By Roger Nead
July 9, 2002
BRYAN ADAMS GETS HEAVENLY ROYALTIES:
In July of 1985, America was drinking New Coke, tuning in to CHARLES IN CHARGE, lining up to see RAMBO, and dancing the night away to BRYAN ADAMS' first number one hit "Heaven". 17 years later, the whole world's changed, but we're still dancing to "Heaven". However, it's a brand new version, performed by DJ SAMMY & YANOU FEATURING DO. The song reaches #20 this week, and it's the first song written by Adams to chart in 5 years.
If by some chance the new "Heaven" reaches the top of the chart, which I don't think is likely (but I've been wrong before), it will become the 10th remake to join its original at the number one spot. The others are: "Go Away Little Girl," "The Locomotion," "Please Mr. Postman," "Venus," "Lean On Me," "You Keep Me Hanging On," "When A Man Loves A Woman," "I'll Be There," and "Lady Marmalade." Interesting side note: All four of BRYAN ADAMS' number one hits, "Heaven", "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)", "All For Love", and "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" were from motion pictures.
SOMEWHERE NEAR KALAMAZOO, THE KING PUMPS GAS WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE:
Last week I predicted the new hit by ELVIS VS JXL would enter the Hot 100, but even I was surprised to see it debut at #50. That makes the remix of "A Little Less Conversation" his 123rd top 50 hit, counting B-Sides and EP's. It also gives Presley the longest chart span of the rock era, 46 years, 4 months, and 10 days since his first chart hit "Heartbreak Hotel". The whole world seems enchanted by this phenomenon, as the new single sits on top of the pop charts in the U.K., Canada, Australia, The Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark.
"Conversation" was co-written by 70's Country/Pop crooner MAC DAVIS. Davis is best known for his #1 hit "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me", in 1972, but he has also written many big hits for other artists, like: "Something's Burning" for KENNY ROGERS & THE FIRST EDITION, "Watching Scotty Grow" for BOBBY GOLDSBORO, and "In The Ghetto" a top ten hit for ELVIS in 1969.
The last time MAC DAVIS had a top 50 hit was in 1980, when he wrote and performed the #43 hit "It's Hard To Be Humble".
If you're not already sick of ELVIS, just wait. RCA Records intends to shove the King down our throats in the next few months, much like Capitol Records did with THE BEATLES, a couple of years ago. New albums, (including a compilation of all of ELVIS' #1 hits), Videos and DVD's, and the label promises more classic Presley hits remixed by popular DJ's. Still, if any pop artist of the last 50 years deserves to be over saturated, it certainly could be worse than the king of rock & roll!
P. DIDDY NOT SINGING SAME OLD SONG:
As Mr. Diddy's "I Need A Girl (Part One)" drops out of the top ten on the Hot 100 (from #7 to #13), his "I Need A Girl (Part Two)" takes over jumping to #9 from #13 - almost an even swap. That puts the former PUFF DADDY in the elite company of acts who've had two different versions of the same song reach the top 10: ELTON JOHN, who charted with two versions of his "Candle In The Wind," and NEIL SEDAKA, who hit the mark with two versions of his classic "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do." Puffy is already part of a small group of artists to replace themselves at the number one spot. The others are: ELVIS PRESLEY, THE BEATLES, BOYZ II MEN, and JA RULE. Also, by leaping four spots on the chart, "I Need A Girl (Part Two)" helps push the latest hit by Diddy's ex-girlfriend JENNIFER LOPEZ "I'm Gonna Be Alright", out of the top ten after only two weeks.
TV RATING SWEEPS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND:
In order to boost the ratings of MTV's popular sitcom THE OSBOURNES, the show's writers have decided to give the Mother character a cancer scare. Now I think cancer is as funny as the next guy, but I hate it when the ugliness of real life invades classic sitcoms. Like the time they gave Jane Wyatt's character a drug addiction on FATHER KNOWS BEST. Oh wait, I've just been informed THE OSBOURNES is actually a reality show, and Sharon Osbourne really does have the disease. I guess that's not really funny at all! Anyway, as Ozzy's new album "Live at Budokan" debuts at #70 on the Billboard Top 200, here's a look at how Mr. Osbourne has fared on the pop singles chart: his biggest hit is still the #8 peak of "Close My Eyes Forever," his 1989 duet with LITA FORD; "Mama, I'm Coming Home" reached #28 in 1992; "Shot In The Dark" made #68 in 1986; "No More Tears" hit #71, also in 1992; "So Tired" peaked at #104 in 1984; "Crazy Train" reached #106 in 1981; and "Bark At The Moon" hit its peak of #109 in 1984. For the record, Ozzy and Sharon's daughter Kelly collects her first chart hit this week, as her remake of MADONNA's number one hit "Papa Don't Preach" debuts at #74. Get well soon, Mrs. Osbourne! Ozzy needs you!
UNKNOWN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
From the amount of comments I received about SCAPEGOAT WAX, it's obvious we're going to hear much more from him. Thanks to everybody who passed on info. Especially his Mom, who sent me some very useful information. If every great musician had his mother doing this kind of P.R., they'd all have platinum records. I've heard the new single "Lost Cause" and it's probably the best single I've heard all year. We need more artists like SCAPEGOAT WAX, who are still creating unique and interesting music, and less of the cookie cutter angry rockers who scream their way to the top of the Modern Rock charts. His new CD, "SWAX" will be out in September, and everybody should buy a copy, so it can debut in the top ten on Billboard's album chart. For more info go to: http://www.flashtracking.com/swax
This week's "Unknown Artist" comes from the very clean and very polite country of Canada, home of GORDON LIGHTFOOT and ANNE MURRAY. Actually, the majority of good "Alternative" music these days seem to come from that country. TREBLE CHARGER has actually been around a decade or so, but at least here in the United States, they've yet to get the recognition they deserve. I first became hooked on them after I stumbled on their 1997 album "Maybe It's Me" in a used CD bin for 99 cents. I quickly realized I got more than my money's worth. Best tracks on that album include: "How She Died," "Red," and "Scatterbrain." Their next release, "Wide Awake Bored," was even better, and the album's two singles "American Psycho" and "Brand New Low" are still shuffling along in my MP3 jukebox. Their new album "Detox" is coming out on August 20th, and the new single "Hundred Million" is one of their best yet. A bit more hard rock than the previous stuff, but it fits TREBLE CHARGER like a glove. If you enjoy groups like SUM 41, or BLINK 182, but you've gone through puberty, this may be the group for you. For more info go to: www.vikrecordings.com
OF COURSE IF YOU ADD A "C" THEN IT REALLY DOES BECOME "CRAP":
I guess the point of offering readers the chance to "shoot back" their opinions of each article on this site is a good way to keep them involved. Personally, I had no intention on reading any of the comments left after my column (but, I do appreciate the emails!). However, a friend of mine insisted I check out a couple, and respond. Brett 316, left the following comment: "Why the fuck is all this rap shit topping the charts??? RAP SUCKS!!!!!!" I guess that could be considered constructive criticism, however, I happen to like Rap, (as well as every other type of pop music) and considering that the top three Rap albums on the Billboard Top 200, "Nellyville" by NELLY, "The Eminem Show" by EMINEM, and "God's Favorite" by the rapper formally known as NOREAGA, now known as N.O.R.E., sold a combined total of more than 1.2 million copies last week, and the fact that NELLY is sitting on top of 10 different charts in Billboard Magazine, millions of other people around the world must also like Rap. In Brett 316's defense, it's very common for kids to rebel against whatever is popular, and now, that happens to be Rap music. On the other hand, some people just don't like that shit!
Hyphnip left this brilliant observation: "Come on, do you really have no life? pop charts? rap music? SHEEP! you have no free will of your own, you do what your TV tells you to, it's pathetic! all i gotta say is FUCK POP CULTURE! I'll be waiting on the waggon with all the juggalos for when you bitches come around and realize that what the TV tells you, isn't always right! JUGGALO FAMILY FOR LIFE!"
