Gen X-er living in a time machine, high on nostalgia. Flashbacks is the debut album by Peach on a beach, a tribute to growing up in Dartmouth, NS during the 80s. Available on streaming and CD. Check out YouTube videos for "Beeping and Bleeping", "Pizza Corner", "Before Call Display", "Anticipation Street" and "Boogeyman Trail". Released on May 3, “Zooming In" is an electro-pop, over the top tribute to my lifelong passion for maps. Official website: https://www.peachonabeach.ca/
"Eyes Without A Face" is two tremendous songs for the price of one.
The first half sees a chill Billy Idol crooning a ballad, with no screaming nor squealing guitars in sight. The synths are dreamy and laid-back.
One of the best hooks of the decades, I've always loved the female vocals leading into the chorus. The angelic "les yeux sans visage" harmony literally translates the track’s name, and encouraged me to translate other pop singles of the day into French.
The second half is a complete 180 turn.
Kicking in around 2:25, the minute-plus bridge features a Steve Stevens' guitar riff slashing through while Billy goes on a road trip bender whilst "trying to stay hip".
Billy returns to do his best Sinatra impression to wind up the power ballad.
"Major Tom (Coming Home)" by Peter Schilling will always remind me of the space shuttle missions in the 80s.
The song is a sort of a sequel, an homage to David Bowie's astronaut character ("Space Oddity" and "Ashes to Ashes") who cuts off communication with Earth and floats into space.
The melody is so addictive, and the glorious exploding chorus with the 4-3-2-1 countdown is a natural singalong. I can't help but feel a little sappy while watching the video and imagining Major Tom looking down on Earth.
So what happened to our hero? The sweeping melodramatic finale sounds like he made it home. In space.
On one hand, Major Tom may be left drifting out in space, unable to return to Earth. But perhaps that was his intent all along: could it be he just wanted to go away to some place, a new home, and not have to answer or reply to anyone?
Since the song was originally written in German perhaps something is getting lost in translation or interpretation. I'd be interested in a German's take on all this.
I admitted earlier that picking 100 favourite 80s songs was not an easy task. Even after pouring over a myriad of music charts and falling down countless YouTube rabbit holes, I still missed a few hidden gems. Thankfully, friends on Facebook shared some of their favourites including some diamonds in the rough.
Many of the next 10 tracks could have easily slotted in between the 80 to 100 positions several weeks ago on my countdown. These "top ten too late to add" are ordered by year of release:
"Innocence" - Harlequin (1980) The best of the Canadian releases from the 'April Wine' era will always remind me of when we built tree forts in the woods. Shout-out to Lee Turner for sharing this rock classic as his fave 80s Canadian tune.
"You Should Hear How She Talks About You" - Melissa Manchester (1982) A long-forgotten solid radio staple until I recently saw it on a year-end chart.
"Twilight Zone" - Golden Earring (1982) A K-Tel compilation special with a great bass line and a killer chorus.
"Space Age Love Song" - A Flock of Seagulls (1982) Get lost in the whirling drumming, swirling synths and dreamy lyrics.
"Melody" - Boys Brigrade (1983) I've been obsessed with playing this long-lost nostalgic Canadian new wave tune since Debbie Roberts posted it as her fave Canadian 80s track (and thanks to Joel Deveau for the mp3). I recall enjoying it in my small room growing up in the trailer court.
"The Lebanon" - The Human League (1984)
The band known for their synths replaces them with a seriously hypnotic bass line and a soaring guitar riff. Not a typo.
"Beatbox" - Art of Noise (1984) An English early hip hop classic.
"Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" - Icicle Works (1984) Paul Lalonde reminded me about this catchy slice of dreamy pop from post-punk England.
"No Promises" - Icehouse (1985) Australian group with obvious Bowie influences on this atmospheric number with great synth hooks.
"Theme from S-Express" - S'Express (1988)
Old school house anthem I rediscovered from sifting through a few hundred top 10 80s lists posted on this amazing site. Word of caution: this site is highly addicting!
After having bought the "Standing On A Beach" singles collection in the mid-80s, "A Forest" was the song that hooked me on The Cure, making me double-down to explore the rest of their deep catalogue.
A former all-time favourite, I no longer binge listen to it. Brooding guitar, ominous bass and haunting keys all build a relentless atmospheric tension. Years later, it would have fit right on the soundtrack for The Blair Witch Project.
The song is utterly brilliant and taps into a primal part of my brain. "A Forest" has such an edgy presence and creates a feeling of unease, over-the-shoulder glancing, shivers down the spine and general claustrophobia. This is a song best enjoyed in solitude, cranked up high on headphones or on a stereo with a good set of speakers.
By the time the second verse is over I'm totally gripped, lost inside a dream inside my head. The throbbing bass, the pounding drums and the synths are all working overtime. After the bridge, I imagine running in the woods in the dark as the guitar jangles and dangles.
Fave lyrics: "The girl was never there, it's always the same, I'm running towards nothing again and again and again..."
Below is a video of an almost 14 minute long live version from The Cure's Wish tour in 1992. It's far and away my all-time favourite live version of any song. I love how it builds then quiets down only to build back up again (and again and again....). Robert Smith even gives us a bonus, an extra verse as a sort of second bridge before the tune explodes for the grand finale.
"Bizarre Love Triangle" is probably the catchiest of New Order's singles and the one most recognizable for music fans.
After years of experimentation, New Order had perfected the use of synths and drum machines by 1986. The result is a pop masterpiece. In terms of layers of electronic music, this song is near the top of the pedestal. So many gorgeous, magical highlights: - the opening lyric is impressive: "Every time I think of you / I feel shot right through with a bolt of blue." - the swirling synths interlude in the pre-chorus - the undulating pacing of the chorus - Hooky's bass as the foil to the euphoric synths and strings A superb song to zone out to on headphones and a great groove for the dance floor.
The most bizarre thing about this song: it never charted well, peaking at a dismal #98 on Billboard and #53 in Canada.
