Decade I: 1981

Side 2 of a mixtape compiled 4th February 1990.

 

After setting the bar high with side 1, could I hope to match it on the flipside? Well, this is 1981 we're talking about here...

 

Although I didn't start buying records in earnest for another few years, when I had a Saturday job and therefore money to spend, 1980 and 1981 were perhaps the two years when my love of music became an obsession. 

 

I started sticking posters on my wall, mostly from Look-In, occasionally Smash Hits or one of the other pop mags that included pin-ups and lyrics for all the chart hits. I used to send blank cassettes to my uncle so that he could borrow albums from his local library and help build my collection. I was fascinated by the New Romantic and synthpop bands that would pop up with alarming regularity on kids' TV shows. 

 

And pop videos! It was a perfect time, musically speaking at least.

Making a return visit on this side are Visage, The Human League and O.M.D., others for the first time but destined to reappear in later volumes. Again, I'm really happy with the sequencing of this selection, although I ran out of tape on the original recording and had to go back and fade out Heaven 17 early in order to squeeze in Gary Numan. No such ignominy in this digital age, so you get the full version of (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang, as intended.

I will return to this series over the next few weekends but I have to confess that Decade volumes II and III (1982-1985) were lost many years ago on my travels. I don't have a note of the track listings either so I will aim to recreate selections that reflect what was in my collection at the time.

In the meantime, get that trench coat on, back comb that hair and go stand on a street corner looking moody whilst listening to this on your Walkman!

1) Vienna (Album Version): Ultravox

2) Europe After The Rain (Album Version): John Foxx

3) Mind Of A Toy (Album Version): Visage

4) Passionate Friend (Album Version): The Teardrop Explodes

5) Pretty In Pink (Album Version): The Psychedelic Furs

6) Grey Day (Album Version): Madness

7) Bedsitter (Album Version): Soft Cell

8) The Sound Of The Crowd (Album Version): The Human League

9) Joan Of Arc (Album Version): O.M.D.

10) New Life (Remix): Depeche Mode

11) (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang (Album Version): Heaven 17

12) She's Got Claws ('Modern Dance' Edit): Gary Numan

Side Two (46:24) (KF) (Mega)

O.M.D./T.F.C.M.

...or, if you prefer, some Twenty First Century Music from O.M.D.

 

I've not compiled an Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark mixtape covering songs from their second wave but if I did, it might look something like this. There have been enough great singles, B-sides and album tracks to comfortably create another 'Best Of' compilation and there's a new album, Bauhaus Staircase, anticipated in 2023.

 

If all this leaves you hungry for more, I've also reloaded the two 1980s O.M.D. mixtapes that I've posted here in the past couple of years. Is there such a thing as too much O.M.D.? Definitely not!

 

Side One

1) If You Want It (Marsheaux Remix) (2010)

2) VCR (Single Version) (Cover of The XX) (2010)

3) Helen Of Troy (24.02.12) (Demo) (2012)

4) Bomber (One More Time) (16-10-15) (Demo) (2015) 

5) Stay With Me (Album Version) (2013)

6) HAHAHA (2017)

Side Two

1) Please Remain Seated (2013)

2) New Holy Ground (2010)

3) Dresden (John Foxx & The Maths Remix (2013)

4) RFWK (2010)

5) Metroland (Radio Edit) (2013)

6) Isotype (V1.7 23-02-16) (Demo) (2016)

7) What Have We Done (Single Mix) (2017)

2010: History Of Modern: B2, B4

2010: History Of Modern / If You Want It (limited edition 2x CD): A1

2010: Sister Marie Says EP: A2

2013: Dresden EP: B3

2013: English Electric: A5, B1

2013: English Electric (limited edition box set) (USA): A3 

2013: Metroland EP: B5

2017: The Punishment Of Luxury / Demos (deluxe edition 2x CD): A4, B6

2017: The Punishment Of Luxury: B-Sides & Bonus Material: A6, B7

Side One (22:40) (Box) (Mega)

Side Two (22:25) (Box) (Mega)

 

All Wrapped Up Vol. 1 Side One & Side Two

All Wrapped Up Vol. 2 Side One & Side Two 

It Goes Something Like This...

Zeus B. Held aka Bernd Held (see what he did there?) was born in 1950s, started as a musician in the 1970s and gained a reputation as a producer in the latter part of that decade, becoming a renowned remixer during the 1980s. Zeus is still going strong today, dividing time between Germany and England.

Today's selection is very firmly rooted in his 1980s remix work. I first discovered Zeus B. Held via his work with Fashion, producing and remixing their second album, Fabrique, in 1982. From there, Zeus popped up on albums and 12" singles by Alphaville, Dead Or Alive, Simple Minds, John Foxx, Men Without Hats and Spear Of Destiny.

Zeus' 1987 remix of Gary Numan's 1979 single Cars was a hit not once but twice. Whilst it couldn't match the original's #1 peak in the UK, it reached #16 in 1987 and #17 in 1996. The latter was relabeled the Premier Mix on the back of the song featuring in a lager commercial. 

Beggars Banquet, the label that re-released Cars in 1987 were obviously enamoured of Zeus B. Held's prodigious skills at the (re)mixing desk as, in a surprise move, he was also commissioned to produce three remixes of Hit The North by The Fall. Mark E. Smith's views at the time are lost in the mists of time and it likely divided fan opinion, then and now. Personally, I love them. 

Gina X aka Gina Kikoine proved to be a great foil for Zeus B. Held. No G.D.M. is an absolute classic which I've enthused about previously and present again in another version from the remixed and re-released single in 1985. Gina X makes a second appearance, providing guest vocals on Love Shadow by Fashion from 1982.

Whilst Sinful! by Pete Wylie is a deserved classic (and Zeus B. Held co-production), I've gone for the equally majestic Diamond Girl, featuring the fabulous Josie Jones. Sadly, the UK record buying public in 1986 disagreed. #57? Seriously?! Philistines!

From the last gasp of the 1980s, Win was formed by Davy Henderson, time-wise sitting roughly between his other bands The Fire Engines and The Nectarine No. 9. Unashamedly power pop, Win deserved greater commercial success than they had. Transvision Vamp achieved that success, albeit briefly, their first big hit in the UK being I Want Your Love, a #5 smash in June 1988. 

I had intended to pare the selection down to ten songs and one hour. I failed spectacularly. Instead, if you can spare just under ninety minutes, here are fourteen 12" bangers from the 1980s, remixed solely or collaboratively by Zeus B. Held. 

Enjoy!

 

1) Pop Goes The World (Dance Mix): Men Without Hats (1987)

2) What's Love If You Can Kill For Chocolate (12" Mix): Win (1989)

3) Sanity (The Roman Mix): Killing Joke (1986)

4) Ghostdancing (A Special Extended 12" Remix): Simple Minds (1986)

5) Never Take Me Alive (Extended Version): Spear Of Destiny (1987)

6) Big In Japan (Extended Remix): Alphaville (1984)

7) Diamond Girl (The Glorious Extended 7" Mix): Pete Wylie ft. The Fabulous Josie Jones (1986)

8) Cars (Extended 'E' Reg Model): Gary Numan (1987)

9) No G.D.M. (Extended): Gina X (1985)

10) What I Want (Dance Mix): Dead Or Alive (1984)

11) Hit The North (Part 4) (12" Remix): The Fall (1987)

12) Wings And A Wind (Extended Version): John Foxx (1983)

13) Love Shadow (Mutant Mix): Fashion ft. Gina X (1982)

14) I Want Your Love (I Don't Want Your Money Mix): Transvision Vamp (1988)

It Goes Something Like This... (1:29:29) (Box) (Mega)

Belong Forever

A belated welcome to Grenoble's finest, the unique Miss Kittin aka Caroline Hervé, singer, DJ, producer, solo artist and prolific collaborator. This post was originally intended for last Friday but it was replaced at short notice as I ran out of time to finish it. Fingers crossed it was worth the wait!

 

I first discovered Miss Kittin's music two decades ago via Felix Da Housecat's album, Kittenz And Thee Glitz, and her partnership with Michel Amato as Miss Kittin & The Hacker. Happily, the latter duo returned earlier this year with their third album titled, er, Third Album.

