Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from San Antonio,Texas. He won five Grammy Awards for his eponymous debut album released in 1979. The singles "Sailing" (1979),and "Arthur's Theme " peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. "Sailing" earned three Grammys in 1980,while "Arthur's Theme" won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1980.
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a charity song written in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. It was first recorded by Band Aid,a supergroup assembled by Geldof and Ure consisting of popular British and Irish musical acts. It was recorded in a single day at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill,London,in November 1984.
About Face is the second solo studio album by the English singer and musician David Gilmour,released on 5 March 1984 by Harvest in the UK and Columbia in the United States,a day before Gilmour's 38th birthday. Co-produced by Bob Ezrin and Gilmour,the album was recorded in 1983 at PathéMarconi Studio,in Boulogne-Billancourt,France. The lyrics of two tracks,"All Lovers Are Deranged" and "Love on the Air",were written by Pete Townshend,the co-founder,guitarist,second lead vocalist,and principal songwriter of the rock band the Who. Townshend's version of "All Lovers Are Deranged" appears on his solo compilation album Scoop 3 (2001).
"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" is a hit song written by Lee Hazlewood and recorded by American singer Nancy Sinatra. It charted on January 22,1966,and reached No. 1 in the United States Billboard Hot 100 and in the UK Singles Chart.
"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song by Bill Withers,from his 1971 debut album Just As I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The record featured musicians Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass guitar,Al Jackson Jr. on drums and Stephen Stills on guitar. String arrangements were done by Booker T. Jones. The song was recorded in Los Angeles,with overdubs in Memphis by engineer Terry Manning.
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson recorded for his sixth studio album Thriller (1982). It is the opening track of the album and was released as its fourth single on May 9,1983,by Epic Records. It was written and co-produced by Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. The lyrics pertain to strangers spreading rumors to start an argument for no good reason. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" evokes the disco sound of Jackson's previous studio album,Off the Wall,released in 1979. The song is characterized by a complex rhythm arrangement and a distinctive horn arrangement.
"Thriller" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was released by Epic Records on November 11,1983 in the UK and on January 23,1984,in the US,as the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album,Thriller.
"State of Shock" is a 1984 single by the Jacksons and Mick Jagger. It was written by Michael Jackson and Randy Hansen. The song was originally sung by Michael Jackson as a duet with Freddie Mercury,and was later slated for the Thriller album in 1982;however,due to differing time schedules,Jackson ended up recording it with his brothers and Jagger instead.
"All Night Long (All Night)" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lionel Richie from his second solo album,Can't Slow Down (1983). The song combined Richie's Commodores style with Caribbean influences. The single reached number one on three Billboard charts (pop,R&B and adult contemporary). In the UK,it peaked at number two on the singles chart.
"Just Lose It" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fifth studio album,Encore (2004). It was released on September 27,2004,as the lead single from Encore,and was later included on his greatest hits compilation album,Curtain Call:The Hits (2005). The song caused controversy as its lyrics and music video parodies Michael Jackson,who was being accused of child molestation at the time. The song also pokes fun at Beavis/Cornholio,MC Hammer,Madonna,and others. It also heavily spoofs Pee-wee Herman,going as far as imitating his signature shout during the chorus and Eminem dressing like him in the video.
"P.Y.T." is a song by American singer,songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson,released as the sixth single from his sixth album,Thriller (1982). The song was written by James Ingram and Quincy Jones.
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a song by English pop rock band Tears for Fears from their second studio album Songs from the Big Chair (1985). It was written by Roland Orzabal,Ian Stanley,and Chris Hughes and produced by Hughes. It was released on 22 March 1985 by Phonogram,Mercury,and Vertigo Records as the third single from the album. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a new wave and synth-pop song with lyrics that detail the desire humans have for control and power and centre on themes of corruption.
"Knock on Wood" is a 1966 hit song written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper and originally performed by Floyd. The song has become covered by later artists,most notably Amii Stewart in 1979. Stewart's disco version was the most successful on weekly music charts.
"I'll Wait" is a song by American rock band Van Halen,taken from their sixth studio album,1984 (1984). It was written by band members Eddie Van Halen,Alex Van Halen,Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth,along with Michael McDonald,and produced by Ted Templeman.
"Fields of Gold" is a song written and performed by English musician Sting. It first appeared on his fourth studio album,Ten Summoner's Tales (1993). The song,co-produced by Sting with Hugh Padgham,was released as a single on 7 June 1993 by A&M Records,reaching No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also reached No. 2 in Canada and No. 6 in Iceland. In 1994,it was awarded one of BMI's Pop Songs Awards. The music video for the song was directed by Kevin Godley,featuring Sting as a gold silhouette.
"Stay" is a doo-wop song written by Maurice Williams and first recorded in 1960 by Williams with his group the Zodiacs. Commercially successful versions were later also issued by the Hollies,the Four Seasons and Jackson Browne.
"Big in Japan" is the debut single of the German synth-pop band Alphaville from their 1984 album Forever Young.
"This Time Around" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his ninth studio album,HIStory:Past,Present and Future,Book I,with a guest appearance by rapper the Notorious B.I.G. It was released as a promotional single in the US,and is the album's fourth single overall. The song,which details a musician's problems with being famous and dealing with stardom,was written by Jackson,while the music was composed by Dallas Austin,Bruce Swedien and RenéMoore. Austin and Jackson produced the song,while Swedien and Moore served as co-producers. In the United States,"This Time Around" entered three Billboard component charts,respectively peaking at numbers 18,23,and 36 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles,Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay,and Rhythmic Top 40,having charted solely due to radio airplay throughout the country. It received positive reviews from contemporary music critics.
Capercaillie are a Scottish folk band,founded in 1984 by Donald Shaw and led by Karen Matheson,and which performs traditional Gaelic and contemporary songs in English. The group adapts traditional Gaelic music and traditional lyrics with modern production techniques and instruments such as electric guitar and bass guitar,though rarely synthesizers or drum machines. Capercaillie demonstrate "astonishing musical dexterity" and feature "the peerless voice of co-founder Karen Matheson. Universally recognised as one of the finest Gaelic singers alive today".
David Austin is a British singer and songwriter,who released the single "Turn to Gold",co-written with George Michael in 1984. It reached No. 68 in the UK Singles Chart. The single featured backing vocals from Michael,who called Austin his best friend in the documentary film,A Different Story.
