REMEMBER WHEN - 1st November 1980

1980
Week 44
WEEK ENDING 1st NOVEMBER 1980

TOP 40 SINGLES

No.	LW
1	1	Barbra Streisand	Woman In Love
2	4	Status Quo	What You're Proposing
3	2	Ottawan	D.I.S.C.O.
4	6	Matchbox	Whan You Ask About Love
5	15	Bad Manners	Special Brew
6	7	Odyssey	If You're Lookin' For A Way Out
7	5	Madness	Baggy Trousers
8	12	O.M.D.	Enola Gay
9	9	Nolans	Gotta Pull Myself Together
10	3	Police	Don't Stand So Close To Me
11	20	Air Supply	All Out Of Love
12	10	George Benson	Love X Love
13	19	Adam And The Ants	Dog Eat Dog
14	8	Sweet People	Et Les Oiseaux Chantaient (And The Birds Were Singing)
15	13	Coffee	Casanova
16	26	Kate Bush	Army Dreamers
17	38	Sheena Easton	One Man Woman
18	17	Linx	You're Lyin'
19	27	Gilbert O'Sullivan	What's In A Kiss
20	NEW	David Bowie	Fashion
21	37	Kelly Marie	Loving Just For Fun
22	24	Showaddywaddy	Why Do Lovers Break Each Others Hearts
23	16	Black Slate	Amigo
24	14	Stevie Wonder	Masterblaster (Jammin')
25	NEW	Olivia Newton John & Cliff Richard	Suddenly
26	33	Stephanie Mills	Never Knew Love Like This Before
27	18	Thin Lizzy	KIller On THe Loose
28	11	Diana Ross	My Old Piano
29	NEW	Jacksons	Lovely One
30	32	Gap Band	Party Lights
31	NEW	Dennis Waterman	I Could Be So Good For You
32	28	Teena Marie	I Need Your Lovin'
33	31	XTC	Towers Of London
34	NEW	UB40	The Earth Dies Screaming / Dream A Lie
35	29	Earth Wind And Fire	Let Me Talk
36	21	Change	Searching
37	NEW	UK Subs	Party In Paris
38	NEW	Motorhead	Ace Of Spades
39	22	Bob Marley And The Wailers	Three Little Birds
40	25	Gillan	Trouble

Barabra Streisand

Woman In Love

Barbra had been around making music and taking it into our chart since she first hit with "Second Hand Rose" back in 1966. It's number 14 peak wasn't bettered until she reached number 3 with "Evergreen" 11 years later. 1978 and 1979 had seen her have two more top five singles with duets (one with Neil Diamond, one with Donna Summer). In 1990 she turned to the successful songwriting and production skills of the Bee Gees, and this single was the first glimpse of the resulting album, 'Guilty'. After entering at number 22, it climbed to number nine and then to the very top, to become her biggest ever hit, spending three weeks on top. Strangely, the promo film seemed to consist entirely of clips from her 1977 film 'A Star Is Born'.

Status Quo

What You're Proposing

Another winner for the Quo in chart terms, but not so in the lyric stakes (they really shouldn't have rhymed "Proposing" with "Runny Nosing")
Anyway, it quickly sped up the chart to number two where it was kept off the top by Ms. Streisand for 2 weeks.

Ottawan

D.I.S.C.O.

This song did not stay in the top 40 for as long as you may think it did. This 11 week charting single quickly climbed for a three week stay at number two, but wasn't around for too long afterwards. I think one of the reasons for people thinking that it was around for much longer, was that until it started falling, it was played in the background between songs on Top Of The Pops every week. On a Channel Four show called Disco Inferno that was broadcast in 1998, Ottowan were included in a small section of acts that were described as Disco Criminals. I feel that this was completely without justification. This (and their 1981 hit) were perfect disco singles that filled the dance floor every time that they were played. It appears that musical snobbery even found it's way into the place where you'd least expect to find it, the disco scene.

Matchbox

When You Ask About Love

I didn't like the first three hits by Matchbox at all. So, I was pleasantly surprised when they released this cover of a 'Crickets' song. I'm not saying that it was one of the best singles of the year or anything like that, but it was a really pleasant song that peaked at number four and spent nine weeks in the top 40.

Bad Manners

Special Brew

I think that after their first two hits, Bad Manners were seen as a cheap imitation of Madness by many. Maybe some thought the same after this, but I changed my mind. It was one of the catchiest songs of the year and spent two weeks at number three, spending nine weeks in the top 40, dropping out in the week that the follow up "Lorraine" debuted. Buster Bloodvessel has said that he got the inspiration for this song from a can of the foul tasting 'Special Brew' lager, and composed it in a matter of minutes.

