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Post by raliverpool on Mar 18, 2014 22:37:17 GMT 1
41 Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1983)
The second single from Thriller, which really started the phenomenon (as it made either #1 or #2 in every major national chart including UK & USA #1). Jackson stated several times that "Billie Jean" was based on the groupies he and his brothers encountered while part of The Jackson 5. "Billie Jean is kind of anonymous. It represents a lot of girls. They used to call them groupies in the '60s." He added: "They would hang around backstage doors, and any band that would come to town they would have a relationship with, and I think I wrote this out of experience with my brothers when I was little. There were a lot of Billie Jeans out there. Every girl claimed that their son was related to one of my brothers." Aided by the video directed by Steve Barron, and his performance on Motown 25 Yesterday, Today, Forever, where he first performed the Moonwalk (which he had been taught by Shalamar's Jeffrey Daniel). He was the only act to mime/lipsync at the event, (and arguably this performance was critical in making it the norm for far less talented, but aesthetically pleasing acts to do the same in the future ...,) which is such a pity as he was far better in his section with the Jacksons on the same show singing live link
People always told me be careful of what you do And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts And mother always told me be careful of who you love And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 18, 2014 23:34:37 GMT 1
"Shipbuilding" is one of those where the cover is better than the original. More sad than bitter, I reckon. Made Robert Wyatt a two-hit wonder.
Did anyone ever see the Protect & Survive films? I saw one at the Secret Nuclear Bunker in Fifeshire. Perfect surroundings for it, but, my God, had the Soviets known about that the few of us who had not melted would be typing our Rs backwards now. "If you are in a field when the warning goes, try to dig a crater and hide at the bottom." "Two Tribes" was a decent enough single, but did not warrant 8 weeks at the top of the charts - the McLaren method of creating controversy to sell records. Crass would probably have done something about that had they not been splitting at the time.
"No Memory" was one heck of a single - one of those that people think was a bigger hit than it was. Seemed to spend an age staggering around the bottom bit of the 40. Something of the goth about it - it might have been a couple of years too late.
The Kate Bush one totally passed me by. Not into prog rock, so not over-keen on Pink Floyd, although Nick Mason is a good bloke. But "Comfortably Numb" was a perfectly cromulant single.
"Mad World"...TFF were really, REALLY brilliant throughout the 80s, yet their biggest UK hit was probably their weakest track. The primal scream thread throughout their first couple of albums provided a real edge, a real tension, a real danger that nobody has replicated since then.
And "Billie Jean"...I did the review of the album. One hit wonder.
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Post by greendemon on Mar 19, 2014 17:09:45 GMT 1
'Live To Tell' is my favourite Madonna song mine too - really great to see it so far up raliverpool's list!
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 19:35:40 GMT 1
40 Madonna - Like A Prayer (1989)
The title track and lead single from her 1989 album was written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard. This more mature sounding gospel pop/rock effort featuring the Andraé Crouch choir hit #1 on every national chart bar Germany, France & Austria where it peaked at #2. It's brilliant, memorable, and controversial for its time video was directed by Mary Lambert.
Life is a mystery Everyone must stand alone I hear you call my name And it feels like home
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 19:46:05 GMT 1
39 Siouxsie And The Banshees - Peek A Boo (1988)
This song about the sex trade and how men objectify females who work in this trade was the first single from the post-punk gothic band's 9th studio album Peepshow, saw Melody Maker describe the track as "thirties hip hop". It peaked at UK #16 & Ireland #18, and topped the US modern rock chart, becoming their maiden hit at USA #53.
Golly jeepers Where'd you get those weepers? Peepshow, creepshow Where did you get those eyes?
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 19:57:33 GMT 1
38 Public Enemy - Fight The Power (1989)
The musical theme for Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing, saw Chuck D's rap outfit incorporates various samples and allusions to African-American culture, including civil rights exhortations, black church services, and the music of James Brown whilst attacking the white man's American ideal over the bed of the 1975 Isley Brothers song of the same name.
Elvis was a hero to most But he never meant sh*t to me Straight up racist, the sucker was Simple and plain Muthafuck him and John Wayne!
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 20:17:31 GMT 1
37 Duran Duran - The Reflex (1984)
Originally recorded for their third album, the Alex Sadkin produced Seven and the Ragged Tiger. The band and record company both agreed it was nearly, but not quite right for single release, so they hired the Chic Organisation's Nile Rodgers to heavily remix the track. The result was 1980s pop perfection as the track sounded less lounge lizard and art-pop and more dancier, urgent and R'n'B sounding. The outcome was this topped the charts in the UK, USA, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Japan & South Africa, supported by another Russell Mulcahy directed video. At the time (probably bored stiff on the brink of burn out of the treadmill of promo) Simon Le Bon memorably said the lyrics were about his penis. In actual fact the song was about gambling addiction, as both his father and grandfather were serious gamblers. "The Reflex" is that rush when a gambler feels lucky and he can't help but play one more hand!! But you end up losing".
