Search - Various Artists :: Pure 80's Hits

Great compilation of sadly overlooked gems.

Ben Rowland | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 12/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who has bought a bunch of 80s compilations will agree that there are two types of songs; the staples that you can find anywhere and the more esoteric songs that you rarely find. The earlier two "Pure 80s" comps catered to the former, while "Pure 80s" hits leans more towards the latter. As someone who owns plenty of 80s CDs already, it was nice to finally get one with a few hidden gems, and one that looked beyond the #1 Hits. What you will most likely notice is that all the performers are familiar enough, though the songs chosen are not their biggest hits. Instead of "Shout" from Tears for Fears, we are treated to the far superior "Head Over Heels". Instead of "Jessie's Girl" from Rick Springfield, we get "Human Touch". Berlin's "No More Words", "Duran Duran's "Notorious", and Kim Wilde's excellent "Kids In America" are more examples of lesser played, though no lesser in quality, tracks. In many cases, I find that I prefer these songs to the #1 Hits that have, frankly, been played to death. Having said that, there are a few staples here to please the diehards. "(Don't You) Forget About Me" by Simple Minds, "Shattered Dreams" by Johnny Hates Jazz, "Missing You" by John Waite, and "Your Love" by The Outfield have been the staples of most good 80s compilations, and are well in place on "Pure 80s Hits". Other standout tracks include "Lessons In Love" by Level 42 and the excellent love ballad "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger. Though many before me have noted the lack of instantly recognizable hits, that doesn't mean that the quality of the songs is lacking - quite the opposite - many of the songs here are just as good as the rest. I strongly urge you not to pass this compilation up, since it is as solid as any 80s compilation currently on the market, if not better."

80s Pop

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 08/18/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Given that we both graduated from high school in 1986, my husband and I are huge fans of music from the 80s: we even played all 80s music at our recent wedding! We own at least 10 different 80s compilation CDs, including this one. This CD focuses on true 80s pop, not necessarily 80s classic hits. For example, although Rick Springfield is included, the song is "Human Touch" rather than the mega-hit "Jessie's Girl." Similarly, Duran Duran is here with "Notorius," a later and lesser hit. The collection also contains some more obscure bands, including The Outfield, Johnny Hates Jazz, and Dan Hartman. If you are a collector of 80s music, this compilation might fill in some of the gaps, but if you want the best of the 80s, there are better choices out there."

Only In The Movie...NOW on CD!

Anthony L. Ochoa | Los Angeles, CA | 02/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What was once only available on a 12" vinyl single and the "actual" soundstrip...not soundtrack...of the film, "The Breakfast Club", "Pure 80's Hits" now boasts the FULL version of Simple Minds, "Don't You Forget About Me"! Yes indeed...after all these years! To the "average" household listener of 80's music, he or she may not even tell the slightest bit of difference...and not even care...but to true collectors of that decade's gems, this CD has that "hard-to-find" full-length version of that Simple Minds signature song. Listen! The first 15 seconds is VASTLY different than the cut-up version that gets played on all those homogenized-sounding, 80's flash-back radio programs...not to mention, the "extra" verse in the middle of the song, with a complete set of alternate lyrics! So for this...and this reason only...I give the CD FIVE big stars!"