(VANITY) TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS ('80S)

me | 2/1/15 | me

[the OlLine Rebel]

ROUND 2 of the greatest hits of the '80s begins!

Due date: Sunday, Feb 8 @6:00 pm (Eastern)

Had to cut short the Round 1, as the response wasn't enough. Will try weekly rounds from now on.

This Round takes the top 6 songs of each year of the '80s, and pairs them in brackets along with the best #7s as voted in Round 1.

[Squawk 8888]

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[kevkrom]

Wow... tough list, with a lot of good (and similar) songs paired up against each other. Big question is should I vote for the songs with the best “staying power” over time or for my personal favorites, and if latter, may favorites during the 80’s or as of now?

Though calls... I’ll have to mull this one over a bit.

[kevkrom]

Well, Rebel could have skipped the #7s altogether and just given byes to four of the #1s, but it was a good exercise to see who was interested in voting, I suppose.

[kevkrom]

6 1980 “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” Queen

3 1980 “Magic” Olivia Newton-John

2 1980 “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” Pink Floyd

2 1981 “Endless Love” Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

1 1981 “Bette Davis Eyes” Kim Carnes

3 1981 “Lady” Kenny Rogers

2 1982 “Eye of the Tiger” Survivor

7 1982 “Jack & Diane” John Cougar

3 1982 “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

6 1983 “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Bonnie Tyler

4 1983 “Down Under” Men at Work

1 1983 “Every Breath You Take” The Police

3 1983 “Flashdance... What a Feeling” Irene Cara

6 1984 “Jump” Van Halen

2 1984 “What’s Love Got to Do with It” Tina Turner

4 1984 “Footloose” Kenny Loggins

7 1985 “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears

4 1985 “I Want To Know What Love Is” Foreigner

5 1985 “I Feel For You” Chaka Khan

6 1985 “Out of Touch” Daryl Hall & John Oates

6 1986 “How Will I Know” Whitney Houston

4 1986 “On My Own” Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald

2 1986 “Say You, Say Me” Lionel Richie

7 1987 “Here I Go Again” Whitesnake

6 1988 “So Emotional” Whitney Houston

5 1987 “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” Starship

2 1987 “Alone” Heart

2 1988 “Need You Tonight” INXS

4 1988 “Never Gonna Give You Up” Rick Astley

1 1989 “Look Away” Chicago

3 1989 “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” Poison

5 1989 “Miss You Much” Janet Jackson

[Joe Brower]

What?!? No Echo and the Bunnymen?!? $;-)

[P.O.E.]

Doc at the Radar Station.

[a fool in paradise]

2 1980 “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” Pink Floyd
5 1980 “Do That to Me One More Time” Captain & Tennille

This is odd, Toni Tennille is practically competing against herself here. She is a singer on The Wall.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Okay, here we go! Just like real tournaments where sometimes you have to choose between two favorites and others where you have to root for pestilence. :)

My votes:
6 1980 “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” Queen
4 1980 “Rock with You” Michael Jackson
2 1980 “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” Pink Floyd
2 1981 “Endless Love” Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
6 1981 “Celebration” Kool & the Gang
4 1981 “(Just Like) Starting Over” John Lennon
2 1982 “Eye of the Tiger” Survivor
1 1982 “Physical” Olivia Newton-John
5 1982 “Centerfold” The J. Geils Band
2 1983 “Billie Jean” Michael Jackson
4 1982 “Ebony and Ivory” Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
7 1983 “Maneater” Daryl Hall & John Oates
3 1983 “Flashdance... What a Feeling” Irene Cara
6 1984 “Jump” Van Halen
5 1984 “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” Phil Collins
4 1984 “Footloose” Kenny Loggins
7 1985 “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears
4 1985 “I Want To Know What Love Is” Foreigner
5 1985 “I Feel For You” Chaka Khan
6 1985 “Out of Touch” Daryl Hall & John Oates
6 1986 “How Will I Know” Whitney Houston
4 1986 “On My Own” Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
2 1986 “Say You, Say Me” Lionel Richie
1 1987 “Walk Like An Egyptian” The Bangles
6 1988 “So Emotional” Whitney Houston
3 1987 “Shake You Down” Gregory Abbott
5 1987 “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” Starship
6 1987 “C’est La Vie” Robbie Nevil
2 1988 “Need You Tonight” INXS
4 1988 “Never Gonna Give You Up” Rick Astley
1 1989 “Look Away” Chicago
3 1989 “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” Poison
5 1989 “Miss You Much” Janet Jackson

[the OlLine Rebel]

I guess, but does that give 64 songs when the brackets begin? How does one choose which 4 get byes? This is 10 years, not a nice 8 or 4. When I started the contest, I thought of other ways to do it (I’d been thinking for months, but didn’t get better ones until then!), but it was too late.

