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TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS
#995-991 20 -a -day special fast track...

#995 REACH OUT FOR ME Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick mined the creativity of the prolific Burt Bacharach & Hal David songwriting team. They provided the singer with so many songs that are still signatures in her repertoire. While some of their compositions were somewhat adult contemporary, "Reach Out For Me" leans more towards soul & gospel. The song had previously been recorded by R&B singer Lou Johnson. He only managed to reach #74 on the US Pop chart in 1963. The following year, Warwick's remake peaked at #20. It also reigned on the R&B chart for 2 weeks. The production is engaging from its first 12 seconds of that breathtaking introduction. The marriage of musicianship with harmonies in the background makes for perfection from the gifted songwriters and the skill of Warwick. The track was featured on her 'Make Way for Dionne Warwick' LP.

#994 HARD HABIT TO BREAK Chicago
Chicago formed in 1967 and their sound evolved across the decades. Initially, their hits highlighted the band's horn section. During the 70s, they had also scored chart success with ballads such as "If You Leave Me Now". In the 80s, their power ballad "Hard to Say I'm Sorry", from the film 'Summer Lovers', was the fruit of collaborating with producer David Foster. 
It was inevitable that Chicago would continue churning out the power ballads. "Hard Habit to Break" was issued in 1984 and included on their 'Chicago XVII' LP. This was to become the group's best selling album to that point. The big ballad hit was written by Steve Kipner with John Lewis Parker. The latter had worked with others such as The Pointer Sisters, Angela Bofill and Phyllis Hyman. KIpner had already scored major success  co-writing hits for other artists, including "Physical" for Olivia Newton-John, "Baby Come Back" and by Player.  Later, he would help write "Genie in a Bottle" for Christina Aguilera. While born in the USA, he grew up in Australia before relocating to the UK.

#993 THE RAIN, THE PARK & OTHER THINGS The Cowsills
If you can get past the strange band name and the unusual title, you will discover a rare pop bubblegum delight. The Cowsills were a family act. On this song, brothers Bill & Bob harmonize with their mother's voice complementing the 2 siblings. The song was penned by Artie Kornfield with Steve Duboff. The pair recorded songs in their own right as the duo Changin' Times. 
"The Rain, The Park & Other Things" was released in 1967 and peaked at #2 in the USA. This was The Cowsills' biggest hit. The other family members on the track include: brothers Paul, Barry & John and sister Susan. They were the inspiration for the TV series "The Partridge Family". 

#992 ARTHUR'S THEME (BEST THAT YOU CAN DO) Christopher Cross
At the dawn of the 80s, Christopher Cross was riding high. He was one of the hottest acts in pop/ rock, having released his debut LP, winning 5 Grammy Awards and scoring 4 Top 20 hits by the time he released "Arthur's Theme". This new hit was from the comedy film 'Arthur', starring Dudley Moore in the title role. It was written by Cross with contributions from Carole Bayer Sager, Burt Bacharach & Peter Allen. Following its Oscar Best Song success, Bayer Sager & Bacharach decided to marry. Allen, who had come up with the line about the moon & New York City, was an Australian expatriate based in the USA. He had co-written with Bayer Sager and had previously penned other hits including "I Honestly Love You" for Olivia Newton- John. He released his own songs, including the Australian #1 "I Go to Rio" and "I Still Call Australia Home", which was used for years in Qantas advertisements. 

#991 SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD Billy Joel
Bronx-born Billy Joel had relocated to California in an effort to kick start his recording career. Longing for his East Coast roots, the piano man decided to return to New York. "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is Joel bidding farewell to L.A. as he headed home again. The song was included on his 1976 album, 'Turnstiles'. He must have been feeling nostalgic as the song is reminiscent of The Ronettes' 60s hit "Be my Baby", a girl group gem created in NYC.  

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