I'm in the mood for another AT 40, and I wanted one from late June. So I found the countdown for June 28, 1980 on YouTube, and I'm going to work through it.
By this point, AT 40 was so successful that it ran for four hours (with commercials). To fill the extra time, Casey Kasem had added various features, such as the Long Distance Dedications. But he also started the countdown by giving us the top three from last week's countdown. Here are the top three from last week's countdown:
3. Ambrosia, "Biggest Part of Me"
2. Paul McCartney, "Coming Up"
1. Lipps Inc., "Funkytown"
By the way, this week in 1980 the Gallup poll showed Reagan leading Carter 47 to 41. When John Anderson was included, Reagan had 37 percent, Carter had 32 percent, and Anderson had 22 percent. These data marked a shift -- up until June, Carter led Reagan in most of the polls during 1980, as the country had rallied to Carter during the hostage crisis.
At the close of play on June 28, 1980, the Expos led the NL East by 2 1/2 games over the Pirates and 3 games over the Phillies. The Astros led the NL West by 2 games over the Dodgers. The Yankees led the AL East by 5 1/2 games over the Brewers. The Royals led the AL West by 9 games over the White Sox.
Number 40: Blondie, "Atomic"
ReplyDeleteNumber 39: Rodney Crowell, "Ashes by Now" I have never heard this song before.
ReplyDeleteHere's the chorus:
Delete"Just like a wildfire / You're running all over town / As much as you burn me, baby / I should be ashes by now."
That's a pretty good lyric. Rodney Crowell is now remembered primarily as a famous country songwriter.
Number 38: Tommy Tutone, "Angel Say No" Yes, it's the same Tommy Tutone band. Remember that this is June 1980. "867-5309/Jenny" will be released on November 16, 1981.
ReplyDeleteNumber 37: Mickey Gilley, "Stand By Me" This song comes from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack.
ReplyDeleteNumber 36: S.O.S. Band, "Take Your Time" This is the number one soul song this week.
ReplyDeleteNumber 35: Genesis, "Misunderstanding" I really, really like this song, and always have.
ReplyDeleteNumber 34: Kenny Rogers, "Love the World Away" I had forgotten how big country music was just before MTV got going.
ReplyDeleteThat was also from the soundtrack of "Urban Cowboy."
DeleteNumber 33: Frank Sinatra, "New York, New York" Sinatra was 64 years old. This was the first song of his to reach the Top 40 since 1969, which means that it was the first one ever to appear on Casey Kasem's show (which began in 1970). It would also be Sinatra's last top 40 hit.
ReplyDeleteSinatra's last Number One hit was "Somethin' Stupid," which was a duet with his daughter Nancy in 1966. Sinatra's last solo Number One hit was "Strangers in the Night," also from 1966.
DeleteNumber 32: Rupert Holmes, "Answering Machine" I read his 2003 novel: "Where the Truth Lies," and I thought it was really good.
ReplyDelete"Answering Machine" is not as good as "Austin," by Blake Shelton.
DeleteIt's also not as good as "The Pina Colada Song."
Delete"The Empire Strikes Back" was released in the United States on May 21, 1980, and immediately became my most memorable film-watching experience up to that point. IMDB lists "The Empire Strikes Back" as the 15th-best movie of all time.
ReplyDeleteNumber 31: Joe Walsh, "All Night Long" This is the third and final song on the countdown that comes from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack.
ReplyDelete