1982 #1: fodder for Weird Al

As I looked at the 1982 #1 hits on the Billboard singles chart, two things occurred to me. One was that I’m positive I own at least 14 of these 15 songs, usually on greatest hits albums or compilations, even though there are a few I don’t particularly like. I’m not sure of the Vangelis track. The other is that a few of them were parodied by Weird Al Yankovic.

I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 7 weeks at #1, platinum record. A song originally performed by a group called the Arrows. Weird Al parody: I Love Rocky Road
Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder, 7 weeks at #1, gold record

Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor, 6 weeks at #1, double platinum record. The theme to the movie Rocky III, which like its predecessors, I did see. Weird Al parody: Theme From Rocky XIII (The Rye or the Kaiser)
Centerfold – The J. Geils Band, 6 weeks at #1, gold record

Maneater – Daryl Hall and John Oates, 4 weeks at #1, gold record. Weird Al parody: Spameater, which was not commercially released.
Jack and Diane – John Cougar, 4 weeks at #1, gold record. Weird Al parody, sort of: Buckingham Blues.

Don’t You Want Me – The Human League, 3 weeks at #1, gold record
Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, 3 weeks at #1, platinum record. Used in the movie An Officer and A Gentleman, which I saw at the time. Jennifer Warnes’ Famous Blue Raincoat is a great album of Leonard Cohen covers.

Abracadabra – the Steve Miller Band, 2 weeks at #1, gold record. Album cut.
Hard To Say I’m Sorry – Chicago, 2 weeks at #1, gold record
Truly – Lionel Richie, 2 weeks at #1, gold record

A single week at #1

I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) – Daryl Hall and John Oates, gold record; Album cut 
Mickey – Toni Basil, platinum record. Weird Al parody: Ricky, based on I Love Lucy
Who Can It Be Now – Men At Work
Chariots Of Fire: Titles  – Vangelis. The only instrumental on the list. I saw the movie with my girlfriend and her son right after it won the Oscar, and we were disappointed. “That was Best Picture?” I probably should watch it again. 

Author: Roger

I'm a librarian. I hear music, even when it's not being played. I used to work at a comic book store, and it still informs my life. I won once on JEOPARDY! - ditto. View all posts by Roger