“Walking around with a head full of music…” – Cliff Richard, 1981.

This year has seen Cliff Richard return to the Top Ten for the first time in several years.  To commemorate this, I have especially chosen this cheesy classic from 1981.

With Alan Tarney and B.A Robertson among the songwriters whom Cliff Richard collaborated, the Peter Pan of Pop found the 1980s a most fruitful decade for Top Ten hits.  From ‘Carrie’ to ‘Whenever God Shines His Light’, the period from 1980 to 1989 saw the singer move within the times and maintain his popularity.

For me, ‘Wired For Sound’ screams 1980s cheese: lurid lycra outfits, roller skating, and personal stereos.  The video also had the good grace to see the Cliffster on the mean streets and subways of Milton Keynes – which for me was the highlight of the video.  13 years since the release of ‘Wired For Sound’, I went to Milton Keynes, and it felt strange to think Cliff once graced this subway or precinct floor.

Wired For Sound peaked in the UK charts at No. 4, No. 2 in Australia and No. 1 in the USA.  It is still infectiously cheesy even now.  Anchor Mature Cheddar on the Cheese Scale I think.