Billboard 1981: The Rankdown (Winner Revealed)

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

um...Arthur's Theme is on both the 81 & 82 list??? - can't we find another song to use?

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Feb 8, 2019 21:03:58 GMT -5 Butterflies & Hurricanes said:

um...Arthur's Theme is on both the 81 & 82 list??? - can't we find another song to use?

I could go for either one of these.

Rick Springfield - I've Done Eveything For You Peak #8
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - The Waiting  peak #19

[Unhinged]

Feb 8, 2019 21:03:58 GMT -5 Butterflies & Hurricanes said:

um...Arthur's Theme is on both the 81 & 82 list??? - can't we find another song to use?

It’s a bit of a delema for me. I want to keep the integrity of the original Billboard lists but ranking that particular song twice is just, ugh. I wish I knew what was the #101 hit of 1982.

To keep things consistent we gotta rank it twice.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

my gawd...the SCHMALTZ!!! i thought most of these songs were from the 70s, apparently not...after listening to these songs for a few hours i'm nearly in a coma

as much as i HATE REO Speedwagon, i honestly could not put either of their songs in my bottom 30, the bottom 30 are that bad...1981 must be the worst year in music history ... still, one year later, radio will have gotten sooooo much better

[craziaskowboi]

If Missing Persons have a greatest-hits album, then I need to buy it, because I like "Words," Destination Unknown" and "Walking In L.A."

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Feb 9, 2019 12:28:15 GMT -5 Butterflies & Hurricanes said:

my gawd...the SCHMALTZ!!! i thought most of these songs were from the 70s, apparently not...after listening to these songs for a few hours i'm nearly in a coma

as much as i HATE REO Speedwagon, i honestly could not put either of their songs in my bottom 30, the bottom 30 are that bad...1981 must be the worst year in music history ... still, one year later, radio will have gotten sooooo much better

Correction. Bad in American Billboard pop music year, but take a look at the Canadian top 100. "Limelight", "Ah Leah", The Waiting", "Turning Japanese", Turn Me Lose. Already a better looking chart. 


RANK TITLE ARTIST

1 Medley Stars on 45

2 Bette Davis Eyes Kim Carnes

3 Endless Love Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

4 The Friends of Mr. Cairo Jon & Vangelis

5 Start Me Up Rolling Stones

6 9 to 5 Dolly Parton

7 Urgent Foreigner

8 Angel of the Morning Juice Newton

9 Celebration Kool and the Gang

10 The Tide Is High Blondie

11 Wasn’t That a Party The Rovers

12 Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic The Police

13 Sausalito Summerlight Diesel

14 Morning Train Sheena Easton

15 Woman John Lennon

16 Being With You Smokey Robinson

17 Keep On Loving You REO Speedwagon

18 Arthur’s Theme Christopher Cross

19 The Best of Times Styx

20 Shaddap Your Face Joe Dolce

21 (Just Like) Starting Over John Lennon

22 Passion Rod Stewart

23 While You See a Chance Steve Winwood

24 Rapture Blondie

25 Hey Nineteen Steely Dan

26 Whatching the Wheels John Lennon

27 In the Air Tonight Phil Collins

28 Gemini Dream Moody Blues

29 My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) Chilliwack

30 All Those Years Ago George Harrison

31 Stop Dragging My Heart Stevie Nicks

32 Kiss On My List Hall & Oates

33 A Little In Love Cliff Richard

34 Waiting for a Girl Like You Foreigner

35 Take It On the Run REO Speedwagon

36 For Your Eyes Only Sheena Easton

37 Private Eyes Hall & Oates

38 Hold On Tight Electric Light Orchestra

39 Too Much Time On My Hands Styx

40 Who’s Crying Now Journey

41 Fire and Ice Pat Benatar

42 You Better You Bet The Who

43 Lady Kenny Rogers

44 No Reply At All Genesis

45 Tell It Like It Is Heart

46 Sukiyaki Taste of Honey

47 Greatest American Hero Joey Scarbury

48 Turn Me Loose Loverboy

49 Crying Don McLean

50 Hungry Heart Bruce Springsteen

51 Physical Olivia Newton-John

52 Queen of Hearts Juice Newton

53 Ah Leah Donnie Iris

54 I Missed Again Phil Collins

55 Jessie’s Girl Rick Springfield

56 De Do Do Do De Da Da Da The Police

57 Young Turks Rod Stewart

58 Woman in Love Barbara Streisand

59 The One That You Love Air Supply

60 Boy From New York City Manhattan Transfer

61 A Woman Needs Love Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio

62 The Voice Moody Blues

63 The Stroke Billy Squier

64 More Than I Can Say Leo Sayer

65 Looking For Clues Robert Palmer

66 Trying to Live My Life Bob Seger

67 Don’t Stand So Close to Me The Police

68 Slowhand Pointer Sisters

69 The Night Owls Little River Band

70 The Waiting Tom Petty

71 I Can’t Stand It Eric Clapton

72 I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It Stevie Wonder

73 Under Pressure Queen/Bowie

74 I Love a Rainy Night Eddie Rabbitt

75 Limelight Rush

76 Treat Me Right Pat Benatar

77 Giving It Up for Your Love Delbert McClinton

78 Just the Two of Us Grover Washington Jr.

79 Magic Power Triumph

80 Oh No Commodores

81 I Could Never Miss You Lulu

82 Hard to Say Dan Fogelberg

83 Hello Again Neil Diamond

84 Ain’t Even Done with Night John Cougar

85 Living Inside Myself Gino Vannelli

86 Blessed Are the Believers Anne Murray

87 Beach Boys Medley Beach Boys

88 High School Confidential Rough Trade

89 What Kind of Fool Barbara Streisand

90 Games People Play Alan Parsons Project

91 Ghost Riders in the Sky Outlaws

92 He Can’t Love You Michael Stanley Band

93 Her Town Too James Taylor & JD Souther

94 Turning Japanese The Vapors

95 Thirsty Ears Powder Blues Band

96 This Little Girl Gary U.S. Bonds

97 All Touch Rough Trade

98 Hooked on Classics Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

99 Deep Inside My Heart Randy Meisner

100 Don’t Let Him Go REO Speedwagon

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

yes, that list is slightly better

[craziaskowboi]

1974 gives 1981 some competition for the worst year of pop music in the latter half of the 20th Century. Both years have plenty of great hits, but both years have plenty of godawful hits too.

I'd argue that 2016, 2017 and 2018 are even worse.

[tim]

I'll try and knock this one out.

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Top 100 songs of The U.K. charts 1981. Still better than Billboard 1981.   My favs in dark fonts. That "shadappa your face" was shit BTW.



01 Shakin' Stevens This Ole House
02 Adam & The Ants Stand And Deliver
03 The Specials Ghost Town
04 Soft Cell Tainted Love
05 Adam & The Ants Prince Charming
06 John Lennon Imagine
07 Bucks Fizz Making Your Mind Up
08 Ultravox Vienna
09 Michael Jackson One Day In Your Life
10 Dave Stewart With Barbara Gaskin It's My Party
11 Shakin' Stevens Green Door
12 The Tweets The Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)
13 Smokey Robinson Being With You
14 John Lennon Woman
15 Joe Dolce Music Theatre Shaddup You Face
16 Shakin' Stevens You Drive Me Crazy
17 Roxy Music Jealous Guy
18 Julio Iglesias Begin The Beguine (Volver A Empezar)
19 Adam & The Ants Antmusic
20 Starsound Stars On 45
21 The Human League Don't You Want Me
22 Kim Wilde Kids In America
23 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Hooked On Classics
24 Aneka Japanese Boy
25 Ennio Morricone Chi Mai (Theme From 'Life And Times Of David Lloyd George')
26 Altered Images Happy Birthday
27 Bad Manners Can Can
28 Queen & David Bowie Under Pressure
29 Cliff Richard Daddy's Home
30 Ottawan Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)
31 The Police Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
32 Imagination Body Talk
33 Stevie Wonder Lately
34 Phil Collins In The Air Tonight
35 The Human League Love Action (I Believe In Love)
36 Starsound Stars On 45 (Volume 2)
37 Coast To Coast (Do) The Hucklebuck
38 Electric Light Orchestra Hold On Tight
39 Stevie Wonder Happy Birthday
40 Odyssey Going Back To My Roots
41 Adam & The Ants Kings Of The Wild Frontier
42 Kate Robbins & Beyond More Than In Love
43 The Jacksons Can You Feel It
44 Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark Souvenir
45 Rainbow I Surrender
46 Landscape Einstein A-Go-Go
47 Champaign How 'Bout Us
48 Toyah Four From Toyah (EP)
49 Spandau Ballet Chant No 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)
50 Earth Wind & Fire Let's Groove
51 Godley & Creme Under Your Thumb
52 John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
53 Sugar Minott Good Thing Going
54 Diana Ross Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
55 Alvin Stardust Pretend
56 Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark Joan Of Arc
57 Soft Cell Bedsitter
58 Duran Duran Girls On Film
59 Third World Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)
60 The Four Tops When She Was My Girl
61 Madness Grey Day
62 The Nolans Attention to Me
63 Ten Pole Tudor Swords Of A Thousand Men
64 Cliff Richard Wired For Sound
65 The Police Invisible Sun
66 Haircut 100 Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
67 Tight Fit Back To The Sixties
68 Kim Wilde Chequered Love
69 The Whispers It's A Love Thing
70 Madness The Return Of The Los Palmas Seven
71 Olivia Newton-John Physical
72 REO Speedwagon Keep On Loving You
73 Elaine Paige Memory
74 Squeeze Labelled With Love
75 Elvis Costello A Good Year For The Roses
76 Diana Ross & Lionel Richie Endless Love
77 Toyah Thunder In The Mountains
78 Toyah I Want To Be Free
79 Sheena Easton For Your Eyes Only
80 Graham Bonnet Night Games
81 Depeche Mode New Life
82 John Lennon (Just Like) Starting Over
83 Yarborough & Peoples Don't Stop The Music
84 The Teardrop Explodes Reward
85 Linx Intuition
86 The Human League Open Your Heart
87 Visage Fade To Grey
88 Rod Stewart Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)
89 Blondie Rapture
90 UB40 One In Ten
91 Lobo The Caribbean Disco Show
92 Abba One Of Us
93 Dire Straits Romeo And Juliet
94 Freeez Southern Freeez
95 Bob Marley & The Wailers No Woman No Cry
96 Specials featuring Rico With The Ice Rink String Sounds Do Nothing / Maggie's Farm
97 Laurie Anderson O Superman
98 Depeche Mode Just Can't Get Enough
99 Fred Wedlock The Oldest Swinger In Town
100 The Pointer Sisters Slow Hand

