Your 'Top 20' 80's Christmas Songs List!

Ho Ho Ho 80's fans...so I have been saying since Halloween that I was going to also make an 80's Christmas-songs list for your various Christmas parties. This list (like the Halloween list) is really just the starter for the dough so to speak, so add many more of your own, but keep these in mind too! So, without further ado, here is my top 20 80's Christmas Songs list (and in no particular order):

1.) Last Christmas by Wham! (1984) (claro!)

2.) Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You by Billy Squier (my personal favorite) (1981)

3.) Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC (1987) 

4.) Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) by The Ramones (1989)

5.) Jingle Bell Rock by Daryl Hall & John Oates (1983)

6.) Christmas Time by Bryan Adams (1985) 

7.) Mistress for Christmas by ACDC (1989)

8.) I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas by Bon Jovi (1987)

9.) Thank God It's Christmas by Queen (1984)

10.) Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses (1981)

11.) Christmas Vacation by Mavis Staples (1989) (from the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Soundtrack)

12.) Another Rock n' Roll Christmas by Gary Glitter (1984)

13.) Fairytale of New York by The Pogues (1987)

14.) Merry Christmas Baby by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (1987)

15.) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2 (1987) 

16.) Run Rudolph Run by Bryan Adams (1987)

17.) Another Lonely Christmas by Prince & the Revolution (1984)

18.) 2000 Miles by the Pretenders (1987)

19.) Last Night I Saw Santa Claus by New Kids on the Block (1989) 

20.) Santa Baby by Madonna (1987)

-Well that about wraps up my Top 20 80's Christmas songs! If you feel that you need more for your party there is always the The Jackson Five Christmas Album, although it was released in 1970, so doesn't apply to this blog.  Also, there is a longer list I found at another website HERE. Happy Holidays Everybody!! (original post found at http://your80smusicauthority.blogspot.com/)
 

 

#41 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown: "Never Let Me Down Again" by Depeche Mode (1987)

Bonjour!! Here we are again, and #41 of the countdown is...Never Let Me Down Again, by some true English synth-electronica gods..Depeche Mode. Depeche Mode (meaning 'hurried fashion' or 'fashion dispatch' in French) started out in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, UK, and presently consists of members David Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, and chief songwriter after 1981), and Andrew Fletcher (keyboards). Depeche Mode originally began when Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher started a band by the name of No Romance In China, and a few others, then in 1980 the original band members that formed Depeche Mode would end up being Dave Gahan, Martin Gore,  Andrew Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. Vince Clarke left the band in 1981 following the release of their debut Speak & Spell album, and he was replaced by Alan Wilder who stayed with the band up until 1995 when he also left leaving the remaining trio what it is today. Depeche Mode are considered one of the most successful (if not the most) electronic band in music history as they have generated #1 albums in the UK, US, and Europe as well as charting 48 of their tracks on the UK Singles Chart. According to EMI they have sold over 100 million albums and singles worldwide, and apparently Q Magazine named them "the most popular electronic band the world has ever known." Now I originally was going to place their single "Enjoy the Silence" at #41, but then I realized that it was actually released in March of 1990 (recorded in 1989) making it just out of reach of being an 80's release, so maybe when I make a 90's countdown in the future and on a different blog I could include Enjoy the Silence, and just because its not 80's doesn't mean its not a great track!! Now, as for Never Let Me Down Again, it was first released on Depeche Mode's 6th studio album in 1987 titled Music for the Masses. It would peak at #22 in the UK, #2 in West Germany, and become a top 10 hit in various other European countries. Now, when listening to the lyrics one will find that the song is clearly about drug-use and the endless search for that fleeting high, only to be inevitably 'let down again.' Well, there it is peeps, #41, and this countdown seems to be a fluid entity, but as they say.. thems the breaks. Now the video is a live version, because once again youtube doesn't have an embeddable recorded version of the song so this is what we have to put up with.

