Remembering February 1983

Current Mood: Lethargic:

It seems that this RockWiz journey that I've been riding is about to hit its climax.  Being aware that I might get much exposure over the coming days, it's going to be somewhat nerve wrecking.  With two radio interviews lined up early tomorrow morning (looks like I won't get much sleep tonight), and the premier of my doco tomorrow night, it's going to feel very much like a strange dream.

My memory for charts has impressed many people, and without gloating, I feel more that I'm now in a position to demonstrate on a whole, what Asperger Syndrome people can do.  For me, it's 70s 80s music, but for one of my friends, he can tell you every model of car and piece of trivia there is to know about motoring.  I guess his lucky that he has a good job, but I would bet for every one in his position, they would be thirty aspie's sitting on the unemployment scrap-heap,

Now that there is more awareness of the condition, there is real hope that things may change.

With this in mind, I thought I would take the opportunity to demonstrate my chart research skills, and bring out the original inspiration of this blog..... to take Triple M to task with their sloppy music research.

Triple M 104.9 COLD 30
Tuesday 21st OCTOBER 2008

For the month of February 1983

CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP (correct chart date) LABEL CAT No:

30. Power and the passion Midnight Oil (28 Mar 1983) CBS / Sprint BA 223010
29. The safety dance Men Without Hats (29 Aug 1983) Big Time BTS 1000
28. Burning down the house Talking Heads (12 Sep 1983) Sire 7-29565
27. Should I stay or should I go The Clash (14 Feb 1983) Epic ES 807
26. Let's dance David Bowie (26 Mar 1983) EMI America AMI 958
25. My girl The Hoodoo-gurus (31 Oct 1983) Bit Time BTS 1072
24. Australiana Austen Tayshus (25 Jul 1983) Regular RRT 606
23. Sunday bloody Sunday U2 (Non charting track) Island (Announcer’s personal pick)
22. Always something there to remind me Naked Eyes (4 Apr 1983) EMI EMI 847
21. Overkill Men at Work (28 Mar 1983) CBS BA 223038
20. Our house Madness (31 Jan 1983) Stiff K 8933
19. Drop the pilot Joan Armatrading (4 Apr 1983) A&M K 9019
18. The swing Inxs (Non charting track) WEA (Announcer’s personal pick)
17. 1999 Prince (14 Feb 1983) Warner Bros 7-29896
16. White wedding Billy Idol (31 Jan 1983) Chrysalis K 8918
15. Electric Avenue Eddie Grant (20 Jun 1983) Ice ES 861
14. Cuts like a knife Bryan Adams (16 May 1983) A&M K 8993
13. Dance hall days Wang Chung (4 Jun 1984) Geffen GEF 3837
12. I was only 19 Redgum (18 Apr 1983) Epic ES 844
11. Read about it Midnight Oil (Non charting track) CBS / Sprint (announcer’s personal pick)
11. That's entertainment The Jam (Non charting track) Polydor (Announcer’s personal pick)
10. Sweet dreams The Eurythmics (16 May 1983) RCA Victor 104123
9. No sense Cold Chisel (24 Oct 1983) WEA 7-259773
8. Karma Chameleon Culture Club (26 Sep 1983) Virgin VS 612
7. New years day U2 (18 Apr 1983) Island K 8983
6. Let’s go to bed The Cure (6 May 1983) Sire 7-29628
5. Twisting by the pool Dire Straits (7 Feb 1983) Vertigo 6205-062
4. Reckless Australian Crawl (10 Oct 1983) EMI BUG 3
3. Billy Jean Michael Jackson (28 Feb 1983) Epic ES 823
2 Rain Dragon (15 Aug 1983) Mercury 812 763-7
1. Every breath you take The Police (20 Jun 1983) A&M K 9104

Though they are supposedly counting down the top 30 hits from February 1983, in reality, the entire chart is incorrect with songs from late 1983, the middle of 1984, and many album tracks that never charted.  I guess the biggest crack up was listening to Australiana again, followed by Ugly Phil getting the numbers mixed up.  He also noted 'Austin Tayshus' Australiana only got as high as No.24', whilst it actually reached No.1 on the ARIA Charts, and No.4 on my personal top 40 charts.

To compare notes, I have retrieved the original top 40 chart from my archives, from the week ending Sunday 27th February 1983.

Weekly National Top 40 Singles Chart
From the Week Ending Sunday 27th February 1983

CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP LABEL CAT No:

1. Shoop shoop diddy wop cumma cumma wang dang Monte Video and the Cassettes (14 Feb 1983) White Label K 8906
2. Baby, I need your lovin’ Carl Carlton (7 Feb 1983) RCA Victor 104051
3. Under attack Abba (14 Feb 1983) RCA Victor 104088
4. 1999 Prince (14 Feb 1983) Warner Bros 7-29896
5. All touch Rough Trade (27 Feb 1983) Big Time BTS 697
6. Twisting by the pool Dire Straits (7 Feb 1983) Vertigo 6205 062
7. The other guy Little River Band (14 Feb 1983) Capitol CP 918
8. You can’t hurry love Phil Collins (31 Jan 1983) WEA 7-259980
9. Sexual Healing Marvin Gaye (17 Jan 1983) CBS BA 223007
10. Up where we belong Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes (27 Dec 1982) Liberation LS 900
11. Allentown Billy Joel (17 Jan 1983) CBS BA 223011
12. Science fiction The Divinyls (17 Jan 1983) Chrysalis K 8953
13. Young guns (go for it) Wham! (17 Jan 1983) Epic ES 816
14. Gloria Laura Branigan (13 Dec 1982) Atlantic 45-4048
15. Living on the ceiling Blancmange (14 Feb 1983) London BLANC 3
16. Our house Madness (31 Jan 1983) Stiff K 8933
17. Zoom Fat Larry’s Band (13 Dec 1982) Virgin VS 546
18. Love in store Fleetwood Mac (27 Dec 1982) Warner Bros 7-29848
19. On the wings of love Jeffery Osborne (31 Jan 1983) A&M K 8661
20. Peek-a-boo Devo (20 Dec 1982) Warner Bros 7-29931
21. Mirror man Human League (20 Dec 1982) Virgin VS 522
22. Shadows of the night Pat Benatar (13 Dec 1982) Chrysalis K 8931
23. Walk on by Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons (17 Jan 1983) Mushroom K 8941
24. IGY (what a beautiful world) Donald Fagen (29 Nov 1982) Warner Bros 7-29900
25. Truly Lionel Richie (6 Dec 1982) Motown 1644 MF
26. All of my heart ABC (29 Nov 1982) Mercury 6059 571
27. The traveller Big Red (20 Dec 1982) Mercury 6038 069
28. I eat cannibals Toto Coelo (29 Nov 1982) Radialchoice POW 0102
29. Stand up The Angels (22 Nov 1982) Epic ES 792
30. Can’t take my eyes off you Boys Town Gang (20 Dec 1982) RCA 104067
31. The woman in me Donna Summer (18 Dec 1982) Warner Bros 7-29805
32. Aftica Toto (29 Nov 1982) CBS BA 222906
33. Ain’t no pleasing you Chas and Dave (10 Feb 1983) Liberation / Towerbell) LS 870
34. True love ways Cliff Richard (21 Feb 1983) EMI EMI 903
35. Are you getting enough happiness Hot Chocolate (18 Dec 1982) EMI America 8143
36. The clapping song The Belle Stars (8 Nov 1982) Stiff K 8824
37. Down the line (making love on the telephone) Mi Sex (6 Dec 1982) CBS BA 223001
38. Heartbreaker Dionne Warwick (6 Dec 1982) Arista K 8883
39. Shock the monkey Peter Gabriel (20 Dec 1982) Charisma 6000 872
40. Hey little girl Icehouse (15 Nov 1982) Regular RRSP 721

Interesting to note the accuracy of each chart, when compared to the data of David Kent's Australian Chart Book.  Note the dates given after the artist/group in each chart, as these are the dates when singles first charted or debuted into a particular chart.

I think I woke up this morning without my stomach!

Current Mood: Sick

It was just heading onto 8:00 when I heard John Logan announce the finance figures, on ABC Illawarra's 7:45 news bulletin.  His low solemn voice somewhat reminded me of someone reading out a funeral eulogy, when he announced some share prices, and then the moment came when I felt somewhat sick; "just a few moments ago the Australian Dollar was 71.83 US cents".

Yep, I guess a few four-letter words slipped from my tongue, but then I kind of reminded myself that I must have misheard what he said.  My horror was confirmed 25 minutes later when Tony Eastley confirmed the value of the Australian Dollar, as it was still around 71 cents.

Yeah, now I was wide-awake, and immediately thinking how there is the need for me to curve my purchases from the US.  Because of Australia's crappy CD market, I buy all of my music from America.   I also purchase material from the US as well, that is related to my Asperger's.

So in the end, it's pretty much a case of things becoming much more expensive.  Somehow I see the dollar going back to 50 cents US, but then we have to thank Bob Hawke for floating the currency back in December 1983.  Considering that some people have lost hundreds and thousands of dollars in stocks, I suppose in the end, the aussie exchange rate is just one of those annoying trivialities of life.

Those days of mid July, when the rate was 98.40 cents US, are now unfortunately just a distant memory.  At that time there was real hope that our dollar would reach parody, and even over take the green-back.  That would have been incredible to see. :) :) 

It's time to double double the Disability Support Pension!

CURRENT MOOD: BLOWN AWAY!

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged, but hell; in the true tradition of 2008; the year where things keep on happening..... and happening...... have those politicians suddenly found a bone of compassion; or perhaps more to the point; a guilty conscience? or being serious, have the poles moved to opposite sides? :) :)

It was early September when to my amazement, and somewhat amusement, I actually saw Wayne Swan, Julia Gillard, Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd and a host of other politicians declare that they "COULD NOT LIVE ON THE PENSION".  The sights and sounds of pensioners stealing the headlines of the day, on the evening news and current affair shows was a somewhat strange reality.

