1985

Damn, we elected Reagan again? It's now the mid-80s, and the worldwide doldrums of recession and neo-conservatism have made everyone gloomy except for musicians, so it seems. But there's still room for some doom and gloom on this chart! It's Mixmaster 'Beam, comin' backatcha with a ten-spot of hits!

Kicking us off this year is an anthem of epic proportions, even if the signer's stature is just the opposite. Last year proved that he was a multi-media mogul, and his reign continues into 1985.

10. (9) (2 years) Prince- Purple Rain

Our first new entry of the week is a tantalizing ode to sippin' the Southern River, if you catch my drift. So lap it up, wrap it up, and live it up, ya dig?

9. (NEW) The Jesus and Mary Chain- Just Like Honey

Had enough? Thought not! After that steamy number, Mixmaster 'Beam needs a cold shower and a bit of a come-down. So here's an enduring classic to warn all of you prospective lovebirds out there.

8. (4) (6 years) Joy Division- Love Will Tear Us Apart

The lovelorn theme continues, as our next new entry ponders what it would be like for lovers to swap roles. You hear that John Gray? The hounds are bustin' clouds with this one.

7. (NEW) Kate Bush- Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)

Our next chart entry comes from an artist who seems like he really would like to swap places. It's none other than the Burnt Jheri-Curl-Coiffed Gloved One, still irked by that damn floozie. Here's to hoping he gets out of the round.

6. (6) (4 years) Michael Jackson- Billie Jean

The groove turns icy now with another returning classic. It has become increasingly apparent that yes, we do want you, Phil Oakey! We're only human...

5. (3) (5 years) The Human League- Don't You Want Me

Speaking of the groove, our next new entry is a delectable slice of 'Beam-approved dance pop, 'cuz music can be such a revelation.

For inspiration!

4. (NEW) Madonna- Into the Groove



Now, it just wouldn't be right to talk about 1985 without mentioning Live Aid! This huge event has brought together most of the decade's big stars to provide relief for famine.

And you can dance... for Ethiopia!

Hear ye, hear ye! Rumor has it that our last chart artist is having a hot affair with our next artist! I sense a duet in about 4 years...

It's none other than our resident impish dwarf genius, 'lil Princey, with a song that showcases his innate skill in producing memorable pop songs in innovative new ways. Who knew you could have funk without bass? Keep pavin' the way, little guy, and we'll happily follow. Just make sure you develop a nice uppercut so that you don't get your ass pwned by your father again, k?

Err... Madonna got your loyal DJ a little excited. That last entry should read:

3. ( (2 years) Prince and the Revolution- When Doves Cry

Exactly like that- with the smiley, smartasses!

Now that our technical glitches are behind us, we can get to this year's first runner-up! It's a chlling, synth/goth dancefloor stomper that has been killin' it in the 12" sales department. Evidently love really did tear Barney Sumner apart, about 586 times. Let's not leave him there standing and waiting.

2. (10) (3 years) New Order- Blue Monday

I hate to love you and leave you, but there's only room for one more song on this lovely chart of ours. And what a song it is. Who knew that a bunch of mopey malcontents could write such a shimmering pop song? Those who know that they're not mopey malcontents- that's who! So, Fools Dance and we'll play along.

1. (NEW) The Cure- In Between Days

It grows dark, it grows darker still...

Thanks guys for all these entertaining shows!

And we have more shows coming up!

1986 mismaiome
1987 ?
1988 Stammer
1989 netjade
1990 ?
1991 Honorio
1992 ?
1993 ?
1994 ?
1995 Slush
1996 ?
1997 Penguin
1998 ?
1999 ?
2000 ?
2001 Honorio

One thing I like about this game is that the lists very well capture the moment, as each year is hosted by a fan of the "current" music.

I'll do '94

Wooooo, the 80's Royalty of MJ, Prince and Madonna.

1986 mismaiome
1987 ?
1988 Stammer
1989 netjade
1990 ?
1991 Honorio
1992 ?
1993 ?
1994 John
1995 Slush
1996 netjade
1997 Penguin
1998 ?
1999 ?
2000 ?
2001 Honorio

if nobody minds.

Great choice for number 1. The Cure is probably one of my favorite '80s acts and "In Between Days" is one of their best.

I'll ask my friend Goose if he can take 1987, if I can find him today. He's a bit insane, but he has great tastes.

1986

The fitting ending for one of the greatest albums of the 80's doesn't quite have the staying power of the other songs here, but the more Prince the better I always say. (If only The Most Beautiful Girl In The World had been acclaimed in 1995! But I diverge.)

Does the rain stop when the song ends? Probably not. But better to have loved and been wet than to never have wetted your bed to that awesome bit near the end.

Nevermind. Here is Purple Rain in all its glory, again, because repetition is the heart of wit.



