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Summary: Brand new 8th edition....... another gem from Joel Whitburn
Review: Hot off the presses!!! If you are a record collector or music buff and have never owned any of Joel Whitburn's terrific books you should latch onto this one right away. The price is right and you will be introduced to a great resource. This latest version of "The Billboard Book of Top 40 Singles 1955-2003" contains every single tune to make the Billboard Top 40 pop charts for the past 48 years!!! Some people will use the book as nothing more than a checklist for their collections. But most collectors especially enjoy the biographical information provided on each and every artist. There is simply a wealth of information packed into every Joel Whitburn book.
Now I have owned several of Joel Whitburn's popular Record Research editions for many years. For those who have never seen Joel Whitburns books before "The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits 1955-2003" will serve as a kind of introduction to the entire format. If you enjoy this book you just might be tempted to order one or more of the others. The Record Research books are generally hard cover and contain even more comprehensive chart data for your information and enjoyment. These books are not cheap but are considered to be indispensible for both disc jockeys and serious collectors alike. In the long run I have found any book from Joel Whitburn to be well worth the investment. Give this one a try and see if you don't agree.
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Summary: Excellent addition to your music information library
Review: I buy this book every 5 years. It's excellent for solving those late night disputes with friends about who had what hit when and how high did it go? I highly recommend adding it to your library of music information.
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Summary: Simply a must-have
Review: I cannot imagine NOT having this book. (This is the 3rd or 4th edition I've owned.) It's the definitive source. Always great to own in the past and now particularly useful in the age of MP3s. And oh! the memories of forgotten songs and artists it will bring back. I love one- and two-hit groups from the 1970s and this has 'em all (well, I guess not the ones whose hits never reached the Top 40...). It's the only non-computer book I keep next to my computer.
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Summary: Simply a must-have
Review: I cannot imagine NOT having this book. (This is the 3rd or 4th edition I've owned.) It's the definitive source. Always great to own in the past and now particularly useful in the age of MP3s. And oh! the memories of forgotten songs and artists it will bring back. I love one- and two-hit groups from the 1970s and this has 'em all (well, I guess not the ones whose hits never reached the Top 40...). It's the only non-computer book I keep next to my computer.
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Summary: Perfect music companion
Review: I have purchased each new edition of this book and have never been disappointed. The 7th edition chronicles every Top 40 hit through the end of the millenium. I'm not in the music business, but love seeing what hits each artist has had and how how they went on the chart. This book does a great job of cross-referencing songs, so if a song is officially credited to Puff Daddy featuring Mase, then it is listed in this book under both artists. This is incredibly helpful given the recent proliferation of guest artists on chart singles. Whenever I hear an unknown oldies hit on the radio, I can't help but look it up in this book and find out the artist. A must for every fan of music.
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Summary: All I need to know about the Top 40 list.
Review: I saw this book at a local bookstore last month and I bought it(luckily I had enough, as it was pricey)and I just couldn't put it down. EVERY song that was in the Top 40 from 1955 to the first few months of 1996 was listed in this book. I saw songs by artists that I haven't heard in ages and songs I had forgotten about. I couldn't put it down. The only downside was that the dates that the song PEAKED on the chart weren't mentioned, only the debut date, which I am not as interested in. I hope the updated version will include the peak dates of the songs. And I do hope that the next volume is on CD ROM, like that one reviewer said. I won't have to worry about the book falling apart and it would be more accessible. It is SO worth your money!
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Summary: Also great for an average music lover.
Review: I'm neither a DJ nor a music industry related person. I just love Top 40 music and charts. It's just perfect to start a CD collection using this book as a guide.
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Summary: SETTLES THE ARGUEMENTS ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Review: I've been the proud owner of every copy of this marvelous dispute settler since I had hair;). I never leave home without it. "The book of course". If you're into the Tops in Pops at the Hops, you need this book of Top 40 Hots. Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, "I Played Them When They Were New" and this book makes me smarter that the average DJ. "No Brag, Just Fact". Once again Mr. Whitburn has made a hit with the hits..
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Summary: A Real Blast
Review: In a word, this book is fun, a lot of fun. If you are a popular music lover between the ages of 15 and 50, you will enjoy reading this musical travelogue. Want to find out about a group or singer you've just heard about? If any of their songs made the Top 40, they are in here. Don't recall all the great songs of a favorite artist? They are here. Want to make a tape of hit summer songs? Check the index in the back under "beach" or "summer" or "sun". So many uses for both the professional and the listener. I especially enjoy the comments that are included for each artist. A great review for those who lived through these songs, a great introduction for those who are discovering them for the first time. Updated 7th version is due in October, 2000.
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Summary: Joel Whitburn-America's Chart Guru
Review: Joel Whitburn has been America's chart chronicler since 1970 & he obviously shows no signs of slowing down-The seventh edition of his "Billboard Book Of Top 40 Hits" is by far,the best one he's come out with-Every artist of the rock era,be it superstar or one-hit wonder,is represented here-Love seeing the old 45 rpm record sleeves that are presented throughout the book-The appendix listing miscellaneous chart data is not to be missed either.
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