Odyssey

If You're Looking For a Way Out

And here's the one that remained on the chart for a week longer than Ottawan. This was a lovely song with beautiful vocals. After spending three weeks at number seven, it took a climb to number six, decided it didn't like it there so dropped back to seven before taking a steady slide down the chart.

Madness

Baggy Trousers

I was going to be rude about this, but I can't because I like it really. It's just that I got so fed up of hearing it at the time, talk about overkill. It went on to spend two weeks at number three and become their biggest hit so far spending 11 weeks in the 40. If I remember correctly it was the ninth best selling single of the year.

OMD

Enola Gay

A song about a plane that caused so much suffering. Seems sick in retrospect, but not as sick as the act itself. Sad as it seems, most who bought the single probably didn't have a clue what it was about anyway.
Even though O.M.D. had already had a smaller hit with "Messages", this was the one that really broke them and reached number eight.

Nolans

Gotta Pull Myself Together

It really bugs me when people ridicule the Nolans. Many of these people would have been humming along to their songs Twenty years ago, but would no doubt deny it now. The Nolans recorded some of the best pop songs of the early '80s, and even though they didn't write their own material, they had the voices that made them such big hits. I have met and chatted to Linda Nolan on three occasions, and she is a lovely person, certainly no prima donna. My wife, as well as meeting Linda, has also met Bernie, Anne, Maureen and Colleen and teels me that they are nice too.
Since the heady days of this reaching number nine in the chart, a lot has happened to the sisters. Linda left soon after the hits dried up and spent nine consecutive summer seasons starring on Blackpool's Central Pier, before moving to the South Pier for a couple of seasons. During that time, she also made regular appearances on James Whale's late Friday night TV show. Since then, she has continued to work the summer holiday circuit at various venues (usually near to her home town of Blackpool), and also appeared in Panto. Bernie and Colleen stayed with the group until the mid '90s, before Colleen retired from the business to be a full time mother. Bernie did some solo shows and appeared in the magnificant musical 'Oh What a Night' alongside Kid Creole (as well as other musicals, I think). Then in 2000 she joined the cast of the popular soap 'Brookside'. Hopefully, this will not be for long and she will get back to singing, as she is one of the best vocalists in the UK.
As for Anne and Maureen, they are part of a new Nolans line up that also includes Anne's daughter 'Amy' and their niece 'Julia Sinclair' (Amy & Julia are also two thirds of a new group called 'Third Base' who are tipped for stardom). I was fortunate enough to see the new look Nolans at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool last Monday evening. The thing is, it was a new new look. Anne was unwell, so Colleen came out of retirement for the night. The new girls fitted in very well, Maureen is as beautiful as she ever was, and Colleen still has that cuteness about her that she had twenty years ago (she's my favourite).

Police

Don't Stand So Close To Me

After all those re-issues, the boys in blue were back with a brand new song. No more sillyness about legs breaking on the moon, being shipwrecked, or even female newscasters (Sue Lawley). This time Sting was having fantasies about going back to teaching, and having a crush on one of his female pupils (whom also had a crush on him). If you thought that was a strange subject for the most popular band in the land to sing about, listen to the B side. "Friends" told how they liked to eat their friends (and make no bones about it).
This single was the second one this year to debut on the chart at number one. It stayed there for four weeks, and was number one of the year on the year end countdown.

Air Supply

All Out Of Love

A good single that peaked at number eleven was the only hit this Australian band had in the UK, despite massive success in the USA. For some reason, this song reminds me of maintaining the shrub beds at a small housing complex called 'Meifod Place' in the Pen-Y-Bryn area of Wrexham. It also reminds me of Paul Burnett playing it on his Radio One lunchtime show, and then following it with his 'Fun At One' feature where he played a Barron Knights track called "Barron's Fun 40". This was a spoof on Tony Blackburn counting down the top 40, with plenty of "Sensational"s in there, and make believe singles such as "You Need Hands" by the Stranglers, "Turning Japanese" by Paul McCartney, and "Breathing" by Air Supply.

George Benson

Love X Love

Another song that very much reminds me of the Erbistok club that I used to frequent so often in the early '80s. A good disco single, but I feel that it was a little too similar to the title track of it's parent album "Give Me The Night". It peaked at number ten.

Adam And The Ants

Dog Eat Dog

The first hit for Adam And The Ants had a strangely familiar sound to it. It was not unlike the sound of Bow Wow Wow. The reason for this was soon apparent when it was revealed that Adam's former manager had taken his original Ants, recruited Annabella Lewin and formed Bow Wow Wow. So here was Adam with the second release from his new line up giving him his first top 40 hit. It went all the way to number four and paved the way for a hugely successful 1981.

