25

Erasure/Sometimes

HCP:2/1986

 

"Sometimes" is bloody brilliant! The epitome of 1980s pop! That dumpy drum kick and Vince Clarks keyboard wizardry was a noise rarely off the radio at the time and Andy Bells amateur dancing and stonewash denims were a regular sight on a relatively new MTV. Erasure would have an avalanche of top 10 hits of the latter half of the decade and "Sometimes" was where it all began, but only after 3 false starts on the chart. Remember this is a time when record labels would invest time in their artists... 6 years and 4 near misses later, the duo would eventually get that elusive number one hit.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0a/Erasure_single_sometimes.jpg

 

interesting rundown of some great tracks, considering you weren't around in the 80's. The listing isn't a million miles away from what I liked DURING the 80's, I may post my list of "chart points 80's Top 100" when you're finished just to see how many overlap - probably close to half and a lot of the rest would almost have made it. Enjoy the comments on why you like them too, well done!

cheers

john

Of the last lot Belinda Carlise, Pet Shop Boys, Madonna and Erasure are obvious highlights and take me back instantly to school days! I'm really enjoying this rundown!

Brilliant! Thanks guys for your kind comments, makes the work all the more worthwhile.

24

Nu Shooz/I Can't Wait

HCP:2/1986

 

Y'know what, 1986 was a crackin' year for chart music! The said year seems to get a frequent mention, from power pop to American R&B, '86 had it all going on. As for Nu Shooz, they were a husband and wife duo from the north-west coast state of Oregon and while having a long-term career in music, 1986 would be the only time the duo would have a brief flirtation with the top end of the charts. It was "The Dutch Mix" that brought attention to "I Can't Wait" - a vocal snippet was essentially used to create that hook, rather like an earworm refusing to leave ones head and a hook big enough to hang your coat on! Deliciously funky!

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/I_Can't_Wait_NS.jpg

 

 

 

23

Kylie Minogue/Never Too Late

HCP:4/1989

I'm not entirely sure what it is about "Never Too Late" which rises head and shoulders above her hits of this decade. SAW knew how to fit the right mood to the right song, "Never Too Late" is full of faith and optimism, which is captured beautifully in the faux trumpets and lush strings in the middle 8. I might be laying it on a little thick but I'm not alone here, "Never Too Late" remains a firm fan favourite and is one of my all-time fave Kylie tracks. Incidentally, Kylie pushed for "Enjoy Yourself" to be the 3rd single from the album but was (unsurprisingly) overruled by Waterman. Oh well, at least she got to wear a gorgeous pair of bright orange trousers... :)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/85/Never_Too_Late.jpg

 

22

Chaka Khan/I Feel For You

HCP:1/1984

 

"Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaka Khan-Chaka Khan!". Chaka, one of THE original dance divas, could quite easily sing the timetable from Manchester to London Euston Virgin Trains service and make it sound amazing! "I Feel For You" was written by Prince, which if you didn't know, is blatantly obvious when you think of it. The song oozes sex! This is 80s dance music (pre-house) at its very near best and groundbreaking. I also believe it defies time, you can play this now to almost anyone, anywhere and be guaranteed a floor filled to capacity. It's countless amount of parodies in pop culture will ensure its legacy will remain... not that it needs it.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d6/Chaka_Khan_-_I_Feel_for_You.JPG

 

21

Janet Jackson/When I Think Of You

HCP:10/1986

 

Always dancing in the shadows of her brother, here's Janet. Yet if it's any consolation, Janet easily gets the higher position on my rundown. "When I Think Of You" is wonderful. A simple, happy love song but with a rough, raw and booming production from usual suspects of mid 80s R&B, Jam & Lewis. Lyrically it's rather like a SAW B-Side, very simple and throw-a-way. But with a hooky bass riff, a chunky drum lick and a female vocal... you have the ingredients of a classic dance track and one I easily regard as Janet's single finest moment!

