I don't think I have seen a thread on this theme before, if there is I apologize.

 

For me, this is the song that sounds the most ahead of its time. From early 1985 and while it isn't quite house, it really does sound in terms of style rather like a deep house track from this decade especially Disciples - Daylight.

 

 

Also this from 1982 which does sound a bit like a precursor to the 90s eurodance style (the likes of the instrumental of Maxx - Get A Way), especially with the synths.

 

 

And outside dance this 1984 one which was still relevant in the 90s to make #1 after being on an advert. I put that down to it having a 60s inspired happy jangle pop sound that was popular in alternative music in the 90s, eg. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Deep Blue Something.

 

 

Are there any other songs you think that sounded 'ahead of their time'?

 

There are a number of songs that were released just a little too early to catch the Britpop boom. This is one of the most obvious (and one of the very best).

 

 

It was originally released in 1987 before becoming a minor hit in 1990.

I mention this song every time it comes up, but "E.V.A" by Jean Jacques Perrey doesn't sound like it came from 1970 -

 

 

Similarly, "Magic Fly" by Space (not the Britpop one, a French band) doesn't sound like it came from 1978, it sounds like it would have been right at home in the 90s. It was a #2 hit, although it doesn't seem to have pierced the public consciousness as other electronic instrumentals of the same period like "Oxygene Part IV" have.

 

I was a big fan of Magic Fly at the time and it still sounds good today. What is it with these French bands and space suits?

I suppose this one too sounds ahead of its time. From 1985.

 

Sounds like a 90s house influenced pop song with the piano and synths. I actually thought it was early 90s until recently :o

 

Edited January 2, 20187 yr by The Diplomat

Kraftwerk are always my default answer to this. I still find it stunning to think things like this came from the early 1980s, it sounds so more innovative than modern electronic music.

 

 

The early 80s also had this (:wub:) certainly an innovative time.

 

Visage's Fade To Grey almost sounds early precursor to ambient trance. Just needs more of a beat.

 

This one too from 1980. Especially the last buildup and drop sounds a bit like euphoric progressive house, albeit with less of a beat.

 

Edited January 2, 20187 yr by The Diplomat

Records that sounded like nothing else on Earth ever created, and blew my mind at the time, and all topped my charts:

 

Jeepster - T.Rex

Popcorn - Hot Butter

I Feel Love - Donna Summer

Magic Fly - Space

Party Fears Two - Associates

E=MC2 - Big Audio Dynamite

Relax - FGTH

West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys

The Sun Always Shines On TV - aha

 

 

just off the top of me head...loads more though

 

This well known 1983 track doesn't sound too dissimilar to the style of some of Clean Bandits songs this decade (Disconnect particularly)

Edited January 6, 20187 yr by The Snake

This 1983 track does sound a bit 90s eurodance especially with the synths (until the guitar comes in) and I found out it uses electronic drums too so it is defintely ahead of its time for me.

 

Edited January 10, 20187 yr by The Snake

Two more that sound a bit ahead of their time:

 

 

This made #9 in the UK chart in September 1984. The instrumental of this sounds quite modern, dancey and even has a sort of dance drop to it.

 

 

Also made #9 in the UK chart. Didn't peak in the charts until February 1985 but was made and released in 1984. The second half in particular sounds ahead of its time for 1984 I think.

Close To The Edit still sounds ahead of its time now, absolutely brilliant track. God knows what the Top of the Pops audience of 1985 were thinking when they first saw it - must have been pretty inspirational for a whole future generation of producers.

 

Here's a track that sounds all the world like 1990s Eurodance that's actually from 1989, Mysterious Art's 'Das Omen' - a huge #1 in Germany but not released in the UK.

 

The same act later released the very-much-1990s-Eurodance-anthem 'Omen III' under the name Magic Affair, and bass-player Tillman Urmacher later became a successful DJ, charting high with 'On The Run' in the UK in 2002. Sadly he died a few years back.

That track Das Omen sounds great! Never heard it before.

 

Also from 1989's Erasure's Drama, which kind of has the 1993-1994 eurodance-esque sounding synths in it!

 

 

This one from 1988 also sounds a bit early eurodance

 

Edited January 30, 20187 yr by The Snake

Here is the best version of Close (To The Edit). Extraordinary.

 

 

This one from 1989, that instrumental sounds like a Fatboy Slim-esque big beat instrumental from the late 90s.

 

Edited January 30, 20187 yr by The Snake

surprised 'Sunchyme' by Dario G hasn't been mentioned yet!

Good suggestion actually, Sunchyme is tropical house ahead of its time.

 

Close To The Edit still sounds ahead of its time now, absolutely brilliant track. God knows what the Top of the Pops audience of 1985 were thinking when they first saw it - must have been pretty inspirational for a whole future generation of producers.

 

 

Also this later in 1985, not quite house but really sounds like a precursor to the likes of Coldcut, Yazz and The Plastic Population - Doctorin' The House two years later.

Edited January 31, 20187 yr by The Snake

Found this low top 40 hit in the UK from 1984, amazing for the time!

 

Edited February 2, 20187 yr by The Snake

Has anyone mentioned Get Your Freak On yet? It was probably 10 years ahead of its time!

 

Also Independent Women by DC featuring Beyoncè still sounds fresh.

Here's a track that sounds all the world like 1990s Eurodance that's actually from 1989, Mysterious Art's 'Das Omen' - a huge #1 in Germany but not released in the UK.

 

The 1989 Time Warp cover by Damian http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dj1f sounds quite 90s eurodancey I think, with a harder, more eurodancey sounding beat than most 80s Hi-NRG songs.

Edited February 2, 20187 yr by The Snake