Rock Evolution – The History of Rock & Roll - 1984 - (page 198)

Great write-up Saddleworth2. I'm going to jump in early here with The Sisters of Mercy's 'Temple of Love' 12 inch version.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
1983

In 1983, I was 26 married with two kids and another on the way. Thatcher won a landslide victory in the General Election and used that as a mandate to push through her ‘modernisation’ of the UK. The festering sore that was her relationship with the Trade Union movement cranked up a couple of notches in tension amid mine closures and very high unemployment. Life would become interesting when the strike hit in 84 but that is for another year.

The wages of a Bank clerk did not run to frivolities like albums and gigs and I had little time to listen to the radio even if I had wanted. To make ends meet I had taken a second job in a bar in a nearby mining village which is where I listened to music. Much of it through gritted teeth. The pub was run by a couple called Adam and Betty. She was about 5 feet in heels and about the same measurement wide. She wore a gold sovereign ring on every one of her pudgy fingers and used to tell me they came in handy if she needed to clout someone. I was a very obedient employee. The couple owned a huge fuck off Alsatian called Jasper. Jasper would attack to order although to be fair, I only witnessed that once. It was enough of a deterrent just to see the dog with his forepaws resting on the bar as he reared up to search for some miscreant. He looked like he was over 6ft tall when he did that although thinking back that couldn’t be right (could it?). To complete the pub weaponry there was a baseball bat behind the bar. It sounds like there was constant trouble but there really wasn’t. The nuclear deterrent of sovereign rings, attack dog and baseball bat was quite enough to keep the natives relatively well behaved. I learned quite a bit about life, different perspectives and the effect of alcohol on folk in the two or three years I worked there and the experiences helped shape my politics for a lifetime.

There were two jukeboxes in the pub, one in the lounge and one in the public bar so I could be subjected to fresh musical atrocities depending on which was the busiest. Unfortunately my pleas of ‘put some Zeppelin on’ fell on deaf lugs so my abiding memories of music that year are based on the records that played on those bloody juke-boxes. A small number of songs I loved, many others I just about tolerated, a few are ear worms that I despise to this day. It’s a populist collection of classic bangers and throw away tat. It’s for you to decide which is which.

1. Culture Club – Karma Chameleon
Probably the most played on the lounge bar juke box. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club became one of the biggest hits of the decade, reaching number one in the UK and the US. The song is known for an upbeat rhythm, and distinctive harmonica line. Lead singer Boy George wrote the lyrics which are about fear of rejection and the pressure to conform. He later explained that the song reflects the idea of people not being true to themselves, changing their personality depending on who they're with. The song’s success helped make Culture Club one of the most popular bands of the 1980s. It also became a symbol of Boy George’s unique style and the colourful, gender-fluid image. Funnily enough, there didn’t seem to be many New Romantics drinking in my pub more is the pity. It shows what a good song it was in that it seemed to be popular with a wide age range of punters.

2. Big Country – In a Big Country
I covered The Crossing some time ago in the album thread. This was one I always perked up for when it was played. It was the soundtrack of some very raucous evenings when some of the local youngsters dared to interlope (the other pub in the village was their pub with newcomers often welcomed by a swift pool cue across the bridge of the nose. It didn’t seem to have the deterrents that our pub had and brawls were a regular feature). Famous for its soaring guitar sound that mimics bagpipes — achieved using the e-bow and effects pedals. The song reflects themes of hope, pride, and perseverance. I still like Big Country very much and it is very sad that Stuart Adamson gave into his demons. The Band always made me feel very Scottish for some reason - maybe it was the Bagpipe guitars :-)

