The Lost 45s Never Surrender: The Top 100 of 2017
By Sean Ross/Radio Insight on January 4, 2018
There are three former countdown chart-toppers that listeners to Barry Scott’s “The Lost 45s” don’t even vote for anymore, all from a five year stretch in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s: Abba, “Dancing Queen”; Rupert Holmes, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”; and Rick Springfield, “Jessie’s Girl.” With the passage of time, those songs all became staples at AC, then Classic Hits and/or Adult Hits stations. But in the early years of the show–launched in 1985 at non-comm WERS Boston, and now heard in more than 50 markets–they were considered too goofy for the radio.
That’s why Scott’s annual Top 100 countdown is always interesting. Most of the songs that make the countdown aren’t going to become radio staples. But, like this year’s No. 1 song, Corey Hart’s “Never Surrender,” some have no whiff of novelty. And one or two may eventually become a regular rotation radio song again. (The No. 29 song, New Edition’s “Cool It Now” may have a hometown connection, but all things N.E.-related seem to be on an upswing now.)
Scott’s entire countdown is streaming at lost45.com. Here’s this year’s Top 50 list:
1. NEVER SURRENDER – COREY HART
2. Chevy Van – Sammy Johns
3. Theme from “Greatest American Hero” – Joey Scarbury
4. Enjoy Yourself – Jacksons
5. What About Me – Moving Pictures
6. I Feel Love – Donna Summer
7. Da Doo Ron Ron – Shaun Cassidy
8. Break My Stride – Matthew Wilder
9. Xanadu – Olivia Newton-John & ELO
10. Don’t Talk to Strangers – Rick Springfield
11. Love is Thicker Than Water – Andy Gibb
12. Dark Lady – Cher
13. They Don’t Know – Tracey Ullman
14. Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks
15. Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band
16. I’ve Got the Music In Me – Kiki Dee
17. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
18. I Think I Love You – Partridge Family
19. Getaway – Earth, Wind & Fire
20. I’ve Done Everything for You – Rick Springfield
21. Rockin’ Chair – Gwen McCrae
22. Undercover Angel – Alan O’Day
23. Pop Musik – M
24. Morning Train (9 to 5) – Sheena Easton
25. Give It Up – KC
26. Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain & Tennille
27. It’s a Miracle – Barry Manilow
28. Billy, Don’t Be a Hero – Bo Donaldson & Heywoods
29. Cool It Now – New Edition
30. Rock Me Gently – Andy Kim
31. The Last Song – Edward Bear
32. Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
33. Down by the Lazy River – Osmonds
34. Hot Line – Sylvers
35. Freedom – Wham!
36. Heartbeat—It’s a Lovebeat – DeFranco Family
37. Take a Chance On Me – ABBA
38. Little Willy – Sweet
39. Miss Me Blind – Culture Club
40. Stumblin’ In – Suzi Quatro/Chris Norman
41. The Night Chicago Died – Paper Lace
42. Only in My Dreams – Debbie Gibson
43. Tired of Toein’ the Line – Rocky Burnette
44. I’ve Got to Use My Imagination – Gladys Knight & the Pips
45. I Missed Again – Phil Collins
46. Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me) – Reunion
47. Sky High – Jigsaw
48. Bad Time – Grand Funk
49. She’s a Bad Mama Jama – Carl Carlton
50. Southern Nights – Glen Campbell