Because it has been far too long since I posted one of my meaningless music-geek lists – and in honour of Pitchfork magazine’s noble effort, which appeared earlier this week (not at all bad for a bunch of Americans!) – here’s a list of my favourite singles from the so-called “New Pop” era, as championed by the likes of Paul Morley in the NME during the early 1980s.
The rules for inclusion are: one track per act, singles only, UK artists only, nothing before Buggles or after Band Aid.
1 – Poison Arrow – ABC
2 – Party Fears Two – the Associates
3 – The “Sweetest Girl” – Scritti Politti
4 – Duel – Propaganda
5 – Love Action – Human League
6 – Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
7 – Temptation – New Order
8 – Ghosts – Japan
9 – Poor Old Soul – Orange Juice
10 – Reward – The Teardrop Explodes
11 – Say Hello, Wave Goodbye – Soft Cell
12 – Time (Clock Of The Heart) – Culture Club
13 – Our Lips Are Sealed – Fun Boy 3
14 – It’s Going To Happen! – The Undertones
15 – Candyskin – Fire Engines
16 – Promised You A Miracle – Simple Minds
17 – Videotheque – Dollar
18 – (We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thing – Heaven 17
19 – Cambodia – Kim Wilde
20 – Souvenir – OMD
21 – C30 C60 C90 Go! – Bow Wow Wow
22 – Video Killed The Radio Star – Buggles
23 – Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) – Haircut 100
24 – Sorry For Laughing – Josef K
25 – My Camera Never Lies – Bucks Fizz
26 – Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
27 – Wham Rap – Wham!
28 – Stop That Girl – Vic Godard & The Subway Sect
29 – Baby It’s True – Mari Wilson
30 – Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant
31 – Save It For Later – The Beat
32 – The Story Of The Blues – Wah!
33 – Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat
34 – Fade To Grey – Visage
35 – Ever So Lonely – Monsoon
36 – Buffalo Gals – Malcom McClaren
37 – Forbidden Colours – Sylvian/Sakamoto
38 – Ghost Town – the Specials
39 – Snobbery And Decay – Act
40 – Chant No. 1 – Spandau Ballet
41 – Dog Eat Dog – Adam and the Ants
42 – Beat Box – the Art of Noise
43 – Our House – Madness
44 – Only You – Yazoo
45 – Am I Normal? – David
46 – Don’t Talk To Me About Love – Altered Images
47 – Cruel Summer – Bananarama
48 – A Song From Under The Floorboards – Magazine
49 – Uncertain Smile – The The
50 – I’m In Love With A German Film Star – The Passions
2 – Party Fears Two – the Associates
3 – The “Sweetest Girl” – Scritti Politti
4 – Duel – Propaganda
5 – Love Action – Human League
6 – Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
7 – Temptation – New Order
8 – Ghosts – Japan
9 – Poor Old Soul – Orange Juice
10 – Reward – The Teardrop Explodes
11 – Say Hello, Wave Goodbye – Soft Cell
12 – Time (Clock Of The Heart) – Culture Club
13 – Our Lips Are Sealed – Fun Boy 3
14 – It’s Going To Happen! – The Undertones
15 – Candyskin – Fire Engines
16 – Promised You A Miracle – Simple Minds
17 – Videotheque – Dollar
18 – (We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thing – Heaven 17
19 – Cambodia – Kim Wilde
20 – Souvenir – OMD
21 – C30 C60 C90 Go! – Bow Wow Wow
22 – Video Killed The Radio Star – Buggles
23 – Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) – Haircut 100
24 – Sorry For Laughing – Josef K
25 – My Camera Never Lies – Bucks Fizz
26 – Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
27 – Wham Rap – Wham!
28 – Stop That Girl – Vic Godard & The Subway Sect
29 – Baby It’s True – Mari Wilson
30 – Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant
31 – Save It For Later – The Beat
32 – The Story Of The Blues – Wah!
33 – Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat
34 – Fade To Grey – Visage
35 – Ever So Lonely – Monsoon
36 – Buffalo Gals – Malcom McClaren
37 – Forbidden Colours – Sylvian/Sakamoto
38 – Ghost Town – the Specials
39 – Snobbery And Decay – Act
40 – Chant No. 1 – Spandau Ballet
41 – Dog Eat Dog – Adam and the Ants
42 – Beat Box – the Art of Noise
43 – Our House – Madness
44 – Only You – Yazoo
45 – Am I Normal? – David
46 – Don’t Talk To Me About Love – Altered Images
47 – Cruel Summer – Bananarama
48 – A Song From Under The Floorboards – Magazine
49 – Uncertain Smile – The The
50 – I’m In Love With A German Film Star – The Passions
What would you have added to the list?
troubled diva 