Don’s Top 10 For September 29, 1980

(#13 last week) Well, SOMEONE had to name a hit record someday with the letter X! Great record, actually, from an unexpected pairing, which didn't do ELO any favors in the segregated radio world of 1980. They were pretty much banished from album rock radio starting with their music from this soundtrack album. I loved their tunes from it. What can I tell ya. I'm a top 40 person.

(#6 last week) Olivia really made a lot of guys happy with her image transformation starting with "Grease", continuing with the "Totally Hot" album, & accelerating with her sexy look here, with the biggest single from "Xanadu".

(#11 last week) 3 movie songs back to back, this one from "Urban Cowboy" (ironically, a John Travolta movie next to two Olivia movie songs)--& there were others below the top 10 as well. Where are the hit songs from movies today?

(#5 last week) My favorite Benson hit! It just wears well on me. It was written by Rod Temperton of Heatwave, produced by Quincy Jones, & that's Patti Austin on backup vocals. Went #1 R&B chart, #2 Disco chart.

(#7 last week) For about a year, this guy was the toast of the music business, when the biz was dominated by softer, "adult contemporary" sounds. He managed to hang on a few more years, then basically disappeared. "Sailing" won Record & Song Of The Year Grammys, while Cross won Best New Artist. VH1 named this the greatest "softsational soft rock" music song of all time.

(#8 last week) The former bassman for Sly & The Family Stone shows off his softer vocal side on this million-seller that was & is a slow-dance favorite. I loved Graham's work with Graham Central Station as well. Anyone remember 1977's obscure "Stomped, Beat-Up & Whooped"?

(#4 last week) The kings of early 80s schlock-rock with their second hit. I'm probably being too harsh. I actually don't mind hearing this one again. This peaked at #2 top 40 radio, but only #5 at adult contemporary radio. I'd have thought this would have been a surefire #1 at AC.

(#2 last week) This makes it 4 movie songs in the top 10! Interesting low-budget "realistic" video. Looks like it was filmed among real NYC crowds. Co-written by Michael Gore, Lesley's brother. Won the Oscar & Golden Globe for Best Song. It wasn't released as a single in the U.K. until 1982, coinciding with the premiere of the TV series. But when it did, it climbed to #1.

(#1 last week) The song was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers (of the band Chic) with Aretha Franklin in mind to record.

(#3 last week; 1st week at #1) The famous bass line in this song was "inspired" by Chic's hit from the year before, "Good Times". Hope Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards got a songwriting credit! And credit none other than Michael Jackson for suggesting to the band that this be released as a single!