A to Z of the 80s - P is for Party

But Not Like Prince

by Jo Michelmore

The 80s are responsible for a lot of things that are probably best forgotten, some of which I've already written about in this alphabet of mine. But there's one thing from the 80s that I blame all of my disappointments on. If only I hadn't heard one song, things would have turned out so differently. I'd have happily gone along my merry way, never thinking I was missing out on something, wondering why everyone else was having such a good time while I was like a lost puppy, waiting around for things to happen. I'm sure if it hadn't been for that one goddamn 80s song about the 90s then...

...S Club 7 would have been S Club 8. I'd obviously be the '8th'. Duh.

Instead of just seeing the Vengaboys the second time around, I'd be driving the Vengabus...

And I might have liked this (but probably not)...

Alas, here I am, still waiting for the greatest night of my life, a party filled with fireworks and funny coloured cocktails and dancing and midgets wandering around with bowls of cocaine on their heads like it's 1999. Or something. Maybe? I was there in 99. Even it wasn't that great. If I hadn't heard that song about 1999 in the 80s then I would have enjoyed all the parties I went to, not thinking there was a better one out there somewhere. In fact, I'd probably have done more of this...

and less of this...

The 80s have a lot to answer for. Damn you Prince. 

A to Z of the 80s - H is for Hairy, Huey and...

...Hello

by Jo Michelmore

We're up to week eight in this alphabet already and I feel I should let you, dear readers, know that I can't take entire credit for the A to Z of the 80s. Every week, I chat to certain friends and family who are well versed in all things 80s and ask them; who needs to appear in this A to Z, who can I not possibly miss and what do you think (insert letter here) should stand for? This week, I've had a couple of suggestions, so I dedicate H to those who help me every week and of course, you dear reader, which  could be one and the same.


The first suggestion for H was hairy. The 80s had a thing for hair and not just on top of ones head like I discussed in A, but in various other places too. The king of 80s hair though, is a tough call between this guy...

Prince, who didn't have a lot of chest hair, but really liked to accentuate it with frills and low cut shirts and I have to appreciate someone who makes fashion work like that...

...or this guy, Paul Stanley, the front man of KISS, who had enough chest hair for three or four big hair bands. Whatta babe. If you're into that. Me not so.


Someone who wasn't so well known for his hirsute appearance, but did sport an impressive bouffant (i have possibly just used two of my all time favourite words in one sentence), was Huey Lewis. He had band called The News. And a whole career before Gwyneth Paltrow.

That song was from Back To The Future, which was one of the biggest films of the 80s and also featured a line I have been known to repeat at inopportune times, which can be particularly annoying repeated in the car on long road trips.

Like this song, which also has a line I like to repeat and is slightly annoying, because it means I can't say the word "hello" to anyone without hearing those other six words that follow. The friend who suggested this song can attest to that.

As annoying as that is, I can't hate it too much. After all, it's responsible for one of the greatest street posters, of all time.

No Lionel, I'm not, but thanks for asking.

The A to Z of Pop - P is for Party Like It's...2014?

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

The letter P. It's been a sticky one for me, since the sweet young age of twelve years old, when I went to a 'P' themed party. While the majority of attendees went dressed in the colours pink and purple, but I thought outside the apparent 'P' square and went dressed as a present, all wrapped up with a curly pink bow on top of my head. It was at this party, I learnt the harsh lesson that people don't necessarily like to embrace the idea of 'fancy dress' and tend to put in as little effort as possible. I'm not going to say much more than that except to say I have never gotten over this.


Now, many years later, I have gathered a group of friends who will either A) will go to the same amount of effort as me when it comes to the themed party or B) appreciate the effort put into themed party costumes I create. I love my friends. This brings me to the letter P in the A to Z of Pop. In order to make up for the scarring devastation of wearing a cardboard box as clothing and not winning 'best dressed' at that first P party oh so long ago now, I shall stage my own P party, right here on the blog, where only my friends, you dear readers and pop stars beginning with P are invited.

