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Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025)

Release Date February 28, 2025
Country UK
Album Series

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The year 1980 was a transformative period in pop music, as genres vied for attention on the charts, creating a vibrant and competitive landscape. While collections like the 1980 Yearbook and 80-84 Final Chapter have already highlighted over 150 of the year’s most prominent tracks, there’s much more to the story. Many exceptional singles from this era have been overlooked in compilations, and The Vault: 1980 aims to spotlight these hidden gems.

This curated selection features 80 tracks that capture the diversity of 1980’s music. Some were chart hits, while others gained recognition in specific regions or through influential albums. Together, they form a compelling narrative of the year’s eclectic sounds.

CD1 sets the tone with U.S. chart-toppers by iconic artists like Bruce Springsteen (Hungry Heart), Billy Joel (You May Be Right), and Blondie’s The Hardest Part, a track released stateside but not in the U.K. The energy of new-wave is showcased through The Ramones and The Revillos, leading into early releases from Echo & The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes. As synth-pop began to define the decade, acts like Ultravox, The Human League, and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark emerged as key players. Other highlights include Sparks, The B-52’s, Robert Palmer, and The Buggles, while quirky tracks like The Bucket Of Water Song from Tiswas regulars add a nostalgic touch.

CD2 kicks off with Dexys Midnight Runners’ Dance Stance, the precursor to their chart-topping hit Geno. Guitar-driven tracks by Secret Affair and Squeeze give way to post-punk classics from The Stranglers, The Ruts, and The Clash. Reggae and ska are represented by Junior Murvin and The Bodysnatchers, while Kurtis Blow’s The Breaks introduces the burgeoning hip-hop movement. Genre-blending songs follow, including jazz-infused soul from The Manhattan Transfer, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Wilton Felder’s collaboration with Bobby Womack on Inherit The Wind. Smooth jazz-pop from Shakatak and Level 42 leads into soulful ballads from Kool & The Gang, Brenda Russell, and The Manhattans, closing with the U.S. hit Shining Star.

CD3 delivers an electrifying lineup of dancefloor hits, starting with Donna Summer’s Sunset People, Amii Stewart’s rendition of The Letter, and Shalamar’s Right In The Socket. Powerful vocal performances by Gladys Knight, Joan Armatrading, and Phil Lynott’s solo debut Dear Miss Lonely Hearts set the stage for an energetic run of rock tracks from Judas Priest, Saxon, Girlschool, and Iron Maiden’s debut single. New-wave favorites from The Tourists, XTC, Skids, and Hazel O’Connor follow, with the disc concluding on a softer note with Gerry Rafferty’s The Royal Mile and Elton John’s heartfelt ballad Sartorial Eloquence.

CD4 shifts focus to singles that made an impact on the U.S. charts. It opens with timeless performances by Paul Simon (Late In The Evening), Linda Ronstadt (Hurt So Bad), and Carly Simon (Jesse). Pop-rock anthems from Kim Carnes, Pat Benatar, and Journey are complemented by soulful hits from Jermaine Jackson and Aretha Franklin’s version of What A Fool Believes. The disc transitions to smooth rock classics by Daryl Hall & John Oates, Christopher Cross, Boz Scaggs, and Kenny Loggins, culminating with Eddie Rabbitt’s Top 5 U.S. hit and Joe Walsh’s contribution to the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. The final track, ZZ Top’s Cheap Sunglasses, hints at the band’s U.S. success before their later U.K. breakout.

Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 is a fitting tribute to one of music’s most dynamic years, celebrating both the hits and the overlooked gems that defined the era.

Releases

VersionRelease DateNumber of Tracks
Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 CD)28 February 202580
Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 Deluxe CD)28 February 202580
Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 MP3 Download)28 February 20250
Now Yearbook The Vault 1980 (UK 2025 Vinyl)28 February 202545

All Tracks on This Album

This is a full list of tracks (in alphabetical order) that appear on at least one format of this album. For further breakdown of each format version, please see links above.

(80 Tracks)

Tracks Exclusive to This Album

Unique Tracks on This Album: 71 (These tracks don’t appear on any other album currently listed on the site.)

*Note: Not all albums have been added yet. As of now, the site includes tracklists for 506 albums.

Tracks Exclusive to UK

Unique UK Tracks on This Album: 71 (These tracks appear exclusively on this album within the UK releases.)

