MFD Not-So-Random Five #20

In which I select five songs from 1976-1985 based on an arbitrary theme. (Not to be confused with this blog's Random Five feature, a different exercise in arbitrariness). Today's theme: 1985 singles that just missed the Billboard Top 40.

---

1. "To Live and Die in L.A." by Wang Chung (peaked at #41)
   This movie theme fared better on the Rock charts, peaking at #21, and previously on this blog where it was named the 26th best single of 1985. Ominous and driving, this dense dance tune perfectly captures the mood of the film (disclaimer: I've only seen the first 30 minutes of the movie).


2. "We Close Our Eyes" by Go West (peaked at #41)
   This dance track peaked at #5 on the dance chart and #15 on my 85 of '85 list. What a synth hook!  That thing hits you in the face about 7 seconds in.  Lots of over-produced synth hits, pads, and effects throughout - the producer (Gary Stevenson) was having fun trying to be Trevor Horn.  All this over a driving, danceable, eighth note beat.  And then we get a nice bridge that goes right back into that sweet synth hook.


3. "You Wear It Well" by El DeBarge with DeBarge (peaked at #46)
   The third single from the Rhythm of the Night album. That synth chord progression at the intro and then things go up a notch in the pre-chorus. Guitar solo from Jesse Johnson of The Time. While it didn't make the Top 40, it did top the Billboard Dance chart and peaked at #7 R&B. Sounds like something from a club scene in an episode of Miami Vice, but instead was relegated to The Facts of Life with a disinterested George Clooney:
   
   


4. "Black Cars" by Gino Vannelli (peaked at #42)
   I had always thought of Vannelli as a soft rocker and then I heard this tune. It peaked at #34 rock and #15 dance, while I placed it at #50 for the year. Lots of guitar and synth hooks and while the drum sound dates it a bit, there's no denying this thing is danceable. Speaking of dancing, in the summer of 1985, I was home from college working during the day and trying to enjoy my nights. One night, I was hanging out with a high school buddy (who I'll call Brent) when he got a phone call from another friend (who I'll call Steve) inviting us to a party where we were promised the presence of girls. Lots of girls. What 19-year-old boy could refuse? Brent and I traveled to some local apartments where we met Steve. As luck would have it, we were the only 3 males in a sea of females. I soon found out why - we were at a bachelorette party and Steve was the "entertainment." When he started dancing/stripping, I got uncomfortable and left. The song Steve chose to dance to? Gino Vannelli's Black Cars.


5. "20/20" by George Benson (peaked at #48)
   In which Benson tries his best to sound like Al Jarreau. In other words, this was squarely in my wheelhouse in 1985. Fairly generic with a DMX drum machine, saved at the end with a vocalized guitar solo from Benson. It was good enough to peak at #15 R&B and #15 AC while placing at #82 for the year for me.