Back to the Eighties: Love Will Tear Us Apart

Original video located here. Accessed 31st January 2023

Song title: Love Will Tear us Apart

Artist: Joy Division

Year: 1980

Why I like this song:

So what makes song so special? I could say I love the intro with each instrument entering one by one. I could say it sounds unique and worlds apart from the hits of the decade. I could say it is effective as a description of someone having a mental crisis. I could say that it hasn't aged a day and still works no matter how many times I've heard it.

But what I will say is something of personal resonance. It was sometime in 1998 that I became aware of this band. I knew of them through reputation but nothing of their music. Needless to say i was curious and went to find out more. Now this was when the internet was slowly becoming commonplace: And to find out about Joy Division, one had to do a search - this was, after all, the days before Spotify, streaming services, and Google's omnipotence.

And as it turns out there was a lot this band. I had come across a gold mine of music and information about this name. Stuff I had never heard of before and never would elsewhere - why, finding out the connection between Joy Division and New Order (who I did know about) blew my sixteen year-old mind.

That being said, what Joy Division represent for me is the awakening to a new world around me: One that existed beyond what i knew growing up and was there waiting to be discovered. Joy Division represent a cavalier approach to my musical tastes: Finding out new stuff beyond what anyone else told me and showing a new side of the decade that wasn't tied to gaudy clothes, worse haircuts and keyboards the size of VW Beetles.  Sure the walls had signs of coming down over the twenty four months prior but finding Joy Division was the dam burst.

One last thing: this is one of Anthony Albanese's favourite bands. Seems the man has taste. 

Back to the Eighties: Great Southern Land

Original video located here. Accessed 30th January 2023

 Song title: Great Southern Land

Artist: Icehouse

Year: 1982

Why I like this song:

I don't think I will ever tire of this song.

It is well documented that Iva Davies wrote this as an experiment in atmosphere. And it's fair to say that he succeeded more that he could've ever hoped for. To me, this song evokes the heat, the deserts, the wide open spaces that is this continent that is Australia. Also much like Australia, this song sounds like it always existed.

Needless to say, this song has been a continual presence for many summers (recommended listening when walking on a beach at sunset) and, I can imagine, will continue to do so for many summers more.

In fact bugger Advance Australia Fair; give me this any day

Back to the Eighties: Just Like Heaven

Original video located here. Accessed 29th January 2023

Song title: Just Like Heaven

Artist: The Cure

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

In an earlier post I decreed that the sound of the eighties was defined by big drums, prominent bass, jangly guitars and the ever-present synthesizer. So we come to what can only be the quintessential eighties song performed by a quintessential eighties band.

Once again, I always felt that if Robert Smith could put his mind to it he could whip out a winner of a pop song. And this song is that hypothesis in motion. Utter magic this song: I especially love the intro where each instrument falls into place and that unmistakable guitar figure.

Furthermore, this song reminds me of my college years when i fell in with a group of goths and, in doing so, made some of the best friends I'll ever have

Love songs for goths, eh?

Back to the Eighties: Like Wow Wipeout!

Original video located here. Access 28th January 2023

Song title: Like Wow Wipeout! 

Artist: Hoodoo Gurus

Year: 1985 

Why I like this song: 

These guys were my favourite band when i was a kid and I still love 'em well into adulthood. In fact, whenever I see a list of best Australian bands ever, these guys don't rank as high as they should and I come away shaking my head in disbelief - of course said list usually consist of AC/DC, INXS and everyone else but I digress. 

Once again this song works because there's a lot going on here: It may be based on a fifties surf rock tune but here it sounds like it's on steroids. Through in some snappy lines, a singalong chorus and a lot of 'Ah-ah-ah's and you have a winner. 

 Listening to this now, the strengths of the Gurus come to play: Guitar hooks aplenty, an understanding of rock'n'roll history, a goofy sense of humour and knowing their way around a good chorus. It is therefore little wonder why they won a lad like me over 

I mean...just..... is this the most irresistible thing ever?

