Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast I Completed 80s Music

He's only gone and done it! The tonne! 

Yes folks, somehow, amazingly, this is the 100th episode of the pod. 

After a brief celebration and discussion about how technically backward I now am, we get back into the show proper. Modern Romance kick off the party reminding us the 80s were the best years of our lives. Meanwhile Duran Duran get on a yacht and ruin some perfectly tailored suits. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart re-enter the charts and launch Eurythmics. We hear more from Simple Minds and Musical Youth and the Human League end the show looking in the mirror.

Please help fund the show and get roasted on the next episode: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Get in contact with the show: completed80s@aol.com 

Links to Playlist 50:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Modern Romance - Best Years Of Our Lives

9. Simple Minds - Someone Somewhere

10. Duran Duran - Rio

11. Eurythmics - Love Is A Stranger

12. Musical Youth - Youth Of Today

13. The Human League - Mirror Man

Hallelujah by alexander - go check out their work on orangefreesounds.com 

Drum Roll by LazyChillZone - go check out their work on Pixabay.com

And when I get that feeling it's like podcast healing! Yes folks as we reach the cusp of the tonne (episode 99 over all!), Playlist 50 brings us Marvin Gaye's brief comeback. Hall and Oates get chased by a panther, America bring their box of magic tricks, while a Flock of Seagulls consider a burgeoning photography career. Donna Summer makes her step into the 80s with the help of literally everyone, Clannad make us feel a feeling and Michael Jackson and Macca have a minor quarrel over a lady. It's a fun one this week!

Please help fund the show and get roasted on the next episode: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Get in contact with the show: completed80s@aol.com 

Links to Playlist 50:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing

2. Darryl Hall & John Oates - Maneater

3. America - You Can Do Magic

4. A Flock Of Seagulls - Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)

5. Donna Summer - State Of Independence

6. Clannad - Theme From Harry's Game

7. Michael Jackson feat Paul McCartney - The Girl Is Mine

Cornettos and operatic voices at the ready! It's time for the ultimate cheesefest in this episode as we reach November 1982 and Renee & Renato! We meet Men At Work, have a drizzly flirtation with Supertramp and Heaven 17 kick off their Luxury Gap release. Meanwhile Rush brood on suburban isolation and Blancmange release their biggest hit. All in the latter half of playlist 49!

Please help fund the show and get roasted on the next episode: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Get in contact with the show: completed80s@aol.com 

Links to Playlist 49:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Heaven 17 - Let Me Go

9. Supertramp - It's Raining Again

10. Men At Work - Who Can It Be Now

11. Renee & Renato - Save Your Love

12. Rush - Subdivisions

13. Blancmange - Living On The Ceiling

You may not wanna dance, but this week's pod will have you on your feet to Eddy Grant and Playlist 49, October 1982. We also introduce a little ditty from John Mellencamp and both Dionne Warwick and Killing Joke make their first appearance. We tell the brief story of The Mood, Diana Ross is hungry for muscles and we finally say goodbye to ABBA!

Please help fund the show and get roasted on the next episode: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Get in contact with the show: completed80s@aol.com 

Links to Playlist 49:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Eddy Grant - I Don't Wanna Dance

2. John Mellencamp - Jack and Diane

3. Dionne Warwick - Heartbreaker

4. Diana Ross - Muscles

5. ABBA - The Day Before You Came

6. The Mood - Passion In Dark Rooms

7. Killing Joke - Birds Of A Feather

Wham! Nuff said. 

In all seriousness though, this is a biggie. The second half of playlist 48 and October 1982 introduces one of the biggest groups of the 80s to the fold. We also get an inspirational anthem from Toyah, Julio Iglesias makes everyone's mums put a song on repeat a little too often, Kid Creole talks paternity, we briefly meet Blue Zoo and Kool & The Gang have us dancing yet again. 

Please help fund the show and get roasted on the next episode: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 48:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Toyah - Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)

9. Julio Iglesias - Amor

10. Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy

11. Wham! - Young Guns (Go For It!)

12. Blue Zoo - Cry Boy Cry

13. Kool & The Gang Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh La, La La)

It's a mad world this week in 1982 as we finally introduce Bath's finest, Tears For Fears. The Pretenders also find strength in tragedy, Air Supply find love and Spandau Ballet find a new wardrobe. The Kids from Fame bring an emotional closure, Dexy's raise our spirits and Steve Winwood proves that 3 times the charm! 

Please help fund the show and get roasted on the next episode: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 48:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Tears For Fears - Mad World

2. The Pretenders - Back On The Chain Gang

3. Air Supply - Even The Nights Are Better

4. Spandau Ballet - Lifeline

5. Kids From Fame - Starmaker

6. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Jackie Wilson Said

7. Steve Winwood - Valerie

Pass the podcast on the left hand side! We finally meet Musical Youth and clear up any confusion on what they were passing as we complete September 1982 and playlist 47. The Clash and The Jam (almost) break up, Peter Gabriel is shocking, Ultravox are reaping and Roxy Music comes to an end, which has us weeping. 

