Collecting 1983 on compilations

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   In the spirit of the Collecting 1982 on compilations thread, I dug out my notes from 1983.

I did A/B comparisons with every CD version I own of every song that peaked on the Hot 100 in 1983, plus lossless versions from libraries that others have assembled. I was able to assemble a pretty solid library of songs, with (in my opinion) the best-sounding versions of everything. I'll share some of my results, in case you want to hunt down some of the compilations that I used. 

From the solid 1983 library, for each song, I identified compilations having comparable sound quality to my preferred version. In this case, comparable means a digital clone with a level change, a digital clone with an EQ change, or a version that used the same analog transfer. Adding compression/limiting or noise reduction automatically disqualifies a track from being comparable. 

Then, I rounded up all the comparable versions, and identified all compilations that include 3 or more top 40 hits from 1983 that have sound quality comparable to my preferred version. These are versions that I'd be happy to use in my own library. 

Then, I ranked them by number of comparable tracks, in descending order. 

What I got is a pretty solid listing of some really good-sounding compilations. Some are remarkably inexpensive, a few are pricey. I couldn't test every disc ever made, of course, but I think I tested most or all of the common compilations that you'll ever be able to find. 

Bottom line: if you own any of the discs I list below, you can be assured that the song I list from that disc sounds as good as any copy that I could find on CD. 

Time-Life's Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 3 1983 (1994, 12 tracks)

CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE - Quiet Riot [LP version; same analog transfer as Sony's 2-CD Read The Hits (1994)]
ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER - The Fixx [LP mix; same analog transfer as MCA's Greatest Hits One Thing Leads To Another (1989)]
(SHE'S) SEXY AND 17 - Stray Cats [LP version; same analog transfer as EMI's Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
CHINA GIRL - David Bowie [45 version or possibly an incorrect recreation of the 45 version; same analog transfer as Ryko's Changesbowie (1990)]
MANIAC - Michael Sembello [soundtrack mix; same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME - Naked Eyes [hit mix with drums intro; same analog transfer as EMI's Best Of (1991) and Promises Promises The Very Best Of (1994) and Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
AFRICA - Toto [45 version; same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
STAND BACK - Stevie Nicks [45 version]
JEOPARDY - Greg Kihn Band [same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
COME DANCING - Kinks
TOO SHY - Kajagoogoo [LP version; same analog transfer as EMI's Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
TRUE - Spandau Ballet [45 version; same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992, 10 tracks)

DOWN UNDER - Men At Work
AFRICA - Toto [45 version]
STRAY CAT STRUT - Stray Cats
MANIAC - Michael Sembello [soundtrack mix]
ELECTRIC AVENUE - Eddy Grant
TRUE - Spandau Ballet [45 version]
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART - Bonnie Tyler [45 version]
JEOPARDY - Greg Kihn Band
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME - Culture Club [LP and long single version]
MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL - Air Supply [45 version]
Madacy's Rock On 1983 (1996, 10 tracks)

LET'S DANCE - David Bowie [incorrect recreation of 45 edit; digitally exactly 0.1 dB quieter than Ryko's Changesbowie (1990)]
ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME - Naked Eyes [hit mix with drums intro; digitally exactly 0.4 dB louder than Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 3 1983 (1994) and same analog transfer as EMI's Best Of (1991) and Promises Promises The Very Best Of (1994) and Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER - The Fixx [LP mix; digitally exactly 1.9 dB quieter than Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 3 1983 (1994) and same analog transfer as MCA's Greatest Hits One Thing Leads To Another (1989)]
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD - Pat Benatar [LP version; digitally exactly 1.6 dB quieter than Chrysalis's Best Shots (1989)]
STRAY CAT STRUT - Stray Cats [digitally exactly 1.1 dB quieter than Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 1 The Rockin' Eighties (1994) and same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
SHE'S A BEAUTY - Tubes [LP version; digitally exactly 1.1 dB louder than Cema's 2-CD Cool Rock (1995)]
MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL - Air Supply [LP version; uses same analog transfer as Cema's Greatest Hits Of The 80's Vol. 5 Power Ballads (1994)]
TOO SHY - Kajagoogoo [LP version; digitally exactly 0.3 dB quieter than Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 3 1983 (1994) and same analog transfer as EMI's Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
TELEFONE (LONG DISTANCE LOVE AFFAIR) - Sheena Easton [digitally exactly 1.4 dB louder than EMI's Best Of (1989) and 10 Best Series (1995)]
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER - Motels [differently EQ'd digital clone of Sandstone's Rock The First Vol. 5 (1992)]
Time-Life's 2-CD Modern Rock Vol. 1 1982-1983 (1999, 7 tracks)

