A Concise Guide To Eighties' Music by Karl Vorderman (smallest ebook reader TXT) 📕

This updated interpretation of 'Breakfast In Bed' was infinitely superior to 'I Got You Babe' though less successful. Encouraged by this new success, UB40 couldn't resist the temptation to return to the studio a year later and release another 'Labour Of Love' album entirely of covers.

The song of the month for July 1988
The Only Way Is Up by Yazz And The Plastic Population (peak chart position: No.1)
The summer sensation of 1988 was 'The Only Way Is Up' which was a regular ingredient in all disco nights out as even I can testify. Far from being merely an energetic toe-tapper, this brilliant dancefloor favourite actually possessed uplifting lyrics and was less 'empty' than many dance songs. It was a pity however that Yazz then descended into the banality of 'Stand Up For Your Love Rights'. 'The Only Way' was the year's 2nd biggest seller.

The song of the month for August 1988
Teardrops by Womack And Womack (peak chart position: No.3)
The universally respected musical duo of Womack and Womack enjoyed much deserved success with the ascent of 'Teardrops' towards the peak of the BBC Top Forty. This marvellous single was unquestionably one of the best pop songs to emerge from an American recording studio in the 'eighties. 'Teardrops' featured in the duo's fourth long player, entitled 'Conscience', and it did manage to achieve chart-topping glory in the Netherlands.

The song of the month for September 1988
Storms In Africa by Enya (peak chart position: No.41)
The magnificent Enya enchanted music aficionados with a brand new album of sounds that were markedly different from anything else on the airwaves. The towering track of the 'Watermark' project is arguably 'Storms In Africa'. Enya brews up a musical storm here with a quality recording decorated by a combination of a formidable drumbeat and sumptuous vocals. Never has a storm seemed more attractive. This monster of a single failed to impress the UK's music lovers, but then they did prefer Bros, Kylie and Jason. Enough said.

The song of the month for October 1988
Elephant Stone by The Stone Roses (peak chart position: No.8 in 1990)
The pop pendulum had swung from the Mersey sound to the mods and then punks of London and then back oop north to Lancashire where Manchester would become the new mecca for British youth. The latest big thing were the Stone Roses. It took this four man combo a few attempts to find their feet, but in October 1988 they released 'Elephant Stone' with its elephant riff and awesome drums. The world of music had changed for good.

The song of the month for November 1988
In Your Room by The Bangles (peak chart position: No.35)
Long before the Spice Girls took the world by storm, the Bangles spiced up our lives with a series of terrific singles. 'Manic Monday' and 'Walk Like An Egyptian' were monster smashes from the fine 'A Different Light' album. Its successor, 'Everything' is less appealing, though it contains the superb 'Be With You' and 'Eternal Flame'. However, its best item is perhaps the seductive 'In Your Room'. Susanna Hoffs sounds and looks even more irresistible than ever. Why oh why didn't British record buyers recognise the quality of this ace pop tune?

The song of the month for December 1988
Fine Time by New Order (peak chart position: No.11)
The enigmatic New Order were indeed enjoying a fine time as the 1980s unfolded. Tracks such as 'Thieves Like Us', 'The Perfect Kiss' and 'Bizarre Love Triangle' were giants on the music landscape. The foursome then tapped into the techno-rhythms of the emerging Ibiza dance scene to construct the 'Technique' album. This new LP opens with the infectious 'Fine Time'. If there was any justice, it should have stayed at No.1 for months.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOR 1988:
Watermark by Enya (released in September)
Side 1: Side 2:
1. Watermark; 2:24 1. Orinoco Flow; 4:25
2. Cursum Perficio; 4:06 2. Evening Falls; 3:46
3. On Your Shore; 3:59 3. River; 3:10
4. Storms In Africa; 4:03 4. The Longships; 3:36
5. Exile; 4:20 5. Na Laetha Geal M'Oige; 3:54
6. Miss Clare Remembers; 1:59
By the late 'eighties celtic music was very much in vogue, whether it be the Pogues, Hothouse Flowers, the Waterboys, Scotland's Proclaimers, or even U2. However, the latest sensation from the Emerald Isle, Enya, stepped forth with sounds that simply took the breath away. The 'Watermark' album is frequently categorised as 'easy listening' which is an apt description, but it was of sufficient commercial appeal to attract record buyers of all ages. The instruments are almost exclusively performed by Enya who also composes all the music, with the lyrical assistance of Roma Ryan. The long player possesses three wonderful instrumentals, namely 'The Longships', the beauty of the piano-dominated title track, and the item entitled 'River' which is decorated by excellent keyboards. Enya's decision to fly away from the Brennan family nest had clearly paid dividends, especially when 'Orinoco Flow' sailed away to the Number One position in the British charts. 'Cursum Perficio' is also worthy of mention as the title is drawn from the inscription over Marilyn Monroe's house, meaning 'my journey ends here'. Enya continued to delight music aficionados with further similar records. When you can conjure such magical music, why wander away from a winning formula?

1989
The song of the month for January 1989
Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys (peak chart position: No.32)
'Fisherman's Blues' was undeniably one of the great albums of the decade, helped by the introductory track of the same name. Here is one of those numbers that one would find impossible to sit still to. Mike Scott yearns to be a fisherman out on the sea "far away from dry land and its bitter memories." I can dig that, brother. The words include such imagery as "crashing headlong into the heartland like a cannon in the rain". What a song.

The song of the month for February 1989
Nothing Has Been Proved by Dusty Springfield (peak chart position: No.16)
'Sixties singing sensation Dusty Springfield experienced a new burst of life after having been championed and encouraged by the Pet Shop Boys. Chris and Neil were on hand to provide musical assistance to this majestic single which had its origins in the closing credits of the superb film, 'Scandal'. Previously, 'What Have I Done To Deserve This' narrowly failed to hit No.1 and now the lukewarm response to this new item was another scandal.

The song of the month for March 1989
Oh Father by Madonna (peak chart position: No.16 in 1996)
Madonna, as only she could, succeeded in delighting one half of the population and enraging the other half with her new album 'Like A Prayer'. Folks were confused by what they perceived as moralising one moment and seduction and sexuality the next. Whatever the truth, the new album contained the dark 'Oh Father'. Here the singer recounts an abusive upbringing which many of her young fans could possibly relate to. Such are the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, but this epic item is far superior to many of her biggest sellers.

The song of the month for April 1989
If You Don't Know Me By Now by Simply Red (peak chart position: No.2)
It wasn't until the autumn of 1995 that Mick and his partners would travel to the top of the hit parade on their fairground rollercoaster ride. Back in the 'eighties, Simply Red were responsible for two of the most popular songs of the decade. 'Holding Back The Years' was one of the best singles of 1986, and three years later the group were giving their own creditable soul assessment of this old hit by Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes.

The song of the month for May 1989
Disappointed by Public Image Limited (peak chart position: No.38)
John Lydon had gradually retreated from the public domain after the notoriety of his existence as the infamous Johnny Rotten. Lydon continued to record with Public Image Limited at various intervals. They failed to put compilers of the charts to any trouble terribly often, but they still came forth with the occasional gold nugget. In 'Disappointed' Lydon scoffs about how "friendship rears its ugly head." The guy was a true individual.