Showing posts with label 80's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 80's. Show all posts

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Top 100 Songs of the 80's

The 80s, with its broad appeal and sing-along melodies, played a pivotal role in popularizing Pop music like no other decade before. It brought a new glamour, charm, and diverse music forms, shaped by influences from Glam rock, Punk, Disco, Kraftwerk, David Bowie, and Blondie. The convergence of these influences resulted in one of the most significant explosions in music history—the New Wave supernova.

New Wave, functioning as an overarching term, was remarkable for its diversity, encompassing a festival of music genres. The technological advancements of the era, coupled with the launch of MTV, transformed the music landscape, elevating the visual image's importance alongside the music itself. This visual emphasis led to iconic figures like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, and George Michael, who not only dominated the charts but also profoundly influenced popular music and culture.

Simultaneously, in and out of the mainstream, the charts were shaped by the likes of Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, The Cure, and The Smiths—chart favorites that continued their influence into subsequent decades. This rich musical tapestry culminated in the Top 100 80s songs chart, where a multitude of factors were considered to showcase the era's musical brilliance.
  • Official releases only
  • Maximum two song per artist

01. New Order - Blue Monday
02. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
03. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
04. The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
05. Bronski Beat - Small Town Boy
06. The Cure - Just Like Heaven
07. a-ha - Take On Me
08. Visage - Fade To Grey
09. Echo & Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
10. Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
11. Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
12. Kraftwerk - The Model (1981)
13. Madonna - Like A Prayer
14. The Human League - Don't You Want Me
15. New Order - True Faith
16. Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart
17. OMD - Enola Gay
18. Talk Talk - It's My Life
19. Alphaville - Big in Japan
20. Eurythmics - Love Is A Stranger
21. The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?
22. Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down
23. Ultravox - Vienna
24. Soft Cell - Tainted Love
25. The Clash - Rock The Casbah
26. David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes
27. The House Of Love - Shine On
28. Siouxsie & The Banshees - Spellbound
29. INXS - Never Tear Us Apart
30. The Stranglers - Golden Brown
31. The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
32. Depeche Mode - Everything Counts
33. The Cure - Charlotte Sometimes
34. Gary Numan - Cars
35. Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)
36. Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World
37. Dear Or Alive - You Spin Me Around (Like A Record)
38. Prince - Sign O' The Times
39. Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face
40. Blondie - Atomic
41. Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
42. Roxy Music - Avalon
43. Desireless - Voyage Voyage
44. Duran Duran - Planet Earth
45. Spandau Ballet - To Cut A Long Story Short
46. Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
47. Yazoo - Don't Go
48. Enya - Orinoco Flow
49. The KLF - 3AM Eternal
50. Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hanging On
51. Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin
52. The Stranglers - Always The Sun
53. INXS - Need You Tonight
54. The Jesus and Mary Chain - April Skies
55. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Mercy Seat
56. MARRS - Pump Up The Volume
57. Japan - Quiet Life
58. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
59. Tanita Tikaram - Twist In My Sobriety
60. U2 - New Year's Day
61. Sade - Smooth Operator
62. Tears For Fears - Mad World
63. The Sisters of Mercy - This Corrosion
64. Morrissey - Every Day Is Like Sunday
65. Killing Joke - Love Like Blood
66. a-ha - The Sun Always Shine On TV
67. Black - Everything Is Coming Up Roses
68. The Stone Roses - She Bangs The Drums
69. Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
70. Grace Jones - Slave To The Rhythm
71. Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning
72. Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
73. Bryan Ferry - Don't Stop The Dance
74. Talk Talk - Live's What You Make It
75. Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
76. Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder - Together In Electric Dreams
77. Duran Duran - Save A Prayer
78. Spandau Ballet - True
79. Siouxsie & The Banshees - Happy House
80. Heaven 17 - Temptation
81. Pixies - Monkey Gone To Heaven
82. Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot
83. Wham! - Everything She Wants
84. R.E.M - Pop Song '89
85. Bauhaus - She's In Parties
86. Bananarama - Cruel Summer
87. Laura Branigan - Self Control
88. Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way
89. Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel - Don't Give Up
90. Erasure - Little Respect
91. Inner City - Good Life
92. S'express- Theme Form S'express
93. Sinead O'Connor - Troy
94. The Church - Under The Milkyeway
95. Robert Palmer - Johnny and Mary
96. The Pretenders - Back On The Chain Gang
97. Laurie Anderson - O Superman
98. Martha & The Muffins - Echo Beach
99. Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now
100. Electronic - Getting Away With It

Thursday, October 13, 2016

'The Time is Now' a Brand New 80's Compilation to Benefit the Hiv/Aids Research

'The Time is Now' is a brand new compilation of re-imagined 80's hits that will benefit amfAR- The Foundation for Aids Research. The compilation includes the covers of New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle”, Duran Duran's "Rio", Wang Chung's "Dance Hall Days" and many others. 'The Time is Now' is the brainchild and labor of love of executive producers Michelangelo Lacqua, internationally acclaimed music curator, Andy Boose, longtime producer of many of amfAR’s events and Peter Bittenbender, CEO of Mass Appeal. “The Time Is Now is a music-driven call to action in support of amfAR’s push to end HIV/AIDS in our lifetime.” said Boose. 
The 14-track album was released on October 7 by Republic Records and Mass Appeal. More info about the project and how to purchase, here.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Reissue: Near Paris

May 9th will see the release of a glorious reissue by Near Paris. A Columbus, Ohio based synthpop duo who, unfortunately, released only one 12" EP during their time together in the early 80's. The band consisted of Gerald F. Nelson and Dana Riashi who made quite a name for themselves around the Columbus music scene. In addition, they had the pleasure of opening for Section 25 as well as winning several local awards...not bad! Sadly, Gerald passed away in October of 2012. I'm more than positive he would have been proud and honored to see his and Dana's track given new life. Gratitude goes out to Medical Records in association with Crispy Nuggets Blogspot for making this possible.

Wait, because i'm not done yet! Did i mention that this release is to be housed on 180 gram oxblood opaque vinyl?! Oh but yes! Colored vinyl is always a serious bonus. Even more so when there isn't a bad track amongst the bunch. This just so happens to be the case here. The 11 tracks are comprised of the aforementioned 4 track EP as well as 7 previously unreleased others. This is to be a limited edition pressing of  650 copies. Slick, synthy, melodic atmosphere is what you're in for. Who in their right mind doesn't want that?


For a full listen and to order, please visit Medical Records Bandcamp.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Retrovision: Missing Persons - Words

Epitomizing the early 80's L.A. New Wave scene, Missing Persons released their debut EP, "I Like Boys" in 1980. Fronted by vocalist Dale Bozzio and rounded out by Terry Bozzio and Warren Cuccurullo, the line up would later expand with the addition of Patrick O'Hearn and Chuck Wild. The first single and MTV staple, "Words", peaked at #42 on the US Hot 100 Singles Charts and went to #9 in Australia. The band would go on to release three studio albums and a string of singles while gaining a loyal following all along the way. They ended their run in 1986 as the members moved on to other projects. Most notably, Cuccurullo would land in the midst of Duran Duran as the replacement for the departed Andy Taylor.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Reissue: The Lords of the New Church - The Gospel Truth

Today sees the release of the first official boxset by the 80's post-punk rockers. "The Gospel Truth" is a 3 CD / 1 DVD collection of rarities and live material. Doing the honors is the UK based, who have given CD/DVD rarities reissue treatments to Lou Reed, The Stooges, Roxy Music, Heaven 17, and a countless list of others. All featured material was recorded from 1982-1988 and comes nearly 23 years after the death of vocalist, Stiv Bators. Bators died on June 3, 1990 following complications from being hit by a taxi in Paris. This tragedy would bring the bands' activity to an end but the music still lives on.



Please visit The Gospel Truth boxset @ Action Records for complete tracklisting.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Reissue: Informatics - Dance To A Dangerous Beat

In the tradition of doing what they do best, Dark Entries Records has rounded up the best of Australian analog synthers, Informatics. The vinyl compilation titled "Dance To A Dangerous Beat" is set to be released on January 29. Tracks such as "Proximity Switch, "What A World", and "Hungry Pets" will be included amongst others. Informatics began in Melbourne, Australia in 1981 with the line-up of  Michael Trudgeon, Valek Sadovchikoff, Steve Adam and Ramesh Ayyar. Philip McKellar would be added to the mix in 1983. After two EP releases and numerous live performances, the band would end their run in 1985.


For more info and sound samples of this must-have release, please visit:

Dark Entries Records and Dark Entries Records @ SoundCloud


Monday, January 17, 2011

The Rewind Festival- 80's Supernova

Rewind – The 80s Music Festival is to launch a new weekend event at Scone Palace in Perthshire, Scotland from 29th-31st July 2011. The festival will boast the biggest live outdoor line-up of 80s recording artists and performers ever! Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday January 21st. For further ticket outlet info and prices visit: www.rewindfestival.com.The all-star 80s line-up will perform at the historic setting of Scone Palace in Perthshire; the home of The Earls of Mansfield and the crowning palace of the Kings of Scotland. 

