Back in 2022, I discovered a Soundcloud channel, run by Craig Scott, and since that moment, I have been checking his page out nearly on a daily basis. It started with a Plymouth Warehouse Techno mix, followed by an Oldskool Hardcore Rave mix, and then the successful Hardcore Breakz mix series, which still to this day can be considered one of the finest mix series on Soundcloud. Yes, that might be a statement, but it's the truth. But today, the 30th of December, we won't be listening to some Hardcore anthems. We are going back in time, to the 80s. And it's going to be a mix filled with guilty pleasure songs. You ready for it?
I was born in the 80s, and I'm glad that I did. Imagine waking up into a world, not having experienced the 80s at all! Not just the 80s, but the music from the 80s. Those were glorious years, a fantastic decade. And even though Craig has called this a guilty pleasure mix, these songs aren't really guilty pleasure songs, right? They are classics that everyone loves and adores. If you have a look at the tracklist, you won't find one song you truly hate. Not one!
In our household we listen to a lot of 'old' music, and it ranges between the 80s, 90s and 00s. Yes, 90s might have been a tad closer to me, as I was a full on teenager throughout the 90s, but quality-wise, the 80s were much better, right? Music was so much more than life. Songs were different, and had this distinctive sound, which we don't hear or see anymore in pop music, and it's just so smooth to hear. 80s music is much more smooth to listen to.
You can play present day pop music at a birthday party, and there will always be people complaining about the music. Put 80s music on, and no one will complain. It's a perfect decade, right?
Which 'guilty pleasure' songs did Craig select for this mix?
Madonna - Lucky Star
Duran Duran - Girls On Film
Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen
Freeez - IOU
Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
Cameo - Word Up
Phil Collins - Sussudio
Johnny Hates Jazz - Shattered Dreams
Steve Winwood - Valerie
David Bowie - Let's Dance
Madonna - Into The Groove
Duran Duran - The Reflex
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
The Human League - Don't You Want Me
Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Ollie & Jerry - There's No Stoppin Us
Deniece Williams - Let's Hear It For The Boys
Jermaine Stewart - We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off
Yes, these are the big hits from the 80s. Not all of them. Christ, if Craig had to make a mix with ALL the big hits, the mix would be days long! The mix is 62 minutes long, got 18 records, and the length is just perfect. What else is there to listen to, between Christmas and New Year's Eve? That's correct, no more Christmas songs! Let's go back in time to the 80s!
They are all solid songs. And it's funny to actually see the artist names next to some songs, as I know the songs, but never know who did the song. Like 'Valerie', 'Shattered Dreams', 'Word Up' etc. You know the songs, and sing them along whenever they are on, but ask me the artist name? My mind goes blank.
Yes, this is slightly different to what you are normally seeing on my site, but I don't care. It's a Craig Scott mix, and I love his mixes. He's got a lot of mixes on his Soundcloud and YouTube, and if you are into this and are open-minded, you can check his other stuff out too.
The 80s are just so much happier, when it comes to pop music. And these aren't just guilty pleasure songs: they are anthems for my generation. The young kids don't know that these tunes were ours when we grew up, and they made us happier. No need for shaking your booty or breasts and swearing in your songs. You just needed to have the capability to sing, and you could sing about anything! And it would be a hit.
The current pop music producers could only wish they would have the capability to make present day music as timeless as music released in the 80s and 90s. That's a trade skill they lost over the years.
The best song? Tricky, I love them all equally. But Jermaine Stewart's song has got to be the coolest, happiest, and maybe a bit cheesy, but it's so God damn cheerful. Such an innocent song, but a song that will remain in your head for a whole year. Well, for maybe a day and a half, until the next year comes along.
Another solid mix by Craig. Loving the vibes, loving the 80s. More please! More of those. Keep them coming!
DJ: Craig Scott
Genre/Style: 80s Pop
Mix Info: 80s Guilty Pleasures Pop Mix 1 - 27-12-23
Length Mix: 01:02:10
Tracks: 18 (eighteen)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): STREAM HERE
File Size: unknown
File Type: unknown
Audio: Stereo
Bit Rate: unknown
Release Year: 2023
More Information: Craig Scott - Soundcloud Channel