Back to the Eighties: Epic

Original video located here. Accessed 27th January 2023

Song title: Epic

Artist: Faith No More

Year: 1989

Why I like this song:

Words alone can't describe what a REVELATION this song was, hearing it as a seven/eight year old. I once described this song as the equivalent of Mack truck crashing into one's living room in slow motion and I still stand by it.

Listening to it now though, it's clear that this song is a lot of things coming at you, the listener, all at once. We have a funk bass, a metal guitar, shout-along vocals, tribal drumming, an urgency like nothing else and a solemn piano solo closing it out.

Years later it still sounds like nothing else and nothing anyone - not even the late 1990s/early 2000s nu-metal disciples who were clearly inspired by this - have even matched.

'What is it? It's It' indeed

Back to the Eighties: Streets of Your Town

Original video located here. Accessed 26th January 2023

Song title: Streets of Your Town

Artist: The Go-Betweens

Year: 1988

Why I like this song:

How's this for an analogy: If the Go-Betweens were a TV show they would be Firefly. Quality material, inspiring a small but devoted legion of fans and really should've been huge - and it's the latter that adds to the band's mystique to the point where may as well eclipse everything else about them.

Cynicisms aside, this song is pure magic. I like that a lot is done with two chords. I like the summery feel of the thing. The harmonies are fantastic.

Furthermore, this song will remind me of eighteen year old me who was heading to Uni for the first time and finding more about the world & how it works (is that the majority of the Go-Betweens audience - Uni students?). Nothing like a fresh start.

Although it still remains baffling why this didn't take off. How can you say no to this? Leaves a lot of pop in the decade for dead.

Back to the Eighties: Throw Your Arms Around Me

Original video located here. Accessed 25th January 2023

Song title: Throw Your Arms Around Me

Artist: Hunters and Collectors

Year: 1986

Why I like this song:

Will this song ever die? Probably not.

Many years ago, i did single this song out as a 'love song with balls' and I still stand by that notion. Indeed, that it eschews anything saccharine for something more honest works in it's favour tremendously - and, let's face it, more difficult to pull off in a pop song let alone successfully.

It's timeless, never gets old, and those harmonies that climax the song are great.

Back to the Eighties: Its the End of the World As We Know It

Original video located here. Accessed 24th January 2023

Song title: It's the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)

Artist: R.E.M.

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

So let's talk about R.E.M.: My first encounter with them was the seeing the video to Orange Crush. Then, I found more about them through their early nineties breakthrough. And THEN I found they had quite the considerable catalogue stretching back to the early eighties. And it is that revelation that continues to fascinate. Sure R.E.M. would achieve worldwide successin the nineties but that is completely different to the credibility they had cultivated in the eighties. And such an observation is justified when many people believe that the further R.E.M. got from the eighties, the less interesting their music became.

As for this song, well it may be a go-to theme for anything going wrong and/or global catastrophe but the fact I can still rely on it shows that has considerable staying power.

But ultimately this is far from a 'doom and gloom' song - more like a 'the place is going crazy but we're still going to pick up and pieces and move on' type song

That and it's fun to sing along in the car too XD

Back to The Eighties: Underneath the Radar

Original video located here. Accessed 23rd January 2023

Song title: Underneath the Radar

Artist: Underworld

Year: 1988

Why I like this song:

Before there was 90s Underworld, there was 80s Underworld. Before Karl Hyde and Rick Smith joined forces with Darren Emerson, It was Karl and Rick with Alfie, Baz and Bryn. And before there was Born Slippy, there was this.

Given the triumphs Underworld would have in the following decade, one would think this early incarnation would be forgotten. Indeed, one would have trouble grasping that this was the same band. But doing so would be a disservice to this song. Because DAMN what a song! It's a compelling mix of funk, dance and rock and honestly? It still holds up. Granted it is strange to see this song making the top ten on the ARIA chart at the time but it certainly has aged better than the other songs it was rubbing shoulders with.

And let's not forget: This song's status as one of the great driving songs is beyond reproach. And I've certainly driven many times to this one XD

Back to the Eighties: Beds Are Burning

Original video located here. Accessed 22nd January 2023

Song title: Beds Are Burning

Artist: Midnight Oil

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

The act of a protest song has become tricky in recent years. How can you get your point made without coming across as preachy and condescending? Well you look at how the pros do it.

