Juanca
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Enjoying work, family/personal life with partner and doggies, and music. I couldn't ask for more :)
Joined: May 2006
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Post by Juanca on Aug 14, 2020 23:13:41 GMT -5
20. If She Knew What She Wants (24): A minor hit back home and a personal top 20, that I've grown to like even more with time. Their harmonies are pretty good, the instrumental is classic and classy, and the nostalgic melody now hits me stronger as it comes with lots of good memories, too. 19. Rain on the Scarecrow (38): This was an interesting discovery, that I kept ranking higher with repeated listens. 18. Why Can't I Have You (29): I don't remember this one from 1985. It's a nice ballad with good sophistipop sound, but a bit too safe. As I said before, the song in my 20s were all quite close in points to me, and I changed their positions frequently. In the end, I just liked the other songs in my 20s a tad more. 17. Nightbird (14): This was my favorite discovery! Sounded very Dreams-like, plus those nice castanets and lovely harmonies. Quite strong melody and the nostalgic, mysterious vibe typical of Stevie's. 16. This Is Not America (26): I took this to the top 10 of my personal chart, as I really liked its sophistipop sound and the chorus melody. 15. Holding Out for a Hero (2): NOOOO!!!!!!! :( :( This was yet another hit off Footloose back home, peaking in the top 2 of the weekly charts of our top pop stations. It was in my yearend top 10, and it's steadily remained one of my favorite 80s songs. The epic Jim Steinman production is outstanding as always (like Total Eclipse, I'd Do Anything For Love, It's All Coming Back To Me Now, Making Love Out of Nothing At All). The energy oozes out of the speakers so much that it's been a big favorite of mine for long road trips when I need to get pumped The musicality with so many instruments that all played the right role. Bonnie's vocals may be a bit unconventional, but she nails the energy of the song with fierceness --and the operatic dramatic vocals provide a great contrast. This should've been a top 10. 14. Turn To You (30): And on the other side of the spectrum, this is a safe pop rocker from them. Nice cute vocals and basic melody, but pales in comparison with their biggest hits. 13. Mountains (33): The music behind it is interesting and all, but the melody is rough, especially in the chorus and post-chorus. Kind of a disappointing first listen 12. Gold (4): I've always LOVED their most popular singles. Vocals are strong, buttery, emotional, solid. The tender almost a-cappella intro works, as does the rest of the heavenly sophistipop production. I LOVE the percussions and the saxophones. Plus This brings back good childhood memories, too. By the way, I would've also ranked Only When You Leave very high.. 11. So Far Away (15): This was a minor hit back home, reaching the top 10 in our #2 pop station, after the huge success of both Money... and Walk... It was a personal top 20, as I liked the more classic rock melody and instrumental. However, my favorite ballad of them this era was undoubtedly Your Latest Trick. That saxoone and jazz/bossa nova style got me.
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craziaskowboi
2x Platinum Member
Joined: September 2015
Posts: 2,674
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Post by craziaskowboi on Aug 15, 2020 0:18:02 GMT -5
"Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" and "(How To Be A) Millionaire" are the bomb.
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craziaskowboi
2x Platinum Member
Joined: September 2015
Posts: 2,674
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Post by craziaskowboi on Aug 15, 2020 0:22:13 GMT -5
"Black Cars" is the bomb.