At first, I was very excited and hopeful that us "Disability Support Pensioners" would be lifted out of financial poverty, up to an income were we could afford things like dining out, take away food, wardrobe updates, broadband internet, and yeah; the occasional luxury... a holiday.

Though the momentum was charging along, to my disgrace, two issues were hijacking the debate; a single group of pensioners just thinking about them selves, rather then thinking of all pensioners, and the same old politicians attitude; there's no urgency, we've got the next twenty years to figure it out.

This segment from ABC Radio's AM program from Tuesday morning 23rd September highlights the firery debate in parliament, and how us "Disability Support Pensioners" are left out in the cold.

http://www.2prfm.com/sources/pensions1-am-segments-24k.mp3
5 minutes and 18 seconds

The Liberal manager of Business in the Senate, Helen Coonan puts forward the pension rise bill, but only covers old age pensioners.  Why just one group?  That must of been the reason why Labor voted it down.

In the second portion of the above podcast, Tony Eastley notes how disability pensioners face considerable costs above food, clothing and housing.  Faye Druett, a vice-president of the lobby group, People with Disabilities Australia, notes how she recently paid a $550 electricity bill for her heating.  This is something I relate to very much, as the heater remained off at my place, just a case of wearing ten layers of clothes during our last winter.

One of my friends from Kingsford has to take taxies everywhere, because of the condition of her legs.  Though she receives the MT40 taxi subsidy, her transport costs are very expensive.  Another one of my friends, who I worked with in Blacktown radio twelve years ago, had his pension totally consumed by home-care costs, as he suffered Spina bifida.

This next news-bite from ABC's 7:00 news later on that day shows the politicians taking their time, debating how to do something, that really is a no-brainer.  I suppose you can imagine the analogy of 40 politicians getting together to ad a dollar in change, and them taking five months to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYcxmQSljdQ
About 3 minutes

On Tuesday 9th September, ABC's Nightlife presenter; Tony Delroy aired a program with Centrelink's general manager; Hank Jongen.  This show generally covered several centrelink issues; however note one of the people, Martin, who rings in eighteen minutes into the show, expressing much disgust on the little amount of money that is the DSP.

http://www.2prfm.com/sources/pensions2-hank-jongen-24k.mp3
43 minutes and 25 seconds

Wednesday 10th September saw Nightlife's Tony Delroy deal again with the pensioner issue, this time with the "Issue of the Day" segment.  One of his first callers is June who notes "AGAIN" how more then half of her pension is eaten up by her rent.

Note about ten minutes into the program, Roger who meagerly exists with having to leave his car in the garage, because he can't afford to run it, and lives on cereal and a small meal every day.  I wonder if Keven Rudd has any real idea?

http://www.2prfm.com/sources/pensions3-issue-of-the-day-24k.mp3
44 minutes and 25 seconds

Though Tony notes that Australia's Welfare bill is somewhere in the facility of $60 million a year (possibly billions), the conservative argument here would be that social security is a bottomless pit, and that pensioners can't always get what they want.  It is the conservative argument that these people should just go out and get a job.

Funny though, when the tables are turned, and when it comes to the corporate world of manager directors and Wall Street, taking sloppy, irresponsible risks with huge amounts of money, there seems to be an open "entitlement" attitude.  There seems to be an expectation where the government of the day should just "bail them out".  As noted in the recent congress bill of the United States, this "just bail them out" attitude was in the path of US$700 billion.

Without the bagging of any right or left view, or the cry of any pity or shame, I think that it is time for all to sit up and have an honest look on the plight of disability pensioners.  In particular, those who really would like to work, but genuinely can't, because of the nature of their disability.  They still is a fixed idea in many minds that those who have such a condition should just rot on the scrap heap.

Without gloating, I guess I've been very lucky this year, and have found several people who have been able to look at me with a different light, to view my strengths, rather then my weaknesses.  I guess it's a time when I'm able to progress in life, and on the way, hopefully highlight some of the issues I've had with the pension, particularly so with Asperger's Syndrome.

For the last media bite in this blog, I have dug up a segment from Sunday 5th October that went to air on 2UE's weekend program with George Moore.  He is interviewing Barbara (finance journalist for Money lift out of the Sydney Morning Herald) who notes that the average annual pensioner amount is $19,000.

Unfortunately this program like many of them were skewed toward the old age pension, but she spoke about a Westpac retirement index where they estimate how much money would be required for a basic standard of retirement.  Again the issue here was that the recipient would not be able to eat out, have take-away, couldn't have holidays and would have trouble trying to run a car, if the rate was 19 grand a year.  This is $4,000 more then the disability support pension.

The main focal point of this bite is George Moore statement on how all pensioners are at the MERCY of the government.

http://www.2prfm.com/sources/pensions-5-george-barbara.mp3
10 minutes and 25 seconds

So to rap up, it is quite an incredible thing to hear that so many of the power-brokers of this country note how they can't live on a pension, but they seem to have all the time in the world to commission reports and find excuses.

So until a miracle happens, happy pensioning. :)

Do you remember the week of the 14th July 1985?... I don't know if Triple M can!

CURRENT MOOD: AMUSED

Well, it's that time again, to see how Triple M can make mince meat of a music chart.  This is no music chart, in fact, it's another list of personal favourites from either Andy G, or his program director.  Let's do it again, and get straight to the music..... 

