Various Artists – Double Dancing (1983)

This is actually two albums in one. Double Dancing 1 and 2. I think I got these from my ex-girlfriend years ago when I had bought a vinyl player. She bought these at a flea market somewhere in Helsinki. I probably would never have bought these kinds of albums myself, but now I'm actually quite pleasantly surprised that I also own these types of mainstream pop compilations. This compilation double album was released in Nordic Countries in 1983, the year I was born. It features the greatest radio hits from that time, but I think their budget hasn't been that high, since there are no massively popular hit songs or artists on the album. Thus, even though the style is very mainstream, today the selection feels a bit alternative in terms of 80s synth pop. I have hardly listened to these albums before, but now is a good time to catch up on what I actually own.



For a long time, 80s pop music represented the worst in music to me. It sounded so commercial, so American and so fake that I couldn't even understand why so many people loved it so much. Part of my attitudes are explained by the fact that when I first started listening to "adult" music, what was popular was thrash metal, hard rock and grunge. Heavy guitars and bleak attitude were popular, so electronic instruments, fake sounding studio gimmicks and happy melodies were almost forbidden. It took me years and years to actually find out that there were some really enjoyable 80s bands as well and in recent years I've come to appreciate also some 80s mainstream. I mean, I won't really listen to that stuff at home, but I understand its place in the music history a lot better and I've come to appreciate some of the sounds as something that was new and exciting at the time of their release.

The album starts with the great hit song Karma Chameleon by Culture Club. I remember this song from old TV-Shop commercials from years ago, but otherwise Culture Club has never been that familiar to me. Then a few years ago I watched Voice TV-season here in UK and Boy George was one of the judges. After that I've actually kind of liked the song. New Dimension by Imagination is a song that I probably haven't heard anywhere else before this album. I just find it funny how they keep repeating the lyrics 'One Direction'. Musically it is energetic synth pop. Red Red Wine by UB40 is one of the biggest hits on this album. The name alone would not have probably told me anything, but immediately when the reggae beats start playing I recognise the song. It's one of those hidden ear worms that everyone recognises, but only once they hear the song. So Many Men, So Little Time by Miquel Brown seems to be some kind of gay anthem, at least according to the compilation album I found this song on in Spotify. Musically it sounds surprisingly lot like It's Raining Men. Crushed by the Wheels of Industry by Heaven 17 has some very futuristic sounds in 80s perspective and like the title suggests, the sounds are quite industrial. You Break My Heart by Broadcast is a ballad that sounds very beautifully but cheesily. This song really sounds almost like a parody because it's so cheesy from today's perspective. I Need Love by Kano is a great synth pop song with 80s style electronic drums and space synth bass. The intro is quite amazingly tacky. Dolce Vita by Ryan Paris continues the spacey synth sounds and disco beats. Sunshine Reggae by Laid Back was a massive hit back in the day and I remember when I first heard it, I thought it was some kind of jingle for a travel agency or something. I like the calm feel of the song though. The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats is one of the greatest songs on this album. There are similarities to bands like Devo. The electronic synth sounds are just so amazingly kitchy that I love it. I Want You by Gary Low is a more conventional 80s disco song. The melody is surprisingly melancholic along with the lyrics, but the beat welcomes you to dance. Love In Your Eyes by Gazebo continues with wild disco beats and electronic sounds. Shadow On the Wall by Mike Oldfield has also found its way on this compilation. It's funny because I actually own so many Oldfield albums previously owned by my dad, which meant that I was actually familiar with this song already. Pop Goes My Love by Freeez is a very strange song with synths and funky rhythms. The strange electronic sounding shouts are what makes it strange. Superman by Black Lace sounds like an old-school rock n' roll song but with very 80s instrumentation. America by Gloria Gaynor is a funky disco song with super cheesy America-praising lyrics. Hunger by Carola was also a massive hit years ago and no wonder as it sounds quite a lot like Abba. Another example of amazing songwriting capabilities of the Swedes. No Tengo Dinero by Righeira has some amazing synth pop sounds. Sounds like they just wanted to experiment with the sounds. Love Will Find a Way by David Grant is quite tacky, but at the same time sort of classy. I'm sure these kinds of songs have been really cool in the 80s when synth pop was still new. Love How You Feel by Sharon Redd has some funky rhythms. The rhythm is in much more important role than the melodies. I Want You to Be My Baby by Natasha England is an upbeat song good for dancing. It reminds me of some twist songs of the 60s. The album ends with Band of Gold by Sylvester. This is a fantastic radio hit song with excellent bass lines.

Like I mentioned before, I would've probably never bought an album like this myself, but now that I have it, I'm quite glad. It's educational to have this kind of compilation of songs from a very specific era. And I love the fact that it's my birth year's music of all the years.

Listen to the album on Spotify.