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Brian W.
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Joined: 13 October 2004
Location: United States
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| Posted: 04 December 2005 at 1:02am | IP Logged
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Variety's Best Selling Singles of 1981
This was the final year that Variety's singles sales chart ranked a complete Top 50 every week. In February of 1982, it would be relegated to a top-ten-only listing until its demise in January of 1986. I will be posting those charts soon.
Lots of surprises this year, with no less than 15 top forty sellers that missed the top forty on Billboard's Hot 100. Which reminds me...
Several months ago, when I posted the first chart, I promised the biggest "shocker" ever on the 1981 chart, a single that was a top ten seller that didn't make the Top 40 in either Billboard or Cash Box. (Though, strangely, it did in Record World.) You'll never guess what it is, so scroll down to #9 to see the title highlighted in red...
Other shockers:
--The top twenty rank of Gap Band's Burn Rubber -- only #83 Hot 100!
--The #16 rank of Don Felder's Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride) -- #53 Hot 100.
Other surprises:
--#5 rank of Frankie Smith's Double Dutch Bus – it hit only #30 on the Hot 100.
--#10 rank of Carl Carlton's She's a Bad Mama Jama, which only peaked at #28 on the Hot 100.
--Rick James' Super Freak at #4 -- Hot 100 #16.
--Billy Squier's The Stroke at #5 -- peaked at #17 on the Hot 100.
--The #3 rank of Hooked on Classics...only hit #10 in Billboard.
--The #2 rank of Hit Me With Your Best Shot, which only made #8 on the Hot 100. (I've compared this with the Radio & Records airplay chart, and though this song was a huge airplay AND sales hit, it was apparently a victim of airplay peaking almost two months before sales did.)
-- Yoko Ono's Walking on Thin Ice actually made it to #25 sales!
Top 40 sellers that did not reach the Top 40 on the Hot 100 are highlighted in red.
"The Variety singles chart is a current reflection of records active on the national retail level. The tabulation is derived from a broad sampling of sales data obtained from the top 25 markets. It is based wholly on retail sales."
#1
1. Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie #1 (13 weeks), 8/5/81 (7/27/81)
2. Physical – Olivia Newton-John #1 (at least 9 weeks), 11/25/81 (11/16/81) (fell from #1 the final week of full Top 50 chart, replaced by Centerfold, which was still #1 when chart returned three weeks later... unlikely but not impossible that Physical could have returned to #1 during the missing three weeks)
3. Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes #1 (9 weeks), 5/27/81 (5/18/81)
4. Morning Train (Nine to Five) – Sheena Easton #1 (5 weeks), 4/22/81 (4/13/81)
5. Celebration – Kool & The Gang #1 (4 weeks), 2/4/81 (1/26/81)
6. 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton #1 (4 weeks), 3/4/81 (2/23/81)
7. Keep on Loving You – REO Speedwagon #1 (3 weeks), 4/1/81 (3/23/81)
8. Arthur's Theme (Best You Can Do) – Christopher Cross #1 (2 weeks), 11/4/81 (10/26/81)
9. Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not) – Joey Scarbury #1 (1 week), 7/29/81 (7/20/81)
10. Private Eyes – Daryl Hall & John Oates #1 (1 week), 11/18/81 (11/9/81)
#2
11. Jesse's Girl – Rick Springfield #2 (8 weeks nc), 7/15/81 (7/6/81)
