Enola Gay:
This tune, about the plane that dropped the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima, is
an ironic one... a love-ballad style song about one of the most destructive
forces known to man. It works, however, and the song reached number 8 in
the UK on October 4, 1980.
Vienna: The former "punk" band, Ultravox, after going
through some personnel changes in 1980, drastically changed their synth-punk
style and scored big with this dreamy space-pop that reached number 2 in
the UK on January 17, 1981, and and number 13 on January 25, 1993 as a
reissue.
Major Tom: Inspired by David Bowie's classic, "Space
Oddity," this decidedly different take on the plight of Major Tom was a
number 42 hit in the UK and number 14 hit in the US for Stuttgart's Peter
Schilling.
Hyperactive: Thomas Dolby scored huge with his smash
hit, "She Blinded Me with Science," and made himself out as a mad scientist
ever since. Now in the forefront of internet music design, and creator
and CEO of Headspace, Dolby's Hyperactive (which peaked out at 17 in 1984
and 23 in 1994 in the UK, and 62 in the US) is indicative of that crazy
Dolby beat. You might like to try out the "Hyperactivity" interactive page
at Headspace. (Beatnik Plugin required.)
Sunglasses At Night:
Corey Hart-- the two hit wonder. Although it clearly rips off the Eurythmics'
"Sweet Dreams" synth line, and Mr. Hart (who looks like David Duchovny...
weird) has trouble getting his words out clearly, this song is definitely
the epitome of the "rad" 80s guy... detached, moody....cool. Peaked at
# 7 in 1984
One Night in Bangkok:
Murray Head, the man who sang "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the 70's reemerged
in 1985 with this unlikely hit, the theme to the musical, "Chess" written
by ABBA'a Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anersson with Tim Rice. This techno rap
oddity reached number 3 in the US and 12 in the UK.
Der Komissar: Much like the dual versions of Nena's
"99 Luftballoons" and the *choke* "Macarena," this song was popular
in both languages, both the Falco version in original German and After
the English adaptation. This English version reached number 5 in the US
and 47in the UK.
Close (to the edit): A much forgotten song, it was
after this period that Art of Noise began to shine through. This particular
song, however, holds a place in today's world of electronica for being
both a striking example of 80s experimental music, and the source for some
of the Prodigy's best samples... (listen closely to "Firestarter"). Only
peaking at 102 in the US, it recieved better attention in the UK where
it hit number 8.
Pump Up the Volume: One of the first modern hip-hop/techno
songs, M/A/R/R/S was featured in the movie, "Bright Lights, Big City."
It is currently a staple on MTV's new elcetronic music showcase, AMP.
New Wave Classix 