Bracketology: 1980 Adult Contemporary singles, Champion

Normally, I'd pick Stevie Wonder in almost any contest, but there's just something about "Lead Me On" and I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, but I'm guessing just nostalgia - it takes me back and that's good enough for me.

CashBox, March 24, 1979, p. 18

Bracketology: 1980 Adult Contemporary singles, Finals

So today's picks will leave many of you disappointed in me and it wouldn't be the first time.

• Semifinal #1: While I enjoy "All Things Are Possible," it doesn't immediately take me back to 8th grade memories at McAllister Middle School like "Lead Me On" does. Hooks a'plenty. I didn't really understand the lyrics then, but that didn't keep me from singing them at the top of lungs, much to my mother's dismay. To her credit, she never told me stop singing.
• Semifinal #2:  Elsewhere on this blog, I once wrote the following about "Where Were You When I Was Falling in Love:" "This one doesn't float my boat.  I find it boring, but it's harmless enough." That means another upset victory for Stevie, setting up an unprecedented 7 seed vs. 8 seed match-up in the final round.

Check back as we crown the champion.

Bracketology: 1980 Adult Contemporary singles, Semifinals

Let's see how the quarterfinal match-ups panned out - bracket-busting-upset-alert!:

• Quarterfinal #1: We start with upset number one - an eight over one, at that! There's nothing particularly wrong with the Air Supply tune - I like the thing, but Lead Me On is soooo freakin' smooth.
• Quarterfinal #2: The Dan Peek tune didn't crack the Top 40, but the former voice of the group America gets the edge here with this CCM tune, if only for the Brain Wilson-esque bridge.
• Quarterfinal #3: I've been hating "The Rose" for 40 years now.
• Quarterfinal #4:  Tough choice here. The Souther tune is a great homage to Roy Orbison (complete with falsetto) with help from Jackson Browne and members of The Eagles.  The song is so true in style that I originally thought it was from the '60s. Elsewhere on this very blog,  I gave "Send One Your Love" a grade of B+ and wrote "it's Wonder writing a memorable ascending melody over descending chords beautifully provided by electric piano and background vocals.  Love that contrary motion.  Plus, I love a sweet Stevie Wonder harmonica solo." Advantage Wonder simply because he's Stevie Effin' Wonder. Seven seed over a two.

Check back for the final round match-up.

Bracketology: 1980 Adult Contemporary singles, Quarterfinals

I've created this bracket of the top eight Adult Contemporary singles from 1980 and we'll match them against each other, round by round, until a winner emerges. I hope you'll play along as I'm sure your bracket will turn out differently from mine. Singles and seedings taken directly from the December 20, 1980 issue of Billboard magazine:

• Quarterfinal #1: "Lost in Love" by Air Supply (#1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts for 6 weeks) vs. "Lead Me On" by Maxine Nightingale (#1 for 7 weeks)
• Quarterfinal #2: "Broken Hearted Me" by Anne Murray (#1 for 5 weeks) vs. "All Things Are Possible" by Dan Peek (#6)
• Quarterfinal #3: "The Rose" by Bette Midler (#1 for 5 weeks) vs. "Where Were You When  I Was Falling in Love" by Lobo (#1 for 3 weeks)
• Quarterfinal #4: "You're Only Lonely" by J.D. Souther (#1 for 5 weeks) vs. "Send One Your Love" by Stevie Wonder  (#1 for 4 weeks)

I'll stipulate the majority of these tunes are from 1979 --

Title	AC chart debut
Lost in Love	2/16/1980
You're Only Lonely	2/29/1979
The Rose	3/29/1980
Broken Hearted Me	9/22/1979
All Things are Possible	6/30/1979
Where Were You...	7/21/1979
Send One Your Love	11/10/1979
Lead Me On	5/12/1979

-- but I'm going to keep the same seeding methodology that I've used for other bracketology appearances on this blog. ("A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" - Emerson 😉).

Fill out your bracket with your personal favorites and check back for the semifinal round.

Lost Adult Contemporary Hits - February 1980

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Below is the Adult Contemporary Chart from the February 9, 1980 issue of Billboard (click image to enlarge). There's lots of good stuff there, but I found twelve songs among these 50 with which I either have no memory or I've never heard until now. Here's a closer look at that dozen:

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"Stay With Me Till Dawn" Judy Tzuke From the album Welcome to the Cruise Written by Judy Tzuke & Mike Paxman Produced by John Punter

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	47
Hot 100	101

1) How have I not heard this gorgeous ballad until now, and 2) how did it not chart higher? Is the whole album as well-written? And now I'm down a rabbit hole...

