1 [→] Bright Eyes (Art Garfunkel): The best selling single of 1979, and probably the only number one ever written about rabbits. This song may have sounded cute and fluffy, but it was in fact as dark and downbeat as the Watership Down cartoon it accompanied. "Is it a kind of dream, floating out on the tide? Following the river of death downstream?" 2 [→] Pop Muzik (M): It doesn't get more seminal than this. Robin Scott's tiMeless Magnificent Masterpiece was a nugget of purest pop. On a related theme, may I recommend the fine New York London Paris Munich blog, where everybody talks about pop muzik. "Radio, video. Boogie with a suitcase. You're livin' in a disco. Forget about the rat race." 3 [→] Hooray Hooray It's A Holi-Holiday (Boney M): The last of 9 consecutive top ten hits for a group who would have stormed Eurovision if only they'd ever entered. You'll be humming this tune all day now, sorry. "There's a place I know where we should go - heydiheydihoh. Won't you take me there your lady fair - heydiheydihoh." 4 [→] Does Your Mother Know (Abba): And now the real Euro supergroup, back when Sweden ruled the airwaves. This was the band's first hit to feature Benny and Björn on vocals, both here showing commendable emotional restraint. "You're so hot, teasing me. So you're blue but I can't take a chance on a chick like you. That's something I couldn't do." 5 [↑1] Reunited (Peaches& Herb): If you're going to do a ballad, do it like this. Westlife, listen and learn. Nowadays the band's name would be better suited to a range of organic shampoos. "There's one perfect fit. And, sugar, this one is it. We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey hey." 6 [↑3] Knock On Wood (Amii Stewart): A belting disco stormer from the east coast diva, rightly selling 8 million copies worldwide. You can hear the drumbeats even now, can't you? "'Cause your love is better than any love I know. It's like thunder and lightning, the way you love me is frightening." 7 [↑13] Dance Away (RoxyMusic): The classic classy comeback single from the King of Smooth, Bryan Ferry. He'll be 60 next year, you know. Anybody feeling old yet? "Until tonight and you pass by, hand in hand with another guy. You´re dressed to kill and guess who´s dying?." 8 [↑13] Parisienne Walkways (Gary Moore): One of those tracks that everyone who learnt to play guitar in the 70s learnt to play. Gary's bluesy strumming was backed here by a handful of lyrics from Phil Lynott. I remember Paris in '49. The Champs Elysées, Saint Michel and old Beaujolais wine." 9 [↑2] One Way Ticket (Eruption): A cover version of a Neil Sedaka B side from the same producer who brought us Boney M. Eruption's only other hit was another cover, the much more memorable 'I Can't Stand The Rain'. "Choo choo train a-trackin’ down the track. Gotta travel on, ain’t never comin’ back. Ooh ooh, got a one way ticket to the blues." 10 [new entry] Sunday Girl (Blondie): The fourth track to be lifted from the 'Parallel Lines' album, back when four releases really wasn't the done thing, and straight into the top ten too, which was quite an achievement in those days. Debbie Harry sang the final verse and chorus in French, and a million teenage boys melted. "I know a girl from a lonely street. Cold as ice cream, but still as sweet. Dry your eyes, Sunday girl."
