8 of the 80s: 7/24/14 (1980)

We move ahead a decade in this week's throwback to 1980, with eight more nuggets from the year Pope John Paul II visited Brazil, causing a stampede that killed seven people. (I've included links to buy anything you see, support the talent!)...

Diana Ross - "Upside Down"
from the album diana (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriters: Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers

The quintessential diva caught the tail-end of the disco craze with the guys from Chic in this summertime classic. Also, too, "respectfully, I say to thee..".

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Donna Summer - "On The Radio"
from the album On The Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
Songwriters: Giorgio Moroder, Donna Summer

Only the "queen of disco" could command a double-disc album of greatest hits, and her third 2LP set to top the albums chart.

Michael Jackson - "Off The Wall"
from the album Off The Wall (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10
Songwriter: Rod Temperton

The song was the "middle child" to Heatwave's "Boogie Nights" (whose member Temperton wrote this and bass hook is akin to) and Jackson's future disco paranoia on "Thriller". Let the madness and the music get to you indeed.

Meco - "Empire Strikes Back (Medley)"
from the EP Meco Plays Music From The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18
Songwriter: John Williams

The Italian disco producer repeated his success with bringing the sci-fi classic to the dance floor with this knock-off of Williams' classic theme.

The Whispers - "Lady"
from the album The Whispers (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #29
Songwriter: Nicholas Caldwell

The disco collective led by twin brothers Scotty and Walter Scott slowed down the groove for this forgotten booty call jam.

Rufus & Chaka Khan - "Do You Love What You Feel"
from the album Masterjam (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #30
Songwriter: David Wolinski

The soul-disco band jammed into the new decade with this addictive buttshaker.

The Sugarhill Gang - "Rapper's Delight"
from the album Sugarhill Gang (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #36
Songwriters: Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers

The song that brought rap music to the suburbs. Comedy Central's Drunk History did an episode with the history of the song, and you should check it out.

Linda Clifford - "Red Light"
from the albums I'm Yours and Fame (Original Soundtrack) (1980)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #41
Songwriters: Michael Gore, Dean Pritchard

The disco powerhouse was robbed of a top-40 pop hit for the second time with this soul-lifting jam from the movie Fame that stalled one notch shy of the mark.