During the year of 1979, I was a student at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.  While at JMU, I worked part-time at Public Radio station WMRA 90.7 FM, that served the Shenandoah Valley.

When I wasn’t attending classes or working at WMRA, I would spend my spare time listening to other radio stations that I could pick up in Harrisonburg. Most of my radio surfing was concentrated either on Top 40 outlets or album-oriented rock (AOR) stations.

With this music blog message, I will be counting down what I consider to be my favorite top 40 hits from 1979. My selections are 45-rpm singles that I treasured while a JMU student, and I still love these songs today.

Since I started my radio career at legendary Top 40 WROV 1240 AM Roanoke in 1974, I was drawn to listening to any radio station that featured top 40 radio during my JMU student years.

My time in Harrisonburg gave me an opportunity to hear various Top 40 stations on any given day.  The local Top 40 station that JMU students could pick up on campus was WQPO (Q101) 100.7 FM in Harrisonburg.

I was not a fan of Q101 as it was automated with no live DJs.  I preferred tuning in WWWV 97.5 FM (3WV) in Charlottesville as they were an AOR formatted station. Plus, 3WV had an excellent morning show and live DJ staff throughout the broadcast day.

To get my fix of Top 40 radio while I was at JMU, I would listen to stations out of Richmond and Washington DC radio markets.  Picking up these stations tended to be hit or miss, depending on the weather conditions. Cloudy days seemed to be the best opportunity to hear these signals coming in strong at my Harrisonburg home.

Below are the Top 40 radio signals that I could pick up on a regular basis in Harrisonburg during 1979:

WRVQ (Q94) 94.5 FM Richmond

WPGC 95.5 FM Washington DC Market

WRQX (Q107) 107.3 FM Washington DC Market

As a side note: Top 40 K92 92.3 FM Roanoke came on the air January 1, 1980. Between New Year’s Day and my JMU graduation in May 1980, I would listen to K92 on a regular basis in Harrisonburg.

After sundown, I would also listen to a couple of high-powered 50,000 watt AM stations: WLS 890 AM Chicago and WABC 770 AM New York. Those stations always had top-notch DJs playing the hits. On the Big 89 WLS, my favorite DJs were Jeff Davis, Larry Lujack and John Records Landecker.

For the rest of this message, I will be counting down my favorite Top 25 singles from 45 years ago. The sole criterion I utilized with song tabulation for the countdown is simple: I used Billboard’s “Year-End Hot 100 singles chart for 1979.”

As I surveyed the prominent 1979 hits, the countdown is entirely based on my opinions. The songs that I selected are singles that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant.

For a historical reference, below are the top 15 singles of 1979, according to Billboard magazine:

1          “My Sharona” The Knack

2          “Bad Girls”      Donna Summer

3          “Le Freak”       Chic

4          “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”  Rod Stewart

5          “Reunited”      Peaches & Herb

6          “I Will Survive”  Gloria Gaynor

7          “Hot Stuff”      Donna Summer

8          “Y.M.C.A.”       Village People

9          “Ring My Bell” Anita Ward

10        “Sad Eyes”       Robert John

11        “Too Much Heaven”   Bee Gees

12        “MacArthur Park”       Donna Summer

13        “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman”       Dr. Hook

14        “Makin’ It”      David Naughton

15        “Fire”   The Pointer Sisters

Before I start my countdown, I want to share some of my favorite top 40 singles from 45 years ago that were not ranked by Billboard on their 1979 Top 100 year-end chart.

• Let’s Go—The Cars
• Cruel to Be Kind—Nick Lowe
• Crazy Love—Poco
• Blow Away—George Harrison
• Roxanne—The Police

• Love Takes Time—Orleans
• Driver’s Seat—Sniff ‘N’ the Tears
• Serve Somebody—Bob Dylan
• Blue Morning, Blue Day—Foreigner
• Heart of the Night—Poco

• Get It Right Next Time—Gerry Rafferty
• Song on the Radio—Al Stewart
• People of the South Wind—Kansas
• Morning Dance—Spyro Gyra
• Take Me to the River—Talking Heads

Next are songs that I considered for the countdown but fell just outside of my top 25.  These selections are not ranked and are placed in a random order:

• Lady—Little River Band
• Gold—John Stewart
• New York Groove—Ace Frehley
• A Little More Love—Olivia Newton John
• Fire—The Pointer Sisters
• Reunited—Peaches & Herb

• The Devil Went Down to Georgia—The Charlie Daniels Band
• I Want You to Want Me—Cheap Trick
• Strange Way—Firefall
• Double Vision—Foreigner
• Dance the Night Away—Van Halen
• The Gambler–Kenny Rogers

