What were the kids listening to as the US-backed shah fled Iran in 1979?

GlobalPost

With one phone call and few niceties, two world leaders made history on Friday.

US President Barack Obama called Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, thereby ending 34 years of animosity between the two nations. 

What happened 34 years ago? Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini regained power in Iran and ordered the expulsion of all foreigners from the country.

His reasons were numbered and varied, but included the fact that they were listening to extremely questionable music.

As the US-backed shah fled Iran, here is what much of the West was listening to, the Top 10 from the Billboard Hot 100 singles list of 1979: 

1) "My Sharona" The Knack

2) "Bad Girls" Donna Summer

3) "Le Freak" Chic

4) "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" Rod Stewart

5) "Reunited" Peaches & Herb

6) "I Will Survive" Gloria Gaynor

7) "Hot Stuff" Donna Summer

8) "Y.M.C.A." Village People

9) "Ring My Bell" Anita Ward

10) "Sad Eyes" Robert John

Will you support The World?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?