8 of the 80s: 1/10/13,,,

Hey gang, I'm back from the holiday break with eight more nuggets from the 80s, and this time I'm back to 1981, the year Northern Irish Nationalist Bobby Sands went on a hunger strike in prison (he eventually died from it).

Dolly Parton - "9 to 5"
from the album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

One of two songs in 1981 titled "Nine To Five" to reach #1 (Sheena Easton had the other one), Dolly's biggest and best movie role ever also gave the singer/songwriter her only #1 solo hit on the pop chart.

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Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - "Tryin' To Live My Life Without You" (Live)
from the album Nine Tonight (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

The Detroit legend gets a top-5 pop hit with a soulful cover of a minor R&B hit by Otis Clay from 1972.


The Commodores - "Lady (You Bring Me Up)"
from the album In The Pocket (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

From Lionel's last album with the group, the jubilant post-disco ditty was a fitting coda to his stint with the band.


Billy Joel - "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" (Live)
from the album Songs In The Attic (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17

The Piano Man's nugget from his Turnstiles album gets revived for a top-20 pop by his heralded live performances.


The Eagles - "Seven Bridges Road" (Live)
from the album Eagles Live (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21

The iconic 70s band's last single before their first breakup was a song that referenced an actual road in Alabama, with five-part harmonies to die for.

Billy & The Beaters - "I Can Take Care Of Myself" (Live)
from the album Billy & The Beaters (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #39

California veteran club band got their first taste of success with this top-40 hit, six years before Family Ties made Vera a household name (for a bit).

Con Funk Shun - "Too Tight"
from the album Touch (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #40

The Bay-Area R&B outfit gave Earth Wind & Fire a run for their money with this, their grooviest club hit.

The Fools - "Running Scared"
from the album Heavy Mental (1981)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #50

The Massachusetts band that usually did parody covers goes serious on their version of this Roy Orbison classic, at the time that they opened for Van Halen on tour.

That does it for tonight...I'll be back tomorrow with another Song of the Day, Candletime, and my top-100 tunes for the week. Good night!