Poll: August 1981 Songs

  This month in 1981 turned out to be stronger than I remembered.  We are often told that this era on the Pop charts was pretty dire.  What's missing from this era are R&B hits that didn't cross over to Pop Top 40.  There was a disco backlash happening during these years.  

popradiogold.com 

"Bette Davis Eyes", Kim Carnes : 1
"Jessie's Girl", Rick Springfield : 2
"In The Air Tonight", Phil Collins : 3
"Stop Draggin' My Heart Around", Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) : 4
"You Make My Dreams", Daryl Hall & John Oates : 5
"Urgent", Foreigner : 6
"This Is For The Lover In You", Shalamar : 7
"Slow Hand", Pointer Sisters : 8
"Who's Crying Now", Journey : 9
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)", Commodores : 10
"A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)", Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio : 11
"The Stroke", Billy Squier : 12
"Private Eyes", Daryl Hall & John Oates : 13
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)", Christopher Cross : 14
"I'm In Love", Evelyn King : 15
"Just Once", Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram : 16
"Hold On Tight", Electric Light Orchestra : 17
"Endless Love", Diana Ross & Lionel Richie : 18
"Queen Of Hearts", Juice Newton : 19
"Sweet Baby", Stanley Clarke & George Duke : 20
"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)", Greg Kihn Band : 21
"Theme From "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It Or Not)", Joey Scarbury : 22
"I Don't Need You", Kenny Rogers : 23
"Winning", Santana : 24
"Love On A Two-Way Street", Stacy Lattisaw : 25
"Two Hearts", Stephanie Mills featuring Teddy Pendergrass : 26
"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me", Ronnie Milsap : 27
"Time", Alan Parsons Project : 28
"Boy From New York City", Manhattan Transfer : 29
"Elvira", Oak Ridge Boys : 30
"Step By Step", Eddie Rabbitt : 31
"Don't Let Him Go", REO Speedwagon : 32
"What Are We Doin' In Love", Dottie West (with Kenny Rogers) : 33
"Really Wanna Know You", Gary Wright : 34
"Touch Me When We're Dancing", Carpenters : 35
"Hearts", Marty Balin : 36
"The One That You Love", Air Supply : 37
"Gemini Dream", Moody Blues : 38
"Fire And Ice", Pat Benatar : 39
"All Those Years Ago", George Harrison : 40
"Stars On 45 (Medley of Venus, Sugar Sugar and Beatles songs)", Stars On 45 : 41
"Just Be My Lady", Larry Graham : 42
"Cool Love", Pablo Cruise : 43
"Modern Girl", Sheena Easton : 44
"The Beach Boys Medley", Beach Boys : 45
"It's Now Or Never", John Schneider : 46

RIP Dolly Parton

  Back in 2023, I published a list of the 100 Most Loved, Living Musicians  And it was a real toss-up at #1 between Paul McCartney and Dolly Parton. Ultimately Dolly came in at #2.

This what I wrote:

“  Thanks to her philanthropy she has become known as Saint Dolly.  Not just confined to the Country genre, she long ago became an icon known throughout the world.”

  I first heard Dolly Parton in the early 70’s because my Dad listened to Country radio a lot in that time. And because he was an Army soldier stationed in Fort Bragg, NC in the 60’s/early 70’s, I went to my Country music shows. Sadly, I was too young to remember the shows. But I do remember being there. My Dad said we went and saw Haggard, Pride, Jones, Wynette, Lynn and Porter and Dolly. 

  My favorite era of Dolly’s remains the pre-crossover years from the late 60’s to mid-70’s. Some of her most authentic recordings came from these years. This is what made her a genius. Especially “Coat of Many Colors”. 

  But Dolly was always destined to be bigger than just a Country star. And crossing over to the Pop charts was only a matter of time by the late 70’s. She was no dumb blonde. A savvy business woman who knew how to market her brand. Remember, Dolly grew up poor. Her ambition was to always break free of whatever restraints weren’t her way. 

  Not only an incredible musician/singer/songwriter, she was also one of our greatest humanitarians. It’s why always  said she was one of the most beloved people in the world. 

  This is a good time to dig into Dolly’s recorded legacy. Start at the beginning. Check out the Porter duets. All her albums prior to her 1077 Pop chart breakthrough. The 1987 Trio album she made with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Check out her 90’s bluegrass records. And her “Rock” record from 2023 that celebrated her much deserved induction into the Rock Hall. Take it all in. Her movies too. She was a singular artist. A genius. 

Here's some albums by Dolly I recommend:

9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

All I Can Do

Coat of Many Colors

Dolly (Box set)

Eagle When She Flies

Fairest Of Them All

Grass is Blue

Here You Come Again

Jolene

Just Because I'm A Woman

Little Sparrow

Love Is Like A Butterfly

My Tennessee Mountain Home

New Harvest...First Gathering

Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca -(Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton)

Rockstar

The Bargain Store

Trio (w/Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris)

Trio II (w/Ronstadt & Harris)

White Limozeen

Playlist for 8/20

Mike Campbell - Mission of Mercy

Jack White - Goodbye Charlotte 

Madonna - Confessions II

Dailey & Vincent - A Beautiful Life

Rodney Crowell - Then Again 

Swamp Dogg - Contemplates the Afterlife

Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted (2025 Documentary)

Carter Sisters - Voices From the Ridge - Final Sessions

Del McCoury Band - Del & the Boys

Allison Russell - In The Hour of Chaos

Ranking: Songs from Elvis Is Back

  Elvis' first studio album released in 1960 after his stint in the Army.  The original version of this album had 12 tracks.  But such great singles like "It's Now or Never", "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Fame and Fortune", "Stuck on You" and " A Mess of Blues" were not included on the album.  Although added in the 1990's on the deluxe version. Elvis is Back is one of his greatest albums as it shows his range and depth on a wide variety of songs.  Elvis is in great voice, committed to the material and ready to show the world he hasn't lost any of his talent since leaving the Army.  I'm only ranking the original 12 track album.

