Oh I really like 'Night Games' it is better than some of the Rainbow hits!

'Chi Mai' is absolutely beautiful and would top that group for me too love that something of this ilk could get as high as #2 in the charts.

That marks the end of my favourite ever run of #2 hits then, take a bow the following songs:

Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Antmusic

In The Air Tonight

Vienna

Kings of the Wild Frontier

Kids In America

Chi Mai

Interesting to see all the different directions rock was heading in at this point, several types of which appear here.

8	Department S	Is Vic There?	Only Top 40 for this UK new wave band whose title is based on a Monty Python sketch: a marvellously irreverent yet moody hit
8	The Clash	The Magnificent Seven	Quite a surprising but great track from them that verges on hip hop, with delightful nonsense stream of consciousness lyrics
7	Stray Cats	Stray Cat Strut	This missed the Top 10 unlike their last 2, but it's a really fab jazzy and swag filled number with very amusing feline lyrics
7	Echo And The Bunnymen	Crocodiles	1st Top 40 after a miss for this Liverpool band: quite a frantic number with furious guitar strumming that builds very effectively
7	Quincy Jones	Al No Corrida (I-No-Ko-Ree-Da)	One of the best known songs from this US producer but actually a Chas Jankel cover: it's a great Spanish flavoured funk track
6	REO Speedwagon	Keep On Loving You	1st hit for this US rock band who had been going since 1967: not pushing boundaries but a soft rock classic that I do enjoy
6	The Beat	Drowning/All Out To Get You	"Drowning" isn't bad but feels a little plodding and like it isn't quite getting into gear: the other side has a really good energy
5	Girlschool	Hit And Run	Only solo Top 40 after the EP with Mötorhead for the still active rock band: I like this but it somehow it doesn't quite hit
5	Whitesnake	Don't Break My Heart Again	Their 2nd Top 20 after a few Top 40 misses: it's a rousing rock song but feels quite standard for its genre and not so memorable
5	Eddy Grant	Can't Get Enough Of You	The previous hit "Do You Feel My Love" has more impact while this washes over a bit, though I really like the instrumental break
4	Madness	Grey Day	Already  their 6th hit of the decade but my least favourite: it all feels a little grey in fact and seems to lack their usual punch
4	Freeez	Flying High	1st Top 40 for this UK electronic group: the sax solo and chorus are good but it all feels a bit like a track that's waiting to kick in
3	Starsound	Stars On 45	1st of these hit medleys: very inessential but at least this one has a standard song length and features some great '60s tracks
2	Barry Manilow	Bermuda Triangle	This has a tropical feel to it making it more upbeat than most of his hits, but it isn't good and the lyrics really are rather cheesy
1	The Gap Band	Humpin'	Aside from the unfortunate subject matter this really is an interminable 5 minutes of funk that seems to go absolutely nowhere

 

1981 Group 8:

#432	25/04/1981	Tenpole Tudor	The Swords Of A Thousand Men	6	73-37-22-10-{6}-6-9-16-16-38-45-68->12
#433	18/04/1981	Level 42	Love Games	38	58-48-{38}-39-45-68->6
#434	02/05/1981	Shakin' Stevens	You Drive Me Crazy	2	39-5-{2}-2-2-2-7-10-16-28-40-59->12
#435	09/05/1981	Adam And The Ants	Stand And Deliver	1	{1}-1-1-1-1-5-7-13-26-28-40-46-58-61-69->15
#436	02/05/1981	Sheena Easton	When He Shines	12	42-27-23-{12}-19-24-33-64->8
#437	02/05/1981	Thin Lizzy	Killers Live EP	19	46-28-24-{19}-27-31-62->7
#438	09/05/1981	Kim Wilde	Chequered Love	4	32-9-{4}-4-5-18-26-44-56->9
#439	02/05/1981	The Human League	The Sound Of The Crowd	12	53-34-27-15-{12}-18-21-30-52-58->10
#440	02/05/1981	The Teardrop Explodes	Treason (It's Just A Story)	18	56-30-25-{18}-21-25-30-49->8
#441	02/05/1981	The Undertones	It's Going To Happen!	18	61-36-29-21-{18}-22-32-57-71->9
#442	09/05/1981	Tottenham Hotspur F.A. Cup Final Squad	Ossie's Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley)	5	45-8-{5}-5-17-26-50-69->8
#443	09/05/1981	Kim Carnes	Bette Davis Eyes	10	51-20-{10}-10-11-14-25-45-67->9
#444	16/05/1981	Toyah	I Want To Be Free	8	37-13-9-{8}-10-11-14-24-30-49-67->11
#445	09/05/1981	Duran Duran	Careless Memories	37	55-38-{37}-37-38-48-65->7
#446	09/05/1981	Smokey Robinson	Being With You	1	63-39-23-7-3-{1}-1-2-5-8-27-39-55->13

 

yay my BJSC entry of t'other year out front, it's a classic 9/10 Is Vic There. Vaughan died way too young. Have to admit I have no memory of the Clash track, pretty sure it's been 44 years since I last heard it but it sounds like an early version of E=MC2 from the description - and I am a huge fan of that Clash-related Mick Jones BAD track. Stray Cat Strut was middling for me 7/10. Retro Swing-Rockabilly.

Crocodiles is another one I have forgotten - I think I have never re-reviewed 1981 and its long overdue! I expct its about a 5/10. Ai No Corrida is a good funk track from the Master, and uncredited vocals from Patti Austin and Dune, and a host of hitmakers on it - Herbie Hancock, Jim Gilstrap, Greg Phillinganes a real Who's Who of a track. 8/10.

Keep On Loving You topped my charts of the time, but I'm a lot cooler on it these days 8/10, All Out To Get You was the radio-favoured side, and fits in nicely with their recent hits for The Beat 8/10. Hit & Run vague memories of, around about 5/10 I'd say. Whitesnake were invariably competent but dull MOR rock, 6/10, Eddy not as his best after the 2 recent reggae classics, but even lesser Eddy is good 7/10.

