Belouis Some - Imagination

Year: 1985

This video explained to me in my teens what it meant to have a libido. Man, was this video hot! Even if Belouis Some never did much later on worth noticing, I desperately wanted to be in his clothes. Or rather...in his place, sitting in a tub and ever so lightly touching a pair of woman breasts from behind. There are actually many more attractive scenes in the vid, but you better experience it yourself.

Joy Division - She's Lost Control

Year: 1979



By popular request, here is a song from the more or less iconized british group Joy Division. In my opinion this is their best song although Love Will Tear Us Apart may be more well-known. That song was forever ruined by Paul Young's awful remake of it. Once again, Joy Division is in focus due to the film about the singer, Ian Curtis, by Anton Corbijn.
Enjoy!

Alphaville - Forever Young

Year: 1984



A little reluctantly I must admit that Forever Young by Alphaville had an impact on me during 1984. Listening to it now it seems a little pompously naive to its structure, but it obviously found its way to many young girls and boys hearts. Who said that Germans can't make hit music..

Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine

Year: 1983



I had a conversation the other day with a net-friend about artists and songs that you like, but don't want anyone to know that you do. Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves is such a song. On its release I found it totally irresistable in its simple joyful and uptempo style. Today it feels a little worn out. Still, it's one of the unforgettable hits for me even if I prefer to keep it a secret.

Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)

Year: 1985



Do you remember this song? Of course you do. At least if you are over 25, and there is even a good chance that you might know it if you are under that age too. Simple Minds had a huge success with it in -85, much thanks to it being featured in the movie Breakfast Club. I remember that I thought that Simple Minds was a sell-out due to this, but at the same time I loved the song and all it represented for a teenager.

Thompson Twins - King for a day

Year: 1985



I guess that few music connoisseurs hold Thomson Twins in high regards nowadays, but I disagree with them. The band meant a lot to me and I thought that every single band member had a spectacular haircut (the 80's was a hair-centric decade, no doubt about that).
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do.

Talking Heads - Burning down the house

Year: 1983



Time for something completely different.
At least it was form me when I first heard it in -83. Talking Heads made som cool stuff before and after Burning down the house, but this is the only really essential song for me.

"...three-hun-dred-six-ty-five-de-grees...burning down the house!"

The Primitives - Crash

Year: 1988



Not really the "early" 80's in a strict definition, but well within the boundaries of this glossy decade! The joyful Crash by The Primitives has been covered a few times, but as always I prefer the real McCoy. British pop at its best.

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities in dust

Year: 1986



During the 80's I was never especially into the alternative scene, into which I categorize Siouxsie and the Banshees (any objections can be left here). This song however was sticky enough for me to remember. Don't have any specific memories related to it though. 'Nuf said! Watch and listen!

Fad Gadget - Collapsing New People

Year: 1984



I don't expect many of you to remember Collapsing New People by Fad Gadget, but I really could relate to the synthetic aggressive feeling of it. As a matter of fact I still can. And being in a shitty mood today I'll listen to it with the volume turned up loud.

Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)

Year: 1981





I was very confused about the guys of Hall & Oates. Who is Hall and who is Oates? It's similar to the Simon & Garfunkel problem. Don't know about them either. The song is in any case worth remembering and also the fact that I for many years thought the band was called "Holy Notes"... Needless to say, I don't own any of their records. Enjoy!

Duran Duran - Girls On Film

Year: 1981

I heard a lot about this video by Duran Duran after it was released. People said that it was, if not pornographic, so at least adult in nature. Well, I knew about pornography (male teenagers collects all porn they can get their hands on and I was no different) and this was nothing of the kind. Much later I learned there were two versions of the video. This one is the more adult which I peronally think is pretty harmless. Nonetheless, the song is classic!

Billy Idol - Flesh for Fantasy

Year: 1983



We all thought that Billy Idol looked cool and dangerous at the time. He had his patented raised rebel lip which nobody copied. The reason might have been that it looked a little silly, don't you think? The guitar intro must have been sampled by someone, for sure!

OMD - Enola Gay

Year: 1980



I can't really decide what it is most heart breaking about this song. Is it the girl that dumped me at the time Orchestral Manouvers in the Dark (OMD) released the song? Is it the sad singing style of Humpreys and McCluskey? Or is it the grim background related to the name "Enola Gay" (the name of the bomber that dropped the first nuclear bomb over Hiroshima)?
I don't know. But what I do know is that I love this song.