I'm on a ride and I want to get off But they won't slow down the round-about I sold the radio and T.V. set Don't want to be around when this gets out
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 20:29:35 GMT 1
36 U2 - With Or Without You (1987)
From a soothing beginning to a resounding climax, this lead single from their 5th (& best IMHO) studio album The Joshua Tree, was produced by Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois. The track's lyrics were inspired by Bono's conflicting feelings about the lives he led as a musician and domestic man. Despite the concern of Island Records and the band's manager Paul McGuinness that the track was too different to be a success, the band insisted this should be the lead single. The track topped the charts in Ireland, the USA & Canada; and went top 5 in UK (#4); New Zealand, Spain, Austria, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands.
Through the storm we reach the shore You give it all but I want more And I'm waiting for you
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 20:43:49 GMT 1
35 XTC - Dear God (1987)
This Todd Rundgren produced track from the Skylarking album. It was not a part of the original Skylarking album, being originally released as a B-side to "Grass", but after DJs across America picked up the song, Geffen Records decided to replace "Mermaid Smiled" with "Dear God". Written by Andy Partridge this atheist anthem is addressed to God, and vividly describe the range of human suffering, which the narrator attributes to God. Partridge concludes every verse with the line "I can't believe in you". In the UK it peaked at #99 as Radio 1 had a daytime ban on it; yet it peaked at USA #37.
And it's the same the whole world 'round The hurt I see helps to compound The Father, Son and Holy Ghost Is just somebody's unholy hoax
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 21:03:45 GMT 1
34 Soft Cell - Bedsitter (1981)
Taken from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, this Mike Thorne produced track was the follow up to Tainted Love. Marc Almond and David Ball's ode to someone trapped in a life of endless meaningless partying, realising how shallow it all is but unable to escape; peaked at UK #4, Ireland #10, and reached the Top 5 in France.
Clean my teeth and comb my hair Look for something new to wear Start the nightlife over again Kid myself I'm having fun
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 21:14:38 GMT 1
33 The Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies (1989)
Taken from their (best IMHO) album Paul's Boutique. This was the only hit from it (as they were feeling the full force of the post Licensed To Ill backlash) which limped to USA #36, and only made UK #76. Although it chart inside the top 40 in the Netherlands, & New Zealand, and peaked at #41 in Germany. This sample heavy track was co-produced by the Dust Brothers. Whilst its video was in the vein of Saturday Night Fever and the Dolemite series of blaxploitation films.
Take my advice at any price A gorilla like your mother is mighty weak Sucking down pints till I didn't know Woke up in the morning at the Won Ton Ho
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 21:24:27 GMT 1
32 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All (1980)
The heart-aching ballad lead single from their 1980 album Super Trooper saw Agnetha Fältskog singing the lead vocal with Bjorn's lyrics echoing the divorce between Ulvaeus and Fältskog in 1979. It hit #1 in Belgium, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and South Africa. It reached the Top 5 in ABBA's native Sweden, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Zimbabwe, while peaking in the Top 10 in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain and the USA (#8). A a 2010 poll for ITV saw this voted the nation's favourite ABBA song. (It's my 4th favourite behind "Eagle", "S.O.S." ... and a track higher up in this countdown).
The gods may throw a dice Their minds as cold as ice And someone way down here Loses someone dear
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 20, 2014 21:34:23 GMT 1
31 Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time (1984)
This down tempo ballad was written by Lauper with Rob Hyman of The Hooters, who also supplied backup vocals to the song. Released as the second single from her album She's So Unusual, it became a huge success reaching #1 in the USA, & Canada, #2 in Ireland, #3 in the UK, and Top 10 across most European countries, and Australia, New Zealand & South Africa. Its video saw her defeat Madonna in the female categories in the inaugural 1984 MTV music video awards. Whilst it has become a much covered standard thanks to memorable versions by Eva Cassidy, Everything But The Girl & Miles Davis.
You said go slow I fall behind The second hand unwinds
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Post by thehitparade on Mar 20, 2014 22:10:43 GMT 1
Did 'Dear God' get to 37 on the Modern Rock chart or something? It certainly didn't make the Hot 100 - they only made that with 'Mayor Of Simpleton' in 1989.
Incidentally, I shall soon be getting my third copy of Skylarking, the corrected version with both 'Mermaid Smiled' and 'Dear God' on it.
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 20, 2014 23:32:02 GMT 1
"Like A Prayer", Madonna's 2nd best single, and best number 1. I remember the massive controversy about the video, and when Channel 4 played it I was like "uh?" Couldn't see anything controversial about it, fairly mundane morality play, spoilt a little by Madge's over-acting at the end.