#46 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Robert Palmer: Addicted to Love (1986)

At #46 we have....Addicted to Love by English Grammy Award winning singer/song-writer Robert Palmer. Robert Palmer was born on January 19th, 1949 in Batley, Yorkshire, England. Palmer was well-known for his solo-work and music videos (such as for this song) and another for the song Simply Irresistable, both of which feature identically dressed models with pale faces, dark eye, makeup and bright red lipstick, which was meant as a sort of tribute to the women in the art of artist Patrick Nagel, who was quite big in the 1980's as well. He was also well-known, at that time, for being the lead singer of 80's super-group 'Power Station,' which generated 2 Top 10 US Singles in 1985. Addicted to Love was released in 1986 on Palmer's Riptide album and it peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. According to wikipedia, this song was originally intended to be a duet between Palmer and Chaka Khan, but Chaka Khan's record label wouldn't give her permission to work on Palmer's record label, and thus it became a solo-song, but still good all the same. The images this song brings back is that scene from the classic 1988 movie Cocktail where Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown are blasting this song in the crowded bar whilst flare bar-tending, was totally rad!

VJ Samsonite's Top 15 80's Songs for Your Halloween Party! : 80's Halloween Songs (must plays for your Halloween Party!)

Oi! We will get back down to the Top 100 Countdown shortly, but first I have had a few people as me about what music they might play at their upcoming Halloween Parties, and I have also been working on a lengthy play-list of mine own which consists of music from many decades and genres (not just 80's). But seeing that this is 'Your 80's Music Authority' I had felt it my duty to enlist a Top 15 80's Halloween Songs To Play at Your Party in list format. And so, Without any further ado.....






1.) "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (1983) (note: This one is a must! Its a true 80's Halloween staple-song, and if your Halloween party doesn't play it, then it ain't a Halloween party at all!)
2.) "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell (1984)
3.) "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo (1985)
4.) "Peek-A-Boo" by Siouxsie & the Banshees (1988)
5.) "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. (1984)
6.) "Dead Souls" by Joy Division (1980)
7.) "Weird Science" by Oingo Boingo (1985)
8.) "Lost in the Shadows" by Lou Gramm (1987)
9.) "Bad Ghostbusters" by Michael Jackson & Ray Parker Jr. (1987) (note: it seems arduous to locate a high quality version of this song?)
10.) "Sweet Dreams (Dance Remix or Original Mix)" by Eurythmics (1983)
11.) "I Got You" by Split Endz (1980)
12.) "Sex Dwarf" by Soft Cell (1981)
13.) "Living on a Video" by Trans X (1981)
14.) "Shout at the Devil" by Motley Crue (1983)
15.) "People are Strange" by Echo & The Bunnymen (1987)

Well that's a start anyways, I could keep going and going but I think I have given you all a good starter-list to warm up your Halloween Parties. Cheers everyone, I Hope this helps ring in All-Hallows Even 2010, and perhaps even some future ones too.

***I just want to note here that I will be posting a Top 20 (or so) 80's Christmas Songs in December, so stay tuned***

**This very same post and more 80's posts can be found at my other Vlog here**

#67 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown: Billy Idol: White Wedding (1982)

And were back to the 80's, the countdown that is...and here at #67 we have White Wedding, by Brit post-punk rocker and legend Billy Idol. Idol's real name is William Michael Albert Broad, and he was born on November 30th, 1955 in Stanmore, Middlesex, England, which makes the Brit rocker 54 this year! Idol bounced around a bit in his earlier years, and in fact was first a member of the punk-rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1976, but before they were actually called Siouxsie and the Banshees. In 1977 he moved on to join Chelsea, and then with bandmate Tony James he quit and co-founded the band Generation X, at which point he switched from guitar to lead vocals. In 1981 Idol moved to New York and started up his successful solo career. White Wedding, which comes in on this countdown at #67, was released on his first full-length studio album in July of 1982 following the successful earlier release of the hit single "Hot in the City." "White Wedding" reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release, and reached #6 in the UK. Now don't be surprised if Billy Idol appears a few more times on down the countdown as he is one of top 80's artists of all time...its a nice to....start agaaaaaiinnnnn....

