Billboard Top 5 - 1986

1986 was a transitional year in many ways, including in my own life. I moved into my own apartment in Park Slope. Bill & I had gone are separate ways, and lost touch for a bit. We have, however, been in touch, and he might, in fact, be reading this, and if so, hope he enjoys it. He was, and still remains, a good man. In music, however, we were seeing a greater influence of the women in rock, with trailblazers like Grace Slick, Debbie Harry and the ladies from The Go-Gos, making it possible for the top group on this list. And speaking of influences, the #5 song on the list is Sara by the band Starship. The song was from their first album since changing the name from Jefferson Airplane, the first single being We Built This City. The lead vocals were not Grace Slick, but Mickey Thomas. Here is Sara.



If there is a video, a song, or a performer who is more synonymous with 80s music, it is the combination of Robert Palmer, the song Addicted To Love, and his bevy of women in the video. Together, they made remarkable history, a glistening package that measured so much of pop culture. I don't know anyone who didn't love the song, and appreciate the video. I have to say, I am surprised the song finished at #4 for the year on the Billboard chart.



Mr. Mister had a bit of a run on the charts, and it included the amazing song Kyrie, my personal favorite of theirs. The song was rich and strong, a great addition to the musical line up for the year, and ended up in the #3 slot.



Stuck With You was a great camp song by the kings of pop charts in the 80s Huey Lewis & The News. After the resounding success of The Power of Love, the theme song to the megahit movie Back To The Future, the band seemed unstoppable, and for their next album, Fore!, their success continued. They charted 5 songs in the Billboard Top Ten, including the #2 song for 1986, Stuck With You.



Like I said earlier, with ladies like Debbie Harry, Grace Slick and the GoGos leading the way, a musical landscape included the fantastic band The Bangles, an all-female collection of talented young ladies. In their third single from their debut album, they had a surprising hit that topped the charts. Walk Like An Egyptian ended the year at #1, so here is the video.

Billboard Top 5 - 1985

25 years ago, I was living in Brooklyn, working Off-Broadway theater in Greenwich Village, a poor, but happy camper. While working at the theater, the radio was often on, so I knew all three of these songs well, although only one or two was really a part of my record collection at that point. And, I am sorry to say, it wasn't the song that was in fifth place, We Built This City by Starship. I apologize because I loved Jefferson Airplane, and thought Grace Slick truly rocked. I might have tolerated the move to become Jefferson Starship, but when they went only by Starship, I had written them off. Listen to Grace and the boys sing this song, and tell me you don't think they are capable of way better...



There is some Pop music you just have to accept at face value - it is what it is. Huey Lewis and the News is one of those - a band that created catchy hooks and fun music, but it wasn't really gonna be breaking any boundary, or moving you with insightful reflection. Don't get me wrong, some music has to be like that, and Huey and the boys did it well. Here is the #4 song of the year, The Power of Love. If I am not mistaken, it was the theme song to one of the Back To The Future movies.



I will admit to having a weird fascination for the # 3 song, Mr. Mister's Broken Wing. Well, truthfully, I had a much greater interest in the song Kyrie, which was released immediately following this one, but liked this one, too. Partially, it was my interest in Richard Page's vocals, as well as the nicely structured musical accompaniment. Could be the beautifully photographed videos that went with the band, but you never know for sure. Just know I liked them, and these songs found their way into my listening rotation.



OK, I was already a fan of Tears For Fears since the first album, 1983s The Hurting. The complex music aligned with the introspective lyrics made the band a perfect brooding English schoolboy-like crush, and I was there. Songs From The Big Chair was released in 1985, and was a great follow-up to the debut, with more polish while still keeping the elements. Here is the #2 song of 1985, the primal Shout.



On one hand, how can you not like REO Speedwagon? I mean, they are a classic American rock band, and don't think they ever released anything as embarrassing as J. Geils Band's Centerfold song. On the other hand, I don't really remember many of their songs when I think of them, more like just a thought of a fun band. When I heard this, I knew the song instantly, but if someone had asked me what was their top song of 1985, I don't know if I would have had an answer. Anyway, this is Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon. Enjoy!

Worth Another Listen - Mr Mister

Mr Mister could come close to defining the the definition of the 80s pop/rock band - the handsome front man, a photogenic band, and a sound relying on the guitar, yet still maintaining strong melodies in the songs. With the release of the 1985 Welcome To The Real World, vocalist and bass guitarist Richard Page bass guitar, keyboardist Steve George, drummer Pat Mastelotto and guitarist Steve Farris, went from no one to superstars overnight. The first single, Broken Wing, became a staple on radio, still being played to this day.



Kyrie was their second hit, another power ballad with anthemic intentions. This was a bold song, combining big vocals with big guitar riffs, meant to fill the air of a stadium.



Just as quickly as they rose to the top, Mr. Mister fell out of favor with critics and writers, who heralded them in the beginning, and turning saying they were corporate rock, and a robotic band. They released a followup, Go On, which couldn't break into the top 50 in the US. Even with the assist of a single featured in the Rob Lowe film Youngblood, the best Something Real (Inside Me/Inside You) could do was #29 on the singles chart.



While starting work on the next album, Pull, Mr Mister were dropped by the label and soon went their separate ways. However, there is some talk that the album might be released sometime soon.