By Roger Nead
September 7, 2004
LET ME TELL YA IT’S BETTER THAN DIGGING A DITCH:
Ok, so I’ll admit it, I’m a great big pop music chart nerd, but damn, I just love it when remakes of previous #1 hits make the Hot 100.
I don’t seriously believe that there is very many pop songs too good to be covered, and it’s nice that the writers and publishers get to make some $$$. Plus, there’s always the possibility that new audiences will get to learn about an old song that they might not otherwise hear.
Sometimes, the new artists really find a way to make an older song their own...for example, who would’ve thought that THE ARCHIES classic #1 bubblegum hit “Sugar, Sugar” could make a real smooth R&B song, (WILSON PICKETT, that’s who), or that the disco smash “Funkytown” would so successfully pass as a late 80’s alternative-dance original (by PSEUDO ECHO).
Already this year there have been three remakes of past #1 hits to grace the pop music chart (well, sort of anyway). MASE made his return to the Hot 100 with a version of JOHN SEBASTIAN’S #1 hit from 1976 “Welcome Back,” JESSICA SIMPSON got a lot of airplay with a cover of BERLIN’S #1 hit from 1986 “Take My Breath Away,” and earlier this year ANGEL CITY Featuring LARA MCALLEN hit the chart with a variation on READY FOR THE WORLD’S 1985 chart topper “Oh Sheila.”
None of these songs managed to get close to reaching the popularity of the original versions, but maybe the remake that debuts this week can do it. Considering that the new version of “Car Wash” is by pop superstars CHRISTINA AGUILERA and MISSY ELLIOTT it has a shot, but the fact that two other songs debut higher on the Hot 100 this week (see below), it doesn’t seem too likely.
Like the original “Car Wash” the new one is also from a movie soundtrack, the animated SHARK TALE, which opens in October. ROSE ROYCE’S original version was from the Michael Schultz directed/Joel Schumacher scripted CAR WASH, which opened in the fall of 1976. The song made its Hot 100 debut on October 23 of that year, and reached the top of the chart on January 29th, 1977.
For the record, the last time a remake of a former #1 hit managed to get to the top was “Lady Marmalade” by CHRISTINA AGUILERA, LIL’ KIM, MYA, and PINK, in June of 2001. The original version was a #1 classic for LABELLE in March of 1975. Maybe Christina has what it takes to do it again.
BOO AS IN “SCARY”? OR “YOU SUCK!”?:
When superstar pop artists team up on a song, you just know it’s going to be a mega-hit. LIONEL RICHIE and DIANA ROSS got together to record a #1 hit (“Endless Love”), and so did BARBRA STREISAND and NEIL DIAMOND, (“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”). Barbra also did the trick with DONNA SUMMER on “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough), and in recent years it’s becoming more common, like BEYONCE and JAY-Z’S “Crazy In Love,” and J-LO and LL COOL J’S “All I Have.”
This week the unstoppable USHER teams up with the currently hot ALICIA KEYS, and produce the highest debuting/non-American Idol related hit of the year. “My Boo” enters the Hot 100 at #29, making it the fourth highest debut of ’04 (the higher debuts were by FANTASIA (#1), CLAY AIKEN (#4), and DIANA DEGARMO (#14). “Boo” is also the biggest debut for a “non-single” track since the J-LO and COOL J hit started off at #25 in December of 2002.
Considering the fact that of the three singles USHER has placed on the Hot 100 this year, all three made it to #1, I’ll predict that “My Boo” should have little trouble getting there as well.
WEB SITE OF THE WEEK:
Hey movie fans! Check out these great deals!