#71 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

We're Baaackk!! And now to present to you #71 of the TOP 100 80'S DANCE HITS COUNTDOWN (by yours truly) is the song. Now, some of these artists are already repeating and I haven't even reached down to #50 yet, so just know that I am basing these rankings on the songs, not the artists, and as you all know its done in a very professional and accurate manner with crazy mathematical formuli and....not really. So, the song is.... Point of No Return, by American duo (and married couple) Nu Shooz. Now, I know what your thinking, didn't Exposé do the hit 80's song called Point of No Return, and my answer for you is yes they did. However, Portland Oregon based 80's wonder Nu Shooz made a great dance hit by the same name which received much acclaim. Now, you may be disappointed by this, and I am not making any promises, but the Exposé song may appear on this countdown later on, unless it doesn't. So who knows...all we know for now is that #71 is the Nu Shooz, Point of No Return. As I mentioned on the previous post, which came in at #83, this hit came off of their 1986 album release titled Poolside. I encourage you to look to that previous post for more info on the band and such. Enjoy your Nu Shooz.

#74 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Now we are getting down to it, we've past the first 25 of the countdown, and now on down to the final 74! Speaking of, number 74 is...Say This to Me, by Canadian new wave band NEO a4. What's that you say...never heard of the song or the band??? Don't feel alone, because you aren't. I first discovered  NEO a4 whilst watching Friday the 13th part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. The version of the song I am including on the list is actually the 12" version too, so take note of that. NEO a4 came out of Edmonton, Alberta Canada in 1981 and the members were Ric Johnston, John Tidswell, Joel Anderson. Later, Doug Radford. They lasted as a group until 1989 when they disbanded. If you look on Itunes you will find those albums and this song. I have rated this song on the countdown as I have found them to be a very good and very unrecognized band, with a similar sound to Duran Duran, or the Thompson Twins, some kind of hybrid of groups, and I highly recommend checking out their self-titled album on Itunes, which is the only place I have been able to find it. Youtube has one of their songs, but not this one, and no one else seems to have it available either so their is no video for this, sorry folks, you'll have to go here to listen to it. In fact this may be the only song on the whole Top 100 Countdown that will be unavailable to watch on youtube, but I suppose there had to be at least one. Enjoy!

The Hard Way
If It Was You
Desire/Instr.

  

#75 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Here we are again folks, now presenting #75 of the Countdown, and the song is...Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me), by British singer/songwriter Rod Stewart. Rod Stewart comes out of England, and is of English and Scottish decent. Stewart was born in London way back in 1945 at the close of WWII, and he started his music career with the Jeff Beck Group in the late 1960's and early 1970's. In 1969 he also officially began a solo career with his first debut album. Stewart has had something like 62 hit singles over the 5 decades of his music career and he was voted the 33rd Greatest Singer of All Time by Q Magazine. Stewart has a memorable voice and has always had a memorable hairstyle. Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me) is a song that came into my awareness not all that long ago, but it was the title track for his 1981 album of the same name. The album and the song were some of the first of Stewart's where he began adding some synth-pop and an 80's New Wave flavor to his sound which so defined his 80's musical style, and was different from his previous work for sure. Tonight I'm Yours reached #11 on the US Pop Albums Chart, and ended up going platinum. The album generated 5 big singles, and incidentally the biggest hit single from that album was Young Turks which reached #5 on the Pop Singles and Mainstream Rock Charts. Well, enough data, now for the song, enjoy yourself some Rod the Bod!
Rod Steward - Tonight I`m yours - MyVideo

