Very Best Of School Reunion, The - Various Artists

...One hit wonder, this was very catchy and should really have been the catalyst for a successful solo career. For whatever reason, this never happened.


13.: Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

Following the success of Do You Really Want To Hurt Me was always going to be difficult but somehow Culture Club managed to pull it off with this rendition which managed to dominate the music charts in the summer of 1984. I didn’t ...
...Definitely listenable to if not very often.


15.: Money's Too Tight (To Mention) - Simply Red

One of the biggest selling bands of not just the 1980’s but also the 1990’s as well, Mick Hucknalls wonderfully soulful voice was the catalyst for their success. An absolutely brilliant track.


16.: Gold - Spandau Ballet

The BBC usually hang their hat on this track whenever the Olympics ... more

First of all, I think I owe you all an explanation if you have read any of my previous 80’s compilation reviews and feel that many of the tracks which are included on this album have previously been contained on albums which I have purchased. The simple explanation is that I am currently organising an 80’s style theme night for Charity and I have asked my friends and colleagues for copies of any memorabilia from that decade including music which will form a key part of the night. This little ditty was provided so I thought it only fair that I impart the genius of this album on you all.

I’m sure that if you are a similar age to me (I hit the BIG 4 0 in just over a weeks time) then these will not require any explanation or detail. However, I appreciate that this sector on Ciao is probably in a minority and so for the uninitiated here is my humble opinion on the 62 tracks contained upon this album. As I said at the start of the review, I didn’t buy the CD so I don’t know how much my colleague paid for it, but it is currently available on Amazon for £9.33.

Titles on disc 1

1.: Don't Stop Me Now – Queen

This isn't the greatest Queen track, or indeed their most up-tempo number, but nonetheless it is a great track to start the album off and get you into the party mood. Don't stop me now, I'm having such a good time writing this review.

2.: Baggy Trousers – Madness

One of The Nutty Boy’s finest, although it was hard to take the record or the group serious which is probably what made them as successful as they were.

3.: Young Guns (Go For It) – Wham

One of George and Andrew’s early numbers which has Wham! written all over it with its upbeat cheery pop style.

4.: Tainted Love - Soft Cell

Another all time classic, with Marc Almond providing his unique style of voice to it. Still a floor filler to this day.

5.: Don't You Want Me - Human League

Phil Oakley and the girls were arguably Sheffield’s biggest export of the 1980’s. This song has managed to be presented to a more recent audience with the recent motor vehicle commercial.

6.: Rio - Duran Duran

I particularly enjoyed this at the time it was released but I guess that was more to do with the scantily clad females in the video rather than Simon Le Bon’s dulcet tones !!. Fairly typical eighties pop stuff.

7.: Take On Me - A-Ha

Norway’s answer to Take That and Bros, when I was growing up all the girls used to fancy Morten. This was A-Ha’s debut single and was a huge hit.

8.: Good Heart - Sharkey, Feargal

The former lead singer of The Undertones showed that there was a more mellow side to his voice than originally thought. A monster smash, although he never quite enjoyed the same level of success subsequently.

9.: Annie I'm Not Your Daddy - Kid Creole & The Coconuts

This was quite an apt choice of song given Kid Creoles penchant for being particularly friendly with the ladies, not least one of his ‘Coconuts’. A happy cheery song which put a smile on many a face.

10.: Down Under - Men At Work

These burst onto the scene with this number, and burst off it again just as quickly. This is quite a difficult song to describe as it doesn’t really fit with any specific genre, and certainly wasn’t in keeping with the remainder of the 1980’s. Suffice to say it was a bunch of Aussie’s warbling, similar to Mental as Anything from the Crocodile Dundee films.

11.: Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Would Frankie ever have made it if it wasn't for the BBC banning the record from the airwaves, and banning them from Top of the Pops, given the risque lyrics, and homesexual sex undertones. Who knows. This is however still a classic which rekindles memories of the sixth form disco for me. One of many classic tracks from the Welcome to the Pleasuredome album.

12.: Kiss Me - Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy

One hit wonder, this was very catchy and should really have been the catalyst for a successful solo career. For whatever reason, this never happened.

13.: Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

Following the success of Do You Really Want To Hurt Me was always going to be difficult but somehow Culture Club managed to pull it off with this rendition which managed to dominate the music charts in the summer of 1984. I didn’t really like this tune at first but once it got adopted as a terrace song down at Maine Road during our successful 1984/85 promotion campaign it went up in my estimation !!

14.: Maneater - Hall & Oates

I'm not the duos biggest fan, but this fits in quite nicely with the other songs on the album. Definitely listenable to if not very often.

15.: Money's Too Tight (To Mention) - Simply Red

One of the biggest selling bands of not just the 1980’s but also the 1990’s as well, Mick Hucknalls wonderfully soulful voice was the catalyst for their success. An absolutely brilliant track.

