Phil Collins "We Said Hello...Goodbye"

On September 19, 2014, Growing Up Adult Contemporary joined the blogosphere. Together we've circled the world of Adult Contemporary music and uncovered numerous soft rock gems. Along the way, we've shared some memories of working in radio, of life, love, heartbreak and plenty of Peter Cetera stories. It's been a ride, but it's time to move on. Thank you for your support.

Whitney Houston "I Learned From the Best"

After stumbling upon a former colleague's website, I read this message: "Rob is retiring from radio." After years of traveling the country and holding down various radio jobs in Chicago as well as Las Vegas, he was hanging up his headphones and transitioning into web design. It was 1999 and everyone wanted a website, so Rob made the career decision to exit radio. His message included a zillion people he wished to thank including "Todd and Todd". Hoping I was one of the Todd's, I quickly found the "Contact Us" page and fired off an email. "I'm one of the Todds, I hope!"A couple days later, he confirmed that I was one of those he mentioned as being a "joy to work alongside" -- I was flattered. 

Will to Power "Baby, I Love Your Way / Freebird Medley"

That annoying dude at a concert who yells "Freebird!" whenever the band asks for requests...yeah, that dude. Don't be like him.

Tears for Fears "Shout"

Tears for Fears album Songs from the Big Chair gets its name from the made-for-TV movie Sybil. The movie starred Sally Field as a suffer of multiple personality disorder and actually won her an Emmy Award.

Tim McGraw "Tiny Dancer"

Tim McGraw choose the safe (and wise) route when remaking Elton John's signature "Tiny Dancer". His 2002 effort perfectly matched the original. In fact, the two performed the song together on the American Music Awards in celebration of the song's 30th birthday.

Bruce Hornsby & the Range "Lost Soul"

Before striking gold with "Sunny Came Home", Shawn Colvin turned up as a backup vocalist on "Lost Soul" from Bruce Hornsby & the Range. The mellow tune hit #16 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1990.

Blessid Union of Souls "Oh Virginia"

Also known as the French harp or mouth organ, Blessid Union of Souls featured what we call the harmonica in their 1996 song "Oh Virginia".

Roxette "The Look"

Don't mess with mom when she gives you "the look". 

Seals & Crofts "Summer Breeze"

My 5th grade health class came directly from a magazine from Sea Breeze -- a company specializing in facial washes and astringents. In other words, our Catholic school clearly didn't mind our health class being sponsored by corporate America. Our teacher would have us read about how to properly care for our skin but encouraged us to skip over the parts about how Sea Breeze could clear up those pesky zits.

Michelle Branch "Breathe"

So many superstitions are rooted in the explainable. Case in point: in the Sex & the City episode "The Catch", Charlotte is convinced her upcoming wedding day will be cursed after Harry accidentally saw her in her wedding dress. That aside, the episode also featured the pop song "Breathe" from Michelle Branch.

Chris Walker "Take Time"

A forgotten hit from 1992 is "Take Time" from Chris Walker. The song itself is a time capsule of what R&B/pop music sounded like at the time. The Texas native shows off his deep and powerful voice that sounds like it belongs in a Gospel group.

Julian Lennon "Say You're Wrong"

Saying you're wrong is not easy or even the preferred avenue. Admitting you're right is much more fun.

Real McCoy "Come and Get Your Love"

When the world wasn't focused on the O.J. Simpson trial during the summer of 1995, they sang and danced along to "Come and Get Your Love". Real McCoy put a techno-dance version of Leon Redbone's popular hit. Perhaps the Dancing Ito's got in on the action?

Rod Stewart "How Long"

Never one to shy from remaking a popular song, Rod Stewart scooped up Ace's signature tune "How Long" and took it for a test drive of his own in 1981. Rod's version went on to become more popular (on the Adult Contemporary Chart) as it peaked at #5 as compared to #24 for Ace.

James Ingram "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"

"How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" came from the soundtrack to Best Friends -- a Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn rom-com from 1982. The film also co-starred Audra Lindley fresh off her four-year run as Mrs. Roper on Three's Company and later The Ropers.

Sheryl Crow "A Change Would Do You Good"

That moment when your husband calls out from the other room, "Honey, your old boss is here with a mattress." Let's back up a bit to explain. Imagine talking your way into a radio job with someone who really didn't want to hire you. If anything, he hired you because you wore him down. The two of you work together for a year or two and eventually he gets fired. You then assume your bosses old job and life carries on for both of you. A little while later, a sales person gets you an endorsement deal with one of the local bedding stores. The deal is simple: you record a bunch of commercials endorsing the bed and they'll pay you by giving you the bed you're endorsing. The client even arranged for a sleep expert to stop by your house and make sure the bed is to your liking. Guess who that sleep expert is? That's right -- your old boss. He's now standing in your bedroom with your husband to make sure your new bed is to your liking. Awkward? Yep.

The Cure "Just Like Heaven"

It's no wonder so many artists cover "Just Like Heaven" in concert. Robert Smith calls the upbeat ditty the best pop song and strongest work The Cure has ever done.

Simply Red "Home"

"Home is a place where I yearn to be loved." 

Terri Gibbs "Somebody's Knockin"

Plenty of Country music found its way onto the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1981. Juice Newton, Kenny Rogers, Eddie Rabbitt, Ronnie Milsap, and Rosanne Cash joined Terri Gibbs as successful crossover artists. "Somebody's Knockin" peaked at #3 that year. Later in the '80s, Gibbs turned to Christian music where she found additional success.

Poco "Call It Love"

Jim Messina and his Poco buddies reunited in 1989 for Legacy. The album turned out the hit "Call It Love" which featured Rusty Young on vocals and climbed all the way to #2 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.