8 of the 80s: 11/20/14 (1984)

It's Throwback Thursday 80s time, and this week I'm back to 1984, the year Bob Geldof and Midge Ure organize, write, and record the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", which went on to be one of the biggest-selling singles of all time.

The Jacksons - "Body"
from the album Victory (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #47
Songwriter: Michael Jackson

Possibly the worst song the brothers ever released. Marlon sang lead, and Michael and Jermaine couldn't even be bothered to show for the video. Fun to watch for the 80s aerobics cheesiness though.

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La Toya Jackson - "Heart Don't Lie"
from the album Heart Don't Lie (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #56
Songwriters: Amir Bayyan, Donna Johnson

Welcome to what Janet's career would've continued to be if she didn't break free and go to Flyte Tyme. Shalamar's Howard Hewett is even to ashamed to be in the video, leaving a dancer to lip sync. Also, too, Musical Youth probably right before the drug spiral.

Dazz Band - "Joystick"
from the album Joystick (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #61
Songwriters: Eric Feaman, Bobby Harris

The guys behind the "Let It Whip" jam tried to replicate its success with this funky one, but while this made the R&B top-10, I think they were a couple years too late to the arcade game thing.

The Bus Boys - "Cleaning Up The Town"
from the album Ghostbusters (Original Soundtrack) (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #68
Songwriters: Brian O'Neal, Kevin O'Neal

Eddie Murphy's pet band got their big exposure for their retro sound (also a couple years late) with this single from one of the biggest movies of 1984.

Shalamar - "Amnesia"
from the album Heartbreak (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #73
Songwriters: George Duke, Howard Hewett

After Jody Watley bailed on the trio, Hewett had a hit with "Dancing In The Sheets" from Footloose, but couldn't quite keep the momentum with this nugget, though it did have that 80s comedy-movie soundtrack mood.

Diana Ross - "Let's Go Up"
from the album Ross (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #77
Songwriters: Franne Golde, Peter Ivers

I've always had an affection for this forgotten Ross album, produced by Steely Dan studio guru Gary Katz and Toto playing backup.

Deniece Williams - "Next Love"
from the album Let's Hear It For The Boy (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #81
Songwriters: George Duke, Deniece Williams

"Niecy" also tried to build from her hit from Footloose, "Let's Hear It For The Boy", but I guess this re-write of Jeffrey Osborne's "Stay With Me Tonight" wouldn't do the trick. Though she "caused a commotion" three years before Madonna.

Apollonia 6 - "Sex Shooter"
from the album Apollonia 6 (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #85
Songwriter: Apollonia 6

Oh, my. Anything Prince crapped on the floor got an audience in 1984.


 So there you have it. Tomorrow: my top 100 tunes from the week.