Grey Day also had the grey-vibe on it to me too, not one of my fave Madness singles but still an 8/10. Flying High is yet another not-heard-it-in-44-years moment but I think I liked it, a follow-up to Southern Freeze I think. 6/10. Stars On 45 really grated after saturated plays, but that intro stays great and anything that pushes The Beatles back into the charts (albeit cheesy covers) is welcome. So good the Fabs did their own a year later. 7/10.

Bermuda Triangle I never thought much of and I was mystified how this did well when Could It Be Magic and Copacabana were more minor hits. Bazza was giving it the UK push in the 80's as his US career stopped being such a priority is the reason. 4/10. Humpin' I dont recall much, but I expect it was a 5/10 funk workout.

A great varied group here that feels full of ‘80s possibilities.

9	Kim Carnes	Bette Davis Eyes	A US #1 and the only Top 40 here for this US singer: it's an astonishingly good piece of storytelling with brilliant husky delivery
9	The Human League	The Sound Of The Crowd	1st Top 40 after several misses for the UK group with a brilliant pulsating, catchy and  quintessentially early '80s electro track
8	Adam And The Ants	Stand And Deliver	479th #1: their 1st chart topper and the usual style with the Burundi beat and gung ho high testosterone feel, but a great track
8	Toyah	I Want To Be Free	Just a single track from them this time about her frustrations being dyslexic at school: excellent with a heartwarming energy
7	Duran Duran	Careless Memories	Their 2nd single and a very small hit, but it's another great and emotionally performed new wave track with punchy rhythms
7	Kim Wilde	Chequered Love	Another track written by her father and brother Marty and Ricky, and another strong and exciting slice of pulsating '80s pop
7	Tenpole Tudor	The Swords Of A Thousand Men	1st hit for this group who came to prominence through the Sex Pistols: it's another testosterone laden song but very good fun
6	The Teardrop Explodes	Treason (It's Just A Story)	This was re-released following the success of "Reward": I think the riff and verse are very strong but the chorus a slight letdown
6	The Undertones	It's Going To Happen!	Their last Top 40: this has a frenzied excitement to it and is an enjoyable new wave song inspired by the 1991 hunger strikes
5	Thin Lizzy	Killers Live EP	This includes "Dear Miss Lonely Hearts" which was a 1980 hit and the punky "Bad Reputation", but I prefer the studio versions
4	Level 42	Love Games	6 of their first 8 hits were non Top 40s but this scraped in: the track feels like it's building to something that never really comes
4	Smokey Robinson	Being With You	480th #1: impressive for him to have reached the top more than a decade after "Tears Of A Clown" but I find the track laboured
3	Shakin' Stevens	You Drive Me Crazy	"Quay-ay-zy": a month stuck at #2 thanks to Adam And The Ants; good to get an original song from him but it's rather lightweight
2	Sheena Easton	When He Shines	A love ballad with a musical theatre feel, and it appeared in the "Miami Vice" film: it's saccharine and does very little for me
2	Tottenham Hotspur F.A. Cup Final Squad	Ossie's Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley)	It's certainly a tune that's still heard today so iconic in its way, but why do they always have to sing so deliberately obnoxiously?

1981 Group 9:

#447	09/05/1981	Champaign	How 'Bout Us	5	74-42-28-11-6-6-{5}-7-10-18-28-42-64->13
#448	23/05/1981	Enigma	Ain't No Stopping	11	32-17-16-{11}-13-19-37-50->8
#449	09/05/1981	Vangelis	Chariots Of Fire	12	56-44-34-25-19-{12}-14-21-30-45-69R(41)-46-41-49-63-57-52->17
#450	23/05/1981	UB40	Don't Let It Pass You By/Don't Slow Down	16	35-{16}-21-19-18-25-36-53-69->9
#451	16/05/1981	Paul Shane And The Yellowcoats	Hi-De-Hi (Holiday Rock)	36	69-{36}-38-45-57->5
#452	16/05/1981	The Polecats	Rockabilly Guy	35	72-38-36-{35}-46-67->6
#453	09/05/1981	Kraftwerk	Pocket Calculator	39	73-43-{39}-48-53-72->6
#454	16/05/1981	Squeeze	Is That Love	35	59-40-43-40-{35}-36-47-71->8
#455	23/05/1981	George Harrison	All Those Years Ago	13	58-{13}-15-15-20-37-66->7
#456	23/05/1981	Hazel O'Connor	Will You	8	51-23-10-9-{8}-10-19-29-45-74->10
#457	23/05/1981	Michael Jackson	One Day In Your Life	1	42-24-12-3-2-{1}-1-2-5-13-22-31-54-70->14
#458	30/05/1981	Kate Robbins And Beyond	More Than In Love	2	28-13-{2}-3-3-8-17-29-40-67->10
#459	23/05/1981	Coast To Coast	Let's Jump The Broomstick	28	65-30-30-{28}-28-39-49->7
#460	30/05/1981	Siouxsie And The Banshees	Spellbound	22	32-29-23-23-{22}-32-37-74->8
#461	16/05/1981	Grover Washington Jr	Just The Two Of Us	34	74-46-{34}-34-40-60-72->7

Bette Davis Eyes is a classic cover, thats how to do one 9/10 and Kim's More Love from 1980 is also another good cover - Smokey Robinson - but not as synth-pioneering as this one. Sound Of The Crowd is still exciting and hinting how incredible Dare is going to be 9/10. Stand And Deliver is also a 9/10 but not as borderline 10 as the previous two. Toyah full-on fun 8/10. Careless Memories a bit of a step down for me, song-wise, 6/10. Chequered Love still exciting in concert 9/10, as is Sound Of The Crowd. I've seen all of these live except Kim Carnes.

