r/80smusic • • 1d ago

Last Song Standing: The Ultimate UK #1 Song of the 80's - Round 77

9 Upvotes

For a reminder of the rules, see the original post.

  • In 1973, Ohio-born singer Chrissie Hynde moved to London, rubbing elbows with bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Damned while she worked on getting her foot in the door of the music scene. Six years later, Hynde teamed up with Pete Farndon, James Honeyman-Scott and Martin Chambers in London to form The Pretenders (named after the Platters song "The Great Pretender"), and in 1979, the new band released their first three singles, with an album following several months later. The first two singles barely cracked the UK top 40, but the third, "Brass in Pocket", became a worldwide hit for the group, reaching #14 on the US Billboard chart and becoming the first "new" #1 song of the 1980s in the UK in January 1980 ("Another Brick in the Wall" was a "hold-over" #1 from 1979). But even though the band tried to make us see that there's nobody else here, nobody like them, the voters from last round were driving and Detroit-leaning in the song's area, wondering if it deserved to stay in this game...and while Chrissy might try to use her style and her sidestep all she wants to convince the people otherwise, it doesn't seem like the voters think she's so special after all - alas, the brass is not enough to buy the Pretenders any more attention, so the voters won't give it to them!

SONGS STILL STANDING (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  • 99 Red Balloons - Nena
  • Always on My Mind - The Pet Shop Boys
  • Another Brick in the Wall, Part II - Pink Floyd
  • Ashes to Ashes - David Bowie
  • Atomic - Blondie
  • Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  • Call Me - Blondie
  • Careless Whisper - George Michael
  • Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners
  • Don’t Stand So Close to Me - The Police
  • Don’t You Want Me - The Human League
  • Down Under - Men at Work
  • Easy Lover - Philip Bailey & Phil Collins
  • Eternal Flame - The Bangles
  • Every Breath You Take - The Police
  • Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
  • Into the Groove - Madonna
  • It’s a Sin - The Pet Shop Boys
  • Let’s Dance - David Bowie
  • Like a Prayer - Madonna
  • Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
  • Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  • Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  • The Reflex - Duran Duran
  • The Tide Is High - Blondie
  • The Winner Takes It All - ABBA
  • Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
  • Town Called Malice / Precious - The Jam
  • True - Spandau Ballet
  • Two Tribes - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  • Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie
  • West End Girls - The Pet Shop Boys
  • You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) - Dead or Alive

