Sharona

My Sharona was one of the songs that I thought was an 80's song but was a hit in 1979. It's an example of a song that really bridges the two decades. The song is one that I know many straight guys liked then and the cover was definitely aimed at that market. I'ld love if that genre of new wave rock was back in the charts again. I think the singer in The Knack was one of my first crushes without realising at the time what a crush was. My Sharona was number one for 6 weeks in the USA. I'm not going to post that song but instead am posting the reason why I rediscovered the song. It's included in a mash up that features several songs including Toni Basil and the Ting Tings. You know I love my mash ups and this one is for John. The mix is by Justin Kayes.

80:80's: 37: Strawberry Switchblade

With a wee bit of 'oh dear' I realised the other day that I haven't blogged since August. When there is months between posts I know many bloggers may feel like calling it a day. I know the reason for my lack of posts is a mix of balancing work, study, less finances and social life and the ole devil that is depression. I end up doing no study at all which is a bit pointless in the end. I could be blogging! I also thought my 80 songs from my favourite decade was a bit of blogger narcissism but fuck it here I go again as Sandra Bernhard once sang in a Whitesnake cover! Well, the first of the remaining 43, yes 43, songs on my list is one for Enda and David, it's from the wonderful year of 1984 and is the simply perfect pop that is Since Yesterday by Strawberry Switchblade. The song got to number 5 in the UK and number 6 in Ireland. I never had any idea back in the day how well songs charted in Ireland, so well done closet pop fans of Ireland, I sure as hell didn't know any growing up then! Strawberry Switchblade are Rose McDowall and Jill Bryson and they were wonderful popstars or punk stars who did pop. They had a very memorable Smash Hits magazine cover too. Since Yesterday was their only hit. The follow up was the very lovely Let Her Go which only got to 59 in the UK and their cover of Dolly's Jolene did a bit better at 53. Before their time, they were!