07/23/2007
Mix Disc Monday Home / Music Home / Bullz-Eye Home
When we think of 1985, we think of "New Coke," Live Aid, and "Back To The Future."
Ronald Reagan was President, and the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. We also think, or at least I do, about tons of great music from new and established artists alike. Here is a sampling from music released in 1985:
"Take on Me," A-Ha (Hunting High and
Low)
Smack dab in the middle of the early MTV generation
came this Norwegian electro-pop band that followed
in the footsteps of successful UK pop acts like
ABC and Spandau Ballet. This single, featuring
a video enhanced by animation, helped launch A-Ha
in the U.S.
"Invisible," Alison Moyet (Alf)
After leaving synth-pop group Yaz, Moyet released
her first solo effort in ’85. She had a bluesy
growl and a powerful voice that was a nice counterpoint
to all the synthesizers.
"Push," the Cure (The Head On The
Door)
It takes more than half this song for Robert Smith
to start singing, but I could listen to it even
if it was just instrumental all the way through.
The Cure is one of those bands that sound like
no one else, yet many have tried to emulate them.
"We Close Our Eyes," Go West (Go West)
In an era marked by keyboards, drum machines and
slick production, bands were differentiated by
their lead singers. Peter Cox fronted Go West with
a gravelly voice, kind of like the male version
of Alison Moyet. I’m old enough to admit that I
saw Go West on this tour, and they fucking rocked.
"And We Danced," the Hooters (Nervous
Night)
Forget that this Philadelphia rock band broke
right in the midst of a new wave movement. Their
music was timeless and they wrote some of the catchiest
melodies in history. The creative duo behind this
band also wrote Cyndi Lauper’s "Time After Time,"
and has likely become millionaires several times
over from it.
"Like To Get To Know You Well," Howard
Jones (Dream Into Action)
I saw this tour in person as well, and I remember
Howard Jones being enamored with a ridiculous stadium
cheer we called "The Wave." There is no doubt in
my mind, though, that Jones sipped tea after the
show and called us stupid Americans.
"Something About You," Level 42 (World
Machine)
This song was Level 42's highest-charting single,
reaching #7 on the US Singles chart. But most people
don’t realize they're still together and making
music.
"Everytime You Cry," the Outfield (Play
Deep)
Overuse of baseball terminology can be annoying,
especially when you consider the sport of choice
in the Outfield’s native U.K. is soccer. But these
guys were obsessed with the American pastime. Lead
singer Tony Lewis had a voice that was even higher
than Sting's (almost downright girly), but you
couldn’t deny that they could write catchy tunes.
"Bastards of Young," the Replacements
(Tim)
Do the whiny punk bands of today have any idea
how to really rock? The Replacements’ Paul Westerberg
could school them all on how to ooze cool and rock
out while still managing to write great songs.
"I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On," Robert
Palmer (Riptide)
Palmer is best known for singing to us on MTV,
wearing a suit and tie while surrounded by incredibly
hot chicks in skimpy outfits. And we all wanted
to be him.
"Smooth Operator," Sade (Diamond Life)
This was the song that broke Sade in a big way.
Nigerian-born Sade Adu fronted the band, and her
background growing up in both Africa and England
gave her urban pop music a sophisticated flair.
And she was, and is, damn hot.
"Marlene On The Wall," Suzanne Vega (Suzanne
Vega)
Alt-pop songstress Vega was way cool but she wasn’t
hot in the same way that Susanna Hoffs was hot.
She was more of a bookworm kind of hot, like Lisa
Loeb would later become.
"Never," Heart (Heart)
The Wilson sisters have had longevity like few
female rockers ever have. This album was somewhat
of a comeback release at the time, and it was full
of great tunes. Naturally, the sisters sported
the big hair of the decade.
"So Far Away," Dire Straits (Brothers
in Arms)
Many people forget this song, as two other tracks
on the record were top 10 hits ("Walk of Life"
and MTV anthem "Money for Nothing"). The best melodies
are so simple that they sound like children’s music,
and this song is a good example of that.
"Everytime You Go Away," Paul Young (The
Secret of Association)
The term
"blue-eyed soul singer" was used to describe
guys like British singer Paul Young, because they
were effectively, well, soulful white guys. This
hit song was actually written by another blue-eyed
soul singer, Daryl Hall of the legendary Hall & Oates.