• Just When I Needed You Most—Randy VanWarmer
• Lotta Love—Nicolette Larson
• Promises—Eric Clapton
• I Was Made for Loving You—Kiss
• Shake It—Ian Matthews
• I Just Fall in Love Again–Anne Murray

• Chuck E’s in Love—Rickie Lee Jones
• Stumblin’ In—Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman
• Music Box Dancer–Frank Mills
• I Just Wanna Stop—Gino Vannelli
• She Believes in Me–Kenny Rogers
• Shine a Little Love—Electric Light Orchestra

• Got to Be Real—Cheryl Lynn
• Tragedy—The Bee Gees
• Shake Your Groove Thing—Peaches & Herb
• We Are Family—Sister Sledge
• Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now—McFadden & Whitehead
• Goodnight Tonight—Paul McCartney & Wings

Without further ado, my stellar singles of 1979 countdown begins:

25. I Will Survive—Gloria Gaynor

Peak positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 6th Biggest Song of 1979

Lyrics have become an anthem for female empowerment. Inducted into Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2016.  “I Will Survive” received a Grammy Award for “Best Disco Recording.”

24. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough—Michael Jackson

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 91st Biggest Song of 1979

Produced by Quincy Jones and written by Michael Jackson.  It was the biggest solo hit of the 70s by the “King of Pop.”  Musically, it features a six-piece horn ensemble of saxophones, trumpets and trombone.  A sterling string section also adds to the rich sound on this tune.

23. Sail On—The Commodores

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #4 Hot 100, 98^th Biggest Song of 1979

Commodores front man Lionel Richie wrote this country flavored ballad and provided lead vocals on this country influenced ballad. Song features superb keyboard and guitar instrumentation.

22. Rock & Roll Fantasy—Bad Company

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #13 Hot 100, 54^th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Bad Company’s vocalist Paul Rodgers. It was the biggest selling-single by British classic rock band. From the “Desolation Angels” album.

21. Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)—Robert Palmer  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #14 Hot 100, 92^nd Biggest Songs of 1979

Written by singer-songwriter Moon Martin. Robert Palmer’s cover version became the biggest hit by the British artist in the 70s. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of “Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.”

20. My Sharona—The Knack

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, the #1 Biggest Song of 1979

New Wave band from Los Angeles, California.  The Knack came on strong during the summer of 1979. “My Sharona” spent 6 weeks at the top spot with Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and is ranked as the #1 biggest single from 45 years ago.

19. Rise—Herb Alpert

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 80th Biggest Song of 1979

Tumpeter Herb Alpert was the first artist to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a vocal performance as well as an instrumental production. (Artist took “This Guy’s in Love with You” to #1 in 1968). Tune received a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Instrumental Performance.”

18. After the Love Has Gone—Earth Wind & Fire

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #2 Hot 100, 38^th Biggest Song of 1979

Composed by David Foster and Jay Graydon, with lyrics written by Bill Champlin. First of two Earth Wind & Fire songs in the countdown. Maurice White on lead vocals while Philip Bailey sings backup harmonies. Tune has superb horn section.

17. Good Times—Chic

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 20th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Chic band members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. Song has legendary bass line riff and is one of the most sampled tunes in music history.

Backing track from “Good Times” was used on the first Top 40 hip-hop hit, “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang.  Comes in at number 68 on Rolling Stone “Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

16. Too Much Heaven—The Bee Gees

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 11^th Biggest Song of 1979

Co-written by the brothers Gibb: Barry, Robin and Maurice. Song features the Chicago horn section (James Pankow, Walter Parazaider and Lee Loughnane). Single became the fourth of six consecutive number 1 hits by the Bee Gees on the Billboard Hot 100.

15. Ooo Baby Baby—Linda Ronstadt

Peak Position on Billboard Charts: #7 Hot 100, 77^th Biggest Song of 1979

A cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles 1965 hit. Has outstanding saxophone played by David Sanborn. Produced by Peter Asher. Linda Ronstadt also scored airplay on country and R&B/soul radio with this hit.

14. What You Won’t Do for Love—Bobby Caldwell

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #9 Hot 100, 59^th Biggest Song of 1979

Co-written by Bobby Caldwell and Alfons Kettner. Was Caldwell’s only top 40 hit on the Billboard singles chart. Song is now considered to be in the “yacht rock” sub-genre of music.

13. How Much I Feel—Ambrosia

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #3 Hot 100, 84^th Biggest Song of 1979

Quintessential Yacht Rock band. “How Much I Feel” was written by the band’s guitarist/vocalist David Pack. Song is smooth featuring a jazz/R&B groove and great group harmony.

