1980: THE 200 GREATEST SONGS. 
This post: #140-131. 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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HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK Hall & Oates

This duo consisted of Daryl Hall & John Oates. During the Seventies, the act scored hits including the #1 “Rich Girl”. Together, they would dominate the US Pop charts with a string of hits in the 1980s. The new musical approach of snappy pop tracks began with this single that reached #30 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

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SEPTEMBER MORN Neil Diamond

The parent album was issued just as 1979 was ending. The title track was a Top 20 ballad in North America. It also made #2 on the US Adult Contemporary Chart.

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MORE LOVE Kim Carnes

Smokey Robinson wrote this love song and first recorded it with his group The Miracles. In 1967, the Motown hit reached #23 in America. The Kim Carnes remake fared even better: climbing to #10.

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JOJO Boz Scaggs

This was the second single lifted off ‘Middle Man’. In America, the disc peaked at #17 on both the Pop and Soul charts.

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ONE FINE DAY Carole King

Carole King co-wrote this hit with her husband Gerry Goffin. In 1963, the song was a Top 10 smash on the Pop and Soul charts for The Chiffons. The girl group classic was covered by King herself. Her version peaked at #12.

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STILL The Commodores

The last #1 Lionel Richie enjoyed as a member of The Commodores, this love song was penned by him. It topped the US Pop and Soul charts. The single also peaked at #2 in Canada and #4 in the UK.

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STEAL AWAY Robbie Dupree

The short-lived chart career of Robbie Dupree began in 1980 with this debut hit. “Steal Away” was heavily influenced by the Doobie Brothers. The single peaked at #6 in America.

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BACK IN BLACK AC/DC

AC/DC could have understandably called it quits following the death of its legendary lead singer Bon Scott on February 19, 1980. In March, Brian Johnson was recruited as the Australian band’s lead vocalist. The new line-up recorded what would become its best-selling album: ‘Back In Black’. It was a worldwide hit. This remains one of the rare occasions where a group replaced a dynamic lead singer and thrived.

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STOMP The Brothers Johnson

Brothers Louis and George Johnson topped the Soul and Disco charts in America, where this dance hit also reached #7 on the Pop Hot 100. The single went one better in Britain. Quincy Jones produced the track.

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WE CAN GET TOGETHER The Flowers

Prior to the name change to Icehouse, The Flowers’ second single reached #16 in Australia. This was also the Australian group’s first disc to chart in America, where it climbed to #62.