American Top 40 1986 September 27th

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:

What do the Penguins and the Crew Cuts have in common with each other? The same thing they have in common with New Edition, they all charted with "Earth Angel" (at number 29). Some RocketMan included copies of those two earlier recordings.

"The Art Of Noise with Max Headroom" by Paranoimia is at number 37. I thought I might get some video of Max but, as it turns out, Max and Amy lived on the same hard drive back in the early eighties and, long story short, she relapsed and is currently in a rehab doctor's computer at Passages in Malibu. Until she comes back (if she even comes back), the State Department sent over Sally who presents "RocketMan's Record Report."

Madonna (at number 35 with "Papa Don't Preach") says to be successful in show business, throw out the rules and advice & follow your own vision. As soon as you copy-cat that you will make it.

One band in the countdown was drawing concert crowds of 3,000 before they ever had their first record. Casey tells which one.

Seeing that there are no listener questions (because the mail hasn't run yet), Casey lists the top three artists who waited the longest between first chart appearance and their first number one. Casey says the all-time record of 24 years is held by a woman in this countdown if that's got anything to do with it.

Eventually the mail runs, Casey finds a letter from Maryland with this question, "What act has had the most number one albums?" Casey says the albums stack up like this when you look at the Top 5:

Tied for 4th & 5th place: (Elton John and Paul McCartney with 7 apiece)
Tied for 2nd & 3rd place: (The Rolling Stones and Elvis with 9 apiece)
First place: The Beatles (with 15).

Hey kids, look over there! (Why would a man in the Missionary position want someone to get down on their knees?). "Missionary Man" by The Eurythmics is at number 16 this week. Further, if you have to walk before you can run, then why does RUN DMC want to learn how to "WALK This Way" (at number 4 this week as well?). Also, if "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" like Simply Red claims it is at number 30, then how can he mention something that is too tight to mention? How can we even talk about it?

Something about some guy named Don Johnson.

The latest update to the AT40 Book of Trivia came in the mail as well, and Casey reports only two artists in the rock era have ever hit number one singing solo, in a duo, and in a trio. Those two are "Princess Di" and a Genesis man who is at number 12 this week in his trio singing "Throwing It All Away."

Nobody asks who is the Number One Male Solo Artist on the Billboard pop Singles chart of the 80's so far, but that doesn't stop Casey from telling us. He lists the Top 5 right before he introduces Lionel Richie's song "Dancing On The Ceiling" (at number 3 this week. Lionel is the top male artist and the ceiling he is dancing on is not glass).

40: I'll Be Over You - Toto
39: In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
38: Take Me Home Tonight - Eddie Money
37: Paranoimia - The Art Of Noise with Max Headroom
36: Human - The Human League
35: Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
34: Girl Can't Help It - Journey
33: Rumors - Timex Social Club
32: Press - Paul McCartney
31: Point Of No Return - Nu Shooz
30: Money's Too Tight (To Mention) - Simply Red
29: Earth Angel (From "Karate Kid Part II") - New Edition
28: Sweet Freedom (Theme From "Running Scared") - Michael McDonald
27: Sweet Love - Anita Baker
EXTRA: If - Bread
26: I Didn't Mean To Turn You On - Robert Palmer
25: Love Walks In - Van Halen
24: A Matter Of Trust - Billy Joel
23: Twist And Shout - The Beatles
22: True Colors - Cyndi Lauper
21: Higher Love - Steve Winwood
20: The Captain Of Her Heart - Double
19: Heaven In Your Eyes - Loverboy
18: All Cried Out - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force
17: Venus - Bananarama
16: Missionary Man - Eurythmics
15: Baby Love - Regina
14: Heartbeat - Don Johnson
13: Typical Male - Tina Turner
12: Throwing It All Away - Genesis
11: Words Get In The Way - Miami Sound Machine
10: Love Zone - Billy Ocean
9: Take My Breath Away (Love Theme from "Top Gun") – Berlin
8: Two Of Hearts - Stacey Q
LDD; The Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston
7: When I Think Of You - Janet Jackson
6: Dreamtime - Daryl Hall
5: Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) - Glass Tiger
4: Walk This Way - Run-D.M.C.
3: Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Richie
2: Friends And Lovers - Carl Anderson And Gloria Loring
1: Stuck With You - Huey Lewis & The News