The full chart from November 10, 1973 How’s the chart as a whole? Other than a string of variety-show-style pop in the top ten, it’s quite good. This chart marks a high point for funk, largely rooted in the southern … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: November 10, 1973

The full chart from November 7, 1970 How’s the chart as a whole? Shockingly primitive. Perhaps in backlash to hippie excess, this week’s chart (from the earliest days of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40) is loaded with blues-rock growlers and … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: November 7, 1970

The full chart from October 26, 1974 Radio stations playing this episode How’s the chart as a whole? Some critics have argued that 1974 was the worst year in the history of popular music. If you focus solely on the … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: October 26, 1974

The full chart from October 18, 1980: https://weeklytop40.wordpre… How’s the chart as a whole? We conclude our tour through the 80s with a visit to the turn of the decade. A year after Disco Demolition Night, there was still enough disco … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: October 18, 1980

The full chart: https://weeklytop40.wordpre… How’s the chart as a whole? It’s packed with star power. The only true one-hit wonder on this chart is Joyce Kennedy, and even that song was a duet with Jeffrey Osborne. The filler on this chart … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: October 13, 1984

The full chart: http://americantop40.wikia…. How’s the chart as a whole? 1987 is a huge year in pop; an echo of 1984 with blockbuster albums that are really quite good, a crop of breakout stars, and a goldmine of forgotten pop nuggets … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: October 3, 1987

The full chart: https://weeklytop40.wordpress.com/1981/09/26/us-top-40-singles-week-ending-september-26-1981/ How’s the chart as a whole? I regret wasting that F on last week’s chart from 1986. While that chart was full of tacky, disposable music, much of it was at least peppy and listenable. 1981, … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: September 26, 1981

Full chart: https://weeklytop40.wordpre… How’s the chart as a whole? Dreadful. I rate 1986 overall as a middle-of-the-pack 80s year, and I like the day-glo accents and British sophisti-pop that are hallmarks of the year. However, this chart is a showcase for … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: September 13, 1986

The full chart: https://weeklytop40.wordpre… How’s the chart as a whole? Freakin’ fantastic. 1983 is a banner year for pop music. I’m not sure the world of American pop music would ever feel so unified again: the rock of this year swung, … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: September 10, 1983

American Top 40 – September 4, 1982 – Here’s the link to the full chart. How’s the chart as a whole? Along with 1981, 1982 has the feel of a transitional year, with disco finally dead as a doornail and MTV … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: September 4, 1982

The full chart: https://weeklytop40.wordpress.com/1985/08/31/us-top-40-singles-for-the-week-ending-august-31-1985/ For about the last year, I’ve developed a Sunday ritual of listening to the syndicated rebroadcasts of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 countdowns from the 70s and 80s. A list of stations that broadcast the programs can … Continue reading American Top 40 Flashback: August 31, 1985