"Peek A Boo" was a bit like "Birthday" in that it sounded like nothing that had happened before. S&tB are hugely under-rated...
"Fight The Power", I still quote that at work. Even though I am the whitest person alive. The Bomb Squad's production work was years ahead of its time - it still sounds like the future even now - and PE were a cut above the average rap crew. Indeed, it's fair to say that hip hop has regressed more in the last 25 years than any other form of music. So much nowadays is cliched nonsense. Had J Dilla not died young I wonder whether he would have reversed the trend.
"Dear God"...too worthy and, ironically, preachy for my liking.
"Bedsitter" another great Soft Cell track; it seems surprising in retrospect that, despite a stellar run of top fives, their albums were not so successful. Suggests SC had a younger audience, which again in retrospect is somewhat surprising, they were quite a stripped-down sound, but back then synth was the future now, and I can't think of anyone at school who didn't like "Tainted Love".
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Post by thehitparade on Mar 22, 2014 20:42:08 GMT 1
"Like A Prayer", Madonna's 2nd best single, and best number 1. I remember the massive controversy about the video, and when Channel 4 played it I was like "uh?" Couldn't see anything controversial about it, fairly mundane morality play, spoilt a little by Madge's over-acting at the end. I think it was mainly the burning crosses that were controversial, though I daresay some people would have been at least surprised to see Jesus portrayed as a black man. But yes I agree that there probably was an element that if you tell everyone something's controversial as a marketing angle, they'll believe it. "Dear God"...too worthy and, ironically, preachy for my liking. Apparently Andy Partridge thought the same, hence its omission from the album; the other two band members were so annoyed they couldn't even sit next to each other on the plane home. Apparently the only other person who agreed with him was the A&R man at Virgin so it wasn't on there. And indeed even when it was added to the US album it stayed off over here, until 2001.
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vya
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Post by vya on Mar 22, 2014 21:45:21 GMT 1
Catching up...
The Clash - Rock The Casbah. Brilliant track, perhaps the Clash at their very best. How on earth it got played on the radio during the Gulf War in the 1991 re-release when stuff as innocuous as "Boom Bang A Bang" or "Walk Like An Egyptian" is beyond me. I suppose we could get behind "drop your bombs around the minarets" as, at least, being unambigious.
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams. Intense and a bit scary. Terrific.
Madonna - Live To Tell. How to do an 80s radio ballad, and do it well, and with feeling.
OMD - Maid Of Orleans. Oh God. Just wonderful. The most amazing thing I'd ever heard as a 6-year old. Could something remotely like this ever make whatever today's equivalent of "Cheggers Plays Pop" might be now? I very much doubt it: the marketing men have taken over...
New Order - True Faith. Immaculate, perfect pop, absolutely gorgeous. Had not heard that lyrical variation detailed here...only that the lyrics originally, supposedly, referred not to "growing up" together, but "taking drugs" together.
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vya
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Post by vya on Mar 22, 2014 21:57:21 GMT 1
Deacon Blue - Dignity. A nice song, and the Clearmountain version was the best version - not just the mix but with a few of the opening lyrics rewritten. "Raintown" is a great album: side two (of the vinyl LP!) is amazing from start to finish, and the best tracks weren't even released as singles.
Blondie - Atomic. Outstanding.
FGTH - Two Tribes. I'm afraid I really don't get Frankie at all. Not the appeal, anyway. Trevor Horn - absolutely. ZTT Records - a fair bit of, too. Too overtly manufactured? Too brash? Not sure, but does nothing for me.
Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding. Splendid songwriting (melody as well as lyrics), but I think I still prefer Elvis Costello's cover.
Spandau Ballet - Through The Barricades. Haunting.
Scarlet Fantastic - No Memory. Was this released three times, but still was never really that big a hit. A pity...as it's great.
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vya
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Post by vya on Mar 22, 2014 22:02:24 GMT 1
Madonna - Like A Prayer. Her finest moment? Certainly among them. A big step forward from what she'd been doing before, anyway.
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Peek-a-boo. Fantastic track, fantastic arrangement, fantastic production.
Public Enemy - Fight The Power. Righteous.
XTC - Dear God. Put me in the camp who finds this a bit too preachy too, although musically its fine.
Soft Cell- Bedsitter - ALL ALONE IN BEDSITLAND, MY ONLY HOME. Perfect.
Abba - The Winner Takes It All. Seriously top-quality songwriting as well as performance.
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 22, 2014 22:50:10 GMT 1
I think it was mainly the burning crosses that were controversial, though I daresay some people would have been at least surprised to see Jesus portrayed as a black man. The burning crosses I thought were a reference to the Ku Klux Klan and more hidden forms of racism - after all the centrepiece of the video was that a black man was blamed for a crime committed by a white man. Was Madonna praying to Jesus then? I thought it was a random saint.
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