The UK charts in the early eighties is remembered for New Wave, Two Tone, New Romantic, The tail end of Punk, ballads and the influence of Disco. Very much a mixed bag but a sub-genre existed that is overlooked and only fondly remembered by a few. Technology was vital to this form of pop as was an understanding of how to write perfect pop songs. Hard to define a cover all name, so let’s call it Synth-Pop and for three years (1980-1983) it produced records that featured new production techniques utilising the Jupiter-8, DX7 synthesisers, TR-808 drum machines and sequencers. and gave the British pop scene a point of difference with its melodic, layered and textured sound.
Band’s purpose built for it, older bands that were given a new lease of life by it, some bands given credibility and bands who went on to great success using it as a base before branching out.
Here’s a Top Ten
1. The Korgis-Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime: (1980)
2. New Muzik-A Map Of You: (1980)
3. The Buggles – I Love You (Miss Robot): (1980)
4. Dollar-Give Me Back My Heart: (1982)
5. The Human League- Don’t You Want Me: (1981)
6. Soft Cell-Say Hello, Wave Goodbye: (1981)
7. Bucks Fizz -My Camera Never Lies: (1982)
8. Eurythmics-Sweet Dreams are Made Of This: (1983)
9. Yazoo-Only You: (1982)
10. Depeche Mode-See You: (1982)
