Tag Archives: synthpop

1985! It’s The Most ’80s Hall of Songs Yet!

We have been dreaming of this moment since starting Hall of Songs. It’s time to enter 1985, when the biggest names in pop music converge for charity spectacles like “We Are the World” and Live Aid, and when some of the most enduring songs of a generation hit pretty darn hard. 

Come along for the ride as we select our top-12 songs from 1985. After listening, head to hallofsongs.com to vote for the songs you think deserve to be in our hall of fame for songs called the Hall of Songs. 

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1985, plus tunes from 1984, ’83, ’82 and ’81 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on July 29, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1985 nominees:

  • “King of Rock” as performed by Run DMC
    • Written by Darryl McDaniels, Jason Mizel, Joseph Simmons, Larry Smith and Russell Simmons; recorded mid-1984; released January 1985
  • “How Will I Know” as performed by Whitney Houston
    • Written by Geroge Merrill, Shannon Rubicam and Narada Michael Walden; recorded fall 1984; released February 1985
  • “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” as performed by Tears For Fears
    • Written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes; recorded November 1984; released February 1985
  • “Voices Carry” as performed by ‘Til Tuesday
    • Written by Robert Holmes, Aimee Mann, Michael Hausman and Joey Pesce; recorded January 1985; released March 1985
  • “Raspberry Beret” as performed by Prince and the Revolution
    • Written by Prince; recorded September 1984; released April 1985
  • “Money For Nothing” as performed by Dire Straits
    • Written by Mark Knopfler and Sting; recorded December 1984; released May 1985
  • “Running Up That Hill” as performed by Kate Bush
    • Written by Kate Bush; recorded early 1985; released August 1985
  • “Conga” as performed by Miami Sound Machine
    • Written by Enrique E. Garcia; recorded early 1985; released August 1985
  • “Take on Me” as performed by A-Ha
    • Written by Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Pal Waaktaar; recorded late 1984; released September 1985
  • “Bastards of Young” as performed by The Replacements
    • Written by Paul Westerberg; recorded June 1985; released September 1985
  • “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” as performed by LL Cool J
    • Written by James Todd Smith and Rick Rubin; recorded early 1985; released October 1985
  • “Crush on You” as performed by The Jets
    • Written by Jerry Knight and Aaron Zigman; recorded summer 1985; released October 1985

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on July 29, 2022 to find out the voting results, and July 31, 2022 for our discussion on 1986.

1984! Our Top-12 Songs From the Greatest Pop Culture Year Ever!

OK, maybe we’re guilty of using a little hyperbole. 1984 is, however, a year of huge stars, big sounds, and even bigger songs.

In this episode of Hall of Songs, Tim and Chris select their top-12 from this year, and you’ll get huge names like Bruce, the highest of NRG, and one dominant force whose fingerprints are all over this year.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1984, plus tunes from 1983, ’82 and ’81 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on July 8, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1984 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

  • “What’s Love Got to Do With It” as performed by Tina Turner
    • Written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle; recorded fall 1983; released May 1984
  • “The Glamorous Life” as performed by Sheila E.
    • Written by Prince; recorded early 1984; released May 1984
  • “Dancing in the Dark” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
    • Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded February 1984; released May 1984
  • “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” as performed by Wham!
    • Written by George Michael; recorded February 1984; released May 1984
  • “When Doves Cry” as performed by Prince
    • Written by Prince; recorded March 1984; released May 1984
  • “Purple Rain” as performed by Prince
    • Written by Prince; recorded August 1983; released June 1984
  • “Smooth Operator” as performed by Sade
    • Written by Sade Adu and Ray St. John; recorded ;ate 1983; released July 1984
  • “Fade to Black” as performed by Metallica
    • Written by Cliff Burton, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett; recorded February 1984; released July 1984
  • “I Feel For You” as performed by Chaka Khan
    • Written by Prince; recorded early 1984; released October 1984
  • “Unsatisfied” as performed by The Replacements
    • Written by Paul Westerberg; recorded late 1983; released October 1984
  • “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” as performed by Dead or Alive
    • Written by Pete Burns, Steve Coy, Wayne Hussey, Tim Lever and Mike Percy; recorded July 1984; released November 1984
  • “How Soon is Now?” as performed by The Smiths
    • Written by Johnny Marr and Morrissey; recorded July 1984; released November 1984

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on July 8, 2022 to find out the voting results, and July 10, 2022 for our discussion on 1984.

Modern Songs Ep. 13: Diana Ross and Tame Impala + Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House’

Summer is here, and Diana Ross and Tame Impala (with Jack Antonoff) are hoping they’ve laid down the Song of the Summer. Tim and Chris discuss the disco-flavored “Turn Up the Sunshine” before taking a look back at Tame Impala’s career. Plus, they revisit Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House’ after a few weeks of sitting with the new album.

Modern Songs is a music discovery podcast reviewing new music and songs released since 2006.

Modern Songs Ep. 12: Celebrating Joshua Hedley, More on Kendrick Lamar

In this week’s episode of Modern Songs, Tim and Chris talk at length about country singer Joshua Hedley, whose album “Neon Blue” is one of the best things about 2022. After chatting about his song “Bury Me With My Boots On,” Tim and Chris talk more about Kendrick Lamar and his 2017 song “Humble,” from the now legendary “DAMN.” 

Modern Songs is a music discovery podcast reviewing new music and songs released since 2006.

Modern Songs Ep. 4: ‘Like Exploding Stones’ by Kurt Vile, ‘Human’ by The Killers

Philadelphia-area singer/songwriter Kurt Vile is back with new material, the first of which being his mind-bending “Like Exploding Stones.” We’ll talk about that to lead off this episode of Modern Songs. Plus, we go back in time to address a question that has defined our generation: “Are we human, or are we dancer?” And we’ll chat about a couple other songs piquing our interests, including the newest from Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa.

Modern Songs is a podcast devoted to the discovery of new music and the discussion of the greatest songs of the last 15 years.