12. Stars on 45 – Stars on 45 #2 (6 weeks), 6/3/81 (5/25/81)
13. The Tide is High – Blondie #2 (3 weeks), 1/28/81 (1/19/81) (Came within less than 1% of the top spot on 2/4/81 (1/26/81)
14. Waiting for a Girl Like You – Foreigner #2 (3 weeks), 12/9/81 (11/30/81)
15. Kiss On My List – Daryl Hall & John Oates #2 (3 weeks), 4/22/81 (4/13/81)
16. Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar #2 (1 week), 1/21/81 (1/12/81)
17. Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton #2 (1 week), 9/16/81
18. Rapture – Blondie #2 (2 weeks), 4/8/81 (3/30/81)
#3
19. Start Me Up – Rolling Stones #3 (5 weeks), 10/14/81 (10/5/81)
20. I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) – Hall & Oates #3 (at least 4 weeks), 1/6/82 (12/28/81) (chart was not published for the first three weeks of February 1982, as it made its transition from 50 songs to a 10-song chart, but this peak position was listed in the year-end chart for 1982)
21. For Your Eyes Only – Sheena Easton #4 (3 weeks), 10/14/81
22. All Those Years Ago – George Harrison #3 (3 weeks), 6/10/81
23. The One That You Love – Air Supply #3 (2 weeks), 7/1/81
24. Being With You – Smokey Robinson #3 (2 weeks), 5/6/81
25. Woman - John Lennon #3 (1 week), 3/4/81 (2/23/81)
26. Urgent – Foreigner #3 (1 week), 10/7/81
27. Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr. #3 (1 week), 4/29/81
28. Hooked on Classics – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra #3 (1 week), 12/30/81 (12/21/81) (45 version – 3:48)
#4
29. Let's Groove – Earth Wind & Fire #4 (3 weeks), 12/2/81
30. Slow Hand – Pointer Sisters #4 (2 weeks), 8/19/81
31. Angel of the Morning – Juice Newton #4 (1 week), 5/6/81
32. Who's Crying Now – Journey #4 (1 week), 10/7/81
33. Super Freak – Rick James #4 (1 week), 10/28/81
#5
34. Elvira – Oak Ridge Boys #5 (2 weeks nc), 6/17/81 (6/8/81)
35. Sukiyaki – A Taste of Honey #5 (2 weeks), 5/27/81 (5/18/81)
36. Double Dutch Bus – Frankie Smith #5 (1 week), 6/24/81 (6/15/81)
37. The Stroke – Billy Squier #5 (1 week), 8/5/81 (7/27/81)
#6
38. The Best of Times – Styx #6 (4 weeks nc), 3/25/81 (3/16/81)
39. I Love a Rainy Night – Eddie Rabbit #6 (3 weeks nc), 2/25/81 (2/16/81)
40. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around – Stevie Nickswith Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers #6 (1 week), 9/2/81 (8/24/81)
#7
41. Don't Stop Believin' – Journey #7 (2 weeks nc), 12/9/81 (11/30/81)
42. Take It on the Run – REO Speedwagon #7 (2 week), 6/3/81 (5/25/81)
43. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – Police #7 (2 weeks nc), 11/25/81 (11/16/81)
#8
44. Love on the Rocks – Neil Diamond #8 (2 weeks), 1/21/81 (1/12/81)
45. A Woman Needs Love – Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio #8 (2 weeks), 6/17/81 (6/8/81)
46. I Don't Need You – Kenny Rogers #8 (2 weeks nc), 7/8/81 (6/29/81)
47. Don't Stop the Music – Yarbrough & Peoples #8 (1 week), 4/1/81 (3/23/81)
#9
48. Turn Your Love Around – George Benson, at least #9 (at least 2 weeks nc), 1/6/82 (12/28/81) (NOTE: Single returned to #9 for one more week in 1/27/82 issue, which was the final top fifty issue. No chart was published for the next three weeks. When chart reappeared it was a top-ten-only chart, and this song was not on it. So the song could have peaked higher during the missing three weeks, but probably no higher than #7, since it did not appear on year-end chart for either 1981 or 1982.)
49. Here I Am – Air Supply #9 (2 weeks), 12/2/81 (11/23/81)
50. Passion – Rod Stewart #9 (1 week), 2/4/81 (1/26/81)
51. Same Old Lang Syne – Don Fogelberg #9 (1 week), 2/11/81 (2/2/81)
52. Winning – Santana #9 (1 week), 7/1/81 (6/22/81)
53. Shaddap You Face – Joe Dolce #9 (1 week), 6/24/81 (6/15/81)
#10
54. She's a Bad Mama Jama – Carl Carlton #10 (3 weeks), 10/7/81 (9/28/81)
55. While You See a Chance – Steve Winwood #10 (3 weeks), 4/15/81 (4/6/81)
56. Give It to Me Baby – Rick James #10 (3 weeks), 7/8/81 (6/29/81)
57. Too Much Time on My Hands – Styx #10 (2 weeks nc), 5/6/81 (4/27/81)
58. Oh No – Commodores #10 (2 weeks nc), 11/25/81 (11/16/81)
59. Boy from New York City – Manhattan Transfer #10 (1 week), 8/26/81 (8/17/81)
60. I've Done Everything for You – Rick Springfield #10 (1 week), 11/4/81 (10/26/81)
#11
61. Every Woman in the World – Air Supply #11 (1 week), 1/21/81 (1/12/81)
62. Crying – Don McLean #11 (1 week), 3/18/81 (3/9/81)
63. You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates #11 (1 week), 7/15/81 (7/6/81)
#12
64. You Better You Bet – Who #12 (4 weeks nc), 4/8/81 (3/30/81)
65. Don't Stand So Close to Me – Police #12 (3 weeks), 3/18/81 (3/9/81)
66. Hello Again – Neil Diamond #12 (2 weeks), 2/25/81 (2/16/81)
67. Why Do Fools Fall in Love – Diana Ross #12 (2 weeks), 12/23/81 (12/14/81)
68. I Love You – Climax Blues Band #12 (1 week), 7/8/81 (6/29/81)
69. Lady (You Bring Me Up) – Commodores #12 (1 week), 8/26/81 (8/17/81)
70. General Hospi-Tale – Afternoon Delights #12 (1 week), 9/30/81 (9/21/81)
#13
71. Treat Me Right - Pat Benatar #13 (1 week), 2/18/81 (2/9/81)
72. Games People Play - Alan Parsons Project #13 (1 week), 3/4/81 (2/23/81)
73. Hearts - Martin Balin #13 (2 weeks), 7/22/81 (7/13/81)
74. Just Once - Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram #13 (2 weeks), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
#14
75. Gemini Dream - Moody Blues #14 (2 weeks), 7/15/81 (7/6/81)
76. Step by Step - Eddie Rabbit #14 (2 weeks), 10/14/81 (10/5/81)
#15
77. Hey Nineteen - Steely Dan #15 (1 week), 2/18/81 (2/9/81)
78. Watching the Wheels - John Lennon #15 (2 weeks), 4/29/81 (4/20/81)
79. Tryin' to Live My Life Without You - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band #15 (2 weeks), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
#16
80. Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride) - Don Felder #16 (1 week), 10/21/81 (10/12/81)
81. Theme from Hill Street Blues - Mike Post featuring Larry Carlton #16 (2 weeks nc), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
#17
82. The Winner Takes It All - ABBA #17 (1 week), 3/4/81 (2/23/81)
83. What Kind of Fool - Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb #17 (1 week), 3/18/81 (3/9/81)
84. Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) - Gap Band #17 (1 week), 4/1/81 (3/23/81)
85. How 'Bout Us - Champaign #17 (2 weeks nc), 5/20/81 (5/11/81)
86. Living Inside Myself - Gino Vannelli #17 (1 week), 6/10/81 (6/1/81)
87. In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins #17 (2 weeks nc), 7/8/81 (6/29/81)
88. Fire and Ice - Pat Benatar #17 (2 weeks), 8/12/81 (8/3/81)
89. Beach Boys Medley - Beach Boys #17 (2 weeks), 9/23/81 (9/14/81)
90. The Night Owls - Little River Band #17 (1 week), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
#18
91. Turn Me Loose - Loverboy #18 (1 week), 4/29/81 (4/10/81)
92. The Breakup Song - Greg Kihn Band #18 (2 weeks), 8/26/81 (8/17/81)
#19
93. Seven Year Ache - Roseanne Cash #19 (1 week), 7/1/81 (6/22/81)
94. This Little Girl - Gary U. S. Bonds #19 (1 week), 7/8/81 (6/29/81)
95. Love on a Two Way Street - Stacy Lattisaw #19 (2 weeks), 8/19/81 (8/10/81)
#20
96. Hold on Tight - Electric Light Orchestra #20 (4 weeks nc), 9/23/81 (9/14/81)
97. Comin' in and Out of Your Life - Barbra Streisand #20 (3 weeks), 12/16/81 (12/7/81)
98. Heartbreak Hotel - Jacksons #20 (1 week), 2/4/81 (1/26/81)
99. Together - Tierra #20 (1 week), 3/4/81 (2/23/81)
100. Somebody's Knockin' - Terri Gibbs #20 (1 week), 4/22/81 (4/13/81)
101. Hold on Loosely - . 38 Special #20 (1 week), 5/6/81 (4/27/81)
102. I Missed Again - Phil Collins #20 (1 week), 5/20/81 (5/11/81)
103. We're in This Love Together - Al Jarreau #20 (1 week), 11/4/81 (10/26/81)
#21
104. The Waiting - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers #21 (1 week), 6/3/81 (5/25/81)
105. Time - Alan Parsons Project #21 (3 weeks nc), 7/22/81 (7/13/81)
106. (There's) No Gettin' Over Me - Ronnie Milsap #21 (1 week), 9/30/81 (9/21/81)
107. Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie #21 (1 week), 12/2/81 (11/23/81)
#22
108. Back in Black - AC/DC #22 (2 weeks nc), 2/25/81 (2/16/81)
109. Fade Away - Bruce Springsteen #22 (1 week), 3/4/81 (2/24/81)
110. In the Dark - Billy Squier #22 (1 week), 10/21/81 (10/12/81)
#23
111. Just Between You and Me - April Wine #23 (1 week), 4/22/81 (4/13/81)
112. Burnin' for You - Blue Oyster Cult #23 (1 week), 10/7/81 (9/28/81)
113. Hard to Say - Dan Fogelberg #23 (1 week), 10/21/81 (10/12/81)
114. Never Too Much - Luther Vandross #23 (1 week), 11/25/81 (11/16/81)
#24
115. I Made It Through the Rain - Barry Manilow #24 (1 wek), 1/28/81 (1/19/81)
116. I Can't Stand It - Eric Clapton & His Band #24 (2 weeks nc), 4/8/81 (3/30/81)
117. The Old Songs - Barry Manilow #24 (3 weeks), 11/18/81 (11/9/81)
118. Yesterday's Songs - Neil Diamond #24 (3 weeks), 12/16/81 (12/7/81)
#25
119. Walking on Thin Ice - Yoko Ono #25 (1 week), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
120. Her Town Too - James Taylor & J. D. Souther #25 (3 weeks), 4/22/81 (4/13/81)
121. Modern Girl - Sheena Easton #25 (1 week), 7/15/81 (7/6/81)
122. Tom Sawyer - Rush #25 (1 week), 7/29/81 (7/20/81)
123. When She Was My Girl - Four Tops #25 (1 week), 10/28/81 (10/19/81)
#26
124. It's a Love Thing - Whispers #26 (1 week), 4/29/81 (4/20/81)
125. Sweetheart - Franke & The Knockouts #26 (2 weeks nc), 5/27/81 (5/18/81)
126. Don't Let Him Go - REO Speedwagon #26 (1 week), 7/15/81 (7/6/81)
127. Sweet Baby - Stanley Clarke / George Duke #26 (1 week), 7/29/81 (7/20/81)
#27
128. Suddenly - Olivia Newton-John & Cliff Richard #27 (2 weeks nc), 1/14/81 (1/5/81)
129. I Ain't Gonna Stand for It - Stevie Wonder #27 (1 week), 2/25/81 (2/16/81)
130. Fantastic Voyage - Lakeside #27 (1 week), 3/18/81 (3/9/81)
131. Share Your Love With Me - Kenny Rogers # 27 (1 week), 9/30/81 (9/21/81)
#28
132. What Cha' Gonna Do for Me - Chaka Khan #28 (1 week), 6/17/81 (6/8/81)
#29
133. America - Neil Diamond #29 (1 week), 6/24/81 (6/15/81)
134. Square Biz - Teena Marie #29 (1 week), 8/12/81 (8/3/81)
135. The Voice - Moody Blues #29 (2 weeks), 9/16/81 (9/7/81)
#30
136. Giving It Up for Your Love - Delbert McClinton #30 (2 weeks nc), 2/11/81 (2/2/81)
137. No Reply at All - Genesis #30 (1 week), 11/25/81 (11/16/81)
138. My Kinda Lover / Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You - Billy Squier #30 (1 week), 1/6/82 (12/28/81)
#31
139. Ah! Leah! - Donnie Iris #31 (1 week), 4/1/81 (3/23/81)
140. Mister Sandman - Emmylou Harris #31 (1 week), 4/15/81 (4/6/81)
141. Say Goodbye to Hollywood - Billy Joel #31 (1 week), 10/14/81 (10/5/81)
#32
142. A Little in Love - Cliff Richard #32 (1 week), 2/11/81 (2/2/81)
143. Promises in the Dark - Pat Benatar #32 (1 week), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
#33
144. Ai No Corrida - Quincy Jones #33 (1 week), 6/3/81 (5/25/81)
#34
145. (Ghost) Riders in the Sky - Outlaws #34 (1 week), 3/18/81 (3/9/81)
#35
146. The Party's Over - Journey #35 (1 week) 3/25/81 (3/16/81)
147. Ain't Even Done With the Night - John Cougar #35 (2 weeks), 4/29/81 (4/20/81)
148. Working in the Coal Mine - Devo #35 (2 weeks), 10/21/81 (10/12/81)
#36
149. Wasn't That a Party - The Rovers #36 (2 weeks nc), 4/29/81 (4/20/81)
150. Feels So Right - Alabama #36 (1 week), 8/12/81 (8/3/81)
151. Everlasting Love - Rex Smith & Rachel Sweet #36 (2 weeks), 8/19/81 (8/10/81)
152. I'm in Love - Evelyn King #36 (2 weeks), 9/9/81 (8/31/81)
#37
153. Touch Me When We're Dancing - Carpenters #37 (1 week), 8/5/81 (7/27/81)
154. In Your Letter - REO Speedwagon #37 (1 week), 9/23/81 (9/14/81)
155. Controversy - Prince #37 (1 week), 11/25/81 (11/16/81)
#38
156. Flash's Theme (AKA Flash) - Queen #38 (1 week), 2/11/81 (2/2/81)
157. Smoky Mountain Rain - Ronnie Milsap #38 (1 week), 3/11/81 (3/2/81)
158. I Could Never Miss You - Lulu #38 (1 week), 10/14/81 (10/5/81)
#39
159. Pull Up to the Bumper - Grace Jones #39 (1 week), 7/22/81 (7/13/81) (Did not even chart on the Hot 100!)
160. Draw of the Cards - Kim Carnes #39 (1 week), 9/23/81 (9/14/81)
#40
161. Seven Bridges Road - Eagles #40 (1 week), 2/4/81 (1/26/81)
162. Nobody Wins - Elton John #40 (2 weeks nc), 6/3/81 (5/25/81)
163. Is It You - Lee Ritenour #40 (1 week), 7/15/81 (7/6/81)
164. It's Now or Never - John Schneider #40 (1 week), 7/22/81 (7/13/81)
165. I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Roger #40 (1 week), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