ELIMINATED SONGS

1-33. TBD
34. Brass in Pocket - The Pretenders
35. House of Fun - Madness
36. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!
37. The Sun Always Shines on T.V. - a-ha
38. Heaven Is a Place on Earth - Belinda Carlisle
39. There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart) - Eurythmics
40. The Edge of Heaven - Wham!
41. Beat Surrender - The Jam
42. Freedom - Wham!
43. Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
44. I'm Your Man - Wham!
45. Goody Two Shoes - Adam Ant
46. Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) - Enya
47. Ghost Town - The Specials
48. Going Underground / Dreams of Children - The Jam
49. Take My Breath Away - Berlin
50. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) - Aretha Franklin & George Michael
51. The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
52. You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins
53. I Feel for You - Chaka Khan
54. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
55. I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
56. A Different Corner - George Michael
57. Is There Something I Should Know? - Duran Duran
58. Fame - Irene Cara
59. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris
60. Chain Reaction - Diana Ross
61. Heart - The Pet Shop Boys
62. Super Trouper - ABBA
63. Desire - U2
64. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid
65. You Win Again - The Bee Gees
66. Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
67. La Isla Bonita - Madonna
68. La Bamba - Los Lobos
69. Jealous Guy - Roxy Music
70. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston
71. True Blue - Madonna
72. Stand by Me - Ben E. King
73. Imagine - John Lennon
74. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
75. Working My Way Back to You / Forgive Me, Girl - The Spinners (The Detroit Spinners)
76. Start! - The Jam
77. Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
78. The Model / Computer Love - Kraftwerk
79. Woman - John Lennon
80. Dancing in the Street - David Bowie & Mick Jagger
81. The Final Countdown - Europe
82. When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going - Billy Ocean
83. Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston
84. Who's That Girl - Madonna
85. Ride on Time - Black Box
86. Prince Charming - Adam & the Ants
87. A Good Heart - Feargal Sharkey
88. One Day in Your Life - Michael Jackson
89. The Power of Love - Jennifer Rush
90. Hello - Lionel Richie
91. Pass the Dutchie - Musical Youth
92. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
93. Being With You - Smokey Robinson
94. Too Much Too Young - The Special A.K.A. Live! (EP) - The Special A.K.A.
95. Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) - Soul II Soul
96. Stand and Deliver - Adam & the Ants
97. I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
98. Xanadu - Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra
99. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
100. All Around the World - Lisa Stansfield
101. Belfast Child - Simple Minds
102. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me - Culture Club
103. Pump Up the Volume - M/A/R/R/S
104. Baby Jane - Rod Stewart
105. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo
106. China in Your Hand - T'Pau
107. I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
108. I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett
109. Candy Girl - New Edition
110. Red Red Wine - UB40
111. Caravan of Love - The Housemartins
112. Hand on Your Heart - Kylie Minogue
113. Don't Turn Around - Aswad
114. Geno - Dexys Midnight Runners
115. Give It Up - KC & the Sunshine Band
116. The Only Way Is Up - Yazz & the Plastic Population
117. Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
118. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - The Hollies
119. Perfect - Fairground Attraction
120. We Are the World - USA for Africa
121. I Don't Wanna Dance - Eddy Grant
122. Frankie - Sister Sledge
123. I Got You Babe - UB40 & Chrissie Hynde
124. A Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Collins
125. Move Closer - Phyllis Nelson
126. Pipes of Peace - Paul McCartney
127. 19 - Paul Hardcastle
128. One Moment in Time - Whitney Houston
129. I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue
130. Respectable - Mel & Kim
131. With a Little Help From My Friends / She's Leaving Home - Wet Wet Wet / Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey
132. Crying - Don McLean
133. I Know Him So Well - Elaine Page & Barbara Dickson
134. I Want to Wake Up With You - Boris Gardiner
135. Woman in Love - Barbra Streisand
136. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) - Paul Young
137. Too Many Broken Hearts - Jason Donovan
138. The Lady in Red - Chris de Burgh
139. If I Was - Midge Ure
140. I Should Have Known Better - Jim Diamond
141. Coward of the County - Kenny Rogers
142. Spirit in the Sky - Doctor & the Medics
143. Everything I Own - Boy George
144. Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart - Marc Almond feat. Gene Pitney
145. Feels Like I'm in Love - Kelly Marie
146. The Land of Make Believe - Bucks Fizz
147. Use It Up and Wear It Out - Odyssey
148. Sealed With a Kiss - Jason Donovan
149. I Owe You Nothing - Bros
150. Only You - The Flying Pickets
151. Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
152. The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tight Fit
153. It's My Party - Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin
154. A Little Peace - Nicole
155. Mistletoe and Wine - Cliff Richard
156. Let It Be - Ferry Aid
157. My Camera Never Lies - Bucks Fizz
158. Begin the Beguine (Volver A Empezar) - Julio Iglesias
159. Living Doll - Cliff Richard & the Young Ones feat. Hank Marvin
160. Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You - Glenn Medeiros
161. Japanese Boy - Aneka
162. Theme from S'Express - S'Express
163. Oh Julie - Shakin' Stevens
164. First Time - Robin Beck
165. Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson
166. Theme from M\A*S*H* (Suicide is Painless) - The Mash
167. What's Another Year - Johnny Logan
168. Every Loser Wins - Nick Berry
169. Seven Tears - Goombay Dance Band
170. Especially for You - Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan
171. Save Your Love - Renée & Renato
172. Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey - The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman
173. This Ole House - Shakin' Stevens
174. Happy Talk - Captain Sensible
175. Making Your Mind Up - Bucks Fizz
176. Star Trekkin' - The Firm
177. You'll Never Walk Alone - The Crowd
178. Green Door - Shakin' Stevens
179. Together We Are Beautiful - Fern Kinney
180. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid II
181. That's What I Like - Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
182. You Got It (The Right Stuff) - The New Kids on the Block
183. Jack Your Body - Steve "Silk" Hurley
184. You'll Never Stop Me Loving You - Sonia
185. Let's Party - Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
186. Doctorin' the TARDIS - The Timelords
187. Swing the Mood - Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
188. Shaddap You Face - Joe Dolce Music Theatre
189. I've Never Been to Me - Charlene
190. There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St. Winifred's School Choir
191. The Chicken Song - Spitting Image

