My 80s Playlist: Broadcaster Simon Fanshawe picks his top 80s tunes from ABBA to George Michael

Virgin Radio

1 Sep 2023, 14:34

Journalist and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe is picking his favourite tunes from the 80s on My 80s Playlist. 

The Times writer and former comedian rose to fame in the decade, and previously hosted That’s Life! in the early 90s. He was also one of the founders of LGBT charity Stonewall. 

While at the Top of the Tower on Virgin Radio 80s Plus, Simon recounted his favourite 80s songs and memories from the era with host Steve Denyer. 

Here’s Simon Fanshawe’s My 80s Playlist

The Winner Takes it All - ABBA

Taken from their seventh studio album Super Trouper, Swedish pop sensations ABBA released The Winner Takes It All in 1980. 

It instantly became a number one hit in the UK and is widely regarded as one of the best ABBA songs released across their career. 

On why he picked the track, Simon explained to host Steve: “There's something about ABBA that is true camp, because it's brilliant. They are simply brilliant songs, and there are layers and layers and layers of production. That's why you can make a show like Mamma Mia, because they are little dramas, they’re little soap operas, each song. The Winner Takes It All of course is about their divorce, and they’re writing it about themselves. I’ve always loved ABBA for that.”

Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

Part of their 1983 album, Colour by Numbers, Culture Club had a number one hit on their hands with Karma Chameleon. 

It became the UK’s biggest-selling single of that year, and it put Boy George and the gang on the pop map forever. 

On his love for Boy George, Simon shared: “A great voice and an ability to write really, really fantastic songs. He's a really talented musician. There was a tradition, there was Bowie, there was Marc Bolan, there was a tradition of gender bending. Then you get that very glam rock tradition, so in some senses, George is part of a rock meets music hall.”

Chain Reaction - Diana Ross

American songstress Diana Ross combined her soulful sound with the Bee Gees disco genre for 1985 classic Chain Reaction. 

The single turned into her second number one hit in the UK, and Simon recalled the moment he met the iconic singer for the first time. 

He said: “She was astonishing. That voice, it's like a beautiful piece of crystal. It just cuts through the air. I was chairman of War Unwanted in the 80s and we were a part of this concert for Nelson Mandela's birthday when he was still in prison. [Diana] sang at Wembley and I'll never forget that because Wembley is enormous. She stood on the centre of the stage and she had such charisma, it was breathtaking.”

Careless Whisper - George Michael

Careless Whisper by Wham!/George Michael can easily be considered one of the band’s biggest hits, reaching number one in nearly 25 countries and selling 6 million copies worldwide. 

Written by the late, great Michael, the single was based on a relationship he had as a teen, and became a classic when it was released in 1984. 

Simon explained: “Michael was the songster. I always loved his songs just because he's a brilliant songwriter. He is unbelievable. Just very generous, we all know that now,

“He was a very, very generous man. I really liked him, but he clearly battled with fame. I wish I'd known him because he sounds a bit wild, a bit fun and a bit mad.”

Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

One of the most requested songs on My 80s Playlist, Peter Gabriel’s 1986 tune Sledgehammer, is without a doubt one of the most memorable tunes of the decade.

Released as part of his 1986 album, Sledgehammer has its music video to thank for helping it land so high up in the charts worldwide.

It’s a massive favourite for Simon, who added: “Another great voice. I mean, that's one of the themes. I think if you have all 10 tracks, they're all voices that the minute you hear a note of any of these people singing, you know it's them. Whereas if you think of a lot of pop, that's not true.”

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