8 of the 80s: 2/27/14 (1981)...

It's 80's throwback time, and this week I'm back to 1981, the year the Wojciech Jaruzelski becomes the last communist head of state in Poland, lasting until the rise of the Solidarity movement under  Lech Walesa. (I've included highlighted links to buy anything on CD or MP3)...

Olivia Newton-John - "Physical"
from the album Physical (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriters: Steve Kipner, Terry Shaddick

At one time the record-holder for most weeks at #1 in the pop era, this sultry number by the former "Sandy" from Grease even included a nod to her gay fanbase, comic as it is...

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Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio - "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)"
from the album A Woman Needs Love (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
Songwriter: Ray Parker Jr.

Parker's biggest hit with his former band came right before he left for a solo career, eventually bustin' some ghosts for a #1.

The Moody Blues - "Gemini Dream"
from the album Long Distance Voyager (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
Songwriters: Justin Hayward, John Lodge

The progressive yet sometimes psychedelic rock band got a fresh start at the beginning of the 80s with his post-disco jam that still rocks on a car stereo in the way ELO does.

Tierra - "Together"
from the album City Nights (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18
Songwriters: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff

Originally the vocal group The Intruders had a "robbed hit" with this song in 1967, stalling at #47, but this L.A. Latin soul group revived it for a slow dance classic in 1981.

Rosanne Cash - "Seven Year Ache"
from the album Seven Year Ache (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #22
Songwriter: Rosanne Cash

Johnny's daughter proved she wasn't just a legacy act with her first of a string of #1 country hits, written and produced by the singer.

Donnie Iris - "Ah! Leah!"
from the album Back On The Streets (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #29
Songwriters: Mark Avsec, Donnie Iris

Flawless. Absolute perfection. One of my top five favorite pop songs of all time. I could listen to this on a loop for a year and still be in love with it. If music was my religion as a child, this was my Ave Maria.

Kool & The Gang - "Jones Vs. Jones"
from the album Celebrate! (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #39
Songwriters: Robert Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Robert Mickens, Claydes Smith, James JT Taylor, Dennis Thomas, Earl Toon, Eumir Deodato

The Jersey City funk/pop giants go all Kramer vs Kramer on this nugget that was way overshadowed by previous single "Celebration".

Devo - "Working In The Coal Mine"
from the album Heavy Metal (Original Soundtrack) (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #43
Songwriter: Allen Toussaint

The top-ten pop and soul hit from Lee Dorsey in 1966 got an overhaul by the new wave pioneers for the cult classic Heavy Metal movie. Guitar/keyboardist Bob Casale passed away just over a week ago, while singer Mark Mothersbaugh scored the box office hit The LEGO Movie.

That's all for tonight...I'll return tomorrow with another Song of the Day and my top 100 tunes from the week.... thanks for droppin' by!