The Passions had a moment in 1981, when they became one-hit wonders with I’m In Love With A German Film Star.

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Carol Cool takes Diana Ross’s disco hit Upside Down and, well, turns it inside out and reggaefies it – with an extended “disco dub” version.

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I vividly remember the first time I heard Public Enemy. It was the most exciting new music since I first saw and heard the Pistols, Ramones and Clash.

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Vladimir Horowitz plays Schumann’s Träumerei at the age of 83 at the Moscow Conservatory on his return in 1986, three years before his death.

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There are two great songs in the pop canon that go by the name of Hallelujah. Leonard Cohen got there first and Jeff Buckley breathed new life into it, but The Happy Mondays came up with their own new song.

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Soft Cell’s biggest hit was the inevitable play-out song at the funeral of Dave Ball. It was never going to be anything else.

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Pixies – Wave Of Mutilation

16th November 2025 · 1980s, 1989, Music

This is the second version of Pixies’ song Wave Of Mutilation (aka the “UK Surf” version) that appeared on the B-side of Here Comes My Man.

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Robert Wyatt – Shipbuilding

10th November 2025 · 1980s, 1983, Music

Robert Wyatt’s plaintive rendition of Elvis Costello’s poignantly political song Shipbuilding gave Rough Trade their first hit single in 1983.

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In the second half of the Eighties, punk/New Wave misfits XTC briefly became another band dedicated to Sixties psychedelia, The Dukes Of Stratosphear.

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This is one big funk party from the moment Tom Browne blows his trumpet, voices start to chatter and Marcus Miller’s thunderous bass begins to rumble.

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