Here is Triple M's chart exactly how they played it on Friday 11th May.  And as per-usual, noting all the corrections, direct from the Australian Music Report.

Triple M 104.9 COLD 30
Friday 11th May 2007

WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 14th July 1985

CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP (correct chart date) LABEL CAT No:

30.  Road to Nowhere Talking Heads (14 Oct 1985) EMI EMI 1578
29.  Dancing on the Jetty  Inxs (14 Jan 1985) WEA 7=259198
28.  Everybody wants to work (beach party EP) Uncanny X-Men (13 Aug 1984) Mushroom 14068
27.  Like wow!, wipeout The Hoodoogurus (21 Oct 1985) Big Time BST 1588
26.  The Riddle Nik Kershaw (24 Dec 1984) MCA NIK 6
25.  Don't come around here no more Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (29 Apr 1985) MCA 7-52496
24.  Walls come tumbling down The Style Council (10 Jun 1985) Polydor 883-004-7
23.  Species deceases Midnight Oil (2 Dec 1985) CBS / Sprint EX 12023
22.  Running up that hill Kate Bush (23 Sep 1985) EMI EMI 1553
21.  Current Stand Kids In the Kitchen (2 Sep 1985) White Label K 9804
20.  Lonely old night John Cougar Mellencamp (14 Oct 1985 Mercury / Riva 880 984-7
19.  Close to you  The Cure (9 Dec 1985) WEA / Fiction CURE 2
18.  And we danced The Hooters (23 Sep 1985) CBS BA 3333
17.  Slave to the rhythm Grace Jones (16 Dec 1985) Manhattan MH 1619
16.  California girls David Lee Roth (25 Feb 1985) Warner Bros 7-29102
15.  A good heart Feargal Sharkey (25 Nov 1985) Virgin VS 808
14.  Working class man Jimmy Barnes (25 Nov 1985) Mushroom K 9883
13.  Lost weekend Lloyd Cole and the Commotions (20 Jan 1986) Polydor 883-567-7
12.  Take on me A-ha (9 Sep 1985) Warner Bros 7-29011
11.  Pleasure and pain The Divinyls (23 Sep 1985) Chrysalis K 9799
10.  We close our eyes Go west (6 May 1985) Chrysalis K 9622
9.   Sussudio Phil Collins (4 Mar 1985) WEA 7-259181
8.   She sells sanctuary The Cult (THIS TRACK NEVER CHARTED) (Obviously, One of Andy's personal picks)
7.   Raspberry Beret Prince (5 Aug 1985) Paisley Park 7-28929
6.   The heat is on Glenn Frey (25 Mar 1985) MCA 7-52512
5.   Out of mind, out of sight The Models (15 July 1985) Mushroom K 9673
4.   Man overboard Do Re Mi (17 Jun 1985) Virgin VGZ 003
3.   Born in the USA Bruce Springsteen (28 Jan 1985) CBS BA 223245
2.   Shout Tears for Fears (11 Feb 1985) Mercury 880 294-7
1.   What you need Inxs (9 Sep 1985) WEA 7-258971

The first three big discrepencies are Jimmy Barnes, Feargal Sharkey, and Grace Jones.  None of these singles weren't even in the record shops until late October, and had not even charted until November and December.  Let's take a look at the Cure.  "Close to you" did not even appear on the chart until Monday 9th December, and the best one, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions with "Lost weekend"....... that didn't even chart until 1986?

On the other hand, Inxs's "Dancing on the Jetty" charted during January and February, and only got as high as #39 on the Australian Music Report.  It only got as high as #28 on my personal charts, and considering it being a minor hit, this song would have been long gone by July.  At this time, Uncanny X'Men's "Everybody wants to work", was already a year old, as it first appeared on the "Party" EP, which charted in August '84.  The song didn't get strong air-play until late September and October of '84, and considering that Triple M's chart was of July 1985, this track was also long gone.

The Cult's "She sell sanctuary" never charted, as this group's first single, "Love removal machine" didn't appear until Monday 13th April 1987, under the Beggars Banquet label.

Now lets go to my chart from this time.....

