I posted this song in another thread some time back. Paul Hardcastle's "19". Before anyone says "it's not forgotten", I mean in the U S. Unlike the rest of the world where the song hit #1 in multiple countries, it stalled at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. They played it quite often when I was a teenager back in 1985, but I swear I haven't heard it on the radio since. None of the retro stations I've listened to have ever played it.
In Canada, the album kicked off four major Top 10 radio and club singles: "New Sensation", "Never Tear Us Apart", "Devil Inside" and "Need You Tonight.” The "Need You Tonight"/"Mediate" stylish dance/rock hybrid remix was a huge club favorite and not surprisingly it also received DJ-play in the funk clubs.
Their biggest hit worldwide, in 1986, as in Number 12 in the UK, Number 16 in Australia, Number 19 in Canada, Number 25 in Germany, Number 9 in Ireland, Number 23 in the Netherlands, Number 10 in New Zealand, Number 14 in the US and Number 7 on the US Dance Chart: “Digging Your Scene” Official Video - The Blow Monkeys.
This song rose to Number 2 on the UK Indie Chart in 1981 and was also used as the intro theme music for MuchMusic in Canada: “Papa’s Got a Brand New Pigbag” - Pigbag.
I put this one forward, got to #1 in my top 40 region, well forgotten (sorry if already stated in 30 pages) Joe Dolce - Shaddup You Face
It also led to the return of the game show Jeopardy! to television (Merv Griffin saw the parody and it inspired him to bring the show back).
Sylvia charted in top 20 on Billboard in 1982 and a number one on Country charts also. I think now a bit forgotten, but still a great tune Sylvia - Nobody
First Wave is the first preset I have for Sirius XM in my car. Working at home now I have the Sirius XM app which is so nice to have on during the day while working. Anyone who reads this forum that doesn't already have a subscription to XM should really give it a try. In particular, channel 106 called Volume is devoted to music talk programming, a bit like a live audio version of conversations on this forum actually. Not nearly as in-depth by any means but good for general listening to people talk about music.
Oh these guys were really good, for a while in the 1980's they were a big deal in Kansas where I grew up, I got to see them open for the band Kansas on their 'Power' tour and they got almost as much applause as the headliner. Ended up seeing them at a club show a couple years later before they broke up. Their 3 albums are pretty good too, in particular 'Tornado'. Thanks for the video flashback on these guys!!
It's so difficult to get a good-sounding copy of that track. The version currently on Spotify sounds like it was processed with Duophonic - heaps of echo, too much bass and a weird stereo image. I downloaded a copy from Amazon Music several years ago - derived from the 2009 Warner compilation "Love in the 80s" - and it's ruined with distortion I wonder if the master tapes for PhD's self-titled album have been lost.
Here's one of my favourite '80s one hit wonders. Susan Fassbender - Twilight Café (1981, reached #21 in the UK)
Single by Earth, Wind & Fire from the album Electric Universe B-side "The Speed of Love" Released November 1983
Produced by John Punter who produced Japan. Great song and fantastic album. After this the were produced by Nile Rodgers and lost a bit of the 80s new wave edge. Still nice songs but more commercial. I picked up their last two albums and they are both very good.
This was produced by Mick Ronson of David Bowie fame and they went on to have many hits in Canada and a few songs that scrapped the bottom of the US charts.
