

92. Tony Terry – She’s Fly

This was the first chart single from D.C. New Jack singer Tony Terry. If you were there back then and got down to it, you might still like it for nostalgia’s sake. If not, you didn’t miss much. This Top 10 R&B track will get swatted at #80.

93. Motley Crue – You’re All I Need

This glam metal quartet decided to release as their third single from Girls Girls Girls, a power ballad about a twisted fuck who kills his girlfriend in the name of love. Because these cretins were in the middle of their heroin phase, the lyrics are a poorly written misogynistic revenge fantasy with a cheesy junior high cover band arrangement. Thankfully most of us were spared as this peak at #83. Jon Bon Jovi likes this, so that should tell you something.

November 26th, 1988

91. Bananarama – Love, Truth, And Honesty

Siobhan Fahey left the trio in late 1987 after their Wow! album was out, and she was replaced with singer Jacquie O’Sullivan. They used the transition to release a greatest hits compilation with two new songs. This was the opening single released to promote it and will only inch up two spots. It was their last Hot 100 entry.

99. Yazz & The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up

We already had a group named Yaz, or Yazoo, as they were known in the UK, but the duo had since broken up. Now we have singer Yazz with her debut single. Produced by Coldcut, it’s a disco-house cover of a 1982 Otis Clay track that she took to #1 in the UK for five weeks. In the States, it will only go up three more notches. I bought this 45 over in Germany in the Summer and thought it was cool that the sleeve unfolds into a wall poster.

November 25th, 1989

91. Bonham – Wait For You

We started the 80s with drummer John Bonham passing away in September 1980, and we finish it with his son’s band charting with their debut single. Unfortunately, it ends up sounding like a Led Zeppelin cover band, and we already had plenty of those in our local bars for free. We’ll stop waiting around at #55.

92 . KIϟϟ – Hide Your Heart

This group never gave up in the 80s. They released eight albums during the decade, and not one of them spawned a Top 40 hit. Even during the glam metal years, they should have walked through the door with something to show for it. They have Desmond Child & Holly Knight writing with them. With Bruce Kulick now on lead guitar duties, this will reach #66.

Fun fact: This was originally written and rejected for their 1987 album, Crazy Nights. Paul Stanley then offered to other artists, such as Bonnie Tyler, who recorded it, and former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley who released his version a week before Kiss did.

94. Starship – I Didn’t Mean To Stay All Night

Then why are you still here? The second single from Love Among The Cannibals and the follow-up to It’s Not Enough, a #12 hit, is a tune written by Mutt Lange, who also sings back-up. The group was now Slick-less, which made them more boring if that was even possible. Even with some Fairlight work by Larry Klein and their best effort to make this ballad seem like a lost Hysteria cut, it will peak at #75.

95. Fiona & Kip Winger – Everything You Do (You’re Sexing Me)

Fiona Flanagan tries to go through the Glam metal door with this power rock duet with the Winger frontman, who also plays bass from her third album, Heart Like A Gun. I’m not sure the folks who wrote this understand what the word sexing means, but hey who wants another eight ball, fellas? It will have a zenith of #52.

A Tired Heart Can Find No Peace

Let’s wrap up chart week forty week with a review of the Other Sixty from 1986 up through 1989.

November 22nd, 1986

92. Don Johnson – Heartache Away

Imagine you’re recording a song, and you’ve got Ron Wood on guitar, Bonnie Raitt on backing vocals, and a guitar solo by Stevie Ray Vaughn. Why on earth would you ruin it by letting Don Johnson sing lead vocals? That was the quintessential 80’s celebrity rock album experience. The pain will go on until #56.

94. David Lee Roth – That’s Life

Dave, seriously, what the fuck is this? It’s bad enough I have to hear Sammy Hagar sing about dreams with a boring jingoistic video featuring the Blue Angels. Then you want us to sit through your Sintara phase? Please go makeup with Eddie before it’s late. [note: 2006 is too late] The people say flush it at #85.

98. Debbie Harry – French Kissin’

After Blondie split up in 1982, Debbie took some time off to take care of her then-partner, Chris Stein, who was suffering from a rare autoimmune disease called pemphigus. With his subsequent recovery, she resumed her solo career with her first album in five years called, Rockbird. This was the lead single released from it and will become a Top 10 in the UK. In the States, it will get tongue-tied at #57.

November 21st, 1987

78. Bananarama – I Can’t Help It

This UK female threesome had some big hits in the US, but they could never manage more than one per album. I always found that odd. The subsequently released singles all had potential, and they would do very well in England. Following up the Top 5 smash, I Heard A Rumour, this single will reach the Top 10 on the Dance charts but stall out at #47 Pop.

93. Martha Davis – Don’t Tell Me The Time

Martha’s first solo album, Policy, was intended to be a new Motels long-play before breaking up the band in early 1987. She hasn’t been very fond of this endeavor in the past, and it certainly wasn’t very successful. But there are many terrific songs on it, including this one, the first single released. It will only reach #80 but will become a Top 10 smash in Australia.

94. Deja – You And Me Tonight

The band Aurra started out as an offshoot of the funk band, Slave and they had one chart, Make Up Your Mind, in 1981. They released five total albums before a legal dispute prompted them to change their name to Deja. This single, from their first album Serious, will be their biggest hit, reaching #12 on the R&B charts and #54 on the Hot 100.

November 19th, 1988

88. Al B. Sure! – Killing Me Softly

Fifteen years after Roberta Flack went to #1 and eight years before the Fugees returned it to the top, Al B. Sure released his New Jack version as the third single from his In Effect Mode album. I wouldn’t doubt that a young Lauryn Hill heard this, sang along, while she dreamed about her future. Al’s cover will only reach #80 but will make the Top 15 on the Soul chart.

