The GREATEST SONG of 1980 is JUST 1 BIG NASTY INNUENDO! | Professor of Rock

Brief Summary

This video counts down the top 10 songs of 1980, a year that saw the rise of new wave, punk, and rap, as well as the increasing use of synthesizers. The list includes songs by iconic artists like The Pretenders, Pete Townshend, Gary Newman, Bob Seger, Frank Sinatra, Blondie, Queen, Pink Floyd, and AC/DC. The video also explores the stories behind the songs, including their inspirations, recording processes, and cultural impact.

• The video highlights the influence of disco on rock music in 1980, with songs like "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen and "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" by Pink Floyd.
• The video also features a surprising revelation about the background vocals on Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright," which were sung by Eddie Money.
• The video concludes with a discussion of the year's best solo artist, album, and band, with the honors going to Billy Joel, AC/DC's "Back in Black," and AC/DC, respectively.

Brass in Pocket

The countdown begins with "Brass in Pocket" by The Pretenders, a new wave band fronted by Chrissy Hynde. The song's title came from an incident at The Pretenders' first UK gig, where Chrissy Hynde asked about a pair of trousers sprawled over a chair. The song is often seen as an anthem of girl power, but Hynde insists it's sung from a guy's perspective. Despite her initial dislike of the song, "Brass in Pocket" became a massive hit, reaching number one in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and Sweden.

Let My Love Open the Door

Coming in at number nine is "Let My Love Open the Door" by Pete Townshend, the first solo top 40 hit from the legendary guitarist. The song was inspired by the teachings of spiritual leader Meher Baba, whom Townshend had been following since 1968. The song's message of letting love set you free reflects Townshend's spiritual ideals, even as he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse during this period. Despite his personal struggles, Townshend remained prolific, releasing solo albums in 1980 and 1982.

Cars

At number eight is "Cars" by Gary Newman, an electronic trailblazing song that was unlike anything else in the top 10 of 1980. The song explores the theme of people using technology and material possessions to shut themselves off from real human connection. Newman revealed that the song was inspired by a real-life incident where he was driving and someone in front of him became enraged, trying to break into his car. The song became a huge hit, reaching number five in Canada and the UK, number nine in Australia, and cracking the Billboard Hot 100's top 10.

Against the Wind

Number seven on the countdown is "Against the Wind," the title track from Bob Seger's biggest-selling album. The song is about getting older and navigating life's ups and downs, including love, heartbreak, exploration, and betrayal. The title and repeated line "against the wind" capture the feeling of time passing, a theme that Seger drew from his high school days running track and cross country. The song is also deeply personal, with "Janie" in the lyrics referring to Janie Dale, Seger's longtime partner from 1972 to 1983.

New York, New York

At number six is Frank Sinatra's iconic rendition of "New York, New York," originally sung by Liza Minnelli in the 1977 musical of the same name. The song was composed by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb. Sinatra's version became a pop culture standard and a signature song for the legendary singer, replacing "My Way" as the grand finale of his live shows. The song became Sinatra's first top 40 hit in years, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.

I'm Alright

Number five on the countdown is "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins, a song from the soundtrack of the comedy "Caddyshack." The song features a mystery singer on backup vocals, who Loggins revealed to be Eddie Money. The song became a hit, reaching number five in Canada and South Africa, and number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.

Call Me

Coming in at number four is "Call Me" by Blondie, the biggest single of the year and another song from a motion picture soundtrack. The song was written from the perspective of a male character in the movie "American Gigolo," played by Richard Gere. The lyrics were inspired by Deborah Harry's visual impressions from watching the movie. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and remained on the chart for nearly six months.

Another One Bites the Dust

Number three on the countdown is "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen, a song that embraced disco with a bassline that was widely imitated. The song was written by John Deacon, who played most of the instruments on the track. Deacon was inspired by the dance hit "Good Times" by Chic, and the song's bassline is very similar. The song became Queen's biggest hit, reaching number one in the US, Israel, Spain, and Canada.

Another Brick in the Wall Part 2

At number two is "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" by Pink Floyd, a song that broke the band's categorization as prog rock. The song features a disco backbeat, which was suggested by producer Bob Ezrin, who was a fan of Chic. The song's lyrics were written by Roger Waters, reflecting his complex feelings about formal education. The song became a massive hit, reaching number one in 15 countries, including the US.

You Shook Me All Night Long

The video concludes with the number one song of 1980, "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC. The song was the first single with their new lead singer Brian Johnson, who replaced Bon Scott. The song was written quickly, with the title and chorus coming together in one night. The song's inspiration came from images of American girls that the band saw while recording in the Bahamas. The song became a huge hit, reaching number eight in Australia and number 19 in Ireland.