12. Every Time I Think of You—The Babys

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #13 Hot 100, 89^th Biggest Song of 1979

British band had 3 U.S. top 40 hits. Bassist John Waite was the lead singer with group. Myrna Matthews shares singing duties on this hit. Waite had two #1 hits in the 80s: “Missing You” as a solo hit (1984) and “When I See You Smile” as singer in Bad English (1989).

11. Don’t Bring Me Down—Electric Light Orchestra

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #4 Hot 100, 81^st Biggest Song of 1979

Produced and written by ELO front man Jeff Lynne. It was the highest-charting 45-rpm single by the British band in America. Unlike most other ELO songs, “Don’t Let Me Down” didn’t contain a string section.

10. Love is the Answer—England Dan & John Ford Coley

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #10 Hot 100, 68^th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Todd Rundgren. The England Dan and John Ford Coley rendition of the song reached #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The soft rock duo also received airplay on some Christian music radio stations during 1979.

9.   Hold the Line—Toto

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #5 Hot 100, 44^th Biggest Song of 1979

Toto’s keyboardist David Paich wrote “Hold the Line” which became the group’s first hit record.  Lead vocals were by Bobby Kimball. This up-tempo tune remains one of the most beloved songs by the 70s and 80s pop rock band.

8.   What a Fool Believes—The Doobie Brothers

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 19^th Biggest Song of 1979

The only yacht rock song to receive a 100 score on the Yachtski Scale was co-written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The second #1 hit for the Doobie Brothers.  The single received two Grammy Awards in 1980: for “Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year.”

7.   Time Passages—Al Stewart

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #7 Hot 100, 79^th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Al Stewart and Peter White.  Song has outstanding saxophone performance by Phil Kenzie. Produced by Alan Parsons. Spent 10 weeks on top of the Billboard Easy Listening chart and was the rated as the #1 biggest Adult Contemporary song of 1979 by the music magazine.

6.   My Life—Billy Joel

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #3 Hot 100, 28^th Biggest Song of 1979

Singer-songwriter and “Piano Man” Billy Joel wrote “My Life” which came from the “52nd Street” album. Musically, tune has vigorous guitar and keyboards. The artist sings this hit with high energy.

5.   Renegade—Styx

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #16 Hot 100, 67^th Biggest Song of 1979

Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw is the songwriter of “Renegade.” The song starts cold with a cappella singing and then goes into a full-fledge blazing rock tune. Pounding drums, infectious guitar riffs and catchy hooks drive this classic rock standout.

4.   Heart of Glass—Blondie

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 18th Biggest Song of 1979

Co-written by Blondie singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein.  Single is a brilliant crossing of “New Wave” rock with a powerful disco beat. It was the first of 4 number one hits for Blondie between 1979 and 1981. Song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.

3.   Sultans of Swing—Dire Straits

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #4 Hot 100, 61^st Biggest Song of 1979

Dire Straits lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Knopfler penned this first hit by the British group. Lyrics are about a Dixieland swing jazz band playing at a near empty bar in south “London town.” Knopfle’s phrasing of vocals and his exceptional catchy guitar riffs, made “Sultans of Swing” the most unique top 40 single of 1979.

2.   The Logical Song—Supertramp

Peak Position on Billboard Charts: #6 Hot 100, 27th Biggest Song of 1979

Supertramp’s former co-front man Roger Hodgson came up with the idea of “The Logical Song” after he spent ten years at a boarding school when he was boy. This was the biggest single by the British progressive pop-rock band.  Saxophonist John Helliwell of Supertramp is magnificent playing his woodwind instrument.

1..   September—Earth Wind & Fire

Peak Positions of Billboard Charts: #8 Hot 100, 78th Biggest Song of 1979

“September” by Earth Wind & Fire (EW&F) is a quintessential song with multiple genres of music:  R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Disco and Yacht Rock. Upbeat, feel-good groove. Philip Bailey and Maurice White share lead vocals on this successful song.

Instrumentally, the single features brass instruments, woodwinds, keyboards, guitars and drums. A signature song for EW&F, it was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry list of sound recordings in 2018.

Without a doubt, I proclaim “September” by Earth Wind & Fire as my favorite number one single with the countdown of stellar top 40 hits from 1979.

That wraps up what I consider to be my favorite and best 1979 top 40 hits. I completely understand that my listing of songs in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective.

If you were creating a similar register of excellent 1979 singles, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be best preeminent singles from ’79? I hope you will comment below.

I have passionate memories of my college years at JMU and hearing my favorite songs played on the radio during 1979. I still cherish and fondly remember the excellent music of 45 years ago. Rock on!

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