#63. "Secret" - OMD (1985)

OMD had been around the block a few times before their smash hit "If You Leave" from Pretty in Pink made them household names in North America.

In fact, OMD (short for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) experimented with samplers and synthesizers since the mid-70s, one of the early pioneers of electronic music in the UK. I only 'discovered' them in 1985 when their singles "Secret" and "So In Love" cracked the charts in Canada on Video Hits.

"Secret" is light and fluffy slice of dreamy synth: a heartfelt tale of a secret youthful crush. 

But it's the soaring bridge that pushes "Secret" in front of the other superb single from OMD's Crush album.

From the same album, "So In Love" is another great track with a catchy bass line and some timely sax. 

#64. "Fascination Street" - The Cure (1989)

The Cure are one of the most misunderstood bands of all time. 

First of all, they are not "goth". I'd argue they are unclassifiable (is that even a word?). And man, I like to make me some categories...

Kings of versatility, The Cure can play any style they dang well please.

Pick up any album since 1982 and you'll discover a diverse range of moods and sounds (rock, pop, bitter and the sweet, the three minute orchestral openings, the painfully sad and slow dirges to the insanely happy, loonie-tunes and everything in between).

"Fascination Street" is a masterpiece of texture. 

Epic may be an overused adjective these days but the word defines this track perfectly. The sweeping layered intro lasts 1:20 before Robert Smith's first vocal kicks in. 

Everyone brings it on this intense groove: from Simon Gallup's throbbing even menacing bass line, the hypnotic rhythm guitar, and just enough (but not too much) synth. 

The song is apparently a tribute to the band's escapades on New Orlean's Bourbon Street. Or it could be about a disintegrating relationship? That's the beauty musical lyrics, the multiple interpretations.

#65. "Fascination" - The Human League (1983)

Caution: Guilty pleasure alert! 

By 1983 The Human League was already 5 years old. Formed in Sheffield, England's industrial heartland, they were one of the first synth bands to make it big, scoring hits on both sides of the Atlantic with "Don't You Want Me" in 1981 and "Mirror Man" in 1982. 

"Fascination" hit the charts in 1983 as the synths stormed the airwaves, even getting lost in the shuffle. But I'll still choose to play this one more then most Duran classics. Gotta love the democracy at play on this track, with the vocals shared by four band members.

About that cheesy keyboard melody: you'll either love it or it'll drive you bonkers. Add in that ear worm of a bass line and I can't get enough of it! 

If anything, "Fascination" is ample proof that synth music isn't all 'cold' and 'detached' as its detractors like to share.  

The video is reflective of shoestring budgets back in the day:

- Secure a small white-walled room in a low-rent part of town. Check.

- Play or airplay your instruments with reckless abandon. Check.

- Strategically-timed hand clapping to match the percussion. Check.

- Synchronized dance moves by the cute back-up singers. Check.

- Film in one take. Check.

#66. "Situation" - Yazoo (1982)

For a brief period in the early 80s the most popular duo was neither Hall & Oates nor Wham. Synth melody mastermind Vince Clarke (a former and founding member of Depeche Mode) combined with the strong, soul-inspired vocals of Alison Moyet to form Yazoo (or Yaz in North America). 

The result? "Situation" is nothing short of a cutting-edge electronic masterpiece. 

I seem to recall the intro, with Alison's iconic laugh, played during the intro to a music video program on the now defunct ASN channel from the early 80s (perhaps Katrina could verify that as well?). 

Another Yazoo new wave classic just missing the top 100 list is "Don't Go":  

#67. "Little Red Corvette" - Prince (1983)

"Little Red Corvette" is an anthem about the dynamics of a one-night stand. (Aren't all of of Prince's songs about sex?)

Prince's breakthrough song was a brilliant fusion of rock and dance.

Plus a whole lot of attitude: the girl-as-corvette metaphor recounts the subject of wild weekend escapades. 

Not only an evocative storyteller, Prince showed he was also a pretty decent guitarist too.

And since it was 1983, the synths and drum machines are alive and well. Stir in a few timely guitar solos into the mix and voilà: "Little Red Corvette" is a perfect example of post-disco pop. And a hint of what was yet to come from the king of leisure. 

A well-known fact: Stevie Nicks borrowed the tune's melody for "Stand Back".

A close #2 fave Prince tune tune would this catchy slice of psychedelia: