A-HA Take on Me
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ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, A-ha’s synth-pop smash wasn’t the instant hit that many believe it to be.
It was originally called Lesson One, the song was originally conceived around 1981/82, when the members of Ah-a were in another band, called Bridges.
It was first released in 1984, but only sold 300 copies, and a remix didn’t help as it also failed to enter the charts, before the 1985 release, which is the one we all know.
The music video is as well-known as the song, and it features an rotoscope music, which required 3,000 hand-drawn frames, and evolved from an early demo of Lesson One. It took four months to complete. In 2020, it hit the Youtube 1 billion views mark.
It peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.
A-HA Take on Me
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, A-ha’s synth-pop smash wasn’t the instant hit that many believe it to be.
It was originally called Lesson One, the song was originally conceived around 1981/82, when the members of Ah-a were in another band, called Bridges.
It was first released in 1984, but only sold 300 copies, and a remix didn’t help as it also failed to enter the charts, before the 1985 release, which is the one we all know.
The music video is as well-known as the song, and it features an rotoscope music, which required 3,000 hand-drawn frames, and evolved from an early demo of Lesson One. It took four months to complete. In 2020, it hit the Youtube 1 billion views mark.
It peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, A-ha’s synth-pop smash wasn’t the instant hit that many believe it to be.
It was originally called Lesson One, the song was originally conceived around 1981/82, when the members of Ah-a were in another band, called Bridges.
It was first released in 1984, but only sold 300 copies, and a remix didn’t help as it also failed to enter the charts, before the 1985 release, which is the one we all know.
The music video is as well-known as the song, and it features an rotoscope music, which required 3,000 hand-drawn frames, and evolved from an early demo of Lesson One. It took four months to complete. In 2020, it hit the Youtube 1 billion views mark.
It peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.
EURYTHMICS Sweet Dreams (are made of this)
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1983, it nearly didn’t become the massive hit, as it was very close to being blocked by record executives who hated its lack of a traditional chorus.
It was recorded on cheap, second-hand equipment and a single microphone and a portable synthesizer.
Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart conceived their electronic change of direction during a not-so-wonderful hotel stay in Wagga Wagga, Australia, after their previous band had broken up.
It reached number 2 in the Uk singles chart.
EURYTHMICS Sweet Dreams (are made of this)
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1983, it nearly didn’t become the massive hit, as it was very close to being blocked by record executives who hated its lack of a traditional chorus.
It was recorded on cheap, second-hand equipment and a single microphone and a portable synthesizer.
Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart conceived their electronic change of direction during a not-so-wonderful hotel stay in Wagga Wagga, Australia, after their previous band had broken up.
It reached number 2 in the Uk singles chart.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1983, it nearly didn’t become the massive hit, as it was very close to being blocked by record executives who hated its lack of a traditional chorus.
It was recorded on cheap, second-hand equipment and a single microphone and a portable synthesizer.
Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart conceived their electronic change of direction during a not-so-wonderful hotel stay in Wagga Wagga, Australia, after their previous band had broken up.
It reached number 2 in the Uk singles chart.
MODERN TALKINGBrother Louis
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1986, Modern Talking’s Brother Louie was the lead single from their third album, Ready for Romance.
It made history as the duo’s fourth consecutive chart-topping single in Germany, reaching number one and dominating European airwaves. It managed number 4 in the UK.
The song was dedicated to their co-producer and close friend, Luis “Louie” Rodríguez
MODERN TALKINGBrother Louis
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1986, Modern Talking’s Brother Louie was the lead single from their third album, Ready for Romance.
It made history as the duo’s fourth consecutive chart-topping single in Germany, reaching number one and dominating European airwaves. It managed number 4 in the UK.
The song was dedicated to their co-producer and close friend, Luis “Louie” Rodríguez
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1986, Modern Talking’s Brother Louie was the lead single from their third album, Ready for Romance.
It made history as the duo’s fourth consecutive chart-topping single in Germany, reaching number one and dominating European airwaves. It managed number 4 in the UK.
The song was dedicated to their co-producer and close friend, Luis “Louie” Rodríguez
TEARS FOR FEARSEverybody Wants to Rule of the World
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XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears was a last-minute album addition written and recorded in just two weeks.
It became the band’s first number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and won Best British Single at the 1986 Brit Awards.
