Charlie's 80s Blog

This Day In 80s Music, June 12th

On this day in 1982: Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and Gary ‘US’ Bonds all appeared at a rally for nuclear disarmament in Central Park, New York to over 450,000 fans.

Also on this day in 1982: Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder started their fifth of SEVEN weeks at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Ebony and Ivory.” The song would not give up the #1 spot until July 3, 1982 when ‘Don’t You Want Me’ by The Human League would finally take over the #1 position. Even though ‘Ebony and Ivory’ spent seven weeks at #1, it would be ranked the #4 song for the year of 1982 behind ‘Physical’ by Olivia Newton John (#1), ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor (#2), and ‘I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll’ by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (#3). ‘Ebony and Ivory’ would also be ranked the #14 song for the entire 1980s decade by Billboard Magazine. It was the lead single from McCartney’s album ‘Tug Of War.’ Written by McCartney, the song aligns the black and white keys of a piano keyboard with the theme of racial harmony.

Here’s a look at the complete Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1982:

1 1 EBONY AND IVORY –•– Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder (Columbia)-10 (5 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 DON’T TALK TO STRANGERS –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-15 (2)
3 6 DON’T YOU WANT ME –•– The Human League (A&M)-15 (3)
4 5 THE OTHER WOMAN –•– Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista)-13 (4)
5 7 ALWAYS ON MY MIND –•– Willie Nelson (Columbia)-15 (5)
6 8 HEAT OF THE MOMENT –•– Asia (Geffen)-9 (6)
7 10 ROSANNA –•– Toto (Columbia)-9 (7)
8 11 CRIMSON AND CLOVER –•– Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Boardwalk)-7 (8)
9 4 867-5309/JENNY –•– Tommy Tutone (Columbia)-21 (4)
10 12 IT’S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE –•– Deniece Williams (ARC)-11 (10)

11 3 I’VE NEVER BEEN TO ME –•– Charlene (Duncan) (Motown)-18 (3)
12 17 BODY LANGUAGE –•– Queen (Elektra)-7 (12)
13 16 MAKING LOVE –•– Roberta Flack (Atlantic)-15 (13)
14 14 MAN ON YOUR MIND –•– Little River Band (Capitol)-11 (14)
15 18 LOVE’S BEEN A LITTLE BIT HARD ON ME –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-6 (15)
16 19 LET IT WHIP –•– The Dazz Band (Motown)-8 (16)
17 20 HURTS SO GOOD –•– John Cougar (Riva)-8 (17)
18 9 ’65 LOVE AFFAIR –•– Paul Davis (Arista)-16 (6)
19 13 EMPTY GARDEN (Hey Hey Johnny) –•– Elton John (Geffen)-13 (13)
20 24 CAUGHT UP IN YOU –•– 38 Special (A&M)-7 (20)

signature

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top