[Music] Greatest Pop/Rock instrumental of the '80s

[Fat Boy Fat]

There has been a lot of talk on these boards about the '80s being the greatest era for music, which I agree with, but I'm not sure anyone has touched on the tracks that have been produced by mainstream bands, as instrumentals.

I give you two such examples below.

Ultravox, the consummate professionals and Simple Minds, the slightly more rough diamonds, linked by their Scottish frontmen.

Skip forward the first 1:30 of introductions of the Simple Minds track Theme For Great Cities and you are given a masterclass in pop/rock instrumental - but then, compare that against Ultravox and their epic instrumental Astradyne, with classic Billy Currie electric violin and synth playing - if, like me, you love most things '80s and these two bands in particular then you have a battle on your hands to decide the winner.

Even if you're not a fan of this era, give them both a listen, you won't be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-kVZsO1GCk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO0oQShU_4Y

 

[Wozza]

Good shout. Used to love an instrumental.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-rVCo2--Y4&ab_channel=DuranDuran-Topic

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

Good shout. Used to love an instrumental.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-rVCo2--Y4&ab_channel=DuranDuran-Topic

Even better shout- think many, including me, would have forgotten this Duran Duran track.

 

[Wozza]

Damn. Thought TFF's Broken (live) was vocal-less, but no...

Here's an obscure one....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYEqHhHyhuM&ab_channel=DuranoraksUnited

And one more...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohdelJ3HDXY&ab_channel=SimpleMinds-Topic

 

[clapham_gull]

I wish people would stop reminding me of the 1980s, I've had to re-live it for the last few years.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Reached #7 in the charts, not bad for an instrumental.

 

[hart's shirt]

Great memories of dancing to this as the sun came up.



And you don't have to like Duran Duran to appreciate the sublime sax solo of Andy Hamilton in Tiger Tiger.

Best listened to with decent headphones and the sound drifting through your head.

 

[Razzoo]

 

[peterward]

Just because I was obsessed back in the day.

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

Oh, I had forgotten that one, had it on almost permanent loop for a few weeks when it came out... brilliant tune!

 

[Icy Gull]

This is kind of timely considering who we are playing today


https://youtu.be/CcIAkP7SFyI

 

[BRIGHT ON Q]

YYZ

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

Oh, I had forgotten that one, had it on almost permanent loop for a few weeks when it came out... brilliant tune!

What I hadn’t realised until today was that these guys went on to be be MARRS and release Pump Up The Volume...

 

[Barnet Seagull]

This innit.

https://youtu.be/_UmOY6ek_Y4

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

This is kind of timely considering who we are playing today


https://youtu.be/CcIAkP7SFyI

In one of those, let’s make you feel old moments, Mark Knopfler was 72 this year...!

 

[Wozza]

If we're going for compositions which have been released with and without vocals, then I'll add my favourite track of all time....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf0HYeQp760&ab_channel=Dbrro

 

[Is it PotG?]

 

[Insel affe]

https://youtu.be/0COY4267CHk

 

[Icy Gull]

This innit.

https://youtu.be/_UmOY6ek_Y4

I’ll raise you with this

https://youtu.be/Je2fGzKiqRM

 

[Igzilla]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1Rt8mX9LJE