---------------------------------------------------------------
WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 14th JULY 1985
---------------------------------------------------------------
CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP LABEL CAT No:
---------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Crazy for you Madonna Geffen GEF 29051
2.   Money for nothing Dire Straits Vertigo 880 916-7
3.   Spanish eddie Laura Branigan Atlantic 7-89531
4.   Steady Jules Shear EMI America AMI 8259
5.   50 years Uncanny X-Men Mushroom K 9671
6.   Walking on sunshine Katrina and the Waves Capitol CP 1475
7.   Axel-F Harold Faltermeyer MCA 7.52536
8.   Run to me Dionne Warwick and Barry Manilow Arista ARIST 610 (UK)
9.   Heaven Bryan Adams A&M K 9683
10.  Get it on (bang a gong) The Power Station Parlophone A 1510
11.  Memory Elaine Paige Polydor 2059-364
12.  Life in a northern town The Dream Academy Warner Bros 7-28995
13.  Suddenly Billy Ocean Jive LS 1493
14.  Walls come tumbling down The Style Council Polydor 883 004-7
15.  Live it up Mental as Anything Regular RRSP 746
16.  Would I lie to you The Eurythmics RCA Victor 104407
17.  Lead the way I'm Talking Regular K 9778
18.  Just a gigglo/I ain't got nobody David Lee Roth Warner Bros 7-29040
19,  If you love somebody, set them free Sting A&M K 9693
20.  Voices carry Til Tuesday Epic ES 1035
21.  Take it back The Pookah Makes Three Virgin / 10 TEN 31
22.  Don't you forget about me Simple Minds Virgin VS 749
23.  Everything I need Men At Work CBS BA 3308
24.  Obsession Animotion Mercury 880-266-7
25.  A view to a kill Duran Duran EMI EMI 1502
26.  All she wants to do is dance Don Henley Geffen GEF 29065
27.  Two can play Australian Crawl Freestyle FREE 0004
28.  We will together The Eurogliders CBS BA 3277
29.  Into the Groove/Angel Madonna Sire 7-29008
30.  Every time you go away Paul Young CBS BA 3280

In reality, Go West's "We close our eyes", though it was a great song, had just finished an eight week stretch, and had just fallen off.  Tears for Fears, "Everybody wants to rule the world" had also charted well but had recently drifted out of the top 30.  Philips was heavily promoting it's CD players at the time, as Dire Straight's "So Far away" was used in their TV adverts.  The actual double-a side single with "The walk of life" had also moved out of the chart in late June, after a respectible ten week run.

Madonna was doing well during 1985, with singles like, "Like a virgin", "Material girl", "Into the groove / Angel", and on this particular week was scoring the #1 single with "Crazy for you".  Laura Branigans "Spanish eddie" started charting on the Australian Music Report in the first week of September, but had already gone to the top of my chart, as 2Day FM was heavily playing an advanced copy of it.

Just around the corner were new entries from the Models and Tears for Fears.  "Out of mind, out of sight", would receive very strong air-play through August and September.   "Head over heals" from Tears for Fears also got a good belting on FM radio during the same months.

Taking triple M to task again.... How do you remember September 1989?

CURRENT MOOD: Rejuvenated

Well, just came back from swimming, and missed out on most of their imaginary chart tonight, but managed to catch their top five of September 1989.  Again, it's another shocker, with only one correct and four wrong.  Straight to the point and here we go....

Triple M's Cold 30 Countdown - September 1989
Aired Friday 4th May 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pn# Track Artist/Group (correct chart date) Label Cat No.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Onion skin Boom Crash Opera (19 Jun 1989) WEA 7-257572
4. Patience Guns 'n' Roses (29 May 1989 Geffen 7-22996
3. Dumb things Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls (30 Jan 1989) Mushroom K 676
2. Love shack The B-52's (20 Nov 1989) Reprise 7-22817
1. Poison Allice Cooper (4 Sep 1989) CBS 655061-7

Note that "love shack" from the B-52's wasn't even released yet, and well, Paul Kelly's "Dumb things".....? that had already charted in February-March and was long gone.  The Gunners did well with Patience, and with giving triple M the Benefit of the doubt here, (if they did do some research), that song might have just still been in the bottom of the ARIA chart.  The song was long gone from my chart, as there was little air-play of this song during September, when compared to all the other tracks on the below chart, again, taken from my personal archives.

I remember that Gyan, Roy Orbison and Roxette were hammered into you, harder then a sledge hammer back then, particularly on 2SM, 2UW and on 2WS.

National top 30 singles chart
WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 3rd September 1989
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP LABEL CAT No:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Under the board-walk Bette Midler Atlantic 7-88976
2.   This time I know it's for real Donna Summer WEA 7-257780
3.   Dressed for success Roxette Parlophone 2271
4.   Wait Gyan WEA / Trafalgar 7-257620
5.   California blue Roy Orbison Virgin VS 1193
6.   Communication John Farnham and Danni-Elle RCA Victor 105072
7.   Talk it over Grayson Huge RCA Victor 8802-7-R
8.   All I want is you-Everlasting love U2 Island X 14678
9.   She has to be loved Jenny Morris WEA 7-257487
10.  I'll be loving you forever New Kids on the Block CBS 654863
11.  Right back to where we started from Sinitta Liberation LS 2063
12.  Healing hand Elton John Rocket 874 798-7
13.  The end of the innocence Don Henley Geffen 7-22925
14.  Second chance Thirty-Eight Special A&M K 831
15.  Sugar train Daryl Braithwaite CBS 655109 7
16.  The best (album version) Tina Turner Interfusion K 916
17.  Running down a dream Tom Petty MCA 7-53682
18.  Forever your girl Paula Abdul Virgin / Siren SRN 112
19.  Miss you like crazy Natalie Cole EMI America US 2213
20.  Love is Alannah Myles Atlantic 7-88918
21.  Can I get a witness Sam Brown A&M K 850
22.  If you don't know me by now Simply Red WEA 7-246993
23.  Bat-dance Prince Warner Bros 7-22924
24.  The best of me Cliff Richard EMI EMI 2252
25.  Jackie Brown John Cougar (Mellencamp) Mercury 874 644-7
26.  Say good-bye Indecent Obsession Melodian LS 2064
27.  All I wanna do is dance Colette CBS 655047-7
28.  Telephone Booth Ian Moss Mushroom K 881
29.  The look Roxette Parlophone 2212
30.  Mixed emotions The Rolling Stones CBS 655193-7

So, after all that, do Triple M still want to consider giving me a job as music researcher??????????