So what makes this song work? It's passionate, it's driven, it rocks hard and as a call to arms it's nothing short of effective. And for many white Australians, it may be the first indication of the plight of the First Nations people. And if a protest song draws awareness to what one may not already know then it's a mission is well and truly accomplished.

When i was a kid, I was well aware that the Oils were an institution, whipping out angry songs, delivered with passion and making many a rallying cry.

And no matter how many times I hear this it still hits like a truck

Back to the Eighties: Orion

Original video located here. Accessed 21st January 2023

Song title: Orion

Artist: Metallica

Year: 1986

Why I like this song:

If you have been following this blog, you would know that I have a preference for songs that a) are instrumentals and b) have prominent bass lines. So it is any surprise that this song here?

Back to the Eighties: Blister in the Sun

Original video located here. Accessed 20th January 2023

Song title: Blister in the Sun

Artist: Violent Femmes

Year: 1982

Why I like this song:

What can I say? It hasn't aged a day and seems to be known by everyone that one would think it's required listening for any frustrated teenager.

I always felt that this song came across as the younger brother of the punk movement from the preceding decade. It has the attitude but traded in the rage for mischief and melody more befitting a nursery rhyme. But whatever this song is doing, it's doing it well.

Back to the Eighties: The Mercy Seat

Original video located here. Accessed 19th January 2023

Song title: The Mercy Seat

Artist: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Year: 1988

Why I like this song:

Some say this Nick's magnum opus and the pinnacle of his Berlin years. I won't argue.

To me the appeal of this song is that it's a depiction of total, utter chaos. There's nothing like it both before or since, and is delightfully out of place when compared to what was popular the same year (yep, give me this over Kokomo any day)

I've seen Nick live twice. The first time was with the Bad Seeds and the second was a solo show. And regarding the latter, this song still has power even when it's just him and a piano.

Obituary: Say I Love You

Original video located here. Accessed 18th January 2023

Song title: Say I Love You

Artist: Renee Geyer

Year: 1981

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Renee Geyer

This is my favourite song of hers. So much fun to listen and the joy in it is damn infectious. 

Back to the Eighties: With or Without You

Original video located here. Accessed 18th January 2023

Song title: With or Without You

Artist: U2

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

Actually forget what I said yesterday about how history will remember the Stone Roses: How will history remember these guys. For it seems to me that in recent years U2 have become something of a punchline - which of course does them a disservice because, lest we forget, they could still pump some winning songs.

So yeah: This speaks to me for its haunting mood, the build up, and the lyrics dealing with conflicting emotions. It is indeed a triumph and surely it's immortality is secured. Like many songs in this portion of this list I have heard it many times and it has yet to get old for me

Back to the Eighties: She Bangs the Drums

Original video located here. Accessed 17th January 2023

Song title: She Bangs the Drums

Artist: the Stone Roses

Year: 1989

Why I like this song:

Fools Gold may have been the bigger hit But I opted for this one. It's a summer vibe like no other it has an energy that is difficult to resist and never seems to tire no matter how many times I hear the damn thing..

Mind you, I have to wonder how history will remember this band: What was once a new voice in popular music and a vital force in drawing interest in alternative music has been outdone by a) their successors (ie Oasis) and b) those who did their job but more successfully (ie Nirvana). Still, the music still sounds great over three decades later so who am i to argue.

Back to the Eighties: Yes Sir I Can Boogie

Original video located here. Accessed 16th January 2023

Song title: Yes Sir I Can Boogie

Artist: Now Drowning Waving

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

In 2000 I became acquainted with David Bridie, through his excellent solo album Act of Free Choice. This led to me checking out the bands he was previously involved with: My Friend the Chocolate Cake (who I had a vague idea of) and Not Drowning Waving (who I knew nothing about).

Listening to this now two things are evident: One is NDW's strengths in combing percussion heavy rhythms with unusual instruments (in this case the mandolin and the guitar going nuts).