Track Stats and Chart Info

 Artist(s)First UK Chart AppearanceHighest UK Chart PositionFirst US Billboard Chart AppearanceHighest US Billboard Chart PositionOriginal YearUK Now Appearances
Amii Stewart - The LetterAmii Stewart19 January 1980392
Aretha Franklin - What a Fool BelievesAretha Franklin6 December 1980462
The B-52's - Give Me Back My ManThe B-52's9 August 1980611
Bill Nelson - Do You Dream in Colour?Bill Nelson29 June 1980521
Billy Joel - You May Be RightBilly Joel15 March 198072
Billy Ocean - Are You ReadyBilly Ocean19 January 1980421
Blondie - The Hardest PartBlondie2 February 1980841
The Bodysnatchers - Let's Do Rock SteadyThe Bodysnatchers9 March 1980221
Boz Scaggs - Breakdown Dead AheadBoz Scaggs29 March 1980151
Brenda Russell - In the Thick of ItBrenda Russell19 April 1980511
Bruce Springsteen - Hungry HeartBruce Springsteen22 November 1980288 November 198052
The Buggles - Clean, CleanThe Buggles1
Carly Simon - JesseCarly Simon2 August 1980111
The Cars - Touch and GoThe Cars6 September 1980371
Chic - Rebels Are WeChic30 August 1980611
The Chords - Maybe TomorrowThe Chords27 January 1980401
Christopher Cross - Ride Like the WindChristopher Cross19 April 19806916 February 198023
The Clash - The Call UpThe Clash6 December 1980401
Dexys Midnight Runners - Dance StanceDexys Midnight Runners19 January 1980401
Donna Summer - Sunset PeopleDonna Summer21 June 1980461
Earth, Wind and Fire - In the StoneEarth, Wind and Fire8 March 19805320 October 1979581
Echo & the Bunnymen - RescueEcho & the Bunnymen17 May 1980621
Eddie Rabbitt - Drivin' My Life AwayEddie Rabbitt21 June 198051
Elton John - Sartorial EloquenceElton John23 August 1980441
The Flying Lizards - TVThe Flying Lizards3 February 1980431
Gerry Rafferty - The Royal MileGerry Rafferty21 June 1980671
Girlschool - Race with the DevilGirlschool2 August 1980491
Gladys Knight and The Pips - Bourgie', Bourgie'Gladys Knight and The Pips8 November 1980321
Hall and Oates - Running From ParadiseHall and Oates14 June 1980411
Hazel O'Connor - Give Me An InchHazel O'Connor25 October 1980411
The Human League - Only After DarkThe Human League1
Iron Maiden - Running FreeIron Maiden23 February 1980191
Jermaine Jackson - Burnin' HotJermaine Jackson26 July 1980321
Joan Armatrading - RosieJoan Armatrading23 February 1980491
Joe Walsh - All Night LongJoe Walsh17 May 1980191
John Foxx - Burning CarJohn Foxx19 July 1980351
Journey - Any Way You Want ItJourney1 March 1980231
Judas Priest - UnitedJudas Priest17 August 1980261
Junior Murvin - Police & ThievesJunior Murvin3
Karel Fialka - The Eyes Have ItKarel Fialka17 May 1980521
Kenny Loggins - I'm AlrightKenny Loggins12 July 198071
Kim Carnes - More LoveKim Carnes31 May 1980101
Kool and the Gang - Too HotKool and the Gang19 January 1980231
Kurtis Blow - The BreaksKurtis Blow5 October 1980472
Level 42 - Love Meeting LoveLevel 4230 August 1980611
Linda Ronstadt - Hurt So BadLinda Ronstadt12 April 198081
M - That's the Way the Money GoesM9 March 1980451
The Manhattan Transfer - Twilight Zone/Twilight ToneThe Manhattan Transfer17 May 19802519 April 1980301
The Manhattans - Shining StarThe Manhattans20 July 19804526 April 198051
The Motels - Whose Problem?The Motels11 October 1980421
New Musik - This World of WaterNew Musik20 April 1980311
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Red Frame/White LightOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark3 February 1980671
Pat Benatar - We Live for LovePat Benatar5 April 1980271
Paul Simon - Late in the EveningPaul Simon6 September 1980589 August 198062
Phil Lynott - Dear Miss Lonely HeartsPhil Lynott30 March 1980321
The Pointer Sisters - He's So ShyThe Pointer Sisters26 July 198031
Ramones - Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?Ramones13 April 1980541
The Revillos - Motorbike BeatThe Revillos20 January 1980451
Robert Palmer - Looking for CluesRobert Palmer22 November 1980331
Rupert Holmes - HimRupert Holmes16 March 19803119 January 198061
The Ruts - Staring at the Rude BoysThe Ruts13 April 1980221
Sad Café - Strange Little GirlSad Café13 January 1980321
Saxon - Wheels of SteelSaxon16 March 1980201
Secret Affair - My WorldSecret Affair2 March 1980161
Shakatak - Feels Like the Right TimeShakatak8 November 1980411
Shalamar - Right in the SocketShalamar9 February 1980441
Skids - Circus GamesSkids10 August 1980321
Sparks - When I'm With YouSparks2
Squeeze - Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)Squeeze10 May 1980441
Stacy Lattisaw - Dynamite!Stacy Lattisaw1
The Stranglers - Bear CageThe Stranglers22 March 1980361
The Teardrop Explodes - When I DreamThe Teardrop Explodes27 September 1980471
Tiswas presents The Four Bucketeers - The Bucket of Water SongTiswas presents The Four Bucketeers1
Tom Browne - Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)Tom Browne19 October 1980451
The Tourists - Don't Say I Told You SoThe Tourists12 October 1980401
UFO - Young BloodUFO6 January 1980361
Ultravox - Passing StrangersUltravox18 October 1980571
Wilton Felder/Bobby Womack - Inherit the WindWilton Felder
Bobby Womack
1
XTC - Generals and MajorsXTC1
ZZ Top - Cheap SunglassesZZ Top12 July 1980891



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This page was last modified on Jan 23 2025