Day 193: Patti Austin & James Ingram - Baby Come To Me
When originally released as a single in early 1982, the song only had modest success, only reaching #73 on the Billboard charts despite featuring two proven vocalists and having been produced by Quincy Jones. Enter General Hospital. When used during that season as a love theme for Luke Spencer, ABC received so much interest in the song that Warner Brothers re-released it and it went to #1 on the Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary Charts in early 1983. Oh, and who’s ubiquitous warbling is that on the chorus? You betcha…Michael McDonald
Day 191: Huey Lewis & the News - Do You Believe in Love
Written by legendary producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange for their second album Picture This, the News had their breakout hit with this single in May of 1982. Hitting #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, the video received heavy rotation in the early days of MTV, giving both the band and the song a boost in popularity.
In 1982, Jackson Browne stumbled on the biggest hit of his career when his contribution to the soundtrack for the film Fast Times at Ridgemont Highhit #7 on the US pop charts. The song was written by Browne and guitarist Danny Kortchmar, who also wrote songs for James Taylor, Carly Simon and Don Henley. This song would be the last top ten hit for Browne, who also produced the track.
Day 177: Bertie Higgins - Just Another Day in Paradise
The title track and second single from Higgins’ 1982 debut album was also his second biggest hit, making it to #10 on the adult contemporary charts and #46 on the US pop charts. The Floridian singer-songwriter failed to follow up on his debut’s success, and this would be his last appearance on the pop charts, though he did make it onto the country charts a couple of times in the late 80s. I really enjoy that the description for this video is, “Live in the 80s at a country club.” That pretty much says it all.
The biggest hit of Davis’s career, “‘65 Love Affair” spent two weeks at #6 on the US pop charts in 1982. The song was taken from his 1981 album Cool Night. Davis wrote the song and co-produced the album with Ed Seay, who has also worked on records for Peabo Bryson, Brick and Marie Osmond.
1982 saw the release of Bill LaBounty’s self-titled fourth album, with “Never Gonna Look Back” as the album’s sole single. The song reached #22 on the adult contemporary charts, but failed to break the top 100 on the US pop charts. Bill, who has written songs for Peter Cetera, Bobby Caldwell and Robbie Dupree, co-wrote this tune with famed songwriter Cynthia Weil, whose credits include “On Broadway”, “We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” Production duties were handled by Russ Titelman, known for his work with Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, James Taylor and more.
In 1982, Michael McDonald released his first solo album, If That’s What it Takes, and subsequently released this song as the album’s second single. Another writing collaboration between McDonald and Kenny Loggins, Michael only made it to #44 on the US pop charts with his version. The song was produced by the Doobie’s producer Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker, who also worked with James Taylor, Maria Muldaur and Gordon Lightfoot. The track features Steve Gadd on drums and Toto’s Steve Lukather on guitar as well as Loggins singing background vocals.
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