DOWN UNDER - Men At Work [digitally exactly 0.5 dB quieter than Time-Life's Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 1 The Rockin' Eighties (1994) and same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
COME ON EILEEN - Dexy's Midnight Runners [includes fiddle intro; digitally exactly 1.5 dB quieter than Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 8 (1994)]
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF - Duran Duran [differently EQ'd digital clone of Sandstone's Rock The First Vol. 2 (1992)]
(SHE'S) SEXY AND 17 - Stray Cats [LP version; digitally exactly 1 dB louder than Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 3 1983 (1994) and same analog transfer as EMI's Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
TRUE - Spandau Ballet [LP version; may be a digital clone of True]
ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME - Naked Eyes [hit mix with drums intro; digitally identical to Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 3 1983 (1994) and same analog transfer as EMI's Best Of (1991) and Promises Promises The Very Best Of (1994) and Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
GOODY TWO SHOES - Adam Ant [differently EQ'd digital clone of Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 16 The Early '80s (1996)]
Rhino's 7-CD Like Omigod (2002, 6 tracks)

SWEET DREAMS (ARE MADE OF THIS) - Eurythmics [LP and 45 version]
THE SALT IN MY TEARS - Martin Briley [LP and commercial 45 version]
MAJOR TOM (COMING HOME) - Peter Schilling [45 version in English]
CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE - Quiet Riot [45 version]
MR. ROBOTO - Styx [45 version]
BACK ON THE CHAIN GANG - Pretenders
Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 8 (1994, 5 tracks)

COME ON EILEEN - Dexy's Midnight Runners [includes fiddle intro]
JEOPARDY - Greg Kihn Band [digitally identical to Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
SHE'S A BEAUTY - Tubes [45 version]
LIES - Thompson Twins [LP and 45 version]
WHIRLY GIRL - Oxo
Cema's 2-CD Cool Rock (1995, 5 tracks)

ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME - Naked Eyes [hit mix with drums intro; differently EQ'd digital clone of EMI's Promises Promises GH and Best Of]
TIME (CLOCK OF THE HEART) - Culture Club [differently EQ'd digital clone of Cema's Ten Best Series (1994)]
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER - Motels [differently EQ'd digital clone of Sandstone's Rock The First Vol. 5 (1992)]
SHE'S A BEAUTY - Tubes [LP version; differently EQ'd digital clone of Cema's Greatest Hits Of The 80s Vol. 4]
BABY COME TO ME - Patti Austin With James Ingram [same analog transfer as Priority's Eighties Greatest Rock Hits Vol. 13]
Time-Life's 2-CD Modern Rock Vol. 8 Early '80s (2000, 5 tracks)

STRAY CAT STRUT - Stray Cats [digitally exactly 1 dB quieter than Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 1 The Rockin' Eighties (1994) and Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Taco [LP version; differently EQ'd digital clone of RCA's Nipper's Greatest Hits The '80s(1990)]
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER - Motels [differently EQ'd digital clone of Sandstone's Rock The First Vol. 5 (1992)]
RIO - Duran Duran [LP version; digitally identical to Capitol's Decade (1989) for first 1:37 and 0.4 dB louder than Decade after 1:37]
WISHING (IF I HAD A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU) - A Flock Of Seagulls [differently EQ'd digital clone of Jive's Best Of]
EMI's Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993, 4 tracks)

