Various Artists - Radio Daze: Pop Hits of the '80s, Vol. 1 (1995)

Earlier this year, following a post about a disc in Rhino's Have A Nice Day series, I received the following tweet from a dedicated blog reader:

I had never heard of this series, so I clicked on the link. That simple action started an expensive 5 month quest to purchase all 5 discs. These compilations focus on one- and two-hit wonders and lesser-known adult contemporary and crossover songs. Music in this series was on the radio when I was in 8th and 9th grades when my bedside Marantz clock radio was my most faithful friend. I listened to the radio so much that, at the time, I seriously considered a career in radio. My project for the jr. high science fair was about how AM radios/airwaves work (won 6th place). I even recorded Casey Kasem's AT40 every week straight from radio to cassette. I still love radio, but back then I was in a committed relationship with it. A series titled "Radio Daze" is perfectly named; they're discs I could have compiled.

Looking over the track lists on these discs, I saw a few songs that I hadn't heard since they were on the radio (e.g., Rubert Holmes' Him on volume 2) but I didn't recognize most of the song titles. Curiosity piqued, I ordered the discs anyway. The discs are long out of print which makes them collectable which makes them a little pricey. I'm too embarrassed to tell you how much I spent on these 5 discs, but let's just say it was quite a bit more than I normally pay for used CDs. Quite a bit.

When I finally received the discs, I found I was wrong about not recognizing the songs. I didn't recognize the titles or artists, but that didn't mean I had forgotten the music. I remembered almost every track and, even though I hadn't heard some of them in 30+ years, was able to sing along with many of them. I haven't had these discs long and I'm still listening to them with a cheesy teenager grin on my face.

What surprises me most about these minor soft rock hits is how many were country crossover hits. I always picture myself in the late '70s and early '80s as a disco guy, but now I need to reconsider that image. I gladly ate up whatever the KILT AM 610 programming director threw at me. So in addition to loving Donna Summer, I was also very much a soft rock kid:

Don't f**k with the soft rock kid.

---

Disc 1 of 5. I find the allmusic review to be hilariously candid:

Not much to recommend on this weak collection of mostly one-hit wonder throwaways (who have more to do with the '70s than the '80s). Tellingly, the worst songs here -- Rupert Holmes' "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" and Captain & Tennille's "Do That to Me One More Time" -- were also the biggest hits. Frightful.

While I agree there are some frightful tracks, I would disagree with the "not much to recommend" part. Despite the compilation's title, this CD's tracks are mostly from 1979, but we won't let that slow us down.

Tracks:

• Escape (The Piña Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes, released October 1979, Pop #1, AC #8.
  A huge hit and the last U.S. #1 song of the '70s. I liked it at the time, not so much now. For some reason, it reminds me of playing basketball after lunch in 8th grade. At that age, just singing a song that included lyrics about an alcoholic drink made us feel more grown up.
• You're Only Lonely - J.D. Souther, released August 1979, Pop #7, AC #1, Country #60.
  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 this song was from the '60s. This is one of those songs that runs through my head from time to time for no apparent reason. Souther dated both Stevie Nicks and Linda Ronstadt, so props to him for that.
• Heaven Must Have Sent You - Bonnie Pointer, released May 1979, Pop #11, R&B #52.
  A cover of a Holland-Dozier-Holland soul song that was a 1966 hit for The Elgins. Sounds a lot like The Supremes' Where Did Our Love Go (another Holland-Dozier-Holland song). It's a harmless cover, but the decision to add disco strings and have Pointer attempt some Al Jolson-like scat singing are confusing to me. There's a more popular disco version that's better than the version included here.
• This Night Won't Last Forever - Michael Johnson, released July 1979, Pop #19, AC #5.
  I was a big fan of Johnson's 1978 hit, Bluer Than Blue and I also enjoy this follow-up. The liner notes claims this song has a "midtempo, country-shaded sound." That hits the nail on the head. Although I enjoyed Johnson's soft rock hits on the radio, the thought of purchasing any of his releases never occurred to me.
• Rolene - Moon Martin, released August 1979, Pop #30.
  I don't remember this one. Sort of a rockabilly meets power pop thing with a little Ray Charles' What'd I Say thrown in for good measure. For me, it just doesn't work.
• An American Dream - The Dirt Band, released November 1979, Pop #13, Country #58.
  A radio favorite, I liked this one when it was released, particularly the Linda Ronstadt harmonies. It blends country with tropical, à la Jimmy Buffet, with great success.
• Do That To Me One More Time - Captain & Tennille, released October 1979, Pop #1, AC #4, R&B #58.
  My sister was a huge C&T fan and, because she was older than me, she got to choose what LPs we listened to. As a result, I know the words to every C&T song released between 1975-1980, including this one. I recently gave my sister the DVD compilation of the 20 episodes of C&T's variety show that aired from '76 to '77. The gift was a big hit - I even watched a few episodes with her. I'm not wild about this song, but I do believe that Toni Tennille is a very underrated singer. She had some chops and could really belt it out.
• Romeo's Tune - Steve Forbert, released November 1979, Pop #11.
  I remember singing along with this one when it was on the radio. I don't think it as a catchy melody, but I like the way the alliterative "meet me in the middle of the day" rolls out of my mouth.
• Set Me Free - Utopia, released January 1980, Pop #27.
  Like most Todd Rundgren songs, this is well-written yet under-appreciated. I don't recall hearing this one on my radio; I have no memory of Utopia before I saw the video for the group's 1982 single, Feet Don't Fail Me Now, which prompted me to buy their eponymous album.
• Pretty Girls - Melissa Manchester, released September 1979, Pop #39, AC #26.
  Fortunately, I don't think I've ever heard this lame attempt at disco prior to purchasing this disc. I can do without this one although I'm a fan of Manchester's 1982 dance hit, You Should Hear How She Talks About You.
• Gee Whiz - Bernadette Peters, released March 1980, Pop #31, AC #3.
  I've been hopelessly infatuated with Peters ever since I first laid eyes on her in the late '70s. However, I much prefer the Carla Thomas 1961 original to this cover.
• Please Don't Leave - Lauren Wood, released August 1979, Pop #24, AC #5.
  This is a smooth little West Coast ditty and just as you're thinking "this sounds like it could be a Doobie Brothers song," here comes Michael McDonald with some vocals to seal the deal. Doobies producer Ted Templeman also produced this track with members of Toto in the backing band. A must for any yacht rock playlist you're putting together.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see above

Also on the blog:
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5

Various Artists - Radio Daze: Pop Hits of the '80s, Vol. 2 (1995)

Disc 2 of 5. These hits (and I'm using that word loosely in some cases) were on the charts in the first half of 1980 when the soft rock kid was a top dog 8th grader at his middle school. A decent compilation, heavy on the country flavor, it loses steam near the end.

Tracks:

