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!


Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.

6 thoughts on “Old School…Music, Part 2