Directly from my all-time favorite songs list at billgraper dot com (it won't let me type the address): "Total Eclipse Of The Heart"- Bonnie Tyler "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes"- Asia "Love Is A Battlefield"- Pat Benatar "I Won't Hold You Back"- Toto "Goody Two Shoes"- Adam Ant "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy"- Sammy Hagar "Hold Me 'Til The Mornin' Comes"- Paul Anka (feat. Peter Cetera) "Baby Come To Me"- Patti Austin & James Ingram "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me"- Culture Club "Stray Cat Strut"- The Stray Cats "Never Gonna Let You Go"- Sergio Mendes "You Got Lucky"- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "Billie Jean"- Michael Jackson "Beat It"- MIchael Jackson "Der Kommissar"- After The Fire "Africa"- Toto "My Love"- Lionel Richie "Major Tom (Coming Home)"- Peter Schilling "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All"- Air Supply
So many Sunday nights I spent in my room, finishing my weekend homework, listening to Casey Kasem’s Top 40 Countdown! Waiting for that number ONE! It was magical!! I have a teenager now, and I feel bad that she will never know the sound of Kasey’s voice as he tells us the stories of the songs ,or the dedications to loved ones with heartfelt sentiments. He was an unsung hero of our youth. He was there for us week after week, playing our songs and building our memories, while we made plans for our futures. Thanks Kasey, for giving some of us the best times of our lives!
I enjoyed the long distance dedications particularly. I never missed American top 40 as a teen in the 80s. I would record songs off the radio on the cassette deck from my parent's stereo. Great memories.
iHeart radio has a station dedicated to just Casey Kasem's American Top 40. All they play are reruns of the countdowns, as they were aired, back in the 70's and 80's. I'll listen to them now and then, and still wonder which song was #1!
HI KIMBERELY,YES I REMEMBER KASEY’S RADIO SHOW VERY WELL.I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING KASEY BACKSTAGE IN THE LATE 60’S WHEN HE WAS THE MC FOR SOME OF OUR CONCERTS.I ALWAYS THOUGHT HE WAS A VERY NICE MAN AND A GREAT DJ! STAY SAFE,AND BE WELL. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😎 RON ROMAN
One of the things that made the 80's so great was the damn VARIETY! The only decade where in the top ten you could get a combination of heavy metal, hard rock, soft rock, easy listening, disco, rnb, Motown soul, country, reggae, ballads, new wave, dance, funk, pop even blues or early rap/hiphop or something in German language all together in the top ten. A modern top ten is usually one to three genres.
I don't listen to current top 40 music almost at all, so this could be slightly off, but I believe a month or two ago, I saw that Drake had 7 of the top 10 songs. Pathetic.
I know what you mean. The way life is now is so depressing, truly sucks! Everything is so fake now. Lyrics don't invoke any feelings like they did back then.
@@m.v.1230 listening to music from a much better time makes me sad. Some award show on a few weeks ago had nobody on it I recognized, not that I watched it, but you know. Thirty years ago I knew all of them.
1978-1983 was one of the most prolific periods in music. When you actually stop and look up how many hits that people still love came out in those years it's insane.
And they just happen to be the same years I worked clubs as a DJ before walking across the street from the first club I started in 1978 to get an on-air job at the local (long gone but not forgotten) radio station in 1984. I just have to hear the first note or two of a song and a memories flood back. I might have the year wrong but in 1982 I remember needing a band to fill in our schedule but I wanted something new. I heard rumours of a young guy whose rock band was tearing up school proms locally. I had someone track him down and got him to Whispers, the club in North Vancouver where I was working at the time, in order to meet him. I was immediately struck by him. And, when he and his band hit the stage, so were the rest of the staff and clientele. They crushed it. We knew we were looking at a superstar in the making. He really made my summer of '82 although you probably better remember him for his "Summer of '69."
I remember years ago certain friends of mine we would just out of nowhere sing the word “True” in the same manner as the song. It would just crack us up.
A couple of years ago, my wife and I went to an Air Supply concert in Denver. We waited outside the stage door after the show, and Russell and Graham came out and were kind as could be. They were somewhat surprised to see that my wife had brought with her one of their albums, still in the unopened cellophane. After 30 years of waiting, she got it signed by them. And, by the way, they are still singing great, and put on one hell of a show.
I remember when a friend of mine came home excited about what new albums his brother bought. Both had pooled their money together and my friend came home very excited about the album picks. So buddy picks up the stack, looks at the first album, calls it shit and tosses it aside and does so to each one until he sees the Air Supply album. He turns to his brother then says, "Shit Supply!?!", rather angrily and tosses it over shoulder. Next thing you know, they both get into a fight! Lol! Good times but ever since then everytime I hear an Air Supply tune on the airwaves, I always remember that moment.
I turned 21 at the end of 1983. I didn't appreciate this music back then as much as I should have, but OMG, do I ever appreciate this music now. It's sad what the music industry has become (as well as Hollywood).
This was a time when my musical tastes were still forming, but what I remember from this era was that you could hear pop, hard rock and R&B all on one radio station. The popular music scene had started fragmenting before then, but it wasn't nearly as fragmented as it is now.
lol what did your grand father say was the greatest music / then what did your dad say brief history of pop music - classical music / military band / jazz / R & B / disco / rock / rap ............(notice the water down trend)
@@johncapo2843 I have no idea with my grandfather. I think my dad preferred the "traditional" Bluegrass and honkey tonk style country music of his youth, at least in preference to the post-Outlaw brand predominant when I was growing up. It's a matter of opinion. (No, I don't notice any watering down in your list; I'm aware that pop music has gotten progressively weaker since the early nineties, with some picking up in the last few years I believe.)
I graduated high school in 83 and every time I hear True, I’m taken right back there. I tell my students how much fun I had in the 80’s and have cultivated a love of 80’s music with them.
I grew up in the 80's and remember all these songs and the many memories they invoke... I frequently get a feeling of sadness when I think of how those days are gone in music. Thankfully these songs will live forever.
Aside from the music then, it was a time when kids weren't looking for ways to be depressed and there was a positive "spirit" in the air. 1984 I was 11 and it was fantastic I judged/diagnosed times
I was just thinking that tonight. I'm so sad that those days are gone. Guys looked amazing, dressed great, used hair spray...no underwear showing. The music was incredible. It was truly a magical time.
Even in the strongest calendar years for music, there has always been good music and bad music. I was born in the year 1980, but I routinely listen to music from the birth of rock-and-roll in the mid-1950s all the way through music of today. Case in point -- I'm likely to listen to "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" from the 50s in the same day as I request "As It Was" from Harry Styles (2022) and "Let the Music Play" from Shannon in the 80s. My point is, don't ever give up on music, because in every year, there is good music to celebrate. Even in a strong year such as 1983 or 1984, you still have to go find good music -- it doesn't just come to us.
The farther away from those days I get, the more I appreciate them. The friends I had, the people in school I interacted with. Riding the bus home from school. The music. I miss it.
Total Casey Kasem vibes when you said "It's Bonnie Tyler with Total Eclipse of the Heart". My late husband used to absolutely love Total Eclipse of the Heart. We got married in 2005, by no means the 80s, but he would get ready for work every morning listening to that song (and Celine Dion 😁) until the cancer got bad and he couldn't work anymore. Thank you, I loved this list.
1983 seems like yesterday to me. A great time to be alive and to be a kid during so much happening and absorbing it all, enjoying it all... and not knowing at the time that it wasn't going to get any better than that. A different era, indeed. The only perks now are to be able to talk about it on a smartphone and listen to those old songs or watch those old movies any time, any where that I feel like it without having to fast-forward/rewinding a VHS or cassette tape.
Having it on cassette tapes and VHS tapes means you can or could of watched it anytime you wanted if you had a RF TV and Boombox in your room and a Walkman for when you are out till the tape got spliced.
So true. Today it seems there are many technology advancements but the 80s were happier times for some reason. And you’re right - it didn’t get any better. I am so grateful to have experienced that era.
lol...culture...lol brief history of pop music - classical music / military band / jazz / R & B / disco / rock / rap ............(notice the water down trend)
"Blinded Me With Science," by Thomas Dolby and "Der Kommissar," by After the Fire. Another two are "Overkill," by Men at Work and "Back On the Chain Gang," Pretenders. Billy Joel's "Allentown" still mind-blowing, as well. Finally, Bryan Adams' "'Cuts Like a Knife" it's worth the mention. Furthermore, Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face." You're right. That was one great musical year.
There was a woman I worked with that had a fantastic body, from behind. However, when she turned around her face looked like old leather. Someone dubbed her “Ass without a Face”. Thanks to Billy, we had a term to describe her that fit.
Hey Adam, thank you for this episode. My beautiful bride and I were married on Oct.1st 1983. We're 38 years into this love affair and could not be more satisfied. All these tunes just bring back nothing but great memories. You do a fantastic job in all of your content and we are all blessed because of that. THANK YOU much. Jim
I remember 83. One of the best years of my life. Such great music. Pop, Hair metal, New wave, Hard rock. I go back there in my mind when I hear these songs.
*grin* The funny thing about the term "hair metal" is that it wasn't actually called that back then, when the guys actually had a lot of hair! It's only been called that in recent years, say, around the 21st century. Add to that the fact that Weird Al has more hair than most of those "hair metal" guys have nowadays...
I remember Sexy and 17 very well. I absolutely loved the Stray Cats. Their sound, which I learned a little later was called Rockabilly, was just so energetic and unique in the decade of decadence where new wave and glam rock ruled the airwaves. My first album and my first concert, for that matter, was Stray Cats. I was 14 years old. I listened to their entire album and loved every bit of it. When I heard they were coming to town, I had to beg my grandparents, whom I lived with at the time, to let me go. They, being devout Christians, were not about to spend their money on support of any kind of rock-n- roll music. I was working my first job at the time and bought the album with my own money. I told them I'd buy my own ticket. Just please let me go. They only relented after I played a few songs from their album for them. After they decided it wasn't devil music, I was allowed to go. That was my introduction into the world of rock-n- roll in its raw form, live and in person. I'll always remember that concert.
Wow. That's amazing that the show went all the way to NZ. I used to look forward to his show here in America. What a great soothing voice, and a story teller!
I graduated high school and started college in 1983. "Up Where We Belong" was the prom theme, but there were just certain songs/groups that really took off because of MTV and the new look of music that some call the 2nd British Invasion. Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Thomas Dolby, and The Police were a few. Then there were those that got their second wind in the 80's like David Bowie and Hall & Oates. The 80's music is some of that music that the younger generations know, but can't quite remember where they heard it. It is SO much better than the music today.
