Billboard's R Survey for Week Ending 3/28/81 \Umoer of Singles Reviewed Top Sin9le This Week 88 Last C Copyright 1981
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63 Billboard's R Survey For Week Ending 3/28/81 \umoer of singles reviewed Top Sin9le this week 88 Last c Copyright 1981. Billboard Publications. Inc. No ppart of this publication may be reproduced week 98 stored in a retrieval system. or transmitted. in any form or by any means. electronic. mechanical photocopying. recording. or otherwise. without the prior written permission of the publisher. producer: Sy Rosenberg; writers: G. Gentry/S. Hall; pub- ducers: Al Stewart, Chris Desmond; writers: R. Lamble, A. lisher: Troll, BMI. Elektra 47122. Yurman; publisher: Lukerative, BMI. RSO 1061. Shot In The Dark, better known as Al DE DE UPCHURCH -You Beat Me To The Punch(3:14); pro- Stewart's backup band and opening act debuts with a hook -laden, ducer: Mick Lloyd; writers: R. White /W. Robinson; publisher: lushly produced midtempo tune that has folk /rock influences. Soul 'v Jobette, ASCAP. Little Giant 028. JOHN LENNON- Watching The Wheels (3:30); producers: FUNKADEUC -The Electric Spanking Of War Babies GARY SMITH -Taking No Chances (3:00); producer: Alamo L John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Jack Douglas; writer: John Lennon; (4:32); producers: George Clinton, Walter Morrison; writers: Smith; writers: P. Hunt /M. Taylor; publisher: Red Rose, publisher: Lenono, BMI. Geffen 49695 (Warner Bros.). Third George Clinton, Barbarella Bishop, Walter Morrison; pub- ASCAP. T 3545. aooa single from "Double Fantasy" is a beautiful, keyboard -based 00 lisher: Malbiz, BMI. Warner [[ Bros. 49667. First release from a ROGER BOWUNG Adult midtempo ballad. Hook is unforgettable and production is -A Little Bit Of Heaven (2:59); producer: new album is more of the funky silliness that is expected of high gloss. Already the recipient of much airplay. Walter Haynes; writers: Roger Bowling/Paul Richey; pub- this aggregation. Not to be confused with a recent Funkadelic lisher: ATV. BMI. Mercury 57049. Contemporary CHRISTOPHER CROSS -Say You'll Be Mine (2:53); pro- release on LAX Records. ducer: Michael Omartian; writer: Christopher Cross; pub- DEBBIE CLARK -Never A Night Goes By (2:50); producer: PEABO BRYSON -Turn The Hands Of Time (3:50); pro- lisher: Pop 'n' Roll, ASCAP. Warner Bros. 49705. Fourth single Foster & Rice; writers: J. Foster/B. Rice; publisher: Jack & ducer: Peabo Bryson; writer: Peabo Bryson; publishers: Web recommended from the Grammy- sweeping "Christopher Cross" album has Bill, ASCAP. Kari 118. IV, Peabo, W.B., BMI, ASCAP. Capitol 4989. Soulful vocals and the engaging, crafty "Pop'n'Roll" hooks which sparked "Ride MARILEE -Stay The Night (3:15); producers: Ron, Howard Al- soft music make this ballad appealing. Bryson's crisp delivery Like The Wind" and "Never Be The Same." The track fairly bert; writers: Dolph, Green; Cleveland International. SRI is in top form. bristles with upbeat good cheer. 00008 (Spector) KIM CARNES -Bette Davis Eyes (3:47); producer: Val recommended Picks -a top 30 chart tune in the opinion of the review panel which Garay; writers: D. Weiss, J. De Shannon; publishers: Plain and FirsllimeAround voted for the selections released this week; recommended -a tune Simple, Donna Weiss, ASCAP /BMI. EMI 8077. Carnes' vocal CHANGE -Paradise (3:57); producers: Jacques Fred Petrus, predicted to land on the Hot 100 between 31 and 100. Review editor - is at its raspiest on this playful turn about a femme fatale Mauro Malavasi; writers: D. Romani, M. Malavasi, T. Wil- SHOT IN THE DARK -Playing With Lightning (3:57); pro- Ed Harrison. from her forthcoming "Mistaken Identity" LP. The arrange- loughby; publisher: Little Macho, ASCAP. Atlantic 3809. ment puts Carnes' vocal upfront. PASSAGE -Have You Heard The Word (3:48); producer: Louis STEVIE WONDER - Lately (4:04); producer: Stevie Won- Johnson; writers: Valerie Johnson, Louis Johnson; publisher: der; writer: Stevie Wonder; publishers: Jobete, Black Bull, Kenji, ASCAP. A &M2325. ASCAP. Tamla 54323 (Motown). Timely lyrics delivered in ROUND TRIP -Lost Inside Of You (3:59); producer: Al Per- Wonder's sensitive vocal style go well with the subtle musical kins; writer: Gary Glenn; publisher: Leeds MCA, Silversun, arrangement of this torchy ballad. ASCAP. MCA 51089. DOTTIE WEST -What Are We Doin' In Love (3:01); produc- CONTROLLERS -I Gambled On Your Love And Lost (3:23); ers; Brent Maher, Randy Goodrum; writer: Randy Goodrum; producer: Frederick Knight; writer: Domenic Troiano; pub- publishers: Chappell, Sailmaker, ASCAP. Liberty 1404 (Capi- lisher: Zingaro, BMI. Juana 1951. tol). West stands her biggest chance so far of having a major pop hit with this duet with Kenny Rogers. The production builds to a climactic conclusion. ANNE MURRAY - Blessed Are The Believers (2:39); pro- ducer: Jim Ed Norman; writers: Black, Bourke, Pinkard; pub- lishers: Chappell, Unichappell, ASCAP BMI. Capitol 4987. Murray's latest is another rueful lament of unrequited love - Country ,,_ exactly the sort of song the singer does best. Like "Broken DOLLY PARTON Hearted Me" and "Lucky Me," the ballad makes you wonder -But You Know I Love You /Poor Folks if Murray's ever going to meet Mr. Right. Town (3:16/2:55); producer: Mike Post; writers: Mike Settle /Dolly Parton; publishers: Tro- Devon /Velvet Apple; JACKSONS -Can You Feel It (3:50); producer: Jacksons; BMI. RCA 12200. Parton continues her crossover trend with writers: M. Jackson, J. Jackson; publishers: Mijac, Siggy, BMI. this lively cover of an old First Edition tune. The flip side car- Epic 1901032. This uptempo rhythmic track is led by in- ries an original, upbeat country number, led by jazzy piano fectious piano chords. The massive orchestration includes a and percussion. full choir and clever use of percussion. OAK RIDGE BOYS -Elvin (2:36); producer: Ron Chancey; FLEETWOOD MAC -The Farmer's Daughter (2:28); pro- writer: Dallas Frazier; publisher: Acuff-Rose, BMI. MCA ducers: Richard Dashut, Ken Caillat, Fleetwood Mac; writer: 51084. Few listeners will be able to resist this standout new Brian Wilson; publisher: Irving, BMI. Warner Bros. 49700. version of the 1966 pop rocker, which gives entirely new di- mensions From the "Fleetwood Mac Live" LP comes this midtempo, ef- to the Oaks' talents. Horns and an irresistible ar- fectively rendered reworking of the Beach Boys tune. rangement with high -beat energy give this group a surefire shot at crossover action. ABBA -Super Trouper (4:09); producers: Benny Anders - DOTTIE WEST -What Are We Doin' In Love (3:01); produc- son, Bjorn Ulvaeus; writers: Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus; ers: Brent Maher /Randy Goodrum; writer: Randy Goodrum; publisher: Countless, BMI. Atlantic 3806. Abba follows the publishers: Chappell / Sailmaker, ASCAP. Liberty 1404. West's top 10 "The Winner Takes It All" with a catchy hook -laden pop leanings of late shine on this vigorous duet with Kenny tune which has been a big international hit. The cut lacks the Rogers. Production begins slowly building to an energetic cli- dramatic tension and compelling storyline that made "Win- max with keyboards, strings and organ. ner" such a treat, but is still a delectable piece of ear candy. STEVE WARINER -By Now (2:53); producer: Tom Collins; recommended writers: Don Pfrimmer /Charles Quillen /Dean Dillon; publish- ers: Pi -Gem, BMI /Chess, ASCAP. RCA JH12204. This mellow ballad PETER ALLEN -One Step Over The Borderline (3:27); pro- is the perfect vehicle for Wariner's clear tones. Lively percussion, ducer: David Foster; writers: Peter Allen, Tom Keane, David steel guitar and smattering of keyboards create interesting Foster; publishers: Irving, Woolnough, Foster Frees, Tomjon, production. BMI. A &M 2303. FREDDIE HART -You're Crazy Man (2:34); producers: Nel- son Larkin, Ribbon /Hartline /Blackwood, Conley; RUPERT HOLMES -I Don't Need You (3:22); producer: Ru- writers: Freddie Hart, Charlie Owens; publishers: pert Holmes; Rupert Holmes; publishers; WB, Holmes Red Ribbon /Hart- line /Blackwood, The technology Line, ASCAP. MCA 51092. BMI. Sunbird SBRP7560. Paced by a slow, ringing acoustic guitar, Hart croons some friend -to- friend ad- our country needs Council f`or SHOES -Karen (2:46); producers; Shoes, Richard Dashut; vice about hanging on to real love. Always one of country's to help solve its most soulful Financial Aid to writer: John Murphy; publisher: Shoesongs, Bug, ASCAP. balladeers, Hart avoids here the vocal mawkish- problems - inflation, ness that occasionally Education, Inc Elektra 47130. tainted some of his earlier works. energy, foreign imports 680 Fifth MARGO SMITH -My Heart Cries For -isn't going to come out LAURA BRANIGAN- Looking Out for Number One (3:45); pro- You (2:52); producer: Avenue. New 1 Wilson; ducers: Ahmet Ertegun, Arif Mardin; writers: Jack Tempchin, Norro writers: Percy Faith, Carl Sigman; publishers: of thin air. York. N.Y. Bill Bodine; publishers: Over the Rainbow, One Time Thing, Major/Bibo /Drolet, ASCAP. Warner Bros. WBS49701. An in- A lot of it's going to come 10019 ASCAP, Council Rock, Dill Dough Bean, BMI. Atlantic 3807. stant classic when it was released in 1950 by Guy Mitchell from our colleges and univer (and immediately covered by three 1 other major artists), this sities. Most of the research 4 OUT OF 5 DOCTORS -Modem Man (3:37); producer: Alan testimony of love is perfect for Smith's importuning style. Vo- ease send me o copy of done in this country is done on Winstanley; writer: J. Severson; publisher: Pebs. Nemperor cal harmonies and a dreamy sax brush on a yesterday glow. .ur booklet: "How to Develop on 601048 (CBS). university campuses. And most of Effective Program of Corporate JOHNNY RUSSELL- Here's To The Horses (3:10); pro- our technology is based on that ISupport for Higher Education:' NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE-Night For Making Love ducer: Jerry Kennedy; writers: Rory Bourke, Gene Dobbins, research. (2:59); producer: Chuck Mellone; writers; J. Dawson, D. Nel- Hugh Moffatt; publishers: Chappell /ASCAP, Rightsong /BMI.