#77 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back everybody! I am here today to present #77 of the Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown. You know, I keep coming across songs that I forgot about or that I haven't heard in awhile thinking that I should have made this countdown an even Top 200 or something, but I suppose I can just post my own professional recommendations following the countdown, and in the meantime lets just get on with it!! Ok, so number 77 is....Burning Up, by the Queen of Pop herself Madonna! Now like I mentioned in the (#80) MJ post Madonna, Prince, and MJ all turned 50 last year, making them all 51 this year of 2010. The Queen of Pop was born on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, and it was back in 1977 when she moved to the Big Apple to pursue a career in modern dance, which inevitably led her to the music business and the amazingly prolific success she has had there over the past 31 years or so. Madonna has sold over 250 millions records over the years and is considered the best-selling female artist of the 20th century (according to wikipedia). She has also graced the silver-screen winning both a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar in 1996 for her starring role as Eva Perón in the 1996 movie Evita. There could be entire books written about the controversies, implications, and details of Madonna's life, career, and impact on global culture; in fact as the Queen of Pop she has no doubt been one of the most influential female icons in the past 30 years. Go buy a book or look her up elsewhere if you want more than what I've said here. Burning up was the 3rd track on Madonna's first studio-released and self-titled album. It was a not a big hit relative to her various other hits, I mean seriously, can you find another highly prolific artist outside of Michael Jackson with the same consistent number of mega-hits as Madonna?? That is why she is the Queen of Pop. Madonna was released in March of 1983, and Burning Up was the second single released following Physical Attraction of that first album. Well, that's all I got for you here, like a said books probably have been written and she is still producing hit albums so no need to go into depth here. Enjoy the Queen of Pop!

#78 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Well hello hello again! Welcome back to the Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown, and today I am bringing you #78! Now this next band got their name from the villain of an old 1968 Jane Fonda classic sci-fi movie and the song comes from the 14th James Bond film...have you guessed it yet?? Well, totally rad if you have and if you haven't here is #78 of the Countdown...A View to a Kill, by brit-synth-pop new-wave band, and no doubt one of my personal top fav bands of all time Duran Duran. As I mentioned before Duran Duran were named after Milo O'Shea's character from the sci-fi 60's movie Barbarella, and his characters name was Dr. Durand Durand. Duran Duran formed in Birmingham, England way back in the solid year of our lord 1978. According to wikipedia Duran Duran were one of the most successful band's of the 1980's and they led the "Second British Invasion" of the United States. Also a direct quote from wikipedia  "Since the 1980s, they have placed 14 singles in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and 21 in the Billboard Hot 100 and have, according to the Sunday Mercury, sold more than 100 million records. While they were generally considered part of the New Romantic scene along with bands such as Spandau Ballet when they first emerged, they later shed this image." Band members include the ever memorable (mostly for his hair) lead singer Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes (synth and keyboards), John Taylor (bass guitar), Stephen Duffy (vocalist, songwriter and bassist), and Roger Taylor (drummer). They've had many former members but you can look those up if your really keen. A View to a Kill was a stand-alone single (the 13th single by Duran Duran) made for the 1985 release James Bond movie of the same name, and to this very day it is still the only James Bond theme song to have reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was co-written by Duran Duran and composer John Barry. Naturally the song was released with the movie in May of 1985. Well, this is one of my favorite bands of all time, so naturally that could be a hint that you might see some more of them on this countdown, but I won't spoil it for you, you'll just have to wait and see, now lets "Dance into the Fire!"

#79 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Oh my F6$#^ing Gawd, its the Fu&#$g 80's!!! Welcome back to the countdown, it has been a few days, but we are officially into the 70's now! And yes number 80 had to be an MJ hit, seeing it as the #80 of the 80's. And now, for #79...Will I Ever Understand You, by American new-wave synth pop band Berlin. I bet you thought they were German didn't you??? Was it the name or the blonde lead singer? Berlin actually formed in the late 1970's and originated in Orange County, California.  As with my previous post of them, this is their second song appearing on the Top 100 and according to wikipedia there are 4 current members (Teri Nunn is the blond lead singer), and it lists about 10 former band members who were in and out of the band over the years. The core band members of the band are considered to be Teri Nunn, John Crawford , and David Diamond. Nunn left the band temporarily to pursue an acting career at one point and actually auditioned for the part of Princess Leia in the Star Wars films.  Wikipedia also lists Berlin as having an inactive period between 1987 and 1998. Berlin are obviously a better known band from the 80's, and have had many hits over the years. Will I Ever Understand You was the first track appearing on their October 1986 release album titled Count Three & Pray. The song also appeared on the Inner Space soundtrack and a club scene from the movie, back when Meg Ryan was young and hot, those were the days. Enough data and repeating facts from the previous Berlin post and on with da music mahn!

#80 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #80 of the top 100 countdown, and starting to really get into it! And the song is...Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by the King of Pop himself Michael Jackson. Now if you don't know who Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) is than I can't help you out. For those of you who don't know much MJ-trivia, he was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958, and he was 50 years old when he passed away just last year on June 25th (almost a frickin year already!!) in Los Angeles California. You might find it interesting to know that Madonna and Prince both also turned 50 years old last year, officially being the Queen and Prince of Pop during the 80's with recently deceased King M.J.. Now I know that there has been speculation about who will be the next, but as far as I am concerned no one currently can sit in the throne, so its empty until someone who really "has it" comes along. I have heard people say they think that Lady Gaga is making her way as the next Queen of Pop, however I remain skeptical on that one as I reckon you have to be extremely prolific and consistent with pop-hits over an extended period of time to take the throne, not that Lady Gaga isn't capable of this, but it remains to be seen. This discussion has me on a bit of tangent so back to the topic at hand. Wanna Be Startin Somethin, was the first track of Jackson's epic Thriller album which won Jackson a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year, and numbers are uncertain but it has been estimated as having sold approximately 78-110 million copies worldwide as of 2009. Shockingly enough youtube actually allows posting of the actual music video, so enjoy.

#81 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #81 of the top 100 countdown, and starting to really get into it! And the song is...Under Pressure by artists David Bowie and Queen. Under Pressure was a collaboration between these two outstanding artists, and the first of its kind for David Bowie. The song was recorded in 1981, and was featured on Queen's 1982 album released titled Hot Space. Under Pressure reached #1 on the UK singles chart, and was ranked #31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Song's of the 80's. The song started out as a song by Queen called Feel Like, which transformed into Under Pressure  after a jam-session with David Bowie took place in Montreux, Switzerland, thus Freddie Mercury was considered the song's primary writer, but all contributed to the work. This song has always been one of my favorites, and many may be surprised its not further towards the top of my Top 100, but we will see why as time goes on. Enjoy #81!

#84 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #84 of the top 100 countdown! And the song is the all-time classic smash hit...Jessie's Girl, by Australian songwriter, rock musician, and actor, Rick Springfield. Now the 80's hits don't get much more legendary or classic then Jessie's Girl, which always draws a crowd to the dance-floor and gets people going in a sing-along. Rick Springfield, originally from Sydney Australia hit #1 on the charts with Jessie's Girl back in 1981, which also went on to win a Grammy Award and is to this day considered to be one of the major pop-rock hits of the emerging music video age. It doesn't get much bigger than this song, but then again it does. Stay tuned for # 83, and see how it happens!

#86 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #86 of the top 100 countdown!And the song is...The Promise, by British new-wave trio When In Rome. Now this is one of the rare times when I will actually recommend the Razormaid mix of this song for dance party purposes, but for all else the original 12'' mix will do. When In Rome essentially were a one-hit-wonder (with this very song) consisting of vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, along with keyboards player Michael Floreale. This song was released in 1988, it was their first single release from their self-titled album which peaked at #11 on the US charts. However, I should also mention they had another song which reached #90 (not quite my def. of a 2nd hit, but close) titled Heaven Knows. Many of you youngsters probably only know this song because it was on the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack, and closing credits in 2004 (much the same way the young generation seems to think that Wham!'s Wake Me Up Before You Go Go was made for the Zoolander soundtrack, but actually it existed many years prior to that in a little decade we elders like to refer to as the 80's). Enough said, enjoy the song, and stay tuned for #85!

#88 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #88 of the top 100 countdown!And the song is...New Attitude by American soul-singer, actress, and song-writer Patti LaBelle. Patti LaBelle started out her singing career back in the 1960's in two bands. First she was in Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, and had a few minor sucesses, and then LaBelle which received acclaim for their big-time hit in 1974 titled "Lady Marmalade." She continued on later with a solo career and had a #1 hit song duet with Michael McDonald in 1986 called "On My Own." "New Attitude," was featured on the 1984 Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, where it reached the Pop Top 20. Listen to the song, and you'll hear why it's my #88!