96. Eighth Wonder – Cross My Heart

Here’s the first US charting single from a UK pop quartet fronted by singer/actress Patsy Kensit, who appeared in Absolute Beginners two years previous. This song had been recorded by other artists in 1988, such as Tracie Spencer and Martika, but this version is the only one to make the Hot 100. Lightning will strike it at #56.

November 18th, 1989

83. Eric Clapton – Pretending

Radio played this lead off track from Eric’s Journeyman album so much, you’d be forgiven if you thought it was a Top 40 hit. It will only reach #55 but will spend six weeks atop the Mainstream Rock charts. Chaka Khan sings background vocals on the track.

A Feeling I Can’t Accept

Let’s wrap our review of The Other Sixty during chart week forty-five with a look a the debuts from 1987, 1988, and 1989 that missed out on the Casey (and Shadoe) call.

November 14th, 1987

83. Millions Like Us – Guaranteed For Life

This is a pretty good soulful Pop song along the lines of Michael McDonald or Living In A Box. But this UK duo is hampered by an awful band name. It’s the kind of tune you’d hear walking around the halls of Bally’s (If you were in a casino during the 80s, you know what I mean.) Produced by Rufus’ Hawk Wolinski, it will peak at Bill & Ted’s favorite number in a few weeks and be their only chart hit.

90. Smokey Robinson – What’s Too Much

1987 saw Smokey nab two more Top 10 hits, One Heartbeat and Just To See Her, from his fifteenth solo album. It was great to hear that smooth voice on the radio again. This will be the third release from that LP, a Quiet Storm brewing into the R&B Top 20. But I guess #79 was too much for Pop.

92. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam Featuring Full Force – Someone To Love Me For Me

After two straight #1 singles on the Pop and Soul charts, this trio aligns with Full Force again for another ballad a la All Cried Out. It will slide up into the Soul Top 10 but will quizically top out at #78 on the Hot 100.

94. The Cars – Strap Me In

What is a car without a seat belt? What is love without the feeling of security? Those are the questions that Ric Ocasek and the boys try to answer with the second single release and one of my favorites from Door To Door, their final album with the original lineup. This mid-tempo pop-rocker will get snapped in two at #85.

97. Alexander O’Neal – Criticize

Alex follows up his first solo Top 40 hit, Fake, with another solid jam from his Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis-produced album, Hearsay. Jellybean Johnson gets involved with this one as well. Featuring Lisa Keith on backing vocals, it will become another R&B Top 10 while reaching #4 on the UK charts. Don’t mean to be a nag, but this should have climbed higher than #70 Pop.

November 12th, 1988

88. Paula Abdul – (It’s Just) The Way You Love Me

Ex-Laker girl Paula Abdul keeps trying to break her debut album, Forever Your Girl, by releasing a second single. No one was biting as this one debuts at its peak. But what a difference a year makes. It will get re-released in the Fall of 1989 and eventually reach #3, becoming her fourth straight Top 10 single.

90. Kenny Loggins – I’m Gonna Miss You

Even though it’s 1988, Kenny was still keeping his boat out of dry dock with another smooth West Coast Pop entry. This was the second single from his Back To Avalon album and features backing vocals by Starship’s Mickey Thomas. It’s another case of how-did-this-not-rise-higher-than, for this example, #82.

96. Denise Lopez – If You Feel It

Denise became a one-hit-wonder this year with Sayin’ Sorry (Don’t Make It Right), but they played this song on New York radio just as much. I kinda like it better than her hit myself. This freestyle track was big in the clubs but will only inch up two spots on the Hot 100.

100. New Edition – You’re Not My Kind Of Girl

Ouch, the dreaded #100 entry. New Edition only had one Top 40 hit from their album, Heart Break, which I felt was their best to date. In fact, it spun off five R&B Top 40 hits, with four of them hitting the Top 5. It’s another Jimmy Jam/ Terry Lewis collaboration, but this New Jack track will only swing up to #95.

November 11th, 1989

85. Fine Young Cannibals – I’m Not the Man I Used To Be

No one expected this UK trio to have two #1s from the second album, The Raw & The Cooked. This was the fourth charting single from the album, and they still one more to go. Rolling over the Funky Drummer sample, this one had a good chance to be the fourth Top 40 from these guys. But it stalled at #54.

88. Pajama Party – Over And Over

This will be the biggest Hot 100 chart success for this Freestyle trio from Brooklyn from their debut album, Up All Night. Although it won’t reach the Expose heights, it will still rise as high as #59.

91. Saraya – Back To The Bullet

It’s a shame that Pop radio didn’t make any room for this New Jersey rock quintet when they let glam metal acts with half the energy and muscle walk right in. This was the group’s second charting single from their debut and their best Hot 100 showing, peaking at #63.

Sorry Is All That You Can’t Say

It’s chart week forty-four and we’re digging into the latter half of the 80s to see who joined the ranks of the Other Sixty. Let’s review 1986 up thru 1989.

November 8th, 1986

84. Freddie Jackson – Tasty Love

Freddie J. was a mainstay on the R&B charts from the mid-80s into the early 90s, though he was only able to cross over into the Top 40 four times. This R&B #1 just misses the Casey call, losing its taste at #41.

90. Howard Hewett – I’m For Real

Even though Jeffrey Daniels and Jody Watley left Shalamar two years before Howard, he was the first to release a solo album. This was the lead single from I Commit To Love, and although it will reach #2 on the Soul charts, this Quiet Storm two-stepper debuts at its peak on the Hot 100.

94. Laban – Love In Siberia

Here’s a slice of 80s Eurodisco from Denmark. From that description alone, I’m sure you know what it sounds like. This duo had been recording their songs in Danish but by album number four, they decided to record an English version of Laban 4. Called Caught By Surprise, it featured this track which charted and shivered it way up to #88.

