Twenty Songs from 1984

Wherein More Details are available


Paul McCartney is responsible for more popular bad music than anyone else in the history of music. Should’ve taken his instruments away and made him sit in the corner a long time ago.

This is probably about the time when I began referring to Phil Collins as the white Lionel Richie and Lionel Richie as the black Phil Collins. Put them both in a sack and throw them off the bridge. No, you don’t need any help, they’re lightweight enough for one person.

I swear, Boy George is singing “become a comedian.” That’s what I hear. Van Halen makes the list with Jump. The definitive version of that song is by Aztec Camera. Must of been before they got all boring.

Forgot I went to a Yes concert that year. Paul, Dave and I snuck down to the floor, found some seats by some cute girls who drove over from some small college in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, that story pretty much ends there, though it was so close. Damn her sensible friends who insisted they really needed to get back for class the next morning. Sensible did not describe my friends and me. Dave got sick and while he was off in the restrooms vomiting up 4 gallons of alcohol, Paul and I thought it would be hilarious to sneak off and ditch him. Because we were also drunk. But we didn't, so I guess that means we were sensible.

Also remember seeing Lou Reed, Rickie Lee Jones, Thomas Dolby, and Golden Earring. Golden Earring is memorable because I had ridden the Minnesota Ironman earlier that day, my first 100 mile bike ride. Held the last Sunday in April, that year's ride started with temperatures in the low 40s and finished in a freezing rain with a 20 mph headwind, and ten inches of snow by Monday morning. For 1985, if was sunny and in the mid 70s. Ahh, Minnesota in the Spring.

The only thing keeping this from being an F are the first two songs.

Grade: D

Bad songs = crossed out
Great songs = bold

1984
1. When Doves Cry, Prince
2. What's Love Got To Do With It, Tina Turner
3. Say Say Say, Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
4. Footloose, Kenny Loggins
5. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now), Phil Collins
6. Jump, Van Halen
7. Hello, Lionel Richie
8. Owner Of A Lonely Heart, Yes
9. Ghostbusters, Ray Parker Jr.
10. Karma Chameleon, Culture Club
91. Got A Hold On Me, Christine McVie
92. Dancing In The Sheets, Shalamar
93. Undercover Of The Night, Rolling Stones
94. On The Dark Side, John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band
95. New Moon On Monday, Duran Duran
96. Major Tom (Coming Home), Peter Schilling
97. Magic, Cars
98. When You Close Your Eyes, Night Ranger
99. Rock Me Tonite, Billy Squier
100. Yah Mo B There, James Ingram and Michael McDonald