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Over time, the sound of Kim Wilde’s records would transcend further into the dance genres and away from her early new wave sound that had brought her great success. However, in the years 1983 and 1984 pop music had begun a return to more dance oriented music furled by the success of the soundtracks to Footloose and Flashdance. It wasn’t a full return to the days of disco but rather a groove with less funk and more straight ahead snare and a great deal of hair.
While Kim Wilde may have disappeared from the spotlight in the United States, she has continued to release music throughout the 80’s, 90’s and into the 2000’s and 2010’s. Kim Wilde has released 13 albums since her debut in 1981. Her lasted release Wilde Winter Songbook was issued in 2013.
# 11- Cambodia
The song “Cambodia,” was issued on Kim Wilde’s Select album. The record was issued in 1982 as the follow-up to her debut record in 1981. The song “Cambodia,” was the album’s first single release. The song was written by Kim Wilde’s father and brother Marty Wilde and Ricky Wilde,
# 10- Keep Me Hanging On
Kim Wilde’s cover version of the Supremes’ ionic songs would prove to be her first number one hit in the United States. The song was released in 1986 on her Another Step album.
# 9 – Love Blonde
“Love Blonde,” was an interesting release from Kim Wilde. It was the song that pretty much served as the first peek into the dance music genres that she seemed to be heading towards.Its interesting because “Love Blonde,” was released on her third album Catch as Catch Can in 1983.
# 8 – View From A Bridge
Kim Wilde’s second album contributed two major singles to popular music culture in the 1980’s. The great track “View From A Bridge,” was the second single released from her Select album in 1982.
# 7 – Dancing In The Dark
While this song may share the same title as Bruce Springsteen’s classic Dancing in the Dark Song, the similarity stops right at the title. And to be fair to Kim Wilde, the title Dancing in the Dark originated way before the Born In The U.S.A. album as the title to the classic 1949 film Dancing in the Dark
that starred William Powell. Kim Wilde’s Dancing in the Dark was the follow-up single to Love Blonde. Both songs were released on her 1983 Catch Me As You Can LP.
# 6 – The Second Time
The classic Kim Wilde song “The Second Time,” was released on her fourth album Teases & Dares in 1984. “The Second Time,” was a bit of a return to her original sound and proved to be extremely successful on a worldwide basis. The album Teases & Dares was also Kim Wilde’s first release for MCA Records.
# 5 – The Touch
The song “The Touch,” was the second single released from the Teases and Dares album. The song was also the opening track on her great MCA Records debut. Since this was issued in 1984, one can hear the prominent sounds of the Yamaha DX 7 Synthesizer all throughout the track.
# 4 – Chequered Love
Three out of the top 4 songs on our essential Kim Wilde Songs list hail from her debut album Kim Wilde in 1981. The classic song “Chequered Love,” opened up side two of the record that launched the rock and roll career of Kim Wilde. The song was released as the second single from the album after the release of “Kids In America.”
# 3 – Anyplace Anywhere Anytime
In 2003, Kim Wilde recorded an amazing duet with the legendary Nena entitled “Anyplace Anywhere Anytime.” The song was originally released on Nena’s album Nena feat. Nena. The song had originally been recorded by Nena in 1985. However, in 2003 Nena re-recorded the song with Kim Wilde and released it as a single.
# 2 – Water on Glass
“Water on Glass,” was originally released on Kim Wilde’s debut album in 1981. The songs spirited 1960’s melodic groove meets late 1970’s new wave proved to become a fan favorite. One can hear very much the influence of her fathers 1950’s and 60’s rock and roll career in the song’s composition.
# 1 – Kids in America
If you were a kid in America or any other place in the world in the 1980s, you most definitely remember this song. In as few words as possible, this was great stuff. A song that would become a classic. More than just a pop rock song, but rather a representation of the music and times at the dawn of the 1980s.
Updated August 7, 2022
Top 10 Kim Wilde Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com©
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
