A few of you theorized that WATW might top my list of 80est Number One songs of the 80s.
To be honest, I didn't even consider it. Having lived through the 80s, I would hope the 80est #1 would make one remember the 80s fondly, not want to forget the 80s.
If that doesn't fly with you guys, I'll pull out my arbitrary rule of only one song per artist.
I meant to post this back in virtual 1983 when this movie was set, but it makes just as much sense to post it under a Phil Collins entry
Any child of the 80s or aficionado of the era needs to see the under-the-radar Irish movie "Sing Street." It's a cute film about a teenager who throws together a band to impress a girl. It's directed by John Carney, the same guy who directed "Once" and "Begin Again."
The reason I'm posting it here is because one of the characters makes the immortal quote, "No woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins."
It's cute. It's cheesy. It has an odd, potentially dream sequence ending, and contains songs by Duran Duran, Joy Division, The Cure, Joe Jackson, Hall & Oates, plus original music by Gary Clark (of the band David Wilson, i.e. "Mary's Prayer).
It's a hoot, I'm posting trailer below, but I think it is best to goin blind!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYk2Vx1z6lk
I hear they are making it into a Musical for Broadway just like "Once" (Winner for the Oscar for Best Original Song).
80s experts will notice that the timing and release dates of the songs doesn't always jive with the era, but it's such a great movie, it doesn't matter!
I don't know. My daughter went to the "redneck" high school in our rural NC county. We used to joke that the school colors were "camo" and orange.
I was pleasantly surprised at how many "out" students there were and how they seemed to be accepted.
For Gen Z, being gay seems to be just another personal characteristic like having red hair, being Jewish, or being short. No big deal.
I'm certain bullying goes on, but it doesn't seem to be stigmatized or vilified like my high school days.
So, some progress maybe?
I always wanted to get my ears pierced, but growing up in the South in the 80s, my dad would have disowned me.
Once, my best friend Randy and I borrowed a pair of my mother's magnetic earrings and each wore one to Randy's house.
His Dad was furious and kicked us out of the house.
Is it too late too late now that I'm in my 50s?
Barnable’s Most 80-est Number One Songs of the ‘80s.
Not the brightest. Not the best. But the most-iconic examples of 80s sound, culture, and themes. Songs people immediately identify with the 80s and, perhaps, would never have been hits in any other decade.
Cue THE sax solo.
1. TBA
2. “Don’t You Want Me” The Human League
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” Eurythmics
6. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Bonnie Tyler
7. “Karma Chameleon” Culture Club
8. “Come on Eileen” Dexys Midnight Runners
9. “Down Under” Men At Work
10. “Time after Time” Cyndi Lauper
11. “Beat It” Michael Jackson
12. “When Doves Cry” Prince
13. “Careless Whisper” George Michael/Wham!
14. “The Reflex” Duran Duran
15. “Maneater” Hall and Oates
16. “Like a Virgin” Madonna
17. TBA
18. TBA
19. TBA
20. TBA
One of the 80est components that any 80s song could have is a sax solo. And here we have what is likely the most-recognized, and, arguably, THE definitive sax solo of the entire sax-heavy decade.
As I’m sure Tom discussed above, this candy-coated confection wasn’t entirely organic, but recorded at a slower pace and sped up in the studio after more than 11 saxophone players attempted to record a version to please George Michael.
Thematically, I think that this factoid says a lot about the 80s. The definitive sax solo of the decade, the elusive “sound” Michael desperately sought, was mostly studio-engineered and artificial.
Regardless, just like Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time,” “Careless Whisper” was a wise follow-up to the ebullient “Wake Me Up” for Wham!, allowing George Michael to demonstrate much more range, complexity, and emotion in this eminently hummable, soft nougat ballad. CW would quickly work its way onto the play list at every 80s high school/middle school dance--despite the fact that the song is all about cheating on a partner.
Therefore, based primarily on this iconic sax solo, CW claims the #13 spot on Barnable’s list of the 80est Number One songs of the 80s as my selection from Wham!/Wham! featuring George Michael/George Michael!, or whomever!
Oddly, our list of 80est Number One songs is looking a lot like a bell curve?! At this point, we’ve filled in the middle, but we only have a few slots remaining at the top and the bottom.
But don’t lament, dear TNOCS commentators! Next up we will have a nearly pitch-perfect 80s opus finally storm its way back into our top-5!
Reba McEntire and Linda Davis had a huge country hit "Does He Love You" in the 90s.
Dont know if it charted on Hot 100.
Basically the same song with a country twang.
https://youtu.be/FUP9DnurODw
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