U.S. Singles Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 singles:
1) Goodies by CIARA Featuring PETEY PABLO
2) Lean Back by TERROR SQUAD
3) Sunshine by LIL’ FLIP Featuring LEA
4) My Place by NELLY Featuring JAHEIM
5) Dip It Low by CHRISTINA MILIAN
6) Turn Me On by KEVIN LYTTLE Featuring SPRAGGA BENZ
7) Slow Motion by JUVENILE Featuring SOULJA SLIM
8) Pieces Of Me by ASHLEE SIMPSON
9) She Will Be Loved by MAROON5
10) If I Ain’t Got You by ALICIA KEYS
U.S. Album Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 albums:
1) Live Like You Were Dying by TIM MCGRAW
2) Happy People/U Saved Me by R. KELLY
3) Straight Outta Ca$hville by YOUNG BUCK
4) Welcome Back by MASE
5) Now 16 by VARIOUS ARTISTS
6) Autobiography by ASHLEE SIMPSON
7) Musicology by PRINCE
8) Songs About Jane by MAROON5
9) Confessions by USHER
10) Horse Of A Different Color by BIG & RICH
Top 10 Most Downloaded Tracks:
Here is this week’s Top 10 Hot Digital Tracks:
1) She Will Be Loved by MAROON5
2) Let’s Get It Started by BLACK EYED PEAS
3) Breakaway by KELLY CLARKSON
4) My Place by NELLY Featuring JAHEIM
5) My Happy Ending by AVRIL LAVIGNE
6) Pieces Of Me by ASHLEE SIMPSON
7) Goodies by CIARA Featuring PETEY PABLO
8) Yeah! by USHER Featuring LIL’ JON & LUDACRIS
9) The Reason by HOOBASTANK
10) On The Way Down by RYAN CABRERA
Modern Rock Tracks:
Here are this week’s Top 10 Modern Rock tracks:
1) Breaking The Habit by LINKIN PARK
2) American Idiot by GREEN DAY
3) Just Like You by THREE DAYS GRACE
4) Take Me Out by FRANZ FERDINAND
5) Somebody Told Me by THE KILLERS
6) Duality by SLIPKNOT
7) So Cold by BREAKING BENJAMIN
8) Vitamin R (Leading Us Along) by CHEVELLE
9) Vindicated by DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL
10) Wake Up (Make A Move) by LOSTPROPHETS
U.K. Singles Chart
Here are the Top Ten singles in the UK:
1) These Words by NATASHA BEDINGFIELD
2) Baby Cakes by 3 OF A KIND
3) Dumb by THE 411
4) She Will Be Loved by MAROON5
5) Guns Don’t Kill People, Rappers Do by GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN
6) Thunderbirds/3 am by BUSTED
7) Dry Your Eyes by THE STREETS
8) Caught In A Moment by SUGABABES
9) Is It ‘Cos I’m Cool by MOUSSE Featuring EMMA LANFORD
10) Stand Up Tall by DIZZEE RASCAL
My Own Personal Top 30 Chart:
1) Experimental Film by THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
2) Tits On The Radio by SCISSOR SISTERS
3) P.J. Soles by LOCAL H
4) Maggie Doesn’t Blink by DEATH RAY DAVIES
5) The Fold Out by THE JEALOUS SOUND
6) How We Know by THE THERMALS
7) Nowhere Again by SECRET MACHINES
8) You Were The One by KING RADIO
9) Let It Go by YEAR OF THE RABBIT
10) Be With You by OWSLEY
11) Not For All The Love In The World by THE THRILLS
12) Can’t Get Your Face Out Of My Head by GOLDEN DOGS
13) Fever by PINK GREASE
14) Gotta Go Through It by BLINKER THE STAR
15) Soap (Waste Another Day) by THE VANISHED
FUN & GAMES:
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:
THE ‘70S
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 26 years ago September 7th, 1978!
THE ‘80S
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 16 years ago
September 7th, 1988!
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 Adult Contemporary Chart, September 7, 1995:
Kiss From A Rose by SEAL
#1 Song on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart, September 7, 1990:
Every Beat Of The Heart by RAILWAY CHILDREN
#1 Song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart, September 7, 1985:
Lonely Ol’ Night by JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP
#1 Song on Billboard’s Country & Western Chart, September 7, 1980:
Lookin’ For Love by JOHNNY LEE
#1 Song on Billboard’s R&B Chart, September 7, 1975:
How Long (Betcha’ Got A Chick On The Side) by THE POINTER SISTERS
#1 Song on the UK Chart, September 7, 1970:
The Wonder Of You by ELVIS PRESLEY
#1 Album on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, September 7, 1965:
HELP! by THE BEATLES (SOUNDTRACK)
#1 Song on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, September 7, 1960:
It’s Now Or Never by ELVIS PRESLEY
REMEMBER THESE?:
Here are the official Top Ten Charts, 7, 17, 27, and 37 years ago this week:
SEPTEMBER 7, 1997:
1) Honey by MARIAH CAREY
2) Mo Money Mo Problems by NOTORIOUS B.I.G. (Feat. PUFF DADDY & MASE)
3) Quit Playing Games With My Heart by THE BACKSTREET BOYS
4) How Do I Live by LEANN RIMES
5) 2 Become 1 by SPICE GIRLS
6) You Make Me Wanna... by USHER
7) I’ll Be Missing You by PUFF DADDY & FAITH EVANS (Featuring 112)