Same age as you but didn’t care for the pop music at that time. Preferred the 60s-70s tunes of our childhood , which to me was more soulful Hall and Oates: Sarah smile >>man eater , imo Maybe cause I’m a guitar player and in the early 80s synthesizers started replacing guitars…to each his own 😊
Started college in '83 as well. Turned 18 about a month in, and had a blast at a random frat party. I can close my eyes and still hear most all these songs from that night.
@@soulpatrolhawaii5409 Sarah Smile peaked at #4 on the billboard Hot 100 for the week ending June 26th 1976 wasn't originally intended to be the hit as it was buried on the b side of another song called Soldiering but that stiffed in the charts and A DJ in Ohio flipped the record over
What a year for music! My top 10 favorites from 1983: 01 - Is There Something I Should Know? - Duran Duran 02 - Down Under - Men At Work 03 - The Police - Every Breath You Take 04 - Toto - Africa 05 - New Order - Blue Monday 06 - Def Leopard - Photograph 07 - UB40 - Red Red Wine 08 - David Bowie - Modern Love 09 - The Rolling Stones - Undercover Of The Night 10 - The Greg Kihn Band - Jeopardy
When I was a kid, my parents had albums called “Rock 82, Rock 83, Rock 84” (and so on until they stopped buying records late 80’s ish) and many more albums of course, but hearing this too 10 takes me back for sure. I can smell the smells and hear the sounds. What a rush ! Thank you Professor !!
Billy Joel was a listening staple in the car stereo tape deck back throughout the ‘80s, thanks to Mom! I’ll never be able to hear Steinman’s sound from Total Eclipse of the Heart.
The song that makes me miss my mother is “American Woman” by the Guess Who. Every time it was played on the radio, she’d crank it up to ear splitting volumes. While I was driving to her funeral, the song came in the radio and I couldn’t help but think it was her saying goodbye. Thinking about it still chokes me up, 20 years later.
In Basic Training we were marched One boiling hot afternoon to a football field as part of some USO tour by the Guess Who including American Woman. I thought it an interesting choice for a thousand or so troops.
She was definitely with you. Moms are like that. I've won my kids many, many bets. I get phone calls on weekend nights asking me for lyrics to songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Anyone who argues gets sat down by all their friends who vouch for me. One young man who spent a lot of time at our house with my youngest from about age 8 to 20, was pleased to tell me that he remembers that my favorite song is "Hotel California ". (It's not, even though it's a great song, it's not even my favorite Eagles song), but I didn't have the heart to correct him. He said the reason he remembers that is because we got to our house one night and it was playing. I wouldn't let anyone get out of the car until it was over. Sounds like me. The best part is that he associates that song with me and good times with our family. I can't think of anything I'd rather be remembered for.
For my high school it was Take My Breath Away from the Top Gun movie. Oh yeah, when that song got played, you grabbed your girl and headed out to the dance floor
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" was my high school's Class of '84 graduation song. I heard "Maniac" in a local supermarket earlier this week-and for some unknown reason I slid my shirt partly off a shoulder.
I have kids who are 12 to 16. They are constantly trying get their “tone deaf daddy “ to listen to their music. My musical tastes developed in the 70s and 80s. Boston, Aerosmith and Pink Floyd. They cannot come close to matching that
I have such warm memories of Casey Kasem being on in the background when I was a little kid. He brought positivity to his listeners and nothing but good vibes. I’m getting the exact same feeling with this channel - so glad I discovered it - subscribed and liked! Keep up the great work - the world needs more people like you.
I turned 13 in 1983 and was in the 7th grade. I remember all these songs played on the radio. I was still buying 45 singles and cassette tapes in 1983. I love Kenny and Dolly. King of Pain is my favorite Police song and love Sincronicity. My Mom had Billy Joel's and played the cassette tape in the car. She loved that album. I really love these countdowns. Middle School at times was trying at times and sometimes had to deal with bullies. Putting a tape in my Walkman made it easier to cope.
Same age. But none of the music I was into is featured in this video. It was all about metal for me. Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue..... But I had problems with bullies around that time too. Adolescents are so mean to each other. And that Walkman was indispensable!
Me too! I was in 7th grade in 83.' Graduated in 88. That year, Spandau Ballet's True was mind-blowing, and I wasn't even really into New Wave yet. More now, than then. LOL I was into Van Halen, Def Lep, ZZ-Top, etc. The whole Eliminator album was incredible. Jump came out at the very tail end of 83, before 1984 was released. And how about Photograph, by Def Lep? What a song! What an album. Pyromania set the stage perfectly, for Hysteria, a few years later. And yes - Synchronicity was incredible. I love / loved The Police, and I wore Synchronicity out! Lots of incredible music back then - and in so many different genres.... so sad the total garbage that's out now. So sad. We had it good back in the day! Rock on!!
@@jimmyz2098 Thanks for your comment. We are the same age. The 80s was definitely a great decade of music. So many talented artists and hit song. I admire Def Leppard's. He learned to play with 1 arm and put so much effort in learned to adapt. Truly inspiring. 😊🎵
Air Supply… one of my favorites. I was 10 years old and completely in love with them and the rest of these songs. Great year for music when melody was king.
"Total Eclipse Of The Heart" is still one of my biggest GOOSEBUMPS songs. When she comes out of the solo & gives out a raspy "Every now and then I fall apart..." combined with the backup vocals & music... then into the last chorus... It still gets me every time! It's one of my favorite moments in pop music history!
I had no idea the song was about a cougar and her much younger lover until I read the lyrics in Smash HIts magazine. That never played extra verse explains the meaning of the song.
It’s a “big” production track for sure. Steinman’s style is virtually defined by its over the top quality. There is an operatic theatricality to it. Meatloaf was his main muse, but obviously his songs can work with other “big” singers like Tyler. It’s dramatic - melodramatic for those who don’t care for the style. Steinman’s style is recognizable enough that there are definitely similarities between Total Eclipse and making Love … I think Eclipse is the better song -More original lyrically and with a perfect fit for Tyler’s vocal. The repeated “turn around bright eyes” (actually sung by a male singer despite that they sound Rather androgynous) works as an engaging counterpoint to Tyler’s raspy but definitely Female lead vocal. It’s a special song and a lot of good work went into making it. Not a song that goes by easily unnoticed. ✌️
This is hilarious - you realize that "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" are *literally* the same song, written by the same song writer, but simply with different lyrics? Now that you know that, listen to those two songs one after the other and you can't unhear it - the lulls and crescendos all happen at the same time. I realized it about 30 years ago, and now I can no longer hear either song without simultaneously hearing the other in my head at the same time. Absolutely brilliant. The ultimate pop music two-fer.
My 14 year old son, his spotify playlist is mainly music from the 70’s & 80’s, Al Green, Bobby Caldwel, Toto, Spandeau Ballet etc, etc. he discovered a new era where he admits todays music to doesn’t compare.
@@kathleenking47 funny you mentioned that, I only recently bought him a retro vinyl turntable, does both 33 rpm & 45rpm and he know is slowly building an impressive record collection.
That is awesome to hear about young people having an old soul. My children are into that 60s - 80s time portal. From pop to rock to jazz to funk music.
Oh man, my sister loved Maniac and I must have heard that song 10,000 times because of her... She's been gone now for almost five years but every time I hear that song I always think of her dancing in the living room and singing along with it.
I remember Kasey Kasem saying the Maniac was originally about a serial killer, but the Flashdance guy liked it. In the TV Show, "The Boys", Kimiko plays this song on her phone while she fights the bad guys.
1983 was probably my favorite year in music. Because of its when I started my music collecting. And hearing everyone’s memories that you, Professor share. Is the reason I explain to my ten year old son, how great a decade the 80’s was growing up. The way he is, I wish he could enjoy those same things I did. Just hearing everyone else’s memories sparks even more memories for me. I might be bias but I think being able to live through the 80’s was definitely a blessing.
It's the year I started too... but didn't buy much from that year as I thought it was disappointing to the stuff I'd been listening to from 79-82. The records I bought in 83 were mostly a couple of years old.
I of course agree with you, but a lot of these 83’s songs were pretty lame and would fit in nicely with today’s garbage. I was shocked at how bad they were.
@@spankynater4242 I'm not so sure & I don't believe you think that what you just wrote? I didnt feel it from you? It's the same. Like most of todays misi.88 this to with sounds in general or just that old music wears better over time with people in general? I am unsure?±⁶⁶± I don't recognize over half of these 80s so called Hits. but vs today Hits, I can feel something Inside Me to get motivated or spring to life, in just writing this w/ 2 songs 'Tarzan Boy', & 'Waittng for a star to fall" (names here may be wrong, Both are new to me, thanks to my much older cousins for the6 in introduction)and immediately I felt so alive. It's so amazin! Feeling the Life pulhsating w/ each beat & this "Want to be wrote & heard" Overtone that seems typical5 for back then, with every word or keyboard riff? Then, we tried this with the millenniial music.( In the past 22 years that is)& I refuse to acknowledge that's my generational style of music btw. Lol. So, Of the 7 songs played we, have uh, No, I can't even push here that they were a "Version of Good" stuff. That was Bad! What luck randomly having seven bad ones in a row?! After hearing one, I contemplated my bad life choices & (even though would never) I wondered about Dying & Demons and such. I just wanted to sleep thru this day? 'What's going on! Am I on a bad trip?' We love listening to all generational types, even 40s swing styles music! It's awesome feeling that Generations 'day to day" living in the moment Music many others have experienced and listened to. My entire family all love listening to good music w/friends, working or while gaming?! It seems that everyone, including my Great Grandma, can recite a song from the '70s '80s or 90s and even the 50s and 60s! Even see pre- millineol hits. So, I'll have to disagree .Today's solace music is every once in awhile a good song & sometimes you run across a great one!? but, taking for instance, this week in the '80s I don't know of any in the past 20 to 25 years that can compare? So,,, this is my question I can't be the only one that thinks this? I'm pretty young & I'm sure older people think this even more? what has changed what is going on with todays music? Thank You
@@spankynater4242 I listened to that Maniac. Lol. You HAVE to Give me more? I do understand they play the better ones more often but still, we have nothing today, but Blue Moon hits. I have recently discovered the Turtles music group from the late 60's. Lol. I like their style. I just like Any & All music that sounds pleasing. Pop Rock & Rock, it would seem, is my preference. I did another random 80's title "I can dream about you" & "Hands to Heaven." Now come on, that is pretty good stuff. I've never heard of 'Breath' or 'Breathe' Nor a segment done, by anyone, could on them? Them Turtles though, 'Eleanore'. & 'Happy Togethe'(I've heard that latter song) I don't hear music like these, ever. You seem to have a lot more knowledge on this. Until I was 17, we never istened to music as I am my wife do now free luke. It wasn't restricted we just didnt. I know now why it was never happening at our place growing up. Lol.
