Tag Archives: Elton John

Song of the Day: “Healing Hands” by Elton John

March 25, 2022 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

In honor of Elton John’s 75th birthday, today’s song of the day is his 1989 hit, “Healing Hands”. This was the lead single from his Sleeping With the Past, with the follow-ups being “Sacrifice” and “Club at the End of the Street“. In the U.S., the song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. In the U.K., the song didn’t even reach the Top 40. However, after Steve Wright of BBC Radio One added “Sacrifice” to his station’s playlist, “Sacrifice” was re-released in the UK as a double A-side with “Healing Hands”. The double A-side record topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks starting 23 June 1990, becoming the first solo No. 1 hit of Elton John’s career in his native country.

Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 3/26/20

March 26, 2020 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Can you name the artist and song:

So let’s sink another drink
Cause it’ll give me time to think

Last Song: “Sacrifice” by Elton John from the album Sleeping With The Past (1989)

Great job David (@daviddwwalker)!!!

It’s a human sign
When things go wrong
When the scent of her lingers
And temptation’s strong

If you’d like to get this song from Amazon, you can click on the album cover below:

Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 6/24/19

June 24, 2019 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Can you name the artist and song:

She’ll take a tumble on you
Roll you like you were dice

Last Song: “Little Jeannie” by Elton John from the album 21 at 33 (1980)

Great job Adora (@Adora2000)!!!

You stepped into my life from a bad dream
Making the life that I had seem
Suddenly shiny and new

If you’d like to get this song from Amazon, click on the album cover below:

1983, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week (UK Edition) – 19 June 1983: Songs 10-1

June 21, 2019 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Logo: Tops of the pops Welcome back to this week’s Top 40 Countdown! If you missed the previous songs, you can go ahead and check out songs 40-31, 30-21, and 20-11. This has been an exciting week for ’80s music! Today, there may be a few songs we haven’t heard much of. However, this list is covered with very familiar songs, and legendary artists. Let’s conclude this week’s countdown, and check them out!

10. “When We Were Young” by Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz was a U.K. pop group that had enormous success in Europe from 1981-84. Although they had no hits in the U.S., they had a string of top 10 hits in the early ’80s. This song was their 6th Top 10 hit.

9. “Nobody’s Diary” by Yazoo

This song by the synth-pop group, would peak at #3 in the U.K. It did not chart on the Mainstream U.S. chart, but did hit #1 in the U.S. Dance Clubs. I love this band, and Alison Moyet’s voice is so mesmerizing for me.

8. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” by Michael Jackson

This one is a bit familiar to everyone around the world. This was the opening track on Thriller, and the fourth single released. It would peak right here this week at #8 in the U.K., and reach #5 in the U.S.

7. “Waiting for a Train” by Flash and the Pan

I love me some play on words! I had never heard of this group before. This was The Australian group’s most successful single, peaking right here this week at #7.

6. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” by Elton John

Has anybody seen the Elton John movie, Rocketman? I haven’t seen it yet, but I heard it wasn’t that great. Anyway, this was one of Elton John’s biggest hits of the ’80s. It would peak at #5 in the U.K. and #4 in the U.S.

5. “Bad Boys” by Wham!

This was the third single released from Wham!’s debut album, Fantastic. I was not familiar with this song. If I had heard of it when it was first released, I would have made fun of it. I was in the beginning of my rocker phase, and Wham! singing about bad boys would have been funny to me.

4. “Flashdance…..What a Feeling” by Irene Cara

Here’s another smash hit that is very familiar tom U.S. audiences. This is pretty much Irene Cara’s signature song. This is the theme song for the iconic ’80s movie Flashdance.

3. “China Girl” by David Bowie

Here is a smash hit by the late, great David Bowie, from his iconic Let’s Dance album. This song was written by Bowie and Iggy Pop in 1977, and actually first appeared on Iggy Pop’s debut solo album The Idiot. But, this version was the more successful.

2. “Baby Jane” by Rod Stewart

Here is another music legend. This song was Rod Stewart’s final #1 single in the U.K. As the decade went on, Stewart was actually more popular in the U.S. He had a huge amount of success with his Out of Order album in the U.S. This song, from his Body Wishes album, peaked at #14 in the U.S.

1. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police

And we wrap up this week’s countdown with what I consider one of the most overrated and overplayed songs of the ’80s. There were so many much better songs on their Synchronicity album. However, this is the one that became their signature song. It was a #1 hit in the U.S. for 8 straight weeks, and was #1 here in the U.K. for 4 straight weeks. I may think the song is overrated, but there’s no denying its success. And it does give me nostalgia for the ’80s. So there’s that.

