AUGUST 13, 2002
By Roger Nead
HERE'S THE POP POOP:
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN collects his sixth #1 album this week with "The Rising." The Boss's last #1 album was 1995's "Greatest Hits." Going backwards through time, here is Springsteen's Top 200 chart history: 1995's "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" peaked at #11, 1992's "Human Touch" made #2, and the simultaneously-released "Lucky Town" hit #3. In 1987, his "Tunnel Of Love" (recorded sans the E Street Band) spent one week at the top. A year earlier, the five record set "Live 1975-1985" enjoyed seven weeks at #1, as did 1984's classic "Born In The U.S.A." 1982's "Nebraska" made it to #3, and 1980's double-album set "The River," his first chart topper, spent four weeks at #1. 1978's "Darkness At The Edge Of Town" reached #5, and in 1975, three of Bruce's albums made the chart. Two were originally released in 1973: "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J." (#60) and "The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle" (#59). And his big "breakthrough" release, 1975's "Born To Run" made it to #3.
LINKIN PARK - which had the biggest selling album of 2001; "[Hybrid Theory]" sold nearly 8 million copies - are back on the chart this week with a remixed version of that album called "[Reanimation]." The new album sets a record for the biggest week of sales for a remix album, opening with 270,000 sold. That beats the previous record of 255,500 copies back in May for P. DIDDY and his "We Invented The Remix." Diddy himself snatched that record from his ex, JENNIFER LOPEZ, whose "J To Tha L-O!" opened with 156,000 units earlier this year.
Veteran British rockers DEF LEPPARD open in the #11 spot this week with the much-panned "X" (Billboard called the album "A waste of major talent."). Their last release, 1999's "Euphoria," also started - and peaked - in the #11 spot. The good news for Leppard is that their 1995 greatest hits album "Vault 1980-1995" makes the top of the Top Pop Catalog chart this week, knocking down BOB MARLEY, whose greatest hits album "Legend" has spent a total of eighty one weeks at the top of that chart. The last time "Vault" was at #1 there was when VH1 aired Leppard's made-for-TV biography movie. The rest of Def's Top 200 chart history looks like this: 1980's "On Through The Night" peaked at #51; "High & Dry" reached #38 in '81; their big breakthrough, "Pyromania," spent two weeks at #2 in 1983, unable to beat MICHAEL JACKSON's "Thriller"; their much-delayed 1987 release "Hysteria" became their biggest seller, hitting #1 and selling more than 12 million copies; 1992's "Adrenalize" spent five weeks at the top; 1993's "Retro-Active" - a compilation of unreleased tracks - hit #9, "Vault" only got as high as #15 on the Top 200, and 1996's "Slang" peaked at #14.
More pop trivia regarding NELLY. The rapper made me look smart this week by making my prediction - that he would replace himself at #1 (see last week's column) - come true. But here are some other facts I bet ya didn't know! "Dilemma" - his duet with DESTINY'S CHILD's Kelly Rowland - becomes the first song to hit #1 without an accompanying video since MICHAEL BOLTON's 1991 remake of "When A Man Loves A Woman." Nelly also becomes only the second artist to replace himself at #1 with his first two chart toppers. The only other artist to do this? THE BEATLES, of course, with "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You" in 1964.
IF YOU DIDN'T LOVE-HEWITT'S LAST 3 RECORDS, HERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE:
Jive Records is taking another shot at making actress JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT a pop star. Her two previous U.S. releases on Atlantic Records bombed, and a third album was only released in Japan. She did crack the Top 100 in 1999 with the single "How Do I Deal," which reached #59. The title track from her Jive debut "Barenaked" enters the Adult Top 40 Tracks chart this week at #39. No word yet if Hewitt will appear barenaked on her album cover, but I bet that would help sales.
TOP 10 CHARTS:
U.S. Singles Chart:
1) Dilemma by NELLY Featuring KELLY ROWLAND
2) Hot In Herre by NELLY
3) Complicated by AVRIL LAVIGNE
4) I Need A Girl (Part Two) by P. DIDDY & GINUWINE
5) Just A Friend 2002 by MARIO
6) Down 4 U by IRV GOTTI PRESENTS THE INC. Featuring JA RULE, ASHANTI, CHARLI BALTIMORE & VITA
7) Hero by CHAD KROEGER Featuring JOSEY SCOTT
8) Just Like A Pill - PINK
9) Heaven by DJ SAMMY & YANOU Featuring DO
10) Nothin' by N.O.R.E.