3. The Smiths – This Charming Man
Released in October 1983, This Charming Man was The Smiths’ breakout single, combining Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar work with Morrissey’s witty, ambiguous lyrics. It tells a subtly homoerotic story of a young man being picked up by an older gentleman — a bold move for its time. The track helped cement the band’s place as leaders of the indie movement and earned them a devoted following before their debut album even dropped. It's considered one of the most important songs of the '80s British indie scene. So ok, this wasn’t played that much on the juke box but it’s so good I could’t leave it out. My memory is poor these days but I’m sure I first saw Morrisey performing this whilst distributing gladioli to the audience. Despite that I still play their music pretty regularly and this does take me back to 83

4. Kajagoogoo – Too Shy
This synth-pop smash hit came out in early 1983 and reached number one in the UK and top five in the US. Fronted by the peroxide-haired Limahl, Kajagoogoo seemed destined for stardom, but internal tensions led to Limahl being ousted later that year. Produced by Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, Too Shy became a one-hit wonder in many countries — a perfect example of early MTV-era style over staying power. Popular in both bars with the younger set. I really hated it but years later Nick Begg (the bassist) became a bit of a hero when I saw him perform with Steve Hackett.

5. Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
So this was my biggest ear worm hate and it was played incessantly. I have never hated a song so much since I had to listen to Frosty the Snowman every 20 minutes from October to December in the 70’s when I worked as a waiter in a hotel (Does Santa sleep with his whiskers over or under the sheets was just as contemptible). Although released in 1982, believe me it was still going strong chez Betty’s for most of 83. It did peak in the US in 1983, making it a global hit so I have included it.

6. U2 – New Year’s Day
Released in January 1983, New Year’s Day was the lead single from U2’s War album. The song’s lyrics were inspired by the Polish Solidarity movement, though Bono initially wrote it as a love song to his wife. With its distinctive piano riff and political overtones, it became U2's first UK Top 10 hit and helped establish them as a politically conscious rock band (oh no). It marked a turning point in their sound — more anthemic and driven — setting the stage for their stadium-filling future.

7. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – Islands in the Stream
This song was usually selected by one/some of the middle aged women in the Lounge Bar and it almost always was played towards the end of the night when a fair few vodka and cokes had been imbibed. It almost always prompted a singalong. The less said about that the better.

Written by the Bee Gees, Islands in the Stream became a huge crossover hit, topping the pop, country, and adult contemporary charts. Despite coming from different musical backgrounds, Rogers and Parton had effortless chemistry. The song’s name was inspired by an Ernest Hemingway novel, though the lyrics have no connection. It remains one of the most iconic duets in pop and country history. I have always had a soft spot for Dolly and her vocal performance on this was top notch

8. Spandau Ballet – True
Released in April 1983, True is a smooth, romantic ballad that became Spandau Ballet’s biggest hit and a staple of '80s soft pop. Lead singer Tony Hadley’s cracking vocals and the song’s polished production gave it an almost Motown-esque feel. It’s often mistakenly thought of as a wedding song, despite being about unrequited love and obsession. Its saxophone solo is one of the most memorable of the decade.

9. The Police – Every Breath You Take
Released in May 1983, this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and is often mistaken for a love song — despite being about jealousy and surveillance. Sting wrote it during a difficult divorce, and the lyrics have a possessive, stalker-like tone. Ironically, it’s often used at weddings. Musically minimalist, it’s driven by Andy Summers’ haunting guitar riff. The track won Song of the Year at the 1984 Grammys and remains one of The Police’s best songs.

10. Men Without Hats – The Safety Dance
This quirky synth-pop anthem was released as a single in 1983 (from their 1982 album Rhythm of Youth). It's often interpreted as a dance tune, but it’s actually a protest song against club policies banning pogo dancing. Lead singer Ivan Doroschuk used the song to champion freedom of expression, especially through dance. The medieval-themed music video (complete with a dwarf and maypole) became an early MTV staple and helped the band achieve cult status. It is a song that is especially poignant to Mrs S and I. It was a favourite of my nephew who tragically was killed on his motorcycle in collision with an ambulance. There irony of which would not have been lost on him. At his funeral his close friends all wore daft hats and this was played.

