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, August 27, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday August 27, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Bonnie Tyler holds onto the top spot for a second week in a row. Michael Sembello's Maniac streaks into the second spot though after only 4 weeks. Bowie, The Police, and the Kinks round out the top 5. Unfortunately Our House doesn't get a shot at the top and is sent down the chart with Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Eddy Grant - I Don't Wanna Dance August 27, 1983 Entry 4/4

Fourth of four songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 27, 1983 at number 27. Eddy Grant with I Don't Wanna Dance. Taken from the album Killer On The Rampage.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9de6jeOevi8

Elton John - Kiss The Bride August 27, 1983 Entry 3/4

Third of four songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 27, 1983 at number 28. Elton John with Kiss The Bride. Taken from the album Too Low For Zero.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Od2zFk1as

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Police - King Of Pain August 27, 1983 Entry 2/4

Second of four songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 27, 1983 at number 29. The Police with Synchronicity. Taken from the album Synchronicity.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mgSCKXSp9M

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Tim Finn - Through The Years August 27, 1983 Entry 1/4

One of four songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 27, 1983 at number 30. Tim Finn with Through The Years. Taken from the album Escapade.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I1UPosNa8M

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday August 20, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Eddy Grant's massive anthem finally gets dethroned. Bonnie Tyler moves into the top spot with Madness pushing forward into the third spot also. David Bowie lands into the top 5 with China Girl. Michael Sembello's Maniac edges up to 6 after only 3 weeks on the chart. Will he make a run for the top spot next week?

Monday, August 19, 2013

Naked Eyes - Promises Promises August 20, 1983 Entry 3/3

Third of three songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 20, 1983 at number 27. Naked Eyes with Promises Promises. Taken from the album Burning Bridges.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWNJlc-IylY

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Bryan Adams - This Time August 20, 1983 Entry 2/3

Second of three songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 20, 1983 at number 28. Bryan Adams with This Time. Taken from the album Cuts Like A Knife.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqxLt5KWDik

Friday, August 16, 2013

Payolas - Never Said I Loved You August 20, 1983 Entry 1/3

One of three songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 20, 1983 at number 29. Payolas with Never Said I Loved You. Taken from the album Hammer On A Drum. Guest vocals by Carole Pope. Nice!!!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxcieByT28

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday August 13, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Hard to believe Eddy held out at the top of the chart for a 5th week. Loved Electric Avenue though. Bonnie Tyler looks like she may shake it up at the top next week as she lands at number 2. Madness also crash into the top 5 only 6 weeks in.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Michael Jackson - Human Nature August 13, 1983 Entry 1/1

One of one songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 13, 1983 at number 28. Michael Jackson with Human Nature. Taken from the album Thriller. This was the fourth single released from Thriller.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrdaq63E9rc

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday August 6, 1983 Thirty Years Later

The top 5 moves this week but Eddy Grant remains at the top for a 4th week. The Police's Every Breath You take stays at number 2. Duran Duran, Bonnie Tyler and The Maisonettes crash into the top 5. The only outfit that I think could give Eddy a run next week is Bonnie.

Monday, August 5, 2013

The Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) August 6, 1983 Entry 2/2

Second of two songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 6, 1983 at number 29. Eurythmics with Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This). Taken from the album Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This). Moving On!!!

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

Quarterflash - Take Me To Heart August 06, 1983 Entry 1/2

One of two songs to enter the 1050 chum charts on Saturday August 6, 1983 at number 30. Quarterflash with Take Me To Heart. Taken from the album Take Another Picture.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnfryoGog0A