Living In The Eighties

I haven't contributed to The Gallery for a while, but as the theme is the 80's this week, how could I not join in?  My teenage years spanned the 80's and the fondness I have for the era is deep and oozing with rose tinted nostalgia.  I met and dated the man I was to end up marrying, I gave birth to my first born son and got my first Saturday job earning £6 a week in this decade.  The music was either really cool or incredibly dire depending on your perspective whereas the fashion was on a whole just awful.  I drank lager by the half which cost 45p (in a pub I was 4 years too young to patronise).  I went clubbing and took turns with my best friend to 'pull' a bloke in order to get a lift home for free (generally in a Ford Capri).  I wore blue eyeliner and blue mascara and thought it looked good. I smoked Dunhill Menthol on the night club dance floor risking spontaneous combustion from igniting my hairspray laden, backcombed hair.  I committed many a fashion faux pas in the name of popular culture.  I wore studded belts and matching studded neck collars. I had six holes in my ears and filled them with dangly ear-rings from the market (and so began my metal allergy!)  I had coloured fishnet tights, red stillettos that made me 6' 2" tall and bleached jeans that I made myself by squirting them with Domestos.  Good times!

Here are some pictures of me donning my best eighties attire and giving it some teen attitude in these photos.

Leg warmers, court shoes and ankle socks...good look!

I used to love that jacket with my CND badge on the lapel.  I also had a mandatory shaggy perm at this time.  Again I have the sock/shoe combo!  What was I thinking??

The PVC mini skirt and scarf look was a staple wardrobe option for me in the 80's.  Here I have my 'Muscle' T-Shirt on, but it could just as easily have been my 'Boy Toy' one as Madonna was a bit of an icon for me at this time.

I only wish I had photographic evidence of my orange jump dress or my PVC trousers and jacket or my purple sparkly scarf I used to wear as a belt.  Such memories!

The Gallery

We Sing 80s

I was a teenager in the eighties and so this era holds a very special place in my heart.  So when I was sent a copy of We Sing 80s, the latest title in the UK's no 1 Wii singing franchise, I was pretty excited about belting out some of my favourite tracks!  With artists such as Spandau Ballet, The Human League and Simple Minds featured on the playlist, I was ready to get into the groove and recapture this fantastic decade of my youth!

Features of the game include:

• 30 unforgettable 80s hits!
• Four mics, four singers together!
• Iconic 80s tracks, including 21 worldwide No.1 hits!
• Solo, Party and Karaoke modes
• Eight Multiplayer modes
• Original artists and videos included
• Singing Lessons
• Replay your performance
• Rap Scoring / Star Notes
• Jukebox / In-game Awards
• Easy, Medium or Hard modes

As with all the We Sing games, I love how they get everyone up and singing, they really do create such a fun, party atmosphere.  Four people can sing at once, so there is no need to feel shy!  The scoring is clear on screen.  The range of songs on We Sing 80s means that everyone instantly knows a few of the songs.  Even my 10 year old was able to join in straight away with the chart topping hits and very quickly 3 year old Freddy began singing along to a few of the catchy choruses.  I love that the original videos play on the game which was a big dose of nostalgia for me!!  The karaoke mode allows you to sing without the original vocals so you can practice your party piece and feel like a real pro!

Tracklist:

Kylie Minogue - I Should Be So Lucky

Roxette - The Look

Spandau Ballet - True

Musical Youth - Pass the Dutchie

DeBarge - Rhythm of the Night

Smokey Robinson - Being with You

Yazz and the Plastic Population - The Only Way Is Up

Cyndi Lauper - True Colors

Tears For Fears - Shout

Yazoo - Only You

Lisa Stansfield - All Around the World

Paula Abdul - Straight Up

Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking

Baltimora - Tarzan Boy

Toto - Africa

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - The Power Of Love

Starship - Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now

The Human League - Don’t You Want Me

Sade - Smooth Operator

Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)

Cameo - Word Up!

Queen - I Want to Break Free

Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

Duran Duran - Rio

Tiffany - I Think We’re Alone Now

Blondie - The Tide Is High

Sabrina - Boys (Summertime Love)

Culture Club - Do You Really Want to Hurt Me

The Bangles - Eternal Flame

T’Pau - China in Your Hand

I love the selection of songs and it includes some real favourites from the era.  We Sing 80s is perfect for parties or for families or for those moments when you fancy a solo sing-song.

We Sing 80s is out now to buy from retailers such as Amazon.  (Playing requires the use of compatible microphones.)