we didn’t go on many holidays when i was a child, as my dad was a miserable git. we did go to the same resort in majorca several times and also to butlins, both bognor and minehead.
although the idea of staying in a holiday camp now seems faintly ridiculous and very restrictive, at the age of ten, it means you can roam unhindered. i’m sure it woldn’t be safe enough now but back in the 80s we had a different type of freedom and it meant a lot to escape your mum’s constant sunscreen application and flicking bits of fluff off you at every opportunity.
so, you went on holiday with your parents, found some friends near your age on the first day and off you went.
around the times we visited, the camps were being updated, which i can see now, lost the point. they were cheesy, retro and stuck in the 60s, which is why people wanted to go. still, i loved the sunsplash pools with flume rides and wave machines, which have no doubt been replaced by something else now. but, the old swimming pools with the windows were far more interesting.
these holidays were the only times i can remember me and my mum dancing out together in public. we danced a lot at home, but whenever I hear these tunes from the summer of 86 I think of her dancing happily.
billy ocean – when the going gets tough
did anyone else get the 80s health education video that had this playing throughout? I can’t for the life of me remember what it was about…
club nouveau – lean on me
well i had no idea that the al green original existed when this came out…
five star – find the time
i remember being bought this on the way home from our butlins holiday, to cheer me up. yes, i was gutted to leave!
gwen guthrie – ain’t nothin’ goin’ on but the rent
tell it like it is, girl. broke men suck. gwen (rip) was at least ten years ahead of beyonce and co on this.
janet jackson – when i think of you
this was my favourite ‘control’ track back in the day. loved the remixes a decade later as well.
jermaine stewart – we don’t have to take our clothes off
we sang this at brownies, much to the disapproval of brown owl, who clearly couldn’t fathom why ten year olds were singing about being naked and drinking cherry wine.
madonna – true blue
i actually recognised actress debi mazar from this video, when she was on ugly betty. i hated madonna’s short, bleached hair though.
mel and kim – showing out
its sad that several of the artists on this list have passed away, like mel. i can imagine mel and kim as a duo would have gone on to become popular entertainers, possibly like a female ant and dec.
midnight star – midas touch
jheri soul troupe. yes, troupe. there were nine members.
steve winwood – higher love
i always think of that bette midler film, big business, as well, when i hear this.
taffy – i love my radio
more dj adulation. not a new phenomenon.
wham – edge of heaven
the last wham song ever recorded. millions of tears were cried over george and expert tambourine player andy.
