Billboard Number one hits of 1982 Quiz

Answer: The Blackhearts

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts was the name of the band on the record that had the number spot on the Billboard Hot 100 that date. The song created a quandary for radio disc jockeys. Some stations thought it was a punk style song. New Wave stations believed it was too much of a rock song. Adult contemporary charts weren't sure if it fit in their play list. Joan Jett had been touring constantly with her band since 1980 and cleared up the problem by pointing out "I play rock and roll". "I Love Rock 'n Roll" was originally done by the Arrows on the "B" side of one of their British singles. Jake Hooker and Alan Merrill wrote the song and explained that it was written as a response to the Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)". They didn't like rock and roll, they loved rock and roll! The Arrows were confident that the song would be a hit but according to their manager, Mickey Most, the final production proved to be inadequate for release as an "A" side. Joan had been playing with an all-girl band called the Runaways and during a London tour she asked the Arrows if they could record it.

The Runaways were not enthusiastic about it so Joan recorded it after the Runaways broke up and she formed the Blackhearts.

Answer: Rocky III

Rocky Balboa takes on Mr. T as Clubber Lang in "Rocky III." "Eye of the Tiger" was the first "Rocky" movie to have a change of themes. Stallone originally considered Queens' "Another One Bites the Dust". Survivor keyboardist Jim Peterik had been in the business since 1970 and had enjoyed success when he was keyboardist for Ides of March when they had their hit tune "Vehicle".

After that he had a dry spell then formed his own band. He related to Dennis Hunt of "The Los Angeles Times" that producer Tony Scotti played Stallone Survivor's "Premonition" album when he learned that Stallone was trying to get a more contemporary theme for his movies. Stallone was impressed with their sound and gave the band a challenge to compose the theme for the movie. Within 90 minutes of seeing a rough cut of "Rocky III" Peterik was inspired by the catch phrase from the movie and composed the song with guitarist Frankie Sullivan.

In the movie there is a tiger roaring in the song, but Peterik insisted the sound effect be left off the single release.

Answer: Maneater

"Maneater" was the first single release from their "H2O" LP. In "Rockbill" magazine they said that the album was more "dancified" and streamlined than "Private Eyes". They were meticulous in the production to have every instrument mean something. MTV was allowed into the studio during the making of "H2O", providing viewers with a documentary look behind the scenes of an album production for the first time.

The ensuing video for "Maneater" caused a slight controversy because the image of a female superimposed on a jaguar was termed misogynous by some. Hall and Oates conceded that they were more comfortable with the audio aspect of the business but also understood videos were necessary in the MTV age.

They contend that the video made the best use of the video medium for the song. "Did it in a Minute" reached number nine and "Your Imagination" topped out at 33 in 1982. "One on One" was a number seven for the duo in 1983.

Answer: An Officer and a Gentleman

"Up Where We belong" was part of the film score to "An Officer and a Gentleman". The song brought together interesting artists and songwriters. Jennifer Warnes was a flower child who had never met Joe Cocker until the evening they recorded the song. Director Taylor Hackford originally wanted to find music from existing artists such as Pat Benatar, Dire Straits or Van Morrison, but as production wrapped he realized the movie required an original score.

He prevailed upon lyricist Will Jennings who listened to Jack Nitzsche's score and believed he could put lyrics to it. Buffy Sainte-Marie also has writing credit. Within a few days the demo was on Hackford's desk. Jennifer Warnes had recently sung "It Goes Like it Goes" for the film "Norma Rae" and a friend of Hackford recommended her, but Hackford initially balked.

When it was suggested she sing it with Joe Cocker he became interested. Fortunately Cocker was on tour in the Pacific Northwest and consented to fly down, record the song and fly back to continue his tour. Producer Don Simpson requested "Up Where We Belong" be cut from the film but Hackford prevailed.

The song won an Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best Song.

Answer: Who Can it be Now?

"Who Can it be Now?" was the twelfth number one hit to pose a question, beginning with Frankie Avalon's "Why". Australia was already well represented musically in 1982 across America with Rick Springfield, Air Supply and Little River Band hitting the charts. Singer Colin Hay composed the song.

He met guitarist Ron Strykert while in La Trobe University and soon they formed a band, performing regularly at the Cricketers Arms Hotel in Melbourne. It wasn't long before a CBS Records exec introduced them to American record producer Peter McIan. McIan produced the band's "Business as Usual" album and decided to release "Who Can it Be Now" as a single. To promote the record they were hired on as the opening act for a Fleetwood Mac tour. MTV finally got on board playing the video and the song started a 16-week climb to number one.

In 1983 "Overkill" reached number three and "It's a Mistake" reached number six. "Underground" was a number 20 in 1983 for the boys from down under.

Answer: Chicago

Chicago took a brief departure from the business after a string of hits in the seventies. Columbia dropped the band even though Chicago had generated over $160,000,000 in album sales. The band switched to Full Moon/Warner Brothers in 1982 and their first release for the label was "Chicago 16". "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" from the LP is on the soundtrack to the movie "Summer Lovers".

While the movie was not well received, Chicago's contribution, composed by bass player Peter Cetera and and the band's producer David Foster, fared much better.

It stalled at number five for several weeks but after it was on the charts for 15 weeks it finally made it to number one. Keyboardist Bobby Lamm told "Billboard" he believes the song introduced the band to an audience of younger listeners. Air Supply was number five behind Chicago with "Even the Nights are Better". Dazz Band had a top five in July, 1982, with "Let it Whip" and Journey had a top five in March, 1982 with the number two "Open Arms".

Answer: The Human League

"Don't You Want Me" is the first English synthesizer single to make it to number one. Prior to The Human League British new wave bands had difficulty denting the Billboard Hot 100. The band started a small scale New Wave British Invasion. Human League originally formed in Sheffield in 1977. Several lineup changes took place and by 1980 leader Phil Oakey had the idea that having two girls to do backing harmonies and provide stage appeal would give the band a unique feel. Oakey located two high school aged girls in a disco and with their parents' permission the girls accompanied the band to Germany for a committed engagement.

The group was soon offered a contract with Virgin Records and had a British top ten with "Love Action (I Believe in Love)".

Their third single from the "Dare" album was "Don't You Want Me" which hit number one in England months before it topped the US Billboard charts. Quarterflash took "Harden My heart" to the top five in February, 1982. Culture Club took "Do You Really want to Hurt Me" to the top five in 1983. Toto's top five in 1983 was "Africa".

Answer: Truly

Lionel Richie took "Truly" to the top in November. Lionel's grandmother, Adelaide, was a popular classically trained music teacher in his native Tuskegee. Lionel enjoyed singing in the choir but resisted attempts by his family to learn an instrument. A deeply religious person who was an alter boy at the Episcopal Church, he almost followed a clergy calling rather than a musical career.

In a 1985 "Ebony" interview Lionel told Robert E. Johnson that although he didn't seek the priesthood he is quick to acknowledge that his faith is what guides his songwriting.

His songwriting helped him to propel the Commodores to the top of the charts. Because he was the group's songwriter all the press attention was focused on Lionel. After he composed the number one "Lady" for Kenny Rogers his fame grew and eventually he parted ways with the Commodores. "Truly" is the first single from Richie's first eponymous album that was recorded over nine months on the Motown label. "All Night Long (All Night)" is a 1983 number one for Richie. "Penny Lover" is another 1983 release. "Hold Me" is a September, 1982, number for for Fleetwood Mac.

Answer: Abracadabra

Steve Miller enjoyed a string of top hits in the late seventies. He took a four-year retreat at his Oregon home then returned to Capital and recorded his twelfth album for the label titled "Abracadabra". Miller stayed with the form and style that had previously proven successful for him.

The title track took 14 weeks to hit the top spot. Steve had been the principal songwriter on all his former projects but included band members' input during the "Abracadabra" sessions. Approaching forty when the album was released, Steve said that he believed he still had a lot of ideas and wasn't concerned that some fans would be wondering how much longer he could keep rocking. "Swingtown" was number 17 and "Jet Airliner" reached in number four in 1977. "Heart Like a Wheel" was a 1981 number 24 hit for Steve.

Answer: Mickey

"Mickey" was originally titled "Kitty" when it was written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Toni added the chants and renamed the song when she developed the cheerleader concept. Toni had been an actress and choreographer before taking "Mickey" to platinum status.

She starred as Peter Fonda's prostitute in "Easy Rider" and was in "Village of the Giants", "Head", "Five Easy Pieces" and "American Graffiti". Her choreography credits include forming the dance troupe The Lockers, David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" tour, Bette Midler's Harlettes and "Saturday Night Live" among others. "Mickey" was one of the first music videos produced to support a song and predated MTV.

The video of the song had been around for two years when Chrysalis records took a chance and released the song as a single. Toni was concerned that the song was already dated, but her concerns turned out to be unfounded.

She credits the visual images with helping to propel the record to number one.