1986 was a transition year for me. Graduating high school, heading to college. This mix is a good blend of stuff I was really into in high school and then stuff I found in college.
20. The Teacher by Big Country
They came out with their 3rd album, The Seer, in 1986 and I loved it. Played it to death. I remember taking a family trip to St. Louis and I played this album the whole way there and back on my Walkman. The song, "The Seer," features Kate Bush and why I went out and bought my first ever Kate Bush record because of it.
19. Whistling in the Dark by Easterhouse
I would buy this album in 1987. It's a good album with a few really good songs, like this one.
18. Stripped by Depeche Mode
I would discover Depeche Mode in 1986. This album, Black Celebration, would play a big role for me a few years after this when I went back home to live for a semester.
17. Cannons by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Tinderbox is a five start record, and I think "Cannons" is the best song on the record. This is one of those albums though that is more about the whole than any one or two songs.
16. Kiss by Prince
A great video and a great song. I always liked this song but would fall completely for this album in 1989.
15. Myrrh by The Church
By far the best Church album I know of, Heyday, and my album of the year today from 1986. There isn't a bad moment on this album. I thank my freshman year roommate for introducing me to so much of this music.
14. Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel
Beautiful song, beautiful video that has aged incredibly well.
13. As You Will by The Church
Another great song off of a great album.
12. The Swing of Things by a-ha
In 1986 this was my album of the year. I remember driving down to see Heath play their way toward a state football title and listening to this album as I drove through the dark back roads of KY.
11. Live to Tell by Madonna
A great song from Madonna who was really at the top of her game around this time.
10. In a Lonely Place by The Smithereens
A friend would include this song on a mix tape for me in maybe 1990 or so and I was smitten. Love that fact that it's Suzanne Vega, she's incredible on this track.
9. Dear God by XTC
Graduating high school, heading off to college. Definitely a time in your life when you are questioning all that you've been taught if you grew up going to church. This song is about as good as you can imagine if you were wanting to write a song about that mental process.
8. Greeting to the New Brunette by Billy Bragg
This song is pretty much perfect. What else to say, nothing. I've said before I think Bragg is a special writer and this song is no different. There is something about the youthfulness of this song that when I listen to it now can really hit me in the gut.
7. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
Best song New Order made. It's a great song that feels just as fresh today as it did in 1986.
6. Scoundrel Days by a-ha
I think the reason this album is no longer for me what it was in 1986, is because it is such an emotional album. It's one of those albums I really connected with in 1986 in a very emotional way and it's hard to relate to that in the same way today. Still a great song off a great album.
5. Columbus by The Church
This album is probably the best driving album ever made, and this song really nails perfectly what they were doing on this album.
4. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths
Another great album from The Smiths, The Queen is Dead, but for me it hasn't aged in quite the same way. That being said I absolutely adore this song.
3. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
Ok so maybe a girl in college once put this song on a mix tape for me and that is why to this day it holds a special place in my heart. Truth is it is just a special song.
2. What About Love by Til Tuesday
I love everything about this song. It is perfect.
1. Cross My Heart by Everything But the Girl
Best lyricist of her generation and some of the best lyrics she ever wrote. No one writes about this character better than Tracey Thorn. The line about being "Wish me anywhere but home, drunk and on the end of your phone," was perfect in 1986 and perfect in 2024.
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