Maybe the next contest. Maybe the ‘70s, or the alternate ‘80s (best #1 hits), or some other. (BTW, I LOVE music from all eras, really, so I would love to go down the decades; just starting with “my era”.)

Oh I’m rambling....

[the OlLine Rebel]

Doesn’t matter; all depends on the chart position.

Even worse was almost Paula Abdul, with 2 songs in the top 10. If she had managed both 3 and 4, she would most definitely have been against herself.

[Personal Responsibility]

Call me
Magic
Another Brick in the Wall
Jesse’s Girl
Bette Davis Eyes
Lady
Eye of the Tiger
Jack & Diane
Centerfold
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Down Under
Every Breath You Take
Beat It
Jump
Against All Odds
Footloose
Everybody Wants to Rule The World
I Want To Know What Love Is
I Feel For You
Like a Virgin
How Will I Know
On My Own
Broken Wings
Here I Go Again
Faith
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
Alone
Sweet Child O’ Mine
Got My Mind Set On You
Cold Hearted
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
My Perogative

[So Cal Rocket]

6 1980 “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” Queen

4 1980 “Rock with You” Michael Jackson

2 1980 “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” Pink Floyd

5 1981 “Jessie’s Girl” Rick Springfield

6 1981 “Celebration” Kool & the Gang

3 1981 “Lady” Kenny Rogers

2 1982 “Eye of the Tiger” Survivor

7 1982 “Jack & Diane” John Cougar

3 1982 “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

2 1983 “Billie Jean” Michael Jackson

4 1983 “Down Under” Men at Work

1 1983 “Every Breath You Take” The Police

5 1983 “Beat It” Michael Jackson

6 1984 “Jump” Van Halen

2 1984 “What’s Love Got to Do with It” Tina Turner

4 1984 “Footloose” Kenny Loggins

7 1985 “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears

4 1985 “I Want To Know What Love Is” Foreigner

3 1985 “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” Wham!

2 1985 “Like a Virgin” Madonna

6 1986 “How Will I Know” Whitney Houston

4 1986 “On My Own” Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald

2 1986 “Say You, Say Me” Lionel Richie

7 1987 “Here I Go Again” Whitesnake

1 1988 “Faith” George Michael

5 1987 “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” Starship

2 1987 “Alone” Heart

5 1988 “Sweet Child o’ Mine” Guns N’ Roses

3 1988 “Got My Mind Set on You” George Harrison

1 1989 “Look Away” Chicago

3 1989 “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” Poison

5 1989 “Miss You Much” Janet Jackson

[RansomOttawa]

Bold indicates my pick.

1 1980 “Call Me” Blondie
6 1980 “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” Queen

3 1980 “Magic” Olivia Newton-John
4 1980 “Rock with You” Michael Jackson

2 1980 “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” Pink Floyd
5 1980 “Do That to Me One More Time” Captain & Tennille

2 1981 “Endless Love” Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
5 1981 “Jessie’s Girl” Rick Springfield

1 1981 “Bette Davis Eyes” Kim Carnes
6 1981 “Celebration” Kool & the Gang

3 1981 “Lady” Kenny Rogers
4 1981 “(Just Like) Starting Over” John Lennon

2 1982 “Eye of the Tiger” Survivor
6 1982 “Don’t You Want Me” The Human League

1 1982 “Physical” Olivia Newton-John
7 1982 “Jack & Diane” John Cougar

3 1982 “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
5 1982 “Centerfold” The J. Geils Band

2 1983 “Billie Jean” Michael Jackson
6 1983 “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Bonnie Tyler

4 1982 “Ebony and Ivory” Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
4 1983 “Down Under” Men at Work

1 1983 “Every Breath You Take” The Police
7 1983 “Maneater” Daryl Hall & John Oates

3 1983 “Flashdance... What a Feeling” Irene Cara
5 1983 “Beat It” Michael Jackson

1 1984 “When Doves Cry” Prince
6 1984 “Jump” Van Halen

2 1984 “What’s Love Got to Do with It” Tina Turner
5 1984 “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” Phil Collins

3 1984 “Say Say Say” Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
4 1984 “Footloose” Kenny Loggins

1 1985 “Careless Whisper” Wham!
7 1985 “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears

4 1985 “I Want To Know What Love Is” Foreigner
4 1987 “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” Whitney Houston

3 1985 “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” Wham!
5 1985 “I Feel For You” Chaka Khan

2 1985 “Like a Virgin” Madonna
6 1985 “Out of Touch” Daryl Hall & John Oates

1 1986 “That’s What Friends are For” Dionne and Friends
6 1986 “How Will I Know” Whitney Houston

3 1986 “I Miss You” Klymaxx
4 1986 “On My Own” Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald

2 1986 “Say You, Say Me” Lionel Richie
5 1986 “Broken Wings” Mr. Mister

1 1987 “Walk Like An Egyptian” The Bangles
7 1987 “Here I Go Again” Whitesnake

1 1988 “Faith” George Michael
6 1988 “So Emotional” Whitney Houston

3 1987 “Shake You Down” Gregory Abbott
5 1987 “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” Starship

