Billboard 1986: The Rankdown (Winner Revealed)

[filthy]

Uhhh excuse me guys?

[Red]

This rankdown has been going rather well for me, barring the two top ten barrage in the 60-51 set. I'm surprised that one song in my top ten, in particular, is still in. It will likely go out in the next set, but I'm pleasantly surprised it made the top 40.

On the other end, my lowest left is my 65 (I think), and I expect that to last for a while. It's a decent song, but I've never cared for it as much as many other people do.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

Jul 13, 2018 12:07:14 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

#45

Perfect Way

Scritti Politti

🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾  - 97  

House Lannister  - 90 
Juanca - 97 

[Unhinged]

Top 40 begins Monday folks and things get real...;)

[craziaskowboi]

Jul 13, 2018 13:41:23 GMT -5 filthy said:

Uhhh excuse me guys?

Sorry, I like Randy Watson & Sexual Chocolate's cover better. 

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Jul 13, 2018 12:46:54 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

#42

Two Of Hearts

Stacey Q

Total Points: 1283

Billboard Hot 100: 3⁽¹⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1986: 51

From: Better Than Heaven

Now I can safely say that there are 5 members who have their No. 100 remaining as we lose one more with this, the debut single from Stacey Q.

Peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending October 11, 1986, the song hit No. 1 in Canada and cracked the Top 40 in half-a-dozen other countries.

Sambalada - 48 
singingrulebritannia - 43 
Butterflies & Hurricanes - 32 
filthy - 89 
rgreen0625  - 46 
newpower - 15 
🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾  - 15 
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 8 

Tea-why  - 45 
craziaskowboi  - 44 
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 4 
mamooshka - 100 
aerodynamite - 45 
rowellfarm490 - 38 
Cody Wants Out...  - 85 
Red - 64 

Mirago - 49 
Glove Slap  - 67 
Ky - 13 
House Lannister  - 72 
Az Paynter  - 98 
Juanca - 29 
peacebone  - 57    
Unhinged  - 50 

WTF???? Apparantly only 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲, and I heard the right song? 

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

#50. Sweet Love - Anita Baker
Wasn't into too many R&B ballads when I was a little kid. This one is pretty boring.

#49. I'm Your Man - Wham!
I can't even begin to understand why This Wham! song would show up this low? 

#48. I Didn't Mean To Turn You On - Robert Palmer
I had a feeling this one would show up soon enough. Still a great song.

#47. Tarzan Boy - Baltimora
I'm happy just knowing, I gave this song it's highest ranking.

#46. True Blue - Madonna
This was Madonna at her best. Her vocals were at her shiniest, and the music fit them just perfect .80's Madonna will always be here best era.

#45. Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
Another one hit wonder gone too soon. Vocals sounded great during the 80's.

#44. Election Day - Arcadia
Damn! This one should have made the top 20 on everyone's list. The big arena sound was so popular in the 80's.

#43. Kyrie - Mr. Mister
Great Christian Pop band. Listen to the lyrics too.

#42. Two Of Hearts - Stacey Q
I bet you all heard the single version?  Hi- Energy was meant to be heard in Extended 12' version. If you heard the single, then you are missing all the meaty parts of the song.  This was one of the most popular club songs around, and brought Hi-Energy onto the pop charts. Perfect dance music, vocals, everything. Shortly after came Barduex, Gina Desire, Hot Line. Many on Bobby O's dance music label. Before Stacey Q, there was also, SSQ. "Synthicide".


#41. The Greatest Love Of All - Whitney Houston
Consider this payback for "Two Of Hearts". 

[Az Paynter]

Stacey Q was a first listen for me and her vocals were tragic. Meanwhile Anita Baker was utterly f**ked over. Garbage people at work in here... :sip2:

[🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲]

Jul 14, 2018 2:50:48 GMT -5 Az Paynter said:

Stacey Q was a first listen for me and her vocals were tragic. Meanwhile Anita Baker was utterly f**ked over. Garbage people at work in here... :sip2:

Totally agreed about Anita Baker! She deserved to be much higher on this rankdown.

[mamooshka]

#50
Sweet Love
Anita Baker

Attachment Deleted

#42 ???
Two Of Hearts
Stacey Q

Attachment Deleted

Just realized how President Spanky got to power ..... 

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

Synthicide is even better than 2 of Hearts

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

No reveals tonight, so here comes a wave of songs that were in my own top 100 of 1986.

 96. John Taylor - I Do What I Do (DOC #12) (BB #26)


88. Level 42 - Lessons In Love (DOC #11) (BB #12 in 1987)  


83. Ta Mara & the Seen - Everybody Dance (DOC #10) (BB #24)


81. David Lee Roth - Yankee Rose (DOC #7) (BB #16)


74. ABC - Vanity Kills (DOC #8) (BB #91)


72. Missing Persons - I Can't Think About Dancing (DOC #6) (BB US Club #34)



70. Wham! - Where Did Your Heart Go (DOC#6) (BB #50)

[craziaskowboi]

"Lessons In Love" just missed the Top 10 in the summer of 1987. Most people don't realize that Level 42 were two-hit wonders, and that their second hit was every bit as good as the first.

Two months ago, I heard Casey Kasem introduce this song while counting down the Top 40 from May 16, 1987. It was somewhere in the high 20s at that time.

[House Lannister]

80. Baby Love (2, 65)---Well sung, but a bit slow going for me.

79. Object of My Desire (1, 96)---Sorry, this song did nothing for me.

78. Amanda (2, 63)---One of two rock songs with the title of a woman’s name, this is the ever so slightly better one.

77. Crush on You (2.5, 49*)---Apologies in advance, but my preference ranker seemed to have a Crush on this song. It’s alright, but honestly I ranked this about 10 spots higher than I should have.

76. Dreamtime (3, 54)---My first listen of Hall without Oates was a pleasant rocker that should have ended up a bit higher than it did.

75. Say You, Say Me (0, 97)---Even by 1986’s standards which were high on slow moving ballads, this was incredible schmaltzy and slow. How did this win best song at the Oscars?

74. Bad Boy (1, 95)---Lacks both the fun insistence of Conga and the introspective gaze of Words Get in the Way. The production is pretty bad with this one.

73. We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off (1, 91)---The Dave Holmes take on this song is a lot better than the actual song itself. Stewart can sing, but the lyrics are just cringy.

72. Wildest Dreams (0, 98)---This song has more sap than the Redwood forests in California. Hated the video too back in the day.

71. On My Own (1.5, 83)---Vocal pyrotechnics can’t rescue the on the nose lyrics to this song. Big question: did they record in the same studio at the same time?

70. Go Home (3, 46)---Not Stevie Wonder’s finest hour, but the singing and instrumentation are pleasant enough.

69. Dancing on the Ceiling (2.5, 56)---One of Lionel Richie’s best, a fun song. It perhaps could have had better instrumentation though.

68. Small Town (4, 11)---Maybe there’s a bias against rock. Maybe there’s a bias against the title. But it rocks well enough and Mellencamp is a pretty good storyteller.

67. Typical Male (2, 78)---I liked Tina Turner back in the day. Some of her songs are classics. This isn’t one of them. Has a too mechnical, going through the motions type of feel.

66. Sara (2, 69)---Arguably the best of the Starship incarnation, it’s a forgettable song about a girl. You haven’t heard the worst of them, although it is coming.
65. A Love Bizarre (1.5, 87)---Despite the presence of Prince, this has all the feel of a song bizarre. Glamourous Life is better.

64. Take Me Home (2, 64)---Was also a fan of Phil Collins back in the day. This isn’t his finest hour either, sadly.

63. Living in America (3.5, 28)---It’s not the best of James Brown. But this mix of funk and soul celebrating America at its best is a keeper.

62. King for a Day (3, 42)---This new wave mix of love declaration and wish fulfillment is another keeper of a bop that deserved better.

61. Let’s Go All the Way (1, 93)---This garish production tries to go out of its way to be actively annoying. Not even the admittedly likable chorus can save it.

60. Rumors (2, 74)---It has a hint of soul in this dance track, but its repetition grew tiresome after awhile.

59. Stuck With You (2.5, 59)---This is a competently done love song, but I prefer some of Huey’s other material (Power of Love, New Drug).

58. Throwing It All Away (2, 82)---I like the Phil Collins era of Genesis just fine, but this is one of their weaker singles. Too sluggish, too maudlin.

57. A Different Corner (2, 79)---Amiable attempt by George Michael to show a different side to him, but it’s only somewhat effective.

56. Why Can’t This Be Love (3.5, 29)---Not quite the finest hour of Van Halen with Sammy Hagar (prefer the immediacy of Right Now), but it’s a pretty solid rocker.

55. Walk of Life (3.5, 36)---Unlike Doc, I’ve travelled the opposite path of Dire Straits. I prefer this one over Money for Nothing (and those cringy verses).

54. Don’t Forget Me (3.5, 35)---I guess this slice of Canadian rock resonated more for me than it did the majority of voters here.

53. All I Need is a Miracle (3.5, 37)---Not a great fan of the video, but the song holds up pretty well. I hope their other song fares better.

52. Burning Heart (2, 62)---It was fun to box with friends to this soundtrack. But to be fair, the James Brown song held up better than this cheesy rock tune.

51. No One is to Blame (2, 67)---Sappy lyrics hold this back. I do like Howard Jones, but this isn’t as good a song as some of his others.

50. Sweet Love (5, 4)---Let me guess: the same complaints you had about All of Me and Peter Pan held this one back. Shame. Her honey voice deserved at least 10 positions higher.

49. I’m Your Man (4, 17)---This feels like quite the bop to me. But considering I was the second highest ranker of this song, I’m in the minority.

48. I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On (2, 73)---Palmer’s voice is smooth and seductive, but this song slows down instead of speeding up. I suspect his other song will do better, though.

47. Tarzan Boy (2, 66)---Once you get past the yell, there’s not enough appeal for this novelty track to hold up. If it sounds familiar, think of a certain Summer-y Demi Lovato song.

46. True Blue (3, 44)---I kind of thought this song wouldn’t hold up as well as her other two tracks. Still, it’s a decent romantic number.

45. Perfect Way (1, 90)---Roll your eyes all you want. But it never answers its primary question, and this mix of synths and falsettos grows tiresome. Perhaps if they swapped it out for the piano in the bridge?

44. Election Day (4, 24)---Oh, honey, no. Three fourths of Duran Duran come out with an intriguing rocker that deserved better than its ranking.

43. Kyrie (3, 50)---The lesser of the two Mister Mister tracks, but still a solid mix of rock, synths, and New Age mysticism.

42. Two of Hearts (2, 72)---I didn’t know I had to listen to a club mix to get the “proper” feel of the song? What remains is an okay-ish bop that could have used more of something.

41. The Greatest Love of All (3, 43)---Although a good showcase of her voice, the syrupy lyrics detract.

[jenglisbe]

Catching up on the reveals:

1. Y'all wrong for putting two Billy Ocean songs below Eddie Murphy.

2. My beloved "Crush on You" down at #77?!?!
3. The brilliant "A Love Bizarre" down at #65?!?!



4. I love "Why Can't This Be Love." Jam!

[jenglisbe]

Jul 13, 2018 10:27:17 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

#50

Sweet Love

Anita Baker

I feel the need to stand every time she hits "There's no stronger..."

I also really love Madonna's "True Blue." The melody is aces and shows off her great vocal timbre.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

this one was under-appreciated back in ‘86

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

always loved this one:

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

this was my jam senior year! it went Top40 but sadly missed the year-end cut:

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

a U2-style anthem from ‘86 that’s stood the test of time:

[Juanca]

80. Baby Love (63): One of several examples of Madonna's influence in mid-80s pop female singers. A personal and radio top 5 that I still like...
79. Object of my Desire (92): This was a first-listen that didn't connect much with me.
78. Amanda (79): This barely reached the top 20 in my personal chart... whereas More Than A Feeling is a 1970s fav that I wish were the biggest hit for this band
77. Crush On You (85): A fun song but the verses are a bit underwhelming compared to the chorus. Stronger verses would've made this place higher.
76. Dreamtime (76): A personal top 10 that year, and a P-P-P-P-PERFECT ranking!
75. Say You, Say Me (34): :( A national and personal chart-topper. I like the melody and Lionel's voice... plus the lite-rock bridge was an interesting twist. It may not have aged the best for some, but I do keep a soft spot for it.
74. Bad Boy (68): Quite a fun song, especially when combining the video imagery :) Good pop song, but I feel
73. We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off (28): NOOO!!! Another national and personal chart-topper, with longevity. Plus I still listen to and have fun with it. Super fun, dance, and with strong hooks. Deserved much better!
72. Your Wildest Dreams (9): :'(( Back in the day, this song wasn't popular back home, and didn't get high in my personal chart either. However, in the 1990s I rediscovered it and grew to love it. The harmonies and melody throughout the song, including and specially the chorus, the final ooohsss, etc. It's become one of my favorite 1980s song and one that I use when I want to feel uplifted and bring a smile to my face. Disappointed at this quite low placement in this RD :((
71. On My Own (65): It made the top 20 in my personal chart. I like Michael's sexy voice, and the overall smooth vibe of the song, but Patty's tone is too harsh for me to fully enjoy this ballad.
70. Go Home (98): Sorry, but despite this being a Stevie song, I just didn't feel anything about this. Glad to see it finally go home
69. Dancing On The Ceiling (58): A fun song with a nice bridge and party-like final minute. A personal and national chart-topper that I still like although at timesit feels a bit too cheesy 80s...
68. Small Town (83): Definitely not my favorite of John's songs in the 1980s. I just feel that the chorus is disappointing and doesn't go where it could...
67. Typical Male (26): WTF? This is (like Jermaine's song) another pure pop gem of the 1980s. Love the music in the intro and throughout the song, the dance vibe, the melody, and Tina's fun vocals. I still use this, including in long road trips with the windows down :)
66. Sara (44): Not surprised at the lack of love for Starship :( this was a personal and national top 10 with lots of good memories. I love the vocals and instrumentation behind it. Wish Starship received more love around here

[Juanca]

65. A Love Bizarre (91): Finally! I love Glamorous Life, but this one has always sounded to me like a song based on a verse repeated at infinitum

64. Take Me Home (71): I like the instrumentation of this one, which somewhat still feels cool. The chorus is a bit underwhelming, though.

63. Livin' In America (60): A personal and country top 10 that still sounds fun :) I know James' vocals weren't the best in this song but I give a pass to a legend :)

62. King For a Day (61): Classic 80s sound. Although not as strong as Hold Me Now or Lies, this is a nice song with good memories.

61. Let's Go All The Way (82): I liked it much more back in the day, especially because of its sound, but years have highlighted its weaknesses (/repetitiveness) a bit more

60. Rumors (88): This is not my favorite style of music, but still the song made my top 15 back in the day. I may have slightly under-ranked it for this RD.

59. Stuck With You (56): I've liked this quite a bit, even though I'm not like a huge Huey fan. This is my second favorite of them, after Power of Love.

58. Throwing It All Away (66): I do like Genesis quite a bit, and I like this song enough (especially the verses) for a top 5 in my personal chart, just overall it's not as strong for me as others this year.

57. A Different Corner (53): This wasn't a big hit back home and barely made my personal top 10. I've grown to appreciate the beauty of George's vocals with time. This 35-55 range of songs was pretty hard to rank for me as they were very close in preference

56. Why Can't This Be Love (43): Idem. This was Van Halen's last big hit back home. The song has gotten stuck in my head after the RD, though, so I feel I under-ranked it.