10.(10)(3 years) Prince - Purple Rain (1984)

Everyone needs their exercise, and if it's in the great outdoors and has the potential to bring you a deal with God, why pass?

No limping down the dale for you today, kids, eating carrots you'll never forget and waiting for Godot. Here's something much better.



9. (7) (2 years) Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

Who ever had janglier synthies than this? More a song about control than love, like "Every Breath You Take", but those synthie riffs are so neat.



8. (5) (6 years) The Human League - Don't You Want Me (1981)

There is about a half-dozen of love songs you know for sure to be heartfelt and true and wonderful. Towering above them, of course, is "Wowie Zowie" by The Mothers Of Invention, that unreachable height of romance in music. But the song below comes close enough to that personified ideal too.



7. (NEWz) The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (1986)

All the cool kids like The Smiths, but all the cooler kids know The Cure were better. Here's irreconcilable proof.



6. (1) (2 years) The Cure - In Between Days (1985)

Would Tuesday have been Green? We'll never know. But this is the final word on Mondays, at least, so rest easy.



5. (2) (4 years) New Order - Blue Monday (1983)

Stayin' Alive struck back black soon-to-be-white. Couldn't ever ignore.



4. (6) (5 years) Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1982)

Purple Wednesday, and what a day.



3. (3) (3 years) Prince - When Doves Cry (1984)

Ok, suspense time. See you later.

Nevermind. I'm the only person in suspense!

There are two ways to approach this song. One is to approach it as a dark pop song, sung by a guy who killed himself. The other is to understand it more as an anthem of jangle-pop the likes of a subdued "There She Goes". When it was the former for me, I used to like it more. But now I feel better about it, understanding it not so much as a sigh, but as a final embrace.



2. ( (7 years) Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)

I could do 1987, but I have a feeling what I'd pick would not be well accepted by most of you '80s fans.

Well accepted? Don't be silly, Penguin. We hardly even accept each other much of the time, but get along great!

Sorry. I couldn't help it. This is, after all, the best song of the 80's.



1. (NEWz) Cameo - Word Up (1986)

So overall:

1. (NEWz) Cameo - Word Up (1986)
2. (8 (7 years) Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)
3. (3) (3 years) Prince - When Doves Cry (1984)
4. (6) (5 years) Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1982)
5. (2) (4 years) New Order - Blue Monday (1983)
6. (1) (2 years) The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
7. (NEWz) The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (1986)
8. (5) (6 years) The Human League - Don't You Want Me (1981)
9. (7) (2 years) Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) (1985)
10. (10) (3 years) Prince - Purple Rain (1984)

Just kidding.

Prince is still too awesome.



1. (NEWz) Prince - Kiss (1986)

So yeah. The truth and nothing but the truth:

1. (NEWz) Prince - Kiss (1986)
2. (8 (7 years) Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)
3. (3) (3 years) Prince - When Doves Cry (1984)
4. (6) (5 years) Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1982)
5. (2) (4 years) New Order - Blue Monday (1983)
6. (1) (2 years) The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
7. (NEWz) The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (1986)
8. (5) (6 years) The Human League - Don't You Want Me (1981)
9. (7) (2 years) Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) (1985)
10. (10) (3 years) Prince - Purple Rain (1984)

Damaged during transportation:

Run-D.M.C. - Walk This Way (impossible to endure)
Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right (To Party) (this one too)
Cameo - Word Up (too sexy for me)
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer (poor man's "More Than A Feeling")
Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over (has just an okay chorus!)
Madonna - Papa Don't Preach (some songs of hers I'll never like)
Public Image Ltd. - Rise (great song, if Lydon hadn't sung it)
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (hilarious Peter goes pop)

Misplaced in the first place:

Madonna - Into The Groove (too 80's in a bad way for me)
The Jesus And Mary Chain - Just Like Honey (too euphemistical)

Moonbeam, I have at last out-Moonbeamed you. (sorta)

Wow, 1986 was a poor year (except Prince of course). Thanks mismaiome!

Penguin, you're on the air!

My friend Goose is nowhere to be found, so yeah, go ahead Penguin!

I'd like to make an appointment for 1998 while I'm at it.

and still don't look like them.

I wish they had a Prince smiley!

I'll leave the 1980s to the true fans of that decade and return to the party for 1993, if that's OK.

Might as well start now:

Time to get my first taste of this game. This is DJ Penguin with the songs of



1987



(that's the best I can do with html, pretend it's bigger)

1987

Welcome.

Here's a hit that has become one of the highlights of this performer. Many might have thought that his best work may have already been done, but he's shocked everyone with a sprawling and amazing double album this year. But, this early hit is no slouch either. The only question is: Will this song ever get out of the back half of this list?

10. (10) (4 years) Prince - Purple Rain (1984)

Scroll up to see the other videos of this great song.

