I will begin this ‘musical journey’ with my favorite songs that appeared in the TOP 100 back in 1980. I am starting with this year since it was back in May 4, 1980 that Kasey Casem’s television show “America’s TOP 10,” made its debut in syndication in the U.S and it was the beginning of the decade that (in my opinion) will be pop music’s mega golden age. However at the beginning, continuing the trend that started during the latter part of the 1970s, sales for both albums and singles declined. If there was any kind of music that dominated that year it was…of course…. pop. With the death of disco, British New Wave was just waiting to make its presence felt. The release of the film ‘Urban Cowboy’ and its soundtrack revived country music (or is it because of the film’s star John Travolta…remember his role in making disco ultra popular back in 1977?). The most significant trend, in my opinion, that will have an impact to the music industry in the coming years is the growing popularity of music clips of singers performing their latest songs and released by record companies for promotional purposes with Gary Numan and Blondie leading the charge. After listening to all 470 songs that appeared in the TOP 100 in 1980 the following are my favorites. There will be omissions (Upside Down by Diana Ross, Another One Bites the Dust by Queen, Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd, etc.) that will make you go….hmmmmmmmmmmm. However, this is my list. These are songs that would make me want to push the REPEAT button. The aforementioned songs could be included in entries that will focus on important or significant songs of a particular year or decade.
Update: Initially I included youtube videos of the songs, but that caused delays in viewing the whole post. Other than that, a day after I uploaded the video for the Toby Beau song, it was removed from the YT site. I was thinking coincidence but I'd rather play it safe. So if you want to hear the songs then you can just go to YT and type the title and artist yourself. Enjoy!
SONG NO. 1TITLE: Only the Lonely (Have a Reason to be Sad)
ARTIST: La Flavour
PEAK POSITION: 91
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 2
What I vividly remember from my early days of listening to the radio was that majority of hit songs played by Filipino DJs were ‘easy’ and ‘cool.’ It was only during high school that I learned that it was called ‘easy-listening’ music. My early exposure to this type of music made me partial to love songs from the pop, jazz and soul genres. ‘Only The Lonely’ is a perfect example of that. It’s one song that I will play while cleaning the house for the relaxing and soothing effect.
SONG NO. 2TITLE: Remote Control
ARTIST: The Reddings
PEAK POSITION: 89
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 13
You may not be familiar with this song but maybe after hearing this you would recognize a big Bobby Brown hit and the Britney Spears remake (My Prerogative). Cool, funky disco tune from two sons of the great Otis Redding.
SONG NO. 3 TITLE: The Breaks PART 1
ARTIST: Kurtis Blow
PEAK POSITION: 87
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100 6
If you are a fan of Jimmy Fallon’s late night show, you may have seen Jimmy use this during a routine with Justin Timberlake a few weeks ago. This is an entertaining song from the early days of a genre that will begin its dominance on the pop charts a decade later.
SONG NO. 4TITLE: I’ve Just Begun to Love You
ARTIST: Dynasty
PEAK POSITION: 87
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 6
Too bad this song was released a year after disco was given a death sentence. Funkdafied dance music at its very best.
SONG NO. 5TITLE: You Can Call Me Blue
ARTIST: Michael Johnson
PEAK POSITION: 86
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 3
One of those songs that would always make me feel nostalgic for the 1980s.
SONG NO. 6TITLE: More Bounce to the Ounce (Part 1)
ARTIST: Zapp and Roger
PEAK POSITION: 86
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 7
I never got to experience going to the skating rink at the old Araneta Center or at Luneta and dance on skates. I could have so much fun dancing on skates to this hypnotic jam.
SONG NO. 7TITLE: I Call Your Name
ARTIST: Switch
PEAK POSITION: 83
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 15
This song is about seven minutes long but I never get tired of listening to this super falsetto-fest.