16.: Gold - Spandau Ballet

The BBC usually hang their hat on this track whenever the Olympics or Commonwealths come round given its obvious connection so I’m sure that if you have a sporting affinity you will have heard it many times before. . Not their greatest offering but fairly routine pop music which was in keeping with the period.

17.: Too Shy – Kajagoogoo

Kajagoogoo are remembered as much for Limahl’s haircut as they are for their music, although this is probably a little unfair as they could play some decent pop music as evidenced by this single in particular. One of those tunes you just can’t help singing along to.

18.: Red Red Wine - UB40

Although UB40 had been around for years they had only enjoyed relative mainstream success until this huge hit was released. This typified their depressing style of beat and lyrics, but somehow seemed to capture the depressing mood sweeping the nation not long after Maggie T had come to power.

19.: It Ain't What You Do It's The Way That You Do It - Fun Boy Three & Bananarama

This effort was a bit of a strange offering but in many ways helped to promote the virtues of both groups and both went on to enjoy further success. Surprisingly, it was Bananarama who had more success and were the original pioneers of girl power. This was quite a fun bouncy number, which was very successful.

20.: Prince Charming - Adam & The Ants

One of the main reasons why men started wearing make up, sales of tippex and white emulsion went through the roof overnight as impressionable teenagers attempted to copy their idol Adam Ant. One of their better tracks alongside Stand and Deliver.

21.: Dance Away - Roxy Music

One of Bryan Ferry's better numbers, only surpassed in my opinion by Jealous Guy, his tribute to John Lennon. Bryan had his own unique type of voice, which had quite a pop / synthesiser feel to it.

Titles on disc 2

1.: Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley

The Warringtom warbler was one of the first squeaky clean artists to role off the Stock, Aitken and Waterman conveyor belt, later to be followed by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. Fairly typical cheesy 80’s pop.

2.: I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue

Who would have thought that the sweet innocent Kylie who achieved her fame through Aussie soap Neighbours would go on to be the International Superstar that she has become. It is quite interesting watching the way Kylie has changed her musical style over the years from this bit of Cheesy Pop.

3.: Little Respect – Erasure

One of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke's later offerings which moved more towards a pop feel from their previously synthesiser dominated renditions. Not a bad effort but not particularly great either.

4.: Flashdance (What A Feeling) - Irene Cara

The theme from the film of the same name. Helped make legwarmers fashionable, not that that was a good thing.

5.: Self Control - Laura Branigan

The follow up to Gloria which didn’t quite achieve the same level of success as its very similar predecessor. Fairly typical 80’s pop track.

6.: I Can Make You Feel Good – Shalamar

This represented a slight move away from the disco sound which had dominated the late 1970’s. Nonetheless, a feel good quasi disco sound which is guranteed to fill the dancefloor.

7.: Easy Lover - Phil Collins & Philip Bailey

This unlikely corroboration had a massive UK smash with this ditty. Once again, fairly typical of its generation, although completely different from anything Phil Collins had done before either as a member of Genesis or as a solo artist.

8.: We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart

Fairly typical eighties pop tune which achieved great success, albeit he never had another hit afterwards. Very strange lyrics which was in keeping with this huge musical decade.

9.: Hey You The Rock Steady Crew - Rock Steady Crew

By far The Rock Steady Crews biggest hit, they took a lead from Living in a Box by singing about themselves. This effort signified their peak in the charts.

10.: Mickey - Toni Basil

I never really got the grasp of this first time round, and when it was covered a few years back it merely confirmed my initial suspicions. Promoted as a cheerleader type song, but sadly it never got me cheering.

11.: 9 To 5 - Sheena Easton

The theme from the TV programme of the same name helped Sheena to conquer the US market. Strangely enough her dulcet Glaswegian tones helped her make more of a success in the States than in the UK. She followed this up with Modern Girl which followed a similar trait of Glaswegian pop.

12.: YMCA - Village People

Get them arms going everybody. If I have to describe this one you need to get out more !!

13.: Tarzan Boy – Baltimora

Baltimore, AKA Timmy Mallett, was first introduced to the UK audience via Saturday morning TV, and this period was synonymous for the many spoof records out there including Mr Blobby and The Tweets in particular. Whilst this wasn’t as bad as those two tracks, the monotonous wailing at the start doesn’t put it far behind.

14.: Kids In America - Kim Wilde

Without a doubt this was Kim’s finest release, and one of my favourite tracks on the album. Very electro rock and catapulted Kim to worldwide fame.

15.: We Close Our Eyes - Go West

Pete Cox had been somewhat forgotten about until he appeared on one of the many reality TV shows not so long ago, and this was by far his groups biggest hit. Once again, fairly typical 80’s electro poppy type stuff.

16.: Riddle - Nik Kershaw

They say good things come in small packages, but in this case I have my doubts. The tiny man of pop has created a riddle in my mind as to how could so many people have bought this dross to turn it into such a big hit.

17.: Showing Out - Mel & Kim

Extremely similar to their other big hit, Respectable. Enough said.