Swords Of A thousand Men another great pop chantalong track that has been rediscovered for adverts and the like since the great Pirate movie from Aardman had it. 9/10. Treason not quite as brilliant as Reward, but still a great hornsome 8/10. The Undertones still knocking out punk pop bangers, 9/10 - and then it all ended suddenly after this! Dont recall the Thin Lizzy live EP, but then I am rarely a fan of live recordings over studio originals, so expect its a 3/10.

Love Games gave no indication that Level 42 would become chart regulars for 15 years, they seemed like just one of the many jazz-funk bands of the time 5/10. Being With You is a 10/10 from me, loved it and the smooth Motown vibes with an 80's sheen - I think the UK public had missed Smokey by this time, not having had a top 40 hit in a decade - unlike the US where his late 70's easy listening soul had had success. You Drive Me Crazy preferable to Shaky's covers, a decent production 8/10.

Sheena's ballad was dross, but she did go on to have a star turn in the mid 80's Miami Vice TV show, marrying Don Johnson (and getting shot) so I guess that's why it was used in the Soundtrack. 3/10. I hated the Spurs song. Still do, totting-ham, indeed. 2/10

A brilliant top 5 in this group, but it’s also well endowed with not so good stuff, with relatively little in-between.

“Just The Two Of Us” may be a controversial top pick but I think it’s one of the best examples of its style ever.

Amazing that Hazel O’Connor had 3 Top 10s but everything else missed the Top 40, including 2 #41 leakers. A fab final big hit from her anyway.

9	Grover Washington Jr	Just The Two Of Us	Only hit for this US saxophonist with Bill Withers singing: one of the most beautiful and dreamy smooth soul songs in existence
9	Hazel O'Connor	Will You	Her 3rd Top 10 and final Top 40: a beautiful high drama and emotionally performed ballad with an extraordinary saxophone solo
8	Kraftwerk	Pocket Calculator	Their 2nd Top 40 6 years after the 1st: a fab and innovative single, and I love the bleepy noises like tapping calculator buttons
8	Squeeze	Is That Love	A minor hit for them but a really special and beautifully performed bouncy Beatles-esque pop song about at troubled marriage
8	Siouxsie And The Banshees	Spellbound	They're back after a #41 and this is indeed spellbinding with their usual punchy vocals and swirling electronic accompaniment
7	George Harrison	All Those Years Ago	His 1st hit in a long time and a tribute to John: like most George tracks this has a lovely warmth and a familiar intimate feel to it
7	Vangelis	Chariots Of Fire	The film theme and the Greek composer's only solo Top 40: an iconic instrumental though has more impact alongside visuals
6	The Polecats	Rockabilly Guy	Their only other Top 40 after the double A of covers with an original Rockabilly song: this is well done with a strong guitar solo
5	Michael Jackson	One Day In Your Life	481st #1: I used to think this was a dirge but I do like the soaring vocal lines, and it's an excellent performance from Michael
4	UB40	Don't Let It Pass You By/Don't Slow Down	A 4th consecutive double A side hit from them: "Don't Let It Pass You By" does just that but the other side has more oomph
3	Champaign	How 'Bout Us	Only hit for this US soul bands: it gets a few points for the big production and rich vocal harmonies but overall it's quite sleepy
3	Coast To Coast	Let's Jump The Broomstick	A 1959 song which Brenda Lee had covered earlier: there's nothing wrong with this version but it doesn't feel very necessary
2	Kate Robbins And Beyond	More Than In Love	Only hit for this "Crossroads" actress who had appeared in Eurovision with her sister last year: this is a dull and soppy track
2	Paul Shane And The Yellowcoats	Hi-De-Hi (Holiday Rock)	The theme to the "Hi-De-Hi" sitcom: it's very far from good but an inoffensive and chirpy little 1950s style rock and roll number
1	Enigma	Ain't No Stopping	A project by UK producer Nigel Wright: this is a bloated medley of clips of various tracks that doesn't give me any enjoyment

1981 Group 10:

#462	06/06/1981	The Jam	Funeral Pyre	4	{4}-4-12-24-38-54->6
#463	30/05/1981	Odyssey	Going Back To My Roots	4	44-23-8-6-5-{4}-5-9-17-27-42-58->12
#464	30/05/1981	Kool And The Gang	Take It To The Top	15	55-33-24-22-{15}-18-25-31-62->9
#465	06/06/1981	Ultravox	All Stood Still	8	46-17-9-{8}-11-20-24-37-65-73->10
#466	13/06/1981	Red Sovine	Teddy Bear	4	22-{4}-4-9-19-35-54-75->8
#467	06/06/1981	Bucks Fizz	Piece Of The Action	12	57-25-17-{12}-13-15-16-34-53->9
#468	30/05/1981	Phil Collins	If Leaving Me Is Easy	17	58-44-29-27-{17}-23-31-36->8
#469	16/05/1981	Imagination	Body Talk	4	68-54-45-43-31-19-11-7-6-{4}-5-8-13-20-34-43-65-73->18
#470	06/06/1981	Elaine Paige	Memory	6	66-34-15-9-{6}-7-10-19-28-38-53-75-69R(23)-70-67->15
#471	30/05/1981	Dead Kennedys	Too Drunk To f***	36	65-41-{36}-42-57-72->6
#472	06/06/1981	Whitesnake	Would I Lie To You	37	60-{37}-37-48-50-67->6
#473	06/06/1981	Third World	Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)	10	64-38-31-27-25-13-12-{10}-10-12-17-24-38-60-67->15
#474	20/06/1981	The Specials	Ghost Town	1	21-6-2-{1}-1-1-2-5-12-22-30-47-56-73->14
#475	13/06/1981	Linx	Throw Away The Key	21	51-32-23-{21}-22-22-31-38-74->9
#476	20/06/1981	Gillan	No Laughing In Heaven	31	33-32-{31}-34-60-73->6

'Bette Davis Eyes' is kind of more mid 80s than early 80s sounding, not that that always is a good thing, good song anyway.

