In February of 1980 I turned 17. My mother threw me a birthday party to include my friends and family. I’ve got a great video of this event because it features my then friends John J., Willy, and John D. interacting with my brothers, my sister, stepfather Ray, my Aunt Therese, Uncle Charlie, and Busia, who would pass away several months later. It’s a rare blending of my worlds at the time.
So ... while putting together my 1981 list, I realized I never posted my 1980 list. So I come to this page and see that Frank has posted his list so now I know I'm really late. By the way Frank: very nice list!!!
Ok better late than never and never in any particular order
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
Hit Me with your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon
* This was the song that my class wanted for our prom theme but because of the line "I don't want to sleep, I just want to keep on loving you" the nuns (I had to go to a Catholic HS), vetoed the song. I've no idea what the stupid theme ended up being but it wasn't the song we all wanted
It's still rock n roll to me - Billy Joel
Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelburg
* This song still gets to me
Against The Wind - Bob Seger
* Another one that hits differently each year
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
* Although I probably didn't appreciate it in '80 as much as I did after getting a corporate job 😅
Out Here on My Own - Irene Cara
Watching The Wheels - John Lennon
I can't tell you why - The Eagles
Runners Up: Three Little Birds - Bob Marley, Games without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel, Wuthering Heights - Pat Benatar, Sequel - Harry Chapin, Lost in Love - Air Supply, Him - Rupert Holmes, Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground - Willie Nelson, I Made it Through The Rain - Barry Manilow
Good stuff Bernie! The REO song was definitely the song of senior year! Everyone loved it! I really liked all of these artists. Was it a great time for pop music or were we just in a highly impressionable and emotional time in our lives?
1980! Great year and amazing songs on this list. Listening now as I read my morning news :-) I also love seeing the “young Dan” at all those parties. You’ve talked about your stepdad and Busha many times. Pretty cool to see them in the videos.
Yes, I'm really enjoying revisiting all of these years both personally and musically! You can watch "young Dan" become "middle age" Dan and beyond....!
1980 music. The summer between junior and senior year. 16 and ready to conquer the world. Well, maybe not quite, but the musical soundtrack was good.
John Cougar (my brother's influence on that one), Bob Seger, Genesis (other brother for this one). Donna Summer. Christopher Cross. Air Supply. My best musical memory came out of the family vacation to Canada. Two weeks in a beach cottage on Lake Huron. The Kings 'Switchin' to Glide (This Beat Goes On) hadn't made American airwaves yet but was cranking up there. I was ECSTATIC when it hit the US (bonus - I was the only one who could sing along immediately). That same trip created a 'special' musical memory. I played summer softball through my church. We were in Canada when the team decided on names for the shirt backs. Blondie. To be fair, it fit. But imagine the many renditions of 'Call Me' I heard. Tough to swing a bat when your eyes are rolling and you're laughing.
Great memories! "Switchin' to Glide" was great, especially when paired with the other side of the single, "This Beat Goes On." All of the artists you mention were huge in 1980!
another great piece, Dan! I really like this one in particular as 1980 was a big year musically for me too. Also, the way you incorporate lyrics to reference your own personal life is so well done. I feel like writing a piece like that would take me a month and I’d have to work on it every single day. I don’t know how you crank out so many new pieces! Oh wait I do, your new one Substack so haven’t been burned out like I have!😊
Again, to have the actual artifact....amazing! We can all make a list of our fave '80s songs, but to have a hand-written list from the day....you know nothing was forgotten or left out! THOSE were your favorite songs (without having Google forgetting one, or our memories failing us in 2024)!
I was curious about who wrote "He's So Shy"....Tom Snow (a long list of hits, even by '80) started out as "She's So Shy," and was intended for Leo Sayer, for whom Snow had written several songs already. Richard Perry produced the Pointer Sisters album, and as Snow had just signed with Perry's publishing outfit, the producer liked the notion of switching the song's gender for the Pointers!
Snow's gathering up the courage to meet songwriting hero Cynthia Weil (who, with hubby, Barry Mann, has written tons of mega-hits, as you know) at an awards banquet, is fun to read (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He%27s_So_Shy). She was impressed enough with Snow's hit-making prowess to join with him to write "He's So Shy"!
As for memories of '80 for me: I recall Ambrosia's "One-Eighty" album (I think they had a hit or two from it), which I think the 'net says was released in April of that year, but, working in a record store, I seem to recall getting it in the store in January, which is how I figured they landed on the album's title! Oh, well!