OH; HELL, I nearly forgot, I nearly forgot; It's Star Wars day today, so........ May the forth be with you

Going back to this week in May 1980

CURRENT MOOD: GREAT

Hitting the magic buttons, and slipping back exactly 27 years ago this week, as we go back to the time when I was a mischievous little bastard.  Friday 2nd May 1980 came on as a cool Autumn day, and it was the last day before the May holidays.  It was time to get back at those kids who annoyed me, and as they ran around the classrooms, my quick thinking mind said, "quick, quick, quick; turn the lock and slam the door, then they'll be locked in for two weeks".

Unfortunately, my fingers didn't have that same lightening fast speed, as my thumb got crushed in the door, flatter then a pancake, and ah!, hell, it was a few days at home, with my hand dangling in a bucket of hot water and dettol..... OUCH!!!!!!!  And musically, this is what we were listening to on the radio.....

National Top 30 Singles Chart
WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 4th May 1980
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP LABEL CAT No:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Skinny Girls Alan O'Day Pacific PC 5376
2.   You may be right Billy Joel CBS BA 222663
3.   People Misex CBS BA 222652
4.   On the radio Donna Summer Casablanca NB 2236
5.   Rock with you Michael Jackson Epic ES 400
6.   Call me Blondie Chrysalis K 7830
7.   Brass in pocket The Pretenders Sire ARE 11
8.   Same old girl Darryl Cotton EMI EMI 204
9.   Total control The Motels Capitol CP 160
10.  The rose Bette Midler Atlantic 45-5411
11.  Rockabilly rebel Major Matchbox Magnet K 7818
12.  Don't let go Isaac Hayes Polydor 2121 401
13.  I can't help it Andy Gibb and Olivia Newton John ATA K 7851
14.  Turning Japanese The Vapors United Artists UA 224
15.  Rosie Joan Armatrading A&M K 7746
16.  Tire of toein' the line Rocky Burnette EMI EMI 166
17.  I got you Splitenz Mushroom K 7759
18.  Refugee Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers MCA/Backmen MCA 41169
19.  Coming up Paul McCartney Parlophone A 233
20.  Follow that girl The Aliens Mushroom K 7804
21.  Gonna get along without you now Viola Wills RCA Victor 103496
22.  The loco-motion Ritz Epic/Park Lane ES 414
23.  Carrie Cliff Richard EMI EMI 168
24.  I had a dream Abba RCA Victor 103511
25.  The boys light up Australian Crawl EMI EMI 222
26.  Sara Fleetwood Mac Warner Bros WB 49150
27.  Longer Dan Fogelberg Epic/Full Moon ES 418
28.  Carmilla Jon English Mercury 6037 958
29.  Are you ready Teri De Sario and KC Casablanca 6198 358
30.  He's my number one Christie Allen Mushroom K 7757

Remembering this week in May 1983

CURRENT MOOD: UPLIFTED

Time for my evening ritual again.  Popping through the years, and seeing what happened about this time in a particular year, and well, what stands out for me is this very week in May 1983.

This was the time when the Sydney Entertainment Centre opened.  It was a big event at the time, as my father owned a kitchen, right at the back (where the "all seasons" hotel school is now). and he was preparing the food for the event.  I went into the test phase on the Saturday before opening, as they were fireing off different lasers, and doing some sound checks.  Sunday 1st May came, and it opened with a Bang.  They were performances from Marcia Hines and Christopher cross, and well, what about that big chute where marcia came out of? It was certainly something very different.

And the music scene on the radio went a little like this......

