List #1: Top 100 New Wave Songs

Sometimes it's hard defining what a true "New Wave" song is. Many lists I've seen just include any song that was a hit between 1979 and 1986. This is not true. One list I saw even had Dire Straits on the list. Dire Straits are no where near the category of New Wave. Some of the groups on my list are arguably New Wave, but those are further down the list. The true New Wave song rank higher. For me, it's whether the song has held up over the years, and chart position is irrelevant.

Criteria:

1. Usually between 1979 and 1986.

2. Higher ranked if it has that "New Wavey" sound.

1.       I Melt With You – Modern English

2.       Bizarre Love Triangle – New Order

3.       Don’t You Want Me – Human League

4.       In A Big Country – Big Country

5.       Love My Way – Psychedelic Furs

6.       Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode

7.       Vienna – Ultravox

8.       Don’t You Forget About Me – Simple Minds

9.       Heart Of Glass – Blondie

10.   Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go-Go’s

11.   Safety Dance – Men Without Hats

12.   Tainted Love – Soft Cell

13.   Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners

14.   This Charming Man – The Smiths

15.   Video Killed The Radio Star – Buggles

16.   Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran

17.   I Ran – Flock Of Seagulls

18.   If You Leave – OMD

19.   Echo Beach – Martha And The Muffins

20.   Gold – Spandau Ballet

21.   Head Over Heels – Tears For Fears

22.   Cruel To Be Kind – Nick Lowe

23.   Puttin’ On The Ritz – Taco

24.   Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics

25.   True – Spandau Ballet

26.   Turning Japanese – Vapors

27.   West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys

28.   What I Like About You – The Romantics

29.   Antmusic – Adam And The Ants

30.   Beautiful World – Devo

31.   Close To Me – The Cure

32.   Cool For Cats – Squeeze

33.   Poison Arrow – ABC

34.   And She Was – Talking Heads

35.   Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? – Culture Club

36.   Eyes Without A Face – Billy Idol

37.   Kids In America – Kim Wilde

38.   Life In A Northern Town – The Dream Academy

39.   Mad World – Tears For Fears

40.   Girls On Film – Duran Duran

41.   Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant

42.   Love Of The Common People – Paul Young

43.   Mexican Radio – Wall Of Voodoo

44.   The Look Of Love – ABC

45.   One Night In Bangkok – Murray Head

46.   Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want – The Smiths

47.   Psycho Killer – Talking Heads

48.   Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood

49.   Shell Shock – New Order

50.   Skin Deep – The Stranglers

51.   Send Me An Angle – Real Life

52.   Senses Working Overtime – XTC

53.   Steppin’ Out – Joe Jackson

54.   Take On Me – A-Ha

55.   Together In Electric Dreams – Phil Oakey et al

56.   Talking In Your Sleep – The Romantics

57.   Always Something There To Remind Me – Naked Eyes

58.   Cars – Gary Numan

59.   Down Under – Men At Work

60.   Fade To Grey – Visage

61.   Golden Brown – The Stranglers

62.   Goodbye Bad Times – Phil Oakley et al

63.   Karma Chameleon – Culture Club

64.   Looking For Clues – Robert Palmer

65.   Love Cats – The Cure

66.   Here Comes The Rain Again – Eurythmics

67.   No One Is To Blame – Howard Jones

68.   Only When You Leave – Spandau Ballet

69.   Hold Me Now – Thompson Twins

70.   I Don’t Like Mondays – Boomtown Rats

71.   Quasimodo’s Dream – The Reels

72.   She Bop – Cyndi Lauper

73.   Shout – Tears For Fears

74.   Road To Nowhere – Talking Heads

75.   Shake It Up – The Cars

76.   White Wedding – Billy Idol

77.   Town Called Malice – The Jam

78.   Wild Wild  Life – Talking Heads

79.   Wouldn’t It Be Good – Nik Kershaw

80.   What You Need – INXS

81.   8675309 Jenny – Tommy TUtone

82.   Cruel Summer – Bananarama

83.   Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung

84.   Drive – The Cars

85.   99 Luft Ballons – Nena

86.   Enola Gay – OMD

87.   Everybody Wants To Rule The World – Tears For Fears

88.   Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

89.   Girl’s Talk – Dave Edmunds

