A Concise Guide To Eighties' Music - Karl Vorderman (best ebook reader ubuntu txt) 📗

a previous one of twelve months earlier when 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' was a tale of a schoolgirl crush. More recently, the Police had dipped their toes in the stormy waters of political controversy with the outstanding 'Invisible Sun', but this time the trio abandoned the armalite in favour of the more conventional formula of a romantic tune. Sting's lyrics are unashamedly a celebration of being in love. There were clearly enough record-buyers who empathised.

The song of the month for November 1981
Under Pressure by Queen And David Bowie (peak chart position: No.1)
It was only to be expected that two of the great heavyweight acts of the previous decade should deliver an item of pure class. This song kicks off with that memorable John Deacon bass line, 'borrowed' thereafter by the likes of Vanilla Ice on 'Ice Ice Baby'. However, here is one occasion when neither Queen nor Bowie were under any pressure. The Fab Four were after all basking in the growing triumph of their 'Greatest Hits' album which went on to reside in the album charts for several years. I do so like the Bowie line about "Keep coming up with love/When it's so slashed and torn." They just don't make them like this anymore.

The song of the month for December 1981
Don't You Want Me? by The Human League (peak chart position: No.1)
The Yuletide season had become notorious for attracting a plethora of novelty acts who made logic-defying progress up to the top of the charts. Such formidable rock acts as Clive Dunn, Benny Hill, St. Winifred's School Choir, and Little Jimmy Osmond had all been there and done that. It was therefore something of a pleasant surprise when Sheffield's Human League helped themselves to an unlikely Christmas chart-topper with the far from merry 'Don't You Want Me'. The song benefits from trademark synthesizers as well as an interesting story. Phil Oakley might no longer have been 'wanted' but his song was wanted in large quantities.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOR 1981:
Celebrate The Bullet by The Selecter (released in February)
Side 1: Side 2:
1. (Who Likes) Facing Situations; 3:32 1. Celebrate The Bullet; 4:34
2. Deep Water; 4:09 2. Selling Out Your Future; 3:59
3. Red Reflections; 3:38 3. Cool Blue Lady; 3:30
4. Tell Me What's Wrong; 4:30 4. Their Dream Goes On; 3:42
5. Bombscare; 3:05 5. Bristol And Miami; 4:58
6. Washed Up and Left For Dead; 3:57
Some albums can be something of an anti-climax because by the time that they are released, you are already familiar with a few of the ten items, which have previously been issued as singles. 'Celebrate The Bullet' therefore is something of a luxury as the eleven previously unheard tracks are still waiting to be discovered. Whilst many subsequent records profited from exposure on MTV as well as advertising campaigns conducted like a military offensive, this album had no such assistance. Having exited the Two Tone record label, the Selecter attempted to travel away from their high-energy ska origins into something more sophisticated, yet still danceable. The group commendably relied on their own material, with songwriting credits shared amongst a few of the members. The long player draws to an epic conclusion with 'Bristol And Miami' which recalls the race riots in those two locations in 1980. This record was subsequently washed up and left for dead as the musical climate changed, but here is one occasion when a lack of album sales was a great injustice.

1982
The song of the month for January 1982
Golden Brown by The Stranglers (peak chart position: No.2)
Apparently this song is about drugs, which comes as no surprise, since lead vocalist Hugh Cornwell had 'form' where illegal substances were concerned. Regardless of whether or not this item dealt with heroin, many British record buyers were addicted to this single with its waltz sound. The Stranglers had clearly come a long way since 'Peaches' and their punk origins. A two week stay at Number 2 was the very least this tune merited.

The song of the month for February 1982
See You by Depeche Mode (peak chart position: No.6)
Keyboardist Vince Clarke may have musically eloped with Alison Moyet for their Yazoo venture, but Depeche Mode kept the hits coming at regular intervals. 'See You' was a slightly different love song than the norm but it deservedly took Basildon's biggest export back to the British Top Ten. The Mode continued to carve out their own pop niche with the masterful 'Master And Servant' and the sensitive 'Shake The Disease' in ensuing years.

The song of the month for March 1982
My Camera Never Lies by Bucks Fizz (peak chart position: No.1)
Bucks Fizz had emulated the likes of Sandie Shaw and the Brotherhood Of Man by providing the United Kingdom with a success at the Eurovision Song Contest. One year later and Britain's latest unconvincing answer to Abba had notched up three British chart-toppers. The best of this trio was arguably 'My Camera Never Lies'. It is a half-decent pop song which certainly found favour with record purchasers who helped it to Number 1 for a week.

The song of the month for April 1982
I Love Rock 'N' Roll by Joan Jett And The Blackhearts (peak chart position: No.4)
In Jamaican rastafarian culture, blackhearts are dreads who are to be feared. Joan Jett's own particular Blackhearts managed to offer a slice of rock which had a crossover appeal both in rock and pop circles. This was one of those sing-along anthems that belonged in a pub jukebox. Americans were particularly impressed as Joan Jett and her gang were awarded with a seven-week stint at the summit of the Billboard chart.

The song of the month for May 1982
I've Never Been To Me by Charlene (peak chart position: No.1)
This one-hit wonder was actually a product of the Motown hits factory, though it sounded nothing like Motown's typical dance tunes or soul records. Instead of which Charlene laments of her livelihood as a high-class hooker which prevented her from settling down and having a normal existence with a loving husband and doting children. Far from being sugary, this is a fantastic ballad with equally good music. More should have followed.

The song of the month for June 1982
Avalon by Roxy Music (peak chart position: No.13)
Bryan Ferry appeared to have a twin track approach to the music business. On the one hand, he carved out a solo career based largely on cover versions. On the other hand, the ex-art teacher displayed his creative side in association with Roxy Music. The band's latest project was entitled 'Avalon'. The album featured the excellent 'More Than This' but my preference is for the title track which is one of the ultimate ambient pop recordings.

The song of the month for July 1982
It Started With A Kiss by Hot Chocolate (peak chart position: No.5)
Hot Chocolate had been regular visitors to the British hit parade for the last decade, proving that they were everybody's cup of tea. Back in 1980, Errol and the team narrowly missed out on a Number One with 'No Doubt About It' but they were back in a lofty UK chart position again with the sweet 'It Started With A Kiss'. It was a testimony to the band's longevity that they varied their material from the raunchy to more sensitive items.

The song of the month for August 1982
Save A Prayer by Duran Duran (peak chart position: No.2)
'Save A Prayer' is a definite front-runner for the award of 'the best song of 1982', but perhaps this wouldn't be difficult as pop world was inhabited by the likes of Renee And Renato, Musical Youth, the Goombay Dance Band, and Tight Fit. Nevertheless, this five and a half minute epic is the definitive New Romantics' single. The exotic video was filmed in Asia which the eye-catching Brummies passed through en route to world domination.

The song of the month for September 1982
Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac (peak chart position: No.46)
The self-styled gypsy Stevie Nicks succeeded in mesmerising Fleetwood Mac followers with the marvel called 'Gypsy' which was a highlight of the supergroup's new long player, Mirage, which had the unenviable task of living up to the commercial and critical heights of the quintet's three previous studio albums. For some bizarre reason, Britain