Special Christmas Edition

I'm foregoing the usual goofy fun this week for a special Christmas edition.  Not to sound too cliche, but there's something beautiful about Christmas.  Maybe it's because of the memories of that Christmas "magic" we felt as a child. Maybe it's because as we transition from youth to adult we change our viewpoint from "me" to "you".  Maybe it's because of our vulnerability that comes from the extreme highs and lows that we seem to experience around this time of year.  Maybe it's because we think more of Christ.  There are those who would say that thoughts of Christ can't be it since they don't share that belief and yet they still love Christmas.  Maybe.  

I've put together a list of songs that have at one point or another stirred my heart and moistened my eyes.  Who knows what these carols will speak to you?  But, I'm guessing at some instance, you'll have a thought to do something good.  I would simply encourage you to follow through by acting on that thought and if you do, I am confident that then you'll feel the true Spirit of Christmas.  Thank you for listening.  It really does mean a lot to me. 

I Wonder as I Wander.  Rutter, Cambridge Singers.

The King's Singers - Greensleeves

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - John Denver & Rowlf the Dog

Pentatonix.  Mary Did You Know.

Carol of the Bells.  Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

Bing Crosby & David Bowie - Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy 1977

O Come O Come Emanuel.  Vocal Point.

1994's Top 5 Songs

 

1994.  The Year of Ace of Base. They had the #1 song, The Sign, and 3 total in the top 10 for the year.  Therefore, I had to put them in the Top 5.  Right???  No, really I'm asking.

Beck.  Loser.  Many considered this to represent Generation X's slacker culture.  Beck said it referred to his rapping skills.

Sheryl Crow.  All I Want To Do.  For some reason this song makes me want to go hang out in California.

Melissa Etheridge.  I'm The Only One.  Etheridge makes you believe the lyrics.

Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories.  Stay (I Missed You).  Cute song.

Honorable Mention:

Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting.  All For Love.  All three of these guys have made it on the blog separately.  If you want to jump straight to the singing, start at the minute mark. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofA3URC1wyk

Melissa Etheridge. Come to My Window.  Etheridge had a good year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaY5-LGYJKc

General Public.  I'll Take You There.  Funky.  I'd exchange this for Ace of Base in the top 5, but, as mentioned they had THREE in the Billboard Top 10.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0N_Q0JqH80

Big Mountain. Baby I Love Your Way.  The feel good song of the week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utXwIqQj7oE

Salt-N-Pepa.  Whatta Man.  Features En Vogue and one of the dumbest lines in all of Songdom.  See if you can guess which one I'm talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8_wmcWecOg

1993's Top 5 Songs

Ugh! Not the most exciting year in music unless you like slow songs and/or gangsta rap.  Remember how fun some of the previous rap songs were?  Yeah, not so much this year.  But, here's a tune that would have made in the top 5 for any year:  Proclaimers. I'm Gonna Be.

I felt that I had to include Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You.  It was the #1 song for the year and was the Top 40 #1 for what seemed like all year.

Meat Loaf.  I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That).  Makes a great M & M commercial.

M&M commercial

Arrested Development.  Mr. Wendal.  From the same album as Tennessee. 

Sting.  Fields Of Gold.  Not exactly upbeat, but a terrific song nonetheless.

Honorable Mention 

Shai.  If I Ever Fall In Love.  Best song by Shai.  Did he have any others?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caNRc1ER8p4

Snow.  Informer.  "Informer" is one of the few words I understand in the song, and that's because it's the title.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StlMdNcvCJo

Here's a spoof of the song by Jim Carrey (Imposter).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icb_tRTnA4g

P.M. Dawn.  I'd Die Without You.  Look!  Another PM Dawn song. Is it just me or does it sound a bit like the other PM Dawn song (from 1992).  I actually like this one better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_qWlPCEnGM

Billy Joel.  The River Of Dreams.  One of those catchy songs that acapella groups like to perform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSq4B_zHqPM

Boyz II Men In The Still Of The Nite.  Another catchy song that acapella groups like to perform - as demonstrated here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQG37mzhv4w

1992's Top 5 Songs

Let's start 1992 with the straight up silliness of Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy.  The original video had too many half-naked bodies, so here's a strange substitute I found.

Tom Cochrane .  Life Is A Highway.  Well, everyone's heard this a gazillion times, but I'm including it anyway.

Arrested Development.  Tennessee.  One of the best rap songs ever.  Showed the potential of rap music that has rarely been achieved since.

Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Under The Bridge.  One of my favorite RHCP tunes.

