Hello everyone, and welcome to another music article! This week, it’s time for another 80s Countdown. We’re diving back into the start of this amazing decade, focusing on the year-end hits of each year! Let’s revisit the top 5 songs of 1980. Now that I’m older, I have a deeper appreciation for the music, especially since I’m familiar with these songs from 1980. Thank you to everyone who reads my articles! I truly enjoy writing for all of you. Dan is a great guy, and I love doing this for him. One other thing before we move on, I apologize for the delay in articles. I was sick for two weeks and am just now finally getting back on track.
What was the biggest Box Office movie of 1980? Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
As Casey Kasem used to say, “Now on with the countdown”.
#5 Do what Captain?
THE SONG AND ARTIST: “Do That to Me One More Time” By Captain and Tennille
Ahhh Captain and Tennille. The husband-and-wife team extraordinaire. The mostly charted in the 70’s with songs like “Muskrat Love” and my favorite, “Love Will Keep Us Together”. This was one of two top 10 hits. I have a video attached for those who have not heard her voice. Tennille is now 85.
Fun Fact: The Captain and Tenille lived in Carson City, Nevada for 15 years and divorced in 2014.
#4 Who do you want to rock with?
THE SONG AND ARTIST: “Rock with You” Michael Jackson.
Not many people remember and if they don’t, I am at a loss, that Michael was a solo artist way before the Thriller era. This was his 3rd number one song on the chart. J. Edward Keyes of Rolling Stone said, “What’s remarkable about ‘Rock with You’ is how unobtrusive it is: a silky string section and barely-there twitch of guitar — Michael doesn’t even hit the word ‘Rock’ all that hard — he just glides over it, preferring to charm with a wink and a smile rather than with aggression or ferocity”. If this song does not make you dance, I am sorry!
Fun Fact: Michael Jackson’s first number one song was “Ben” in 1972, he was 14.
#3 All kinds of Magic.
THE SONG AND ARTIST: “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John was a force to be reckoned with. Four weeks at number 1 for the song “Magic” Her voice is so unmistakable. I adored her in Grease, which gave her a number one song with John Travolta, “You’re the One That I Want”. She was a star, and I love, love this song. Her famous quote from the movie? “Tell me about it stud”.
A couple of years ago, she passed away from cancer and the world mourned.
Fun Fact: She only had one child, Chloe.
Fun Fact #2: She had 5 number one songs in the 70’s!
Just for fun, here is one of her big hits from 1982.
#2 There’s a brick in the wall?
THE SONG AND ARTIST: “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” by Pink Floyd
This song is actually composed in 3 parts and this the middle composition. The song hit number 1. I do like this song, even though I didn’t appreciate it until later in the 80’s, when I got older. The lyrics caused controversy: The Inner London Education Authority described the song as “scandalous”, and according to Renshaw, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher “hated it”. Renshaw said, “There was a political knee-jerk reaction to a song that had nothing to do with the education system”.
Fun Fact: Not necessarily “fun,” per se, but this song is a protest song. Other protest songs to hit number one include Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and Bobby Darin’s “Simple Song of Freedom.”
Time for #1
If you follow along with Dan’s weekly 80s Countdown tweets on Twitter/X, you’ll know that he never reveals the top song. He gives away all the other 39 songs on the countdown. He doesn’t want to spoil the entire listening experience. So, without further ado…
… and the number one song for all of 1980.
Musical magician Giorgio Moroder wanted this song for Stevie Nicks. It is in the middle of a 6-week run at #1. The name of the band is one word — and it is the bands’ second chart topper.
THE SONG AND ARTIST Did you guess “Call Me” by Blondie? Yay! Debbie Harry is the real name of the blond singer of Blondie. I put a video below so you can hear the song. The song is from American Gigolo. Debbie wrote the song in the perspective of Richard Gere’s character in American Gigolo.
Fun Fact: Rolling Stone ranks it as #283 out of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
Thanks for learning and reading about the end of 1980! I will be back next week for 1981.
In the meantime, let me know what you think of this and ideas for a topic! And if you are on Twitter/X, be sure to join our live tweets every Friday night at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific using the hashtag #80sCountdown to be part of the fun!
Nick
