#80. "Round & Round" - New Order (1989)

By the end of the decade, New Order had shed its Joy Division punk rock roots to become an iconic pioneer of electronic music made for the dance floor.

In 1989 the band went on a working holiday to Ibiza to record Technique, arguably their greatest album. 

Lyrically, the songs are stormy, stemming from lead guitarist/singer Bernard Sumner's divorce and the souring relationship with their record label Factory.

Musically, most of Technique is reflective of the emerging acid house scene of Manchester's Haçienda and the dance floors of Ibiza clubs. 

The result: an excellent blend of dance and rock and New Order at its creative peak.

The disco / techno inferno "Round & Round" was the second single released, stirred by Peter Hook's driving bass. Combined with the sunny synth and guitar melodies, the music act as a foil to Bernard's subdued vocals and biting lyrics.  

Fave lyrics: "The picture you see is no portrait of me. It's too real to be shown to someone I don't know."

#81. "Everything Counts" - Depeche Mode (1983)

I'd only 'discovered' Depeche Mode when the "People are People" single charted in summer 1985. So I had some catching up to do with the back catalogue. 

Even early in their career, Depeche had produced a plethora of moody ear worms ranging from the light and poppy "Just Can't Get Enough" to the darker synth of "Lie to Me".

Then there's "Everything Counts", with its pulsating synths, powerful chorus and political lyrics "Grabbing hands, grab all they can" about the state of corporate greed in 80s England. 

The tune also provides musical hints for the future "People are People" single that paved their way for even more success during the mid and late 80s. 

And yes, there will be more from DM in the upcoming weeks...

    

Also from 1983, "Get The Balance Right" showcases a similar sound with a video taking place in an arcade. 

#82. "Talking In Your Sleep" - The Romantics (1983)

"Talking In Your Sleep" by The Romantics is vintage 80s and pure ear candy. 

The tune is a fusion of classic rock and the British Invasion. It's both a classic with a slice or two of cheese. A summary of the salient highlights:

- A fantastic 30 second intro. 

- Jangle guitar interplay and catchy bass slide. 

- The echo/reverb effect vocals complement a strong chorus. 

Fun fact: the 2016 single "Secrets" by The Weeknd features samples vocals from "Talking in your Sleep". 

#83. "Back on the Chain Gang" - The Pretenders (1982)

Two words: jangling guitars! 

"Back on the Chain Gang" by The Pretenders is like good home-cooking.

The tune will always take me back to road trips with my parents in the family station wagon where I sat in the back seat behind Dad, enjoying tunes like this while counting license plates en route to PEI.

Chrissie Hynde's smooth and soulful vocals perfectly complement those magical guitars.  

How good is this song? Well, some chap named Morrissey has covered it:

#84. "One Step Ahead" - Split Enz (1980)

In the early 80s New Zealand's Split Enz created a lot of atmospheric and melodic pop with a dash of dark. 

"One Step Ahead" is downright hypnotic.

One of the first videos ever shown on MTV, "One Step Ahead" sounded several steps, even light years, ahead of its time. I especially enjoy the funky and at times sinister organ that runs in the background during the verses.

Fave lyric: "Love is a race won by two"

Fun fact: at 1:58 in the video you will see the keyboardist leave his instrument and perform the pantomime illusion walk, a sort of 'frontwards' moonwalk, and a move that would later inspire Michael Jackson to do the actual moonwalk and a parade of hit singles.