Britain in the Early Eighties enjoyed or suffered a sound track provided by old punks, new wave, new romantics and New Order. Whilst many in Britain celebrated the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana this occurred against a backdrop of economic decline, unemployment racial conflict and police brutality which sparked riots in the inner cities with Brixton and Toxteth being the most infamous of a spate of unrest from disaffected youth across the UK. The simmering resentment boiled over into battles with the police, arson attacks and looting. This spirit was captured in many of the alternative acts of the time. Whilst The Clash had a full back catalogue predicting a riot, it was ska revivalists The Specials who took their Ghost Town anthem to the top of the charts.
1) Ghost Town by The Specials
Addressing the themes of urban decay of the inner cities and the impact on the people who reside in the towns that closed down. Named song of the year in 1981 by NME, Sounds & Melody Maker.
The Specials original lineup split after this record forming Fun Boy Three and The Special AKA.2) Rise Above by Black Flag
Henry Rollins joined as lead singer in 1981 and Black Flag recorded their debut album Damaged. Black Flag originally formed in 1976 but had issues with their major record company who didn't like their material and refused to release records. They set up their own influential hardcore label SST to release their confrontational songs.
3) One In Ten by UB40
This song was the ratio for the unemployment figures in UB40's West Midlands during 1981 and is a statistical reminder of a world that doesn't care.
4) I'm In Love With The Girl On The Manchester Virgin Megastore Checkout Desk by The Freshies
In a change of styles here is an enjoyable song from a Manchester punk band formed by Chris Sievey who would later be known by his stage persona Frank Sidebottom. Apparently they turned down a 14-year old Johnny Marr for an audition because he was too young.
5) Pretty In Pink by The Psychedelic Furs
One hit wonders who struggled on for over a decade on the strength of these four minutes of pop genius. This song didn't even make the Top 40 on its original release until it was rerecorded for a movie soundtrack five years later.
6) I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives by Television Personalities
No hit wonders - Television Personalities were unappreciated by the masses but they recorded excellent quirky songs like this ditty about finding the reclusive former Pink Floyd singer.
7) Once In A Lifetime by Talking Heads
A sermon about drifting through your own life on autopilot and suddenly having a moment of clarity where you wonder WTF happened?
8) Primary by The Cure
Minimalist punk rock played on drums and two bass guitars. It was the only single released from their gloomy third album Faith. One critic panned this records as "hollow, shallow, pretentious, meaningless, self-important and bereft of any real heart or soul". Can't win them all!
9) Ceremony by New Order
The debut single from New Order who renamed themselves after the death of Ian Curtis the previous year and handed vocals to Bernard Sumner bringing in Gillian Gilbert on keyboards. Initially they sounded very similar to Joy Division with dark melodies and Ceremony was originally recorded as a Joy Division song. The band would travel to New York City later in 1981 where they experienced the dance clubs that provide the inspiration for their future direction. They also had all their musical equipment stolen and they went shopping for synthesizers.
10) October by U2
Haunting piano played by The Edge on this title track from U2's second album.
11) Souvenir by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
OMD from Liverpool were already mixing piano with synthesizers so maybe New Order didn't need to cross the Atlantic to find their new direction. Souvenir maybe a bit soppy but it successfully tugs at the heartstrings.
12) Idiot Strength by The Nightingales
Formed out of the ashes of Birmingham's first punk band The Prefects, this band had the third highest number of recordings for the Peel Sessions.
13) Rapture by Blondie
Blondie popularizes the New York Rap scene in one of the earliest international hits influenced by the underground. Deborah Harry raps for the second half of this song. She name drops Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash but soon runs out of lyrics and rambles on repeating herself and jibbering about the man from mars eating cars. Rapture has been highly sampled in hip hop tracks ever since.
14) The Magnificent Seven by The Clash
The Clash had also been influenced by hip hop and they also tried their hand at rapping with greater success in my opinion. The Magnificent Seven was actually recorded six months earlier than Blondie's Rapture although it had a later release date.
15) That's Entertainment by The Jam
Back to England and Paul Weller's acoustic song of frustration about city living and is so British it can transport you back with its vivid imagery. All the way back to a place you'll want to leave!
16) Wunderbar by Tenpole Tudor
A short lived punk band and another one hit wonder released on Stiff Records
17) Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode
Infectiously catchy and the first sizable hit for Depeche Mode. Main man Vince Clarke pulled the pin after this success and went on to form Yazoo and later Erasure.
18) One Step Ahead by Split Enz
Neil Finn's composition was a huge international hit which surprised him as he said "it hasn't got a proper chorus".
19) Tainted Love by Soft Cell
Marc Almond and David Ball met at Leeds Polytechnic and formed Soft Cell in 1977 after initial chart failures their record label gave them one last shot. They recorded a cover originally recorded by Gloria Jones in the 1960's as a Northern Soul anthem. Gloria was later a member of T.Rex and the girlfriend of Marc Bolan. Tainted Love was a huge international hit for Soft Cell who made a lot of money which went to Gloria as royalties.
20) Invisible Sun by The Police
Sting's wrote this song about the power that people find to carry on living through war and disasters with Belfast and Lebanon being particular influences.
Further Reading...
The Indie Years 1977
The Indie Years 1978
The Indie Years 1979
The Indie Years 1980
The Indie Years 1982
The Indie Years 1983
The Indie Years 1984
The Indie Years 1985
The Indie Years 1986
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