23 April 1983 The occasional snatches of its chorus on radio and TV for the rest of the '80s, often on some ad for a romantic hits compilation, were all I'd previously heard of 'Words' by F.R. David, and I wasn't impressed: simpering vocals, saccharine keyboards, the whole sensitive-guy routine. So, I had this down … Continue reading F.R. David – ‘Words’
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David Bowie – ‘Let’s Dance’
9 April 1983 I was a bit too young to be aware of 'Let's Dance' at the time, but if the wind is right I can almost hear the groans of Bowie die-hards echoing down the years. It borrows the distinctive soaring "ah-ah-ah-AH!" of 'Twist And Shout' for its intro and the famous drum beat … Continue reading David Bowie – ‘Let’s Dance’
Bonnie Tyler – ‘Total Eclipse Of The Heart’
19 March 1983 We've already entered 'Take That Look Off Your Face' as evidence of Andrew Lloyd Webber's role in ringleading the '80s power ballad genre, and now comes a co-accused: Jim Steinman. In fact, 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' may actually be the definitive '80s power ballad. Perhaps because of its all-or-nothing commitment to … Continue reading Bonnie Tyler – ‘Total Eclipse Of The Heart’
Kajagoogoo – ‘Too Shy’
26 February 1983 How you feel about 'Too Shy' is a good indication of how you feel about '80s chart music in general. Fab pop? Meaningless fluff? In a way, it's both. As a song, 'Too Shy' wouldn't stand up in a light breeze, but as a record it sounds great, carefully recreating the sophisticated … Continue reading Kajagoogoo – ‘Too Shy’
Men At Work – ‘Down Under’
29 January 1983 I remember seeing the video for 'Down Under' when I was small and thinking that the bit where the guy drinks out of a flower vase while his mates chug beer was the most hilarious thing ever. The song's chirpy flute and bouncy reggae beat probably reinforced my childhood belief that Men … Continue reading Men At Work – ‘Down Under’
Phil Collins – ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’
22 January 1983 Two of the negatives of an '80s pop childhood in one track: Phil Collins, and encountering a song as an inferior cover version without knowing the original. Phil Collins' modus operandi was to use his cheeky-chappie persona to gain media attention for himself and his bland, middle-aged passive aggressive tracks. Here, he … Continue reading Phil Collins – ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’
Renée and Renato – ‘Save Your Love’
11 December 1982 Just when the Italian community were probably thinking the radiation cloud of 'Shaddap You Face' was finally dissipating, 1982 brought the Cornetto ice cream ad in which an operatic gondolier sings "Just one Cornetto / Give it to me" to the tune of 'O Sole Mio'. This became cultural shorthand for Italy … Continue reading Renée and Renato – ‘Save Your Love’
The Human League – ‘Mirror Man’
4 December 1982 'Mirror Man' made it to number one for a week in Ireland but was kept off the UK top spot by 'Beat Surrender', The Jam's farewell single. Neither track shows these bands at their best. This was The Human League's first new music since 'Don't You Want Me' a year earlier; few … Continue reading The Human League – ‘Mirror Man’
Eddy Grant – ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’
20 November 1982 This was my first experience of the classic Top of the Pops water cooler moment; 'I Don't Wanna Dance' was shown and then the next day everyone in my class seemed to be singing it. You can see how a stompy, grumpy-sounding song about not wanting to do something would appeal to … Continue reading Eddy Grant – ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’
Culture Club – ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’
6 November 1982 An '80s icon arrives. I was far too young at the time to be aware of any controversy, prurience or debate: for me, Boy George was Boy George, as fundamental a part of the '80s pop ecosystem as Top of the Pops. About his band, I had no strong views either; there … Continue reading Culture Club – ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’
