Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025)
Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025)
The year 1980 was a transformative period in pop music, as genres vied for attention on the charts, creating a vibrant and competitive landscape. While collections like the 1980 Yearbook and 80-84 Final Chapter have already highlighted over 150 of the year’s most prominent tracks, there’s much more to the story. Many exceptional singles from this era have been overlooked in compilations, and The Vault: 1980 aims to spotlight these hidden gems.
This curated selection features 80 tracks that capture the diversity of 1980’s music. Some were chart hits, while others gained recognition in specific regions or through influential albums. Together, they form a compelling narrative of the year’s eclectic sounds.
CD1 sets the tone with U.S. chart-toppers by iconic artists like Bruce Springsteen (Hungry Heart), Billy Joel (You May Be Right), and Blondie’s The Hardest Part, a track released stateside but not in the U.K. The energy of new-wave is showcased through The Ramones and The Revillos, leading into early releases from Echo & The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes. As synth-pop began to define the decade, acts like Ultravox, The Human League, and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark emerged as key players. Other highlights include Sparks, The B-52’s, Robert Palmer, and The Buggles, while quirky tracks like The Bucket Of Water Song from Tiswas regulars add a nostalgic touch.
CD2 kicks off with Dexys Midnight Runners’ Dance Stance, the precursor to their chart-topping hit Geno. Guitar-driven tracks by Secret Affair and Squeeze give way to post-punk classics from The Stranglers, The Ruts, and The Clash. Reggae and ska are represented by Junior Murvin and The Bodysnatchers, while Kurtis Blow’s The Breaks introduces the burgeoning hip-hop movement. Genre-blending songs follow, including jazz-infused soul from The Manhattan Transfer, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Wilton Felder’s collaboration with Bobby Womack on Inherit The Wind. Smooth jazz-pop from Shakatak and Level 42 leads into soulful ballads from Kool & The Gang, Brenda Russell, and The Manhattans, closing with the U.S. hit Shining Star.
CD3 delivers an electrifying lineup of dancefloor hits, starting with Donna Summer’s Sunset People, Amii Stewart’s rendition of The Letter, and Shalamar’s Right In The Socket. Powerful vocal performances by Gladys Knight, Joan Armatrading, and Phil Lynott’s solo debut Dear Miss Lonely Hearts set the stage for an energetic run of rock tracks from Judas Priest, Saxon, Girlschool, and Iron Maiden’s debut single. New-wave favorites from The Tourists, XTC, Skids, and Hazel O’Connor follow, with the disc concluding on a softer note with Gerry Rafferty’s The Royal Mile and Elton John’s heartfelt ballad Sartorial Eloquence.
CD4 shifts focus to singles that made an impact on the U.S. charts. It opens with timeless performances by Paul Simon (Late In The Evening), Linda Ronstadt (Hurt So Bad), and Carly Simon (Jesse). Pop-rock anthems from Kim Carnes, Pat Benatar, and Journey are complemented by soulful hits from Jermaine Jackson and Aretha Franklin’s version of What A Fool Believes. The disc transitions to smooth rock classics by Daryl Hall & John Oates, Christopher Cross, Boz Scaggs, and Kenny Loggins, culminating with Eddie Rabbitt’s Top 5 U.S. hit and Joe Walsh’s contribution to the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. The final track, ZZ Top’s Cheap Sunglasses, hints at the band’s U.S. success before their later U.K. breakout.
Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 is a fitting tribute to one of music’s most dynamic years, celebrating both the hits and the overlooked gems that defined the era.Releases
| Version | Release Date | Number of Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 CD) | 28 February 2025 | 80 |
| Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 Deluxe CD) | 28 February 2025 | 80 |
| Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 MP3 Download) | 28 February 2025 | 0 |
| Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 Vinyl) | 28 February 2025 | 45 |
Amii Stewart - The Letter
- Title: The Letter
- Artist: Amii Stewart
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 19 January 1980
- UK Peak: #39
- UK Now Appearances: 2
Aretha Franklin - What a Fool Believes
- Title: What a Fool Believes
- Artist: Aretha Franklin
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 30 November 1980
- UK Peak: #46 (Peak Date: 7 December 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 2
The B-52's - Give Me Back My Man
- Title: Give Me Back My Man
- Artist: The B-52's
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 3 August 1980
- UK Peak: #61 (Peak Date: 10 August 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Bill Nelson - Do You Dream in Colour?
- Title: Do You Dream in Colour?
- Artist: Bill Nelson
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 29 June 1980
- UK Peak: #52
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Billy Joel - You May Be Right
- Title: You May Be Right
- Artist: Billy Joel
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 15 March 1980
- US Peak: #7
- UK Now Appearances: 2
Billy Ocean - Are You Ready
- Title: Are You Ready
- Artist: Billy Ocean
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 January 1980
- UK Peak: #42 (Peak Date: 3 February 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Blondie - The Hardest Part
- Title: The Hardest Part
- Artist: Blondie
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 2 February 1980
- US Peak: #84
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Bodysnatchers - Let's Do Rock Steady
- Title: Let's Do Rock Steady
- Artist: The Bodysnatchers
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 9 March 1980
- UK Peak: #22 (Peak Date: 6 April 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Boz Scaggs - Breakdown Dead Ahead
- Title: Breakdown Dead Ahead
- Artist: Boz Scaggs
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 29 March 1980
- US Peak: #15
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Brenda Russell - In the Thick of It
- Title: In the Thick of It
- Artist: Brenda Russell
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 19 April 1980
- UK Peak: #51
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Bruce Springsteen - Hungry Heart
- Title: Hungry Heart
- Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 16 November 1980
- UK Peak: #28 (Peak Date: 5 November 1995)
- US First Charted: 8 November 1980
- US Peak: #5
- UK Now Appearances: 2
The Buggles - Clean, Clean
- Title: Clean, Clean
- Artist: The Buggles
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 1
Carly Simon - Jesse
- Title: Jesse
- Artist: Carly Simon
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 2 August 1980
- US Peak: #11
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Cars - Touch and Go
- Title: Touch and Go
- Artist: The Cars
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 6 September 1980
- US Peak: #37
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Chic - Rebels Are We
- Title: Rebels Are We
- Artist: Chic
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 30 August 1980
- US Peak: #61
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Chords - Maybe Tomorrow
- Title: Maybe Tomorrow
- Artist: The Chords
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 27 January 1980
- UK Peak: #40 (Peak Date: 10 February 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Christopher Cross - Ride Like the Wind
- Title: Ride Like the Wind
- Artist: Christopher Cross
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 April 1980
- UK Peak: #69 (Peak Date: 13 April 1980)
- US First Charted: 16 February 1980
- US Peak: #2
- UK Now Appearances: 3
The Clash - The Call Up
- Title: The Call Up
- Artist: The Clash
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 30 November 1980
- UK Peak: #40 (Peak Date: 30 November 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Dexys Midnight Runners - Dance Stance
- Title: Dance Stance
- Artist: Dexys Midnight Runners
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 January 1980
- UK Peak: #40 (Peak Date: 3 February 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Donna Summer - Sunset People
- Title: Sunset People
- Artist: Donna Summer
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 15 June 1980
- UK Peak: #46 (Peak Date: 29 June 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Earth, Wind and Fire - In the Stone
- Title: In the Stone
- Artist: Earth, Wind and Fire
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 2 March 1980
- UK Peak: #53 (Peak Date: 9 March 1980)
- US First Charted: 20 October 1979
- US Peak: #58
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Echo & the Bunnymen - Rescue
- Title: Rescue
- Artist: Echo & the Bunnymen
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 11 May 1980
- UK Peak: #62 (Peak Date: 11 May 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Eddie Rabbitt - Drivin' My Life Away
- Title: Drivin' My Life Away
- Artist: Eddie Rabbitt
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 21 June 1980
- US Peak: #5
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Elton John - Sartorial Eloquence
- Title: Sartorial Eloquence
- Artist: Elton John
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 17 August 1980
- UK Peak: #44 (Peak Date: 31 August 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Flying Lizards - TV
- Title: TV
- Artist: The Flying Lizards
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 3 February 1980
- UK Peak: #43
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Gerry Rafferty - The Royal Mile
- Title: The Royal Mile
- Artist: Gerry Rafferty
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 15 June 1980
- UK Peak: #67 (Peak Date: 22 June 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Girlschool - Race with the Devil
- Title: Race with the Devil
- Artist: Girlschool
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 27 July 1980
- UK Peak: #49 (Peak Date: 17 August 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Gladys Knight and The Pips - Bourgie', Bourgie'
- Title: Bourgie', Bourgie'
- Artist: Gladys Knight and The Pips
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 8 November 1980
- UK Peak: #32
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Hall and Oates - Running From Paradise
- Title: Running From Paradise
- Artist: Hall and Oates
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 14 June 1980
- UK Peak: #41
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Hazel O'Connor - Give Me An Inch
- Title: Give Me An Inch
- Artist: Hazel O'Connor
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 19 October 1980
