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’
Tag: 1985
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’
Philip Bailey and Phil Collins – ‘Easy Lover’
23 March 1985 Ugh. Not another whiny, passive-aggressive Phil Collins song about some contrived no-good woman making nice guys like him suffer. Even the video, with its behind-the-scenes concept, is another vehicle for Collins' usual cheeky-chappie, down-to-earth-bloke shtick, the cloaking device for his sour misogyny. Bailey, by contrast, is an actual singer from a decent … Continue reading Philip Bailey and Phil Collins – ‘Easy Lover’
Dead or Alive – ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’
16 March 1985 Hurrah, it's Stock, Aitken and Waterman! Here's the first-ever SAW UK or Ireland number one single, and while they certainly ruled the late-'80s pop scene, culminating in the final chart-topper of the decade, 'You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)' doesn't really foreshadow the nature of that reign. For one thing, it's … Continue reading Dead or Alive – ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’
Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson – ‘I Know Him So Well’
9 February 1985 Really this is your fault. You, with your fawning adulation for 'The Winner Takes It All' far beyond its merits, turning Bjorn and Benny's heads so that they forgot about making glam-disco-pop masterpieces and instead charged off with Tim Rice down the road of blustery West End musicals. Thanks for that. As … Continue reading Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson – ‘I Know Him So Well’
Foreigner – ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’
26 January 1985 Help me out here. These US soft rock bands of the late '70s and '80s are all short, squat men in blue jeans and leather jackets, throwing rawk shapes and making macho grimaces. Yet their actual sound is bland, simpering romantic balladry with a squealing guitar solo or loud snare for some … Continue reading Foreigner – ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’
