April 25, 1981: Edition #69

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #69

Stolen By Six: Hall & Oates Reclaim The #1 Spot, But Where Are The Police?
Wanted: Daryl Hall and John Oates.
Age: Do we really care?
Height: Tall enough.
Crime Committed: Writing and Producing a hit about kisses that are subject to be found on lists.
Last Seen: Robbing the #1 spot from The Police and running away with it. Citizens nearby heard the unmistakable sound of falsetto as dawn broke, a possible sign of the culprits.
If you have any information on their whereabouts, please contact The Police so that Sting can have at ‘em.
Thank you and goodnight.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #03, REO Speedwagon – “Take It On The Run” (rises six spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #20, Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – “What Kind Of Fool?” (falls six spots)

New To The Top 20:
#15, Kim Carnes – “Bette Davis Eyes”: Just a few weeks after her 73rd birthday, it sounds like Bette Davis got an expected wish: to be immortalized in song. 35 year-old Kim Carnes sings the track, which is climbing up the charts faster than you can say What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Frankly, I don’t know the answer to the question, but I do know this has great potential to be Kim’s third top ten hit on the Pop chart. Just don’t stare too long at the charts, or you might get some Bette Davis Eye-Strain.

01. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (02) (6 non-con. weeks at #1)
02. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (01) (1 week at #1)
03. REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run (09)
04. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (03)
05. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (04)
06. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (06)
07. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (05)
08. Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands (11)
09. Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love) (10)
10. Smokey Robinson – Being With You (13)
11. John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night (08)
12. Blondie – Rapture (07)
13. Phil Collins – I Missed Again (16)
14. The Who – You Better You Bet (15)
15. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes (debut)
16. Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (12)
17. Gino Vannelli – Living Inside Myself (17)
18. .38 Special – Hold On Loosely (19)
19. The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party? (20)
20. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (14)

Off:
18. Don McLean – Crying

Freshen Up:
ABBA – Super Trouper
Alan Parsons Project – Time
A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Christopher Cross – Say You’ll Be Mine
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
Gary U.S. Bonds – This Little Girl
John Lennon – Watching The Wheels
Neil Diamond – America
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – A Woman Needs Love
Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
Santana – Winning
Stars On 45 – Stars On 45 (Medley)

April 18, 1981: Edition #68

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #68

Don’t Stand, Sit Down: The Police Take Their Seats At #1
What did I tell ya? Sting and The Police have this week’s brand new #1 song, “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”. It was the #1 Song Of The Year for 1980 over in the United Kingdom, and it’s also top 10 nationally here in the U.S. Maybe it’s unfair to compare the two statistics, but maybe someday, those three cops will have the #1 Song Of The Year in America. As long as they don’t stand so close to those other rock bands out there, I’m sure their unique sound will take them much farther.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #15, The Who – “You Better You Bet”, #17, Gino Vannelli – “Living Inside Myself” (rises three spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #14, Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – “What Kind Of Fool?” (falls five spots)

New To The Top 20:
#19, .38 Special – “Hold On Loosely”: These Southern rockers got as high as #15 last time around, with their hit from last year, “Rockin’ Into The Night”. Still rockin’ through the daylight hours, this song was originally written by a few guys from an up-and-coming band called Survivor, whose manager didn’t feel that this was the best song they could record. Ah, well, their loss. Now, it’s a major hit that should hold on to chart for a bit of time.
#20, The Rovers – “Wasn’t That A Party?”: You might remember this group’s top 10 ditty from 1968 called “The Unicorn”. Then, they were known as The Irish Rovers. Now, this Canadian group is back with a new American hit, which also debuted in the national top 40 this week at #39. Will this tune fly away like a unicorn into the fantasy land we call the Top Ten? If so, then, these guys could truly party hard.

01. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (02) (1 week at #1)
02. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (01) (5 weeks at #1)
03. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (03)
04. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (06)
05. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (05)
06. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (07)
07. Blondie – Rapture (04)
08. John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night (08)
09. REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run (10)
10. Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love) (11)
11. Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands (13)
12. Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (12)
13. Smokey Robinson – Being With You (14)
14. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (09)
15. The Who – You Better You Bet (18)
16. Phil Collins – I Missed Again (17)
17. Gino Vannelli – Living Inside Myself (20)
18. Don McLean – Crying (15)
19. .38 Special – Hold On Loosely (debut)
20. The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party? (debut)

Off:
16. Neil Diamond – Hello Again
19. Phil Seymour – Precious To Me

Freshen Up:
ABBA – Super Trouper
A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Christopher Cross – Say You’ll Be Mine
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
John Lennon – Watching The Wheels
Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – A Woman Needs Love
Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
Santana – Winning
Stars On 45 – Stars On 45 (Medley)

April 11, 1981: Edition #67

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #67

Same Ol’ Voices: A High-Five (Weeks) For Hall & Oates
As school vacation begins once again, there’s no recess at the top for Hall & Oates. Their hit, “Kiss On My List”, is up to five weeks at #1 on my chart, which is just amazing. You know what else is amazing? April vacation! Why don’t I make this short and sweet by saying that, by the time this week is over, I’ll be back to school, and someone may be schooling everyone else on the countdown. Ooh…

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #10, REO Speedwagon – “Take It On The Run” (rises eight spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #15, Don McLean – “Crying” (falls six spots)

New To The Top 20:
#20, Gino Vannelli – “Living Inside Myself”: This Canadian singer has been hitting the Pop chart since back in 1974, and this single is from his seventh studio album entitled Nightwalker. Now, don’t tuck yourself in quite yet – this ballad may just be one of those sleeper hits we see every year. So, please, have sweet dreams of Gino, he may just need it in order to get his second national top ten hit and first top ten on my personal chart. Nighty-night.

01. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (01) (5 weeks at #1)
02. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (02)
03. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (03)
04. Blondie – Rapture (04)
05. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (05)
06. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (06)
07. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (07)
08. John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night (10)
09. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (08)
10. REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run (18)
11. Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love) (13)
12. Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (12)
13. Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands (16)
14. Smokey Robinson – Being With You (14)
15. Don McLean – Crying (09)
16. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (11)
17. Phil Collins – I Missed Again (20)
18. The Who – You Better You Bet (19)
19. Phil Seymour – Precious To Me (15)
20. Gino Vannelli – Living Inside Myself (debut)

Off:
17. John Lennon – Woman (3 weeks at #1)

Freshen Up:
.38 Special – Hold On Loosely
A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Christopher Cross – Say You’ll Be Mine
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
John Lennon – Watching The Wheels
Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – A Woman Needs Love
Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
Stars On 45 – Stars On 45 (Medley)
Steely Dan – Time Out Of Mind
The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party?

April 4, 1981: Edition #66

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #66

Soul In Their Soles: Hall & Oates Step Forward For Their Fourth Week At The Top
Hall & Oates are spreading the love for another week, as “Kiss On My List” tops my chart for week #4. Next week, this duo could have the first song to spend five weeks at #1 since “Biggest Part Of Me” by Ambrosia, which sat at the top from mid-May to mid-June last year. No one’s spent six weeks at that sacred spot yet: will Daryl and John be able to pull it off? They better pucker up if they want a little more play.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #13, Journey – “The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love)” (rises five spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #17, John Lennon – “Woman” (falls eight spots)

