Various Artists - I Love Rock & Roll: Hits of the 80's, Vol 4 (1996)

A fantastic '80s compilation disc. I'm guessing there were only 4 volumes in this budget series from Priority Records: Volume 1 was Hits of the '50s, Volume 2 was Hits of the '60s, and so on. This is the only one I own and the only one I've ever seen. Most of these tracks appear elsewhere in my collection and have already made an appearance on this blog. Those tracks are so noted.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart:  Did not chart

Tracks: 20 tracks, 79 minutes.

• Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer (#2, 1988)
  Previously heard on The Very Best of Robert Palmer.
• Magic - The Cars (#12, 1984)
  Previously heard on Rock On 1984 and Anthology: Just What I Needed.
• Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar (#9, 1980)
  I'm a marginal Benatar fan, at best. That said, this is one of her better songs. The catchy guitar riff and solid vocals were all over the radio stations I listened to; I'm surprised this didn't top the charts.
• 867-5309 (Jenny) - Tommy Tutone (#4, 1982)
  Previously heard on Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 5 and 80's Hits Stripped.
• Missing You - John Waite (#1, 1984)
  Previously heard on Rock On 1984 and 80's Hits Stripped.
• Freeze-Frame - The J. Geils Band (#4, 1982)
  Previously heard on Freeze-Frame.
• Heart and Soul - Huey Lewis & The News (#8, 1983)
  Previously heard on Sports and Greatest Hits.
• Heaven is a Place on Earth - Belinda Carlisle (#1, 1987)
  Previously heard on Here and Now: The Very Best of the 80s.
• Out of Touch - Hall & Oates (#1, 1984)
  Previously heard on Big Bam Boom.
• Voices Carry - 'Til Tuesday (#8, 1985)
  Previously heard on Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 14.
• Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners (#1, 1983)
  Previously heard on Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 8 and Here and Now: The Very Best of the 80s.
• Abracadabra - The Steve Miller Band (#1, 1982)
  That bass line hooks you while the bouncy synth pushes the song forward. Miller updated is sound for the '80s and it paid off. I'm glad the longer album version is included here.
• She's a Beauty - The Tubes (#10, 1983)
  Previously heard on Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 8 and The Best of The Tubes 1981-1987.
• Something So Strong - Crowded House (#7, 1987)
  After the group's previous singles (particularly Don't Dream It's Over), I couldn't muster much enthusiasm for this one despite its sweet organ part and vocal harmonies.
• Should've Known Better - Richard Marx (#3, 1987)
  In which Marx does a fantastic imitation of Kenny Loggins.
• Suddenly Last Summer - The Motels (#9, 1983)
  Previously heard on Back 2 Back Hits.
• Rock This Town - Stray Cats (#9, 1982)
  I foolishly wasn't into the rockabilly revival in the early '80s [looks down, slowly shakes head], but now that the Built For Speed album is out of print, I dig what these guys were doing.
• A Girl Like You - The Smithereens (#38, 1989)
  Previously heard on Blown To Smithereens: Best Of The Smithereens.
• The Hardest Part - Blondie (#84, 1980)
  The only song on this compilation that didn't crack the top 40. I was completely unfamiliar with this song prior to purchasing this CD and that's a shame. It's got a driving beat and a funky guitar lick. The chorus doesn't match the energy of the rest of the song which may have cost it some listeners.
• Your Mama Don't Dance - Poison (#10, 1989)
  I was never much of a hair metal guy, but this rock cover of the 1972 Loggins & Messina blues-based hit is a fun distraction and a good way to close the disc.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  Impulse buy at Walmart.  If I remember correctly, the track that sealed the deal was Voices Carry.