Yes, we’ve all heard it more times than we can remember, but The Human League’s 1981 mega-hit has developed ubiquitous status for good reason. Read more: Classic Album – Autobahn 2 The Human League – Don’t You Want Me We’d encourage you to get in touch and let us know the tracks that made your own Top 40s. When whittled down to just 40 prime cuts, it makes for a truly classic synth-pop playlist, and one that is sure to spark both joy and outrage in equal measure. Instead, for the most part at least, we chose to tell it how it is – this is Classic Pop, after all.
We chose to wilfully ignore the nagging impulse to neglect selections of an ‘obvious’ nature and replace them with hipper alternatives. With all the votes cast, we finally chalked up a shortlist that lined up mainstream pop classics alongside timeless old school creations, as well as some pioneering underground favourites that could not be overlooked. There are, of course, far too many ‘honourable mentions’ to list here, all of whom may well have made the grade on a different day, prime examples being A Flock Of Seagulls, Robert Görl, The Buggles, Thomas Leer, DAF, Thompson Twins, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kavinsky, Pete Shelley, Phil Lynott, Fad Gadget, Freez, M, Alphaville, Berlin Blondes, The Units, Ladytron, Hot Chip, Goldfrapp, Chairlift and M83 to name but a few… hell, even our unhealthy addiction to Q Lazzarus’ Goodbye Horses was left unattended to.
The only rules: no more than three tracks per artist… and sorry, but no cover versions (although there are some exceptional ones: Soft Cell, Tainted Love Silicon Teens, Memphis Tennessee Pet Shop Boys, Always on My Mind The Communards, Don’t Leave Me This Way – we’re looking at you).