90.   Great Southern Land – Icehouse

91.   Is She Really Going Out With Him? – Joe Jackson

92.   Jeopardy – Greg Kihn Band

93.   Happy Talk – Captain Sensible

94.   Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick – Ian Dury

95.   Johnny And Mary – Robert Palmer

96.   Louise We Get It Right – Jona Lewie

97.   Left Of Centre – Suzanne Vega

98.   Like To Get To Know You Well – Howard Jones

99.   Luka – Suzanne Vega

100.            Obsession – Animotion

Special mentions go to: My Sharona – The Knack

Oliver’s Army – Elvis Costello

Our House – Madness

Pretty In Pink – Psychedelic Furs

Rock Me Amadeus – Falco

Sex – Berlin

The Unguarded Moment – The Church

Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles

What Is Love? – Howard Jones

Wherever I Lay My Hat – Paul Young

Whip It! – Devo

Who Can It Be Now? – Men At Work

You Spin Me Round Like A Record – Dead Or Alive

Always The Sun – The Stranglers

Ashes To Ashes – David Bowie

Blister In The Sun – Violent Femmes

Blue Monday – New Order

Catch Me I’m Falling – Real Life

Everything Must Change – Paul Young

Girls Like Me – Bonnie Hayes

Heroes – David Bowie

I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Nik Kershaw

Manic Monday – The Bangles

Marlene On The Wall – Suzanne Vega

No More Words – Berlin

Only You – Yazoo

If I was – Midge Ure

Pop Muzic – M

Rock Lobster – B-52’s

Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush

Six Months In A Leaky Boat – Split Enz

Avalon – Roxy Music

Babooshka – Kate Bush

Be Good Johnny – Men At Work

Brass In Pocket – Pretenders

Burning Down The House – Talking Heads

Der Kommissar – After The Fire

Driver’s Seat – Sniff ‘n’ The Tears

Every Breath You Take – The Police

Hey St Peter – Flash And The Pan

I Got You – Split Enz

Pocket Pool - Killer Pussy

Love Resurrection – Alison Moyet

Rio – Duran Duran

Roxanne – The Police

Say It Isn’t So – Hall and Oates

She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby

Sounds Of Then – Gangajang

Sparks – Eaten By The Monster Of Love

Sweet And Sour – The Takeaways

The Power Of Love – Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Too Shy – Kajagoogoo

Waiting For A Train – Flash And The Pan

Boys In Town – Divinyls

Ca Plane Pour Moi – Plastic Bertrand

Election Day – Arcadia

I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow

If You Leave Me Can I Come Too – Mental As Anything

It’s A Mistake – Men At Work

Lucky Star – Madonna

Money (That’s What I Want) – Flying Lizards

Private Eyes – Hall and Oates

Tom’s Diner – Suzanne Vega

Review #4: Business As Usual - Men At Work (1981)

Men At Work's second album, Cargo, comes very close to being the album "reviewed" here. Perhaps in another blog. But this album, Business As Usual really represents the sound that made Men At Work famous, however brief it was. The album is very well balanced, with each track being a potential single. I always felt that Men At Work had a unique sound, and that's what is carried over to some extent on their second album. Unfortunately it didn't on their third. The formula for its success is really the amazing fusion of Greg Hams woodwinds and brass, and the quirky, wry, humourous lyrics from Colin Hay.

I went through the Men At Work obsession in 1984. I remember it well. Having only heard the three singles "Who Can It Be Now?", "Down Under" and "Be Good Johnny" being continually rotated on FM radio (FOX FM and EON FM in Melbourne) with "It's A Mistake" and the brilliant "Overkill" from their second album Cargo, I found a great need to hear the rest of the songs. I was sure they'd be equally as good as the three singles. Often album tracks are just that - album tracks. Not on Business As Usual. Each song is complete joy in its own right.

"Business As Usual" by Men At Work

1. Who Can It Be Now? (Rating: 9/10)

This song still holds up well after 32 years. Has it really been that long? Perfect example of Greg Ham's genius on the sax. 

2. I Can See It In Your Eyes (Rating: 8/10)

Great song with a great sound. 

3. Down Under (Rating: 10/10)

Doesn't get better than this. I don't care about the law suit. Greg Ham ripped nobody off. The video clip is one of the best ever. Makes me proud to be an Aussie. 

