Tag: music videos

Songs We Were Listening to in 1984, Part 2.

Published on by Debbie Johansson2 Comments


This week is the second part of the list of songs I’ve compiled that we listened to in 1984. If you’re interested in seeing the Top 10 songs, you can find them at Rolling Stone.

In 1984, Red Hot Chili Peppers made their debut, Michael Jackson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Madonna sparked controversy with her performance of ‘Like a Virgin’ onstage during the MTV Music Video Awards.

Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Controversial on its release, it went on to top the UK singles chart, selling 2 million copies in the UK alone. It became one of the most commercially successful songs of the decade.

Footloose – Kenny Loggins

This was one of many movie soundtracks released during 1984. Kevin Bacon looks so cute, and his VW beetle looks eerily familiar to my very first car. 😉

Take on Me – A-ha

This song became an international No.1 hit, and the music video was ahead of its time, winning six awards at the MTV video awards in 1986. It is considered to be the band’s signature song.

When the Doves Cry – Prince

It would be remiss of me to compile a list of songs of 1984, without mentioning the No.1 song of the year. It featured in the film ‘Purple Rain’ and in later years would go on to enter The Rock and Roll’s Hall of Fame.

Thriller – Michael Jackson

I wasn’t a big fan of Michael Jackson, but he sure knew how to dance as shown in this video. The man was practically liquid! Although a long clip (this is the shorter version), it showcased his many talents. I think it was also one of his best songs, and with a cemetery, zombies, and the wonderful Vincent Price, what’s not to love? 😉

What song/songs define the 1980s to you? Do you enjoy listening to movie soundtracks? Was there a song/artist from the 80s you didn’t like, but you’ve since changed your mind?

Image courtesy Pixabay

Songs We Were Listening to in 1984, Part 1.

Published on by Debbie Johansson2 Comments

The year 1984 appears in my next book of short stories. It was the year Michael Jackson’s hair caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial, and Elton John got married in Sydney. It was also the year Band Aid released the single ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas?’ which became the fastest-selling single of all time in the UK (and probably to the world’s ears, was the most played single).

If you are interested in seeing the Top 10 songs for the year, you can find them at Rolling Stone, which lists the Top 100 for 1984.

Here I’ve compiled a variety of songs in two parts of what we listened to in 1984.

Burn for You – INXS

This song came from their album The Swing, an album that received international attention, and the rest, as they say, is history. Miss you, Michael!

Rebel Yell – Billy Idol

I wasn’t a big fan of Billy Idol per se, but I did enjoy the music, which I guess is what it’s all about. This one still stands the test of time.

Hold Me Now – Thompson Twins

No twins, no member of the band with the name Thompson, but they did come up with this beautiful, sad song, which was an international success.

You Spin me Round (Like a Record) – Dead or Alive

Okay, I couldn’t resist this one! 😉 This came out at a time when Culture Club and Marilyn were popular.

Pride (In the Name of Love) – U2

I really liked U2 in the 1980s, with some of my friends having crushes on them at the time (yes, Larry was cute). This song went on to become one of their most popular.

I’ll be back next week with another five songs of 1984.

Were you listening to these songs back in 1984? Do you still listen to them? Have you discovered 1980s music and prefer to listen to them instead of/as well as today’s music?

Main image courtesy Pixabay

Back to the 80s: Z is for ZZ Top.

Published on by Debbie Johansson2 Comments

Here we are folks, we have finally made it to the end of my Back to the 80s Challenge (bring out the bubbly, it is almost Christmas after all)! Honestly, there have been some occasions when I didn’t think I would actually reach this point and felt like throwing it in a few times, but when I start something I like to see it finished.

This was the first time I set myself a blog challenge and I don’t think I’ll be in a hurry to do another, but never say never I guess. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me; it certainly has been testing my memory and has been a great help in researching the pop culture of the time for some of my stories.

Formed in 1969, ZZ Top had released three albums by 1973 and performed sold out concerts in the U.S. They released three more albums in the 1970s and had their first European tour in 1980. In 1983, they released the album Eliminator, which was highly successful and sold more than ten million copies. It included such hits as ‘Legs’, ‘Gimme All Your Lovin” and ‘Sharp Dressed Man’. The videos for some of these songs helped the band win their first MTV Video Music Awards. Released in 1985, their next album Afterburner became the band’s highest charting album and many of its singles became Top 40 hits.

The band went on to release six more albums, and in 2004 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They continue to perform to this day. Their trade mark beards and fluffy guitars make them one of the more memorable bands of the 1980s.

If you’re a blogger, have you ever set yourself a challenge? What other bands of the 1980s that begin with the letter Z can you think of?

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