The Great Eighties countdown week 13

We have made it to the top 60 this week.  The obscure are thinning out, the bigger hits appearing, but you know me- surprises are still in store.

60- Twilight Zone, Golden Earring, #10, 1982.  Golden Earring only hit big here twice, but they were both "cool" songs- the ones everyone looked foreward to hearing.

59- Head Over Heels, Tears For Fears, #3, 1985.  Perhaps the best band of the era, with lyrics that cut to the heart of the matter.

58- Hurt So Bad, Linda Ronstadt, #8, 1980.  Danny Kortchmar's guitar solo raises the hair on the back of my neck.

57- Really Wanna Know You, Gary Wright, #16, 1981.  Almost liked this better than Dream Weaver.  Almost.

56- Midnight Rocks, Al Stewart, #24, 1980.  If American tastes were a bit more sophisticated, Al would be a hall of famer.

55- True, Spandau Ballet, #4 1983.  In that long ago time that I matched the top 4 song for song, this was #4. A song that grew on me.

54- Train In Vain, The Clash, #23, 1980.  Their first American hit, and a reminder to me of another fun trip to Snow Lake.

53- Here Comes My Girl, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, #59, 1980.  Once again, It played a lot before it was ever released.  Definately on my TP short list.

52- Back On The Chain Gang, The Pretenders, #5, 1982. Hard not to get involved in such an autobiographical song.

51- No Reply At All, Genesis, #29, 1981.  The first collaberation between the band and Earth Wind And Fire, with their horn section blowing and their arrainger arranging.

50- Tears Are Falling, Kiss, #20 Mainstream Rock, #51 pop, 1985.  The first Kiss song I really fell in love with.  Like Lays potato chips, never play it just once- or softly.

49- Congratulations, Travelling Wilburys, unreleased, 1988.  Beyond a doubt my favorite Dylan song of all time.

48- Gypsy, Fleetwood Mac, #12, #4 MSR, 1982. I think the best post-Rumours FM song.

47- Take On Me, A-ha, #1, 1985.  On the short list of best videos ever.

46- Ghost Riders (In The Sky), Outlaws, #31, 1980.  Love this song no matter who does it, but this is my best.

45- Learning To Fly, Pink Floyd, #70, #1 MSR, 1987.  Can't keep my eyes off the circling sky...

44- Gemini Dream, Moody Blues, #12, 1981.  It was a different sound in Moodys act II, but just as good.

43- Urgent, Foreigner, #4, #1 MSR, 1981.  After the Head Games lp was such a disappointment, it was good to hear the opening salvo from 4.

42- Lawyers In Love, Jackson Browne, #13, #4 MSR, 1983.  Gotta love the Del Shannon-esque chorus.  Eating from tv trays, tuned in to Happy Days...

41- All Out Of Love, Air, Supply, #2, 1980.  They only topped this one once.

Man, that was a good list!  Next time, the top 40 begins...