On That Note: Decades, 1980s

[cyclones500]

Welcome back to On That Note, a music exploration hosted by @MeanDean, @CycloneRulzzz and me, cyclones500.

This week, we continue our “Decades” series, with focus on the 1980s.

No limit to the number of songs you may include, but we recommend no more than 5 song links in one post, and suggest limiting to 2 or 3 by any artist.

Before we begin, we want to give advance notice regarding next week’s topic. We’ll take a one-week break from the Decades series to examine The Beatles White Album, which marked its 50th anniversary this year. The challenge: Reduce The White Album from a double-LP to a single disc. Select 15 of the 30 songs you would include if it were one record instead of two, including the sequence. You may divide it into traditional side one/side two, or it can be continuous like a CD.

With that, let’s get down to business with the ‘80s. I’ll post a few of my selections shortly. Go!

• Last week’s OTN: Decades, 1970s

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Haven't prepared adequately for this one and this is a difficult decade to hold to a number of songs.

Going to start off with a song that I think tells the story of sound of the 80's

 

[cyclones500]

Absent from my list are dozens of ‘80s touchstones, because either (1) I assume they’ll be cited by someone else (2) I still like the songs, but they don’t resonate as much anymore. Posts aren’t in ranked order, it’s a combo of chronological and style.

Now I’ll shut up and play Here’s 3 to get ‘er goin’


Using the single-release year for this one (album's British release was in '79)









Ahhh, early ‘80s videos… and hair!

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Not 80's without some Toto. Africa was remade by Weezer this year and it's so good it sounds like Toto. I was wondering why I was hearing 80's on Top 40 stations.

 

[cyclones500]

I’m going straight to a couple of my top metal choices. (I might have a few more at some point).

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

My last one for the night paying tribute to some of the ladies of the 80's.

 

[cyclones500]

Following Rulzzz's lead, a trifecta by "girl groups."


First 2 songs I posted in the OTN Paisley Underground series. Worthy of inclusion here, I think.









And gotta have one by The Go-Go's

 

[jcyclonee]

Ahhhh. My glory years. We'll start with this. Who doesn't get excited when this song comes on at a "Howl at the Moon" type of place.

This song and video probably cemented MJ as the King of Pop.

 

[jcyclonee]

Not 80's without some Toto. Africa was remade by Weezer this year and it's so good it sounds like Toto. I was wondering why I was hearing 80's on Top 40 stations.

Africa is huge with the high school kids these days.

 

[MeanDean]

Some pop music

 

[madguy30]

Didn't really start giving a listen until maybe 4-5 years ago. Glad I did. 1981.

 

[MeanDean]

 

[MeanDean]

 

[MeanDean]

 

[MeanDean]

This video is one that really emotes me back to the 80's for some reason.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

The 80's were interesting because cable TV was becoming accessible to everyone and with that came MTV. MTV was a curse and a blessing at the same time.
It was great for a new band to create a cool video to get exposure. But with that came the emphasis on the look over the music.
If The Rolling Stones came out in the 80's I doubt MTV would have pushed them as hard as they did Madonna, Duran Duran and many others because they weren't pretty.

 

[Cyfan1965]

https://www.concertarchives.org/con...auditorium-iowa-state-center-november-15-1985

 

[Buster28]

This might take me a while to get through today, as the 80s were truly my decade. I think I'll break it down by genre within the idea of 80s pop/rock. Starting with... Freestyle. (more stuff later)

"Head To Toe" by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam


"Inside Outside" by the Cover Girls


"Silent Morning" by Noel


"Come Go With Me" by Expose'


...and what is considered to be the very first Freestyle hit in the U.S.: "Let The Music Play" by Shannon

 

[Gonzo]

Great story behind this video. Replacements hated the idea of music videos. Label basically forced their hand to make one for 'The Ledge'. So they did, of them sitting around eating, smoking, and doing little else. Video didn't get released because of controversy surrounding the song itself. Loved this band.

 

[drlove]

Great story behind this video. Replacements hated the idea of music videos. Label basically forced their hand to make one for 'The Ledge'. So they did, of them sitting around eating, smoking, and doing little else. Video didn't get released because of controversy surrounding the song itself. Loved this band.

If you haven't read Bob Mehr's book "Trouble Boys" about the Replacements, go do so. It is the best rock-n-roll book I've ever read.