• With You I'm Born Again - Billy Preston & Syreeta, released November 1979, Pop #4, AC #2, R&B #86.
  In 1980, I wouldn't have normally liked a song without some sort of backbeat, but there was something about this song I liked. I wish I could tell you what it was, but I can't put my finger on it. It still holds up today.
• Pilot Of The Airwaves - Charlie Dore, released February 1980, Pop #13, AC #4.
  I've already told you how I love radio, so it shouldn't surprise you to read that this country-tinged ode to a disc jockey was a favorite of mine, particularly the a capella intro/outro.
• Him - Rupert Holmes, released January 1980, Pop #6, AC #4.
  I hadn't heard this one in years. There's nothing special about it, just a solid 3½ minutes of soft rock if you ignore the strange vocal solo. As an 8th grader, my gym classmates and I would mockingly sing this song (with slightly altered lyrics) to our first year teacher/coach, weakly trying to imply that he was gay. I'll chalk that up to 13 year old ignorance, but it's embarrassing now to think I ever acted that way. Belated apologies to that coach as well as Mr. Holmes and anyone else I offended.
• Three Times In Love - Tommy James, released December 1979, Pop #19, AC #1, Country #93.
  This doesn't do much for me, but it doesn't bother me enough to skip it. Sounds like a mid-'70s song to these ears.
• I Still Have Dreams - Richie Furay, released September 1979, Pop #39.
  Don't remember this country rock song. Furay has a fantastic falsetto voice, it's just wasted on bland material here.
• Do Right - Paul Davis, released February 1980, Pop #23, AC #4.
  Had the 45 and wore it out. The music is smooth and the vocal bridge is catchy. What bothers me is the lyrics that can't decide if this wants to be a contemporary Christian song or a love song to a woman. Plus I disagree with the basic theology here: if we have to 'do right' before God will be our guiding light, then we're all in big trouble. But I'm not much of a lyrics guy, so that's not going to keep me from liking this one.
• Biggest Part Of Me - Ambrosia, released March 1980, Pop #3, AC #3, R&B #35.
  Had this 45, too. I liked this song from the get-go. Tight harmonies, Fender Rhodes, lots of hooks - that's the ticket.
• Stomp! - The Brothers Johnson, released February 1980, Pop #7, R&B #1, Dance #1.
  What a great showcase for the bass player. This song seems out of place on this disc. Previously reviewed here. Here's what I wrote then: "I always liked this post-disco single, but it's easy to see why. The song was co-written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones - the team that would later make Thriller. As a result, it sounds like something from that album or Off The Wall."
• We Were Meant To Be Lovers - Photoglo, released March 1980, Pop #31.
  Since I remember the words and melody to the chorus, I'm going to guess I remember this one from radio play. I'm sure it must have disturbed my mother to her young son singing this around the house.
• I Pledge My Love - Peaches & Herb, released December 1979, Pop #19, R&B #37.
  I don't remember this 6/8 fifties-flavored ballad at all. It's no Reunited, is it?
• Lost Her In The Sun - John Stewart, released November 1979, Pop #34.
  I don't remember this song, but I recognize that voice from his earlier hit Gold. Produced by Lindsey Buckingham, this sounds like a bad Fleetwood Mac track.
• Wondering Where The Lions Are - Bruce Cockburn, released December 1979, Pop #21.
  This fun nonsense song is a strange mix of folk rock over a bouncy reggae beat. It actually works, though. Reminds me of Joe Scruggs (if you had children in the '90s, you probably catch that reference).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: During the spring of 1980, I regularly attended forensic meets with the school speech and drama team (my specialty was prose interpretation). I remember some of these songs blasting from the boom boxes on the bus trips to the meets. There also seemed to be a lot of Kenny Rogers played on those trips (The Gambler, She Believes In Me, Coward Of The County, etc.).

Also on the blog:
Volume 1
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5

Various Artists - Radio Daze: Pop Hits of the '80s, Vol. 3 (1995)

Disc 3 of 5. Songs here peaked on the charts during the spring and summer of 1980 as I transitioned from junior high to high school. This CD is the first of this series that I obtained and is the strongest compilation of the five.

Tracks:

