Billboard Top 5 - 1986

1986 was a transitional year in many ways, including in my own life. I moved into my own apartment in Park Slope. Bill & I had gone are separate ways, and lost touch for a bit. We have, however, been in touch, and he might, in fact, be reading this, and if so, hope he enjoys it. He was, and still remains, a good man. In music, however, we were seeing a greater influence of the women in rock, with trailblazers like Grace Slick, Debbie Harry and the ladies from The Go-Gos, making it possible for the top group on this list. And speaking of influences, the #5 song on the list is Sara by the band Starship. The song was from their first album since changing the name from Jefferson Airplane, the first single being We Built This City. The lead vocals were not Grace Slick, but Mickey Thomas. Here is Sara.



If there is a video, a song, or a performer who is more synonymous with 80s music, it is the combination of Robert Palmer, the song Addicted To Love, and his bevy of women in the video. Together, they made remarkable history, a glistening package that measured so much of pop culture. I don't know anyone who didn't love the song, and appreciate the video. I have to say, I am surprised the song finished at #4 for the year on the Billboard chart.



Mr. Mister had a bit of a run on the charts, and it included the amazing song Kyrie, my personal favorite of theirs. The song was rich and strong, a great addition to the musical line up for the year, and ended up in the #3 slot.



Stuck With You was a great camp song by the kings of pop charts in the 80s Huey Lewis & The News. After the resounding success of The Power of Love, the theme song to the megahit movie Back To The Future, the band seemed unstoppable, and for their next album, Fore!, their success continued. They charted 5 songs in the Billboard Top Ten, including the #2 song for 1986, Stuck With You.



Like I said earlier, with ladies like Debbie Harry, Grace Slick and the GoGos leading the way, a musical landscape included the fantastic band The Bangles, an all-female collection of talented young ladies. In their third single from their debut album, they had a surprising hit that topped the charts. Walk Like An Egyptian ended the year at #1, so here is the video.

Worth Another Listen - Robert Palmer

We just past the 30th anniversary of my favorite Robert Palmer album, Secrets. Released in 1979, I had rushed out to buy it because of the strength of Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor Doctor), and the fact I thought the cover art - a line drawing of him shaving - was hot. Yes, there are times I am that shallow. And for the rest of his career, I thought Robert Palmer was outrageously hot, just sexy for days. When I got it back to my dorm - I was in college at the time - I put it on right away, and listened to Bad Case of Loving You.



Then I listened to the rest. Wow. His infusion of blue-eyed soul and rock did it for me. There is an ease to his vocals, a soft warmth that envelops me, my soul. They feel so organic, so heartfelt. And prior to being the man in a suit, he was a jeans and t-shirt guy, and looked damn good in them. He covered Can't We Still Be Friends by Todd Rundgren, shifting the rhythms of the drums and adding a strength to it.



He also covered Andy Fraser's Mean Ol' World, a wonderful song.There is a slight jazz feel, coupled with a pop styling that just made it sort of magical for me. And there was Jealous, another balls-out rocker. And his own song, Remember To Remember. Just a great album.



But Palmer is more likely to be remembered for his hits like Addicted To Love, Simply Irresistible, or I Didn't Mean To Turn You On. Or maybe with his time as lead singer for the power-group Power Station, singing Some Like It Hot or Bang A Gong.



Oh, they are good, but I like the other side of Palmer juat as much, maybe even a bit more. Like when he did a cover of Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You. A softer, more delicate song with a lyric he obviously felt down deep, and delivers with such beauty.



Robert Palmer passed away in 2003, suffering a heart attack at the age of 54. Such a talent, taken away so young.