Here’s Part 2 of my favorite songs for each year from 1980 through 1999. I’ve written in some detail about several of these songs in previous posts over my eight-plus years of blogging, so won’t write lengthy narratives about any of them here. Just the year, the song and the artist, and the best video I could find for each one.
1980 CALL ME – Blondie
1981 BETTE DAVIS EYES – Kim Carnes
1982 MANEATER – Daryl Hall & John Oates
1983 EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE – The Police (my #1 song of the 1980s)
1984 WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT – Tina Turner
1985 EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD – Tears for Fears
1986 WEST END GIRLS – Pet Shop Boys
1987 WITH OR WITHOUT YOU – U2
1988 WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS? – Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield
1989 GOOD THING – Fine Young Cannibals
1990 NOTHING COMPARES 2 U – Sinéad O’Connor
1991 LOSING MY RELIGION – R.E.M. (my #1 song of the 1990s)
Today’s Song of the Day Challenge theme is “A song that’s covered by another artist”, and my pick is “The Crying Game” by English singer Boy George (born George Alan O’Dowd and formerly the vocalist of Culture Club). The song was written by English songwriter and producer Geoff Stephens, and originally sung by English pop singer Dave Berry back in 1964. The rather unusual and haunting lead guitar was played by session guitarist Big Jim Sullivan, with a very young Jimmy Page providing additional guitar work. Berry’s recording was a sizable hit in Britain, reaching #5 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song was later covered by Boy George in 1992, and both his version and the original Dave Berry recording were used in the 1992 Neil Jordan film The Crying Game. Boy George’s version of the song was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and reached #22 on the UK Singles Chart, #15 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and #1 in Canada and Iceland. I much prefer Boy George’s version, not only because he’s a far better vocalist than Berry, but also because of the stunning music arrangement and production by the Pet Shop Boys, who I’ve long been a fan of and whose music I love.
Boy George had a gorgeous soulful and smooth singing voice, and I think his vocals on “The Crying Game” were among his finest ever. He sings in a soft, heartfelt croon, then rises to a breathy falsetto that’s truly sublime. The Pet Shop Boys used a similar twangy guitar to that used in Berry’s version, but backed it with soaring orchestral instrumentals and psychedelic atmospheric synths that give the song an even more haunting ethereal sound. It’s a magnificent track, and one of my favorite songs of the 1990s. Fun fact: I’ve long wanted to sing this to karaoke, but never summoned enough nerve to do it.
I know all there is to know about the crying game I’ve had my share of the crying game
First there are kisses, then there are sighs And then before you know where you are You’re sayin’ goodbye
One day soon I’m gonna tell the moon about the crying game And if he knows maybe he’ll explain
Why there are heartaches, why there are tears And what to do to stop feeling blue When love disappears
I know all there is to know about the crying game I’ve had my share of the crying game
First there are kisses, then there are sighs And then before you know where you are You’re sayin’ goodbye
Don’t want no more of the crying game Don’t want no more of the crying game Don’t want no more of the crying game Don’t want no more of the crying game
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 