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 47:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. The Jam - The Bitterest Pill

9. Peter Gabriel - Shock The Monkey

10. The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go

11. Ultravox - Reap The Wild Wind

12. Roxy Music - Take A Chance With Me

13. Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie

It's gonna be hot in the city tonight as we finally introduce Boy George and Culture Club, Billy Idol releases the aforementioned hit, Patrick Cowley brings the High NRG and we Zoom in with Fat Larry's Band amongst others!

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 47:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Patrick Cowley - Do You Wanna Funk

2. Billy Idol - Hot In The City

3. Diamond Head - In The Heat Of The Night

4. Mari Wilson - Just What I Always Wanted

5. Culture Club - Do You Really Want To Hurt Me

6. The Pinkees - Danger Games

7. Fat Larry's Band - Zoom

Don't push me, cos this pod is close to the edge! As we slip further into August 1982, we do indeed finally reach, "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash (or was it?!), Evelyn King drops a club classic, UB40 release their last socially conscious song before the big time, Jennifer Holliday proves we're gonna love her, ABC reach the end of the lexicon and Dire Straits get every dramatic!

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 46:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Evelyn King - Love Come Down

9. UB40 - So Here I Am

10. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 - The Message

11.Jennifer Holliday - And I'm Telling You

12. ABC - All Of My Heart

13. Dire Straits - Private Investigations

This week you hold a glittering prize in your hand and we save a prayer for all the good 80s Music! In the second half of playlist 46 Chicago enter the fray while Frida breaks from ABBA. Judas Priest make a roaring return while Duran Duran prove their ballad chops. Afrika Bambaataa drops a cornerstone of rap, Simple Minds are in their pomp and we say goodbye to Haircut 100. 

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 46:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Chicago - Hard To Say I'm Sorry

2. Frida - I Know There's Something Going On

3. Judas Priest - You've Got Another Thing Comin'

4. Haircut 100 - Nobody's Fool

5. Duran Duran - Save A Prayer

6. Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock

7. Simple Minds - Glittering Prize

You'll be walking on sunshine with this week's pod. Why? Well as we delve deep into August 1982 we find in the record bins, Rockers Revenge, the Psychedelic Furs brining the film soundtracks, Carly Simon (that was the Why? link), David Sylvian breaking from Japan, Thomas Dolby and Toto Coelo being hungry for more than fame!

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 45:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way

9. Toto Coelo - I Eat Cannibals

10. David Sylvian - Bamboo Houses

11. Rockers Revenge - Walking On Sunshine

12. Thomas Dolby - Windpower

13. Carly Simon - Why

This week the pod gets the eye of the tiger as we step into late July 1982. The Stranglers play a trick on their record label, Kid Creole tells the tale of a crook turned informant, Madness release possibly the best car-related song ever and the McRarys bring a little gospel to proceedings. In the latter half we meet the Boys Town Gang and learn of their impact on the High NRG scene, are Blancmange Britain's answer to Talking Heads? We end with Rocky throwing down to Survivor's Eye of the Tiger. 

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 45:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Stranglers - Strange Little Girl

2. Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Stool Pigeon

3. Madness - Driving In My Car

4. The McRarys - Love On A Summer Night

5. Boys Town Gang - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

6. Blancmange - Feel Me

7. Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger

3 6 9, the goose drank wine, the monkey played a podcast which was sublime! Yes folks, this week we continue deeper into July 1982 and the Belle Stars get us all tangled up with the clapping song, Chas & Dave take us on a "proppa" British holiday, Hot Chocolate bring the school romance and Yazoo release the next evolution in the clubbing genre amongst others. 

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 44:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Hot Chocolate - It Started With A Kiss

9. Chas & Dave - Down To Margate

10. Belle Stars - The Clapping Song

11. Yazoo - Don't Go

12. Haysi Fantayzee - John Wayne Is Big Leggy

13. TalkTalk - Today

Fame! I wanna podcast forever! Or at least until the 80s Music runs out. We finally slip into July 1982 and hit Irene Cara's big moment that sent mums and their kids into a spin buying leotards and legwarmers. Bananarama strike out on their own and AC/DC strike the cannon fuse. Postman pat takes us on a nostalgia delivery, the Tygers of Pan Tang take us on a rendezvous. John McEnroe throws a musical strop and we end with The Damned taking us on a tour of London.

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 44:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Irene Cara - Fame

2. Bananarama - Shy Boy

3. AC/DC - For Those About To Rock

4. Bryan Daly - Postman Pat

5. Tygers Of Pan Tang - Rendezvous

6. The Brat - Chalkdust

7. The Damned - Lovely Money

Ready for some happy talk? Well you've come to the right place! As we crawl into July 1982 Captain Sensible releases on of the most surprising number 1s of the decade. Asia get caught up in the heat of the moment, David Essex takes us nightclubbing, Dennis Brown is the crown prince of reggae, Dexys drop the biggest seller of 1982 and Trio bring the Casio organ to the fore! Hear all this and more anecdotes as we slip into the second half of Playlist 43. 

