Day 19 #100DaysOfOldDays

This is my collection of 80’s singles. There’s 51 here, and I had lots more. I have a collection of LPs too but they haven’t made the journey from Cavan to Mayo yet.

If you’re a relatively young person reading this and you’re wondering what an LP is. It’s a long playing vinyl record. A single has a song on each side, and an LP is an album with a few songs on each side. It plays longer. On one of these; a record player. I think these days they’re called a turntable.

When a new single was released, we went into Colemans stationery shop to order it. If it was number one in the charts, they’d usually have some in stock. Or if you knew someone who was going to Cavan town, you’d ask them to get your record in the music shop.

I’ve had a look through my collection of vinyl singles. Some great memories, and I still love every song—on the A side.  

I think the very first record I bought was TO BE OR NOT TO BE by B.A. Robertson released in May 1980. I was only twelve and just on the road to discovering pop music. Before this, all I knew was Charlie Pride and Philomena Begley. Thanks Mam.

This is my favourite record…only because it’s green.

Here’s my top ten favourites from my collection. I’ve added a YouTube link in case you fancy a trip back to the 1980s disco halls.  

RED RED WINE by UB40. I didn’t know until just now that Red Red Wine was written and first recorded by Neil Diamond in 1967. UB40 covered it in 1983. And I have to say, I love Bob Marley’s version. ‘Red red wine you make me feel so fine.’

HELLO by Lionel Richie. 1983/84  All Lionel’s songs were easy to fall in love with.

I’VE NEVER BEEN TO ME by Charlene. It was originally released in 1977 but it wasn’t a hit, until in 1982 it was re-released and stayed at number one in the charts for six consecutive weeks. Class song. Listen to the lyrics!

WORDS by F.R. David. 1982. I still know all the words! Ha!

UNION CITY BLUE by Blondie. Debbie Harry was plastered all over my walls. I really wanted to be her!

Who remembers JE T’AIME…MOI NON PLUS By Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin. 1969. Yes, I was a baby but it was a still a hit in the 80’s. Can’t think why! Ahem. My mother didn’t like it and I had to play it on low volume. And if I were to play it now, it would be on low volume too, in case Little Miss Ten heard it! There’d be questions.

I LOVE ROCK ‘N ROLL by Joan Jett. 1981. This was when I learned how to play air guitar.

XANDU by Olivia Newton John. The soundtrack of the movie Xandu in 1980

I WANT TO BE FREE by Toyah (Wilcox). 1981 We weren’t at all influenced by her lyrics!

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN by Cyndi Lauper. 1983. We used go stone mad to this song at the discos in the hall!

I know I said top ten, but I have to mention JEALOUS GUY by Roxy Music. The song was written by John Lennon in 1968, and recorded on his 1971 album, Imagine. Classic!

I’ve so many more I could talk about but the night’s not long enough. Madonna, Wham, Tracy Ullman, David Essex, Culture Club, Chris De Burgh, Status Quo, Kim Wilde, The Police, Pet Shop Boys, Madness, Adam and the Ants. And more.

Those were the days of fantastic music and great songs!

Lucy’s drawing of a vinyl record.