Toyah 'I Want To Be Free' I actually like, great production, although I can see how the vocal can make it a marmite track.

'Just The Two of Us' is a really nice track.

'Sound of The Crowd' is very good, I read on Buzzjack before that the Human League used to divide their singles into 'pop' and 'dance' with different colours for the single art, I would say 'Sound of The Crowd' is more dance!

I like 'Chequered Love', its more 70s glam rock revival than 80s but there is a place for it in the charts. Still not one of my favourite Kim Wilde tracks though.

Edited October 29Oct 29 by TheSnake

Just The Two Of Us was under-appreciated at the time (including by me) in the UK, it was great having Bill back and who knew it was essentially his last hurrah with new stuff. An early retiree who meant it but kept the back catalogue working. 9/10 Will You was my fave Hazel track, largely due to the sax instrumental bit, it was so popular it got released on its own as a short single. 8/10. Pocket Calculator was fine but was sounding a bit dated what with synth advances since Autobahn (and The Model). They were pioneers of dour electronica, quirky and whimsy too, but I never saw them in the same league at the time as Moroder, Jarre, Bowie or even Space were in 1977 and subsequent newer acts. 7/10.

Squeeze always classy, Is That Love 7/10. Spellbound is top Siouxsie 9/10 she was really peaking in 81. All Those Years Ago is bittersweet - a Beatles reunion about John, and not remotely maudlin, this was a number one for me at the time, but sentiment aside it's a sweet little reunion track for Paul, Ringo & George, as opposed to a major George comeback - that was still pending. 8/10. Chariots Of Fire was huge at the time, the theme and the movie, and it gave Vangelis a new career as a film composer, having already rebranded himself from Progrock to melodic synth with cinematic flourishes with Jon Anderson (Progrock star of Yes) 9/10.

Rockabilly Guy is one that slipped by with the years, but I think 6/10 sounds about right for a track I havent heard in over 40 years. One Day In Your LIfe has been put back into 1975 in my retro charts, where it belongs, but even in 1975 I loved this emotive ballad, and still do - this was the point where Michael's vocals were changing from child to young adult and had that Motown charm 10/10. Don't Let It Pass You By was the radio side, and that was merely OK, so maybe they should have just gone with t'other side (I dont know it) 6/10.

How Bout Us a lush soul track that sounded lovely at the time, less so from a distance 8/10. I didn't know Let's Jump The Broomstick at the time, so this was a fun bit of rockabilly for me - and anything that pushes Brenda is fine 7/10. And then we get to the well-endowed group for me 😄Kate Robbins More Than In Love and MOR ballad 5/10 at best and better known as an impersonator on Spitting Image in later years in the 80's, not to mention Paul McCartney's cousin, making the second Macca relative to get a hit.

Paul Shane, it is what it is - a sitcom theme tune, and it's fine as that, but not so much in the charts 3/10. Paul's daughter lived next door to my Uni mate in Rotherham in the 80's, so he would chat over the garden fence if they had a Barbecue. Enigma not to be confused with the European act, this was an early adopter of the Stars On 45 template that would hang around at least a year, and cover classical to Beatles. I dont remember it but they were usually cheap n semi-cheerful cover-recordings 3/10.

8.5 / 10 for More Than In Love.

I haven’t had any #1 hits topping a group so far this year but “Ghost Town” is a very clear choice and fitting for a 31 October post.

9	The Specials	Ghost Town	482nd #1: amazingly their last Top 40 but the best with brilliant social commentary, ghoulish backing vocals and guitar effects
8	The Jam	Funeral Pyre	I love the frenetic opening as the bassist and drummer jam with each other, and it's another great social commentary track
8	Odyssey	Going Back To My Roots	An excellent cover of a song about genealogy with an African American influence: I find this an incredibly soulful disco track
8	Ultravox	All Stood Still	A 4th hit from "Vienna" and all but the title track have been in a similar style, but it's another spiky and bouncy new wave track
7	Elaine Paige	Memory	From the "Cats" musical, this is one of the most iconic powerful showtune ballads, and Elaine does an excellent job with it
7	Third World	Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)	Last Top 40 for this Jamaican reggae fusion band and their 2nd #10: this is a real earworm and a joyous well performed track
6	Linx	Throw Away The Key	I've rather enjoyed all their hits and this is another classy and well performed slice of soul funk, if not especially memorable
6	Imagination	Body Talk	1st hit for this UK soul trio: it's a long track that I feel doesn't quite get going, though I like the dramatic violin bits in the chorus
5	Bucks Fizz	Piece Of The Action	I quite enjoy this as a rather understated follow up to "Making Your Mind Up": it's catchy and not so naff, but doesn't stand out
4	Gillan	No Laughing In Heaven	The spoken verses on this take some getting used to although I think it's meant to sound like crazy ramblings: it's intriguing
4	Kool And The Gang	Take It To The Top	Another of those funk songs that no matter how many times you listen you can never quite remember: fine but not distinctive
3	Whitesnake	Would I Lie To You	A 2nd hit of the year for them in a blues rock style: the "would I lie…" hook is repetitive and it all feels a little disinterested
2	Dead Kennedys	Too Drunk To f***	Only Top 40 for this US punk band after "Kill The Poor" missed: the lyrics are meant to be silly but I don't really enjoy this at all
2	Phil Collins	If Leaving Me Is Easy	Unusual for an artist to receive a 10 and a 2 in the same year but this really is a turgid and sluggish track and a slog of a listen
1	Red Sovine	Teddy Bear	Only hit for this US country singer with a recitation track about truck drivers and a boy: it's very much not enjoyable for me

