Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
@peoples-pop-polls.bsky.social
The Peoples Pop Polls, run by Tom Ewing. Congratulations to “The Message” and “Police Officer”, winners of Black Pop 82-85! Coming soon: 2025. Currently open polls: https://peoples-pop.com/2025/10/24/currently-open-polls/
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WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES Our People’s Pop Poll for January will be the WORLD CUP OF 2025, our sixth annual poll to find the best song of the year just ended. This year we’ll be using a different...
docs.google.com
While I'm on an #ADMIN tear here are the guidelines for #PeoplesPop25
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
UPDATE! I've added a new rule to #PeoplesPop25 - you can nominate AI generated music but it must be declared as such by you when you nominate it - any undeclared tracks that turn out to be AI generated will be eliminated
While I'm on an #ADMIN tear here are the guidelines for #PeoplesPop25
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES Our People’s Pop Poll for January will be the WORLD CUP OF 2025, our sixth annual poll to find the best song of the year just ended. This year we’ll be using a different...
docs.google.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:48 PM
UPDATE! I've added a new rule to #PeoplesPop25 - you can nominate AI generated music but it must be declared as such by you when you nominate it - any undeclared tracks that turn out to be AI generated will be eliminated
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
While I'm on an #ADMIN tear here are the guidelines for #PeoplesPop25
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES Our People’s Pop Poll for January will be the WORLD CUP OF 2025, our sixth annual poll to find the best song of the year just ended. This year we’ll be using a different...
docs.google.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:49 PM
While I'm on an #ADMIN tear here are the guidelines for #PeoplesPop25
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
What everyone needs in the cold winter months is some Organised Pop Fun
While I'm on an #ADMIN tear here are the guidelines for #PeoplesPop25
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES Our People’s Pop Poll for January will be the WORLD CUP OF 2025, our sixth annual poll to find the best song of the year just ended. This year we’ll be using a different...
docs.google.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
What everyone needs in the cold winter months is some Organised Pop Fun
While I'm on an #ADMIN tear here are the guidelines for #PeoplesPop25
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES
WORLD CUP OF 2025 GUIDELINES Our People’s Pop Poll for January will be the WORLD CUP OF 2025, our sixth annual poll to find the best song of the year just ended. This year we’ll be using a different...
docs.google.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:49 PM
While I'm on an #ADMIN tear here are the guidelines for #PeoplesPop25
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- it WILL have a Challenge Week
- AND a Nominations Day
- you can do either or BOTH!
- or neither but then you can't nominate
Does it make any sense? YOU DECIDE
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Pop World Cup considerations: the FIFA tournament goes from 48 teams to 32 teams after the group stage (i.e. only 1/3 of countries actually get eliminated) - I like this but I think we would need an intermediary round between 144 songs and 32 songs
November 19, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Pop World Cup considerations: the FIFA tournament goes from 48 teams to 32 teams after the group stage (i.e. only 1/3 of countries actually get eliminated) - I like this but I think we would need an intermediary round between 144 songs and 32 songs
Yes… Ha Ha Ha… YES!!
November 19, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Yes… Ha Ha Ha… YES!!
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
yeah, it didn't sit well with me either (esp when i think of how great the early furious five party bangers are as well, wither fun?!)
November 18, 2025 at 11:13 PM
yeah, it didn't sit well with me either (esp when i think of how great the early furious five party bangers are as well, wither fun?!)
The initial format that comes to mind is
- People nom from 4 different countries
- For any of the 48 with more than 3 picks, there’s a squad selection round to pick 3
- For any with less there’s an open call
- then the competition has 144 songs, 3 per country
- People nom from 4 different countries
- For any of the 48 with more than 3 picks, there’s a squad selection round to pick 3
- For any with less there’s an open call
- then the competition has 144 songs, 3 per country
With World Cup fever gripping the timeline I wonder if the spring poll should be a return of the… POP WORLD CUP?!?
(ie songs from the 48 competing nations)
(ie songs from the 48 competing nations)
November 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
The initial format that comes to mind is
- People nom from 4 different countries
- For any of the 48 with more than 3 picks, there’s a squad selection round to pick 3
- For any with less there’s an open call
- then the competition has 144 songs, 3 per country
- People nom from 4 different countries
- For any of the 48 with more than 3 picks, there’s a squad selection round to pick 3
- For any with less there’s an open call
- then the competition has 144 songs, 3 per country
With World Cup fever gripping the timeline I wonder if the spring poll should be a return of the… POP WORLD CUP?!?
