200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #162: GLORIA GAYNOR. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring:

The  Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#162

GLORIA GAYNOR

New Jersey's Gloria Fowles was born in 1949 and became disco's 1st queen. After a stint in the group The Soul Satisfiers, she adopted the name Gloria Gaynor and was signed as a soloist. 

Gaynor's early 70s records catered for the expanding club scene. Disco was in its gestation period and her albums were perfectly suited for DJs. As the albums had no breaks between tracks, DJs could play a side of uninterrupted music. 

"Honey Bee" was issued in 1974, followed by the Billboard Disco Chart's 1st #1: "Never Can Say Goodbye". It was a Top 10 hit around the world. 

Other disco nuggets followed, including "Reach Out I'll Be There", "This Love Affair" and her signature song "I Will Survive". That American and British #1 has since grown into an anthem for many groups, including women and the gay community.

 In 1983, Gaynor released her version of "I Am What I Am" which also became a gay anthem. She has continued touring and recording in the decades since. In 2000, she collaborated with producer Giorgio Moroder on the dance single "Last Night".

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163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS

164 BEN E. KING

165 MEAT LOAF

166 JAMES REYNE

167 JOAN ARMATRADING

168 SADE

169 A-HA

170 GLEN CAMPBELL

171 DIRE STRAITS

172 COLD CHISEL

173 LINDA RONSTADT

174 ANTHONY CALLEA

175 LISA STANSFIELD

176 EN VOGUE

177 MICHAEL BUBLE`

178 TRACY CHAPMAN

179 DRAGON

180 OLETA ADAMS

181 LITTLE RIVER BAND

182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR

183 THE RONETTES

184 CERRONE

185 MODELS

186 SCISSOR SISTERS

187 DARREN HAYES

188 PETULA CLARK

189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY

191 ART GARFUNKEL

192 THE REELS

193 JANIS IAN

194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG

195 S CLUB 7

196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES

198 ICEHOUSE

199 LEO SAYER

200 LIZA MINNELLI

BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: LXXXII-  EVERY TIME YOU GO AWAY. Continues: next week.

BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG…

These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.

Every Time You Go Away

 

Paul Young took "Every Time You Go Away" all the way to #1 in America and Canada. Issued as a single in 1985, the ballad was included on the British blue-eyed soul singer's 'The Secret Of Association' album. 

The song was an international hit for Young. Daryl Hall wrote the track. The latter recorded the song with his musical partner John Oates. In 1980, the original version was featured on the Hall & Oates LP 'Voices'.

Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.

The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

PERFECT POP TOP 200. A new countdown begins with this post. #200-191. Continues: next weekend.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL

PERFECT

POP

SONGS

Sometimes it’s a hook, a gimmick or an irresistible sound. Whatever that special ingredient is, it elevates a track to pop perfection.

Here are 200 unforgettable examples of songs with that wow! factor…

200

VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR

The Buggles

(1979) #1

The song foresaw the advent of MTV. Today, we recognize the death of radio has a number of accomplices, but this remains an example of a cheesy yet enduring pop nugget.

199

YOU’RE THE VOICE

John Farnham

(1986) #1

The single was a massive success for Australian singer John Farnham. His powerful vocal and a blast of bagpipes helped propel the song beyond Australia, reaching the Top 10 in Britain and Europe. 

198

GRACE KELLY

Mika

(2007) #1

With references to Princess Grace of Monaco and Freddie Mercury, Mika made a splash on the world charts. The retro feel of the song drew influence from Elton John, Scissor Sisters and Queen among others.

197

WICHITA LINEMAN

Glen Campbell

(1968) #1

Songwriter Jimmy Webb was a great source of material for recording artist Glen Campbell. This pop crossover single made the Top 3 on the US Pop, Country and Adult Contemporary charts.

 

196

MMMBOP

Hanson

(1997) #1

The Hanson trio all had a hand in composing their successful debut single. We may still not comprehend what the hell a 'mmmbop' is, but the cute song has withstood the test of time.

195

F**K YOU

CeeLo Green

(2010) #1

Due to the explicit title, this song was re-named "Forget You" in order to gain radio play. Either way, it is an incredibly catchy funk / pop hybrid that saw it dominate the Top 5 around the planet.

194

REET PETITE

Jackie Wilson

(1957) #1

Originally issued in 1957, the single (co-written by Berry Gordy) peaked at #6 in Britain. The American R&B star died in 1984. Re-released 2 years later with a claymation video, the song topped the UK chart.

193

BABY LOVE

The Supremes

(1964) #1

The songwriting / production team of Lamont Dozier and brothers Eddie & Brian Holland created a treasure trove of pop hits for the Motown label. Many artists recorded H/D/H songs. The main beneficiary was The Supremes. The trio enjoyed an impressive string of #1 hits from the hitmaking team.

