EVERY Billboard #1 hit discussion thread 1958-Present

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by alphanguy, Jan 29, 2016.

  1. sunspot42

    sunspot42 Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Francisco
    As for albums, I barely have any albums from '89, let alone favorites. It just reinforces my opinion this was a really weak year in music.

    Madonna - Like A Prayer
    Madge delivered after MJ and Prince kinda let us all down. Has several of the strongest songs of her career, and arguably her greatest video for "Express Yourself".

    Kate Bush - The Sensual World
    The moodier follow-up to Hounds Of Love. An estrogen overdose. I played this incessantly for months after release, but it's telling I didn't cite any singles from it as year-end favorites. Certainly has its moments ("This Woman's Work" - a single in late '89 which I probably should have cited as one of my favorites of the year), but is also where I think she began to go off the rails a bit ("Deeper Understanding" - tho the melody and production are glorious - "Heads We're Dancing").

    Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814
    Control
    's more-serious successor. Packed with hits and with more stylistic range than its predecessor, but in my old age I do miss the prior album's goofy fun, which never fails to put a smile on my face.

    Eurythmics - We Too Are One
    Easily the weakest album of their run to date, it's still home to several great tracks and did find them adapting to the sound of the late '80s. More Amerythmics than Eurythmics, the shift to more mainstream trappings did nothing to arrest their commercial decline in America.

    10,000 Maniacs - Blind Man's Zoo
    Follow up to the wonderful In My Tribe, this is a cooler and more-calculating affair. Another one I played incessantly at the time but seldom revisit today.

    Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl
    Roy left us with a pretty solid if ELO-ified LP.

    Chris Isaak - Heart Shaped World
    And he left behind just as an obvious successor was taking off.

    Lisa Stansfield - Affection
    This is a surprisingly-solid effort beyond the big hit and one of the first examples of a white act fronting new jack swing and doing it so effectively. I think her '91 album Real Love is a minor '90s masterpiece, but Affection is no slouch either.

    Honestly, a really substandard "best of" lineup. The Madonna record is probably the finest of the bunch. 1989 is certainly no 1982, '83, '84, '85 or '86.
     
  2. Lance LaSalle

    Lance LaSalle Prince of Swollen Sinus

    Totally forgot about Cosmic Thing in 1989. Definitely one of my Top ten albums (even though I didn't get it or hear until 1990.)

    Also Doolittle (Pixies) and Pod (Breeders.) Both brilliant.
     
  3. Steve Mc

    Steve Mc Bangles Encyclopedia

    Location:
    United States
    The Joel and Collins parting 80s shots are pretty good, though indulgent (Joel) and self-important (Collins)

    The Bolton in awful.

    Full Moon Fever is a wonderful record, probably my favorite of '89.

    This song, featuring The Bangles, was recorded for the album, though apparently without Lynne. It was replaced with Zombie Zoo on Lynne's insistence, something Petty said he regretted.
    But it is great, and would probably have been a hit.
     
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  4. sunspot42

    sunspot42 Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Francisco
    I'm not a huge fan of the proto-grunge scene, but Doolittle is home to one of my favorites of the '80s, "Wave Of Mutilation", which a college friend turned me onto I think in 1990, before grunge really broke. But I don't love the album version but the UK surf version, and I'm kinda surprised nobody has had a hit cover of this thing:



    This sounded like the future to me the first time I heard it, and turns out I was right!
     
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  5. AppleBonker

    AppleBonker Forum Resident

    Location:
    Seattle
    Time for me once again to elevate one song that never made the top to number one. This year the pickings got pretty slim, and a lot of the songs I really liked didn't make the charts or were on the low end of them (and a few even made number one without my help!). But here are a few I quite liked (I'm sure I'm missing some):

    Mayor of Simpleton, Stand (R.E.M.), Love in an Elevator, Free Fallin'/Runnin Down a Dream, What I Am, You Got It, Poison (Alice Cooper).

    My runner-up this year was Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies. I came close to picking this not only because they do a great version of this timeless classic, but because it would have been incredible to get a Velvet Underground song up there. In the end, I passed them by because the song was more of a hit when it was re-released in 1994; perhaps I might go with it then!

