Right let's kick off this list with a nice bit of electro-rock from the sneering one himself. As I mentioned elsewhere, a family holiday is now not complete without listening to Mr Idol's greatest hits several times. So if you ever encounter an otherwise sedate looking winnebago with this blaring out at you, then you know who's behind the wheel!
Number 9 - Tears For Fears > Pale Shelter
Absolutely love the boys from Bath, The Hurting and Songs From The Big Chair are uber-classic 1980s albums and I could have chosen any of those tracks for this list. Check out this humourous link to where someone has made a few tweaks to Head Over Heels. Slight claim to fame is that when the guys did their comeback tour, we went to see them in Cardiff and stayed in the same hotel as the band - they even had afternoon tea in my presense, not that they asked for an autograph.
Number 8 - Japan > Life In Tokyo
This one is for Mrs Electric Dreams - she always thought she was going to marry David Sylvian, but it didn't quite work out that way! Saw these guys at Portsmouth Guildhall just as they were finishing up, but they were terrific. Sad news recently though as bassist Mick Karn passed away in early 2011.
Number 7 - Blancmange > Living On The Ceiling
Neil Arthur is a good old Blackburn lad that together with Mr Luscombe made common sense electro dance music (until they covered that odd Abba track). Particularly remember listening to this at the end of year school disco and enjoying a few sherbets with some lovely ladies!
Number 6 - Thompson Twins > Hold Me Now
I totally remember standing in HMV in Southampton and hearing this on the PA system then rushing over to buy the 12" version. Saw them live while at uni in Bristol and the fabulous (but sadly no longer together) Electric Dreams band played a particularly emotional version of this song at their last gig.
Number 5 - Dead Or Alive > You Spin Me Round
A masterful piece of electro-pop from the pre-troutlike Pete Burns and his merry men. The boys from Liverpool get the full Stock Aitken and Waterman treatment to create a guaranteed floor filler which I always keep up my sleeve for later in the evening. Rock it - rock it - rock it - enjoy!
Number 4 - Prince > 1999
The Purple One has to be included in my list simply because of the volume of phenomenal material he's produced. I picked 1999 as the video is pure class, the whole performance is spot on and it's always nice seeing a couple of ladies helping each other to play the keyboards.
Number 3 - Talk Talk > Life's What You Make It
I first heard Talk Talk when they supported Duran Duran at the Poole Arts Centre in 1981 and this is genius. Mark Hollis should be a global mega star. A simple piano and drum riff with sumptuous chords applied over the top to produce an epic musical masterpiece. But what is the video all about - answers on a postcard please.
Number 2 - Depeche Mode > Enjoy the Silence
This song is not technically from the 1980s as it was released in early 1990 - but in my defence it must have been recorded in 1989 so I'm allowed to include it (it's my list)! I never tire of listening to it, the bass line is sublime and the melody is hypnotic - topped off with a typically weird video in which Dave Gahan explores whether he actually is God or not.
Number 1 - Human League > Love Action
And here it is - I can remember sitting in front of the telly when this came on and my life changed! I was in love - with the song and the girls and Phil's haircut and the way Adrian just plays any notes he likes on his synth. This track is perfect pop - it doesn't get any better than this!
Here are some replies I've recieved from my Interweb fans >>>
Received from: JohnH
Dear Mr Ed
I was recently made aware of the new addition to your website. I thoroughly enjoyed the points you made on your 'top 10' page but feel it would be remiss of me not to point the rather numerous mistakes you've made.
Billy Idol > Catch My Fall. Oh some on!!!!!! Billy Idol was great, but it needs to be one of the classics. I know it's easy to go for the populist vote, but seriously. Catch My Fall?
Tears for Fears > Pale Shelter. Good choice. Classic.
Japan > Life In Tokyo. Sorry. They shouldn't be here. He's wearing a syrup for sure.
Blancmange > Living On The Ceiling. Classic. good choice.
Thompson Twins > Hold Me Now. I agree the best Thompson Twin track and that's a tough call as they were awesome.
Dead or Alive > Spin Me Round. Travesty. Its so easy to go for the populist vote. Any muppet can do that (unless it's with Billy Idol in which case it's ok). Rubbish track. And he was even more rubbish on Big Brother.
Prince > 1999. Can't argue. The guys genius. And this is a genius track. Anyone who gave Jerome Benton and Morris Day a job should be commended.
Talk Talk > Life's What You Make It. Love this track. I even like the version by No Doubt.
Depeche Mode > Enjoy The Silence. Another fine track. But then with Depeche Mode it's liking shooting fish in barrel.
Human League > Love Action. Yeah. ok. another classic.
So. From your top 10 you've made 3 mistakes. And I'd be grateful if you could correct them. Perhaps I can make some suggestions...
Duran Duran - how can you not have Duran Duran on here! Thats like ..thats like….thats like…. thats like not having Duran Duran on a top 80s page!
Ed says: I've selected a track I particularly enjoy as John didn't specify which one he'd prefer - a schoolboy error.
Donna Summer > I Feel Love (Patrick Cowley Megamix) - I can't even begin to comprehend an 80s top 10 without having a bit hi NRG in it. I mean. Its like you've missed disco out all together. You need to get a grip.
Joy Division > Love Will Tear Us Apart. You do know they became New Order don't you?
This video will open in a new window as it can only be viewed from within YouTube.
Thank you to JohnH for his ideas - what do you think? Please get in touch and let me know your Top 10 Hits of the 80s.