[Sambalada]

Still disappointed we didn't get the chance to rank "Tainted Love". Iconic song.

[singingrulebritannia]

Feb 11, 2019 12:27:08 GMT -5 Sambalada said:

Still disappointed we didn't get the chance to rank "Tainted Love". Iconic song.

But we will, in 1982.

[Sambalada]

Feb 11, 2019 14:48:09 GMT -5 singingrulebritannia said:

Feb 11, 2019 12:27:08 GMT -5 Sambalada said:

Still disappointed we didn't get the chance to rank "Tainted Love". Iconic song.

But we will, in 1982.

Oh we will? Yay!

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Is there some weird reason behind why one of 1980's biggest singles "Another One Bites The Dust" came in at #65 on the 1981 chart? It was #1 for three weeks in 1980, and spent 15 weeks in the top 10. 13 of those in the top 5. The song should actually have been included in 1980's top 100. and while I'm on the subject why didn't The Pointer Sisters' "He's So Shy" make the 1980 chart at all?

[Unhinged]

Reminder that submissions are due February 23, 2019...

Red  
Az Paynter             

Alex  
Cody Wants Out...
God  
House Lannister
Doc Indie Party Rock                        
Juanca
Mirago                        
rowellfarm490                        
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲
peacebone                   
rgreen0625                  
Mic Technique                  
Glove Slap                                                   
@doinktheclown                  
Ky

aerodynamite

craziaskowboi              

mamooshka   

campbellssoup   

gonecountry

newpower

tallen2001

Participants (5 so far including myself...):

singingrulebritannia

God    

Butterflies & Hurricanes

Sambalada

[Unhinged]

Feb 12, 2019 7:33:18 GMT -5 Doc Indie Party Rock said:

Is there some weird reason behind why one of 1980's biggest singles "Another One Bites The Dust" came in at #65 on the 1981 chart? It was #1 for three weeks in 1980, and spent 15 weeks in the top 10. 13 of those in the top 5. The song should actually have been included in 1980's top 100. and while I'm on the subject why didn't The Pointer Sisters' "He's So Shy" make the 1980 chart at all?

I've contacted Billboard to see if they can explain a bit about the methodology used for these particular years...hopefully I hear back from them.

[mamooshka]

Feb 12, 2019 8:59:28 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

Feb 12, 2019 7:33:18 GMT -5 Doc Indie Party Rock said:

Is there some weird reason behind why one of 1980's biggest singles "Another One Bites The Dust" came in at #65 on the 1981 chart? It was #1 for three weeks in 1980, and spent 15 weeks in the top 10. 13 of those in the top 5. The song should actually have been included in 1980's top 100. and while I'm on the subject why didn't The Pointer Sisters' "He's So Shy" make the 1980 chart at all?

I've contacted Billboard to see if they can explain a bit about the methodology used for these particular years...hopefully I hear back from them.