Paula Abdul will show up early 'cause she's old and desperate for any friends she can get. She'll be dressed incredibly well because she hasn't changed her style since the early 90s and that cropped jacket and those shoes are so on trend right now. She'll be the life of the party...until someone else shows up.

Pitbull gets an invite because every party needs a creep glaring and drinking in the corner that everyone else is a little scared of.

Paloma Faith gets an invite because every party needs a drunk girl drunk texting her ex-boyfriend and crying manically in the early hours of the morning because no one understands how much she loved him and only love can hurt like this...(vomit). Have another vodka, Paloma.

Paris isn't actually invited, but if there's a chance someone will have a camera or an instagram account she'll show up. 

Prince gets an invite because I have this feeling if anyone can party, Prince can party...like it's 1999. Were parties better in 1999? Perhaps.
   

The last invited guest? Well, it's fairly obvious, right? She's comin' up so you better get this party...etc. Yep.

The A to Z of Pop - I is for It's My Kind Of Scene

I, but that is not necassarily  my kind of scene.

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

Alright kids, here we have arrived at the letter 'I' and in the A to Z of Pop, whatever do you think 'I' would stand for? Ireland? Nah, I'm not writing a blog post about Ronan Keating. Irresponsible? Nah, there's enough of those pop stars around without me chatting about them. Iran? Actually, I don't know any pop stars from Iran, but I bet if I did they'd be awesome. I declare the 'I' be about exactly that - I, as in the person, ME, and you know what about I, as in me? It's about what is MY kind of scene, after all, this here little blog is called It's My Kind Of Scene, so let's talk about that.


So, because I spend a portion of time each week writing for this here blog and if anyone bothered reading it they'd already know what's my kind of scene, I decided to do something a little different and ask my fellow bloggers who they thought my favourite pop stars were. The answers weren't necessarily what I expected.

One of my fellow bloggers picked someone I sometimes forget I like, because, well, she isn't exactly on my mind every day, but well, she did write a song I have karaoked before and she does sing a song that I know has made one of my other fellow bloggers (not naming names) cry on a train, which always makes me laugh (may or may not be the song featured above). I'm a nice person. Really I am. Yep, they were right, I do like Cyndi Lauper and yes, she is part of my kind of scene.

Which brings me to the next person nominated by a fellow blogger, someone I really wasn't expecting to be said, but then, she's been around forever and I am known to like a bit of vintage every now and then, so I guess that's what they were thinking when they said they thought this person was my fave. I have a saying about fashion that says if you did something the first time it was popular, you shouldn't do it a second. Why this pop star doesn't follow this rule I'll never know. I can't deny how good she is (was?) but Cyndi shoulda been more popular in the 80s. Just sayin, but they were right. I do like Madonna, and yes, she is part of my kind of scene.

That takes me to another surprise nomination who is actually two months older than Madonna, but I think might look a little younger. Maybe that's because he never stopped wearing what was fashionable to him in the first place, he's just been wearing the same heels and awkward shirts for forty years now. He's also released some of the greatest/creepiest/worst/best pop songs ever. How he manages to be all of those things at the same time is amazing and should be admired. Yes, they were right, I do like Prince and yes, he is part of my kind of scene.

Which then brings me to the next person I really wasn't expecting, because I don't necessarily consider her a 'pop' star, but my fellow blogger described her and why I love her so perfectly when they nominated her as my fave ("she would be wild, eccentric, break the rules, quirky yet cool, definitely know how to rock, inspire and challenge the dominant paradigm"; damn I write with some talented wordsmiths) and well as all that, this pop star sings it herself in this song;


...making pop music isn't for everyone, 
actually that's wrong it technically is, 
that's why it's pop music...


Couldn't have said it better myself. Yes, they were right, I do like Amanda Palmer and yes, she is part of my kind of scene.

