In which I shuffle through some music files and listen to the first five songs from the years 1976-85 that randomly pop up.
- "Dancin' Tonight" by Bill LaBounty (1979, WB/Curb)
Co-written by LaBounty and Michael Johnson, this is the lead track from the Rain in My Life album. It's slow getting started, but by the time the vocals kick in, it's an average soft-rocker. Could have used a better bridge and less abrasive sax tone, but worth a listen. - "This Charming Man" by The Smiths (1983, Rough Trade)
Other than "How Soon Is Now," I've never really understood the attraction of The Smiths, but this track has shuffled around as part of Left Of The Dial: Dispatches From The '80s Underground, Vol 2. Morrissey's voice atop a wannabe Motown beat just leaves me wanting to hear The Jam or Culture Club do it better. - "The Best Will Survive" by Dwayne Ford (1981, Epic)
About 4 years ago, I ventured down a rabbit hole concerning early '80s AOR albums that never charted. That's a post for another time, but that must have been when I acquired the files for Ford's 1981 album Needless Freaking. Can't tell that this album was ever released in the US. Not exactly Toto, this is guitar crunching underneath overdubbed choir vocals sounds like it would come from an early '80s AOR album that never charted. - "Shake a Leg" by AC/DC (1980, Atlantic)
Making a strong argument that there really wasn't any filler on the Back in Black album. I need to get out on the open road with that album and quick. - "That Girl" by Stevie Wonder (1981, Tamla)
The segue seems jolting to me now, but going from AC/DC to Stevie Wonder was entirely possible on Top 40 radio in the early '80s. This single was big hit in early '82, I've only got two minor complaints: 1) would rather have had Wonder play the drums instead of programming them, and 2) longer harmonica solo (but I say that about every Wonder solo). Not the best random five, but it sure came on strong at the end.
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