Post what you think are some great obscure or forgotten 80s hits. 
Please limit it to about 1-2 videos per post.  Let's give everyone a chance :)

Here is San damiano (heart and soul) by Sal Solo.  This was a Top 20 UK hit in 1984, but I don't know how well remembered it has become since.  It was not a hit in North America, but I still love it!

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Baltimora was an Italian singer who had a massive hit in 1985 called Tarzan Boy.  Though it was his only Top 40 hit in most major countries, the follow-up single Living in the Background was a minor hit in the US and Canada, and I quite like it!

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Pretty forgotten U.S. one hit wonder from 1984

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3soJBmu_cFI

And this one from 1985, which was more noted for its groundbreaking video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxtPRF6NG7I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4cjIGyHQQ
Lipps Inc.- Designer Music

Just heard this on a 2000s UK sitcom and forgot all about it. It was Wax's only hit - reaching #12 in the UK charts in 1987.


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Wax released this a year earlier in 1986. It charted in the US albeit quite lowly. This is a great one though. Never heard it before. Nice mid80s feelgood vibe...

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Lipps Inc.- Designer Music



Haha, I remember this one. It was so popular it was even covered by a Malaysian family music group in the early 80s...


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Some good stuff in here :)


Wax released this a year earlier in 1986. It charted in the US albeit quite lowly. This is a great one though. Never heard it before. Nice mid80s feelgood vibe...


I love Wax.  It's a shame they never became bigger, but I love both songs you mentioned.  They were the duo of Andrew Gold and 10cc member Graham Gouldman. 

In 1981, 10cc released the single Don't turn me away and in 1982, it reached #38 in Canada.  As far as I can tell, it was not a Top 40 hit in any other country, though it was a minor hit in Australia and NZ, which I s'pose makes it kind of obscure. 

In my Top 10 of favourite songs of the 80s, this one is there!

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Here's one from 1986 I feel is somewhat obscure.  It's called One step (closer to you) by Gavin Christopher.  Despite being a Top 40 hit in both the US and Canada, it's seldom talked about and rarely heard on the radio.  Sadly, he passed away in 2016

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Many years ago, I was sent a complete CD set of every single that debuted in the US Hot 100 chart during the 1980s, and while going through it, I found many gems i never knew about it. 

This one from 1985 is called Black kisses (never make you blue) by a Dutch group called Curtie and the Boombox.  It reached #81 in the US, but failed to chart in both the UK and Canada.  I can only assume it was known in The Netherlands as it did make the Top 30 chart there.  1985 was a really good year for music both known and obscure songs!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqBh3_muVhk
West Phillips- Sucker For A Pretty Face

Ever wondered who was the first solor artist shown on MTV?
Wonder who was the first female?

The very first video to ever broadcast on MTV was Video Killed The Radio Star by the Buggles. This song by Pat Benatar was the second one....which says a lot about her because she was the FIRST female and the first solo artist to make it on MTV.

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Here's one from 1986 I feel is somewhat obscure.  It's called One step (closer to you) by Gavin Christopher.  Despite being a Top 40 hit in both the US and Canada, it's seldom talked about and rarely heard on the radio.  Sadly, he passed away in 2016



Yep nice radio friendly song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2ZqE96V8V4
The Ring- Jump!

Always liked this one. It has a mysterious, ethereal, overcast day kind of vibe:

Echo Beach
Martha & the Muffins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEQkIEkxm7k

And for some reason, that one makes me think of this one, even though they are NOTHING alike. This one is nice too:

Total Control
Motels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MFlHGP0VAc

Has this been posted yet? It charted fairly high in 1986, but you don't hear them on the radio anymore. They were a crucial part of the '80s LA cowpunk scene, along with Meat Puppets and Social Distortion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvo9MbTkUbE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvo9MbTkUbE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvo9MbTkUbE
Fixed that for you. (you need to remove the "s" in a https address so that only http remains. ;))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3soJBmu_cFI

Ah yes! I loved this song when it was getting radio play, in the heart of the summer of 84. This is one of the obscure songs I stumped many a trvia player with.

Just heard this on a 2000s UK sitcom and forgot all about it. It was Wax's only hit - reaching #12 in the UK charts in 1987.


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Ahhh thank you! I loved this one.

Don't know if it counts for obscure but when I mention this song people don't seem to remember it. I loved this one.

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Another when I play it, no one recognizes it  ;D ;D
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^ I think I've only heard that one maybe once or twice in my life. Definitely not a regularly played one.

Sorry cannot resist one more. Michael McDonald is known for a lot of songs but this one seems to fly under the radar. Loved the song and the movie that it was used in.

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Don't know if it counts for obscure but when I mention this song people don't seem to remember it. I loved this one.



I for one know that song quite well. I especially think it's interesting how some of the vocals overlap in some places. :)

And I also like "Sweet Freedom". O0

Sorry cannot resist one more. Michael McDonald is known for a lot of songs but this one seems to fly under the radar. Loved the song and the movie that it was used in.



I love Michael McDonald and the Doobie Brothers. Not sure this is that obscure though, haha.

I like your Oxo track though - now that is obscure.

Don't know if it counts for obscure but when I mention this song people don't seem to remember it. I loved this one.

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Don't think "Heart And Soul" is obscure. ???

Don't think "Heart And Soul" is obscure. ???
It is very popular in the UK, still played on the radio.

I prefer China In Your Hand to Heart and Soul.
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Can't decide if this is just a one-hit wonder or something obscure. It was his only big hit reaching UK#7 and US#30 in 1982...


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Don't think "Heart And Soul" is obscure. ???

It certainly isn't!



I prefer China In Your Hand to Heart and Soul.
I actually don't know that one. It must not have been a hit in the US, possibly it was a hit in the band's native UK?

Don't know if it counts for obscure but when I mention this song people don't seem to remember it. I loved this one.

Heart and Soul - T'Pau


I'd say this one is slightly obscure.  It reached #4 in the US and #1 in Canada, and I almost never hear it on the radio.  I hear China in your hand more


I actually don't know that one. It must not have been a hit in the US, possibly it was a hit in the band's native UK?


It never charted in the US, but it did reach #20 in Canada.  It was a #1 hit in the UK

Can't decide if this is just a one-hit wonder or something obscure. It was his only big hit reaching UK#7 and US#30 in 1982...

Mama Used to Say - Junior


This one only reached #48 in Canada.  I never hear it on the radio, so I would consider it obscure.  Most one off singles and one hit wonders can be obscure.  It depends on how often you hear it on stations that play 80s hits

Here are two songs I feel are a bit obscure ...

The Power Station (as most will know) was a super group that scored 2 Top 20 hits in 1985 (Some like it hot and Get it on), but I find that not many people remember the 3rd single.  It was called Communication and though it missed the Top 40 in the UK (#75) and Canada (#46), it reached #34 in the US.  It's so catchy!

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John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band gained fame for the soundtrack to Eddie and the Cruisers in 1983, but no one ever talks about the other hits they had.  Here is one from 1985 called Tough all over.  It reached #22 in the US and #37 in Canada and has everything I love about an 80s song:  a catchy beat, lyrics that are fun to sing along to, and a sax solo! 

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Did you know that Michael McDonald wasn't the only member of the Doobie Brothers to have a hit as a solo artist?
In 1983, Patrick Simmons reached #33 in the US and #48 in Canada with So wrong.  I never hear this one ever, but I do remember it being popular back in the day.

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Remember the British band The Outfield?
Remember their 1987 hit Since you've been gone?
Not many seem to, despite reaching #31 in the US and #54 in Canada.

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The John Cafferty one has a similar riff to Van Halen's "Jump". It also sounds a bit like that Transformer movie song - was it "The Touch"? But yes I like it best out of the 4 you posted.

And never knew Patrick Simmons went solo. It's alright - he sounds like McDonald in places. Is that Michael on backing vocals?

The John Cafferty one has a similar riff to Van Halen's "Jump". It also sounds a bit like that Transformer movie song - was it "The Touch"? But yes I like it best out of the 4 you posted.

And never knew Patrick Simmons went solo. It's alright - he sounds like McDonald in places. Is that Michael on backing vocals?


That is Mr. McDonald on backing vocals.  They do kind of sound a like in certain places. 

Two more ...

Here is Shame by The Motels.  Released in 1985, it became their third and final Top 40 hit, peaking at #21 in the US and #25 in Canada.  You never really hear this song mentioned when The Motels come up in topic but I think it should get more love.  This was my favourite song by The Motels and my favourite song of 1985. 

