1980: THE 200 GREATEST SONGS. 
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Caffè Lattè presents…

1980

THE 200 GREATEST SONGS

 

In 1980, TV audiences tuned in for the answer to the question who shot J.R. on “Dallas”; Moscow hosted the Summer Olympic Games which were boycotted by many nations; war broke out between Iran and Iraq; Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States and the world mourned after John Lennon was assassinated outside his Dakota apartment in New York City.

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OVER YOU Roxy Music

Bryan Ferry co-wrote this with bandmate Phil Manzanera. As the lead single from the group’s ‘Flesh And Blood’ album, it peaked at #5 in Britain.

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HOW DO I MAKE YOU Linda Ronstadt

A US Top 10 hit that sees Linda Ronstadt rock. It was produced by Peter Asher (formerly of the duo Peter & Gordon). The song was penned by Billy Steinberg who, with Tom Kelly, would go on to write 80s classics such as: “Like A Virgin” (Madonna), “True Colors” (Cyndi Lauper), “Eternal Flame” (The Bangles), “So Emotional” (Whitney Houston) and “Alone” (Heart).

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REAL LOVE Doobie Brothers

‘One Step Closer’ was the follow-up to the group’s 1978 best seller ‘Minute By Minute’. This single lifted off the new LP climbed to #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The song was written by lead vocalist Michael McDonald and session musician Patrick Henderson. Nicolette Larson guests on background vocals.

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DREAMIN’ Cliff Richard

This single made the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. It was written by Leo Sayer with Alan Tarney. The latter also produced the track.

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BREAKDOWN DEAD AHEAD Boz Scaggs

The lead single from ‘Middle Man’ reached #15 in America and peaked at #8 in Canada.

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FASHION David Bowie

In 1980, David Bowie unleashed a new album: ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)'. This was the second single lifted off the LP. The song peaked at #5 in the UK.

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(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER John Lennon

Released on October 24, this single preceded the issue of parent album ‘Double Fantasy’ the following month. The LP marked a comeback for John Lennon. By the start of December, the single had reached the Top 10. Tragically, Lennon was assassinated while returning home on December 8. As the planet grieved, the disc sped to #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada and Australia.

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ARMY DREAMERS Kate Bush

Dealing with the futility of war, this single reached #16 in the UK. It was the third single lifted off her ‘Never For Ever’ album.

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ALL OVER THE WORLD Electric Light Orchestra

This was the group’s third single issued from the ‘Xanadu’ soundtrack album. It namechecks various cities, including: Paris, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Amsterdam. The disc was a chart hit in both the US and Britain where it peaked at #13 and #11 respectively.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT UB40

The debut single from the British reggae band reached #4 on the UK chart. It proved particularly popular in New Zealand, where it climbed all the way to #1.