November 7th, 1987

79. Jimmy Davis & Junction – Kick The Wall

This Memphis quartet tried to go through the Pop door that the Georgia Sattelites had opened the year before with a quality hard rock album that was accessible to radio. It’s a shame they didn’t breakthrough. They only released one album before splitting up, and their only charting single hit the bricks at #67.

81. Shanice Wilson – (Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance

Shanice was a teenage singer out of L.A. when she released her debut, Discovery, in 1987. She had previously been a cast member of Kids Incorporated around the time that Fergie & Martika were on, so it was just a matter of time before she got a music contract of her own. This dance track will hit the R&B Top 10 but stall out at #50 on the Hot 100. Four years from now, she’ll hit it out of the park with I Love Your Smile, a #2 Pop, #1 R&B smash that featured a Branford Marsalis sax solo.

92. Jellybean Featuring Steven Dante – The Real Thing

John Benitez started out as a DJ spinning in Manhattan clubs in the late 70s and early 80s before trying his hand at remixing. After having success with his mixes of Madonna’s Borderline and Lucky Star, he moved into creating his own albums of dance music. This was the second single from his second album, Just Visiting This Planet, and it’s a great slice of moody House music with vocals by British singer Steven Dante. We are still a few years away from this music style invading the Pop landscape, so a tune like this will be relegated to the clubs and a #82 high. It will also hit the Top 20 in the UK.

November 5th, 1988

84. Tracy Chapman – Baby Can I Hold You

There I was sitting at a table in the back of a nearly empty coffee house, staring back into the eyes of a girl I lost once before. It had been nearly a year since I’d seen her last and she looked more beautiful than I had remembered. With each friendly glance she gave me, I sank further into my chair. I wanted to erase every mistake I made, take away all of the pain I caused her. But I didn’t know how to start, and I couldn’t find the words. And then, this song starts playing…

85. Randy Newman – It’s Money That Matters

The problem with being a great satirist is that not everyone knows when you’re straight or funny. For example, lots of folks really believe that Randy hated people of short stature, just as many thought he stood on the side of Gordon Gecko when he released this song from Land Of Dreams. But as we all have come to know, irony, for the lack of a better word, is good. The #1 Mainstream rock track featuring Mark Knopfler will go bankrupt at #60.

I’d also like to point out that my kids now recognize his voice since he’s scored nine different Disney/ Pixar films.

89. Cameo – You Make Me Work

It took ten albums, but Cameo finally crossed over to the Pop charts with Word Up ! and Candy. Their follow-up album, Machismo, was even better, tighter and tougher. And even though this will hit the R&B Top 5, it will only climb to #85 on the Pop charts.

97. Stryper – I Believe In You

How come nobody played these records backwards? Is it because this was labeled Christian metal? I did once, and it sounded like they were saying, “it’s a schtick” and “stay home on Sundays,” maybe even “Bon Jovi is the devil.” No matter which direction was played, this metal ballad couldn’t get any more believers after reaching #88.

98. Mike + The Mechanics – Nobody’s Perfect

As Phil the Shill falls from #1 to #3 with Groovy Kind of Love, his bandmate Mike debuts with his side project’s newest single from their second album, Living Years. It’s a pretty good single, but it gets obscured by someone’s fascination with a Fairlight, and the noises become too distracting. The title will prove its point at #63.

November 4th, 1989

88. Shooting Star – Touch Me Tonight

Here’s a quintet from Kansas City that were Midwest favorites but never had mainstream success. So it was strange to release a greatest hits package by them in 1989, even more so, as they disbanded three years prior. A previously unreleased track was used to promote the compilation and it got enough airplay and sales to debut on the Hot 100 and eventually reach #67. It will be the spark to get the band back together for a new album in 1991.

92. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson

And In This Corner… completes this duo’s silly ass rapping trilogy with this song only reaching #58. From here on out, the Fresh Prince would develop a more serious style of flow and slowly become a movie star, Will Smith. Also, a track like this was funny in 1989 because of how dominant Tyson was in the boxing world. But only four months after this song debuted on the Hot 100, Iron Mike would get KO’d by Buster Douglas. Guess we know someone who bought this 12″.

95. Melissa Etheridge – No Souvenirs

Here is the lead single from melissa’s second album, Brave And Crazy. She was still having a hard time getting played on Pop radio but was still getting lots of Mainstream and Modern Rock airplay. With Bono tooting on the harmonica, this one debuts at its peak.

96. Warrant – Big Talk

This L.A. glam metal quartet released four single from their debut, Dirty Filthy Sticking Rich. Only this one, their third single, missed the Top 40. It will move up three more spots.

97. Surface – You Are My Everything

After nabbing their first Top 10 hit with Shower Me With Your Love (not sure about that title, guys), this New Jersey soul trio releases this midtempo follow-up. It will only reach #84 on the Hot 100 but will become their third straight #1 on the R&B charts.

98. Big Noise – Name And Number

Here’s a septet from Birmingham, England that released an album, Bang! which spawned one charting single in 1989 that disappeared as fast as it showed up. This track sound like a Living In A Box reject, which might explain its #97 showing, and it ends up sounding more like a tax write-off than an artistic statement.

Reputation’s Changeable, Situation’s Tolerable

Let’s wrap up chart week forty-three with a review of The Other Sixty from the back end of the decade starting in 1986 up thru 1989.

November 1st, 1986

90. The Monkees – Daydream Believer

Surprised to see a song that was #1 in 1968 charting here in 1986? Well, Rhino Records owned the Monkees’ catalog now, and with the band’s resurgence on Nickelodeon, they wanted to make good on their investment and sell more albums. The Monkees had made a music video back in the 60s for this song, which is why it was chosen as it was MTV/VH-1 ready. It didn’t get to 7A, but it did reach #79.

98. Commodores – Goin’ To The Bank

By 1986 those trips to First Federal Savings were becoming few and far between. It’s tough to replace a dude like Lionel, who seemingly turned out one great song after another. And although he wasn’t the only writer in the band, he was definitely the one with the most talent. Most likely, that’s why they had many outside people giving them songs such as this. It makes its last withdrawal at #65

October 31st, 1987

84. Dionne & Kashif – Reservations For Two

Miss Warwick follows up her successful duet with Jeffrey Osborne, with another twosome, this time with singer/songwriter Kashif. He wrote a hit for her cousin, Whitney called You Give Good Love. No such luck here as this ballad will have a #62 zenith.

88. Beau Coup – Sweet Rachel

Here’s a rock quartet from Cleveland with an A.O.R. album and single that was slowly falling out of favor at pop radio. Seven years prior, it might have had a chance or seven years in the future, if it was used on an episode of Friends. But in 1987, their only chart hit will reach #53.

89. Glenn Jones – We’ve Only Just Begun (The Romance Is Not Over)

If you’re looking for a sequel to Gregory Abbott’s Shake You Down, here it is. (I would love to hear someone mash these two up.) Glenn was on album number four when he finally crossed over to the Hot 100. He had amassed four Top 40 hits on the R&B charts when this will climb all the way up to #2. It will be his only Hot 100 entry, reaching #66, even though he’d have a #1 Soul hit in 1991, Here I Go Again.

93. Earth, Wind & Fire – System Of Survival

It had been four years since the last E.W.F. LP, a lifetime in that universe. But it was also the first break the band had in a decade and a half. Touch the World was a pretty good album. My only complaints are the programmed drums and the new horn players. But funk was in short supply during the white-washed 80s, so I’ll take what I can get. This became a #1 hit on the R&B charts as well as the Dance Club charts. It will wash out at #60 on the Hot 100.

October 29th, 1988

80. .38 Special – Rock & Roll Strategy

If there is one, I’d like to know. But I’m sure it doesn’t include letting your lead singer and founding member walk away and pivoting towards an Adult Contemporary career. And songs like this aren’t going to win any new fans or keep the old ones. Not sure your coach had a #67 zenith in mind.

83. Traveling Wilburys – Handle With Care

Fuck Asia. This is a supergroup. There are no other supergroups that ever existed, except this one. You want to put Jeff Tweedy, Rufus Wainright, and Father John Misty together? Sure, I’ll listen to it, ya hipster. But it ain’t a supergroup. You need at start with a least one Beatle (Ringo counts), a folk icon and early rock legend, current rock legend, and a studio whiz to produce it. What started out as a recording session for a George Harrison B-side became The Wilburys. How this stalled at #45 is beyond me.

This group and album are essential for five reasons:

• It gave Tom Petty the freedom and confidence to make Full Moon Fever and then the superior Wildflowers, five years later.
• It will be the last studio recordings of George Harrison.
• It will be the most accessible music Dylan records in a decade, on either side, and showcases his true collaborative spirit.
• It will boost the production career of Jeff Lynne, who had just shut down E.L.O.
• It will also boost the career of Roy Orbison, who will have his first hit in two decades in early 1989. Sadly, he will be gone within six weeks of this debut, which is also a reminder to do it now, not later.

88. Peter Cetera – Best of Times

Peter follow-up to his Top 10 hit, One Good Woman, which out-Cartmens his other hits, is this slice of pop-rock which has nothing to do with Styx. Maybe if it were a cover, it would have risen higher than #59.

91. Alphaville – Forever Young

Hey look who’s back? A song that has been adopted  by proms, weddings, sweet sixteens, Bar Mitzvahs and lots of other celebrations where we’re supposed to never grow up or at least remember the moment we’re experiencing for all time as if it’s the best one we’ll experience. It will be used in Napoleon Dynamite to demonstrate this to great effect. Released to promote their recent greatest hits compilation, which had a slow and fast version, this will chart higher than its 1984 entry hitting #65.

(Thank you victorvector for catching this missing re-entry.)

93. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble

After the success of He’s the D.J., I’m the Rapper, Jive Records decided to re-release a remixed single originally recorded on this hip hop duo’s first album, Rock The House. It’s built around a sample of the I Dream Of Jeannie theme, and it’s about as goofy stupid as you could imagine. Also, the lyrics have not aged well. Thankfully it will top out at #57.

October 28th, 1989

95. Tracy Chapman – Crossroads

Tracy co-produced her second album, taking a more active role in her sound. It pays off, and the title track illustrates the move as she tries to protect herself and art while others try to make her a commodity. This single will only move up five spots, but the album will go platinum.

98. Shirley Lewis – Realistic

Here’s a U.K. singer who had sung backup for George Michael and released a handful of singles in the mid-80s with her sisters Linda & Dee under the name Lewis Sisters. This was the first single from her solo debut, Passion, produced by Shep Pettibone. It’s a nice mix of catchy pop with some house music vibes, but it gets a dose of pragmatism at #84.

99. Grayson Hugh – Bring It All Back

Here is the pride of Hartford, CT following up his Top 20 smash, Talk It Over, from his album, Blind To Reason. This track is as soulfully mellow as the other, but for some reason, it won’t move up any higher than #89. Although I must say, I still hear it quite often rummaging around a Goodwill for vinyl or waiting in line at a Rite Aid.

Your Pretensions Aim For Gullible Fools

Let’s round up The Other Sixty from the late 80s as we review chart week forty-two from 1986 up to 1989.

October 25th, 1986

76. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me ’86

I have absolutely no idea why these guys would ruin one of their classics by re-recording it into an overly processed reverb-drenched dreck hell. Worse yet, this was the version they put on their greatest hits album rather than the original. Stewart Copeland doesn’t even drum on it. What was the point of this? [He had broken his collarbone just before they were to record a new album and uses a Fairlight CMI to program the drums.] This single still almost made the Top 40 as it had in the UK, but stalled at #46.