Roxy Music - Avalon

Year: 1982




I love the pulsating soprano at the end of Roxy Music's mega hit Avalon. The video features the ever elegant Bryan Ferry as seducer as well as falconeer. I wish I was that talented too! But I guess I have to settle for seducer. The ravishing woman in the video...I wonder who she is.

(edit: According to web sources she is Sophie Ward, British actress)

Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

Year: 1985



Raise your hand if you have never been tempted to dance when you hear this song... cross your heart and hope to die? No, I didn't think you would. It is almost as irresistable now as it was when it appeared in 1985. Apart from this song Dead or Alive did't make much of an impression on me...well, the hysterical hairdos is kind of impressive. Or scary. And what's with the eye patch on that guy? Because it is a guy, right?

Bow Wow Wow - I Want Candy

Year: 1982



There are several versions of this song (the original was made in 1965) but for me this one by Bow Wow Wow is my "original". The act was a successful breed between pop and punk and I just loved everything about it. Needless to say I was in love with the singer, Annabella, which was the case with just about every girl/woman between 14 and 25 I laid my eyes on when I was 16 myself. What can I say...hormones..

Japan - Visions of China

Year: 1981



I tried several times to sing along with David Sylvian whenever I heard Japan's hit Visions of China. It didn't sound that great I am afraid. No matter how much I practiced, I never became Sylvian-like.

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Year: 1982



No 80's list can ignore Michael Jackson. Neither can I. Thriller was the first video that broke the all-videos-should-be-about-2:35-long-rule. I remember that the video itself was pre-announced with descriptions like "It's not just a video; it's a short film" and "The most expensive production for years to come". Most of it was probably correct. A truly amazing production at the time.

Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science

Year: 1982



I must admit that Thomas Dolby is an artist that I miss a little. He could write hit music with an original touch, as this example proves. Not your average "sha-na-na-naaa", don't you think. In the end of the video it is stated that Thomas Dolby also directed it. I have not tried to get it confirmed, but I like the idea and wish to continue to believe that.

Madness - Our House

Year: 1982



Our House by Madness was indeed a different twist to the gloomy Ska sound that was advocated by for example the Specials. This was completely different! Energetic, happy and melodic and my friends and me responded by start a dance frenzy as soon as we heard the bass intro. It's about time you do the same!

Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Year: 1984



Cyndi Lauper has had many followers, like Wendy James from Transvision Vamp or more recent Pink, but Cyndi remains the original. She was never one of my absolute favourites, but always held a place on my mixed music casettes.

Adam & the Ants - Stand And Deliver

Year: 1981



One of the strange rumours that followed Adam & the Ants front man Adam Ant (at least in my school at the time) was that he was secretly blind. Blind as a bat, the rumour stated. We all wondered how he could move around in this music video, and the explanation was that he had an exceptional spacial memory to guide him and a god given intuition. To say that it was silly would be an understatement.. Anyway, it is a good song and Adam made girls knee-weak.

Kraftwerk - The Model

Year: 1978



Time for some Kraftwerk. Few can dispute the profound impact Kraftwerk have had on several genres within the electronica sphere. The Model is probably one of their most accessible songs (the video was even played on MTV obviously).

The Bangles - Walk like an Egyptian

Year: 1984



It was a long time since I last saw this rather cute video by The Bangles, where appearently random people in New York city show off their Egyptian-walking abilities. Susanna Hoffs wields her guitar with sexy confidence. Classic.

Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights

Year: 1978



This song is probably the single most important reason for my musical interest. When I heard it the first time I thought that she must be from a different planet. Her voice is as unique as her artistic qualities. After having been shamefully neglected for many years, Kate Bush is nowadays referred to by many artists as an important source of inspiration.

Look out for Kate's (without any doubt) home-cooked choreography.

Eurythmics - Love Is A Stranger

Year: 1983


Sorry folks for not being able during the summer vacations to provide the daily 80's fix, but I promise to keep up pace all through autumn. Kicking off with one of Eurythmics most interesting songs/videos. I think it is their best although most of their audience found it weird and spooky at the time.

Blondie - Heart Of Glass

Year: 1978



Strictly sticking to the 80's definition, this song by Blondie would not have been listed here, but what the hell...the song is great and Debbie Harry is gorgeous.

The Clash - Rock The Casbah

Year: 1982



Uhm..I sort of lost pace the last week in updating my blog (sorry for that devoted readers), but I had a lot of birthday party arrangements (yes, my own..) to do. I hope I can make up for lost time with this absolute gem from The Clash. Perhaps somewhat of an outsider in this collection of New Wave, New Romantics etc. but a classic although the genre term "punk rock" probably is a little off track. I still want an Armadillo.

Culture Club - Do you really want to hurt me

Year: 1982



This list would not have been complete without the breakthrough song from Culture Club. Perhaps it has been played too many times during the course of time, it is still a 80's classic which nobody could have escaped.

New Order - Blue Monday

Year: 1983



Today is my 40th birthday! (My brother rang and told me that I am now closer to 50 than 30!the bastard...) and since it is my birthday I want to select one of the absolutely indespensible songs by New Order.

Men At Work - Down Under

Year: 1982



Men At Work led the way for the increasing Australian music export with this irresistable and somewhat quirky hit. What can you say about a song that includes the Australien delicacy "vegemite" (a bread spread that smells like old socks)? Today we can safely say that the band was a one hit wonder.

Peter Gabriel - Shock The Monkey

Year: 1982



I am still very fond of this song by Peter Gabriel, although I don't have much memories connected to it. While Peter Gabriel solo meant a lot to me during the 80's, his previous band Genesis left me stone cold.

Roxy Music - Over You

Year: 1980



One of the outstanding songs from Roxy Music is Over You. At least for me. I bought the album Flesh & Blood on music casette (fairly common format at the time, but can still be found at the Nice Price shelf at any truck stop..) and played it over and over again during most of my summer holiday 1981. Brilliant song but I apaologize for the crappy video. Difficult to find decent videos for Roxy Music.

The Assembly - Never Never

Year: 1983



The Assembly never made it big time. As far as I know, this song was the only big hit they had. Feargal Shearkey (damn, that's a difficult name) had the most fragile and characteristic voice. It suited the frail synth background perfectly. The upside-down camera glide in the end of the video was puzzling me for years. How did they shoot it?

Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall

Year: 1979



This song by Pink Floyd called out to every cell in my adolescent body and I cried back:
Hey! Teacher! Leave us kids alone..

Soft Cell - Tainted Love

Year: 1981



I guess this song by Soft Cell is one of the gay movement's icon hits. Just look at the rare video which leaves no doubt about the sexual preferences of the singer. There is also an alternate (de-gayed) and more recent version of the video which I couldn't find. Tainted Love was one of the songs which was played a dozen times during my brothers birthday party which I wrote about in an earlier post.

Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield

Year: 1983



Boy, has this video gained some weight over the years? Pat Benatar made som very 80s songs and some VERY 80s videos, like this one. At the time I was very moved by the story telling in it.

ABC - Look of Love

Year: 1982



I enjoyed an occasional ABC song, but was never a dedicated follower. The song Look of Love is another example of the glamorous video-making of the 80s.

Howard Jones - Like to get to know you well

Year: 1985



It is impossible to escape the 80s vibes from the steel pan intro in this Howard Jones signature song. I think more music should feature steel pans! Listen for instance to contemporary band The Knife, they have really embraced steel pans and made fantastic music based on it.

Devo - Whip It

Year: 1980



This song (and the video in particular) by Devo was about the coolest thing I had ever seen at the time. Even now, the video stands out as one of the most provocative in lyrics as well as for the visual aspect. A friend borrowed my two precious Devo albums and then moved to Stockholm. He never returned them to me. Bastard!

"When a problem comes along, you must whip it!"

Modern English - I Melt With You

Year: 1982



I Melt with You by Modern English meant nothing special to me at the time. It was one of those songs you heard in the background. As the years have passed however, I have become increasingly fond of this gem from the early eighties.

Bananarama - Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)

Year: 1983



Since it is blazing hot today here in Göteborg, I'll give you a typical summer hit from Bananarama. The sound of summer holiday for me at least.

Paula Abdul - Straight Up

Year: 1988



Even if my own interest in dance is close to zero, I have to admit that Paula Abdul (responsible for the choreography of several Michael Jackson videos) really put this artform on the map for popular culture. This video features common stage dancing nowaday, but was something special at that time. Enjoy the frantic tap-dance intro!

Pop-quiz: On what show, currently on TV, does Paula appear?

Ultravox - Hymn

Year: 1982



I went to an Ultravox concert at Lisebergshallen around 1985 (I think). It is one of my best concert memories, ever. And one of my earliest too. The band did a percussion introduction to Hymn (if I remember correctly) which impressed me big time. It was one of those moments when you were one with the music.

Blancmange - Don't tell me

Year: 1984



I am not sure what it was with Don't tell me by Blancmange that always put me and my friend in a dancing frenzy whenever we played it. Maybe it was about the tempo. Not only is the melody up-tempo, but the song is too. This makes it remarkably intense. Hearing it now it still puts me in a good mood.

Madonna - Material Girl

Year: 1984



Material Girl by Madonna. I have a hard time to come up with something to say about it. Madonna has ben active for so long so as an artist she is almost timeless. The song is one of her best from the early 80s and she was not yet full of herself.

The Specials - Ghost Town

Year: 1981



The Specials were cooler than most other 80s acts so they deserve a slot on my list.

David Bowie - Ashes to ashes

Year: 1980



In the early 80s this amazing song appeard from David Bowie, taking full advantage of the new possibilities with watching music on MTV. My friend Gilbert introduced me to David Bowie, and I am forever in his debt for it. Thanks buddy!

Gary Numan - Cars

Year: 1979



Released alredy in 1979, Cars by Gary Numan is considered by many to be the starting point of the synth pop genre. In hindsight, the video probably didn't have much to do with that. It is hardly groundbreaking with Gary Numan staring dramatically (or psychotic?) into the camera most of the time. The song is smooth though.

Simple Minds - Love Song

Year: 1981



There are a few Simple Minds songs that are more well known than this, but hardly any that match Love Song in roughness. The video is hardly a masterpiece, however time typical.
My older brother had a big party on his 18th birthday this year (our parents were off to some event or something, leaving the big down-town apartment completely in our care..), where I was allowed to be present, if I promised not to be in the way and not to tell Mom about the party. This song was probably played 30 times during the evening. When the party came to an end we discovered that someone had stolen a wall mounted revolver, a souvenir from the Finnish-Soviet winter war (1939-1940).
Mom was not happy and the revolver was never recovered.

The Cars - You Might Think

Year: 1984



About the only thing I remember from this song from The Cars was the stunning beauty in the video. While doing research for this blogg, I learned that her name was...er...something....uhm. Well, she is a model, I remembered that at least.

Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue

Year: 1982



Eddy Grant's "joi de cruise"-song Electric Avenue has been covered by lots of artists. But the original, that you can feel in your groin, has in my opinion never been challenged.

Propaganda - Dr. Mabuse

Year: 1984



Propaganda's breakthrough song Dr. Mabuse is actually one that I do have a memory from. I first saw it in a café in my hometown Göteborg where a video jukebox just had been installed. It was an awesome experience having music videos displayed while having tea with friends.

Nik Kershaw - The Riddle

Year: 1984



This video by Nik Kershaw is one of my favorite videos of all times. Fuel for imagination.

Yazoo - Only You

Year: 1982



I always feel like I am going to cry when I hear this Yazoo song. Not that I ever would do it...

Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Year: 1985



Sweet pop song from Tears For Fears that I haven't got the slightest memory from..

Bananarama - Cruel Summer

Year: 1984



There were a lot of hits from Bananarama between 1984 and 1985, but this is one that is unmistakably soo "Bananarama". I learned today that the band is booked for the Swedish Pride Festival. It seems like many of the 80's icons still is the property of the gay community.
Leave the 80's alone, you greedy gay persons!

The Human League - Don't You Want Me

Year: 1981



It was not until years after this song was released, that I first watched this video. In retrospect, it is almost too 80's (look at Phil Oakeys makeup). The Human League is still around I think.

Kim Wilde - Kids in America

Year: 1981


I had a crush on Kim Wilde (who didn't...). Actually, she is still good looking.