    My actual choice just barely tucked in under the line in the final weeks of the year: Roam by the B-52s. I could have also picked Love Shack, which is definitely a more popular song, and as close to an honorary number one as it gets. Consider them choice 1A and 1B, although I personally like Roam a lot more. Shack got to three in November, 1989, while Roam, which was released in December, reached the same level in March of 1990.

    [​IMG]

    The B-52s having back-to-back top three hits -- who would have ever imagined back in 1979 that that could happen? The group formed in 1976 in Athens, Georgia, also the hometown of R.E.M. The original lineup included singer Fred Schneider, singer Kate Pierson (who also played keyboards), singer Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson (guitar) and Keith Strickland (drums). They were definitely out on Planet Claire in terms of their highly original look and sound, but as a teen, I and many of my friends loved them for it.

    Their first single, the immortal Rock Lobster, sold about 2000 copies. In 1979, they released their first album, The B-52s, which contained a new version of Rock Lobster that made it to 56 on the charts. The album was a surprise hit; no less a figure than John Lennon loved them, citing Rock Lobster as an inspiration when he was making Double Fantasy.

    [​IMG]

    Their second album, Wild Planet, was a bigger success, spawning another modest hit single, Private Idaho, which reached 74. The album itself did much better, getting to 18 on the album charts.

    The band continued to thrive during the early eighties, but were dealt a blow when Ricky Wilson died of AIDS in 1985. Shaken, the band took a two year hiatus. Eventually, they came back together, and the result was Cosmic Thing, the album that spawned the two big hits Roam and Love Shack. America had finally caught up with the group, giving them their big breakthrough and first top ten hits.

    [​IMG]

    Roam shows the band reaching their peak in my opinion. It's catchy as hell for starters. The ladies kill with their incredible keening harmonies; no wonder they received a Grammy nomination for best vocal performance by a duo or group. Most of all, the song is ablaze with energy, with the video highlighting the color and fun that exploded out of them when they perform (as always, Pierson is a highlight).



    The only thing Roam is missing is a bigger role for Fred Schneider, who still has fun pulling faces in the video. But he is front and center in Love Shack, interjecting weird counterpoint as is his specialty. The song is basically a rave in musical form, as the band shimmies, shakes, bangs on the door, drives a car as big as a whale, camps it up even more than usual, and most of all has an absolute ball. It's an irresistable call to dance one's pants off, or bellow the lyrics at karaoke. Bang bang -- on the door baby!!

    These two songs continue to excite folks to this day; don't you think these musical pioneers deserve to have had at least one (or two) #1 records? I'm sure Milli V won't miss it if we filch some of theirs! :agree::laugh:
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2022
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  6. Lance LaSalle

    Lance LaSalle Prince of Swollen Sinus

    It's somewhat surprising that "Free Falling" and "Love Shack" did not hit number one as they just played so incessantly for so long on so many different radio stations and the albums both just seemed ominipresent in 89-90. Both utterly brilliant singles, too.
     
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  7. sunspot42

    sunspot42 Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Francisco
    I read something years ago that summed up the B-52's - they're P-Funk for white people.
     
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  8. MikeInFla

    MikeInFla Glad to be out of Florida

    Location:
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Great song! Had never heard this until now and it is much better than Zombie Zoo (which is an ok song but this one is better). I agree about "Full Moon Fever". It's my favorite of 89 and my favorite by TP. In fact when I think of his greatest hits it's "Full Moon Fever" for me. Not a bad track. Would be nice to get an expanded version with this song on it.
     
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  9. Grant

    Grant Life is a rock, but the radio rolled me!

    Oh no!
     
  10. Grant

    Grant Life is a rock, but the radio rolled me!

    I gotta remember that one!:laugh:
     
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  11. Grant

    Grant Life is a rock, but the radio rolled me!

    :biglaugh:
     
    sunspot42 likes this.
  12. John Harchar

    John Harchar Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Jersey
    1989-90? How about this past weekend? :D
     
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  13. Grant

    Grant Life is a rock, but the radio rolled me!

    Well, I have the cassette right in my hand. It's from Red Dog Express and Creative Sounds, with the former label having a very dubious reputation. But, on this particular one I have called "The Game Of Love" has original recordings on them.
     