@@sabber3076 I don’t even know what songs are popular today. But in 30 years, today’s youth will be looking back at these days fondly, reminiscing that they just don’t make music like this anymore.
Islands in the Streams is one of those songs everybody knows the words to. We were shooting pool in a dive bar after work in the 2000's, full of concrete workers and carpenters, haze of smoke, etc. One guy goes in for a shot, and for some reason sings, "Islands in the Stream..." The WHOLE bar of crusty blue collar types yells out "That is what we are..." and a few other verses. On pitch. Everybody laughed and went back to looking mean.
For me 1983 was the best year of the 80’s. The “pop” scene was off the charts that year. 82-86 was a golden age for the top 40 charts, but imo peaked in ‘83
definitely those years... I would say 1984 was the peak, 1983 and 1985 almost as great and 1982 and 1986 just a tiny bit lower than 1983 and 1985... 1981 and 1987 things drop off a lot and 1988 and beyond its all downhill
1980 C 7/10 1981 C+ 7.5/10 1982 A 9/10 1983 A+ 10/10 1984 A++ 11/10 - this one goes to 11 1985 A+ 10/10 1986 A 9/10 1987 C+ 7.5/10 1988 C 7/10 1989 C- 6.5/10 1990 D 6/10 1991reality I've heard people say that the greatest year of music is the year you graduate high school - probably because after that you start going to college and stop listening to pop and discover classic rock. for me though it was BEFORE high school. by the time high school started for me pop was horrible and I switched to metal: Guns N Roses, Def Leppard, Whitesnake.
"Too Shy" by KajaGooGoo is the song that reminds me the most of 1983. It was released in the Summer in the US and I can remember driving to South Beach in Miami and hearing this song on the radio. That memory sticks forever with me.
Unfortunately, it is one of the songs that reminds me the most of 1983. Couldn't get away from it. In retrospect, it's not really as horrible as I remember.
Frankiee Goes to Hollywood - Relax is another also you slap on Police or Huey Lewis or Dire Straits and it's instant nostalgia.... also I actually like the original video for Relax, the clean version is just lamesauce IMO lolz you know how someone does something and you can tell that's not their thing?? that's the second video, the first one is more genuine....
What I personally loved about the 80s synth pop movement was the birth of so many movements, house , club house , electro , break beats 🎧, all these dance 💃 movements were birthed in the 80s … so special for those who loved to dance . It’s so easy to hear the appeal of police and of course the love ballads of the time highlighted in this section . What a treat
The Police "Synchronicity" is without a doubt one of the greatest albums of all time. An absolute masterpiece. If you've never listened to it you are missing out.
1983 finished with a song that was a total breath of fresh air...Owner Of A Lonely Heart. I had just started my teaching career and I had the pleasure of telling my students that the number one song was by my favorite band, Yes!
I was an 80's kid for sure! I turned 16 in 1984, the 80's hold such great memories! There's so much great music from that time, for me it would be impossible to pick just one or two favorites! Thank you for this amazing channel, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us music- lovers!!
There is one song on the list, the one at the top, that still gets to me so much I can't listen to it now. My spouse used to sing this one to me, and the "turn around bright eyes" line at the end especially to tease me because of my abundance of body hair, haha (from the original "Planet of the Apes" when Charlton Heston's character is called "Bright Eyes". She took her own life when she was 28 (we were expecting our 2nd child and she had antepartum depression in a time when we didn't even know that that was a thing), and the lyrics to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" took on a whole new meaning. I avoided listening to or watching the video like the plague, but it was inescapably in my mind, my heart, and even my spirit. I came very close to trying to join her too soon with a number of suicide attempts, even with our young daughter to raise, I was just out of my head with grief to the point of orphaning our 7 year-old girl, to my shame. Suicide, it leaves so many piles of ashes in its wake, with survivor's guilt, torturing yourself that you didn't see warning signs, feelings of worthlessness, disposability, etc... and of anyone I should have known better, so our little girl got hit by a double-whammy of that that still negatively affects her to this day, something I wish I could fix but just can't. The turning was at a cousin's wedding when "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was played as the opening song, and I had nowhere at all to run away from it. The song grabbed me so hard, and those closing lines suddenly took on a new meaning, like Kimimela was singing to me from the next world to turn around from seeking my own premature death and embracing life and taking care of our child. Everything changed in the space of a pop song, and I made amends as I could. I still miss her so much, and I hope, even pray, that there is something that survives of us after death, that I someday will have a chance to talk with her, just talk, for about a million years straight. I still hear the song once in a blue moon like played at Safeway while I'm shopping, etc., and it always freezes me in my tracks as I try desperately not to break down. It's been so many years, but this song is still *that* powerful, and if that isn't a testament to the greatness of art I don't know what is. Our daughter right now is expecting her first child, my grandson, and life is good, but echoes of a life that might have been (I've stayed true to her even without her on Earth, there just is no one else but her for me regardless). I hope this story wasn't a downer, and even though I avoid this song there is a magic in it still for me... Jim Steinman, Bonnie Tyler & the E Street Band members emotion reached out and helped to mend a heart that had been shattered into a billion tiny pieces.
This just shows how much impact music can have on a person. Music helps us escape to good memories from our past as well as times such as yours. I'm glad you chose to stay with your daughter, because whether you realize it she needs you to be there for her.
@@ProfessorofRock Cool shirt. That Wang Chung album was one of my free Columbia tapes. _Don't Let Go_ became my all time favorite song on that album and it is on my car's USB stick. The actual song Dance Hall Days is such a classy classic. It brings back memories of sitting on the deck by our above ground pool (that I did most of the yard prep work and helped install) and enjoying this song on my Sharp dual-cassette jam box. Ah, the summer of 1984!
Brian Setzer and Stray Cats strove to revive Rock-a-Billy for a new generation in the midst of the emergence of re-branded disco (which continues to dominate air-play to this day). SO much respect for him! SO much love for his music.
Hope Brian loves the rock-a-billy look, because man, he's had to sport that look his whole life. Sorta like Kiss and the makeup. I don't know Brian, maybe he is rock-a-billy to the core and it's just who he is. Whatever the case, the 80's were so damn diverse.
I got to see the Stray Cats live at the Sacramento civic center with back stage passes because the girl I was dating had a brother in Pegasus the local band that opened for the Stray Cats lol. It was wild in there! lol I remember the drummer standing on the base drum with a bottle of Jack Daniels! lol And yes I remember her by name all these years/decades later lol. Beautiful blonde hair, blue eyes and a body built for speed lol
@@prepperjonpnw6482 I so appreciate my younger-self treating me to so many concerts in the 70's and 80's. I didn't realize it at the time but I was seeding some mighty terrific memories. From Abba to Zappa I like to say. Stray Cats, unfortunately, isn't one of them, so I'm envious.
Man, 32 year old here who loves everything 1980’s. What an amazing list of songs here. To all that lived through the 80’s, I know it wasn’t perfect, but man I wish i could have experienced a “simpler” time… not making this political, economical, or any deeper observation than that… the music, sports coverage, movies all had an innocence to them that today certainly doesn’t exist. Maybe it was more fairy tale than reality, but I wish i could have experienced it!
Very much so. Most of us didn't know about the aggravation of politics, when you were in a vehicle you were cut off from everything except radio, we spent time alone, time in the neighborhood, there was a positive vibe about the country we lived in. Music was more like a religion but we basically had radio or we purchased the music, that alone made music feel more special. The 80's were far from perfect but life was good.
@@ProfessorofRock i am so pumped you replied! Your vids have helped me through the past two years tremendously. Your passion for music has LITERALLY changed my life! You’ve expanded my music knowledge so deeply both with musical content but also the stories behind the songs. Just know that your vids don’t just resonate with people who experienced these songs when they came out, but you are also educating and inspiring people who didn’t have the pleasure to experience them live! My dad and I write and perform music for fun and you have helped my song writing and music formation tremendously! So much love man!
Is like what the legendary Prince once said back in a 2011 interview *I am here today because of the golden ages of the 60s, 70s and 80s of music* and he certainly wasn't wrong about that. That is a very good question, what on earth did happen to music? Great video as usual...
@@michaelcrawford5083 I also blame the record labels, and radio stations... and the people who start their own labels, only to put out horrible "music." They ruined the chart music for all of us who lived for that stuff back in the day.
Although I find new music now and again that really grabs me, there is nothing like that period of 1979 to about 1985 when punk turned into post-punk and then what they called "New Wave." I was a massive fan of British music and in my early teens lived just close enough to Athens, Georgia to be able to receive the transmission of their college radio station WUOG. I later moved to Atlanta and saw bands like R.E.M., Ministry, the Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees in small theaters and clubs before they blew up big and became part of what they started calling Alternative Rock. Great times, good music, fantastic memories.
i love these retro countdowns as well because I was there, music was everything to me and this is a pleasant trip down memory lane. Nice shirt, by the way.
Hey, I got a "driving way out of the way to buy a record" story: When Blondie released "Call Me," I begged my dad to drive me to a record store about a half hour away to buy the 45. Begrudgingly, dad obliged. I had a HUGE crush on Debbie Harry at the time (hell, who didn't?) so I was super stoked! There I was in the back seat of dad's '68 Impala station wagon, ogling my new 45. In a disappointing turn of events, I ended up accidentally sitting on the 45, snapping it in two. Dad was pissed. I cried. I did eventually replace it (and still have it in my collection), but I'll never forget the sound of it breaking underneath the weight of me.
@@RetroDawn Guess I didn't make that part clear enough. I was sitting in the back seat and leaning my chin on the front seat. My dad hated when I did that, so he told me to sit back. I didn't realize that while i was leaning forward, the 45 had slid behind me (the station wagon had long bench-style seats both front and back), so when I scooted my butt back in the seat, the record snapped it half. I would have been about 12 at the time.
Please, do a segment just on Jim Steinman and his hit making prowess, and how everything he wrote could be in a Broadway Rock Musical; because everything he wrote was brilliantly dramatic.
I'm 52 from UK and I gotta say thanks for this. Was one of the most enjoyable 25 minutes of video I've watched👍 You picked a great week. Songs still trigger memories from the good ol' 80's More like it please 😬
Was wondering why this playlist sounded so familiar to me . . . Until I remembered one of my exes was born in early October of 1983, and I once made her a birthday CD featuring the top 10 songs on the day she was born. Most of these tunes were on that playlist . . . The relationship didn't last, but this music certainly did.
