I’m continuing my slow and unsteady slowing down of that fabulous batch of early 80s shows that surfaced over on JP Everyday a while back. This time it’s the 8th April, 1981 show. The name of the file had thus far led me to believe that this might have been from May, but a bit of checking based on results for the 1981 European Cup semi final show that this is definitely from April. Peel bemoans the poor Euro result near the start of the program, referring to the 0-0 home draw with Bayern in the first leg of thesemi final. The reds did go on, however, to draw 1-1 in the away leg and then trounce Real Madrid 1-0 in the final. I feel a youtube moment coming on…
Men with perms and moustaches play football in the early 80s
Some of you have lost the will to live waiting for me to post this and I apologise. I’ve noticed some comments about my describing this year as the beginning of the end for the Liverpool dynasty, and your comments have been duly noted.
In some ways, my assertion could be regarded as total bollocks. After all, Liverpool won the ’87-88 league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season. Their key players were two new signings - winger John Barnes and striker John Aldridge - who helped defy any doubts that people might have had as to whether Liverpool could challenge for honours after Ian Rush's departure, also quashing my prediction that Liverpool would be relegated without their goal scoring legend.
However, my post on Arsenal’s league cup hinted at the rise of the George Graham side, who went some way to usurping Liverpool in the following years. Also, second in the league were Manchester United, rejuvenated under Alex Ferguson - who had bought some impressive new players including Brian McClair and Steve Bruce. OK, it took them a while but they eventually knocked Liverpool off their perch.
The ’87-88 vintage was quite spectacular to watch, John Barnes at the peak of his career almost unplayable. Although I only got to see it on TV on midweek sportsnight, I still regard the 5-0 victory over a very good Nottingham Forest side as being one of the best games I’ve ever seen.
Liverpool went on to win the league again in ’89-90, but it was becoming more and more obvious that the players they were signing were crap and then Graeme Souness…
Anyhow, on to the show, originally broadcast on 23rd December 1987:
21. Smiths - Paint a Vulgar Picture 22. Motorcycle Boy - Big Rock Candy Mountain 23. Smiths - Sweet and Tender Hooligan 24. Smiths - Half a Person 25. Smiths - Death of a Disco Dancer 26. The Fall - Athlete Cured 27. Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full (sampling was still legalish) 28. Railway Children - Brighter 29. Smiths - I Won't Share You 30. Bhundu Boys - My Foolish Heart
John Horne has updated his site, inciuding, wisely, a link to this blog.
One of my students came up with the word reavailablise the other day. Amazingly, that describes perfectly what has happened over at Right Place Right Time Wrong Speed, the following shows being made available once again:
