Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1982.

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 1980 1981 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

Events in 1982 include Argentina invading the Falklands, Channel 4 is launched in the UK (wow we had a whole 4 channels to choose from back then), the Queen celebrates her Pearl Jubilee, the Eurovision Song Contest is held in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Prince William is born, a man manages to break into the Queen’s bedroom, the Mary Rose flagship of Henry VIII is raised from the Solent, the IRA detonate two bombs in central London killing 8 soldiers and 7 horses and wounding 47 people and the film E.T. was released. I celebrated my 6th Birthday.

Straight up apologies, for Come on Eileen, but I’ve heard you far too many times to still love you as much as I did. Here’s my top ten tracks of 1982 regardless.

1. The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Tight Fit (for the love of God- watch this. Watch this now. This video is all kinds of terrible and has to be seen in its entirety).

2. Pass the Dutchie by Musical Youth 

3. Golden Brown by the Stranglers

4. Mad World by Tears for Fears

5. A Town Called Malice by The Jam

6. Heartbreaker by Dionne Warwick

7. (Sexual) Healing by Marvin Gaye

8. Only You by Yazoo

9. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by Soft Cell

10. Seven Tears by Goombay Dance Band

Come on and tell me your favourite (what do you mean it’s not the Goombay Dance Band?!). Mine’s Tear for Fears. It’s a still mad world lads. See you next week for 1983.