Best of 1981 - Top 50 Singles List

Following the tragic death of John Lennon in December 1980, the world was still in mourning after the loss of one of the most influential musical masterminds of all time. All this did also had impact on the charts as where his biggest hits "Woman" and "Imagine" could be found again. Even Roxy Music paid tribute to him by covering "Jealous Guy".

Apart from this, the charts were still dominated by the rising stars of 1980, Adam and the Ants while The Police had more hits. Human League re-formed this year exiting the dark phase and releasing "Don't You Want Me Baby" which together with Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" helped to emblem the music style which would in the coming years be known as Synth-pop.

Along with the increasing popularity of synth driven music, the New Romantic movement slowly grew to fame as new kids adopted synths and started wearing lipstick. Perhaps the biggest event of the year was the launch of MTV which aired "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles. The song became a huge hit and a symbol for the new platform which would give the music industry a new face and dimension.

 

 During our 30 year anniversary of 1981 in 2011, the following album were voted Top 50 singles by Burning Flame friends and readers including in-house votes.

Updated: 05/2020

01. Ultravox- Vienna 
02. The Cure- Charlotte Sometimes 
03. The Human League- Don't You Want Me 
04. Siouxsie and the Banshees- Spellbound 
05. New Order- Ceremony 
06. Soft Cell- Tainted Love 
07. Talking Heads- Once in a Lifetime 
08. Duran Duran- Planet Earth 
09. Ultravox-The Voice 
10. Japan- Quiet Life 
11. Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough 
12. Simple Minds- Love Song 
13. Kraftwerk- Computer Love 
14. The Specials - Ghost Town 
15. Heaven 17 -We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang 
16. David Bowie - Up The Hill Backwards 
17. Kim Wilde - Kids in America 
18. Depeche Mode- New Life 
19. Men At Work - Down Under 
20. Soft Cell - Memorabilia 

Pet Shop Boys Announce a New B-side Compilation Album

Pet Shop Boys will release a brand new b-sides compilation on February 6th, 2012, on Parlophone. Entitled 'Format', it celebrates the duo's prolific song-writing and recording by collecting 38 b-sides and bonus tracks originally released on singles from 1996 to 2009.The album will be available digitally and on double-CD. All tracks have been remastered and the CD booklet features an interview with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe by Jon Savage.

http://www.petshopboysshop.co.uk/petshopboys/petshopboys/Format

Section 25 Art Exibition

As part of the’2011 Blackpool Art Fair’ at The Grundy Art Gallery Blackpool.The Grundy will be featuring a special' foyer'exhibition of Section 25’s back catalogue including album artwork by Peter Saville,band memorabilia and a history of the band from early days up to the present.The show will also include a tribute to the art of Larry Cassidy, a founder member of the band who sadly passed away in 2010.The exhibiton will run from 19/11/11 until 14/01/12. 

http://www.section25.com/
http://primaryschoolteachersartforum.blogspot.com

80's Duets: Yello feat. Shirley Bassey- The Rhythm Divine

Back in 1987, Yello approached Shirley Bassey for a possible collaboration on one of their song which written specially with her voice in mind. She agreed to do the duet and so "The Rhythm Divine" was released during the same year and it also appeared on Yello's album One Second. Billy MacKenzie, lead singer of The Associates, who had previously worked with Yello on several occasions, also contributed on this song and he provided the backing vocals. 

 

In Conversation: The Silent Section

The Silent Section is a three piece group from Denmark consisting of Nicolas Calrsen, Morten N. Carlsen and Morten Møllebjerg. Their music is balancing between sensitive and fragile expression to powerful and noisy rhythms. They are one of the finest acts on the Danish label Tryghed & Tristesse through which they released their debut album in 2009. Their brilliant new album entitled 'Contour of A Passing Dream' was released this Autumn. In an exclusive interview for our blog the lead singer Morten N. Carlsen reveals more information about the musical background of the Silent Section, the influences and further plans in music.

Best of 2011- The Album List

01. Duran Duran- All You Need is Now [S-Curve/ Edel]

02. John Maus- We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves [Upset the Rhythm]

03. Lykke Li- Wounded Rhymes [LL]

04. The Horrors- Skying [XL]

05. PJ Harvey- Let England Shake [Island]

06. Crystal Stilts- In Love With Oblivion [Slumberland]

07. Mirrors- Lights and Offerings [Skint]

08. SSION- BENT- digital

09. Cut Copy- Zonoscope [Modular]

10. Austra- Feel It Break [Domino]

Best of 2011- The Singles List

Another great year is coming to an end. Here are the highlights from our monthly round ups and the year end list with Top 30 official single releases. The album list coming up next week!

01. Austra - Spellwork
02. The Horrors - Still Life
03. The Ropes - Lack of Technology Made Me a Killer
04. PJ Harvey - The Glorious Land/ On Battleship Hill
05. Duran Duran - Girl Panic
06. Twin Shadow - Changes
07. Still Corners - Cuckoo
08. Section 25 - Colour, Movement, Sex & Violence
09. Brett Anderson - Brittle Heart
10. A Terrible Splendour - Slaves To The City

Instant Hit: Section 25- Je Veux Ton Amour

Thirty years ago Section 25 released their third single "Je Veux Ton Amour", a french version of the track "Friendly Fires" which appeared on their debut album Always Now. "One True Path" appeared on a flipside, and for this release it was translated in Hawaiian becoming "Oyo Achel Ada". It was produced by Martin Hannett and released through Factory Benelux.