This episode will transport you back to the land of make believe (or the 80s, same difference) as we hit December 1981. In playlist 33 we get a Christmas Number one which the band didnt even want to release but which becomes one of the legendary songs of the decade. Duran Duran fill time between their debut album and Rio with a disco throwback, Status Quo get all misty eyed about rock and roll and Madness write cover a love song which by 1994 has me crooning outside a balcony at 3am. Yes folks, playlist 33 is a monster, give it a listen now!

Links to playlist 33:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Bucks Fizz - Land of Make Believe

2. Status Quo - Rock n Roll

3. Duran Duran - My Own Way

4. Sheena Easton - You Could Have Been With Me

5. Dramatis & Gary Numan - Love Needs No Disguise

6. Madness - It Must Be Love

7. The Human League - Don't You Want Me

Don't go to sleep on this episode! For one it ends with Meatloaf's Dead Ringer For Love, so you'll be wide awake again.

In the second half of playlist 32, we transport you back to the end of November 1981. The Pretenders kick off proceedings with a desperate lament about love in a song which would take on sadder meaning in their future. Soft Cell then transport us to a lonely Bedsit after the party has ended, before Queen and David Bowie release one of the greatest almost accidental duets ever (great story behind this one!). We then introduce those jazz funk pioneers SHAKATAK to the mix before hearing some wedding bells with Godley and Creme. And finally, as mentioned, we introduce Meatloaf and bring along Cher for the ride. Get ready for some rock and roll and brew as we end with Dead Ringer For Love!

Links to Playlist 32:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

8. Pretenders - I Go To Sleep

9. Soft Cell - Bedsitter

10. Queen - Under Pressure (Feat. David Bowie)

11. SHAKATAK - Easier Said Than Done

12. Godley and Creme - Wedding Bells

13. Meatloaf - Dead Ringer For Love (Feat. Cher)

A lunatic has taken over the podcast! (Frankly he was never away). Or rather Fun Boy Three do, as we move forward into deepest November 1981 with Playlist 32. Messrs Hall, Staples and Golding become FB3 and launch their debut single as we explore the messy split from the Specials and what came next. Modern Romance then continue their formulaic party song rise through the charts and Diane Ross breaks from Motown. Earth Wind and Fire reinvent themselves for the new decade, Dollar with the help of Trevor Horn turn mirrors into magic and George Benson creates Grammy success from a compilation track. And finally Kim Wilde continues her conquering march through an epic year.

Links to Playlist 32:

Spotify

Apple Music

In case the playlist hyperlinks don't work on your podcast platform of choice, the songs are:

1. Fun Boy Three - The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum

2. Modern Romance - Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey

3. Diana Ross - Why Do Fools Fall In Love

4. Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove

5. Dollar - Mirror Mirror

6. George Benson - Turn Your Love Around

7. Kim Wilde - Cambodia