Back to the Eighties: I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles

Original video located here. Accessed 6th December 2022

Song title: I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)

Artist: The Proclaimers

Year: 1988

Why I like this song:

One act I remember quite vividly from the late eighties were these guys: I remember their music being a constant presence and their album, Sunshine on Leith, played a lot at home. And in adulthood, I found this song is handy to have around as a singalong - especially when you've more than a few drinks

Also of particular note was during the late eighties was when I started wearing glasses. At first it took some getting used to but then I realised: If a pair of Scottish identical twins can pull off this look then so can I

Back to the Eighties: Kiss the Dirt

Original video located here. Accessed 5th December 2022

Song title: Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)

Artist: INXS

Year: 1985

Why I like this song:

I was never into INXS as a kid. Yeah: Australia has it's biggest musical export and I slept through the whole thing. Throughout INXS' heyday, their music didn't do anything for me (with the exception of Beautiful Girl - but that's another story) and it was only during my adulthood that I came to see their music in a new light.

And for me, this song was the best of INXS in the eighties. The strength in the song is within it's simplicity what with the fact that a lot is done with few guitar chords and the synthesizer effect throughout. Also, perhaps it is fitting that the video is shot in a desert because this song does indeed evoke heat and wide open spaces.

Back to the Eighties: So Far Away

Original video located here. Accessed 4th December 2022

Song title: So Far Away

Artist: Dire Straits

Year: 1985

Why I like this song:

A song that ended up resonated with me in my later years. I have previously been involved in distance relationships and this song will forever remind me of them.

Back to the Eighties: House of Fun

Original video located here. Accessed 3rd December 2022

Song title: House of Fun

Artist: Madness

Year: 1982

Why I like this song:

Funny thing: At first glance (listen?) one would think this is a fun/zany song. It is only with time that one realises that this song has built around a metric tonne of sexual innuendo. And I've only realised this for the first time within the past twelve months XD

Still it does prove that subtlety can indeed work wonders

Mind you however, such subtlety doesn't change the fact that I find this song handy to have around when moving into a new place

Back to the Eighties: Allentown

Original video located here. Accessed 2nd December 2022

Song title: Allentown

Artist: Billy Joel

Year: 1982

Why I like this song:

So the piano man tackles a protest song? About a mining town in recession? It sounds like a strange combination but here it works. Props to Billy to coming with some really hard-hitting lines for a son that, unfortunately, is still relevant

Obituary: You Make Loving Fun

Original video located here. Accessed 1st December 2022

Song title: You Make Loving Fun

Artist: Fleetwood Mac

Year: 1977

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Christine McVie

I don't know about the rest of you but she was my favourite songwriter of Fleetwood Mac's successful era. And the above song is testament to that.

Back to the Eighties: Ever So Lonely

Original video located here. Accessed 1st December 2022

Song title: Ever so Lonely

Artist: Monsoon

Year: 1982

Why I like this song:

Another case of me discovering a song until much later. Granted there is a novelty of merging Indian music with pop sensibilities but it works. This song certainly sounds unique amongst other entrants on this list and is all the better for it