Category 1980s

“Going Down to Liverpool” (The Bangles/Katrina and the Waves)

Going Down to Liverpool, the Bangles

This week’s final city-themed song of the day is “Going Down to Liverpool.” The song was initially released by Katrina and the Waves (you know them from their huge hit, “Walking on Sunshine“) but made a bigger splash when covered by the Bangles. “Going Down to Liverpool” was written by Kimberley Rew of Katrina and the Waves. It first appeared…

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“We Built This City” (Starship)

We Built This City, Starship

Today’s classic song of the day is one of the 1980’s most popular and most despised tracks. We’re talking about “We Built This City” by Starship. Released in August of 1985, the song topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 and hit the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Paraguay, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and West…

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“Allentown” (Billy Joel)

The Nylon Curtain, Billy Joel

Today’s classic song of the day is “Allentown” by Billy Joel. The track was included on his 1982 album, The Nylon Curtain, and released as a single in November of that year. The single went to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on the Cash Box Top 100. “Allentown,” written by Mr. Joel, is about how the real…

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“Love at the Five and Dime” (Nanci Griffith/Kathy Mattea)

Last of the True Believers, Nanci Griffith

Today’s classic song of the day is “Love at the Five and Dime,” written and originally performed by songstress Nanci Griffith but made a bona fide hit by Kathy Mattea. Ms. Mattea’s version was released as a single in April of 1986 and made it all the way to #3 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. As I’ve written before,…

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“It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” (The Royalettes/Deniece Williams/Laura Nyro and LaBelle)

It's Gonna Take a Miracle, the Royalettes

Today’s classic song of the day is “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle.” This song was a hit for the Royalettes in 1965 and Deniece Williams in 1982; it was also featured on Laura Nyro’s 1971 album of covers with Labelle, Gonna Take a Miracle. First things first. “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” was written by Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and…

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“Stand By Me” (Ben E. King)

Stand By Me, Ben E. King

Today’s classic song of the day is one of the very best songs of the 1960s (or any decade), “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King. Mr. King wrote it, with a little assist from legendary producers/songwriters Mike Leiber and Jerry Stoller, inspired by/based on the turn-of-the-previous-century gospel hymn of the same name by Charles Albert Tindley. It’s a song…

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