1981 Group 11:

#477	30/05/1981	Randy Crawford	You Might Need Somebody	11	67-55-47-34-28-17-12-{11}-14-17-24-32-63->13
#478	13/06/1981	The Evasions	Wikka Wrap	20	59-35-31-{20}-23-23-32-59->8
	13/06/1981	Bob Marley And The Wailers	No Woman No Cry {1981}	8	63-38-20-12-9-{8}-12-18-23-43-60->11
#479	13/06/1981	Showaddywaddy	Multiplication	39	60-{39}-42-51->4
#480	23/05/1981	Landscape	Norman Bates	40	72-54-54-44-{40}-46-62->7
#481	27/06/1981	Bad Manners	Can Can	3	18-{3}-3-3-3-6-6-16-26-36-48-58-71->13
#482	20/06/1981	Quincy Jones	Razzamattaz	11	56-26-16-{11}-13-21-29-48-70->9
#483	20/06/1981	Rainbow	Can't Happen Here	20	41-29-29-24-{20}-26-31-65->8
#484	20/06/1981	Tom Tom Club	Wordy Rappinghood	7	66-30-14-10-{7}-8-16-22-38->9
#485	20/06/1981	The Beat	Doors Of Your Heart	33	45-{33}-33-33-44-71->6
#486	20/06/1981	Dave Edmunds And The Stray Cats	The Race Is On	34	52-{34}-39-35-46-53->6
#487	13/06/1981	Bruce Springsteen	The River	35	69-43-{35}-35-41-57->6
#488	13/06/1981	Kirsty MacColl	There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis	14	71-47-40-22-16-{14}-24-32-62->9
#489	04/07/1981	Starsound	Stars On 45 (Volume 2)	2	15-4-{2}-2-5-9-27-31-54-67->10
#490	13/06/1981	Depeche Mode	New Life	11	55-54-43-27-21-19-15-12-{11}-15-18-31-42-57-74->15

Of the two Brit-funk tracks 'Throw Away The Key' is very catchy with quite a fast beat and I really like it, in comparison 'Body Talk' is slow and I don't like it as much although it has some good production.

'Back To My Roots' is good though.

'Ghost Town' is a very good and spooky #1.

'All Stood Still' is very different to 'Vienna', it has a great dance beat to it.

Edited October 31Oct 31 by TheSnake

Ghost Town was an important track socially at the time, and is a classic anyway. Summed up my life at the time, at any rate, in a declining (and soon to be ex) coal-mining town. 10/10 The Specials would be back minus the Fun Boy Three in 1984 though. I'm surprised it never pops up every halloween - oh of course, it's British, not American, wont pop up on streaming, that'll be why. Funeral Pyre one of the great exciting Jam singles, so it's bizarre it didnt top the charts 9/10.

Going Back To My Roots is Odyssey's 2nd-best single, after Native New Yorker, a classic with a message. 9/10. All Stood Still was a decent catchy upbeat Ultravox track, and I will have caught them in Sheffield around this time as I started going to concerts with my mate Paul to relive the unemployment boredom/depression. The Jam, Bad Manners, Depeche Mode, 10CC, Pretenders, Hot Chocolate, The Police, Belle Stars over the next two years, among others. 8/10.

Memory is a showstopper, though without Tim Rice (Guinness Book Of Hit Singles co-creator and pop fan) I was less interested in Lloyd-Webber. Probably something to do with a musical about Cats not being in the same league as Jesus and Evita. 9/10. Third World's fab reggae track has what I look for in reggae, a tune, rhythms, harmonies and great soulful vocal. 9/10. Linx were the new Britsoulpop main popstars of 1981, and Throw Away The Key is just lovely 9/10.

My mate Leee camping it up nicely on Top Of The Pops, and sultry soul vibes, setting them up for hugeness in 1982, Body Talk another 9/10. I am rather baised for this era! Piece Of The Action was an unexpected follow-up - much less annoying than Making Your Mind Up, and well-produced shiny pop, 8/10. Vaguely recall No Laughin In Heaven, Gillan a bit different here 5/10.

Take It To The Top part of the Kool And The Gang production-line soulpop and they were starting to sound samey now. 6/10. Whitesnake were always Metal-By-Numbers to me 4/10. Never liked The Dead Kennedys and this one got no airplay so I've never heard it. If Leaving Me Is Easy is more like Phil's general mood that year, I assume, it's sad and slow 5/10. Teddy Bear was a Radio 1 DJ pushed bit of slush, a talking point taken a step too far, and is was excuciating to listen to. Happily I've avoided it for a few decades now 1/10

That Kim Carnes / Human League / Adam and the Ants top 3 is soooo good all of those made my votes in the relevant poll.

I think 'Bette Davis Eyes' first came to my attention through being sampled in the gorgeous 'In My Arms' by Mylo. I wasn't sure what to make of the source material at first, as those vocals are very husky, but in time I got used to them and think they're a unique strength now. That synth production is heavenly too.

I love the Human League's album Travelogue from the previous year but not complaining that 'The Sound of the Crowd' was the song to properly break them through. Great to have their music in the top 40 now, my mum was a big fan at the time so was delighted to see her daughter getting into Dare several decades on as well haha.

Those #2 near-misses were a bit frustrating so I'm glad Adam and the Ants got their first #1 now with 'Stand and Deliver', debuting there at that. The song has more of their standout, quirky, Burundi beat charms but is perhaps a bit more theatrical. The scale of the music video feels ahead of its time also. I remember watching an interview where Adam said he would storyboard the videos himself.

'Chequered Love' and 'The Swords Of A Thousand Men' are great too. What a group!

'Spellbound' is my favourite from the next batch - very commanding. I've been revisiting it a bit recently anyway as it's on my Halloween playlist

Speaking of Halloween... 'Ghost Town' is truly excellent and would top that group for me too. The commentary is on point and that eerie production fits it like a glove.

'Funeral Pyre' is a contender for my favourite Jam instrumental. I remember first discovering it on an '80s TOTP repeat, where they showed the music video and I was immediately entranced because those drums were so intense. Rick Buckler is missed!

