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Number One! I’ve always loved the sound of that.
It’s
such a catchy
term in our culture: the #1 movie or book, your best friend, your favorite restaurant
or store and of course, the ultimate, the #1 hit single! Ever since I can remember
I’ve been obsessed with music charts. On Sundays growing up in Joliet,
Illinois I would rush home after church to listen to Casey Kasem’s Top
40 on the radio, diligently writing down each hit in my composition notebook,
completely mesmerized
by the time we hit #1! There was also this awesome record store in town called
The Crow’s Nest that would have these free pink photocopied flyers of the
chart listings from the local radio station that I would collect obsessively.
I was hooked! So I thought I would share my obsession with the #1 hit singles
from my favorite decade, the 80’s, here with you at fredflare.com. Over
the next 11 weeks I’ll be reminiscing while presenting the best of the
best
of the decade of decadence. I’m sure you’ll see ones that you think
are missing – and it’s true, there are some great hits that will
be absent – but they just didn’t have the power needed to make it
all the way to #1. That’s what it takes to be a true chart topper! Enjoy!
XXOO Chris |
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1985
I’m so happy our journey has now arrived
at 1985 because it’s truly my favorite year ever! I know the Cold War was
in full swing but I had my driver’s license so I didn’t care! Freedom
at last! Well, sort of… Since my dad owned his own carnival, he petitioned
the state of Illinois to issue my license at 15 – a year ahead of schedule – because,
in his mind, our family’s livelihood depended on me being able to drive
as soon as possible. I was good, cheap labor! So, instead of having a great summer
at the beach like the rest of my friends, I had to drive my dad’s Moonwalk
around to various summer carnivals, company picnics and church festivals. (By
the way, I’d have this job for the next eight years!) But my dad did give
me his ’79 red Chevy pick-up truck that I named Cherry. That kinda made
up for all the lost teen time. But ’85 was awesome for other reasons besides
driving, like Madonna’s Virgin
Tour. I went with my cousin Jennifer Spears when we were in Orlando during Spring
Break with our grandmas. Jennifer put eyeliner on me during the bus ride to the
stadium while we talked in British accents. We were so cool. Then there was The
Breakfast Club and my complete obsession with Molly Ringwald! And of course Whitney
showed up on the scene that year and was hotter to me than New Coke. But really
the best feeling for teenage me was that of driving down I-55, just me and Cherry,
escaping Joliet and my parents to head to my Shangri-la, my Big City, Chicago.
I have to give a big "Shout" out to my Chi-town! I was certainly "Crazy
For You" ‘cause you were pure "Heaven." Hey, "Don’t
You (Forget About Me)!" Please enjoy the best of 1985!
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the #1's
A View To A Kill – Duran Duran
Broken Wings – Mr. Mister
Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon
Careless Whisper – Wham!
Crazy For You – Madonna
Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
Every Time You Go Away – Paul Young
Everybody Wants To Rule The World – Tears For Fears
Everything She Wants – Wham!
Heaven – Bryan Adams
I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner
Kyrie – Mr. Mister
Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer
Money For Nothing – Dire Straits
Oh Sheila – Ready For The World
One More Night – Phil Collins
Part-Time Lover – Stevie Wonder
Sara – Starship
Saving All My Love For You – Whitney Houston
Say You, Say Me – Lionel Richie
Separate Lives – Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin
Shout – Tears For Fears
St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion) – John Parr
Sussudio – Phil Collins
Take On Me – A-Ha
That’s What Friends Are For – Doinne Warwick & Friends
The Power Of Love – Huey Lewis & The News
We Are The World – USA for Africa
We Built This City - Starship |
