Here Comes the New Wave III

When I was a kid, new wave music and MTV kind of went hand in hand and while by the middle of the ‘80s it had become a cartoon of itself, there is little doubt new wave gave us some of the best and most memorable songs of the Carter-Reagan era. If it wasn’t for the power and innovation of new wave (which was a huge umbrella term for any artist who was even remotely interesting or cutting edge), then much of the ‘80s musical landscape would have been even more of a wasteland than it was.

New Order

My first real taste of new wave was the huge 1984 Duran Duran hit “The Reflex” which may have been the first 7” single I ever purchased (probably cost me less than $2.00- not bad entertainment for two bucks). I played it over and over on our living room record player and don’t know whatever happened to it- most likely tossed in the trash. And that is what used to be the deal with popular music and especially new wave- it was meant to provide immediate, disposable pleasure whether on vinyl, on the radio, or in a club- and the law of supply and demand made sure the new hits kept coming. Here is some of my favorite new wave including new romantic, pub rock, Goth, synth pop, punk, and ska revival. Enjoy!

The B-52’s

01. Blondie – “Union City Blue” (1979)
02. David Bowie – “China Girl” (1983)
03. The B-52’s – “Mesopotamia” (1981)
04. The Suburbs – “Love is the Law” (1984)
05. Blondie – “Dreaming” (1979)
06. Talking Heads – “(Nothing But) Flowers” (1988)
07. Blondie – “Hanging on the Telephone” (1978)
08. Alphaville – “Forever Young” (1984)
09. The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (1981)
10. Pretenders – “Kid” (1979)
11. Howard Jones – “No One Is to Blame” (1985)
12. The Selecter – “On My Radio (Live)” (1991)
13. Yaz – “Only You” (1982)
14. Yaz – “Don’t Go” (1982)
15. Spandau Ballet – “True” (1983)
16. The Clash – “The Right Profile” (1979)
17. The Cure – “In Between Days” (1985)
18. Elvis Costello – “Riot Act” (1980)
19. New Order – “True Faith” (1987)
20. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – “So in Love” (1985)

The B-52’s

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Duran Duran - The Reflex (Official Music Video)