National top 30 singles chart
WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 1st May 1983
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CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP LABEL CAT No:
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1.   It might be you Stephen Biship Warner Bros 7-29791
2.   Shoop shoop diddy wop Monte Video and the Cassettes White Label K 8906
3.   All right Christopher Cross Warner Bros 7-29843
4.   Love is a stranger The Eurythmics RCA Victor 104078
5.   Power and the passion Midnight Oil CBS/Sprint BA 223010
6.   1999 Prince Warner Bros 7-29896
7.   Billy Jean Michael Jackson Epic ES 823
8.   Baby, come to me James Ingram and Patti Austin Qwest QWS 50036
9.   Let's Dance David Bowie EMI America AMI 958
10.  You are Lionel Richie Motown 1657 MF
11.  Don't pay the Ferryman Chris De Burgh A&M K 8912
12.  With closed eyes The Expression Mushroom K 8985
13.  We've got tonight Sheena Easton and Kenny Rogers Liberty UA 924
14.  Spirit got lost Mental as Anything Regular RRSP 725
15.  Overkill Men at Work CBS BA 223038
16.  Time (clock of the heart) Culture Club Virgin VS 558
17.  The beat goes on The Globos White Label K 8989
18.  Na na hey hey, kiss him goodbye Bananarama Liberation LS 960
19.  Save your love Renee and Renato RCA Victor 104114
20.  Dracula's tango Toto Coelo (total coelo) Radialchoice POW 0115
21.  Some kind of friend Barry Manilow Arista K 8971
22.  Ain't no pleasing you Chas and Dave Liberation LS 870
23.  State of Independence Donna Summer Warner Bros 79344
24.  White wedding Billy Idol Chrysalis K 8918
25.  Living on the ceiling Blancmange London BLANC 3
26.  Zoom Fat Larry's Band Virgin VS 546
27.  Wham! (enjoy what you do) Wham! Epic/Inner vision ES 832
28.  Buffalo girls Malcolm McLaren Charisma 6000 914
29.  Too shy Kajagoogoo EMI EIM 932
30.  One on one Daryl Hall and John Oates RCA Victor 104094

Noting some of the stuff on the chart this week, as Stephen Bishop was at #1 with the theme from Tootsie.  I saw the movie, and well, it was somewhat of a flop, but I just fell in love with the song.  Hall and Oates, "one on one" was one of those tracks that I never got sick of, and after eleven strong weeks, the song made it's last appearance this week.  Remember Monte Video from New Zealand?  That song, with a title like that, was certainly worth a cackle, every time I heard it, but at the time, it was another track I played often, and drove my family nuts.  I heard Laura Branigan's "solitaire" for the first time, on the Saturday afternoon (sat Apr 30 1983), I came back from the city.  It was slothy, but never the less another good song, which would debut in the following weeks chart at #1.

Remember these charts are my personal charts, not reflecting album sales, but are still very accurate as my charts were also based on radio air-play.

Triple M's somewhat twisted view of 1981

CURRENT MOOD: INTRIGUED

Having asperger's spectrum for all my life, I've always had a good memory, and particularly so with music, as it is my favourite hobby.

Today, I got back from town, from doing my daily thing (job hunting), swiddled around with my kitchen radio, and well, I wasn't really in the mood for ABC Newsradio, as I wanted to listen to a bit of music.

I flicked it across to FM, and well; stopped that dial immediately, when I heard some early 80's Inxe, doing "the loved one".  I decided to leave it there, as I started pulling out some tins of pine-apple, ready to make some Grilled sandwiches.  My brother called to ask if I can order pizzas.  With no more of a need to cook, I put the cans of food away as my radio then chuckles along to "Louise" from Jona Lewie.  My mind immediately thinks, UGH!, "a commercial station playing two songs in a row from the 80's?  Hell; what's happening here, a miracle."  I gotta leave it on this station.  The announcer speak's, "This is Andy G here on a Friday night, counting down the top 30 songs from July 1981 on Triple M's Cold 30".

He did say July 1981; didn't he?.  Hold it, this is intriguing, those two songs weren't even released yet.  I listened on, and just for the hell of it, list down the remaining 22 songs.  Waiting for my brother to come home, and the delivery of the pizza's, I finish the list, then check out my original chart that I did as a child back in 1981.

Wile comparing notes, I see that a few of MMM selections were on there.  I'm now even more curious to see how well MMM did their research, so now, as I'm armed with the partial chart from the Cold 30, I get the Kent Reports out, and check every song, and when it first charted, and OH MY GOD, WHAT A MESS!!!!!!!

First of all, here is Triple M's Cold 30, exactly as Andy G played it tonight.  Note after the group of each song is the CORRECTED DATE, when the song actually first charted.  You will immediately see that many of the songs weren't even released yet.

MMM Sydney Cold 30 Countdown
Date aired, Friday 27th April 2007

CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP (corrected chart date) LABEL CAT No:

22.  The loved one Inxs (6 Apr 1981) Deluxe 103741
21.  Louise (we get it right) Jona Lewie (20 Jul 1981) Stiff K 8300
20.  Urgent Foreigner (31 Aug 1981) Atlantic 45-3831
19.  If you leave me Mental as Anything (25 May 1981) Regular K 8305
18.  Jealous guy Roxy Music (30 Mar 1981) Polydor 2002 040
17.  Love plus one Haircut 100 (10 May 1982) Arista K 8656
16.  Jessie's Girl Rick Springfield (29 Jun 1981) Wizard ZS 473
15.  Armistice day Midnight Oil (24 May 1982) CBS Sprint BA 12032 (30cm single)
14.  Love will tear us apart Joy Division (23 Mar 1981) Factory SFA 406
13.  Give me head (you have the right to remain silent) The Radiators (13 Jul 1981) WEA RADI 722 (30cm single)
12.  Counting the beat The Swingers (2 Feb 1981) Mushroom K 8101
11.  Message of love The Pretenders (30 Mar 1981) WEA ARE 15
10.  To cut a long story short Spandau Ballet (9 Mar 1981) Chrysalis K 8152
9.   Stop dragging my heart around Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty (10 Aug 1981) WEA / Modern 79231
8.   Just can't get enough Depeche Mode (8 Mar 1982) Mute POW 0053
7.   The stroke Billy Squire (17 Aug 1981) Capitol CP 494
6.   Super-freak Rick James (7 Dec 1981) Motown G 7205
5.   Turn me loose Loverboy (13 Apr 1981) CBS BA 222795
4.   Screaming Jets Johnny Warman (5 Oct 1981) Rocket 6000 688
3.   Oh no, not you again Australian Crawl (21 Dec 1981) EMI EMI 628
2.   Chequered love Kim Wilde (17 Aug 1981) Rak RAK 512
1.   You got nothing I want Cold Chisel (14 Dec 1981) WEA 100191

