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4 Out-Of-This-World Hits From 1981 That Are Perfect for Escaping Reality
The article picks out four unusual songs from 1981 as escapist listening, though it notes that some pair playful pop sounds with darker or more existential themes. It highlights how the songs can distract from everyday life while also reflecting on unemployment, ageing and the future.
Ultravox’s “One in Ten” refers to unemployment in the West Midlands and gives voice to hardship against a pop backdrop. Electric Light Orchestra’s “21st Century Man” follows a time traveller from 1981 to 2095, while “22,000 Days” reflects on time as a limited resource. Iggy Pop’s “Bang Bang” was later covered by David Bowie in 1987; Bowie praised it as one of Pop’s best songs.
In short
- Four quirky 1981 songs offer a break from daily life.
- “One in Ten” addresses unemployment in the West Midlands.
- Bowie covered Iggy Pop’s “Bang Bang” in 1987.
Explained simply
In 1981, British pop ranged from bright, elaborate productions to songs about economic hardship and the passage of time. Unemployment was a pressing issue in parts of the country, including the West Midlands, while science fiction offered ways to imagine life in a distant future.
Ultravox’s “One in Ten” gives voice to people facing unemployment. Electric Light Orchestra’s “21st Century Man” imagines a traveller moving from 1981 to 2095, and “22,000 Days” considers how limited a person’s time can be.
Iggy Pop’s “Bang Bang” is another song from the period; David Bowie later recorded a cover in 1987 and praised Pop’s original. Together, these tracks show how music made for escape can also touch on hardship, ageing and uncertainty about what lies ahead.