Well, that wraps up this week’s countdown. What a great week of music! I hope you enjoyed it. What were some of your favorite songs? The next Top 40 will be back in the U.S. In the meantime, Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.

1988, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 This Week – Week Ending November 5, 1988: Songs 30-21

November 6, 2018 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Hi Everybody! Welcome back as we continue the countdown! I understand that as we get into the late 80s, we are starting to lose that classic 80s sound. So, this can be depressing for some. But for me, this was a great time. I had just graduated high school. And because I was working a part time job, I was starting to get my own money. So of course I spent a lot of it on music. The late 80s were good to me as I was coming into my own.
Now, let’s Return back to the week ending November 5, 1988, and continue the countdown!

30. “Edge of a Broken Heart” by Vixen

Great way to start the countdown today! I loved Vixen from the time they first came out and released this song. I actually had this on a 45. If you like this song, you should check out Vixen’s entire self-titled album. Every song is great, and the album would be one of my top “desert island” choices. It should also be noted that Richard Marx was one of the writers of this song.

29. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

I’ll be happy when this annoying song is over.

28. “Don’t Be Cruel” by Cheap Trick

OK, I’m happy now. This is a pretty cool cover of Elvis’ hit. This is a good follow-up to Cheap Trick’s comeback #1 smash hit, “The Flame”.

27. “The Promise” by When in Rome

This awesome song by the British band When in Rome, reached up to #11. It had a bit of a resurgence in recent years, as it was featured in the cult movie Napoleon Dynamite in 2004.

26. “Walk On Water” by Eddie Money

The hits keep on coming! I guess I was on a 45 kick in 1988, as I also owned this one. This song was written by one-time Sammy Hagar keyboardist Jesse Harms.

25. “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart

This was the second single released from Rod Stewart’s awesome Out of Order album. I had lost hope in Stewart staying “forever young” as he was only focusing on big band music in recent years. However, he just released a new pop album, Blood Red Roses on September 28, 2018.

24. “A Word in Spanish” by Elton John

I had totally forgotten about this song. This was the other song released from Elton John’s Reg Strikes Back album, after “I Don’t Wanna Go On with You Like That”. With the exception of a few songs, I still much prefer his 70s music.

23. “Waiting for a Star to Fall” by Boy Meets Girl

This song was inspired for the Girl, Shannon Rubicam, when she saw an actual falling star at one of Whitney Houston’s concerts at the Greek Theatre. The folowing is from Wikipedia: “Initially, the duo did not consider recording it, and instead submitted the song to Clive Davis hoping he would decide to use it on Houston’s next album. He rejected it, suggesting that it did not suit her. The song was then offered to and recorded by Belinda Carlisle for her 1987 release Heaven on Earth, at the insistence of her label, but Carlisle disliked it and refused to include it on the album.”

Well that worked out for Boy Meets Girl, as it became their signature hit.

22. “Giving You the Best That I Got” by Anita Baker

This was Anita Baker’s biggest hit on the Hot 100 as it would go on to peak at #3. It also topped the Billboard R&B chart for 2 weeks. It also won Grammys for Best Female R&B Vocal performance and Best R&B Song.

21. “Love Bites” by Def Leppard

This was never one of my favorite Def Leppard songs. However, it was their only #1 hit. I have warmed up to it over the years, and love it now. Part of the reason is the nostalgia factor, and part of it is that it is a great song!

That wraps up today’s list of songs. And what a great list it was! What do you think? What were some of your favorites? What were you doing this week in 1988. I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, please come back tomorrow as we continue the countdown.

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 4/20/18

April 20, 2018 Paul Stroessner 2 Comments

Can you name the artist and song:

Here’s your ticket pack your bag
Time for jumpin’ overboard
The transportation is here
Close enough but not too far

Last Song: “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” by Elton John from the album Jump Up! (1982)

Great job Mary (@nakedplanet2)!!!

Now we pray for rain and with every drop that falls
We hear, we hear your name

If you’d like to get this song from Amazon, you can click on the album cover below

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1986, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week – April 5, 1986: Songs 10-1

April 6, 2018 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Well we have arrived at our Top 10 of the week. If you missed the previous songs, check out songs 40-31, 30-21, and 20-11. This has been a fun week so far. So, let’s get this going, and Return to the week ending April 5, 1986, and wrap up this week’s countdown! And as usual, if you’d like to listen to the song on YouTube, click on the song title. And if you want to listen or buy this song on Amazon, you can click on the album cover.

10. “Nikita” by Elton John

Ah, the good ole days of the Cold War. Too bad those days are over, right? Right? Well, maybe we’ll get a Nikita ’18 update version this year.
One cool thing about this song that I didn’t know, is that George Michael and Nik Kershaw are on the backing vocals.

