#80s

80s Song of the Day: Tell It to My Heart by Taylor Dayne

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Tell It to My Heart by Taylor Dayne was released November 6, 1987, with an instrumental version of the song as the B side. It was Dayne’s debut single from her debut album of the same name.

The song took off unexpectedly upon its release, forcing Dayne to complete her album in six weeks. In the United States, the single spent 26 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 7. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 3.

In 1988, Dayne was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal, Female for the song.

 

80s Song of the Day: You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive

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You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive was released November 5, 1984, with Misty Circles as the B side. It was a single from the band’s album Youthquake.

The song was a No. 1 hit in the United Kingdom. It the United States, it reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Dead or Alive vocalist and songwriter Pete Burns, who sadly passed away on October 23 of this year at the age of 57, discussed the writing of You Spin Me Round is his 2007 autobiography Freak Unique, citing Luther Vandross as one of the song’s inspirations: Continue reading →

80s Song of the Day: Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon

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Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon was released November 4, 1980, with Follow My Heart as the B side. It was a single from the band’s ninth studio album Hi Infidelity.

The song was the first REO Speedwagon single to break the Top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, shooting all the way up to the No. 1 spot. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.

The music video for Keep on Loving You was the 17th video played on the first day of MTV’s broadcast, on August 1, 1981.

(And yes, you very well may be belting out this song throughout the rest of the day – in the shower, the car, the break room at work.)

80s Song of the Day: Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order

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Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order was released on November 3, 1986, with Bizarre Dub Triangle (a shorter mix of the song) as the B side. It was a single from the band’s fourth studio album Brotherhood.

The song reached No. 5 on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart and No. 56 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1995, a new mix of the song, included on The Best of New Order album, cracked the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 98.

For more about Bizarre Love Triangle, read my previous post about the song.

80s Song of the Day: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police

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Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police was released on November 2, 1981, with Flexible Strategies as the B side. The song was a single from the band’s fourth studio album Ghost in the Machine, although it dates back to a demo recorded in 1977.

The song was a No. 1 hit in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Continue reading →

80s Song of the Day: Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

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Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi was released on October 31, 1986, with Wild in the Streets as the B side. It was the second single from the band’s multi-platinum album Slippery When Wet.

The song – about a fictional working class couple, Tommy and Gina – spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and two weeks at No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.  Continue reading →

80s Song of the Day: Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

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Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen was released on October 30, 1984, with Shut Out the Light as the B side. A single from the album of the same name, the song discussed the effects of the Vietnam War on Americans and the treatment of Vietnam veterans upon their return home.

The song peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the third of seven Top 10 singles released from the Born in the U.S.A. album. The album ties Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 for the most Top 10 singles from one album.

 

80s Song of the Day: The Boys of Summer by Don Henley

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The Boys of Summer by Don Henley was released on October 29, 1984, with A Month of Sundays as the B side. It was the first single from Henley’s album Building the Perfect Beast.

The song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.

Henley won a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song.

80s Song of the Day: Private Dancer by Tina Turner

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Private Dancer by Tina Turner was released on October 28, 1984, with Keep Your Hands Off My Baby as the B side. It was the fifth single from Turner’s album of the same name.

The song was written by Dire Straits’ lead singer Mark Knopfler for the band’s album Love Over Gold. The track was cut from the album when Knopfler decided the vocals were not suitable for a male to sing. Dire Straits remade the track for Turner, with Jeff Beck replacing Knopfler on lead guitar. Continue reading →