SONG NO. 8TITLE: Just For The Moment
ARTIST: Ray Kennedy
PEAK POSITION: 82
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 3
This is the song that used to make me look forward to spending relaxing rainy weekends when I was a freshman back in college. Made me sleep better even after attending ROTC sessions during Sundays.
SONG NO. 9TITLE: You and Me
ARTIST: Rockie Robbins
PEAK POSITION: 80
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 4
A great song from a time when men really loved their women.
SONG NO. 10TITLE: Cry Just a Little
ARTIST: Paul Davis
PEAK POSITION: 78
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 4
I heard this song for the first time a year ago and I immediately fell in love with it. The voice is simply deceptively simple.
SONG NO. 11TITLE: I Was Looking For Someone To Love
ARTIST: Leif Garrett
PEAK POSITION: 78
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 5
Before the Justin Beiber hair, we had the Leifmotif (bad hair day that recurs). However, there is no denying that Leif is one of the biggest teen idols of the 1970s. His career (well I think) ended in the U.S. by 1980, but here in the Philippines he hit it big with this song.
SONG NO. 12TITLE: You’re My Blessing
ARTIST: Lou Rawls
PEAK POSITION: 77
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 3
Gifted with one of the classiest and smoothest voices in pop music, Lou Rawls has always been a favorite and an influence. He can turn an ordinary song to an anthem…like this one.
SONG NO. 13TITLE: Survive
ARTIST: Jimmy Buffett
PEAK POSITION: 77
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 5
I have no idea why that line about a telephone bill was included in this song but I can’t deny that I was moved when I first heard this song a few years ago. The melody, the honest voice, and the killer background vocals made this song important for me.
SONG NO. 14TITLE: Inside of You
ARTIST: Ray, Goodman, and Brown
PEAK POSITION: 76
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 4
Originally known as The Moments, this group sounded like the Delfonics when I first heard their other big hit, Special Lady. Well no coincidence there since Harold Brown is the former vocalist of the said group. This song is no exception.
SONG NO. 15TITLE: Holdin’ On for Dear Love
ARTIST: Lobo
PEAK POSITION: 75
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 8
When I was a kid I thought that Lobo (Robert Kent LaVoie in real life) was a Filipino singer since lobo is the Pinoy term for balloon. Jazzy and folky, this song is one smooth baby.
SONG NO. 16TITLE: I Don’t Like Mondays
ARTIST: Boomtown Rats
PEAK POSITION: 73
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 5
One of the greatest songs of this decade (and probably of all-time) is about a teenager who fired at children playing in a school playground just because it livened up her Monday. The opening line “Silicon chip inside her head had switched to overload,” in my personal opinion is one of the most profound song lyrics ever written.
SONG NO. 17TITLE: Leavin’ L.A.
ARTIST: Deliverance
PEAK POSITION: 71
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 5
If you’re a fan of Christian pop music, then this band must be one of your favorites back in the early 80s.
SONG NO. 18TITLE: If I Were You
ARTIST: Toby Beau
PEAK POSITION: 70
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 4
The last line in the chorus….”If I Were You, I’d Fall in Love With Me,” killed me. Should have been a top ten hit.
SONG NO. 19TITLE: Catching The Sun
ARTIST: Spyro Gyra
PEAK POSITION: 68
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 5
One of the biggest groups in the smooth jazz movement, Spyro Gyra has one of the biggest followings among the so-called “conyo” (young middle class students or young professionals) crowd during the 80s. Listening to this tune makes me miss those old travel shows and makes me look forward to seeing old American morning shows on YouTube.
SONG NO. 20TITLE: Don’t Make Me Over
ARTIST: Jennifer Warnes
PEAK POSITION: 67
WEEKS IN THE TOP 100: 7
What a voice! Definitely the best recorded version of this song…with all due respect to Ms. Warwick.
END OF PART ONE : MY FAVORITE 1980 BILLBOARD SONGS
Hey keep posting such good and meaningful articles.
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