In 1983, Billboard magazine published a chart ranking the top-performing songs in the United States in the adult contemporary music (AC) market.
It was re-released after it was featured on the soap opera General Hospital, sparking renewed interest in the song which sent it to the top of both the AC listing and Billboard's pop chart, the Hot 100.
[3][4] Three other songs topped both charts in 1983, including Billy Joel's "Tell Her About It" and Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's duet "Islands in the Stream",[3] the latter of which also reached number one on the Hot Country Singles listing.
Richie, the lead singer of the Commodores, had launched his solo career the previous year and quickly reached superstar status.
[9] The final AC number one of 1983 was Barry Manilow's version of "Read 'Em and Weep", a song originally recorded by the hard rock singer Meat Loaf.