1980: THE 200 GREATEST SONGS. 
This post: #160-151. 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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GAMES WITHOUT FRONTEIRS Peter Gabriel

After quitting Genesis, Peter Gabriel launched a solo career which proved a critical and commercial success further into the Eighties. This single features Kate Bush on background vocals. It reached #4 in Britain.

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I’M ALIVE Electric Light Orchestra

After the box office success of ‘Grease’, Olivia Newton-John’s next film was ‘Xanadu’. Most of the movie’s soundtrack featured tracks by her and the group ELO. This single reached the Top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic.

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SAME OLD SCENE Roxy Music

This #12 UK chart hit was written by the group’s lead singer Bryan Ferry. It was produced by the group and Rhett Davies.

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PEOPLE Mi-sex

After migrating from New Zealand to Australia, Mi-sex scored a #1 hit with “Computer Games” in 1979. More hits followed in the new decade. This single reached #3 in New Zealand and #6 in Australia.

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BREATHING Kate Bush

Sung from the perspective of a foetus, this was the lead single from Kate Bush’s third studio album ‘Never For Ever’. The song was written and co-produced by the singer. It peaked at #16 in the UK.

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THROUGH THE LONG NIGHT Billy Joel

While most of ‘Glass Houses’ was influenced by new wave, this ballad represented the softer side of Billy Joel that had spawned tender love songs such as “She’s Always A Woman”, “You’re My Home”, “She’s Got A Way” and “Just The Way You Are”.

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I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER Prince

Released in 1979, this single was Prince’s first hit song in early 1980. It only just missed out on the UK Top 40, but did reach #11 in America.

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TAKE YOUR TIME (DO IT RIGHT) The S.O.S. Band

This was the lead single from the group’s debut album ‘S.O.S.’. In America, it topped the Soul and Disco charts as well as peaking at #3 Pop.

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CHEAP WINE Cold Chisel

This song’s parent album ‘East’ propelled the rock group to new heights among the rising crop of Australian music acts. Written by group member Don Walker, it became the band’s first Top 10 hit.

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COMING UP Paul McCartney

A decade on from the split of The Beatles, Paul McCartney was showing no signs of slowing down in 1980. This single consisted of a different version on either side. The A-side was a studio take with just McCartney. For the flip side, Wings performed the same song recorded live in Glasgow, Scotland. McCartney wrote and produced the single. It proved popular: reaching #1 in North America and #2 in Britain and Australia.