1983

1983 is one of those transition years, where things are kind of in a holding pattern. "White Lines" and "Lesson 1" are huge songs for hip hop, but "The Message" and "Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel" had already trailblazed in those areas. Run DMC's first big single came in 1983, but their success didn't really start until the next year.

As for rock, most of my choices are major groups having major singles, but not really pushing anything forward. "Burning Down the House" and "Our House" go great together, and "Always Something There to Remind Me" is another one of those classic 80s jams. But the stand-outs are probably "Blister in the Sun," which is still a hit at the teenage parties, and "Sweet Dreams are Made of These," easily the best single from the Eurythmics. Bowie also had his last big hit with "Let's Dance," just before plunging into self-parody.

Maybe the only really really major song here is New Order's "Blue Monday," still one of the best selling singles ever, I believe. Most of the rave scene and British dance music in general can be traced back to this song by the former members of Joy Division. Indeep's "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" is a notable track as well, not just for it's sparse bubblings, but for the simple statement that titles it, a saying that would become essential to the movement, and would also title an excellent book about the history of DJ's.

Enjoy, and comment below.

Download the mix here.

EDIT:Someone must have blocked the file, because I'd be really surprised if it maxed out this quickly. Anyway, here is the re-up. It can't be blocked.

1983

1. Blister In The Sun - Violent Femmes
2. Lesson 1 (The Payoff Mix) - Double Dee & Steinski
3. Let's Dance - David Bowie
4. The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
5. Blue Monday - New Order
6. Last Night a DJ Saved My Life - Indeep
7. Atomic Dog - George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
8. White Lines - Grandmaster Melle Mel
9. Sweet Dreams Are Made of These - Eurythmics
10. Burning Down the House - Talking Heads
11. Our House - Madness
12. Always Something There To Remind Me - Naked Eyes
13. Rockit - Herbie Hancock
14. It's Like That - Run DMC
15. Institutionalized - Suicidal Tendencies
16. Little Red Corvette - Prince
17. Every Breath You Take - The Police