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Post by Doc Indie Party Rock on Aug 15, 2020 0:35:31 GMT -5
#10. Come Back and Stay - Paul YoungThis one , "Everytime You Go Away" and "Tear Your playhouse Down" are the only songs I recall from Paul. Had his 80's Sophisticated vibe down to the note. #9. White Horse - Laid BackThis song was trippy. It fell in the New Wave department, but also had a quite a bit of Funk to it. It was pretty simple with it's beats, but what it really needed was Morris Day on vocals to get that horse galloping. #8. Mirror Man - The Human LeagueThey went the Motown britpop route with this one. I didn't think it was the best sound for them, but Philip Oakey barritones can make "Old MCDonald had a Farm" sound stellar. i could never resist his vocals, and the song was one of their most catchy. #7. There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart) - EurythmicsI didn't recall this song too much. It was a good sounding first time listen that hasn't etched a place in my heart as a classic. I didn't really enjoy the backups . Idk if its just her vocals overlapped, but they didn't grab me. #6. Never as Good as the First Time - SadeI remember loving "Smooth Operator", but found the rest of her discography a bit too adult oriented for me. Even now they just don't hit that spot, but "Smooth Operator" always does. #5. Mothers Talk - Tears for FearsI like the stronger sound this song emits with the big arena percussion, the melody itself isn't the most easy flowing, but it's vocally epic. i think they sounded a bit more arena rock like with Duran Duran's "Wild Boys".4. No More Words - BerlinThere are certain 80's classics that just flow wonderfully with the melody. This is one of those songs. The percussion guides it along from one couplet to the next using the synth bridge for Terry's vocals. This one and Madonna's "Burning Up" have that same melodic fire in them. At this point we have a stellar top three. I would love my choice to win, but would also love seeing some Billy Idol Punk style or even a wonderful surprise from the underrated Real Life.3. Real Life - Send Me An ANgelThis song was top 3 on my personal charts. It always hooked me with that haunting synth Melody. The music video was another factor that interested me even more. Loved the medieval style and that took the song into a darkwave territory. This one also has a great outro with the percussion buildup. 2. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran I still can't believe this one didn't go top 5 on Billboard. MTV used to play this one all the time night and day. Another song with a synth chord progression buildup in the intro. Only this one takes you on that New Romantic synthpop ride. I always loved Simon LeBon's vocals as they filled the airwaves with a essence of wonderment. The third verse of this song has got to be one of Simon's best vocal deliveries ever. Pretty looking road I try to hold the rising floods that fill my skin Don't ask me why I'll keep my promise melt the ice And you wanted to dance so I asked you to dance But fear is in your soul Some people call it a one night stand but we can call it paradise
#1. White Wedding - Blly IdolLike I said anyone of these top 3 would have worked for me. "White Wedding" was always gonna be in my top 3 on this list. This song has a perfect marriage of Punk and Goth. Billy delivers the verses in a softer tone keeping you off guard as his vocals begin to peak stronger and stronger with every chorus. The music video is another iconic stamp in the 80's videography. rowellfarm490 Great rankdown. Loved this one because the early 80's sound that I loved New Wave finally got their day. mOst of these wee from 1982-84 which were the best years in music anyway. Looking forward to the next one.
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Post by Doc Indie Party Rock on Aug 15, 2020 0:37:46 GMT -5
I kind of figured that I'd miss this, and that's a shame, though I doubt I would have changed too much at the top. My top five would have been some combination of the actual top five, maybe with "White Horse" in there somewhere. I don't know what I would have made my #1, but I suspect it would have been "Mothers Milk", though "White Wedding" probably would have been my #2 or #3. It's undeniable. you might have had to wait another three years for that one.
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 15, 2020 8:42:49 GMT -5
I kind of figured that I'd miss this, and that's a shame, though I doubt I would have changed too much at the top. My top five would have been some combination of the actual top five, maybe with "White Horse" in there somewhere. I don't know what I would have made my #1, but I suspect it would have been "Mothers Milk", though "White Wedding" probably would have been my #2 or #3. It's undeniable. you might have had to wait another three years for that one. I feel like I was hit with a stupid ray yesterday.
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gonecountry
3x Platinum Member
Joined: February 2014
Posts: 3,410
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Post by gonecountry on Aug 15, 2020 14:19:25 GMT -5
Thanks rowellfarm490, another great rankdown. Not surprised by the winner. Loved White Wedding when it came out, over the years I've gravitated more towards Rebel Yell and Hot in the City as my two favorite singles. Happy to see Real Life make it to #3. As far as the last set of extras, Sisters is a great song (this is what a great duet sounds like, Annie and Aretha sound great together), How to Be is also one of my favorite ABC tunes, Do It For Love is pretty good, it hasn't aged as well as some of her other stuff. I think Sheena was at her best on the Strut and Lover in Me albums, she cooked on Lover in Me album.