The funny part is, when I asked my fellow bloggers who my favourite pop star was, I knew they'd all be wrong, but I knew they'd also all be right. The fact is, I don't have a favourite pop star, I love so many it's impossible to name one. Madonna? Sure. Gaga? Sure. Celine Dion? At karaoke, definitely. Backstreet Boys? Who doesn't love them? Katy Perry? Some days. Shakira? Why not? Kylie? Yes. Spice Girls? No one can deny them. I LOVE pop music, all (most) of it and there is no fave. All of my fellow bloggers were right. Although I bet they don't know my current (not so) guilty pleasure song of pop at the moment. That changes on a weekly basis, so just for you dear readers, this week 'I' in the A to Z of Pop stands for Justin Timberlake, because Justin, this week, yes, it's true. Your song? It's My Kind Of Scene.

The Candy Shop #23

Nothing Compares. Or Does It? 

The Comparisons And Cat Fights Continue…

by Nayt Housman

A lot of comparisons are made in the music industry and it will always be this way. Recently a certain young pop star made a comparison to a pop star of musical heritage that once covered a song by a music big gun, and the comparison was met with a letter that was met with twitter insults that was met with another letter and the saga goes on…


This is a blog post about rivals and the best way to introduce it is with this short clip. You’ll understand.

Miley recently said her 'Wrecking Ball' clip is like the 'Nothing Compares 2 U' of today...Sinead said Miley’s a music prostitute...Miley said Sinead is crackers...Prince doesn’t care...Miley licks sledge hammers because she’s told to...Sinead shaves her head coz no one tells her what to do...Prince makes purple rain....

Is Miley, the new Sinead? 

Is Sinead the new Prince?

Is Prince still alive? 

And speaking of Prince I remember the 80s/90s competition between Michael Jackson and the love symbol.

Prince...

Michael Jackson...

While I’m pointing out the obvious, we have the Gaga/Madonna comparison. I’m not going to lie, most of Gaga’s music doesn’t appeal to me much and Madonna has had some great moments but not for quite some time. Gaga’s antics are more comparable to Bjork or Grace Jones than Madonna but I guess her music is closer to Madonna’s and Grace Jones has weighed in saying she did it all first. I don’t even know what’s happening anymore. Madonnaga? Lady Bjordonna? Bjordaga? But what I love about these comparisons is the music mash ups that come out of the catfights.

Madonnaga?

Lady Gagonna?

Grace Jones?

So all these “who did what better” comparisons have been going on forever and in the 90s wasn’t it Britney vs Christina, Spice Girls vs S Club 7 and Mariah vs Whitney?

Britstina Aguilears?

Maritney Houstarey?

Spice Club 7 Girls?

Then there are some more obscure comparisons like Moloko vs Kylie or Gaga vs Spice Girls. HA!

Kyloko?

Spicy Gaga?

Why so serious? IT’S JUST POP MUSIC!

I love how heated people get when their fave pop stars get embroiled in online sledge matches and the debate boils over into the lives of everyday Johns who battle as if they’re personally involved. I love to get involved myself but I secretly just like to prod the coals and stoke the fire because in the end, who really gives a crap?

Artists are bound to be influenced by each other over the course of history and often will end up working with the same producers/stylists/directors/photographers etc, so eventually there has to be some convergence here n there. Am I going to stop debating when a new pop star brings out a single that sounds remarkably like something I already love? HELL NO!

To quote our blog’s beautiful Jo;

“The pop music industry needed Miley AND Sinead. It hasn't been this interesting in a long time.” 

Everyone just wants to belong to a team right? So whose team are you on? Sinead or Miley? Gaga or Madonna? Christina or Britney? If you ask me, they’re all crap! Now where’s my Spandau Ballet record?

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Ugh VS Shamon

 Prince apparently says "ugh" a lot. Michael said "shamon" a lot. No wonder they were rivals.

Ugh Vs Shamon

by Jo Michelmore

Ah, rivals. We've all got one, or at least had one at some stage in our lives. If you haven't, you need to work on that, you haven't lived. Me? I've had numerous, but I kind of like it that way. Who doesn't love a good enemy? I've got one at work, one at the gym, one in my street, one at the supermarket; they're everywhere. Ok, maybe some of these are rivals only in my mind, but that's not the point. The point is; healthy rivalry is good. Some of the best rivals have been in my favourite place in the world. The world of pop music. If we're looking at 80's vintage rivals, the question is; who wins?

