I haven't read Spin's list because... why bother, but man... 1985 was a stacked year. 1984 tends to get the plaudits, but just a few things missing your list are:
Into the Groove by Madonna
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves (the best one-hit wonder of the 80s)
Radio by LL Cool J
Marlene on the Wall by Susanne Vega
As well as great old white guy songs:
Don't Come Around No More by Tom Petty
Here Comes a Regular by the Replacements
Driver 8 by REM
Small Town by John Mellencamp
Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
Damn. And that's ignoring everything in metal and punk going on.
That's a great post. As you say, the list itself is never going to be complete, but you make the argument for why it's worth caring about lists like that.
Having said that, I feel the need to mention two other possibilities.
The number one hill I would die on is that the Pogues cover of "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is an all-time great. The original, by Eric Bogle, is good, and the Pogues make it so much stronger.
"Swinging Party" is my favorite song off "Tim" and one of my favorite songs of the 80s.
Nice list! (I can’t believe Spin didn’t include “Raspberry Beret” on their list. That’s nonsensical.) Although, I kind of love everything Billy Joel put out around then. Including “You’re Only Human” lol.
Hi Noah, is there another platform we can give you monthly subscription money on? Frankly I'd mail cash every month if need be, but I can't in good faith give substack any more % of any subs after today. Thank you.
Sure; I'm still on Patreon, so that's a good place to contribute if you'd prefer. It's basically the same content, just over there instead of over here.
The BTTF reference reminds me again that Michael J. Fox and Eddie Murphy were born in the same year (1961). It would have been a far different film if a Black Marty goes back to 1955.
The circular logic of Marty “inspiring” Chuck Berry would of course have worked a lot better if Marty were Black himself. But obviously this would’ve been a far different movie.
Back to the Future I think would kind of snuff itself out in a time paradox if it weren't about a white cishet guy. It's whole reason for existing is reinscribing white male gender roles, which makes it hard to imagine what it would be like if it were not doing that.
Wow, music, films, and books… You seem to be able to write intricately and accurately about all of them. A human encyclopedia, from the most famous items to the arcane.
What’s the secret? All I’m sure of is that it was not majoring in physics…
I haven't read Spin's list because... why bother, but man... 1985 was a stacked year. 1984 tends to get the plaudits, but just a few things missing your list are:
Into the Groove by Madonna
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves (the best one-hit wonder of the 80s)
Radio by LL Cool J
Marlene on the Wall by Susanne Vega
As well as great old white guy songs:
Don't Come Around No More by Tom Petty
Here Comes a Regular by the Replacements
Driver 8 by REM
Small Town by John Mellencamp
Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
Damn. And that's ignoring everything in metal and punk going on.
The last thing I took off the list I think was Foetus...fwiw. (also Jesus and Mary Chain...)
That's a great post. As you say, the list itself is never going to be complete, but you make the argument for why it's worth caring about lists like that.
Having said that, I feel the need to mention two other possibilities.
The number one hill I would die on is that the Pogues cover of "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is an all-time great. The original, by Eric Bogle, is good, and the Pogues make it so much stronger.
"Swinging Party" is my favorite song off "Tim" and one of my favorite songs of the 80s.
I thought about the pities! There’s only so much space alas…
That's a funny auto-correct. . .
Good grief
Nice list! (I can’t believe Spin didn’t include “Raspberry Beret” on their list. That’s nonsensical.) Although, I kind of love everything Billy Joel put out around then. Including “You’re Only Human” lol.
noooo! say it isn't so!
I can’t help it. I love me some 80s Billy Joel.
How are you going to leave out "It's House" by Chip E? You're in Chicago, right? Smh
Thanks, those were some fun videos and great listens. I've got that Soweto LP btw, it's fire!
Sade - excellent choice!! My granddaughter just discovered her music last year and adores her.
oh cool!
Sade still sounds very up to date' she's a pretty big influence on contemporary R&B I think.
Hi Noah, is there another platform we can give you monthly subscription money on? Frankly I'd mail cash every month if need be, but I can't in good faith give substack any more % of any subs after today. Thank you.
Sure; I'm still on Patreon, so that's a good place to contribute if you'd prefer. It's basically the same content, just over there instead of over here.
https://www.patreon.com/c/noahberlatsky
Thank you!! Just subbed <3
The BTTF reference reminds me again that Michael J. Fox and Eddie Murphy were born in the same year (1961). It would have been a far different film if a Black Marty goes back to 1955.
The circular logic of Marty “inspiring” Chuck Berry would of course have worked a lot better if Marty were Black himself. But obviously this would’ve been a far different movie.
Back to the Future I think would kind of snuff itself out in a time paradox if it weren't about a white cishet guy. It's whole reason for existing is reinscribing white male gender roles, which makes it hard to imagine what it would be like if it were not doing that.
I never actually listened to leper messiah, and I'm retroactively angry at myself for that. It's exactly my kind of middle finger at the church vibe.
Just makes what the band turned into thatuchore tragic/annoying.
It's a long, bitter decline after Chris Burton dies...
I mean…there's a reason I only listen to/like the stuff they made when he was still alive. Though I think that goes for most people.
the EP just after his death is maybe my favorite thing of theirs. after that...
most people love the post Chris stuff though! they got much more popular after he died.
LOVE MY KATE!
Noah I love your list! I was 14 in 1985, and you nailed it! Prince was a god! Thank you for this list. I’ll be listening all day.
Wow, music, films, and books… You seem to be able to write intricately and accurately about all of them. A human encyclopedia, from the most famous items to the arcane.
What’s the secret? All I’m sure of is that it was not majoring in physics…
I'm interested in a lot of things! not everything though...video games and sports are two big areas I know nothing about...
Poetry professor Claudia Rankin observed that the two favorite past times in the United States are sports and forgetting.
Looks like you are golden there.