By Roger Nead
July 13, 2004
USHERING IN ANOTHER NEW CHART RECORD:
With FANTASIA dropping from #1 to #6 with “I Believe” USHER returns to the top of the Hot 100 for a 20th week this year.
That means Usher Raymond now holds the record for most weeks at #1 in a calendar year, since the Hot 100 first debuted nearly 46 years ago. And, it’s not over yet for USHER, as “Burn” retains the top spot for an 8th week (following “Yeah!” which spent 12 weeks at #1 earlier this year), his “Confessions Part II” is poised to over take “Burn” soon.
The previous record holder for most weeks at #1 in one year was PUFF DADDY, who spent 19 weeks at the top in 1997, with: “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” which featured MASE (6 weeks at #1), “I’ll Be Missing You,” featuring FAITH EVANS and 112, (11 weeks at #1), and “Mo Money Mo Problems,” by NOTORIOUS B.I.G featuring Puff and MASE, (2 weeks at #1).
Followed by THE BEATLES, who spent 18 weeks at #1 back in 1964, with: “I Want To Hold Your Hand” (7 weeks at #1), “She Loves You” (2 Weeks at #1), “Can’t Buy Me Love” (5 Weeks at #1), “Love Me Do” (1 Week at #1), “A Hard Day’s Night” (2 weeks at #1), and “I Feel Fine” (1 week at #1 in 1964, 2 more in 1965).
And MONICA, who also spend 18 weeks at #1 in one year (1998), with: “The Boy Is Mine,” which featured BRANDY, (13 weeks at #1), and “The First Night” (5 weeks at #1).
Although USHER knocks out FANTASIA’S hit after only one week, there is still good news on the pop charts for AMERICAN IDOL fans. DIANA DEGARMO, the third season runner-up, debuts at #14 with her first hit: “Dreams.” That means that the only one of the top two finalists from all three seasons of A.I. not to make the Top 40 is 1st season runner-up JUSTIN GUARINI.
“Dreams” is a very popular title for hit songs. There have been many chart hits with that title in the history of the Hot 100, some of the most notable include: a #1 hit for FLEETWOOD MAC, in 1977, a #22 hit for VAN HALEN, in 1986, a #26 hit for GABRIELLE, in 1994, and a #42 hit for THE CRANBERRIES, also in 1994.
OOH LOOK....SOME REVIEWS!:
Anybody out there who reads my column somewhat regularly knows that I rarely do CD reviews. Simply because I suck at reviews! But, I’m trying to turn over a new leaf, and start becoming more responsible. So for that reason I’m going to try a couple more.
ARMY OF FRESHMEN: BEG, BORROW, STEAL
Release Date: July 13th, 2004
Label: 33rd Street Records
New release from enthusiastic SUGARCULT clones who are currently ripping it up on the Vans Warped Tour. Very competent musicians, but the only thing really setting ARMY OF FRESHMEN apart from the million other “Punk/Skater Boy/Rockers” is the interesting use of a Moog Synthesizer.
However, if you’re tired of waiting for the new GOOD CHARLOTTE record, “Beg, Borrow, Steal” would be a nice distraction, and perhaps with a little time and maturity behind them, ARMY OF FRESHMEN could become stand out in their musical field. Maybe when they graduate into ARMY OF JUNIORS?
For more info go to: www.armyoffreshmen.com
KING RADIO: ARE YOU THE SICK PASSENGER:
Release Date: August 17th, 2004
Label: Sprit House Records
Frank Padellaro, formally of SCUD MOUNTAIN BOYS, switches gears from the alt/country scene, to a more poppy psychedelic leaning sound with KING RADIO’S release: “Are You The Sick Passenger.”
Think NEIL DIAMOND circa 1966, meets XTC circa 1986, soulful, folky vocals topping excellent groovy M-O-R music tracks. There’s even a catchy little instrumental “Intermission” in the middle of the CD, which would be just as comfortable on a 1968 release from SERGIO MENDES AND BRASIL ’66.
In fact, one of the tracks is a cover of the classic 60’s pop tune “Am I The Same Girl,” (which recently went to #1 on my weekly Top 30!). Originally done by BARBARA ACKLIN in ’69 and covered by ‘80s pop duo SWING OUT SISTER in ’92, “Same Girl” was also a hit as an instrumental called “Soulful Strut” by YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED. KING RADIO’S version is the first I’ve heard sung by a man, and in a strange way, it works just as well, if not better, than the others.
Chances are if you’re really into ARMY OF FRESHMEN, KING RADIO might not be your cup of tea, but I dig it!
