I think the best word to describe this batch of records generally speaking is funky.
Lets begin with the top record which is "My Love Is Waiting" by Marvin Gaye. A lot is said about his big 80s comeback with "Sexual Healing", a great record by the way. This follow up barely gets acknowledged but is one of the best things he's done and showed not all former Motown artists were past their best.
There were 2 more former Motown artists entering the charts this month. Former Miracles member Billy Griffin had his only solo hit with "Hold Me Tighter In The Rain" which is a decent effort. Michael Jackson had one of his biggest hits with "Billie Jean" which isn't bad but I've heard it far too many times in my life.
In 2nd place is "Down Under" by Men Of Work, a record I've also heard many times but I never tire of it. In 3rd we have the largely forgotten "European Female" by The Stranglers where they're again illustrating they can do other things besides punk.
Prince made his Top 40 debut with "1999" which had little impact on the charts this time but would find greater success when it was reissued 2 years later. It's a surprise really because it fits in well with other records around this time.
Joe Jackson had his final hit with "Steppin Out" which sees him moving in a synth pop direction and works really well. Speaking of which we have debuts from China Crisis with "Christian" and The Thompson Twins with "Love On Your Side", both showing the good side of synth pop.
The same can't be said for fellow synth pop debutants Kajagoogoo with "Too Shy". This to me is the cheesy jump on the bandwagon style of synth pop but you're probably more likely to hear it at an 80s night than the other synth pop records mentioned.
Wham! were on their 2nd Top 40 hit with "Wham Rap" which is their attempt at a rap record. They bucked the normal trend of having their big hits later on in their existence rather than this beginning and I don't think this one is fondly remembered by many.
Haysi Fantayzee were what Jeremy Healy did before he became a big name DJ. Their 2nd and final hit was "Shiny Shiny" and I find it cheesy and crap. A bit like his DJing really.
"Africa" by Toto is a very marmite record and I'm one of those who hates it. It's always bugged me. Likewise "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" is another thing that bugs me, I find it very cringeworthy.
The worst record though is "Sign Of The Times" by The Belle Stars. It was the biggest hit for them and I find it really irritating. It also proves there were shit girl groups before the Spice Girls.
One thing I've found with a few years now is that the first week is great and it almost looks like it could be the best year, but then the quality starts to decline in subsequent weeks. This was one of those years, but it still finds itself near the top of the leaderboard for now.
Score: 49
No comments:
Post a Comment