Quirky can mean a lot of things. It’s often used as a polite word to cover up something odd. In music terms, it can mean quite a few things. In the context of this article, it’s definitely not describing a bunch of daft or novelty records. These five follow a selection from the 1970s I covered a while back. Again, they are serious songs, though there is an element of fun in all of them.
I’m focusing on songs where the sound, the meaning, the lyrics, and the message or the performance have brought something different. They are quirky compared to the run-of-the-mill chart fodder being pumped out at the time. That makes them stand out distinctively from the rest.
Here are the five that come to my mind when I think of those different songs from the 1980s. They all have at least one standout element, if not more. I reckon they all stand up to the test ml if time too, and even if we haven't heard them much in recent years, they are all worth heading again.
Five distinctively quirky 1980s songs
Kirsty MacColl - “There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis”
The title says it all. Co-written by Kirsty MacColl and Phillip Rambow, it’s a great example of her many varied songs and their at-times quirky nature, especially lyrically.
Now, it may be an odd and fun title, but this is no novelty song. If you listen to the lyrics, you’ll hear the tale of a woman trying to avoid being taken in by a man she has doubts about. It’s cleverly done and has a rocked-up, fast-paced, country twang as the main tune. There is some great guitar in there, too, along with MacColl’s familiar voice.
The single came out in 1981 and was taken from her excellent debut solo album Desperate Characters. The album has a terrific and even more country music-based version on it, too. And as a quick note, in the US, the title was changed to make more sense there with ‘Truck Stop’ swapped in for ’Chip Shop.’
Falco - “Rock Me Amadeus”
This 1985 single from Johann Holzel as Falco was unique and fit the quirky label. A few facts on the background start with Falco being born in Austria, the homeland of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, on whom the song is based. It made a mark by being the first German-language song to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.
With the gap in time since release, there is a tendency to assume it was part of the music theme to the 1984 movie Amadeus about Mozart’s life and music. But that's not the case, it doesn't feature there. Falcon was inspired to write “Rock Me Amadeus” after seeing the film.
It’s a very rhythmic and addictive electro song with a definite touch of 1980s new wave and a rap element. The German verses do feel odd if that's not your language, but they add to its style. The hook is the chorus line and the underlying and relentless beat. It’s pretty addictive and memorable years after. To add to the quirky nature, the promo video is very out there, too.
Thomas Dolby - “She Blinded Me with Science"
Thomas Dolby had played his synth for several bands and appeared on albums before he released this as a single in late 1982. It’s perhaps odd when you hear his song to think he was there on Foreigner 4, Joan Armatrading’s Walk Under Ladders, and Pyromania from Def Leppard. It’s such a different style.
“She Blinded Me With Science” brings Dolby and his synth to the fore. Some clever electro-pop with a story we are perhaps not meant to understand, based on the title. The video features Magnus Pyke, a classic eccentric scientist who was big on UK TV at the time. That adds to the quirky sound nicely.
The song gave Dolby his big hit in the US; folks there reflect on him as a one-hit wonder for the song. He did, though, have other hits elsewhere, “Hyperactive,” for example. Dolby has an extensive and varied catalog of great songs worth looking up. He’s a 1980s artist who deserves far more attention than he has had.
Murray Head - "One Night in Bangkok"
This started on a concept album created by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Bjorn Ulvaeus. That combination of stage musical lyricists and Abba stars took it further, creating the musical Chess. At the outset, though, the song about an upcoming chess match and the nightlife in Bangkok where it was being held was pretty unique.
The style was slightly odd and, to be fair, perhaps more reminiscent of a scene from a musical. A big edgy, rock, pop, some orchestration, a flute solo, and a rap segment from Murray Head. Quite a distinctive combination. It did well in the charts as a single, making its mark at number 12 in the UK, up to three on the US Billboard Hot 100, and a top ten hit in many other countries.
Men Without Hats - "The Safety Dance”
Here’s another slightly odd new wave song with an unusual video to keep up the quirky ratio. As the story goes, the title and lyrics all relate to lead singer Ivan Doroschuk getting thrown out of clubs. His pogoing on the dance floor was deemed dangerous and ended quite a few nights out. This tune was a mild protest and tongue-in-cheek observation on staying safe when dancing.
It has an odd tone with Doroachuk’s slightly unusual voice. Backed by a repetitive rhythm and somewhat clunky sound, it soon got stuck in your head as a song. The band was also labeled as one-hit wonders for this tune, but it had a lot more to offer. This song certainly hit home in the early 1980s and was a fun and different listen. Have a look at their video for even more odd elements in the visuals for the song.