Revenge of the 80s First Show – Tonight!

Tonight is the first Revenge of the 80s broadcast and we’re chomping at the nose to get it going.

It took some time to put the order together for our initial playlist, but the real question was: what will be the first song? Some might think that’s an easy question, but the first cut is what will set the tone for the entire show.

I tossed around some good ones: “I Say Nothing” by Voice of the Beehive is one of my favorites and a great choice, but I need that one for the next show (you will find out why in one of the next few posts). Wall of Voodoo’s “Mexican Radio” and REM’s “Radio Free Europe” are classics, but I wanted to avoid the cliché of leading off with a song that mentions the word “radio” in the title.

I finally decided on one: “I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow. It was reflective of the entire decade, with an old-school punk, new wave style and the innovative sound that defined the 80s alternative music scene.

Lead singer Annabella Lwin was of the new generation of female band leaders who had the presence that matched the great rock band leaders of the 70s and a mysterious femininity that rendered music fans spellbound when hearing Bow Wow Wow on the radio and seeing their videos.

Lwin has recently released some new solo material.

Back to the song: “I Want Candy” is a true timeless classic and one of those songs that people still talk about as essential listening for “80s Music 101.” Plus — it can still get people going when they hear it. That, along with “Because I said so!” is why it will be the leadoff track in our initial broadcast.