It went to number 1, that’s where. After three years without a big hit, The Supremes went all the way to the top in 1964. The song struck a chord in the United States, and the group would become the most successful chart-topping American popular music group of the 1960s. “Where Did Our Love Go” was the first of five Supremes songs in a row to reach number 1 (the others being “Baby Love”, “Come See About Me”, “Stop! In the Name of Love”, and “Back in My Arms Again”) The Supremes would land seven more number 1 hits, for a total of 12. And you thought big hair was an eighties thing….
On 20 August 1982, 40 years ago, Dexys Midnight Runners topped the UK chart. The band’s name was inspired by the amphetamine drug Dexedrine, which is commonly known as “Dexys.” The band itself steered away from drinking and drugs, saying nothing should interfere with their dedication to music. Come On Eileen was based on a true story. Eileen was a girl that Dexys lead singer Kevin Rowland grew up with. Their relationship became romantic when the pair were 13. The song also made it to number one in numerous other countries including the USA where it knocked Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean off the top spot. Much of the success for “Eileen” in America can be attributed to its video, which got constant airplay on MTV and remains one of the most memorable video clips of the era. Most videos at the time were slick productions featuring impossibly pretty people in exotic locations, making Dexys’ video was delightfully different, with the overall-clad band acting out the love story on a gritty street.
Pop band (and siblings) Echosmith might be best known for the song “Cool Kids” which charted around the world in 2013. They grew up in a musical household playing multiple instruments throughout their childhood and have mentioned that they were influenced by numerous bands including Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Echo & The Bunnymen and Joy Division. Their 2013 debut album Talking Dreams was followed by a number of Eps and promotional singles. A second album, Lonely Generation, arrived in 2020. Echosmith’s new single, released recently, is a simple love song told from the perspective of someone expressing their desires to be around their love interest. “Hang Around” is new this week on RadiJohan.
The Night Chicago Died by “Paper Lace was their follow-up to Billy Don’t Be a Hero and hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1974. It also topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand. The song tells a story about the notorious gangster Al Capone and his men having a shootout out with the police. There has been plenty of debate as to whether or not the story is true. However the song’s co-writer, Mitch Murray, has stated that the song was a work of fiction.
| TW | LW | Artist | Title |
| 10 | New | James LaBrie | Am I Right |
| 9 | New | Gilbert O’Sullivan ft KT Tunstall | Take Love |
| 8 | New | Alan Parsons ft David Pack & Joe Bonamassa | I Won’t Be Led Astray |
| 7 | 8 | Journey | You Got The Best of Me |
| 6 | 9 | Chicago | If This is Goodbye |
| 5 | 1 | FM | The Long Road Home |
| 4 | 5 | Blossoms | The Sulking poet |
| 3 | 4 | The New Shining | Alien |
| 2 | 2 | Night Traveler | Blue Eyes |
| 1 | 3 | Sweet | Defender |
Click here to watch the RadiJohan Top 10 on YouTube.
The Clarisse sisters are three sisters from Mauritius who started singing professionally in 1986. After 23 years as backing vocalists for major artists from England, they launched their solo career in 2015 with their first album “Kaleidoscope.” Their music is a blend of soul, jazz and pop. In February this year The Clarisse Sisters released their second album Fire & Ice. The single “Gravity” is new this week on RadiJohan.
Canadian singer and songwriter is best known as the lead singer of American progressive metal band Dream Theater. LaBrie is widely known for his lyric tenor style singing voice and throughout his career with Dream Theater he has lent his voice to many other artists’ records. His latest solo album, “Beautiful Shade of Grey” was released in May. The single “Am I Right” is a beautiful ballad and is new this week on RadiJohan.
On the 12th and 13th of August 1989 the two day Moscow Music Peace Festival was held at The Lenin Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Western Acts who appeared included Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Skid Row and The Scorpions. This was the first time that an audience had been allowed to stand up and dance at a stadium rock concert in the Soviet Union. Previous to this, people at all concerts had to be seated. Of course Russia’s own hard rockers “Gorky Park” also played.
The second single from Canadian band Arcade Fire’s sixth studio album “WE” has been released. The band’s Frontman, Win Butler, said that the song “is a reminder, a lullaby for the end times, sung to my son, but for everyone… Trust your heart, trust your mind, trust your body, trust your soul. Shit is going to get worse before it gets better, but it always gets better, and no one’s perfect. Let me say it again. No one’s perfect.” Unconditional I (Lookout Kid) is new this week on RadiJohan.
| TW | LW | Artist | Title |
| 10 | 5 | Visions Of Atlantis | Melancholy Angel |
| 9 | New | Chicago | If This is Goodbye |
| 8 | New | Journey | You Got The Best of Me |
| 7 | 3 | Muse | Will of The People |
| 6 | 2 | Madrugada | Help Yourself To Me |
| 5 | 10 | Blossoms | The Sulking poet |
| 4 | 8 | The New Shining | Alien |
| 3 | 6 | Sweet | Defender |
| 2 | 4 | Night Traveler | Blue Eyes |
| 1 | 1 | FM | The Long Road Home |