By Roger Nead
JULY 16, 2002
WILL PEOPLE EVER STOP BUYING AEROSMITH RECORDS? "DREAM ON":
Seven months after their last "Greatest Hits" compilation, AEROSMITH is back on the Billboard Top 200 with a new hits package. "O Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits" debuts this week at #4. "O Yeah!" is doing much better than their last release "Young Lust" which only made #191 last December. The difference is "O Yeah!" is the veteran band's first greatest hits CD to include their hits from their days at Columbia Records, as well as their hits for Geffen Records. The album is already AEROSMITH's fifth highest charting album, following 1993's "Get A Grip," and 1997's "Nine Lives" both of which hit #1. Their last LP of original music, 2001's "Just Push Play" hit #2, and way back in 1976 "Rocks" hit #3. AEROSMITH is just about the only 70's classic rock band to survive the MTV generation. In fact, the band, which made its chart debut nearly 29 years ago, found its greatest fame during the mid 1990s.
AEROSMITH has visited the top 10 of the Hot 100 Singles Chart a total of eight times in the past 26 years. "Dream On" hit #6 in 1976, the original "Walk This Way" made #10 in 1977, "Angel" from their comeback LP "Permanent Vacation" hit #3 in 1988, "Love In An Elevator" reached #5 in 1989, and in 1990 the band hit the top ten twice, first with "Janie's Got A Gun" #4 in February and again in May with "What It Takes." The band's one and only #1 hit, "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," topped the chart in September of 1998, and finally, "Jaded" hit #7 in 2001. All of these songs appear on the new hits album. Missing on "O Yeah!" is the band's current tour mates RUN-D.M.C.'s 1986 cover of "Walk This Way." The #4 hit that featured Steve Perry, and Joe Tyler. "O No!"
HIT MOVIE, HIT SONG? MAYBE, MAYBE NOT:
This week, "Hero" by CHAD KROEGER & JOSEY SCOTT, holds at the number three spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The song comes from this years biggest box office hit SPIDER-MAN, which currently ranks at #5 on the list of highest grossing films of all time in the U.S. Besides SPIDER-MAN, six more blockbusters in the top fifteen movies here have produced singles to make the big chart. The #15 film, 1980's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, is actually responsible for two songs to make the chart. During the films original release pop instrumentalist MECO hit #18 with his impressions on JOHN WILLIAMS' score. During the films 1997 re-release, Williams himself bubbled under at #118 with a special issue single version of Empire's "The Imperial March." The next STAR WARS Film, RETURN OF THE JEDI, the eleventh highest grossing film, again brought MECO to the Hot 100, with 1983's "Ewok Celebration," which made it to #60. The ninth spot belongs to Disney's 1994 hit THE LION KING, which gave ELTON JOHN two top forty singles, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" which reached #4, and "Circle Of Life," which hit #18. The animated sensation also had a hand in bringing back 1961's #1 hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", by THE TOKENS, which made #51 in it's second go-around. 1982's E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL, #3 on the box office list, created a third top fifty hit for pianist WALTER MURPHY, who hit the top of the chart in 1976, with his disco-fied instrumental hit "A Fifth Of Beethoven." Murphy's variations on John Williams score to ET, took him to #47 on the chart. But, does anybody remember it? Again, Oscar-winner Williams saw his original version "bubble under" at #103. For the #2 movie, the original 1977 STAR WARS, John did better. His original version of the films "Main Title" made #10 on the chart. Unfortunately, MECO had the last laugh, his dance version of the theme topped the singles chart for two weeks, October 1st, and October 8th of that year. The biggest movie of all time in the US, James Cameron's TITANIC, produced a #1 hit for Celine Dion, with 1998's "My Heart Will Go On," and pushed composer JAMES HORNER's instrumental "Southhampton" to #55 on Billboard's airplay chart.