En Vogue.  My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It).  Better than the other En Vogue song from a previous blog.  Just tough competition for 1992.

Honorable Mention:

Boyz II Men.  End Of The Road.  #1 song for the year. If it wasn't a slow song would have made the above Top 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc

Eric Clapton. Tears In Heaven. Same goes with this beautiful song created after the death of Clapton's son.  Have a tissue handy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxPj3GAYYZ0

P.M. Dawn.  Set Adrift On Memory Bliss.  I can't quite put my finger on why I like this tune, but I do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5lByFc7HiM

Billy Ray Cyrus.  Achy Breaky Heart.  This song was everywhere.  My favorite billboard I saw in the South around this time was "Jesus will heal your achy breaky heart".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQIPdHMpjc

Queen. Bohemian Rhapsody.  You see this 1975 tune in 1992 thanks to the movie Wayne's World.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ

1991's Top 5 Songs

The class of '91 has more fun! So, nothing but funky in the Top 5 this week.  We'll start with C+C Music Factory's Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).  You could hear this played in every sports arena in the country.

Next, is the throwback sound of Deee-Lite's Groove Is In The Heart.

Boyz II Men burst onto the scene with the hit Motownphilly.

Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch feat. Loleatta Holloway.  This was before Marky Mark turned into Mark Wahlberg, movie star.  Here's Good Vibrations.

We'll end with EMF's Unbelievable.

Honorable Mention (which may be as good as the Top 5 this week):

Bryan Adams. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.  #1 song of 1991.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGoWtY_h4xo

INXS.  Disappear.  Cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvo-bfaVsg0

Rod Stewart Rhythm Of My Heart.  Catchy.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVeZsG-9wVE

UB40.  The Way You Do The Things You Do. Reggae-ish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvIxxn36pUU

C+C Music Factory. Here We Go Let's Rock and Roll.
Rock and Roll

My Top 5 Songs for 1990

We made it to 1990, woohoo!  Let's start the decade off with Billy Joel's We Didn't Start The Fire.
Billy Joel Made the list for 1980 and now 1990 with a very different sound.

Next, M.C. Hammer's U Can't Touch This.  There was loads of rap hits this year - when rap was still fun and before it turned gangsta.  This is a great example.

B-52s's Love Shack is another tune where I don't really know why I'm including it, other than it's just goofy fun.  It's a great party song.

Tom Petty's Free Fallin'. I like the song as is, but there was also a memorable duet that Tom Petty did with Axel Rose with this tune.

Lastly, I felt I had to include Madonna's Vogue.  The song wasn't my personal favorite, but it created a huge craze and has shown great staying power.

Honorable mention:

Wilson Phillips.  Hold On. #1 for 1990 and deservedly so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbXvaE39wM

Vanilla Ice.  Ice Ice Baby.  One of the more polarizing figures from this period.  Most either liked him or hated him and he was hard to like.  Good song though, even if the beat may have been stolen from "Under Pressure" which is a great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE

Janet Jackson.  Rhythm Nation.  It's Janet Jackson!  I had to include her somewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAwaNWGLM0c

Snap.  The Power.  One of the funner dance songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm6DO_7px1I

Jon Bon Jovi.  Blaze Of Glory.  I believe this went with the movie Young Guns 2.  I liked the song better than the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o

1989's Top 5 Songs

Time to say goodbye to the 80s.  We started the 80s with some rebellious, independent songs.  So, a good way to end it is with another:  Bobby Brown's My Prerogative.  Bobby's biggest and best tune.

Next is R.E.M.'s Stand. Great group dance song - except this video doesn't show the dance :(.

Young M.C.'s Bust A Move.  Nice groove.

Roxette.  The Look.  This wasn't Roxette's biggest hit, but I believe it was their coolest.

Milli Vanilli.  Blame It On The Rain.  Turns out these guys were lip syncing.  It was quite the scandal.  It's admittedly the only reason their in the top 5.  I thought the music was okay - but the guys bugged me.  So, I almost liked the music better knowing that it wasn't these guys.

Honorable Mention:

Chicago.  Look Away.  #1 song for the year.  My friend who was a Chicago freak would be so proud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uKLTtVqQpE

Boy Meets Girl.  Waiting For A Star To Fall.  Cute.  Romantic. Catchy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxF9Qg5mOU

Fine Young Cannibals. She drives me crazy.  Unique voice in a song that gets stuck in your head.  Your welcome or I'm sorry depending on if you like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sw54Pdh_m8

When In Rome.  This Promise.  How did I not put this in the top 5?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HI_xFQWiYU

Paula Abdul.  Straight Up.  My peer pressure pick of the week since she had 2 in top 6.  But, honestly, good song, nice video - deserves to be here.  Maybe top 5.  Probably better than Milli Vanilli anyways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El1kgCqD7Xk

My Top Songs of 1988

We'll start 1988 with what, in my opinion, is by far George Michael's best hit - Faith.  This was also #1 for the year.  Sorry the official video couldn't be loaded.

