Day 6, and we’ve arrived at 25th November 1985.
I doubt any of the artists on Now! #6 looked as cool as me and Dad in our knitted hats, but let’s have a listen anyway.
Track 1: Queen – One Vision
A favourite going back to childhood – we had the A Kind Of Magic album on CD in the ’90s and always played it in the car.
I don’t think anyone disputes nowadays that the last line is definitely sung as ‘fried chicken‘, right?
Track 2: Nik Kershaw – When A Heart Beats
Nice rock-tinged track, probably the best Nik Kershaw track the Now! compilers have included so far.
Track 3: Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart
I quite like this one in moderation. Good chair-swayer, and great lyrics.
Track 4: Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)
I’ve got a soft spot for this one because it was used for one of the idents on VH1 Classic back in the ’00s, when Geth and I lived in Edinburgh and could still get Virgin TV with its huge variety of music TV channels. Love that chorus.
Track 5: Simple Minds – Alive And Kicking
Slightly rockier sound from Simple Minds today, great tune, especially the singalong bridge.
Track 6: Bryan Adams and Tina Turner – It’s Only Love
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 1: lazy tribute version substitute.
Nice epic guitar riff all the way through – quite like this one.
Track 7: Gary Moore – Empty Rooms
Love the atmosphere of this one, with that wailing guitar at the start. Everything I like in an ’80s rock ballad.
Track 8: Marillion – Lavender
Not keen on this one – the repetitive chorus annoys me.
Track 9: Elton John – Nikita
A song from a different world, where the Iron Curtain meant that English boys weren’t allowed to date Russian girls, or something. It’s quite a nice tune, but there’s something a little dull about it for me.
Track 10: Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
Love this one. I think I came to it late and it was actually the Placebo cover in 2003 that introduced me to it (the Placebo covers album did that for a lot of songs). In this case, the original is much better though.
Track 11: Level 42 – Something About You
Nice upbeat pop, quite like this one!
Side note: Geth and I noticed when we were at the Sage Gateshead for the Kim Wilde gig last night that Level 42 will be playing there in October. I may have another ’80s gig to look forward to!
Track 12: Tina Turner – We Don’t Need Another Hero
As usual with Tina Turner, there’s something I’m not keen on here. I think I just don’t like the tune.
Track 13: UB40 – Don’t Break My Heart
Not quite as bouncy as you’d usually expect from UB40, but I really quite like the atmosphere of this one.
Track 14: Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin – Separate Lives
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 1: lazy tribute version substitute.
Bit too much of a dull, slow ballad for my tastes. I quite like the instrumentals though.
Track 15: Cliff Richard – She’s So Beautiful
Never been a Cliff fan, as I find his typical level of cheese to be pretty cringeworthy. This one is no exception. Blurgh.
Track 16: Arcadia – Election Day
Following the Power Station yesterday, here’s the other Duran Duran spinoff band of 1985. Plenty to love here, with a nice epic chorus and daft video.
Track 17: UB40 and Chrissie Hynde – I Got You Babe
I actually prefer this jaunty reggae version of the song to the Sonny and Cher original. Great track.
Track 18: Fine Young Cannibals – Blue
Okay tune, but not enough of a hook for me.
Track 19: Midge Ure – If I Was
In our ’90s family CD collection, we had this one on a Top Gear compilation, I think. I’ve always liked the tune, especially the way the verses build.
Track 20: Siouxsie & The Banshees – Cities In Dust
Nice mad song that I still hear a lot in clubs. Highly danceable if you’re a goth.
Track 21: Madness – Uncle Sam
Typical jolly Madness track, though it’s a bit more sedate than some of their stuff. Really like this tune.
Track 22: Lloyd Cole & The Commotions – Lost Weekend
Great song! I’m going to make this one today’s top wedding disco track.
Track 23: The Communards – You Are My World
My parents had (and still have) the Communards’ self-titled album on vinyl, so it’s one of those records I grew up with. Great dance tune.
Track 24: Paul Hardcastle – Just For Money
Jaunty mishmash of sampling based around the theme of the Great Train Robbery. Quite like this track.
Track 25: Jan Hammer – Miami Vice Theme
I find this one a bit dull. It does, however, remind me that I’ve never seen an episode of Miami Vice, which I should probably rectify at some point.
Track 26: Maria Vidal – Body Rock
This one’s a bit pop-by-numbers, nothing special.
Track 27: Baltimora – Tarzan Boy
That’s more like it! Great hooks, classic pop track.
Track 28: Mai Tai – Body And Soul
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 2: YouTube Pause (TM).
Much better than History from yesterday. Vocals aren’t really to my taste, but the instrumentals are great.
Track 29: Cameo – Single Life
Not enough here to keep my interest. Bland tune, repetitive vocals.
Track 30: Jaki Graham and David Grant – Mated
Fairly typical ballad, a bit dull and slow for me.