Pop Shots – A Look At The Charts … From 39 Years Ago

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week I’m hopping into my time machine again, this time setting the coordinates for 39 years ago this week.

Touching down in March of 1986, first off, the New York Mets are about to embark on a dream season, which is something I hope they can repeat in the present. Musically speaking, Starship was at #1 this week back in ’86 with a breakup song titled “Sara” (probably not the same Sara from the 1975 Hall & Oates song “Sara Smile”), and while “Sara” didn’t end up a classic, there were a plethora of songs that followed it on the chart that we still crank up today … one of which isn’t even in English!

So let’s get into this exploration in chart history! Of course, since this is Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

5. Whitney Houston – How Will I Know

 

While she had singles before this, it could be argued “How Will I Know” is the song that launched Whitney Houston into the elite class of pop stars. Written by “Waiting for a Star to Fall” duo Boy Meets Girl, those who read my One Hit Wondering column on them know the song was originally written with Janet Jackson in mind, but when Clive Davis heard it he knew it would be perfect for Whitney. To say he was right would be an understatement.

7. Falco – Rock Me Amadeus

 

A pop song sung in German about Mozart is the kind of thing that could’ve only happened in the ‘80s. There were versions of “Rock Me Amadeus” that cut down on the German language lyrics, but no version that’s totally in English, and the legendary video, which was in heavy rotation on MTV, features the German language version of the song.

That’s a little something I like to call culture, my friends!

11. INXS - What You Need

 

Had he not been taken from us at the age of 37, Michael Hutchence might be thought of as one of the greatest lead singers of all-time. Even with his limited time here he still ranks high as an ’80s icon, and rightfully so – INXS was a special band, and he was a special frontman. No one else sounded like INXS. Case in point – “What You Need,” a high energy classic that is era-specific, yet also timeless.

13. Sade – The Sweetest Taboo

 

I have a theory that nine to ten months after Sade releases a single, or an album, the birth rate skyrockets. In fact, I’m pretty sure clicking play on “The Sweetest Taboo” will get every woman within a five mile radius pregnant.

With that in mind, proceed with caution, but do proceed, because Sade is the definition of smooth.

19. The Bangles – Manic Monday

 

Who among us wasn’t in love with Susanna Hoffs in the ‘80s? Heck, who among us isn’t still in love with her today???

Moving to the music, “Manic Monday,” The Bangles’ ode to wishing they didn’t have to go back to work, was written by Prince, and holds up wonderfully nearly 40 years after its release … even if Hoffs has since admitted that Sunday isn’t her actual “fun day.” 

27. Sheila E. – A Love Bizarre

 

Another song written by Prince (in this case co-written with Sheila E.), and sung by a woman who tugged at the heartstrings of many an adolescent boy, there was nothing bizarre about the love we felt for Sheila E. when we first heard “A Love Bizarre.” The song was featured prominently in the movie Krush Groove, and you know what, the feel good jam will still make you feel just as good today!

FYI, Prince was also at #15 this week back in ‘86 with “Kiss,” so he pretty much owned this chart.

32. Robert Palmer – Addicted to Love

 

Is the Robert Palmer song “Addicted to Love” a classic all on its own? Absolutely.

Did the music video play a role in making it even bigger than anyone could’ve imagined? You know it.

There’s no arguing the greatness of “Addicted to Love,” just like there’s no arguing the women in the video – all dressed the same way, with the same makeup, the same look on their face, and the same swaying moves – made it legendary. The ladies were so legendary, in fact, they were featured in more of Palmer’s videos. I guess you could say he was addicted to them, and so were we!

40. Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls

 

Originally released in April of 1984, and then rereleased in October of 1985 after Pet Shop Boys signed with EMI, and rerecorded the song, “West End Girls” is proof a band can make a political statement, have American audiences have no idea what the statement is about, and still go to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (it made it to the top spot for one week in May of ’86). The production, and the vocal delivery on “West End Girls” is simply that damned good!

43. The Outfield – Your Love

 

Last month I posed a question on social media asking which is the better opening lyric – “Tommy used to work on the docks,” or “Josie’s on a vacation far away.” The latter won by a landslide. I think it’s because as soon as we hear that lyric we know we’re about to sing along at the top of our lungs.

So … what are you waiting for?

48. Janet Jackson – What Have You Done For Me Lately

 

If I’ve learned anything from Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done For Me Lately” it’s that if you have an issue with a significant other the best way to address it is with a highly choreographed dance routine in a funky diner.

That important advice aside, this was the song that truly put Janet on the map as an artist. Her first Top 40 hit, it peaked at #4, and began her incredible run that’s included defining, and redefining multiple genres of music over the past 30 years.

67. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – If You Leave

 

It would be tough to find a song that’s more quintessentially ‘80s than Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark’s “If You Leave.” The synths, the vocals, the drum machine, the fact that it’s from the soundtrack of a classic John Hughes movie (Pretty in Pink) – it’s pure ‘80s, and pure perfection.

The English band didn’t stop in the ‘80s, however, in fact, they’re still going strong. Currently 14 albums deep, they’ll be embarking on a North American tour that kicks off in May.

72. Dire Straits – Walk of Life

 

As much as Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark’s “If You Leave” sounded pure ‘80s, Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life” sounded like a classic rock song the second it was released.

A really underrated aspect of the ’80s is that while there were definitive sounds of the era, there were also sounds from previous eras still present, and as the years went on, sounds that would shape the future of music, as well.

The video for “Walk of Life,” which is filled with sports bloopers, highlights, and arguments, is also always a fun watch.

74. Nu Shooz – I Can’t Wait

 

I hope you’re ready to get rid of your old shoes, because this week back in 1986 was chart debut of Nu Shooz with “I Can’t Wait.” A fun, funky, good time, “I Can’t Wait” would peak at #3, and listening to the song one can’t help but think Nu Shooz were one of the musical seeds out of which Ace of Base eventually grew

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.