Sixteen at sixteen

My favourite songs at the age of 16

Alrighty then, another excellent writing prompt to attend to! This time, Pierce McIntyre has invited us to share our 16 favourite songs from the year when we were 16 years old. Surely, that can’t be too hard. Wrong!

Here is Pierce’s story:

I turned 16 early in 1985. My music collection was growing significantly. I substantially upgraded my stereo system, moving from a poxy little three-in-one cheapie to a Technics hi-fi set up that cost a bomb. My parents and I went thirds in paying for my new baby. In hindsight, using an inflation calculator, it would be priced today at just under US$3,000. That’s a pretty cool bit of kit for a teenager. And it lasted me 30 years! My teens were a giant pain in the backside for multiple reasons. Music was my escape, my saviour. My parents recognised that, hence the assistance with some top quality hi-fi gear.

I reckon 1985 was a pretty good year for music. In my humble opinion, the year gave us great songs like ‘Raspberry Beret’ and ‘Walking On Sunshine’, and excellent albums such as ‘Songs From The Big Chair’. There were so many songs in the charts that were actually quite good. I can’t really say that nowadays. Of course, there was a fair share of drivel too such as ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’, and songs that simply got overplayed such as ‘Money For Nothing’ and ‘We Built This City’.

First up in my set of 16 is a collection of Australian songs, some/many of which might be familiar to you. Some brilliant songs, and yes, I will always promote Australian music!

Some of the videos below feature live performances of the songs. There is a playlist at the end for you to enjoy.

1. ‘Kiss The Dirt (Falling down the Mountain)’ — INXS

From the album ‘Listen Like Thieves’ that established the band internationally (how good are those four tracks to open an album!). I’ve always enjoyed this song, particularly for the intense ‘bridge’ part, and I love Garry Beers’ bass playing. As a beginner bass player, I was examining and practising the styles of many players like Beers (and a couple more discussed below).

2. ‘Sounds Of Then’ — GANGgajang

This Aussie pop-rock band comprised veteran musicians that originally got together to write and record songs for a television series called ‘Sweet and Sour’. They created the band for a bit of fun, and suddenly found themselves in demand. After a demo single hit the charts an album was recorded and released. ‘Sounds Of Then’ was a bit of a sleeper on the charts, however, with subsequent use in an advertisement and a network television promo, it was launched into that hallowed group of classic Aussie songs. The name GANGgajang is onomatopoeic for the sound of a double stroke guitar chord.

Out on the patio we sit And the humidity we breathe We watch the lightning crack over cane fields Laugh and think that this is Australia

I especially loved the band’s live set from the weekly late night music show called Rock Arena (on the ABC, our public broadcaster). This was when I became an instant fan. The video below is taken from that set. (Here is the full 40 minute set).

3. ‘Death Defying’ — Hoodoo Gurus

The glorious and now legendary Australian band followed up their stunning debut album with the brilliant ‘Mars Needs Guitars!’. The first two singles (‘Bittersweet’ and ‘Like Wow — Wipeout’) were killer, but it was this third single that really hit me in the feels. The melody, the ‘oo-wee’, Dave’s emotive vocals, and Brad’s guitar licks got me then and still get me to this very day. Every time. An all time favourite.

4. ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’ — Warumpi Band

An iconic and important Australian rock song that shone a light on racism in Australia and featured lyrics that encourage harmony and co-operation by all people. An absolute gem written by Neil Murray, a white fella living in an Aboriginal community in Australia’s northern territory, and co-written by the band’s front man, George Rrurrambu.

I can thoroughly recommend Murray’s semi-autobiographical novel ‘Sing For Me, Countryman’. It’s a wonderful read.

The following year, Midnight Oil released the single ‘The Dead Heart’ which dealt with multiple Aboriginal issues including the Stolen Generation. ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’ was featured as a b-side track on the 12 inch release of ‘The Dead Heart’. Soon after, Midnight Oil toured remote outback Australia with the Warumpi Band, playing in many Aboriginal communities. Their tour experiences were reflected in the next Oils album ‘Diesel and Dust’ (1987).

Are you the one who’s going to stand up and be counted Stand up, stand up and be counted

5. ‘Hercules’ — Midnight Oil

Between 1984’s ambitious ‘Red Sails In The Sunset’ and the 1986–87 releases mentioned above, Midnight Oil released a four track EP called ‘Species Deceases’. It featured the song ‘Hercules’, a ripping rock song reminiscent of the band’s earlier material. My love for this band runs deep and this recording blew me away.