Next is one of the more humorous music videos in the world thanks to Robin Williams and company.  Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry, Be Happy.

Now for a couple of unique hits from '88.  Escape Club's Wild, Wild West (not thrilled with the video, maybe just listen) . . .

And Information Society's What's On Your Mind.

We'll end with the #2 song of '88: Need You Tonight by INXS.

Honorable Mentions:

Dedicated to my son who is an Elvis fan: Cheap Trick's remake of Don't Be Cruel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-oYFEXScEU

George Harrison.  Got My Mind Set On You.  #3 Song of the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGYYDvZnpg

Guns N' Roses.  Sweet Child O' Mine. Lots of glam rock/heavy metal this year so here's a nod of recognition for the highest ranked of the bunch (#5 for 1988).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4

Aerosmith.  Angel.  One of the few slow songs I've included.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBTOGVb_cQg

Michael Jackson.  Man In The Mirror.  No Weird Al this time, just a good MJ tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps

My Top 5 of 1987

There's so...much... variety in 1987.  Argh!  It's hard to decide.  So, we'll start with the #1 song of the year:  Bangles. Walk Like An Egyptian.

Next up is Los Lobos La Bamba.  Who can stop themselves from at least trying to singing along with this?

Billy Idol's Mony Mony was the designated "slam dance" song back in the day. You know, where people slam into each other and it usually lasted about 5 seconds before the music was stopped and we were all called to repentance.

Just for goofs I've included Wang Chung's Everybody Have Fun Tonight.  Whatever happened to these guys? Wait, I'm writing a blog, maybe I should tell you? Nah, it's not that type of blog.  So, just sit back and have fun (or should I say sit back and "Wang Chung"?).

We'll end with U2's With Or Without You which may be my favorite U2 hit.

Honorable Mention:

Tiffany.  I Think We're Alone Now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Q3mHyzn78

U2.  I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.  Great song!  Close to making it in the top 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdCJRybAtso

Michael Jackson.  Bad.  Another MJ song listed for a lead in to another Weird Al song: Fat.  Which would make my top 5 music videos of all time.  So, I'm including the video below instead of the link. It's even funnier after watching Bad first.  Yo ding dong man, ding dong ding dong yo.
Bad

Bon Jovi.  Wanted Dead Or Alive.  Bon Jovi's dream of being a cowboy song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvCvsRp5ho

Georgia Satellites.  Keep Your Hands To Yourself.  Cheeky Southern Rock fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdpAop7gp0w

My Top 5 Songs For 1986

Let's start 1986 with Run-D.M.C.'s mash up with Aeorosmith's Walk This Way.  This pioneered a new style of rap.  The hit also revitalized Aerosmith's career.

For those desiring the opposite of rap, I've added John Cougar Mellencamp's Small Town.  Plus, I grew up in a small rural area. So, I might as well celebrate it.

Next, I've included the upbeat Latin flavor of Miami Sound Machine's Conga.  I'm giving you all kinds of different music this week!  I hope you like variety ;)

Speaking of different, here's Falco's unusual, but fun, Rock Me Amadeus.  Good luck trying to understand the lyrics.  The chorus is awesome though!

I've wrapped up the Top 5 with Prince's classic, Kiss.  YouTube doesn't seem to carry Prince, but here's a Glee version I found.  

Or if you want a less risque video, here's a cover from some random band at a Paris metro.

Honorable Mention:

Dionne and Friends.  That's What Friends Are For.  #1 song of the year.  Also includes Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88

Mr. Mister.  Kyrie.  No idea what's going on in the song, but it made it to the top 10 for the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NDjt4FzFWY

Pet Shop Boys.  West End Girls.  Time to see if you like Pet Shop Boys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZv7amQjB00

James Brown.  Living In America.  Yeah, America!  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5BL4RNFr58

John Cougar Mellencamp.  R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.  For not being a huge Mellencamp fan, I seem to include a lot of his tunes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ

My Top 5 for 1985

There was fund raising across the world in 1985 for hunger relief in Africa due to massive famines that had hit.  This included the first tune of the day U.S.A. For Africa's We Are The World.  Soooo many famous people.  Fund raising that year also included $11 million raised from those of the LDS Faith.  This marked the beginning of LDS Charities which in the 30 years since has delivered $1.2 billion in assistance to people who are suffering.   Pretty impressive.