  14. Jmac1979

    Jmac1979 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Louisville, KY
    Roam is way better than Love Shack for me. Much love to Fred but for me the B-52s are always at their best when its Kate and Cindy in the forefront. They harmonize together so well
     
  15. Jmac1979

    Jmac1979 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Louisville, KY
    Now that were in the 90s...the only way to enjoy Michael Bolton

     
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  16. Frank

    Frank Senior Member

    1980s Wrap-Up Part 1 - The Ascent (1980-1982)
    The most important songs for me from each year. These aren't all of my 4-star and higher songs from each year, but each is rated 4-stars or higher out of five and each is in my listening rotation. Some are flat-out great songs, some are there because they evoke something important from my past, but most meet both criteria. What an incredible 10 years of music (and for me).

    Well, an incredible 5 years of music followed by a passable 5. I think my tagging is fairly accurate, but apologies for any misplaced into the wrong year.

    1980
    You May Be Right - Billy Joel
    Calley Oh - Billy Squier
    Who's Your Boyfriend - Billy Squier
    Call Me - Blondie
    Video Killed The Radio Star - Buggles
    Misunderstanding - Genesis
    The Break Up Song (They Don't Write 'Em) - Greg Kihn Band
    Woman - John Lennon
    Let My Love Open The Door - Pete Townshend
    Under Pressure - Queen
    Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) - Squeeze
    What I Like About You - The Romantics
    Turning Japanese - The Vapors
    Everybody Wants Some!! - Van Halen

    1981
    Lonely Is the Night - Billy Squier
    Private Eyes - Daryl Hall & John Oates
    Girls on Film - Duran Duran
    I Can't Stand It - Eric Clapton
    No Reply At All - Genesis
    All Those Years Ago - George Harrison
    Who Can It Be Now? - Men at Work
    Live Wire - Mötley Crüe
    In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins
    Harden My Heart - Quarterflash
    Just Once (feat. James Ingram) - Quincy Jones
    Young Turks - Rod Stewart
    For Your Eyes Only - Sheena Easton
    Tempted - Squeeze
    Our Lips Are Sealed - The Go-Go's
    Centerfold - The J. Geils Band
    Unchained - Van Halen

    1982
    Pressure - Billy Joel
    Everybody Wants You - Billy Squier
    Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
    Rio - Duran Duran
    Paperlate - Genesis
    Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne
    On the Wings of Love - Jeffrey Osborne
    Breaking Us In Two - Joe Jackson
    Our House - Madness
    Cynical Girl - Marshall Crenshaw
    Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder
    The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
    Words - Missing Persons
    Black Coffee in Bed - Squeeze
    Eye in the Sky - The Alan Parsons Project
    Since You're Gone - The Cars
    Shake It Up - The Cars
    Rock the Casbah - The Clash
    Vacation - The Go-Go's
    867-5309 (Jenny) - Tommy Tutone
    Mickey - Toni Basil
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2022
  17. Frank

    Frank Senior Member

    1980s Wrap-Up Part 2 - The Apex (1983-1984)

    The tough thing about this list was deciding what to leave off. Musical riches.

    1983
    Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol
    An Innocent Man - Billy Joel
    Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
    She Bop - Cyndi Lauper
    Modern Love - David Bowie
    Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners
    Is There Something I Should Know - Duran Duran
    That's All - Genesis
    If This Is It - Huey Lewis & The News
    Heart and Soul - Huey Lewis & The News
    On The Dark Side - John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
    Holiday Road - Lindsey Buckingham
    Too Young to Fall in Love - Mötley Crüe
    Promises Promises - Naked Eyes
    Sister Christian - Night Ranger
    Love Is A Battlefield - Pat Benatar
    Say Say Say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
    Little Red Corvette - Prince
    Goodbye To You - Scandal
    Come Dancing - The Kinks
    King of Pain - The Police
    Every Breath You Take - The Police
    She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby
    Panama - Van Halen
    Legs - ZZ Top