And two: This sounds completely out of step when compared to the other music on this list. I wager, if you would play this to someone completely unaware, they would never pick it up it was from the eighties. It sounds like nothing else, it has certainly aged a lot better than it's contemporaries and that's what makes this song such a treat.

Back to the Eighties: Blush

Original video located here. Accessed 15th January 2023

Song title: Blush

Artist: The Hummingbirds

Year: 1989

Why I like this song:

Sometimes you remember the exact time and place when you hear something new. Such is the case here.

It was in 2002 (!). I was listening to weekend Triple J as they were doing a yearly retrospective for Aus Music month, with a song for ever year from 1975 to the then present. And this song stood in for 1989.

At the time I knew of all the other artists on said retrospective but these guys were the lone exception. And upon hearing this song I had one of those moments: "Who's this?! This song's fantastic!".

Given that this is from 1989 I would've been aware of Blush but no: It is only years I find out about it.

But who cares if I was late to the party? This song rocks hard and is, once again, an indication of what was to happen in the decade ahead. The guitars are superb, the male/female vocals are to die for and the singalong aspect is wonderful. It has an immediacy other songs can only dream of and truly a gem among pop songs.

Its just a shame it isn't as fondly remembered as other songs from the era.

Back to the Eighties: Oscillate Wildly

Original video located here. Accessed 14th January 2023

Song title: Oscillate Wildly

Artist: The Smiths

Year: 1985

Why I like this song:

I guess it's safe to say that How Soon is Now is an undisputed classic. So let's talk about it's B-Side.

As with numerous entrants on this list, it's an instrumental. One that is propelled by a striking piano line and coloured with Johnny Marr's guitar playing. A lost classic perhaps? Maybe but if it is, consider this post me shining a light on it

Back to the Eighties: She Sells Sanctuary

Original video located here. Accessed 13th January 2023

Song title: She Sells Sanctuary

Artist: The Cult

Year: 1985

Why I like this song:

It may not be the most complex song ever written but it does a lot with very little. Also, one would think it was custom made for roaring down a highway to (which I have done many times)

Back to the Eighties: True Faith

Original video located here. Accessed 12th January 2023

Song title: True Faith

Artist: New Order

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

Blue Monday may be New Order's most recognisable hit but I opted for this one instead.

Factory records founder Tony Wilson once observed that it took Bernard Sumner some time to find his voice - and he did so with the nonsense wording that is Temptation. Here, the nonsense is still present but while the phrases may be seemingly randomly strung together they still pack something of a punch.

It may be easy to dub New Order as being synonymous with synthesizers that dominated the eighties but I, the man who takes pride in going against the grain, will excuse this purely New Order truly did have some killer songs in their oeuvre

Got it Covered: I Love Rock n Roll

Original video located here. Accessed 10th January 2023

Song title: I Love Rock and Roll

Artist: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Originally Done By: Arrows

Year: 1981

Why I like this song:

As a statement of bad-assery one needn't look any further. And that we have a rock chick outclassing the fellas in the bad-assery department is even better. Sheer raw power with crunchy chords, boundless confidence and a shout-a-long chorus. What more could you want?

Back to the Eighties: King's Cross

Original video located here. Accessed 9th January 2023

Song title: King's Cross

Artist: Pet Shop Boys

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

The eighties were indeed a fertile time for the Pet Shop Boys, but instead of going for one of their many hits I opted for this.

It seems to me that, as a genre, synthpop is one that leans more into the second syllable of it's name. So when the genre tries it's hand at atmospherics, one tends to sit up and take notice.

Personally, when i first heard this song it quickly made it's way to my 'rainy day' playlist and it hasn't moved

Back to the Eighties: Message to My Girl

Original video located here. Accessed 8th January 2023

Song title: Message to my Girl

Artist: Split Enz

Year: 1983

Why I like this song:

Simply put: it's one of the most beautiful songs that Neil Finn has come up with

Back to the Eighties: Crash

Original video located here. Accessed 7th January 2023

Song title: Crash

Artist: Primitives

Year: 1988

Why I like this song:

This song is further evidence to my hypotheses that the music of the late eighties was already providing signposts to what was going to happen in the following decade. In fact, if you played this to someone who hadn't heard it before they would think that it was a nineties song. But no: It's a still an eighties song.