And now for something completely different, Dire Straits Money For Nothing.  Just so that you understand the reference, when they say "I want my MTV" over and over it is because MTV used to play music.  Get it?  MTV? MUSIC television?  Makes sense, huh?

Here's Bryan Adams' Summer Of '69. I don't have much to say about it, other than, "Enjoy!"

Of course, I had to include Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA, which is a little deeper than what people usually give it credit for.

Lastly, I've added  Pat Benatar's We Belong.  It seemed to add a nice bit of symmetry to the Top 5  this week.

Honorable Mentions:

Wham! Careless Whisper. #1 song of the year. Hard to believe this ranked higher than Whams Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.  Well, maybe not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGwDsrQ1eQ

Simple Minds.  Don't You (Forget About Me).  TV show Pysch fans may recognize this because it was part of the Breakfast Club movie soundtrack, which movie Psych seemed almost obsessed with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdqoNKCCt7A

Starship.  We Built This City.  This was playing everywhere, all the time.  I didn't really understand why everybody loved it in 1985 and admittedly still don't.  I guess I've included it due to peer pressure and perhaps a curiosity for what a fresh set of ears thought.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1b8AhIsSYQ

Murray Head.  One Night In Bangkok.  Unique song of the week. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9mwELXPGbA

Madonna.  Material Girl.  Fun music video and remarkably tame for Madonna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNSUOFgj97M

My Top 5 1984 Song Recommendations

1984.  The year of Michael Jackson's Thriller.  Okay, so it was released in 1983, but it was in the top 100 for 1984.  Made like a movie, some say that the music video changed the industry.  Maybe.  But, Vincent Price does the voice work and it's worth listening to for that alone.  Plus, everyone needs to know a bit of the "Thriller" dance.

Next are a couple of songs from actual blockbuster movies.  First, Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters.  Everybody's probably heard this song, because they watched the movie.  If you haven't seen the film go out and watch it today!!  

Second, Kenny Loggin's Footloose.  So. Fun. To. Dance. To.  Also linked with another great movie you should probably watch once in your life. If you watch it, make sure it's the movie with Kevin Bacon - not the newer version.

Switching to life outside of the film industry, I'm going with Corey Hart's Sunglasses At Night. After this song, you couldn't be considered cool without wearing sunglasses.

To wrap up I'll use Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You.  One of my favorite Stevie Wonder hits.  Makes me think of my wife.  Hi Julee!

Honorable Mentions:

Prince, When Doves Cry. #1 in 1984 for a reason.
http://video.naij.com/view=6qgucczw&ref=search_redirect&autoplay=1

Cyndi Lauper, Girls Just Want To Have Fun. If you didnt like this one try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A

Cyndi Lauper, Time After Time. If you don't like this one, well I guess you don't like Cyndi Lauper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU

ZZ Top, Sharp Dressed Man. You should probably watch at least one ZZ Top video in your life.  If nothing else, to at least get the visual jokes that you still see from time to time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wRHBLwpASw

Cars, You Might Think.  It's fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOx510kyOs

My Top 5 1983 Song Recommendations

think you're going to love the top 5 For 1983.  Let's start with Police's Every Breath You Take.  It was the #1 song for the year.  What?!?!? A #1 song on the list?  Yes, I finally put one on.  Not to ruin the song, but it's about a stalker.  However, the world turned it into a love song or at least a song about longing without the creepiness and so that's how I choose to listen to it.

Next, I've added the #2 song of the year, Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.  Probably my favorite Michael Jackson recording ever.  So smooth and an awesome beat!

Eurythmics Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).  Cool song.

Dexy's Midnight Runners Come On Eileen. Probably not what people would consider a classic from this year, but it's so fun!!!  

Rounding out the top 5:  Styx's Mr. Roboto.  This had such a HUGE cultural impact it had to be included.  It seemed like "Kilroy was here" was graffitied everywhere and there were all sorts of rumors on what it meant (actually goes back to WWII, but that's another story).

