Songs from the 1980s - It's a Knockout (Winner: Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler)

[el Nynaeve]

Billie Jean

I Wanna Be Adored

[Adrian44]

Billie Jean

Livin' On A Prayer

[Talya]

Billie Jean

 

Livin' on a prayer

[Corki]

Time to wrap the first ties of Round 3 up.

 

In the first, Michael Jackson and Billie Jean eased into the semi-finals with a convincing 7-0 win over Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners.

 

And joining them in the semi-finals, it is Bon Jovi and Livin' on a Prayer, which won the second tie over I Wanna Be Adored by The Stone Roses by 5 votes to 2.

 

The next two third round ties are on the way.

[Corki]

Round 3, Tie 3

 

 

 

Call Me by Blondie

Released in 1980, Call Me was one of the biggest chart successes for American new wave group, Blondie. It topped both the UK and US charts. The song was the main theme of the film American Gigolo. The song was originally intended for Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, but a contract agreement prevented her from recording. Instead, it was offered to Debbie Harry and Blondie. There are many different versions of this song available - and even today, over 30 years on since its release, it is awesome live!

 

 

vs.

 

 

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

Time for a power ballad sung by the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was the first single release from her fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night. It topped many charts across the world, including the UK, the US and New Zealand. At its peak, it sold 60,000 copies per day, and approximately 6 million copies in total. For football fans, former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola appears prominently in the closing scenes of the music video. Tyler's big powerful vocals probably help this perform well in polls - including number 72 in the UK's "The Greatest Number Ones Of All Time" back in November 2002.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ujmb3jQAJE

 

 

Voting ends Wednesday 2nd March 2011 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 3, Tie 4

 

 

 

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

Considered one of AC/DC's signature songs from their most successful album, Back in Black, You Shook Me All Night Long was released in 1980. It was a top 40 hit on the US Billboard, charting at number 35. The song is placed at number 10 on VH1's list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s". It has become a staple of AC/DC concerts, and is never off the set list. The song was nominated by Krakalakachkn.

 

 

vs.

 

 

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins

In the Air Tonight first appeared on Phil Collins' 1981 album Face Value. Though initial recorded in 1979, it wasn't released as a single until 1981. It reached number 2 in the UK on its release in January, and number 20 in the US during the summer. The song was written by Collins after divorcing his first wife Andrea. The song, especially live versions, are a great example of Phil Collins' drum skills, and he finished up as runner-up to Neil Peart in our hunt for a drummer for the Band's Dream Band.

 

 

Voting ends Wednesday 2nd March 2011 at 11pm (GMT)

[_wolfbrother_]

Total Eclipse of The Heart

In The Air Tonight

[Jeannaisais]

Total Eclipse of The Heart

In The Air Tonight

Agreed

[Krakalakachkn]

Total Eclipse

You Shook Me All Night Long

[Corki]

Tie 3: Total Eclipse of The Heart

 

Tie 4: In The Air Tonight

[el Nynaeve]

Call Me

You Shook Me All Night Long

[Corki]

Time to wrap up the last ties of Round 3 before we move onto the Semi-Finals.

 

In tie 3, Bonnie Tyler and Total Eclipse of the Heart defeated Call Me by Blondie by 4 votes to 1.

 

The final place in the semi-finals goes to Phil Collins with In The Air Tonight, which beat You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC by 3 votes to 2.

 

The Semi-Finals are going up now!

[Corki]

Semi-Final, Tie 1

 

 

 

Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

Long live the King of Pop! The dance/R&B song became an instant worldwide hit when it was released in January 1983. It topped the charts in the UK and US, and several others across the globe. The song is well known because of its distinctive bass line, and because of Jackson's "hiccu" style vocals. The song has won many awards, including two Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and an induction into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

Time to roll out the number 1 song from the 1980s according to VH1. It was the third single from their Slippery When Wet album, and was released in October 1986. It was well received on both rock and pop radio stations, and the music video received heavy play on MTV. It became the band's second consecutive number 1 on the US Billboard, and with time, has become their signature song. Like all great songs, it wasn't liked by Jon Bon Jovi. It is just as well that Richie Sambora convinced him otherwise for it has collected a host of awards and honours.

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 3rd March 2011 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Semi-Final, Tie 2

 

 

 

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

Time for a power ballad sung by the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was the first single release from her fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night. It topped many charts across the world, including the UK, the US and New Zealand. At its peak, it sold 60,000 copies per day, and approximately 6 million copies in total. For football fans, former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola appears prominently in the closing scenes of the music video. Tyler's big powerful vocals probably help this perform well in polls - including number 72 in the UK's "The Greatest Number Ones Of All Time" back in November 2002.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ujmb3jQAJE

 

 

vs.

 

 

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins

In the Air Tonight first appeared on Phil Collins' 1981 album Face Value. Though initial recorded in 1979, it wasn't released as a single until 1981. It reached number 2 in the UK on its release in January, and number 20 in the US during the summer. The song was written by Collins after divorcing his first wife Andrea. The song, especially live versions, are a great example of Phil Collins' drum skills, and he finished up as runner-up to Neil Peart in our hunt for a drummer for the Band's Dream Band.

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 3rd March 2011 at 11pm (GMT)

[Kudaran Dragon Blooded]

In the Air Tonight

[Krakalakachkn]

Billie Jean

In the Air Tonight

[Corki]

Tie 1: Billie Jean

 

Tie 2: Total Eclipse of the Heart

 

And Kudaran, you can vote in the other tie as well.

[Talya]

1. Livin' on a prayer

 

2. Total Eclipse of the Heart

[Jeannaisais]

1....gonna have to go with Livin' on a Prayer

 

2: Total Eclipse of the Heart

[Adrian44]

Billie Jean

In the Air Tonight

[Corki]

Blood and bloody ashes! We have a tie in the second semi-final tie...

[Corki]

An invite to a guest judge has been sent out...

[Adella]

Gotta be Total Eclipse of the Heart! Thanks for inviting me here Corki!

[Corki]

And with that vote, time to round up what happened in the semi-finals and see who made it to the Grand Final!

 

So, winning the first semi-final by 3 votes to 2, it was Michael Jackson with Billie Jean, who saw off Bon Jovi and Livin' on a Prayer.

 

And also making it through to the Grand Final, it is Bonnie Tyler and her power ballad Total Eclipse of the Heart, which beat Phil Collins and In The Air Tonight by 4 votes to 3.

 

Time for the last two ties of this "It's A Knockout" contest.

[Corki]

The Grand Final

 

 

 

Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

Long live the King of Pop! The dance/R&B song became an instant worldwide hit when it was released in January 1983. It topped the charts in the UK and US, and several others across the globe. The song is well known because of its distinctive bass line, and because of Jackson's "hiccu" style vocals. The song has won many awards, including two Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and an induction into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

Time for a power ballad sung by the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was the first single release from her fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night. It topped many charts across the world, including the UK, the US and New Zealand. At its peak, it sold 60,000 copies per day, and approximately 6 million copies in total. For football fans, former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola appears prominently in the closing scenes of the music video. Tyler's big powerful vocals probably help this perform well in polls - including number 72 in the UK's "The Greatest Number Ones Of All Time" back in November 2002.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ujmb3jQAJE

 

 

Voting ends Monday 7th March 2011 at 11pm (GMT)