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Here is The race by Yello from 1988.  This made it to #7 in the UK, and though it missed the US Hot 100, it made #33 on the US Dance chart.  This one often gets over looked as Yello are incorrectly best known as one hit wonders for Oh yeah. 

If this one doesn't seem familiar, skip ahead to 1:48.  If you ever saw the movies Nuns on the Run, Opportunity Knocks, The Cutting Edge or the 2006 remake of The Pink Panther, it should become familiar.

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It is very popular in the UK, still played on the radio.


They play it here in The U.S.

Can't decide if this is just a one-hit wonder or something obscure. It was his only big hit reaching UK#7 and US#30 in 1982...


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I believe he might have had a few other hits after that.

Yes I know Yello very well for "The Race" and "Oh Yeah" from Ferris Bueller.

Chico Debarge had one big hit. I suppose in the RnB community he's well known, but I never new about this song til the mid-2000s. The verses actually sound much the same as NKOTB's "Call It What You Want" from the 90s.


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25gaVHL5AS0
Kelly Marie- Do You Like It That

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-75EVwwzss
B.T. Express- Does It Feel Good

It never charted in the US, but it did reach #20 in Canada.  It was a #1 hit in the UK


thanks for that info. O0 I figured you would know.

Johnny Chingas- Samba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IePHeP57Ec

Many years ago, I was sent a complete CD set of every single that debuted in the US Hot 100 chart during the 1980s, and while going through it, I found many gems i never knew about it. 

This one from 1985 is called Black kisses (never make you blue) by a Dutch group called Curtie and the Boombox.  It reached #81 in the US, but failed to chart in both the UK and Canada.  I can only assume it was known in The Netherlands as it did make the Top 30 chart there.  1985 was a really good year for music both known and obscure songs!



Oh please have mercy! ::)

Curtie & The Boombox charted twice over here. In 1984 they released this little gem that took them to #23 in Dutch Top 40:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffp5GhxzF0U


Neither "Black Kisses" nor "Let's Talk It Over In The Ladies' Room" ever gets played on the radio anymore.

Curtie & The Boombox charted twice over here. In 1984 they released this little gem that took them to #23 in Dutch Top 40:




Wow it's like Boney M reincarnated. Nice song though.

I know he was significantly more successful in Europe, but I've always liked this one.
https://youtu.be/ynIHsHYaig0

I know he was significantly more successful in Europe, but I've always liked this one.
https://youtu.be/ynIHsHYaig0


Not sure I would consider that one obscure, at least not in North America.  I still hear it often on radio stations that play 80s hits

Not sure I would consider that one obscure, at least not in North America.  I still hear it often on radio stations that play 80s hits


He also had "Sign Your Name" as well.

He also had "Sign Your Name" as well.


That was someone else.

He also had "Sign Your Name" as well.

That one, and "Wishing Well" were two of Terence Trent D'arby's biggest hits.

Not too sure how obscure this one is but Tracey Ullman's They don't know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9un119lq4c


Cat

That was someone else.


No it wasn't, That was Terence Trent Darby. ::)

No it wasn't, That was Terence Trent Darby. ::)


don't roll your eyes at me, Howard.  It was someone else.

Not too sure how obscure this one is but Tracey Ullman's They don't know.




Cat

Now that one's a favourite of mine. O0

That was like, her only big hit as a musician. (at least in the US)

Here's a club tune I recall dancing to circa '86 - it may well belong in the "obscure" category:

Colonel Abrams - I'm Not Gonna Let    :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8rMbhljiQ0

Here's a club tune I recall dancing to circa '86 - it may well belong in the "obscure" category:

Colonel Abrams - I'm Not Gonna Let    :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8rMbhljiQ0


I was sad when he passed away last year. :\'(

Now that one's a favourite of mine. O0

That was like, her only big hit as a musician. (at least in the US)


Yeah, her lone Top 40 hit in the US and Canada.  She did have one other hit in the US with a cover of the 60s classic Breakaway.  It only made it to #70 in the US, but it was the first of 5 Top 40s for her in the UK.  I personally find it to be her best song

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Here's a club tune I recall dancing to circa '86 - it may well belong in the "obscure" category:

Colonel Abrams - I'm Not Gonna Let    :)


