In the first few years of the decade the synth became prevalent across all genres of pop music, and in 1983 New Order released ‘Blue Monday’, a timeless and iconic track that defines the era and the importance of synth-driven pop - and it kicks off this collection in style… Tracks that sound as fresh today as they did on release follow from the Eurythmics with ‘Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty Four)’, and Propaganda with ‘Duel’. Both ‘Obsession’ from Animotion and Paul Hardcastle’s #1 ‘19’ filled dance-floors and Yello achieved their biggest hit with ‘The Race’…and closing the first side Jan Hammer enjoyed a global smash, including a U.S. #1 with his ‘Miami Vice Theme’ which soundtracked the hit TV series. Flip the LP over for synth-pop royalty Pet Shop Boys with ‘Domino Dancing’ and ‘Together in Electric Dreams’ the hit collaboration between Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder – whose role in pioneering production in the late ‘70s included the hugely influential ‘I Feel Love’ with Donna Summer. 80s smash-hit pop follows from Scritti Politti, Kon Kan, Men Without Hats, and ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ the #1 from Falco – plus – ‘I’m Not Scared’ by Eighth Wonder and ‘Don’t Drop Bombs’ from Liza Minnelli which both feature writing and production from Pet Shop Boys…



In 1984 Frankie Goes To Hollywood saw their first 3 singles go to #1, and the second of these, ‘Two Tribes’ opens LP2 followed by Dead Or Alive with the hi-nrg ‘My Heart Goes Bang (Get Me To The Doctor)’… Up next a stellar run of artists who found chart success early in the decade with synth-pop smashes – Soft Cell, Visage, Spandau Ballet and The Human League, featured here with dance-floor gold ‘Hard Times’…and bringing the side to a close, The Art Of Noise, with the peerless ‘Close (To The Edit)’. The final side begins with the huge hit ‘Axel F’ for Harold Faltermeyer before focusing on synth-fired club essentials: Colonel Abrams with ‘Trapped’, ‘Sidewalk Talk’ from Jellybean, free-style from Exposé, and 80s disco from Taylor Dayne with ‘Prove Your Love’. Living In A Box and The Pointer Sisters enjoyed chart success with their synth anthems, and taking this superb collection to its conclusion is Joe Jackson, an established artist who had worked across multiple genres and who achieved a massive hit with a timeless synth-pop gem ‘Steppin’ Out’.