FOR ALL THOSE NOSTALGIC FOR THE EARLY '90'S:
It doesn't seem that long ago, but the early 1990s are already becoming part of pop culture nostalgia. An updated version of BIZ MARKIE's top-ten hit "Just A Friend" is moving quickly up the singles chart, and peaks at #13 this week. The new version, called "Just A Friend 2002" uses the same chorus as the original, but new verses. It's performed by newcomer MARIO, a fifteen-year-old hip-hop artist on Clive Davis' J Records. That means MARIO was about three years old when Biz took his rap/novelty hit to #9 in March of '90. Markie later became known as the rapper who had to pull all copies of his CD, after being sued by 70s adult contemporary artist GILBERT O'SULLIVAN for unlicensed sampling.
NOTHING WRONG WITH A LITTLE "BUMP & GRIND" JUST CHECK HER I.D. FIRST:
Despite the current controversy surrounding R&B star R. KELLY, his latest song "Heaven I Need A Hug" sits at #28 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. The song, which originally caused concern at his label, due to its original title "Heaven I Need A Hug, From A Little Girl", has yet to debut on the Hot 100. But no matter, superstar Kelly has seven top-ten hits on that chart so far: "Bump N' Grind," his sole #1 on the big chart in 1994, "You Remind Me Of Something," which reached #4 in 1995, three top 10s from 1996, "Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)," #4 in March, "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)," #5 in August, & "I Believe I Can Fly," a #2 hit from December of '96. His "Gotham City" from the soundtrack to one of the crappy BATMAN movies reached #9 in 1997, and his last top 10, "Fiesta" which featured rapper JAY-Z, was a #6 hit last summer.
Kelly was also the writer of MICHAEL JACKSON's "You Are Not Alone," the first song to debut at #1 on the Hot 100. Jackson himself is no stranger to controversy. In fact some call him the "King" of controversy. Pretty much every move Michael has made in the last ten years has caused some sort of problem for him. Even "completely innocent" situations, like playing with his crotch for a video, or sharing his bed with a young boy, have come back to haunt him. The superstar is currently involved in several controversial situations, but this time, they seem to be helping him. All the press he is receiving regarding his lawsuit against his record label Sony, and his claim that the label didn't promote his latest LP "Invincible" because he's black, has helped the disappointing CD to re-enter the Top R&B/Hip-Hot Albums chart, at #100, this week. Now we hear his much publicized 9/11 charity single "What More Can I Give" has been squashed, after it became known the record's executive producer also produces and directs gay porn. Maybe he should just stick to trying to buy Elizabeth Taylor's skeleton.
Speaking of gay porn, another 80s mega-star GEORGE MICHAEL is also sharing the controversy label right now. He says he's afraid to come back to the US, after certain homophobic Americans have threatened him over his latest single "Shoot The Dog." Personally, I don't think George should worry--considering he hasn't had a hit in this country since his 1996 #8 hit "Fast Love," most Americans probably don't even remember what he looks like. The bad news for Michael is that his long-time boyfriend lives in the US. Luckily, gay men are notorious for being monogamous, so when things here lighten up for George, it's good to know his man will be waiting!
UNKNOWN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
On their official web sight, http://www.badronaldmusic.com, BAD RONALD describe themselves as "3 MCs, a DJ and enough free-stylin' beats and phat-ass hooks to start any party," and that pretty much describes them perfectly. Their debut album was released last year on Reprise Records, the label founded by FRANK SINATRA. To give you an idea what you're in for when you pop on the headphones and start the CD, here's the chorus to their first single, "Let's Begin (Shoot The Shit)": "We're gonna light the weed/Tap the keg/Shoot the shit/Now let's begin/we're gonna kick right back/We're gonna sit right down/Enjoy it girl/You're gonna love this sound." Kind of makes you wonder what the Chairman Of The Board would've thought about them!
