Top 10 Songs of 1981
January 4th 2009 22:00
If you start me up...
This week’s Top Ten looks at BTTE’s best picks from 1981s year in music.
In the rock department, we had breakthrough early albums from guys like Ozzy Osbourne ( Diary Of A Madman), Motley Crue (Too Fast For Love) and Iron Maiden (Killers) and Australia started to leap into action into what became a huge decade music-wise for the country. New Wave powered-up into overdrive and old hands like the Rolling Stones came back for a taste at the top.
It’s always a hard pick, but I’ve tried to keep it varied and in no particular order – and remember, different singles charted at different times in different countries etc...and some chart right through from one year to the next...
SONGS OF 1981
Jessies Girl – Rick Springfield
Aussie-turned-Yankee does good with this huge 80s pop-anthem. There isn’t a man on Earth who hasn’t dreamt of his best mate’s girlfriend at some time in his life.
Theme from Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not) – Joey Scarbury
George Costanza’s version was just as good – “Believe it or not, George isn’t at home. Please leave a message at the beep. I must be out, or I’d pick up the phone. Where could I be? Believe it or not, I’m not home!”
Masterpiece.
Start Me Up – Rolling Stones
The Stones come roaring back in fine form for a final fling before disintegrating into the 80s...
Don't Stop Believing – Journey
One of the best key-driven riffs ever, this thing has popped-up on more movies and TV shows than Gene Hackman and recently got another breathe of life from the Soprano’s finale. Sensational song.
Who Can It Be Now? – Men at Work
Another Australian band that started its early domination with this classic one-liner. Great, sometimes underrated song.
In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins
There have been a few urban legends regarding this song, the most famous saying the song is based on a tragic event Collins witnessed, in which a man could have helped a victim drowning, but did not do so. Collins then invited the man to a show and sang the song to him with a spotlight pointed at him. Afterward, the man was wracked with guilt and committed suicide.
There are several other versions that can be found around the place too.
The song has also been popularised again due to Cadbury’s ‘Gorilla’ campaign.
Kids in America – Kim Wilde
A big American anthem by a little English woman. I recently saw her on the (AFL) Footy Show finale and she sounded, how do I put this? Absolutely shite.
It has been covered by a ridiculously long list of bands – interestingly, by many 90s punk bands like NOFX, Pennywise, No Use for a Name and Bouncing Souls, among others.
Billy Squire – The Stroke
Stroke me, stroke me! This seemingly juvenile song is actually about the music industry fat-cats. It was portrayed in a classic scene from the Adam Sandler movie Billy Madison, in which he rolls-up to high school in full-80s gear and a trans-am blasting this song, however, it was 1995.
Super Freak – Rick James
Rick James bitch! Sing it on Charlie Murphy’s couch.
This song is also the base for MC Hammer’s U Can’t Touch This. Nuff said.
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
This song was a number one hit in 31 countries and was also the biggest song of year in nearly as many. Bette Davis was a fan of the song herself and even thanked the writers.
You can check out the video for it below.
Other notable mentions:
Boys in Town – Divinyls, Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon, Physical – Olivia Newton-John , Don't Stand So Close To Me – Police, Hungry Heart – Bruce Springsteen, 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton, The Best Of Times – Styx, Morning Train – Sheena Easton, Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie, Urgent – Foreigner, The Night Owls – Little River Band, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – Police, Adam and the Ants – Antmusic, Turn Me Loose – Loverboy, State of the Heart – Mondo Rock, Counting the Beat – The Swingers , For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) – AC/DC , Bringin' On The Heartbreak – Def Leppard, Armistice Day – Midnight Oil, A World Without Heroes – KISS, Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go Go’s.
“Well, I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes. So you can wipe off the grin, I know where you’ve been – it’s all been a pack of lies.”
| 59 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Nomad
Awesome Food
Comment by DMX