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3f/Janet_Jackson_-_When_I_Think_Of_You_US_and_EU.jpg

 

Curious thing about "Never Too Late" is that I was a massive Kylie fan at the time (bought all the singles and albums until 1991) yet "Never Too Late" didn't impress me at all. It seems a bit S/A/W by numbers to me personally, mind you I didn't love "Wouldn't Change A Thing" either though Hand on your heart will always be my fav hit of hers from 1989

Curious thing about "Never Too Late" is that I was a massive Kylie fan at the time (bought all the singles and albums until 1991) yet "Never Too Late" didn't impress me at all. It seems a bit S/A/W by numbers to me personally, mind you I didn't love "Wouldn't Change A Thing" either though Hand on your heart will always be my fav hit of hers from 1989

 

You're right, it is SAW by numbers... which might be why I like it so much!

20

The Pointer Sisters/Automatic

HCP:2/1984

 

This 3 piece vocal act from California had a long time to wait before waiting for the big time. It was 1984 and their "Breakout" album that catapulted these sisters to new heights. "Jump" and at a push, "I'm So Excited" were the big pop hits, but it's "Automatic" that does it for me. A thumping, zesty slice of 80s American post-disco funk. Commonly mistaken as a male sung track, due to Ruth Pointers bizarre ability to reach such low notes - almost robotic sounding. That, coupled with big synthesizer riffs in that terribly 80s sort of way, make this a firm fave. And that video... 80s fashion was the best!

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9e/Automatic45.jpg

 

 

 

19

Donna Summer/This Time I Know It's For Real

HCP:3/1989

 

When I featured "I Don't Wanna Get Hurt" at No.54, Donna was still alive... no one could've predicted the gutting and untimely death of discos original queen.........

 

Not content with making super starts from nobodies, in 1989 SAW moved on to resurrecting the careers of established artists. They did their bit for Cliff Richard (but I don't wanna get into that - thanks). However, I'm more than happy to talk about the late great LaDonna Gaines, a truly amazing woman (we'll turn a blind eye to her naive perception on gay men and we'll just simply regard as a terrible blip!). "TTIKIFR" is one of SAW finest and most euphoric moments - a great song, a great voice, a great melody and a thumping PWL beat! It's weird how the odious and regrettable "I'd Rather Jack" was released the same day, managing to release one of their best and their worst efforts at the same time.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a2/This_Time_I_Know_It's_For_Real.jpg

 

 

 

18

Blondie/Atomic

HCP:1/1980

 

"Oooohhhhhhhhhhhh! Oh your hair is beautiful! Oooohhhhhhhhh! Tonight!...... Atomic". Eh? I don't give 2 shits what it means, "Atomic" is a beast of a tune. A classic, that transcends genres, time, cultures - the lot! I like a bit of Blondie, but "Atomic" is the money shot, a frantic mix of nu wave and fiery disco which I'll never get sick of hearing.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/Blondie_-_Atomic.jpg

 

 

 

 

17

Taylor Dayne/Tell It To My Heart

HCP:3/1988

 

From one blonde bombshell to another, to the beginning of the decade to right near the very end. Principally a one hit wonder in the UK ("Prove Your Love" was a modest top ten hit, but do you remember it? Exactly...), but a mighty one hit wonder it was! The turn of 88 was a good time for US female pop singers; Tiffany, Belinda Carlise, Debbie Gibson, Vanessa Paradis all enjoying a brief flutter with the top ten in the beginning months of the year. And best of all, the stupendous "Tell It To My Heart". Big, clunky production, hysterical synth riffs and vocals done with sheer gusto never fail to put a big gay grin my my face!... Just don't mention Kelly Llorenna's pathetic attempt from 2002.

http://chartarchive.org/artwork/9639-raw.jpg

 

Edited July 23, 201212 yr by ScottyEm

16

Shannon/Let The Music Play

HCP:14/1983

 

There must've been something in the water of November 1983. I was born and one of the greatest pre-house dance tracks of all time was released, "Let The Music Play" disco napped in the lower reaches of the chart for nearly 3 months before gathering pace. "LTMP" was the sound of disco being resuscitated by a Roland TR-808 drum machine, but the true sentiments of real disco remained. A killer hook, knock out vocal and a beat that demands a stampede to the dancefloor. "Let The Music Play" is considered a key track in the shaping of dance music as we know it today.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8a/LtmpShannon.jpg

