Today we are going for a fun song for the Song of the Day – “Neutron Dance” by The Pointer Sisters. The song was written by Allee Willis and Danny Sembello. Allee Willis also wrote Earth, Wind & Fire’s hits “September” and “Boogie Wonderland“. Danny Sembello was the younger brother of Michael Sembello.
This song featuring Ruth Pointer on lead vocal was introduced on the Pointer Sisters’ October 1983 album release Break Out. There had already been four singles released from that album. But “Neutron Dance” was issued as a single in November 1984 thanks to its addition to the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack.
In March 1985 “Neutron Dance” became the fourth Top Ten single issued from the Break Out album rising as high as #6. It would be their last Top 10 hit. “Dare Me“, from their follow-up album Contact, peaked at #11.
Hey Everybody! Welcome to this week’s Top 40 Countdown! If you missed the previous songs, you can go back and check out songs 
I love the Pointer Sisters! If this song doesn’t get you pumped and moving, you have no soul.
It’s kind of chilling how much Julian sounds like his father, vocally.
A downside of being Michael’s brother is that songs like this get overlooked.
A downside of having a hit called “Ghostbusters” is that songs like this get overlooked.
This was a huge hit for Billy Ocean. It peaked at #2, and was kept out of the top spot by “Careless Whisper”.
A boy band that I can tolerate!
And the hits keep on coming from the Purple Rain soundtrack. Further proof that this was one of the most iconic albums of the ’80s.
Or does Billboard not know that it isn’t Christmas anymore? Or that it is 340 days til Christmas at this point in 1985? It doesn’t matter. I still love this song anyway.
Billboard really had their seasons screwed up! It’s not Christmas anymore (see last song), and this deep freeze we’re in now tells me that we are nowhere near summer either! Wishful thinking, I guess.
Meh. I prefer Plant teamed with Paige.
Awesome Pointer Sisters jam that does as advertises, and gets you excited. This is also a go-to for caffeine pill junkies everywhere.
This was the first of 2 Top 40 hits by The Clash. According to 
This classic country crossover hit ranked number 7 on CMT’s 100 Greatest Duets in Country Music. Rabbitt had several crossover hits in the early ’80s. Sadly, he passed away in 1998 of lung cancer.
Previously unreleased, producers just assumed this would be a hit, and included it on Fogelberg’s Greatest Hits album. Luckily, they were right, and it peaked at #23 on the U.S. charts, and #29 in Canada.
This was the first single as a solo artist for the former Steely Dan frontman. His album, The Nightfly, was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
as the band’s highest charting hit in the UK, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. It would peak at #18 on the U.S. charts. On the album, this song is listed as “The Look Of Love (Part One),” with the last track being a short version of the song called “The Look Of Love (Part Four).” What happened to parts two and three? They appear on the 12″ single along with the others. Part Two is an instrumental, and Part Three is a remix.
Chicago was fading away after having incredible success in the ’70s. Then producer David Foster came along, and kicked them back into high gear, giving them a huge comeback with Chicago 16. This was the second single released from the album. Most of their hits in the ’80s were ballads, including this one. However, I would highly recommend listening to any of their full albums. They have so much more great music that you may not know about.
Forgotten hit of the ’80s. This was released from their self-titled debut album. It would be the first of 2 hits for the band (“Dreamin’ Is Easy” was the other). This was a staple on MTV in the early days. Then again, in those early days, any music video was a staple.
This little ditty would be John Cougar/John Cougar Mellencamp/John Mellencamp’s signature song. It was at the top of the charts for 4 weeks.
This Men At Work song was first released as a single in Australia in June 1981. After it was more than a year old, it found it’s way to the U.S. and became a #1 hit in October of 1982.
Welcome back as we continue the countdown. If you missed the previous songs, you can go back and check out songs 
Return to the 80s 