The History of Jop Part 3 aka If you start me up I'll never stop

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Part 3 of the series takes us to 1981, and really an awful lot of great singles from which you must pick ONLY NINE.

Procedural notes: Laurie A. and the Stones were joint winners this year. Also, "Ghost Town" topped the separate EPs poll but I threw it in here anyway. I may do this with some future EPs too.


[Poll #813728]


And now the Joptimists Top Ten of 1980:

1. Blondie - Call Me (45 votes)
2. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (37 votes)
3. Lipps Inc - Funky Town (35 votes)
4=. The Clash - Train In Vain/London Calling (32 votes)
4=. Diana Ross - Upside Down (32 votes)
4=. The Dead Kennedies - Holiday In Cambodia (32 votes)
7. The Vapors - Turning Japanese (31 votes)
8=. Martha And The Muffins - Echo Beach (29 votes)
8=. Joy Divison - Atmosphere/She's Lost Control (29 votes)
10. Devo - Whip It (25 votes)

Comments

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

This was a hard one.

Never knowingly heard: this Deniece Williams, Roseanne Cash, Frankie Smith.

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

I struggled to tick 9.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I wanted to tick about 18, but there were a lot where I thought "I bet not enough people know this".

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

OMG forgot Adam Ant on the last qn.

For further info purposes, Albums:

1. The Clash: Sandinista!
2. X: Wild Gift
3. Elvis Costello and the Attractions: Trust
4. The Rolling Stones: Tattoo You
5. Rickie Lee Jones: Pirates

Incense, wine, and candles

[juror8.livejournal.com]

How can anyone not tick Rick James?

[the-roofdog.livejournal.com]

Tom, I think you and I differed only by one vote and shamefully this is because I couldn't resist ticking CARNES.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

There is no shame in ticking Carnes! I rly want to hear that now. (and loads of others) (what time is Poptimism again?)

I am surprised

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

that Grace Jones isn't getting more love. Isn't she, like, ideal Poptimist icon type? PULL UP TO THE BUMPAH BAYBEH

Re: Incense, wine, and candles

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

Who is Rick James?

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I really like X!

Re: I am surprised

[blue-russian.livejournal.com]

I have a hard time dissociating Grace from Conan and Bond movies now.

Re: I am surprised

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I have only ever seen one, maybe two Bond movies, both with Brosnan so latter-day. Never seen the one with Grace in. What is Conan?

I saw Grace Jones live at TDK last year - it was quite something.

Re: Incense, wine, and candles

[blue-russian.livejournal.com]

"Super Freak" is the sample in "U Can't Touch This." Although you may not know that either!

Re: Incense, wine, and candles

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

Haha I didn't know there was a sample in 'U Can't Touch This'. The bassline I presume?

Re: Incense, wine, and candles

[the-roofdog.livejournal.com]

Have you seen the episode of Mighty Boosh with Old Gregg ?

Re: I am surprised

[juror8.livejournal.com]

Not Russel Harty then?

Re: Incense, wine, and candles

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

What's Mighty Boosh?

Re: Incense, wine, and candles

[juror8.livejournal.com]

He was a cokehead and a woman-beater who just happened to record, in "Super Freak", possibly the sexiest song ever written.

Re: Incense, wine, and candles

[juror8.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I pity you for what you don't know. But times like this I envy you.

Re: I am surprised

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

That's 'disentangling'.

Did I tick Grace or not? I can't remember. It's a terrific track but it's not as great as "Private Life" or "Slave To The Rhythm".

Unseal Yr Lips!

[blue-russian.livejournal.com]

This is one of the greatest songs evah! Chug chug chuging guitars, twinkly synth lines, that rubbery bass (esp. during the bridge), and those sunny harmonies!

Re: Unseal Yr Lips!

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Another casualty of a strong field, for me. Surprised it's not doing better though what with the new wave love last time.

[blue-russian.livejournal.com]

So you ticked strategically then, not for "the best"?

I actually found this year kind of iffy after ticking my favorite, despite there being several songs that on paper seem magical and therefore quite strong (e.g., Every Little Thing, Super Freak, Genius of Love). Are any of them really better than Tempted, which is just a solid, classic piece of songwriting?

Is "Tainted Love" really the best song here, or just the one that spans the broadest audience?

[lockedintheatti.livejournal.com]

I remember Aneka being my favourite other '81 song at the time, but I don't think I've heard it for years. I'm scared to download it in case it's shit and only appealed to me as a 6 year old and I'm not sure I want to ruin the memory.

poor ol pete shelley

[jauntyalan.livejournal.com]

:-(