American Top 40 1980 November 8th

American Top 40 with Casey Kasem aired on radio from July 4, 1970 until August 6, 1988. This recording is a rebroadcast from internet radio.

Just two weeks before this countdown, Lynyrd Skynyrd lost three of its members in a plane crash. Casey plays an extra by the group, and says the surviving members will no longer perform under that name.

This week's highest debut is at number 35, "Slip Slidin' Away" by Paul Simon.

HEADLINE: ELVIS BEATEN BY CHIPMUNKS! A listener wants to know, "What song debuted in the highest position on the chart without ever reaching number one?" Casey says it was a song by Elvis that debuted at number 7 and was blocked from the number one spot by two brothers and a witchdoctor.

There is a band in the countdown that wanted a little extra luck with the release of their latest album so they put it out on the 7th day of the 7th month of 1977. We are lucky Casey tells us who.

A Beatles fan writes in to say she's heard Casey report their first #1 single in America was "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." She wants to know what their first #1 hit was in in England. The Beatles first song to hit #1 across the pond didn't even make the Top 40 here in the US. Casey gives a #1 report on the matter.

What is funky dance music? It's "Dusic" (at number 21) by Brick.

The recipe for a Diamantina Cocktail is dark Australian rum, a leaf from a gum tree, cream, ice, and the egg of an Emu. Casey will help you understand why right before he plays, "Help Is On The Way" by The Little River Band (at number 18).

The only female singer ever to have 5 million-selling albums in a row (as of 1977 anyway) is Linda Ronstadt (at number 16 this week with "Blue Bayou"). It is a remake of a Roy Orbison hit I've included as a RocketMan Extra.

Debby Boone is in week 4 of her 10 week record run at #1 with "You Light Up My Life." Kasey Cisyk recorded the version of "You Light Up My Life" heard in the movie also I've included as a RocketMan Extra.

40: Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft - The Carpenters
39: Gone Too Far - England Dan & John Ford Coley
38: Thunder In My Heart - Leo Sayer
37: Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes - Jimmy Buffet
36: Your Smiling Face - James Taylor
35: Slip Slidin' Away - Paul Simon
34: I Go Crazy - Paul Davis
33: My Fair Share - Seals & Crofts
32: Come Sail Away - Styx
31: Surfin' USA - Leif Garrett
30: You Make Lovin' Fun - Fleetwood Mac
29: It's So Easy - Linda Ronstadt
28: Daybreak - Barry Manilow
27: Swayin' To The Music (Slow Dancin') - Johnny Rivers
26: Isn't It Time - The Babys
25: Send In The Clowns - Judy Collins
24: Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Peter Frampton
23: She Did It - Eric Carmen
22: We Just Disagree - Dave Mason
21: Dusic - Brick
20: The King Is Gone - Ronnie McDowell
19: Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me - Peter Brown
18: Help Is On The Way - The Little River Band
17: Cold As Ice - Foreigner
16: Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt
15: Keep It Comin' Love - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
14: Just Remember I Love You - Firefall
13: We're All Alone - Rita Coolidge
12: Star Wars Title Theme - Meco
11: How Deep Is Your Love - The Bee Gees
10: Heaven On The 7th Floor - Paul Nicholas
9: Baby, What A Big Surprise - Chicago
8: Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Crystal Gayle
7: I Feel Love - Donna Summer
6: It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down - Barry White
5: Brickhouse - The Commodores
4: That's Rock 'N' Roll - Shaun Cassidy
EXTRA: Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
3: Boogie Nights - Heatwave
2: Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon
1: You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone