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.
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
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.
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.
Monday, 25 June 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
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.
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?
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?
Friday, 15 June 2007
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..
This song by Pink Floyd called out to every cell in my adolescent body and I cried back:
Hey! Teacher! Leave us kids alone..
Thursday, 14 June 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
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.
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.
Monday, 11 June 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, 10 June 2007
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!"
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!"
Saturday, 9 June 2007
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.
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.
Friday, 8 June 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, 7 June 2007
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?
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?
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
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.
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.
Monday, 4 June 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Saturday, 2 June 2007
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!
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!
Friday, 1 June 2007
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.
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.
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