Fireball's Fantastic 500 -- Early 1980s, Part II

[Pastor Fireball]

Back to normal here... at least until vacation time in a couple of weeks. I've kept all of you waiting long enough for the next ten songs on my list, so let's get ready to rock.

#70. Train in Vain (Stand by Me), the Clash (1980)

One particular Bored Buddy should be excited to see this one show up on my list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUzBgeI5dpc

#69. What's Forever For, Michael Martin Murphey (1982)

Yes, the same guy who recorded "Wildfire"--one of the worst songs in pop history--turns up in my Top 500 with his beautifully heatbreaking cover of an England Dan & John Ford Coley song. And yes, I showed my hand when I said that "Wildfire" is one of the worst songs in pop history. But how high did "Wildfire" rank in my Fecal Fifty? You'll just have to wait a while for that answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIUjgy4hfA

#68. Biggest Part of Me, Ambrosia (1980)

Another classic hit from the "yacht rock" genre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOm0Dq_kKNU

#67. Solid, Ashford & Simpson (1984)

Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson wrote tons of hits for other artists, but this was their biggest hit as singers. This song famously got a revival ten years ago when they rewrote some of the lyrics and named it after a then-candidate for U.S. President.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYFHgltThUw

#66. Pilot of the Airwaves, Charlie Dore (1980)

Another 1980s one-hit wonder. Only one other one-hit wonder woman will be featured in the Early 1980s countdown... and we won't hear from her until much higher up the list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqonLHg4HX0

#65. Come Dancing, the Kinks (1983)

The second British Invasion still had room for one of the bands from the original British Invasion of the mid-1960s. This tribute to Ray Davies's sister, who died suddenly of a heart attack in 1957 at only 31 years old, was the band's final Top 10 hit in America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRUE0aAI5o8

#64. Looks Like Love Again, Dann Rogers (1980)

Kenny Rogers's nephew gets a spot on my list. And if you're wondering where Kenny is on my list, don't worry. He's coming. Although this song was recorded in 1978, it wasn't released as a single until early 1980. Just like "Minimum Love" back at #83, this song also missed the Billboard Top 40 by one position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTGfUdGi1Q

#63. Is It You, Lee Ritenour & Eric Tagg (1981)

A little more jazz in my Top 500.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahSmNv0P7lA

#62. Take It Easy on Me, Little River Band (1981)

The last of this Australian group's six Top 10 hits in America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFTzuWKR-qc

#61. I Love L.A., Randy Newman (1983)

Randy Newman may be a schlockmeister, but he's our schlockmeister. This is just such a fun song and fun video. Hell, I even remember when ABC used this song to promote its primetime schedule.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcADqxnQA_4

The next ten will indeed be ready before Javon's graduation night, so stay tuned.

[kroxquo]

I would hardly call Randy Newman a shlockmeister. I have always found his lyrics to be deeply cutting and darkly funny. He's a great song writer.