This one is definitely obscure, and awesome!  Most people know him for the song Trapped which was a Top 20 hit in the UK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVA6vcas1o
Yes I'm Ready- KC And Teri Desario

Again, I don't know how obscure these are:

John Waite, Change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApZ1aD8nYEk

Chris DeBurgh, Don't Pay the Ferryman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0l2ql76mxA


Cat

^ Change, most definitely.  When it comes to John Waite, most people only know Missing you

I'd consider Don't pay the ferryman not obscure as it was a high enough charter, that it's recognizable to hear, but at the same time, when most people think Chris De Burgh, it's Lady in Red and nothing else lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSfHepsL9wI
Voyage- I Love You Dancer (1981)

^ Change, most definitely.  When it comes to John Waite, most people only know Missing you

I'd consider Don't pay the ferryman not obscure as it was a high enough charter, that it's recognizable to hear, but at the same time, when most people think Chris De Burgh, it's Lady in Red and nothing else lol



I have always like Change better than Missing you as well as Don't Pay the Ferryman better than Lady in Red.


Cat

How about this one?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ2NcudsaCc
Real Side- Hang Loose (1984)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSfHepsL9wI
Voyage- I Love You Dancer (1981)


I think this is actually by Jefferson Starship. ::)  But, nonetheless, a very good song.

How about this one?
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Style Council - love it!  :D

I think this is actually by Jefferson Starship. ::)  But, nonetheless, a very good song.


No, This is not by Jefferson Starship, It's by Voyage! >:(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0GjKyAEePk
Sly Stone- Ha Ha Hee Hee

Hilly Michaels - Calling All Girls
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Please take note of the non-pornofied normal looking women and girls in this video. the 70s & early 80s were in some ways a saner, healthier time.

Lol, thanks Philip Eno. I edited it with the other version. :D
I think the video (single ?) edit has an editing mistake. After the guitar solo you can hear "I" which was left by mistake from the longer album version.

How about this one?
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I often question if that one is obscure or not.  In Europe, no, but in America it was their only Top 40 and not a big enough hit to make them superstars

I don't know if this is obscure, but it was their only hit and I never hear it on the radio any more.


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^ JoBoxers - That's some serious cool!  :D

I don't know if this is obscure, but it was their only hit and I never hear it on the radio any more.


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Wow, I haven't heard this tune in a while. :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lb1BxAjtMI


MacKenzie & Gardiner- From Time (1983)

I don't know if this is obscure, but it was their only hit and I never hear it on the radio any more.

JoBoxers - Just Got Lucky


I don't hear it on radio much anymore either, but it's one that I enjoy. :)

Another one that got played a lot at the time but that you don't hear much anymore:


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Again, I don't know how obscure. Most people prefer Sledgehammer but I love this one by Peter Gabriel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95SWMqzM_Sg


Cat

Always liked this one.

Again, I don't know how obscure. Most people prefer Sledgehammer but I love this one by Peter Gabriel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95SWMqzM_Sg


Cat

Again, I don't know how obscure. Most people prefer Sledgehammer but I love this one by Peter Gabriel.



Cat

Always liked this one.

I've heard it lots of times. The title keeps getting repeated in French ("Jeux sans frontieres"), but it has been misheard as various English phrases beginning with "She's so...". :D.


Oh, and "Make a Circuit with Me" is also one I enjoy listening to.

Again, I don't know how obscure. Most people prefer Sledgehammer but I love this one by Peter Gabriel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95SWMqzM_Sg


Cat


What was the reasoning for Peter mentioning all the names in the song? ???

What was the reasoning for Peter mentioning all the names in the song? ???


According to SongFacts.com, the idea was that the names represented different countries and their childishness in dealing with each other.

If we're not speaking strctly of US hits:


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I think this will be obscure to most:


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According to SongFacts.com, the idea was that the names represented different countries and their childishness in dealing with each other.



Thanks Randy. O0

I don't know if this is obscure, but it was their only hit and I never hear it on the radio any more.


They had a few others in the UK, but this was a one hit wonder in the US

Again, I don't know how obscure. Most people prefer Sledgehammer but I love this one by Peter Gabriel.

Cat


I don't know if I consider that one obscure for the US market.  It didn't make the US Top 40, but it came close enough that I think people would recognize it.