8) Semi-Charmed Life by THIRD EYE BLIND
9) Barbie Girl by AQUA
10) Never Make A Promise by DRU HILL
SEPTEMBER 7, 1987:
1) La Bamba by LOS LOBOS
2) I Just Can’t Stop Loving You by MICHAEL JACKSON With SIEDAH GARRETT
3) Didn’t We Almost Have It All by WHITNEY HOUSTON
4) Here I Go Again by WHITESNAKE
5) Only In My Dreams by DEBBIE GIBSON
6) Can’t We Try by DAN HILL With VONDA SHEPPARD
7) Doing It All For My Baby by HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
8) When Smokey Sings by ABC
9) Who’s That Girl by MADONNA
10) I Heard A Rumour by BANANARAMA
SEPTEMBER 7, 1977:
1) Best Of My Love by THE EMOTIONS
2) (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher by RITA COOLIDGE
3) I Just Want To Be Your Everything by ANDY GIBB
4) Handy Man by JAMES TAYLOR
5) Float On by THE FLOATERS
6) Don’t Stop by FLEETWOOD MAC
7) Easy by COMMODORES
8) Strawberry Letter 23 by THE BROTHERS JOHNSON
9) Telephone Line by ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
10) Smoke From A Distant Fire by SANFORD/TOWNSEND BAND
SEPTEMBER 7, 1967:
1) Ode To Billy Joe by BOBBIE GENTRY
2) Reflections by DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES
3) Come Back When You Grow Up by BOBBY VEE
4) Baby I Love You by ARETHA FRANKLIN
5) The Letter by THE BOX TOPS
6) All You Need Is Love by THE BEATLES
7) You’re My Everything by THE TEMPTATIONS
8) Light My Fire by THE DOORS
9) Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie by JAY & THE TECHNIQUES
10) San Franciscan Nights by ERIC BURDON & THE ANIMALS
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTION:
LAST WEEKS QUESTION:
Below is a list of artists who have all had hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100. What distinct chart fact do they all share in common? (HINT: the order in which I’ve listed them is also relevant.)
1) BANANARAMA
2) ARETHA FRANKLIN
3) JOAN BAEZ
4) LENNY KRAVITZ
5) WILSON PICKETT
6) B.T. EXPRESS
7) THE WHISPERS
8) BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
9) MARIAH CAREY
10) BILLY PRESTON
THE ANSWER:
These 10 artists each charted on the Billboard Hot 100 with remakes of songs that originally reached #1 in 1970.
THE SHOCKING BLUE hit #1 on February 7, 1970 with “Venus” which was covered by BANANARAMA, whose version matched the originals #1 peak in 1986
Soul Queen ARETHA FRANKLIN reached #6 in 1971, with her take on SIMON & GARFUNKEL’S “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which spent 6 weeks at #1 starting on February 28, 1970.
Folk singer JOAN BAEZ took her version of THE BEATLES #1 hit “Let It Be” (from April of ‘70), to #49 in 1971.
LENNY KRAVITZ successfully covered Canadian band THE GUESS WHO’S only #1 hit “American Woman” (from May of ’70), on the soundtrack to 1999’s AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME, and made it all the way to #49.
Soul great WILSON PICKETT charted with several covers, and his version of THREE DOG NIGHT’S first chart topper “Mama Told Me (Not To Come)” (#1 in July of ’70), barely made the chart, peaking at #99 in 1972.
THE CARPENTERS first #1 hit “(They Long To Be) Close To You,” (four weeks at #1 starting on July 25th, 1970), was boogie-fied by gold-selling disco band B.T. EXPRESS in 1976, and reached #82.
L.A. R&B group THE WHISPERS put the soul treatment on BREAD’S mellow #1 hit from August of ’70 “Make It With You,” and were rewarded with a #94 chart entry.
Bossman BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S live cover version of EDWIN STARR’S only chat topper “War” (August ’70), was his ninth Top Ten hit, peaking at #8 in the fall of 1986.
MARIAH CAREY scored her 8th consecutive Top Ten hit with the #1 smash “I’ll Be There,” which was originally the 4th consecutive #1 hit for THE JACKSON 5, in October of 1970.
And BILLY PRESTON’S version of GEORGE HARRISON’S classic “My Sweet Lord” was actually recorded before Harrison’s version, but didn’t chart until two months after the GEORGE HARRISON composition peaked in the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100, in December of 1970.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Way back in 1978, the four original members of world famous rock band KISS (PAUL STANLEY, GENE SIMMONS, ACE FREHLEY, and PETER CRISS) released 4 individual solo albums. Which was the only one not to produce a charting single? (HINT: The only KISS member not to make the Billboard singles chart with a solo hit was the member who wrote and sang the lead vocal on the bands biggest hit!)
Answer next week!
E-MAIL THE AUTHOR |
ARCHIVES
