Any Way You Want It II

My early ‘80s American childhood was dominated by album-oriented rock (AOR) which at that time dominated radio and MTV. Steeped in traditional rock music but stripped of its humanity, AOR was all about drama and seemed strangely obsessed with celebrating dehumanization and mimicking what it thought was humanity. And people loved it! This was perhaps a tribute to the carefully produced formula AOR used to either beat or lull its listeners senseless and into submission.

Pat Benatar

For me the best of AOR takes control of your mind and body- against your will- and while it may not be what rock’s rebellious founders originally had in mind, AOR paid the bills in the late ‘70s- and most of the ‘80s- and it got people through the day (and kept them company at night). And some of it still sounds good- especially coming out of a boom box. Here are some more of my favorite AOR songs. Enjoy!

Tina Turner and Bryan Adams

01. Pat Benatar – “Invincible” (1985)

02. Pat Benatar –“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” (1980)

03. Pat Benatar – “Heartbreaker” (1979)

04. The Hooters – “Where Do the Children Go” (1985)

05. Toto – “Africa” (1982)

06. Bryan Adams feat. Tina Turner – “It’s Only Love” (1985)

07. Heart – “Alone” (1987)

08. Boston – “More Than a Feeling” (1976)

09. Pat Benatar – “We Belong” (1984)

10. John Waite – “Missing You” (1984)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Pat Benatar - Invincible (Theme from "The Legend of Billie Jean")

Pat Benatar – “Love Is a Battlefield”