1980: THE 200 GREATEST SONGS. 
This post: #40-31. 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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HE’S SO SHY Pointer Sisters

The song was written by Tom Snow and Cynthia Weil. Richard Perry produced the track which took the trio to #3 in America, #1 in New Zealand and into the Top 15 in Canada and Australia.

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FLY TOO HIGH Janis Ian

The American singer / songwriter created this hit with producer Giorgio Moroder. It was arranged by Harold Faltermeyer. The song was used in the 1980 film ‘Foxes’ and went Top 10 in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and in various European territories.

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SIMONE Boz Scaggs

This was the result of another Boz Scaggs writing collaboration with David Foster on the ‘Middle Man’ album.

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SUPER TROUPER Abba

The title track on ABBA’s seventh studio album features Frida Lyngstad on lead vocals. In Britain and across the UK, the single reached #1.

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LET’S GET SERIOUS Jermaine Jackson

When The Jackson 5 quit Motown, one of the members- Jermaine- stayed behind because he was married to label boss Berry Gordy Jr.’s daughter Hazel. This hit was produced, arranged and co-written by Stevie Wonder. It reached #1 on Billboard’s US Soul Chart. #2 Disco and #9 Pop.

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MOSCOW Genghis Khan

This 1979 release was used in Australia for Channel 7’s television coverage of the Summer Olympic Games held in Moscow, Russia. Many nations had boycotted the event because the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan. The single was issued in English in Australia (the original was in German and entitled “Moskau”) and it enjoyed 6 weeks at #1. The German group is also known as Dschinghis Khan.

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PLEASE DON’T ASK ME John Farnham

John Farnham had been one of Australia’s most popular performers in the early 1970s but his career was far removed from those halcyon days as that decade came to a close. The singer signed with Glenn Wheatley who was also managing the Little River Band at the time. Farnham recorded a new album. ‘Uncovered’ helped revive his chart fortunes. It was produced by David Briggs of LRB. He also penned this emotional ballad for Farnham.

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OUR LAST SUMMER Abba

Filled with references to Paris, this track from ‘Super Trouper’ was another opportunity for Frida Lyngstad to shine on lead vocals. As was the case with all of the album’s songs, this too was written and produced by group members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

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HEARTBREAK HOTEL The Jacksons

As Motown owned the rights to the Jackson 5 name, the brothers started a new chapter on Epic Records with a new moniker: The Jacksons. The group’s first album releases with the label saw the group increasingly take greater control over their recording output. ‘Triumph’ saw the Jackson brothers (now including younger brother Randy as Jermaine’s replacement) raise the bar. Michael wrote the single "Heartbreak Hotel". The group produced it. In America, the single reached #2 on the Soul Chart and #22 on the Pop Hot 100. It has since been re-titled “This Place Hotel”.

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MY OLD PIANO Diana Ross

The third single lifted off ‘Diana’ was a chart hit in Britain (where it reached #5), Europe and Australia.