Don’s Top 10 for April 22, 1979
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Put some platform shoes on “The Time Machine”: Disco dominates the local hit music survey of this Sunday, April 22, 1979. Hear the songs on New Jersey 101.5 starting just after midnight late Saturday night.
“Take Me Home” by Cher
(#10 last week) Seemed like EVERYBODY was recording a disco song in 1979, but not everyone had HITS with them. Cher was one. This went gold. Her first chart appearance in 5 years, since “Dark Lady”. She wouldn't be back on the charts again until 1987.
“Reunited” by Peaches & Herb
(#15 last week) Maybe THE slow dance of 1979. Herb Fame has worked on & off in government security & law enforcement for over 40 years, with show biz mixed in here & there. Smart to have a back-up career….
“Music Box Dancer” by Frank Mills
(#12 last week) Frank Mills was briefly a member of The Bells, but after their success with 1971's “Stay Awhile”. Ferrante & Teicher & Mason Williams lived! Talk about a left-field hit, one that especially stood out in the disco-saturated airwaves of 1979.
“Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead
(#18 last week) Philadelphia International Records behind-the-scenes powerhouses who achieved one hit as artists. What did they write? Start with “Back Stabbers”, “I'll Always Love My Mama”, Bad Luck”, “Wake up Everybody”. Wow.
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
(#3 last week) The anthem of a generation. And the generations after.
“In The Navy”/”Manhattan Woman” by The Village People
(#11 last week) Watching the video of the Village People on the Bob Hope Special is priceless, for the looks on the faces of the servicemen on the aircraft carrier. They had NO IDEA who those pretty boys lip-synching that disco song were.
“I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)” by Instant Funk
(#8 last week) Jersey band, who achieved much success as session musicians in Philadelphia before their one hit as artists. Got to #1 on the disco & R&B chart.
“What A Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers
(#2 last week) Record Of The Year, & Song Of The Year (songwriters: Michael McDEonald & Kenny Loggins).
“Heart Of Glass” by Blondie
(#4 last week) Oh, Debbie Harry, how much do I love you? Let me count the ways. 1) Love the minidresses. NO ONE was wearing them in '79. Thanks for bringing them back! 2) What a great combination of new wave & disco! Blondie had so many incredibly catchy songs. 3) Did I mention the minidresses? 
“Knock On Wood” by Amii Stewart
(#1 last week; 3rd week at #1) No, Amii wasn't BORN with her first name spelled that way. Am-y Stewart was forced to change the spelling when she discovered there was already an Amy Stewart in the union. Stewart was a one-hit wonder here, but had two other decent-sized hits in the U.K., including a remake of “Light My Fire”.
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