Written by: Coach Joe
I'm back at this playlist thing again!
This time, we'll venture into B-sides of the '80s, with lesser known hits from some well-loved artists/groups. But don't worry, I'll throw in their biggest hits for reference to jog your memory.
Here's my '80s Pandemic Playlist:
This song by Miami Sound Machine, led by Gloria Estefan, was released in 1986. One of their biggest hits was "Conga", which became the first single to be simultaneously included on Billboard's pop, Latin, soul, and dance charts.
This song by Michael McDonald was released in 1985. One of his biggest hits was "I Keep Forgettin'". It's smooth yacht-rock sound was largely sampled in Warren G and Nate Dogg's hit "Regulate" in 1994. Funny enough, McDonald's children say they prefer "Regulate" to his original, "I Keep Forgettin'" .
This song by the great, Whitney Houston, was released in 1985. While this song didn't make a dent on the charts the way her single "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" did, it's still a great one to add to your playlist.
Released in 1987, this song by Aerosmith quickly climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, ranking second behind their smash hit, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing".
This song by The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, was released in 1985. This song hit number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, just under her hit "I Say a Little Prayer".
Despite two singles from their first album charting in the US, this one and "Don't Dream it's Over", Crowded House never achieved very good album sales in the states. We still love them though and that's why they got a spot on our playlist!
You know them for "Kharma Chamleon", but this hit, released in 1983, reached the Top 10 and was still climbing the charts when "Kharma Chameleon" was released.
This tune was just the hit that "Take Me Home Tonight" star was looking for. It got all the way to #1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart.
Released on his 1980 album, Scary Monsters, it stalled at No. 32 on the UK chart, unlike "Heroes" which has become one of his signature songs.
Lead guitarist, Paul Reynolds, gave the song it's title because he thought it sounded like a space age love song. It only peaked at #30 on the charts, unlike the famous "I Ran (So Far Away)", which peaked at #9.
Check out this playlist on Industry Gymnastics' Spotify account.