HERC has problems with the number after twelve. That's why the more awkward-than-usual title this week. The soft rock kid said he has no qualms with it so it is what it is. Only two more volumes after this one, folks, then the limited edition pressings of the collectors edition discs begin on a strict first come, first-served basis*.
- Come Back and Stay – Paul Young, released April 1984, Pop #22, AC #40. My ears and Paul Young have never gotten along.
- My Ever Changing Moods – The Style Council, released May 1984, Pop #29, AC #34. A very enjoyable Motown knock-off from Paul Weller, formerly of the UK mod group The Jam. How was this song not as big a hit as the very similar sounding "Church of The Poison Mind"?
- Love Will Show Us How – Christine McVie, released May 1984, Pop #30, AC #32. I only vaguely remember this one. Sounds like a single from the 1977 Rumours album, which may explain why it didn’t chart better in 1984. I wouldn’t classify it as soft rock, but McVie is a good songwriter and it’s a catchy song.
- I Can Dream About You – Dan Hartman, released June 1984, Pop #6, AC #7, R&B #60, Dance #8. I liked this Hall & Oates soundalike from the get-go. Bonus points for being in the ultra-cheesy classic movie Streets of Fire. The very first time I used a fake ID to sneak into a dance club, the DJ was spinning this song. For the record, I was 18 and there’s absolutely no way I could have passed for 21. Good times.
- Borderline – Madonna, released June 1984, Pop #10, AC #23. On my college dorm room wall were two posters: one of The Beatles and the other of Madonna. She can’t really sing, but she sure can entertain. From the electric piano intro to the irresistible bass line, this is dance goodness. I know it's cool to bash Madonna these days, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
- Nobody Loves Me Like You Do – Anne Murray and Dave Loggins, released September 1984, Pop #103, AC #10, Country #1. I don’t remember this one at all, but there’s no doubt it lands squarely in the soft rock genre. At first, I didn’t care much for it, but I made myself give it a few more listens and it grew on me a little. It sounds like it should be subtitled “(Love Theme from [insert rom-com movie title here])”
- Desert Moon – Dennis DeYoung, released September 1984, Pop #10, AC #4. All of DeYoung’s ballads sound like "Babe" to me, including this one. But if you’ve got a successful formula, you might as well use it for profit. Can’t say that I blame him. In my book, this one’s just okay.
- Solid – Ashford & Simpson, released October 1984, Pop #12, AC #34, R&B #1. Love this one. Probably one of the most heard songs in my car in the fall of 1984, until it was replaced by "I Feel For You". I can’t sing as well as either Ashford or Simpson, but that doesn’t keep me from trying.
- All Through the Night – Cyndi Lauper, released October 1984, Pop #5, AC #4. My ears and Cyndi Lauper have never gotten along.
- Sea of Love – The Honeydrippers, released October 1984, Pop #3, AC #1. I never understood how an all-star supergroup could take such quality material and have it turn out so bland. Pass.
- Do What You Do – Jermaine Jackson, released October 1984, Pop #13, AC #1, R&B #14. A forgotten mid-'80s gem. So smooth. It’s all good, but the middle eight is the highlight for me. While I was away at college, a new AC radio station went on the air in my hometown. I listened to it a lot during my Christmas break in 1984 and it seems they played this song at least once an hour, followed by "Valotte".
- Some Guys Have All the Luck – Rod Stewart, released October 1984, Pop #10, AC #32. If anyone should be singing a song titled "Some Guys Have All the Luck", it’s Rod Stewart. It’s a catchy thing, particularly the wordless chorus. It’s one of those songs I wouldn’t seek out, but if it came on the radio, I wouldn’t change the station.
*There will be no discs.
I had that exact 45 for Solid - talk about bringing back memories. Another solid mix of songs here.
ReplyDelete