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"Years" Barbara Mandrell From the album Just for the Record Written by Kye Fleming & Dennis Morgan Produced by Tom Collins

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	38
Hot 100	102
Country	1

I'm not much for country music and as soon as the plaintive slide guitar starts wailing I'm ready to bail. It's got a nice chorus, but not so much that this will get played again around here any time soon.

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"It's Like We Never Said Goodbye" Crystal Gayle From the album Miss the Mississippi Written by Roger Greenaway & Geoff Stephens Produced by Allen Reynolds

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	17
Hot 100	63
Country	1

Pleasant enough crossover attempt, but I won't be humming this one later on today - nothing memorable.

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"I Don't Want to Talk About It" Rod Stewart From the album Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 Written by Danny Whitten Produced by Tom Dowd

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	44
Hot 100	46

Why didn't Rod Stewart and Bonnie Tyler ever record a duet?

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"The Very First Time" Michael Johnson From the album Dialogue Written by Randy Goodrum Produced by Brent Maher & Steve Gibson

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	29
Hot 100	101

A decent soft rocker in the vein of Johnson's other stuff, so if you like that, you'll like this one. Could use a better guitar solo and bridge, but I'll listen again.

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"Loving You With My Eyes" Starland Vocal Band From the album 4x4 Written by Margot Kunkel & Taffy Danoff Produced by Barry Beckett

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	13
Hot 100	71

I had this group pegged as "one hit wonders" so this is certainly unexpected. Sounds like a Broadway show tune ballad that (understandably) never saw the stage. It keeps plodding along anyway. Pass.

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"You Are My Miracle" Roger Whittaker From the album Mirrors of My Mind Written by Roger Whittaker Produced by Walter J. Ridley

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	35
Hot 100	-

As expected, this is more easy listening than soft rock. Whittaker's pleasant baritone is immediately recognizable, but this elevator music isn't his best effort. From time to time, I enjoy listening to a radio station that subscribes to the America's Best Music service and I feel confident this tune must be on their playlist.

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"Make Believe It's Your First Time" Bobby Vinton From the album Encore Written by Bob Morrison & John Wilson Produced by Bobby Vinton

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	17
Hot 100	78

I've heard the Carpenter's version, but I'll be doggone if Vinton doesn't try to make this own by changing the arrangement and adding a backbeat. Sure, I'll take Karen Carpenter's pure voice over Vinton's sliding from pitch to pitch, but a good song is a good song. If my math is correct, Vinton was in his mid-40's when this was recorded; he'd hit the AC chart one more time following this one.

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"All Things Are Possible" Dan Peek From the album All Things Are Possible Written by Dan Peek & Chris Christian Produced by Chris Christian

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	6
Hot 100	78

Peek left the band America and teamed up with Chris Christian to record this, one of the first Contemporary Christian crossover singles. I dig the way the verse goes into the chorus and the wordless, Brian Wilson-esque bridge.

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"Holdin' On For Dear Love" Lobo From the album Lobo Written by Johnny Slate, Steve Pippin & Larry Henley Produced by Bob Montgomery

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	13
Hot 100	75

I enjoy the mid-tempo shuffle groove of this one. And finally we're treated to a sax solo! It's good, not great, but it has its moments.

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"I Don't Want to Be Lonely" Dana Valery Single only release Written by Mark Mueller Produced by Kyle Lehning

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	23
Hot 100	87

I like it but I'd like more if it was sped up a bit. Valery (who, the Internet tells me, is a an Italian-born South African-reared singer, actress, and television performer) has a pleasant voice. Tasty guitar solo leading into the key change.

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"Looks Like Love Again" Dann Rogers From the album Hearts Under Fire Written by D. Marino Produced by Ian Gardiner

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	6
Hot 100	41

Dann is the nephew of Kenny Rogers and this thing is catchy as hell. Same producer and label as Terry Williams' "Blame It on the Night" from the same year and the two pair nicely if you're into sequencing your soft rock. Williams sang in First Edition with Dann's Uncle Kenny if you want to bring it full circle.

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Bracketology: 1978 Adult Contemporary singles, Champion

If you read what I posted yesterday, you knew this final match-up wasn't going to require a photo finish. And it doesn't. "Just the Way You Are" wins by 5 lengths.

Bracketology: 1978 Adult Contemporary singles, Finals

The semifinal results are in and the people have spoken:

So today's picks will leave at least 53% of you disappointed in me (it wouldn't be the first time).

