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Sunday, December 18, 2005
Turntable hits
By Skip the Beat
Skipo Jack
MY RADIO trainor Mike Balbin a.k.a. George Michael had always told us--his proteges--that we must not mistake the turntable hits from the hits as they are charted on different radio music survey based on sales, airplay and requests. He named a few and I remember just only one. The turntable hits, a term coined by discjockeys, are the usually requested favorites of listeners or the playlist entries played time and again by the dj's who appreciate them.
In Davao by the way, back in the 80's, the most requested song of the Survivor was "The Search is Over". It was was a best seller--and I guess it still is. But the band's turntable hit (again, the song did not make it to the charts) was a favorite: "Ever Since the World Began". And it still is!
A local radio expert says the turntable hitlist is endless. I remember him quoting the song of Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" as one. I can't agree more. For me, turntable hits can be Norman Saleet's "High Cost of Loving", Chris Norman's "Some Hearts Are Diamonds", or even Urgent's "Love Can Make You Cry". Any popular tune that you know may be one. Question: Who would really care if they are just hits that did not reach the peak of the chart bars? If you remember this rockabilly tune by the Spitting Image (unfortunately the title slipped me, does anybody know?). I know the song really sounds great as if I'm hearing Sheena Easton on the vocals.
Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, upon putting together a special compilation of music they have recorded for so many years, once had to say, " In answer to so many requests, we have put together this collaboration. Many were on the charts and others were called "turntable" hits...a term used by disk jockeys who like the records so much that they played them as often as they played the best sellers of the day.
"This Could Be The Start of Something" was a turntable hit and a best seller.
Flipsides are another story in the radio circuit and they may also be very interesting. As a dj who played vinyl discs in the past, I would know which side to play. The A-side of a 45 record. Yes, I do listen to the Program Director and always follows his orders. The B-side, if it gets lucky, can become a chartbuster too.
Rob Van Winkle a.k.a. Vanilla Ice in a report was said to have exploded on the pop music scene in the 90's with his CD "To The Extreme" selling over 17 million copies. His single "Ice Ice Baby" has weathered well over the last 15 years and is a pop classic still in great demand today. But did you know that a dj accidentally played "Ice Ice Baby" which was Side B of the song the dj was supposed to put on the turntable? It became a hit.
And now for some interesting 80's trivia. You know of artists who have had only one number one hit? The following are the best of the one hit wonders and their singles: Toni Basil's Mickey, USA for Africa's We Are The World, Tommy Tutone's 867-5309 / Jenny, M/A/R/R/S' Pump Up The Volume, Jan Hammer's Theme for the Miami Vice Soundtrack, Dexy's Midnight Runners' Come on Eileen, Icicle Works' Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream), Lipps, Inc.'s Funkytown, After the Fire's Der Kommisar and Double's Captain of Her Heart (once included in the Close Up album together with Gwen Guthrie's Close To You).
Email the jack of all traits for your comments and suggestions at skipo_jack@yahoo.com or buzz me 0928.712.5618. Please, I don't entertain SOPs, not my stuff. Advance happy birthday to Melanie Lumanlan Sam a.k.a. Sugar Baby on December 21!
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (December 18, 2005 issue)
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