By Roger Nead
May 24, 2005
EVERYONE’S LIKE SO OVER ME:
Yes, it’s been many a moon since I last sent in one of these columns, in fact I’m not even sure they’ll put it up…if they do then…YAY! If they don’t it won’t really matter what I say here cause nobody will ever read it. I can just ramble on and on with a bunch of nonsense. Wait, that’s what I’ve been doing here since 2002.
Well, way back when I last put a Pop Chart News column together, MICHAEL JACKSON was on trial. Oh, yeah, that’s still going on, so I guess things haven’t changed much.
One thing that has really changed in the last three months is the Billboard Hot 100 chart. And since that’s what I was originally supposed to be writing about, I guess I should explain what’s up:
WHITEY’S IN DA HOUSE:
For the first time in nearly 2 years, a Caucasian person has reached the #1 spot on the Hot 100. Ok, that’s not really very exciting, but hey, white people gotta get excited over something! Anyway, the whitey I speak of is GWEN STEFANI, who spends a fourth week at the top with: “Hollaback Girl.” Believe it or not “Hollaback” is the first #1 for Gwen on the Hot 100, including her hits with NO DOUBT.
The last white artist to hit #1 was CLAY AIKEN, back in July of 2003. And you really can’t get much whiter than CLAY AIKEN, can you?
The fact is, in the last few months Rock/Pop music has suddenly seen a big surge on the popular music chart, which for the last few years has been predominantly Hip-Hop and Country. The reason for this change is that Billboard has begun to figure in the amounts of Digital Downloaded songs, which puts the single back into play, after years of being an after-thought. This mostly helps Rock music, which has not been a radio favorite so far this decade. Pop/Rock artists like: GREEN DAY, WEEZER, NINE INCH NAILS, THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, FOO FIGHTERS and THE KILLERS have all seen recent Top 40 action, and many have had the biggest hits of their careers.
Some of the ‘90’s biggest pop acts are also seeing a resurgence on the chart after many years away. MARIAH CAREY, BACKSTREET BOYS and WILL SMITH all have major hits on the chart this week. Mariah is back in the Top 2 for the first time since August of 2001, with her latest, “We Belong Together.” Carey had a run of 15 #1 hits beginning in August of 1990, with “Vision Of Love,” and ending in February of 2000, with “Thank God I Found You.”
We’re also seeing the rebirth of the “one-hit-wonder.” Back on March 5TH, “Across The Universe” by VARIOUS ARTISTS made its debut on the Hot 100 at #22. A week later the Beatles cover single released for charity was not to be found anywhere on the chart. Since the start of the Hot 100 in 1958 I’ve never found a song to only spend 1 week on the chart, and peak inside the Top 40. In January of 1999, PRINCE’S “1999” spent one week at #40 and then dropped off the chart, but that was a re-issue and it had already spent more than 20 weeks there, back in 1983.
Anyway, I guess it’s good to see Pop and Rock back onto the chart. I will never truly be happy until everyone listens to the same stuff I do. But, until then, keep buying digital downloads, and support your favorite band! Oh God, I sound like a total dork, don’t I? No, it’s ok, you can tell me, I mean, I sound like a douche-bag, don’t I? Oh man…I’ll never be cool. Sigh.
DESERTED ISLAND DISCS PART IV:
Oh yeah, I almost forgot…I put one of these together too. For those of you who have just been waiting for this thrilling series to continue. Yes, I know who you are. I still have the restraining order.
So here are my picks of the ten best albums of 1972:
10) BLUE OYSTER CULT by BLUE OYSTER CULT
The debut release for the progressive hard-rocking New York band, who would become known for hits about The Reaper, and Godzilla, and the fact that their vocalist is a cousin of Howard Stern. Best known track is probably “Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll,” and other stand-out songs include “Transmaniacon MC,” “Screams,” and “Stairway To The Stars.”
BLUE OYSTER CULT ultimately reached #172 in the summer of ’72, and eventually wound-up sitting underneath many bongs in the late ‘70’s. And it was still a decade away from BOC’S best album.
9) EXILE ON MAIN STREET by THE ROLLING STONES
A step down from their previous release, 1971’s Sticky Fingers, but still a must-have for Stones fans.
A rare double-album release from the group and featured the bands first hit with KEITH RICHARDS on lead vocals, “Happy.” Best known track is the Top 10 “Tumbling Dice,” the album is also the home of “Rocks Off,” “Sweet Virginia,” and “Turd On The Run,” among others. Yes, “Turd On The Run.” One of the last meaningful works for the Stones, Exile is kind of a cap on their best run of album releases, 1968-1973.
8) BROTHER BROTHER BROTHER by THE ISLEY BROTHERS
Only the Isley’s second Top 30 album, Brother Brother Brother featured some of their best work to date. Best known track is also the best track on the album, “Pop That Thang,” #24 in the summer of ’72. Other near-hits include: “Lay-Away,” and “Work To Do.”
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite ISLEY BROTHERS album. This is definitely in my Top 3 though. Doesn’t everyone have a list of their favorite ISLEY BROTHERS albums?
7) SOMETHING/ANYTHING by TODD RUNDGREN
25 excellent tracks by Artist/Producer Rundgren, Something/Anything features his two biggest smashes: “I Saw The Light,” and “Hello, It’s Me,” as well as other noteworthy songs like “Wolfman Jack,” which featured the famed Wolfman, “Some Folks Is Even Whiter Than Me,” “The Night The Carousel Burned Down,” and “Black Maria.”
As a producer Todd has brought us some classic rock albums by artists such as MEAT LOAF, PATTI SMITH, BADFINGER, THE TUBES, XTC, and GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, among others, but as an artist Rundgren hasn’t released anything as accessible as Something/Anything, and that includes his work with UTOPIA.
6) STILL BILL by BILL WITHERS
A shining example of Withers’ best moments, STILL BILL is a 70’s soul “must-have.” Although “Lean On Me” was the standout hit, and Bill’s only #1, it’s far from the best track on the album. “Who Is He (And What Is He To You),” “Use Me,” “Kissing My Love,” and “Lonely Town, Lonely Street,” represent some of the best soul music of all time.
5) TRANSFORMER by LOU REED
The second solo release by the former VELVET UNDERGROUND member, is possibly his best, but definitely his best-known work. Transformer contains production work by DAVID BOWIE and MICK RONSON, and it includes Reed’s biggest hit: “Walk On The Wild Side.” I really don’t feel qualified to truly review Reed’s work, there are so many real LOU REED fanatics out there who are better suited to give you the lowdown on what’s good, but if you’re just getting to know Lou, this is a nice place to start. My favorite tracks are: “Perfect Day,” “Hangin’ Around,” and “Goodnight Ladies.” And the colored girls go, do da do da do da do, and so on.
4) THE RISE & FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST by DAVID BOWIE
Ziggy Stardust is a great Bowie album, very well-known, but maybe not necessarily his best. It includes popular tracks like “Ziggy Stardust,” as well as “Suffragette City,” plus classics like: “Hang On To Yourself,” “Starman,” and “Rock And Roll Suicide.” Unlike some of David’s previous work, HUNKY DORY, or SPACE ODDITY, I can always get through this one without skipping a track. Bowie’s glittery approach to 70’s glam-rock is very apparent here, although I always get the feeling he wishes he’d never created the Ziggy Stardust character. It’s so overwhelming at times, he never really lived up to it. But, the album itself is a startling moment in rock music history, that the entire genre could never live up to.
3) SUPERFLY ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK by CURTIS MAYFIELD
Every song on this soul masterpiece seems, at times, contradictive to the film they accompany. Each track seems to tell a straight-up tale of caution and regret, whereas the film is more about a dope dealer looking to score one more big drug deal. This is one of those rare soundtracks that would hold up perfectly without the film. The film on the other hand would lose a lot of its appeal without former Impression CURTIS MAYFIELD’S riveting album.
Among the albums legendary sample-worthy hits are “Freddie’s Dead,” “Superfly,” and “Pusherman.” If this one can’t groove ya, I just don’t know what to do with you!
2) CAN’T BUY A THRILL by STEELY DAN
The debut release from the duo who named their group after a dildo, and once employed Chevy Chase as their drummer, “Can’t Buy A Thrill” is the only Fagen/Becker album likely to make my Top 10, and it includes “Dirty Work,” one of my all-time favorite tunes. Add to that the record includes “Do It Again,” “Midnite Cruiser,” “Reelin’ In The Years,” and “Change Of The Guard.” This album is practically the play list of every album rock radio station in the U.S.
