Martini, Moonwalks and a Weekend special
Ahmed Kajee
Martini, Moonwalks and a Weekend special
The year was 1983 — when cassette tapes spun in every car stereo, leg warmers were high fashion, and pop ruled the world. Michael Jackson’s Thriller was redefining what an album — and a music video — could be, while MTV turned artists into icons overnight.
It’s the featured year on this week’s HOT Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop, taking place every Sunday from 12 to 3pm on HOT 102.7FM.
It was a golden age of pop perfection. Billie Jean moonwalked onto television screens, Every Breath You Take played on repeat in bedrooms everywhere, and Let’s Dance reminded fans that David Bowie could reinvent himself yet again. At home, Brenda Fassie’s Weekend Special and *Juluka’s Scatterlings of Africa brought local sounds to the national stage — uniting audiences in a divided South Africa.
1983 was also a year when film, fashion, and music collided in full technicolour. Flashdance had everyone leaping in leg warmers, while Roger Moore’s Octopussy packed cinemas with high-stakes glamour and outrageous stunts — proving that James Bond was as irresistible as ever. Meanwhile, Al Pacino’s Scarface shocked audiences with its grit and swagger, giving us one of the most quoted lines in movie history: “Say hello to my little friend!”
On the radio, duets and dance beats reigned supreme. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers delivered heart and harmony with Islands in the Stream, while Elton John returned to emotional form with I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues, featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. Across dance floors, New Order’s Blue Monday and Depeche Mode’s Get the Balance Right pushed the boundaries of what electronic pop could sound like — ushering in a new digital decade.
Did You Know?
When Toto released Rosanna, it wasn’t actually about actress Rosanna Arquette — though she was dating band member Steve Porcaro at the time! The song went on to win Record of the Year at the Grammys, and drummers still study its rhythm today.
Closer to home, PJ Powers and Steve Kekana’s Feel So Strong became a bold anthem of unity, while Brenda Fassie’s Weekend Special made her the face of township pop. With every beat and lyric, 1983 proved that great music transcends boundaries — whether it came from Los Angeles, London, or Soweto.
So, dust off those vinyl sleeves and turn the dial to nostalgia — 1983 is back, and it’s sounding better than ever!
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