Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1980. Oh yes, I welcome you to the EIGHTIES!
For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
1980 was another eventful year. John Lennon was shot and killed in New York, a former Hollywood actor became the president of the United States, Alton Towers opened, the Rubik’s Cube was voted best toy, terrorists seized the Iranian embassy in London, which leads to the SAS to storm the embassy and release all the hostages, the world found out “who shot JR?” and my all time favourite film The Shining is released. And I turned the grand old age of 4 years old.
So here’s my top ten songs from 1980. There’s a few repeat artists here (artists that have appeared on previous Top Tens), but this list is no weaker for it. Lots of strong tunes here and there’s a Spotify playlist at the end as always.
1. Babooshka by Kate Bush
2. Baggy Trousers by Madness
3. Going Underground by the Jam
4. Too Much Too Young by the Specials
5. Master Blaster (Jammin’) by Stevie Wonder
6. Happy House by Siouxsie and the Banshees
7. Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie
8. Atomic by Blondie
9. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
10. Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders
Whilst it’s very close between Blondie and Joy Division for my favourite track this week (kind of annoying these two songs appear within the same year tbh), but it has to be Joy Division. Love Will Tear Us Apart is one of the greatest songs every written. So, which is your favourite then?
See you next week for 1981!
Just Another Blog From a Woman 
ALL favourites of mine!Thanks Hayley 🙂
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Cheers Clare!
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I chose the same two favorites as you but I go with The Pretenders. I think mostly because I’m American and The Pretenders are still played on the radio here more than Joy Division.
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The Pretenders is an excellent choice (it was between Blondie and Joy Division for me though).
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Hey also, did you know that the original drummer for the Pretenders was called Phil Taylor? This is an amazing fact, yes?
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Joy Division wins with me. I still love that song. Although, last year I got to see the Pretenders and Brass in Pocket was pretty damn cool.
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Yes! I saw the Pretenders a few years back & it was pretty special when they played Brass in Pocket. Cheers.
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Hmmm, Madness or Specials, or perhaps Blondie? Another fabulous selection of tracks. You are coming into my favourite era now, Hayley! 🙂
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It’s very exciting, isn’t it? X
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Yes, I love it! 🙂
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The Jam for me. Also really excited for ’81. That was a good year.
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Such a great tune! I’m looking forward to 1981 (am really enjoying doing these posts) x
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I think I would have to agree with you, although Ashes to Ashes runs it pretty close
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Yes. Love that song “my mother says, to get things done, you better not mess with Major Tom”. He didn’t listen to her, did he?
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Joy Division is a winner for me 🙂
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I think it’s winning for a lot of people. Quite rightly so. Cheers Suzanne x
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It has to be Baboosbka, I LOVE Kate Bush!!
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Such a tuuuuuune. And my brother and I were OBSESSED with that video. We used to try & do Kate Bush dancing impressions for each other. We were pretty cool kids 😄
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My Dad used to constantly play the album that was on and I’ve loved it ever since. I would love to see that dancing! I’m sure you were every bit as cool then!
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Never For Ever is a great album. Haha we used to make each other cry with laughter with the dancing.
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Brilliant 😁
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Ditto, Noelle! As soon as I saw the post thumbnail, I started smiling.
And many, many thanks Hayley darling, for this amazing playlist. I put it on first thing this morning, as I perused BUYB, and it finally drove away the strains of “Holiday Road” (the car commercial version, not the beloved original) from my brain! *happy sigh*
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Aaah good. So glad I could be assistance. Thanks Traci x
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I love this list – memories of my first year in secondary school…..Joy Division and The Jam for me!
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Yay. Great choices. I think Joy Division has won hands down this week.
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Love this Hayley. I was a huge Blondie fan!
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They were fantastic. Cheers Gloria
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Oooh, this is a toughie this week! I always pick Blondie, so this time I’ll go for the social commentary from local(ish) boys The Specials..”ain’t you heard of the starving millions…”
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Commendable choice Em x
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I wish you had a youtube channel where you talked about the little historical summary and played the music videos. That would be must-see TV. AND you’d be famous in a whole new way. 🙂
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Am so glad you like the historical part. I’m extending that slightly in future posts. I’ve found that bit both enjoyable and heart rending at the same time. Ha the idea of me vlogging makes me cringe slightly, but you’re right, I think it would work (and then my daughter would have good reason to call me famous!).
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Yeah!
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Great list. Love the 80’s!
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Gotta go with Blondie…. legend. 🙂
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Excellent choice and Debbie Harry is indeed a legend.
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OMG I loved the 80s!!
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Good choice. I love all those that you picked.
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Great! Glad you liked them.
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A storming list! The 80’s are a fantastic decade for music so look forward to the next posts! Lovely Kate at Number one. Babooshka is such a brilliant track. Thw only thing that made me wince is when you said you were 4 years old… 🙂
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Haha I’m sorry about that.
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