Please help fund the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 43:

Spotify: 

Apple Music:

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. David Essex - Me And My Girl (Nightclubbing)

9. Captain Sensible - Happy Talk

10. Asia - Heat Of The Music

11. Dennis Brown - Love Has Found Its Way

12. Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

13. Trio - Da Da Da

Abracadabra, this pod will reach out and grab ya! Today we dive back into June 1982. But first the Mixtaper goes on a (minor) rant about AI and the platforms so desperate to get into bed with it all in the name of "revenue streams" and reveals his complicated history with one of them. We then get back into the music proper with Bucks Fizz bringing some vocal harmonies. Dollar reach the Trevor Horn denouement while Steve Miller brings the magic. We get the final of the Roxy Music naughty songs trilogy before Gary Numan takes us to bed. The Clash make a triumphant return and we end with the Four Tops taking us back to school!

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 43:

Spotify: 

Apple Music:

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Bucks Fizz - Now Those Days Are Gone

2. Dollar - Videotheque

3. Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra

4. Roxy Music - Avalon

5. Gary Numan - We Take Mystery To Bed

6. The Clash - Rock The Casbah

7. Four Tops - Back To School Again

If you have a sweet tooth, this episode will fix your sugar cravings! We continue into the summer of 1982 and Bow Wow Wow release their confectionary hit. A Flock of Seagulls take us into space, Queen go spanish, Odyssey release their last top 10 hit, Shalamar bring the party and also drop one of the most iconic dance moves of the era and Leo Sayer stops our heart as we finish Playlist 42. 

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 42:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Bow Wow Wow - I Want Candy

9. A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song

10. Queen - Las Palabras De Amor

11. Odyssey - Inside Out

12. Shalamar - A Night To Remember

13. Leo Sayer - Heart

My podboy said to your podboy I'm gonna set your pod on fire. And while that does seem a little harsh, it does set up our episode today as we continue in June 1982. As you may have guessed, we have our Iko Iko playoff between the Belle Stars and Natasha. Siouxie brings the strings and fireworks (beautiful song alert), Soft Cell reinvent the torch song, the Bunnymen find their sound and we end with some classic Stevie Wonder amongst others!

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 42:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Siouxie and the Banshees - Fireworks

2. Echo and the Bunnymen - The Back Of Love

3. Soft Cell - Torch

4. The Belle Stars - Iko Iko

5. Natasha - Iko Iko

6. The Cars - Since You're Gone

7. Stevie Wonder - Do I Do

Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do? Listen to podcasts, namely I Completed 80s Music! It's June 1982 and this week we tackle the back end of playlist 41. ABC give us the look of love, the Gang of Four show us their uniforms, Toyah shows us a brave new world, New Order start to sound like New Order and we end with two big hits of the 80s. Madness take us "party hat" shopping at the House of Fun and Adam Ant proves his normal bloke credentials in Goody Two Shoes. And at the end, we discuss pop culture. 

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 41:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. ABC - The Look Of Love

9. Gang Of Four - I Love A Man In Uniform

10. Toyah - Brave New World

11. New Order - Temptation

12. Madness - House Of Fun

13. Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes

Want to contact the show? Completed80s@aol.com or visit Instagram, Threads, Youtube or TikTok and look for the 80s Mixtaper.

Hopefully you're hungry like the wolf for this next episode as we dive headlong into May 1982 and playlist 41. The first half gives us a little peace courtesy of a German Eurovision winner, Kid Creole gives us a wonderful thing (himself) before Charlene visits (herself). The Go Gos and Funboy three seal their lips but in different ways before Duran Duran go global and Iron Maiden create global furore. Its going to be quite the show!

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 41:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Nicole - A Little Peace

2. Kid Creole & The Coconuts - I'm A Wonderful Thing Baby

3. Charlene - I've Never Been To Me

4. The Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed

5. Fun Boy Three - Our Lips Are Sealed

6. Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf

7. Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast

Want to contact the show? Completed80s@aol.com or visit Instagram, Threads, Youtube or TikTok and look for the 80s Mixtaper.

We love rock n roll! But we also love pop, new wave, synthpop, you get the picture. It's now May 1982 and Joan Jett explodes onto the UK scene. The RAH band show us their perfumed garden (ooh er missus) and Tight Fit swing out of the charts. D Train walks in a brilliant cover, Blondie walk off until 1997 and the Associates make fun of the entire circus. It's quite the episode!

