Time for another look back. 1984 was an eventful year in music:
- Thriller won the Album and Record of the Year at the Grammys with “Every Breath You Take” claiming Song of the Year.
- The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde married Jim Kerr of Simple Minds.
- The first MTV Video Music Awards were held with The Cars’ “You Might Think” taking Video of the Year. Madonna’s racy performance of “Like a Virgin” was the attention-grabbing moment of the Awards.
- The first CD manufacturing plant opened in North America; Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. was first off the press.
- Band Aid’s single “Do They Know it’s Christmas?” was recorded in London.
- Tipper Gore formed the Parents Music Resource Center after hearing Prince’s Purple Rain coming out of her daughter’s bedroom.
- Rick Allen, Def Leppard’s drummer, lost his arm in a car crash on New Year’s Eve.
Sometimes I go into making these lists with a clear favorite (or two or three), in mind, but not this time. While there were some fine albums released in 1984, upon reflection, there were no definitive albums of the year for me. Some of my favorite bands put out records in ’84, but they don’t stand among their best work. A few had a huge impact 40 tears ago, but it was fleeting, and doesn’t stand the test of time that well. So, the order of this list was a toss-up. Ask me tomorrow and it would be different, but here it is today:
10. Into the Gap by the Thompson Twins: Hey, it’s 1984! We got to have a synth band with drum machines and big hair, don’t we? Add a little Eastern vibe, piano, marimba, harmonica and xylophone to the mix and the Twins define the new wave era as well as anyone. “Hold Me Now,” “Doctor, Doctor,” and “You Take Me Up” were undeniably catchy.
9. All Over the Place by The Bangles: The Bangles would reach their commercial peak with the next album, Different Light (“Manic Monday” and “Walk Like an Egyptian”). Their debut All Over the Place shimmers with jangly guitars and exquisite four-part harmonies. “Hero Takes a Fall” showcases the retro pop rock flavor. The band covered Katrina and the Waves for the album’s other single “Going Down to Liverpool.” The song’s video with Leonard Nimoy as the band’s chauffeur set them up for the coming success.
8. New Sensations by Lou Reed: Lou Reed’s 13th solo album is another ode to NYC and comes wrapped in a warm, uplifting package. The positive pop of opening track “I Love You Suzanne” reveals Reed in a happy place. “My Red Joystick” is actually cheesy. The title song’s punchy bass line and Reed’s droning chorus make it the signature track.
7. Red Sails in the Sunset by Midnight Oil: Tucked in between their breakout album (10,9,8…) and their global smash (Diesel and Dust), Midnight Oil’s 5th album is not as confident as the power and passion of the previous album or the driving acoustic and indelible harmonies of the next effort. But there are still some moving acoustic numbers and strident statements. The band’s underlying environmental themes are well established at this point (the cover depicts Sydney Harbor after a nuclear disaster.) And there’s the didgeridoo! No band reflects their home country so completely as Midnight Oil. When I visited Australia in 2020, you could feel them.
6. Mirror Moves by the Psychedelic Furs: On their 4th album, the Furs continued to move away from their early punk influences to a more pop sound. Three radio-friendly tunes – “Heartbeat,” “Heaven,” and “The Ghost in You” – became MTV staples. Other songs like “Alice’s House” and “Only a Game” maintained a rough edge led as always by the gravelly snarl of Richard Butler.
5. Zen Arcade by Husker Du: Husker Du’s second album has grown on me thanks to Pop Transmission reader BrianS, as well as how it stands out in comparison to other albums of 1984. It’s a double album, comprised of short songs (with the exception of the closing 14-minute instrumental thrash fest), with most of them being first takes. There are a few brief softer melodic moments with interludes of piano and acoustic guitar but make no mistake…this is an incessant sledgehammer of sound.
4. Hyaena by Siouxsie and the Banshees: “Dazzle” does just that as it opens Hyaena with lush strings and preps us for the Siouxsie siren. The biggest hit was a surprisingly innovative cover of “Dear Prudence.” “Belladonna” and “Pointing Bone” sound Cure-like which was no accident since Robert Smith himself was a full member of the Banshees on a break from his band. Extra points for me!
3. Sparkle in the Rain by Simple Minds: The Scottish rockers 6th album had more guitar than its synthy predecessor (New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) and more grit than its polished successor (Once Upon a Time). Album highlights “On the Waterfront” and “Up on the Catwalk” are powerful statements, while “East of Easter” exudes a regal grace. A cover of Lou Reed’s “Street Hassle” changes it up.
2. Reckoning by R.E.M: How would R.E.M. tackle the dreaded sophomore record after taking over college campuses with “Radio Free Europe” and Murmur? Reckoning is darker in subject matter, with much of the imagery evoking water. The record was specifically recorded to capture the band’s live performances. “Pretty Persuasion” delivers sublime pop, “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville” brings home the country with its active piano, “So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)” puts us into folk americana, and “Harborcoat” transcends with its rousing chorus. R.E.M. was here to stay.
1. The Unforgettable Fire by U2: While my U2 luster has dimmed a bit over the years, they were one of my very favorites for years (I had my brother crank “It’s a Beautiful Day” while driving me to my wedding.) Their 4th album is more atmospheric than the harder rock of War. Some songs are missing a key ingredient and feel incomplete. But the shimmering richness of “Bad,” “A Sort of Homecoming,” and the title song elevate it for me. And then there’s “Pride (In the Name of Love”). “Early morning, April four/Shot rings out in the Memphis sky/Free at last, they could not take your life/They could not take your pride.” That still gets me.
As always, these lists are comprised of albums that I’ve owned for years and became very familiar with. That’s why 1984 albums, such as The Smiths (The Smiths), Born in the U.S.A. (Bruce Springsteen), 1984 (Van Halen), and Purple Rain (Prince) were not considered.
1984 Trivia: On its SING BLUE SILVER tour in 1984, what band became the first to utilize live video cameras and screens in their show?
1984 Trivia #2: What band dominated in 1984, particularly in the UK after its debut single was banned by the BBC? Name the band and song. (Hint: The band’s name was based on an advertisement for the first Frank Sinatra movie.)
Answers below.
1984 Honorable Mention: The Kinks Word of Mouth and this song’s later repeated use in the “University” episode of The Sopranos, becoming a signature moment in the series.
Trivia Answers: 1) Duran Duran and 2) Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax”