A POLL Bizarre ~~~ It's the ILM 80's R&B TRACKS POLL ~~~ RESULTS THREAD!!!

the mj needs to be "wanna be startin' something'"

What else could it be?

https://img.discogs.com/_q7HsAEvHNogcV_I0y7qhpwX1Bc=/fit-in/600x598/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-876316-1353069026-7168.jpeg.jpg
3. Cameo - Word Up
1181 points, 18 votes
https://youtu.be/MZjAantupsA

I had a hunch WBSS would win this poll, and looks like it could happen. I wouldn't be disappointed with that, it is his best song, and he was the most emblematic R&B artist of the '80s. I Feel for You and Word Up! are both incredible performances, but as a pure song I think WBSS can't be beat, and it has an incredible performance too.

xmessage

Yes. Wanna Be Starting Something is undeniable.

"word up" is great and iconic but i like "candy" better

otm

I voted Single Life but should've gone with Candy

"Candy" > "Word Up"

that said, I rule karaoke with "Word Up"

I voted for 'Word Up' but it wasn't particularly high on my ballot.

Totes agree with Tuomas re: 'Wanna Be Startin' Something'. Nothing about the results of this poll has been at all predictable except which song would take the top spot.

i didn't expect "wanna be startin' somethin'" to even threaten for the top. i'm be delighted with it as a deserving and non-obvious winner :)

Agreed, though its non-obviousness as a winner is fading fast (e.g. Pitchfork '80s #2, et al).

"Candy" > "Word Up"

Yup.

The #1 and #2 were my #2 and #3, so I'm content.

https://img.discogs.com/8iEwgziTrSe0BpuzZGrzYsdBKqA=/fit-in/484x480/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-940077-1253924969.jpeg.jpg
2. Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
1433 points, 21 votes, 2 number ones
https://youtu.be/4Uj3zitETs4

Shock-a Khan!!!!!

WHOA!!!!!!

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9f/Iwantanewdrug45.jpg/220px-Iwantanewdrug45.jpg
1. Huey Lewis & the News - I Want a New Drug
13,972 points, 465 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxGxl-IbVFk

Something endearing about the idea of "Wanna Be Startin' Something'" as a perpetual second-best in every single runoff.

hell yeah chaka!!

(unless it's not her in which case boo)

(altho that is def not happening lol)

is "wanna be startin' somethin'" the first to show w/ 2 number one votes?

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was also #2 in the Jacksons poll.

wow so no "Outstanding," huh?

Patrick Bateman approves of this #1

Thread needs a lot fewer Patrick Bateman name checks.

If "Early in the Morning" didn't place, there's no way "Outstanding" could. Gap Band is essentially a 3 single band, with a couple of also rans.

Southern Freeez is the most scandalous omission. (Yes, I am British.)

If "Early in the Morning" didn't place, there's no way "Outstanding" could. Gap Band is essentially a 3 single band, with a couple of also rans.

This is the wrongest thing this thread's seen.

https://img.discogs.com/SXfOK8nnRQ5XSmIgmZ1x73ZFPcQ=/fit-in/600x604/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-6088398-1413155473-2964.jpeg.jpg
1. Chaka Khan - I Feel for You
1474 points, 25 votes
https://youtu.be/hX9E44mClKs

background vocals by Barry Manilow!

xp A+ finale!

no number one votes! :O

There she is

In a way, "I Feel For You" is a much more surprising #1 than "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," so extra excited for the win.

The confluence of Chaka, Prince and Stevie doesn't hurt.

Yes, much more surprising, but good on Chaka.

true this is a somewhat surprising winner so i'm pretty psyched

I love this song but it feels... weird I guess, to see it at #1

like, IMO this is a #8 song (although I guess if everyone voting thinks it's a top 10 song but not #1, aggregation will make it #1 so never mind me)

btw how many point per position? I'm wondering if I would have influenced the outcome had I voted

Should at least swap places with "Ain't Nobody" to feel less weird.

Nope, nothing weird here.

'Feel for You' was #6 on my ballot. Somewhere around there feels most right to me (obvs).

Yeah, "Ain't Nobody" definitely a better tune than "I Feel for You". But props to Chaka for making a fairly generic Prince song into something so memorable!

Also, was it the first hit tune with a guest rapper?

crazy that 'early in the morning' didn't place, that's the best song ever

good poll tho, learning about so many great songs :)

Tempted tho I am now to run a separate runoff "Ain't Nobody" vs "I Feel For You" poll, I'd rather just bask in the right results on display here.

This poll is an embarrassment of riches, barely a dud from the bottom to the top. Excellent work everyone, but especially ArchCarrier.

good ass poll everyone

Ballots?