New To The Top 20:
#18, REO Speedwagon – “Take It On The Run”: If you live under a rock, then you’ve probably never heard both their national #1 and my own personal #1 song called “Keep On Loving You”. If you don’t live under a rock, then you probably know that this is the band’s follow-up to that big hit, and a likely contender for #1 as well. Let’s just hope it doesn’t hit a rock or a speed bump on the way up the charts.
#19, The Who – “You Better You Bet”: The first single from Face Dances is this group’s first top-40 hit in three years. After Keith Moon tragically died a few years back, they’ve replaced him with Kenney Jones, who previously worked with…you’ll never guess…Faces. Makes you wanna look in the mirror, now, don’t it? Who “nose” where the song will peak, but I think it does have top 10 potential.
#20, Phil Collins – “I Missed Again”: From Face Dances to Face Value, it’s the first solo hit for a guy who had a #1 song with his band, Genesis, last August. That one was called “Misunderstanding”. This 30 year-old singer seems to have had some misunderstandings with his wife, as this song is reportedly about Phil’s anger towards her leaving him. Well, I haven’t abandoned his music yet, so let’s see if this chart relationship can last a little while longer.

01. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (01) (4 weeks at #1)
02. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (02)
03. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (04)
04. Blondie – Rapture (03)
05. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (05)
06. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (08)
07. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (11)
08. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (10)
09. Don McLean – Crying (06)
10. John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night (13)
11. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (07)
12. Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (14)
13. Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love) (18)
14. Smokey Robinson – Being With You (15)
15. Phil Seymour – Precious To Me (12)
16. Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands (20)
17. John Lennon – Woman (09) (3 weeks at #1)
18. REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run (debut)
19. The Who – You Better You Bet (debut)
20. Phil Collins – I Missed Again (debut)

Off:
16. Pat Benatar – Treat Me Right
17. Styx – The Best Of Times
19. Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play

Freshen Up:
.38 Special – Hold On Loosely
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Christopher Cross – Say You’ll Be Mine
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
Gino Vannelli – Living Inside Myself
James Taylor & J.D. Souther – Her Town Too
John Lennon – Watching The Wheels
Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – A Woman Needs Love
Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
Steely Dan – Time Out Of Mind
The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party?

March 28, 1981: Edition #65

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #65

Besame Mucho: “Kiss” Is Muy Caliente For A Third Week
Ay yi yi! Hall & Oates are #1 for a third week on my chart with “Kiss On My List”, their tenth top 40 hit on the American charts. Did you know Daryl released a solo album last year called Sacred Songs? Neither did I. It peaked at #58 on the album chart, but never launched a hit single. It’s too bad, really. Well, this time around, Daryl and his partner, John, have a monster hit on their hands. OK, so maybe it’s not Godzilla, but it’s certainly huge.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #11, Climax Blues Band – “I Love You” (rises seven spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #16, Pat Benatar – “Treat Me Right”, #17, Styx – “The Best Of Times” (falls six spots)

New To The Top 20:
#20, Styx – “Too Much Time On My Hands”: What time is it? Time to get a watch! Get on the chart watch that is, as the one is gonna be another big one from the band’s recent top 5 album, Paradise Theatre. In fact, early reports say the album is gonna be #1 next week on the Billboard Top LPs chart. Way to rock the record stores, guys. Looks like people have just enough time to make the band from Chicago, Illinois popular once again.

01. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (01) (3 weeks at #1)
02. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (02)
03. Blondie – Rapture (03)
04. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (04)
05. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (08)
06. Don McLean – Crying (06)
07. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (05)
08. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (09)
09. John Lennon – Woman (07) (3 weeks at #1)
10. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (12)
11. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (18)
12. Phil Seymour – Precious To Me (13)
13. John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night (15)
14. Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (16)
15. Smokey Robinson – Being With You (19)
16. Pat Benatar – Treat Me Right (10)
17. Styx – The Best Of Times (11)
18. Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love) (20)
19. Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play (14)
20. Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands (debut)

Off:
17. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You (3 weeks at #1)

