I Completed 80s Music

I Completed 80s Music

In 2016 I started listening to every single UK chart entry from January 1st 1980 to December 31st 1989. This is the story of that journey, the bands, the music and how 80s music unfolded through lots of lovely playlists. If you’re new to 80s music, consider this a great entry point. If you’re here for nostalgia, you’re in for a treat! Wham! Duran Duran, Billy Ocean, Bros, The Smiths - you name it, I have you covered. As midlife crises go, it could be worse! Cover art by Florian Schmetz. Go check him out at Unsplash!

Episodes

June 25, 2025 33 mins

Welcome back to I Completed 80s Music, the podcast where we traverse the vibrant, eclectic world of 1980s pop. I'm your host, the 80s Mixtaper, and today we dive into the second half of Playlist 21.5, filled with synth-pop, reggae, and ska tunes.

We embark on this journey with Heaven 17's politically charged anthem, "We Don't Need This Fascist Groove Thang," a protest wrapped in infectious synth beats. Step into Sheffield's industr...

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In this episode of "I Completed 80s Music," the 80s mixtaper takes you back to March 1981, exploring the vibrant and eclectic tracks of Playlist 21. Join us as we unravel the stories behind some of the era's most iconic hits, including Phil Collins' pivotal "I Missed Again," a track marking his transition from Genesis' progressive rock legacy to a pop sensation. Discover how The Who grappled with their past and present in their fin...

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In this episode of "I Completed 80s Music," the 80s mixtaper takes listeners on a journey through the eclectic sounds of the second half of Playlist 20. Dive into nerdy-themed tracks discussing zealotry and nuclear war, revel in a rockabilly classic, and groove to one of Stevie Wonder's finest records. The episode also features listener comments from TikTok and Instagram, sparking discussions on the intelligence of early 80s bands ...

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Join the 80s mixtaper as we dive into the biggest musical hits of the 80s, crafted from a personal challenge to listen to every charting song from 1979 to 1989. In this captivating episode, the biggest so far, we're now mid february 1981 as explore the debut of iconic bands and artists like Duran Duran, Kim Wilde and revisit classic hits like "Jealous Guy" by Roxy Music and Dolly Parton's "9 to 5." Enjoy insightful discussions and ...

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In this episode of I Completed 80s Music, the 80s Mixtaper takes us on a nostalgic journey back to February 1981, exploring the rich and diverse soundscape of the second half of Playlist 19. From the silky, summery jazz funk of Freeze’s ‘Southern Freeze’ to Joe Dolce’s light-hearted but controversial ‘Shut Up Your Face,’ the episode encapsulates the eclectic mix of genres that defined 1981.

Listeners are invited to rediscover the p...

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Join the 80s mixtaper as he takes you on a nostalgic journey through the eclectic music of the 1980s. It's late January 1981. This episode dives deep into the posthumous success of John Lennon with his heartwarming single "Woman," a tender tribute to love and a testament to his enduring legacy. Explore the vibrant chaos of The Teardrop Explodes with their biting track "Reward," and revel in Barry Manilow’s emotive ballad "I Made It...

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May 12, 2025 38 mins

Join the 80s mixtaper as we navigate the vibrant musical landscape of early 1981, exploring a diverse range of tracks from the era. Dive into the world of The Clash and their politically infused "Hitsville UK" that celebrates the indie spirit amidst the chaotic backdrop of the Sandinista album. Experience XTC's quirky and controversial "Sergeant Rock Is Going to Help Me," a tune layered with new wave energy and social commentary.

W...

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Welcome back to I Completed 80s Music, your ultimate tour of the decade's most iconic sounds. Our host, the 80s Mixtaper, transports us from the threshold of 1980 to the vibrant sound energy of 1981. This episode explores not only two of the era's essential tracks but delves into narratives that defined music in those transformative years.

Our sonic adventure kicks off with David Bowie and his audacious single "Scary Monsters and S...

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April 28, 2025 39 mins

Hello and welcome back to "I Completed 80s Music" with your host, the 80s Mixtaper. In this milestone episode, we celebrate completing the first year of our 80s musical journey with the conclusion of 1980. Before diving into a year-end review, we explore the final five tracks left on playlist 17. Join us as we delve into a film hit from Queen, a whimsical tune by The Police, a classic synth track from Visage, Stevie Wonder's unique...

