February 1983. This month, a by-election in the London district of Bermondsey marked the first candidacy of a representative of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. They didn’t win, of course. No one would be silly enough to vote a monster raving loony into power. If they did, that would be Sad! Anyway, these were the song's of the British moment.
40 - "She Means Nothing to Me," Phil Everly and Cliff Richard
The younger of the legendary Iowa brother act scored a U.K. Top Ten teaming up with Sir Cliff on this country-rocker about self- defeating romantic denial. The voices blend well, but it was still for the best that Phil and Don soon reunited.
39 - "He Knows You Know," Marillion
The first of two dozen Top 40s for this Buckinghamshire prog outfit was this rocker about drug abuse, described using the almost humorously abstract language of Scottish singer/lyricist Derek "Fish" Dick. I mean, why say "vomiting" when you can call it "Singing psychedelic praises to the depths of a China bowl?" It's kind of catchy, but maybe too self-indulgent by half. Although that describes prog rock in general, doesn't it? And is anyone surprised that the name is Tolkien reference?
38 - "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," Eurythmics
Just the fucking best. How did it only hit #2 here? America knew better.
37 - "Genetic Engineering," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Their sixth hit was this dark new waver about fooling with dna and stuff. Apparently, they weren't really against it, but more resigned to its inevitability. A cool little bit of sci-fi po
36 - "Going Underground," The Jam
Three years ago, this became their first Number One, and here it had another chart run in the wake of their breakup. It's a fantastic rock rejection of societal norms that will have a place on my playlist any time.
35 - "Baby Come to Me," Patti Austin and James Ingram
Bland U.S. #1 that missed the Top Ten here. Doesn't make up for the Eurythmics injustice though.
34 - "Hey Little Girl," Icehouse
The biggest U.K hit by the Australian band originally known as Flowers was this synth rocker about either sympathizing with or stalking a lonely woman. I'm not sure which. Good song, but "Crazy" is so much better.
33 - "Communication," Spandau Ballet
Their eighth hit was this jazzy strut about a breakdown in contact. These guys are so much more than "True." And the world should know this much.
32 - "The Harder They Come," Rockers Revenge
A dance-funk cover of Jimmy Cliff's 1972 reggae classic about street life in Jamaica, produced by emerging American studio whiz Arthur Baker and sung capably by Donnie Calvin. Won't make you forget the original, but still worth a spin.
31 - "Hold Me Tighter in the Rain," Billy Griffin
Maryland native Griffin replaced Smokey Robinson in The Miracles in 1972, and sang on their smash "Love Machine." He would find his biggest solo success with this midtempo love song. Above average soul from the period.
30 - "Steppin' Out," Joe Jackson
The Staffordshireman's biggest transatlantic hit. Still slick, cool, and sensational.
29 - "The Chinese Way," Level 42
The second hit for the men from the Isle of Wight was this mild synth tune that fetishists "Oriental" wisdom. Nothing special. It does remind me that in my lifetime, Beijing was known in the west as "Peking."
28 - "Cold Sweat," Thin Lizzy
The first single from the band's final studio album was this hard rock grinder aboutique the thrill of gambling. Some fine guitar shredding, and a solid 4 out of 5 on the headbangometer. Another fun discovery.
27 - "Jailhouse Rock," Elvis Presley
The peak of a brief '83 chart run for the classic tale of a prison party so good that it sparked up a shocking romance between inmates #47 and #3, quashed a jailbreak, and gave us all the immortal advice "If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair." Maybe the pinnacle of the man's rock brilliance.
26 - "1999," Prince
The apocalyptic jam of all apocalyptic jams was Mr. Nelson's first Brit hit. I wonder if he was actually dreaming when he wrote this.
25 - "Nature Boy," Central Line
The only hit for this London funk band was this covereturn of a 1948 Nat King Cole classic about a "strange, enchanted boy," who wanders the world imparting such pearls of wisdom as "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return." Cole's version is transcendent. This is just crap disco. Hear Nat, don't cross this Line.
24 - "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)/Madness (Is All in the Mind)," Madness
The ska stars' 12th Top Ten was this double-sided, double-bracketed single. The A is a loping track about trying to remain hopeful. The B is a bluesy strut about being happy with oneself despite what anyone says, Flip sides in more ways than one. I like the B better
23 - "Shiny Shiny," Haysi Fantayzee
The second and last hit for this New Wave trio was this bouncy, nonsensical ode to positivity. A fun lost gem. If you want to hear more songs in the vein of "Come on Eileen," look here.
22 - "Get the Balance Right," Depeche Mode
Their fifth hit was this moody synth number about finding the proper balance in life between living for others and taking care of yourself. We all have that, don't we?
21 - "New Year's Day," U2
Bono and Co.'s first U.K. Top Ten was this love song-turned-ode to Poland's Solidarity labor movement. This is as good an encapsulation as any of the sound that made them famous, and it just might be their best song.
In Part Two: dancing near water, amorous rides, and a heroic record spinner.
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