Category: 1980

Thoughts on 1980

Overall, I think 1980 was not as good a year for music as 1979 had been. The final year of the Seventies had, on reflection, been quite trend hitting and experimental with its Number Ones.

1980 seemed to have some appalling music at the top and some songs that had let the country down with hindsight.

The best songs of the year were probably Super Trouper and Going Underground, although many people will probably tell you it was Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall (Part II).

The worst song of the year, by a landslide, is St Winifred’s School Choir’s There’s No One Quite Like Grandma. Sorry kids, but you should never have been allowed to do that.

The end of the first year of the Eighties didn’t bode well for the decade, but there were some classics to reach the top in 1981…

John Lennon – Just Like Starting Over

just like starting over

20th December 1980 for one week

I don’t think I’ve heard this before now. I don’t know why.

It actually sounds pretty good. What worries me, is that I possibly don’t understand the lyrics yet, which probably means there’s a hippy message of peace and love that I’ve not recognised.

This was the song that went to the top of the charts after John Lennon was shot. It was cruelly knocked off the chart after a week for an appalling novelty Christmas single.

The single cover is yet another example of PDA between Lennon and Oko which would have driven me mad if I’d been around at the time. Perhaps I’m being harsh given that poor Lennon would be dead a few weeks after the release of this single.

7/10

ABBA – Super Trouper

super trouper

29th November 1980 for three weeks

Another absolute classic song from ABBA. This was to be their final Number 1 in the UK and what a way to go.

It is only in writing this that I’ve discovered what a Super Trouper is – the lights that follow you around when performing on stage. I didn’t know that. I don’t know what I thought it actually was.

As an ABBA fan, I find it hard to fault. It’s a perfect pop song and one of their finest.

10/10

Blondie – The Tide Is High

the tide is high

15th November 1980 for two weeks

The Tide Is High is actually a brilliant pop single. It was one that I had a recollection of as, if I’m being totally honest, it wasn’t until Atomic Kitten’s version came out in 2002 that I became more familiar with it. It’s embarrassing, but it took a cheesy cover to bring a recollection of the original.

The song is great and it is one that makes you stop and listen. I don’t think it sounds like Blondie’s other songs so is quite refreshing in style.

The song has aged really well.

8/10

Barbra Streisand – Woman In Love

woman in love

25th October 1980 for three weeks

It wasn’t until Duck Sauce released their song Barbra Steisand in 2010 that I realised that Barbra was called Barbra and not Barbara. I don’t know why this is important thing to tell you.

But then, I don’t know why this song was important or significant enough to reach Number 1. It was written by The Bee Gees – maybe that’s the reason?

Somehow, it was Number 1 for three weeks. Woman In Love proves that Barbra can sing, and that’s about it. The song sort of just happens. It starts and ends without you really noticing.

2/10

The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me

don't stand so close to me

27th September 1980 for four weeks

Another great song by The Police! It’s another Police song that I’ve always loved but not really understood its meaning until much later in life. Don’t Stand So Close To Me is about a schoolgirl’s crush on her teacher which leads to an affair. I had no idea it was about that. A bit like, Every Breath You Take, which is about a stalker, you have to wonder where Sting’s inspiration came from.

This is one to turn up loud and sing along to in the car.

7/10

Kelly Marie – Feel Like I’m In Love

feels like i'm in love

13th September 1980 for two weeks

At last – after a couple of poor (in my opinion) Number 1s, 1980 is back on track with a classic disco track.

Actually sounding like it was from the Seventies, Feels Like I’m In Love is the sort of song that was massive in the Eighties nights in the clubs, and in Flares in Stoke-on-Trent. It’s easy to appreciate how it reached Number 1. It is instantly likable and you will find yourself still singing it later in the day!

The ‘b-boo’ noise is really catchy and I can still recall a friend at school who could make the noise just like it is in the record.

People would still dance to this at discos and it holds up well 39 years later!

8/10

The Jam – Start!

start!

6th September 1980 for one week

This was The Jam’s second Number 1, after Going Underground. Start! kind of proves how brilliant Going Underground was, as this is pretty average.

I can’t recall ever hearing this song before this moment. Ever. That also tells you it is quite a weak song really.

I could imagine the song went down well with the teenagers of the time as the guitars on it are great. But it doesn’t hold up well in 2019.

3/10

David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes

ashes to ashes

23rd August 1980 for two weeks

This might be controversial but I just don’t get David Bowie. Apart from a couple of songs, I find most of his music bizarre and unappealing. I can’t quite understand how he is cited as a musical genius and how his music is considered to be some of the best.

Ashes To Ashes is one of his better tracks. The bass line and hook is good. But the vocal just feels a bit meh and, to be honest, spoils the track. I am left wondering what its appeal was.

3/10