Peak
3
Weeks
24
Score
4,802
Chart Year
1982
In this song, the singer finds the strength to leave her man, and is determined to do it without getting squishy. Written by their guitarist Marv Ross, it was a regional hit in the Pacific Northwest when the group called itself Seafood Mama. After a shuffling of the lineup and a name change to Quarterflash, the reissued single became a US Top 5 hit. Quarterflash took its name from an Australian slogan: "a quarter flash and three parts foolish." Something you don't see too often: a female lead singer who also plays the saxophone part. Rindy Ross (wife of group member Marv Ross) from Quarterflash did just that on this song and their follow up single "Find Another Fool." Released the same year MTV went on the air, the video contains many random images that have nothing to do with the song, including jugglers, a little person, a makeup table in the dessert, well-dressed guys on motorcycles, and a sax solo in the rain. It was fairly common in the early '80s to throw lots of disjointed scenes into the videos in an attempt to create a memorable image. Elton John rarely used opening acts at his concerts, but after this song hit the charts in 1982, he enlisted Quarterflash for the job.
Cryin' on the corner, waitin' in the rain I swear I'll never, ever wait again You gave me your word but words for you are lies Darlin' in my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd go But it's time to let you know, oh I'm gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears I'm gonna turn and leave you here All of my life I've been waitin' in the rain I've been waiting for a feeling that never, ever came It feels so close, but always disappears Darlin', in your wildest dreams, you never had a clue But it's time you got the news I'm gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears I'm gonna turn and leave you here Darlin' in my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd go But it's time to let you know, oh I'm gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears I'm gonna turn and leave you here I'ma gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears I'ma gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears Harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears No, oh, oh, oh Harden my heart I'm gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears I'ma gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears Harden my heart, harden my heart Swallow my tears I'm gonna harden my heart
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 17, 1981 | 80 | 46 |
| 2 | Oct 24, 1981 | 63 | 63 |
| 3 | Oct 31, 1981 | 49 | 77 |
| 4 | Nov 7, 1981 | 33 | 93 |
| 5 | Nov 14, 1981 | 27 | 99 |
| 6 | Nov 21, 1981 | 22 | 104 |
| 7 | Nov 28, 1981 | 17 | 109 |
| 8 | Dec 5, 1981 | 14 | 112 |
| 9 | Dec 12, 1981 | 9 | 117 |
| 10 | Dec 19, 1981 | 8 | 118 |
| 11 | Dec 26, 1981 | 6 | 120 |
| 12 | Jan 2, 1982 | 6 | 120 |
| 13 | Jan 9, 1982 | 6 | 120 |
| 14 | Jan 16, 1982 | 6 | 120 |
| 15 | Jan 23, 1982 | 5 | 121 |
| 16 | Jan 30, 1982 | 5 | 121 |
| 17 | Feb 6, 1982 | 4 | 122 |
| 18 | Feb 13, 1982 | 3 | 123 |
| 19 | Feb 20, 1982 | 3 | 123 |
| 20 | Feb 27, 1982 | 7 | 119 |