I also remember Rupert Holmes (whom I've loved for decades, IN SPITE OF that insipid "Pina Colada Song"....if you knew his excellent other work, you'd agree)! Your mention of his "Him" is a great example of "his other work"....beautiful song! Mad props to you for your good taste!
He had such a way with unique chord changes and melodies! Which helped him write a Beatles pastiche in '74, called "I Don't Want to Hold Your Hand" (I don't think that's on the 'net anywhere, but I'll look)! Here it is! It took Rupert to put it up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlLA9asIP1k Amazing how evocative it is (recalling the Beatles), while also being wildly creative and original!
Rupert's '74 "Widescreen" album, in fact, got the attention of Babs, and the next year, she hired Rupert to produce (and write songs for...she even did a cover of his "Widescreen" song) her "Lazy Afternoon" album, one of my fave albums by her! She loved how (on his album) he was able to produce music that was as expansive aurally as a movie was visually!
Thanks, Steve! Far too many people think all Rupert is is that "Escape" song! He's a wonderfully talented composer (he's scored stage musicals), arranger, producer, and more! You saw Dan mention "Him," and even if you've heard it, it's cool to see him perform it (although, he's synching here): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WbQ5GCo6m0
Again, the cool and unexpected chord changes! I used to love singing this at karaoke a decade ago! By the way, he's originally a Goldstein from England!
Rupert also wrote the infamous "Timothy," about a mining disaster where poor Tim was.....well, dinner. The Buoys recorded the song in 1970, and as the band had no proviso in their Scepter Records contract that stipulated the label would lift a proverbial finger to promote it, Rupert wrote a song that would guarantee its being banned....think of the resultant publicity! Brilliant way to think about crafting a song that would guarantee what the label couldn't! Bon apetit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqDu5LBT8_Y
Here's his complete 1976 album, "Singles," on Epic/CBS Records. I had it, and loved it:
Aaah! It's rare to find a person who knows about Timothy! Heard about it years ago on a Chicago station radio show (WLUP/Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots). For some reason the story stuck with me.
Adding to the Rupert Holmes stories, he has written a few novels. The latest of which is "How to Murder Your Employer". I enjoyed it but am slightly concerned about what Google thought about that search topic! 😉
It's even rarer, Bernadine, to find a person who knows about Rupert.....beyond anything having to do with tropical drinks! I've, happily, been on him since about '74, and his first Epic album. An easy follow to the next year when Babs tapped him to produce her "Lazy Afternoon" LP! I discovered "Timothy" long after that, as I retraced his beginnings (Rupert, that is), probably sometime in the '80s! With no internet, but with urban legends (and people I'd meet who'd tell me they heard it on their hometown stations), the rock press of the day helped fill in some blanks!
I was 16 in '71, and no Houston AM radio station, to my knowledge, was playing it! And, your Chicago mention makes it seem like Stroud was reaching back into the time capsule, too. It's hard to find people (there are some on YT comment sections) who actually heard the song, in real time, back in the day!
As for his novels, that would be one of a couple dozen questions I'd love to ask him! Thanks, Bernadine!
So just quickly did a Google search. Apparently, Timothy was included on Stroud’s Rock and Roll Roots volume 4 release. He compiled a cd every year and released them with proceeds going to a charity.
Cool...thanks for that. I'm still fascinated how Rupert was so shrewd (at 23!) in creating a song he knew would bring about a furor, even if he wasn't guaranteed THAT might make it equal airplay!
It's funny to think of "He's So Shy" as "She's So Shy." Just trying to say it feels like a major tongue twister!
I do remember Ambrosia's album. My brother had it. While listening to 1980 this week, "You're the Only Woman" came up a couple of times. Really good tune.
Yeah, Rupert got a bum rap for "Escape." While it was a catchy song, he did write so many others that are worth exploring.
So ... while putting together my 1981 list, I realized I never posted my 1980 list. So I come to this page and see that Frank has posted his list so now I know I'm really late. By the way Frank: very nice list!!!