9. “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer

This is one of the most iconic music videos ever. The five models in the video are Julie Pankhurst (keyboard), Patty Kelly (guitar), Mak Gilchrist (bass guitar), Julia Bolino (guitar), and Kathy Davies (drums). Andy Taylor of Duran Duran (and a bandmate of Palmer’s from The Power Station) provides lead guitar.

8. “Let’s Go All the Way” by Sly Fox

This very cool song was the only Top 40 hit for Sly Fox, making them a one-hit wonder.

7. “Manic Monday” by The Bangles

This worldwide smash hit was The Bangles’ first hit single. It was originally intended for the group Apollonia 6 in 1984. And yes, that means it was written by Prince.

6. “What You Need” by INXS

This was the first Top 10 hit for INXS in the U.S. At the Countdown Music and Video Awards for 1985, in Australia, this won for Best Video.

5. “These Dreams” by Heart

This was the first Heart single on which Nancy Wilson performed lead vocals instead of Ann. It would also be Heart’s first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

4. “Secret Lovers” by Atlantic Starr

This was was Atlantic Starr’s true breakthrough hit on the pop charts in both the US and UK.

3. “Kiss” by Prince & The Revolution

I still remember listening to the radio while playing a computer game, when the DJ said that they were going to play the new Prince song, “Kiss”, for the first time. It was exciting for me to be able to catch the debut of a song on the radio. I’ve been a fan of this song ever since.

2. “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” by John Cougar Mellencamp

This is a fun rocker by Mellencamp, who had quite a good run of hit songs throughout the ’80s.

1. “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco

And we have arrived at the #1 song of the week! Of course, it’s a song that will be stuck in your head the rest of the day. While Falco was wildly popular in Germany, his native Austria, and much of Europe, this was his only #1 hit in both the U.S. and U.K. With “Rock Me Amadeus”, Falco became the first German-speaking artist to be credited with a number-one single in all mainstream US pop singles charts: the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 Singles. Prior to Falco, “99 Luftballons” by Nena got to number one on Cashbox, but peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Well that wraps up this week’s countdown. I hope you enjoyed it. What were some of your favorite songs this week? And get your passports ready! The next time, we will go back to the U.K. to do a Top 40 there! Until then, Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.

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1985, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week: January 19, 1985 – Songs 40-31

January 23, 2018 Paul Stroessner 2 Comments

Welcome back to a new week of the Top 40 countdown! This will be a slightly different format. My comments will be limited to 1 or 2 sentences. If you would like to hear the song/see the video on YouTube, you can click on the song title. If you’d like to listen or buy the song from Amazon, you can click on the album cover. We are in the heart of the 80s for this countdown, so there will be some great songs this week. So, let’s Return to the week ending January 19, 1985, and begin the countdown.

40. “The Old Man Down the Road” by John Fogerty

Remember when we had to hidey-hide, and jump and run because the old man was down the road? Well fellas, the table has turned. 32 years later, we are the old man down the road.

39. “Mistake No. 3” by Culture Club

Mistake No. 1 = “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”
Mistake No. 2 = Thinking Boy George was a woman, despite his name

38. “In Neon” by Elton John

Maybe things would be less depressing if we Returned to a time where we dress in neon again. It would make world a brighter place.

37. “The Heat is On” by Glenn Frey

The world would also be a less depressing place if we had fun songs like this.

36. “Sugar Walls” by Sheena Easton

My innocence was lost when I discovered that Sheena Easton was singing about her poontang in this Prince-penned song.

35. “No More Lonely Nights” by Paul McCartney

Great song from a not so great movie.

34. “Money Changes Everything” by Cyndi Lauper

I’ll take your word for it, Cyndi.

33. “Tender Years” by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

The other song from Eddie and the Cruisers.

32. “Misled” by Kool & The Gang

My favorite Kool & The Gang song.

31. “Bruce” by Rick Springfield

I never knew this existed. And yes, it is about THE Bruce.

That wraps up today’s list of songs. I’m liking this countdown so far. Come back tomorrow as we continue the countdown.

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1980, Albums of the 80s, Artists, Music, Podcast, Remember That Song?

Episode 17: Glass Houses

October 23, 2017 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Hi Everybody! Here is the Return of the Return to the ’80s podcast!

We welcome Scott Ryan back to the show. This is the first of our Billy Joel album series. The gang discusses the loss of Tom Petty. Then there is some Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination talk. We have our regular segments, Play This, Not That, featuring the other Piano Man, Remember That Song, and ’80s Trivia. Then we get into our main topic – Billy Joel’s Glass Houses album.

Show Notes

– Welcome back Scott Ryan, author of thirtysomething at thirty: an oral history (available at www.scottryanproductions.com), who last appeared on Episode 15.