 

This selection mostly focuses on Miss Kittin's singles, collaborations and remixes from some top-notch artists, including Vince Clarke, John Foxx & Ben 'Benge' Edwards, Vitalic and Laurent Garnier.

 

Miss Kittin's videos are also good value so for your extended entertainment I have picked four from today's selection. Ostbahnhof, from Kittin + Hacker's Third Album, was released as a single in January and I've included the lyrics below, a love song to clubbing in Berlin and the inspiration for today's post title.

 

1) Voicemail: Felix Da Housecat ft. Miss Kittin (2001)

2) Hide (Nhar Vocal Remix By Bernhard Siefert): Kris Menace ft. Miss Kittin (2013)

3) Ride (Vince Clarke Remix): Dubfire & Kittin (2017)

4) Where Is Kittin? (John Foxx & The Maths Remix): Marc Houle ft. Miss Kittin (2013)

5) Madame Hollywood (Album Version): Felix Da Housecat ft. Miss Kittin (2001)

6) Maneki Neko (Chateau Marmont Remix): Miss Kitten (2013)

7) Hometown: Miss Kittin & The Hacker (2007)

8) Rippin Kittin (Tobi Neumann's Glove Tension Dub): Golden Boy ft. Miss Kittin (2002)

9) 1982 (Vitalic Remix By Pascal Arbez-Nicolas): Miss Kittin & The Hacker (2002)

10) Ostbahnhof (Album Version): Kittin + Hacker (2022)

11) Silver Screen - Shower Scene (Laurent Garnier Remix) (Album Edit): Felix Da Housecat ft. Miss Kittin (2001)

12) Party In My Head (Thieves Like Us Remix): Miss Kittin & The Hacker (2009)

Belong Forever (1:03:19) (Box) (Mega)

Maneki Neko: Miss Kitten (2013)

 

Hide: Kris Menace ft. Miss Kittin (2013)

 

1982 (Vitalic Remix By Pascal Arbez-Nicolas): Miss Kittin & The Hacker (2002)

 

 

Ostbahnhof (Album Version): Kittin + Hacker (2022)

 

 

2 pm on a Sunday
It's the best day they say
Flat white, toasts, shower and black sneakers
I jump in a taxi, it's playing 80's music
Time has already stopped
Destination Ostbahnhof
The wall reminds me it was real
Once there was a West and an East
I used to be just a tourist
Until I gave you more than this
I see the line, I see the light
But inside it's always dark
Line is 2 or 3 hours long at least
And I am not even on the list
So I put on my famous smile
Are you playing today they say
It's been a while, I don't know why
And I don't bother, we belong forever
Destination Ostbahnhof
I just wanna dance alone
They let me in with no sticker on my phone
I know the deal, I know the score
No pictures inside Ostbahnhof
First stop at the wardrobe
You leave a tip you start to stroll
You raise your hands you wanna pray
You ARE in the techno temple
Electric power in the power plant
I am about to disconnect from who I am
Tequila shots in my throat
Orange and cinnamon
Stairways to heaven or hell
Step by step on The Bells
I climb my way to the top
And I stop
I take a deep a breath
I lived it a thousand times
It's always the same
Are you ready?

A Kick Up The Eighties

Side 1 of a mixtape, recorded 22nd January 1990, and an early Eighties retrospective, a few weeks into the new decade.

This side firmly focuses on 1980 to 1985, with half of the tracks from 1982, now unbelievably (to this listener, at least) four decades ago. It's mostly hits and perhaps obvious choices, with a few oddities from albums and B-sides. All personal favourites.

The title is a nod to the BBC2 TV comedy sketch show of the same name that ran for two series from 1981 to 1984, featuring Rik Mayall, Tracey Ullman, Miriam Margoyles and (from the second series) Robbie Coltrane. A full episode from the first series has been posted on YouTube and is worth a look, if only for the brilliant Rik Mayall as investigative reporter Kevin Turvey.

The cover photo is a even more obscure, a scene from 1987 sci-fi movie, Cherry 2000. You wouldn't know it, but the person precariously hanging on to the car is none other than Melanie Griffith. I've watched the film once, which was possibly one time too many, but the picture seemed a good fit with the title. 

Happy listening!

