The second reel.
20 - "I Second That Emotion," Japan
The second and last Top Ten for David Sylvian and co. was this cover of the 1967 Smokey Robinson classic. I move that it's a cool, different take that honors the original but justifies its own existence.
19 - "Shy Boy," Bananarama
The trio's first hit without Fun Boy Three was this jaunty dance-popper about unleashing the love potential of a wallflower. Yes, it does make me feel good. They're definitely in that "their early stuff is the best" category
18 - "Summertime," Fun Boy Three
These ex-Specials were doing just fine without Bananarama, as evidenced by their fifth overall hit, a cover of the most famous song from the 1935 George Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess. You all know it: jumping fish, high cotton, wealthy and attractive parents. This is kind of a dark-sounding take on it, but whether or not the irony was intentional, I like it a lot.
17 - "Hurry Home," Wavelength
Can't find much about the band, but this ballad about missing someone was popularized when it was frequently requested on Family Favourites, a radio programme where listeners connected with and dedicated songs to British military members serving abroad. An okay song, with a bit of a watered-down 10cc sound that scored a point or two with me.
16 - "John Wayne is Big Leggy," Haysi Fantayzee
The first hit for this London band was this strange, Bow Wow Wow-esque song that imagines John Wayne having sex with a Native American woman, seemingly as a metaphor for the inequities of colonialism. It's disguised as a nonsensical raveup, but the message is there to be found, and there is an edge to the vocals and arrangement that doesn't overwhelm it, a la "Born in the U.S.A." A diamond waiting to by mined by discrimiinating pop fans.
15 - "Big Fun," Kool and the Gang
Another one from their poppy 80s incarnation. It's like a better version of "Celebration." No hint of the horrors that would soon come with "Cherish."
14 - "Arthur Daley ('E's Alright)," The Firm
Two years after Denis Waterman scored a hit with the theme song from Minder, the show he starred in, a London group had a hit celebrating his character's frequent associate, an entrepreneur known for his shady business practices. A lot of rapid-fire Cockney verbiage makes it difficult for those with no familiarity to the show to really get into it. The Firm would take on a bigger cultural phenomenon five years later with their next hit, the #1 "Star Trekkin'."
13 - "What," Soft Cell''
The Leeds duo's fifth consecutive Top Five was this cover of a 1968 recording by American Judy Street that later became a Northern Soul hit. Hmm, that sounds like a familiar formula from these guys. But no complaints here. Catchy song, fun arrangement, good stuff. I don't need to be sold very heavily on this one's merits.
12 - "I Eat Cannibals," Toto Coelho
A second look at this strangely infectious synthpopper that somehow equates sexual desire with the literal hunger for human flesh. I'm still not sure why someone decided this was a good idea for a pop song, and I'm really not sure why I ended up agreeing with this assessment. So wrong, yet somehow so right.
11 - "The Clapping Song," The Belle Stars
The second hit for this all-female band was this cover of the 1965 Shirley Ellis novelty about dancing, animal naughtiness, and how to cost oneself a rubber doll. It's pretty much the same arrangement as Pia Zadora's U.S. hit version, but it's better because, well, there's no Pia Zadora on it.
10 - "My Girl Lollipop (My Boy Lollipop)," Bad Manners
Buster Bloodvessel and crew had their last Top Ten with this gender-flipped cover of Millie Small's 1964 hit. This version is fast and frantic, and entertaining enough to be worthwhile. But it's truly no match for Millie. That's the one that will set your world on fire.
9 - "Stool Pigeon," Kid Creole and the Coconuts
The third hit for August Darnell's outfit was this outstanding disco-jazz number about a man who becomes an FBI informant after his release from prison. Before Warren G. Dr. Dre. et all, this was the original G-funk. Your want to put on a suit, take your best moll by the arm, and hit the Copa to discuss, er, business with your associates. First on the agenda: finding the stoolie and filling that rat full of hot lead, ya see.
8 - "Driving in My Car," Madness
The Nutty Boys' seventh Top Five was this rattling, shambolic pop song about having an old clunker and loving it despite its deficiencies. It captures well the inexplicable bond some people have with their longtime automobiles. I'm almost the opposite of a car person, so I have to learn that experience vicariously through thingLos like this.
7 - "Strange Little Girl," The Stranglers
The Guildford band's fifth Top Ten was this Velvet Underground-ish midtempo ballad about a young woman looking for a way out of stagnation and disillusionment. I heard Tori Amos' version before I heard this, and I have to say. she kind of missed the point. This destroys that cover.
6 - "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," Boys Town Gang
Another outing for this San Francisco group's disco cover of the Four Seasons. It's well below the original, as well as covers by the Pet Shop Boys and Lauryn Hill. This is too much like a 70s variety show production number.
5 - "It Started With a Kiss," Hot Chocolate
Their eleventh Top Ten was this tune about a childhood romance that is more fondly remembered by one party than the other. I feel like these guys are underrated for their ability to tell effective stories while still creating indelible pop songs. I warm up to them more all the time.
4 - "Don't Go," Yazoo
The Essex duo's second hit was this synth-dance hurricane. Sometimes I get this mixed up with "Situation," but that doesn't make either any less great. Both give you jumpy keyboards and Alison Moyet's soulful growl-wail. Can't go wrong.
3 - "Fame," Irene Cara
The pulsing theme from the movie got to #1 here when it was the theme to the series. Well, that's better than Canada ever did. It peaked here at...#42. This isn't the greatest song ever, but still, that's very wrong.
2 - "Eye of the Tiger," Survivor
The Chicago band's Triple Crown-winning Rocky III theme would not have existed if Queen had agreed to let the producers use "Another One Bites the Dust." Freddie gave more to the world than we even knew. And now he's watching us all with the optic organ of a wild feline.
1 - "Come On Eileen," Dexy's Midnight Runners
Their second #1 here was denied a Triple Crown by one Canadian chart place. It's still one of the more unique international charttoppers ever. Mixing Celtic folk and R&B in a joyous romp about young love and optimism seemed almost too crazy to be commercial, and yet this song is one of the 80s most enduring hits.
Next time, it's back to Canada. See you then.
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