REMEMBER WHEN - 10TH MAY 1980

1980
Week 19
WEEK ENDING 10TH MAY 1980

TOP 40 SINGLES

TW	LW
1	1	Dexy's Midnight Runners	Geno
2	15	Johnny Logan	What's Another Year
3	2	Paul McCartney	Coming Up
4	3	Blondie	Call Me
5	4	David Essex	Silver Dream Machine
6	5	Sky	Tocatta
7	13	Rodney Franklin	The Groove
8	23	Motorhead	Golden Years (EP)
9	31	Hot Chocolate	No Doubt About It
10	11	Undertones	My Perfect Cousin
11	19	Narada Michael Walden	I Shoulda Loved Ya
12	10	Bobby Thurston	Check Out The Groove
13	6	UB40	King / Food For Thought
14	36	Jimmy Ruffin	Hold On To My Love
15	25	Nolans	Don't Make Waves
16	8	Dr. Hook	Sexy Eyes
17	NEW	Beat	Mirror In The Bathroom
18	7	Detroit Spinners	Working My Way Back To You-Forgive Me Girl
19	12	Leon Hayward	Don't Push It Don't Force It
20	20	Saxon	Wheels Of Steel
21	30	Whitesnake	Fool For Your Loving
22	9	Pretenders	Talk Of The Town
23	27	Cockney Rejects	The Greatest Cockney Rip Off
24	16	Sad Cafe	My Oh My
25	NEW	Michael Jackson	She's Out Of My Life
26	29	Kate Bush	Breathing
27	32	Ruts	Staring At The Rude Boys
28	39	Average White Band	Let's Go Round Again
29	14	Madness	Work Rest And Play (EP)
30	NEW	Mystic Merlin	Just Can't Give You Up
31	38	New Musik	This World Of Water
32	35	Cure	A Forest
33	28	Bad Manners	Ne-Ne-Na-Na-Na-Na-Nu-Nu
34	34	Smokie	Take Good Care Of My Baby
35	NEW	Crown Heights Affair	You Gave Me Love
36	NEW	Four Bucketeers	The Bucket Of Water Song
37	24	Selecter	Missing Words
38	22	B.A. Robertson	Kool And The Kaftan
39	NEW	Junior Murvin	Police And Thieves
40	17	Liquid Gold	Dance Yourself Dizzy

Dexy's Midnight Runners

Geno

Dexy's Midnight Runners had been to number 40 in February with their previous single "Dance Stance". This time they made it to the opposite end of the top 40 and spent two weeks there. A strange fact about 1980 is that 14 of the 24 number ones this year resided at the top for two weeks.

Johnny Logan

What's Another Year

This was the Eurovision Song Contest winner of 1980 and was the first of three consecutive years where the Eurovision winning song was to go on to top the UK charts. This was on top for (you've guessed it) two weeks. I have to admit that I like this song and it doesn't really sound like a typical Eurovision thing.

Paul McCartney

Coming Up

Paul McCartney was having his biggest hit since the 1977 number one "Mull Of Kintyre". Surprisingly, despite climbing from number 62 to number 7, and then climbing to two, it progressed no further. The B side of this single was a live version of the A side and was released as the A side in the States, where it climbed to number one. Note that Paul was now solo and not going under the banner of 'Wings'.
It has been reported that this song prompted John Lennon to return to recording as Paul had finally "done something good".

Blondie

Call Me

This was their second number one of the year and fourth in total. This one only stayed on top for a week, but managed six weeks in the USA. It was produced and co-written by Giorgio Moroder, and taken from the soundtrack of the awful film 'American Gigolo. They would complete their hat trick for the year in November.

David Essex

Silver Dream Machine

David Essex was back with his first top ten hit in almost two years with the title song from his latest movie "Silver Dream Racer". This one peaked at number four. These days David seems to concentrate solely on cover versions, his recent albums being collections of such. If only David was a skinhead with a few scars on his face and spoke about his music being his 'art', instead of being a happy pretty loveable chappy, then he may still have been having hits today.

Sky

Tocatta

Sky were a band of mainly ex session men. The band included Classical Guitarist John Williams,Bassman Herbie Flowers and Guitarist Kevin Peek. They fused Classical music with rock, and this number five peaking track was their only hit single. They had four top ten albums though, including the number one "Sky 2".

Rodney Franklin

The Groove

Rodney Franklin won the battle of the 'Groove' records when his single "The Groove" peaked at number seven. If my memory isn't playing tricks, this single was connected to a short lived dance craze called 'The Freeze' (as was the Bobby Thurston single).

Motorhead

Golden Years (EP)

Motorhead entered at their highest chart position to date (#23) with "Golden Years EP", and they rose to number eight the following week before falling. The lead track was "Dead Men Tell No Tales". I've never been a buyer of Motorhead albums, but have liked a few of their singles. So when they toured in the Spring of '82, I went along to Deeside Leisure Centre to see them (ticket cost 4 pounds). The support bands, 'Tank' & 'Raven' were quite good (I think 'Budgie' were on too), but apart from the familiar songs Motorhead were just an endless barrage of noise. I spent most of their set in the refreshment area.

