2 classics there, Bowie had dumped RCA for shiny new EMI and needed to have a mass-appeal album to make them appreciate the money they spent to get him to sign, cur Nile Rodgers, to Chic-up the pumping dance, and Bowie to throw some cash Iggy Pop's way with a co-write on China Girl. The whole album is fab, and commercial. Bowie sometimes viewed them as mutually exclusive, but he's wrong fairly obviously. The video is amazing. Top 5 of the year but behind Police and MJ and Bonnie.

Steinman's greatest moment is Total Eclipse, and another amazing video, by 1983 videos were part of the art of the single's appeal. Unusual and Bonnie one of the top UK female acts - not that many of them in those days pre-Madonna - and I think this might be second to MJ for me, though it's neck and neck with Police.

Don't forget, everyone, that we are still looking for guest hosts to cover some years. Full details can be found on page 17 of gooddelta's 1999 thread.

I am guessing you will be doing 1984 next Rollo!

Thank you for presenting. "Total eclipse of the heart" is a really great #1. "Let's Dance" is not among my favourite Bowie songs.

My ranking:

Great:

1. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler

2. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

3. Every Breath You Take - The Police

4. True - Spandau Ballet

Very Good:

5. Down Under - Men At Work

6. Baby Jane - Rod Stewart

7. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo

8. You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins

Good:

9. Let's Dance - David Bowie

10. Give It Up - KC and the Sunshine Band

11. Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

Average:

12. Is There Something I Should Know? - Duran Duran

13. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel

14. Red Red Wine - UB40

Rather weak:

15. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) - Paul Young

16. Only You - The Flying Pickets

17. Candy Girl - New Edition

17 minutes ago, TheSnake said:

I am guessing you will be doing 1984 next Rollo!

Someone else is doing 1984. I wanted my years to be spread further apart.

Very happy with that outcome at the top. Coming after such a strong run of David Bowie albums, 'Let's Dance' doesn't hit me quite as much despite Nile Rodgers' expansive production. However 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' is my favourite #1 of the year too, and I like how the song and its big production gradually build up to the "forever's gonna start tonight" bridge towards the end. Thanks Rollo for the countdown!

2 minutes ago, jimwatts said:

Very happy with that outcome at the top. Coming after such a strong run of David Bowie albums, 'Let's Dance' doesn't hit me quite as much despite Nile Rodgers' expansive production. However 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' is my favourite #1 of the year too, and I like how the song and its big production gradually build up to the "forever's gonna start tonight" bridge towards the end. Thanks Rollo for the countdown!

When you said your favourite was still to come when two were left I thought it was going to be Let's Dance so I'm pleased to see it's Total Eclipse Of The Heart.

Now the countdown is complete I don't think there's a single obscure number one of 1983. Interested to know if there's any 1983 number one that anyone on here didn't know already.

Dandy is next with his first choice!

Great thread, thanks Rollo!

Yes thanks Rollo for the countdown! It's a great year for chart-toppers.

Thanks Rollo for a great countdown! I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I think 'Billie Jean' would be #1 for me but would have to mull over the rest.

18 hours ago, King Rollo said:

Someone else is doing 1984. I wanted my years to be spread further apart.

1992 or 1993 then maybe, some interesting #1s there?!

Edited January 13Jan 13 by TheSnake

Good choice of number 1, it's a classic, over the top ballad, much like Holding Out for a Hero, and the video adds a bizarre feel that makes it a unique package. I quite like Let's Dance, but it isn't that high up my Bowie essentials list, I first knew it through Craig David's sampling on it on his 2007 single Hot Stuff *__

Thanks for running this!

Just going back to the video for 'Let's Dance', it's occurred to me since I posted about it that the nuclear bomb exploding is most likely a reference to the nuclear tests that took place in Australia in the 1950s. The Aboriginal people were forcibly removed from their own territory.

Apologies Rollo, I missed the tail end of this but just caught up. Great No.1 which I am in agreement with; a real classic single, a great belting vocal and just a brilliant melody and production.

Here's my rank (I've always loved the Phil cover, such a joyful song for me in this version and the original):

1. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler

2. Every Breath You Take - The Police

3. You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins

4. Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

5. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

6. Down Under - Men At Work

7. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel

8. Let's Dance - David Bowie

9. True - Spandau Ballet

10. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo

11. Is There Something I Should Know? - Duran Duran

12. Red Red Wine - UB40

13. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) - Paul Young

14. Only You - The Flying Pickets

15. Give It Up - KC and the Sunshine Band

16. Baby Jane - Rod Stewart

17. Candy Girl - New Edition

On 12/01/2026 at 22:20, My Random Music said:

Now the countdown is complete I don't think there's a single obscure number one of 1983. Interested to know if there's any 1983 number one that anyone on here didn't know already.

Agreed, they have all stood the test of time and not many years can claim that. Candy Girl is probably at the bottom in terms of classic status but it's still recognisable. A very male dominated year with just the one female artist at the top.