Freshen Up:
.38 Special – Hold On Loosely
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Christopher Cross – Say You’ll Be Mine
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
Gino Vannelli – Living Inside Myself
James Taylor & J.D. Souther – Her Town Too
John Lennon – Watching The Wheels
Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
Phil Collins – I Missed Again
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – A Woman Needs Love
REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run
Steely Dan – Time Out Of Mind
The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party?
The Who – You Better You Bet

March 21, 1981: Edition #64

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #64

Smooth Smooching: “Kiss” Remains On Top Of The List
Hall & Oates are still plugging along at #1 with “Kiss On My List”, now spending its second week at the top. The duo just narrowly missed the #1 spot on my chart this time last year, when their song “Wait For Me” spent two weeks at #2. Well, at least the waiting is finally over…for Daryl Hall and John Oates, at least. For The Police, the wait is just beginning, as their new single, “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”, climbs into the #2 position this week. Let’s not be charthogs, boys, we can all share.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #04, Sheena Easton – “Morning Train (Nine To Five)”, #06, Don McLean – “Crying” (rises four spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #11, Styx – “The Best Of Times” (falls six spots)

New To The Top 20:
#19, Smokey Robinson – “Being With You”: Where there’s Smokey, there’s a hit record. This one is a hot charter on Billboard’s Soul Singles survey, and it’s making it’s way towards the top 10 on the Pop Chart as well. Smokey hasn’t had a #1 on Hot 100 since “Love Machine” with The Miracles, which charted five years ago. Hey, miracles do happen – we’ll see if one strikes again.
#20, Journey – “The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love)”: One of these things is not like the other. Of the seventeen tracks on the band’s latest release, Captured, this is the only studio-recorded track: the rest of them are live. It’s also the only track with a subtitle too. Could this song be their only #1 on my chart? I think the party is probably gonna be over shortly before it can make it that far. It’s a great track, however.

01. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (01) (2 weeks at #1)
02. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (04)
03. Blondie – Rapture (03)
04. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (08)
05. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (06)
06. Don McLean – Crying (10)
07. John Lennon – Woman (02) (3 weeks at #1)
08. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (11)
09. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (12)
10. Pat Benatar – Treat Me Right (07)
11. Styx – The Best Of Times (05)
12. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (13)
13. Phil Seymour – Precious To Me (15)
14. Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play (09)
15. John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night (17)
16. Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (18)
17. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You (14) (3 weeks at #1)
18. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (20)
19. Smokey Robinson – Being With You (debut)
20. Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love) (debut)

Off:
16. Dolly Parton – 9 To 5
19. ABBA – The Winner Takes It All

Freshen Up:
.38 Special – Hold On Loosely
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
Gino Vannelli – Living Inside Myself
James Taylor & J.D. Souther – Her Town Too
Phil Collins – I Missed Again
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – A Woman Needs Love
REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run
Rush – Limelight
Steely Dan – Time Out Of Mind
Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands
The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party?
The Who – You Better You Bet

March 14, 1981: Edition #63

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #63

Hall Of Fame: Daryl Hall and John Oates “Kiss” The Top
That daring duo of Hall & Oates score my fourth number one song of the year with “Kiss On My List”, and they’ve done it in just a few weeks. It’s the third single from their Voices LP, an album they pretty much produced and wrote all by themselves. With a fair amount of competition on the rise, it’s gonna take a little more punch to remain in that number one spot, but I think these two will prove to be a pair of Philadelphia phighters. Hey, if Daryl Hohl can change to Daryl Hall, I can change fighters to phighters. Round 1 to Adam.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #15, Phil Seymour – “Precious To Me” (rises four spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #14, REO Speedwagon – “Keep On Loving You”, #16, Dolly Parton – “9 To 5″ (falls five spots)

