SCOTT HIDDEN TREASURES #53 - TOP 40 80's!

[Scott]

Remember Americas Top 40 with Casey Kasem?  I listened enough to know more than I should about pop music, but there was some tracks that hit the charts and they were really good tunes, just not a fad or the latest corny lyric and look (Dexy Midnight Runners anyone?)

For me the best part of the show was the first 10 songs, you know chart position 31-40.  This was the block of new music and it was sometimes exciting to hear these songs.

I’ve tried to pull tracks that I heard in this manner, but since my memory is fading a bit, I can’t swear to that, but some I know for sure I heard this way!

Enjoy...

PLAYLIST VITALS

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LINK: http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/63eba684544b3edebeb7a1a0fa776628
LENGTH: 41 minutes 59 seconds

 

Note: All Chart positions are US chart information as known by Wikipedia at the time of this posting.

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TRACK: Hot In The City
ARTIST: Billy Idol
ALBUM: Billy Idol
YEAR: 1982
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #23
DID YOU KNOW: This song was used as the introduction of Booker, the TV series spin-off of 21 Jump Street. It is also featured in the 1988 film hit Big, starring Tom Hanks.
(Pulled from Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself)

Mr. Idol doesn’t get much airtime on CRB and I'm not sure why nobody talks about him.  So that's why he's this week’s launching point.  It’s the first Idol tune I ever heard and when I heard more of him, I didn’t make the connection so I distinctly remember being surprised that this song was his.  I still like it!

TRACK: Come Back
ARTIST: The J Geils Band
ALBUM: Love Stinks
YEAR: 1980
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #32
DID YOU KNOW: In September 2010 it was announced that The J. Geils Band was a finalist nominee for selection to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Class Of 2011, but were not selected for induction that year.

I had a neighbor that played this band a lot, I was 50/50 on them but they're stuff sounds really strong when it’s cranked up loud.  SO when they actually hit the charts I paid attention, and I’m glad I did.  Love Stinks is great album!

TRACK: Fire and Ice
ARTIST: Pat Benatar
ALBUM: Precious Time
YEAR: 1981
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #17
DID YOU KNOW: This album peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

Best part about Pat Benatar?  All the girls that dressed up like her.  OK I kid, but only kind of, because while she looked great she didn’t conform or try to fit in, she just played what came from her soul and it usually rocked pretty nicely.  This album is really cool and this song continued an impressive run of hits for her.

TRACK: Touch And Go
ARTIST: The Cars
ALBUM: Panorama
YEAR: 1980
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #37
DID YOU KNOW: A more experimental album, Panorama, charted only one Top 40 hit with this track. Rolling Stone described the album as "an out-and-out drag".

I agreed with Rolling Stone at the time this came out.  Their debut and Candy-O were/are so so good that this was the curve ball that made everyone wonder what this band was about.  Touch and Go was so catchy though, I had to play the album because of it, and over time I grew to really appreciate what they did on Panorama.

TRACK: Only The Lonely
ARTIST: The Motels
ALBUM: All Four One
YEAR: 1982
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #9
DID YOU KNOW: All Four One is the third studio album by the New Wave band The Motels. The album felt like the 'fourth album' to the band, as it is mostly a re-recording of an unreleased album entitled Apocalypso

I have confessed to having a crush on Martha Davis in the early 80's.  I thought she had a mysterious and dangerous look, and I was intrigued.  Pair that up with a cool album and cool songs and she became legendary in my mind.  Too bad they couldn’t sustain it!

TRACK: Show Me
ARTIST: The Pretenders
ALBUM: Learning To Crawl
YEAR: 1983
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #28
DID YOU KNOW: Learning to Crawl is the Pretenders' third album, released in 1984 after a two-year hiatus—during which time band members James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon both died of drug overdoses.

Cool album - RJ you need to give it another chance!  Listen to the geetar work on this single, really catchy and subtle.  Strong songwriting as well sparked by a rough patch in the bands history.

TRACK: That Was Yesterday
ARTIST: Foreigner
ALBUM: Agent Provocateur
YEAR: 1984
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #12
DID YOU KNOW: This album is a concept album; the songs tell the story of a spy who sees life through both the inside and the outside.

This song had that catchy beat and a decent keyboard feel to it.  I liked it a lot.  The album however is unbalanced.  But when it shines, Agent Provocateur really shines!

TRACK: Hold On
ARTIST: Santana
ALBUM: Shangó
YEAR: 1982
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #15
DID YOU KNOW: Gregg Rolie (of Journey fame) reunited with Santana and has several keyboard and song writing credits on Shangó.

I had to include this because it fit this theme and because its been sitting on a short list of so many SHT playlists that it eventually had to make an appearance.  Also, because Gordon noticed the vocalist, very strong period for Santana!

TRACK: Lessons In Love
ARTIST: Level 42
ALBUM: Running In The Family
YEAR: 1986 (but released on the album in 1987)
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #12
DID YOU KNOW: The album hit #1 album in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and South Africa.

Here’s my personal favorite!  There’s always one track that either all will not like or all will this one is it.  It’s the wrench in the list.  World Machine and this album are so overlooked.  Criminal really!

TRACK: Sausalito Summer Night
ARTIST: Diesel
ALBUM: Watts In A Tank
YEAR: 1981
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: #25
DID YOU KNOW: first released in the Netherlands in 1980.  The track is often misattributed to the Steve Miller Band.

OK, there’s two wrenches.  But tell me, doesn’t a song like this fit what a hidden treasure really is?  I bet when you heard the opening riff you recalled the song and then I bet you enjoyed it!



Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars...