I love “Wordy Rappinghood” because it has that fresh feeling of a new type of music being explored for the first time. But “The River” is a stunning debut hit that takes the top place.

9	Bruce Springsteen	The River	The US singer is already on his 5th album but this is 1st Top 40 hit: a beautiful folky song about his sister in law and brother
9	Tom Tom Club	Wordy Rappinghood	1st hit for this US band: it's a unique and quirky partly rapped track with the innocent feel of something new being explored
8	Depeche Mode	New Life	1st Top 40 for this UK electronic band: I think their early work has a more sugary cheerful feel to it but it's an excellent song
7	Landscape	Norman Bates	Their 2nd and last Top 40: a rather sinister track about the fictional "Psycho" character, with distorted vocals that work a treat
7	Kirsty MacColl	There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis	Debut single from this UK singer songwriter: it's a charming number with a country feel and fun lyrics and a breath of fresh air
6	Randy Crawford	You Might Need Somebody	A cover of a song first done by Turley Richards: it is a classic RnB song and she does perform it very nicely, but it isn't exciting
6	Quincy Jones	Razzamattaz	This isn't catchy and instant like "Ai No Corrida" but it's an enjoyable jazzy track with good uncredited lead and backing vocals
5	The Beat	Doors Of Your Heart	After this they'll have a long string of Top 40 misses: it's a soulful track with the usual ska production but doesn't stand out
5	Rainbow	Can't Happen Here	After 3 Top 10 hits this marked their chart success waning: it's their usual high energy rock style but quite similar to earlier hits
4	Dave Edmunds And The Stray Cats	The Race Is On	A cover of a 1960s country song giving Dave his last Top 40 hit: a competently done piece of rockabilly but nothing exciting
4	Bad Manners	Can Can	The theme originally comes from Offenbach's "Galop Infernal": this is a well produced version, but has limited replay value
3	Showaddywaddy	Multiplication	As usual it's a cover of an old rock and roll track from them: I suppose this is a fairly jolly remake but it doesn't need to exist
2	Starsound	Stars On 45 (Volume 2)	This is more bloated than Volume 1, coming in at 12 minutes and with more clunky transitions: at least the originals are good
2	The Evasions	Wikka Wrap	Only hit for this novelty group doing a parody of TV personality Alan Whicker: I suppose you had to be there at the time to get it

1981 Group 12:

#491	27/06/1981	Sheena Easton	For Your Eyes Only	8	60-34-27-21-16-11-{8}-10-15-23-34-45-69->13
#492	13/06/1981	Kid Creole And The Coconuts Present Coati Mundi	Me No Pop I	32	61-48-41-40-{32}-38-56->7
#493	11/07/1981	Motorhead	Motorhead Live	6	14-{6}-6-19-33-46-59->7
#494	11/07/1981	Kate Bush	Sat In Your Lap	11	26-15-{11}-13-18-29-35->7
#495	27/06/1981	REO Speedwagon	Take It On The Run	19	74-42-36-34-28-26-25-25-{19}-21-25-28-51-75->14
#496	27/06/1981	Evelyn King	I'm In Love	27	67-43-38-32-{27}-30-30-33-42-52-68->11
#497	11/07/1981	Visage	Visage	21	39-25-25-{21}-21-30-33->7
#498	18/07/1981	Abba	Lay All Your Love On Me	7	17-{7}-9-14-24-28-66->7
#499	18/07/1981	Spandau Ballet	Chant No 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)	3	18-4-{3}-4-5-12-20-35-46-58->10
#500	18/07/1981	Saxon	Never Surrender	18	26-{18}-20-26-37-65->6
#501	04/07/1981	The Jacksons	Walk Right Now	7	70-46-30-20-15-{7}-8-17-24-44-59->11
#502	11/07/1981	Dexys Midnight Runners	Show Me	16	58-33-23-24-{16}-18-23-39-66->9
#503	04/07/1981	Gidea Park	Beach Boy Gold	11	60-42-37-35-25-20-{11}-13-14-26-40-62-74->13
#504	11/07/1981	Kraftwerk	The Model/Computer Love	1	60-39-36-43-51-60-69-74-50R(17)-50-21-10-2-3-{1}-4-5-13-27-54-75->21

It's not often we vary too much with my opinions on your top picks, so this makes a change 😄I was there when Born To Run steam-rollered out in 1975 as a full-on epic 10/10, and rated Hungry Heart in late '80, miffed both of those didnt go top 40, so The River doing it was a bit of a mystery to me given it's fairly low-key dour disposition - and I've never warmed to it that much 5/10. I do love me a Springsteen ballad though, generally. Wordy Rappinghood sounded different, and highly catchy - which made it immediately endearing, but also one that too much radio play can make a bit irritating. Still good though 9/10.

Depeche Mark 1 is pure Vince, it has more in common with Yazoo and Erasure, jolly catchy pop synth and it's fine as that 8/10. Norman bates was an unusual choice for follow-up, quite quirky though, 7/10. Kirsty's Chip Shop was fun and amusing lyrically, though never a huge fave at the time 6/10. Randy Crawford always went for classy old-fashioned soul-style mildly jazzy ballads, and You Might Need Somebody slips nicely into the back catalogue 7/10. Razzamataz a bit more upbeat jazzy-funk than soul ballad but also classy from Quincy - with Patti Austin on lead vocal, these days she would easily get a featuring credit. 7/10.

Doors Of Your Heart I dont recall that much, sadly, dont think Ive heard it in 40 years! 6/10 sounds about right from vague memory though. Ditto Can't Happen Here but I'd already got bored with the new Rainbow line-up 5/10. The Race Is On is Dave Edmunds so at least a 6/10 from me. Can Can is a romp, Buster Bloodvessel on Top Of The Pops in a 19th Century-styled frock is not be missed. Fun. 8/10. Showaddywaddy had been overtaken by the new wave of rockabilly and sounded very tired by this time 4/10. Stars On 45 there was a single edit (mercifully). Where Part 1 was Beatles, Part 2 was Abba, so there's no faulting the producer's priority's in the history of pop music. I was happy to see some non-UK Abba singles featuring and the intro remains fab 6/10. Wikka Rap wasnt great, even at the time. Once was enough. 3/10.