A few songs from this timeframe that I would love a redux on: 1) Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes; 2) That’s All - Genesis; Give it up - KC and the Sunshine Band; 4) 99 Red Balloons - Nena
I won't ever forget Air Supply. It wasn't my favorite, not even my style of music, but a certain girl I was close to all though junior high and high school. We were close because our lockers were always side by side because they were assigned alphabetically. In grade school we were always seated close, too. So all through school we were side by side. At a junior high school dance we requested an Air Supply song to dance together. My mom was a dance supervisor, and she had a camera with her and took a picture of me dancing with Julie. In the summer time we rode bikes together. One time we went on the Bike-athon together and she brought along a tape player and her Air Supply cassettes. So riding 20 miles through the country side we listened to her tapes. We never dated. I didn't think she was my type. Looking back, maybe she was what I really needed. Thanks for bringing back the memories!
Professor: Thank You for a trip into a far less complicated time! This era (1980s) was a great time for music! Your videos take me right back to a period ( & music) that was far more influential and meaningful in my life than I ever realized! Even songs and groups that weren't necessarily my favorites (that we still heard constantly), you bring new & interesting perspectives that are heard with different perspectives [ x +40 years ]. We're not 'immature kids' anymore! (Now we're immature 'adults' !!) 😆😅🤣 THANKS!
1983, it was the year I had my daughter. I remember getting satellite, the dishes were huge back then, and watching MTV. That was a whole new experience, especially when the TV stations signed off at 11 pm.
Love is a battlefield-Pat Benetar; She's a beauty-The Tubes; Promises Promises-Naked Eyes; Big Log-Rober Plant and the best of the best: New Year's Day-U2!!!
November would see Yes drop "90125" bringing them back from the dead and, thanks to Trevor Rabin, would usher in a whole new sound and direction for the band. 90125 remains one of the most important albums of the 1980s for me.
@@jimclark1374 well that's not a very progressive rock thing to say. But yeah I agree, Trevor horn was the fly in the ointment.I Love Rabin's guitar over Howe tho and his background vocals were stronger than squire but yeah I did see Anderson Rabin and wakeman show ARW it was good
In the 90's I was in a deep depression after having to drop out of college and I was sitting at a stoplight by myself in my car when Total Eclipse of the Heart came on the radio. When he sang "turn around bright eyes", the vibrations of his voice hit my soul so deeply. I just know that voice was not human, but angelic. I was reduced to sobs and tears. I knew right then I was loved.
1983-one of my years in college and we definitely killed it to Safety Dance at the student union building dances. The 80’s was a great time to be in college!!!
I graduated HS in '83 at the age of 17. I took that following year off to "find myself" before finally getting a job in Nov '84. That was a great year for music.
@@billkeithchannel I graduated high school in '79 at age 17, took a gap year (before that was terminology) to earn money to finance a three month road trip in the summer of '80, then spent the next five years working toward a four year degree. Music was a huge part of my life at the time.
@AZ Desert Prepper Yes, he did, but I was referring to "Total Eclipse" and not "Wichita Lineman." But Jimmy Webb is vastly underrated as a song writer!
This redux series has become the thing I didn’t know I needed. If I had known of this during covid lockdowns I might have remained a shut in. I could listen to this all day every day. Thank you.
The Police were at peak phenomenon during this time. When ever I listen to the synchronicity album I doesn't matter what year I'm in because I'm back in 1983.....and It is the future.
I watched this because I was born in 1983. Thanks for sharing the amazing stories that make these songs so personal and powerful. I would love to see you do my birth week, I was born Dec 16. Thanks!
"Islands in the Stream" didn't crossover from pop to country. It crossed over from country to pop. This was a golden age for crossover country. The fact the Kenny Rogers is *not* the biggest legend in this duet should say it all.
1983-I was 13 and saw the Police, Air Supply and Kenny Rogers that year! What a blast! My own kids have been raised on all of this music and these are the songs they choose for road trips! The best decade of music!
My daughter and I joyfully danced to ‘Safety Dance’ for hours, well, almost hours. 😊. She was only six years years old at the time and as of today we still love it. Thanks for the wonderful memory. ❤️
Once upon a time I actually helped to shoot that interview with Kenny Rogers. I thoroughly enjoy what you do, Professor. If the AXIS channel had anyone with half a brain you’d have a daily show there! But I’ll watch whether you’re there or right here on TH-cam. You’re doing the Lord’s work documenting this important history of music and I can tell that the artists are delighted to talk to you. Way to go!
I love the 1950s-1990s, but the 1980s are probably my favorite decade of music. Bonny Tyler had one of the most beautiful voices I ever heard! Long live the Eighties!
Poll: 1983 was one of the biggest years in music. What are your pics for the best songs of that year?
Let's Dance by David Bowie
Duran Duran Hungry like the wolf/Rio
Garden Party Marillion
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Rock of Ages Def Leppard
Rosanna
Stepping Out Joe Jackson
Directly from my all-time favorite songs list at billgraper dot com (it won't let me type the address):
"Total Eclipse Of The Heart"- Bonnie Tyler
"The Smile Has Left Your Eyes"- Asia
"Love Is A Battlefield"- Pat Benatar
"I Won't Hold You Back"- Toto
"Goody Two Shoes"- Adam Ant
"Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy"- Sammy Hagar
"Hold Me 'Til The Mornin' Comes"- Paul Anka (feat. Peter Cetera)
"Baby Come To Me"- Patti Austin & James Ingram
"Do You Really Want To Hurt Me"- Culture Club
"Stray Cat Strut"- The Stray Cats
"Never Gonna Let You Go"- Sergio Mendes
"You Got Lucky"- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
"Billie Jean"- Michael Jackson
"Beat It"- MIchael Jackson
"Der Kommissar"- After The Fire
"Africa"- Toto
"My Love"- Lionel Richie
"Major Tom (Coming Home)"- Peter Schilling
"Making Love Out Of Nothing At All"- Air Supply
Love Cats The Cure, Every Day I Write The Book Elvis Costello, Back On The Chain Gang The Pretenders
So many Sunday nights I spent in my room, finishing my weekend homework, listening to Casey Kasem’s Top 40 Countdown! Waiting for that number ONE! It was magical!! I have a teenager now, and I feel bad that she will never know the sound of Kasey’s voice as he tells us the stories of the songs ,or the dedications to loved ones with heartfelt sentiments. He was an unsung hero of our youth. He was there for us week after week, playing our songs and building our memories, while we made plans for our futures. Thanks Kasey, for giving some of us the best times of our lives!
I know him from saved by the bell lol
I enjoyed the long distance dedications particularly. I never missed American top 40 as a teen in the 80s. I would record songs off the radio on the cassette deck from my parent's stereo. Great memories.
iHeart radio has a station dedicated to just Casey Kasem's American Top 40. All they play are reruns of the countdowns, as they were aired, back in the 70's and 80's. I'll listen to them now and then, and still wonder which song was #1!
HI KIMBERELY,YES I REMEMBER KASEY’S RADIO SHOW VERY WELL.I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING KASEY BACKSTAGE IN THE LATE 60’S WHEN HE WAS THE MC FOR SOME OF OUR CONCERTS.I ALWAYS THOUGHT HE WAS A VERY NICE MAN AND A GREAT DJ! STAY SAFE,AND BE WELL. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😎 RON ROMAN
My friend at work does a spot on impersonation of Kasey. Kills me everytime. Too funny.
One of the things that made the 80's so great was the damn VARIETY! The only decade where in the top ten you could get a combination of heavy metal, hard rock, soft rock, easy listening, disco, rnb, Motown soul, country, reggae, ballads, new wave, dance, funk, pop even blues or early rap/hiphop or something in German language all together in the top ten. A modern top ten is usually one to three genres.
Curtis Thomas - Truth
Not true 90's had a massive diverse range too
By 2014, the top 1% of artists accounted for 77% of revenue from recorded music.
Top 10….lol
I don't listen to current top 40 music almost at all, so this could be slightly off, but I believe a month or two ago, I saw that Drake had 7 of the top 10 songs. Pathetic.
I miss the music of the 80s.
1983...I graduated high school, began college and every single song mentioned takes me back.
Leave it to the 80's to have a country song, rockabilly song, new wave synth pop song all in the top 10 together.
Cocaine is a helluva drug!
It was the best of times.
It was a reflection of the country as a whole....diverse.
@@slappy8941 ... and the worst of times. With the Reagan people busy setting up the conditions for the world we live in today.
@@icecreamforcrowhurst Let's Go Brandon
This is almost depressing... God, what I wouldn't give for a time machine.
I know what you mean. The way life is now is so depressing, truly sucks! Everything is so fake now. Lyrics don't invoke any feelings like they did back then.
@@m.v.1230 listening to music from a much better time makes me sad. Some award show on a few weeks ago had nobody on it I recognized, not that I watched it, but you know. Thirty years ago I knew all of them.
A hot tub time machine will do
I would do anything to go back to 1985 as a 18 year old with my 18 year old son. I would love him to experience what I did in the clubs back then.
Even if it was a one way ticket, I’d still take that trip.
1978-1983 was one of the most prolific periods in music. When you actually stop and look up how many hits that people still love came out in those years it's insane.
Thanks for the adjustment to the time frame. Much better compilation of music.
And they just happen to be the same years I worked clubs as a DJ before walking across the street from the first club I started in 1978 to get an on-air job at the local (long gone but not forgotten) radio station in 1984. I just have to hear the first note or two of a song and a memories flood back. I might have the year wrong but in 1982 I remember needing a band to fill in our schedule but I wanted something new. I heard rumours of a young guy whose rock band was tearing up school proms locally. I had someone track him down and got him to Whispers, the club in North Vancouver where I was working at the time, in order to meet him. I was immediately struck by him. And, when he and his band hit the stage, so were the rest of the staff and clientele. They crushed it. We knew we were looking at a superstar in the making. He really made my summer of '82 although you probably better remember him for his "Summer of '69."
brief history of pop music - classical music / military band / jazz / R & B / disco / rock / rap ............(notice the water down trend)
It was a golden age
I remember years ago certain friends of mine we would just out of nowhere sing the word “True” in the same manner as the song. It would just crack us up.
I was 16, just got my first girlfriend, school was fun, my whole life was in front of me. What a time for music, and what a time in general.
I love what you said “ my whole life was in front of me , classic !
I was 16 in 1983 too but I didn't have a girlfriend.
"my whole life was in front of me. "
And your life today?
@@ColtraneTaylor No complaints.
