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TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS

(MID-WEEK BONUS) #687-683
#687 ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was so successful in 1979-80 with the singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", "Rock With You" and "She's Out of my Life" from his 'Off the Wall' LP, that Motown -his previous record label- capitalized on his popularity by re-releasing a sweet ballad from their back catalogue. "One Day in Your Life" was written by Sam Brown III with Renee Armand. The former also produced the track which originally appeared on the 'Forever, Michael' album. This LP was issued in 1975. It features a young Michael with his emotive vocals. 
Re-released in 1981 in between his 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller' albums (on Epic in the USA), the timing was perfect. While the single fared poorly in America, "One Day..." climbed to #1 in Britain. It's interesting to note that Jackson knocked off former labelmate Smokey Robinson's "Being With You"  from the UK top spot. 

#686 THE BEST DISCO IN TOWN The Ritchie Family
Female disco trio The Ritchie Family formed in Philadelphia, USA. The group was named after producer Ritchie Rome. They were created by Jacquers Morali, who also created the concept for The Village People. A disco remake of "Brazil" gave the women their 1st chart hit in 1975. Follow-up "I Want to Dance with You (Dance with Me)" missed the Top 40.
In 1976, the girl group recorded "The Best Disco in Town". The song was a medley which featured the trio singing some early disco hits. These songs included: "That's The Way (I Like It)" (KC & The Sunshine Band), "Reach Out, I'll Be There" (Gloria Gaynor), "Love to Love You Baby" (Donna Summer), "Lady Bump" (Penny McLean), "I Love Music" (The O'Jays), "Lady Marmalade" (Labelle) and their own "Brazil", among others. 
Rome co-produced the disco tribute with Morali. They co-wrote the song with Henri Belolo and Phil Hurtt. The single peaked at #17 on the US Hot 100 and #1 on the Disco Chart. It fared better in the UK, Australia and Europe, where the disc reached the Top 10. The hit was featured on the trio's 'Arabian Nights' album.

#685 IT TAKES TWO Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
Motown's practice of teaming Marvin Gaye with female singers complemented his solo career and proved lucrative. The result was some of soul music's most inspired collaborations. "It Takes Two" is an example of a duet that remains endearing to this day. 
Gaye had already recorded an album with Kim Weston 2 years prior, entitled 'Together'. In 1966, they re-united for a new collection of songs that would make up the 'Take Two' LP. The album's opening song is "It Takes Two", written by Sylvia Moy and William "Mickey" Stevenson. The latter was married to Weston. He co-produced the duet with Henry Cosby. 
Weston was born in Detroit in 1939. By the age of 3, she was singing in church. Her early career saw her performing gospel, but she embraced secular music when she signed to Motown Records. While Weston enjoyed some solo chart entries, none dented the Top 40. "It Takes Two" took her to #14 on the Pop & #4 R&B US charts and #16 in the UK. By the time this became her biggest hit, she and Stevenson had left the label for MGM.

#684 SHE'S A LADY Tom Jones
Tom Jones proved he could be just as successful and potent as a performer in the 1970s as he had been in the Sixties when "She's A Lady" became a massive hit single for him in 1971. The song was penned by Paul Anka, who had written "My Way" for Frank Sinatra and achieved chart success in his own right with #1 singles "Diana" in 1957, "Lonely Boy" 2 years later and "(You're) Having my Baby" in 1974. 
Jones' hit was produced by Gordon Mills. While it only peaked at #13 in Britain, it climbed to #2 in America and reached the top on the Australian and Canadian charts. The song was remixed by Junior Vasquez in 1995 for inclusion on the 'To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar' film  soundtrack which starred Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes. 

#683 SE A VIDA E` (THAT'S THE WAY LIFE IS) Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys recorded "Se A Vida E`" for their album 'Bilingual', released in 1996. There are rhythms aplenty on this upbeat celebratory song. The lyrics came courtesy of lead singer Neil Tennant. Both members of the duo created the music with contributions from Nego Do Barbalho, Wellington Epiderme Negra and Ademario. The title is meant to be a translation in Portuguese, but it is an error. Incorrect name notwithstanding, the single reached the Top 10 in Europe and the United Kingdom.