It's likely because the BB chart year is defined as Dec 1/80 to Nov 30/81. Thus, AOBTD's points were split between the two years. It didn't garner enough points to make the 1980 YE list. Sadly, those points earned before Dec 1/80 did not count towards the 1981 YE tally so with only those points earned after Dec 1/80, it scraped in at #65 for 1981. So it was essentially caught in between calendar years.

The same holds true for the HSS, which charted from 1980 through 81, peaking at #3 in late 1980. It didn't reach the YE chart of either year. On the other hand, 'Should I Do It' only peaked at #13, but charted entirely in BB's 1982 calendar year so it made the 1982 YE tally. Consider also, 'Start Me Up' hit #2 in a chart life that spanned 81 and 82, but failed to make the YE chart of either year. By contrast, 'Waiting On A Friend' peaked at #13, but with all its points allocated to 1982, it made the YE tally for that year. 
Attachment Deleted

[Unhinged]

Feb 12, 2019 12:12:36 GMT -5 mamooshka said:

Feb 12, 2019 8:59:28 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

I've contacted Billboard to see if they can explain a bit about the methodology used for these particular years...hopefully I hear back from them.

It's likely because the BB chart year is defined as Dec 1/80 to Nov 30/81. Thus, AOBTD's points were split between the two years. It didn't garner enough points to make the 1980 YE list. Sadly, those points earned before Dec 1/80 did not count towards the 1981 YE tally so with only those points earned after Dec 1/80, it scraped in at #65 for 1981. So it was essentially caught in between calendar years.

The same holds true for the HSS, which charted from 1980 through 81, peaking at #3 in late 1980. It didn't reach the YE chart of either year. On the other hand, 'Should I Do It' only peaked at #13, but charted entirely in BB's 1982 calendar year so it made the 1982 YE tally. Consider also, 'Start Me Up' hit #2 in a chart life that spanned 81 and 82, but failed to make the YE chart of either year. By contrast, 'Waiting On A Friend' peaked at #13, but with all its points allocated to 1982, it made the YE tally for that year. 
View Attachment

I surmised as much as well and the response was basically the same from Billboard:

“Thanks for reaching out. I am unsure of the exact tracking period for those years and no one was here during that time frame. I was able to find out that since the 90's the tracking period has been the first issue date of December - the last issue date of November except for this past year where it was the first issue date of December - the 2nd to last issue date of November. That data in those issues are from the Middle of November to the Middle of November. It is possible that at that time in the 80's the year tracking period could have been earlier.
Sorry I could not 100% verify your inquiry.
Thanks
😊
Alex Vitoulis
Billboard Magazine
Associate Director Charts Production Manager/Archive Research Manager
Chart Manager: Blues, Classical, Comedy, Jazz, Kid Audio, Music Video, New Age, Reggae, Vinyl & World
Recaps Assistant
1540 Broadway
32nd Floor
New York City, New York 10036

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

OK, that's enough info for me to formalize a request to remove a duplicate entry of Arthur's Theme & replace it with Start Me Up (a #2 hit) for either 81 or 82, i'm not picky

[Unhinged]

The lists are staying as is. We have the same situation with “Gloria” which we already ranked in ‘83 but will again in ‘82.

[mamooshka]

Feb 12, 2019 15:10:58 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

The lists are staying as is. We have the same situation with “Gloria” which we already ranked in ‘83 but will again in ‘82.

Agreed. While it would be 'fun' to include SMU, we would not be ranking an official YE list which defeats the purpose of the exercise. 

Attachment Deleted

[rowellfarm490]

I've been working on putting together a database of all the songs that charted on the Hot 100 in the 1980s. My hope is that when it is complete this information can be used to put together rankdowns where songs like "Start Me Up" get their chance to be ranked.

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Feb 12, 2019 12:12:36 GMT -5 mamooshka said:

Feb 12, 2019 8:59:28 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

I've contacted Billboard to see if they can explain a bit about the methodology used for these particular years...hopefully I hear back from them.

It's likely because the BB chart year is defined as Dec 1/80 to Nov 30/81. Thus, AOBTD's points were split between the two years. It didn't garner enough points to make the 1980 YE list. Sadly, those points earned before Dec 1/80 did not count towards the 1981 YE tally so with only those points earned after Dec 1/80, it scraped in at #65 for 1981. So it was essentially caught in between calendar years.

The same holds true for the HSS, which charted from 1980 through 81, peaking at #3 in late 1980. It didn't reach the YE chart of either year. On the other hand, 'Should I Do It' only peaked at #13, but charted entirely in BB's 1982 calendar year so it made the 1982 YE tally. Consider also, 'Start Me Up' hit #2 in a chart life that spanned 81 and 82, but failed to make the YE chart of either year. By contrast, 'Waiting On A Friend' peaked at #13, but with all its points allocated to 1982, it made the YE tally for that year. 