Here come the Hercules Here come the submarines Sinking south pacific dreams

This is something I will remember

The lyrics dig at nuclear weapons, and in particular, testing of said weapons in the French Pacific. Peter Garrett refers to the song as an “Ode to the Rainbow Warrior”, the Greenpeace flagship sunk by French operatives in the port of Auckland, which was considered an act of state-sponsored terrorism.

I love the performance in the video below. Garrett forgets some words but ad libs, and he can’t undo the buttons on his shirt. Peter Gifford is in this one, he was another favourite bass player! To me, the Gifford era of Midnight Oil will always be more important and special rather than the Bones Hillman era. Growing up with those records and seeing them live many times had a huge impact on me.

6. ‘Injustice’ — Spy v Spy

Another important song and forever a favourite. Yet another song that raised the plight of Aboriginal communities.

Between 1985 and 1990, I must have seen this band live 20–25 times. Craig Bloxom was the bass player I admired the most at that time. The three piece rocked it hard and Blox sang and played with the old Precision hanging around his knees.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following video contains the portrayal of deceased persons.

7. ‘From St Kilda To Kings Cross’ — Paul Kelly

A sentimental favourite from one of Australia’s all time greatest songwriters. From his third album, first as a solo artist.

Having grown up in Melbourne, I too prefer St Kilda’s Esplanade …

I’d give you all of Sydney Harbour (all that land, all that water) For that one sweet promenade

Moving now to a suite of songs that were substantial hits around the world. There were many great songs released in 1985, and I absolutely own the fact that I really enjoyed some of these hit songs. Just about all of the songs were accompanied by great videos, which I have included below.

The 12 inch remix releases were still big in 1985. The next four songs got the 12 inch remix treatment, and I’ve included those versions in the playlist at the end.

8. ‘Some Like It Hot’ – The Power Station

This supergroup comprised the legendary Robert Palmer on vocals, John Taylor (bass) and Andy Taylor (guitar) from Duran Duran, and former Chic drummer Tony Thompson. The group was named after the studio where they recorded their first album. As much as I enjoyed the synth-pop of Duran Duran, it was refreshing to see the Taylors rip it up with some killer funky rock ‘n’ roll.

9. ‘Out Of Touch’ — Hall and Oates

Despite not being a patch on their earlier releases, I really got into this song, especially the remix. Loved it!

10. ‘Life In A Northern Town’ — Dream Academy

One of those songs that in hindsight appealed to a certain melancholy streak somewhere inside, yet was supremely uplifting at the same time. Still gives me goosebumps. Maybe it was just Kate and the oboe? Who knows.

11. ‘Close To Me’ — The Cure

I had always enjoyed the singles released by The Cure, with this one being a standout. Loved the instrumentation, especially the bass. Such a great video!

12. ‘Road To Nowhere’ – Talking Heads

Another band whose singles I enjoyed, and I was especially impressed by the 1984 concert film ‘Stop Making Sense’. I loved ‘Road To Nowhere’ then and still do now. The harmonies, the pace, the build up, the accordion; what’s not to love!

13. ‘Voices Carry’ — ‘Til Tuesday

I loved this song. Again, possibly appealing to a melancholy streak somewhere deep inside, but also very much appealing to my growing love of a power pop song. Years later, I stumbled upon Aimee Mann’s solo album ‘I’m With Stupid’ and realised that this song was hers. Loved her work ever since. This song is amazing. She is amazing.

This version is just gold.

14. ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ — The Cult

An incredible song. You’d think that would be enough said. However, I invite you to read this compelling case by Keith R. Higgons on why it is the Song of a Generation.

15. ‘Tonight She Comes’ — The Cars

I can imagine this conversation at the record label:

“So, how do we sell this greatest hits album??” “Put a new song on it, they’ll lap it up! But make it a good one … “

Ok, so they made it a good one!! It’s everything that made The Cars what they were, the combination of guitars, keys, harmonies and a catchy melody. And a killer guitar solo from Easton. Pretty cheesy video though!

16. ‘Makes No Sense At All’ — Hüsker Dü

I still don’t know how I acquired this album. It was unreal, just stunning, life changing. High energy, melodic punk-pop at it’s finest. Even Bob thinks this song is one of his best, still featuring it in live sets.

Well there you have it. My favourite 16 songs from the year I was 16. I hope you found this collection interesting, and maybe heard something you liked too!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading other ‘16’ stories, particularly those by Alex Markham, Arpad Nagy, Katemiya, and Jessie Waddell amongst many others. Thank you for sharing.

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