#89 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #89 of the top 100 countdown!And the song is...Lost In The Shadows by American rock vocalist and songwriter Lou Gramm. Lou Gramm is best known for being the lead singer and songwriter of the rock band Foreigner. Lou started his solo career (apart from Foreigner) in 1987, which was the same year that he recorded his single Lost In The Shadows for the Lost Boys movie soundtrack. Now, the Lost Boys is one of my favorite 80's movies of all time, and so it goes hand in hand that I would place some songs off the soundtrack onto this list, and if you pay close attention you might just find some more songs from the soundtrack appearing later on down the countdown. If you are interested in Lou Gramm's history at all I would recommend checking out his Wikipedia page, as it lists the various eras of his illustrious career. With not much else to say, heeeerrrsss Louuuu Graaammmm...

#90 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

 

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #90 of the top 100 countdown!And the song is...Go!, by musical side project and 80's post-punk band Tones On Tail. According to wikipedia, Tones on Tail was a side-project of Daniel Ash (of Bauhaus) and Glenn Campling (a roadie of Bauhaus) in 1982. When Bauhaus officially broke up in 1983 they were also joined by Kevin Haskins (drummer). Then, a short 2 years later they broke up and Ash and Haskins went on to form the band Love and Rockets. Tones on Tail did one short tour of the UK and USA and they released one studio album titled Pop in 1984. Go! came in a 7" or 12" versions. To my knowledge Go! was sort of their big hit song, although I would encourage myself and others to listen to the rest of their whole one album. Well, that about says it for #90, and I guess we have officially made it through the first 10, only 90 more to go! You might find yourself asking/telling yourself, "what other songs are there??," and "We screwed up! We never should have fired George Newman, because he's got imagination! Well, I think the fries are just about done."

#94: of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #94 of the top 100 countdown! And the song is....Voices Carry, by Boston new wave band 'Til Tuesday. This band first gained attention just six months following their formation in 1982 with their single release Love in a Vacuum. It was later released on the album titled Voices Carry, which unpredictably also became the feature track of the album and smashed up to number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its original lineup was bassist/vocalist Aimee Mann, guitarist/vocalist Robert Holmes, keyboardist Joey Pesce, and drummer Michael Hausman. The songs success (according to wikpedia) is said to have lead to an argument and subsequent breakup between Mann and Hausman before the album's official release. As you will notice, the music video depicts an bully-boyfriend attempting to conform his lower-caste girlfriend into his upper-crust lifestyle. However, it was noticed that the song was actually written as one women to another, indicating a lesbian relationship, which angered the band's record company at the time and was countered by a video depicting an oppressive boy-girl relationship. Despite the debate surrounding the video and the song it won the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist that year. Now some would not, but I still consider this band to be a One-Hit-80s-Wonder. Some would also debate as to whether this song constitutes as a "dance hit," but I consider it to be a slow-dance hit with a steady beat. Totally Rad!

#96: of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #96 of the top 100 countdown! And the song is....Living on a Video, by 80's-Candian-electro-space-synth sensation Trans-X! Now if this song isn't synth, then I just don't know what is. I have always considered Trans-X to be a highly influential electro-trance pioneers. This group was pretty much a one-hit-80's-wonder. Living on a Video was an instant hit in their home country of Canada and worldwide when it was originally released as a single in 1981. The single sold over 2 millions copies and reached the top ten charts in both the USA and the UK. The single was later added to the 1983 album release by the same name. Most of you will no doubt have heard this song at some point, but may not be able to put a song to a face, or something like that. It is funny, looking back now on how the electro-synth music era transformed into the 90's-00's techno-trance (with artists like The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, and the legions of DJ's from The Ministry of Sound)  and how its now come back full-circle to a sort of electro-indie rock era we see now (such as with artists like The Presets, or La Roux, or Van She, Cut Copy, etc.). There are just so many different flavors to music, and an endless way of rehashing and remixing and reblending... blah!!! Anyways, enjoy #96, as 95 is just around da corna!