As always, vote below for which remaining UK #1 80's song you think is the WORST, is your LEAST FAVORITE, or which one you otherwise want to ELIMINATE from the list. The song in this round with the most votes will be eliminated.

Please only vote for #1 UK songs! In addition to the list I've provided above, the full list of all the UK's #1 80's songs can be found here.

REMEMBER: check to see if the song you want to eliminate has already been posted by someone else before nominating it. If it has, upvote it instead of making a duplicate post.


r/80smusic • • 4h ago

1986 Wax - Right Between The Eyes (1986)

10 Upvotes

ECA Victor Records


r/80smusic • • 21h ago

Roland Gift / Fine Young Cannibals on the cover of Rolling Stone, October 5th, 1989. 37 years ago today.

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176 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 9h ago

1984 Laura Branigan - Hot Night

19 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 9h ago

1986 Bryan Ferry - Is Your Love Strong Enough (Official Video), Full HD (AI Remastered and Upscaled)

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16 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 9h ago

1984 Ray Charles & Willie Nelson - Seven Spanish Angels (Official Video)

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9 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 15h ago

1987 George Strait, All My Ex's Live in Texas (1987)

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21 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 1d ago

1985 The Cure - In Between Days (1985)

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124 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 4h ago

1981 4 Out of 5 Doctors - “Modern Man” (1981)

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2 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 17h ago

Prefab Sprout - When Love Breaks Down

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18 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 16h ago

Other Geldof75

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12 Upvotes

Bob Geldof doesn't like Mondays, but I hope today's an exception. Happy 75th Bob! Ireland's lovable Rat, with biting songs about corruption, Howard Hughes, etc. After that, he got his feeding on.

What's your favorite Boomtown Rats or Geldof song?


r/80smusic • • 3h ago

1983 The chameleons - perfumed garden (1983 recording) (the only song to ever make me cry)

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0 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 20h ago

Shaun Ryder

25 Upvotes

I met Shaun Ryder last night as part of his current UK tour. I hung around afterwards and chatted to him for about ten minutes and he was very approachable, chatty and happy to be in as many photos as possible. I’ve met my hero and loved every moment of it.

Have you ever met your heroes and if so, how did it go?


r/80smusic • • 17h ago

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rattlesnakes

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14 Upvotes

Fab Track


r/80smusic • • 18h ago

1984 Vanity - Such A Pretty Mess

17 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 1d ago

1980 Prince - When You Were Mine - Live 1980

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72 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 6h ago

1987 James Robinson - Can We Do It Again

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1 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 18h ago

1987 The Box - Ordinary People (1987)

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7 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 18h ago

1986 Vanity - Under The Influence

6 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 9h ago

1988 New Edition - Can You Stand The Rain

1 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 1d ago

1986 a-ha - "I’ve Been Losing You"

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50 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 18h ago

1988 Sandra - We'll Be Together (Live 1990)

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2 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 23h ago

1983 Tim Finn - Staring at the embers(1983)

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4 Upvotes

r/80smusic • • 23h ago

1982 XTC - Melt the guns

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3 Upvotes

From 1982, great song with good lyrics


r/80smusic • • 17h ago

1981 Tom Jones - What In The World's Come Over You

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1 Upvotes

What in the world's come over you?
Seems we never get along (ooh, ah, ah, ah)
Ev'ry night I reminisce dreaming of your tender kisses