I'm sure Journey and Duran Duran fans are freaking that they are not in the top 5.  Surely in the Honorable Mention.  Right???  Nope. Sorry.  But, here's a reconciliatory picture :)  

Honorable Mentions:

Toto Africa.   Droughts in Africa were big news in the 1980s.  Wait until you see 1985.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQbiNvZqaY

Thomas Dolby.  She Blinded Me With Science. The whacky 1980s song of the week.  Definitely unique.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FIMvSp01C8

Bonnie Tyler. Total Eclipse Of The Heart.  I don't know, I just like it. It's emotional or something.  Weird video, though. What were they thinking?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo

Michael Jackson. Beat It. Forever connected to the hilarious "Eat it" by Weird Al  (which is the real reason Beat It is on the list).
Beat It
Eat It

Men At Work.  Down Under.  Go ahead and try a Vegimite sandwich.  I dare you.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfR9iY5y94s

Toni Basil. Mickey. A cheerleading video, which is odd, but the song is strangely addicting.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSfnopkT37I

My Top 5 Song Recommendations For 1982

The first tune I selected for 1982 is Survivor's Eye Of The Tiger. It was the #2 hit of the year after getting people pumped while watching Rocky III.  How could you not get amped and want to throw down with Mr. T while working out to this song?  

Second, is Tommy Tutone's 867-5309 (Jenny).  Nowadays, that would be 555-5309, which, admittedly, seems to lose some of the intrigue.

Next, I added John Mellencamp's Jack and Diane admittedly because I felt pressured to include at least one of his songs since he had two in the top eight.  But, really the tune is a piece of Americana and John Cougar Mellencamp represented small town USA.  So, it's not a bad choice.

I chose Soft Cell's Tainted Love because, well, it's just an awesome song!  Although the video's a little odd, to put it mildly.

Lastly, I've included Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder's classic: Ebony And Ivory.  It represents something that we really need today: racial unity, love, and bla bla bla. Mainly, I just wanted to introduce you to the SNL parody skit of the song by Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo as Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra.  Hilarious. YouTube only had the included short clip. You may need to find a longer version elsewhere.

Honorable mentions include:

Olivia Newton-John. Physical.  #1 song for the year.  For some reason women seemed to like her music video more than men.  I wonder why?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWz9VN40nCA

Go-Go's We Got The Beat,  since, you know, they've got the beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f55KlPe81Yw

J. Geils Band Centerfold.  Catchy, if not entirely an appropriate recommendation from a dad.  Consequently, you only get a link to a boring, but safer, video.  Get up and dance and then you won't have to worry about the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir0h30N3a9M

Vangelis Chariots Of Fire.  You kind of need to see the movie to get all the joy from this song.  Warning not a rock song, but a huge classical music hit that reached #12 for the year.  Impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSav51fVlKU

Toto Rosanna.  Fun song, but perhaps not a top 5 song.  Let me know if you disagree.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmOLtTGvsbM

My Top 5 Song Recommendations for 1981

Welcome to 1981!  There was an explosion of country songs in the top 100 this year, including classics from Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.  I'm selecting Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys because it seemed like everywhere you went in 1981 you could hear someone singing, "giddy up oom poppa oom poppa mow mow" in their deepest voice possible.  You'll see what I mean.  

Next, try out Rick Springfield's Jessie's Girl and its overdramatic approach to pining over another somebody else's squeeze.    So, catchy!

What appears to be one of the laziest music videos ever shot was from Police this year - De Do Do De Da Da.  You may want to check it out for a few seconds just to see its place in history.  However, I'm going to recommend what I think is their better song Don't Stand So Close To Me.

You can't really think 1980s without including Devo and their unique sense of style.  So, check out there biggest hit: Whip It.

We will finish 1981 with Neil Diamond's America.  American Patriotism was HUGE in the 1980s.  Personally, I'm a fan of being patriotic whatever the decade.  So, give this song a listen and for a few minutes remember the hope the USA has to offer.

Honorable Mentions for 1981:

Kim Carnes Bette Davis Eyes,  the #1 song for 1981
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPOIS5taqA8

Juice Newton Angel Of The Morning,  nice song, good example of a country/pop mix, but mainly I wanted you to hear that the original lyrics weren't "closer than my peeps you are to me" as sang in a recent remake. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTzGMEfbnAw

Juice Newton queen of hearts, may actually be the better song and most definitely the cheesiest music video you'll ever see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0DK-0fIKCw

Kool and The Gang Celebration, I'm pretty sure that there is some unwritten rule that this song has to be played at any party.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

Queen Another One Bites The Dust, a bit repetitive, but I guess that's the point.
Queen - Another One Bites the Dust (Official Video)

Joey Scarbury    Believe it or Not.  Famous song due to the TV show Greatest American Hero, which was one of my gfavorite shows as a youth.  I think a reboot of this show would be immensely popular today.  Come on TV producers!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsWgG5v7A3A