Hot Chocolate

No Doubt About It

Hot Chocolate had failed to make the top 40 at all in 1979 (they'd stopped just short a couple of times though) for the first year since they made their first appearance in 1970. "No Doubt About It" put them back in the picture with it's eventual number two placing. It was apparently written after vocalist 'Errol Brown' had an encounter with visitors from outer space. I'm only repeating what he said, besides I personally know someone who's also seen a UFO, so there :-P.

Undertones

My Perfect Cousin

The Undertones were having their biggest ever hit with the number nine peaking "My Perfect Cousin". As many will know, John Peel was a very big fan of this band. I thought that to be quite unusual considering how lightweight I considered the band to be (not that I think there's anything wrong with being lightweight), but hey John liked Sheena Easton too !
A unique thing about this particular song was the fact that the 'Human League' were mentioned in the lyrics even though they had only made their top 75 debut this very week with the "Holiday 80" double single, which would fail to reach the top 40.

Narada Michael Walden

I Shoulda Loved Ya

Narada Michael Walden was having his second top 40 hit of the year, and climbed to number eight with "I Shoulda Loved Ya". Personally I preferred his previous single "Tonight I'm Alright".
He would have to wait eight years for his next hit. He was still kept busy with a lot of production work for other artists throughout that time.

Bobby Thurston

Check Out The Groove

Bobby Thurston was having his only hit with the number ten peaking "Check Out The Groove". A popular song in discos, but nothing too special about it otherwise.

UB40

King / Food For Thought

Over two decades later and UB40 have still not released a better single than this one have they ?
Even though "King" (about Martin Luther) was listed first, and was a damn good song, "Food For Thought" was the one that had most of the airplay. It took a while to decipher the lyrics (Ali Campbell has one of those voices, usually sounds as though he's crying), and discover that he wasn't singing "I Believe In Donna", but it was worth it in the end.
After entering at number 40, it halved it's position for the next three weeks and then climbed one place to number four for a two week stay (Now that's what I call a real chart run).
UB40 remained quite good for about three years, but they then went into the dodgy cover version business. As a result, their original material seemed to suffer and I don't like any of the original songs that they've released since 1986.

Jimmy Ruffin

Hold On To My Love

Jimmy Ruffin was on the comeback trail with this Bee Gees produced, Robin Gibb/Blue Weaver written song. This first hit in six years reached number seven, but no further singles charted.
The women allways selected this on the Duke Jukebox.

Nolans

Don't Make Waves

This was the third of the eight top 40 hits enjoyed by the Nolans. "Don't Make Waves" reached number 12, but wasn't a patch on "I'm In The Mood For Dancing"

Dr. Hook

Sexy Eyes

Dr. Hook went to number four with their third top ten hit in 6 months. But after this they said goodbye to the top ten for good, as they never had a single advance any further than number 40 after this effort.

Beat

Mirror In The Bathroom

Another song that reminds me of Saturday afternoons in the Duke Of Wellington pub. It's also (in my opinion) the best single that the Beat released. It reached number four, and a re-mix hit number 44 in 1996.

Detroit Spinners

Working My Way Back To You - Forgive Me Girl

I was surprised to learn that this was The Detroit Spinners, it was a big change in direction for them. It gave them their only number one hit (2 weeks of course) with their first top 40 entry in three years, and first top ten hit since 1973. They would soon be back in the top five with yet another disco styled cover.

Leon Hayward

Don't Push It Don't Force It

Leon Hayward was someone else having his one and only hit, with "Don't Push It, Don't Force It". He peaked at 12 with yet another good disco sound, but lyrics that didn't tax the mind too much.

Saxon

Wheels Of Steel

Saxon were one of the 'New Wave' of metal bands and were having their very first hit, with the number 20 peaking "Wheels Of Steel". The identically titled album wasn't bad either.

Whitesnake

Fool For Your Loving

Whitesnake were making their top 40 debut with this, and it peaked at number 13 . This sounded not unlike the recent Rainbow hit "All Night Long". I wonder why this was so :>
In a Record Mirror interview at the time, Whitesnake leader "David Coverdale" said something along the lines of "If I ever see Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow) again, I'll kick his head in".
I mentioned this to Rainbow fan Martin Roberts (one day older than me) in the Vaults pub one Saturday afternoon. He replied that Rainbow were better than Whitesnake. No, I didn't get it either.

Pretenders

Talk Of The Town

The Pretenders were following up the number one single "Brass In Pocket" with this extremely inferior single. It got as high as number eight, and they only hit the top ten again on one occasion during the next five years.

Cockney Rejects

The Greatest Cockney Rip Off

The Cockney Rejects growled about "The Greatest Cockney Rip Off" as they climbed to number 21. I think I got it, they were ripping off Sham 69 weren't they ?
Bloody awful anyway.

Sad Cafe

My Oh My

Sad Cafe were having their third hit in six months and peaked at number 14 with this very 'Rolling Stones' sounding song (or is that Inxs ?). Sadly for them, one hit at number 40 was all they could manage after this.

