Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Decades: Sounds of 1983 - 40 Years On

Gary journeys back to one of pop’s most iconic years, 40 years on… yes, we ‘three-wind’ to 1983 - a year of classic debuts, epic breakthroughs and career-defining moments.

Gary journeys back to one of pop’s most iconic years, 40 years on… yes, we ‘three-wind’ to 1983 - a year of classic debuts, epic breakthroughs and career-defining moments.

In particular, it was a fantastic year for British music… so expect to hear New Order, David Bowie, Bananarama, Culture Club and many more.

And it doesn’t stop there: the films, the pop culture moments, the headlines…1983 had everything… and it's all right here.

As we head into 2023, Radio 2 is celebrating the Sounds of the Decades: All The Threes – music from years ending in 3 that’s either turning 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 or 10 years old this year.

You’ll be able to hear the biggest sounds of 1963, 1973, 1983 and 1993, Pick of the Pops counting down a chart from January 2003, One Hit Wonders travelling back to 2013, plus more songs with significant anniversaries in Scott Mills’ Wonder Years, Trevor Nelson’s Magnificent 7, A Dance Through The Decades, and The Rock Show. Just search ‘DECADES’ in Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sounds.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Music Played

  • Michael Jackson

    Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'

    • The Essential Michael Jackson.
    • Epic.
    • 7.
  • U2

    New Year's Day

    • Now 1983 - The Millennium Series.
    • EMI.
    • 3.
  • Eurythmics

    Love Is A Stranger

    • Eurythmics - Greatest Hits.
    • RCA.
  • Indeep

    Last Night A DJ Saved My Life

    • Soul Weekender (Various Artists).
    • Crimson.
  • Bananarama

    Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye

    • The Very Best Of Bananarama.
    • Warner Strategic Market.
  • Tears for Fears

    Change

    • Rule The World: The Greatest Hits.
    • Virgin EMI Records.
  • New Order

    Blue Monday

  • Heaven 17

    Temptation

    • A Kick Up The Eighties Vol. 5 (Various Artists).
    • Old Gold.
  • The Style Council

    Money-Go-Round

    • Long Hot Summers: The Story Of The Style Council.
    • UMC (Universal Music Catalogue).
    • 3.
  • David Bowie

    Let's Dance

    • David Bowie - Best Of Bowie.
    • EMI.
  • Def Leppard

    Photograph

    • The Story So Far: The Best Of Def Leppard.
    • UMC (Universal Music Catalogue).
    • 2.
  • The Police

    Every Breath You Take

    • The Ivor Novello Winners.
    • EMI.
  • Michael Sembello

    Maniac

    • Flashdance O.S.T. (Various Artists).
    • VIRGIN.
  • Wham!

    Bad Boys

    • Wham! - Fantastic.
    • Epic.
  • Freeez

    I.O.U.

    • Club Classics From The 80's (Various).
    • Disky.
  • Depeche Mode

    Everything Counts

    • Depeche Mode - The Singles 1981-1985.
    • Mute Records.
  • Spandau Ballet

    Gold

    • The Gold Album (Various Artists).
    • The Hit Label Ltd.
  • Paul Young

    Come Back and Stay

    • Paul Young - From Time To Time.
    • Columbia.
  • Culture Club

    Church Of The Poison Mind

    • More Greatest Hits Of 80's (Various).
    • Disky.
  • The Rock Steady Crew

    (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew

    • School Reunion The Party (Various Artists).
    • Virgin.
  • Siouxsie and the Banshees

    Dear Prudence

    • Now 1983 - The Millennium Series.
    • EMI.
  • The Cure

    The Love Cats

  • The Smiths

    This Charming Man

    • The Smiths - The Very Best Of.
    • WEA.
    • 2.
  • Tina Turner

    Let's Stay Together

    • Tina Turner - Simply The Best.
    • Capitol.
  • Madonna

    Holiday

    • Finally Enough Love (Deluxe Edition).
    • Rhino.
    • 34.

Broadcast

  • Sat 7 Jan 2023 20:00

Featured in...