By Roger Nead
March 30, 2004
REMAKING HITS ISN’T HARD TO DO:
And it’s a lucky thing for NEIL SEDAKA, cause thanks to CLAY AIKEN, Neil has his first Top 5 hit as a songwriter in 28 years!
That new hit is of course “Solitaire,” which makes it debut at #4 this week, and is actually the “B” side of Aiken’s new single. Since neither of the songs on the single are showing any radio play, Billboard is using info from the new Internet Downloads chart, where “Solitaire” debuts at #19. The “A” side of the single, “The Way,” doesn’t make the download chart at all.
“Solitaire” was originally a hit for THE CARPENTERS, who took it to #17, back in 1975. Sedaka was last in the Top 5 as a songwriter exactly 28 years ago this week, with “Lonely Nights (Angel Face)” by THE CAPTAIN & TENNILLE, which was peaking at #3 on March 27th, 1976.
NEIL SEDAKA was actually the first artist to ever take two different versions of the same song into the Billboard Top 10. His original version of “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” peaked at #1 in 1962, and his slowed down ballad remake of the classic peaked at #8 in February of ’76. Interestingly the last Hot 100 hit for Sedaka up till this week was another version of “Breaking Up,” called: “Breaking Up Is Hard On You (Don’t Take Ma Bell Away From Me)” by a studio group that called itself THE AMERICAN COMEDY NETWORK. That novelty hit about the break-up of the Bell telephone system peaked at #70, just a little over 20 years ago.
TAKE HER BREATH AWAY....PLEASE!:
Just three weeks after ANGEL CITY debuted with their take on READY FOR THE WORLD’S #1 hit from 1985, “Oh Sheila,” that dingy JESSICA SIMPSON has the weeks second highest debut on the chart with her version of BERLIN’S #1 hit from 1986 “Take My Breath Away,” which originally appeared on the soundtrack to TOP GUN, and won the Oscar for “Best Song” back in 1987.
If Mrs. Lachey is able to reach the #1 spot with her latest, “Breath” will be the first song that hit the top in the ‘80s to reach it again. Coincidentally, Simpson had a hit back in 2000 that sampled a #1 hit from the ‘80s...”Jack & Diane,” by JOHN COUGAR, called: “I Think I’m In Love With You.”
Several of the #1 hit from the ‘80s have already been hits by other artists, including:
“Please Don’t Go” by KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND, reached #6 in 1992 by K.W.S.
“Funky Town” by LIPPS INC., reached #6 in 1987 by PSEUDO ECHO
“Endless Love” by LIONEL RICHIE & DIANA ROSS, reached #2 in 1994 by LUTHER VANDROSS & MARIAH CAREY
“Hard To Say I’m Sorry” by CHICAGO, reached #8 in 1997 by AZ YET
“Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by BONNIE TYLER, reached #2 in 1995 by NICKI FRENCH
“Time After Time” by CYNDI LAUPER, reached #6 in 1998 by INOJ
“Heaven” by BRYAN ADAMS, reached #8 in 2002 by DJ SAMMY Featuring YANOU AND DO
“Kiss” by PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION, reached #31 in 1989 by THE ART OF NOISE Featuring TOM JONES
and “One More Try” by GEORGE MICHAEL, reached #29 in 1999 by DIVINE
However, none of them have managed to hit #1 a second time!
DEAD MAN’S CURVE:
Add another name to the “Artists with #1 hits to die” list. This week it’s JAN BERRY of JAN & DEAN fame.
JAN & DEAN had 6 Top 10 hits beginning in 1958 with “Jennie Lee,” and ending in 1964 with “The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena).”
The duo’s one moment on top was on July 20th, 1963, when “Surf City,” a song Berry co-wrote with Beach Boy BRIAN WILSON, spend two weeks in the #1 spot.
Jan was critically injured in 1966 in an auto accident, but the duo went on to make a “come-back” in 1978, after a popular biographical movie about them aired on TV.