Ok better late than never and never in any particular order
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
Hit Me with your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon
* This was the song that my class wanted for our prom theme but because of the line "I don't want to sleep, I just want to keep on loving you" the nuns (I had to go to a Catholic HS), vetoed the song. I've no idea what the stupid theme ended up being but it wasn't the song we all wanted
It's still rock n roll to me - Billy Joel
Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelburg
* This song still gets to me
Against The Wind - Bob Seger
* Another one that hits differently each year
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
* Although I probably didn't appreciate it in '80 as much as I did after getting a corporate job 😅
Out Here on My Own - Irene Cara
Watching The Wheels - John Lennon
I can't tell you why - The Eagles
Runners Up: Three Little Birds - Bob Marley, Games without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel, Wuthering Heights - Pat Benatar, Sequel - Harry Chapin, Lost in Love - Air Supply, Him - Rupert Holmes, Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground - Willie Nelson, I Made it Through The Rain - Barry Manilow
Good stuff Bernie! The REO song was definitely the song of senior year! Everyone loved it! I really liked all of these artists. Was it a great time for pop music or were we just in a highly impressionable and emotional time in our lives?
Here are my Top 10 of 1980 in no particular order
Do Right - Paul Davis
Biggest Part of Me - Ambrosia
Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
Wondering Where the Lions Are - Bruce Cockburn
Shining Star - Manhattans
More Love - Kim Carnes
Jojo - Boz Skaggs
Real Love -Doobie Brothers
Guilty - Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibbons
Suddenly Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard
Also big for me that year:
Funkytown-Lipps Inc,
Twilight Zone/Tone-Manhattan Transfer,
Xanadu-Olivia Newton-John,
That Girl Could Sing-Jackson Browne,
Passion-Rod Stewart,
Hey 19-Steely Dan,
I Need Your Lovin’-Teena Marie,
Another One Bites the Dust-Queen
Cars-Gary Numan
I Can’t Tell You Why-Eagles
Too Hot-Kool and the Gang,
I Can’t Tell You Why-Eagles
On the Radio-Donna Summer
Ooh! Wondering Where the Lions Are is a great song! Now I feel like I should have included Too Hot on MY runners up list.
You can always add an addendum. I’m sure I will in the future.
Those are good songs too!
Nice list! I thought "Xanadu" would be your number one!
1980! Great year and amazing songs on this list. Listening now as I read my morning news :-) I also love seeing the “young Dan” at all those parties. You’ve talked about your stepdad and Busha many times. Pretty cool to see them in the videos.
Yes, I'm really enjoying revisiting all of these years both personally and musically! You can watch "young Dan" become "middle age" Dan and beyond....!
1980 music. The summer between junior and senior year. 16 and ready to conquer the world. Well, maybe not quite, but the musical soundtrack was good.
John Cougar (my brother's influence on that one), Bob Seger, Genesis (other brother for this one). Donna Summer. Christopher Cross. Air Supply. My best musical memory came out of the family vacation to Canada. Two weeks in a beach cottage on Lake Huron. The Kings 'Switchin' to Glide (This Beat Goes On) hadn't made American airwaves yet but was cranking up there. I was ECSTATIC when it hit the US (bonus - I was the only one who could sing along immediately). That same trip created a 'special' musical memory. I played summer softball through my church. We were in Canada when the team decided on names for the shirt backs. Blondie. To be fair, it fit. But imagine the many renditions of 'Call Me' I heard. Tough to swing a bat when your eyes are rolling and you're laughing.
Great memories! "Switchin' to Glide" was great, especially when paired with the other side of the single, "This Beat Goes On." All of the artists you mention were huge in 1980!
another great piece, Dan! I really like this one in particular as 1980 was a big year musically for me too. Also, the way you incorporate lyrics to reference your own personal life is so well done. I feel like writing a piece like that would take me a month and I’d have to work on it every single day. I don’t know how you crank out so many new pieces! Oh wait I do, your new one Substack so haven’t been burned out like I have!😊
Ha! Well, I actually started writing these several years ago. I edit and refine each one before I post it.
Again, to have the actual artifact....amazing! We can all make a list of our fave '80s songs, but to have a hand-written list from the day....you know nothing was forgotten or left out! THOSE were your favorite songs (without having Google forgetting one, or our memories failing us in 2024)!
I was curious about who wrote "He's So Shy"....Tom Snow (a long list of hits, even by '80) started out as "She's So Shy," and was intended for Leo Sayer, for whom Snow had written several songs already. Richard Perry produced the Pointer Sisters album, and as Snow had just signed with Perry's publishing outfit, the producer liked the notion of switching the song's gender for the Pointers!
Snow's gathering up the courage to meet songwriting hero Cynthia Weil (who, with hubby, Barry Mann, has written tons of mega-hits, as you know) at an awards banquet, is fun to read (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He%27s_So_Shy). She was impressed enough with Snow's hit-making prowess to join with him to write "He's So Shy"!
