Growing up in New Jersey, I always looked forward to the Summer and traveling to the NJ Shore. In the Summer of 1980, I was blessed to have gone down to Seaside Heights for one full week with a friend and her family. Then for a four-day weekend with my sister and her husband where I brought my friend along on the trip.
I remember being a passenger in the cars, looking out the car window while listening to the current popular songs on the radio. Music was much more important than television for me at that time and still in my middle age. Music in the past was for the most part positive. It did not contain the anger of some of the genres that it does today.
The Summer of 1980 was especially monumental for me because it was the first one I spent without my sister who had been hit and killed by a drunk driver March 2nd, 1980. I was thirteen and dealing with grief and puberty at the same time. The following is a list of my favorite songs from the Summer of 1980. (The list contains affiliate links that if you click, I may earn a commission if purchased within a limited time.)
- Steal Away – Robbie Dupree. This song is from his album Robbie Dupree which was released in1980. Robbie Dupree was nominated for the best new artist Grammy in 1981 but lost to Christopher Cross. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Ride Like the Wind – Christopher Cross. This song is from his album Christopher Cross released in December of 1979. Ride Like the Wind & Sailing are both good songs from that Summer. Christopher Cross won best new artist at the Grammy’s in 1981. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Into the Night – Benny Mardones. This from his Never Run Never, Hide album released in 1980. The song was released in June of 1980 on the B-side of She’s So French. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Look What You’ve Done to Me – Boz Scaggs. The song was released in August of 1980 and was on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. Other available versions include vinyl.
- Sara – Fleetwood Mac. Sara was released in December of 1979 but still was being promoted on the radio as were other “Tusk” songs. It’s a beautiful, haunting song of love and loss. The extended and demo versions of the songs are also available on the deluxe Tusk cd. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Magic – Olivia Newton-John. This is on the Xanadu soundtrack as well as on her greatest hits. People either love or hate the film Xanadu. I enjoyed the film. The song was released in May of 1980. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Don’t Do Me Like That – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This song is on the Damn The Torpedoes album. The song was released in November of 1979, but the album was promoted by the radio stations throughout the Summer with Refugee released next. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Biggest Part of Me – Ambrosia. This song is from their One Eighty album released in April of 1980. A soulful, blues love song. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Lost in Love – Air Supply. This song is from their Lost in Love album released in January of 1980 in the US. This album had several hits on it which are melodic love songs. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Driving My Life Away – Eddie Rabbit. This song is from his Horizon album released in June of 1980. This is a crossover country song, light in nature. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Dreamin’ – Cliff Richard. This song was released in August of 1980 on his I’m No Hero album. The lyrics were written by Leo Sayer who had a hit song on the charts also. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- More Than I Can Say – Leo Sayer. This song was a cover and released in June of 1980 on his Living in a Fantasy album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Let Me Love You Tonight – Pure Prairie League. This song is from the Firin’ Up album released in February of 1980. Vince Gill eventually started a solo career. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Give Me the Night – George Benson. This song was released in June of 1980 from the Give Me the Night album. The song has jazzy dance overtones. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Fame – Irene Cara. This song is from the soundtrack of the film Fame which came out in May of 1980. The film is about students at a performing arts school in NYC. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me – Billy Joel. This song was released in May of 1980 on his Glass Houses album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Funkytown – Lipps Inc. This song is from their Mouth to Mouth album released in November of 1979. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen. The song was released on their The Game album June of 1980. The album contained several hits including “Another One Bites the Dust.” Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Call Me – Blondie. This song was on the American Gigolo soundtrack released in February of 1980. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
- Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townsend. This song was released in June of 1980 on his Empty Glass”album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
I created a playlist on my Youtube Channnel – Musical Pier entitled “Summer of 1980” so you can listen to these songs performed by the artists listed. Check it out! Thanks for reading!