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 40:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock n Roll

9. The RAH Band - Perfumed Garden

10. Tight Fit - Fantasy Island

11. D Train - Walk On By

12. Blondie - Island Of Lost Souls

13. The Associates - Club Country

All we wanna do is TalkTalk on this podcast and this week we natter about April 1982 and a slew of incredible hits on playlist 40. Macca and Stevie Wonder duet on a song about racial harmony, Hot Chocolate go girl crazy while the Fixx bring the cold war paranoia. Meanwhile Vince Clarke leaves Depeche Mode to form Yazoo with Alison Moyet. Patrice Rushen drops a club classic which becomes a staple of a 90s film franchise. Junior gets some motherly advice and all TalkTalk wanna do is talk talk! 

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 40:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder - Ebony and Ivory

2. Girl Crazy - Hot Chocolate

3. Yazoo - Only You

4. The Fixx - Stand Or Fall

5. Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots

6. Junior - Mama Used To Say

7. Talk Talk - Talk Talk

Hopefully we're really saying something (bop bop shooby do wah) with this episode of the pod as we tackle the back 6 songs of playlist 39 and April 1982. Bowie kicks us off as he teaches us to put out fires with gasoline. Bardo then attempt to replicate Bucks Fizz Eurovision success (nerves ensue). The J Geils band have one last hurrah. Banarama return the favour to Fun Boy Three. The English World Cup Squad demonstrate our love for badly sung team songs and we end with Haircut 100's Fantastic Day, masking some less than fantastic problems. 

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 39

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. David Bowie - Cat People (Putting Out Fire)

9. Bardo - One Step Further

10. The J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame

11. Bananarama & Fun Boy Three - Really Saying Something

12. England World Cup Squad 1982 - This Time We'll Get It Right

13. Haircut 100 - Fantastic Day

This podcast wont let you down but the copies of the singles might! Yes folks, as we get into April 1982 we have our first divergence of song choice on Spotify and Apple Music. Jim Diamond and PhD go in different directions leading to different versions on the music platforms. Roxy Music get a little saucy and increase the population of West London. Also in this episode Pigbag and Shakatak, drop their highpoints, Monsoon releases a song which opened doors and Simple Minds enter their imperious stage. 

Please support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/80smixtaper

Links to Playlist 39

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Bucks Fizz - My Camera Never Lies

2. Phd / Jim Diamond - I Won't Let You Down ***

3. Monsoon - Ever So Lonely

4. Pigbag - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

5. Shakatak - Night Birds

6. Roxy Music - More Than This

7. Simple Minds - Promised You A Miracle

*** Since recording the episode, literally in the same week, the PhD version of "I Won't Let You Down" has vanished off Spotify and been replaced by....well...not the PhD version (go on to Youtube and listen to the original). The Jim Diamond solo version is still excellent. 

This podcast can make you feel good, or at least Shalamar can! Yes folks, as we continue our sojourn through the 80s, we have reached the introduction of Shalamar, Flock of Seagulls and Elton John to the mix as March 1982 continues. We also have Visage proving they were not one hit wonders and Japan's swansong before it all fell apart. Just when they thought they could not be stopped!

Links to Playlist 38:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

8. Visage - The Damned Don't Cry

9. Japan - Ghosts

10. Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran

11. Elton John - Blue Eyes

12. Shalamar - I Can Make You Feel Good

13. Dollar - Give Me Back My Heart

Whether your donning your grass skirt, imaginary bass guitar or gold lined harem pants, playlist 38 promises to be a colourful one! This week we cover the first 7 songs and what an episode! We introduce the one hit wonder Goombay Dance Band, follow up with some humorous reggae courtesy of Pluto before sliding into the peak of Imagination's discography (or is it just an illusion?!). Gary Numan brings the music for chameleons (or Alan Partridge), Chas and Dave bring the old joanna, Classix Nouveaux bring their highpoint and Genesis bring us to a moral crossroads. 

Links to Playlist 38:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the hyperlinks don't work, the tracks are:

1. Goombay Dance Band - Seven Tears

2. Pluto - Your Honour

3. Imagination - Just An Illusion

4. Gary Numan - Music For Chameleons

5. Chas & Dave - Aint No Pleasing You

6. Classix Nouveaux - Is It A Dream

7. Genesis - Man On The Corner

Just a small town pod, living in a world of pods....it took the midnight train going anyyyyywhere... 

Anyway. Don't stop believin in this episode description, not matter how corny it gets as this week's episode reaches the latter half of playlist 37 and the end of February 1982. Naturally, Journey have their glee moment, but Iron Maiden make us run to the hills, Madness give us heart problems and ABBA go head over heels and possibly off the railes. We also hear from Kraftwerk and end up in the herb garden with Foster and Allen! 

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

Links to Playlist 37:

Spotify

Apple Music

8. ABBA - Head Over Heels

9. Kraftwerk - Showroom Dummies

10. Iron Maiden - Run To The Hills

11. Madness - Cardiac Arrest

12. Journey - Don't Stop Believin

13 Foster & Allen - Bunch Of Thyme

How have we reached 1982 and not met Black Sabbath or Kiss yet?! Well in this episode, all that changes. February 1982 and playlist 37 promises pivot point for both bands as Sabbath contemplate a world without Ozzy and Kiss consider a world without heroes. The J Geils Band drop the greatest "Na Na" chorus of the decade, the Jam bring Woking to the fore (and not in a good way) and the Nolans bring the contraception. We also meet the Associates and ABC shoot their poison arrow! 

Links to Playlist 37:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Black Sabbath - Turn Up The Night

2. J Geils Band - Centrefold

3. The Jam - Town Called Malice

4. Kiss - A World Without Heroes

5. The Nolans - Don't Love Me Too Hard

6. The Associates - Party Fears Two

7. ABC - Poison Arrow

If there's one thing that we can take from this week's pod it's that in 1982 and even now perhaps, it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it! Indeed in this weeks eclectic mix, we see funk, hardcore, electro and reggae all represented as we plunge into the second half of playlist 36 and February 1982. Naturally with that opening line, we'll be meeting Bananarama as they team up with Fun Boy Three but we also meet Bohannon, the funkiest drummer around, Vice Squad representing UK82 punk and we get some more of the Robert Palmer, UB40 and Depeche Mode stories. 

Links to Playlist 36:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Bohannon - Let's Start To Dance Again

9. Vice Squad - Out Of Reach

10. Robert Palmer - Some Guys Have All The Luck

11. UB40 - I Won't Close My Eyes

12. Fun Boy Three & Bananarama - It Aint What You Do It's The Way That You Do It

13. Depeche Mode - See You

Do you want the best chant of the 80s? Or how about Soft Cell's best song? Well you're in the right place. Whether it's "Hey Mickey" or "Say Hello Wave Goodbye" and everything inbetween, this episode has it all as we slip into February 1982 and playlist 36. We kick off with Adrian Gurvitz putting aside his rock roots to write a Classic. Diana Ross gets introspective and funky with her post Motown catalogue before Nick Heyward becomes a hearthrob with Haircut 100. Toni Basil drops one of the standout tracks of the decade. D Train brings the funk alongside Earth Wind and Fire and Soft Cell cap the episode with their haunting final single from Non Stop Erotic Cabaret. It's a helluva show this week!

Links to Playlist 36:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Adrian Gurvitz - Classic

2. Diana Ross - Mirror Mirror

3. Haircut 100 - Love Plus One

4. Toni Basil - Hey Mickey

5. D Train - You're The One For Me

6. Earth, Wind & Fire - I've Had Enough

7. Soft Cell - Say Hello Wave Goodbye

Whether you want to sleep in the jungle with a lion (bit weird) or go wild in the country, we have you covered as we complete January 1982! Its the second half of playlist 35 and we kick off with the aforementioned childhood memory by Tight Fit but explore the deeper darker history of the track. Next up Hall & Oates bring their A-Game and drop I Can't Go For That which it turns out, isnt a love song. Theatre of Hate take us to the Westworld, watch out for dodgy Yul Brynner looking characters! XTC overload our senses, OMD release yet another song about Joan of Arc and Bow Wow Wow finally have their break out. 

Links to Playlist 35:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Tight Fit - The Lion Sleeps Tonight

9. Daryl Hall & John Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)

10. Theatre Of Hate - Do You Believe In The Westworld?

11. XTC - Senses Working Overtime

12. OMD - Maid of Orleans

13. Bow Wow Wow - Go Wild In The Country

If you're looking for a pod describing the rhyming scheme of "truly" and "Julie", look no further! Yes as we begin our ascent of the 1982 charts, the 80s Mixtaper acts as our musical sherpa. We'll be stopping along the way to muse on the Stranglers' multi-meaning Golden Brown, feeling the chill of the cold war with Mobiles' Drowning in Berlin before Lindsey Buckingham gets us into trouble, amongst others (including Shakin Stevens' Julie and it's  rhyming scheme). 1982 starts with a bang, join the musical expedition today!

Links to Playlist 35:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. The Stranglers - Golden Brown

2. Mobiles - Drowning in Berlin

3. Lindsey Buckingham - Trouble

4. Mike Post feat. Larry Carlton - Theme from "Hill Street Blues"

5. Elkie Brooks - Fool If You Think It's Over

6. Shakin Stevens - Oh Julie

7. Stevie Wonder - Thart Girl

Bonus Track - Rhoda & The Special AKA - The Boiler

Get down on this podcast! Today, we reach the end of 1981! Can you believe that we're a fifth of the way through this journey already?! And as such, we feature but one song, the only remaining song to mention for 1981 and playlist 34 (the one that stupid here should have just tacked on to episode 33.5). Yes folks, we get cool with Kool and the Gang and their classic hit Get Down On It. Then, a little revue of 1981 and what it meant in the pop zeitgeist, before we hand out some metaphorical awards to the artists of the day. Who will win best solo artist? Who will scoop the most important song of the year? All will be revealed and then we look forward to 1982 and I make the specious claim that 1982 - 1986 are the bit of the 80s we all love the most. Tune in as we celebrate 1981!

