08/06/2007
Mix Disc Monday Home / Music Home / Bullz-Eye Home
1986 will be remembered for the horrific explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, which killed all seven crewmembers aboard. Other events that year were the death of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton when the band’s tour bus crashed in Sweden; the Iran-Contra affair; the Mets beating the Red Sox in the World Series in which everyone remembers the ball rolling through Bill Buckner’s legs; and Mike Tyson winning his first fight. But as music is usually the soundtrack to events we remember, here are some of the best songs from 1986:
"Love Walks In," Van Halen (5150)
This was the beginning of the Sammy Hagar era,
and this song was the closest thing to a ballad
that Van Halen ever recorded. It wasn’t that the
band was going soft, it’s just that they were starting
to weave melodies into their songs.
They only had one album, and you might likely recognize this song more from when Annie Lennox covered it. But, as the band name suggests, the album is full of brooding, Brit-pop songs about love and love lost. And it’s awesome.
"Back In The High Life Again," Steve Winwood
(Back In The High Life)
True story: I worked with this dude named Vinnie
when this album came out. Vinnie said guys like
Winwood could put out an album after taking several
years off, and "Boom, high life, baby." It had
only been four years since Winwood’s previous effort,
but I know what Vinnie meant, and I have a feeling
he personally talked Winwood into releasing this
album.
"Take My Breath Away," Berlin (Count
Three and Pray)
Yeah, this is a sappy love song, but after landing
in the film "Top Gun" and becoming a hit, it’s
hard not to include it here.
"She Brakes For Rainbows," The B-52’s
(Bouncing Off The Satellites)
This was a bit of a departure for The B-52’s,
a bit laid back compared to past hits like "Rock
Lobster." But considering it was recorded before
the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson, and released
shortly after, the somber mood on the record comes
through more than anything.
"Dead Man’s Party," Oingo Boingo (Dead
Man’s Party)
The perfect track for a Halloween mix is also
the perfect track for a 1986 mix. And a reminder
that Danny Elfman is pretty freaking talented.
"If She Knew What She Wants," The Bangles
(Different Light)
Let’s recap the members of the Bangles: A bassist
named Michael (yes, a girl). Pass. Two hot sisters
Debbi and Vickie Peterson. Pretty hot, but not
when compared to Susanna Hoffs: Off the charts
hot. I still get a rush of blood to the groin
when I hear her sing.
"Venus," Bananarama (True Confessions)
A band called Shocking Blue first recorded this
song in the late sixties, but hot chick pop group
Bananarama turned it into a dance hit in 1986.
"Blood and Roses," The Smithereens (Especially
For You)
The Smithereens churned out some alt/pop ear candy
back in the day. This was their first single,
and for my money, it’s still their best song.
"All I Want," Howard Jones (One To
One)
It was difficult for Howard to follow up
his hit machine, 1986’s Dream Into Action that
spawned hits like "Life in One Day," "No One Is
To Blame," and "Things Can Only Get Better." But
this album was pretty damn good, too.
"Suzanne," Journey (Raised On Radio)
Before Journey hung up Steve Perry’s long
jacket, they released this album that was sure
to be a letdown after the magic of Escape and Frontiers.
And it pretty much was, but there were a few great
tracks like this one on it.
"Livin’ On A Prayer," Bon Jovi (Slippery
When Wet)
A mega-smash for a mega-band, and another
song that is practically synonymous with 1986. The
mouth guitar intro is about one of the most recognizable
riffs in rock history.
"In Your Eyes," Peter Gabriel (So)
Most folks remember this song from Cameron Crowe’s
film, "Say Anything," but more than that it was
a hit song on a breakout album of epic proportions
for this former member of Genesis.
"Human," Human League (Crash)
It wasn’t the Human League’s biggest single, but
this song about infidelity is one of their most
powerful.
"Amanda," Boston (Third Stage)
Did it really take Boston eight years to release
the follow up to Don’t Look Back? It
sure did, and it sure was a bummer for fans that
stuck it out. But this single was a nice consolation
on an otherwise uneventful album.