New To The Top 20:
#17, John Cougar – “Ain’t Even Done With The Night”: This hero of the Heartland has a brand new album entitled Nothin’ Matters And What If It Did. Well, I would think it would matter if you have a hit single on your hands! John’s had two other minor top 40 charters over the past few years, but this one “ain’t even done” on the radio yet, so keep watching to see how far John will go this time. No pun intended.
#18, Loverboy – “Turn Me Loose”: Our friends from up north have sent us this rockin’ band, led by 26-year-old Mike Reno. You think Mike likes to gamble? Reno in Reno anyone? You better lay down your cards on this group, as I’d say they are headed for big things. For now, I’ll stick with Crazy Eights rather than a round of Poker.
#20, Climax Blues Band – “I Love You”: If they “couldn’t get it right”, then why did they come back? I guess they had something left. Get it? Yeah, I’m just packed with those bad jokes this week. This one is a soft, mellow number that’s bound to catch the attention of all those lovebirds out there. So, not only will the lame jokes live on, but love lives on as well. Awww…

01. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (02) (1 week at #1)
02. John Lennon – Woman (01) (3 weeks at #1)
03. Blondie – Rapture (04)
04. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (05)
05. Styx – The Best Of Times (03)
06. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (07)
07. Pat Benatar – Treat Me Right (08)
08. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (10)
09. Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play (06)
10. Don McLean – Crying (12)
11. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (14)
12. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (13)
13. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (16)
14. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You (09) (3 weeks at #1)
15. Phil Seymour – Precious To Me (19)
16. Dolly Parton – 9 To 5 (11)
17. John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night (debut)
18. Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (debut)
19. ABBA – The Winner Takes It All (15)
20. Climax Blues Band – I Love You (debut)

Off:
17. Eddie Rabbitt – I Love A Rainy Night
18. Kool & The Gang – Celebration
20. Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah!

Freshen Up:
.38 Special – Hold On Loosely
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
A Taste Of Honey – Sukiyaki
Badfinger – Hold On
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
James Taylor & J.D. Souther – Her Town Too
Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love)
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – A Woman Needs Love
Smokey Robinson – Being With You
Steely Dan – Time Out Of Mind
The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party?

March 7, 1981: Edition #62

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #62

Last Call For Lennon: Hall & Oates Prepare To Kiss “Woman” Goodbye
It’s more than a Double Fantasy: John Lennon has gone for the triple on the countdown and has succeeded with his posthumous hit, “Woman”. Even though this is probably John’s last week at the top, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a few more tunes released from his record before it, like the singer who sings it, is put to rest. The soul of Philadelphia, Hall & Oates, has been traveling the long hall to #1 for a few weeks now. They sit at #2 again this week. They say there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Do I see something shining through? Get some sunglasses, this may be it.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #10, Sheena Easton – “Morning Train (Nine To Five)”, #12, Don McLean – “Crying” (rises five spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #20, Donnie Iris – “Ah! Leah!” (falls seven spots)

New To The Top 20:
#14, Juice Newton – “Angel Of The Morning”: Juice? Like, apple juice? Orange juice? Juicy secrets? Whatever the case may be, this little lady is scoring her first hit on my chart with a remake of an old 60′s tune. Why don’t you pour yourself a cup of juice and ponder if she’s related to Olivia Newton-John, huh? (P.S. They’re not.)
#16, Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – “What Kind Of Fool?”: The truth of the matter is the Guilty LP has produced three hits on my chart for Barbra and Barry. Another fact: I like this tune more than their last tune, which was the title track. The awful truth? I have a feeling this may be Barbra’s last charting record for a while. I mean, I hope not, but you can only be a Funny Girl for so long.
#19, Phil Seymour – “Precious To Me”: This 28-year-old likes his striped shirts, as well as the odd top 40 hit once in a while. He last hit the top 40 in 1975 with The Dwight Twilley Band, who made it as high as #16 with “I’m On Fire”. Now, Phil is burning up the charts again with a tender love song. Too bad he missed that whole event called “Valentine’s Day”. Smooth one, Seymour.

