Paul Harding: Here's my pick of the 80s

Every radio station, magazine or newspaper has published the best songs of a certain period in time, so I thought the Torbay Weekly should be no different.
This is the Torbay Hospital Radio ultimate 80s chart using a unique algorithm, which is actually me using the back of an envelope and going through the internet for inspiration.
What’s different about my selections? Well, I have the final say and it is quite alright to disagree with me, just don’t tell my fellow presenters because I have not consulted them, I had a deadline and all that.
So here we are then, the top ten, starting with Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Come On Eileen from 1983. This is a great floor filler, with Irish fiddles blazing and “too-rye-aye” chants. A great start I am sure you will agree, at a time when dungarees were all the fashion.
At number nine, (Just Like) Starting Over, by John Lennon from the 1980 album, Double Fantasy. This reached number one on both sides of the pond after Lennon was murdered in December 1980.
For number eight, we go to 1987 and I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston. This won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, marking Houston's second win in the category. And at seven it's True, the song that turned Spandau Ballet into a true pop legend. Gary Kemp wrote this love song at his parents' house as a homage to Motown and Marvin Gaye.
At number six, it’s Fame by Irene Cara, who played the role of Coco Hernandez in the movie of the same name and sang the vocals for the theme song. The song won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1980.
At number five, Uptown Girl by the incredible songwriter Billy Joel, a song inspired by the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Our number four is Frankie Goes to Hollywood and their controversial single, Relax. They were one of the biggest bands of the 80s and this song certainly benefitted by being banned by the BBC, but it’s a great tune all the same. Next, Careless Whisper comes in at number three, based on events from George Michael’s childhood and his first solo single whilst still appearing on Wham’s album, Make it Big.
At number two is Soft Cell - Tainted Love, originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964. It attained worldwide fame after being covered and reworked by the synthpop duo in 1981. It not only catapulted the twosome to prominence in the UK but also spent a record-breaking 43 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
And now, the moment you have been waiting for, the number one. Well, obviously it is Vienna by Ultravox, a dramatic electronic track that caught the imagination of the public and became the group's biggest hit. Spending four weeks at No 2, it was kept off the top spot by John Lennon's Woman for a week and then by Joe Dolce's, Shaddap You Face. What a travesty!
As I said, you do not have to agree with my choices and I would love to hear what your favourite 80s tracks are and I will play them on my Monday afternoon show. You can e-mail me at paul.harding@torbayhospital radio.com. Please mark your message ‘Eighties’.