Edited by Lee

1980 was one of those sorta strange transitional years for music. Just getting out of the 70s, so lots of "leftover' acts still hanging around, yet looking fatigued & out of place at that point. Many of the classic rock bands on the outs & disco had been dead (for the masses) for a good year or so. Kinda felt like we were waiting around & groping to see where we'd go next.

But meanwhile, lots of quieter (as in popularity) acts of the 70s come into their own by that year.

It's funny, I can hear a song (unfamiliar to me) from around '80 to '82 & can tell right away it was recorded during those years. Something about those dated, great analog syntheizers & production style. I love it! :)


Some of my faves from that year..

The Spirit of Radio, FreeWill Rush Both on the "Permanent Waves" album released Jan. 1st, 1980. Probably the very 1st album of the 80s! :)


Funkytown Lipps Inc.

Coming Up (live & studio versions) McCartney I remember staying up to see him do this on SNL.

Magic, Suddenly Olivia-Newtown John Great examples of that keyboardy, early 80s sound I mentioned.

Any Way You Want It Journey Sort of a drag to hear this on a car commercial now.

Woman In Love Babs Streisand I don't know why, but I hear this one & I'm back in 6th grade! It was on the radio pretty often.

Turn It On Again Genesis I usually rant against 80s Genesis, but I have to admit they did a few good songs in the early part of the decade. All crap after '83 though.

Clones(We're All) Alice Cooper Alice trying to go new wave. Great song.

The Wanderer Donna Summer It's kind of a silly song, but an interesting move for her.

The Best of Times, Too Much Time on My Hands, Rockin' The Paradise Styx *Charted* in '81, but actually released in '80.

Sometimes a Fantasy Billy Joel As far as I'm concerned, after "Glass Houses", he only had a couple of years to go for his classic period.

Whip It, Snowball Devo And of course, "Whip It' is currently being used in a house cleaning product commercial, but still a great song. You must hear 'Snowball' if you haven't. Sounds like music for an Atari 2600 game!

Wango Tango Ted Nugent I *think* this ones 1980. I love this! It wasn't until *after* I read the lyrics to this crazy, wild song that I realized what he was singin about! Go find em yourself..oh my! :)


Don't Stand So Close To Me, Driven To Tears, When The World Is Running Down You Make The Best Of What's Still Around, Canary In A Coalmine, Bombs Away, Man In A Suitcase The Police


Pulling Mussels From a Shell, Another Nail in My Heart, If I Didn't Love You Squeeze If the Beatles lasted into 1980, this is what they'd sound like. I love them.


And The Cradle Will Rock, Everybody Wants Some!! Van Halen

I'll remember more....

The Spirit of Radio & Freewill, both by Rush. The Permanent Waves album was the first album released in the '80's on Jan. 1st, 1980.
Crazy Train; I Don't Know; Mr. Crowley --Ozzy.
Heaven and Hell; Children of the Sea; Neon Knights --Black Sabbath with new singer Ronnie James Dio.
The entire BACK IN BLACK album by AC/DC.
British Steel album, with Living After Midnight & Metal Gods --Judas Priest.
Iron Maiden's self-titled debut, with Sanctuary & Running Free.
The Scorpions' LoveDrive album with Loving You Sunday Morning & the title song.
Everybody Wants Some!!, ...And the Cradle Will Rock, & Romeo Delight, by Van Halen.

Originally posted by webwarrior762002

Whip It-Devo
(Just Like) Starting Over-John Lennon
I Wanna Be Your Lover-Prince
Refugee-Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Sara-Fleetwood Mac
I Can't Tell You Why-Eagles
The Long Run-Eagles
This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide-Kings
Don't Ask Me Why-Billy Joel
You Shook Me All Night Long-AC/DC
Rapper's Delight-Sugarhill Gang
Hit Me With Your Best Shot-Pat Benatar
Another One Bites The Dust-Queen
Lost In Love-Air Supply


Great songs!!


Also the whole "Back In Black" album from AC/DC, "Crazy Train" by Ozzy, and "Everybody Wants Some!!" by Van Halen

Fox Chase, Every Man Should Know (Queenie) Blackfoot 2 great songs from a kick ass southern rock band. If you like Lynyrd Skynyrd, they are a must-listen.


All For Leyna, Through The Long Night Billy Joel 2 more off 'Glass Houses'. Love em. The 2nd one sounds like something McCartney would've written.


Even It Up Heart

Turning Japanese The Vapors


Don't Misunderstand Me, Get Away, Winners & Losers, Misery Loves Company Rossington-Collins Band From the surviving members of Skynyrd. Great straight-on, catchy southern flavored rock, but noticably more mellow than LS.


And correction on Rush's "Permanent Waves"...the entire album is fantastic! :)

Here is just an example of these songs from 1980:

1. "Rapper's Delight" - Sugarhill Gang
2. "Never Knew Love Like This Before" - Stephanie Mills
3. "Lady" - Kenny Rogers
4. "Xanadu" - Olivia Newton John
5. "Celebration" - Kool & the Gang
6. "Love Rap" - Spoonie G & the Treacherous Three
7. "Rappin' and Rockin' the House" - Funky Four Plus One More
8. "Shining Star" - The Manhattans (that song was used in a commercial for Sony DVD Handycam camcorder.)
9. "Let's Groove" - Earth, Wind & Fire
10. "Upside Down" - Diana Ross
11. "I'm Coming Out" - Diana Ross
12. "Rock With You" - Michael Jackson
13. "Starting Over" - John Lennon
14. "Let Me Be Your Angel" - Stacy Lattisaw
15. "Special Lady" - Ray, Goodman & Brown

"Refugee" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

"All Over the World" - ELO

"Call Me" - Blondie

"Funkytown" - Lipps, Inc

"Xanadu" - Olivia Newton-John

"You May Be Right" - Billy Joel

"I'm Alright" - Kenny Loggins

"Brass in Pocket (I'm Special)" - The Pretenders

"On the Radio" - Donna Summer

"Hurt So Bad" - Linda Ronstadt

"The Long Run" - The Eagles

"Whip It" - Devo

"The Wanderer" - Donna Summer

"Ladies Night" - Kool and the Gang

"Hit Me With Your Best Shot" - Pat Benetar

"Shining Star" - The Manhattans

"You Shook Me All Night Long" - AC/DC

"Sexy Eyes" - Dr. Hook

"Emotional Rescue" - The Rolling Stones

"Cupid/I've Love You For a Long Time" - The Spinners

"Magic" - Olivia Newton-John

"Rock With You" - Michael Jackson

"Steal Away" - Robbie Dupree

"Driving My Life Away" - Eddie Rabbitt

"Another One Bites the Dust" - Queen