My 80s Playlist: Jeremy Kyle picks his top 80s tunes from The Human League to Michael Jackson

Virgin Radio

23 Jun 2023, 10:03

TalkTV’s Jeremy Kyle has a long-running history of playing out 80s bangers on the radio.

Making his start in media at stations in the mid-90s, he joined the very first incarnation of Virgin Radio in 2002 before leading his own TV daytime series, The Jeremy Kyle Show from 2005.

As well as time on the small screen, Jeremy returned to the airwaves on TalkRadio in 2021, and moved on to present on TalkTV in 2022.

While on Virgin Radio 80s Plus this week, the TV and radio star stopped by on My 80s Playlist with host Steve Denyer to chat about his favourite songs of the decade, and why they mean the most to him. 

Martha and The Muffins - Echo Beach

Canadian rockers Martha and The Muffins had their first international hit with Echo Beach in 1980.

Meant to symbolise somewhere “far away in time” rather than an actual beach, TV host Jeremy loved the idea of picking an underrated classic. 

“I don't hear it very often,” he said. “It’s just one of those songs that for me, I hate the word iconic, but it was for me… it would always be an anthem for me.”

The Human League - Don’t You Want Me

Synth-pop was never the same when The Human League released Don’t You Want Me in 1981. 

The track was part of their third studio album, Dare, and became their best known and most commercially successful track, topping the list of the biggest-selling UK singles of that year. 

On why he picked this particular track, Jeremy told host Steve: “The Human League were amazing. They really just summed up the era. I loved Phil Oakey, I loved the music.”

Queen - I Want to Break Free

Queen tested out a new sound with their 1984 hit, I Want To Break Free. 

Becoming a staple of their live performances, the number three single had one of the most unforgettable music videos of the decade, with lead singer Freddie Mercury dressed up in drag while doing the housework. 

Jeremy had nothing but praise for the legendary frontman, and shared: “I think Freddie Mercury was the most extraordinary showman. From Bohemian Rhapsody to Champions. Queen again are one of those bands that stand the test of time.  When the radio’s on, that would just go, that's Queen and you turn that up. I loved Queen.”

Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is

Released in 1984 as part of their fifth album, Agent Provocateur, Foreigner had a number one hit with the power ballad - I Want To Know What Love Is. 

It remains one of the American band’s most beloved songs, and it’s a personal favourite for Jeremy. 

He shared: “I could have given you 50 songs. I think Foreigner, there was that sort of dearth of REO Speedwagon and Foreigner and all those bands from America that just played these great tracks. Van Halen’s Jump. I could sit here and wax lyrical all day.”

Prince - Purple Rain

Dominating not just the charts but Hollywood too, Prince released Purple Rain, the title track from his album of the same name, which was also the soundtrack to his first flick. 

The power ballad landed at number six in the UK charts in 1984, and combined elements of rock, R&B and gospel, becoming a bona fide ultra hit for the artist.

Jeremy explained: “It reminded me of Hendrix almost, that sort of guitar-playing, boot-wearing, arty, opinionated man. This was one of those songs that just, in the 80s every time this came on, I’d turn it up so loud, my mother would get annoyed.”

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

1983 single Billie Jean is potentially one of the biggest tracks Michael Jackson released in the era, and helped his album, Thriller, to become the best-selling album of all time. 

From the beat, to the music video and the moonwalk, Billie Jean was instrumental in cementing Jackson’s status as a pop icon.

“You can't overemphasise the impact that Michael Jackson's music had on music in general,” Jeremy said. “The way he did it, the videos, the dancing, the choreography, the sound. It was extraordinary. Billie Jean is one of 50 songs I could pick. He deserves to be on my top 10 because he was such a huge influence in the 80s."

David Bowie - Let’s Dance

David Bowie’s 1983 classic Let’s Dance became one of his fastest selling singles, staying at the top of the charts for three weeks in the UK.

On who could be considered up in the upper echelons with Bowie, Jeremy added: “Maybe Harry Styles is the nearest thing to somebody like Bowie. Again, the music Ziggy Stardust from the 70s and all that personality. A real showman, a real icon.”

Madness - It Must Be Love

It Must Be Love was originally performed by Labi Siffre in 1972, but it was made famous by British ska-pop legends Madness in 1981.

It ran up the UK singles chart to number four and it felt like something totally different from anything else on the chart, according to Jeremy. 

He continued: “It was just Suggs and his mates turning up but oh my god, It Must Be Love, Welcome to the House of Fun. Loads of just feel good [songs].

“It wasn't about choreographing. It wasn't about the sound. It wasn't about the video. It was just the London East End lads having fun.”

Bryan Adams - Summer of ‘69

Canadian singer/heartthrob Bryan Adams released his upbeat anthem Summer of ‘69 in 1985.

It became the most-played track on Canadian radio and became a fan-favourite in the UK, US and Netherlands. 

It has a sentimental value for Jeremy too, who explained: "I was reminded of this because my kids' school do a song every year, a house song, and they all did, they were like eight to 12, and they all did Summer of ‘69. They knew all the songs. What an anthem Summer of ‘69.”

Wham! - Freedom

Iconic pop duo Wham! received their second UK number one with Freedom in 1984.

Considered a Motown tribute, the late, great George Michael tried out some R&B-tinged vocals for Freedom, and it truly paid off, according to Jeremy.

He said: “Freedom to me with the flick and the white trousers and having fun. Andrew Ridgeley made £8 million and he never sang one line. Wham!, to me, another iconic band. George Michael, again, a superstar.”

You can listen to Virgin Radio 80 Plus HERE. You can also listen on DAB+ in London and Central Scotland and on smart speakers across the UK, as well as via the Virgin Radio UK app.