I'm aware of their wacky year end rules which I do not agree with BTW, but even so with rules like that it seems like all the work "Another One Bites The Dust" did on the chart was worthless. So what would have been the solution? Don't release your song at the end of the year if you know its going to be a sure fire hit?  ;)

[mamooshka]

Feb 12, 2019 23:24:40 GMT -5 Doc Indie Party Rock said:

Feb 12, 2019 12:12:36 GMT -5 mamooshka said:

It's likely because the BB chart year is defined as Dec 1/80 to Nov 30/81. Thus, AOBTD's points were split between the two years. It didn't garner enough points to make the 1980 YE list. Sadly, those points earned before Dec 1/80 did not count towards the 1981 YE tally so with only those points earned after Dec 1/80, it scraped in at #65 for 1981. So it was essentially caught in between calendar years.

The same holds true for the HSS, which charted from 1980 through 81, peaking at #3 in late 1980. It didn't reach the YE chart of either year. On the other hand, 'Should I Do It' only peaked at #13, but charted entirely in BB's 1982 calendar year so it made the 1982 YE tally. Consider also, 'Start Me Up' hit #2 in a chart life that spanned 81 and 82, but failed to make the YE chart of either year. By contrast, 'Waiting On A Friend' peaked at #13, but with all its points allocated to 1982, it made the YE tally for that year. 

I'm aware of their wacky year end rules which I do not agree with BTW, but even so with rules like that it seems like all the work "Another One Bites The Dust" did on the chart was worthless. So what would have been the solution? Don't release your song at the end of the year if you know its going to be a sure fire hit? 

I hear you ... but I'm not sure if 'wacky' is the right word. Regardless of where the yearly cut-off date is established, songs will continue to be caught between periods (at the time, BB used Dec 1 in order to meet deadlines for their YE issue). If you need a ranking of all songs that charted within a specific calendar year (say, Jan-Dec, 2019), you'd have to wait until every song that was on the Dec 31, 2019 chart had dropped off the Hot 100 before compiling the list. 

Attachment Deleted

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Feb 13, 2019 1:08:25 GMT -5 mamooshka said:

Feb 12, 2019 23:24:40 GMT -5 Doc Indie Party Rock said:

I'm aware of their wacky year end rules which I do not agree with BTW, but even so with rules like that it seems like all the work "Another One Bites The Dust" did on the chart was worthless. So what would have been the solution? Don't release your song at the end of the year if you know its going to be a sure fire hit? 

I hear you ... but I'm not sure if 'wacky' is the right word. Regardless of where the yearly cut-off date is established, songs will continue to be caught between periods (at the time, BB used Dec 1 in order to meet deadlines for their YE issue). If you need a ranking of all songs that charted within a specific calendar year (say, Jan-Dec, 2019), you'd have to wait until every song that was on the Dec 31, 2019 chart had dropped off the Hot 100 before compiling the list. 

Yes. it would be a mess. Still what a shame. Another One Bit The Dust to the Billboard calendar year rule.

Another One Bites The Dust - Queen

August 16 1980- March 14 1981 (31 weeks on Hot 100)

1980-67-50-28-23-9-3-3-1-1-1-2-2-4-4-4-4-3-3-7-14-1981-14-20-30-47-54-67-70-96-96-98-98


A chart run like that was unheard of in the 80's. It should have accounted for something more than #65 on a YE chart.  

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Just submitted my list. I'm gonna start early on 1982, cuz that's like one of my favorite years in music ever.

[craziaskowboi]

Ah, February 23 instead of today? That gives me some flexibility.

Or as they call it in Spanish-speaking countries, "flexibilidad."

[Unhinged]

Reminder that submissions are due February 23, 2019...

Red  
Az Paynter             

Alex  
Cody Wants Out...
God  
House Lannister                  
Juanca
Mirago                        
rowellfarm490                        
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲
peacebone                   
rgreen0625                  
Mic Technique                  
Glove Slap                                                   
@doinktheclown                  
Ky

aerodynamite

craziaskowboi                      

campbellssoup                                            

newpower

tallen2001

Participants (8 so far including myself...):

singingrulebritannia

God    

Butterflies & Hurricanes

Sambalada

Doc Indie Party Rock

gonecountry

mamooshka 

[tallen2001]

I’ll finish this up soon.

[Juanca]

Great!
I gave it a go to a RD of 25 songs I had never heard of, which occupied several hours this weekend.
I’ve listened to most of the 1981 songs I wasn’t familiar with, so I should be able to finish this RD by Saturday.
Thanks for the extra days!