More info:
http://www.noblepr.co.uk
Ticket Info

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Frankie Goes To Hollywood- 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' Reissue

Frankie Goes To Hollywood have released a Deluxe Edition of their debut 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' which was originally released in 1984 and produced by Trevor Horn.The first CD contains the LP version of the original album and the second CD which features rare and previously unreleased material.


Welcome to the Pleasuredome

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Trevor Herion/ The Fallout Club

Trevor Herion, born John Trevor Herion, (1959 – 1988) was an Irish singer who was a member of few music groups in the late 70’s and early 80’s New wave scene, including The Civilians and The Fallout Club. He later went to release one solo album which also defined the end of his musical career. He died in October 1988.

Herion's musical career starts in the late 70’s when he was a member of an unsigned local band which was dealing with name changes. They started with the B-52’s and changed their name to The Puritans after discovering the existence of the similarly named US band. After the dissolution of the band Trevor joined the Post punk band called The Civilians with Paul Simon from Neo and Radio Stars and Mark Scholfield on guitar and Michael French on bass. They released two singles, “Made For Television”/”I See My Friends” and “In America”/”In Search Of Pleasure” before disbanding, Scholfield and French went to form Academy One, while Trevor formed a new band with the old band mate Paul Simon under the name The Fallout Club.

The Fallout Club was formed out of the ashes of the Civilians and was joined by the future star Thomas Dolby as a producer on keyboards and member Matthew Seligman on bass, both former members of the Camera Club. The band only released three singles during their short existence. They debuted with their minimal beat driven “The Falling Years”/ “Beat Boys” in 1980 and continued with softer, melancholic synth-pop sound, releasing the singles “Dream Soldiers” and “Wonderlust”.

In 1981 the Fallout Club fell apart. Simon went to work with Glen Matlock, Seligman joined the Thompson Twins and Dolby and Herion began their solo careers. Thomas Dolby already released his first solo singles including “Europa and the Pirate Twins” in the same year while Trevor Herion continued to record music and released several singles including his solo debut “Kiss of No Return”. All his songs appeared on his only album Beauty Life which moved the sound more towards pop, funk and soul. It was released through Interdisc in 1983 but didn’t gain any major success.

In the late 80’s, during the year 1988, Trevor began to suffer from severe depression which eventually overcame him leading to his tragic suicide on the 1st of October 1988. The songs that were released as singles in during the 80's recorded as Fallout Club were reissued on CD for the first time in 2017 on a compilation entitled Dangerous Friends while Trevor Herion's solo album was reissued twice, in 2016 and 2023.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Goldfrapp- Head First

Goldfrapp fifth studio album 'Head First' is released today, 22 March 2010 by Mute Records. The album was recorded during 2009 and has a heavy 80's music influence. The lead single,"Rocket" , was released on iTunes Stores around the world on January 24, 2010 and on March 8, 2010.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Vice Versa

Vice Versa was a synthpop group from Sheffield, England. The band was formed in 1978 by Stephen Singleton and Mark White. Their record label ‘Neutron Records’ played an important role in Sheffield’s late 70’s music scene. The group later transformed their sound into pop after Martin Fry joined the band and became a lead singer.

Vice Versa were formed in 1978 in Sheffield. They founded their own record label ‘Neutron Records’ and succeeded in gaining public attention with their blend of electronic which was inspired by Cabaret Voltaire and The Human League. In September 1979, they released their first record on ‘Neutron Records’, an EP called ‘Vice Versa Music 4’, including the 4 songs "Riot Squad", "Camille", "New Girls/Neutrons" and "Science - Fact". Their record label made sharp and intelligent statement with their music announcing the new decade in music. Vice Versa also won a NME’s famous song of the week. In 1980 the label released ‘The First 15 Minutes’ EP which featured unsigned, local bands of Sheffield including Vice Versa and Clock DVA. The group also supported the Human League during their first Sheffield gig.


Martin Fry who was running the fanzine ‘Modern Drugs’ interviewed the group and joined the group after David Sydenham left. Vice Versa made two more releases before they changed their sound. They released a cassette only '8 Aspects of' followed by their only single release “Stilyagi/Eyes of Christ”
During their Holland tour Martin started improvising on vocals and soon became a new lead singer after, while Mark White took over the song writing. The new concept was born. Vice Versa went pop. The rest of the history is ABC.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Paul Haig

Paul Haig is a multifaceted Scottish artist recognized as the frontman of the early 80s Post-punk group Josef K. Following the band's dissolution, Haig transitioned into a solo career, where he established himself as a composer, producer, and singer. Throughout the 80s, he released numerous albums and singles, all while nurturing his enduring Rhythm of Life organization, which continues to thrive today.