• Tired Of Toein' The Line - Rocky Burnette, released April 1980, Pop #8.
  It's not quite rockabilly, but it certainly has a '50s feel and the basic rock-and-roll I-vi-IV-V⁷-I chord progression. I had forgotten about this gem until I came across the book 99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders which included this song at #46. It's not a great book, but when I read about this song, I couldn't remember it just from the title. Thank goodness for YouTube - I found the song and immediately remembered listening to it during that summer on the radio. That was the summer of Glass Houses and this song fit right in.
• Steal Away - Robbie Dupree, released March 1980, Pop #6, AC #5, R&B #85.
  Yes, it's a complete rip-off of The Doobie Brothers' What A Fool Believes, but no matter. Still a sweet tune. I had the 45.
• Take A Little Rhythm - Ali Thomson, released May 1980, Pop #15, AC #4.
  Another song I didn't recognize by title alone. Driven by relentless acoustic guitar chugging, it's a catchy little thing. Just enough country influence to remind me of Pure Prairie League or England Dan & John Ford Coley.
• Fire In The Morning - Melissa Manchester, released January 1980, Pop #32.
  I either don't remember this or I've blocked it out of my memory. It's not bad, there's just not much to it. The record company must have agreed as it didn't appear on Manchester's 1983 greatest hits compilation.
• Only A Lonely Heart Sees - Felix Cavaliere, released January 1980, Pop #36, AC #2.
  Yet another song I didn't recognize by title alone. I remembered the intro and chorus, but since it peaked at #36, it probably wasn't on the radio for long. Sounds like Olivia Newton-John's mid-70s œuvre and fits perfectly here. Recently, Cavaliere has recorded a couple of albums with Steve Cropper. I've got the first one, Nudge It Up A Notch.
• Into The Night - Benny Mardones, released May 1980, Pop #11, AC #20.
  I always thought this was Steve Perry! Go figure. The rare ballad about a grown man hitting on a 16 year old girl (the video is particularly disturbing in a child predator kind of way). In 1989, a "Where Are They Now?" radio show played the track, curiously putting the song back onto the national charts, peaking this time at #20. This additional chart run makes this song the record holder for the longest-charting single of the '80s by a solo artist. I like it fine, but also expect Mardones to break into Oh Sherrie at any moment.
• Let Me Love You Tonight - Pure Prairie League, released April 1980, Pop #10, AC #1.
  Now that there is one hook-filled pop/country shuffle. With David Sanborn on alto and Vince Gill on vocals, no less. Right in my soft-rock wheelhouse.
• Midnight Rocks - Al Stewart, released August 1980, Pop #24, AC #13.
  I wouldn't consider myself a Stewart fan, but there's something about his smooth, laid back vocals that made me like all three of his top 40 hits, including this one (although my favorite is Time Passages). The saxophone tone is grating, but not so much that I'd hit the skip button.
• Why Not Me - Fred Knoblock, released June 1980, Pop #18, AC #1, Country #30.
  And here we have the true treasure of this CD. It's a sad-sack, self-pity country ballad sung from the point of view of a man attending the wedding of his former girlfriend, wondering why he's not the groom. But it reminds me of Michael Johnson's Bluer Than Blue and I loved it back in '80. Somehow I forgot about this plum until this CD showed up in my mailbox a few weeks ago. Since then, I've listened to this track an embarrassing number of times. I can't believe how many lyrics I remembered.
• Who'll Be The Fool Tonight - Larsen-Feiten Band, released June 1980, Pop #29.
  A poor man's Toto. Meh.
• Angel Say No - Tommy Tutone, released May 1980, Pop #38.
  So I guess this group wasn't a one-hit wonder. I don't remember this power pop song, but it sounds enough like The Cars and The Knack that I'm surprised it didn't hit bigger.
• You're The Only Woman (You & I) - Ambrosia, released June 1980, Pop #13, AC #5.
  Loved this smooth blue-eyed soul song then, love it still. Complete with Hammond organ solo. I always enjoyed hearing this band on the radio; I'm surprised I've never picked up a greatest hits package.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  I played a lot of tennis and water skied in the summer of 1980. I also swam for the local summer team (I'll spare you the pics of me in a Speedo. You're welcome). That was also the summer of "who shot J.R.?" I had fun, but I sure was nervous about moving up to high school. There were guys there with facial hair who smoked, drove Trans Ams, and could legally buy beer. Too much for the soft rock kid.

Also on the blog:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 4
Volume 5

Various Artists - Radio Daze: Pop Hits of the '80s, Vol. 4 (1995)

Disc 4 of 5. These songs charted between July 1980 through February 1981 (my first semester of high school.) Not many good tracks here.