18.: Living In A Box - Living In A Box

This was somewhat novel as it isn’t very often that a group sings about themselves !!. The forerunner to Room in your heart, this was another monster hit..

19.: You Sexy Thing - Hot Chocolate

Typical Hot Chocolate Number, which is one of the main songs from The Full Monty film. Decent enough.

20.: Solid - Ashford & Simpson

Vomit inducing ballad from these two heavyweights. As you have probably gathered, not one of my favourite tracks.

21.: Body Talk – Imagination

A disco type number which never really did it for me. If disco is your thing then maybe it’s for you, but otherwise steer clear.

Titles on disc 3
1.: Best - Tina Turner

A wonderful Turner anthem, which signalled many a furtle on the dance floor towards the end of the night. Undoubtedly Turners biggest hit of the decade.

2.: Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle

Undoubtedly Belinda’s biggest hit following her split from the Go-Go’s. I wasn’t a big Belinda Carlisle fan but this wasn’t a bad tune. Fairly typical of the eighties, with its upbeat poppy type style.

3.: Denis – Blondie

America’s biggest female artist of the time, this song had more of a punk feel to it than her band’s other numbers. Certainly something different to break up this album.

4.: Teenage Kicks – Undertones

Ireland’s biggest band of the time fronted by Feargal Sharkey. A classic track, which if you’ve never heard before where have you been all these years.

5.: Sword Of A Thousand Men - Tenpole Tudor

Another classic, and unbelieveably, another one hit wonder.

6.: My Sharona – Knack

Another punk classic ……. M m m m my sharona – it’s as well you can’t hear me belting that one out, my singing’s terrible !!

7.: China Girl - David Bowie

Another Bowie classic, and yet another Bowie reinvention of himself. Wonderful stuff.

8.: Si Si Je Suis Un Rock Star - Bill Wyman

I’m sure you’ve all heard this song, but probably not this version by the ex Stones member. Unfortunately, he doesn’t do it must justice.

9.: Tom Hark – Piranhas

Football supporters will probably recognise this tune more than most (‘coz after the match you’re gonna die !!). Susprisingly, the Piranha’s never had another hit after this one.

10.: Geno - Dexys Midnight Runners

Geno was Dexys Midnight Runners debut single when Kevin Rowlands knew how to dress properly !! If you think Come On Eileen is Dexy’s at their best you obviously haven’t listened to this one.

11.: Don't Go – Yazoo

The original electro pop masters, and undoubtedly the best. Yazoo were Alison Moyet on vocals and Vice Clarke on the synthesiser who later found success with Andy Bell in Erasure. A wonderful electro pop classic.

12.: Together In Electric Dreams - Oakey, Philip & Giorgio Moroder

This corroboration between the lead singer of The Human League and Giorgio Moroder was a huge European hit, which once again was very much in keeping with the electro, pop, new romantic feel of the time.

13.: Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds

Undoubtedly the most successful hit for Jim Kerr and the boys, along with Alive and Kicking. Jim is probably as famous for his unsuccessful marriage to Patsy Kensit as he is for the offerings his band provided.

14.: Power Of Love - Huey Lewis & The News

One of three songs sharing the same title all released during the same period in the 1980’s although all were completely different. Personally, I thought this was the worst of the three different versions, which is going some to be worse than Jennifer Rush.

15.: Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves

Before enjoying Eurovision success, if there is such a thing, with Love Shine a Light, Katrina enjoyed mainstream success most notably with this pop ditty. It was good at the time but has undoubtedly aged in the ensuing period (both the track and the artist). It’s hard to be too critical of it but conversely it isn’t one to go overboard on either.

16.: Rebel Yell - Billy Idol

Despite Billy enjoying reasonably limited success in the British market this is his third offering on this album, although to be fair that is probably the full extent of his musical success. Pretty decent track if punk floats your boat

17.: Here I Go Again – Whitesnake

Yet another group who re-invented themselves to coincide with the change in musical tastes. Whitesnake were and still are one of the original heavy rockers, and they lost a lot of their heavy head banging side with this track. All in all a pretty decent track.

18.: Kayleigh – Marillion

Marillion, led by Derek Dick who wisely changed his name to Fish, were traditional rockers but this rendition was anything but rock with quite a poppy feel to this huge single. Very much a break from their norm.

19.: China In Your Hand - T'Pau

This was T’Pau’s debut single and headed straight to the top of the charts. Carol Decker’s vocals are unmistakeable.

20.: Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meat Loaf

Undoubtedly, in my opinion Meat Loaf’s greatest song. By far the best track on the album, which has a bit of everything. The song is essentially three records in one with the initail making out, the girl sleeping on a major decision and then the boy praying for the end of time when he doesn't hear the answer he wants. The way they are linked together is amazing. Once again, another classic Air Guitar Track.

So there you have it, sixty two tracks from a wonderful era. Thank you for reading. 

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