Post by Dawn on Oct 21, 2003 19:06:50 GMT -5
It's been a while since I've done one of these - thought I'd post a new one! 
Let’s take a look at five more top 40 songs from 1981 that haven’t gotten much radio airplay since the time they were current. Do you remember these?
1. Alien – Atlanta Rhythm Section (Billboard #29)
This is a huge personal favorite of mine. It was the seventh and final top 40 single for this Doraville, Georgia-based septet, and was the only single released from their 1981 album Quinella. ‘Alien’ first appeared in the top 40 on October 10, 1981, and remained there for 4 weeks. Along with ‘Doraville’, this is probably the group’s least-remembered hit today, and has not yet been included on any of their greatest hits compilations. A clip of it can be heard here: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000025OE/qid=1066757184/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/104-2468939-5185568?v=glance&s=music&n=507846.
2. Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through – Jim Steinman (Billboard #32)
Jim Steinman is better known in the music world as a writer and arranger, particularly his work with Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler, but did release this single under his own name, which features Rory Dodd on vocals. It first charted in the top 40 on July 18, 1981, and appeared on Jim’s 1981 album Bad for Good. Meat Loaf later covered this song on his 1993 album Bat Out of Hell 2. Here is the link to a clip: music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?sourceid=00401402268855413096&ean=079892645828&bfdate=10-21-2003+13:42:28.
3. Stronger Than Before – Carole Bayer Sager (Billboard #30)
Like Jim Steinman, Carole is better known as a songwriter than as a solo artist, but she did release several albums in the late 70s and early 80s. ‘Stronger Than Before’ was from her third album, Sometimes Late at Night, and is Carole’s only top 40 hit to date. The single first charted in the top 40 on June 13, 1981, and remained there for 7 weeks. I’m surprised this doesn’t get AC airplay – it’s quite good. It can be heard here (although Barnes & Noble has mis-cued the tracks – to hear ‘Stronger Than Before’, you’ll need to click on the following track, ‘You Don’t Know Me') : music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?sourceid=00401402266838767872&ean=660191104828&bfdate=10-21-2003+13:49:06.
4. You’re My Girl – Franke & the Knockouts (Billboard #27)
This was the second of three top 40 singles in a 14-month period for this New Jersey-based group, after which they never returned to the charts, although leader Franke Previte wrote hits for other artists during the late 80s. First appearing in the top 40 on August 1, 1981, it was one of two singles from the group’s self-titled album, and also appears on their greatest hits compilation, The Sweetheart Collection. I wasn't able to find an audio clip of it, but it sounds similar in style to their more well-known hit 'Sweetheart'.
5. Breaking Away – Balance (Billboard #22)
This song was used as the theme to the short-lived 1980-81 ABC TV series starring Shaun Cassidy. It was the only top 40 hit for Balance, and first charted in the top 40 on August 15, 1981, where it remained for 9 weeks. I’ve always liked this one – great early 80s pop/rock! A clip can be heard here: shopping.yahoo.com/p_barry-scott-presents-the-lost-45s-of-the-70s-80s_music_1921302051;_ylt=AhNgHmvPk0xaDfqSTMM3vRAbFt0A?__yltc=s:14489115
Let’s take a look at five more top 40 songs from 1981 that haven’t gotten much radio airplay since the time they were current. Do you remember these?
1. Alien – Atlanta Rhythm Section (Billboard #29)
This is a huge personal favorite of mine. It was the seventh and final top 40 single for this Doraville, Georgia-based septet, and was the only single released from their 1981 album Quinella. ‘Alien’ first appeared in the top 40 on October 10, 1981, and remained there for 4 weeks. Along with ‘Doraville’, this is probably the group’s least-remembered hit today, and has not yet been included on any of their greatest hits compilations. A clip of it can be heard here: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000025OE/qid=1066757184/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/104-2468939-5185568?v=glance&s=music&n=507846.
2. Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through – Jim Steinman (Billboard #32)
Jim Steinman is better known in the music world as a writer and arranger, particularly his work with Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler, but did release this single under his own name, which features Rory Dodd on vocals. It first charted in the top 40 on July 18, 1981, and appeared on Jim’s 1981 album Bad for Good. Meat Loaf later covered this song on his 1993 album Bat Out of Hell 2. Here is the link to a clip: music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?sourceid=00401402268855413096&ean=079892645828&bfdate=10-21-2003+13:42:28.
3. Stronger Than Before – Carole Bayer Sager (Billboard #30)
Like Jim Steinman, Carole is better known as a songwriter than as a solo artist, but she did release several albums in the late 70s and early 80s. ‘Stronger Than Before’ was from her third album, Sometimes Late at Night, and is Carole’s only top 40 hit to date. The single first charted in the top 40 on June 13, 1981, and remained there for 7 weeks. I’m surprised this doesn’t get AC airplay – it’s quite good. It can be heard here (although Barnes & Noble has mis-cued the tracks – to hear ‘Stronger Than Before’, you’ll need to click on the following track, ‘You Don’t Know Me') : music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?sourceid=00401402266838767872&ean=660191104828&bfdate=10-21-2003+13:49:06.
4. You’re My Girl – Franke & the Knockouts (Billboard #27)
This was the second of three top 40 singles in a 14-month period for this New Jersey-based group, after which they never returned to the charts, although leader Franke Previte wrote hits for other artists during the late 80s. First appearing in the top 40 on August 1, 1981, it was one of two singles from the group’s self-titled album, and also appears on their greatest hits compilation, The Sweetheart Collection. I wasn't able to find an audio clip of it, but it sounds similar in style to their more well-known hit 'Sweetheart'.
5. Breaking Away – Balance (Billboard #22)
This song was used as the theme to the short-lived 1980-81 ABC TV series starring Shaun Cassidy. It was the only top 40 hit for Balance, and first charted in the top 40 on August 15, 1981, where it remained for 9 weeks. I’ve always liked this one – great early 80s pop/rock! A clip can be heard here: shopping.yahoo.com/p_barry-scott-presents-the-lost-45s-of-the-70s-80s_music_1921302051;_ylt=AhNgHmvPk0xaDfqSTMM3vRAbFt0A?__yltc=s:14489115
