A to Z of the 80s - J is for Jo, Obviously

Just So You Know.

by Jo Michelmore

And it's at this point in our second A to Z we see a trend emerging, because as also happened in the A to Z of Pop, when we come to the tenth letter of the alphabet, it's all about me. Just so you know, when it comes to the J in any A to Z that I write, the J will always be for Jo. Obviously.


Just so you know, if I ever find this Janet Jackson song at a karaoke joint, I will be singing it. I will not look at the TV screen, because I know all the words. And if my fellow karaoke friends are lucky, I may crack out a dance move. Or two. 

Just so you know, I have quoted the lyrics "I've been caught stealing, once, when I was five..." to a department store security guard. I don't think he'd heard of Jane's Addiction. He checked my bags on the way out.

Just so you know, I think Joy Division have one of the best band names ever, even though they were better in the 70s than 1980. But I'll take any excuse to post some Joy Division. And say the name Joy Division numerous times. Joy Division.

Just so you know, Journey wrote some of my favourite lyrics in any song, ever. And just so you know, south of Detroit is a river, and then Canada, therefore, there is no such place as South Detroit. And also, if you are at karaoke with one of my best friends and I and you're thinking about stealing this duet from us, you will regret it...all the way to South Detroit. Just so you know.

Top 100 Songs of the 1980s - #20 - 11

We're so very close to the end of our journey to find out the #1 song of the 1980s... In today's penultimate edition of the countdown we've got some of the most critically acclaimed songs of the decade and some of the highest selling songs of all time. They're all so good, you could probably make an argument for their inclusion in the top 10! So, what are they? Let's find out...

#20 - Better Be Home Soon (1988)

by Crowded House

When Neil Finn performed 'Better Be Home Soon' alone at the ARIA Awards after drummer Paul Hester's death, I looked at the song in a whole new light and appreciated it so much more.

#19 - Ashes to Ashes (1980)

by David Bowie

#18 - Fast Car (1988)

by Tracy Chapman

The best song from one of the greatest female storytellers in the history of music. Rolling Stone listed 'Fast Car' at #167 in their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time countdown, the highest ranked song performed AND written by a female.

#17 - Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)

by Joy Division

Lucky I like it... if I didn't include 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' I feel like I'd be hunted down for crimes against music or something. It's good, it's very good and to some it's the greatest song of the 80s... but sorry, not to me.

#16 - With or Without You (1987)

by U2

For such a long time this was my favourite U2 song. To find out what claimed the title you should probably tune in to the next edition...

#15 - How Soon Is Now? (1985)

by The Smiths

See what I wrote about 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and change it to 'How Soon Is Now?'

#14 - Billie Jean (1983)

by Michael Jackson

Don't feel too bad for MJ... while he missed out on the top 10 he still managed to place 5 songs on the countdown.

#13 - Poison (1989)

by Alice Cooper

Classic 80s rock that gets played in clubs today with the weird remix that came out a couple of years ago.

#12 - Rockin' In The Free World (1989)

by Neil Young

The backlash against New Wave's sexy/synthy beats had finally begun towards the end of the decade. This would of course lead into the birth of grunge and a lot of credit has to be directed in Neil Young's direction for this.

#11 - This Woman's Work (1989)

by Kate Bush

Do I need to explain my love for Kate Bush again? No? Good.

Only ten more songs to go boys and girls... what are they gonna be? Tune in next time to find out!