Favorite Songs of 1979

Here is my list of my favorite songs (as best as I can remember) from 1979. Good mix of AOR, adult contemporary, pop and funk.

Heart of Glass – Blondie - the opening sound was so captivating
What a Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers - huge song from a big album of this year
Shake Your Body – The Jacksons - I would dance to this at school dances (and I would literally shake my body down to the ground).
I Want You to Want Me – Cheap Trick - everybody could mimic Robin's intro to this song. Live at the Budokan
Boogie Wonderland – Earth, Wind and Fire and The Emotions - this song is featured in Caddyshack
Lotta Love – Nicolette Larson - it seemed like I woke up to this song every day in eighth grade.
Goodnight Tonight – Wings - everybody was experimenting with a disco beat. This was Paul's contribution.
New York Groove – Ace Frehley - the best song by the four solo albums by the Kiss members. (Radioactive by Gene was second).
Lay It On the Line – Triumph - Johnny Schorr and I saw them in concert at the Kiel
Rise – Herb Alpert - an instrumental? Why not, it's Herb Alpert. We'll see him again.
Walking on the Moon – The Police - if this isn't my favorite Police song it's close
Take Me to the River – Talking Heads - great cover of an Al Green song.
Goodbye Stranger – Supertramp - from Breakfast in America, stellar album (could have chosen Take the Long Way Home)
Cruel to Be Kind – Nick Lowe - one of the more perfect pop songs of the new wave era.
Soul Man – The Blues Brothers - had the album, not bad (with Rubber Biscuit by Dan Ackroyd).
(What’s So Funny ‘bout) Peace, Love and Understanding – Elvis Costello and the Attractions - still holds up after 30 plus years.
Rolene – Moon Martin - saw this song on a list of hits from the year. Stuck with me.
Arrow Through Me – Wings - I love the bass line to start this song, I had the 8 track for this album
Water of Love – Dire Straits - could have been Sultans of Swing, but went off the path for this.
Big Shot – Billy Joel - they were all impressed with your Halston dress...
Dreaming – Blondie - couldn't decide on a Blondie song so I chose two.
Making Plans for Nigel – XTC - saw this on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert. Loved that show (and Midnight Special)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen - kind of an early Elvis feel?
Pop Muzik – M - novelty song that stuck with me
Don’t Do Me Like That – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Boys Don’t Cry – The Cure - I thought this came out later, one of my favorites by them
Shattered – The Rolling Stones - not the biggest Stones fan, but I do like this.
Good Times – Chic - best bass line for a pop/funk song ever?
Train in Vain – The Clash - They had a pop side as well, thanks to Mick Jones
Chuck E.’s in Love – Rickie Lee Jones - this song grew on me during that year.

What did I leave out?

My Favorite Songs of 1978

I've been obsessed with researching and choosing my favorite songs of the years of 1978 to 1991. I then find those songs and create Spotify playlists. It doesn't take as long as you think. I am going to share them with you over the next couple of weeks. Sample some of these songs. You won't regret it (or you will, what do I care?)

Deacon Blues – Steely Dan – from Aja, one of the best produced albums of the 70s.
Turn to Stone – ELO – could have been Mr Blue Sky
You and I – Rick James – there was more than Superfreak and Dave Chappelle
Reminiscing – Little River Band – biggest surprise listing of this year. I loved this song. I could sing along in my register.
On Broadway – George Benson – Love when he scats along with the guitar at the end.
The Groove Line – Heatwave – could have been Boogie Nights from this band.
Magnet and Steel – Walter Eagan - another surprise, one hit wonder, but it was a great hit that stayed with me for 34 years.
Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel – David Sanborn played the sax solo of this song on SNL.
Miss You – Rolling Stones – I know it was Stones’ disco, but it may be my favorite Stones’ song.
Stop Your Sobbing – Pretenders – this whole album is great, tried to pick just one song per album.
Is This Love – Bob Marley and the Wailers – saw a documentary on Bob on Palladia recently. I highly recommend it.
Rockaway Beach – The Ramones – don’t like a Ramones’ song, wait just 2 minutes and it will be over.
Life Begins at the Hop – XTC – one of the perfect pop songs of the 70s. They should have been bigger.
You’re All I’ve Got Tonight – The Cars – I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t realize Ben Orr sang so many of their hits (not this one though).
Can’t Stand Losing You – The Police – I believe Bruno Mars was trying to channel Sting of this era on “Locked out of Heaven”
Jamie’s Cryin – Van Halen – my first real rock concert was Van Halen at the Arena. I believe that the concept of a “contact high” is a myth.
Prove It All Night – Bruce Springsteen – I think many people of my generation (and just a few years older) overrate him, but he is still greatness.
FM – Steely Dan – was the theme song to a movie of the same name. Song was much better than the movie.
I Wanna Be Sedated – The Ramones – great pop song writers
Boogie Oogie Oogie – Taste of Honey – didn’t realize how stupid this song title was. Great bass line though.
Is She Really Going Out with Him – Joe Jackson – one of the pioneers of new wave music. Most ironic song on the list (google image search him and you will see why).
One Nation under a Groove – Funkadelic - takes me back to sneaking listens to Majic 108 FM (didn’t do that in my neighborhood). Great band name.

What did I leave out?

Some of My Favorite Songs of 1985

I was prompted to make this post after my iTunes shuffle stopped on "Voices Carry" by Til Tuesday. I loved that song and I brought back some great memories. So, to distract myself from grading discussion board posts, I quickly looked up a list of some of the great songs of 1985. Here are some thoughts:
*"Sun City" by the Artists United Against Apartheid - my favorite song of the year. Written by Little Steven of the E Street Band (or Silvio Dante if you prefer).
*"How Soon Is Now?" - The Smiths - if Johnny Marr isn't one of the greatest guitarist ever, then I don't know anything. (PS, have you seen the tumblr site This Charming Charlie? Worth your time).
*"Don't You Forget About Me" - from The Breakfast Club, an anthem for people in their late teens.
*"This Time" - INXS - over looked song by them that surprises me how much I liked.
*"In Between Days"- The Cure - funny, at the time, I liked The Cure more than The Smiths. That is not the case today.
*"Bad" - U2 - for awhile, this was my favorite U2 song. I bought Unforgettable Fire for my brother for Christmas. I listened to it more than he did.
*"Stay Up Late" by the Talking Heads - Little Creatures had some great songs, this was one and "The Lady Don't Mind" was overlooked.
*"Be Near Me" - by ABC - I know it's a love song, and I don't seem to be the love song type, but I still love this song.
*"Fortress Around My Heart" - Sting - made my original top ten favorite songs of all time. I saw him perform this live in 1985 at the Muny in Forest Park in St Louis. For a long time, that was my favorite concert.
*"Slave to Love" - I'm a fan of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music.
*"Can't Get There from Here" - REM - When the world's a monster/bad to swallow you whole...
*"Tenderness" - General Public - who didn't love Ranking Roger's hair?
*"To Live and Die in LA" - Wang Chung - title song from the movie which had one of the greatest car chase scenes ever.
*"One World" - Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms was a huge album that year. Best song on it.
*"Do They Know It's Christmas" - Band Aid - although Bono comes across as a little self righteous "Tonight thank God it's them, instead of you!" Why couldn't he say, "instead of us"? That's always bothered me.

Thanks for indulging me.