Pop Shots – A Look At The Charts... From 30 Years Ago
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week I’ve hopped into my time machine again, and I've set the coordinates for 30 years ago this week. Personally, I loved the fall of ’86, as the Mets were the best team in baseball, and on their way to winning the World Series. Musically, the Billboard Hot 100 was filled with everything from synth pop, to ballads, to rock, to early hip-hop. No singular genre truly dominated the airwaves. With that in mind, let’s take a look back at what we were listening to 30 years ago this week. Of course, since this is Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
Although younger folks may only recognize the song “Venus” from commercials for women’s razors, there was a time when the kitschy pop classic topped the charts. Actually, there were multiple times “Venus” topped the charts, as it ranks as one of the 15 Iconic ‘80s Songs That Were Actually Covers. Shout out to Bananarama for making music history.
Back in the fall of ’86 the Top Gun soundtrack was everywhere, and Berlin’s epic ballad “Take My Breath Away” was a big reason why. Another reason why was Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone,” which was also on this chart, at #57 (cue Sterling Archer). Both are appropriate as wedding songs.
Hip-hop in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100? Do you think this is something that will stick around, and become an integral part of the American music scene, and maybe even be a political force? Nah, it’s probably just a fad.
The ‘80s had some great songs about heartbreak, and one of the best was “All Cried Out” (some folks may remember Allure and 112 covered the classic in ’97). Lisa Lisa isn’t just heartbroken in this song, she’s mad about, and there’s something really dope about the way she sings the lyric “apology not accepted.”
“Shot through the heart, and you’re to blame...”
I don’t think I even need to write anything about this song. You’ve already shouted “You give love a bad name,” and are completely psyched up. Click play, and rock out.
And with that, my time is up for the week, but I'll be back next week with more shots on all things pop.
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