1) THE WORLD IS A GHETTO by WAR
Ok, this one may come as a surprise, to finish at #1, but I’m just a freak for this band. “Ghetto” is easily WAR’S best album, as well as probably my third favorite album of all time. The title track, a #7 pop hit, is probably my third favorite song of all time, as well. The album contains only 6 tracks, and everyone is brilliant. I would probably rank them in this order: #1, “The World Is A Ghetto,” #2, “Four Corned Room,” #3, “Where Was You At,” #4, “The Cisco Kid,” #5, “City, Country, City,” and #6, “Beetles In The Bog.” “Ghetto” was also the biggest selling album in the U.S. in 1973, which goes to show how much more taste people had back then. I’m not really sure if this album would fit in the “Funk” category, but it’s truly “Funky Latin Soul Pop,” at it’s finest. Forget the CD, this one is best listened to on Vinyl, or maybe a nice 8-Track Tape if you can find it. Guess what? I have it on all three!
Alright, that’s it for 1972. With my current work schedule, it’s really unlikely I’ll be able to continue this column on a weekly basis, as I once did, but stay tuned to Moviepoopshoot, and feel free to harass me if you need a Pop Chart News fix! Oh yeah, and thanks for reading!
U.S. Singles Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 singles:
1) Hollaback Girl by GWEN STEFANI
2) We Belong Together by MARIAH CAREY
3) Oh by CIARA Featuring LUDACRIS
4) Just A Lil Bit by 50 CENT
5) Hate It Or Love It by THE GAME Featuring 50 CENT
6) Don’t Phunk With My Heart by BLACK EYED PEAS
7) Lonely No More by ROB THOMAS
8) Since U Been Gone by KELLY CLARKSON
9) Slow Down by BOBBY VALENTINO
10) Lonely by AKON
U.S. Album Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 albums:
1) Stand Up by DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
2) Make Believe by WEEZER
3) The Emancipation Of Mimi by MARIAH CAREY
4) The Massacre by 50 CENT
5) With Teeth by NINE INCH NAILS
6) Modern Day Drifter by DIERKS BENTLEY
7) Love. Angel. Music. Baby. by GWEN STEFANI
8) …Something To Be by ROB THOMAS
9) Who Is Mike Jones? by MIKE JONES
10) Devils And Dust by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
The Pop 100 Top 10:
Here is this week’s Top 10 tracks on Billboard’s new Pop 100 Chart:
1) Hollaback Girl by GWEN STEFANI
2) Don’t Phunk With My Heart by THE BLACK EYED PEAS
3) Since U Been Gone by KELLY CLARKSON
4) Switch by WILL SMITH
5) Lonely by AKON
6) Incomplete by THE BACKSTREET BOYS
7) Lonely No More by ROB THOMAS
8) Behind These Hazel Eyes by KELLY CLARKSON
9) We Belong Together by MARIAH CAREY
10) Mr. Brightside by THE KILLERS
Modern Rock Tracks:
Here are this week’s Top 10 Modern Rock tracks:
1) The Hand That Feeds by NINE INCH NAILS
2) Holiday by GREEN DAY
3) Beverly Hills by WEEZER
4) Best Of You by FOO FIGHTERS
5) B.Y.O.B. by SYSTEM OF A DOWN
6) E-Pro by BECK
7) Be Yourself by AUDIOSLAVE
8) Speed Of Sound by COLDPLAY
9) Blue Orchid by THE WHITE STRIPES
10) Happy? by MUDVAYNE
My Personal Top 25 Chart
Presenting the fantastic return of my personal Top 25. I haven’t done one of these in months, but there is so much good music out now, and I want everyone to seek out these “should-be” Hits!:
1) Take Me Home, Please by REGGIE & THE FULL EFFECT
2) Dakota by STEREOPHONICS
3) Black And White Town by DOVES
4) Kerosene by THE VANISHED
5) The Shouty Track by LEMON JELLY
6) I Walked With A Zombie by WEDNESDAY 13
7) Hey Man (Now You’re Really Living) by EELS
8) All Used Up by SLOAN
9) You’re In My Heart (Little Pretty) by PEPPER’S GHOST
10) Girl In America by BLINKER THE STAR
11) Daft Punk Is Playing At My House by LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
12) Portions For Foxes by RILO KELEY
13) The Sporting Life by THE DECEMBERISTS
14) Hounds Of Love by THE FUTUREHEADS
15) Brighter Than The Sunshine by AQUALUNG
16) Never Take Friendship Personal by ANBERLIN
17) I’m Still In Love by THE FOXYMORONS
18) Change Of Living by THE ONLY CHILDREN
19) No Matter What by DEF LEPPARD
20) Christine by MONSTERS ARE WAITING
21) Missing Summer by GREATER CALIFORNIA
22) Pushing The Senses by FEEDER
23) Marmalade Maggie by THE MEREDITHS
24) Jane by MARK DIGNAM
25) Come Down On Me by LEMON JELLY
FUN & GAMES:
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:
THE 70’S
Just so ya know, these stations are updated every week even if I’m unable to do a poopshoot article. So check ‘em out like each Tuesday. Also, coming soon will be a Billboard Chart station for the 1960’s.
