Kate, those of us born during the Carter administration have to stick together. We are NOT YOUNG, dammit. (I mean, young enough for all reasonable purposes, but not so freakishly young that we should make others feel old.)
Billboard Top Hits compilation for 1980
I would be SO tempted to use something from the Fame soundtrack -- either the title cut or "I Sing the Body Electric"
</Fame dork>
I would be SO tenmpted to use something frm the Fame soundtrack -- either the title cut or "I Sing the Body Electric"
Dude, "Hot Lunch Jam" is the hit to pick off that sdtrk.
Are you wickedly opposed to reggae, Kate?
Bob Marley's Uprising came out in 1980 which has "Redemption Song" - one of my faves.
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")