- UK Peak: #41 (Peak Date: 2 November 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Human League - Only After Dark
- Title: Only After Dark
- Artist: The Human League
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 1
Iron Maiden - Running Free
- Title: Running Free
- Artist: Iron Maiden
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 17 February 1980
- UK Peak: #19 (Peak Date: 6 October 1985)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Jermaine Jackson - Burnin' Hot
- Title: Burnin' Hot
- Artist: Jermaine Jackson
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 20 July 1980
- UK Peak: #32 (Peak Date: 27 July 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Joan Armatrading - Rosie
- Title: Rosie
- Artist: Joan Armatrading
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 17 February 1980
- UK Peak: #49 (Peak Date: 2 March 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Joe Walsh - All Night Long
- Title: All Night Long
- Artist: Joe Walsh
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 17 May 1980
- US Peak: #19
- UK Now Appearances: 1
John Foxx - Burning Car
- Title: Burning Car
- Artist: John Foxx
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 July 1980
- UK Peak: #35 (Peak Date: 3 August 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Journey - Any Way You Want It
- Title: Any Way You Want It
- Artist: Journey
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 1 March 1980
- US Peak: #23
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Judas Priest - United
- Title: United
- Artist: Judas Priest
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 17 August 1980
- UK Peak: #26 (Peak Date: 7 September 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Junior Murvin - Police & Thieves
- Title: Police & Thieves
- Artist: Junior Murvin
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 3
Karel Fialka - The Eyes Have It
- Title: The Eyes Have It
- Artist: Karel Fialka
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 11 May 1980
- UK Peak: #52 (Peak Date: 18 May 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Kenny Loggins - I'm Alright
- Title: I'm Alright
- Artist: Kenny Loggins
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 12 July 1980
- US Peak: #7
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Kim Carnes - More Love
- Title: More Love
- Artist: Kim Carnes
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 31 May 1980
- US Peak: #10
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Kool and the Gang - Too Hot
- Title: Too Hot
- Artist: Kool and the Gang
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 January 1980
- UK Peak: #23 (Peak Date: 27 January 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Kurtis Blow - The Breaks
- Title: The Breaks
- Artist: Kurtis Blow
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 5 October 1980
- UK Peak: #47 (Peak Date: 19 October 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 2
Level 42 - Love Meeting Love
- Title: Love Meeting Love
- Artist: Level 42
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 24 August 1980
- UK Peak: #61 (Peak Date: 31 August 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Linda Ronstadt - Hurt So Bad
- Title: Hurt So Bad
- Artist: Linda Ronstadt
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 12 April 1980
- US Peak: #8
- UK Now Appearances: 1
M - That's the Way the Money Goes
- Title: That's the Way the Money Goes
- Artist: M
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 9 March 1980
- UK Peak: #45 (Peak Date: 23 March 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Manhattan Transfer - Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone
- Title: Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone
- Artist: The Manhattan Transfer
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 11 May 1980
- UK Peak: #25 (Peak Date: 8 June 1980)
- US First Charted: 19 April 1980
- US Peak: #30
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Manhattans - Shining Star
- Title: Shining Star
- Artist: The Manhattans
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 20 July 1980
- UK Peak: #45 (Peak Date: 27 July 1980)
- US First Charted: 26 April 1980
- US Peak: #5
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Motels - Whose Problem?
- Title: Whose Problem?
- Artist: The Motels
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 5 October 1980
- UK Peak: #42 (Peak Date: 19 October 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
New Musik - This World of Water
- Title: This World of Water
- Artist: New Musik
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 20 April 1980
- UK Peak: #31 (Peak Date: 4 May 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Red Frame/White Light
- Title: Red Frame/White Light
- Artist: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 3 February 1980
- UK Peak: #67 (Peak Date: 10 February 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Pat Benatar - We Live for Love
- Title: We Live for Love
- Artist: Pat Benatar
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 5 April 1980
- US Peak: #27
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Paul Simon - Late in the Evening
- Title: Late in the Evening
- Artist: Paul Simon
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 31 August 1980
- UK Peak: #58 (Peak Date: 14 September 1980)
- US First Charted: 9 August 1980
- US Peak: #6
- UK Now Appearances: 2
Phil Lynott - Dear Miss Lonely Hearts
- Title: Dear Miss Lonely Hearts
- Artist: Phil Lynott
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 30 March 1980
- UK Peak: #32 (Peak Date: 20 April 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Pointer Sisters - He's So Shy
- Title: He's So Shy
- Artist: The Pointer Sisters
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 26 July 1980
- US Peak: #3
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Ramones - Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?
- Title: Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?
- Artist: Ramones
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 April 1980
- UK Peak: #54 (Peak Date: 13 April 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Revillos - Motorbike Beat
- Title: Motorbike Beat
- Artist: The Revillos
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 20 January 1980
- UK Peak: #45 (Peak Date: 3 February 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Robert Palmer - Looking for Clues
- Title: Looking for Clues
- Artist: Robert Palmer
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 16 November 1980
- UK Peak: #33 (Peak Date: 30 November 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Rupert Holmes - Him
- Title: Him
- Artist: Rupert Holmes
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 16 March 1980
- UK Peak: #31 (Peak Date: 13 April 1980)
- US First Charted: 19 January 1980
- US Peak: #6
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Ruts - Staring at the Rude Boys
- Title: Staring at the Rude Boys
- Artist: The Ruts
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 April 1980
- UK Peak: #22 (Peak Date: 11 May 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Sad Café - Strange Little Girl
- Title: Strange Little Girl
- Artist: Sad Café
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 13 January 1980
- UK Peak: #32 (Peak Date: 27 January 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Saxon - Wheels of Steel
- Title: Wheels of Steel
- Artist: Saxon
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 16 March 1980
- UK Peak: #20 (Peak Date: 27 April 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Secret Affair - My World
- Title: My World
- Artist: Secret Affair
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 2 March 1980
- UK Peak: #16 (Peak Date: 6 April 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Shakatak - Feels Like the Right Time
- Title: Feels Like the Right Time
- Artist: Shakatak
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 2 November 1980
- UK Peak: #41 (Peak Date: 16 November 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Shalamar - Right in the Socket
- Title: Right in the Socket
- Artist: Shalamar
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 3 February 1980
- UK Peak: #44 (Peak Date: 10 February 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Skids - Circus Games
- Title: Circus Games
- Artist: Skids
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 10 August 1980
- UK Peak: #32 (Peak Date: 7 September 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Sparks - When I'm With You
- Title: When I'm With You
- Artist: Sparks
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 2
Squeeze - Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)
- Title: Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)
- Artist: Squeeze
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 4 May 1980
- UK Peak: #44 (Peak Date: 18 May 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Stacy Lattisaw - Dynamite!
- Title: Dynamite!
- Artist: Stacy Lattisaw
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 1
The Stranglers - Bear Cage
- Title: Bear Cage
- Artist: The Stranglers
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 16 March 1980
- UK Peak: #36 (Peak Date: 23 March 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Teardrop Explodes - When I Dream
- Title: When I Dream
- Artist: The Teardrop Explodes
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 21 September 1980
- UK Peak: #47 (Peak Date: 5 October 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Tiswas presents The Four Bucketeers - The Bucket of Water Song
- Title: The Bucket of Water Song
- Artist: Tiswas presents The Four Bucketeers
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 1
Tom Browne - Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)
- Title: Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)
- Artist: Tom Browne
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 19 October 1980
- UK Peak: #45 (Peak Date: 2 November 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
The Tourists - Don't Say I Told You So
- Title: Don't Say I Told You So
- Artist: The Tourists
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 12 October 1980
- UK Peak: #40 (Peak Date: 19 October 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
UFO - Young Blood
- Title: Young Blood
- Artist: UFO
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 6 January 1980
- UK Peak: #36 (Peak Date: 13 January 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Ultravox - Passing Strangers
- Title: Passing Strangers
- Artist: Ultravox
Click for full song details - UK First Charted: 12 October 1980
- UK Peak: #57 (Peak Date: 26 October 1980)
- UK Now Appearances: 1
Wilton Felder/Bobby Womack - Inherit the Wind
- Title: Inherit the Wind
- Artist: Wilton Felder, Bobby Womack
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 1
XTC - Generals and Majors
- Title: Generals and Majors
- Artist: XTC
Click for full song details - UK Now Appearances: 1
ZZ Top - Cheap Sunglasses
- Title: Cheap Sunglasses
- Artist: ZZ Top
Click for full song details - US First Charted: 12 July 1980
- US Peak: #89
- UK Now Appearances: 1