My 80s Playlist: Dr David Bull chooses his favourite 80s songs from Kylie to Kim Wilde

Virgin Radio

21 Apr 2023, 11:03

TV presenter and politician Dr David Bull is celebrating Record Store Day by going through his favourite 80s songs on vinyl for Virgin Radio 80s Plus. 

The TalkTV host has appeared on the likes of Newsround, Tomorrow’s World and our very own Virgin Radio Pride, before launching his career in politics.

While at the Top of the Tower at Virgin Radio 80s Plus HQ, Dr David celebrated the unique history of the vinyl record with his own collection of hit singles for My 80s Playlist, with the likes of Kylie, Kim Wilde and Madonna featuring on the favourites list. 

Deborah Harry - I Want That Man

A departure for Blondie’s Debbie Harry, I Want A Man, released in 1989, was the first time the singer used her full name.

It became a huge top 20 hit in the UK, becoming one of her most successful tracks of her solo rock career. 

Recalling his DJ days, David shared with host Steve: “I just think that this was such a brilliant track. Now obviously Deborah Harry, I knew from Blondie and at Heart of Glass, which was one of the original tracks that I had, and watching her career progress and then she came into sort of this disco phase. And this was just fantastically upbeat, the dance floor used to go crazy.”

Kylie Minogue - Step Back In Time

Aussie singer Kylie Mingoue paid tribute to the disco tracks of the 70s with Step Back in Time. 

Often considered one of her best singles, the 1990 release was met with huge acclaim, and found itself comfortably in the top five in the UK. The music video was also a hit, paying homage to the dance culture of the 70s. 

David explained: “She went from being in a soap opera…with Jason Donovan, who weirdly, I've worked with subsequently. We've worked together, and obviously they had Especially For You. What I think is extraordinary about Kylie Minogue’s career is how she constantly reinvents and reinvents. I think one of the best tracks she's ever done is this one.”

Laura Branigan - Self Control 

American singer Laura Branigan covered Self Control in 1984, originally released by Italian singer Raf. 

The song was another big hit for Laura, landing at the top of the charts in Austria, Denmark and Portugal, and finding a home in the top 5 in the UK. 

Dr David remembered his DJ days with this one, telling host Steve: “When I went through these records, this just sort of leapt out. The reason is it's a really well constructed song. It sort of just reminds me…because it's so long ago…it just reminds me of being in a particular place. Like in one of the village halls.This has more of a story in it, a musical story. There's something about it that I just really like.”

Hazell Dean - Whatever I Do, Wherever I Go

Produced by the iconic team of Stock Aitken and Waterman, Hazell Dean had an 11-week streak in the charts with Whatever I Do, Wherever I Go in 1984. 

There was pressure for the pop singer to reproduce another hit after landing in the top 10 earlier that year with Searchin’, and luckily, it was another smash single for the singer. 

Speaking about his love for the vinyl single while DJing, Dr David explained: “It's really early doors. This is the early 80s. The reason is that I told you about the light blocks [while DJing] It starts with [the rhythm] and so the lights would do that. That's the reason I love it, they would react to the music. 

“Then as I got more money, I could buy different things. Then I had this ‘T bar’ with spotlights on top of it and they would also go in sync to the beat. That's why I love this song, but it's a great song.”

Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hanging On

First being a hit for The Supremes in 1966, Kim Wilde covered You Keep Me Hanging On in 1986. 

It was a total rework of the original Motown-style track, and opted for a more modern upbeat dance tune.

It was another DJ village hall classic for Dr David, who added: “The thing about songs like this is to explain a village hall. If you didn't like the song, you would sit on the chairs….so the measure of success, and whether you'd pick the right track, was how many people were on the dance floor, right? But also the key was always to create a narrative. So you've got to make sure that where you start and where you're going, and the songs just flow.”

Madonna - Gambler

1985 Madonna tune Gambler featured in the 1985 film Vision Quest, and while it was never released as a single in the US, the tune managed to become a big hit in the UK, Australia and Ireland. 

Madonna definitely left an impression on a young Dr David after witnessing one of her live shows. He explained: “I must have been about 18, I think. But I'd never seen anything like it in my life. That's why I've included her but I actually decided to choose it because we only ever hear the same songs. I really like Papa Don't Preach for example. I like an awful lot of her stuff. But this one, and I used to play this, there was a great demand.”

Pepsi & Shirlie - Heartache

Pop duo Pepsi and Shirlie landed massive worldwide chart success with their debut single Heartache, released in 1987. 

It peaked at number two on the UK charts, and landed in top 10s around the world, which proved they could be much more than just the backing singers to Wham! 

“It just makes me feel really happy when I hear it,” Dr David explained. “Over time, it was the look, it was the hair, the clothing…maybe it was also a carefree environment that it came from.”

Tight Fit - Fantasy Island 

Dr David’s next favourite single is in the list because of the “juxtaposition” it has with the rest of the songs he picked out. 

Fantasy Island, by pop band Tight Fit, was released in 1982 and it helped propel the three-piece group to stardom. The song, originally by Dutch Duo The Millionaires, was only their second single, but it peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax

Synth-pop band Frankie Goes To Hollywood certainly had everyone talking with their 1983 classic, Relax. 

The raunchy song, and its music video, was the subject of a lot of attention, even after being banned by the BBC. Relax stayed in the UK Top 40 for 37 consecutive weeks and re-entered the charts after the release of follow-up track Two Tribes a year later. 

“It wasn't controversial. It was shocking, right?” Dr David recalled. “I'd never seen anything like it. Of course, when you look at the words and the lyrics, I mean, it's pretty explicit. Once the BBC banned it, and they were not allowed to perform on Top of the Pops, you've got to remember Top of the Pops was a weekly event. Every week I sat down and I taped it. I have my cassette recorder and I would tape it every week. Once they banned it, it meant we had to buy it.”

Jimmy Somerville - You Make Me Feel

Released in 1989, British singer Jimmy Somerville, previously of Bronski Beat and Communards, climbed to number 5 in the UK charts, and appeared on his debut solo album, Read My Lips. 

Touching on subjects including the LGBTQ+ community and the AIDS epidemic, there was a political backlash against the track, but for Dr David, Jimmy’s talent was evident within the controversial tune. 

“It was kind of camp and effeminate, wasn't it?,” he said. “But actually, what shone through was his pure talent. I love the Communards. I mean, one of the songs I put here is Don't Leave Me This Way, which is played a great deal.”

Falco - Rock Me Amadeus

Australian artist Falco was originally recorded in German, and to this day remains the only German language song to peak at number one on the Billboard charts in the US, and found the top spot in the UK too. 

Speaking of his love of the international hit, Dr David said: “It's a pop song, but actually it's deeply orchestral underneath and there's an amazing middle third in it as well. Where they have real vocals in that, and you have to play it to the end. That's the other thing I hate about DJs, they never let the songs finish and they always talk over the ends.”

You can listen to Virgin Radio 80 Plus HERE. You can also listen on DAB+ in London and Central Scotland and on smart speakers across the UK, as well as via the Virgin Radio UK app.