Lol do you own matt's million mile lexus ??
A couple of years ago, my wife and I went to an Air Supply concert in Denver. We waited outside the stage door after the show, and Russell and Graham came out and were kind as could be. They were somewhat surprised to see that my wife had brought with her one of their albums, still in the unopened cellophane. After 30 years of waiting, she got it signed by them. And, by the way, they are still singing great, and put on one hell of a show.
I remember when a friend of mine came home excited about what new albums his brother bought. Both had pooled their money together and my friend came home very excited about the album picks. So buddy picks up the stack, looks at the first album, calls it shit and tosses it aside and does so to each one until he sees the Air Supply album. He turns to his brother then says, "Shit Supply!?!", rather angrily and tosses it over shoulder. Next thing you know, they both get into a fight! Lol!
Good times but ever since then everytime I hear an Air Supply tune on the airwaves, I always remember that moment.
@@renehinojosa1962
I saw them six or seven years ago and they were really really good
Did they sign the cellophane or the album?
Glad to hear they are still signing great.
@@FCS7 They removed the cellophane, and signed the album, then put the cellophane back on, to the extent one can.
Good memory. Greetings from the UK.
I turned 21 at the end of 1983. I didn't appreciate this music back then as much as I should have, but OMG, do I ever appreciate this music now. It's sad what the music industry has become (as well as Hollywood).
Agreed 2000%
For much of 1983 I didn't exist.
I also keep returning to the 80's as my favorite era for music. Very cool that both older and younger generations appreciate it
But what's odd is I really didn't like the number one's mentioned here. There were much better songs from 1983
@@thunderpooch lol me and The Professor were still in elementary school so...
The 80's were definitely a decade of originality. Music was the expression of that era.
The 70's as well.
The toys and cartoons as well.
But not this music.
This was a time when my musical tastes were still forming, but what I remember from this era was that you could hear pop, hard rock and R&B all on one radio station. The popular music scene had started fragmenting before then, but it wasn't nearly as fragmented as it is now.
Yep, from around 75-95 were the best years of Music of all time... So much quality, so much originality, etc.
I wouldn't have said this at the time, but the '80s we're the all-time greatest decade for pop music in all genres.
lol
what did your grand father say was the greatest music / then what did your dad say
brief history of pop music - classical music / military band / jazz / R & B / disco / rock / rap ............(notice the water down trend)
@@johncapo2843 I have no idea with my grandfather. I think my dad preferred the "traditional" Bluegrass and honkey tonk style country music of his youth, at least in preference to the post-Outlaw brand predominant when I was growing up. It's a matter of opinion. (No, I don't notice any watering down in your list; I'm aware that pop music has gotten progressively weaker since the early nineties, with some picking up in the last few years I believe.)
The 90’s were better
@@mully292 Okay...agree to disagree then.
@@mully292 no they werent. I was a 90s kid but no.. 70s were prob better though
I graduated high school in 83 and every time I hear True, I’m taken right back there. I tell my students how much fun I had in the 80’s and have cultivated a love of 80’s music with them.
Class of 84, myself. 83 was epic!
I grew up in the 80's and remember all these songs and the many memories they invoke... I frequently get a feeling of sadness when I think of how those days are gone in music. Thankfully these songs will live forever.
Aside from the music then, it was a time when kids weren't looking for ways to be depressed and there was a positive "spirit" in the air. 1984 I was 11 and it was fantastic I judged/diagnosed times
TOTP reaches 1992 so I'm done until 1995...
I was just thinking that tonight. I'm so sad that those days are gone. Guys looked amazing, dressed great, used hair spray...no underwear showing. The music was incredible. It was truly a magical time.
Even in the strongest calendar years for music, there has always been good music and bad music. I was born in the year 1980, but I routinely listen to music from the birth of rock-and-roll in the mid-1950s all the way through music of today. Case in point -- I'm likely to listen to "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" from the 50s in the same day as I request "As It Was" from Harry Styles (2022) and "Let the Music Play" from Shannon in the 80s. My point is, don't ever give up on music, because in every year, there is good music to celebrate. Even in a strong year such as 1983 or 1984, you still have to go find good music -- it doesn't just come to us.
The farther away from those days I get, the more I appreciate them. The friends I had, the people in school I interacted with. Riding the bus home from school. The music.
I miss it.
Total Casey Kasem vibes when you said "It's Bonnie Tyler with Total Eclipse of the Heart". My late husband used to absolutely love Total Eclipse of the Heart. We got married in 2005, by no means the 80s, but he would get ready for work every morning listening to that song (and Celine Dion 😁) until the cancer got bad and he couldn't work anymore. Thank you, I loved this list.
1983 seems like yesterday to me. A great time to be alive and to be a kid during so much happening and absorbing it all, enjoying it all... and not knowing at the time that it wasn't going to get any better than that. A different era, indeed.
The only perks now are to be able to talk about it on a smartphone and listen to those old songs or watch those old movies any time, any where that I feel like it without having to fast-forward/rewinding a VHS or cassette tape.
Recall the signs from the rental businesses "be kind and rewind"? Lol kinda miss that.
Having it on cassette tapes and VHS tapes means you can or could of watched it anytime you wanted if you had a RF TV and Boombox in your room and a Walkman for when you are out till the tape got spliced.
So true. Today it seems there are many technology advancements but the 80s were happier times for some reason. And you’re right - it didn’t get any better. I am so grateful to have experienced that era.
The 80s were a perfect mix of creativity, culture, and technology when it came to music.
Madonna was Queen of the 80s and outside America she remains the only queen.
@@eduardochavacano Now she's a joke and boring
@@soulboygabicci5681 She still left her mark on history and her music remains timeless. More than most artists today can claim
lol...culture...lol
brief history of pop music - classical music / military band / jazz / R & B / disco / rock / rap ............(notice the water down trend)
"Blinded Me With Science," by Thomas Dolby and "Der Kommissar," by After the Fire. Another two are "Overkill," by Men at Work and "Back On the Chain Gang," Pretenders. Billy Joel's "Allentown" still mind-blowing, as well. Finally, Bryan Adams' "'Cuts Like a Knife" it's worth the mention. Furthermore, Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face."
You're right. That was one great musical year.
There was a woman I worked with that had a fantastic body, from behind. However, when she turned around her face looked like old leather. Someone dubbed her “Ass without a Face”. Thanks to Billy, we had a term to describe her that fit.
Hey Adam, thank you for this episode. My beautiful bride and I were married on Oct.1st 1983. We're 38 years into this love affair and could not be more satisfied. All these tunes just bring back nothing but great memories. You do a fantastic job in all of your content and we are all blessed because of that. THANK YOU much.
Jim
Happy anniversary to you and your bride.
@@mewzishun Thank you, Tim.👍🏼
@Devil Shark Thanks, DS.👍🏼
Yay for you! Beautiful!
@@beth6252 👍🏼 Thank you Beth.
I remember 83. One of the best years of my life. Such great music. Pop, Hair metal, New wave, Hard rock. I go back there in my mind when I hear these songs.
*grin* The funny thing about the term "hair metal" is that it wasn't actually called that back then, when the guys actually had a lot of hair! It's only been called that in recent years, say, around the 21st century. Add to that the fact that Weird Al has more hair than most of those "hair metal" guys have nowadays...
I remember Sexy and 17 very well. I absolutely loved the Stray Cats. Their sound, which I learned a little later was called Rockabilly, was just so energetic and unique in the decade of decadence where new wave and glam rock ruled the airwaves.
My first album and my first concert, for that matter, was Stray Cats. I was 14 years old. I listened to their entire album and loved every bit of it. When I heard they were coming to town, I had to beg my grandparents, whom I lived with at the time, to let me go. They, being devout Christians, were not about to spend their money on support of any kind of rock-n- roll music. I was working my first job at the time and bought the album with my own money. I told them I'd buy my own ticket. Just please let me go. They only relented after I played a few songs from their album for them. After they decided it wasn't devil music, I was allowed to go. That was my introduction into the world of rock-n- roll in its raw form, live and in person. I'll always remember that concert.
As an eight year old in New Zealand, I used to listen to Casey Kasem and the weekly top 40 every week. America seemed like a faraway dream land.
I hope for your sake you never moved here. If you have, I'm sure you found out differently by now.
Wow, I never realized his show was broadcast in other countries. I used to listen every week too and tape songs off the radio. Ah the 80s…
They’re re-broadcasting AT40 with Casey Kasem on Sirius Satellite Radio on weekends. 70s on 7 (channel 7).
Wow. That's amazing that the show went all the way to NZ. I used to look forward to his show here in America. What a great soothing voice, and a story teller!
Nowadays its more like a bad dream.
I graduated high school and started college in 1983. "Up Where We Belong" was the prom theme, but there were just certain songs/groups that really took off because of MTV and the new look of music that some call the 2nd British Invasion. Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Thomas Dolby, and The Police were a few. Then there were those that got their second wind in the 80's like David Bowie and Hall & Oates. The 80's music is some of that music that the younger generations know, but can't quite remember where they heard it. It is SO much better than the music today.
Duran duran....is so great. The b sides are golden. One of first alternatives bands to break through
Same age as you but didn’t care for the pop music at that time. Preferred the 60s-70s tunes of our childhood , which to me was more soulful
Hall and Oates: Sarah smile >>man eater , imo
Maybe cause I’m a guitar player and in the early 80s synthesizers started replacing guitars…to each his own 😊
Started college in '83 as well. Turned 18 about a month in, and had a blast at a random frat party. I can close my eyes and still hear most all these songs from that night.
@@soulpatrolhawaii5409 Sarah Smile peaked at #4 on the billboard Hot 100 for the week ending June 26th 1976 wasn't originally intended to be the hit as it was buried on the b side of another song called Soldiering but that stiffed in the charts and A DJ in Ohio flipped the record over
@@gidmalu I was 5 in 1983 and still know pretty much all of these songs.
RIP Jim Steinman. One of the best song writers in history.
What a year for music! My top 10 favorites from 1983:
01 - Is There Something I Should Know? - Duran Duran
02 - Down Under - Men At Work
03 - The Police - Every Breath You Take
04 - Toto - Africa
05 - New Order - Blue Monday
06 - Def Leopard - Photograph
07 - UB40 - Red Red Wine
08 - David Bowie - Modern Love
09 - The Rolling Stones - Undercover Of The Night
10 - The Greg Kihn Band - Jeopardy
Definitely a better list than this. Just my opinion , but a lot of awful songs to prove today's music sucks.
I like this list better than the professor's list, lol!
Terrific list! lol I have memories of a different girlfriend for each of these songs! lol
Pretty good list!!!
3 good songs on this list and that's it LMAO
When I was a kid, my parents had albums called “Rock 82, Rock 83, Rock 84” (and so on until they stopped buying records late 80’s ish) and many more albums of course, but hearing this too 10 takes me back for sure. I can smell the smells and hear the sounds. What a rush ! Thank you Professor !!
--1--Billie Jean
--2--Every breath you take
--3--Flash Dance what a feeling
--4--Love is a battlefield
--5--Beat It
That's my 5 for 83
👍👍 Steve Buscemi's cover of 'True' in the Sandler movie - The Wedding Singer
I was 13/14 in 1983, and the music from that year is still the music that makes me feel young. Greatest year for music ever.
Billy Joel was a listening staple in the car stereo tape deck back throughout the ‘80s, thanks to Mom! I’ll never be able to hear Steinman’s sound from Total Eclipse of the Heart.
The song that makes me miss my mother is “American Woman” by the Guess Who. Every time it was played on the radio, she’d crank it up to ear splitting volumes. While I was driving to her funeral, the song came in the radio and I couldn’t help but think it was her saying goodbye. Thinking about it still chokes me up, 20 years later.
In Basic Training we were marched One boiling hot afternoon to a football field as part of some USO tour by the Guess Who including American Woman. I thought it an interesting choice for a thousand or so troops.
Sorry for your loss. Difficult when a mother is everything.
Only music has the power to do that.
She was definitely with you. Moms are like that.
I've won my kids many, many bets. I get phone calls on weekend nights asking me for lyrics to songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Anyone who argues gets sat down by all their friends who vouch for me.
One young man who spent a lot of time at our house with my youngest from about age 8 to 20, was pleased to tell me that he remembers that my favorite song is "Hotel California ". (It's not, even though it's a great song, it's not even my favorite Eagles song), but I didn't have the heart to correct him. He said the reason he remembers that is because we got to our house one night and it was playing. I wouldn't let anyone get out of the car until it was over.
Sounds like me. The best part is that he associates that song with me and good times with our family. I can't think of anything I'd rather be remembered for.
At our high school dances “True” was the dance you asked that special girl to dance to. I wish I had appreciated that time more at that moment.
For my high school it was Take My Breath Away from the Top Gun movie. Oh yeah, when that song got played, you grabbed your girl and headed out to the dance floor
Spandau Ballet? Good but Lady in Red , Chris De Burgh
@@mfp4136 Oh yeah. That was the song when you heard "couples skate" over the loudspeakers. Good memories.
don't we all? or at least many of us.
Ah yes, the ‘erection section’.
What a fantastic wonderful line up! I loved Safety Dance so much.
Me too. It was great. The joyful companions in the video was just beautiful. We can dance, Dancez!
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" was my high school's Class of '84 graduation song.
I heard "Maniac" in a local supermarket earlier this week-and for some unknown reason I slid my shirt partly off a shoulder.
I have kids who are 12 to 16. They are constantly trying get their “tone deaf daddy “ to listen to their music. My musical tastes developed in the 70s and 80s. Boston, Aerosmith and Pink Floyd. They cannot come close to matching that
I have such warm memories of Casey Kasem being on in the background when I was a little kid. He brought positivity to his listeners and nothing but good vibes. I’m getting the exact same feeling with this channel - so glad I discovered it - subscribed and liked! Keep up the great work - the world needs more people like you.
I turned 13 in 1983 and was in the 7th grade. I remember all these songs played on the radio. I was still buying 45 singles and cassette tapes in 1983. I love Kenny and Dolly. King of Pain is my favorite Police song and love Sincronicity. My Mom had Billy Joel's and played the cassette tape in the car. She loved that album.
I really love these countdowns. Middle School at times was trying at times and sometimes had to deal with bullies. Putting a tape in my Walkman made it easier to cope.
Thanks for sharing those memories.
Please make a video about "Making Love out of Nothing at All'.
Same age. But none of the music I was into is featured in this video.
It was all about metal for me. Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue.....
But I had problems with bullies around that time too. Adolescents are so mean to each other.
And that Walkman was indispensable!
Me too! I was in 7th grade in 83.' Graduated in 88. That year, Spandau Ballet's True was mind-blowing, and I wasn't even really into New Wave yet. More now, than then. LOL I was into Van Halen, Def Lep, ZZ-Top, etc. The whole Eliminator album was incredible. Jump came out at the very tail end of 83, before 1984 was released. And how about Photograph, by Def Lep? What a song! What an album. Pyromania set the stage perfectly, for Hysteria, a few years later. And yes - Synchronicity was incredible. I love / loved The Police, and I wore Synchronicity out! Lots of incredible music back then - and in so many different genres.... so sad the total garbage that's out now. So sad. We had it good back in the day! Rock on!!
@@jimmyz2098 Thanks for your comment. We are the same age. The 80s was definitely a great decade of music. So many talented artists and hit song. I admire Def Leppard's. He learned to play with 1 arm and put so much effort in learned to adapt. Truly inspiring. 😊🎵
I just died! "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is my vote. 1983 was my freshman year in college - I'd go back in a hot second! Thanks!
Air Supply… one of my favorites. I was 10 years old and completely in love with them and the rest of these songs. Great year for music when melody was king.
"Total Eclipse Of The Heart" is still one of my biggest GOOSEBUMPS songs. When she comes out of the solo & gives out a raspy "Every now and then I fall apart..." combined with the backup vocals & music... then into the last chorus... It still gets me every time! It's one of my favorite moments in pop music history!
Perfectly said
I had no idea the song was about a cougar and her much younger lover until I read the lyrics in Smash HIts magazine. That never played extra verse explains the meaning of the song.
That's an edit. There is actually another verse before that chorus.
Amazing that it was offered to Meat Loaf first, but his record company refused to pay Jim Steinman and Steinman offered it to Tyler.
It’s a “big” production track for sure.
Steinman’s style is virtually defined by its over the top quality.
There is an operatic theatricality to it.
Meatloaf was his main muse, but obviously his songs can work with other “big” singers like Tyler.
It’s dramatic - melodramatic for those who don’t care for the style.
Steinman’s style is recognizable enough that there are definitely similarities between
Total Eclipse and making Love …
I think Eclipse is the better song -More original lyrically and with a perfect fit for Tyler’s vocal.
The repeated “turn around bright eyes” (actually sung by a male singer despite that they sound
Rather androgynous) works as an engaging counterpoint to Tyler’s raspy but definitely
Female lead vocal.
It’s a special song and a lot of good work went into making it.
Not a song that goes by easily unnoticed. ✌️
March to June 85 is absolute tops. Phil & Phil, Phyllis Nelson, Paul Hardcastle Wham The Boss and many more.
This is hilarious - you realize that "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" are *literally* the same song, written by the same song writer, but simply with different lyrics? Now that you know that, listen to those two songs one after the other and you can't unhear it - the lulls and crescendos all happen at the same time. I realized it about 30 years ago, and now I can no longer hear either song without simultaneously hearing the other in my head at the same time.
Absolutely brilliant. The ultimate pop music two-fer.
This point was part of a plot in a 7th season episode of Criminal Minds.
All of that songwriter’s songs have that same field.
My 14 year old son, his spotify playlist is mainly music from the 70’s & 80’s, Al Green, Bobby Caldwel, Toto, Spandeau Ballet etc, etc. he discovered a new era where he admits todays music to doesn’t compare.
My 16 year daughter as well
Very cool!
Dont be surprised if 14 y.o. wants a 33 1/3 phonograph. TO PLAY YOUR OLD RECORDS ON😆
They make them for BLUETOOTH
@@kathleenking47 funny you mentioned that, I only recently bought him a retro vinyl turntable, does both 33 rpm & 45rpm and he know is slowly building an impressive record collection.
That is awesome to hear about young people having an old soul. My children are into that 60s - 80s time portal. From pop to rock to jazz to funk music.
Oh man, my sister loved Maniac and I must have heard that song 10,000 times because of her... She's been gone now for almost five years but every time I hear that song I always think of her dancing in the living room and singing along with it.
I remember Kasey Kasem saying the Maniac was originally about a serial killer, but the Flashdance guy liked it. In the TV Show, "The Boys", Kimiko plays this song on her phone while she fights the bad guys.
1983 was probably my favorite year in music. Because of its when I started my music collecting. And hearing everyone’s memories that you, Professor share. Is the reason I explain to my ten year old son, how great a decade the 80’s was growing up. The way he is, I wish he could enjoy those same things I did. Just hearing everyone else’s memories sparks even more memories for me. I might be bias but I think being able to live through the 80’s was definitely a blessing.
It's the year I started too... but didn't buy much from that year as I thought it was disappointing to the stuff I'd been listening to from 79-82. The records I bought in 83 were mostly a couple of years old.
This line up in just a week in 83’! A simple top 10 from a random week in 1983 sounds better then the past 5 years greatest hits!
I of course agree with you, but a lot of these 83’s songs were pretty lame and would fit in nicely with today’s garbage. I was shocked at how bad they were.
@@spankynater4242 I'm not so sure & I don't believe you think that what you just wrote? I didnt feel it from you? It's the same. Like most of todays misi.88 this to with sounds in general or just that old music wears better over time with people in general? I am unsure?±⁶⁶±
I don't recognize over half of these 80s so called Hits.
but vs today Hits, I can feel something Inside Me to get motivated or spring to life, in just writing this w/ 2 songs 'Tarzan Boy', & 'Waittng for a star to fall" (names here may be wrong, Both are new to me, thanks to my much older cousins for the6 in introduction)and immediately I felt so alive. It's so amazin! Feeling the Life pulhsating w/ each beat & this "Want to be wrote & heard" Overtone that seems typical5 for back then, with every word or keyboard riff?
Then, we tried this with the millenniial music.( In the past 22 years that is)& I refuse to acknowledge that's my generational style of music btw. Lol.
So, Of the 7 songs played we, have uh, No, I can't even push here that they were a "Version of Good" stuff. That was Bad! What luck randomly having seven bad ones in a row?! After hearing one, I contemplated my bad life choices & (even though would never) I wondered about Dying & Demons and such. I just wanted to sleep thru this day? 'What's going on! Am I on a bad trip?'
We love listening to all generational types, even 40s swing styles
music! It's awesome feeling that Generations 'day to day" living in the moment Music many others have experienced and listened to. My entire family all love listening to good music w/friends, working or while gaming?! It seems that everyone, including my Great Grandma, can recite a song from the '70s '80s or 90s and even the 50s and 60s! Even see pre- millineol hits.