TOO SHY - Kajagoogoo [LP version; probably a differently EQ'd digital clone of White Feathers CD]
ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME - Naked Eyes [hit mix with drums intro; differently EQ'd digital clone of EMI's Best Of (1991)]
(SHE'S) SEXY AND 17 - Stray Cats [LP version]
SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE - Thomas Dolby [promo 45 version]
Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 10 (1994, 4 tracks)

(KEEP FEELING) FASCINATION - Human League
OUR HOUSE - Madness
WISHING (IF I HAD A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU) - A Flock Of Seagulls [45 version; cuts off a bit of opening downbeat, but easily fixable]
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Taco [45 version]
Time-Life's Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 18 The Early '80s Take Two (1996, 4 tracks)

HEART AND SOUL - Huey Lewis And The News [LP length; differently EQ'd digital clone of Chrysalis's The Heart Of Rock and Roll Best Of (1992)]
SAVED BY ZERO - The Fixx [differently EQ'd digital clone of MCA's Greatest Hits One Thing Leads To Another (1989)]
MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL - Air Supply [45 version; differently EQ'd digital clone of Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
BABY COME TO ME - Patti Austin With James Ingram [differently EQ'd digital clone of Cema's 2-CD Cool Rock (1995) and same analog transfer as Priority's Eighties Greatest Rock Hits Vol. 13]
Warner Special Products' 2-CD Punk (1996, 4 tracks)

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER - The Fixx [LP mix; same analog transfer as MCA's Greatest Hits One Thing Leads To Another (1989)]
SHE'S A BEAUTY - Tubes [45 version; same analog transfer as Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 8 (1994)]
STRAY CAT STRUT - Stray Cats [same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
JEOPARDY - Greg Kihn Band [same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
Time-Life's Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 22 1980-1983 (1997, 4 tracks)

I KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON - Frida [45 version; may be digital clone of Rhino's The Big '80s]
LIES - Thompson Twins [LP and 45 version; digitally exactly 3 dB quieter than Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 8 (1994)]
YOUR LOVE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY - Sammy Hagar [LP and commercial 45 version; differently EQ'd digital clone of Time-Life's Guitar Rock Vol. 20 The '80s (1995)]
TELEFONE (LONG DISTANCE LOVE AFFAIR) - Sheena Easton [digitally exactly 1 dB quieter than EMI's Best Of (1989) and 10 Best Series (1995)]
Madacy's Rock On 1983 Sweet Dreams (1998, 4 tracks)

WHITE WEDDING - Billy Idol [LP version; digitally exactly 0.5 dB louder than The Right Stuff's Sedated In the Eighties No. 2 (1994)]
UNION OF THE SNAKE - Duran Duran [digitally identical to Capitol's Decade (1989)]
LITTLE TOO LATE - Pat Benatar [45 version; probably digital clone of All Fired Up]
TIME (CLOCK OF THE HEART) - Culture Club [digitally exactly 0.235 dB louder than Cema's Ten Best Series (1994)]
Time-Life's 2-CD Modern Rock Vol. 21 Club '80s (2001, 4 tracks)

LET'S DANCE - David Bowie [incorrect recreation of 45 edit; differently EQ'd digital clone of Ryko's Changesbowie (1990)]
(KEEP FEELING) FASCINATION - Human League [diff EQ than Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 10 (1994)]
MAJOR TOM (COMING HOME) - Peter Schilling [diff EQ than EMI's Living In Oblivion Vol. 5 (1995)]
RIO - Duran Duran [LP version; differently EQ'd digital clone of Capitol's Decade (1989)]
Cema's Greatest Hits Of The 80's Vol. 1 Turbo Mania (1994, 3 tracks)

ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME - Naked Eyes [hit mix with drums intro; differently EQ'd digital clone of EMI's Best Of (1991)]
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER - Motels [digitally exactly 0.864 dB louder than Sandstone's Rock The First Vol. 5 (1992)]
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART - Bonnie Tyler [LP version; probably a differently EQ'd digital clone of Faster Than The Speed Of Night]
Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 11 (1994, 3 tracks)

IN A BIG COUNTRY - Big Country [45 version]
JUST GOT LUCKY - JoBoxers [45 version]
ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER - The Fixx [45 mix]
Sony's 2-CD Read The Hits (1994, 3 tracks)

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART - Bonnie Tyler [LP version; probably a differently EQ'd digital clone of Faster Than The Speed Of Night]
CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE - Quiet Riot [LP version; probably uses same analog transfer as Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply]
HOT GIRLS IN LOVE - Loverboy [differently EQ'd digital clone of Columbia's Big Ones (1989)]
Warner Special Products' 2-CD Rockin' USA (1994, 3 tracks)

MODERN LOVE - David Bowie [possibly incorrect recreation of 45; same analog transfer as Ryko's Changesbowie (1990)]
STRAY CAT STRUT - Stray Cats [same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
DOWN UNDER - Men At Work [same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
Razor & Tie's 2-CD Everything '80s (1995, 3 tracks)

BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE - Talking Heads [same analog transfer as JCI's Only Dance 1980-1984 (1995)]
STRAY CAT STRUT - Stray Cats [same analog transfer as Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE - Quiet Riot [LP version; same analog transfer as Sony's 2-CD Read The Hits (1994)]
Realm's 3-CD Greatest Hits Of The '80s Vol. 1 (1995, 3 tracks)

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART - Bonnie Tyler [LP version; probably a differently EQ'd digital clone of Faster Than The Speed Of Night]
FALL IN LOVE WITH ME - Earth Wind And Fire [LP version]
CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE - Quiet Riot [LP version; differently EQ'd digital clone of Sony's 2-CD Read the Hits (1994)]
Time-Life's Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 11 1983-1984 (1995, 3 tracks)

ELECTRIC AVENUE - Eddy Grant [differently EQ'd digital clone of Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1983 (1992)]
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Taco [45 version; differently EQ'd digital clone of Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 10 (1994)]
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER - Motels [differently EQ'd digital clone of Sandstone's Rock The First Vol. 5 (1992)]
Rhino's Billboard Hot R&B Hits 1983 (1996, 3 tracks)

AIN'T NOBODY - Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan [45 version; uses same analog transfer as Rhino's Video Soul but a teeny bit faster]
TRY AGAIN - Champaign
SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY - Donna Summer [45 version]
Time-Life's Sounds Of The Eighties Vol. 16 The Early '80s (1996, 3 tracks)

HOT GIRLS IN LOVE - Loverboy [differently EQ'd digital clone of Columbia's Big Ones (1989)]
GOODY TWO SHOES - Adam Ant
PASS THE DUTCHIE - Musical Youth [differently EQ'd digital clone of Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 7 (1994)]
Simitar's Number Ones Eighties Rock (1998, 3 tracks)

SAVED BY ZERO - The Fixx [same analog transfer as MCA's Greatest Hits One Thing Leads To Another (1989)]
SHE'S A BEAUTY - Tubes [45 version; same analog transfer as Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 8 (1994)]
(SHE'S) SEXY AND 17 - Stray Cats [LP version; same analog transfer as EMI's Living In Oblivion Vol. 1 (1993)]
Rhino's Millennium New Wave Party (1999, 3 tracks)

COME ON EILEEN - Dexy's Midnight Runners [same analog transfer as Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 8 (1994)]
OUR HOUSE - Madness [same analog transfer as Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 10 (1994)]
THE SAFETY DANCE - Men Without Hats [same analog transfer as Varese's Lost 45s Of The '70s And '80s (1998)]
I also recommend picking up some single-artist Greatest Hits collections released in the late '80s and early '90s - those can usually be found for cheap, and they tend to sound really nice.

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Edited by crapfromthepast