Acording to Song-database.com’s “Global Pop Rankings” system, here are the Top 20 artists for 1983. I’ve added each artists’s top songs in 1983 for reference.
1. Michael Jackson (6x Top 40 songs, all Top 10: Billie Jean / Beat It)
2. Lionel Ritchie (4x Top 40 songs, all Top 10: All Night Long)
3. Culture Club (4x Top 40 songs, all Top 10: Karma Chameleon)
4. Billy Joel (3x Top 40 songs, all Top 10: Tell Her About It)
5. Police (3x Top 40 songs, 2x Top 10: Every Breath You Take)
6. Hall & Oats (3x Top 40 songs, all Top 10: Say It Isn’t So) *aside - remember when rock vidoes had to have shots of people walking in beat to the music? Argh,.,
7. David Bowie (3x Top 40 songs, 2x Top 10: Let’s Dance)
8. Duran Duran (3x Top 40 songs, 2x Top 10: Rio)
9. Irenne Cara (3x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: Flashdance, What A Feeling)
10. Prince (3x Top 40 songs, 2x Top 10: 1999)
11. Men At Work (3x Top 40 songs, 2x Top 10: It’s A Mistake)
12. Journey (4x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: Separate Ways)
13. Styx (2x Top 40 songs, 2x Top 10: Mr. Roboto)
14. Eurythmics (2x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This)
15. Micheal Sembello (2x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: Maniac)
16. Fixx (3x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: One Thing Leads To Another)
17. Bonnie Tyler (1x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: It’s A Heartache)
18. Stevie Nicks (3x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: Stand Back)
19. Pat Benatar (3x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: Love Is A Battlefield)
20. Elton John (3x Top 40 songs, 1x Top 10: I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues)
Hmmmm… I actually know a lot of these songs, but not that many grace my iPod… Of the 21 sings noted, I have 8. And 2 of those are courtesy of “Greatest Hits” packages. In fact, my playlist of Top 40 songs from 1983 contains only 27 songs.
What does it mean? Well, one thing it means is that I wasn’t listening to much mainstream music in 1983. I was a year out of college (in May), with my first “real” job. Engaged (married in 9/1983). Living in Washington DC area. Listening mainly to “community radio” (WHFS) rather than Arena Rock and the rise of “personality radio”. Going to concerts from bands like R.E.M. (4 years before they would crack the Top 40), Elvis Costello, B-52’s (6 years before they first cracked the Top 40), The Jam, Joe Jackson…. I did also see Cyndie Lauper, but…. well, maybe it was an off-night for her.
Bottom line? I’m not real big on “popular” music from 1983. But that doesn't mean there's anything worng with you if you are....
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