Number One! I’ve always loved the sound of that.
It’s
such a catchy
term in our culture: the #1 movie or book, your best friend, your favorite restaurant
or store and of course, the ultimate, the #1 hit single! Ever since I can remember
I’ve been obsessed with music charts. On Sundays growing up in Joliet,
Illinois I would rush home after church to listen to Casey Kasem’s Top
40 on the radio, diligently writing down each hit in my composition notebook,
completely mesmerized
by the time we hit #1! There was also this awesome record store in town called
The Crow’s Nest that would have these free pink photocopied flyers of the
chart listings from the local radio station that I would collect obsessively.
I was hooked! So I thought I would share my obsession with the #1 hit singles
from my favorite decade, the 80’s, here with you at fredflare.com. Over
the next 11 weeks I’ll be reminiscing while presenting the best of the
best
of the decade of decadence. I’m sure you’ll see ones that you think
are missing – and it’s true, there are some great hits that will
be absent – but they just didn’t have the power needed to make it
all the way to #1. That’s what it takes to be a true chart topper! Enjoy!
XXOO Chris
1990 The 80’s officially ended for me on one
of those freaky hot April days in Chicago. You know the kind, the trees and flowers
are barely blooming and, all of a sudden, the temperature skyrockets. Windows
fly open and everyone rushes outside wearing shorts for the first time that year.
I was off to my Aunt Laurie’s house for a birthday party. This was going
to be the perfect setting to spring the whole "France" thing on my
parents. How could they say "No!" in front of the whole family? That
was my plan. But oh, I was so nervous that day! I waited for the party to wind
down and held my breath until everyone had eaten and coffee talk had begun. My
moment had finally arrived. "Hey, Mom and Dad, can I go to France next year
to study?" Their reaction was exactly as I had imagined it would be. Dad
just sort of… yelled and Mom began every sentence with "Now, Chris…!" It
looked hopeless, but I had back-up. Aunts Laurie, Cindy and Boo took over for
me and within a half hour of making my parents feel like mean, awful people,
the ladies had achieved the impossible. I was going to France! I couldn’t
believe it. That night I drove back to the dorms along Lake Shore Drive. I rolled
down all the windows and let the warm wind rush in. "Angel" by the
Eurythmics was on the car stereo, Chicago’s majestic skyline unfolded in
front of me and, then and there, I fell in love with being alive for perhaps
the first time in my life. "Angel" wasn’t much of a chartopper
but whenever I hear it I remember that feeling of complete happiness, relief
and excitement. I’ll always cherish that moment. A few weeks later it was
the end of the school year. I was up in my dorm room studying for exams when
all of a sudden…eyes covered, DARK, bag on my head, hands on my shoulders,
someone’s got my legs, up in the air, SWOOSH, BUMP, OUCH, laughing, down
the stairs, CRASH, BUMP, OUCH, more laughing, SHOOSH, dropped to the floor, bag
off…SURPRISE! It was my going away party thrown by Theresa (See 1988) and
Tyler (1989). Gosh, I was gonna miss them all so much. Emilee was at the party
too. If she only knew the plans I had in store for her… Well, school ended,
I said my tearful goodbyes and plowed full force into my summer work schedule
to get cash for Europe. I had a tuition waver from school but I still needed
some play dough. I ended up getting a summer job at a small architecture firm
in Joliet and, of course, I worked for Dad’s carnival on the weekends.
It was summer fun, counting down the days for my departure. And summer lovin’,
too. Had me a blast! I even strayed a bit from my Emilee obsession. I was on
vacation, after all. I had a mini-crush on a girl, Maria Rafac, who I worked
with at the office. I also had a crush on a boy, Brian Atwood, who now works
for Donatella. Not bad. And I had a big crush on Madonna. Duh. I saw her Blonde
Ambition tour twice that summer at the Rosemont Horizon. I even bought a ponytail
extension so I could get that "I Dream of Genie" look. When September
came I was all crushed out and ready for my departure. The day of my flight,
I was so excited I could hardly stand it!!! My mom, on the other hand, was crying.
She and my Dad wouldn’t even park the car and wait with me for my plane!
So I got dropped off, waved goodbye, checked my luggage and I was now French!
The gate was like a big party. All my classmates who I hadn’seen since
May were there with their friends and family saying their last goodbyes. I had
no one, so I decided I would hang out with – you guessed it – Emilee.
She looked stunning. My foolproof plan was beginning to unfold. Oddly enough,
Emilee had run into an old friend from high school at our gate named Keith. He
was seeing off a mutual friend. I would meet him again many years later, but
that’s another long, long story… "Now boarding Air France, Flight
152!" Well, readers, what happens next? I kinda can’t tell you, as
this is my cliffhanger, but Cher did win the Oscar! Thanks everyone for reading.
I had so much fun and I hope you did, too! Stay tuned for another season of Chartoppers,
90’s style! (Coming sometime soon…) But, I just have one thing left
to say…Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it! Strike a pose,
there’s nothing to it. "Vogue!"
Love, Chris
the #1's
Because I Love You (The Postman Song) - Stevie B
Black Cat - Janet Jackson
Black Velvet - Alannah Myles
Blaze Of Glory - Jon Bon Jovi
Close To You - Maxi Priest
Escapade - Janet Jackson
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael Bolton
I Don't Have The Heart - James Ingram
Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice
If Wishes Came True - Sweet Sensation
I'll Be Your Everything - Tommy Page
I'm Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston
It Must Have Been Love – Roxette
Love And Affection – Nelson
Love Takes Time - Mariah Carey
Love Will Lead You Back - Taylor Dayne
Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
Opposites Attract - Paula Abdul With The Wild Pair
Praying For Time - George Michael
Release Me - Wilson Phillips
She Ain't Worth It - Glenn Medeiros Featuring Bobby Brown
Step By Step - The New Kids On The Block
Vision Of Love - Mariah Carey
Vogue - Madonna
