American Top 40 1981 August 22nd

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.

In this countdown:

The song at number 40 ("Rock & Roll Dreams Come Though" by Jim Steinman) isn't on his latest album, but it is a single packaged WITH his latest album! (These are things you will hear Casey say; and all of it is probably considered to be hearsay evidence).

"Bette Davis Eyes" (originally by Jackie Deshannon), is now a former number one (it served nine non-consecutive weeks) by Kim Carnes (at number 38 this week). Casey's opinion is that Carnes' version is different than Deshannon's (and plays a sample). As a RocketMan Extra, I have entered as Exhibit A: "Marty Feldman Eyes," (by Bruce 'Baby Man' Baum, [use large eye-cons for a more realistic experience]), and the jury will plainly see his version is different than any others recorded by people who were in their right minds and could not claim insanity as a defense.

Air Supply (at number 33 with "The One That You Love") earns Casey's award for "Band with The Most Weeks in the Top 40 so far in the 80's."

A listener who noticed recently when, "Just The Two Of Us" by Grover Washington Jr. peaked at number 2 (on May 2nd nonetheless) asks whether any other songs in the rock era have ever predicted their own peak positions in their titles. Casey lists 7 others. Somehow, the AT40 staff didn't include "1-2-3" by Len Barry (#2 in 1965), "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago (#4 in 1970), "Got To Give It Up, Part 1" by Marvin Gaye (#1 in 1977), "You're The One That I Want" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (#1 in 1978, and for extra credit) "Double Vision" by Foreigner (#2 in 1978), and "Stumbling In" by Suzi Quatro (#4 in 1979) (so don't ever write a song about "zero").

In 1964 at some London rock club called "The Marquee," the Rolling Stones were called back for a record-setting six encores according to Casey, (I wasn't there that night; I have witnesses). In 1978 the uncharted (and unknown in the states) "Greg Kihn Band" received 7 encore calls in that same club (always invite your extended family). "The Breakup Song" is at number 20.

Casey plays an in-show extra by the band that holds the all-time record for hitting number 2 the most times without ever hitting number one. Out on nine top-ten hits, five went to number two, and none went to number one.

Marty Balin is at number 12 with his first solo hit, "Hearts." Casey talks about Balin being interested in "Pyramid Power" which was a brief fad in the 80's caused by some archaeologist discovering really old seeds in a pyramid that grew when planted. "Pyramid Power" promised to extend or give new life to whatever was inside the structure. The novelty shop at the local mall had hollow, plastic pyramids for about $10 apiece and of course I had to have one. It worked in that it did extend the income of the manufacturer, and it also gave new life to the emptiness in my pocket.

Concerning Records Broken: The top 4 spots for the category of "Most Number One Appearances" is held by the four ex-Beatles, and 5th place just naturally goes to Elvis (Casey doesn't say "Most Number One Appearances by a Solo Artist" maybe because duets counted as appearances - he could have said ". . . by a Performer," I really wish I could cross-examine but I'm going to just stop here - before I am found in contempt of badgering the listener). Well a song that made number one last week added a new name to that line-up. "Endless Love" (written and co-sung by Lionel Richie), put Diana Ross in a tie with Elvis, and it remains number one this week. (Okay, we are in recess!)

LW#1: Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
40: Rock & Roll Dreams Come Though - Jim Steinman
39: Double Dutch Bus - Frankie Smith
38: Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
37: Time - Alan Parsons Project
36: Breaking Away - Balance
35: For Your Eyes Only - Sheena Easton
34: I Could Never Miss You - Lulu
33: The One That You Love - Air Supply
32: Everlasting Love - Rex Smith & Rachel Sweet
31: The Voice - The Moody Blues
30: Beach Boys Medley - The Beach Boys
29: Love On A Two Way Street - Stacy Lattisaw
28: Hold On Tight - E.L.O.
LDD: I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton-John
27: You're My Girl - Frankie & The Knock-Outs
26: Don't Give It Up - Robbie Patton
25: That Old Song - Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio
24: Feels So Right - Alabama
23: Step By Step - Eddie Rabbitt
22: Fire and Ice - Pat Benetar
Archive: Groovin' - The Young Rascals
21: Really Wanna Know You - Gary Wright
20: The Breakup Song - The Greg Kihn Band
19: In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins
18: Cool Love - Pablo Cruise
17: The Stroke - Billy Squire
16: Touch Me When We're Dancing - The Carpenters
15: Urgent - Foreigner
EXTRA: Lookin' Out My Back Door - Creedence Clearwater Revival
14: It's Now Or Never - John Schneider
13: Elvira - The Oak Ridge Boys
12: Hearts - Marty Balin
ARCHIVE: Respect - Aretha Franklin
11: Who's Crying Now - Journey
10: Lady (You Bring Me Up) - The Commodores
9: No Getting' Over Me - Ronnie Milsap
8: Queen of Hearts - Juice Newton
7: Boy from New York City - The Manhattan Transfer
6: Stop Draggin' My Heart Around - Stevie Nicks W/ Tom Petty
5: Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
4: Slow Hand - The Pointer Sisters
3: I Don't Need You - Kenny Rogers
2: Believe It Or Not - Joey Scarbury
1: Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie