Kill or Save: UK No.1-hits of the 80s

[RIP Wee Jum 1,558]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love +4

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me -6

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

35 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All

27 The Specials — Ghost Town

23 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

18 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[TQR 12,584]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

35 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me 

31 The Specials — Ghost Town +4

23 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

21 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All -6

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

18 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[Toast 15,004]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

35 The Specials — Ghost Town +4

29 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me  -6

23 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

21 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

18 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[wannamaker 1,112]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

35 The Specials — Ghost Town 

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me +4

23 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

21 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

12 The Human League — Don't You Want Me -6

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[Bibliogryphon 8,773]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

39 The Specials — Ghost Town +4

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

21 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

17 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children -6

12 The Human League — Don't You Want Me 

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[Youth in Asia 1,035]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

39 The Specials — Ghost Town

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

17 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children

16 The Human League — Don't You Want Me +4

15 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All -6 

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[Book 3,370]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

33 The Specials — Ghost Town  -6

19 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All  +4

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

17 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children

16 The Human League — Don't You Want Me 

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver

[theoldlady 2,018]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

46 Blondie — Atomic

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  -6

23 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All  +4

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

17 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children

16 The Human League — Don't You Want Me 

11 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver

[justonecornetto 812]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

50 Blondie — Atomic +4

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

41 Blondie — Call Me

39 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

23 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All  

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

18 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

17 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children

16 The Human League — Don't You Want Me 

05 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver -6

[Great Uncle Bulgaria 1,077]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

50 Blondie — Atomic 

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

41 Blondie — Call Me

33 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes -6

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

23 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All  

20 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic +2

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children +2

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

16 The Human League — Don't You Want Me 

05 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver -6

[Grim Up North 3,567]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

50 Blondie — Atomic 

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

41 Blondie — Call Me

33 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

23 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All 

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me +4

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

14 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic -6

05 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[lilham 679]

59 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket +2

50 Blondie — Atomic 

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

43 Blondie — Call Me +2

33 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

33 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

19 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 
17 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All -6

14 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

05 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver 

[machotrouts 760]

59 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

50 Blondie — Atomic 

49 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

43 Blondie — Call Me

34 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes +1

34 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me +1

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

19 ABBA — The Winner Takes It All +2

18 The Specials — Too Much Too Young -1
14 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic



00 Adam & the Ants — Stand and Deliver -5

 

He stopped being dandy.

[msc 17,840]

59 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

50 Blondie — Atomic 

43 Soft Cell — Tainted Love -6

43 Blondie — Call Me

34 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

34 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me 

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

23 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All +4

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

18 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 
14 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

 

Not a band wagon, Joey - discounting bottom place which is doomed, it's the weakest song left for my taste.

[Clorox Bleachman 2,063]

8 minutes ago, msc said:

59 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

50 Blondie — Atomic 

43 Soft Cell — Tainted Love -6

43 Blondie — Call Me

34 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

34 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me 

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

23 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All +4

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

18 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 
14 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

 

Not a band wagon, Joey - discounting bottom place which is doomed, it's the weakest song left for my taste.

 

If it were "Tainted Love / Where Did Our Love Go" then it would deserve to be #1 overall. Incredible 9 minutes replete with lasers. When they're separate they're just a couple of 60s songs brought up to date.

[Death Impends 7,451]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket -2

50 Blondie — Atomic 

43 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

43 Blondie — Call Me

34 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

30 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me -4

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

27 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All +4

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

18 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 
14 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

[Youth in Asia 1,035]

Not sure how Brass in Pocket has got to the top. The most memorable line was "gonna use my ass, gonna use my legs" which made an impression on me at that age, I only found out a few years ago that I misheard it.

[time 8,000]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket 

50 Blondie — Atomic 

47 Blondie — Call Me +4

43 Soft Cell — Tainted Love34 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

30 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me 

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

27 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All 

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

19 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 

18 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 
8 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic -6

[Drewsky1211 4,147]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket 

50 Blondie — Atomic 

47 Blondie — Call Me

43 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

38 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes +4

30 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me 

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

27 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All 

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

18 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

14 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children -5
7 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic -1

[Joey Russ 7,121]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket 

50 Blondie — Atomic 

47 Blondie — Call Me

47 Soft Cell — Tainted Love +4

38 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

30 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me 

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

21 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All -6

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

18 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

14 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 
7 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic 

[TQR 12,584]

I won’t be at all miffed if Brass In Pocket makes the final because it’s great, but with the exceptional standard of tunes we have in this round I don’t think it should. Ditto Call Me, much as I love Blondie.

[ladyfiona 2,095]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket 

50 Blondie — Atomic 

47 Blondie — Call Me

47 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

38 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes +2

30 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me 

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

23 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All +2

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

15 The Specials — Too Much Too Young -3

14 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 
4 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic -3

[BuffaloPhil 641]

57 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket 

50 Blondie — Atomic 

47 Blondie — Call Me

41 Soft Cell — Tainted Love -6

38 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes 

34 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me +4

27 The Specials — Ghost Town  

23 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All 

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

15 The Specials — Too Much Too Young 

14 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children 
4 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic 

[Clorox Bleachman 2,063]

55 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket -2

54 Blondie — Atomic +4

47 Blondie — Call Me

41 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

38 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

34 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 The Specials — Ghost Town

23 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

15 The Specials — Too Much Too Young

14 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children

0 The Police — Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic -4

[En Passant 2,997]

55 The Pretenders — Brass in Pocket

54 Blondie — Atomic

47 Blondie — Call Me

41 Soft Cell — Tainted Love

38 David Bowie — Ashes to Ashes

34 The Police — Don't Stand So Close to Me

27 The Specials — Ghost Town

20 The Human League — Don't You Want Me

18 The Jam — Going Underground / Dreams of Children +4

17 ABBA - The Winner Takes It All -6

15 The Specials — Too Much Too Young

 

Could almost have put them on a dartboard and thrown a couple of darts really.

Ok, I admit, I would have aimed at Abba just a little bit because they're so ubiquitous.

Oh and today I'd sooner hear the Jam track. Tomorrow could be different, it's that close now.