Olivia Newton-John / Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu

"Xanadu" is the title song from the soundtrack of the 1980 musical film of the same name. Written by Jeff Lynne of the English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), the song is performed by part British, Australian singer, songwriter and actress Olivia Newton-John, with Lynne adding parenthetic vocals in the style of his other songs on the Xanadu soundtrack, and ELO providing the instrumentation.

 

Artist: Olivia Newton-John / Electric Light Orchestra

A-Side (with Electric Light Orchestra): Xanadu

B-Side: Fool Country

Year Released: 1980

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Rock, Stage & Screen

Style: Soundtrack, Pop Rock

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: Jet Records

Label/Catalog #: JET 185 

 

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble

"Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble" is the debut single by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, from their 1987 debut album Rock the House released on Philadelphia-based Word Records (Later changed to Word-Up Records). It was released in 1986. The music is built around a sample from the theme tune of the 1960s television series I Dream of Jeannie.

UB40 - Don't Walk On The Grass

"Don't Walk On The Grass" is a dub track released in 1981 by the English Reggae band UB40, It was featured on the bonus 12" single which came with their second album Present Arms (1981), It would not feature on the albums vinyl copy but was included on the CD version. 

 Artist: UB40

A-Side: Don't Walk On The Grass

B-Side: Dr X

Year Released: 1981

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Reggae

Style: Dub, Reggae

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: Epic

Label/Catalog #: EPC A 1334

Firefly - You Can Lead Me

"You Can Lead Me" is a song released in 1982 by the italian pop-dance group Firefly, formed in 1979 and made up of Elena Ferretti, Manuela Ometto, Maurice Cavalieri, Maurizio Sangineto and Rolando Zaniolo, the disco/funk track was featured on their second album My Desire (1981).

 

G.M.T. Band - The Bottle

"The Bottle" is a song by American soul artist Gil Scott-Heron and musician Brian Jackson, released in 1974 in the United States. It was later reissued during the mid-1980s in the United Kingdom. In 1983 the American Jazz-Funk group G.M.T. Band, made up of vocalist Gyle Waddy, Mike Delannay, Tedika Kedika, released this cover although this classic track would be the only record the three would release together. 

 

The Police - King Of Pain

"King of Pain" is a song by British rock band the Police, A&M Records released "King of Pain" as the album's fourth single in the UK, while in many other countries it was released as the second single from their fifth and final studio album Synchronicity (1983). 

 

Artist: The Police

A-Side: King Of Pain

B-Side: Tea In The Sahara (Live)

Year Released: 1984

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Rock

Style: Pop Rock

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: A&M Records

Label/Catalog #: AM 176 

Elton John - Nikita

"Nikita" is a song by British musician Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin, performed by John. It is from John's nineteenth studio album Ice on Fire and was released as its lead single in 1985, charting at number three on the UK singles chart, peaking at number seven in the United States, and reaching the top 10 worldwide, topping the charts of eight countries. The song features George Michael on backing vocals and Nik Kershaw on guitar. 

 

Artist: Elton John
 
A-Side: Nikita

B-Side: The Man Who Never Died

Year Released: 1985

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Electronic, Rock

Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: The Rocket Record Company 

Label/Catalog #: 884 173-7 

Break Machine - Break Dance Party

"Break Dance Party" is a song by American hip hop/rap act Break Machine fronted by Keith Rodgers, the track was released as their second single in 1984, taken from their album Street Dance Party (released as Break Machine in the UK).

 

Men At Work - Down Under

"Down Under" is a song recorded by Australian rock band Men at Work. It was originally self-released in 1980 as the B-side to their first local single, "Keypunch Operator", before the band signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. The early version of "Down Under" has a slightly slower tempo and different arrangement from the later Columbia version released in 1981 as the second single from Men at Work's debut studio album Business as Usual. 

