Now That's What I Call USA: 80's

We did mention on here a few months back Now 80's Alternative, a themed compilation those extremely busy Now people put out whose more condensed version on two lps was more usable and they've done something similar here with a set themed around 80's American hits.

Issued on August 11th this takes a broad stab at the American charts in the 80's and in the early to mid 80's I did follow them, something that did show up in the individual albums I bought then and actually last Monday Dad did find an old school exercise book with chart information and clippings from publications.

The set is not perfect, for instance we really don't need Duran Duran's The Reflex (remix) even though this was a US no.1 as it was too in the UK and has a place in Now 3 where something like Talk Talk's It's My Life or Def Leppard's Photograph big US hits that did little in the UK do fit better.

Syncronicity II also would of been a better choice than Every Breath You take being a big hit over there for a Police track but over all it does work adding often missed off tracks by Corey Hart. Bruce Springsteen, Belinda Carlisle and The Fixx that I loved.

For reasons best know to themselves each disc has a seperate colour -blue, white and red- and isn't a gatefold but I'd forgive that given the low budget folded card cover of the four cd version as this looks more something you'd be proud to own.

LP 1

Side A

Bruce Springsteen – Hungry Heart

John Mellencamp – Jack & Diane

The Police – Every Breath You Take

Pat Benatar – Love Is A Battlefield

Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes

Daryl Hall & John Oates – You Make My Dreams (Come True)

Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl

REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You

Side B

Diana Ross – Upside Down

Lipps Inc. – Funkytown

Company B - Fascinated

Michael Sembello – Maniac

Aretha Franklin – Freeway Of Love

The S.O.S Band – Take Your Time (Do It Right)

Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters

LP 2

Side A

Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra

Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart

Duran Duran - The Reflex

A Flock Of Seagulls – I Ran (So Far Away)

Corey Hart – Sunglasses At Night

Peter Schilling – Major Tom (Coming Home)

Nena – 99 Luftballons

Side B

Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone (From “Top Gun” Original Soundtrack)

Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind

The J. Geils Band – Centerfold

Night Ranger – Sister Christian

Journey – Open Arms

Richard Marx – Endless Summer Nights

Foreigner - Waiting For A Girl Like You

LP 3

Side A

Blondie – Call Me (Theme From “American Gigolo”)

R.E.M. – Stand

The Fixx – One Thing Leads To Another

Pretenders - Show Me

Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You

The Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian

Culture Club – I’ll Tumble 4 Ya

Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat

Side B

Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson – Say Say Say

Olivia Newton-John – Physical

Tina Turner - What’s Love Got to Do With It

Juice Newton – Angel Of The Morning

Whitney Houston – You Give Good Love

Jennifer Holliday – And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going

Neil Diamond – America (From “The Jazz Singer” Soundtrack)

This set can be filed next to that other 80's set filling by theme some missing material given I didn't get and had in any event limited use for the 1983-86 volumes of the Now Yearbook series.