Tracks:

• One In A Million You - Larry Graham, released April 1980, Pop #9, R&B #1.
  Previously reviewed here. Here's what I said then: "I loved this song back in the summer of 1980 and it's great to hear it again. Graham was the bass player for Sly And The Family Stone and has a great voice that has similarities to Barry White. When I was 13 years old and trying desperately to figure out how to woo women, I would imagine myself singing One In A Million You to a girl in attempts to gain favor. I never tried it for reals, but I think it might have worked except for the fact that, at the time, I couldn't sing as low as Larry Graham."
• Jesse - Carly Simon, released July 1980, Pop #11.
  Carly has never been one of my favorites and this song isn't very good. It tries to be a lusty, seductive thing yet it has a children's sing-along chorus at the end? During my freshman year in high school, I was in drama class and was subjected to a classmate named Melissa earnestly lip-synching to this song for a "record pantomime" grade. It was so bad I clearly remember it 32 years later.
• Hot Rod Hearts - Robbie Dupree, released July 1980, Pop #15.
  1980 was a good time to be a yacht rocker. I always group Dupree with with fellow soft rock artist Michael Johnson, but this could just as easily be a Michael McDonald chart. I prefer his earlier hit, Steal Away (on volume 3 of this series), but this is still mighty smooth.
• Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys) - Waylon Jennings, released August 1980, Pop #21, Country #1.
  I have a love/hate relationship with this one. It's familiar and I sing along with it, but more than a little too country for my tastes. What I want to remember about that TV show isn't the theme, but its continuing contribution to fashion: Daisy Dukes.
  
  
• How Do I Survive - Amy Holland, released June 1980, Pop #22.
  I don't remember this disco-ish tune from '80. Holland sounds a lot like Sheena Easton. Michael McDonald was behind this release and his hand is all over it - even the sax solo sounds like it was ripped from One Step Closer. Holland and McDonald eventually married.
• Sequel - Harry Chapin, released October 1980, Pop #23.
  Another one I don't remember. At almost seven minutes, this one is hard to take. I've never liked any of Chapin's work and I don't like his voice, so this song isn't doing anything to change my opinion of his musical work. His humanitarian work, on the other hand, demands my respect.
• Lookin' For Love - Johnny Lee, released June 1980, Pop #5, Country #1.
  As you can imagine, Urban Cowboy was huge in Houston and this song was probably played on every station in the Houston market at one time or another. I know all the words, but that doesn't mean I like it. This is so far from what I normally play, my oldest son just asked me what I was listening to.
• Empire Strikes Back (Medley: Darth Vader/Yoda's Theme) - Meco, released June 1980, Pop #18.
  Sci-fi disco? Oh, lawd, why? What might have been a good idea in 1977 had tarnished badly by 1980.
• King Of The Hill - Rick Pinette & Oak, released February 1980, Pop #36.
  I remember this one. It's an unfortunate melodramatic marriage of the styles of Barry Manilow and Styx. Let that sink in for a second.
• I'm Happy That Love Has Found You - Jimmy Hall, released September 1980, Pop #27.
  The disc makes a mild comeback with this soul-tinged southern shuffle. Another Michael McDonald sighting? That sure sounds like him on background vocals. I don't remember this one, but I probably would have liked it back in 1980.; It saves the second half of this disc, for sure.
• Killin' Time - Fred Knoblock & Susan Anton, released November 1980, Pop #28.
  Not my kind of ballad. Even though I have strange fondness for Knoblock's earlier hit (Why Not Me, on volume 3 of this series), I don't like this plodding waltz. For an actress/model, Anton isn't a bad vocalist.
• I Believe In You - Don Williams, released August 1980, Pop #24, Country #1.
  Even when this was popular, I thought it was just boring country pablum. An annoying earworm - I wish I had written it.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see above

Also on the blog:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 5

Various Artists - Radio Daze: Pop Hits of the '80s, Vol. 5 (1995)

Disc 5 of 5, covering songs that peaked on the chart between November 1980 and June 1981 (my freshman year in high school). Complete with great liner notes, this is one of the stronger volumes in the series with 8 of 12 good tracks.