So, I'll have to disagree .Today's solace music is every once in awhile a good song & sometimes you run across a great one!? but, taking for instance, this week in the '80s I don't know of any in the past 20 to 25 years that can compare?
So,,,
this is my question I can't be the only one that thinks this? I'm pretty young & I'm sure older people think this even more?
what has changed what is going on with todays music?
Thank You
@@sabber3076 no, I meant what I said. About half of the songs were really really horrible. And I’m including maniac, that song was just awful.
@@spankynater4242 I listened to that Maniac. Lol. You HAVE to Give me more?
I do understand they play the better ones more often but still, we have nothing today, but Blue Moon hits.
I have recently discovered the Turtles music group from the late 60's. Lol. I like their style. I just like Any & All music that sounds pleasing. Pop Rock & Rock, it would seem, is my preference. I did another random 80's title "I can dream about you" & "Hands to Heaven."
Now come on, that is pretty good stuff. I've never heard of 'Breath' or 'Breathe' Nor a segment done, by anyone, could on them?
Them Turtles though, 'Eleanore'. & 'Happy Togethe'(I've heard that latter song)
I don't hear music like these, ever. You seem to have a lot more knowledge on this. Until I was 17, we never istened to music as I am my wife do now free luke. It wasn't restricted we just didnt. I know now why it was never happening at our place growing up. Lol.
@@sabber3076 I don’t even know what songs are popular today. But in 30 years, today’s youth will be looking back at these days fondly, reminiscing that they just don’t make music like this anymore.
Casey would be proud. Just remember, keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.
That’s right!!!
Islands in the Streams is one of those songs everybody knows the words to. We were shooting pool in a dive bar after work in the 2000's, full of concrete workers and carpenters, haze of smoke, etc. One guy goes in for a shot, and for some reason sings, "Islands in the Stream..." The WHOLE bar of crusty blue collar types yells out "That is what we are..." and a few other verses. On pitch. Everybody laughed and went back to looking mean.
That's awesome.
That is a Budweiser commercial if I ever heard one.
What do you Call it when Dolly Parton floats downstream on her back? Lol. Lol. Lol.
I was 31 in 1983, but I never listened to or heard it.
They just used it in American Horror Story. Evan Peters sung the Kenny Rogers lines.
For me 1983 was the best year of the 80’s. The “pop” scene was off the charts that year. 82-86 was a golden age for the top 40 charts, but imo peaked in ‘83
I agree 100%
definitely those years... I would say 1984 was the peak, 1983 and 1985 almost as great and 1982 and 1986 just a tiny bit lower than 1983 and 1985... 1981 and 1987 things drop off a lot and 1988 and beyond its all downhill
Agreed!
@@billymuellerTikTok what's the best song in your opinion, for each year, 1981-1987?
1980 C 7/10
1981 C+ 7.5/10
1982 A 9/10
1983 A+ 10/10
1984 A++ 11/10 - this one goes to 11
1985 A+ 10/10
1986 A 9/10
1987 C+ 7.5/10
1988 C 7/10
1989 C- 6.5/10
1990 D 6/10
1991reality
I've heard people say that the greatest year of music is the year you graduate high school - probably because after that you start going to college and stop listening to pop and discover classic rock. for me though it was BEFORE high school. by the time high school started for me pop was horrible and I switched to metal: Guns N Roses, Def Leppard, Whitesnake.
Brian Setzer is a truly amazing guitarist AND front man.. just a fantastic talent..
He made two separate bands popular, in two separate decades, with two genres of music that very already long dead and cold.
Yes... please do Weird Al!
Wonderhussy!! Love love love your channel! Thanks for all you do. ❤
...well alright...it's my favorite little hussy...truly enjoy your adventures...and much respect for your courage...
Weird Al is a national treasure!
@@gozerthegozarian9500 Weird Al does the best concerts I've ever attended.
@Biff Dugan They're not your pits. Why should you have a say?
"Too Shy" by KajaGooGoo is the song that reminds me the most of 1983. It was released in the Summer in the US and I can remember driving to South Beach in Miami and hearing this song on the radio. That memory sticks forever with me.
the first sixty seconds of that song is the best intro to any song in history
Unfortunately, it is one of the songs that reminds me the most of 1983. Couldn't get away from it. In retrospect, it's not really as horrible as I remember.
Frankiee Goes to Hollywood - Relax is another
also you slap on Police or Huey Lewis or Dire Straits and it's instant nostalgia....
also I actually like the original video for Relax, the clean version is just lamesauce IMO lolz
you know how someone does something and you can tell that's not their thing?? that's the second video, the first one is more genuine....
YESSS!!!! 😀 I hadn't thought of that one, but you are 100% correct!
@@TheRedDevil_NC Listen to the extended version and you will like it.
What I personally loved about the 80s synth pop movement was the birth of so many movements, house , club house , electro , break beats 🎧, all these dance 💃 movements were birthed in the 80s … so special for those who loved to dance . It’s so easy to hear the appeal of police and of course the love ballads of the time highlighted in this section . What a treat
The Police "Synchronicity" is without a doubt one of the greatest albums of all time. An absolute masterpiece. If you've never listened to it you are missing out.
The Vinyl side without Every Breath You Take, I will never tire of, i.e, the side with the Synchronicity 1 and 2 and all the songs in between.
it a shame it end being there final album. don't stand so clow to me 86' doesn't count.
That was the album of Summer 83. Panasonic boom box that took 8 D batteries playing King of Pain while we played whiffle ball.
Absolutely!
@@erichanhauser3190 good memories
Tony Hadley one of the truly underrated voices of the early 80s.His voice can give me chills.
I still have the "True" album, was and still is one of my favorites songs! 1983 was a great year for music but so was all of the eighties ❤
1983 finished with a song that was a total breath of fresh air...Owner Of A Lonely Heart. I had just started my teaching career and I had the pleasure of telling my students that the number one song was by my favorite band, Yes!
I love these retro countdowns! Thanks Professor!
You're welcome! Please share them!
I was an 80's kid for sure! I turned 16 in 1984, the 80's hold such great memories! There's so much great music from that time, for me it would be impossible to pick just one or two favorites! Thank you for this amazing channel, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us music- lovers!!
There is one song on the list, the one at the top, that still gets to me so much I can't listen to it now.
My spouse used to sing this one to me, and the "turn around bright eyes" line at the end especially to tease me because of my abundance of body hair, haha (from the original "Planet of the Apes" when Charlton Heston's character is called "Bright Eyes".
She took her own life when she was 28 (we were expecting our 2nd child and she had antepartum depression in a time when we didn't even know that that was a thing), and the lyrics to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" took on a whole new meaning. I avoided listening to or watching the video like the plague, but it was inescapably in my mind, my heart, and even my spirit. I came very close to trying to join her too soon with a number of suicide attempts, even with our young daughter to raise, I was just out of my head with grief to the point of orphaning our 7 year-old girl, to my shame.
Suicide, it leaves so many piles of ashes in its wake, with survivor's guilt, torturing yourself that you didn't see warning signs, feelings of worthlessness, disposability, etc... and of anyone I should have known better, so our little girl got hit by a double-whammy of that that still negatively affects her to this day, something I wish I could fix but just can't. The turning was at a cousin's wedding when "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was played as the opening song, and I had nowhere at all to run away from it.
The song grabbed me so hard, and those closing lines suddenly took on a new meaning, like Kimimela was singing to me from the next world to turn around from seeking my own premature death and embracing life and taking care of our child. Everything changed in the space of a pop song, and I made amends as I could. I still miss her so much, and I hope, even pray, that there is something that survives of us after death, that I someday will have a chance to talk with her, just talk, for about a million years straight.
I still hear the song once in a blue moon like played at Safeway while I'm shopping, etc., and it always freezes me in my tracks as I try desperately not to break down. It's been so many years, but this song is still *that* powerful, and if that isn't a testament to the greatness of art I don't know what is. Our daughter right now is expecting her first child, my grandson, and life is good, but echoes of a life that might have been (I've stayed true to her even without her on Earth, there just is no one else but her for me regardless). I hope this story wasn't a downer, and even though I avoid this song there is a magic in it still for me... Jim Steinman, Bonnie Tyler & the E Street Band members emotion reached out and helped to mend a heart that had been shattered into a billion tiny pieces.
your journey is by no means a downer. manny, manny thanks for sharing. best wishes to you all.
I’m so sorry this happened.
Stay strong. It'll be alright.
You'll see her again, but not yet- not yet...
This just shows how much impact music can have on a person. Music helps us escape to good memories from our past as well as times such as yours. I'm glad you chose to stay with your daughter, because whether you realize it she needs you to be there for her.
1983 was right in the sweet spot of childhood. Many great memories from this redux video. Great job once again professor.
Many thanks!
@@ProfessorofRock Cool shirt. That Wang Chung album was one of my free Columbia tapes. _Don't Let Go_ became my all time favorite song on that album and it is on my car's USB stick. The actual song Dance Hall Days is such a classy classic. It brings back memories of sitting on the deck by our above ground pool (that I did most of the yard prep work and helped install) and enjoying this song on my Sharp dual-cassette jam box. Ah, the summer of 1984!
#same. my freshman year of high school so it's definitely etched in my memory in way other years, eras just don't capture
Brian Setzer and Stray Cats strove to revive Rock-a-Billy for a new generation in the midst of the emergence of re-branded disco (which continues to dominate air-play to this day).
SO much respect for him! SO much love for his music.
Hope Brian loves the rock-a-billy look, because man, he's had to sport that look his whole life. Sorta like Kiss and the makeup. I don't know Brian, maybe he is rock-a-billy to the core and it's just who he is. Whatever the case, the 80's were so damn diverse.
I got to see the Stray Cats live at the Sacramento civic center with back stage passes because the girl I was dating had a brother in Pegasus the local band that opened for the
Stray Cats lol. It was wild in there! lol
I remember the drummer standing on the base drum with a bottle of Jack Daniels! lol And yes I remember her by name all these years/decades later lol. Beautiful blonde hair, blue eyes and a body built for speed lol
@@prepperjonpnw6482 I so appreciate my younger-self treating me to so many concerts in the 70's and 80's. I didn't realize it at the time but I was seeding some mighty terrific memories. From Abba to Zappa I like to say.
Stray Cats, unfortunately, isn't one of them, so I'm envious.
Man, 32 year old here who loves everything 1980’s. What an amazing list of songs here. To all that lived through the 80’s, I know it wasn’t perfect, but man I wish i could have experienced a “simpler” time… not making this political, economical, or any deeper observation than that… the music, sports coverage, movies all had an innocence to them that today certainly doesn’t exist. Maybe it was more fairy tale than reality, but I wish i could have experienced it!
