Old School…Music, Part 2 6

I’m a lover of many things “old school” and recently posted 25 songs I consider hits from 1980 and prior. Despite my best efforts, I missed a few and revised it to 30. (Click here to see that list!) Still, I felt the need for a 1979-1989 version to cover my school days. What would the 80s have been without those basement parties?!

Remember the days where you could decide between records and cassettes, and recording songs off the radio was a thing? When delivering slow jam tapes with smooth transitions could get you a date, and passing notes was a way of life. No texts, emails, or two-way messages allowed. These songs are from those days.

This time I tried to limit myself to 40 and ended up with 50, in no particular order. Rather than all songs, you’ll see a few artists listed. Why? Because Michael Jackson, Prince & Luther Vandross, that’s why!

Finally, if you find yourself writing your number on a slip of paper and passing it to someone you think is cute, I’m not responsible.

Lisa’s Old School Hit List (1979-1989)

1. True, Spandau Ballet
2. Take Your Time, The S.O.S. Band
3. Stomp, The Brothers Johnson
4. Back Down Memory Lane, Minnie Riperton
5. I Just Wanna Hang Around You, George Benson
6. Love Come Down, Evelyn “Champagne” King
7. Never Knew Love Like This Before, Stephanie Mills
8. Endless Love, Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
9. Is It A Crime, Sade
10. Portuguese Love, Teena Marie, w/honorable mention Fire & Desire, ft. Rick James
11. You’re Number One (in My Book), Gladys Knight & The Pips
12. Love, Need and Want You, Patti LaBelle
13. Wonder if I Take You Home, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, ft. Full Force (or All Cried Out!)
14. Special Lady, Ray, Goodman & Brown
15. Oh Sherrie, Steve Perry
16. Human, Human League
17. Drive, The Cars
18. Don’t Stop the Music, Yarbrough & Peoples
19. Don’t Look Any Further, Dennis Edwards, ft. Siedah Garrett
20. We’ve Only Just Begun, Glenn Jones
21. Too Hot, Kool & the Gang
22. Baby I’m Scared of You, Womack & Womack
23. Ebony Eyes, Rick James, ft. Smokey Robinson
24. One on One, Hall & Oates
25. Old Friend, Phyllis Hyman
26. Choosey Lover, Isley Brothers
27. Say Yes, Lakeside (Fantastic Voyage!)
28. Overjoyed, Stevie Wonder
29. On the Wings of Love, Jeffrey Osborne (& Crazy ‘Bout Cha & We’re Going All the Way)
30. You Are, Lionel Richie (& Truly)
31. Sunshine, Alexander O’Neal
32. How Do You Keep the Music Playing, James Ingram & Patti Austin
33. I Call Your Name, Switch
34. I Like It, DeBarge
35. After the Love Has Gone, Earth, Wind & Fire
36. Atlantic Starr, Circles
37. The Glamorous Life, Sheila E.
38. Through the Fire, Chaka Khan
39. Don’t Stop (Ever Loving Me), One Way
40. Straight From the Heart, Con Funk Shun (& Baby I’m Hooked)
41. Computer Love, Zapp
42. Cool, Morris Day and the Time (& Gigolos Get Lonely Too)
43. Holding Back the Years, Simply Red
44. Outstanding, Gap Band
45. Loving You, O’Jays
46. Are You Single, Aurra
47. This is For the Lover in You, Shalamar
48. Prince (pick any one, like Little Red Corvette)
49. Luther Vandross (again, try and pick one: A House is Not A Home?)
50. Michael Jackson (one? yeah right! Human Nature?)

Feel free to comment your favorites from this time period!