In the year ending with 0 or the year ending in 1. We won't get into that too much here, other than to say that by the time 1981 rolled around, the new musical decade was well into motion. As disco faded, musicians found new applications for keyboards and guitar, launching new wave as a brand new style. And pop music would never be the same when upstart cable channel MTV began its dominion.
1. "Kiss on My List" is a 1981 song recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates. It was the third single from their album Voices. It's difficult, in fact, to suss out the best Hall & Oates song from even this year much less their entire career, but for my money "Kiss On My List" is a sterling selection. One of the duo's best distillations of its many influences, this tune sparkles and succeeds wildly with a clever and unique lyrical conceit.
2. "Jessie's Girl" is a Grammy Award-winning rock song written and performed by pop singer Rick Springfield. It was released on the album Working Class Dog. The song is about unrequited love, and centers around a young man in love with his best friend's girlfriend. It is also equally effective as both a rock and pop song (pay attention to the guitar), which is a rare feat indeed.
3. "Keep On Loving You" is a power ballad written by American musician Kevin Cronin and performed by his band, REO Speedwagon. Beyond that, the song stands as a realization of a band's potential that had formerly labored within the shadows of arena rock success. REO's hit album Hi Infidelity became a huge smash this year, helped by similar pop gems.
4. "Don't Stop Believing" is a song by the American rock band Journey. The song debuted on their 1981 album Escape. Today, it is considered the band's signature song. Its combination power ballad/rocker/contemplative examination of lost souls clinging to hope simply has it all. Boasting one of Steve Perry's best, most world-weary lyrics not having to do directly with a relationship, the song features several sublime components, including a great, foundational guitar and bass riff, an unforgettable sing-along chorus, and the introduction of a new phrase in "streetlight people."
5. "Our Lips Are Sealed" is a song written by Go-Go's guitarist Jane Wiedlin and Specials and Fun Boy Three singer Terry Hall. In fact, most pop artists have never been able to reach this level, either, and that's really saying something. The song's brilliant groove and inescapable melody should have announced with authority from the start that this all-female band was unique in the annals of rock music, but unfortunately, only lately have the Go-Go's begun to receive proper respect.
6. "Tempted" was the second single released from Squeeze's fourth album.While this song is far from the quintessential offering from this great British band, it is undoubtedly a near-perfect pop confection that excels in several compelling ways. The song's organ and piano lines buoy the song through its loping progression from chorus to verse to bridge.
7. "Talk To Ya Later" is a song written by The Tubes. In a decade full of happy marriages between guitar and keyboards, this underrated classic takes that combination to the promised land.
8. "I Love a Rainy Night" is a country song by Eddie Rabbitt. In this song that managed the highly impressive feat of hitting No. 1 on the pop, country and adult contemporary charts, Rabbitt proved that his talents were not restricted by being labeled as a country artist. This tune was justifiably everywhere in 1981, and it still works today as a basic rock song that succeeds because it so completely embraces more traditional rock and roll influences that always combined country, R&B and rock styles.
9. "Tainted Love" is a song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones. It attained worldwide fame after being covered by Soft Cell in 1981, and has since been covered by numerous other groups and artists.
10. "In the Air Tonight" is a song by Phil Collins which first appeared on his 1981 album, Face Value. It was the first single of Collins' solo career, and remains one of his best known hits. Musically the song consists of a series of ominous chords played over a simple drum machine.
1. "Kiss on My List" is a 1981 song recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates. It was the third single from their album Voices. It's difficult, in fact, to suss out the best Hall & Oates song from even this year much less their entire career, but for my money "Kiss On My List" is a sterling selection. One of the duo's best distillations of its many influences, this tune sparkles and succeeds wildly with a clever and unique lyrical conceit.
2. "Jessie's Girl" is a Grammy Award-winning rock song written and performed by pop singer Rick Springfield. It was released on the album Working Class Dog. The song is about unrequited love, and centers around a young man in love with his best friend's girlfriend. It is also equally effective as both a rock and pop song (pay attention to the guitar), which is a rare feat indeed.
3. "Keep On Loving You" is a power ballad written by American musician Kevin Cronin and performed by his band, REO Speedwagon. Beyond that, the song stands as a realization of a band's potential that had formerly labored within the shadows of arena rock success. REO's hit album Hi Infidelity became a huge smash this year, helped by similar pop gems.
4. "Don't Stop Believing" is a song by the American rock band Journey. The song debuted on their 1981 album Escape. Today, it is considered the band's signature song. Its combination power ballad/rocker/contemplative examination of lost souls clinging to hope simply has it all. Boasting one of Steve Perry's best, most world-weary lyrics not having to do directly with a relationship, the song features several sublime components, including a great, foundational guitar and bass riff, an unforgettable sing-along chorus, and the introduction of a new phrase in "streetlight people."
5. "Our Lips Are Sealed" is a song written by Go-Go's guitarist Jane Wiedlin and Specials and Fun Boy Three singer Terry Hall. In fact, most pop artists have never been able to reach this level, either, and that's really saying something. The song's brilliant groove and inescapable melody should have announced with authority from the start that this all-female band was unique in the annals of rock music, but unfortunately, only lately have the Go-Go's begun to receive proper respect.
6. "Tempted" was the second single released from Squeeze's fourth album.While this song is far from the quintessential offering from this great British band, it is undoubtedly a near-perfect pop confection that excels in several compelling ways. The song's organ and piano lines buoy the song through its loping progression from chorus to verse to bridge.
7. "Talk To Ya Later" is a song written by The Tubes. In a decade full of happy marriages between guitar and keyboards, this underrated classic takes that combination to the promised land.
8. "I Love a Rainy Night" is a country song by Eddie Rabbitt. In this song that managed the highly impressive feat of hitting No. 1 on the pop, country and adult contemporary charts, Rabbitt proved that his talents were not restricted by being labeled as a country artist. This tune was justifiably everywhere in 1981, and it still works today as a basic rock song that succeeds because it so completely embraces more traditional rock and roll influences that always combined country, R&B and rock styles.
9. "Tainted Love" is a song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones. It attained worldwide fame after being covered by Soft Cell in 1981, and has since been covered by numerous other groups and artists.
10. "In the Air Tonight" is a song by Phil Collins which first appeared on his 1981 album, Face Value. It was the first single of Collins' solo career, and remains one of his best known hits. Musically the song consists of a series of ominous chords played over a simple drum machine.
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