I wish I could go back EVERY DAY!
LOL!!! I'm currently working on an 80's themed song called "A Simpler Time." Are you spying on me? 😀
Very much so. Most of us didn't know about the aggravation of politics, when you were in a vehicle you were cut off from everything except radio, we spent time alone, time in the neighborhood, there was a positive vibe about the country we lived in. Music was more like a religion but we basically had radio or we purchased the music, that alone made music feel more special. The 80's were far from perfect but life was good.
@@ProfessorofRock i am so pumped you replied! Your vids have helped me through the past two years tremendously. Your passion for music has LITERALLY changed my life! You’ve expanded my music knowledge so deeply both with musical content but also the stories behind the songs. Just know that your vids don’t just resonate with people who experienced these songs when they came out, but you are also educating and inspiring people who didn’t have the pleasure to experience them live! My dad and I write and perform music for fun and you have helped my song writing and music formation tremendously! So much love man!
@@BillGraper love it man! I’d love to listen when it’s completed!
Is like what the legendary Prince once said back in a 2011 interview *I am here today because of the golden ages of the 60s, 70s and 80s of music* and he certainly wasn't wrong about that.
That is a very good question, what on earth did happen to music? Great video as usual...
Thank you! Autotune happened.
@@ProfessorofRock It happened long before autotune, blame garbage producers and relying on sampling
@@michaelcrawford5083 I also blame the record labels, and radio stations... and the people who start their own labels, only to put out horrible "music." They ruined the chart music for all of us who lived for that stuff back in the day.
@@ProfessorofRock I agree 100%
The look became more important than the talent.
Holly shit dude you rock
Long live the 80s best decade ever
Although I find new music now and again that really grabs me, there is nothing like that period of 1979 to about 1985 when punk turned into post-punk and then what they called "New Wave." I was a massive fan of British music and in my early teens lived just close enough to Athens, Georgia to be able to receive the transmission of their college radio station WUOG. I later moved to Atlanta and saw bands like R.E.M., Ministry, the Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees in small theaters and clubs before they blew up big and became part of what they started calling Alternative Rock. Great times, good music, fantastic memories.
i love these retro countdowns as well because I was there, music was everything to me and this is a pleasant trip down memory lane. Nice shirt, by the way.
Adam Wang Chung's 😆
Casey Kasem was how I learned about music - love that guy.
If I could rip a hole in time and take me and my kids back to 83, I would not hesitate.
Believe me, I am right there with you.
Thats a thought.🤔
Hey, I got a "driving way out of the way to buy a record" story: When Blondie released "Call Me," I begged my dad to drive me to a record store about a half hour away to buy the 45. Begrudgingly, dad obliged. I had a HUGE crush on Debbie Harry at the time (hell, who didn't?) so I was super stoked! There I was in the back seat of dad's '68 Impala station wagon, ogling my new 45. In a disappointing turn of events, I ended up accidentally sitting on the 45, snapping it in two. Dad was pissed. I cried. I did eventually replace it (and still have it in my collection), but I'll never forget the sound of it breaking underneath the weight of me.
Did you break it on the way home, or did you at least get to listen to it first? How old were you?
@@RetroDawn Guess I didn't make that part clear enough. I was sitting in the back seat and leaning my chin on the front seat. My dad hated when I did that, so he told me to sit back. I didn't realize that while i was leaning forward, the 45 had slid behind me (the station wagon had long bench-style seats both front and back), so when I scooted my butt back in the seat, the record snapped it half. I would have been about 12 at the time.
@@thislazylife Oh, wow. That would have been devastating! Your dad was right--that's dangerous, ofc.
That 45 in the trash added to the landfills taking away wildlife refuges. Shane on you and boycott Blondie!
@@edsnotgodLOL
October of 1983 I was a freshman just starting college, I just turned 19 in the middle of October of '83 thanks for triggering so many great memories.
Please, do a segment just on Jim Steinman and his hit making prowess, and how everything he wrote could be in a Broadway Rock Musical; because everything he wrote was brilliantly dramatic.
It's amazing how our memory works, especially when it come to hearing music from the past.
Ann Wilson of Heart did a powerful vocal performance on this song as well.
I'm 52 from UK and I gotta say thanks for this. Was one of the most enjoyable 25 minutes of video I've watched👍 You picked a great week.
Songs still trigger memories from the good ol' 80's
More like it please 😬
Was wondering why this playlist sounded so familiar to me . . . Until I remembered one of my exes was born in early October of 1983, and I once made her a birthday CD featuring the top 10 songs on the day she was born. Most of these tunes were on that playlist . . . The relationship didn't last, but this music certainly did.
I have said for decades that 1983 was the best year in music ever. The shear diversity in chart-topping genres alone is astounding.
A few songs from this timeframe that I would love a redux on: 1) Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes; 2) That’s All - Genesis; Give it up - KC and the Sunshine Band; 4) 99 Red Balloons - Nena
Growing up in the eighties we told our music was nothing compared to the sixties/seventies. The eighties rocked!
brief history of pop music - classical music / military band / jazz / R & B / disco / rock / rap ............(notice the water down trend)
I won't ever forget Air Supply. It wasn't my favorite, not even my style of music, but a certain girl I was close to all though junior high and high school. We were close because our lockers were always side by side because they were assigned alphabetically. In grade school we were always seated close, too. So all through school we were side by side. At a junior high school dance we requested an Air Supply song to dance together. My mom was a dance supervisor, and she had a camera with her and took a picture of me dancing with Julie. In the summer time we rode bikes together. One time we went on the Bike-athon together and she brought along a tape player and her Air Supply cassettes. So riding 20 miles through the country side we listened to her tapes. We never dated. I didn't think she was my type. Looking back, maybe she was what I really needed. Thanks for bringing back the memories!
Man you gotta get that Brian Stetzer interview on, he's not only an excellent guitar player but a character unto himself 🙏
Professor:
Thank You for a trip into a far less complicated time!
This era (1980s) was a great time for music! Your videos take me right back to a period ( & music) that was far more influential and meaningful in my life than I ever realized!
Even songs and groups that weren't necessarily my favorites (that we still heard constantly), you bring new & interesting perspectives that are heard with different
perspectives [ x +40 years ].
We're not 'immature kids' anymore!
(Now we're immature 'adults' !!) 😆😅🤣
THANKS!
1983, it was the year I had my daughter. I remember getting satellite, the dishes were huge back then, and watching MTV. That was a whole new experience, especially when the TV stations signed off at 11 pm.
Love is a battlefield-Pat Benetar; She's a beauty-The Tubes; Promises Promises-Naked Eyes; Big Log-Rober Plant and the best of the best: New Year's Day-U2!!!
Battlefield, absolutely
Tubes "Outside Inside" album is amazing. "Tip of my Tongue" is one of funkiest tunes ever.
I was only 5, but vividly remember hearing all of these songs while driving in the car with my parents.😊
I was a senior in HS in '83. Looking back, I can see where we had the best in music variety from that era. It was a great time to be
a music fan.
November would see Yes drop "90125" bringing them back from the dead and, thanks to Trevor Rabin, would usher in a whole new sound and direction for the band. 90125 remains one of the most important albums of the 1980s for me.
Jamie Golden. It wasn't YES. It was Trevor Horn and Jon Anderson. He killed the band. They never recovered.
@@jimclark1374 well that's not a very progressive rock thing to say. But yeah I agree, Trevor horn was the fly in the ointment.I Love Rabin's guitar over Howe tho and his background vocals were stronger than squire but yeah
I did see Anderson Rabin and wakeman show ARW it was good
I’d like Madness to pop up in some tube. They were such a hit with me when they came up. A true breath of fresh air
In the 90's I was in a deep depression after having to drop out of college and I was sitting at a stoplight by myself in my car when Total Eclipse of the Heart came on the radio. When he sang "turn around bright eyes", the vibrations of his voice hit my soul so deeply. I just know that voice was not human, but angelic. I was reduced to sobs and tears. I knew right then I was loved.
1983-one of my years in college and we definitely killed it to Safety Dance at the student union building dances. The 80’s was a great time to be in college!!!
I graduated HS in '83 at the age of 17. I took that following year off to "find myself" before finally getting a job in Nov '84. That was a great year for music.
The 80s was a great decade - period!
@@billkeithchannel I graduated high school in '79 at age 17, took a gap year (before that was terminology) to earn money to finance a three month road trip in the summer of '80, then spent the next five years working toward a four year degree. Music was a huge part of my life at the time.
" once upon a time I was falling in love, but now I'm only falling apart " is genius one of the best lines in a song ever !
@AZ Desert Prepper my favorite GC song.
@AZ Desert Prepper Wichita Lineman, an under rated classic.
Jim Steinman knew how to write a song!
@AZ Desert Prepper I think he's referring to the original comment up above. But yes, Jim Webb definitely had some winners!
@AZ Desert Prepper Yes, he did, but I was referring to "Total Eclipse" and not "Wichita Lineman." But Jimmy Webb is vastly underrated as a song writer!
This redux series has become the thing I didn’t know I needed. If I had known of this during covid lockdowns I might have remained a shut in. I could listen to this all day every day. Thank you.
The Police were at peak phenomenon during this time. When ever I listen to the synchronicity album I doesn't matter what year I'm in because I'm back in 1983.....and It is the future.
Agreed. And Synchronicity was great and underrated in the annals of time imo, one of the best 80s records
I watched this because I was born in 1983. Thanks for sharing the amazing stories that make these songs so personal and powerful. I would love to see you do my birth week, I was born Dec 16. Thanks!
"Islands in the Stream" didn't crossover from pop to country. It crossed over from country to pop. This was a golden age for crossover country. The fact the Kenny Rogers is *not* the biggest legend in this duet should say it all.
1983-I was 13 and saw the Police, Air Supply and Kenny Rogers that year! What a blast! My own kids have been raised on all of this music and these are the songs they choose for road trips! The best decade of music!
My daughter and I joyfully danced to ‘Safety Dance’ for hours, well, almost hours. 😊. She was only six years years old at the time and as of today we still love it. Thanks for the wonderful memory. ❤️
Once upon a time I actually helped to shoot that interview with Kenny Rogers. I thoroughly enjoy what you do, Professor. If the AXIS channel had anyone with half a brain you’d have a daily show there! But I’ll watch whether you’re there or right here on TH-cam. You’re doing the Lord’s work documenting this important history of music and I can tell that the artists are delighted to talk to you. Way to go!
I love the 1950s-1990s, but the 1980s are probably my favorite decade of music. Bonny Tyler had one of the most beautiful voices I ever heard! Long live the Eighties!