It would be easy to consign this song to the bin of One Hit Wonders but what a song! It's pop perfection with a brief run time, snappy guitars and a singalong chorus. Lightening in a Bottle? One would think so

And to think I would never have heard of it if I didn't purchase Lego Rock Band XD

Back to the Eighties: Better Be Home Soon

Original video located here. Accessed 6th January 2023

Song title: Better Be Home Soon

Artist: Crowded House

Year: 1988

Why I like this song:

Previously, I mentioned being, at the time, completely oblivious to the superstar status of Michael Jackson. Because, in my young mind, these guys seemed to be biggest pop-stars I could think of. Their music was everywhere, everyone seemed to know them and the songs were truly unforgettable.

And years later, and no matter how many times I've heard this, this song still has magic. It is also a testament to Neil Finn's pop smarts, being able to latch onto something that speaks to many people. Granted the cynic in me would maintain that everyone would gravitate to the line "I know that I'm right / For the first time in my life" but whatever: This song still rules.

Back to the Eighties: Back on the Chain Gang

Original video located here. Accessed 5th January 2023

Song title: Back on the Chain Gang

Artist: Pretenders

Year: 1984

Why I like this song:

It may be synonymous as a 'song to do work to' (and I have certainly utilised it as such) but at the same time it's another song that seems impervious to age.

Back to the Eighties: Before Too Long

Original video located here. Accessed 4th January 2023

Song title: Before Too Long

Artist: Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls

Year: 1986

Why I like this song:

Another case of a song that never gets old no matter how many times I've played it (and believe you me I have tried).

For my non-Australian readers, the US has Bob Dylan, Canada has Neil Young but we in Australia have this guy: A prolific song writer of considerable distinction who has pumped out many a memorable song.

And for me, this song is indeed a well crafted one, with standouts being the immediacy of the opening, the guitar solo, the piano throughout and the striking line: "Every Dog will have it's day / Any dog can win"

Also, watching this video I can't help but think: a) Wow Paul looks young there and b) Wow Paul has hair

Back to the Eighties: Here Comes Your Man

Original video located here. Accessed 3rd January 2023

Song title: Here Comes Your Man

Artist: Pixies

Year: 1989

Why I like this song:

It may not be the best representation of the Pixies' music. It may be quite uncharacteristic of them to go pop. It may not be liked by the band themselves. But what this song does, it does well. And it proves the notion that once you have snappy bassline you can get away with anything

Back to the Eighties: Holiday in Cambodia

Original video located here. Accessed 2nd January 2023

Song title: Holiday in Cambodia

Artist: Dead Kennedys

Year: 1980

Why I like this song:

Will punk music ever die? As long as there are angry teenagers, probably not.

Like any teenager, I was into punk. I got into via the nineties wave (ie Green Day and the Offspring) so it was inevitable that i would eventually reach the foundation stones of the genre (ie Sex Pistols, Clash, Ramones). And in amongst that clutch lay this band: One that took the punk template and upped both the sarcasm and intensity. And in that sense, how could i refuse?

Truly this is fascinating with it's corrupted brand of surf rock guitar, doom-laden bass line and the gleefully demented vocals. In fact, nothing quite matches it over four decades later.

Back to the Eighties: Could You be the One

Original video located here. Accessed 1st January 2023

Song title: Could You be the One

Artist: Husker Du

Year: 1987

Why I like this song:

Behold: A band that walked so the Pixies (and subsequently Nirvana) could run

In recent years I've shown an interest in the work of Bob Mould so it is with no surprise that I would eventually come to the band he was a part of in the eighties.

So where do I start with this one? Like many other songs on this list it sounds out of step with the cliche sound of the eighties. It has more energy packed in those two and half minutes that other bands can only dream of. It is a pop song par excellence. It has aged better than a lot of other songs that came out the same year. It's frigging brilliant