166. Destroyer - Kinks #40 (1 week), 12/30/81 (12/21/81)
#41
167. Find Your Way Back - Jefferson Starship #41 (1 week), 5/6/81 (4/27/81)
168. Shake It Up Tonight - Cheryl Lynn #41 (2 weeks), 8/19/81 (8/10/81)
169. Really Wanna Know You - Gary Wright #41 (1 week), 9/2/81 (8/24/81)
170. Cool Love - Pablo Cruise #41 (1 week), 9/9/81 (8/31/81)
171. Sausalito Summernight - Diesel #41 (1 week), 11/11/81 (11/2/81)
#42
172. Say You'll Be Mine - Christopher Cross #42 (1 week), 5/20/81 (5/11/81)
173. Just Be My Lady - Larry Graham #42 (1 week), 8/19/81 (8/10/81)
174. Some Days are Diamonds - John Denver #42 (1 week), 9/30/81 (9/21/81)
#43
175. Time Out of Mind - Steely Dan #43 (1 week), 4/15/81 (4/6/81)
176. That Old Song - Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio #43 (1 week), 9/2/81 (8/24/81)
#44
177. Time is Time - Andy Gibb #44 (1 week), 1/14/81 (1/5/81)
178. Cold Love - Donna Summer #44 (1 week), 1/21/81 (1/12/81)
179. Hearts on Fire - Randy Meisner #44 (1 week), 2/25/81 (2/16/81)
180. I Loved 'Em Every One - T. G. Sheppard # 44 (1 week), 6/3/81 (5/25/81)
181. Tempted - Squeeze #44 (1 week), 9/2/81 (8/24/81)
182. Backfired - Deborah Harry #44 (1 week), 9/16/81 (9/7/81)
183. Love All the Hurt Away - Aretha Franklin & George Benson #44 (1 week), 9/23/81 (9/14/81)
#45
184. Jones vs. Jones - Kool & The Gang #45 (2 weeks), 6/17/81 (6/8/81)
185. Silly - Deniece Williams #45 (1 week), 9/23/81 (9/14/81)
186. Breaking Away - Balance #45 (1 week), 10/7/81 (9/28/81)
187. Heart Like a Wheel - Steve Miller Band #45 (1 week), 12/16/81 (12/7/81)
#46
188. What are We Doin' in Love - Dottie West #46 (1 week), 4/29/81 (4/20/81)
189. Blessed are the Believers - Anne Murray #46 (1 week), 5/6/81 (4/27/81)
190. You Like Me, Don't You - Jermaine Jackson #46 (1 week), 6/3/81 (5/25/81)
191. Heartbeat - Taana Gardner #46 (1 week), 7/8/81 (6/29/81)
192. A Life of Illusion - Joe Walsh #46 (1 week), 7/15/81 (7/6/81)
193. Rock 'N Roll Dreams Come Through - Jim Steinman #46 (1 week), 8/5/81 (7/27/81)
#47
194. Who's Making Love - Blues Brothers #47 (1 week), 1/28/81 (1/19/81)
195. Guitar Man - Elvis Presley #47 (2 weeks), 2/18/81 (2/9/81)
196. Living in a Fantasy - Leo Sayer #47 (1 week), 3/4/81 (2/23/81)
197. Yearning for Your Love - Gap Band #47 (2 weeks), 6/10/81 (6/1/81)
198. Fool in Love With You - Jim Photoglo #47 (2 week), 7/1/81 (6/22/81)
#48
199. Too Tight - Con Funk Shun #48 (1 week), 2/25/81 (2/16/81)
200. Magic Man - Robert Winters & Fall #48 (2 weeks), 4/15/81 (4/6/81)
201. Since I Don't Have You - Don McLean #48 (2 weeks), 5/27/81 (5/18/81)
202. He's a Liar - Bee Gees #48 (1 week), 10/14/81 (10/5/81)
#49
203. Nothing Ever Goes as Planned - Styx #49 (2 weeks), 7/22/81 (7/13/81)
204. Don't Give Up - Robbie Patton #49 (2 weeks), 8/19/81 (8/10/81)
#50
205. Numbers - Kraftwerk #50 (3 weeks), 11/25/81 (11/16/81) (Did not make Hot 100 at all!)
Note: In April of 1981, the notation at the top of each chart began claiming 34 markets monitored rather than 25. Several months later, it claimed 25 again for a few weeks, then changed back to 34 for a few weeks, then 33 until the final Top Fifty chart in early 1982. No notation as to market sample size was made on the subsequent Top Ten chart. However, each year-end chart through the final one in 1985 claimed 25 markets were monitored.
Edited by Brian W. on 11 June 2016 at 4:00am
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Todd Ireland
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| Posted: 04 December 2005 at 8:22am | IP Logged
