The Lost 45s Annual Top 100

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