Michael Jackson VS Prince

Well, I was going to say Prince wins this one, because, well, you know, he might be shorter but he's still alive. That is until I remembered Prince's detest of the internet and the youtubes and it being hard to find any genuine Prince clips on the youtubes. Therefore, Michael wins from the grave, because even dead, he's not afraid of the technology.

Michael gave us the moonwalk and this...

 

While the 'little purple dude' makes you type "performed by the little purple dude who...etc". to find any cool clips, like this one. Uuurrrrrgh, Prince, keep up.

 

WINNER: Michael Jackson.

Madonna VS Cyndi Lauper

Ok, Madonna's had a lot of rivals, but since this is vintage time, let's look at the first and my favourite. Why? 'Cause Cyndi was so freakin' cute, who would ever have guessed Madonna was going to have that thirteen year run of awesomeness between like, '89 and '03 and turn out to be.....Madonna?

So while Cyndi gave us a weird wardrobe and even weirder vocal...

 

Madonna gave us a weird wardrobe and a whole bunch let me say, awesome, songs like this...

 

WINNER: Madonna

Whitney Houston VS Mariah Carey

Well, look; like MJ v Prince, I was going to say Mariah wins automatically, because, you know, poor Whitney, but then I started listening to MS Houston and got goosebumps when I remembered just how much she nailed those notes, which Mariah hasn't always done.

So while Whitney nailed songs like this, slightly more successfully than I do at karaoke...

 

Mariah blessed our ears with things like this...

 

....ok, that's not Mariah...I just couldn't resist the opportunity to watch Tuts again. Mariah does stuff like this....

 

WINNER: Whitney Houston

Tiffany VS Debbie Gibson

Which brings us, of course, to one of the greatest and mostly forgotten rivalries of the 80's. Debbie Gibson v Tiffany. The funniest part about that? Who knows who either of them are anymore anyway? They were both the definition of crap girly pop for a couple of years there, and crap girly pop should be celebrated as often as possible.

So, while Debbie Gibson awkwardly wore denim and danced like this...

Tiffany, equally awkwardly, did this...

WINNER: Um, who cares? Oh ok, Tiffany. Debbie. Whatever. I'm over rivalry. Can't we all be friends?

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - More Mo, Mo, Mo

Who doesn't love a vintage moustache?

More Mo, Mo, Mo

by Jo Michelmore

Since Katie started us off this week, let’s continue the theme, vintage style. Some people love them, some people hate them. Some people think they’re creepy; some people love the fact that they’re creepy. Some people can hold their own with one; some people look like something crawled out of their mouth and took up residence just below their nose. Some people grow them once a year for a charity event and some people actually raise money for said charity, which is nice. Some people like them right now because it seems to be a thing, a trend, a fashion one might say, some people like them right now because they always have, since the first time they were in, which was….sometime, I’m sure. Me? Take it or leave it, really, depends on the person sporting it, doesn’t it? I probably prefer one in conjunction with other facial hair, as in, not a lone outcrop of hair on ones lip, but as part of a forest of hair around one’s chin and cheeks and other parts of one’s face. Of course, it’s the moustache we speak of and many a musician has sported a moustache, some good, some not so good. Let’s start with…

Ace Of Spades

by Motorhead, 1980

Lemmy, king of metal to so many. Lemmy, King of facial hair to so many others. I dare not say anything bad about Lemmy, people love him and the people who love him REALLY love him and his moustache. I wouldn’t dare offend them, or him. That, and I just wanted an excuse to post the Ace Of Spades. Don’t tell me you haven’t found the opportunity to scream “THE ACE OF SPADES, THE ACE OF SPADES” at someone once in your life? No? Shame. You should work on that. Work on your moustache too. It’s probably not anywhere near as manly as Lemmy’s, who sports what I think is one of the man-liest moustaches in music. Whether that’s a good thing or not is up to you.