Haig's early career starts are connected to Edinburgh's independent record label Rational which released his early work. This included his first singles, as well as the experimental album Drama. The album was released in 700 copies as limited edition cassette only set of home recorded electronica featuring Franz Kafka texts set to music.
In the early 1982, Haig teamed up up with the Belgian independent record label Les Disques du Crepuscule and relocated to Brussels for an intensive recording schedule. This resulted in two new singles, showcasing a departure from the sound associated with his previous work with Josef K. 
Later this year Haig signed the deal with Island Records for a new album, the first recorded in a studio, in New York. His first Island single was a newly arranged "Heaven Sent" announcing the new album Rhythm of Life and a short tour promotion. The album sold respectably, but the Josef K. fans could not follow here anymore. Simple bad luck seems to have prevented all three singles providing solid hits which might have allowed Haig to cross over to a new, wider audience. Inexplicably 'Island' failed even to release the album or the singles in the US, the very market to which they had been tailored. While Haig stayed in the USA Les Disques du Crepuscule went on releasing his music around Europe. 

In 1984 Haig teamed up with Alan Rankine in London to produce a new album. The first and only single from the album was the song "The Only Truth" co-produced with Bernard Sumner and Donald Johnson. It failed to chart which led to disconnection between Island Records' and Les Disques du Crepuscule, resulting in a shelved  album. Rather than release the cancelled set on Crepuscule, it was decided to combine half the album with new songs recorded throughout 1985. Haig launched his fightback later in the year with a powerful single, "Heaven Help You Now", and the excellent album The Warp Of Pure Fun


Unhappy with Crepuscule, Haig left seeking a new record deal. During 1986 he mostly spent time writing new songs and recording with Billy Mackenzie, the other Associate. In the early 1988, Haig financed recording of a new new album Chains himself on the Virgin offshoot Circa. The album featured the song "Something Good" one of the highlights of Haig 80's era songs. Both the album and the song broke commercially and no tour followed.
In the early 90's, Circa financed the recording of another album that was dance orientated with Curtis Mantronik and Lil Louis as producers. During the 90's he also released Cinematique, an instrumental set of imaginary film themes as well as Memory Place, an album compiled by the songs Billy Mackenzie and Paul Haig recorded. In 2001 Haig released another two volumes of Cinematique on his ROL Imprint.

In 2007 Haig released his first album and single in 14 years. The album Electonik Audience was influenced by Kraftwerk and Cabaret Voltaire. Another album followed in 2008, Go Out Tonight. It marked Paul returning to his roots and tracks such as "Trouble Maker" which are very reminiscent of early solo recordings such as "Chance". Haig also embarked on his first tour since 1989 when he promoted both old and new tracks. 2009 saw the release of the critically-acclaimed album, Relive, during December. The album marked a return to form with some songs such as "Ambition" and "Trip Out The Rider" evoking the energy displayed on earlier albums.
Going through the ups and downs of his career which last for almost 30 years. Haig has never released a record with his own face on the front cover. For me personally, remaining as one of the most underrated artists of all time.

The main source: 

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Landscape

Landscape was a British group which remained best known for their hits "Einstein A Go Go" and "European Man". The group was led by Richard Burgess who was previously a member of soft rock group Easy Street. In the mid 70's, he left the group to form Landscape. He also remained as one of the best record producers of the 80's era.


In 1976 Burgess left Easy Street to form a group that would eventually play some fusion of slick synth-op music mixed with funk and jazz. Landscape was formed and already in the 70's they released few singles and toured. The group compromised of Andy Pask on bass, Chris Eaton on keyboards, John Walters on keyboards and woodwinds, Pete Thomas on trombone and keyboards and the master himself Richard Burgess on drums and vocals. Not like other popular New wave groups they employed both electronic and traditional instruments. The band released their self titled debut album 'Landscape' in 1979. The album was produced by Greg Walsh with a big jazz/funk influence. It sold rather poorly and so Landscape decided to accent the synthesizers more in their music.

