1980: THE 200 GREATEST SONGS. 
This post: #70-61. Continues: tomorrow.

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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WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU The Romantics

American rock group The Romantics only climbed to #49 on Billboard’s US Hot 100, but the single charted in some European countries and peaked at #2 in Australia.

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TWILIGHT ZONE Manhattan Transfer

Based on the cult TV series of the same name, this single reached #30 in America and #25 in the UK.

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I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC ‘Fame’ Soundtrack Ensemble

‘Fame’ was a box office success in 1980. The film’s soundtrack contained standout tracks such as this one featuring various cast members, including Irene Cara, at their graduation.

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WOMAN John Lennon

The second single and the first posthumously released from ‘Double Fantasy’ was written by John Lennon about his wife Yoko Ono. Issued just weeks after his tragic assassination, the disc reached #1 in Britain, Canada and New Zealand. It peaked at #2 in America.

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ALL FOR LEYNA Billy Joel

This track from the ‘Glass Houses’ album was released as a single in the UK where it peaked at #40.

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ELAINE Abba

Although this song did not appear on any of the original ABBA albums, it has since resurfaced as a bonus inclusion on the 2001 reissue of the Swedish group’s ‘Super Trouper’ album. Prior to that, it was the B-side for the single “The Winner Takes It All”.

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POOR BOY Split Enz

Tim Finn wrote and performed lead vocals on this album track from ‘True Colours’.

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LITTLE JEANNIE Elton John

Elton John released the ’21 At 33’ album in 1980. Its title marked the occasion of his 21st album and his age (33) at the time. “Little Jeannie” was the LP’s hit single, written by the singer with Gary Osbourne. The disc topped the Canadian chart and peaked at #3 in America. Across Europe and in Australia, the single made the Top 10.

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HOOCHIE GUCCI FIORUCCI MAMA Australian Crawl

An album track included on ‘The Boys Light Up’ written by lead singer James Reyne and producer David Briggs.

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I’M COMING OUT Diana Ross

Nile Rodgers was inspired to write this uplifting anthem when he spotted some drag queens dressed as Diana Ross at a club. The song marked a line in the sand in the Motown superstar’s career. She was poised to leave the label and Berry Gordy Jr. in order to take greater control of her future. The trombone solo was performed. By Meco Monardo who had reached #1 with his disco version of the “Star Wars” theme. In America, "I'm Coming Out" reached #1, 5 and 6 on the Disco, Pop and Soul charts respectively. The disc climbed to #13 in the UK.