Popdose - Latest Comments in Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Stegardone — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 14:53:50 -0000

help!

I am looking for a song from the eighties...the only thing I have is a lyric, which went something like this...

"...we're not getting any closer...we're not getting anywhere..."

It was sort of techno/ electronic sounding song...something like club dance, you could say...

stegardone@yahoo.com if u can help...

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Christopher Elliott — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:05:39 -0000

The whole story on Shamus M'Cool sounds wrong on several issues in regards to how Billboard compiled the chart in 1981. Beginning in the late 70s and continuing until the early 90s, Billboard had a policy that all potential Hot 100 records had to meet a minimum airplay criteria in order to chart. This was an effort to combat the two practices of Payola (labels playing stations to play a song) and Paper Adds (Stations listing a song on their playlists even though they weren't playing it.) Througout most of the 80s, this criteria was that singles had to be listed on at least 10 reporting stations playlists and derive at least 120 of its total points from airplay in order to debut. Because of this criteria, this is why debuts from 91-100 were so rare in the late 70s to late 80s, as when a single obtained the necessary airplay standards, it could debut at #90 or higher. Songs 91-100 were usually composed of older songs still showing some sales.
Also for newer songs, sales were usually negligible, although there were exceptions. Most debuts on the Hot 100 were from 100% or nearly 100% airplay. As Billboard's 1970s chart editor pointed out - airplay gets a song on the Hot 100, airplay and sales combined moves it up.
Taken all together, plus realizing that Shamus' M'Cool's only other chart hit was a Christmas records, it seems his record was popular on a few reporting stations due to Independence Day. A look at Billboard's radio playlist in its July 4, 1981 issue reveals the following stations adding it to their playlists :KGW-Portland, WDRQ-Detroit, WGCL-Cleveland, KVIL-Dallas. So there's at least 4 stations we know having it on their playlists. Others added it before but Billboard's radio chart only lists a stations adds and biggest upward movers.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Brett Alan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:42:11 -0000

If they can't get it to you, email me at my screenname at gmail and I can send it.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Frank — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:38:35 -0000

Dave, you have to repost Shamus M'Cool for us! I'm dying to hear this atrocity now.

I actually own the Billboard that contains that ad for "American Memories". I've never thrown away a copy of Billboard that I've purchased. I bought my first one in July 1979 and thank goodness I didn't buy them too often after 1985. I'd be out of room in my house.

I LOVE "Just Like Paradise" by Larry John McNally. I bought that 45 the same day that I bought "Just For The Moment" by Ray Kennedy on 45. It was a great day. :)

Okay, this is really crazy - I saw the note about "Just Like Paradise" having a skip at 1:17. Dave, you have MY mp3 of this song!!! I made the mp3 from my 45 after I bought it. My mp3 skips at the exact same point, and I know I made it. Napster was mighty powerful back in the day, apparently! LOL

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

sven86 — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:21:38 -0000

That Larry John McNally song is true Westcoast/AOR classic!

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Chris X — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:02:08 -0000

I didnt chime in on last week's list, for some reason (lots of preparation for a new DJ gig, too much downloading and burning, not enough browsing last week) so I feel the need to speak on a couple things.

Gerard McMann- not digging this song here, but "Cry Little Sister" is one of the greatest pieces of music of all time (so much so apparently, that McMann is releasing a book about the song, just put out a new remix of it, and is touring on the recognition of that song alone(and dressing goth(yes, even at his age) and playing creepy dark industrial stuff to hook all the vampire kids that still worship Lost Boys) Questionable life choices aside, I open every single DJ set of mine with it. And could watch Lost Boys once a day every day for the rest of my miserable life.

Meco - this stuff is campy and downright near-awful, but I have it in my collection simply because I'm one of those horrible obsessed Star Wars fans. also HOW THE FUCK HAVE YOU NEVER SEEN ANY OF THEM? DUDE.

And I love a good Rickroll. The best/worst was the day after Michael Jackson's death, a "Rick Astley found dead" headline started making its way around. Man...

