The Pitchfork 500 Ch2 1980-1982
The Pitchfork 500 is Pitchfork Media’s chosen list of the best, most influential songs from 1977 to 2006. The Pitchfork 500 isn’t a numerical list but it covers different eras and chooses songs that suit that time period.
Previously: Chapter 1 1976-1979
Once the 80’s hit, instead of punk, we got post punk and slowly a transition into new wave and instead of the of the 70s disco we were given dance. Compared to the 70s, I know much more about the 80s.
One of the most influential (perhaps – sadly, not to downplay MJ but the artists themselves that are so-called inspired by him) to modern pop music rests on the shoulders of Michael Jackson. He’s known more in the tabloids now but he lit the world on fire. It goes without saying that MJ was great and he was in a era where he was ultimately innovative, could sing his lungs off and had the dance moves to boot. Billie Jean stands as my favorite Michael Jackson track.
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
New Order was going through a transition from the suicide of Ian Curtis and to be honest I was a New Order fan before finding out about Joy Division and the transition. When reading about, I never made the connection because in my opinion New Order and Joy Division sound so different. New Order become national superstars with hits like Bizarre Love Triangle but that was later in the 80s. I actually don’t know many songs on the Movement album but Pitchfork’s choice of Movement is a solid as you can get. Since New Order is reissuing 5 of their albums, there’s a contest to win a signed Peter Hook bass.
Temptation by New Order
Making two different appearances in this era is Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. I’ll be honest I know nothing about Grandmaster Flash other then he is of course of a legendary producer who has been sampled frequently on rap records. A particular favorite of mine is The Message which appaears on Ice Cube’s Check Yo Self.
The Message by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
Punk rock was still alive and well but it definitely past its glory days but the punk rock influences were still present and we got derivatives. Granted I know very little about these two bands themselves both are memorable songs. The Dead Kennedys with hardcore punk (more so hardcore/noise rock but with a political message) and their song “Holiday in Cambodia” were one of the few that took notice to the Khmer Rouge’s acts during the time period. Coming from a Cambodian background… I don’t really need to express my feelings on the matter. I know the Violent Femmes for the track Blister In The Sun (it’s a popular one isn’t it?) and Gone Daddy Gone which Gnarls Barkley covered. Still they made great song great folk songs.
Holiday in Cambodia by The Dead Kennedys
Blister in The Sun by The Violent Femmes
There were a lot of great pop songs in this era. Softcell’s Tainted Love I’d include but a video suffices.
Other songs that I’ve had the experience of knowing beforehand: More Than This by Roxy Music (due to Division Day’s cover), Queen w/ David Bowie Under Pressure (their best times were sadly over). I was also tempted to put some ABBA (you know you secretly love them).
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