(ie songs from the 48 competing nations)
(ie songs from the 48 competing nations)
November 18, 2025 at 10:32 PM
With World Cup fever gripping the timeline I wonder if the spring poll should be a return of the… POP WORLD CUP?!?
(ie songs from the 48 competing nations)
(ie songs from the 48 competing nations)
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
"elevated hip-hop as a genre from a very entertaining novelty"
Ack! No.
The genre did not need elevating, hip-hop already had 9 years of depth & richness & comedy & dread. Nothing against social-worker impulses, but they *don't* work if you have to cut out the hotel, motel, holiday inn to use them
Ack! No.
The genre did not need elevating, hip-hop already had 9 years of depth & richness & comedy & dread. Nothing against social-worker impulses, but they *don't* work if you have to cut out the hotel, motel, holiday inn to use them
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 AM
"elevated hip-hop as a genre from a very entertaining novelty"
Ack! No.
The genre did not need elevating, hip-hop already had 9 years of depth & richness & comedy & dread. Nothing against social-worker impulses, but they *don't* work if you have to cut out the hotel, motel, holiday inn to use them
Ack! No.
The genre did not need elevating, hip-hop already had 9 years of depth & richness & comedy & dread. Nothing against social-worker impulses, but they *don't* work if you have to cut out the hotel, motel, holiday inn to use them
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Sorry. Mistyped.
libquotes.com/aaron-fuchs/...
libquotes.com/aaron-fuchs/...
Aaron Fuchs Quote
The only trend I do not like in rap right now is the message rap. I consider the message rap the equivalent of what strings were to rock 'n' roll in the late '50s - a capitulation to the adult norm wh...
libquotes.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Sorry. Mistyped.
libquotes.com/aaron-fuchs/...
libquotes.com/aaron-fuchs/...
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Our NEXT poll is - of course - the
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
a collage of women in different careers with the words she gets the at the top
ALT: a collage of women in different careers with the words she gets the at the top
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Our NEXT poll is - of course - the
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Hahaa, this has been a wonderful poll (both for discoveries and old favourites) and yet it seems oddly fitting that my A and B final picks both came 4th in their final matches 🤪 Feel like I've been on the wrong end of the voting results for most of the tourney!
Ah well : c'est la vie, centipede 🙃
Ah well : c'est la vie, centipede 🙃
a worm is crawling on a concrete surface next to a blue shadow
Alt: a centipede crawling along a path with the low sun casting a shadow that makes the centipede look HUMUNGOUS
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Hahaa, this has been a wonderful poll (both for discoveries and old favourites) and yet it seems oddly fitting that my A and B final picks both came 4th in their final matches 🤪 Feel like I've been on the wrong end of the voting results for most of the tourney!
Ah well : c'est la vie, centipede 🙃
Ah well : c'est la vie, centipede 🙃
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Congrats. Some great winners.
So that's that (aside from the GOLDEN BEATS - more on those tomorrow)
CONGRATULATIONS to
GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE and SMILEY CULTURE, winners of
BLACK POP HISTORY 1982-1985
CONGRATULATIONS to
GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE and SMILEY CULTURE, winners of
BLACK POP HISTORY 1982-1985
November 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Congrats. Some great winners.
Our NEXT poll is - of course - the
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
a collage of women in different careers with the words she gets the at the top
ALT: a collage of women in different careers with the words she gets the at the top
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Our NEXT poll is - of course - the
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
WORLD CUP OF 2025, which will be in January with a nominations day in December
Last year Chappell got the job done. This year...? No idea honestly!
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Now this one was the song I reevaluated the most during the tournament, thanks almost entirely to the commentariat. Gave it 2 points in FG. Playing it again, you can tell the team behind Frankie Goes To Hollywood were paying attention. You can hear “Relax” and “Pleasuredome” in it very clearly.
November 16, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Now this one was the song I reevaluated the most during the tournament, thanks almost entirely to the commentariat. Gave it 2 points in FG. Playing it again, you can tell the team behind Frankie Goes To Hollywood were paying attention. You can hear “Relax” and “Pleasuredome” in it very clearly.
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
🏆 Congratulations to SMILEY CULTURE and his poll placement superior! 🏆
#BPHM8285 B-Side WINNER
🥇1. SMILEY CULTURE - "Police Officer" (1984 🥇)
Grand Final: 27.6%
Final Group: 1st, 213 pts (7x12), H: 1st, L: 3rd
First YT-only poll winner!