For more info go to: www.spirithouserecords.com
U.S. Singles Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 singles:
1) Burn by USHER
2) Confessions Part II by USHER
3) Slow Motion by JUVENILE Featuring SOULJA SLIM
4) The Reason by HOOBASTANK
5) If I Ain’t Got You by ALICIA KEYS
6) I Believe by FANTASIA
7) Move Ya Body by NINA SKY Featuring JABBA
8) Freek-A-Leek by PETEY PABLO
9) On Fire by LLOYD BANKS
10) Turn Me On by KEVIN LYTTLE Featuring SPRAGGA BENZ
U.S. Album Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 albums:
1) The Hunger For More by LLOYD BANKS
2) Confessions by USHER
3) Afrodisiac by BRANDY
4) Kiss Of Death by JADAKISS
5) Tha Carter by LIL WAYNE
6) To The 5 Boroughs by BEASTIE BOYS
7) The Cure by THE CURE
8) Here For The Party by GRETCHEN WILSON
9) Spider-Man 2 – ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
10) The Gorge by DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
Top 10 Most Downloaded Tracks:
Here is this week’s Top 10 Hot Digital Tracks:
1) Yeah! by USHER Featuring LIL’ JON & LUDACRIS
2) The Reason by HOOBASTANK
3) Leave (Get Out) by JOJO
4) Pieces Of Me by ASHLEE SIMPSON
5) Accidentally In Love by COUNTING CROWS
6) Roses by OUTKAST
7) Let’s Get It Started by BLACK EYED PEAS
8) Turn Me On by KEVIN LYTTLE
9) This Love by MAROON5
10) Burn by USHER
Modern Rock Tracks:
Here are this week’s Top 10 Modern Rock tracks:
1) Slither by VELVET REVOLVER
2) Float On by MODEST MOUSE
3) Talk Shows On Mute by INCUBUS
4) Broken by SEETHER Featuring AMY LEE
5) Just Like You by THREE DAYS GRACE
6) Vindicated by DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL
7) Take Me Out by FRANZ FERDINAND
8) Ch-Check It Out by BEASTIE BOYS
9) Breaking The Habit by LINKIN PARK
10) The Reason by HOOBASTANK
U.K. Singles Chart
Here are the Top Ten singles in the UK:
1) Burn by USHER
2) The Show by GIRLS ALOUD
3) Everytime by BRITNEY SPEARS
4) Obviously by McFLY
5) I Don’t Wanna Know by MARIO WINANS Featuring ENYA & P. DIDDY
6) Chocolate by KYLIE MINOGUE
7) Roses by OUTKAST
8) Flawless (Go To The City) by GEORGE MICHAEL
9) Bubblin’ by BLUE
10) Dragostea Din Tel by O-ZONE
My Own Personal Top 30 Chart:
1) Hold Me Up by YEAR OF THE RABBIT
2) Better by COWBOY MOUTH
3) Walking Around Waiting Downtown by REVERIE SOUND MACHINE
4) She Can Play Me Like A Drum Machine by DEATH RAY DAVIES
5) Gotta Go Through It by BLINKER THE STAR
6) 15 Minutes by CHOMSKY
7) Uncorrected Proofs by THE WEAKERTHANS
8) Breathe by SECRET MACHINES
9) Primitive (The Way I Treat You) by AMBULANCE LTD
10) Am I The Same Girl by KING RADIO
11) Errant Geese by THE BON MOTS
12) Passing By by ZERO 7
13) Trouble by DJ ME DJ YOU
14) Without You Here by EVE 6
15) Met A Girl Like You Once by ZACK HEXUM
16) Hello Tomorrow by ZEBRAHEAD
17) Mr. Brightside by THE KILLERS
18) One More Day by DYKEHOUSE
19) Madness by DELTRON 3030
20) The One You Want by THE GET UP KIDS
21) Latchkey Princess by THE VANISHED
22) C’mon by GO BETTY GO
23) P.J. Soles by LOCAL H
24) Say Something New by THE CONCRETES
25) The Road Leads Where It’s Led by SECRET MACHINES
26) Assessment by THE BETA BAND
27) The Saddest Story Ever Told by MAGNETIC FIELDS
28) I’ll Change For Now by NEVER HEARD OF IT
29) For Members Only by NORTHSTAR
30) Unbroken (Hotel Baby) by MONSTER MAGNET
FUN & GAMES:
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:
THE ‘70S
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 30 years ago July 13TH, 1974!
THE ‘80S
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 20 years ago
July 13TH, 1984!
TOP O’ THE CHARTS:
Let’s go through time and see what was at #1 this week on the various popular music charts!