Note that the songs from Cold Chisel, Rick James, and Midnight Oil, weren't even recorded yet. and therefore did not even chart until many months later.  Can Triple M explain how they can twist time??  (I gotta meet the guy responsible for this chart... most probably he can do a few time twists in my life too. :) :) )  The best one was Haircut 100's "Love plus one", which did not even chart until 10th May 1982, yet this is suppose to be a countdown from July 1981???

Also, quite a few of the songs in Triple M's imaginary chart had already charted in March and April.  Okay, giving triple m the benefit of the doubt for a moment, if a song sells well, it can be in the top 100 for many months at a time.  Bryan Ferry's "Jealous guy" was an acception as it was a huge seller.

Note the Joy division and Inxs songs in Triple M's Chart.  Both these tracks had charted already back in March and April respectively.  Realising that both were minor hits, already makes it hard to believe that they would still be charting in the top 30 region of a top 100 singles chart, still after 20 weeks.

And now for an original chart from the time, from my personal archive of charts, and well, this is my music chart from Sunday 19th July 1981.  This chart was compiled by noting the frequency of times, that certain songs were played on 2SM, 2UW, 2Day FM, and MMM at the time, and wow! aren't they some rippers here......

National Top 30 Singles Chart
WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 19th July 1981
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CH#  TRACK TITLE ARTIST/GROUP LABEL CAT No:
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1.   Jessie's girl Rick Springfield Wizard ZS 473
2.   The one that you love Air Supply Big Time BTS 478
3.   Precious to me Phil Seymour CBS ES 589
4.   Things don't seem Australian Crawl EMI EMI 482
5.   Bette Davis eyes Kim Carnes EMI America AMI 460
6.   Making your mind up Bucks Fizz RCA Victor 103786
7.   Slow hand The Pointer Sisters Planet P 47929
8.   Vienna Ultravox Chrysalis K 8219
9.   Only for sheep The Bureau WEA 100168
10.  Turn me loose Loverboy CBS BA 222795
11.  Stars on 45 (The Beatles) Stars on 45 Philips 6000 658
12.  Say I love you Renee Geyer Mushroom K 8326
13.  Gemini dream The Moody Blues Threshold TH 27
14.  This ole house Shakin' Stevens Epic ES 603
15.  Misplaced love Rupert Hine A&M K 8252
16.  Nobody told me The Monitors Festival K 8236
17.  Lay all your love on me Abba Epic EPC A13 1454
18.  Bad habits Billy Field WEA 100165
19.  A woman needs love (just like you do) Ray Parker Jr. Arista K 8257
20.  Falling in and out with you Mi-Sex CBS BA 222809
21.  Just the two of us Grover Washington Jr. (feat. Bill Withers) Elektra E 47103
22.  Waiting for you The Dugites DeLuxe 103819
23.  I don't want to dance Splitenz Mushroom K 8334
24.  Take it on the run REO Speedwagon Epic ES 608
25.  Gotta pull myself together The Nolans Epic ES 562
26.  Room full of diamonds The Radiators 7 Records MS 485
27.  The best of times Styx A&M K 8181
28.  If you leave me, can I come too? Mental as Anything Regular K 8305
29.  Being with you Smokey Robinson Motown T 54321
30.  Stand and deliver Adam and the Ants SBS BA 222841

Note that Rick Springfields "Jessie's girl" was at the top, as it had already charted for three weeks.  Kim Carnes had just been number one for quite a few weeks with "Bette Davis eyes", and was just starting to slip down some notches.  At #5, this single was still performing strongly.  For some reason, they didn't play that one?  I can still remember Ian Molly Mildrem Humdrumming the new Phil Seymour album on countdown, during this particular week, and the single "Precious" was still charting steadily since the middle of May.  Hall and Oates had just released their next single, "You make my dreams" in the US, and it was going to chart here in Australia within the next five weeks.

I'm even more curious to find out why Triple M DIDN'T play Ultravox's Vienna, as this was also a HUGE hit in July, that year.  2UW had hammered that one, until your ears fell off.  A few months before this chart, Bucks Fizz won the Eurosong Contest for Britain.  The single was released by RCA, and it was their fifth week in.

I would love to visit Triple M in Bondi Junction, and have a beer...... (Oops, I don't drink Alcohol)..... mmmm, a lemonade with the program manager, and see how they make up their imaginary charts.  I would even offer my own chart compiling services :) :) :), for a fee of course, (ha ha).