Today in Billboard Chart History - July 15

[Dawn]

DJ said:

Nice chart. Switching colleges at the time. Never liked the Natalie Cole tune, however.But cheesy dance music really prevailed! Such great beats by the likes of Expose, Milli Vanilli, Madonna, and especially the FYC--great Marvin Gaye inspired song! Martika and Simply Red had fine ballads, The first two songs rocked, especially the Doobies' comeback! That leaves that Prince anomaly. LOVED it at the time, but I haven't played it in ages.

I agree, 'Good Thing' is very reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's style. 'The Doctor' is a great rocker! There are some other really good songs on their Cycles album, especially 'Wrong Number' and 'One Chain Don't Make No Prison'. Love both of those!

[Dawn]

Railyn said:

This was a good year for me. I officially became a world traveler.

10) LOVE this song. It's got a great sound and lyrics (I don't know what color your eyes are baby but your hair is long and brown)
9) I don't recall this one..
8) Not into this group. Their stuff all sounded alike.
7) Eh. Not crazy about this one.
6) I got caught up in Batman fever, had the Joker Converse sneakers, but got very tired of this one very quickly.
5) I liked Milli Vanilli. I agree with H2 and like Al's Plumbing Song a bit better (it combines this one and Blame It On The Rain).
4) Was never a big Martika fan.
3) Loved these guys and had the tape (with the Raw side and the Cooked side) but I got tired of them.
2) One of the few later Madonna songs I care for.
1) A good one, but I prefer Holding Back The Years.

Here's a link to a clip of 'The Doctor': www.mymusic.com/product.asp?curr=0&myptr=addany&muzenbr=97972. Great song - it sounds similar to 'China Grove'.

I remember that movie was huge at that time!

I've always liked 'Holding Back the Years', but not 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' as much.

[Ken]

Dawn said:

Hi Ken! Except for a few of the songs, there's not much on this chart I care for either. This was definitely not the best time for top 40 radio.

'The Doctor' is probably my favorite from this list. It sounds so much like the Doobies circa 1973!

LOL about 'Batdance'! I agree, it's horrible.

I'm the same way about 'She Drives Me Crazy'. I literally can't stand to listen to it anymore - it drives ME crazy!

About She Drives Me Crazy driving you crazy.

[Dawn]

kathyb said:

So Alive--Really liked this song when it first came out. Went out and bought the CD without ever hearing any others songs from it. Haven't played the thing in years. LOL!

The Doctor--Like it a lot. Catchy, upbeat tune.

What You Don't Know--What I don't know, is this song. ;D

Miss You Like Crazy--I'm trying hard to think of more of the song than just the title, but it ain't working.

Batdance--Never cared much for this. Prince has had WAY better songs.

Baby Don't Forget My Number--Milli Vanilli's cd was one of the first ones I ever bought after my hubby and I bought our first cd player. Yes, I can admit it!

Toy Soldiers--Good message song. Martika just kinda disappeared off the face of the earth, didn't she? ;D

Good Thing--So overplayed. Roland Gift's voice is annoying after awhile. I remember being at a comedy club back then, and the guy who was hosting the show threw a bunch of CD's into the audience. Wouldn't you know I caught the Cannibals CD. I think I listened to it exactly once. LOL!

Express Yourself--Like Madonna. This is a good song from her.

If You Don't Know Me By Now--Really never cared for this song. Didn't like the original, didn't like this cover.

Here's a link to a clip of 'Miss You Like Crazy': www.mymusic.com/product.asp?curr=0&myptr=addany&muzenbr=393078. It's not bad, but not one of Natalie's best.

It's strange that Martika wasn't more successful after 'Toy Soldiers'. You're right, she just seemed to disappear.

LOL about the Cannibals CD! I agree that Roland Gift's voice gets very tiresome, especially on 'She Drives Me Crazy'!

[Dawn]

SAT-The said:

YEESH! I think I just broke out in hives!!

So Alive was a good tune. And I'll give honorable mention to Madonna, just because it's her. The rest.....

You KNOW it's bad when Milli Vanilli ISN'T the worst artist on the list! (Simply Red has THAT award sown up)

I agree, these late 80's charts definitely aren't the greatest! 'So Alive' is a good one, along with a couple of others, but that's about it.

That is pretty bad!

[55dodger]

Hi Dawn -

Not much here to like.

Batdance - Another pretty good song from Prince.

Good Thing - Don't remember this song, although I know FYC did some good stuff.

If You Don't Know Me By Know - A great cover of the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes classic.

Rest of 'em, didn't like.

[Dawn]

55dodger said:

Hi Dawn -

Not much here to like.

Batdance - Another pretty good song from Prince.

Good Thing - Don't remember this song, although I know FYC did some good stuff.

If You Don't Know Me By Know - A great cover of the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes classic.

Rest of 'em, didn't like.

Hi dodger! I agree, there's not much here that I like either.

Here's a link to a clip of 'Good Thing': www.mymusic.com/product.asp?curr=0&myptr=addany&muzenbr=101987. Musically, it's similar in style to some of Marvin Gaye's 60's material.