2 1987 “Alone” Heart
6 1987 “C’est La Vie” Robbie Nevil

2 1988 “Need You Tonight” INXS
5 1988 “Sweet Child o’ Mine” Guns N’ Roses

3 1988 “Got My Mind Set on You” George Harrison
4 1988 “Never Gonna Give You Up” Rick Astley

1 1989 “Look Away” Chicago
6 1989 “Cold Hearted” Paula Abdul

3 1989 “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” Poison
4 1989 “Straight Up” Paula Abdul

2 1989 “My Prerogative” Bobby Brown
5 1989 “Miss You Much” Janet Jackson

[the OlLine Rebel]

Uh oh! Mistake:

3 1987 “Shake You Down” Gregory Abbott
5 1987 “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” Starship

Which is it? This is the pair, not 2 different votes! ;-D

[bagadonutz]

Wow - talk about holding your nose at the polls!
Here are my votes - I couldn’t even vote for some of the matchups.

1 1980 “Call Me” Blondie
4 1980 “Rock with You” Michael Jackson
2 1980 “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” Pink Floyd
1 1981 “Bette Davis Eyes” Kim Carnes
7 1982 “Jack & Diane” John Cougar
4 1983 “Down Under” Men at Work
1 1983 “Every Breath You Take” The Police
1 1984 “When Doves Cry” Prince
2 1984 “What’s Love Got to Do with It” Tina Turner
4 1984 “Footloose” Kenny Loggins
7 1985 “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears
5 1985 “I Feel For You” Chaka Khan
7 1987 “Here I Go Again” Whitesnake
5 1988 “Sweet Child o’ Mine” Guns N’ Roses

There was a lot of great music in the 80’s - unfortunately top 40 radio killed rock and roll in the 80’s by overplaying a lot of bad music.

[Colonel_Flagg]

I knew something wasnt right when I counted!

Abbott, please :)

[the OlLine Rebel]

You are now on the tournament ping, like it or not!

Thanks.

[To Hell With Poverty]

Lol, no kidding! Where are the Smiths songs, where’s the New Order? Hells bells, there is a whole world of music being neglected here, music that would burn that list to ashes. But, as far as “over the radar” goes it’s still a fun list. ;)

[the OlLine Rebel]

Here are my picks:

1 1980 “Call Me” Blondie
3 1980 “Magic” Olivia Newton-John
5 1980 “Do That to Me One More Time” Captain & Tennille (I like this, but I’m picking mainly because Wall starts to irritate me with the oh-so-English kids’ accents [edge-u-KY-shone] and the endless instrumental on the end.)
2 1981 “Endless Love” Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
6 1981 “Celebration” Kool & the Gang
3 1981 “Lady” Kenny Rogers
2 1982 “Eye of the Tiger” Survivor
7 1982 “Jack & Diane” John Cougar
3 1982 “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
6 1983 “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Bonnie Tyler
4 1983 “Down Under” Men at Work
1 1983 “Every Breath You Take” The Police
3 1983 “Flashdance... What a Feeling” Irene Cara
1 1984 “When Doves Cry” Prince (Cannot believe this is losing - I like Jump but it’s their lamest song I think.)
2 1984 “What’s Love Got to Do with It” Tina Turner
4 1984 “Footloose” Kenny Loggins
1 1985 “Careless Whisper” Wham!
4 1987 “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” Whitney Houston
3 1985 “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” Wham!
2 1985 “Like a Virgin” Madonna (Cannot believe this is losing this badly!)
6 1986 “How Will I Know” Whitney Houston
3 1986 “I Miss You” Klymaxx (Fantastic ballad! Can’t believe not 1 vote except me!)
2 1986 “Say You, Say Me” Lionel Richie
1 1987 “Walk Like An Egyptian” The Bangles (Again, cannot believe this *awesome* song is in such trouble!)
6 1988 “So Emotional” Whitney Houston
3 1987 “Shake You Down” Gregory Abbott
6 1987 “C’est La Vie” Robbie Nevil
2 1988 “Need You Tonight” INXS
4 1988 “Never Gonna Give You Up” Rick Astley
1 1989 “Look Away” Chicago
4 1989 “Straight Up” Paula Abdul
5 1989 “Miss You Much” Janet Jackson

I cannot believe I did not pick one MJ song. Just the way the cookie crumbles, with the match-ups. I was thinking of picking Beat It but decided I love Flashdance too much.

Many, many difficult choices. Only a few were really easy.

Still time until Sunday, Feb 7 @ 6:00pm Eastern to vote!

[Vaquero]

Looked at the posted lists. 1 or two good songs for the decade at best. I repeat, mid 60s to late 70s was the best time for music. The late 30’s through the mid 60’s the second. Nothing much since 80 or 81.