This Week In 1983: The Top Music of November 11, 1983
Kenny and Dolly give way to Lionel Richie as he moves into the #1 spot this week with “All Night Long (All Night)”. He’ll spend four weeks in the top spot. Quiet Riot moves into the Top Ten making them the first L.A. metal band to do so but certainly not the last. Two recognizable debuts this week: “Major Tom (Coming Home”) by Peter Schillling (a personal favorite) and “In A Big Country” by Big Country. This is Big Country’s only hit of significance here in the states eventually peaking at #17. While the song received little radio airplay nationwide, it was yet another song that benefited from enormous help from MTV. Despite the video’s success, however, the network virtually ignored the bands next single.
Song Story: “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson
It’s Jackson’s sixth single from the Thriller album and, despite the success achieved by the “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” videos (as well as his current single with Paul McCartney, “Say Say Say”), there was no official video for this song. The original version that Jackson wrote was turned down by producer Quincy Jones. He liked the title, however, and reworked the song with singer James Ingram. Because it was such a different song than the one he wrote, Jackson was hesitant but finally agreed to record the song however he never performed it live. It will eventually peak at #10. Also of note – Michael’s sisters, Janet and La Toya, sing backing vocals on the track.
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