Friday's 40th Five (15/81)

Remembering the music of 1981, week by week, in 2021. New releases, new entries, new number 1s, plus indie favourites and album cuts, all from this week 40 years ago.

Week 15: 13-19 April

1. Dept. S - Is Vic There?  Surprise debut hit for these post-punkers, at no.40 this week and on TOTP.

2. Ennio Morricone - Chi Mai. Theme tune to BBC TV hit series The Life & Times of David Lloyd George, originally composed by the Italian maestro in 1971, now at no.4 with respectful Legs & Co. performance on TOTP.

3. The Cure - Primary. Taken from the group's new and third album Faith, the single actually did make TOTP this week, mistakenly announced by Peter Powell as being their 'debut' on the show.

4. Sugar Minott - Good Thing Going. This one by the veteran Jamaican vocalist has been around for a bit and is already up to no.7. The song was origianlly recorded by Michael Jackson in 1972

5. Theatre of Hate - Rebel Without A Brain. More London post-punk energy still coming through and this one is the highest new entry on the Indie charts this week.

Friday's 40th Five (14/81)

 Week 06-12 April 

1. Spandau Ballet - Glow. Brand new track to accompany Muscle Bound up the charts and onto the dance floors.

2. Public Image Limited - Flowers of Romance. New track from Lydon & friends hits the charts and makes for a very bizarre TOTP performance.

3. John Lennon - Watching the Wheels. Posthumous single release from the Lennon estate, the last to be taken from Double Fantasy.

4. Shalamar - Make That Move. US disco trio get first Brit hit since last year's I Owe You One.

5. Keith Marshall - Only Crying. Debut hit by former Hello frontman.

Friday's 40th Five (13/81)

 

30 March - 05 April