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

The song of the month for June 1989
Negative Creep by Nirvana (not released as a single)
Would-be rock stars Nirvana took their first steps on a phenomenal path to fame with the release of their debut album, 'Bleach'. Still very much a cult act from Seattle, the self-confessed former nerd Kurt Cobain was already revealing his grunge power chords and songs of self-loathing and insecurity. 'Negative Creep' spoke to a lot of the disillusioned young people of Generation X who felt alienated by the so-called 'American dream.'

The song of the month for July 1989
Misty Morning Albert Bridge by The Pogues (peak chart position: No.41)
The Pogues may have previously performed items related to the 'majestic Shannon' and to Kilkenny, but they were equally sentimental about London, hence the tracks 'White City' and this outstanding composition. Sexy Shane 'sings' from the viewpoint of a soul incarcerated abroad in a jail or even hotel room who dreams of a reunion with his sweetheart on a misty morning at the west end's Albert Bridge. The accompanying music is of the highest quality. This is yet another reminder that 'eighties music had songs that other eras could only envy.

The song of the month for August 1989
Stand by R.E.M. (peak chart position: No.48)
Georgia's R.E.M. had spent several years cultivating a following. Now they were reaching new audiences with the success of their recent album, called 'Green'. One of the long player's products was 'Stand' and this fine rocker would succeed in standing in the British singles list in the late summer of 1989. It might have stood a lot higher but regrettably Jive Bunny was the flavour of the month. R.E.M. however were on the brink of glory.

The song of the month for September 1989
Sowing The Seeds Of Love by Tears For Fears (peak chart position: No.5)
It was like Sergeant Pepper all over again when Tears For Fears delivered their very own peace and love anthem. There may no longer have been enough hippies or flower power devotees around to dig the sentiments of this single, but it had sufficient class to reach out to many music enthusiasts. Curt and Roland had contributed enormously to the rich tapestry of the 1980s. This Top 5 hit was arguably their greatest legacy.

The song of the month for October 1989
All Around The World by Lisa Stansfield (peak chart position: No.1)
Rochdale's finest female vocalist had the difficult task of competing in the marketplace against the plethora of Stock, Aitken And Waterman creations which appeared to monopolise the singles listings, but she managed to succeed with an absolute peach of a pop song. The subject matter of the tune may have been far from happy, but Lisa's desire to find her man and make amends certainly struck a chord with Britain's fickle record buyers.

The song of the month for November 1989
Fools Gold by The Stone Roses (peak chart position: No.8)
As the eighties drew to a close, the new decade beckoned with endless opportunities for Manchester's Fab Four. They had now unleashed a remarkable double A-side featuring 'Fools Gold' which belonged in both the disc collections of indie followers and dance disciples. This song sounded so cool and sexy that it looked like game, set and match to its authors, courtesy of Ian Brown's hushed vocals and John Squire's wah-wah guitar. The other side was 'What The World Is Waiting For'. Over the course of the next few years the world waited for more material, but the enigmatic Roses vanished into a labyrinth of record company disputes and also drugs.

The song of the month for December 1989
Brite Side by Deborah Harry (peak chart position: No.59)
The 1980s began with the triumph of 'Atomic' in the British chart, and although Blondie accumulated two more chart-toppers before the end of that year, Debbie Harry then experienced fluctuating fortunes in the rest of the decade. The hits may have dried up but Deborah refused to capitulate. The hit parade may be a playground for the young but Debs was still present in the charts at the end of the 'eighties with the aptly-titled 'Brite Side'.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOR 1989:
The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses (released in March)
Side 1: Side 2:
1. I Wanna Be Adored; 4:52 1. Elizabeth My Dear; 0:59
2. She Bangs the Drums; 3:42 2. (Song for My) Sugar Spun Sister; 3:25
3. Waterfall; 4:37 3. Made of Stone; 4:10
4. Don't Stop; 5:17 4. Shoot You Down; 4:10
5. Bye Bye Badman; 4:00 5. This Is the One; 4:58
6. I Am the Resurrection; 8:12
After punk had petered out a decade earlier followed by the rapid rise and then demise of Two Tone, British working-class youth failed to provide a new movement that would revolutionise planet pop until the emergence of the 'Madchester' indie scene at the end of the 'eighties. Spearheading this new craze were such crazies as the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses. Whilst the footballing giants of Manchester continued to under-perform, here were Mancunian acts determined to leave their mark on the music world. It was the four 'Roses' who spearheaded the latest musical trend with a project which has been hailed as unquestionably the masterpiece of its era. Here was a group with so much confidence, it could have been mistaken for arrogance. However when you just happen to possess one of the world's best young guitarists in John Squire, not to mention the impressive drumming from Mani, well how can you possibly fail? The outro for example on 'Waterfall' is simply stunning, whilst the prolonged psychedelic jam at the end of 'I Am The Resurrection' far surpasses anything from the much-trumpeted late 'sixties. This album is a giant. 'Britpop' started back here.
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Publication Date: 01-02-2011

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