    1984
    Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
    Stay The Night - Chicago
    I Can Dream About You - Dan Hartman
    Out Of Touch - Daryl Hall & John Oates
    Blue Jean - David Bowie
    Knocking At Your Back Door - Deep Purple
    Let's Hear It For The Boy - Deniece Williams
    People Are People - Depeche Mode
    The Reflex - Duran Duran
    Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
    Centerfield - John Fogerty
    Missing You - John Waite
    Valotte - Julian Lennon
    Footloose - Kenny Loggins
    We Belong - Pat Benatar
    No More Lonely Nights - Paul McCartney
    Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) - Phil Collins
    Easy Lover - Phil Collins & Philip Bailey
    I Would Die 4 U - Prince & The Revolution
    Take Me With U - Prince & The Revolution
    Round and Round - Ratt
    Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
    Infatuation - Rod Stewart
    The Warrior - Scandal
    Strut - Sheena Easton
    The Glamorous Life - Sheila E.
    Oh Sherrie - Steve Perry
    Don't Answer Me - The Alan Parsons Project
    You Might Think - The Cars
    Magic - The Cars
    Turn to You - The Go-Go's
    Head Over Heels - The Go-Go's
    State of Shock (feat. Mick Jagger) - The Jacksons
    Living on a Thin Line - The Kinks
    My City Was Gone - The Pretenders
    Doctor! Doctor! - Thompson Twins
    Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
    They Don't Know - Tracey Ullman
    Dance Hall Days - Wang Chung
    Slide It In - Whitesnake
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2022
  18. Frank

    Frank Senior Member

    1980s Wrap-Up Part 3 - Like Falling Asleep or a Stock Market Crash: Slowly, Then All at Once (1985-1989)

    1985 was still pretty good, but then it felt to me like we went right off a cliff. My life got exponentially better, but the soundtrack got much, much worse and by the end I was listening mostly to Classic Rock and Oldies because I couldn't listen to Top 40 radio for an hour without hearing a majority of songs that were terrible.

    1985
    Voices Carry - 'til Tuesday
    California Girls - David Lee Roth
    Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
    A View to a Kill - Duran Duran
    She's Waiting - Eric Clapton
    No One Is To Blame - Howard Jones
    The Confessor - Joe Walsh
    St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) - John Parr
    Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
    Taken In - Mike + the Mechanics
    One Night In Bankok - Murray Head
    Addicted To Love - Robert Palmer
    Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds
    Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears for Fears
    Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears
    Shout - Tears For Fears
    Manic Monday - The Bangles
    Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles
    Radioactive - The Firm
    South Ferry Road - The Hooters
    Some Like It Hot - The Power Station

    1986
    Mad About You - Belinda Carlisle
    Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House
    I've Been In Love Before - Cutting Crew
    In Too Deep - Genesis
    Invisible Touch - Genesis
    Press - Paul McCartney
    You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
    Back in the High Life Again - Steve Winwood
    Life In A Northern Town - The Dream Academy
    Your Wildest Dreams - The Moody Blues
    Don't Get Me Wrong - The Pretenders

    1987
    Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
    At This Moment - Billy Vera & The Beaters
    Devil's Radio - George Harrison
    Faith - George Michael
    Don't Shed A Tear - Paul Carrack
    On The Turning Away - Pink Floyd

    1988
    I Hate Myself For Loving You - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
    Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul
    Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer
    Eternal Flame - The Bangles
    Handle With Care - Traveling Wilburys

    1989
    I Go to Extremes - Billy Joel
    The Heart of the Matter - Don Henley
    Veronica - Elvis Costello
    [FUTURE #1 Whoops] - Janet Jackson
    No Myth - Michael Penn
    My Brave Face - Paul McCartney
    You Got It - Roy Orbison
    Sowing The Seeds Of Love - Tears for Fears
    Angel Eyes - The Jeff Healey Band
    A Girl Like You - The Smithereens
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2022
  19. skyblue17

    skyblue17 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New York City
    They also both had great music videos that continued to get a ton of play into the mid-late 90s. That is how they were so on my radar!
     
  20. Superb Choices.
     
    sunspot42 likes this.
  21. Michael Bolton - How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
    Avoided at all costs.
    1/5
     
  22. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Not all Brits took that attitude, but . . . #3 there as opposed to #1 here . . . :shrug:
     
  23. SITKOL'76

    SITKOL'76 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Colombia, SC
    We're finally in the 90's y'all...

    [​IMG]

    Mariah is COMING!!!

    [​IMG]
     
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  24. SITKOL'76

    SITKOL'76 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Colombia, SC
    I don't really care for Michael Bolton and his suburban housewife/soccer mom music. He has pipes at least though and his voice is nowhere near as grating as Richard Marx's. I'm happy for his success, wasn't he like 50 or something?

    [​IMG]
     
    Grant likes this.
  25. skyblue17

    skyblue17 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New York City
    I keep forgetting to pay attention to this thread but I must do better!!!
     

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