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

tdolbyfan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:50:57 -0000

sorry steed didn't see it there. this song somehow has grown on me a lot. I had no clue Shamus was white. weird.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

ElCartero — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:59:45 -0000

More Billboard from Google Books:
http://books.google.com/boo...
This is the 7/4/81 issue: the week "American Memories" hit the chart. Check out pages 18-26, which give a partial overview of playlist activity from Hot 100 reporting stations. The record was getting played (or at least listed) in some major markets - Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland, Portland OR - and was one of the top "Breakouts" in the Southwest region. So it wasn't just El Ay. Gads, what a MOR-ridden landscape, though: Air Supply, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Joey Scarbury. This song fit in there better than one might expect.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

kingofgrief — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:39:30 -0000

"Next week we..take a look at the artist with the biggest drop-off from good to total crap."

Having finally read your Bottom 80s anti-chart, I have a sneaking suspicion about the identity of the culprit. I can feel it in my pompatus.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Brett Alan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:00:26 -0000

Kim Wilde did a Christmas single with Mel Smith, the British comedian (he's the albino with the wheelbarrow in The Princess Bride) that was billed as "Mel & Kim", hence Ron's confusion. But that of course was after this (and kind of a reference to this).

"Showing Out" is one of my fave dance singles. BTW. Larry John McNally recorded "The Motown Song" for the soundtrack of Quicksilver before Rod Stewart did it (rather than writing it just for Stewart). His version was more slow and mellow.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

kingofgrief — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:46:45 -0000

I was actually reminded of Mr. Fisher's gifts by the folks at Rifftrax a few months ago; I used to see clips on The Daily Show in the Craig Kilborn era. I've been threatening to order both his CD and DVD since April, but other temptations have gotten in the way.

Seriously, "Ewok Celebration" 12"? Me wanty. I'm just wired that way.

Stay fresh!

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

Bob — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:59:55 -0000

You hate “American Pie" and have never seen one "Star Wars" movie? I don't know how old you are, Dave, but there might be only 10 or 20 people in this country over the age of 40 that can make that claim!

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

rwcass — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:05:38 -0000

Is the bonus track by Thomas Dolby?

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

steed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:33:17 -0000

Holy crap - how come I never thought of this technique before?

But then do I owe something to everyone that chipped in $10? I can only be a wingman so many times.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

steed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:30:20 -0000

Ha. Last week my buddy said to me that the Rickroll was so old and played out at this point that it just may sound fresh again. And it did. I'm happy. Though I still think quite a few people haven't figured out the real song is in the post!!!

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

steed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:25:10 -0000

I'm sure it's tough to find for that collector who's only here to take that song.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

steed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:21:03 -0000

Holy crap. I was not aware of this. The link worked - I've never seen this before. Thanks for passing it along. Looks like I have to dig up the issue and buy it now.

American Humor was the B-side to the 45 actually.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

JonCummings — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:45:21 -0000

I bet if every person who reads this column chips in $10 ... Steed could someday have a physical copy of "American Memories" to hold in his hands. Tell ya what! I'll collect the money and pass it on to him! Send your checks to Jon Cummings, 1279 Willowgr.........

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

DwDunphy — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:33:28 -0000

Bwaahhh haaahhh haaahhhh!!!

Awesomeness in digital form, Mr. Steed. I laughed, I cried, I schvitzed.

But the saddest part of it was when I finally heard the real "American Memories" and prayed it would revert to the RickRoll.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

The Flyin Hawaiian UK — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:51:04 -0000

I don't know if you're aware of this, but a lot of backissues of Billboard magazine are available for viewing via Google Books. The July 25, 1981 issue has a full-page ad for Mr. M'Cool, picture and everything:

http://tinyurl.com/lvqfhx (Please don't hurt me if the link doesn't quite work--Google books is odd.)

My guess it was released to cash in on the 4th of July?

There's also an ad in the December 12 issue thanking him for "the success of his two records, 'American Memories' and 'American Humor'". I think "American Humor" was the LP?

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

tdolbyfan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:49:57 -0000

The bonus track is awesome. I might of liked it better somewhere else. As a matter of fact it made me laugh at first. Do you have an mp3 of American Memories? (if not it'll be pretty funny when all this collectors looking for this song find Rick Astley)

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

arensb — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:43:33 -0000

Gotta give it to Steed. 58 posts just to set that up. That's some dedication. But a lot of music, both good and bad, so it's worth it.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

steed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:52:20 -0000

Thanks. Glad people got some enjoyment out of it.

Rock Court Shamus M'Cool?

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

steed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:50:52 -0000

At this point, I kind of like the song. In context of this series, it's nowhere near the bottom.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58

steed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:49:16 -0000

Thanks John - I kept looking at the record cover wondering how much plastic surgery Ms. Wilde had done.