So that was my 1983 musically. No gigs, no albums, no holidays or world trips. Just work, work, work and that random assortment of bangers and tat which through osmosis managed to sear into my memory banks for good or bad. I’m sure a great many more tasteful choices will be made to supplement my meagre selection.
Click to expand...

Good write-up; always interesting to get a personal angle on the year.

The initial list captures the spirit of 1983 effectively, even if it does include one of my most hated songs, seemingly a shared opinion. The Dexys' song though is firmly associated with my 1983 though. I spent three months of the year on secondment in Jo'burg with a group of other trainees from the acounting firm I was training with. We were sent out to an associated firm on the grounds that it was a quite period for us and a busy one down there. I turned out it wasn't that busy and it was really a PR trip to help spread the word that South Africa was a good place for UK&I accountants to go and work. Anyway, some of my UK&I colleagues, loved that effing song.

I could write a fair bit about my trip to SA, where apratheid was still in place,but will probably just limit it to saying we did go and see Elton John and his band in concert at Sun City.

Another song that I associate strongly with that time in Africa might make it into my four picks for the year but I'll wait and see if somone else picks it.

One of the contenders for my choices was The Police: "Every Breath You Take", which is one the songs I associate very strongly with 1983. I only made it to 9 gigs that year and one was The Police in December.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
1983

In 1983, I was 26 married with two kids and another on the way. Thatcher won a landslide victory in the General Election and used that as a mandate to push through her ‘modernisation’ of the UK. The festering sore that was her relationship with the Trade Union movement cranked up a couple of notches in tension amid mine closures and very high unemployment. Life would become interesting when the strike hit in 84 but that is for another year.

The wages of a Bank clerk did not run to frivolities like albums and gigs and I had little time to listen to the radio even if I had wanted. To make ends meet I had taken a second job in a bar in a nearby mining village which is where I listened to music. Much of it through gritted teeth. The pub was run by a couple called Adam and Betty. She was about 5 feet in heels and about the same measurement wide. She wore a gold sovereign ring on every one of her pudgy fingers and used to tell me they came in handy if she needed to clout someone. I was a very obedient employee. The couple owned a huge fuck off Alsatian called Jasper. Jasper would attack to order although to be fair, I only witnessed that once. It was enough of a deterrent just to see the dog with his forepaws resting on the bar as he reared up to search for some miscreant. He looked like he was over 6ft tall when he did that although thinking back that couldn’t be right (could it?). To complete the pub weaponry there was a baseball bat behind the bar. It sounds like there was constant trouble but there really wasn’t. The nuclear deterrent of sovereign rings, attack dog and baseball bat was quite enough to keep the natives relatively well behaved. I learned quite a bit about life, different perspectives and the effect of alcohol on folk in the two or three years I worked there and the experiences helped shape my politics for a lifetime.

There were two jukeboxes in the pub, one in the lounge and one in the public bar so I could be subjected to fresh musical atrocities depending on which was the busiest. Unfortunately my pleas of ‘put some Zeppelin on’ fell on deaf lugs so my abiding memories of music that year are based on the records that played on those bloody juke-boxes. A small number of songs I loved, many others I just about tolerated, a few are ear worms that I despise to this day. It’s a populist collection of classic bangers and throw away tat. It’s for you to decide which is which.

1. Culture Club – Karma Chameleon
Probably the most played on the lounge bar juke box. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club became one of the biggest hits of the decade, reaching number one in the UK and the US. The song is known for an upbeat rhythm, and distinctive harmonica line. Lead singer Boy George wrote the lyrics which are about fear of rejection and the pressure to conform. He later explained that the song reflects the idea of people not being true to themselves, changing their personality depending on who they're with. The song’s success helped make Culture Club one of the most popular bands of the 1980s. It also became a symbol of Boy George’s unique style and the colourful, gender-fluid image. Funnily enough, there didn’t seem to be many New Romantics drinking in my pub more is the pity. It shows what a good song it was in that it seemed to be popular with a wide age range of punters.

2. Big Country – In a Big Country
I covered The Crossing some time ago in the album thread. This was one I always perked up for when it was played. It was the soundtrack of some very raucous evenings when some of the local youngsters dared to interlope (the other pub in the village was their pub with newcomers often welcomed by a swift pool cue across the bridge of the nose. It didn’t seem to have the deterrents that our pub had and brawls were a regular feature). Famous for its soaring guitar sound that mimics bagpipes — achieved using the e-bow and effects pedals. The song reflects themes of hope, pride, and perseverance. I still like Big Country very much and it is very sad that Stuart Adamson gave into his demons. The Band always made me feel very Scottish for some reason - maybe it was the Bagpipe guitars :-)

3. The Smiths – This Charming Man
Released in October 1983, This Charming Man was The Smiths’ breakout single, combining Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar work with Morrissey’s witty, ambiguous lyrics. It tells a subtly homoerotic story of a young man being picked up by an older gentleman — a bold move for its time. The track helped cement the band’s place as leaders of the indie movement and earned them a devoted following before their debut album even dropped. It's considered one of the most important songs of the '80s British indie scene. So ok, this wasn’t played that much on the juke box but it’s so good I could’t leave it out. My memory is poor these days but I’m sure I first saw Morrisey performing this whilst distributing gladioli to the audience. Despite that I still play their music pretty regularly and this does take me back to 83

4. Kajagoogoo – Too Shy
This synth-pop smash hit came out in early 1983 and reached number one in the UK and top five in the US. Fronted by the peroxide-haired Limahl, Kajagoogoo seemed destined for stardom, but internal tensions led to Limahl being ousted later that year. Produced by Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, Too Shy became a one-hit wonder in many countries — a perfect example of early MTV-era style over staying power. Popular in both bars with the younger set. I really hated it but years later Nick Begg (the bassist) became a bit of a hero when I saw him perform with Steve Hackett.

5. Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
So this was my biggest ear worm hate and it was played incessantly. I have never hated a song so much since I had to listen to Frosty the Snowman every 20 minutes from October to December in the 70’s when I worked as a waiter in a hotel (Does Santa sleep with his whiskers over or under the sheets was just as contemptible). Although released in 1982, believe me it was still going strong chez Betty’s for most of 83. It did peak in the US in 1983, making it a global hit so I have included it.

6. U2 – New Year’s Day
Released in January 1983, New Year’s Day was the lead single from U2’s War album. The song’s lyrics were inspired by the Polish Solidarity movement, though Bono initially wrote it as a love song to his wife. With its distinctive piano riff and political overtones, it became U2's first UK Top 10 hit and helped establish them as a politically conscious rock band (oh no). It marked a turning point in their sound — more anthemic and driven — setting the stage for their stadium-filling future.

7. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – Islands in the Stream
This song was usually selected by one/some of the middle aged women in the Lounge Bar and it almost always was played towards the end of the night when a fair few vodka and cokes had been imbibed. It almost always prompted a singalong. The less said about that the better.

Written by the Bee Gees, Islands in the Stream became a huge crossover hit, topping the pop, country, and adult contemporary charts. Despite coming from different musical backgrounds, Rogers and Parton had effortless chemistry. The song’s name was inspired by an Ernest Hemingway novel, though the lyrics have no connection. It remains one of the most iconic duets in pop and country history. I have always had a soft spot for Dolly and her vocal performance on this was top notch

8. Spandau Ballet – True
Released in April 1983, True is a smooth, romantic ballad that became Spandau Ballet’s biggest hit and a staple of '80s soft pop. Lead singer Tony Hadley’s cracking vocals and the song’s polished production gave it an almost Motown-esque feel. It’s often mistakenly thought of as a wedding song, despite being about unrequited love and obsession. Its saxophone solo is one of the most memorable of the decade.

9. The Police – Every Breath You Take
Released in May 1983, this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and is often mistaken for a love song — despite being about jealousy and surveillance. Sting wrote it during a difficult divorce, and the lyrics have a possessive, stalker-like tone. Ironically, it’s often used at weddings. Musically minimalist, it’s driven by Andy Summers’ haunting guitar riff. The track won Song of the Year at the 1984 Grammys and remains one of The Police’s best songs.

10. Men Without Hats – The Safety Dance
This quirky synth-pop anthem was released as a single in 1983 (from their 1982 album Rhythm of Youth). It's often interpreted as a dance tune, but it’s actually a protest song against club policies banning pogo dancing. Lead singer Ivan Doroschuk used the song to champion freedom of expression, especially through dance. The medieval-themed music video (complete with a dwarf and maypole) became an early MTV staple and helped the band achieve cult status. It is a song that is especially poignant to Mrs S and I. It was a favourite of my nephew who tragically was killed on his motorcycle in collision with an ambulance. There irony of which would not have been lost on him. At his funeral his close friends all wore daft hats and this was played.

So that was my 1983 musically. No gigs, no albums, no holidays or world trips. Just work, work, work and that random assortment of bangers and tat which through osmosis managed to sear into my memory banks for good or bad. I’m sure a great many more tasteful choices will be made to supplement my meagre selection.
Click to expand...
Very good write-up with the personal story.
 
OB1 said:
Good write-up; always interesting to get a personal angle on the year.

The initial list captures the spirit of 1983 effectively, even if it does include one of my most hated songs, seemingly a shared opinion. The Dexys' song though is firmly associated with my 1983 though. I spent three months of the year on secondment in Jo'burg with a group of other trainees from the acounting firm I was training with. We were sent out to an associated firm on the grounds that it was a quite period for us and a busy one down there. I turned out it wasn't that busy and it was really a PR trip to help spread the word that South Africa was a good place for UK&I accountants to go and work. Anyway, some of my UK&I colleagues, loved that effing song.

I could write a fair bit about my trip to SA, where apratheid was still in place,but will probably just limit it to saying we did go and see Elton John and his band in concert at Sun City.

Another song that I associate strongly with that time in Africa might make it into my four picks for the year but I'll wait and see if somone else picks it.

One of the contenders for my choices was The Police: "Every Breath You Take", which is one the songs I associate very strongly with 1983. I only made it to 9 gigs that year and one was The Police in December.
Click to expand...
Its great that we at least agree on 'Come on'. I did actually get Synchronicity for Christmas that year so that was a little fib that I had no albums. In later years I acquired Murmer, War, Lets Dance, 90125 and Genesis so it was still a bit of a musical desert for me which would only pick up in the mid to late 80's. I see from the list of 100 best albums for that year that there are plenty for you to go at. :-)
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Its great that we at least agree on 'Come on'. I did actually get Synchronicity for Christmas that year so that was a little fib that I had no albums. In later years I acquired Murmer, War, Lets Dance, 90125 and Genesis so it was still a bit of a musical desert for me which would only pick up in the mid to late 80's. I see from the list of 100 best albums for that year that there are plenty for you to go at. :-)
Click to expand...

I got 90125 in ‘83 and the other’s you mention in subsequent years. I did see Bowie live in ‘83.

I’ve now got about 30 of the top 100 albums.
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
Great write up and a great music year for me…… but I’ve been on the fizzy pop all afternoon (it’s now 6.45pm Vermont time) so not in a fit state to write much now…….
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I'm in Burlington this week, just sayin' ;-) Rained cats and dogs yesterday, but today was nice!
 
Black&White&BlueMoon Town said:
I'm in Burlington this week, just sayin' ;-) Rained cats and dogs yesterday, but today was nice!
Click to expand...
I flew from Burlington (and back) last week to / from Tampa and filmed at a few covered bridges in the area! Will take you less than 20 mins to drive to Holmes Creek bridge right on the shore of Lake Champlain. Go at sunset and thank me later….. ;)
 
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