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Top Ten Tunes- 1984

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1984.

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 1982 1983 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

Band Aid 1984

In 1984, Torvill and Dean wins gold at the Winter Olympics, the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated, the miners’ strikes begin, comedian Tommy Cooper collapses and dies from a heart attack live on TV, police officer Yvonne Fletcher is shot and killed in the Libyan Embassy siege, a Brighton hotel is bombed by the IRA in an attempt to kill PM Margaret Thatcher- she narrowly escapes injury, but 5 people are killed and 31 were injured, the Thames Barrier is opened by the Queen, British unemployment reaches an all time record high, runner Zola Budd controversially collides with Mary Decker during the 3000 metre race at the Los Angeles Olympics, Prince Harry (officially Henry) is born, the Band Aid charity single is released and goes to the top of the charts, pop band Bucks Fizz are involved in a serious road accident, Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his father and the films Ghostbusters, Gremlins, the Terminator, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Footloose are released. I turned 8 years old.

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I think 1984 is another one of my favourite years so far. So many big names this week and our George features twice. So here’s my top ten 10 tunes from 1984, in no particular order. There’s a Spotify playlist at the end as per.

Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham! (This video is pure 80s, pure Wham! and pure George- shaky camera work and bad miming ‘n’ all)

2. White Lines (Don’t Do It) by Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel

Is this the most perfect band photo ever?

3. Borderline by Madonna

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4. Hero Takes a Fall by the Bangles (watch the Bangles destroying the patriarchy in this video)

5. Seven Seas by Echo and the Bunnymen

Echo & the Bunnymen

6. Careless Whisper by George Michael

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7. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat

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8. The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood

9. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

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10. Purple Rain by Prince

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What?! Now you want me to pick one, singular track from that lot to be my favourite?! When you’ve got George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Frankie, Wham AND Prince in that list altogether, it’s not possible, surely?…but I’m thinking as I still can’t listen to Purple Rain without getting misty eyes, it’s probably that. So, can you decide which one is your favourite? Let me know below.

See you next Friday for 1985.

Top Ten Tunes- 1983

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1983.

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 1982 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

Unemployment was in excess of 3 million in 1983.

In 1983, wearing seat belts in the front of cars becomes compulsory (though this didn’t sway my Grandad to do this), the CD goes on sale for the first time, the one pound coin is introduced in England & Wales, Margaret Thatcher wins the general election again with a landslide victory, Neil Kinnock is elected leader of the Labour Party, an IRA bomb kills 6 and injures 90 people outside Harrods in London, another IRA bombs explodes on Christmas Day in London, but does not harm anyone and Flashdance is released. And I turned 7 years old.

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Again, I’ve omitted a very popular tune this week and that tune is Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. As much as I loved that song and still appreciate it’s a great pop tune, I’ve listened to it too many times and it doesn’t quite carry the same sense of magic for me as it used to. So, here are my personal 10 favourite songs from 1983.

Karma Chameleon by Culture Club

2. Modern Love by David Bowie

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3. This Charming Man by the Smiths

4. Love Cats by the Cure

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5. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) by Eurythmics

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6. Blue Monday by New Order

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7. Drop the Pilot by Joan Armatrading

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8. Africa by Toto

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9. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

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10. Uptown Girl by Billy Joel

Another strong year for British music, but which is your favourite? Whilst Billy Joel is obviously a very close second, it’s New Order that’s my top tune from this collection of 1983 gems. See you next week for 1984.

Top Ten Tunes- 1981

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1981.

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 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

So 1981, the year that Prince Charles married Diana Spencer (and I won a fancy dress competition dressed as Diana in her wedding dress), Peter Sutcliffe is charged with being the Yorkshire Ripper, Dynasty debuts on TV, Pope John Paul II is shot, but not killed, John McEnroe throws a paddy at Wimbledon and shouts “You cannot be serious” at the umpire for the first time (and my brother won the boys section of the same fancy dress competition dressed as McEnroe with a large plaster over his mouth. The Beasleys were on FIRE in 1981), race riots spread across the UK, Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest (best UK entry ever) and Raiders of the Lost Ark was released. I turned 5 years old.

Yes please

Oh so this is when things get deliciously 80s. There may be some credible tunes here, but yes there is Adam Ant, yes there’s Kim Wilde and yes there’s Bucks Fizz and I’m not apologising for any of it. Enjoy!

Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode

2. Reward by Teardrop Explodes

3. Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants

4. Can You Feel It by the Jacksons

5. Tainted Love by Soft Cell

6. Pretty in Pink by Psychedelic Furs

7. Kids in America by Kim Wilde

8. One in Ten by UB40

9. Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz (If you need cheering up then I implore you to watch this. It’s their Eurovision performance and it evens features our Tel*)

10. Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie

Whilst this has been one of my favourite years so far (I think I say that every week), choosing my favourite was easy. It’s Queen and Bowie. Obvs. Which one is your favourite?

I’ll be taking a break from Top Ten Tunes next week as I’ll be posting my 10 most popular blog posts from this year instead. So see you on Friday 5th January for 1982.

*Famous Irish TV/radio personality Terry Wogan who was hugely popular and bit of legend in the UK and Ireland and who we sadly lost last year.

Top Ten Tunes- 1980

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

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!

Top Ten Tunes- 1978

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my personal top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1978.

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 1979 1980 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

Grange Hill

In 1978, the first ever test tube baby was born, Nancy Spungen was stabbed to death by Sid Viscous in New York, Grange Hill and Dallas debuted on TV, Ipswich Town won the FA Cup and both Grease and Superman were released. And I turned 2 years old.

So, here’s my personal top ten tracks from 1978. Spotify playlist at the end of this post as usual.

Blame it on the Boogie by The Jacksons (if you have a spare 4 minutes you will not regret watching this glorious Jacksons video. It is 100% 70s)

2. Hong Kong Garden by Siouxsie & the Banshees

3. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

4. Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush (you won’t regret watching this video either. Obviously. It’s Kate being a QUEEN as per)

5. Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel (whilst this was released in ’77, it didn’t become popular and didn’t peak in the UK charts until ’78)

6. Because the Night by Patti Smith Group

7. To Be Someone (Didn’t We Have a Nice Time) by the Jam

8. Hanging on the Telephone by Blondie

9. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Dury & the Blockheads

10. Ever Fallen in Love (with someone you shouldn’t’ve) by the Buzzcocks

So, you know the drill, let me know your favourite please. For me, it’s very close between the Undertones and Kate Bush, but it ultimately has to be Kate.

See you kids next week for 1979.

*The image at the top of the page is of Debbie Harry with the Buzzcocks in 1978.

Top Ten Tunes- 1977

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my personal top ten songs from a single year. Last week, I started with 1976 and this week it’s the turn of 1977.

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 1978 1979 1980 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

Silver Jubilee street party

In 1977, Elvis died aged 42, Red Rum wins the Grand National for the 3rd time, there were street parties all across the UK for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, Jimmy Carter is elected President of the United States and Star Wars was released and broke all box office records. Aaaaand yours truly turned 1 year old.

So, here’s my personal top ten tracks from 1977 and you may notice two artists that also featured in 1976’s list (they’re two of my all time favourite artists, so you may have to get used to it). Spotify playlist at end as per.

Lust for Life by Iggy Pop

2. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder

3. No More Heroes by The Stranglers

4. Psycho Killer by Talking Heads

5. Heroes by David Bowie

6. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

7. Uptown Top Ranking by Althea and Donna

8. Oh Bondage Up Yours by X-Ray Spex

9. Daddy Cool by Boney M

10. Nobody Does it Better by Carly Simon

Which one do you rate the most? Bowie is undoubtedly my favourite track here.

See you cats next week for 1978.

Top Ten Tunes- 1976

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Let me introduce you to a new weekly music feature here at Just Another Blog from a Woman. Every Friday I’m going to post a top ten list of songs from a single year, starting from 1976 through to the present year. Why start from 1976, you ask? Well, that’s the year I was born and I had to find a way to make this all about me, me, me. However, as quite a few of you are probably around my age (and even if you’re not), I’m hoping all you music lovers will appreciate some of the tunes I throw your way.

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 1977 1978 1979 1980 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

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A few people taking advantage of the heatwave of 1976

So, starting with the year where we had the worst drought on record in the UK, the first concorde flight took place, rioting started in Notting Hill, the Cod Wars happened and the film Rocky was released. Oh yeah and yours truly was born (the most significant event quite frankly). Here we have my personal top ten songs from 1976 (in no particular order).