• Semifinal #1: Tough choice, but the 5 seed upsets the 1 seed. I'm hooked from the chromatic piano line that intros the song. Plus, Michael Johnson's voice is right in my range and I belt this one out every time I hear (which has gotten on my wife's last nerve this week). 11 year old me also loved the song because of misunderstood lyrics: I was seldom, if ever, alone in the house growing up, so being left alone in the house to run through it screaming would have been a joy in 1978.
• Semifinal #2:  I've attached many memories to "Just the Way You Are" - my family's 1978 move, a trip to see Joel in 1984 with high school friends, playing an arrangement of the tune in high school jazz band, my mother telling me that she liked the tune (if that doesn't tip the scales, nothing could). Joel may not like it much, but I still love it. Plus, Phil Freakin' Woods.

Check back as we crown the champion.

Bracketology: 1978 Adult Contemporary singles, Semifinals

Let's see how the quarterfinal match-ups panned out (for me, at least):

• Quarterfinal #1: No upset here. I love Roberta Flack's voice, but there's not much to this waltz movie theme that was the follow-up to "You Light Up My Life" and shares many of that song's characteristics. The #1 seed is a great soft rock tune with just a sprinkling of country.
• Quarterfinal #2: This was a tough decision, but I'm going with "Bluer Than Blue" because I've loved it since I first heard it and it's better than a slowed down cover of a Sam Cooke tune. I gotta admit, though, those three voices (Simon, Garfunkel & Taylor) blend together beautifully.
• Quarterfinal #3: One of the first albums I ever purchased was The Stranger and I absolutely crush "Just the Way You Are" on karaoke night.
• Quarterfinal #4:  I like the synthdrum/electric piano intro of the Chris Rea tune and the chorus is imminently singable, but it's up against a tune that won the most recent edition of bracketology. 

Check back for the final round match-up and head over to Twitter to cast your vote there.

Bracketology: 1978 Adult Contemporary singles, Quarterfinals

I've created this bracket of the top eight Adult Contemporary/Easy Listening singles from 1978 and we'll match them against each other, round by round, until a winner emerges. I hope you'll play along as I'm sure your bracket will turn out differently from mine. Singles and seedings taken directly from the December 23, 1978 issue of Billboard magazine:

• Quarterfinal #1: "We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again" by England Dan & John ford Coley (#1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts for 6 weeks) vs. "If Ever I See You Again" by Roberta Flack (#1 for 3 weeks)
• Quarterfinal #2: "(What a) Wonderful World" by Art Garfunkel (#1 for 5 weeks) vs. "Bluer Than Blue" by Michael Johnson  (#1 for 3 weeks)
• Quarterfinal #3: "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel (#1 for 4 weeks) vs. "Three Times a Lady" by Commodores (#1 for 3 weeks)
• Quarterfinal #4: "How Deep is Your Love" by The Bee Gees (#1 for 6 weeks) vs. "Fool (If You Think It's Over)" by Chris Rea  (#1 for 3 weeks)

Fill out your bracket with your personal favorites and check back for the semifinal round.

Lost Adult Contemporary Hits - February 7, 1981

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Below is the Adult Contemporary Chart from the February 7, 1981 issue of Billboard (click image to enlarge). There's lots of good stuff there including a smooth jazz entry from one of my favorite groups, Spyro Gyra. However, I found eleven songs among these 50 with which I either have no memory or I've never heard until now.

Below is a Mixcloud show containing all of those 11 tunes followed by an annotated playlist which includes my initial thoughts on hearing these songs for the first time (that I remember), in countdown order:

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"Fool That I Am" Rita Coolidge From the Coast to Coast soundtrack Written by Bruce Roberts & Carole Bayer Sager Produced by David Anderie

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	15
Hot 100	46
Country	72

I have no memory of the Coast to Coast romcom movie that starred Dyan Cannon and Robert Blake but that's neither here nor there. This song is a decent-enough country crossover and a product of its time, to be sure. The accompaniment reminds me a bit of Juice Newton's "The Sweetest Thing" except it doesn't have the all-out chorus that other one does. It peaked at 15 AC and just missed the Top 40? Sounds about right.

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"Easy Love" Dionne Warwick From the album No Night So Long Written by Steve Dorff, Larry Herbstritt  & Randy Cate Produced by Steve Buckingham

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	12
Hot 100	62

Dionne's voice is easily identifiable,huh? This thing's got a decent mid-tempo adult contemporary groove and a better arrangement than the material deserves. The verse is stronger than the chorus and the verse ain't that great. And just as I was thinking, "A sax solo should go here," one appears. Lemme look up the musician - ah, the dude from Tower of Power. I wouldn't have put Warwick together with ToP, but that's me. Meh.