 

Artist: Men At Work

A-Side: Down Under

B-Side: Crazy

Year Released: 1981

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Rock, Pop

Style: Pop Rock, New Wave

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: CBS

Label/Catalog #: CBSA 2066 or A-2066 

 

Shannon - Let The Music Play

"Let the Music Play" is a song recorded by American singer Shannon and released on September 19, 1983, as both her debut single and the lead single from her 1984 debut studio album of the same name.

 Artist: Shannon

A-Side: Let The Music Play

B-Side: Let The Music Play (instrumental)

Year Released: 1983

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Electronic, Funk/Soul

Style:Electro, Freestyle

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: Polydor

Label/Catalog #: 817 045-7 

Queen - Another One Bites The Dust

"Another One Bites the Dust" is a song by the British rock band Queen. Written by bassist John Deacon, the song was featured on the group's eighth studio album The Game (1980).

 

 

Artist: Queen

A-Side: Another One Bites The Dust

B-Side: Dragon Attack 

Year Released: 1980

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Rock

Style: Pop Rock, Glam

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: EMI

Label/Catalog #: 2C 008-64060 

 

Nena - 99 Luftballons

"99 Luftballons" is a song by the West German band Nena from their 1983 self-titled album. An English-language version titled "99 Red Balloons", with lyrics by Kevin McAlea, was also released by Nena on the album 99 Luftballons in 1984 after widespread success of the original in Europe and Japan. The English version is not a direct translation of the German original and contains lyrics with a somewhat different meaning. 

 

Artist: Nena

A-Side: 99 Luftballons

B-Side: Ich Bleib' Im Bett

Year Released: 1983

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Electronic, Rock

Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: CBS

Label/Catalog #: A 3060 

 

Ten City - Where Do We Go?

"Where Do We Go?" is a track by the American, Chicago, Illinois-based R&B and house music act Ten City, the group comprised vocalist Byron Stingily, guitarist Herb Lawson and keyboardist Byron Burke and were augmented by producer Marshall Jefferson. It features on the group debut album Foundation (1989).

 

Artist : Ten City 

A-Side: Where Do We Go? (Edit)

B-Side: Where Do We Go? (Earl Young's Revenge - Short Mix)

Year Released: 1989

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Electronic

Style: Garage House

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: Atlantic

Label/Catalog #: A 8864 or 788 864-7 

Mel Brooks - It's Good to Be the King Rap

"It's Good to Be the King Rap" (also known as It's Good to Be the King) is a song written by Mel Brooks and Pete Wingfield and performed by Mel Brooks, released as a single in 1981. The song's title comes from the catchphrase of the movie "History of the World, Part I", in which Brooks plays multiple parts.

 

Artist: Mel Brooks

A-Side: It's Good To Be The King Rap (Part 1)

B-Side: It's Good To Be The King Rap (Part 2)

Year Released: 1981

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop, Funk / Soul

Style: Pop Rap, Funk, Disco

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: RCA Victor

Label/Catalog #: PB 5894 

Sparks - When I'm With You

"When I'm with You" is a song released by American rock and pop duo Sparks. The song relies on disco and new wave as its two main genres with rock guitars audible throughout the song. it featured on the ninth studio album Terminal Jive.

 

 Artist: Sparks

A-Side: When I'm With You

B-Side: Just Because You Love Me

Year Released: 1986

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop

Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop, Disco

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: Underdog

Label/Catalog #: 49 652

Depeche Mode - Master and Servant

"Master and Servant" is a song by the English electronic band Depeche Mode, released on 20 August 1984 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Some Great Reward (1984).

 

Ottawan - Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)

"Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" is a 1981 song by the French pop duo Ottawan. It was the band's second-biggest international hit single, after their 1979 hit "D.I.S.C.O.". 

 

 Artist: Ottawan

A-Side: Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)

B-Side: Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) (Instrumental)

Year Released: 1981

Decade: 1980s

Genre: Electronic

Style: Disco

Format: 7-inch Vinyl, 45rpm, Single

Record Label: Carrere

Label/Catalog #: CAR 183