 

15

Sonia/You'll Never Stop Me Loving You

HCP:1/1989

 

Any credibility left has been zapped, I know. I'm just a hopeless sucker for a SAW track (like you need reminding). I'll never forget being in a taxi in Liverpool (well, where else?) when this came on the radio and I hadn't heard it in years - it sounded f***ing brilliant and I was hoping the driver would do a D-tour back to my house! - I was a kid of 5 again! Sometimes we can't fully let go of our past and for me, this includes the music. Sonia; a pint-sized, flame haired girl from Skelmersdale was plucked from obscurity by Waterman and the then 18 year old would find herself at number one almost overnight. This was the power of the SAW stable and, in some ways, Sonia signalled the beginning of the end for The Hit Factory ("YNSMLY" would be SAW's final number one hit as songwriters). The song is a standard in SAW hitmaking; vapid and vacuous yet infectious and irresistible in equal measure. I've also included Dawn French's much celebrated (yes really!) impression for all times sake!

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/You'll_never_stop_me_loving_you.jpg

 

 

 

14

Madonna/Open Your Heart

HCP:4/1986

 

The last time now I promise! I promise! "Open Your Heart" is, in my eyes, her greatest 80s single. It was the sound of a new era. By '86, Madonnas twee thin vocals were out in exchange for a vocal full of ambition and grit. The girl meant business and critics were listening up. But above all, everything I love bout 80s music is pretty much all contained in this glorious 4 minute pop gem! It's remained a firm fan fave as it currently takes pride of place on her current world tour (one of the rare occasions she listens to her fans).

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/Open_Your_Heart_1986.png

 

 

You're right, it is SAW by numbers... which might be why I like it so much!

great choices of singles in your list again, though I barely remember the Kylie track. Checking my chart stats for this period I found out why (see below). I wasnt a Kylie fan until Light Years, but she got a number one from me before that (Put Yourself In My Place), and I was surprised to see how many of her early singles did well (I generally regard Better The Devil You Know as the one to change everything)

 

I Should Be So Lucky 8

Got To Be Certain 12

The Locomotion 51

Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi 7

Especially For You 2

Hand On Your Heart 13

Wouldnt Change A Thing 23

Never Too Late 56

Tears On My Pillow 6

Better The Devil You Know 4

Step Back In Time 4

What Do I Have To Do 5

 

I canrt comment on Never Too Late as I dont think Ive heard it for over 20 years...

cheers! john

 

 

13

Indeep/Last Night A DJ Saved My Life

HCP:13/1983

 

Bassline alert! Comprising of 2 girls and a guy and like a number of acts on this rundown, were essentially known for one hit track. They hailed from New York's trendy nu-wave/post disco scene of the early 1980s and though a relatively short lived act, made an absolute killer of a track! "LNADSML" is a peculiar choice, it doesn't built, doesn't peak - it just swings in a sort of effortlessly cool sort of way. It's all in the nagging guitar that loops round and round. And nearly 30 years on, that middle rap and toilet flush sound effect don't sound remotely cheesy... well OK, maybe a little. The song was brought band up to date in 2007 by Seamus Haji and coincidentally also charted at No. 13!

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/Indeep-LastNightADJSavedMyLife.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

12

Eighth Wonder/I'm Not Scared

HCP:7/1988

It's, yet again, another case of a short-lived act with the one killer hit single! In the midst of all the happy, giddy teen pop of '88 came a seductive and intriguing 7" by the name of "I'm Not Scared". Penned by Pet Shop Boys, yet towers above anything they wrote for themselves in my humble opinion (they even did their own version a year later - it's THAT good!). A haunting and dramatic melody song, delivered by a very sexy and confident Patsy Kensit (even her strictly limited vocal ability didn't compromise her ambition). For me, this is one of the best "f*** you" songs ever, you can almost hear her ex lover getting crushed in the palm of her hand. A remarkable track!

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/I'm_not_scared.jpg