I think this will be obscure to most:


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I know that one.  Love and Rockets were quite popular here in Canada.  I remember seeing that video quite a bit but the song never actually charted here

I know that one.  Love and Rockets were quite popular here in Canada.  I remember seeing that video quite a bit but the song never actually charted here

I have heard "No New Tale To Tell" on the radio, but it wasn't as popular as "So Alive" or their cover of "Ball Of Confusion."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK7h4XAHCwg
Steal Away- Robbie Dupree

Steal Away- Robbie Dupree

That one did well on the charts in '80; guess many stations don't play it much anymore.

Everybody knows True, but how many of you recall this one?:

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^ Nope, can't say that I do. However, I do know "Gold", which I think qualifies as an obscure hit of theirs (to some extent).

^ Nope, can't say that I do. However, I do know "Gold", which I think qualifies as an obscure hit of theirs (to some extent).


I only know their song "True".

I only know their song "True".

...which of course was their biggest hit. Their other hits kinda get overshadowed by it.

Again, I don't know how obscure this is.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv7hXvFbOcs

It is the theme from the movie D.C. Cab which had a big cast, Max Gail, Adam Baldwin, Mr. T, Gary Busey, Bill Maher, and several others. It was a really stupid movie but I have to confess that I loved it. It was pretty funny. Yeah, a guilty pleasure for me.

But I REALLY love the song.


Cat

I don't know if this is obscure, but here it is.  The Lonesome Jubilee album it hails from is excellent!

John Mellencamp - Check It Out (1988)  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HznhTLi8q1Y

It is the theme from the movie D.C. Cab which had a big cast, Max Gail, Adam Baldwin, Mr. T, Gary Busey, Bill Maher, and several others. It was a really stupid movie but I have to confess that I loved it. It was pretty funny. Yeah, a guilty pleasure for me.

But I REALLY love the song.


I bought her album a few years back - it has some great tracks... Breakdance, Receiving, Keep On etc

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Here's another one overshadowed by a much more famous hit:


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Here's one from Thomas Dolby:


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^^^^Is it me or Steal Away sounds like What A Fool Believes? ???

^^^^Is it me or Steal Away sounds like What A Fool Believes? ???


Yes In a way, it was the sound of the beat from "What A Fool Believes".

^^^^Is it me or Steal Away sounds like What A Fool Believes? ???

Yes In a way, it was the sound of the beat from "What A Fool Believes".

Ah, he must've sampled it.

Here's another one overshadowed by a much more famous hit:

Madness- It must be love

Oh yes... also "House Of Fun".

^^^^Is it me or Steal Away sounds like What A Fool Believes? ???


Not just you, it has been noticed by people both in and not in the industry. It is because they share the same or similar beats per measure drum-wise and the keyboard rhythm is the same.

Another one that sounds like Fool is He's So Shy by the Pointer Sisters. There are others but I can't think of them right now. Once you hear the similarities you cannot 'un-hear' them  ;D

A Japanese city pop classic that got a new surge of popularity in recent years.
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-----------------------------------------------
One of their more popular hits, but I imagine the band is underrated enough to be obscure in some circles.
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One of their more popular hits, but I imagine the band is underrated enough to be obscure in some circles.
Missing Persons- Destination Unknown

I agree about the "underrated" classification of this band. A few other songs of theirs were fairly popular, but not enough to hit well on the charts. I like 'em, though.

Oh yes, they were obscure but I think "Words" is one of the best 80's rock songs.

Now this might be the last true disco song? It certainly is the last space disco song. It's hard to classify, it's from 1985 and the chorus is haunting:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW2Gsrw4jRU
I don't know if this is obscure or not but her name is Hitomi Tohyama and this song is "Exotic Yokogao" from 1983. And if anyone has information on her it would be appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDo1DqolHOg
Ice-T- Coldest Rap (1983)

How many remember this one from Billy Joel? Love this song.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzE1-NlOthY


Cat

How many remember this one from Billy Joel? Love this song.


Cat

"All For Leyna"... I've heard of it, but I don't know it all that well. But I will take a listen. :)

"All For Leyna"... I've heard of it, but I don't know it all that well. But I will take a listen. :)


I hear his song almost the time.

I hear his song almost the time.

I know plenty of his hits -- from the 70's, 80's, and 90's -- but there are some that I don't really know at all.