Great soul radio:
Top 10 Blue Eyed Soul Jams of the 80's
By Stormy Rockwell
Foreword by Shawn Adonis
Nov 21 2021
Without doubt, the 80's defined the sound of classic R&B; to which we continue to pump from our favorite old school radio station, and internet websites to this day. This was a time when disco was all but faded out, and rock and roll was finding some soul. Hence, Blue Eyed Soul was born!
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Stormy Rockwell gives you his Top 10 Blue Eyed Soul Jams of the 80's. Take it away Stormy:
1
CARELESS WHISPER - WHAM
The 1984 single from Wham's Make it big album was a huge commercial success. Hitting #1 in over 25 countries & selling over 6 million copies worldwide. This track is easily recognizable by it's prominent saxophone riff along with George Michael's silky vocals . A Definite must have for all 80's slow jam lovers
2
I CAN'T GO FOR THAT (NO CAN DO) - HALL & OATES
This 1981 track was the second single from Hall & Oates tenth studio album Private Eyes . The song held the top spot of Billboard's Hot 100 for a 10 week run as well as reaching the #1 spot on the US R&B charts, a rare feat for a white act. The common belief has always been that this song is referring to the ups & downs of a romantic relationship . When it actuality the title of the song is talking about the music industry. The song went on to become one of the Philadelphia duo's most recognizable hits.
3
HOLDING BACK THE YEARS - SIMPLY RED
This 1985 cut comes from the group's debut album Picture Book .The track was nominated for a Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group & it's smooth jazz beat & soulful vocals made it a staple on R&B stations as well . The frontman of the group Mick Hucknall wrote the song when he was only 17 .He characterised it as a song "about that moment where you know you have to leave home and make your mark, but the outside world is scary. So you’re holding back the years . Definitely one of the more memorable songs from the decade of the 80's.
4
LET'S DANCE - DAVID BOWIE
"Let's Dance" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, released as the title track of his 1983 album Let's Dance. Written by Bowie and produced by Nile Rodgers of the band Chic, it was released as the lead single from the album in March 1983 and went on to become one of his biggest-selling tracks. It was recorded in late 1982 at the Power Station in Manhattan. The end of the song features a guitar solo by then-rising blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. The single topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Bowie's first (and only) single to top the charts in both the US and the UK & Also was played in the 2001 movie Zoolander.
5
I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU - DAN HARTMAN
The song first appeared on the soundtrack for the 80's cult classic Streets of Fire , where it was performed by the fictional group The Sorels who was played by Stoney Jackson (lead singer), Grand L. Bush, Mykelti Williamson and Robert Townsend (the latter three portraying backing singers). It was written by Dan Hartman & Co-produced by Hartman & super producer Jimmy Iovine. It was initially written for Daryl Hall & John Oates who declined the track & spurring Hartman to record it himself . Going on to become an instant Blue Eyed Soul classic.
6
EVERYTHING SHE WANTS - WHAM
The second track to make the list by British pop duo Wham, originally released as a single in 1984 on Epic Records on a double A-side with "Last Christmas". It was written and produced by George Michael, one half of the duo, becoming their third consecutive million-selling number-one hit in the United States. It also reached #12 on the US R&B charts & was played in heavy rotation in both pop & R&B stations across the country. Definitely a very danceable groove still to this day.
7
TIME (CLOCK OF THE HEART) - CULTURE CLUB
A song by the British new wave band Culture Club, released as a stand-alone single in most of the world and as the second single from their debut album Kissing to Be Clever in the United States. Peaking at #2 on the US charts It has become one of the group's bigger hits & even though it's probably not the song that they are most known for . It's no doubt their most soulful track ever.
8
I KEEP FORGETTING - MICHAEL MCDONALD
From Michael McDonald's first solo album away from The Doobie Brothers. Released as a single, it peaked at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles charts, #7 R&B and #8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Greg Phillinganes, Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro of the band Toto played the clavinet, guitar and drums respectively. Noted bassist Louis Johnson from The Brothers Johnson laid down the song's pronounced bassline. Famously sampled by Warren G on his hit 1994 single "Regulate", featuring Nate Dogg. Over the years it has become one of the bigger pop to R&B crossovers of all time & still gets played on R&B & Soul stations to this day.
9
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU - LEVEL 42
This 1985 single became the group's biggest hit ever reaching #7 on the charts & becoming a must play for every 80's radio show & 80's party since it's release. Written by the lead singer of the group Mark King about the changing dynamics of a longtime romantic relationship. Its deep well thought out lyrics are placed over a jazz funk styled beat to create a classic blue eyed soul jam & on a side note, one of my personal favorite songs ever.
10
ONE MORE NIGHT - PHIL COLLINS
The first single from Phil Collins third studio album 1984's No Jacket Required. It became his second number one song after Against all odds . Critics originally disliked the song ,but later praised it, saying that Collins soulful but polite vocal style beautifully captured the pain of going through one more night without her. It was played on pop stations around the world as well as becoming a staple of the R&B stations Quiet Storms. One more night will definitely take you back to your first heartbreak with it's heartfelt lyrics & smoothed out vibe. Guaranteed to take you on an emotional rollercoaster .They definitely do not make many hits like this anymore.
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