20 December 1980 John Lennon had been shot dead on the street in New York by a crazed fan just a few weeks before, so maybe people were craving some cosy escapism. (The flood of Lennon solo number ones awaits us like a Chapman in early 1981.) I also suspect the dread hand of some … Continue reading St Winifred’s School Choir – ‘There’s No One Quite Like Grandma’
Tag: 1980
ABBA – ‘Super Trouper’
29 November 1980 Granted, it's not as pretentiously awful as Sting's "Nabokov" and "shake and cough" from a few weeks back, and to be fair it's not their native language either. Still, listening to 'Super Trouper' always requires me to first overcome the pretty rotten contrivance of "Glasgow" being rhymed with "last show". There's more … Continue reading ABBA – ‘Super Trouper’
Johnny Logan – ‘What’s Another Year’
22 May 1980 It's 1980, and Charles Haughey, the most divisive Irish public figure of the time, has finally assumed power. The rest of the decade will see his many enemies try repeatedly to bring him down, but without success. Little could anyone in 1980 have imagined that the person eventually responsible for Haughey's downfall … Continue reading Johnny Logan – ‘What’s Another Year’
Detroit Spinners – ‘Working My Way Back To You’
8 May 1980 That's The Spinners, for those of you in America - an English folk group of that name required the US outfit to amend their name on this side of the Atlantic. Those opening oohs and handclaps are easy on the ear and set the scene for the rest of this record: working … Continue reading Detroit Spinners – ‘Working My Way Back To You’
Marti Webb – ‘Take That Look Off Your Face’
27 March 1980 Our first power ballad, a genre that really took off in the '80s and, like the poor or venereal disease, is still with us. This one, of the West End musical variant, is sung by Marti Webb and written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which suggests the existence of a Webbest. A Lloyd … Continue reading Marti Webb – ‘Take That Look Off Your Face’
Kenny Rogers – ‘Coward Of The County’
26 February 1980 Two brief housekeeping notes before you read on: 1) From February to October 1980 the regular Irish singles chart was part of a strike action. During this time, Hot Press magazine published a fortnightly chart, and this is what we'll see until normal service resumes. 2) Content warning: sexual violence. A U.S. … Continue reading Kenny Rogers – ‘Coward Of The County’
The Pretenders – ‘Brass In Pocket’
26 January 1980 I know 'Brass In Pocket' from overhearing it on the radio fairly regularly throughout my lifetime, and each time it's a pleasant experience, or at least I've never felt the urge to change station. However, this may actually be the first time I've listened to it up close, as it were, and … Continue reading The Pretenders – ‘Brass In Pocket’
Dana – ‘Totus Tuus (Totally Yours)’
19 January 1980 Ireland's first new number one of the '80s, our first '80s chart-topper for an Irish act, and - oh great, it's Dana singing about the Pope. In truth, we can chalk this chart-topper up to the merchants in the temple; the Pope had visited Ireland four months earlier, millions had gone along … Continue reading Dana – ‘Totus Tuus (Totally Yours)’
