80s in the 90s: 1984

Continuing the look at whether 80s acts succeeded in the 90s here's a look at the 1984 debutants:

Madonna: This is possibly the easiest verdict I have to give. Madonna kicked of the 90s with a number 1, followed by 2 number 2s followed by 3 number 3s. That alone would make for a successful 90s in the charts. She went onto have 27 Top 40 hits that decade, more Top 40 hits than anyone else in the 90s and more Top 40 hits than she had in the 80s.

Verdict: Hit

Billy Idol: A name you would associate with the 80s as a solo artist. His biggest hits came in 1985 with "White Wedding" and "Rebel Yell" both reaching number 6. He clocked up 8 Top 40 hits in the 80s and then had a further 2 in the 90s, "Cradle Of Love" which made 34 in 1990 and "Shock To The System" which made number 30 in 1993. Not really enough to be considered a 90s act too.

Verdict: Miss

ZZ Top: The 90s Top 40 chart record of ZZ Top is almost identical in the 90s to the 80s. Both decades gave them 5 Top 40 hits of which 2 made the Top 20 and 1 made the Top 10. Their Top 10 hits both made number 10, "Gimme All Your Lovin" in the 80s and "Viva Las Vegas" in the 90s. On that basis I'd say they're just as much a 90s band as an 80s one.

Verdict: Hit

George Michael: It could be argued that out of all the people who have left a band and gone solo George Michael has had the most successful solo career from a UK chart perspective. He topped the charts with his first 3 singles and then in the 90s he managed 3 number ones in a row again and had a total of 4 that decade. He had a total of 16 Top 40 hits in the 90s and 11 of them made the Top 5.

Verdict: Hit

Feargal Sharkey: He only just makes the minimum criteria for this list, 4 Top 40 hits in the 80s and a solitary Top 40 hit in the 90s. His 90s Top 40 hit was "I've Got News For You" which made number 12 which was higher than 2 of his 80s hits. However the other 2 80s hits include the chart topper "A Good Heart". He also called it a day as a singer in 1991.

Verdict: Miss

Scritti Politti: Another act who only just makes the minimum criteria for this list. The sole Scritti Politti Top 40 hit in the 90s was "She's A Woman" and was the lowest charting one. It was a collaboration with Shabba Ranks and afterwards came a lengthy hiatus from frontman Green Gartside which last almost the rest of the decade.

Verdict: Miss

Alison Moyet: She only failed to make the Top 10 once from her 7 Top 40 hits of the 80s. In the 90s she failed to reach the Top 10 with either of her hits, "This House" made number 40 and "Whispering Your Name" made number 18.

Verdict: Miss

Cyndi Lauper: It may come as a surprise to hear Cyndi Lauper had more Top 40 hits in the 90s than the 80s. She only had 4 in the 80s, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", "Time After Time", "True Colors" and "I Drove All Night" which are all pretty well known. The same can't be said for her 7 90s hits with the biggest of these being "Hey Now (Girls Just Want To Have Fun)" which was a remake of her 80s hit and reached number 4. 4 of them charted outside the Top 30 whilst the other 2 failed to reach the Top 10. This is a difficult one but I'd say she just about gets a pass.

Verdict: Hit

Sade: The biggest Sade hit was her debut "Your Love Is King" which made number 6 and was her only Top 10. Her 2nd biggest hit was her only 90s Top 40 hit "No Ordinary Love" which made number 14. I'd say the lower charting 80s ones are better known and I wouldn't say this is enough to be considered a 90s chart act.

Verdict: Miss

Freddie Mercury: As a solo artist Freddie Mercury had 5 Top 40 hits in the 80s and 2 in the 90s. Both of his 90s ones came after he died, "In My Defence" was originally recorded in 1985 and "Living On My Own" was originally released as a single in 1985 but failed to make the Top 40. The latter gave Freddie Mercury his only solo number one. In theory a 90s number one should make you a 90s chart act. but given they were 80s records charting after his death in this case I don't think it does.

Verdict: Miss