Michael Jackson

She's Out Of My Life

First things first, yes, it is a good song and deserved to reach number three. BUT, Michael's performance in the promo made me cringe. Were we really expected to believe that he was genuinely crying because of the song ?
It wasn't as if it would have been the first time he heard the song would it ?

Kate Bush

Breathing

This was Kate's first new material in 18 months and I found it slightly disappointing. It reached number 16.

Ruts

Staring At The Rude Boys

The Ruts were having the last of their three hits in the 79/80 period. "Staring At The Rude Boys" peaked at number 22 and wasn't a bad song at all.

Average White Band

Let's Go Round Again

Average White Band were in the top 40 for the first time in Four years. "Let's go Round Again" got as high as number 12, then they vanished again. This song was later a hit all over again when recorded by 'Louise' in 1997.

Madness

Work Rest And Play (EP)

Madness were having their fourth top 20 (third top ten) hit in six months with their EP, of which the title track was "Night Boat To Cairo". It went on for ages without any vocals, then just when you were beginning to get tired of it, Suggs started singing some nonsense about the River Nile and monsoons. Harmless enough, it peaked at number six.

Mystic Merlin

Just Can't Give You Up

This was just another of those disco songs that happened to be there and that was it. It sounds ok now, but I'd probably have a different opinion if I was hearing it everyday. It reached number 20.

New Musik

This World Of Water

New Musik were having the second of their three top 40 hits this year, but this one only reached number 31, a far cry from the number 13 peak of their previous hit "Living By Numbers". I preferred this one myself.

Cure

A Forest

The Cure made their top 40 debut with this enjoyable song. "A Forest" only reached number 31, and it was three long years before they bettered that position.

Bad Manners

Ne-Ne-Na-Na-Na-Na-Nu-Nu

Bad Manners were having the first of nine top 40 hits they would have over a two year period, and peaked at number 28. It was predominantly an instrumental track with ne-ne etc. repeated many times by a bald fat bloke, complete rubbish really.

Smokie

Take Good Care Of My Baby

Smokie reached number 34 with the last of the twelve hits they had from 1975 to 1980. It was the very last hit with original singer 'Chris Norman'. They did of course re -appear with a novelty hit in 1995, but that had a touch of Black Lace and Chubby Brown.

Crown Heights Affair

You Gave Me Love

And this was another of those great disco singles sounded good on the radio, great in the clubs and made you feel happy. It reached number ten.
This song was sampled by Utah Saints on "Believe In Me" in 1993 (I liked that too).

Four Bucketheads

The Bucket Of Water Song

Put Chris Tarrant, Sally James, John Gorman (of the Scaffold), and Bob Carolgees (with Spit The Dog) together, and you're hardly likely to come up with "Nights In White Satin" are you ?
Most novelty singles such as "Agadoo", "Y Viva Espania", "The Birdie Song", etc whether we like them or not, are excellent songs in their given field, and we can understand how they became such big hits. But this wasn't very good in any field and it's difficult to understand why it was even released, let alone reach number 26.
And yes Chris, that is my final answer.

Selecter

Missing Words

Another representative from the Two Tone label in the 40. This was Selecter's third hit in six months. It was their last hit on Two Tone before they switched to Chrysalis and almost instant obscurity (yes, I know Chrysalis distributed Two Tone anyway), but Pauline Black did re-emerge to become a TV presenter for a while (and sent me an e-mail in late 2000). This reached number 23 and was spelt "Nissing Words" on the label.

B.A. Robertson

Kool And The Kaftan

B.A. Robertson was having the smallest of his five hits with "Kool In The Kaftan". It seemed to be the 'in thing' to mention other acts in songs this month, as T.Rex were mentioned in the lyrics of this (crap) song.

Junior Murvin

Police And Thieves

I wasn't very keen on the version that the Clash did on their debut album. I liked this even less. It reached number 23.

Liquid Gold

Dance Yourself Dizzy

Liquid Gold peaked at two with "Dance Yourself Dizzy", the first of two top ten hits for them this year. They were very much towards the pop end of disco, and had been completely forgotten about 12 months later (despite some of their later singles being included on a few K.Tel compilations).

This was in the top 50 this week, but failed to reach the top 40.

James Last

The Seduction (Love Theme)

James Last is somebody else who's excellent in his given field. His albums have sold in gigantic quantities, especially the double 'Last The Whole Night Long' in 1978. Up to the mid '90s, only Elvis Presley had had more hit albums than James Last's total of 61. Yet, this is the time that James ever got anywhere near the Singles chart. It reached number 48.

Disclaimer All comments concerning the quality of the songs in this and any other chart, are purely my opinion and not a statement of fact. I believe that we are all equal when it comes to deciding what makes a good song. I do not believe that good songs have to be serious or dull. I am of the opinion that if a single sells many copies, then many people like it, so it must be good whether I like it or not. Good music is everything YOU like, and it's also everything I like.

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Email: nige@innotts.co.uk

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