The group definitely owes a thing or two to rap, funk and hip-hop, but before you roll your eyes and say "not another white rap group" you can rest assured that this is a rock band. Lyrically x-rated, every song on the album also contains a catchy hook, and is sure to make parents around the world cringe. Which is what rock music is all about. Besides "Shoot The Shit," other tracks on the album worth checking out include: "Bad Idea," "1st Time," and "All a Dream." I also highly recommend you check out the video for "Let's Begin," which is like a day in Mister Roger's neighborhood, if Fred Rogers was a perverted stoner. BAD RONALD is never going to re-write the music history books, but if you're into lighting the weed, tapping the keg, or just plain shooting the shit, I'm sure you'll be entertained.
Incidentally, the band's name comes from an obscure 70s made-for-TV horror movie!
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 3 years ago, July 17th, 1999:
#5) "Livin' La Vida Loca" by RICKY MARTIN. Martin's original band "MENUDO" only had one top 100 hit, 1985's "Hold Me," which peaked at #69.
#4) "Genie In A Bottle" by CHRISTINA AGUILERA. Sorry, I couldn't think of anything interesting to say about this song!
#3) "Last Kiss" by PEARL JAM. This song, and "Rockin' Robin" are the only two songs to have two different versions peak at #2.
#2) "If You Had My Love" by JENNIFER LOPEZ. Please refer to #4 above!
#1) "Bills, Bills, Bills" by DESTINY'S CHILD. Among this band's other hits are: "Jumpin' Jumpin'," and "No, No, No." I sense a pattern here!
Top 5 Songs 13 years ago, July 22nd, 1989:
#5) "So Alive" by LOVE & ROCKETS. The members of this British band were once with 80s new wave leaders BAUHAUS.
#4) "Batdance" by PRINCE. PRINCE originally wanted his songs to fill the entire score to BATMAN, but Tim Burton insisted on using Danny Elfman's.
#3) "If You Don't Know Me By Now" by SIMPLY RED. This song was originally a hit for HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUENOTES, featuring vocals by Teddy Pendergrass.
#2) "Express Yourself" by MADONNA. MADONNA holds the record for the most songs to peak at the #2 position, with six.
#1) "Toy Soldiers" by MARTIKA. MARTIKA got her start on TV's "KIDS INCORPORATED."
Top 5 Songs 23 years ago, July 21st, 1979:
#5) "Makin' It" by DAVID NAUGHTON. This song was first featured in the opening credits of Naughton's TV series "Makin' It", and then on the soundtrack to the film MEATBALLS.
#4) "Good Times" by CHIC. This song's rhythm track backed the first rap song to hit the top 40, THE SUGARHILL GANG's "Rappers Delight."
#3) "Hot Stuff" by DONNA SUMMER. The head of Donna's label wanted her to pass this song on to CHER.
#2) "Ring My Bell" by ANITA WARD. This song's writer Fredrick Knight had a top 40 hit in 1972, with the soul classic "I've Been Lonely For So Long."
#1) "Bad Girls" by DONNA SUMMER. Shortly after this hit, about the worlds oldest profession, Summer became a born again Christian.
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Top 5 Songs 33 years ago, July 19th, 1969:
#5) "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" by JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS. This was one of two #1 R&B hits for the Indiana quartet.
#4) "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS. The Bible inspired Tommy James to write this hit.
#3) "Good Morning Starshine" by OLIVER. This was one of four songs from the Broadway musical "HAIR" to reach the top 4 in 1969.
#2) "Spinning Wheel" by BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS. This band's first three singles all peaked at #2, and they never made the top 10 again.
#1) "In The Year 2525" by ZAGER & EVANS. This duo split up while the song was on top, and became one of rock's most notorious "one-hit wonders."
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTION:
Test your rock I.Q. and answer my question!
LAST WEEK'S ANSWER:
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? Yes, you guessed right! It's Sir Elton John. Hard to believe he had a 30 year run with non-stop top 50 hits!!!
THIS WEEKS QUESTION:
Of the 994 songs to top Billboards Pop Singles Chart so far in the rock era, which one had the longest title? Good Luck!
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