Album Chart:
1) The Rising by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
2) [Reanimation] by LINKIN PARK
3) Nellyville by NELLY
4) Now 10 by VARIOUS ARTISTS
5) The Eminem Show by EMINEM
6) Unleashed by TOBY KEITH
7) Busted Stuff by DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
8) Let Go by AVRIL LAVIGNE
9) All I Have by AMERIE
10) By The Way by RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
Modern Rock Tracks:
1) By The Way by RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
2) Running Away by HOOBASTANK
3) Sweetness by JIMMY EAT WORLD
4) Warning by INCUBUS
5) Aerials by SYSTEM OF A DOWN
6) She Loves Me Not by PAPA ROACH
7) Hate To Say I Told You So by THE HIVES
8) My Friends Over You by NEW FOUND GLORY
9) Get Free by THE VINES
10) Drift & Die by PUDDLE OF MUDD
U.K. Singles Chart:
1) Colourblind by DARIUS
2) Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake) by GARETH GATES
3) Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head) by WILL SMITH
4) I Need A Girl (Part One) by P. DIDDY
5) Automatic High by S CLUB JUNIORS
6) Underneath Your Clothes by SHAKIRA
7) Boys by BRITNEY SPEARS
8) Ramp! The Logical Song by SCOOTER
9) A Thousand Miles by VANESSA CARLTON
10) Hot In Herre by NELLY
My Own Personal Top 10 Chart:
1) I Need A Little Love by CARLY HENNESSY
2) Save It For Later by SPENDER
3) Hundred Million by TREBLE CHARGER
4) Open Your Eyes by GOLDFINGER
5) Sweet Marie by THE ANNIVERSARY
6) I Woke Up In A Car by SOMETHING CORPORATE
7) 50 In My Wallet by SMARTBOMB
8) Algebra by SOUL HOOLIGAN
9) Lost Cause by SCAPEGOAT WAX
10) In Da Wind by TRICK DADDY Featuring CEE-LO & BIG BOI
TIME WARP:
Want to feel old? Here's a look at some charts from years past. See how many you remember!
Top 5 songs 11 Years Ago, August 10th, 1991:
#5) "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" by LENNY KRAVITZ. Baseball legend Yogi Berra is credited with coining this odd phrase.
#4) "Summertime" by D.J. JAZZY JEFF & THE FRESH PRINCE samples KOOL & THE GANG's 1975 hit "Summer Madness."
#3) "Every Heartbeat" by AMY GRANT. Christian Grant was originally supposed to remove her shirt in the video for this hit, but she refused.
#2) "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." by RYTHM SYNDICATE. The first "H" in rhythm was mistakenly left out of the band name when this song was a hit.
#1) "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by BRYAN ADAMS. This song's composer wanted either KATE BUSH or ANNIE LENNOX to record this Oscar winner.
Top 5 Songs 21 Years Ago, August 15th, 1981:
#5) "Elvira" by THE OAK RIDGE BOYS. In the 50 plus- year history of this group, they've had more than 40 members.
#4) "Jessie's Girl" by RICK SPRINGFIELD. Before he joined "General Hospital," Rick had roles on "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Wonder Woman," and "The Incredible Hulk."
#3) "I Don't Need You" by KENNY ROGERS. This hit was produced by LIONEL RICHIE, who is sometimes known as the black "Kenny Rogers."
#2) "Theme From "The Greatest American Hero" (Believe It Or Not)" by JOEY SCARBURY. On the show "The Greatest American Hero," the lead character Mr. Hinkley's name was changed to Hanley after John Hinckley shot President Regan.
#1) "Endless Love" by DIANA ROSS & LIONEL RICHIE. Diana & Lionel met in Lake Tahoe at 3am to record this duet.
Top 5 Songs 31 Years Ago, August 14th, 1971:
#5) "You've Got A Friend" by JAMES TAYLOR. This was one of three #1's written by CAROLE KING in 1971.
#4) "Draggin' The Line" by TOMMY JAMES. Tommy's only top 10 hit without The Shondells.
#3) "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by JOHN DENVER. Denver co-wrote this standard with the writers of 1976's upbeat hit "Afternoon Delight."
#2) "Mr. Big Stuff" by JEAN KNIGHT. This hit was passed over by many record labels before Stax Records picked it up.
#1) "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" by THE BEE GEES. The Brothers Gibb's first chart topper!
Top 5 Songs 41 Years Ago, August 14th, 1961:
#5) "Wooden Heart" by JOE DOWELL. Originally recorded by ELVIS for his film "G.I. Blues."
#4) "Dum Dum" by BRENDA LEE. Brenda is the #1 ranked female singer of the 1960's.
#3) "Last Night" by THE MAR-KEYS. This classic instrumental has been featured in numerous films and trailers, including the trailer for "Get Shorty."
#2) "I Like It Like That" by CHRIS KENNER. Kenner spent four years in prison in the late 60's for rape.
#1) "Tossin' And Turnin'" by BOBBY LEWIS. Bobby was an orphan until age 12.
