Obviously, the attraction to The American Top 40 shows is part nostalgia. But, it also seems that Casey Kasem had a one-of-a-kind style with his smooth delivery to form a show that combined sentiment and trivia to focus on the artists and their music. He made connections for the common folk to stay in touch with how their favorite solo artists, family groups, and/or bands were doing.
One of Casey's biggest weekly entries within the 40 hits was the long-distance dedication. This was a letter sent in from a fan that Kasem would read in its entirety. It was always worthy of a pull on the heartstrings. The dedication could be a longing for lost love, a traumatic life event of somebody facing devastating odds, or a diminished soul searching for a dash of optimism.
The show was built for the music to be the connection, and then there was the added suspense of finding out who would end up on top of the 40 for the week.
American Top 40 was based on how songs ranked on Billboard magazine. I remember my first experience listening to a radio station growing up as a 12-year-old in Oklahoma. In 1980, I can still recall Lipps, Inc's "Funkytown," Blondie's "Call Me," and Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" duking it out for number one for a few weeks in a row.
Keep Your Feet On The Ground And Keep Reaching For The Stars
He gave hope to the masses listening in to his weekly rituals, including ending his show with the phrase "keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." Casey was a one-of-a-kind who also told adventurous stories and spliced together some interesting pieces of song material throughout the weeks to create a really complete artistic, entertaining program. This is why his American Top 40 is still in demand all these years later.
All songs got touched and blessed by Casey with his signature charm unless he was on vacation the same week when a song only made it into the Top 40 for that one week.
The following songs were part of the illustrious American Top 40 countdown, regardless of not getting very far along on it, or being there on it for a very long time. Casey's last broadcast in the 1980s was August 6th, 1988. So, no songs will be included if they landed after that date.
The list focuses on hits that never made it past a number 30 positioning on the weekly show. In other words, if it got to #29 or higher in the countdown, the song wouldn't be here. This list is meant to highlight some amazing songs that probably should have charted a lot higher.
Rod Stewart - "What Am I Gonna Do? (I'm So In Love With You)"
Our list starts off with a really contagious, light-hearted Rod Stewart song. I had never heard this song until I found it referenced on the Casey Kasem American Top 40 Facebook group. "What Am I Gonna Do? (I'm So In Love With You)" hit a high of number 35 in 1983.
Huey Lewis and the News - "Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do"
A fun, easy-listening Huey Lewis and The News song never hurt anybody. They built their way early harmonizing, and "Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do" breathes that signature harmony in its own underrated way. From 1982, it hit its best mark at number 36.
Pat Benatar - "Looking for a Stranger"
"Looking for a Stranger" by Pat Benatar is a rocker. This one shakes while she belts it out. Hard to believe it only got as good as number 39 in 1983. This song is just a reminder of how great she was in her heyday.
The Cars - "I'm Not the One"
The Cars might seem a little moody with this one. "I'm Not The One" has a decent hook to bring us in to want to hear it more than once. The substance of the sound gathers around the hook and Ric Ocasek's vocals to make for a serious listen. It got to number 32 in 1986.
.38 Special - "You Keep Runnin' Away"
"You Keep Runnin' Away" from .38 Special ironically fizzled out at number 38 in 1982. But, many would argue the song sizzles just fine and is deserving of a few replays for sure. It has an addictive spirit and has 80s written all over its sound.
The Fixx - "The Sign of Fire"
There's flexibility to how the Fixx pushes boundaries on its songs. "The Sign Of Fire" draws us in with its beat, or should we say 'heat.' It has a depth that carries it throughout like the song is a journey. It only sojourned as far as number 32 in 1983.
Styx - "Music Time"
Styx was having some internal battles at the time of the release of one of their Greatest Hits albums. Guitarist and co-vocalist Tommy Shaw wasn't too happy with this single placed on the compilation. But, "Music Time" has its pluses for sure. It landed as far as the minimal point it could, number 40 in 1984.
Tommy Shaw - "Girls with Guns"
In 1984, Tommy Shaw took time away from Styx for a solo album, and it netted this song that got its due on a Miami Vice episode. In case you missed that one, it was the first season in an episode named "Glades." "Girls With Guns" got as far as number 33 in 1984.
Loverboy - "Queen of the Broken Hearts"
For a while, Loverboy was one of the biggest touring bands of the 80s. "Queen of the Broken Hearts" has all the elements of an entertaining hit song, but in 1983, it stalled at number 34. This song rocks with a great melody.
ELO - "Twilight"
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) came out in 1981 with a song that reached number 38, "Twilight." Jeff Lynne shows just how much the later Beatles style was a heavy influence on this song. It's a worthy listen with heavy synth, piano interludes, varied harmonies, and a faster beat.
Blondie - "Atomic"
In 1980, "Call Me" was number one and the featured theme song in American Gigolo. Also, charting that year from Blondie was "Atomic," which got to number 39. It didn't make a movie soundtrack until Trainspotting in 1996. This song is an uplifting dandy of a song.
J Geils Band - "Come Back"
"Come Back" from the J Geils Band in 1980 took its high mark to number 32. As an early '80s rocker, it has all the hallmark Top 40 characteristics with disco-like keyboard synths, tight guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Peter Wolf carrying the tempo.
Pete Wolf - "I Need You Tonight"
Peter Wolf had his own run-in with the back side of The American Top 40 with "I Need You Tonight," which ran its course to number 36 in 1984. There's nothing overtly special about this song. It's just a nice diddy to pick you up, and it's certainly a deep cut of sorts.
Yes - "Love Will Find A Way"
The band Yes had a number-one song with "Owner of a Lonely Heart." They produced some great songs in their catalog, but not a lot of Top 40s. "Love Will Find A Way" made it to number 30 in 1987. It's a nifty song with some atmospheric drives along the way.
Moody Blues - "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"
From Casey's last show, "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" by the Moody Blues climbed to number 30 in 1988. The song has a pretty tone and we can tell it has a Top 40 type of catchiness. It was the band's last Top 40 single. It is a sequel to their highest-charting 80s song, "Your Wildest Dreams."