Dorrk Dot Com

I’m not queer about music from the 1980s like some people around here, but I recently borrowed compilations of the Top 100 songs for each year from 1980-1989, and I’ve been enjoying it immensely over the past couple of weeks.

A lot of it, naturally, didn’t make it to my final playlist, but I had forgotten just how much I enjoy Quiet Riot’s “Cum on Feel the Noize” and Greg Kihn’s “The Breakup Song.” And I had forgotten all about bands like Glass Tiger and Dream Academy.

Of course, I’ve never forgotten how great REO Speedwagon was, and I’m sure it will always vex Matt that I think “Take It On the Run” and “Keep on Lovin’ You” are two of the best songs of the last 3 decades. I have to admit I was little embarassed today when he stopped by the house and Steve Perry’s “Oh, Sherrie” began blasting out of my stereo system.

At least we agree that Alan Parson’s “Eye in the Sky” is a forgotten gem.

Still, I have some quibbles with these compilations. For example, I can’t believe Rod Stewart’s anthemic “Young Turks” did not crack the Top 100 of its year (81 or 82?) and some of the versions in the comps are not the correct recordings (and, rarely, not even the right song). But it was a great time for pop music, even if I think the actual musicianship was more inspired in just about every other decade.

(Now playing: Smokey Robinson, “Bein’ With You”)

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