I certainly take no personal offense in this comment, but if being interested in pop culture makes me pathetic, what would you call someone who spends his time searching the internet for sights that specialize in pop culture so you can bitch about it? Mr. Hyphnip would be better off spending his time working on his spelling and grammar. He should also have the guts to leave his real name after voicing his opinion. After all, everybody is entitled to one.
TIME WARP: Want to feel old? Here's a quick look at some charts from our past. See how many you remember!
Top 5 songs 9 years ago, July 10th, 1993:
#5) "Knockin' Da Boots" by H-TOWN - this platinum selling single brought the Houston trio to the top of the R&B chart;
#4) "Can't Help Falling In Love" by UB40, originally recorded for the 1992 film "HONEYMOON IN VEGAS" - it was rejected, and wound up in 1993's "SLIVER" instead;
#3) "Whoomp! (There It Is)" by TAG TEAM - although it never reached number one, "Whoomp" was 1993's biggest selling single;
#2) "That's The Way Love Goes" by JANET JACKSON - this song's producers had to get permission from the godfather of soul, JAMES BROWN, before it could be released;
#1) "Weak" by SWV - this soul classic was originally written for Funksters THE GAP BAND.
Top 5 Songs 19 years ago, July 9th, 1983:
#5) "Too Shy" by KAJAGOOGOO - after this hit, the British band dropped the "googoo" from their name - it didn't help;
#4) "Never Gonna Let You Go" by SERGIO MENDES - Mendes' first hit not to include "Brasil", and two numbers after his name;
#3) "Flashdance...What A Feeling" by IRENE CARA - all of Cara's top ten hits were from movies;
#2) "Electric Avenue" by EDDY GRANT - Grant had recovered from a serious heart attack prior to recording this, his biggest hit;
#1) "Every Breath You Take" by THE POLICE - this hit about an obsessed stalker has become a wedding reception favorite!
Top 5 Songs 29 years ago, July 14th 1973:
#5) "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" by GEORGE HARRISON - Harrison's final number one hit on Apple Records;
#4) "Shambala" by THREE DOG NIGHT - this group's name is Australian slang for a very cold night on the outback;
#3) "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by JIM CROCE - this song was written about a real bad-ass guy Croce knew;
#2) "Kodachrome" by PAUL SIMON - this classic was banned in Great Britain because its title was a registered trademark;
#1) "Will It Go Round In Circles" by BILLY PRESTON - the only American to share label billing with THE BEATLES.
Top 5 Songs 39 years ago, July 13th, 1963:
#5) "One Fine Day" by THE CHIFFONS - this group's first hit "He's So Fine" cost GEORGE HARRISON a bit of cash in a plagiarism suit;
#4) "So Much In Love" by THE TYMES - THE EAGLES' Timothy Schmit covered this hit for the soundtrack to "FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH";
#3) "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by ROLF HARRIS - this was the biggest novelty hit by an Australian;
#2) "Surf City" by JAN & DEAN, the first number one hit written by Beach Boy Brian Wilson;
#1) "Easier Said Than Done" by THE ESSEX - when this song hit number one, the entire group was serving in the military.
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTION: Test your rock IQ and answer my question!
LAST WEEK'S ANSWER: This pop artist has hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 - as a solo act, as part of a duo, as part of a trio, as part of a quartet, and part of a quintet. They are also the artist with the most combined number one hits, with 29. Who is it? Of course, it's PAUL MCCARTNEY. McCartney hit the top as a solo artist in 1980 with "Coming Up," and three times as a duo: with wife Linda in 1971 on "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey;" with STEVIE WONDER in 1982 on "Ebony & Ivory;" and in 1983 with MICHAEL JACKSON on "Say Say Say." In 1978, when his group WINGS took "With A Little Luck" to #1, the band was a trio of Paul, Linda, and guitarist Denny Laine. He had 20 number ones with his quartet THE BEATLES, and when WINGS had number ones in 1973, 1975 & 1976, the band was a quintet.
THIS WEEKS QUESTION: Yeah, I know, last week's question was too easy! Here's one that might even be easier: This pop star had at least one single crack the top 50 every year from 1970-2000, and he also performed the world's biggest-selling single of all time! Any guesses?
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