Tracks:

• Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes, released March 1981, Pop #1, AC #15, Dance #26, Mainstream Rock #5.
  A huge hit in 1981, winning Grammys for both record and song of the year. Nine weeks at #1 and the Billboard #1 hit of the year. A great blend of synth and guitar arpeggios, I think the real hook is the synth hand claps which were novel at the time. I really like the sexy growl of Carnes' voice.
• Somebody's Knockin' - Terri Gibbs, released September 1980, Pop #13, AC #3, Country #8.
  I wasn't wild about this song when it came out and hadn't heard it in more than 30 years before buying this CD. While its simple bass line is sort of catchy and Gibbs sounds like Anne Murray, this is one of the weaker tracks on the disc.
• Just The Two Of Us - Grover Washington, Jr., released January 1981, Pop #2, AC #2, R&B #3.
  Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! I had the 45 in 1981, later bought Grover's 'best of' LP and replaced that with a CD. Bill Withers was the perfect vocalist for this song. While the 4 minute version is featured on this disc, I encourage you to experience the full 7½ minute version.
• Just Between You And Me - April Wine, released January 1981, Pop #21, Mainstream Rock #11.
  One of the early power ballads, this probably would have been a bigger hit had it been released a few years later. The French lyrics are needless, but the group is Canadian so I can forgive that. The song isn't bad, but power ballads haven't been my thing since I stopped going to school dances and trying to get girls to pity me and accept my invitation to a slow dance.
• If You Should Sail - Nielsen/Pearson, released August 1980, Pop #38, AC #35.
  I don't remember this yacht rock tune, but it is West Coast/AOR that is right up my alley. I'd recognize a Jerry Hey/Chuck Findley flugelhorn anywhere. Good enough to have me searching for a copy of the album it came from.
• Precious To Me - Phil Seymour, released December 1980, Pop #22, Mainstream Rock #34.
  Power pop with a definite '50s sound to it. Sounds like it should have been on the Fast Times soundtrack.
• Living Inside Myself - Gino Vannelli, released February 1981, Pop #6, AC #5, R&B #45.
  Another childhood favorite. I had the 45. That electric piano part is fantastic. As if that weren't enough, the simple upward stepwise base line in the chorus grabs me every time. In fact, I usually sing the bass line instead of the actual melody. I never tire of listening to this one.
• How 'Bout Us - Champaign, released January 1981, Pop #12, AC #1, R&B 4.
  While this isn't the greatest slow jam of all time, this soul ballad is certainly in the top 5 along with Love Won't Let Me Wait by Major Harris. Classic.
• Hearts On Fire - Randy Meisner, released December 1980, Pop #19, Mainstream Rock #14.
  I don't remember this tune and it's not grabbing me now.
• Ah! Leah! - Donnie Iris, released November 1980, Pop #29, Mainstream Rock #19.
  A classic hook-filled power pop song that I thought hit higher than #29. It was higher than 29 in my house. If I had known who sung it back in 1980 (where was the Shazam app when I needed it?), I probably would have bought the 45. Catchy guitar riffs and great harmonic vocal overdubbing. I like this one so much it was one my first iTunes downloads. Another great Iris song is Love Is Like A Rock.
• Love You Like I Never Loved Before - John O'Banion, released March 1981, Pop #24.
  More catchy AOR rock. O'Banion has a great rock voice. Sounds more than a little like Toto's Hold The Line. Could that be Steve Lukather on the guitar solo?
• Sweetheart - Franke & The Knockouts, released February 1981, Pop #10, Mainstream Rock #27.
  And we close with still more infectious AOR Toto-esque goodness with a touch of Daryl Hall's blue-eyed soul thrown in for good measure. A great way to end the series.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Riding around town on my Sears 10 speed bike. I had a yellow handlebar-mounted AM radio which blasted songs such as these as I rode to the store to purchase comic books and candy. I must have been as annoying as all get out.

Also on the blog:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4