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Juanca
Diamond Member
Enjoying work, family/personal life with partner and doggies, and music. I couldn't ask for more :)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,078
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Post by Juanca on Aug 16, 2020 0:24:03 GMT -5
10. Come Back and Stay (22): This is my favorite Paul Young alongside Everytime You Go Away. It was a top 10 hit in our #1 pop station and in my personal chart. It still sounds pretty good. I especially like its mysterious vibe and all the background vocals. Happy to see it top 10. 9. White Horse (50): I LOVE Elevator Day, and I like One Life. However, I never got this one. The beat is cool, but the rhythm and melody is quite repetitive and monotonous. Further, the lyrics are quite silly, including the bitch / rich repetition. The first time was funny, but the repetition took the fun out of it for me. Overall, I found this super cringe-worthy and almost a parody of a song. Quite disappointed that this made the top 10 when much better synthpop songs left outside the top 10. 8. Mirror Man (11): This had a very nice retro vibe, with the strong combination of vocals amongst all members, and strong melody in all parts of the song. Great to see this another Human League in the top 10 of an 80s RD 7. There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart) (1): :( :( Interestingly, this was practically a flop back home in 1985. I was barely able to listen to in radios, so it couldn't reach my personal chart. However, by the late 80s it started to receive more rotation in stations that started to include songs from earlier in the decade as part of their decade recaps. I rediscovered it and loved it. With time, it's become one of my favorite Eurythmics songs. Annie's vocals are superb, including the operatic parts, Stevie Wonder's harmonica is great, the melody and lyrics are so uplifting and feel-good that they've helped many times to overcome difficult moments in life. A unique 80s song that I'm glad it at least made the top 10. 6. Never as Good as the First Time (13): I ranked this at #5 in the Sade RD. This still sounds sophisticated, sexy, pop, with great vocals. Good to see it top 10. 5. Mother's Talk (33): This was an interesting discovery. The music and production is quite solid and stronger than the traditional T4F. I wasn't a big fan of the melody, though, especially the verses, but even the chorus was a bit too messy for my liking. 4. No More Words (16): YES! Happy to see this top 10. I loved seeing them live recently and enjoying this in person. Still sounds great and somewhat current. Strong melody, productions and vocals. 3. Send Me an Angel (3): I LOVED this in 1984 but even more in 1989 when it re-entered and re-peaked atop my personal chart. Love the nostalgic, mysterious vibe, the synthpop sound, the melody, and the vocals including those operatic background vocals that perfectly accompany the lyrics and sound. This is another song with great childhood memories, too.... and thanks to this RD I've done some Smule with it 2. Save a Prayer (6): Back in the Duran Duran RD I -coincidentally- ranked this at #6. It's a great classic ballad, with an exotic instrumental that makes it even more unique and stellar. Great vocals of course, and strong melody. A real 80s gem. Back home, we were much more into uptempo DD, so we can say this flopped. However, with time it's had some good recurrent airplay. 1. White Wedding (12): I'm a big Billy Idol fan. I was infatuated by his image and sound in 1984-85, and he managed to have 5 personal chart-toppers in that period of time, including this one. WW is a great song, too. The instrumental is the best part IMO, although the "Start again" is also a great hook. I had this in my top 10 for quite some time, but I ended up giving some extra support to songs I thought needed it a bit more -whcih ended up being true - in any case, this is a very good winner, and it'll alway be great to have Billy Idol win a Rankdown!
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Juanca
Diamond Member
Enjoying work, family/personal life with partner and doggies, and music. I couldn't ask for more :)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,078
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Post by Juanca on Aug 17, 2020 23:42:58 GMT -5
In terms of the extras: - I'm Goin' Down: This was Bruce's second biggest hit off this album back home, and made the top of my personal chart. This DITD, and GD are my favorites. - Soul Kiss: This was a nice tune, with as good vocals from ONJ as always, and a good, more mature melody and sound, but I also heard that her bombshell look and sexy video image were rejected and a big factor for this flopping :( - Take Me with U: I hadn't heard this in 1985, and now that I heard it, it doesn't do much for me... - Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves: This had minor rotation back home. Nice collaboration, with great mix of complementary vocals and styles. However, in terms of Eurythmics songs of this period, I preferred Sexcrime 1984 (a gem synthpop tune that made my personal top 5 in 1985) and Thorn in my Side (a song I discovered in the 90s and quickly loved). - Millionaire: This wasn't played back home. I heard it first when I bought their Absolutely compilation. I liked its more eclectic, strong synthpop sound with some doses of sophistipop and nice vocals. - Do It For Love: This wasn't played back home either. Nice, pleasant tune, with good production. I only heard this when I bought a compilation CD. I think it could've been a bigger hit, maybe even comparable to Sugar Walls. - A Criminal Mind: Nice discovery. Quite a dramatic tune, both in production and strong vocals. - Let It Go: Yeah! This was played a bit in our #1 pop station, and I liked it a lot, as it had a very nice Latin flavor and good vocals. It actually reached the top of my personal chart in 1986, but had little longevity --although that chorus stayed in my head until the early 00s when I managed to listen to it again thanks to the internet :) - Black Cars: Nice discovery. Good production and yeah rocker sound. Back home, Gino had a minor hit in 1985 (I assume the same era) with Hurts To Be In Love, still a ballad but with more edge than his earlier stuff Thanks, rowellfarm490 for another great 80s Rankdown!!
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