Here’s another edition of going back to the top of the charts. The premise is that an artist had once had commercial success on the Billboard pop charts. After some period, they regain that status. Again, this isn’t about album sales, just what used to be 45s.
It’s Your Thing – The Isley Brothers. A change of labels, from Tamla/Motown, which released This Old Heart of Mine (#12, 1966), to T-Neck, gleaned a #2 hit in 1969.
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson. He WAS busy recording with his brothers between Ben, #1 in 1972, and this track, #1 in 1979.
Dancing Machine – Jackson 5. Never Can Say Goodbye, #2 in 1971. This cut, #2 in 1974.
The River of Dreams – Billy Joel. This #3 hit in 1993 was his first Top 5 since I Didn’t Start the Fire, #1 in 1989.
Candle In The Wind 1997 – Elton John. Another artist with multiple “comebacks”. But his last #1 was Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, way back in 1976. Of course, this special version of the #6 hit in 1988, was #1 for fourteen weeks!
Jazzman – Carole King. It’s Too Late was a #1 in 1971. This was #2 in 1974, and a favorite of Lisa Simpson.
Come Dancing – the Kinks. #6 in 1983. the previous Top 25 was Lola, #9 in 1970.
Neither One Of Us – Gladys Knight and the Pips. The group had two #2 hits with Soul/Motown, this one in 1973 and some grapevine song in 1967.
The ell you say
Is That All There Is – Peggy Lee. At #11 in 1969, her highest-ranked single since Fever, #8 in 1958.
Starting Over – John Lennon. The first single after his hiatus went to #1 posthumously at the end of 1980. Whatever Gets You Through the Night went to #1 in 1974 with the help of Elton John.
Mighty Quinn – Manfred Mann. #10 in 1968, it was the first Top 10 single since Do Wah Diddy Diddy hit #1 in 1964.
Don’t Mess With Bill – The Marvelettes. Like Playboy in 1962, this song also went to #7, in 1966.
Too Much, Too Little, Too Late – Johnny Mathis. #1 in 1978 with Deniece Williams, it was his second #1, after Chances Are in 1957. JFK was President the last time he had had a Top 10 hit.
The Rose – Bette Midler. At #3 in 1980, it was her first Top 10 since Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, #8 in 1973.
Garden Party Garden Party – Rick Nelson. He had 18 Top Ten hits. the 17th was For You, #6 in 1964. This song, #6 in 1972, was the #18 and last.
Don’t Know Much – Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt. This song hit #2 in 1989. Aaron only did that well with Tell It Like It Is in 1967. Linda’s duet with James Ingram was also #2, in 1987. Her previous solo Top 10 was Hurt So Bad, #8 in 1980.
You Got It – Roy Orbison. Posthumously, his first Top 10 song – #9 in 1989 – since his #1 Oh, Pretty Woman in 1964.