American Top 40 1981 December 5th

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 biggest live recording ever to hit the charts was also the first hit for the 13 year-old boy who sang it. Casey tells the story right before playing the live recording at number 31, "Tryin' To Live My Life Without You" by Bob Seger.

Listeners write in to correct Casey, who previously reported Barbra Streisand as having hit #1 four times. He lists all FIVE of her #1's right before "Comin' In And Out Of Your Life" (at number 19).

Casey says "Yesterday's Songs" (at number 16), is Neil Diamond's 32nd Top 40 solo hit, which puts him in a three-way tie for 8th place. Casey tells of those who hold the seven spots ahead of him, including the champ in first place with 105 hits.

Casey lists more than 15 acts from Philadelphia including the biggest male and female solo artists, and biggest group, just before introducing Philadelphia's biggest duo ever, Hall & Oates (at number 6) with Private Eyes.

A listener noted the long title of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" (at number 3 by The Police) and so wants to know what the longest song title was ever to hit the top 40. Casey says this title had 13 words, 90 letters, and was by the same artist whose hits include "Ahab The Arab," "The Streak," and "Guitarzan."

The Commodores are at number 4 with their last hit before Lionel Richie went solo, "Oh No." It was part of the 1981 film classic, "The Last American Virgin" along with songs by Tommy Tutone, The Police, Devo, The Cars, U2, Journey, REO Speedwagon, James Ingram, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Human League, Blondie. Get your copy with the enclosed torrent, the seeding of which I am supporting (it's a YIFY).

Foreigner is at number 2 with "Waiting For A Girl Like You" but they should have sung, "Waiting For A Girl Like You (to get out of the #1 spot, Olivia)" because Olivia Newton-John will be perched at #1 for 7 more weeks.

LW#2: Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
LW#1: Physical - Olivia Newton-John
40: Under Pressure - Queen and David Bowie
39: Wrack My Brain - Ringo Starr
38: Twilight - ELO
37: Theme from "Hill Street Blues" - Mike Post
36: I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World - Ronnie Milsap
35: The Night Owls - Little River Band
34: Poor Man's Son - Survivor
33: Never Too Much - Luther Vandross
32: Someone Could Lose A Heart Tonight - Eddie Rabbit
31: Tryin' To Live My Life Without You - Bob Seger
30: Centerfold - J. Geils Band
29: No Reply At All- Genesis
LDD: Babe - Styx
28: Steal The Night - Stevie Woods
27: Hooked On Classics - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
26: Heart Like A Wheel - Steve Miller Band
25: Cool Night - Paul Davis
24: My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) - Chilliwack
23: Turn Your Love Around - George Benson
22: Take My Heart - Kool & The Gang
21: Our Lips Are Sealed - The Go-Gos
20: The Sweetest Thing - Juice Newton
19: Comin' In And Out Of Your Life - Barbra Streisand
18: I Can't Go For That - Hall & Oates
17: Arthur's Theme - Christopher Cross
16: Yesterday's Songs - Neil Diamond
15: The Old Songs - Barry Manilow
14: Harden My Heart - Quarterflash
13: Trouble - Lindsey Buckingham
EXTRA: Light My Fire - The Doors
12: Leather And Lace - Stevie Nicks With Journey
11: Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
10: Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones
9: Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Diana Ross
LDD: Cat's In The Cradle - Harry Chapin
8: Young Turks - Rod Stewart
7: Let's Groove - Earth, Wind And Fire
6: Private Eyes - Hall & Oates
5: Here I Am - Air Supply
4: Oh No - Commodores
3: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
2: Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
1: Physical - Olivia Newton-John