Thanks Stephan!

Here's a group that's made the best out of a tragic situation. Their lead singer may have died a few years ago, but they're still producing and may be better than ever now. It doesn't hurt that this tune just makes you want to dance.

9. (5) (5 years) New Order - Blue Monday (1983)

Here's a live video of this song:

After that dance groove, it's time for a change of pace. Here's a song from what I consider to be the best album of the year. We've seen potential from this group before, but that seems like so little when compared to this new album and the change that came from it. Maybe they'll stay with this style of music, but maybe they'll change styles again after this year.

8. (NEW) U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

There doesn't seem to be a real challenger to "God Only Knows" in this competition. That is, until this song came into play. How much longer can it stay in the game?

7. (2) (8 years) Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)

And here's New Order with a cover (that only proves that Ian Curtis's singing really made this song a classic, not to say that New Order is bad).

Now to take out a slice of jangle pop into this game. While they've been in the game already from "Radio Free Europe", it seems like they might become even bigger. So here are the legends of American college rock with their apocalyptic song. Maybe they were signing about Reagan?

6. (NEW) R.E.M. - It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

6. (NEW) R.E.M. - It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

That should be clearer.

The Cure may like to write depressing songs all the time, but this song proves that when they decide to write pop, they can be beautiful too. Here's a returnee.

5. (6) (3 years) The Cure - In Between Days (1985)

But I don't think we've gotten enough of them yet. "In Between Days" was just the beginning of a new era for The Cure. This other song may prove to be their enduring classic. Here's Robert Smith again, singing about love come true.

4. (NEW) The Cure - Just Like Heaven

While The Cure may be becoming pop geniuses, this band is still one of pure cheese. This song may have cringe-worthy lyrics, but the heartfelt emotion is bare for everyone to see. And of course, who can forget the beginning guitar riff. Slash may consider the song a joke, but this joke is simply his greatest achievement. It almost makes me forget about my dislike of hair metal. Almost.

3. (NEW) Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

While perhaps not the most talented band, with "The Joshua Tree", they've become the biggest and possibly best band in the world at this moment. Some might complain about Bono's whiny vocals, but on this song, those vocals are perfect. Here's the highlight of "The Joshua Tree".

2. (NEW) U2 - With or Without You

And a live version of this song:

But while U2 may have created the best love song of 1987, it still doesn't top the best of the year before. This Smiths song transcends labels and words. Simply breathtakingly beautiful and emotional, this is their masterpiece. Morrissey and Marr are at their best with this epic, one that seems to end much too soon.

1. (7) (2 years) The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (1986)

And here's a video of Morrissey doing a live version. It just doesn't have the power without Johnny Marr.

So, final analysis:

1. (7) (2 years) The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
2. (NEW) U2 - With or Without You
3. (NEW) Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
4. (NEW) The Cure - Just Like Heaven
5. (6) (3 years) The Cure - In Between Days
6. (NEW) R.E.M. - It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
7. (2) (8 years) Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
8. (NEW) U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
9. (5) (5 years) New Order - Blue Monday
10. (10) (4 years) Prince - Purple Rain

Out of steam (sorry, Moonbeam):
Prince - Kiss
Prince - When Doves Cry
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
The Human League - Don't You Want Me
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

Couldn't make the first cut:
Prince - Sign 'O' the Times
Public Enemy - Bring the Noise
M/A/R/R/S - Pump Up the Volume
Public Enemy - Rebel Without a Pause
Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full

While there were song weak songs, this was a strong batch of songs. Sorry to Moonbeam and rap lovers, I'm not as keen on that type of 80s pop. "Don't You Want Me" was the closest to making the list.

No problem, Penguin! You don't owe me or anyone anything other than your great contribution.

Great lists as usual everyone. Yeah, Penguin no worries. That looks about what my list would have been like (as you'll see when 1988 gets under way in a little bit).

Thanks Penguin!

Upcoming shows:

1988 Stammer
1989 netjade
1990 ?
1991 Honorio
1992 ?
1993 ?
1994 John
1995 Slush
1996 ?
1997 Penguin
1998 ?
1999 ?
2000 ?
2001 Honorio

Did I forget anyone?

I'll do 1998.

I'd love to take 2000

1988

1988 was another great year for music. This was probably hip hop's biggest year and though college rock had already started its slow fade into grunge and indie it crossed over into the mainstream big this year. The Beach Boys, Beatles and Dylan were inducted into the RnR Hall of Fame this year. Also Landmark albums by Public Enemy, Sonic Youth, Paula Abdul.... So let's get started:

I must admit I haven't thought about these guys much since about 1988 but this album was in heavy rotation for me back then.


10.(3)(2 years) Guns and Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine 1987


So while we wait for "Chinese Democracy" let's listen to Luna's chilled out version.