The inclusion of “Hungry Heart” on this list gave me a little bit of internal tumult. By adding it, was I trying to puff up my Springsteen bona fides? Or my rock bona fides? Was my intention to include it based on the nostalgia of it being the first Springsteen song I was aware of?… Read More “Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen (1980)
I posted a birthday tribute to Pat Benatar a week or so ago, and one of my Instagram friends left a comment which I think perfectly sums up Pat’s appeal: My broken record phrase for her always is “She kicks your ass with just the sound of her voice and the look in her eyes.”… Read More “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar (1980)
Donald Fagen is kind of a dirty old man…and, truthfully, some of his best songs are the ones in which he gets to play (at least I hope he’s playing) a lecherous, kinda creepy dude. There’s nothing creepy about “Hey Nineteen” in and of itself, unless you consider a fella dating someone half his age… Read More “Hey Nineteen” by Steely Dan (1981)
“Heartbreak Hotel” is not one of the better known Jacksons songs, but it’s one of the songs that points the clearest path to places Michael would go during his solo career. It was the first Jacksons song that was composed by MJ alone, it kicks off his love affair with gothic imagery, and it was… Read More “Heartbreak Hotel” by The Jacksons (1980)
I’m attempting to think of a creative way to discuss Prince’s “Head”, and it might be the fact that I’m a bit under the weather, but the only way I think I can explain it is just to talk about its, uh, plot. Prince is chillin’, as one does, when he passes a young lady… Read More “Head” by Prince (1980)
Most of Diana’s albums are a patchwork quilt of writers and producers, and as such tend to be pretty inconsistent. One reason 1980’s diana is considered to be a classic is because it’s the work of one production team-Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The men behind the band Chic were near the top of their… Read More “Have Fun (Again)” by Diana Ross (1980)
Jimmy Cliff originally wrote and sang “The Harder They Come” as the theme song for the movie of the same name, in which he starred. The Harder They Come, the song, album and film, are widely credited with familiarizing non-Jamaican music fans with reggae. I’ve been familiar with the song my whole life; partially because… Read More “The Harder They Come” by The Joe Jackson Band (1980)
Two things you can do to get a five star rating from me, no further questions asked. Write a song about and dedicated to the memory of the civil rights movement’s most powerful and beloved leader, and make it part of your life’s work to get his birthday recognized as a national holiday (and succeed!)… Read More “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder (1980)
I try to live my life in a way that’s fairly transparent and unapologetic. But there are definitely still occasions during which I am embarrassed or afraid to admit certain things. Which puts me here, where I feel like I have to defend the fact that I like-nay-love a Barbra Streisand song. I could very… Read More “Guilty” by Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb (1980)
“The Glow Of Love” was a turning point in Luther Vandross’s ascension to superstar status. It wasn’t a pop hit, but its influence has been felt in clubland (beyond the fact that it was part of a triumvirate of songs that ruled Billboard‘s Dance/Disco list for over two months) and on Black radio for decades… Read More “The Glow Of Love” by Change (1980)
Five Star Jamz 