Recently, I was part of a discussion about radio stations playing 80’s music (quelle surprise!). The conversation soon got round to Sara Cox’s “Sounds of The 80s” show, which airs on Radio 2 every Saturday evening. I was reminded of the show’s launch, back in October 2013.
Ahead of the show’s debut, I was asked to prepare a playlist of my favourite Eighties’ tracks, to be played on Steve Wright’s show, during the Non-Stop Oldies feature, the day before Sara’s first show. I was to choose at least 15 tracks, although less than half of the songs would be played in the half hour time slot – oh, the pressure!
Days of deliberation resulted in a playlist I loved, and which I felt best encompassed my favourite decade – a delicate mix of pop, excess, camp and class! On the day of the show, I eagerly awaited to hear which of my tracks had been chosen. I wasn’t disappointed. It was fantastic to hear some of my favourite 80’s music being played again on national radio. A couple of tracks were omitted, which I would have liked to have heard: The Kane Gang’s “Closest Thing To Heaven” and Big Sound Authority’s “This House”, but I still enjoyed the selection. For anyone who missed it first time round, I have finally managed to upload a recording I made of the broadcast:
Apologies for the abrupt beginning and ending – my editing skills remain firmly in the Eighties, taping off the radio with my cassette recorder!
My 80’s Non-Stop Oldies:
Party Fears Two – Associates
War Baby – Tom Robinson
Come Dancing – The Kinks
My Favourite Waste of Time – Owen Paul
New England – Kirsty MacColl
Calling Your Name – Marilyn
The Bitterest Pill – The Jam
My Eighties 
Good selection there, a reasonably wide range of styles. I have to confess if I was to compile an 80s mix it’d be heavily weighted to the early 80s, and to electro and synth pop. I seem unable to convince myself that the second half of the decade actually WAS the 80s! But I suppose everyone’s take is different, and my memories of the decade are particular to me : )
Thanks Jeff. Yes, the early Eighties were my favourite too – before SAW attempted chart domination! Ultravox are one of my favourite bands, and I did include their epic masterpiece “Visions In Blue” in my choices. It didn’t make it to air though.
Just wondering if my beloved Bum Bags are coming back into fashion? I nearly bought one today. I hope TisWas, A Team , Give me P Bob GOD I LOVE THE 80s .