Wednesday’s What’s Yours : “The Essential” list

February 12, 2008

Ever picked up a “best of” album, looked at the back cover and said, “What?! That’s so NOT best of!!”?

The past few years, I keep getting nostalgic for 80s music – must be getting old, I guess -and I’ll be wandering through a store, see a CD with title like “Essential 80s” and grab it up excitedly, only to be perplexed and disappointed with the compilers’ choices.

Usually you get a mix of Men Without Hats (puh-leez!), Culture Club (yes, George, I do want to hurt you), Kim Wilde (I think I just vomited into my mouth), Peter Blakeley (he’s on one I saw yesterday – remember Crying in the Chapel? Tell me THAT belongs on a compilation), Scritti Politi (I said “who?” too), Mel & Kim … and even Kajagoogoo (try saying that 3 times fast!).

Essential 80s?! I think not!

When I think of 80s music, I think of songs that were not just novelties but had depth, intelligence and … well … they reached inside your gut and twisted it either with their dark edge or their sense of joy.

So here’s MY CD, were I the compiler. These are all bands that lasted many many albums and whose music has remained popular with millions. These are all songs that I can literally listen to over and over without losing interest. These were the soundtrack of my youth … oh … sorry, a cliche slipped out …

My Essential 80s Songs

Head Over Heels – Tears For Fears
Our House – Madness
Love Song – Simple Minds (how can one little bass riff give so much joy?)
Thunderstruck – ACDC (how can one little guitar riff give so much joy??)
Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House
Why Can’t This Be Love - Van Halen
Spirits in the Material World – The Police
Just Keep Walking – INXS
I Wanna Know What Love Is – Foreigner
Beautiful World – Devo
Where the Streets Have No Name – U2
Shout – Tears For Fears

So here’s an open “meme” or challenge. Let us know what your Essential List would be. It could be cars, 70s glam rock bands, or species of lizards – whatever! (Or it could just be 80s Songs, like this one). Then post a comment here to let me know you’ve got it on your blog. In a week or two, I’ll post all the links to all those who played.

And now for your listening pleasure, here’s two of the songs from my list above…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEdZrV0j6zM[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80OauT0OZgI[/youtube]

Tags: Music, Reviews, What's worse?

Comments

No Responses to “Wednesday’s What’s Yours : “The Essential” list”

Bad Dad on February 13th, 2008 3:11 pm

Hi Pete, I accept your challenge. In fact I recruited Mrs Bad Dad to weigh in as well. We put on our pastel, cotton outfits, poofed up our hair and went head-to-head over at
Casa de BadDadio.
Cheers!
Markk on February 13th, 2008 8:56 pm

“I Wanna Know What Love Is” on your Essential list?? Say it ain’t so, Pete, say it ain’t so!
Pete on February 14th, 2008 7:15 am

I wasn’t sure I should put it there. I know I’m letting many of you down. But in the end, I had to be honest. I’m also thinking mainstream here; if I’d put together my CD of alternative artists, you’d probably not have recognised most of the songs.

And come on; I did slip a Devo song on there, so surely that absolves me.

And what about your Essential List, Mark with 2 k’s?
Pete on February 14th, 2008 7:21 am

@ BadDad, thanks and looking forward to it.
Bad Dad on February 15th, 2008 12:09 am

Hi Pete, I got carried away and created another list: Bad Dad’s Essential Sylvester Stallone Collection. Enjoy!
jonathan on February 16th, 2008 1:44 am

Ok, I had to make a list, but another 10 of my favorites may have to be made. I assure you, no Foreigner would be on it.

Anyways here it is http://growingupwiththekids.wordpress.com
Pete on February 16th, 2008 10:48 am

Good list, Mr J. I’ll be posting links back to them late next week. Come one everyone else, what’s in the list?

Especially you, Markk, you were a little boy in the 80s so you’ll have an interesting spin on this…
Bad Dad on February 16th, 2008 11:39 am

What, no Foreigner? But “Juke Box Hero” is a classic!
good dad on February 17th, 2008 9:01 am

I could make a list 100 long.
Anything Journey
Air Supply (I am not ashamed…)
The Fixx ‘Red Skies at Night’
Whitesnake
What has 7 arms and sucks? Def Leppard of course is on my list.
Big Hair Bands from Night Ranger to Dokken
Asia
Boston
Toto
REO Speedwagon
etc…man so much good music.
Pete on February 17th, 2008 10:06 am

We now have a Bad Dad and a Good Dad playing. Is this like Good Cop Bad Cop?

I’m with you on the List of 100 thing, GD. I hadda leave a LOT of songs off mine. Nasty nasty Def Leppard joke, but funnnnny. And Air Supply? I admire your bravery in admitting that, and they WERE a feature band of the era.

Thanks for playing!