"my cat loves it - and so does his MUVVA"
"ACAB. RIP Smiley"
"Number one was its number!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPQ...
🥇1. SMILEY CULTURE - "Police Officer" (1984 🥇)
Grand Final: 27.6%
Final Group: 1st, 213 pts (7x12), H: 1st, L: 3rd
First YT-only poll winner!
"my cat loves it - and so does his MUVVA"
"ACAB. RIP Smiley"
"Number one was its number!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPQ...
Smiley Culture 'Police Officer' Complete Original Version
YouTube video by robmacgillivray
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
🏆 Congratulations to SMILEY CULTURE and his poll placement superior! 🏆
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
My vote in the GF. Gave it “only” 6 points in FG, less than two of the other Grand Finalists. Figured it would need the extra support, and I was right (but it made no difference in the end).
Worth noting here that my ‘82 nom was drawn against both this and Eddy Grant in R1. Damn you, randomizer.
Worth noting here that my ‘82 nom was drawn against both this and Eddy Grant in R1. Damn you, randomizer.
November 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
My vote in the GF. Gave it “only” 6 points in FG, less than two of the other Grand Finalists. Figured it would need the extra support, and I was right (but it made no difference in the end).
Worth noting here that my ‘82 nom was drawn against both this and Eddy Grant in R1. Damn you, randomizer.
Worth noting here that my ‘82 nom was drawn against both this and Eddy Grant in R1. Damn you, randomizer.
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Smiley Culture doesn't get nearly the respect he's due outside of dancehall circles, a clever, witty writer & performer who gets dismissed as a novelty act rather than the keen social observer that he was. This is a bold, scathing, razor-sharp record as well as a total bop. i know it word for word.
#BPHM8285 B-Side WINNER
🥇1. SMILEY CULTURE - "Police Officer" (1984 🥇)
Grand Final: 27.6%
Final Group: 1st, 213 pts (7x12), H: 1st, L: 3rd
First YT-only poll winner!
"my cat loves it - and so does his MUVVA"
"ACAB. RIP Smiley"
"Number one was its number!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPQ...
🥇1. SMILEY CULTURE - "Police Officer" (1984 🥇)
Grand Final: 27.6%
Final Group: 1st, 213 pts (7x12), H: 1st, L: 3rd
First YT-only poll winner!
"my cat loves it - and so does his MUVVA"
"ACAB. RIP Smiley"
"Number one was its number!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPQ...
Smiley Culture 'Police Officer' Complete Original Version
YouTube video by robmacgillivray
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Smiley Culture doesn't get nearly the respect he's due outside of dancehall circles, a clever, witty writer & performer who gets dismissed as a novelty act rather than the keen social observer that he was. This is a bold, scathing, razor-sharp record as well as a total bop. i know it word for word.
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Yay, well done everyone. My 10 pointer and my pick in the GF.
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Yay, well done everyone. My 10 pointer and my pick in the GF.
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
My 3 pointer in the FG and that was possibly a tactical marking down. A well deserved silver medal.
November 16, 2025 at 6:47 PM
My 3 pointer in the FG and that was possibly a tactical marking down. A well deserved silver medal.
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
highly enjoyable bop, but far from my number one (or two, or three) pick. lovely winner tho, I harbour no ill will 😜
November 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
highly enjoyable bop, but far from my number one (or two, or three) pick. lovely winner tho, I harbour no ill will 😜
Smiley gets his final place superior! Back in a bit with the As
#BPHM8285 B-Side WINNER
🥇1. SMILEY CULTURE - "Police Officer" (1984 🥇)
Grand Final: 27.6%
Final Group: 1st, 213 pts (7x12), H: 1st, L: 3rd
First YT-only poll winner!
"my cat loves it - and so does his MUVVA"
"ACAB. RIP Smiley"
"Number one was its number!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPQ...
🥇1. SMILEY CULTURE - "Police Officer" (1984 🥇)
Grand Final: 27.6%
Final Group: 1st, 213 pts (7x12), H: 1st, L: 3rd
First YT-only poll winner!
"my cat loves it - and so does his MUVVA"
"ACAB. RIP Smiley"
"Number one was its number!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPQ...
Smiley Culture 'Police Officer' Complete Original Version
YouTube video by robmacgillivray
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Smiley gets his final place superior! Back in a bit with the As
Reposted by Peoples Pop Polls: Black Pop History 82-85
Happy with that. The competition was strong.
November 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Happy with that. The competition was strong.