1) Visage (Album Version): Visage (1980)

2) Today (Single Version): Talk Talk (1982)

3) Europa And The Pirate Twins (Album Version): Thomas Dolby (1981)

4) The Chase (Album Version By Stephen Lipson & Trevor Horn): Propaganda (1985)

5) The Beach: New Order (1983)

6) Blind Vision (Album Version By John Luongo): Blancmange (1983)

7) Night Suit: John Foxx (1981)

8) We Take Mystery (To Bed) (Single Version): Gary Numan (1982)

9) Mad World (Album Version By Chris Hughes & Ross Cullum): Tears For Fears (1982)

10) The Ring: Fad Gadget (1984)

11) The Walk (Album Version): Eurythmics (1982)

1980: Visage: 1

1981: The Garden: 7

1982: The Golden Age Of Wireless: 3 

1982: The Hurting: 9

1982: Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This): 11

1982: Today (7" single): 2

1982: We Take Mystery (To Bed) (7"): 8

1983: Blue Monday (12" single): 5 

1983: Mange Tout: 6

1984: Gag: 10

1985: A Secret Wish: 4 

Side One (45:27) (Box) (Mega)

Another Modern Dance

Back to 1981 and the rest of K-Tel's Modern Dance compilation, originally featured last month. As with the previous selection, I've split the original, crammed vinyl Side 1 into two, expanding a few tracks into the more spacious 12" versions. Quiet Life was first released as a B-side in 1980, but it's re-release as an A-side in September 1981 saw it reach #19 in the UK, their biggest hit until Ghosts the following year. I think I've cheated a bit with the John 'Tokes' Potoker remix of Heaven 17, as I don't think it's from 1981. My (now very crackly) vinyl version came from the Contenders 12" double pack single and it featured simultaneously on their Endless remix cassette, both from 1986, but I prefer it to the original 12" version, so here it is. Sweat In Bullet was the first Simple Minds 12" I bought, albeit probably also circa 1985-86, but what a song. My copy used to jump part way through, and I remember having to weight the needle with a blob of Blu Tack to get an uninterrupted play. The Garden was the first John Foxx album I bought, mainly for the single which I'd seen on Top Of The Pops. A surprise to find three decades on that it only got to #40 at the time. She's Got Claws suffered a particularly harsh K-Tel cut to less than three and half minutes on the original album, so I've gone to the other extreme with this selection and included the full 12" version which clocks in at over six minutes. 

 

Modern Dance is one of a few compilations that have stayed with me over the years, none of the songs becoming over familiar or overplayed. 1981 was a great year for slightly off-kilter pop music.

 

Side One (22:41)

1) Joan Of Arc (Album Version): O.M.D. (1981)

2) Quiet Life (7" Version): Japan (1980)

3) Love Action (I Believe In Love) (12" Edit): The Human League (1981)

4) Penthouse And Pavement (12" Mix By John 'Tokes' Potoker): Heaven 17 (1981)

5) New Life (Remix): Depeche Mode (1981)

Side Two (21:26)

1) Sweat In Bullet (Remix): Simple Minds (1981)

2) Europe After The Rain (Album Version): John Foxx (1981)

3) Charlotte Sometimes (Single Version): The Cure (1981)

4) She's Got Claws (Extended): Gary Numan (1981)

 

Side One (22:41)

Side Two (21:26)
 

heartbeatincreasingheartbeat

Side 2 of a mixtape cassette, recorded 25th September 1991.

More melancholy than jolly, possibly reflecting my mood at the time, back in Bristol living with my parents after a year in Australia. You can almost hear the angst and pretension in the virtual cassette hiss between songs.

1) Theme For Great Cities: Simple Minds (1981)
2) Scarlet: Lush (1989)
3) Annexe: John Foxx (1983)
4) California Earthquake: Mama Cass Elliot (1968)
5) Broken Hearted And Beautiful: Marc Almond (1986)
6) The Democratic Circus: Talking Heads (1988)
7) Love Is Just A Word: Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer (1989)
8) World Weary: The Go-Betweens (1981)
9) Nevers End: Lloyd Cole & The Commotions (1985)
10) Head Hang Low: Julian Cope (1984)
11) The Bed: Lou Reed (1972)
12) September Song: The Young Gods (1991)

Side Two (46:37)