It will be rare for me not to put a great ABBA song at the top, but Kraftwerk have spoiled us with 2 all time greats in 1!

9	Kraftwerk	The Model/Computer Love	Will become the 494th #1 as a double A: "The Model" is '80s synth perfection, and "Computer Love" is wonderfully hynotic
9	Abba	Lay All Your Love On Me	It's brilliant but perhaps the most typically '80s of their hits, with the electronic accompaniment carrying a lot of the emotion
8	Kate Bush	Sat In Your Lap	Somehow the shrieking doesn't great on this and it has a wonderful drum beat: a wonderfully frustrated experimental piece
8	Spandau Ballet	Chant No 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)	Their highest peaking hit so far and it's 4 out of 4 really strong singles: you can feel the pressure mounting in this intense track
7	The Jacksons	Walk Right Now	Another really strong disco track from The Jacksons: Michael's performance on this is really punchy and mature sounding
7	REO Speedwagon	Take It On The Run	Their 2nd hit in a very similar style to the 1st but I slightly prefer it: this has a really big and warm hearted sound that I enjoy
6	Dexys Midnight Runners	Show Me	A bouncy and fun Dexy track: I particularly enjoy Kevin Rowland's over the top vocal performance on this, and the scatting
6	Visage	Visage	A 3rd and a Top 20 miss: I really enjoy the synth laden build up on this but then the "Vis-age" chorus I find a slight let down
5	Sheena Easton	For Your Eyes Only	The theme from the Bond film of the same name: this doesn't have the big orchestral sound we'd expect now but it's quite nice
5	Motorhead	Motorhead Live	A self titled live single: this is a whirlwind of guitars and hoarsely shouted vocals that probably worked better if you were there
4	Saxon	Never Surrender	A 4th Top 20 hit for them with a good guitar solo but overall this washes over me: it's standard not very distinctive hard rock
3	Evelyn King	I'm In Love	1st hit for this US disco singer who had been going for a while: this seems to me very standard for its genre and not distinctive
3	Kid Creole And The Coconuts Present Coati Mundi	Me No Pop I	1st hit for this eclectic US band: it's a curious early rap hit and on the rough side, with a catchy yet slightly irritating hook
2	Gidea Park	Beach Boy Gold	Singer and producer Adrian Baker is behind this medley with a Beach Boys style introduction: it brings very little new overall

1981 Group 13:

#505	25/07/1981	Stevie Wonder	Happy Birthday	2	9-4-{2}-3-7-11-19-30-34-56-72->11
#506	25/07/1981	Shakin' Stevens	Green Door	1	22-{1}-1-1-1-4-8-21-32-47-59-67->12
#507	25/07/1981	Duran Duran	Girls On Film	5	29-23-15-6-{5}-7-12-19-27-41-65->11
#508	18/07/1981	Tight Fit	Back To The 60s	4	52-30-14-10-{4}-8-9-18-25-39-62->11
#509	25/07/1981	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	Hooked On Classics	2	33-7-3-{2}-2-3-5-15-31-44-53->11
#510	18/07/1981	Carl Carlton	She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)	34	53-38-{34}-35-35-39-44-57->8
#511	25/07/1981	Lobo {NL}	The Caribbean Disco Show	8	57-33-27-14-10-{8}-10-17-23-35-52->11
#512	01/08/1981	Kim Wilde	Water On Glass/Boys	11	35-17-13-{11}-13-22-38-64->8
#513	25/07/1981	Bill Wyman	(Si, Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star	14	63-36-28-22-{14}-17-21-37-49->9
#514	25/07/1981	Eddy Grant	I Love You, Yes I Love You	37	68-{37}-40-42-48-68->6
#515	18/07/1981	Voggue	Dancin' The Night Away	39	75-43-{39}-43-48-66->6
#516	01/08/1981	Electric Light Orchestra	Hold On Tight	4	40-19-9-6-5-{4}-5-7-14-20-38-56->12
#517	08/08/1981	The Human League	Love Action (I Believe In Love)	3	29-7-{3}-6-3-6-10-15-29-35-40-53-67->13
#518	01/08/1981	Debbie Harry	Backfired	32	49-{32}-36-40-59-75->6
#519	01/08/1981	Startrax	Startrax Club Disco	18	47-34-28-21-{18}-24-29-53->8

'New Life' is good, the downbeat vocal stops it from being too sugary for me.

'Lay All Your Love On Me' has a good electronic disco sound to it.

Visage - Visage is a good example of an eponymous song and has apparently been renamed recently to Vis - age on spotify. It has that typical Ultravox style epic synth backing.

'Chip shop....' is charming indeed.

'Chant Number 1' is less electronic from Spandau and has a big reliance in brass that they would use again for their 1983 era.

The guitar solo is a bit jarring on Randy Crawford - You Might Need Somebody, when I am used to the later Shola Ama version. The song in its multiple versions has become a soul ballad classic though!

'Computer Love' is a nice chilled track.

'Can Can' is fun with its fairground wurlitzer sound.

Evelyn - I'm In Love is distinctive for me, it has a proto-house style piano!

Edited November 5Nov 5 by TheSnake

The Model is fab, my fave Kraftwerk track by far, and it's bizarre that it's 2 or 3 years old already 9/10. Computer Love is pretty and slightly lesser 8/10. Lay All Your Love On Me, those synth chords and the Moroder-ish rhythm are hypnotic and achingly brilliant. I'm still pissed off this only got a 12" release. I was on the dole and couldnt justify buying it, so they lost a lot of sales by not having it on 7" with a new B side. I think it would have been challenging for the top spot otherwise. 10/10.