4. Underground (Rating: 9.5/10)

This could easily have been a single. Not only did it get radio airplay, but it was always on their "Greatest Hits" albums. That notwithstanding, the song is not only a great example of Greg Ham's musicianship, but Jerry Speiser's drumming is second to none.

5. Helpless Automation (Rating: 7/10)

Greg Ham was a great musician, but his vocals were, let's say, different. Colin Hay couldn't have sung this though.

6. People Just Love To Play With Words (Rating: 8/10)

Am I too generous with the ratings? I don't think so. Another gem from the album, this song works so well.

7. Be Good Johnny (Rating: 9/10)

Love the video clip for this. Almost as good as "Down Under". I could understand why people would find this song annoying. I don't though. Love it.

8. Touching The Untouchables (Rating: 8/10)

Hello to you my sweet young friends,

Have you got money, perhaps you could lend?

I wash my leather face in the afternoon sun,

My shirt's torn, my time's near done...

Hehe. Love it.

9. Catch A Star (Rating: 7/10)

This has a common sound that Men At Work had... ok, well it has a similar guitar riff to "It's A Mistake" from Cargo. Semi reggae with a hint of New Wave.

10. Down By The Sea (Rating: 7.5/10)

The middle eight in this song is one of Men At Work's best. A sudden solo sax that leads in to its fade out. Great stuff.

Overall rating: 83/100 (83%)

Review #3: Tug Of War - Paul McCartney (1982)

When this album came out, McCartney was still doing his best work, Wings had just split, John Lennon had just died, and New Wave music was defining the popular sound. McCartney began this album around the time Lennon was shot. He came to George Martin with several songs that were eventually turned down, but together with the former Beatle producer, they came up with arguably McCartney's best post-Beatles work.

I first heard this record in 1982 when a friend of mine who lived next door (his family had an amazing record collection) made a copy on tape for me. I was very young, but I still knew who McCartney was, and even at a young age had loved the Beatles music. Tug Of War was the first album I ever played over and over and over again. In many ways it was responsible for my love of music, not to mention my admiration for, and long time following of the genius of Paul McCartney. In addition to McCartney, the album has Denny Laine, Ringo Starr, Carl Perkins and Stevie Wonder.

"Tug Of War" by Paul McCartney

1. Tug Of War (Rating: 9/10)

As a kid I loved the way the album opened with the sounds of people having a tug of war. This song demonstrates how good old George Martin is as a producer.  The instrumentation towards the end is amazing, and the song is a great opening to a wonderful album.

2. Take It Away (Rating: 9.5/10)

Long been my favourite on the album, this song. I always loved the video clip too. I never understood why it wasn't a bigger hit on the charts (not that the charts mean anything). Love the dual drumming and the horn fade out at the end.

3. Somebody Who Cares (Rating: 8.5/10)

This is just a great song. The flute solo is terrific. McCartney at his best.

4. What's That You're Doing? (Rating: 8/10)

Most people know Stevie Wonder for "Ebony And Ivory" on this album, but Stevie's first contribution was this great song. I actually prefer it to "Ebony". It was later re-worked with DJ Freelance Hellraiser on the Twin Freaks album in 2005. And it's pretty good too.

5. Here Today (Rating: 8/10)

Paul's tribute to John is quite good. I always felt good for hearing it after their nasty exchange in the early 70's from John's Imagine and Paul's Ram. It's a beautiful song.

6. Ballroom Dancing (Rating: 9.5/10)

Anyone who says this song is crap doesn't know what they're talking about. This song is so well arranged musically that it should have been award winning. It's middle eight is among the best ever. Put the CD on. Turn it up high. George Martin is brilliant.

7. The Pound Is Sinking (Rating: 8/10)

As a kid I learnt quite a lot about foreign money from this song. Just works so well. There's no dud on this album.

8. Wanderlust (Rating: 8.5/10)

Great song that was remade two years later on Give My Regards To Broadstreet. And remade very well too I might add. I still prefer this version.

9. Get It (Rating: 7.5/10)

It pains me to give this a lower rating. I could have given it 8.. maybe 8.5. McCartney and Perkins work very well together. Shame they didn't do another one.