Sweet People

Et Les Oiseaux Chantaient (And The Birds Were Singing)

This is one of those singles that surprised most by even charting at all. It comprised some of the most gentle music that you are ever likely to hear, with the whistling of birds thrown in. No one of your own age group would have liked it, but your parents and grandparents would have loved it. It's number four peak proves a point that Maizie Williams of Boney M once made,
"In Cold Facts, A Record Sale Is Equally Valid From Anyone"

Coffee

Casanova

This peaked at number 13, but I always thought of it as being a much bigger hit. It's probably due to hearing it so often on the radio. To be honest, I found it quite a boring record. I quite liked their follow up "Slip And Dip", but that only got as high as number 57.

Kate Bush

Army Dreamers

Kate's third single to be taken from the 'Never Forever' album, and it was another good 'un. A song that 'got at' people who joined the army. The video caused a little concern to it's explosions and apparent death scenes. Something of a slow climber, it peaked at number 16 and spent seven weeks in the top 40.

Sheena Easton

One Man Woman

Sheena's third hit in a little over three months, and another great pop song. I thought that it was the best of her singles to date. It peaked at number 14 during a 6 week chart run.

Linx

You're Lyin'

What a boring song. This was the debut hit for David Grant's band and peaked at number 15. The best was yet to come.

Gilbert O'Sullivan

What's In A Kiss

A nice comeback for Gilbert after five years away from the top 40. He'd now broken free from Gordon Mills' management and production, and was also in the process of sueing Gordon for unpaid royalties. This was his only hit on the CBS label and peaked at number 19. Gilbert won his court case, but never made the top 40 again. The closest he came was when his "So What" became a popular club record and made number 70 in 1990.

David Bowie

Fashion

Another track from Bowie's 'Scary Monsters' album and totally different to the previous single "Ashes To Ashes". Once more a memorable video accompanied the track which was something nearing a dance track. But was it good ?
Yes, I suppose it was really, even if it hasn't dated very well. It peaked at number five and was his last solo top five hit until 1983.

Kelly Marie

Loving Just For Fun

Kelly's follow up to the massive "Feels Like I'm In Love", but maybe just a little too similar to "FLIIL" to make a big impact. It only reached number 21, but once again sounded great in clubs, particulary the 12 inch version.

Showaddywaddy

Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Hearts

Yuk !
Showaddywaddy had done a few good singles, particulary in their first two years of hit making. But they had by now become very annoying. Thankfully, it was almost two years since their last top ten hit, and they were never to grace the top twenty again. This one peaked at number 22 and none of their final four hits managed to breach the top 30.

Black Slate

Amigo

A kind of psuedo reggae that caught on in discos as the "Oops Upside Your Head" rowing dance could be done to it. It peaked at number nine. The closest they got to charting again was when "Boom Boom" hit number 51 a couple of months later. Though one Sunday they were credited with recording Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" thanks to a mistake by Tony Blackburn on the Top 40 rundown.

Stevie Wonder

Masterblaster (Jammin')

After entering the chart at number 30, this single made a massive climb to number four. This didn't normally happen to Stevie Wonder singles, but in this case there is a simple explanation, it's because this song was pure class and just had to happen. A tribute to Bob Marley, this single peaked at number two a fortnight later. This was a great favourite on the jukebox at the Duke Of Wellington in Ruabon.

Cliff Richard & Olivia Newton John

Suddenly

There was something that didn't seem quite right about Cliff being all Lovey Dovey in a duet with Olivia. Probably the worst track on the Xanadu soundtrack, I didn't like it at the time, but it doesn't seem so bad these days. It peaked at number 15.

Stephanie Mills

Never Knew Love Like This Before

No, it wasn't Diana Ross, it just sounded like her. This was Stephanie's first hit and climbed slowly to peak at number four on it's sixth week. It stayed on the top 40 for 11 weeks. Surprisingly it was almost four years before Stephanie made the top 40 for a second time.

Thin Lizzy

Killer On The Loose

The last classic single by Thin Lizzy was also their last top ten entry (peaking at number ten). It did attract a lot of controversy though. It's lyrics were said to be about mass murderer 'The Yorkshire Ripper'.

Diana Ross

My Old Piano

Diana had just had her biggest hit for nine years with "Upside Down", peaking at number two. The parent album had been written and produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers who had been responsible for all those Chic and Sister Sledge hits of the last couple of years. This set Diana up for another two year run of hits, before another fallow period followed.
"My Old Piano" was just more of the same and peaked at number five.

Jacksons

Lovely One

One would have expected the Jacksons to have a massive hit with the first track from their new album. But neither of the first two singles pulled from 'Triumph' stormed up the chart. This was a very average run of the mill single that got exactly what it deserved, a peak at it's debut position of number 29. Most will have forgotten this within six months.

Gap Band

Party Lights

After the huge "Oops Upside Your Head" with it's novelty appeal, the Gap Band were soon back with a straight disco track. Very good it was too, even though it only reached number 30.

Dennis Waterman

I Could Be So Good For You

Someone told Dennis that he didn't have a bad voice. Someone asked him to to sing the theme to his TV series 'Minder'. Someone decided to release it as a single. Someone should be tried for crimes against mankind.
No one reading this will admit to helping it to number three in the chart.

Teena Marie

I Need Your Lovin'

The follow up to her number six hit "Behind The Groove", and another big disco record. I preferred this one, but the public were not so impressed and it peaked at number 28.

XTC

Towers Of London

This track was featured very heavily in a documentary on XTC that was broadcast in the Autumn of 1980. It was released very soon after their previous single (the wonderful "Generals And Majors"), obviously to cash in on the documentary. It somehow reached number 31 and was one of the worst charting singles of the year, absolutely awful.

UB40

The Earth Dies Screaming / Dream A Lie

It was only eight weeks to Christmas, so those jolly chaps from UB40 decided to brighten up our lives with this ditty about, well, the Earth dying screaming. It's exactly as you'd imagine it sounds and reached number 10.
Almost forgot, I do like it.

Earth Wind And Fire

Let Me Talk

Earth Wind And Fire had released some great singles during the last two years of the '70s, and the albums 'All 'N' All' and 'I Am' were two of the decade's best. But their first album of the Eighties was the double 'Faces'. It seemed apparent from just looking at the sleeve, something wasn't right. Gone were the pyramids and mystic symbols to be replaced by, well, faces. There was one outstanding track on the album called "And Love Goes On", but when issued as a single in 1981 it failed to chart.
"Let Me Talk" was the first single pulled and even though it would have been a reasonable single by most acts, it was very below par for Earth Wind And Fire. It peaked at number 29 and spent just three weeks in the 40.

Change

Searching

Another single that reminds me of my early clubbing days. I hadn't thought their previous hit "A Lover's Holiday" was anything to write home about, but this was different. It had something about it that just 'walloped you on the head and said "I'm a classy song" '. Sadly it only climbed to number 11.

UK Subs

Party In Paris

Their sixth top 40 hit, and once again it appeared that it was their fanbase pushing it into the chart. Just like the previous five, it peaked in the lower half of the top 40, this time at it's entry position of 37. I don't remember how this sounded, , but I doubt that it was anything to write home about.

Motorhead

Ace Of Spades

Motorhead were a band that occasionally appeared on Top Of The Pops performing a minor hit single of which you could only make out a few words (eg: "It's A Bomber")
In 1980, for some inexplicable reason they hit the top ten with "The Golden YearsE.P.". They were now following it with a single that wasn't half bad at all. I would even go so far as to say that "Ace Of Spades" is almost a Rock Classic. Surprising that it only reached number 15, but their biggest hits followed soon afterwards. A re-issue of this single reached number 23 in 1993.

Bob Marley & The Wailers

Three Little Birds

This was a strange release. Bob had just had his biggest hit to date with "Could You Be Loved" taken from his latest album 'Uprising'. But this single was taken from his 1977 album 'Exodus', quite a strange choice. It spent three weeks at it's peak of number 17 and proved to be Bob's last hit during his lifetime, he was diagnosed with Lung Cancer during the single's chart run.

Gillan

Trouble

Gillan released some good singles in the early '80s, this cover of the Elvis Presley hit wasn't one of them (actually, I don't like the original either). No matter what I thought, it still went to number 14.

These songs were in the top 50 this week, but failed to reach the top 40.

Geraldine Hunt

Can't Fake The Feeling

This single is the only one that I'm aware of from the Canadian singer, and while I don't remember it clearly, I'm sure that I should. My guess is that it was a disco record. It peaked at number 44.

Hazel O'Connor

Give Me An Inch

Considering all the hype that surrounded Hazel's 'Breaking Glass' film, I'm very surprised that this didn't get into the top twenty at the very least. It had more of a punk feel to it than the previous hit (Eighth Day), and maybe that was part of the reason for it's failure. Let's face it, punk is always credited with changing the face of music (maybe it did), but (save for the over hyped Pistols) it never really did that well in the chart did it ?
This single stopped just short of the top 40 at number 41.

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