1980. Blondie? "Call Me" and Autoamerican. The album included "The Tide Is High" and "Rapture."
Xanadu, which has its fans around here, came out that year. ELO's "All Over the World." Olivia Newton-John's "Magic."
Since Billy Joel was mentioned here recently, I'll note his Glass Houses. Includes "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "You May Be Right."
I have a strange weak spot for Bob Seger -- Against the Wind. Title track could easily work in a folk vein.
What do you listen to? It could be a song from 1980, so a cover from another year would work. Or possibly a sample of a 1980 song on a hip hop tune.
more 1980 releases:
Blasters, American Music
Joe Ely, Live Shots
Carlene Carter, Musical Shapes
Squeeze's "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" is from 1980. And you should be owning that anyway.
Also Pete Townsend's excellent solo record Empty Glass with his HoYayful "Rough Boys."
Leftover doughnut --
Fame soundtrack. Urban Cowboy was also big that year -- was it Mickey Gilley who covered "Stand by Me"? And for glossy ballads, there's Boz Scaggs' "Look What You Done to Me." And the perfect first-dance song for the couple at any wedding reception, Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance."
Dude, "Hot Lunch Jam" is the hit to pick off that sdtrk.
What-evah. It's all about lighting up the sky like a flame, or possibly celebrating the me yet to come.
Another 1980 folk/folk-influenced release:
Butch Hancock, Diamond Hill (with "The Ghost of Give & Take Avenue")
And the perfect first-dance song for the couple at any wedding reception, Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance."
Fred, you may NOT be my wedding coordinator.
Fortunately, my birth year produced a Ray Charles classic. Also Del Shannon.
I am laughing at how eager we all are to throw out our suggestions.
I forgot two:
Joe Jackson and David Bowie. Bowie put out Scary Monsters in 1980 which is fan-freaking-tastic.