A couple comments after reading another terrific article from you...that popped in my mind.
1. The picture was perfect. As a 50-something who loves pop music, "Stick Season" by Noah Khan is my most played song of the year so far. And yes, I continue to be a fan of Dan Fogelberg. (The remainder of my top of the year so far include: To Be A Man (Dax), Not the 1975 (Knox), Burn It Down (Parker McCollum), and Unsung Hero (for King & Country)
2. I graduated high school in 1982. My personal experience as an avid AT40 listener was my circle of friends either loved "older" artists on the radio ("Waiting on a Friend" or "Boy from New York City") or artists that were rock (leaning) (Pat Benatar, The Police, J Geils Band). I had several friends that camped out at a chance to get Rolling Stones tickets.
3. At that time, my career goal was to be a DJ, it was very difficult finding "current" songs to play at school dances ... one would have to lean on the Soul/R&B chart to get people on the dance floor. I remember playing the biggest pop hits...no one got up. (I gave up on the DJ idea and went engineering instead...but subscribed to Billboard and had weekly trips to Tower Records.)
4. It is a punch in the gut when many very smart people speak to the "boring" early 80's being AC dominated, etc. I understand...but as a person who to this day listens a wide variety of music, I appreciated my 1982 playlist...my top 5 of that year: '65 Love Affair, Gloria, Harden My Heart, Nobody (Sylvia), and Tainted Love.
5. Lastly, years ago, I remember reading the book "Hitmen" and reading about how record companies found pathways to influence radio stations/Billboard. I believe the author used "Jesse" (Carly Simon...#11 in 1980) as an example. Great song...but I didn't hear it locally on the radio anywhere near as much as other songs that peaked in the 20's in the Hot 100.
Thanks for the first-hand perspective, Randall! You're not the only person I've heard say they loved early 80s hits, no matter what the music critics think or what Top 40 radio ratings from the era suggested.
Quite interesting as always Matt!
A couple comments after reading another terrific article from you...that popped in my mind.
1. The picture was perfect. As a 50-something who loves pop music, "Stick Season" by Noah Khan is my most played song of the year so far. And yes, I continue to be a fan of Dan Fogelberg. (The remainder of my top of the year so far include: To Be A Man (Dax), Not the 1975 (Knox), Burn It Down (Parker McCollum), and Unsung Hero (for King & Country)
2. I graduated high school in 1982. My personal experience as an avid AT40 listener was my circle of friends either loved "older" artists on the radio ("Waiting on a Friend" or "Boy from New York City") or artists that were rock (leaning) (Pat Benatar, The Police, J Geils Band). I had several friends that camped out at a chance to get Rolling Stones tickets.
3. At that time, my career goal was to be a DJ, it was very difficult finding "current" songs to play at school dances ... one would have to lean on the Soul/R&B chart to get people on the dance floor. I remember playing the biggest pop hits...no one got up. (I gave up on the DJ idea and went engineering instead...but subscribed to Billboard and had weekly trips to Tower Records.)
4. It is a punch in the gut when many very smart people speak to the "boring" early 80's being AC dominated, etc. I understand...but as a person who to this day listens a wide variety of music, I appreciated my 1982 playlist...my top 5 of that year: '65 Love Affair, Gloria, Harden My Heart, Nobody (Sylvia), and Tainted Love.
5. Lastly, years ago, I remember reading the book "Hitmen" and reading about how record companies found pathways to influence radio stations/Billboard. I believe the author used "Jesse" (Carly Simon...#11 in 1980) as an example. Great song...but I didn't hear it locally on the radio anywhere near as much as other songs that peaked in the 20's in the Hot 100.
Again, really appreciate your insight. Thank you.
Thanks again for your work.
Thanks for the first-hand perspective, Randall! You're not the only person I've heard say they loved early 80s hits, no matter what the music critics think or what Top 40 radio ratings from the era suggested.