When Doves Cry

by Prince, 1984

I’m not going to say I don’t like Prince, because I do. I think he’s an incredibly talented man, with music, but one talent he doesn’t have? The ability to grow facial hair. You’re a funny little guy, aren’t you Prince? On one hand, such a musician, on the other, such a creep. That strange little line above your lip, it took until 1:57 in this clip to even tell if that was a moustache and not just the casting of shadow from your nose. “Dig if you will the picture, of you and I engaged in a kiss, the sweat of your body covers me, can you my darling, can you picture this?” No, Prince, no! I can’t picture that because it’s horrible and weird and creepy, like that thing on your face. Stop it.

I Want To Break Free

 by Freddie Mercury's Mo/Queen, 1984

This is one of my favourite clips of all time*. (*Not an exaggeration) There is possibly nothing** I love more than a man, dressed in a leather skirt with one dirty great big moustache on his face, doing household chores. (**Possibly an exaggeration.) My favourite Queen clip? This one, obviously. It’s got one of my favourite openings for a clip, ever, then Freddie gets his shirt off and his leather pants and double belt on and his hairy chest out, then, just when I think it can’t get any better, the interpretative dancing kicks in. All of this and Freddie sports one of the most famous moustaches in rock history. Love.

Hello

 by Lionel Richie, 1984

I know, three moustaches from 1984? Perhaps this was the height of moustache-ism. Perhaps this was when the moustache was the hottest. Who knows? Lionel knows. Hello Lionel, hello Lionel’s moustache. You can’t have one without the other. When you think of Lionel Richie, what first comes to mind? I know, me too; “hello, is it me you’re looking for?” No, not really Lionel, I’m not looking for you. I am looking for your stylist though, because they really need a slapping. Someone should have told you by now. The mo has got to go.

Learn To Fly

by Foo Fighters, 1999

Dave Grohl has sported facial hair of all descriptions in his time. Full beard, part beard, goatee, part goatee, part moustache, nude face. Never was his facial hair more moustache-y than in this clip, which is classic Foo. There’s the midi version of the song at the start, Dave getting hot for…himself, straight men in drag, a funny little story to go with it all and some of the finest moustaches of the late 90’s. This is one of the reasons I unashamedly love Dave Grohl and his Foos.

TKO

 by Le Tigre, 2004

JD Samson, you have the best moustache any woman in music has ever sported.

Dani California 

by Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2006

I’m going to admit something here. There have been times when I have thought of Anthony Keidis as one of the sexiest men in music. Sometimes. Covered in silver paint in Give It Away, all pensive like in My Friends, some of your various sock incidents, even with the blonde hair and looking a little worn in Otherside; you’ve been a hot man at times Anthony, even with your long face. I’d have gone there. But the moustache? What? What are you doing with your life? I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. I don’t like it. I still like you, but that hairy upperlip has got to go or there’s no chance for us Anthony. I’m sorry.

Johnny Depp...

...anytime, ever.

So, he’s not technically a musician, but he does play instruments. So he’s probably not that good at them, but neither are you. What? It’s Johnny Depp ok, and he’s sported the hottest moustache ever known to humanity*** (***not an exaggeration, whatsoever, at all). Anyway, this is what I’m writing, if I want to include Johnny Depp, I will. You love it, deal with it. You don’t love it? You can stop reading now. You’re not welcome here. For those still reading, Johnny is friends with one of my favourite musicians, Eddie Vedder. This makes me happy. Sometimes they appear on stage together. This makes me happy. Sometimes, Johnny is sporting a moustache when he does this. Oh stop it. Life doesn’t get better than this. Enjoy.

Gig Review - Prince (18/05/12)

PRINCE

Live at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Review by Jo Michelmore

I received two reactions when I told people I was going to see Prince live. One reaction was of shock, “why would you want to see a has been like that?” The other of awe; “You’re so lucky, he’ll be amazing, he’s a legend,” etc. I thought the show could go either way too, maybe completely tragic and sad, watching a train wreck happen or I would see a show not to forget, something special that would leave me more than impressed. The thing is, there’s a certain something about seeing an artist like Prince live. He’s been in the music industry for over 30 years, won numerous Grammy Awards, released thirty-five albums under his own name, produced and written for countless others, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, influenced so many artists since the mid 70’s and was one of those magical mega superstars of the 80’s, this is a guy who naturally demands a little respect and once you’ve seen him play live, it’s hard not to respect him as a talented musician, whether you think he’s a little odd, a has been or a genius, he’s certainly an incredible entertainer to watch. 

With no support act, the house lights dimmed and a figure arose from the middle of the ‘lovesymbol’ shaped stage, Andy McKee appearing and playing an acoustic guitar for seven minutes with a single windblown dancer on the opposite end of the stage, probably not the start the audience was expecting, but when they picked up on the chords of Purple Rain, acoustic style, it appeared this was not a regular concert, this was a Prince show we had come to see. With three incredibly strong backup singers, Prince arrived on stage and took us through almost 3 hours of song after song with few breaks in between, and when the audience really begin to react at the third song with the opening of ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ things get fantastic, Prince telling the crowd to get on their feet, it’s hard to believe anyone could be seated anyway. It’s about half hour into the set that we truly get to witness something I think often gets overlooked about Prince; his incredible guitar skills. His solo before he launches into ‘Empty Room’ leaves me speechless. Throughout the night he shows us his ability to make his guitar talk funk, metal, rock, dance; I don’t know how he does it but his ability to take his guitar across genres seamlessly and successfully is astounding. He shows off his incredible piano skills throughout the night too, especially during his beautiful medley of ‘Diamonds And Pearls’ and ’The Beautiful Ones’, then smoothly moves into one of my favourite Prince tracks of all time ‘How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?’ (so lucky to see that one, I can take that off the bucket list now, it was just breathtakingly awesome). He shows off his still unbelievable dance skills as well, especially during ‘Kiss.’ I was almost embarrassed to be dancing in the same room and hope I can still sway with a small amount of rhythm when I hit 50 or so years old. Midway through the night the band and backup singers launch into The Jackson’s ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’, a pleasant surprise to see one of Michael Jackson’s contemporaries do justice to an awesome song. This is one of those gigs where you spend so much time saying, “Oh yeah, this song! I love this song!” His back catalogue is so extensive it’s impossible for him to play every hit, but the ones he does play are just incredible. ‘When Doves Cry’, ‘Raspberry Beret’, ‘Kiss’ and ‘Cream’ wedged in between some of his lesser known songs are what made it a great show. He managed to show off his hits but his talent as a musician is so strong even the lesser known songs are astounding to watch. I suppose a review of a Prince show can’t be a review without mentioning his probably most famous song ‘Purple Rain’ and the rendition we saw was not disappointing. It went on forever, the crowd singing along all the way through and being showered with purple confetti and gold glitter. It was definitely a Prince moment, a little cheesy but incredibly fun.

 

Prince is one of those performers, love him or hate him, he’s had such a prolific career he’s probably had an influence over someone you like or some random song you’ve sung along to at some stage. His performance wasn’t life changing, but it was far from disappointing. He’s an entertainer in every sense of the word and I left his show just as impressed as I had the last two times I’ve seen him. So impressed that I would get tickets again if I wasn’t already going to two other gigs next week when he plays another show in my part of the world. You can’t leave a Prince gig without being a little impressed. His musicianship, his dancing and his showmanship is compelling. I was impressed and still have the “whoa ooooh ooooh oh” from Purple Rain spinning around my head. Apologies to anyone I see in the next couple of days; like the song itself, this could go on for a while. “Whoa ooooh ooooh oh….”

Top 100 Songs of the 1980s, #30 - 21

#30 - Anything, Anything (I'll Give You) (1985)

by Dramarama

Obsure choice? Maybe. The right choice? Definitely. I wouldn't class it as a typical 80s rock song, which is probably why I like it so much. If you haven't heard it, give it a go... you'll be pleasantly surprised. Well, hopefully.

#29 - Walk This Way (1986)

by Run-D.M.C ft. Aerosmith

One of the best reworkings of a song and one of the finest 'duets' of all-time. Over time it's been credited with breaking rap into the American mainstream and revitalising the career of Aerosmith. Wonderful.

#28 - Holding Back the Years (1985)

by Simply Red

Depressingly amazing... or amazingly depressing? Let's just say it's amazing...

#27 - Blue Monday (1983)

by New Order

Oh so very 80s and practically the definition of 'New Wave.'

#26 - When Doves Cry (1984)

by Prince

Yes the song is amazing, but no where near as amazing as when Milhouse from Springfield meets the Milhouse from Shelbyville and explains that, "this is what is sounds like when doves cry."

#25 - Little Lies (1987)

by Fleetwood Mac

#24 - Total Eclipse of the Heart (1983)

by Bonnie Tyler

Turn around... I'M RIGHT BEHIND YOU! Haha, just kidding... or am I? Whenever you are anywhere and I mean ANYWHERE and this song comes on, you have to admit you get more than just a little excited. While it doesn't make it the best song of the 80s, it's got to count for something, right?

#23 - What's Love Got to Do With It (1984)

by Tina Turner

3 weeks at #1, 3 Grammys including Record and Song of the Year and Turner's first solo #1 single at the age of 45 marked one of the biggest comebacks the music industry had ever seen.

#22 - Faithfully (1983)

by Journey

A million times better than 'Don't Stop Believin' - there... I said it.

#21 - The Power of Love (1985)

by Huey Lewis & The News

And there you have it... as of the next edition we're finally into the Top 20 Songs of the 1980s! If you've enjoyed the songs so far, now's when it starts to get reeeeeal good like. See you soon!

Top 100 Songs of the 1980s, #80 - 71

Are you ready for the next installment of the ultimate 80s countdown? Well, if you're looking for the ultimate 80s countdown... you're in the wrong place. You may want to head to Pitchfork or anywhere that has some form of credibility. But, if you're looking for It's My Kind of Scene's countdown... congratulations, you're in the right place. Enough with the chit-chat, let's get to it!

#80 - Bizarre Love Triangle (1986)

by New Order

Ah, most of today's songs are oh-so-very-80s with that distinctive New Wave sound. Example, 'Bizarre Love Triangle.' One of New Order's most celebrated tracks... and least commercially successful except in Australia where it peaked at #5. Rolling Stone had it listed at #201 in the 2004 edition of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

#79 - Dancing In The Dark (1984)

by Bruce Springsteen

Bruuuuce! I'm not the Springsteen's biggest fan, but I know a great song when I hear it and this is definitely a great song.

#78 - Always Something There To Remind Me (1983)

by Naked Eyes

Wikipedia Fact of the Day: This song was originally a minor hit in the 60s! Penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, '(There's) Always Something There To Remind Me' wouldn't receive international recognition until twenty years later when these two crazy kids from Bristol did a cover of it. Thanks Wikipedia!

#77 - Here I Go Again (1982)

by Whitesnake

I don't know why, but my brother loved this song growing up. I don't know how, but it rubbed off on me and I like it too. Killer chorus.

#76 - Little Red Corvette (1983)

by Prince

Way before Prince turned himself into The Artist Formerly Known as Prince and that weird symbol, he was pumping out one successful song after the other and turning himself into one of the biggest superstars of the 80s. 'Little Red Corvette' was his first US top-10 hit, but certainly not his last.

#75 - Love Shack (1989)

by The B-52's

'Love Shack' walks the fine line of cheesy trash and awesomeness so well that it's more than deserving of a spot.

#74 - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (1987)

by Whitney Houston

Oh Whitney. Whitney, Whitney, Whitney. While your personal struggles have been splashed all over the media, at least you know you're musical legacy will always remain intact. At least in the 80s and 90s. 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' still gets played in clubs today, and you know you're tracks good when it's still being played over 20 years after you released it.

#73 - Take On Me (1985)

by a-ha

#72 - True (1983)

by Spandau Ballet

I always crack up when 'True' shows up in a movie or on TV, but it's good. Really!

#71 - Let's Dance (1983)

by David Bowie

I don't get the connection between the song and the video, but it's Bowie and it's art (and art isn't meant to be understood, right?). Luckily, I can't find the original video to put on here anyway. But look it up sometime and feel my confusion.