U.S. Singles Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 15 singles:
1) Yeah! by USHER Featuring LIL JON & LUDACRIS
2) One Call Away by CHINGY Featuring J. WEAV
3) Tipsy by J-KWON
4) Solitaire by CLAY AIKEN
5) Hotel by CASSIDY Featuring R. KELLY
6) Dirt Off Your Shoulder by JAY-Z
7) Splash Waterfalls by LUDACRIS
8) My Immortal by EVANESCENCE
9) I Don’t Wanna Know by MARIO WINANS Featuring ENYA & P. DIDDY
10) This Love by MAROON5
11) Toxic by BRITNEY SPEARS
12) Slow Jamz by TWISTA Featuring KANYE WEST & JAMIE FOXX
13) The Way You Move by OUTKAST Featuring SLEEPY BROWN
14) The First Cut Is The Deepest by SHERYL CROW
15) Burn by USHER
U.S. Album Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 15 albums:
1) Feels Like Home by NORAH JONES
2) Split Personality by CASSIDY
3) Fallen by EVANESCENCE
4) In This Skin by JESSICA SIMPSON
5) The Other Side (EP) by GODSMACK
6) The College Dropout by KANYE WEST
7) When The Sun Goes Down by KENNY CHESNEY
8) Bad Boys 10th Anniversary...The Hits by VARIOUS ARTISTS
9) Songs About Jane by MAROON5
10) Closer by JOSH GROBAN
11) The Very Best Of Sheryl Crow by SHERYL CROW
12) Kamikaze by TWISTA
13) Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by OUTKAST
14) I Don’t Want You Back by EAMON
15) Jackpot by CHINGY
Top 10 Most Downloaded Tracks:
Here are this week’s Top 10 Hot Digital Tracks:
1) This Love by MAROON5
2) Tipsy by J-KWON
3) Toxic by BRITNEY SPEARS
4) Hey Ya! by OUTKAST
5) Are You Gonna Be My Girl by JET
6) Burn by USHER
7) I Believe In A Thing Called Love by THE DARKNESS
8) Hey Mama by BLACK EYED PEAS
9) 100 Years by FIVE FOR FIGHTING
10) I Miss You by BLINK-182
Modern Rock Tracks:
Here are this week’s Top 10 Modern Rock tracks:
1) I Miss You by BLINK-182
2) Megalomaniac by INCUBUS
3) Last Train Home by LOSTPROPHETS
4) The Reason by HOOBASTANK
5) Love Song by 311
6) One Thing by FINGER ELEVEN
7) Figured You Out by NICKELBACK
8) Silver And Cold by AFI
9) Cold Hard Bitch by JET
10) The Outsider by A PERFECT CIRCLE
Top Rap Tracks:
Here are this week’s Top 10 Rap tracks:
1) Tipsy by J-KWON
2) One Call Away by CHINGY Featuring J. WEAV
3) Splash Waterfalls by LUDACRIS
4) Dirt Off Your Shoulder by JAY-Z
5) Hotel by CASSIDY Featuring R. KELLY
6) Slow Jamz by TWISTA Featuring KANYE WEST & JAMIE FOXX
7) Wanna Get To Know You by G-UNIT Featuring JOE
8) Salt Shaker by YING YANG TWINS Featuring LIL JON & THE EAST SIDE BOYZ
9) I’m Still In Love With You by SEAN PAUL Featuring SASHA
10) Freek-A-Leek by PETEY PABLO
The U.K. Top 10:
Here are this week’s top 10 singles in the U.K.:
1) Yeah! by USHER Featuring LUDACRIS & LIL JON
2) Cha Cha Slide by DJ CASPER
3) Your Game by WILL YOUNG
4) Toxic by BRITNEY SPEARS
5) She Wants To Move by N.E.R.D.
6) Not In Love by ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Featuring KELIS
7) Thank You by JAMELIA
8) Baby I Love U by JENNIFER LOPEZ
9) Mysterious Girl by PETER ANDRE
10) Hey Mama by BLACK EYED PEAS
My Own Personal Top 30 Chart:
Looking to heighten your musical boundaries? Click here to listen to my Weekly Top 30!