192

I DON’T FEEL LIKE DANCING

Scissor Sisters

(2006) #1

Despite the title, it's hard not to at least tap your feet along with this upbeat pop song. Dominated by a camp vibe, the record inevitably topped charts all over the world.

191

SOMETHING

The Beatles

(1969) #1

While the bulk of The Beatles' recorded output was contributed by John Lennon / Paul McCartney, George Harrison delivered some breathtaking tracks too. This was a love song inspired by his then wife Pattie Boyd. It is one of the most covered Beatles songs, proof of its lasting quality.

Hear the songs as they are added to the playlist available on spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

The Caffe` Latte` Top 10 Tracks this week

1 Glorious MACKLEMORE ftg. SKYLAR GREY  1wk                                                              2 3

2 Despacito {Remix} LUIS FONSI & DADDY YANKEE ftg. JUSTIN BIEBER                     5 3

3 Tutta Colpa Mia ELODIE                                                                              8 2

4 Bridge Over Troubled Water ARTISTS FOR GRENFELL                                                   NEW

5 Remember Me JENNIFER HUDSON                                                                     NEW

6 Secrets THE WEEKND                                                                             1 4

7 2U DAVID GUETTA Featuring JUSTIN BIEBER                                                                 3 3

8 Story Of A Heart {7th Heaven Radio Mix} STEPS                                                                 6 4

9 Human RAG'N'BONE MAN                                                                             10 3

10 Rockin' THE WEEKND                                                                              9 5

Hear this week's Top 10 songs (now with more hot tracks) as well as other special playlists on spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

 

TOP 100 1-HIT WONDERS. This post: The TOP 10. This countdown concludes with today's post. 
A new countdown commences tomorrow.

Caffé Latté presents a tribute to the  All-Time 100

MOST ESSENTIAL

ONE HIT WONDERS

This group of musical acts is responsible for only 1 major hit in Britain & /or America spans the decades. After that initial taste of chart success, a significant  follow-up eluded them.

Hear the songs on spotify:

 https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

10

YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE

Candi Staton (1976) 

American R&B/ disco singer Candi Staton was once married to performer Clarence Carter. "Young Hearts Run Free" reached #20 in America (#1 R&B) and peaked at #2 in Britain.

9

DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY

Bobby McFerrin (1988)

American jazz artist Bobby McFerrin sang the theme for "The Cosby Show". His only US chart entry "Don't Worry Be Happy", from the 'Cocktail' film soundtrack, topped the charts in America, Canada and Australia. It reached #2 in the UK.

8

FUNKYTOWN

Lipps, Inc. (1980) 

American disco group Lipps. Inc. was formed by Steven Greenberg. The lead vocal was performed by Cynthia Johnson. "Funkytown" reached #1 in America, Europe, Canada, Australia and Israel. The disc peaked at #2 in Britain.

7

GROOVE IS IN THE HEART

Deee-Lite (1990)

American trio Deee-Lite's name was inspired by the Cole Porter song "It's De-Lovely".  The single reached the Top 5 in America, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

 

6

RING MY BELL

Anita Ward (1979) 

American disco performer Anita Ward reached #1 in America, Britain, Canada and New Zealand with "Ring My Bell".

5

IT'S RAINING MEN

The Weather Girls (1982)

American duo The Weather Girls reached #2 in Britain with the floor filler classic "It's Raining Men". The song had previously been pitched to Donna Summer, Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand.

4

MACARENA

Los Del Rio (1995) 

A remix of "Macarena" by Miami's The Bayside Boys topped charts in America, Europe, Australia and Israel. The single reached #2 in the UK. Spanish duo Los Del Rio wrote the song and recorded an early version in 1993. 

3

AXEL F

Harold Faltermeyer (1985)

German musician/ songwriter/ producer Harold Faltermeyer worked on Donna Summer tracks and the film scores for 'Midnight Express', 'American Gigolo' and 'Top Gun'. "Axel F" was from 'Beverly Hills Cop' and made #1 in Canada as well as going Top 10 in America, Britain, Europe and Australia.

2

MAMBO No. 5 (A LITTLE BIT OF...)

Lou Bega (1999) 

Lou Bega is of Italian -Ugandan origin. He was born in Germany and scored an international smash with his update of Perez Prado's 1950 hit. "Mambo No. 5" reached #1 in Europe, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as peaking at #3 in America.

1

VENUS

Shocking Blue (1969)

Dutch group Shocking Blue made #1 in America, parts of Europe, Canada and Australia. "Venus" also peaked at #2 in Japan and #8 in the UK. Bananarama returned the song to the top of the charts in 1986.