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