10. Be What You See (Link) (Rating: 7.5/10)

I didn't want this "track" to lower the rating of the whole album. Perhaps I shouldn't have even rated it. Strangely enough though, it's quite good. It has elements of Beatles fill-in's from The White Album. I never understood it, and still don't. But it works well for the album.

11. Ebony And Ivory (Rating: 7/10)

Ok. Here we go. OK, this song was number one. But like I said before, the charts don't mean a thing. It probably sold based on it's "sensitive" theme. Don't get me wrong, it means well. And it's a very good song. I think the reason for my lower rating is it's perpetual airplay on local radio stations when I was a kid. Aw heck! The song is good. Stevie is great. The video clip is cheesy. Good enough!

Special Mention: Love the B-Side to "Take It Away", the great "I'll Give You A Ring".

Overall rating: 82.5/110   74.32%

Review #2: Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits (1985)

As stated in the last album review, these classic albums are not in any particular order. That is to say, Year of the Cat is not ranked higher than this album. I just chose to write about it first. Brothers In Arms has a special meaning for me, just like the aforementioned Year of the Cat. Brothers In Arms was released when I was early into high school, and the only song I knew about Dire Straits was Sultans Of Swing that I'd heard on an old compilation cassette that I kept stealing off my sister. While most of the music on that cassette was in the style of New Wave of the late 70's and early 80's, Sultans Of Swing was the song that I found the most interesting.

"Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits (1985)

1. So Far Away (Rating: 8/10)

The first song on the album is defined by its unusual sound. I remember hearing this one at one of the "disco's" at High School -- you know the ones, where they hire a DJ in the middle of the day, drag you to the school hall and expect 50 nervous teenagers try and dance with the opposite sex. The DJ did a great job though. Fortunately for him, the music was good in 1986. I only remember two of the songs he played though, this one and "Road To Nowhere" by Talking Heads.

2. Money For Nothing (Rating: 10/10)
The first song from the album that was played on Melbourne radio. This was the big boy. The song had two versions: the single version and the album version. I still have the 7" single. There's a few scratches on it though. I played it to death. When I was given this album for Christmas, "Money For Nothing", the album version was played even more. Fortunately though, cassettes don't scratch -- they just get screwed up in the uncleaned, unaligned cassette player heads. 

The guitar riff on this song is very identifiable. I was fortunate enough to see Dire Straits in concert in 1991 at the Melbourne Tennis Centre (Rod Laver Arena). This was their encore. They didn't play the familiar "I want my MTV..." opening, instead Mark Knopfler just came back on stage and opened the song with the riff. Needless to say the audience went ape shit. I was one of them.

Few people remember, or realise, that "Money For Nothing" was actually shortened on the vinyl LP release. This is just when CD's were becoming popular, and because of the extra length of time, artists were able to make albums longer than the standard (roughly) 40-45 minutes. So for the vinyl version they had to edit some of the songs. Unfortunately for those in the mid 80's who still had a record player, or swore that the vinyl sound was still better than the artificial CD sound, they heard different, shorter versions of a few of the songs. Having said that, if you find a copy of Brothers In Arms at your local Comic Book Guy or collector fair, grab it. It's rare.

And don't forget the ground-breaking video clip.

3. Walk Of Life (Rating: 9/10)

I remember hearing this song for the first time when I was visiting family friends in Naracoorte. It was being played on their local country radio. I'd never heard the song before, but as soon as Knopfler's distinctive vocals came on, I knew who it was.

4. Your Latest Trick (Rating: 6.5/10)

Radio always played the shorter version in the old days. Now they play the longer, official one. I don't mind this song, but it's not one of my favourites. 

5. Why Worry (Rating: 7.5/10)

Another song on the album with an unusual sound. Very simple lyrics that have a strong meaning. Nicely done.

6. Ride Across The River (Rating: 9/10)

Talking about an unusual sound, this one is amazing. In 1986, at the end of their Brother's In Arms Tour, the band finished with a concert in Sydney. It was telecast live on Channel 9 and simulcast on FM radio. I recorded concert on video (since wiped the tape) and on audio cassette (also wiped). Hands up who's a dumbass. Yo! Right here! Fortunately I found lesser quality copy, complete with Molly Meldrum's intro and outro on Youtube. God bless Youtube.

