American Top 40 1985 December 21st

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:

A listener asks, "What record has spent the most total weeks on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart?" Casey says it is a song that hit the chart 19 different times and spent a total of 72 weeks on the Billboard survey.

Michael Jackson was the first artist to generate 7 singles from one album. Who was the second? Bruce Springsteen, and the song that did it was "My Hometown" (at number 32).

Who has his 100th hit single in this countdown? It's Paul McCartney, at number 28 with "Spies Like Us."

Who wanted a toy train for Christmas, but instead got a saxophone and wound up playing with the E Street Band? Clarence Clemons (with Jackson Browne at number 24) who sings "You're A Friend Of Mine."

(Do you hear an owl?)

A listener wants to know, "Who was the youngest solo singer in the history of the charts ever to hit number one?" Casey gives the details concerning this red haired, freckle-faced 12-year-old who topped the charts in 1952.

The band Heart is at number 13 with their song "Never." Since they are from Seattle, Casey tells of the origins of the city's "Skid Row." That same day, in an alternate universe, right before playing "I Remember You" by Skid Row, Casey discusses the importance of having a healthy heart.

Another listener asks, "What is the biggest-selling single hit in history that did not make #1?" Casey says this record has sold over 30 million copies without ever charting any higher than number 54, then gives the details.

Finally, until this week, Hall & Oates held the record for most #1 songs so far in the 80's. But Lionel Richie ties it up by moving his hit "Say You, Say Me" into the top spot.

40: Sun City - Artists United Against Apartheid
39: When The Going Gets Tough (Jewel Of The Nile Theme) - Billy Ocean
38: Face The Face - Pete Townsend
37: Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
36: Sidewalk Talk - Jellybean
35: Sex As A Weapon - Pat Benatar
34: You Belong To The City - Glenn Frey
33: Do It For Love - Sheena Easton
32: My Hometown - Bruce Springsteen
31: Lay Your Hands On Me - The Thompson Twins
30: Goodbye - Night Ranger
29: Everybody Dance - Ta Mara & The Seen
28: Spies Like Us - Paul McCartney
LDD: Don't Stop Believing - Journey
27: Object Of My Desire - Starpoint
26: Go Home - Stevie Wonder
25: I'm Your Man - Wham!
24: You're A Friend Of Mine - Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne
23: It's Only Love - Bryan Adams/Tina Turner
22: Conga - Miami Sound Machine
21: Wrap Her Up - Elton John
20: Love Is The Seventh Wave - Sting
19: Emergency - Kool & The Gang
18: Who's Zoomin Who - Aretha Franklin
17: Burning Heart - Survivor
16: Talk To Me - Stevie Nicks
15: We Built This City - Starship
14: Walk Of Life - Dire Straits
13: Never - Heart
12: Tonight She Comes - The Cars
11: Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
10: Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
9: Small Town - John Cougar Mellencamp
8: That's What Friends Are For - Dionne & Friends
7: I Miss You - Klymaxx
LDD: To All The Girls I've Loved Before - Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias
6: Election Day - Arcadia
5: Separate Lives (Theme From White Knights) - Phil Collins / Marilyn Martin
4: Alive And Kicking - Simple Minds
3: Party All The Time - Eddie Murphy
2: Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
1: Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie