Remembering the '80s Music

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Like trivia? So do I and wanted to find out about the top songs of the '80s. I found this information at www.songfacts.com

Sailing by Christopher Cross, top song of 1980, was written after he went sailing with a friend and he said of the friend "He got me away from the trials and tribulations of being a teenager."

Betty Davis Eyes top song of 1981. The producer of this song had an assistant go out and buy the cheapest (and cheapest-sounding) drum set for this particular song. Combined with the sound of an early synthesizer called a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, they found the sound they were looking for and the song was a hit. After this song became a hit single, Bette Davis wrote letters to Kim Carnes and the songwriters to say she was a fan of the song and thank them for making her "a part of modern history." One of the reasons the legendary actress loved the song is that her granddaughter thought her grandmother was "cool" for having a hit song written about her.

Always on my Mind, top song of 1982, was written by the songwriting trio of Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson Thompson. It was originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1981.

Every Breath You Take by Police . top song of 1983. This is one of the most misinterpreted songs ever. It is about an obsessive stalker, but it sounds like a love song. Some people even used it as their wedding song. Sting wrote it after separating from his first wife, Frances Tomelty

What's Love Got to Do With It top song of 1984. This was Tina Turner's comeback song. She first hit the Pop charts with her husband Ike in 1960, and their biggest hit came in 1971 with a cover of "Proud Mary." After enduring years of spousal abuse, Tina split from Ike in the mid-'70s and her career was in limbo until this song thrust her back in the spotlight 13 years after "Proud Mary." More hit singles followed, cementing her status as a music icon.

We are the world top song of 1985. This was a benefit single for victims of famine in Africa. It raised over $60 Million, which was distributed to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other impoverished countries. It was recorded on January 28, 1985, the day of the American Music Awards. Since the artists were all in town for the awards, it was much easier to get them together to record the single. The stars who sang solos were, in order, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jurreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Logins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Michael Jackson (again), Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, and Kim Carnes. Bob Dylan and Ray Charles ad-libbed some vocals that made it on. Singers in the chorus who did not get solos include Belafonte, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, The Pointer Sisters, LaToya Jackson, Billy Joel, Bob Geldof, Sheila E., and Waylon Jennings.

That's What Friends Are For top song of 1986. Dionne & Friends" who recorded this is Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight. They recorded this as a single to raise money for the American Foundation For AIDS Research (AmFAR). AIDS was a widely misunderstood disease in 1985, and this recording helped draw attention to the cause and educated people about the disease. Warwick was one of the first artists to reach out to the AIDS community by recording this song. She explained to Christianmusictoday.com: "It was kind of given to the problem itself to raise funds and awareness. Those who felt they didn't want to be involved with it-to be seen giving money or being heard talking about the crisis-that song was an avenue to reach out without any stigma."

Somewhere Out There top song of 1987. A song written by James Horner, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It appears in the 1980s animated film An American Tail.. The lyrics describe, as in the film's story, the bond between two siblings and their optimistic hope in being able to see one another again after being separated. The song was sung by Phillip Glasser (for the character of the brother in the film) and Betsy Cathcart (for the character of the sister.

Don't Worry, Be Happy top song of 1988. This song reached #1 on the US pop charts, which is astounding for a song sung a cappella (without instruments). McFerrin recorded it using only his body to make all the sounds.

Wind Beneath My Wings top song of 1989. This was conceived as a love song from a man to a woman or vice versa, but it ended up with lyrics that were more universal, and could apply to many different types of relationships (friends, family, etc.). This is a major reason why the song was so successful.
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