55. Walk of Life (14): >:( This was a HUGE hit back home and in my personal chart, and a song that was in some best of 1980s lists back home. It has remained in good rotation in retro radio stations back home, and I still use it. Quite too low RD for this one...

54. Don't Forget Me (77): I've always thought this was just an OK song.

53. All I Need Is A Miracle (37): A big hit back home and a personal chart-topper. Epic intro and overall instrumentation and vocals. A slight weakness to me is the simplicity of the chorus, but I still consider it a good 80s representation.

52. Burnin' Heart (16): Boooooo! Another top 20 loss :( A personal and country top 3 that still sounds strong IMO. I'm not surprised given how this type of songs have performed in previous RD, but damn this genre is too unfairly maligned here.

51. No One Is To Blame (89): I've always thought this is just too meh. Definitely not a favorite from HJ for me.

[craziaskowboi]

Jul 16, 2018 0:26:10 GMT -5 Juanca said:

65. A Love Bizarre (91): Finally! I love Glamorous Life, but this one has always sounded to me like a song based on a verse repeated at infinitum

64. Take Me Home (71): I like the instrumentation of this one, which somewhat still feels cool. The chorus is a bit underwhelming, though.

63. Livin' In America (60): A personal and country top 10 that still sounds fun I know James' vocals weren't the best in this song but I give a pass to a legend

62. King For a Day (61): Classic 80s sound. Although not as strong as Hold Me Now or Lies, this is a nice song with good memories.

61. Let's Go All The Way (82): I liked it much more back in the day, especially because of its sound, but years have highlighted its weaknesses (/repetitiveness) a bit more

60. Rumors (88): This is not my favorite style of music, but still the song made my top 15 back in the day. I may have slightly under-ranked it for this RD.

59. Stuck With You (56): I've liked this quite a bit, even though I'm not like a huge Huey fan. This is my second favorite of them, after Power of Love.

58. Throwing It All Away (66): I do like Genesis quite a bit, and I like this song enough (especially the verses) for a top 5 in my personal chart, just overall it's not as strong for me as others this year.

57. A Different Corner (53): This wasn't a big hit back home and barely made my personal top 10. I've grown to appreciate the beauty of George's vocals with time. This 35-55 range of songs was pretty hard to rank for me as they were very close in preference

56. Why Can't This Be Love (43): Idem. This was Van Halen's last big hit back home. The song has gotten stuck in my head after the RD, though, so I feel I under-ranked it.

55. Walk of Life (14): This was a HUGE hit back home and in my personal chart, and a song that was in some best of 1980s lists back home. It has remained in good rotation in retro radio stations back home, and I still use it. Quite too low RD for this one...

54. Don't Forget Me (77): I've always thought this was just an OK song.

53. All I Need Is A Miracle (37): A big hit back home and a personal chart-topper. Epic intro and overall instrumentation and vocals. A slight weakness to me is the simplicity of the chorus, but I still consider it a good 80s representation.

52. Burnin' Heart (16): Boooooo! Another top 20 loss A personal and country top 3 that still sounds strong IMO. I'm not surprised given how this type of songs have performed in previous RD, but damn this genre is too unfairly maligned here.

51. No One Is To Blame (89): I've always thought this is just too meh. Definitely not a favorite from HJ for me.

"Take Me Home" is one of my favorites of 1986. I like the key the song is written in (Eb major), and the incessant and unusual percussion loop (eat your heart out, Timbaland!). The lyrics also do something to me. As for the chorus, maybe it's underdeveloped, but one of the minor details I enjoy in the song is the harmony in the second and closing choruses. It adds another layer of sound, and though it's mixed relatively low and rather unconspicuously, it still makes the chorus sound very pleasant. I also enjoy the extra blasts of percussion during the closing chorus.

And ALL U BICHES killed "Perfect Way" waaay too soon! I like the more complex song structure it has, and I love the pre-chorus and the piano ditty in the bridge.

