On Friday the news arrived with the fact that unemployment has hit a 26 year high. I graduated Syracuse University that year, 1983, into an economy ravaged by spiraling inflation. Imagine starting a career selling an intangible (life insurance and disability insurance) in those times. Despite the long odds and media bombardment about the alleged malcontent of the time (which then was essentially TV and print media), my colleagues and I made it, as did others in recessionary years to follow.
Musicians in 1983 marked the times with timely odes. For those in the unemployment line take heart with this dedication of the "uplifting" 1982 summer classic from Jacksonville's Gary U.S. Bonds that might have "inspired" the Class of 1983:
Of course some of the top 100 songs of 1983 reflected the times.
For unlucky job seekers there was:
- Allentown-Billy Joel
- Beat It -Michael Jackson (#1 the two weeks most seniors were graduating college)
- I.O.U-Freeez
- Cruel Summer-Bananarama
- Back on The Chain Gang-The Pretenders
- King of Pain-The Police
- Pass The Dutchie ("How does it feel when you've got no food"- The Musical Youth; and
For political upheaval we had the U2 War album;
For those who had jobs or found work:
- She Works Hard For the Money- Donna Summer
- There was a band called "Men At Work", but of course they were "from a land Down Under"; and
For guarded optimism we had:
- I'm Still Standing-Elton John
- Don't Forget to Dance-The Kinks; and
Despite the crappy conditions out there, people still found a reason to be happy:
- Party Zero Zero Til It's 1999 (from the song "1999( by Prince)
- Let's Dance-David Bowie
- Holiday/Lucky Star-Madonna
- What a Feeling! Irene Cara
- Rock The Casbah-The Clash
- Cum On Feel The Noise-Quiet Riot
- Church of the Poisoned Mind -Culture Club; and
Lastly, Hope from a 1983 performance of "40" by a youthful looking Bono and U2
"I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song"
NOTICE: The 40 LYRICS and any other songs are the property of the respective authors, artists and labels, the lyrics are provided for educational purposes only
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