It was originally called Everybody Wants to Go to War, before the concept of the song was changed toward human control & power.
It reached number 2 in the Uk singles chart.
TEARS FOR FEARSEverybody Wants to Rule of the World
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears was a last-minute album addition written and recorded in just two weeks.
It became the band’s first number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and won Best British Single at the 1986 Brit Awards.
It was originally called Everybody Wants to Go to War, before the concept of the song was changed toward human control & power.
It reached number 2 in the Uk singles chart.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears was a last-minute album addition written and recorded in just two weeks.
It became the band’s first number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and won Best British Single at the 1986 Brit Awards.
It was originally called Everybody Wants to Go to War, before the concept of the song was changed toward human control & power.
It reached number 2 in the Uk singles chart.
MICHAEL SEMBELLOManiac (from Flashdance)
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Michael Sembello’s 1983 hit Maniac originally had dark, violent lyrics about a serial killer after he watched a horror film. It became a dance anthem for Flashdance only after a tape was accidentally sent to the film’s music supervisor, leading to a complete lyrical rewrite.
Phil Ramone loved the sound of the song, but knew a cat-killing serial killer song wouldn’t really fit a dance montage. He asked for a rewrite about a passionate dancer, and that’s how we have the version everybody knows.
It only reached number 43 in the UK chart.
MICHAEL SEMBELLOManiac (from Flashdance)
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Michael Sembello’s 1983 hit Maniac originally had dark, violent lyrics about a serial killer after he watched a horror film. It became a dance anthem for Flashdance only after a tape was accidentally sent to the film’s music supervisor, leading to a complete lyrical rewrite.
Phil Ramone loved the sound of the song, but knew a cat-killing serial killer song wouldn’t really fit a dance montage. He asked for a rewrite about a passionate dancer, and that’s how we have the version everybody knows.
It only reached number 43 in the UK chart.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Michael Sembello’s 1983 hit Maniac originally had dark, violent lyrics about a serial killer after he watched a horror film. It became a dance anthem for Flashdance only after a tape was accidentally sent to the film’s music supervisor, leading to a complete lyrical rewrite.
Phil Ramone loved the sound of the song, but knew a cat-killing serial killer song wouldn’t really fit a dance montage. He asked for a rewrite about a passionate dancer, and that’s how we have the version everybody knows.
It only reached number 43 in the UK chart.
BRONSKI BEATSmalltown Boy
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in May 1984, Smalltown Boy was the debut single by Bronski Beat.
Co-written by lead singer Jimmy Somerville, the track is semi-autobiographical, capturing the isolation, homophobia, and painful realities of growing up gay in 1980s Britain.
It only made it to number 3 in the UK charts, but was number 1 in both Belgium & The Netherlands.
BRONSKI BEATSmalltown Boy
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in May 1984, Smalltown Boy was the debut single by Bronski Beat.
Co-written by lead singer Jimmy Somerville, the track is semi-autobiographical, capturing the isolation, homophobia, and painful realities of growing up gay in 1980s Britain.
It only made it to number 3 in the UK charts, but was number 1 in both Belgium & The Netherlands.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in May 1984, Smalltown Boy was the debut single by Bronski Beat.
Co-written by lead singer Jimmy Somerville, the track is semi-autobiographical, capturing the isolation, homophobia, and painful realities of growing up gay in 1980s Britain.
It only made it to number 3 in the UK charts, but was number 1 in both Belgium & The Netherlands.
BALTIMORATarzan Boy
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XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in April 1985, Tarzan Boy by the Italian Baltimora, it became a massive global disco hit, although not so massive in the UK or US, only reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
While Northern Irish dancer Jimmy McShane was the charismatic, leopard-skin-wearing frontman in the music video, studio producer Maurizio Bassi is widely credited with actually recording the lead vocals.
BALTIMORATarzan Boy
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in April 1985, Tarzan Boy by the Italian Baltimora, it became a massive global disco hit, although not so massive in the UK or US, only reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
While Northern Irish dancer Jimmy McShane was the charismatic, leopard-skin-wearing frontman in the music video, studio producer Maurizio Bassi is widely credited with actually recording the lead vocals.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in April 1985, Tarzan Boy by the Italian Baltimora, it became a massive global disco hit, although not so massive in the UK or US, only reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
While Northern Irish dancer Jimmy McShane was the charismatic, leopard-skin-wearing frontman in the music video, studio producer Maurizio Bassi is widely credited with actually recording the lead vocals.