Links to playlist 34: 

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Kool and the Gang - Get Down On It

(yup, it's just one song, the lesson as always is I'm an idiot)

Step right up as we complete the last full playlist of 1981 and the back end of playlist 33. What an episode we have. Are the Rolling Stones going to break up? Do Foreigner know they have one of the most iconic ballads of the 80s? Are Altered Images happy?Will Jon & Vangelis find their way home? Does Rod Stewart want to be a young turk and do ABBA simply want to go their separate ways? We'll probably answer none of this but have a bloody good go at speculating based on the facts, opinions and fun stuff as we reach the denouement of the 2nd year of the decade. 

Links to playlist 33:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. The Rolling Stones - Waiting On A Friend

9. Foreigner - Waiting For A Girl Like You

10. Altered Images -I Could Be Happy

11. Jon & Vangelis - I'll Find My Way Home

12. Rod Stewart - Young Turks

13. ABBA - One Of Us

This episode will transport you back to the land of make believe (or the 80s, same difference) as we hit December 1981. In playlist 33 we get a Christmas Number one which the band didnt even want to release but which becomes one of the legendary songs of the decade. Duran Duran fill time between their debut album and Rio with a disco throwback, Status Quo get all misty eyed about rock and roll and Madness write cover a love song which by 1994 has me crooning outside a balcony at 3am. Yes folks, playlist 33 is a monster, give it a listen now!

Links to playlist 33:

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Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Bucks Fizz - Land of Make Believe

2. Status Quo - Rock n Roll

3. Duran Duran - My Own Way

4. Sheena Easton - You Could Have Been With Me

5. Dramatis & Gary Numan - Love Needs No Disguise

6. Madness - It Must Be Love

7. The Human League - Don't You Want Me

Don't go to sleep on this episode! For one it ends with Meatloaf's Dead Ringer For Love, so you'll be wide awake again.

In the second half of playlist 32, we transport you back to the end of November 1981. The Pretenders kick off proceedings with a desperate lament about love in a song which would take on sadder meaning in their future. Soft Cell then transport us to a lonely Bedsit after the party has ended, before Queen and David Bowie release one of the greatest almost accidental duets ever (great story behind this one!). We then introduce those jazz funk pioneers SHAKATAK to the mix before hearing some wedding bells with Godley and Creme. And finally, as mentioned, we introduce Meatloaf and bring along Cher for the ride. Get ready for some rock and roll and brew as we end with Dead Ringer For Love!

Links to Playlist 32:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Pretenders - I Go To Sleep

9. Soft Cell - Bedsitter

10. Queen - Under Pressure (Feat. David Bowie)

11. SHAKATAK - Easier Said Than Done

12. Godley and Creme - Wedding Bells

13. Meatloaf - Dead Ringer For Love (Feat. Cher)

A lunatic has taken over the podcast! (Frankly he was never away). Or rather Fun Boy Three do, as we move forward into deepest November 1981 with Playlist 32. Messrs Hall, Staples and Golding become FB3 and launch their debut single as we explore the messy split from the Specials and what came next. Modern Romance then continue their formulaic party song rise through the charts and Diane Ross breaks from Motown. Earth Wind and Fire reinvent themselves for the new decade, Dollar with the help of Trevor Horn turn mirrors into magic and George Benson creates Grammy success from a compilation track. And finally Kim Wilde continues her conquering march through an epic year. 

Links to Playlist 32:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Fun Boy Three - The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum

2. Modern Romance - Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey

3. Diana Ross - Why Do Fools Fall In Love

4. Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove

5. Dollar - Mirror Mirror

6. George Benson - Turn Your Love Around

7. Kim Wilde - Cambodia

A modern day podcaster, mean mean stride, today's podcaster, mean, mean pride.

Lets not Rush (geddit?) through this episode, as we explore the back half of playlist 31. Yes folks, we enter November 1981 with an eclectic mix of funk, synthpop wizardry and more 80s flavours. Kool and the Gang kick off our show continuing their stretch of great 80s tunes with Steppin Out. We then pivot into introducing Saxon to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal picture with their steam powered song Princess of the Night. We then complete the Sheffield synth-triumvirate as we add the glamorous ABC to the mix alongside the Human League and Heaven 17, with their debut Tears are Not Enough. Rush then drop the iconic cultural behemoth Tom Sawyer - we really delve into that one, before we meet Pigbag with their funky sounds and Sunny Day. And we end today's show examining Japan's swansong, the album Tin Drum and the single, Visions of China.

Links to Playlist 31:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Kool And The Gang - Steppin Out

9. Saxon - Princess Of The Night

10. ABC - Tears Are Not Enough

11. Rush - Tom Sawyer

12. Pigbag - Sunny Day

13. Japan - Visions Of China

It may be Autumn 1981 but you won't need your duffle coat where we're going! Hot holidays, hot driving in the california hills, hot reggae and hot funk all feature in the first half of playlist 31.

