Joey's got a great thread going. To introduce a non-Canadian thread to the kind of music that was popular in the mid-to-late eighties, he's asking for suggestions for songs to put on a CD he can send to this friend. He's not looking for the big hits — the Bryan Adams and Tom Cochranes of the world. Instead, he's looking for those offbeat hits that really gave the era its character.
I spent most of the 80s as a club DJ in Guelph, Ontario (first at the Bullring at the University of Guelph and then as the DJ that opened up the Trasheteria on MacDonnell in Guelph). Many have already chimed in at Joey's blog with some of my favourites but here's some more of what I really like from that era. (All but the Slow pick were also dance floor successes, as well, believe it or not).
Blue Peter – “Don't Walk Past” and “Take Me To War”
Slightly retro but fun: FM – “Phasors on Stun”
Martha and the Muffins – “Echo Beach”
Slow – “Have Not Been the Same”
The Government – “Flat Tire”
Diodes – “Tired of Waking Up Tired”
Forgotten Rebels – “Surfing on Heroin
Demics – “New York City”
David Wilcox – “Hypnotizin' Boogie”