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Thanks for sharing another fascinating list, Brian! It's also interesting to see the songs that charted low on Variety but high on Billboard. For instance, how about the #46 peak of Dottie West's "What are We Doin' in Love", which attained a much better #14 position on Billboard. And notice Pablo Cruise's "Cool Love" hit #13 on Billboard but just missed the Top 40 altogether on Variety. This helps put some perspective on which songs were more driven by airplay and which were more based on sales.
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EdisonLite
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| Posted: 04 December 2005 at 9:45am | IP Logged
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Another shocker was Neil Diamond's "America" with a sales peak of #29. It peaked at #8 in Billboard and certainly seemed like a huge radio smash. Billboard didn't separate out sales and airplay figures for readers back then, but it makes me wonder if "America" would have had a #1 peak in Airplay to balance out the apparently low sales figure.
Another related, interesting list to make would be the top 40 Billboard hits that didn't make the Variety Sales charts at all. On the lists Brian provides, we're seeing the Variety hits that didn't make Billboard, so the corollary would be to see the Billboard hits that didn't make Variety.
Edited by EdisonLite on 04 December 2005 at 9:46am
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Brian W.
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| Posted: 04 December 2005 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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Well, Variety did run an airplay chart as well, from '79 to '81 only. I really should go back to the library and photocopy them and post those too. But I do have the year-end airplay charts for those three years, which include peak positions, and I can tell you America was not #1, as it does not appear on the year-end chart. However, it did hit #5 on the Radio & Records airplay chart, which was very close to Variety's. (And, in the mid-'80s anyway, to Billboard's.)
Just at a glance, one big airplay/sales discrepancy I see on the year-end chart is Ronnie Milsap's "(There's) No Getting Over Me" -- #5 Variety airplay, #21 sales. And Diana Ross' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" was #2 Variety airplay, but only #12 sales. (And if there's one thing I've learned from looking at these old sales charts it's that, whatever the airplay, you can usually tell that an artist's career is about to tank when the leadoff single from their album doesn't sell well.)
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Brian W.
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Joined: 13 October 2004
Location: United States
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Posts: 2505
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| Posted: 04 December 2005 at 1:13pm | IP Logged
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Todd Ireland wrote:
| Notice Pablo Cruise's "Cool Love" hit #13 on Billboard but just missed the Top 40 altogether on Variety. |
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That's because that one reached #5 airplay, according to Radio & Records!
Todd Ireland wrote:
| how about the #46 peak of Dottie West's "What are We Doin' in Love", which attained a much better #14 position on Billboard. |
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Hmm, that one was only #15 in Radio & Records. Don't know about the Variety airplay peak yet.
Edited by Brian W. on 04 December 2005 at 1:14pm
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Top 40 Music on Compact Disc : Chat Board
Topic: 1981 - Variety Best Selling Singles
