Rock Evolution – The History of Rock & Roll - 1986 - (page 212)

RobMCFC said:
"Wanted Dead or Alive" was my fifth pick that was just edged out. A superb song, great intro, vocal and a Sambora classic solo.
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I had the cassette of the album when I first buggered off to work in France. That song played as I sat at the back of the ferry, watching England disappear, slowly. Played the rest of the album to death but that song always remains a favourite.
 
RobMCFC said:
"Wanted Dead or Alive" was my fifth pick that was just edged out. A superb song, great intro, vocal and a Sambora classic solo.
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“Livin’ on a Prayer” was on my short list but my last pick turned up on the soundtrack to the latest episode of Landman and I took it as a sign.

Slippery is a great album; I tend to associate it with 1987 as I do the Beastie Boys.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
@Black&White&BlueMoon Town you forgot to put Big Time on the playlist!
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My apologies, it was not intentional, no matter what prior comments I had on this album. ;-)

I was adding songs fast and furious back then and must have just missed the final step. It is corrected now and Everything in Its Right Place.
 
Notes on the 1986 playlist

I haven't done a proper round-up of one of these playlists for a while now because the playlists were so long I just never got the listen to them in full. Anyway, these last two weeks, I managed a complete listen. What a great year in music - some I was familiar with from 1986, others I have heard since.

The Big Winner

Even though two of my favourites songs are on this playlist, I'm looking elsewhere for the big winner.

In the year that Mike Peters died, I have to go for "Spirit of '76" by The Alarm. An epic song of with Springsteen-esque qualities and a great narrative. The music is great but Mike Peters' passionate vocals really sells this song as very special.

Those "favourites" that it beat?

"Wanted Dead or Alive" - Bon Jovi - That mysterious start, those acoustc strings building into a fabulous piece with a great Ritchie Sambora guitar solo. And when it comes out of the chorus into "I walk these streets ...", WOW! The hairs on the back of my arms stand up every time. Their best song.

"Don't Dream It's Over" - Crowded House. This is how you write a pop song. One of my all-time favourites.

It was good to heard those Genesis songs from Invisible Touch. I've not heard them for such a long time. Ditto Eric Clapton's "It's In The Way That You Use It". I had both of those albums.

Two very good songs from the Album Review Club - "Smoking Gun" by Robert Cray and "Bigmouth Strikes Again" by The Smiths

And plenty of great songs that it was good to hear again, including:-

"Blood & Roses" - The Smithereens - A great song that I only heard this summer for the first time.
"Guitar Town" - Steve Earle
"Fight For Your Right" - The Beastie Boys
"World Shut Your Mouth" - Julian Cope
"The Boy In The Bubble" - Paul Simon
"Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely" - Husker Du
"Word Up" - Cameo
 
The History of Rock & Roll - 1986

I know where beauty lives
I've seen it once
I know the warmth she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside you can't take that from me...

The Big Winner
“Live To Tell” – Madonna, I've already commented on this song when it was nominated, but every time I've heard this on the playlist, it has really taken me back and I simply can't deny how much I enjoyed this song and the movie At Close Range, the events of which took place about 30 minutes away from where I grew up. The vocals she delivers are just so suited for her voice, and I've always enjoyed her ballads over the more popish dance songs. Best part of the song is just before the 4 minute mark at the "if I ran away..." segment. Great choice, @OB1!

Top New Songs
  1. "Tears" - The Chameleons, I liked all 3 songs I was able to listen to on Spotify, but this was the most enjoyable one for me. Great shout out on this band from @hallsteve62.
  2. "Heartland" - The The, familiar with this band, just not this song, interesting 51st state line
  3. "Experiment IV" - Kate Bush, not charting or heard in the US, this was a chilling and haunting song
  4. "As It is When It Was" - New Order, catchy song musically and liked to vocals too.
  5. "Johnny Yen" - James, I know the band, not this well done UK folk song
  6. "Levi Stubbs' Tears - Bill Bragg, the singular guitar work on this song was exceptional
  7. "How Will I Ever Be Simple Again" - Richard Thompson, more great heartfelt folk from the master of storytelling and imagery in songs
  8. "Whole New World - It Bites, enjoyed a bit more than the first song, which reminded me of Styx's "Borrowed Time" musically on the guitars. Some good mid-80s UK prog and pop rock I had not heard prior.
Top Songs I Knew Quite Well
  1. "Spirit Of '76" - The Alarm, I'm with Rob on this song, just a classic and nearly Big Winner.
  2. "I Don't Believe In You" - Talk Talk, from the excellent album that has moved its way to the top of my 1986 overall favourites. Constant rotation thanks to BimboBob!
  3. "The Way It Is" - Bruce Hornsby, never get tired of the lyrics in his first hit, just a sensational song from Southside VA's finest
  4. Peter Gabriel So songs - "Don't Give Up", "Red Rain", and "Mercy Street" are all ones I very much still enjoy hearing from this album
  5. "The Brazilian" - Genesis, loved this album at the time, but it hasn't been played in a while. This song's percussion and synths remain strong memories of what was good on it.
  6. "Don't Wanna Know If You Are Lonely" - Hüsker Dü, another Rock 105 classic memory from that year, but saved this one for hopefully someone who enjoyed them more than me to put up. ;-)
  7. "The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon, the whole album was fantastic, and glad a nomination got put forth, it just wasn't part of my strongest memories of that year.
  8. "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" - The Smiths, hard to be believe this wouldn't be released as a single until the GH compilation.
There are so many songs I knew this year, hard to mention them all, but these were the top ones that I still enjoy hearing today.

On Second Thought
I was not a big Billy Idol fan in the 1980's. Sure, he was fine, but FM overplaying will do that on certain songs I know I don't need to remind folks here about. "Don't Need A Gun" was one of those "under the radar" songs from Mr. Whiplash Smile that I think I very much underrated and I enjoyed hearing it again.
 
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