78. Jesse Johnson Featuring Sly Stone – Crazay

With many recording technology advances in the 80s, music became more sterile sounding as a result. A song like this one from Jesse’s second solo album, Shockadelica, stuck out because of the funk breaking pop’s plastic veneer. Still, I wonder what this would have sounded like full a band, including horns instead of synths. And it was great to get a Sly Stone appearance, who had been trying to get his career on track since the mid-70s. This will be JJ’s biggest R&B hit, reaching #2 as well as his most successful Hot 100 entry peaking at #53.

93. Berlin – Like Flames

After changing up their sound to record the #1 smash Take My Breath Away for the Top Gun soundtrack, they changed it up again with this follow-up single from their LP, Count Three And Play. The move away from a synth-pop sound to a guitar rock vibe confused fans and would lead to the band splitting up. This 45 will turn to ash at #83.

94. Andy Taylor – When The Rain Comes Down

Take It Easy was a surprise solo hit for this Duran Duran guitarist and pushed him to decide not to rejoin the band. The second single he released was from the Miami Vice II soundtrack and features a guitar solo by Andy and ex-Sex Pistol Steve Jones. It will completely miss the Casey call when it gets all wet at #73.

October 24th, 1987

90. Sammy Hagar – Eagles Fly

When Sammy joined Van Halen it should have boosted his solo career, but it did not. In fact, he only ended up with one additional Top 40 hit, Give To Live. This single was the follow-up, and there’s a reason the Philadelphia Eagles never adopted it as their theme song. It features Eddie Van Halen on bass and guitar, but its wings will get clipped at #82.

91. Simon F – American Dream

In 1983, a New Wave duo named Interferon released a few singles that made the lower reaches of the UK chart: Steamwater Sam and Get Out Of London. The twosome known as Simon F and Simon G went their separate ways and the former released a solo album in 1985 called Gun. His second album Never Never Land spawned his only US chart single. It’s a pretty good pop track with Simon’s vocals sounding like a mix of Bryan Ferry and Bowie. Unfortunately, it debuts at its peak.

Fun fact: Simon left the music industry and moved into music video directing and then journalism. He has written five novels with a new one on the way. You can follow his blog here.

96. Terence Trent D’Arby – If You Let Me Stay

There certainly was a lot of hype with this debut. I remember hearing this single and immediatley going out to the store to buy it. Sometimes an artist catches a perfect moment in time, and everything aligns. TTD’s voice was like an arrow to my soul. This former boxer’s first release from Introducing the Hardline… made the Top Ten in England but only reached #68. His next single, Wishing Well, will go all the way to #1 on the Pop and Soul charts.

Fun fact: Less than a month after 9/11, Terence Trent D’arby joined the nonexistent. In his place came Sananda Maitreya, who has gone on to release several albums, most of which sound like Terence.

October 22nd, 1988

85. Candi – Dancing Under a Latin Moon

Candi was a Canadian quartet named after their singer Candita Pennella. Oddly, their freestyle-lite debut was released on I.R.S. Records, home to R.E.M., The Alarm and Timbuk 3. That might be why it didn’t do that well, only charting this single which eclipsed at #68.

88. Georgia Satellites – Hippy Hippy Shake

Here’s an oft-covered rock song which originated in Australia before The Beatles recorded it for a BBC program and the Swinging Blue Jeans and the first hit with it, reaching #24 in 1964. This Atlanta quartet recorded their version for the Cocktail soundtrack and will shake with all its might up to #45.

94. Good Question – Got A New Love

We all know that Prince’s forte was not in being a businessman. So it should be no suprise that most of his Paisley Park Records releases did not do well. Here’s another one, a pair of brothers from Philly whose only chart hit, a prre-programmed dance track, will hit #86.

October 21st, 1989

86. After 7 – Heat Of The Moment

After 7 was a trio led by two of Babyface’s older brothers, Melvin and Kevon, This was the first single from their debut, written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, and will only burn up to #74. their next two singles, Can’t Stop and Ready or Not would hit the Top 10 in 1990, so this was re-released later that year. In its second appearance, it will reach #19 in early 1991.

92. The Jets – The Same Love

The Jets were tanking hard with their new album, Believe, so they turned to their ace-in-the-hole – a prom dance ballad written by Diane Warren. No one was interested in the Wolfgramms anymore and this single will only step up five more spots.

93. Enuff Z’Nuff  – New Thing

This Chicago quartet was marketed through the glam metal door but they owed their sound more to Cheap Trick  than they did Poison. Still MTV treated them like they belonged with the Crue and played the video for their debut album lead single enuff to get it up to #67. They have been together for over thirty years and released a new album in 2020.

96. Lil Louis – French Kiss

Good luck trying to dance to this one. Marvin Burns aka Lil Louis was a Chicago DJ/producer influenced by the music coming out of the Warehouse weekend parties over the last decade. His entry into the House music arena was this track, one that chugs along before gradually slowing down to a crawl in the middle before gently speeding up again. It was huge in the clubs during the Fall reaching #1 on Dance charts and hitting #2 on the UK charts. Here in the U.S., the kiss went dry at #50.

Passion Runs Where Passion Kills

We are wrapping up chart week forty-one with a group of mostly forgotten singles with a few exceptions. Let’s review The Other Sixty from  1987 up to 1989.

October 17th, 1987

88. Kool & The Gang – Special Way

We’ve come a long way from Jungle Boogie, or for that matter, from Celebration. But now it’s the end of the line as this becomes their last chart hit, after 23 Top 40 hits, 12 Top 10s, and 1 #1. The acoustic ballad will climb up to #72.

89. Living In A Box – So The Story Goes

In the UK soulful white boy derby that was happening in the late 80s, I way preferred this trio over folks like Rick Astley. Maybe because these guys wore suits and acted serious rather than some goofy Howdy Doody moppet. As I started to look backward by the end of the decade, companies like Rhino Records would make this point moot. Until then, I’d be pissed that this song wouldn’t rise any higher than #81.