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 26 years ago May 24TH, 1979!
THE 80’S
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 16 years ago
May 24TH, 1989!
REMEMBER THESE?:
Here are the official Top Ten Charts, 9, 19, 29, and 39 years ago this week:
MAY 24, 1996:
1) Tha Crossroads by BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY
2) Always Be My Baby by MARIAH CAREY
3) Because You Loved Me by CELINE DION
4) Nobody Knows by THE TONY RICH PROJECT
5) Ironic by ALANIS MORISSETTE
6) Give Me One Reason by TRACY CHAPMAN
7) You’re The One by SWV
8) Count On Me by WHITNEY HOUSTON & CECE WINANS
9) 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New) by COOLIO
10) Follow You Down by GIN BLOSSOMS
MAY 24, 1986:
1) Greatest Love Of All by WHITNEY HOUSTON
2) Live To Tell by MADONNA
3) On My Own by PATTI LABELLE & MICHAEL MCDONALD
4) West End Girls by PET SHOP BOYS
5) If You Leave by ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK
6) What Have You Done For Me Lately by JANET JACKSON
7) Take Me Home by PHIL COLLINS
8) Bad Boy by MIAMI SOUND MACHINE
9) I Can’t Wait by NU SHOOZ
10) All I Need Is A Miracle by MIKE & THE MECHANICS
MAY 24, 1976:
1) Love Hangover by DIANA ROSS
2) Silly Love Songs by WINGS
3) Fooled Around And Fell In Love by ELVIN BISHOP
4) Get Up And Boogie (That’s Right) by SILVER CONVENTION
5) Misty Blue by DORTHY MOORE
6) Happy Days by PRATT & McCLAIN
7) Welcome Back by JOHN SEBASTIAN
8) Shannon by HENRY GROSS
9) Sara Smile by DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES
10) Tryin’ To Get The Feeling Again by BARRY MANILOW
MAY 24, 1966:
1) When A Man Loves A Woman by PERCY SLEDGE
2) A Groovy Kind Of Love by THE MINDBENDERS
3) Monday, Monday by THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS
4) Paint It, Black by THE ROLLING STONES
5) Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 by BOB DYLAN
6) I Am A Rock by SIMON & GARFUNKEL
7) Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind? by LOVIN’ SPOONFUL
8) Good Lovin’ by THE YOUNG RASCALS
9) Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart by THE SUPREMES
10) It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World by JAMES BROWN
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTION:
LAST QUESTION:
Below is a list of six top pop artists. Each had several hit records (including #1’s), but only one of these artists did not reach the Billboard Top 50 with a “disco” hit. Which one stayed away from disco?
THE ROLLING STONES
JOHN TRAVOLTA
ROD STEWART
THE BEACH BOYS
BARBRA STREISAND
PAUL McCARTNEY
THE ANSWER:
It’s the artist who most fits the “disco” mode. JOHN TRAVOLTA. All of the SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER star’s chart hits were either cheesy ballads like: “Let Her In,” and “All Strung Out On You,” or GREASE hits: “You’re The One That I Want,” and “Summer Nights,” with OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, and “Greased Lightning.”
The Stones disco shame was the #1 hit “Miss You,” and Rod and Barbra’s disco hits were also #1’s. “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough),” both in 1979. THE BEACH BOYS reached #44 with a discofied remake of their 1967 album track “Here Comes The Night,” and McCartney boogied down on his 1979 hit “Goodnight Tonight.”
Why? We’ll never know!
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