[RJhog (Admin)]

Scott, you and I are moving in the same direction (80's Top 40 that is).  You'll see what I mean with my AOTW post for next week.  The good news (or bad news depending on how you look at it) is, none of the albums I have lined up were mentioned here, so there will be no repetition.

 

For a brief pre-listen set of statistics, I know I've heard 5 of these tracks and like all of them.  And yes, I remember Sausalito Summer Nights, but I never thought it was Steve Miller, I remember always thinking it was The Eagles.  I'll listen later (hopefully today), right after I get through the LAOTW.

 

 

[RJhog (Admin)]

My stats for SHT # 53:

Percentage of songs I've heard - 80% (haven't heard the Santana and Level 42 tracks)

Best song I've heard - Only The Lonely (The Motels)

Best song I haven't heard - Hold On (Santana)

Overall rating - 84%

 

Individual Ratings:

 

1. Billy Idol (8/10)

2. J. Geils Band (7/10)

3. Pat Benatar (10/10)

4. The Cars (6/10) Not one of my favorite Cars tracks

5. The Motels (10/10)

6. The Pretenders (6/10) Sorry, I just can't get into 'em

7. Foreigner (10/10) Easily the best track on that album

8. Santana (9/10)

9. Level 42 (8/10) Tracks 8 and 9 help prove my theory that 80's pop music is the best pop music ever

10. Diesel (10/10) Remember this song well.  Would give it a 10 no matter what 'cause of the cool band name.

[Scott]

I should've put some Supertramp in there, then you would have rated it much much higher!

 

Surprised you hadnt heard the Santant though, I thought that one was pretty FM radio friendly for awhile but maybe that was in my hometown moreso than yours...

[RJhog (Admin)]

Both the Santana and the Level 42 songs are really familiar, but I just can't say I've heard them specifically. 

 

You know, I have to say this was a superb idea for a playlist and topic of discussion.  Like I said earlier, to me there is no better decade for pop music than the 80's.  I'm not saying it's all great, but there was a lot of really good stuff on the radio back then.

[Gordon Williams]

This play list is definitely "jogging" the old memory awake!

I enjoyed hearing again after all these years the first 3 songs. And I can say that when they first came out, I'm pretty sure I did not think much of these tunes, as I was still in my "militantly metal" phase! And now hearing them again, I like all 3 of them, and am listening to them several times.

I definitely remember The Cars tune, but I just dont like the vocals very much on this one. But, I will say I enjoyed the guitar lead, and took much more notice hearing it now than I ever did before! Pretty decent guitar lead!

I remember this Motels tune, as well. Did n't like it way back then...now, I enjoy the melody of the chorus. Really catchy!

The Pretenders tune I dont recall ever hearing, and honestly, was not impressed with it. The Foreigner is not for me, either.

The Santana I do remember, and again, I say this vocalist is a very good singer. Nice harmony on the chorus. Not a song to help kick start a party, or something, but a nice listen none the less.

Level 42 is a totally "new hear" for me, and did not "move me" at all.

But, the real winner for me in this list is the last tune! Talk about blasts from the past! Love the little main riff on guitar, and the slight echo effect. All Aboard, indeed! Man, I feel like I'm 23 again!

Amazing how an old song you have totally forgotten about can "come back to life" years later! Now its on to the new music corner...

 

[Scott]

Thanks Gordon.  Glad I could help!

[Jon]

Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, say what?, say what again?

 

I wanna have some fun, move my body all night long. Yeah!

[Scott]

Crap crap crap crap crap....  I thought I was in the throws of a downward trend.  I will try harder next week....

[Jon]

What's with the geetar solo on the "Sausalito" song? Sounds weird. And I was right, my list above stands. I have never heard that Diesel song before and it didn't do nothing for me.

 

That's right..a song I have never heard before.

[Niels (Mod)]

No...no, I can't say, that I remember Americas Top 40 with Casey Kasem, but I DO remember Top 20 with Joergen De Mylius  

1. Have'nt I made a Billy Idol-fanpage? Hmmm, I can't remember. I'll have to check. If it HAS to be 80's Top-something music, I DO like me some Billy Idol. This is actually a rather good song, even though I've heard it a million times, it's still good. 8/10

2. I know the name of this band, but that's it. I have'nt heard this song before, and now I know why. 3/10

3. I was never a Benatar-fan. She's got a good voice, but I don't think she's hot. This song, like all the rest I've heard from her, is not bad at all, but just kinda okay. 6/10

4. I like the "Cars-sound", but not too much of it. This is not the best one, I've heard from them. Good little guitar-solo, though. 5/10

5. I remember a band called The Motels, that had an european hit with "Airport", but they did'nt have a female vocalist. Is it the same band?? Nah, can't be. I've heard this song before, many years ago. Again, it's just okay in my book. 5/10

6. I've allways like Chrissie Hynde. She was rather hot, when she was a young punk. Good voice too. But most of her songs sounds kinda like the same to me. 6/10

7. The best track on that album. I liked this song very much at the time, and it's still very good, even though it's a BIT dated. No, I was not aware, that the album was concept. One of the best voices in rockmusic. 9/10

8. Never liked Santana. All the hippies loved him. I don't like hippies. This is........just okay. 4/10

9. You "said" Denmark!! Yeah, I remember they played this album a LOT on the radio, back then. And that did made me HATE this album. Too "disco" for me!! I really don't care for this band. He's got a cool singing-voice, though. What's next, Scott, Michael Jackson???? 4/10

10. I know absolutely NOTHING about this track. Yeah, it's a good little riff, but you lost your bet. Pay up!!  4/10

[Scott]

I pledge to remain Michael free!  Thanks buddy!