As for memories of '80 for me: I recall Ambrosia's "One-Eighty" album (I think they had a hit or two from it), which I think the 'net says was released in April of that year, but, working in a record store, I seem to recall getting it in the store in January, which is how I figured they landed on the album's title! Oh, well!
I also remember Rupert Holmes (whom I've loved for decades, IN SPITE OF that insipid "Pina Colada Song"....if you knew his excellent other work, you'd agree)! Your mention of his "Him" is a great example of "his other work"....beautiful song! Mad props to you for your good taste!
He had such a way with unique chord changes and melodies! Which helped him write a Beatles pastiche in '74, called "I Don't Want to Hold Your Hand" (I don't think that's on the 'net anywhere, but I'll look)! Here it is! It took Rupert to put it up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlLA9asIP1k Amazing how evocative it is (recalling the Beatles), while also being wildly creative and original!
Rupert's '74 "Widescreen" album, in fact, got the attention of Babs, and the next year, she hired Rupert to produce (and write songs for...she even did a cover of his "Widescreen" song) her "Lazy Afternoon" album, one of my fave albums by her! She loved how (on his album) he was able to produce music that was as expansive aurally as a movie was visually!
Thanks again, Dan!
Great tune, Brad! I never had heard that before I like how it references several Beatles songs yet really seems like it’s own song completely.
Thanks, Steve! Far too many people think all Rupert is is that "Escape" song! He's a wonderfully talented composer (he's scored stage musicals), arranger, producer, and more! You saw Dan mention "Him," and even if you've heard it, it's cool to see him perform it (although, he's synching here): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WbQ5GCo6m0
Again, the cool and unexpected chord changes! I used to love singing this at karaoke a decade ago! By the way, he's originally a Goldstein from England!
Rupert also wrote the infamous "Timothy," about a mining disaster where poor Tim was.....well, dinner. The Buoys recorded the song in 1970, and as the band had no proviso in their Scepter Records contract that stipulated the label would lift a proverbial finger to promote it, Rupert wrote a song that would guarantee its being banned....think of the resultant publicity! Brilliant way to think about crafting a song that would guarantee what the label couldn't! Bon apetit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqDu5LBT8_Y
Here's his complete 1976 album, "Singles," on Epic/CBS Records. I had it, and loved it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le4N7JU9xjM See whatcha think!
Aaah! It's rare to find a person who knows about Timothy! Heard about it years ago on a Chicago station radio show (WLUP/Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots). For some reason the story stuck with me.
Adding to the Rupert Holmes stories, he has written a few novels. The latest of which is "How to Murder Your Employer". I enjoyed it but am slightly concerned about what Google thought about that search topic! 😉
It's even rarer, Bernadine, to find a person who knows about Rupert.....beyond anything having to do with tropical drinks! I've, happily, been on him since about '74, and his first Epic album. An easy follow to the next year when Babs tapped him to produce her "Lazy Afternoon" LP! I discovered "Timothy" long after that, as I retraced his beginnings (Rupert, that is), probably sometime in the '80s! With no internet, but with urban legends (and people I'd meet who'd tell me they heard it on their hometown stations), the rock press of the day helped fill in some blanks!
I was 16 in '71, and no Houston AM radio station, to my knowledge, was playing it! And, your Chicago mention makes it seem like Stroud was reaching back into the time capsule, too. It's hard to find people (there are some on YT comment sections) who actually heard the song, in real time, back in the day!
As for his novels, that would be one of a couple dozen questions I'd love to ask him! Thanks, Bernadine!
So just quickly did a Google search. Apparently, Timothy was included on Stroud’s Rock and Roll Roots volume 4 release. He compiled a cd every year and released them with proceeds going to a charity.
https://www.discogs.com/release/15202983-Bob-Stroud-Rock-n-Roll-Roots-Volume-Four
Cool...thanks for that. I'm still fascinated how Rupert was so shrewd (at 23!) in creating a song he knew would bring about a furor, even if he wasn't guaranteed THAT might make it equal airplay!
It's funny to think of "He's So Shy" as "She's So Shy." Just trying to say it feels like a major tongue twister!
I do remember Ambrosia's album. My brother had it. While listening to 1980 this week, "You're the Only Woman" came up a couple of times. Really good tune.
Yeah, Rupert got a bum rap for "Escape." While it was a catchy song, he did write so many others that are worth exploring.
Thanks again for reading Brad!