Thirty Years Ago, January 1st, 1980, the weekly 1050 Chum top 30 chart is clogged with pop rock tunes with the one-off new wave tune making it in by mistake. It's just under 2 years from new wave/pop hits pushing out the classic rock from the charts. The city is Toronto. There is no internet. Computers are called Pets. The concept of an import record is rare. Vinyl and Cassette tapes are the medium. Radio dominates what we listen too. For us, illegal downloading is taping songs off the radio onto maxell cassette tapes. I'm nine years old and haven't even discovered what music is. It won't be until about 1981 that a punk rock chick named Joan Jett belts out I Love Rock and Roll on a friends portable cassette player as we play ball hockey on the street. This will be the beginning of me being sucked into pop music culture and discovering the historic 1050 Chum chart. Which then led to trips to Sam the Record Man, A&As, and Music World to track down the latest 7 Inch record or the full length cassette tape. The chart has been around for years but for me this is about the eighties. Follow along as we see the likes of the Thompson Twins, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Culture Club, Naked Eyes, OMD, Men At Work, Howard Jones, Michael Jackson, Men Without Hats, Duran Duran, Wham, Split Enz and Madonna dominate the charts. This is the 80s.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday December 10, 1983 Thirty Years Later

I have fallen a week behind. Please bare with me as I catch up. Last week was quite dull anyways. No change at the top and no change to the top 5 other than Billy and Spandau Ballet switching spots.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Genesis - That's All December 10, 1983 Entry 3/3

Three of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday December 10, 1983 at number 27. Genesis with That's All. Taken from the album Genesis.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTdU9m3nhu8


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues December 10, 1983 Entry 2/3

Two of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday December 10, 1983 at number 28. Elton John with I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues. Taken from the album Too Low For Zero.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6KYAVn8ons


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Juluka - Scatterlings Of Africa December 10, 1983 Entry 1/3

One of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday December 10, 1983 at number 30. Juluka with Scatterlings Of Africa. Taken from the album Scatterlings. Interesting that this album came out in 1982 and the single hits the charts a year later.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpu6dYfZWpY


Thursday, December 5, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday December 3, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Lionel Richie takes a third week at the top. Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson move into the top 5 after six weeks on the chart. Talking Heads aren't able to crack the top 2 with their epic track Burning Down The House. and it falls to the 6th spot. Big Country stays locked in the 5th spot.


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Olivia Newton-John - Twist Of Fate Saturday December 3, 1983 Entry 2/2

Two of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday December 3, 1983 at number 27. Olivia Newton-John Twist Of Fate. Taken from the soundtrack Two of a Kind.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2hawbp5XT4

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Spandau Ballet - Gold December 3, 1983 Entry 1/2

One of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday December 3, 1983 at number 29. Spandau Ballet with Gold. Taken from the album True.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntG50eXbBtc

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday November 26, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Another week for Lionel Richie at the top of the chart. Talking Heads can't push forward past Spandau Ballet. Billy Joel and Big Country crash into the top 5 though. David Bowie and the Fixx start their decent off the chart. The Fixx especially who get booted from number 5 to 14.


The Police - Synchronicity II November 26, 1983 Entry 2/2

Two of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 26, 1983 at number 29. The Police with Synchronicity II. Taken from the album Synchronicity.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buadfz2qcbY

Monday, November 25, 2013

Peter Schilling - Major Tom (Coming Home) November 26, 1983 Entry 1/2

One of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 26, 1983 at number 30. Peter Schilling with Major Tom (Coming Home). Taken from the album Error In The System.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVPfg07q6A

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday November 19, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Lionel Richie knocks Spandau Ballet out of the number one spot. No new entries into the top 5 this week. Burning Down The House will try to knock Lionel out next week but I have a feeling Lionel won't let that happen.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Rolling Stones - Undercover Of The Night November 19, 1983 Entry 4/4

Fourth of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 25. Rolling Stones with Undercover Of The Night. Taken from the album Undercover.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVJkfXeTs9Q

Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart November 19, 1983 Entry 3/4

Third of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 28. Yes with Owner Of A Lonely Heart. Taken from the album 90125.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vV_L7OQtU0

Sunday, November 17, 2013

The Stray Cats - I Won't Stand In Your Way November 19, 1983 Entry 2/4

Second of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 29. The Stray Cats with I Won't Stand In Your Way. Taken from the album Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS3YZcietNU

Irene Cara - Why Me November 19, 1983 Entry 1/4

One of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 30. Irene Cara with Why Me. Taken from the album What A Feelin'.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXUasG027hY