Best of 1983 Mix

 

1982 | 1984

By 1983 we are in full 1980's swing.  REM has their first album released, U2 is really hitting their stride, Madonna has arrived, bring on the 80's.  

20. Talk About the Passion by R.E.M.

     For me R.E.M. really explodes with their second album, but this is a great song.  

19. Pale Shelter by Tears for Fears

     I didn't discover this song until my college days.

18. Photography by Def Leppard

     Great song off of a good album.  They would explode with their next album, and I hated everything about that album.  

17. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2

     If someone have never heard of U2 and they wanted me to pick one song to represent them I would pick this song.  It's not my favorite, but I think it sums up U2.

16. Let's Go to Bed by The Cure

     Here we are moving into more pop territory with The Cure and it's a wonderful place to be.  

15. Age of Consent by New Order

     One of the most iconic opening bass lines in music.  

14. China Girl by David Bowie

     I always really liked this song and still do.  

13. One Day by The Church

     Was so into this song in 1986.  

12. Physical Attraction by Madonna

     As a huge Madonna fan I'm glad we are getting to her music, but I'm not sure I was that excited about it in 1983.  We'll have to chug along and see when we find that moment with her.  

11. Everyday I Write the Book by Elvis Costello & the Attractions

     This is the first Elvis Costello song I became aware of in 1987.  

10. Eyes Without a Face by Billy Idol

     I always have really liked this song.  

9. S.O.S. by ABC

     ABC in many ways was a one album hit wonder, but I really liked their second album and I thnk this album represents it very well.  

8. Wrapped Around Your Finger by The Police

     I'm not the biggest Police fan in the world, but I love the mood of this song so much.  Great video.  

7. Suddenly Last Summer by The Motels

     OK my Motels story from the last post, may actually be about this song.  Doesn't matter they were both great songs.  

6. New Year's Day by U2

     War is a great album and I have always loved this song.  Still sounds great.  

5. Promises, Promises by Naked Eyes

     Absolutely loved this song in 1983 and still find it to be a joy to listen to.  

4. Institutionalized by Suicidal Tendencies

     Repo Man would include this song in its soundtrack in 1984 and that is where I would get introduced to it.  Of all the punk stuff that came out during this early 80's time this is the song.

3. A New England by Billy Bragg

     It would be 1987 when I would discover Billy Bragg.  I loved this song from the first time I ever heard it.  Such a great song.  If a space alien came to me and wanted me to provide them a song that represents the mind of a man in his early 20's, I would give them this song.  

2. Gold by Spandau Ballet

     Easily my album of the year in 1983.  Still love this album but this song is what got me to buy it.  

1. Blister In the Sun by Violent Femmes

     Today I would say the best album of 1983 was Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes and it isn't even close.  One of these days I need to make an all-time album ranking.  This album would probably be in my top 10.