“Somebody’s Watching Me” is a song recorded by American singer Rockwell, released by the Motown label in 1984, as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name. Rockwell’s debut single release, the song features guest vocals by brothers Michael Jackson (in the chorus) and Jermaine Jackson (additional backing vocals). “Somebody’s Watching Me” became a major commercial success internationally, topping the charts in Belgium, France, and Spain, and reaching the top 5 in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. The song reached No. 6 in the United Kingdom, Rockwell’s only top 40 hit in the UK.
“I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” is a song written and performed by English singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw. It was his first single, which charted in November 1983, though despite spending 8 weeks in the UK Top 100, only reached number 47. It was re-released in 1984 and became his highest charting hit in the UK, peaking at no. 2 there. The song was included on Kershaw’s debut album, Human Racing (1984). The song was originally written as a folk protest song, but as Kershaw’s manager had signed him up to Peter Collins and Pete Waterman’s Loose Ends production company, it turned into a pop anthem in the studio.
“Breakout” is a song by British band Swing Out Sister. It was released in 1986 as the second single from their debut album It’s Better to Travel. The single reached the number four position in the UK in the autumn of 1986, and rose to number six on the Billboard in the US and number one on the Adult Contemporary in the US in 1987. The song also resulted in a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The single was written and performed while the group was still a trio. It was one of their biggest hits, and the song most closely associated with the act. In the US, “Breakout” remains a staple of adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio station playlists.
“Poison Arrow” is a song by English new wave band ABC, released as the second single from their debut studio album, The Lexicon of Love (1982). The single was released in the United Kingdom in February 1982 on 7″ and 12″, with the same mix appearing on both formats; however a subsequent U.S. 12″ remix (also known as the “Jazz Remix”) appears on several ABC compilations, and as a bonus track on reissues of the album. In the music video, ABC’s singer Martin Fry plays three parts: a haughty upper-class opera patron; a messenger boy at the opera; and a bandleader at a 1960s-style swinging nightspot. In all three roles, he unsuccessfully attempts to woo the leading lady, played by Lisa Vanderpump, later of The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills. The song reached No. 6 in the UK.
“Wishful Thinking” is a song by China Crisis, released as the third single from their 1983 album Working with Fire & Steel. It reached No. 9 in the Uk in early 1984, becoming their only top 10 hit single in their homeland. The song is their biggest and most well-known hit, and is included on numerous compilation albums. It was a top 20 hit in several European countries and hit number 1 on the Swedish radio chart Poporama in March 1984. The lead vocal on this track is by Eddie Lundon who also wrote the lyrics, as opposed to Gary Daly who sings lead vocals on the majority of the band’s songs.
