NOW – Yearbook Extra 1981 (3CD)

Following the recent release of ‘NOW Yearbook 1981’, we continue to celebrate the remarkable year of pop that was 1981 with ‘NOW – Yearbook Extra 1981’ as a limited edition 3CD.

Featuring 66 fabulous tracks that we couldn’t fit on ‘NOW – Yearbook 1981’ – including massive hits and songs that debuted in 1981 and have become enduring favourites.

Disc 1 kicks off with some of the year’s biggest stars including gems from John Lennon with ‘Watching The Wheels’, U2 with ‘Gloria’, ‘Message Of Love’ from The Pretenders, plus the first single released from Ghost in the Machine by The Police with ‘Invisible Sun’. As a major force in 80s pop, synth-pop and new romantic tracks are featured from Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Soft Cell, Japan and Tom Tom Club. This disc also brings together soul smashes from Kool & The Gang, Shalamar, Randy Crawford, Grover Washington, Jr. feat. Bill Withers and Diana Ross.

1981 was a year of revolution for pop and Disc 2 leads off with pure pop magic from Adam & The Ants with ‘Ant Rap’, Toyah with ‘I Want To Be Free’, Altered Images with ‘I Could Be Happy’, and ‘Chequered Love’ from Kim Wilde – plus Shakin’ Stevens, Bucks Fizz and Madness. Electric Light Orchestra, REO Speedwagon, Rick Springfield, Graham Bonnet, and Daryl Hall & John Oates all feature representing rock and power ballads. This collection wouldn’t be complete without some brilliant novelty pop – CD 2 concludes with ‘Birdie Song’ by The Tweets and ‘Hooked On Classics’ by Louis Clark Conducting The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – with both reaching No.2 on the UK charts, and amongst the year’s best sellers.

Disc 3 opens with ‘Sound Of The Crowd’ – the commercial breakthrough from The Human League, and further celebrates synth-pop with Visage, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, and the debut single from Tears For Fears. Simple Minds and New Order lead into superb new wave/pop crossover hits from Adam & The Ants, Bow Wow Wow and Public Image Limited, alongside timeless hits from The Jam and The Clash before closing with some reggae and ska influenced hits from Sugar Minott, Bad Manners and UB40.

The perfect addition to the ‘Yearbook’ family and an essential collection for all fans of 80s pop – enjoy this EXTRA helping with ‘NOW – Yearbook Extra 1981’.