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3 Obscure Songs From 1983 That Every 80s Kid Still Knows Today
The article highlights three comparatively overlooked 1983 singles that it argues remain familiar to people who grew up in the 1980s: Laura Branigan’s “Solitaire”, Men at Work’s “It’s A Mistake” and Spandau Ballet’s “Gold”. It presents them as examples of the decade’s varied pop sound, spanning melodic pop, rock and politically influenced new wave.
– Laura Branigan’s “Solitaire”, from *Branigan 2*, was written by Diane Warren and Martine Clémenceau and reached the Top 10 after Branigan’s major hit “Gloria”; Clémenceau had previously released it in French. – Men at Work’s “It’s A Mistake”, written by Colin Hay for *Cargo*, was also a Top 10 single and drew on Cold War tensions, with “Ronnie” referring to US President Ronald Reagan. – Spandau Ballet’s “Gold”, written by Gary Kemp for *True*, reached the US Top 30 and became the band’s final Top 30 American hit, although the group enjoyed greater success in the UK.
In short
- Three 1983 singles are presented as enduring 1980s favourites.
- “It’s A Mistake” reflected Cold War-era anxieties.
- “Gold” was Spandau Ballet’s final US Top 30 hit.
Explained simply
This article examines three songs released in 1983 that remain familiar to people who grew up during the 1980s, despite not being the decade's most prominent hits. The three tracks—by Laura Branigan, Men at Work and Spandau Ballet—achieved respectable chart success and represent the breadth of pop music available at the time.
Each song reached the top 30 in the United States, with some placing higher. The singles draw on varied themes and styles, from romantic pop ballads to songs addressing Cold War politics and new wave arrangements, reflecting the musical diversity of the early 1980s.
Together, these songs illustrate how the 1980s pop canon extended beyond the most famous blockbusters of the era. They demonstrate the variety of approaches and sounds that characterised commercial pop music during this period.
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