June 6, 1981: Edition #75

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #75

He Wants The Girl, He Gets The Top: Rick Springfield Springs To #1
He’s the singer from Sydney, the doctor named Drake, but he’s not that jerk named Jessie. Rick Springfield jumps into the #1 spot with “Jessie’s Girl”, which, according to Rick, is a true story but with a few name changes. Doesn’t matter, because this tale of love and jealousy is a hit across the land. My only question is whether this girl will come forward or not to claim that she’s indeed the girl. She must be pretty embarrassed by now. Jessie, next time you better not let these relationships get so messy, or Rick have have to pen another tune or two to get you to learn your lesson.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #09, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “The Waiting” (rises five spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #16, A Taste Of Honey – “Sukiyaki” (falls five spots)

New To The Top 20:
#19, Joey Scarbury – “Theme From “Greatest American Hero” (Believe It Or Not)”: A happy 36th birthday to this Thousand Oaks, California native, who has his first top 40 hit with the theme from the TV show, The Greatest American Hero, which premiered a movie pilot in March on the network ABC. Now, this hero is dashing to the rescue of the poor and innocent #1 spot. Will he save it time before the evil forces of the chart world strike him down? Beware of that kryptonite, Joey…
#20, Manhattan Transfer – “Boy From New York City”: Back in 1975, this jazz and soul group hit the national top 40 with “Operator”, and now they’re back with a remake of the top 10 hit from The Ad Libs from the 60′s. I’m thinking a lot of boys and girls from New York City will be enjoying this tune, and soon it will be all over the country. I guess that transfer service better get to building more railroad tracks. Chugga chugga choo-choo.

01. Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl (03) (1 week at #1)
02. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes (05)
03. Hall & Oates – You Make My Dreams (07)
04. REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run (01) (3 non-con. weeks at #1)
05. Phil Collins – I Missed Again (04)
06. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (02) (1 week at #1)
07. Neil Diamond – America (09)
08. George Harrison – All Those Years Ago (10)
09. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – The Waiting (14)
10. Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands (06)
11. The Who – You Better You Bet (08)
12. Gary U.S. Bonds – This Little Girl (12)
13. Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart (15)
14. Air Supply – The One That You Love (16)
15. John Lennon – Watching The Wheels (13)
16. A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki (11)
17. Elton John – Nobody Wins (20)
18. Billy Vera & The Beaters – I Can Take Care Of Myself (19)
19. Joey Scarbury – Theme From “Greatest American Hero” (Believe It Or Not) (debut)
20. Manhattan Transfer – Boy From New York City (debut)

Off:
17. Gino Vannelli – Living Inside Myself
18. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (2 non-con. weeks at #1)

Freshen Up:
Alan Parsons Project – Time
Billy Squier – The Stroke
Greg Kihn Band – The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em)
Joe Dolce – Shaddap You Face
Joe Walsh – A Life Of Illusion
Jim Steinman – Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through
Juice Newton – Queen Of Hearts
Santana – Winning