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"Dare to Dream Again" Phil Everly Single only release Written by Phil Everly Produced by Phil Everly & Joey Paige

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	9
Hot 100	63

An Everly Brothers song in every regard except that it's missing the harmony vocals. It's the most melodic thing I've heard so far; this one's growing on me. The only thing I'd change is a better mix and have some harmony vocals, maybe an understated slide guitar solo.

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"Goodbye Marie" Bobby Goldsboro From the album Bobby Goldsboro Written by Mel McDaniel & Dennis Linde Produced by Larry Butler

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	19
Hot 100	-
Country	17

This ain't no country crossover, this is a straight-up country song (the horse clomping temple blocks are a little much). Not my thing, even when I try my best to separate Goldsboro from his deplorable actions. I'll take the sweet Kenny Rogers version over this.

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"Send a Little Love My Way (Like Always)" Stephen Bishop From the album Red Cab to Manhattan Written by Stephen Bishop Produced by Mike Mainieri & Tommy LiPuma

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	31
Hot 100	-

I'm digging this. If I knew Bishop made a soft rock album with a bunch of jazzers, I'd have picked it up already. As if having LiPuma produce wasn't good enough, we've got a band with Warren Bernhardt, Steve Gadd, Mike Mainieri, and Dean Parks. So now I'm gonna need to hear the whole album.

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"Dreamer" The Association Single only release Written by Moon Martin Produced by Bones Howe

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	9
Hot 100	66

I think of The Association as a '60s group, so I'd like to know the backstory on this release. It tries, but there's just not much to it. We've got the trademark vocal harmonies and whoever is playing electric piano is trying his/best to make the chorus interesting, but by the time we get to the synth-trumpet solo, I'm ready to move on.

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"When" Perry Como From the album Perry Como Written by George Fischoff Produced by Mike Berniker

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	44
Hot 100	-

If my math is correct, Como was 67 when he recorded this and is still in fine voice. Simple arrangement: Como backed by Mantovani strings and female backing singers. Even though the name of the chart had been changed in 1979, this track is much more "easy listening" than "adult contemporary." Even the sax soloist sounds like he's taking it easy. 14 year old Mark would have hated it, 51 year old Mark can tolerate and appreciate it, 82 year old Mark will probably love it.

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"Fly Away" Peter Allen From the album Bi-Coastal Written by Peter Allen, Carol Bayer Sager & David Foster Produced by David Foster

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	45
Hot 100	55

Another winner! This tune was written and produced by Westcoast/AOR royalty and Allen sounds great (his voice reminds me of Marc Jordan). Waitaminute - is that Michael McDonald backing him up? Nope, it's freakin Pages! And there's Jerry Hey laying down some tasty trumpet licks. The sax solo fits perfectly.  Again, I'm gonna need to hear the whole album (wikipedia claims " The album has become a classic with lovers of west coast pop music not because of the songs but for the use of musicians like Toto, Steve Lukather, Jay Graydon and others.")

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"I'm Me Again" Connie Francis From the album I'm Me Again (Silver Anniversary Album) Written by Ed Fox & Alan Roy Scott Produced by Vincent Castellano

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	40
Hot 100	-

With all due respect to Connie Francis, this isn't good at all. Marred by an overwrought arrangement while Francis just scoops from note to note without much regard to intonation. Pass.

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"Part of Me, Part of You" England Dan & John Ford Coley From the Just Tell Me You Love Me soundtrack Written by John Ford Coley, Bob Gundry & Dan Seals Produced by Dick Halligan

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	42
Hot 100	-

I have no memory of the Just Tell Me You Love Me romcom movie that starred Lisa Hartman but that's neither here nor there. This is good stuff in the classic ED&JFC style. Can't understand how it didn't chart higher (maybe because the movie flopped?). Despite its brevity, I enjoy this one, but I'm not willing to check out the whole soundtrack album.

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"Perfect Fool" Debby Boone From the album Savin' It Up Written by Diane Pfeifer Produced by Larry Butler

U.S. Billboard charts peaks:
Adult Contemporary	37
Hot 100	-
Country	23

And we end with a country tune. As you know, I'm not much for country music, but Boone's voice is pleasant enough. Produced by Larry Butler, who also produced the above tune by Goldsboro.

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