Fun fact: The video features actress Maryam D’abo, who had just appeared in the Bond film, The Living Daylights.

90. Big Trouble – Crazy World

In the 80s, television executive Fred Silverman formed a company to sell TV shows to networks rather than run them. This became so successful he decided to expand his brand into music and assembled a group of women to be the next pop sensation. This quartet of ladies was molded in the vein of The Monkees, although they had no TV show to promote them and they were allowed to play their own instruments. It was an inorganic dance Pop version of The Bangles, and if you blinked, you would have missed their one album and only chart single. Imagine what Josie & the Pussycats would’ve sounded like in 1987, and there you have this #71 single.

October 15th, 1988 

84. John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band – Jealous Guy

1998 saw the release of the John Lennon documentary, Imagine, which I went to see in the theatres. It was narrated by John via various interview bits strung together, and it provided a stark contrast to Albert Goldman’s book, The Lives Of John Lennon, which portrayed John as a violent, ill-tempered jealous guy. John wasn’t perfect, but he’s also not the dick everyone makes him out to be. I’m not sure why they decided to release this cut from his 1973 Imagine LP because it plays up the negative image. [Also, I prefer Roxy Music’s version.] It will be his last Hot 100 entry and reach #80.

91. Gardner Cole – Live It Up

After many tries, Gardner nabbed a hit with a song he wrote, Open Your Heart which Madonna took up to #1 in early 1987. That allowed Gardner a chance to dig up new tracks for a solo album to show what else he could do, which was not much. This dance-pop single debuts at its peak. He will go on to co-write the hits, Another Lover for Giant Steps and Everything by Jody Watley.

92. Siouxsie & The Banshees – Peek-A-Boo

You can tell that Modern rock was slowly creeping into the mainstream when a group like this charts on the Hot 100. From their ninth album, Peepshow, this oddball track would be the lead single and sounds like a marching band led by all goth members. This Top 20 UK smash will blink its way up to #53.

94. Romeo’s Daughter – Don’t Break My Heart

Here’s the only chart single for this UK hard rock quartet who still performs today. If it reminds one of a female-led Def Leppard, that’s because they were both produced by Mutt Lange. Unfortunately that pedigree didn’t help its chart status and this broken heart will be stranded at #73.

95. Jon Astley – Put This Love To The Test

Producer Jon Astley gets another chance to record a solo album after 1987’s Everyone Loves The Pilot (Except the Crew). The Compleat Angler was released in 1988, with this wry track as the lead single. It will reach the Top 5 on the Modern Rock charts but only #74 on the Hot 100. Both of his albums are out of print and hard to find, but worth the journey to do so.

97. The Fat Boys – Louie Louie

This portly hip-hop trio decided to run the rap covers of oldies theme entirely in the ground with this one. But hey, who hasn’t done a version of this? This rite-of-passage will climb to #89 and then catch a ship across the sea.

October 14th, 1989

80. Regina Belle – Baby Come To Me

Regina continues to build her R&B fan base and has her first #1 Soul single with this sultry ballad. It will also become a Top 10 AC hit, but Pop programming was splintering into many factions and Top 40 radio was beginning to take sides. They made room for Anita, so why couldn’t a Quiet Storm jam like this only get onto a few playlists and peak at #60?

94. Jaya – If You Leave Me Now

Freestyle music was beginning to peak and in a short time would disappear from Pop radio or at least evolve into a different form. Jaya had a been child performer in her native Philippines before moving with her mom to the States in the mid-80s. This single will be her biggest success here, just missing out on the Shadoe call at #44.

The Point Of No Turning Back

 

We’re almost done reviewing The Other Sixty for chart week forty, only three more years left. Let’s take a look at what didn’t make it in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

October 10th, 1987

85. Stephanie Mills – (You’re Puttin’) A Rush On Me

Stephanie continues to rack up the R&B smashes while being ignored by Pop radio. This mid-tempo dance number will be her third #1 on the Soul charts, while it debuts at its peak on the Hot 100.

88. Pink Floyd – Learning To Fly

For the sake of understanding musical history, it’s worth noting that Pink Floyd ceased to exist after The Wall. The name was used as a way to earn more money for projects that were essential solo albums. The Final Cut was a Roger Waters album, and A Momentary Lapse of Reason was a David Gilmour solo album. This album was still widely anticipated as well as the promise of a world tour. This was the lead single, and I don’t ever think it’s left Rock radio playlists. By the time it debuts on the Hot 100, it will already have spent three weeks on top of the Mainstream Rock charts.  Pop programmers grounded it at #70.

91. Samantha Fox – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now

Except seventy-nine other songs. And that was on your best day. This SAW-produced dance ditty did go to #1 in Finland, so you have that going for you.

October 8th, 1988

78. Luther Vandross – Any Love

It really took Luther a long time to have any consistency on the Pop charts and it wasn’t until the 90s when he had his first Top 10 hit. I’m not sure what programmers were thinking of, turning away a beautiful ballad like this, which will become his third R&B #1 and net him two Grammys. On the Hot 100, it will only reach #44.

90. Eric Carmen – Reason To Try

This was a track from the 1988 Summer Olympics album, One Moment In Time. Even though the summer games were late in 1988, they were already over when this single charted. Shoot,  we were into Autumn by now. This pop-rocker wasn’t given much of a chance or company push, and it will only move up three spots. It’s also never been added to any of Eric’s US greatest hits compilations.

95. Survivor – Didn’t Know It Was Love

If these guys thought that growing their hair long would sneak them through the glam metal door, they were kidding themselves. Groups like Poison, Cinderella, and the like considered these guys dinosaurs by this time, and I guess so did radio. This was the lead single from their seventh album, Too Hot To Sleep, and things were already falling apart as the bass player and the drummer had to be replaced. Somehow this song still crawled up to #61.

October 7th, 1989

86. Patti Labelle – If You Asked Me To

Miss Labelle got the call to sing the theme for the latest Bond movie, License To Kill. Unfortunately, this was a low point in that series, and the film disappeared rather quickly. It took this Diane Warren-penned song with it as it will live and be allowed to let die at #79, even as it hit the R&B Top 10. Celine Dion will cover it in 1992 and take it into the Top 5.

87. Stevie B – Girl I’m Searching For You

I have no real affinity for freestyle music, as I feel it relied too much on unimaginative drum machine selections and annoying synth sounds for its hooks. But if this is your jam, more power to you. Stevie’s third single from In Your Eyes will end its search at #56

93. Icehouse – Touch The Fire

Australian group, Icehouse try to build on their double Top 40 success off of Man Of Colours with a newly recorded single for their greatest hits compilation, Great Southern Land. It will only reach #84 and become their last chart single in America.

94. The Alarm – Sold Me Down The River

I’m still unsure why Pop radio never embraced The Alarm. This is another single of theirs that should have cracked the Top 40, especially as it was huge at Mainstream and Modern Rock radio playlists. But somehow it will drown at #50.

A Way To Talk Around The Problem

Let’s finish up our review of The Other Sixty from chart week thirty-nine with a look at who fell short in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989.

October 4th, 1986

91. Billy Squier – Love Is The Hero

Bill tries to resuscitate his flagging career with a new album, Enough Is Enough, and this, the leadoff single. It sounds like a song that Queen would throw away, and having Freddie Mercury singing backup just accentuates that point. Love will turn into a meatball sub at #80.

93. Far Corporation – Stairway To Heaven

Here’s the single that you absolutely needed but just didn’t realize it. Just kidding. No one needs to hear Stairway any more than we need a cover version by a group with corporation in its title. Nor do we need one by producer Frank “Milli Vanilli” Farian. Somehow he got members of Toto, including former singer Bobby Kimball to play on this project, so the guy must have had some dynamite coke. The hedgerow stops bustling at #89.

96. R.E.M. – Fall On Me

This Athens, GA quartet released its fourth album, Life’s Rich Pageant, with this song as their first single and one of my faves of theirs. Even though this single would fall after a #94 zenith, it was a big step forward for the band, garnering more fans, critical praise, and setting up the future success they would have with Document.

October 3rd, 1987

78. The Hooters – Satellite

This was the second single from the Philly quintet’s third album, One Way Home, about the correlation of televangelists preaching about how they’re God’s servant, while the transmission literally beams down from the sky to your TV. This was a breakthrough hit for them all over Europe, but Pop radio turned its back on this song, and it crashed at #61.

October 1st, 1988

90. Tracy Chapman – Talkin’ Bout A Revolution

The revolution will never be loud, brash, and quick. It will be quiet, subtle, and happen over time. This was the song that garnered a recording contract for Tracy, and I can’t for the life of me understand its #75 peak, especially as the follow-up to her Top 10 hit, Fast Car. It will become a big hit for her in Europe, though.

94. Transvision Vamp – Tell That Girl To Shut Up

Here’s the only US chart entry for this UK quintet, a cover of a 1981 Holly & the Italian’s New Wave single that these folks dip in sugar. This faux-punk track will get silenced at #87.

98. Night Ranger – I Did It For Love

I’m sure these guys wanted to be a part of the Glam metal scene or at least its rewards, but it wasn’t gonna happy with this uninspired power ballad. It was the leadoff single from their album Man In Motion, but even Rick Hansen would have rolled over these guys. The future lies in a #75 high.

100. Britny Fox – Long Way To Love

This is our third and final entry of the 1980s at #100. Sixty notches would be a long way to travel for this Philly hair metal quartet. Unfortunately, this generic rocker debuts at its peak.

September 30th, 1989

89. Donny Osmond – Hold On

Donny had a #2 hit this year, Soldier Of Love, thirteen years after his last Top 40, C’mon Marianne. He wore out his welcome fast with lame-ass New Jack-lite tracks like this, that try to sound important by dialing the reverb on the snare drum up to 1000. We all let go at #73.

93. The Cult – Edie (Ciao Baby)

Was this ever used in a Francesco Rinaldi commercial, or am I dreaming that up? I see songs like this as music for folks who want to hear grunge music but don’t know it yet. Not that the Cult was grunge, but there’s a short line that can be drawn from this to say, Alice In Chains. It debuts at its peak.

94. Giant – I’m A Believer

The first chart single from the Nashville quartet led by Dan & David Huff is not a Monkees cover, but an original that’s not half bad, even with the blustery guitar intro. It did try to sneak through the hair metal door, but that got shut on them at #56. Their second single was the power ballad I’ll See You In My Dreams. In 1990, that was allowed in all the way up to #20.

A Million Ways To Bury You Alive

We’re gonna finish up chart week thirty-eight with a large group of singles that’s unusual for the late years of the 80s. Let’s review from 1987 to 1989.

September 26th, 1987

83. Starship – Beat Patrol

There’s a lot to slog through, and this five pack of singles from ’87 isn’t gonna inspire many programmers, let alone the corporate version of Jefferson Airplane. You can talk all you want about how bad We Built This City is. That is Let It Be compared to this. If it makes Grace Slick want to leave, you know you’re scraping the bottom. This climb close enough to the Top 40 [#46] to make you honestly question if there are any qualifications needed to be a radio station program director.

85. John Waite – Don’t Lose Any Sleep

We won’t, John. And neither should you. In fact, if you’re gonna record soulless unimaginative rock songs like this, just form a band again. That way, you can take the praise when it works and share the blame when it doesn’t (see Bad English). And you’ll get more zzzzs. Starship will cover this four years from now if that tells you anything. It will nod off at #81.