[Unhinged]

#40

Walk This Way

Run–D.M.C.

Total Points: 1297

Billboard Hot 100: 4

Billboard Top 100 of 1986: 89

From: Raising Hell

Often credited as helping break hip hop music into the mainstream as it was the first hip-hop song to hit the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, this song was released in July of 1986 peaking at No. 4 the week ending September 27, 1986.

It also marked a comeback for Aerosmith, who's members were battling drug and alcohol addiction along with key members having left the band. After this song hit, the band scored a commercial resurgence that really never ceased until the late '90's.

Sambalada - 44 
singingrulebritannia - 73 
Butterflies & Hurricanes - 21 
filthy - 54 
rgreen0625  - 5 
newpower - 47 
🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾  - 44 
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 81   

Tea-why - 74 
craziaskowboi  - 35 
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 21 
mamooshka - 12 
aerodynamite - 16 
rowellfarm490 - 58 
Cody Wants Out...  - 78 
Red - 7 

Mirago  - 22 
Glove Slap  - 48    
Ky - 69 
House Lannister  - 39 
Az Paynter  - 99 
Juanca - 54 
peacebone  - 47 
Unhinged - 14 

[filthy]

I prefer Aerosmith's version, but this is good too

[Unhinged]

#39

Holding Back The Years

Simply Red

Total Points: 1301

Billboard Hot 100: 1⁽¹⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1986: 22

From: Picture Book

Peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 July 12, 1986, this song was nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals at the 29th annual Grammy Awards.

Sambalada - 25 
singingrulebritannia - 12 
Butterflies & Hurricanes - 35 
filthy - 38 
rgreen0625  - 53 
newpower - 22 
🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾  - 81 
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 20  

Tea-why - 67 
craziaskowboi  - 92 
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 94 
mamooshka - 16 
aerodynamite - 89 
rowellfarm490 - 51 
Cody Wants Out...  - 30 
Red - 50 

Mirago - 23 
Glove Slap  - 50
Ky - 10 
House Lannister  - 76 
Az Paynter  - 48 
Juanca - 74 
peacebone  - 20 
Unhinged - 47 

[Unhinged]

#38

Rock Me Amadeus

Falco

Total Points: 1311

Billboard Hot 100: 1⁽³⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1986: 28

From: Falco 3

Three of you will be very pleased to see this song leave the rankdown as you placed it at the very bottom of your lists (the most for any song). It received enough love from mostly everyone else though to place it in the Top 40.

It was Falco's only number one hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom and it peaked within the Top 40 in over 15 countries.

Sambalada - 29 
singingrulebritannia - 61 
Butterflies & Hurricanes - 11 
filthy - 100 
rgreen0625 - 22 
newpower - 72 
🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾  - 29 
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 65   

Tea-why  - 27 
craziaskowboi - 42    
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 33 
mamooshka - 10 
aerodynamite - 39 
rowellfarm490 - 9 
Cody Wants Out...  - 63 
Red - 40 

Mirago - 18 
Glove Slap  - 100 
Ky - 83 
House Lannister - 32 
Az Paynter  - 100 
Juanca - 32 
peacebone  - 41    
Unhinged - 25 

[Unhinged]

I will have to take a break from the reveal today as I just got some very bad news about a family member...reveal will continue when I have time...

[filthy]

Take all the time you need Unhinged . (Also VERY happy to see this song finally leave)

[Glove Slap]

Jul 16, 2018 7:50:07 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

I will have to take a break from the reveal today as I just got some very bad news about a family member...reveal will continue when I have time...

*hugs*

Simply Red's placement is probably the biggest surprise to me (pleasantly though, Simply Red is underrated). It wasn't until the recap was posted that I realized that HBTY was still in.

I hate RMA and have from the first time I heard it over 20 years ago, and the same applies for what will be my bottom ranking for the next year as well. Even now when it randomly pops up anywhere I cringe.

This aside.