1982: The Year In Music

1982 – Several thousand Argentine troops seize the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands from Great Britain. Later, Argentina would surrender to Great Britain, ending the 74-day Falklands Islands conflict. China announces its population has reached 1 billion plus people. The musical “Cats” opens on Broadway and runs for nearly 18 years. An awful year for news … but the music kept spirits up!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – Hard to Say I’m Sorry (Chicago)

Chicago’s style of music may be soppy to some, but I enjoy it.

“Hard to Say I’m Sorry” has some lovely instrumentation and vocals, and it gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling on the inside.

9 – Abracadabra (Steve Miller Band)

I really like Steve Miller Band hits like “The Joker” from the 70’s, but “Abracadabra” is the first sign that the 80’s will be a general step down for music.

It’s not bad, per se, but it’s very soulless and repetitive.

8 – Hurts So Good (John Cougar)

I know John “Cougar” as John Mellencamp, and I also know him to be a great 80’s singer-songwriter.

His stuff might be a little broad, but “Hurts So Good” is the kind of Rock I can dig.

7 – Jack & Diane (John Cougar)

It’s that Cougar-Mellencamp chap again, and this time it’s a classic.

You might recognise one of the riffs in “Jack & Diane” as being the central hook in “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, but the rest of this song is fun too.

6 – Don’t You Want Me (The Human League)

“Don’t You Want Me” is 80’s Synth Pop at its absolute best, with an iconic chorus and some really bubbly production.

5 – Centerfold (The J. Geils Band)

It was only recently that I found out how widely beloved “Centerfold” by The J. Geils Band is. It must have slipped under my radar!

Maybe it’s because I stumbled across it later than most, but I find it to be cheesy and one-note (like most 80’s hits, to be fair …)

4 – Ebony and Ivory (Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder)

I love Paul McCartney to bits. I also really love Stevie Wonder for his exceptional music. This duet ain’t it.

“Ebony and Ivory” can’t have taken more than ten minutes to write and record. It’s simple to the point of tedium, and it makes all involved seem lazy and shallow.

3 – I Love Rock ‘n Roll (Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)

I too love Rock ‘n Roll, so this Joan Jett & The Blackhearts classic always goes down well with me.

2 – Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)

One of the most hype songs ever, “Eye of the Tiger” is bombastic yet oh so enjoyable.

You can tell Survivor wrote it in less than a few hours, but simplicity works in its favour this time around.

1 – Physical (Olivia Newton-John)

“Physical” is definitely a gimmick song with not much creativity going on, but it has a catchy chorus so I don’t mind.

FAVOURITE – “Don’t You Want Me” (The Human League)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Ebony and Ivory” (Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Africa (Toto)

It’s a bit of a meme nowadays, but “Africa” still holds up as an eternal classic.

There are other Toto songs I like more, but sometimes the feel-good crowd-pleaser hits the spot.

9 – Telegraph Road (Dire Straits)

It’s fourteen minutes of Dire Straits doing their thing. What’s not to love?

“Telegraph Road” bridges the gap between songs like “Sultans of Swing” and “Brothers in Arms”, as the band have now focused on atmospheric, intricate songwriting that I can really enjoy.

8 – Subdivisions (Rush)

Rush continue to be one of the most talented bands ever with “Subdivisions”, a dark and moody track with all the flair and musicianship you could ask for.

7 – The Message (Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five)

“The Message” has one of the all-time great Funk hooks, with some provocative lyrics that still hold up.

6 – Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac)

“Mirage” isn’t one of Fleetwood Mac’s best albums, but “Gypsy” is the clear stand-out.

It sounds just like a classic you might hear on “Rumours”, which is some of the highest praise I can give.

5 – Come On Eileen (Dexys Midnight Runners)

Compared to all the other standard hits and high-rated songs, “Come On Eileen” is unlike anything else I’ve heard in 1982.

It’s bouncy and vibrant, with eccentric vocals that always hook me into the chorus.

4 – Rock The Casbah (The Clash)

I was a bit taken aback when I jumped from “London Calling” to “Rock The Casbah” – it’s amazing how this is the same band mere years apart!

“Rock The Casbah” still has those Punk Rock roots, but there’s a buoyancy this time that makes the whole thing much more fun.

3 – Beat It (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson was already a household name in the late 70’s, but after the release of “Thriller” he became an unprecedented superstar – the likes the world hadn’t seen since the Beatles rose to fame.

The album is full of bangers, but one of my favourites is definitely “Beat It”. It’s visceral and confrontational, with a great guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen.

2 – Hallowed Be Thy Name (Iron Maiden)

“The Number Of The Beast” is Iron Maiden’s magnum opus, and the final track “Hallowed Be Thy Name” couldn’t have sent it out on a better note.

It’s the longest song on the album, and yet the furious energy and fantastic guitar work kept me invested.

1 – Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)

There have been debates about what “Billie Jean” is actually referring to in its lyrics, but there can be no debate that it slaps.

For my money, this is Michael Jackson’s best song – it’s got an unbelievable drum and bass groove, and Quincy Jones’ production is outstanding.

BEST SONG OF 1982 – “Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Nebraska (Bruce Springsteen)

Maybe it’s because I’m used to Springsteen’s more bombastic work, but the acoustic approach of “Nebraska” is a little disappointing.

The songwriting is great across the board … but I wanted more.

4 – Pornography (The Cure)

The Cure continue to be one of the most innovative acts of the 80’s with “Pornography”.

It’s dark and edgy, with production that makes your hairs stand on end.

3 – The Number Of The Beast (Iron Maiden)

Iron Maiden were starting to make a name for themselves in the early 80’s, but it was the release of “The Number Of The Beast” that catapulted them to superstardom.

The title track, “The Number Of The Beast” and “Run To The Hills” are among some of the finest examples of Rock in the 80’s.

2 – The Dreaming (Kate Bush)

I don’t know what Kate Bush was eating or drinking that made her such a creative tour de force compared to her contemporaries, but I’m not complaining!

The entire album is vibrant and exciting, with the songwriting of an accomplished veteran rather than a twenty-something experimenter.

1 – Thriller (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson was a well-known Pop star in the early 80’s, but he became something even greater after the release of the ground-breaking “Thriller”.

Every song here is a Pop classic, and Jackson’s performance across the whole thing is worthy of the highest praise.

BEST ALBUM OF 1982 – “Thriller” (Michael Jackson)

Final Thoughts

1982 had some good stuff all round, but I can’t help but feel that 80’s cheese is starting to taint all the music.

Overall Grade: B

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: