10 August 1985 Madonna's first number one single in the UK and Ireland feels a little anachronistic for its time. 'Into The Groove' followed up Like A Virgin's string of next-level hits and the epic power ballad 'Crazy For You', but it sounds more of a piece with her pre-Virgin dancefloor bops like 'Holiday', which … Continue reading Madonna – ‘Into The Groove’
Eurythmics – ‘There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)’
3 August 1985 Where I am normally quite indulgent towards all '80s chart pop, I make an exception for the Eurythmics, who were irredeemably awful and on seemingly constant airplay throughout my otherwise happy childhood. 'There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)' is yet another of their contrived, mannered, soulless hits. If the … Continue reading Eurythmics – ‘There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)’
Harold Faltermeyer – ‘Axel F’
27 July 1985 In other words, the music from Beverly Hills Cop. I suffer a little cognitive dissonance in trying to reconcile this austere post-Kraftwerk electro-bleeping with the actual movie of Eddie Murphy guffawing and swearing his way across upmarket Los Angeles. What sounds like an 808 hi-hat and snare add a slight hint of … Continue reading Harold Faltermeyer – ‘Axel F’
Sister Sledge – ‘Frankie’
29 June 1985 We can take our guidance on 'Frankie' from its producer, long-time Sister Sledge svengali Nile Rodgers. Apparently he hated the song at first, then a week later found he couldn't stop singing it. The writer of 'Frankie' proved to have more turbulent instincts. Denise Rich, who also wrote songs for Diana Ross … Continue reading Sister Sledge – ‘Frankie’
The Crowd – ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
22 June 1985 In May 1985 a fire ripped through the crowded wooden main stand of Bradford's Valley Parade stadium during the home side's final game of the season; 56 people died and hundreds more were injured. This was a charity single to raise funds for the victims and families. There aren't Band Aid levels … Continue reading The Crowd – ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
Bruce Springsteen – ‘I’m On Fire’ / ‘Born In The USA’
8 June 1985 Much as with the wave of Papal-themed chart-toppers that followed John Paul II's big outdoor Irish tour of 1979, this Bruce Springsteen number one surfs a wave of promotion. The Boss had played Slane the weekend before, touring the Born In The USA album that made him a globe-straddling superstar. I can't … Continue reading Bruce Springsteen – ‘I’m On Fire’ / ‘Born In The USA’
Paul Hardcastle – ’19’
25 May 1985 I can vouch for Paul Hardcastle's '19' being huge in 1985. As to why it was huge, my small child brain didn't get it at the time and my slightly bigger adult brain still doesn't get it now. Perhaps the mainstream chart punter wanted electronic beats but something simpler and less brainy … Continue reading Paul Hardcastle – ’19’
U2 – ‘The Unforgettable Fire’
11 May 1985 Bono and Adam had been part of Band Aid, but this is the first actual U2 Irish number one single: not the more obvious 'I Will Follow' or 'New Year's Day' or 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' or even 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)', but the second single from the album of the … Continue reading U2 – ‘The Unforgettable Fire’
USA for Africa – ‘We Are The World’
13 April 1985 Who is the only person who sang on Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' and on USA for Africa's 'We Are The World'? Answer at the end. Band Aid was essentially a snapshot of the '80s UK singles charts: there are no Beatles, Stones, Bowies or other heritage acts there. Its … Continue reading USA for Africa – ‘We Are The World’
The Concerned – ‘Show Some Concern’
30 March 1985 Like the local versions of Bake Off or Strictly that are never as good as the real thing, when Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' became such a huge UK chart hit, other countries had to have their go. Of this global Eurovision of copycat charity singles, we'll come to the … Continue reading The Concerned – ‘Show Some Concern’