Anyway, "Ride Across The River" was the opening song at the concert. It is a far superior version than that which is on the album. That's a big call, but I stand by it. I'm not a fan of listening to live music on recording because  you never get the "feel" of the concert (and they always sing it different). This is an exception to the rule. Mark Knopfler, in his style, leads an 11 minute "Ride Across The River" jam session that is not to be missed. Just like at the opening of the On Every Street tour in 1991 where "Calling Elvis" was the big opener, "Ride Across The River" opens the show so wonderfully you simply cannot miss it. Search for it on Youtube. Oh heck... here's the link: Ride Across The River (Live in Australia) - Dire Straits.

7. The Man's Too Strong (7/10)

Nice song with a rip roaring rock chord hook.

8. One World (7.5/10)

Another nice album song that blends in nicely on the album. Fair lead in to another gem.

9. Brothers In Arms (10/10)

This is the gem. You know, I didn't even like this song when I first heard it. I was 13 at the time. Have mercy on my soul. This song, as I soon correctly found out, is brilliant. It's not just the terrific guitar riffs but the carefully and sensitively worded verses that can bring a grown man to tears. Sure, it's about the Falkland's War, but it can be associated with any war:

Now the sun's gone to hell... and

The moon's riding high

Let me bid you farewell

Every man has to die

But it's written in the starlight

And every line in your palm

We are fools to make war

On our brothers in arms

Need I say more.

Overall rating: 74.5/90 (82.7%)

Review #1: Year Of The Cat - Al Stewart (1976)

This is where I start recording a list of my favourite albums of all time. It's by no means a list that takes into account awards, popularity, chart success or anything other than my complete opinion. These are the albums that have meant something to me over the years. So, in no particular order, here is the first album:

"Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart (1976)





"Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart

 I was listening to one of those generic compilation CDs of the 70's some time around 1997, and on came the title song to this album. I had heard it before, perhaps on Gold FM  or on the radio some time when I was growing up. I thought the song was so smooth and had this wonderful melody. The middle section with the instrumental break was the clincher though. There's acoustic guitar, electric guitar and then a sweet saxophone. If that's not enough, the story carries the song right up to the fade out. It's a remarkable song, and that was all it took to make me seek out more of Al's songs. I found the original album at a treasure market for about 50c. It was enough for me to upgrade to CD. So from about 1997 I've been an Al Stewart fan. He's probably the most underrated singer songwriters in the world. His choice of material is primarly historical -- telling stories of famous figures from the past, the Russian War, politicians, and an album not so long ago on the theme of wine. More about that later. This entry is about the album "Year of the Cat".

1. Lord Grenville (Rating: 8/10)

Track one is a great opening to the album. You don't need to know who Lord Grenville is to appreciate this song. "Go tell Lord Grenville that the tide is on the turn".

2. On The Border (Rating: 9.5/10)

"On the Border" was a single from this album. Great song (and particularly effective when Al plays it live).

3. Midas Shadow (Rating: 8.5/10)

Love this song. It's got that mid 70's electic piano sound I love.

4. Sand In Your Shoes (Rating: 9/10)

I learnt to play this one on the guitar. It's very easy and fun to play. Terrific word play.

5. If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It (Rating: 7/10)

Great song with a simple message (if you don't take it too literally).

6. Flying Sorcery (Rating: 9.7/10)

This song will always remind me of the World Trade Centre. Everyone has their "where were you when it happened" story. I have a "what were you listening to" story. The world trade centre had collapsed the night before (Melbourne, Australia time), and the next morning the events were just sinking in. I was listening to this song through headphones on the train to Melbourne and reading the horror in the newspaper (as was everyone else). The only (wierd) connection between the song and the  WTC was the aircraft theme, and the eerie lines "The clouds came up to gather us/And the cockpit turned to white/When I looked the sky was empty/I suppose you never saw the landing-lights/Are you there?" The song will always remind me of that tragic event.

7. Broadway Hotel (Rating: 8/10)

A wonderful song, again with that sweet 70's sound.

8. One Stage Before (9/10)

If you don't get shivers when you hear the lines: "Of laughter like the waves upon the shores/Of infinity", you never will. Another great song that gives you images of a lost era.

9. Year Of The Cat (10/10)

There is a history behind this song, but I won't go into it here. That's what google's for. This song though, is simply amazing.

Overall rating: 78.7/90 (87.44%)