PET SHOP BOYSWest End Girls
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.
It was inspired by Grandmaster Flash’s The Message and T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land, this classic about class divides was originally recorded in 1984 with producer Bobby Orlando before being entirely re-recorded.
PET SHOP BOYSWest End Girls
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.
It was inspired by Grandmaster Flash’s The Message and T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land, this classic about class divides was originally recorded in 1984 with producer Bobby Orlando before being entirely re-recorded.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1985, West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.
It was inspired by Grandmaster Flash’s The Message and T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land, this classic about class divides was originally recorded in 1984 with producer Bobby Orlando before being entirely re-recorded.
QUEENRadio Ga Ga
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ARTIST
Song
Released in 1984, on the album The Works, Queen’s Radio Gaga was written by drummer Roger Taylor.
It peaked at number 2 on the UK chart, but has become one of their most iconic songs, featuring as a main part of Queen’s live shows throughout the 80s.
Lady Gaga took her name from this song.
QUEENRadio Ga Ga
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1984, on the album The Works, Queen’s Radio Gaga was written by drummer Roger Taylor.
It peaked at number 2 on the UK chart, but has become one of their most iconic songs, featuring as a main part of Queen’s live shows throughout the 80s.
Lady Gaga took her name from this song.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1984, on the album The Works, Queen’s Radio Gaga was written by drummer Roger Taylor.
It peaked at number 2 on the UK chart, but has become one of their most iconic songs, featuring as a main part of Queen’s live shows throughout the 80s.
Lady Gaga took her name from this song.
DEAD OR ALIVEYou Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
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ARTIST
Song
Released in 1984, Dead or Alive’s, You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), took 17 weeks to reach number 1 on the UK charts, becoming the first number 1 for Stock Aitken Waterman.
The song charted again in 2006 following Pete Burns’ appearance on Celebrity Big Brother and then again after appearing in Stranger Things.
DEAD OR ALIVEYou Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1984, Dead or Alive’s, You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), took 17 weeks to reach number 1 on the UK charts, becoming the first number 1 for Stock Aitken Waterman.
The song charted again in 2006 following Pete Burns’ appearance on Celebrity Big Brother and then again after appearing in Stranger Things.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in 1984, Dead or Alive’s, You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), took 17 weeks to reach number 1 on the UK charts, becoming the first number 1 for Stock Aitken Waterman.
The song charted again in 2006 following Pete Burns’ appearance on Celebrity Big Brother and then again after appearing in Stranger Things.
THE HUMAN LEAGUEDon’t You Want Me
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released 1981, The Human League track Don’t You Want Me became a massive hit.
Lead singer, Phil Oakey, initially hated the song and thought it was the weakest filler track on the album, Dare, but record executives forced them to release it as a single.
It was the best-selling single in the UK in 1981.
THE HUMAN LEAGUEDon’t You Want Me
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released 1981, The Human League track Don’t You Want Me became a massive hit.
Lead singer, Phil Oakey, initially hated the song and thought it was the weakest filler track on the album, Dare, but record executives forced them to release it as a single.
It was the best-selling single in the UK in 1981.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released 1981, The Human League track Don’t You Want Me became a massive hit.
Lead singer, Phil Oakey, initially hated the song and thought it was the weakest filler track on the album, Dare, but record executives forced them to release it as a single.
It was the best-selling single in the UK in 1981.
ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK Enola Gay
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in September 1980, Enola Gay by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is an anti-war track about the B-29 bomber that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
The song has no traditional sung chorus, instead relying on a famous synthesized melody.
Although only reaching number 8 in the UK singles chart, it has sold over five million copies worldwide.
ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK Enola Gay
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in September 1980, Enola Gay by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is an anti-war track about the B-29 bomber that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
The song has no traditional sung chorus, instead relying on a famous synthesized melody.
Although only reaching number 8 in the UK singles chart, it has sold over five million copies worldwide.
SWEEPER
XXXX
ARTIST
Song
Released in September 1980, Enola Gay by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is an anti-war track about the B-29 bomber that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
The song has no traditional sung chorus, instead relying on a famous synthesized melody.
Although only reaching number 8 in the UK singles chart, it has sold over five million copies worldwide.