Category Archives: throwback weekends

by

Song of the Day #6,667: ‘True Colors’ – Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of October 25, 1986, with ‘True Colors,’ the title track of her sophomore album. This was Lauper’s second #1 hit, following 1984’s ‘Time After Time,’ and her last.

The song was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, a prolific songwriting duo who had tremendous success penning #1 hits for women artists. They were also responsible for Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin,’ Heart’s ‘Alone,’ Whitney Houston’s ‘So Emotional,’ and The Bangles’ ‘Eternal Flame.’

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #6,666: ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald‘ – Gordon Lightfoot

Throwing back to the week of October 24, 1975, we find a trio of repeats atop the Billboard Hot 100: Chicago’s ‘If You Leave Me Now,’ Rick Dees’ ‘Disco Duck,’ and The Steve Miller Band’s ‘Rock’n Me.’

That brings us to #4 and Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,’ a folk rock song that ultimately peaked at #2 for two weeks in November. This was Lightfoot’s second-highest charting song, after his sole #1 hit, 1974’s ‘Sundown.’

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #6,660: ‘Psychotic Reaction’ – Count Five

The week of October 18, 1966, found a trio of repeats atop the Billboard Hot 100, plus one band that I’m planning to explore further, so I’m setting that one aside for now.

That brings us to #5, where the California garage band Count Five peaked with their only hit, ‘Psychotic Reaction.’ The quintet formed in high school and released this single the day two of its members graduated.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #6,659: ‘Just Walkin’ in the Rain’ – Johnnie Ray

Throwing back to the week of October 17, 1956, we find Elvis Presley hanging on to the #1 spot with ‘Don’t Be Cruel,’ in the final week of its record-setting 11-week run in the top spot. It’s no ‘Choosin’ Texas,’ but that’s not bad!

In the #2 spot was Johnnie Ray’s ‘Walkin’ in the Rain,’ one of three hits to reach #1 or #2 for Ray. It’s a song with a very interesting back story.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #6,653: ‘When I Think of You’ – Janet Jackson

Throwing back to the week of Oct. 11, 1986, we find Janet Jackson atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘When I Think of You,’ the third single from her blockbuster album Control.

This dance-pop song gave Jackson her very first #1 hit (of an eventual ten). It also made her and brother Michael the first (and to date, last) siblings to have #1 hits as solo artists. Plenty of siblings have topped the charts together (including The Bee Gees, The Jackson 5, The Jonas Brothers, Dire Straits, The Beach Boys, and Hanson) but only these two apart.

Continue reading →