{"product_id":"chart-hits-81-volume-1","title":"Chart Hits 81 Volume 1","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChart Hits 81 Volume 1\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating snapshot of the British pop charts in 1981, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChart Hits 81 Volume 1\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e brings together 19 hit singles and popular recordings from one of the most exciting transitional periods in modern popular music. Released by K-Tel, this varied compilation captures the changing musical landscape of the early 1980s, when synthesiser-driven new wave, electronic pop, disco, glam-influenced rock and infectious novelty records were all competing for attention.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe early 1980s marked a significant shift in British popular music. The arrival of affordable synthesisers and increasingly adventurous studio production helped usher in a new generation of electronic and new wave artists, while established performers continued to find success alongside emerging acts. This compilation offers an entertaining cross-section of that musical moment, bringing together some of the biggest names and memorable chart records of the period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are several important recordings for fans of the emerging synth-pop movement. The Human League's 'Open Your Heart' showcases the group's increasingly accessible electronic sound, while Depeche Mode's 'Just Can't Get Enough' captures the infectious energy of their early synth-pop period. Ultravox's magnificent 'Vienna' provides a more atmospheric and dramatic contrast, with its cinematic keyboards and Midge Ure's distinctive vocals. Kim Wilde's 'Kids In America' is another essential inclusion, combining new wave attitude with an instantly memorable pop-rock chorus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe compilation also reflects the enormous variety of the contemporary charts. Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin opens the album with their inventive electronic interpretation of 'It's My Party', which reached number one in the UK singles chart in 1981. ABBA contribute the disco-influenced 'Lay All Your Love On Me', while Imagination's 'In And Out Of Love' brings sophisticated soul and dance-floor production. Hi-Gloss add an American disco flavour with 'You'll Never Know', and Ottawan's 'Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)' delivers an irresistible slice of European dance-pop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElsewhere, Bill Wyman steps away from his familiar Rolling Stones role with the quirky 'Si Si Je Suis Un Rock Star', while Alvin Stardust's 'Pretend' and Slade's 'Lock Up Your Daughters' represent the continuing appeal of British rock and pop performers. Rachel Sweet and Rex Smith provide a lively interpretation of 'Everlasting Love', while Bucks Fizz, fresh from their Eurovision success, appear with 'Piece Of The Action'.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are also some wonderfully distinctive inclusions. Bad Manners bring their energetic ska revival sound to 'Can Can', Sheila B. Devotion contribute 'Prisoner', and The Tweets provide the novelty dance favourite 'Birdie Song'. Closing the collection is Louis Clark conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with 'Hooked On Classics', an unusual classical-meets-disco recording that became a major commercial success.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith 19 tracks spanning synth-pop, new wave, disco, soul, rock, ska and mainstream chart pop, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChart Hits 81 Volume 1\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is more than just a collection of familiar singles. It is an entertaining musical time capsule documenting the diversity and changing tastes of the British charts in 1981.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn appealing addition for collectors of vintage K-Tel compilations, early 1980s pop, classic synth-pop and new wave, this is a particularly enjoyable snapshot of a year when electronic music was moving rapidly into the mainstream.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDave Stewart With Barbara Gaskin – It's My Party\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHuman League – Open Your Heart\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlvin Stardust – Pretend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbba – Lay All Your Love On Me\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHi-Gloss – You'll Never Know\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBill Wyman – Si Si Je Suis Un Rock Star\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKim Wilde – Kids In America\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSheila B. Devotion – Prisoner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Sweet \u0026amp; Rex Smith – Everlasting Love\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Tweets – Birdie Song\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOttowan – Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImagination – In And Out Of Love\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepeche Mode – Just Can't Get Enough\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUltravox – Vienna\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExile – Heart And Soul\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSlade – Lock Up Your Daughters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBucks Fizz – Piece Of The Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBad Manners – Can Can\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLouis Clark Conducting The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Hooked On Classics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fUlcfF5Dnvc?si=0eILgmmz6cTG6_6F\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"K-Tel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56508485173590,"sku":"NE 1142","price":3.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1009\/1013\/7686\/files\/1000101755_1b25f02f-402b-43da-bd45-5664837f1f22.jpg?v=1794070260","url":"https:\/\/www.sounds-grounds.co.uk\/products\/chart-hits-81-volume-1","provider":"Sounds + Grounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}