80's Pop Hits [Slipcase]

Mom-In-Law is awesome! Way Cool! Like don't laugh or think that I am schmoozing. You see my MIL is rad. Knowing that my birthday was approaching she asked me for some ideas. Within the suggestions I mentioned that I wanted some 80's compilations and I tossed some book titles at her. Not only does she appreciate the need to read a book prior to the paperback release, she also understands music. Lemme say she delivered! One of the gifts that I received from her was the 3 Disc set - 80's Pop Hits. Within the 3 CD's we are served 40 songs that are for sure from the 80's. They're flippin' awesome.

My oldest gave me a look indicatory that I was an airhead to want such music. When my husband suggested perhaps a mid-life crisis was approaching I sent a look indicative that he was lame. What a bogus sentiment to even suggest that 80's music is cheesy. Oh those times of laughing at Garfield & Ziggy, exercising to Jane Fonda videos in my leotard & leg-warmers, reading Seventeen, and skipping school to watch Luke & Laura wed on General Hospital. Nightime viewing of The Facts of Life, Cheers, The Cosby Show, L.A. Law, Full House, Family Ties, Fame and Alf. We played Uno, challenged ourselves with the Rubik's Cube, and let people know our dislikes via "Gag me with a spoon!" Looking preppie in my Izod shirt (and socks), collar up!, adhering to my color season via Color Me Beautiful, excessively layered hair (parted down the middle and feathered back), and a Swatch watch (scented of course) on my arm. And the totally tubular tunes.

Realizing the fun conjured when strolling into memory way, I just knew there were other epinionators with 'one foot in the 80's' and decided to host a write-off. This is my submission to the 80's Fer Shur W/O and I encourage you to read the reviews from other participants. I have a list on my profile page and the names are provided at the end of this review.

80's Pop Hits!

Manufactured by Sony Music and released in 2001, this 3 CD set offers a good assortment of music hits from the 80's. The songs presented are by original artists. Within the 40 songs we receive a compilation in-which all but one - "Love My Way" by the Psychedelic Furs – of the songs hit the Top 40 charts. Only six of the songs failed to make the Top 10 charts, and fourteen of the songs made Number 1! Needless to say, if you are old enough to remember music from the 80's, these songs will be familiar.

The songs contained offer samplings of electronic synth pop, pop hooks, dance pop, love ballads, and other stylistic pop music from the 80's era. If you like pop, are a fan of the 80's, want to take a stroll down memory lane, or just want a collection resembling that era, this 80's Pop Hits! compilation is suggested. Naturally if you are anti-80's or despise pop this CD compilation should be avoided. Assortments on all three discs include songs that were danced to, sang-along-with, cherished between lovers, and played repeatedly. The songs included have sing along appeal to those who remember these top hits. It is amazing that I hadn't listened to some of the titles since college, yet the words popped right back from the memory tank.

Considering that I graduated in 1984, the songs are totally familiar and there is something comfortable about listening to a major portion of the songs from that era. Urgh… not that I would want to redo high school days **please no** but a ton of excellent things occurred during the secondary school years and college days.

These are songs we sang along with, danced to, and played at parties. I remember adorning our hair with lace bows and singing along with the bubble-gum pop song "Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper", while using hairbrushes as microphones.


Regardless that my hubby poked fun at me, I noticed his foot tapping. We met in high school, dated, and later married. Yes, we are high school sweethearts. Not saying that the relationship has always been sweet, we all know how it is in loveland. But that does contribute to the premise of the like maintained for songs such as: Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon.
"And I meant, every word I said
When I said that I love you, I meant that I'd love you forever…"
This song was #1, March of 1981.

Naturally love ballads need to include some love gone bad representation such as the offering via "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael Bolton." Remember those on-again/off-again times of high school romance? This song was commonly dedicated in those situations.
"Tell me how am I supposed to live without you
Now that I've been loving you so long
How am I supposed to live without you
How am I supposed to carry on
When all that I've been living for is gone."

An 80's compilation wouldn't be complete without inclusion of songs that were cheesy to some, tolerated by others, or actually liked. Such is true with songs such as Who Can It Be Now - Men At Work. The reggae style vocals from lead singer Colin Hay helped this song hit the charts.

Songs like Footloose - Kenny Loggins and Let's Hear It For The Boy - Denice Williams have the two-fold appreciation of song hit and movie representation.

Personally I think this CD offers many songs that allow me to dance while completing house-chores (yuck!) or offer a good deterrent from stress via the upbeat pop style. Overall, this compilation offers a time capsule type of representation of pop songs from the 80's era, hence the title. In all I feel this set offers a good assortment, but you will need to make an additional purchase to relive the Rock hits. Considering that some people don't prefer to cross genre lines, that isn't necessarily a negative.

Includes:
Disc 1
1. Easy Lover - Philip Bailey/Phil Collins
2. Rosanna - Toto
3. You're A Friend Of Mine - Clarence Clemons/Jackson Browne
4. All Cried Out - Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam/Full Force
5. Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon
6. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
7. Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye
8. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!
9. Let's Hear It For The Boy - Deniece Williams
10. Talking In Your Sleep - The Romantics
11. Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'Arby
12. Voices Carry - Til Tuesday
13. Take Me Home Tonight/Be My Baby - Eddie Money/Ronnie Spector

Disc 2
1. Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
2. Shake You Down - Gregory Abbott
3. Carrie - Europe
4. Can't We Try - Dan Hill/Vonda Sheppard
5. Stop To Love - Luther Vandross
6. Time And Tide - Basia
7. Flame, The - Cheap Trick
8. When I See You Smile - Bad English
9. I'll Be Loving You (Forever) - New Kids On The Block
10. Eternal Flame - Bangles
11. Heaven - Warrant
12. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael Bolton
13. Shining Star - The Manhattans

Disc 3
1. How 'Bout Us - Champaigne
2. Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder
3. Shower Me With Your Love - Surface
4. Heart On Fire - Randy Meisner
5. Key Largo - Bertie Higgins
6. This Could Be The Night - Loverboy
7. Leader Of The Band - Dan Fogelberg
8. Your Love - The Outfield
9. Every Time You Go Away - Paul Young
10. Footloose - Kenny Loggins
11. Who Can It Be Now - Men At Work
12. Warrior, The - Scandal
13. Der Kommissar - After The Fire
14. Love My Way - Psychedelic Furs

Conclusion
This collection by Sony is one that I recommend and feel that the recording quality is good. I feel that the assortment is pleasing enough to listen to the compilation as it arrives, without the need to fast forward. I appreciate the fact that top songs were included and that they are by the original artists. If you are looking for a compilation from the 80's this set will likely be appreciated.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Like don't be lame, check out these totally awesome reads:
Lisa_J - Hostess | magenta321 | lyagushka | sblaydes | jo.com | lilscamp | Arthur.Rubin | mjfrombuffalo | bonniesayers | 2buzy | ned1 | dragonfire88 | cletta1201 | melissasrn | d_fienberg | lorendiac | kld718 | mizgnomer beecharmer | jenb123
(There is a listing of reviews on my profile page.)
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Fun Links:
http://www.i80s.com/80s_slang/slang1.html
http://www.i80s.com/80s_music/download_80s_music.htm

? 2002 – Lisa_J