01. John Lennon – Woman (01) (3 weeks at #1)
02. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (02)
03. Styx – The Best Of Times (03)
04. Blondie – Rapture (04)
05. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (07)
06. Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play (05)
07. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (09)
08. Pat Benatar – Treat Me Right (12)
09. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You (06) (3 weeks at #1)
10. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (15)
11. Dolly Parton – 9 To 5 (08)
12. Don McLean – Crying (17)
13. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (16)
14. Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning (debut)
15. ABBA – The Winner Takes It All (10)
16. Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool? (debut)
17. Eddie Rabbitt – I Love A Rainy Night (11)
18. Kool & The Gang – Celebration (14)
19. Phil Seymour – Precious To Me (debut)
20. Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah! (13)

Off:
18. Dan Fogelberg – Same Old Lang Syne
19. Randy Meisner – Hearts On Fire
20. Cliff Richard – A Little In Love

Freshen Up:
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Climax Blues Band – I Love You
Franke & The Knockouts – Sweetheart
John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night
Journey – The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love)
Leo Sayer – Living In A Fantasy
Loverboy – Turn Me Loose
Smokey Robinson – Being With You
The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party?

February 28, 1981: Edition #61 (Birthday Edition!)

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #61 (Birthday Edition!)

A Hard Birthday’s Night: Lennon Takes The Cake At #1
One more day ’til the big B-Day! It’s always an exciting time: gotta check your list to make sure all the LPs you want are throughly written out, plus, all those decisions: vanilla, chocolate, marble cake? Ahhh! Until the excitement is over next week, I’ll just leave you with a few words: John Lennon is #1 again this week with “Woman”, but Hall & Oates, Styx and Blondie are definitely looking for the gift of another #1. Who will get their icing on the cake next week? Mmm…sugar…I mean, check back in seven days for the answer.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #04, Blondie – “Rapture”, #07, The Police – “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” (rises seven spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #18, Dan Fogelberg – “Same Old Lang Syne” (falls six spots)

New To The Top 20:
#15, Sheena Easton – “Morning Train (Nine To Five)”: You still after that Loch Ness Monster? I think it would be easier to catch a 45RPM single of this. This Scottish lady’s first single was a big hit across the pond, and now, it’s swimming across to the U.S. shores. Well, maybe it’s just taking a boat, or a plane. Oh, if only the lakes here weren’t all frozen up…
#16, Steve Winwood – “While You See A Chance”: He had two top 10 hits with The Spencer Davis Group, and now this 32-year-old is branching off on his own. His album is called Arc Of A Diver, and again, it’s too frigid to jump into those waters. Are our countdown debuts all confused with the seasons or something?
#17, Don McLean – “Crying”: OK, maybe this one is not. He’s not had a top 10 hit since his big one, “American Pie”, which was #1 for the whole month of January in 1972. Now, Don is back to reclaim his throne with a cover of the hit Roy Orbison tune from the early 60′s. It’s almost top 10 on the Pop chart right now, and that’s certainly nothing to cry over. Nor is spilt milk. Okay, let’s get this birthday celebration rollin’.

01. John Lennon – Woman (01) (2 weeks at #1)
02. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (02)
03. Styx – The Best Of Times (05)
04. Blondie – Rapture (11)
05. Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play (06)
06. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You (03) (3 weeks at #1)
07. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (14)
08. Dolly Parton – 9 To 5 (04)
09. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (15)
10. ABBA – The Winner Takes It All (07)
11. Eddie Rabbitt – I Love A Rainy Night (08)
12. Pat Benatar – Treat Me Right (13)
13. Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah! (10)
14. Kool & The Gang – Celebration (09)
15. Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five) (debut)
16. Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (debut)
17. Don McLean – Crying (debut)
18. Dan Fogelberg – Same Old Lang Syne (12)
19. Randy Meisner – Hearts On Fire (19)
20. Cliff Richard – A Little In Love (16)

Off:
17. Michael Stanley Band – He Can’t Love You
18. Steely Dan – Hey Nineteen
20. Neil Diamond – Love On The Rocks (4 weeks at #1)

Freshen Up:
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool?
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Climax Blues Band – I Love You
Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning
John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night
Leo Sayer – Living In A Fantasy
Loverboy – Turn Me Loose
Phil Seymour – Precious To Me
Smokey Robinson – Being With You
The Rovers – Wasn’t That A Party?

February 21, 1981: Edition #60

Adam’s Top Twenty Singles Chart — Edition #60

All You Need Is Love: Lennon Lives At #1
Just a few short months after his death, the love continues to pour in for John Lennon as he picks up his second posthumous #1 single: “Woman”. The beautiful tune is a tribute to his wife, Yoko Ono, who will be releasing a song the two collaborated on together, “Walking On Thin Ice”, very soon. Well, considering we’re still in that lovely time called Winter, who knows how slippery it’s gonna be at the top of the charts. Think of it: a combination of a top 20 countdown and a skating rink. Two is better than one. Anyways, look for John to hang at the top for a few more weeks.

Ups & Downs:
This week’s Biggest Mover: #02, Hall & Oates – “Kiss On My List”, #05, Styx, “The Best Of Times” (rises five spots)
This week’s Biggest Dropper: #20, Neil Diamond – “Love On The Rocks” (falls seven spots)

New To The Top 20:
#11, Blondie – “Rapture”: It’s Debbie Harry as you’ve never heard her before: rapping! Yes, she’s rhyming about normal, everyday things like aliens eating cars and guitars and…huh? Okay, so it doesn’t make too much sense, but hey, if you’re a popular group, who says your singles need to make sense? It would only be nonsensical if this didn’t go to #1 with such a high debut.
#14, The Police – “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”: It’s a struggle between student and teacher just in time for the second half of the school year. Sting and the boys are poised for the top this time around because, after all, third time is the charm. “Message In A Bottle” and “De Doo Doo Doo, De Da Da Da” may not have done the trick, but if nobody’s standing close to these guys competition-wise, they should sail to the top of the class with their A+ hit.
#19, Randy Meisner – “Hearts On Fire”: He took it to the limit, and now, this former member of the Eagles is expanding his boundaries and his wings on his new solo hit. It’s not likely to be as big as his contributions to his former group, but Randy’s quite dandy with this single, from his album called One More Song, and on that note, here’s one more adios until next week.

01. John Lennon – Woman (02) (1 week at #1)
02. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List (07)
03. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You (01) (3 weeks at #1)
04. Dolly Parton – 9 To 5 (03)
05. Styx – The Best Of Times (10)
06. Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play (09)
07. ABBA – The Winner Takes It All (06)
08. Eddie Rabbitt – I Love A Rainy Night (04)
09. Kool & The Gang – Celebration (05)
10. Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah! (11)
11. Blondie – Rapture (debut)
12. Dan Fogelberg – Same Old Lang Syne (08)
13. Pat Benatar – Treat Me Right (15)
14. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (debut)
15. Neil Diamond – Hello Again (18)
16. Cliff Richard – A Little In Love (17)
17. Michael Stanley Band – He Can’t Love You (12)
18. Steely Dan – Hey Nineteen (14)
19. Randy Meisner – Hearts On Fire (debut)
20. Neil Diamond – Love On The Rocks (13) (4 weeks at #1)

Off:
16. Blondie – The Tide Is High
19. Barry Manilow – I Made It Through The Rain
20. Delbert McClinton – Giving It Up For Your Love

Freshen Up:
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb – What Kind Of Fool?
Champaign – How ‘Bout Us?
Climax Blues Band – I Love You
Don McLean – Crying
Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning
John Cougar – Ain’t Even Done With The Night
Leo Sayer – Living In A Fantasy
Loverboy – Turn Me Loose
Phil Seymour – Precious To Me
Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine To Five)
Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance