Cathy Dennis – That is Why You Love Me
Quite how we've got this far without covering one of pop's most successful guiding lights is beyond me, but here she is, finally: the irresistible Cathy Dennis!
Deborah Harry – Sweet and Low
That peculiar time when Debbie Harry became Deborah for a bit, roped in PWL for a remix and very few people cared. Sigh.
Mini Viva – One Touch
(Mini) Viva Forever! Brand new contributor Joe Anderton with a cautionary tale of bad scheduling that consigned one of pop's most exciting new acts to the dumper.
Paul Simon – Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War
Paul Simon - probably the first artist who made me sit up and think "this music lark is definitely for me".
Chaka Khan – Love of a Lifetime
Chaka plays pop.
Beyoncé – Ego
In which Dan asks the question "do singles even exist anymore?" The short answer is of course "no, not really and we sort of have Beyoncé to thank for it". But we'll let him delve a little deeper via discussion of the unbridled filth-fest that is "Ego".
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Out of Touch
Sort of a discussion about how versions are very important to die-hard pop fans, but mainly about how brilliant "Out of Touch" is.
Pet Shop Boys – Integral
You've had your chance, now we've got the mandate. If you've changed your mind, I'm afraid it's too late.
Lene Nystrøm – Pretty Young Thing
From "Play With Me" - the decade's other great lost pop album - it's Lene from out of Aqua with the quite frankly terrific 2003 flop "Pretty Young Thing".
Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville – All My Life
Why do some pop stars only ever seem to have hits here with duets or movie themes? It's all so unfair.
Donna Summer – The Hostage
It's 1974 and Donna Summer, prior to becoming the first lady of everything, speaks out on terrorism and police incompetence. Wait, come back!
Dubstar – Cathedral Park
From the file marked "Bands we never quite got round to buying even though they were dead good" - it's the amazing Dubstar.
America – Sister Golden Hair
California, here we come.
Susanna Hoffs – Wishing on Telstar
Ah, the long-distance love song. Where would pop be without telephone operators who can't do their job properly?
Jane Wiedlin – Inside a Dream
1988 is a long time ago now, but I'm still driving in the rush hour.
Niki & The Dove – So Much it Hurts
Pop: expressing how we feel so we don't have to. Thank goodness for that.
Colors – Never Mind
This time last week I'd never heard of Colors. Now "Never Mind" is one of my favourite records and I'm busy inserting it into all my memories of 1985.
Selena Gomez & the Scene – Love You Like a Love Song
Everyone wants to be a Disney princess. Especially our American correspondent Dan Poliak. He's almost there!
Bucks Fizz – Heart of Stone
The final (proper) single from Bucks Fizz, and if you ask me they saved the best for last.
Icehouse – Great Southern Land
Australia: REALLY good at pop. We shall be spending more time there...
