Just sent you my list to throw into the mix.
Commencing where I left off. I've already covers a lot of songs on pop and we will run into some of these on Mainsream, so I'm only doing the rest of the songs that don't make the top 100's
The Style Council -
You're the Best ThingThis one sounds like sophisticated modern rock. Like
Simply Red or
Sade. It's ok for relaxing vibe. Needed to be more catchy to be full on Sophistipop.
Thompson Twins -
Sister of MercyI remember this one from my old Thompson Twins cassette. I bit more on the upbeat side. Has that Thompson Twins percussion soundtrack. Could have also been a
Howard Jones or
Peter Gabriel song. A nice song, but not on par with their bigger hits.
UB40 -
Riddle MeFirst time listen. Much better than the one we are ranking. Why couldn't UB40 sound more like this? The added claps percussion gave it more stimulation.
Ultravox -
Love's Great AdventureAmazing first time discovery. Loved the Hi-NRG beats in the background. Download/check.
XTC- This World OverParts of this sounds a bit like Tears For Fears, but I wasn't too enticed by the time the chorus came around.
XTC -
Wake UpThis one gave me
Red Hot Chili peppers vibes. Even his vocal delivery had that style. Not bad. I would say ahead of it's time, because the red Hot Chili peppers didn't even sound like this yet. Actually they kind of sucked.
Such a Shame -
Talk TalkCool jam. Another melody a late 80's Italo Disco song borrowed. You can hear it in the music in the chorus. Such a great melody. It's a shame it didn't make the list.
William, It Was Really Nothing -
The SmithsThis one was pretty good. I didn't know it til many years later on some Smiths greatest hits tape that fell my way. I can hear why these were not big pop hits. It's melodic but not what the 80's was about back then. This band should have held on to these songs until the 90's. These would have been all over the Alt charts, and might have saved us from Grunge in the process. ;)
"Weird Al" Yankovic -
Eat Itheheh silly as F U C K, but I liked this when it was out. I was just a little kid, and these Weird Al novelty hits were fun.
Berlin -
Dancing in BerlinThat synth beat is from another song. You could basically take any New Wave Synth pop song from the album and it would be a hit if radio picked it up. That's how amazing the 80's were. This was the New wave stuff I was into in the 80's. Big hair synth bands for pop, and big hair guitar bands for rock.
Corey Hart -
Sunglasses at NightHow high will I rank this on Mainstream Rock?
Corey Hart -
It Ain't EnoughThis was a top 5 hit on my personal charts. I remember hearing on
Casey Kasem and wanting to get the 45'. It's perfect 80's sophistipop for me. Perfect sophistipop always featured some brass. Not really meant for either of these charts, but I always wanted a chance to chart it on one of these RDs. It was #17 on pop.
Industry-
State of the Nation...and here comes that lost gem
Butterflies & Hurricanes warned me about. Another one I have on a old mix tape without a title. It has a lot of Spanish poprock sound of late 80's and througout 90's too. That synth beat and the "no place like home". No wonder I could never find it. I'm seriously thinking of giving this one the
Prefab Sprout treatment on my 2021 weekly charts since I never got a chance back then. Would have put this one in my top 10 just because it finally came home.
Laid Back -
White HorseAnother one I charted back then. I remember thinking this was like
Dazz Band or some other R&B funk style group ,and here I see a two white guys duo.
![](http://yoursmiles.org/ssmile/fun/s0244.gif)
I did dig the vocals. Almost like
Devo style. Not like Gerald, but in the same vain. Also such cool synth inserts. Even then that percussion sounded a bit too simple for me, but it worked in order for the rest of the song to stand out. Simple as a song can get ,but still hasn't lost its charm.
Naked Eyes -
(What) In the Name of LoveAnother one I charted. New Wave was taking a more synthpop approach, but still musically perfect in all it's aspects. Such a classy video. None of that religious, Illuminati symbolic crap in today's pop and rock mvs. Just a guy after a girl, and the guy always got the girl while the good music plays in the background.
Newcleus -
Computer Age (Push the Button)In a lot of ways the percussion here is the style of 80's Freestyle, which I really don't mind. What I hated always ,and forever was robotik sounding shit. I can count robot vocals songs I like on one hand missing two fingers. One would be "Freak-A Zoid" the other probably some Italo Disco song?
Newcleus -
Jam on ItI really hated this song back then. You either start to like this funky rap stuff at a young age or you just never will. That's my excuse. What's yours. Also WTF is this charting on Modern Rock?
Real Life -
Catch Me I'm Fallingback to another monster jam I charted.
#8 to be precise. This is the sound I liked so I searched for music like this. This was such a great song. This one had a strong
Flock of Seagulls "Space Age Love Song" feel to it. Spacey New Wave. Another classic from this style is
Q-Feel "Dancing In Heaven"Rockwell -
Somebody's Watching MeThis song is great....Great Halloween Pop vibe, but meant for pop. Not for this chart. I always loved the
Men At Work "Who Can It Be Now" paranoia themed lyrics.
Rubber Rodeo -
Anywhere With Youkinda sounds like our very own
Siouxsie. Anyway this is melodic fire. Never heard it, but I love it for the Modern Rock groove I dig on. it's melodic, fast, and rides on a cool bassline.
Run-DMC -
It's Like ThatI could pretty much let anyone guess what I think about this rapathonic noize
Scandal -
The WarriorHow high will I rank this one on Mainstream Rock?
The Nails -
88 Lines About 44 Womenhere is a song I have covered before. It's quircky, very melodic and a guilty pleasure. Music is kinda simple, but I still prefer the humming over "rattlesnake" hi-hats anyday. I love the idea of lyrics about different kinds of chicks. So which was your favorite? I like the sound of Vicky or Tanya, but honestly I'll take them all. Except Carla. I think he meant to say she was a tranny?
The Romantics One in a MillionAnd still one more of my favorite top 10 favorites of that year. This one reached
#7 on my raised on Pop weekly charts. I always felt this had a great bubblegum pop sound. Lkike 60's meets the 80's.
UB40 Cherry Oh BabyThis sounds more like the UB40 we know and love to tank.
Van Stephenson -
Modern Day DelilahHow ULTRA high will I rank this one on Mainstream?
Wang Chung - Don't Let GoThis is the Wang Chung I'm used to. Those edgy New Wave guitars ,catchy chorus, and with mystic melodies. and it's rides on a fast bpms too. This would be
U2 if they were prompt to sound more New Wave.
Wang Chung -
Don't Be My EnemyThis was a first time listen. They sound a bit like Wham on this one. Not the best sound for them, but I will still take it because of it's 80's pop sound. Brass and all.
Wham! -
Careless WhisperOne of the best pop songs ever by the best male pop voice ever. A beautiful drop dead gorgeous song that is perfect on every level and is epic from start to finish. Does it belong on this RD..... No ,and I'm glad we didn't have to rank it either.