 

In 1981 they produced their second album in a collaboration with Colin Thurston. The album was titled 'From the Tea-rooms of Mars ... to the Hell-holes of Uranus'. They scored their first top ten hit in the UK with the catchy tune "Einstein A Go-Go" and two more songs followed, "Norman Bates" and "Shake The West Awake". Landscape released their last album 'Manhattan Boogie-Woogie' in 1982. This album was also produced by Lanscape and this time they were a trio also know under the moniker Landscape III.
Landscape broke up for good in 1984. Burgess started to concentrate more on his producing career. While he was still a member of Landscape, he produced Shock and the first two albums by Spandau Ballet and many other popular artists of that time including Adam Ant, Kim Wilde and Visage. He also used the pseudonym Caleb Kadesh for his production skills. Burgess is also credited with coining the term New Romantic encompassing the early 80's British music, club and fashion scene and with conceptualizing and designing the first electronic drumset the Simmons SDS-V. The first two albums by Landscape were reissued on CD in 1992.
 

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Instant Hit: Alan Rankine- The World Begins To Look Her Age (Single)

"The World Begins To Look Her Age" was the third and the last single Alan Rankine has released as solo artist. In the early 80's he was a producer and member of the British group the Associates. This single was released on Virgin, in 1987 and appeared on the album of the same name released the year before, in 1986.


Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Synth Britannia on BBC Four

The BBC has announced that it will be airing Synth Britannia, a documentary "exploring the impact of electronic music on popular culture in Britain," as part of its autumn/winter schedule.
Set to be shown on digital channel BBC Four the programme will trace synthpop's invention back to Gary Numan's 1979 appearance on Top Of The Pops before going on to explain how this new genre formed the soundtrack to the '80s.
Contributors will include some of the scene's heaviest hitters: Philip Oakey, Vince Clarke, Martin Gore, Bernard Sumner, Gary Numan and Neil Tennant...

Source:
http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/synth-britannia-documentary-to-be-shown-on-bbc-four-220090

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Torch Song

Torch Song was a British synthpop and dance band of the early 80’s. The band consisted of William Orbit, Laurie Mayer and Grant Gilbert. They released two albums and several singles during the 80’s. In the 90’s they teamed up with Rico Conning to record their last one in 1997.


Torch Song as a trio were already writing and recording since 1981. In 1983, they were launched by IRS Records and they released their first single "Prepare to Energize”. Their debut single was a surprise hit which was played in nightclubs and discos. It also appeared in the Tom Hanks movie ‘Bachelor Party’. Their debut album ‘Wish Thing’ was released a year later in 1984. The singles “Don’t Look Now” and “Tattered Dress” followed. There were also rumours that Torch Song would eventually produce next Sting album.

In 1985, William Orbit co-produced Sting’s song "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free", Torch Song released their third single “Ode To Billy Ray” which was followed by their second album ‘Ecstasy’ in 1986. In the same year Orbit continued remixing and producing music for other artists including his first famous remixes on the chart-topping singles by Belinda Circle “In the Sand” & “Mad About You” The Torch songs released two more songs this year including the “White Night” which appeared on the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre III’ soundtrack.
After the release of the compilation album ‘Exhibit A’, Torch Song disbanded in 1987. William Orbit retained contract with I.R.S. records and launched his solo career. He released two albums and few singles and continued remixing and working with Erasure, the Human League, Gary Numan and Jimmy Sommerville.

Torch Song were reformed in 1995 and joined by Rico Conning for the third album release which was entitled "Toward The Unknown Region". Orbit’s career was radically put in the public eye with the production of a long-awaited Madonna album "Ray of Light" in 1997. Today William Orbit still does the remixing as well as producing his own music. The female vocalist Laurie Mayer released her first solo album in 2006 entitled 'Black Lining' which was co-produced by Rico Conning.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Henry Badowski

Henry Badowski is known as the British songwriter and composer as well as a multi-instrumentalist. At the beginning of his career he used to play in many Punk and New wave bands. In the early 80's he released a few singles and recorded one LP, after which he withdrew from music and public life.

Photo courtesy of  https://www.thisismyjam.com/artist/Henry+Badowski
Henry's career started in a punk band, Chelsie, where he was a bassist. He later joined Wreckless Eric's band as a drummer, he sang and played keyboards with short-lived King a punk/psychedelic group. He also played briefly with Alternative TV. Before launching his solo career he a was temporary member of the Damned off-shoot, the Doomed, playing bass guitar.

Badowski's solo career began in the summer of 1979, with the release of "Making Love With My Wife" on Deptford Fun City label.The single drew favourable reviews and within a month he had signed a contract with A&M Records, releasing a further two singles "My Face" and "Henry's In Love", closely followed by the album 'Life Is Grand...', His album displayed strong 60's and 70's influence and Henry himself played the most of the instruments except the violin and the guitar. After his album release and no new follow-up Henry has withdrawn from music and public life. His album has never been remastered.

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