1.  Reconsider Baby

2.  Such A Night

3.  Girl of My Best Friend

4.  Fever

5.  Dirty, Dirty Feeling

6.  Thrill of Your Love

7.  Make Me Know It

8.  Like A Baby

9.  It Feels So Right

10. Soldier Boy

11. Girl Next Door Went A'walking

12. I Will Be Home Again

RIP Dave Marsh

  Dave Marsh was one of the first music critics who shaped my listening habits. I first noticed his name when I took out my first subscription to Rolling Stone magazine in the late 70's.  His column, American Grandstand, became a must read.    Then came his first book on Elvis Presley in 1982.  This was the first book on Elvis I read.  After that I purchased the first Rolling Stone record guide, which he edited,  as well as the Book of Rock Lists.  There were other books:  Springsteen, the Who.  

  The best of all was 1989's The Heart of Rock & Soul: 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.  It was his best book.  I also subscribed to his monthly Rock & Roll Confidential (later Rock & Rap Confidential), from the 80's through the 90's. 

  Marsh was fan of 70's R&B.  That's what made me a long time reader.  Spinners, Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass.  Philly Soul especially.  His love of this era made him stand out against other critics from that era.  

  Marsh was one of the earliest members on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's nominating committee.   He championed many R&B acts while on the NomCom.  For me, most notably, was getting Joe Tex nominated five times.

 He was also a champion of human rights, civil rights and other progressive causes.  Again, another reason I read him.  

  And I can't forget the weekly show he had on SiriusXM, Kick Out the Jams.  Essential listening.  He hosted other show on SiriusXM too.  

  As with any critic, be it movies, television or whatever, I didn't agree with every opinion by Marsh.  But more often than not he opened my ears to artists and records that I would have never heard. 

  

  Back in 2006 I came up with the idea for a Music Critics Hall of Fame.  But it wasn't until 2019 that I actually published it.  I updated it in 2021 (Music Critics Hall of Fame) The thought was music critics might get into the Rock Hall someday.  That hasn't happened and probably never will.  But it was fun recognizing some of the great music critics of yesterday.  

  Of course Dave Marsh would be a first time inductee into any critics hall of fame.  One of music's first and influential critics.  

Playlist for 8/10

Brook Benton - My Country

Ricky Nelson - Bright Lights & Country Music

George Jones - We Found Heaven Right Here On Earth

Kay Adams - Wheels & Tears 

Dick Curless - Soul of

Bobby Bare - Streets of Baltimore

Ray Price - Another Bridge to Burn

Porter Wagoner - Confessions of A Broken Man

Esther Phillips - Country Side of

Jack Greene - There Goes My Everything

Tom's Top Albums of 1986

Anita Baker - Rapture

Aretha Franklin - Aretha

B52's -Bouncing Off the Satellites

Bangles - Different Light

Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill

Billy Joel - The Bridge

Billy Ocean - Love Zone

Black Flag - Wasted Again

Bob Seger - Like A Rock

Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet

Boston - Third Stage

Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Way It Is

Bruce Springsteen - Live 75-85

Cameo - Word Up

Crowded House - s/t

Cyndi Lauper - True Colors

Daryl Hall - Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine

David & David - Boomtown

David Lee Roth - Eat 'Em and Smile

Duran Duran - Notorious

Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc, Etc

El DeBarge - s/t

ELO - Balance of Power

Elvis Costello - Blood and Chocolate

Elvis Costello - King of America

Eurythmics - Revenge

Fabulous Thunderbirds - Tuff Enuff

Feelies - Good Earth

Freddie Jackson - Just Like The First Time

Genesis - Invisible Touch

Georgia Satellites - s/t

George Strait - #7

Huey Lewis & the News - Fore

Husker Du - Candy Apple Grey

Indestructible Beat of Soweto - Various

Jackson Browne - Lives in the Balance

Janet Jackson - Control

Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy

Journey - Raised on Radio

Kool & the Gang - Forever

Lionel Richie - Dancing on the Ceiling

Luther Vandross - Give Me The Reason

Madonna - True Blue

Megadeth - Peace Sells

Metallica - Master of Puppets

Moody Blues - Other Side of Life

Motorhead - Orgasmatron

New Order - Brotherhood

Nu Shooz - Poolside

Pat Metheny/Ornette Coleman - Song X

Patti LaBelle - Winner In You

Paul Simon - Graceland

Pet Shop Boys - Please

Peter Gabriel - So

Phil Alvin - Unsung Stories 

Pretenders - Get Close

Pretty in Pink Soundtrack - Various

Prince - Parade

Public Image Ltd. - Album

Queen - A Kind of Magic

Randy Travis - Storms of Life

Reba McEntire - Whoever's In New England

R.E.M. - Life's Rich Pageant

Robert Cray - Strong Persuader

Rod Stewart - Every Beat of My Heart

Run DMC - Raising Hell

Salt-n-Pepa - Hot, Cool and Vicious

Slayer - Reign in Blood

Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

Sonic Youth - Evol

Sonny Sharrock - Guitar

Steve Earle - Guitar Town

Steve Winwood - Back in the High Life

Talking Heads - True Stories

Teena Marie - Emerald City

Timbuk 3 - Greetings from Timbuk 3

Tina Turner - Break Every Rule

Top Gun Soundtrack - Various

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Live Alive

Wham - Music from the Edge of Heaven

Willie Nelson - Promiseland

XTC - Skylarking