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I’ll admit it. This Summer mix, all 96 minutes of it, isn’t for every taste. Don’t Make Me Over delves into the scourge of “Golden Oldies” covers that took over the pop charts in the late ’70s and early ’80s. While the vapid California Soft Rock typified by Linda Ronstadt is well-represented here, there’s an intriguing eclecticism here that gives a little insight on the music scene (and its audience) in 1978-83.
It all begs the question: why? The obvious answer? Baby Boomers who couldn’t let go of their childhoods made up a huge portion of the record buying public back then. When Carole King included a couple of mellow covers of ’60s hits she co-wrote with Gerry Goffin on her mega-selling 1971 album Tapestry, it unwittingly set off the trend that continued well into the end of the ’80s. Re-imagining a familiar hit from the recent past was a sure-fire move, for both the artists who enjoyed the creative challenge and the labels who could bank on radio play from deejays seeing a familiar title on a 45 record or long-player. The practice reached critical mass in 1980-81 with a rash of updated oldies hitting the lower rungs of the Billboard Hot 100 – some whitewashed and wimpified, some given a more soulful spin, others with a New Wave twist.
The twenty eight tunes that comprise Don’t Make Me Over can be grooved to in the embedded playlists below, divided into two sections. Shout-out to the ’70s California airbrush artists whose evocative work adorns the covers for this mix: Dave Williardson (above) and Peter Palombi (below). Occasional episodes of cheesiness aside, I find this mix fascinating and hope you will, too.
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1. Linda Ronstadt – Just One Look (#44, 1979)
2. Yipes!! – Darlin’ (#68, 1980)
3. Josie Cotton – Tell Him (1982)
4. Elvis Costello & The Attractions – I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down (1980)
5. Phil Seymour – Let Her Dance (1980)
6. Nicolette Larson – I Only Want To Be With You (#53, 1982)
7. Carole King – One Fine Day (#12, 1980)
8. Jennifer Warnes – Don’t Make Me Over (#67, 1980)
9. Deniece Williams – It’s Gonna Take A Miracle (#10, 1982)
10. A Taste Of Honey – I’ll Try Something New (#41, 1982)
11. Eric Hine – Not Fade Away (#73, 1981)
12. Devo – Working In The Coal Mine (#43, 1981)
13. Gentle Persuasion – Please Mr. Postman (#82, 1983)
14. Sandy Posey – Love, Love, Love/Chapel Of Love (1978)
15. Chris Christian and Amy Holland – Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing/You’re All I Need To Get By (#88, 1982)
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16. Amii Stewart and Johnny Bristol – My Guy/My Girl (#63, 1980)
17. The Spinners – Cupid/I’ve Loved You For A Long Time (#4, 1980)
18. Melissa Manchester – My Boyfriend’s Back/Runaway (1983)
19. The Tourists – I Only Want To Be With You (#83, 1980)
20. Robert John – Sherry (#70, 1980)
21. The Reddings – (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay (#55, 1982)
22. Daryl Hall and John Oates – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling (#12, 1980)
23. Gary O’ – Pay You Back With Interest (#70, 1981)
24. Garland Jeffreys – 96 Tears (#66, 1981)
25. Kim Carnes – Cry Like A Baby (#44, 1980)
26. Heart – Unchained Melody (#83, 1981)
27. Andy Gibb and Victoria Principal – All I Have To Do Is Dream (#51, 1981)
28. Bernadette Peters – Dedicated To The One I Love (#65, 1981)
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