#1 Song on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart, July 13, 1996:
Pepper by BUTTHOLE SURFERS
#1 Song on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart, July 13, 1991:
Rush, Rush by PAULA ABDUL
#1 Song on Billboard’s R&B Chart, July 13, 1986:
Rumors by TIMEX SOCIAL CLUB
#1 Song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart, July 13, 1981:
The Voice by THE MOODY BLUES
#1 Song on Billboard’s Country & Western Chart, July 13, 1976:
Teddy Bear by RED SOVINE
#1 Album on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, July 13, 1971:
Tapestry by CAROLE KING
#1 Song on the UK Chart, July 13, 1966:
Sunny Afternoon by THE KINKS
#1 Song on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, July 13, 1961:
Tossin’ And Turnin’ by BOBBY LEWIS
REMEMBER THESE?:
Here are the official Top Ten Charts, 11, 21, 31, and 41 years ago this week:
JULY 13, 1993:
1) Weak by SWV (SISTERS WITH VOICES)
2) Can’t Help Falling In Love by UB40
3) Whoomp! (There It Is) by TAG TEAM
4) That’s The Way Love Goes by JANET JACKSON
5) Knockin’ Da Boots by H-TOWN
6) Have I Told You Lately by ROD STEWART
7) Show Me Love by ROBIN S
8) I’ll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me) by EXPOSE
9) I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by THE PROCLAIMERS
10) Dre Day by DR. DRE
JULY 13, 1983:
1) Every Breath You Take by THE POLICE
2) Electric Avenue by EDDY GRANT
3) Flashdance...What A Feeling by IRENE CARA
4) Never Gonna Let You Go by SERGIO MENDES
5) Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ by MICHAEL JACKSON
6) Come Dancing by THE KINKS
7) Too Shy by KAJAGOOGOO
8) Our House by MADNESS
9) Is There Something I Should Know by DURAN DURAN
10) Time (Clock Of The Heart) by CULTURE CLUB
JULY 13, 1973:
1) Will It Go Round In Circles by BILLY PRESTON
2) Kodachrome by PAUL SIMON
3) Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by JIM CROCE
4) Shambala by THREE DOG NIGHT
5) Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) by GEORGE HARRISON
6) Yesterday Once More by THE CARPENTERS
7) Playground In My Mind by CLINT HOLMES
8) Smoke On The Water by DEEP PURPLE
9) My Love by PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS
10) Right Place Wrong Time by DR. JOHN
JULY 13, 1963:
1) Easier Said Than Done by THE ESSEX
2) Surf City by JAN & DEAN
3) Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport by ROLF HARRIS
4) So Much In Love by THE TYMES
5) One Fine Day by THE CHIFFONS
6) Sukiyaki by KYU SAKAMOTO
7) Memphis by LONNIE MACK
8) Blue On Blue by BOBBY VINTON
9) Hello Stranger by BARBARA LEWIS
10) Wipe Out by THE SURFARIS
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTION:
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:
Below is a list of well-known pop songs. Which one doesn’t belong on this list, and why?
1) I Heard It Through The Grapevine
2) Rockin’ Robin
3) Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
4) Endless Love
5) Total Eclipse Of The Heart
6) Can’t Help Falling In Love
7) A Groovy Kind Of Love
8) MacArthur Park
THE ANSWER:
I’ll admit, this isn’t one of my better trivia questions, but it was a tough week! Anyway, the oddball hit on this list is “Rockin’ Robin.” The reason is simple, all 8 of these songs peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, however, all but “Rockin’ Robin” also had different versions peak at #1.
“Grapevine” was a #2 hit originally for GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS, in 1967, and then a year later MARVIN GAYE’S version hit #1.
“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” originally peaked at #2 in 1974, by ELTON JOHN, but in 1992, a cover version by GEORGE MICHAEL Featuring ELTON JOHN soared to the top.
“Endless Love” was a #1 duet for superstars LIONEL RICHIE and DIANA ROSS in 1981, and the endless hit peaked at #2 in 1994 for LUTHER VANDROSS and MARIAH CAREY.
Jim Steinman’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” hit #1 in 1983 for BONNIE TYLER, and peaked at #2 in 1995 for NICKI FRENCH.
Elvis’s original version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” only made it to #2 in 1962, but UB40’S annoying remake spent 7 weeks in the top spot, in 1993.
“Groovy Kind Of Love” made it to #2 in 1966 for THE MINDBENDERS, but the even more annoying remake by PHIL COLLINS topped the chart in 1988. Didn’t it seem like Phil’s version was on the wrong speed? Some songs are just too damn slow!
and “MacArthur Park,” possibly the most bizarre pop hit of all time, first was a #2 hit for the late British actor RICHARD HARRIS, in 1968, and then a #1 smash for disco queen DONNA SUMMER in 1978.
The original version of “Rockin’ Robin” by BOBBY DAY reached #2 in 1958, and then in 1972 MICHAEL JACKSON’S cover also peaked in the runner-up spot.
THIS WEEKS QUESTION:
Below is a list of pop hits for JANET JACKSON. What is the significance of the order I’ve placed them in? (Hint: It isn’t chronological!)
1) “Control”
2) “If”
3) “Runaway”
4) “Let’s Wait Awhile”
5) “All For You”
Answer next week!
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