We start with perhaps one of the most polarising tracks of the decade, an art installation in its own right, O Superman by Laurie Anderson, raising questions about the purpose of the state and the superficial image of protection. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band then rev up the convertible and take us on a joy ride with Hollywood Nights. We then fly over to Spain, forget the sun block and look like a lobster in a british bar while listening to Begin the Beguine by Julio Iglesias as we remember the era of the package holiday. Trevor Walters then entertains with some delicious lovers rock and the beautiful song Love Me Tonight. We then introduce those funky youngsters Haircut 100 to the mix for their flirty foray into the charts with Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl). OMD take us on a history lesson with the almost choral Joan of Arc and The Police end the episode with a song very special to the 80s Mixtaper, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic. It's a biggie!

Links to Playlist 31:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Laurie Anderson - O Superman

2. Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band - Hollywood Nights

3. Julio Iglesias - Begin The Beguine

4. Trevor Walters - Love Me Tonight

5. Hair Cut 100 - Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)

6. OMD - Joan Of Arc

7. The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

We're back with the back half of playlist 31 and stories of rock glory from the best decade in pop. In this episode we introduce arena rock giants Foreigner to the picture with their apocryphal tale of the fan who sees a concert and becomes a rock star in their single Jukebox Hero. We don our best spandex, head and wrist warmers and get Physical with Olivia Newton-John and send the 80 work out revolution into overdrive (who's mum went to a Jazz and Tap class?). We get one of the most under-appreciated singles from the Human League's Dare album in Open Your Heart. Lovers and fans of Dudley More will appreciate our next track, the epically beautiful Arthurs Theme by Christopher Cross. The Cure take up time skipping with Charlotte Sometimes and we end the episode with the Four Tops big comeback with When She Was My Girl.

Links to Playlist 30

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Foreigner - Juke Box Hero

9. Olivia Newton-John - Physical

10. Human League - Open Your Heart

11. Christopher Cross - Arthurs Theme

12. The Cure - Charlotte Sometimes

13. Four Tops - When She Was My Girl

Eclectic Much?

Yup playlist 30 continues to demonstrate that even towards the end of 1981, the new decade is still embryonic in it's flavours. We kick off with The Police pivoting away from the reggae punk style as they focus on their next album Ghost in the Machine and break out the single Invisible Sun. Next we don our stripper heels and swing on the pole to Billy Squier's Stroke Me, which actually is a song more aligned with greasy politicians and magnates! Elvis Costello goes country with Good Year For The Roses and pops up again in Squeeze's production of Labelled With Love at the end of the episode. And inbetween we get the Siouxie and Budgie side project The Creatures, more Toyah and more Tom Tom Club. It's gonna be an extravaganza! (Johnny Briggs quote). 

Links to Playlist 30

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. The Police - Invisible Sun

2. Billy Squier - The Stroke

3. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Good Year For The Roses

4. Toyah - Thunder In The Mountains

5. The Creatures - Mad Eyed Screamer

6. Tom Tom Club - Genius Of Love

7. Squeeze - Labelled With Love

It's my podcast and I'll cough if I want to! Actually, I manage to hold it together for this entire episode despite the Autumn sniffles as we dive into Autumn 1981. We kick things off with Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin's synthy rework of "It's My Party" before questioning whether Japan's "Quiet Life" may have been the inspiration for a lot of the new romantic sounds. "Just Can't Get Enough" is both the next song and an apt description of how the single kicked off Depeche Mode's meteoric rise. To cool off, we go "Walking In The Sunshine" with Bad Manners (one of my faves) before ripping into "Happy Birthday" by Altered Images. And we end the pod with yet more Madness and "Shut Up" proving that the ska revival wasn't quite over yet. 

Links to Playlist 29

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - It's My Party

9. Japan - Quiet Life

10. Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough

11. Bad Manners - Walking In The Sunshine

12. Altered Images - Happy Birthday

13. Madness - Shut Up

Dont you ever, dont you ever, stop listening to this podcast! Yes folks, we're back after a short holiday and we're into the early offings of Autumn 1981 as we break into the first half of Playlist 29. We kick off with Joan Armatrading evolving her sound with "I'm Lucky", before meeting San Francisco rockers The Tubes. We then explore Godley and Creme's significant impact on the pop culture media of the decade and their song "Under Your Thumb".

Then, the moment we've all been waiting for (well, 5 of us), a critical analysis of "The Birdie Song" (seriously) by The Tweets, before diving into the Lionel Richie and Diana Ross classic, "Endless Love". As we reach our climax we throw on our warpaint and finest dandy threads for the apex of the Adam and the Ants experience, "Prince Charming" and end the episode in Wolverhampton with Slade! Remember folks, ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

Links to Playlist 29

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Joan Armatrading - I'm Lucky

2. The Tubes - I Don't Want To Wait Anymore

3. Godley & Creme - Under Your Thumb

4. The Tweets - The Birdie Song

5. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross - Endless Love

6. Adam & The Ants - Prince Charming

7. Slade - Lock Up Your Daughters

We rejoin the 80s Mixtaper as summer comes to an end in 1981. As we hit the back six of playlist 28 we start with school disco classic, Hands Up by Ottawan before slipping into something more comfortable with the deeply introspective Souvenir by OMD. We then discuss whether Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones was their large great song, before strapping on our roller skates for a tour round Milton Keynes and Cliff Richard for Wired for Sound. We then capture the end of Linx's hit run with So This Is Romance and end the episode by introducing Quincy Jones to the mix with Betcha Wouldnt Hurt Me. 

Links to Playlist 28:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Ottawan - Hands Up

9. OMD - Souvenir

10. The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up

11. Cliff Richard - Wired For Sound

12. Linx - So This Is Romance

13. Quincy Jones - Betcha Wouldnt Hurt Me

Justin Lewis discusses his new book, Into the Groove, a month-by-month exploration of 1980s music that blends major events with overlooked moments.

They cover his record-shop roots, influences like Annie Nightingale and Janice Long, the rise of video and hip-hop, Live Aid and the decade’s lasting impact on modern pop. This one's a cracker! Enjoy. 

Join The 80s Mixtaper as he walks through Playlist 28 of his decade-long mission, spotlighting seven key 1981 tracks from bands — Human League, Modern Romance, Dollar, Simple Minds, Stevie Nicks, The Pointer Sisters and Genesis — with background stories, chart context and an extra guest interview coming about 80s music history.

Links to Playlist 28:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. The Human League - Love Action

2. Modern Romance - Everybody Salsa

3. Dollar - Hand Held In Black And White

4. Simple Minds - Love Song

5. Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Stop Draggin My Heart Around

6. The Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand

7. Genesis - Abacab

In this episode of "I Completed 80s Music" we explore the back six tracks of Playlist 27 as we step into August 1981.

Host The 80s Mixtaper revisits Kim Wilde's "Water on Glass," Randy Crawford's take on "Rainy Night in Georgia," Classixs Nouveaux's "Inside Outside," the controversial one-hit wonder "Japanese Boy," UB40's protest anthem "One in 10," and U2's early single "Fire," tracing their chart runs and cultural context.

Links to Playlist 27

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Kim Wilde - Water On Glass

9. Randy Crawford - Rainy Night In Georgia

10. Classix Nouveaux - Inside Outside

11. Aneka - Japanese Boy

12. UB40 - One In Ten

13. U2 - Fire

Join The 80s Mixtaper as he dives into Playlist 27 (mid‑July 1981), unpacking seven landmark tracks — from Bill Wyman's franglais oddity and Squeeze's soul‑tinged 'Tempted' to Duran Duran's provocative 'Girls on Film', Shakin' Stevens' chart‑topping 'Green Door', Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday' campaign anthem, Soft Cell's synth‑pop smash 'Tainted Love', and Siouxsie and the Banshees' haunting 'Arabian Nights'. Hear the stories, chart tales, and cultural moments behind each song.

Links to Playlist 27

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Bill Wyman - Je Suis Un Rock Star

2. Squeeze - Tempted

3. Duran Duran  - Girls On Film

4. Shakin Stevens - Green Door

5. Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday

6. Soft Cell - Tainted Love

7. Siouxie and the Banshees - Arabian Nights

In this episode of "I Completed 80s Music" we dive into the second half of Playlist 26 (mid‑July 1981), spotlighting tracks from Kate Bush, Candido, Carl Carlton, Spandau Ballet, ABBA and Paul Gardiner, and exploring how these songs shaped the club and pop scenes of 1981.

Find Spotify and Apple Music playlists and the full track listing in the episode description, and join us next week for more 80s favourites.

Links to Playlist 26

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Kate Bush - Sat In Your Lap

9. Candido - Jingo

10. Carl Carlton - She's A Bad Mama Jama

11. Spandau Ballet - Chant No 1

12. Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me

13. Paul Gardiner - Stormtrooper in Drag

Playlist 26 takes us through July 1981, unpacking the music and stories behind seven standout tracks. Highlights include The Specials' Ghost Town and its link to Britain’s social unrest, REO Speedwagon's arena-rock hit Take It On The Run, Sheena Easton’s Bond theme For Your Eyes Only, the Psychedelic Furs’ Pretty in Pink and its later film legacy, Bad Manners’ ska romp Can Can, a nostalgia-fuelled Beach Boys medley from Gideon Park, and Kraftwerk’s influential synth-pop classic The Model.

The episode blends musical analysis, band histories and cultural context to show how these songs reflected and shaped the era’s mood.

Links to Playlist 26

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. The Specials - Ghost Town

2. REO Speedwagon - Take It On The Run

3. Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only

4. Psychedelic Furs - Pretty In Pink

5. Bad Manners - Can Can

6. Gidea Park - Beach Boy Gold

7. Kraftwerk - The Model