It’s Free!...And worth nearly twice that!
1) Float On by MODEST MOUSE
2) Beautiful Stones by GOLD CASH GOLD
3) Before We Arrive by THE MELIGROVE BAND
4) In Your Sea by THE GET UP KIDS
5) Psalm For The Elks Lodge Last Call by THE WEAKERTHANS
6) Favorite Scar by THE VANISHED
7) Speed Dial No. 2 by ZERO 7
8) Blind Pilots by COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE
9) Misfit by ELEFANT
10) Marvelous Error by THE FARAWAY PLACES
11) Self-Fulfilling Prophecy by BLUE-EYED SON
12) Vaporize by YEAR OF THE RABBIT
13) Moviestar by STEREOPHONICS
14) Run by SNOW PATROL
15) Careful by GUSTER
16) Cherry Blossom Girl by AIR
17) Operation Big Beat by FROM BUBBLEGUM TO SKY
18) People Together by DJ ME DJ YOU
19) Ready For You by SLOAN
20) From California by THE NEW AMSTERDAMS
21) Parallel Lives by LE CONCORDE
22) I’m So L.A. by MYNX
23) Wear You Out by TV ON THE RADIO
24) Red Right Ankle by THE DECEMBERISTS
25) Back In Black by STERIOGRAM
26) Did I Ever Tell You I’m In Love With Your Girl by IRVING
27) Reconstruction Site by THE WEAKERTHANS
28) Vanilla Radio by WILDHEARTS
29) Walking Downtown by COPELAND
30) Far Star Lover by PINE*am
#1 ON BILLBOARD’S CHARTS
Here’s a look at what topping all the various pop culture charts this week:
#1 on the R&B Singles Chart = Yeah! by USHER Featuring LIL JON & LUDACRIS
#1 on the R&B Albums Chart = Split Personality by CASSIDY
#1 on the Country Singles Chart = When The Sun Goes Down by KENNY CHESNEY & UNCLE KRACKER
#1 on the Country Albums Chart = When The Sun Goes Down by KENNY CHESNEY
#1 on the Latin Singles Chart = Te Quise Tanto by PAULINA RUBIO
#1 on the Latin Albums Chart = Pau-Latina by PAULINA RUBIO
#1 on the Dance Music Club Play Chart = Love Profusion by MADONNA
#1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart = Figured You Out by NICKELBACK
#1 on the Adult Contemporary Chart = You Raise Me Up by JOSH GROBAN
#1 on the Top Internet Album Sales Chart = Feels Like Home by NORAH JONES
#1 on the Top DVD Sales Chart = MONA LISA SMILE
#1 on the Top Video Rentals Chart = MONA LISA SMILE
#1 on the Top Music Videos Chart = Live In Texas by LINKIN PARK
#1 on the Top Video Game Rentals Chart = XBOX – NINJA GAIDEN
FUN & GAMES:
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:
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This week: Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 31 years ago, March 30TH, 1973!