THIS WEEK IN POP MUSIC HISTORY:
August 13th, 1990: R&B legend CURTIS MAYFIELD, who scored the blaxplotation classic "SUPER FLY," is paralyzed from the chest down when a lighting tower falls on him during a concert.
August 14th, 1970: STEPHEN STILLS, one third of CROSBY, STILLS & NASH, is arrested in San Diego on drug charges.
August 15th, 1969: Woodstock - three days of peace, love, music & dope - begins on a farm in Bethel, New York.
August 16th, 1977: Ladies and Gentlemen...ELVIS has left the living!
August 17th, 1958: Go-Go singer BELINDA CARLISLE is born.
August 18th, 1952: Dirty dancer PATRICK SWAYZE, who played pop star in 1988 with the #3 hit "She's Like The Wind," is born.
August 19th, 1967: PINK FLOYD's first album, "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn," makes it's U.K. chart debut.
MORE USELESS POP CULTURE TRIVIA:
Anybody out there remember 1975? If so, here's a little bit of what was happening this week, 27 years ago!
ON PRIME-TIME TV:
Almost Anything Goes
Baretta
Barnaby Jones
Chico & The Man
Doc
The Jim Stafford Show
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
The Manhattan Transfer Show
Police Woman
S.W.A.T.
ON SATURDAY MORNING TV:
Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine
Hong Kong Phooey
Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show
Korg, 70,000 B.C.
The Land Of The Lost
New Adventures Of Gilligan
Run, Joe, Run
Shazam!
Valley Of The Dinosaurs
Wheelie & The Chopper Bunch
AT THE MOVIES:
The Apple Dumpling Gang
Bite The Bullet
Black Christmas
Cooley High
Jaws
Monty Python & The Holy Grail
Nashville
Return To Macon County
Smile
White Line Fever
ON THE RADIO:
Ballroom Blitz - Sweet
Could It Be Magic - Barry Manilow
Dance With Me - Orleans
Dynomite - Bazuka
Feelings - Morris Albert
Feel Like Makin' Love - Bad Company
Fight The Power - The Isley Brothers
Jive Talkin' - Bee Gees
Run Joey Run - David Geddes
Why Can't We Be Friends - War
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTIONS:
Test your rock IQ and answer my questions!
LAST WEEK'S ANSWER:
What was the last TV theme song to top the Hot 100? (HINT: it was also the last instrumental to hit #1!) The first big MTV-style show - "Miami Vice" - made its debut September 16, 1984 on NBC. A little over a year later, on November 9, 1985, the show's synthesizer-based instrumental theme, performed by JAN HAMMER, hit the top. Hammer never charted again!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Here's a three-part question! In the late 1970s, CBGB's club in New York was the launching pad of punk rock's biggest names. Of the following, which was the first to crack the Hot 100? The Top 40? Number One? (Hint: all three are different answers!)
A) TALKING HEADS
B) BLONDIE
C) THE RAMONES
D) TELEVISION
E) THE PATTI SMITH GROUP
NAME THE SONG:
Last Week's Answer: What 70s pop hit included the following lyrics: "Live a little, be a gypsy, get around. Get your feet up off the ground, live a little, get around"? This wacky hit also included the lyric, "I had another look, I had a cup of tea and butter pie." It's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" by PAUL & LINDA McCARTNEY. Paul's first #1 without THE BEATLES!
This Week's Question: Here's one from the 80's! "Tell us commander, what do you think? 'Cos we know you love all that power!"
REQUESTS AND DEDICATIONS:
Of course! As soon as I tell people to send me questions and I'll post them, everyone stops writing. I did receive these, however:
Biaxin sent guesses to my trivia questions, and although they were wrong, I've got to give credit for a good try! I think that the last TV theme to score the top slot was "The Theme From Hill Street Blues" (with a cool guitar break done by Larry Carlton). Good Memory! Although it didn't reach #1, "The Theme From Hill Street Blues" did reach the top 10, peaking at #10 on November 14, 1981. And it was performed by MIKE POST Featuring LARRY CARLTON.
LLbud also sent a good guess: Didn't the theme from "Friends" hit number one? I couldn't listen to the radio for years because of it! The Rembrandts "I'll Be There For You" theme from the long-running NBC sitcom did hit #1 on Billboard's Airplay Chart for eight weeks in the summer of 1995. But because Billboard required songs to be available as singles in order to chart on the Hot 100 in '95, it missed out on topping that. Billboard has since changed its requirements for charting.
Finally, bigthingg23a sent this: Add inches to your penis overnight! Guaranteed! Women will love you! Well, "bigthing," this is not a question, nor is it about pop music, but thanks for writing!
Please feel free to send me any questions, suggestions, compliments, insults, or double entendres. I'm serious! Don't be shy!
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