89. The Monkees – Heart And Soul

Thanks to the Nickelodeon channel reairing old episodes and a Rhino Records reissue, three of the Monkees decided to record a new album, Pool It!, their first in seventeen years. There’s a reason why Nesmith sat this one out. Ignoring what they titled this single, there was little of each, and they would have been better off just covering T’Pau or Hoagy Carmichael than putting this out. This effectively killed all of the Monkees’ love, and their next album wouldn’t get made for another nine years until Mike was back on board.

91. Glen Burtnick – Follow You

Imagine recording songs that sound like White Lion without having the money or groupies. Welcome to the solo career of Glen Burtnik, who managed to place this single as his only entry on the Hot 100. It will peak at #65, but Glen will join Styx in the early 90s and get to play Renegade three hundred times a year.

Fun fact: Glen will co-write the 1992 Patty Smyth hit, Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough.

94. KISS – Crazy Crazy Nights

After the make-up came off, after their disco exploits, disastrous TV special, the lack of any other gimmicks, these guys are still around, presumably to latch onto the burgeoning Glam metal MTV phase. It’s been eight years since they were in the Top 40, and singles like this will continue to keep them out, hitting the crazy, crazy, crazy high of #65.

September 24th, 1988

88. Robert Cray Band – Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark

This former Albert Collins sideman follows up his Strong Persuader album with the title track to his new album. It wasn’t as popular as the previous LP, but personally, I think it’s stronger. By the way, this single isn’t about telling some it’s OK to go to sleep at night. No sleeping is happening here, not until Robert makes you feel the power if you know what I mean. Unfortunately, the lights come on at #74.

Fun fact: In the film Animal House, Robert is onstage playing bass as one of the bandmembers of Otis Day & The Knights

94. L’Trimm – Cars With The Boom

Like all innovative genres of music which rise from the underground, music executives are there to stomp on its neck and ring every dollar out of it they can. That’s why you get singles like The Fat Boys doing Wipeout with the Beach Boys and stuff like this. This is god awful. There’s no flow. Their voices are grating. And the beat is as dumb as the lyrics. So, of course, this will low ride all the up to #54 while nothing from MC Lyte’s Lyte As A Rock will even chart.

95. Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers – I’m Not Your Man

Here’s a quintet from Philly, who had their biggest success with their second album, Rumble. Their songs got a lot of rock airplay, including this single, which reached #1 on the Mainstream Rock charts. But it was hard to cut through all the fake metal, teen pop, and freestyle dance acts on the Pop charts. So this will languish at #74.

98. Deniece Williams – I Can’t Wait

After Neicy hit #1 in 1984 with Let’s Hear It For The Boy, she released a well-regarded gospel album that effectively killed her Pop career. In fact, she didn’t chart any singles on the Hot 100 from her next releases until this one, which tried to get some of those Footloose fans back. This is a catchy Motown-inspired affair that should have done the trick, and fans of Merry Clayton’s Yes would have loved this. I bought the 45, but it will not spend another lazy night in anyone’s arms after it hits #66. It will be her last chart hit.

99. Sa-Fire – Boy, I’ve Been Told

This was the third single but first chart entry from this East Harlem singer’s foray into freestyle. It had a long way to climb and ultimately reached #48. It was written by Marc Anthony, who will have a successful singing career in a decade from now, starting with 1999’s I Need To Know.

September 23rd, 1989

71. Soulsister – The Way To Your Heart

Does Holland-Dozier-Holland get some royalties for this? It’s a total earworm, but like most Motown-ripoffs, they try to capture what those songs sounded like but not what made them great. This Belgian duo just misses getting the Shadoe call stopping at #41 while becoming a massive hit throughout Europe.

77. Teddy Riley Featuring Guy – My Fantasy

Producer Teddy Riley gave himself top billing over his fellow Guy bandmates on this soundtrack cut from Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. I played this all Summer, and the single had already hit #1 on the Soul charts by the time it crossed over here. This will only climb to #62. Guy will have their only Top 40 in early 2000 with Dancin’.

80. Debbie Gibson – We Could Be Together

Finally, the electric youth has been shorted out. I genuinely feel pity for anyone who has any important memories in their life tied to Debbie’s music. Mediocrity will always seem to thrive as long as someone is getting rich off of it. After eight straight Top 40 hits, this will die at #71.

84. Sinitta – Right Back Where We Started From

The 70s revival bandwagon was still parked at the station in the late 80s, but folks were starting to get on, mostly Europeans, who never felt the stigmatization of the ME decade like we did here in the States. Thus a dance-pop update of the Maxine Nightingale 1976 smash will stall out at #84.

Fun fact: Sinitta’s mom is Miquel Brown, who had a huge club hit in 1983 with So Many Men, So Little Time. She is also the niece of Amii Stewart, who had a #1 smash with her cover of Knock On Wood in 1979.

87. Love And Rockets – No Big Deal

Did Love And Rockets write So Alive to get on Pop radio? Maybe. Were they surprised when they did, and the song reached #3 in the U.S.? Probably. Did they collectively laugh when the record company released this as the follow-up? Definitely. It will have a #82 zenith.

88. White Lion – Radar Love

By recording a cover of this 1974 hit, all White Lion did was prove that Golden Earring is twelve hundred times better than they are. I’ve seen NC’s The Pressure Boys do an energizing version of this. This recording sounds winded and lethargic. They should have donated any money made from this to a charity to help restore their good karma. When it hits #59, it will be their last Hot 100 entry.

92. Winger – Hungry

This New York glam metal quartet racked up two Top 40 hits from their debut, and they had an appetite for more. Don’t let the opening synth strings fool you. They are here to rock or to sound like they are. This 45 will die of starvation at #85.