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Join the 80s mixtaper for a captivating musical exploration of late 1980 as we dive into some of the most iconic tracks of the era. This episode spotlights "Embarrassment" by Madness, a bold and deeply personal song that challenges societal norms and family dynamics. We also delve into Jonah Louie's unexpected Christmas hit "Stop the Cavalry," a protest song turned festive classic.

Experience the humorous yet contraversial "Rabbit"...

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April 7, 2025 40 mins

Join us as we delve into the eclectic world of 1980's music. It's November 1980 and we're starting with Kenny Rogers’ transformation into a pop sensation through his hit single "Lady," written by Lionel Richie. Next, we explore the beginnings of Spandau Ballet within the vibrant New Romantic scene, highlighting their breakthrough single "To Cut a Long Story Short." We discuss Diana Ross's timeless track "I'm Coming Out," a song ori...

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March 31, 2025 39 mins

Join the 80s Mixtaper as we delve into the second half of Playlist 15, exploring an exciting mix of music history from November 1980.

First up is Rod Stewart's risqué exploration of desire with 'Passion', a track that reflects his ability to straddle the line between rock god and pop icon. We then turn our attention to John Lennon's emotionally charged comeback with 'Starting Over', a song full of optimism that ended in tragedy.

Th...

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Join the 80s mixtaper in this episode as they dive into the vivid tapestry of 80s music, exploring the journey of Dennis Waterman's "I Could Be So Good For You," the unforgettable anthem of British TV series Minder. Listeners are taken back to when this iconic theme song took the UK charts by storm, embodying a blend of humor and drama that defined the early part of the decade in the UK.

The episode also delves into the heartfelt d...

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Welcome back to I Completed 80s Music with the 80s Mixtaper as we dive into the second half of Playlist 14, where we explore some pivotal moments in music history. We journey through the landscape of 1980 with Kurtis Blow's "The Breaks," a cornerstone that heralded the rise of rap music, and Adam Ant's "Dog Eat Dog," a breakthrough that reshaped pop stardom.

Listeners' comments spark a nostalgic discussion about Leo Sayer's influen...

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Join the 80s mixtaper as we navigate through a pivotal moment in music history, exploring the autumn of 1980. This episode delves into the careers of iconic artists who defined an era, beginning with Gilbert O'Sullivan's introspective hit "What's In A Kiss," his last top 20 song in the UK during a transitional time in his career.

Learn about the whimsical charm of Bad Manners' "Special Brew," a ska classic inspired by a love for la...

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Join us as we delve into the monumental musical moments from the second half of Playlist 13, starting with the iconic track 'You Shook Me All Night Long' by AC DC. Discover the heart-wrenching story of how the band overcame the loss of their frontman, Bon Scott, and emerged with Brian Johnson to create one of the greatest rock anthems of all time.

Next, we explore Madness's classic hit 'Baggy Trousers', a song that captures the reb...

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Join us in this episode as we dive into Playlist 13, exploring the vibrant tapestry of 1980s music. Our host recounts a unique midlife crisis-inspired quest to listen to every UK charting single from the decade, revealing the era's standout tracks and fascinating stories behind them.

This week we delve into early Autumn 1980, celebrate the artistic evolution of Gary Numan, delve into Robert Palmer's eclectic sound shift with "Johnn...

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Welcome to "I Completed 80s Music," where we dive deep into the intriguing decade of the 1980s, exploring one captivating song at a time. In this episode, we delve into Hazel O'Connor's rise and artistic impact, scrutinizing her monumental track "Eighth Day" and its narrative on technological ambition. We also explore the musical evolution leading to Crowded House through Split Enz's "I Got You," courtesy of Neil Finn's genius.

Our...

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Join the 80s Mixtaper in Episode 12 as we continue the quest to revisit every UK chart entry of the vibrant 1980s era. From quirky underground hits to monumental anthems, this episode dives deep into musical history, exploring songs that defined a decade as we reach August 1980.

 

Kick off with the infectious ska-punk rhythms of The Piranhas and their enduring football chant favorite "Tom Hark."

The journey continues with a deep di...

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Join us as we dive into the enchanted world of 80s music with the second half of Playlist 11. This episode features a delightful mix of chart-toppers and lesser-known gems that defined an era of musical innovation and exuberance.

Discover the rise of Sheena Easton's bubblegum anthem "Morning Train" and the fascinating story behind its global success. Hear about Diana Ross's groundbreaking collaboration with Chic's Nile Rodgers and ...

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