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, March 30, 1998:
Sex & Candy by MARCY PLAYGROUND
#1 Song on Billboard’s Country & Western Chart, March 30, 1993:
When My Ship Comes In by CLINT BLACK
#1 Album on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, March 30, 1988:
Faith by GEORGE MICHAEL
#1 Song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart, March 30, 1983:
Photograph by DEF LEPPARD
#1 Song on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart, March 30, 1978:
We’ll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again by ENGLAND DAN & JOHN FORD COLEY
#1 Song on Billboard’s R&B Chart, March 30, 1973:
Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) by GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS
#1 Song on the U.K Chart, March 30, 1968:
Lady Madonna by THE BEATLES
#1 Song on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, March 30, 1963:
He’s So Fine by THE CHIFFONS
REMEMBER THESE?:
Here are the official Top Ten Charts, 8, 18, 28, and 38 years ago this week:
MARCH 30, 1996:
1) Because You Loved Me by CELINE DION
2) Nobody Knows by THE TONY RICH PROJECT
3) Sittin’ Up In My Room by BRANDY
4) Down Low (Nobody Has To Know) by R. KELLY Featuring RONALD ISLEY
5) Not Gon’ Cry by MARY J. BLIGE
6) Ironic by ALANIS MORISSETTE
7) One Sweet Day by MARIAH CAREY & BOYZ II MEN
8) Missing by EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL
9) Follow You Down by GIN BLOSSOMS
10) Lady by D’ANGELO
MARCH 30, 1986:
1) Rock Me Amadeus by FALCO
2) R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock) by JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP
3) Kiss by PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION
4) Secret Lovers by ATLANTIC STARR
5) These Dreams by HEART
6) What You Need by INXS
7) Manic Monday by THE BANGLES
8) Let’s Go All The Way by SLY FOX
9) Addicted To Love by ROBERT PALMER
10) Nikita by ELTON JOHN
MARCH 30, 1976:
1) Disco Lady by JOHNNIE TAYLOR
2) Dream Weaver by GARY WRIGHT
3) Lonely Night (Angel Face) by THE CAPTAIN & TENNILLE
4) Let Your Love Flow by THE BELLAMY BROTHERS
5) Sweet Thing by RUFUS Featuring CHAKA KHAN
6) Right Back Where We Started From by MAXINE NIGHTINGALE
7) Dream On by AEROSMITH
8) December, 1963 (Oh What A Night) by THE FOUR SEASONS
9) Money Honey by THE BAY CITY ROLLERS
10) Golden Years by DAVID BOWIE
MARCH 30, 1966:
1) The Ballad Of The Green Berets by SSGT. BARRY SADLER
2) 19th Nervous Breakdown by THE ROLLING STONES
3) (You’re My) Soul And Inspiration by THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS
4) Daydream by THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL
5) Homeward Bound by SIMON & GARFUNKEL
6) Nowhere Man by THE BEATLES
7) California Dreamin’ by THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS
8) These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ by NANCY SINATRA
9) Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) by CHER
10) Sure Gonna Miss Her by GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS
THIS OR THAT: The answers to each of these questions are both song titles, and popular artists. See how many you know!
1) A #1 hit for PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION, or the classic rockers who reached the top ten with “Beth.” THE ANSWER: KISS.
2) A #6 hit in 1955 for EDDIE FISHER, or the Seattle rock band who spent three weeks at #1 with “Alone.” THE ANSWER: HEART.
3) THE MONOTONES #5 hit from 1958, or the alternative band with the hit “Pretty Boys & Pretty Girls.” THE ANSWER: BOOK OF LOVE.
4) A #3 R&B hit for STEPHANIE MILLS, or the ‘80s girl-group with the chart-topper: “If Wishes Came True.” THE ANSWER: SWEET SENSATION.
5) The #14 hit from 1976 by WING & A PRAYER FIFE & DRUM CORPS., or the vocalist/producer who hit the chart with “It’s No Crime,” and “Whip Appeal.” THE ANSWER: BABYFACE.
6) BILLY OCEAN’S #2 hit from 1985, or the Canadian rockers who sang about “Hot Girls In Love.” THE ANSWER: LOVERBOY.
7) PRINCE’S final #1 hit, or ERIC CLAPTON’S short lived “super-group.” THE ANSWER: CREAM.
8) GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION’S #15 R&B hit from 1976, or the British trio who topped the UK chart with “Beat Surrender,” and “Town Called Malice.” THE ANSWER: THE JAM.
9) ELVIS PRESLEY’S #5 hit from 1961, or the soulful ‘70s girl-group that featured SLY STONE’S sister. THE ANSWER: LITTLE SISTER.
10) LONNIE MACK’S rockabilly instrumental top 40 hit from 1963, or the popular '80s duo whose first #1 hit began with the words “Jitter-bug!” THE ANSWER: WHAM!
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTION:
Above I wrote a little article about #1 hits from the ‘80s that had become hits again, so I figured this week’s question would stick with that theme!
What was the first #1 hit from the ‘70s to reach #1 a second time by a different artist?
Answer Next Week!
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