Sat In Your Lap seemed to upset some Kate fans as she was messing with synth drum patterns, but I still find it thrilling and innovative. Chant No. 1 was Spandau joining the brit-funk movement, and doing it well, my fave Spandau track, its a fab groove 9/10. Walk Right Now not quite as epic as Can You Feel It but pretty good anyway 8/10. Take It On The Run I didnt like nearly as much as the previous at the time, but I also think it's aged a bit better 7/10.

Show Me, always loved me some soulful Dexy's, 8/10. Visage doesnt stick in the mind as a hook, but it was a pleasant sounding track at the time 7/10. For Your Eyes Only, the only time the singer appeared in the opening Bond credits, a good song but Sheena diving a bit into shrill on this one. 7/10. Motorhead, never a fan of live tracks by and large, but it's OK 5/10.

Never Surrender is OK Saxon, 6/10, but the title became a catch-phrase in the brilliant Star Trek piss-take Galaxy Quest. I'm In Love was decent but not heard it since 1981 I reckon, 6/10. Me No Pop I was a quirky intro the soon-to-be-huge Kid Creole 7/10 and I think it's a play on Popeye, but avoiding copyright issues at the time. Popeye is now out of copyright so the spelling can be corrected! Beach Boy Gold was not as good as the originals - but Adrian Baker had already had a hit covering Four Seasons (Sherry) and would get invited to do back-up vocals on tour with the Beach Boys - is my memory of events - and they did their own medley later on too. 5/10.

It’s medley central but the big ‘80ths synth pop bands are really coming good, and Duran Duran are producing some of their best material of the decade.

8	Duran Duran	Girls On Film	1st smash hit for them and one of their best loved hits about the dark side of the fashion industry: this is delightfully punchy
8	The Human League	Love Action (I Believe In Love)	Their 1st really big hit, doing so well on the strength of "The Sound Of The Crowd" which has even more bite, but this is great too
8	Kim Wilde	Water On Glass/Boys	"Boys" has a similar feel to "Kids In America": both tracks are great high octane pop hits, but this somehow missed the Top 10
7	Debbie Harry	Backfired	Her 1st solo hit which didn't do very well but it's a swag filled number with rapping and singing which showcases her versatility
7	Stevie Wonder	Happy Birthday	The 1st of 2 #2 hits with this title in quick succession: it's a lovely joyous track, albeit the chorus has been rather overplayed
6	Electric Light Orchestra	Hold On Tight	A rockabilly inspired hit from them that's very sweet and cosy, perhaps slightly verging on cheesy and not one of their finest
6	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	Hooked On Classics	A medley but classical: this one works really nicely, showcases great pieces and  is a breath of fresh air compared to the others
6	Bill Wyman	(Si, Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star	1st solo hit for this Stones guitarist: this is very unusual and perplexing but I quite enjoy the Franglais lyrics and carefree style
5	Eddy Grant	I Love You, Yes I Love You	This only just made the Top 40 though he'll be back with a bang next time: it's not bad but the synth noises feel slightly cheap
4	Voggue	Dancin' The Night Away	Only hit for this Canadian disco duo: the track is quite nice but the vocal parts lack punch and it doesn't quite feel complete
3	Shakin' Stevens	Green Door	483rd #1: a cover of a 1956 song which Frankie Vaughan took to #2: this isn't badly done but certainly doesn't feel necessary
2	Carl Carlton	She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)	Only hit for this US RnB singer who also covered "Everlasting Love": the lyrics are fairly poor plus the song isn't up to much
2	Lobo {NL}	The Caribbean Disco Show	A medley of reggae tracks: certainly not enjoyable but at least the theme makes some sense and the overall result is cohesive
1	Tight Fit	Back To The 60s	Producer Ken Gold enlisted session musicians to create this 15 minute '60s medley: some of the vocals are ropey and it's a slog
1	Startrax	Startrax Club Disco	An even longer medley seemingly ripping off the Stars on '45 idea with poorly recreated disco hit clips: no redeeming features

1980 Group 14:

#520	01/08/1981	Tenpole Tudor	Wunderbar	16	51-36-21-20-{16}-17-27-36-69->9
#521	01/08/1981	Siouxsie And The Banshees	Arabian Nights	32	44-37-34-{32}-34-37-54->7
#522	08/08/1981	U2	Fire	35	39-39-36-{35}-39-49->6
#523	08/08/1981	Aneka	Japanese Boy	1	60-19-4-{1}-2-3-6-13-21-34-49-62->12
#524	08/08/1981	UB40	One In Ten	7	54-23-16-10-{7}-9-12-26-33-50->10
#525	01/08/1981	Soft Cell	Tainted Love	1	62-45-26-9-2-{1}-1-2-2-8-12-20-22-28-36-66-70R(8)-45-57-46-43-52-63-68-64-68-72R(19)-50-54-58-61R(130)-43-45-45-55-66->36
#526	08/08/1981	Enigma	I Love Music	25	52-31-{25}-25-27-34-40->7
#527	08/08/1981	Randy Crawford	Rainy Night In Georgia	18	69-40-30-22-20-{18}-21-31-36->9
#528	22/08/1981	Genesis	Abacab	9	27-12-{9}-13-18-28-42-58->8
#529	15/08/1981	The Nolans	Chemistry	15	57-29-26-{15}-20-26-34-54->8
#530	22/08/1981	Ultravox	The Thin Wall	14	37-19-{14}-14-15-25-40-59->8
#531	15/08/1981	Modern Romance	Everybody Salsa	12	71-38-29-16-{12}-14-23-27-42-68->10
#532	29/08/1981	Gary Numan	She's Got Claws	6	15-{6}-10-16-33-39->6
#533	29/08/1981	Cliff Richard	Wired For Sound	4	27-11-{4}-5-6-14-20-37-45->9
#534	29/08/1981	The Rolling Stones	Start Me Up	7	28-13-{7}-9-16-23-37-53-74->9