Osaurus
Footballguy
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The 100 Greatest “New Wave” songs 1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World-Tears for Fears (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter timschochet
- Start date
Osaurus
Footballguy
As most of you already know, this period of music is in my wheelhouse. I discovered many of these artists living in Milwaukee after moving from Philly in 1987 (I was 14). One of my biggest regrets is being unaware of it at an earlier age. I missed some good stuff in its prime.
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timschochet
Footballguy
97. “Words” Missing Persons (1982, from Spring Sessions M)
https://youtu.be/IasCZL072fQ
I wonder, watching this video for the first time in many years, if Lady Gaga saw it once or twice and took a few notes? Anyhow, nobody I know in rock/pop history was ever able to squeak quite like Dale Bozzio (the Los Angeles Times’ Robert Hilburn used to affectionately refer to her as “Bozzio the Clown”.) Great song.
https://youtu.be/IasCZL072fQ
I wonder, watching this video for the first time in many years, if Lady Gaga saw it once or twice and took a few notes? Anyhow, nobody I know in rock/pop history was ever able to squeak quite like Dale Bozzio (the Los Angeles Times’ Robert Hilburn used to affectionately refer to her as “Bozzio the Clown”.) Great song.
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otb_lifer
Footballguy
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Zegras11
Footballguy
PIK95
Footballguy
I think he's great now. He's just enthusiastic enough, and is so knowledgeable.Blade on KROQ in the 80's was
Zegras11
Footballguy
I love this song. My youngest son and I will shtick it up when this comes on with wifey in the car and sing it to her every time.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Pretty strong start, Tim. 
DocHolliday
Footballguy
nirad3
Footballguy
Word up.Blade on KROQ in the 80's was
Not sure how much you get down this way nowadays but KROQ absolutely SUCKS now. It's "all Nirvana, all the time" basically.
I don't even listen to FM radio much anymore. If I do it's classical or KRTH for "oldies".
Osaurus
Footballguy
KTCL in Denver suffered the same fate. Wasn’t as huge as KROQ (way smaller market), but they used to do artist block weekends once a month which were fantastic.
Doug B
Footballguy
Upon the release of Closer, Joy Division was transitioning to something recognizably new wave, IMHO. Ian Curtis may have kept the other members' poppier tendencies a little bit in check ... but maybe not. Curtis did co-write "Love Will Tear Us Apart", after all.of course ... see my earlier post(s)
[Joy Division] have no ####in business being on a "New Wave" countdown.
otb_lifer
Footballguy
"Love" is no more New Wave than "Seattle" or "Rise" by PiL ... no question New Order went in a different direction, but Joy Division is the epitome of post punk. that's a band that cannot be blurred, imo.
RedmondLonghorn
Footballguy
comfortably numb
Footballguy
One of those songs I dont really like but will randomly shout out HOLD ME NOW at random moments in my day for no apparent rhyme or reason.
Zegras11
Footballguy
Actually have a flight exactly a week from this very moment to OC for four days. Haven't listened to KROQ for 15-20 years.
Osaurus
Footballguy
It’s interesting to listen to New Order’s Movement album. They clearly still have their Joy Division identity and all the lyrics on every song could have easily been sung by Ian. Power, Corruption & Lies clearly reflects a change in direction imo.
ETA: if anyone hasn’t seen the Decades documentary and is a fan, I highly recommend it. I saw New Order a few weeks ago in Miami and they still embrace their Joy Division roots. 3rd song was Joy Division’s Disorder and the encore was Atmosphere and LWTUA. That’s definitive imo.
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Doug B
Footballguy
It's not a perfect comparison because a) of Curtis' death and b) of the fact that new wave had many parents ... but I can make a case that Warsaw/Joy Division's role as a progenitor to new wave has a lot in common with Earth/Black Sabbath's (up to Paranoid) role as a progenitor to metal.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I forgot about that Missing Persons song. Was never a fan.
Some of Duran Duran's songs have aged really well for me, but not sure Girls on Film is one of them.
I like some Depeche Mode tunes. People are People is solid.
Hold Me Now was a song I was a big fan of back in 1984. I still like it, but I rarely reach for it anymore.
Some of Duran Duran's songs have aged really well for me, but not sure Girls on Film is one of them.
I like some Depeche Mode tunes. People are People is solid.
Hold Me Now was a song I was a big fan of back in 1984. I still like it, but I rarely reach for it anymore.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I'm with otb here...smack dab in the middle of the classic new wave gum.
As a bunch of middle age white geezers, 80s anything is in most of our wheelhouse.
zamboni
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
96. “Making Plans for Nigel” XTC (1979, from Drums and Wires)
https://youtu.be/s29RKnB7l7o
This was XTC’s breakthrough hit. Apparently British Steel actually used it to promote their company, maybe missing the point that Nigel’s job there is not exactly a positive and that the entire lyric varies between satire and creepy. But after all, they only wanted what was best for him...
https://youtu.be/s29RKnB7l7o
This was XTC’s breakthrough hit. Apparently British Steel actually used it to promote their company, maybe missing the point that Nigel’s job there is not exactly a positive and that the entire lyric varies between satire and creepy. But after all, they only wanted what was best for him...
Mike Damone
Footballguy
I think of post punk being artsy and new wave poppy & agree with your assessment
El Floppo
Footballguy
Mike Damone
Footballguy
Nigel is my favorite XTC song by a fair margin
joey
Footballguy
Every song picked so far is quintessential New Wave in my opinion, and WLIR listeners would likely agree.
I predict 3 more songs from each Depeche and Duran make the top 100. Maybe 1 more Thompson Twins, XTC and Missing Persons songs.
as for missing persons, one of the greatest group of musicians to be in a new wave band, with Bozzio on drums and a few others from Zappa's band. "US Drag" by missing persons is a crazy 6/4 time signature tune that’s really tough to play. I remember trying to keep up with that on drums around the same time I was trying to play songs from Rush's Signals album, much to my neighbor's chagrin.
I predict 3 more songs from each Depeche and Duran make the top 100. Maybe 1 more Thompson Twins, XTC and Missing Persons songs.
as for missing persons, one of the greatest group of musicians to be in a new wave band, with Bozzio on drums and a few others from Zappa's band. "US Drag" by missing persons is a crazy 6/4 time signature tune that’s really tough to play. I remember trying to keep up with that on drums around the same time I was trying to play songs from Rush's Signals album, much to my neighbor's chagrin.
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El Floppo
Footballguy
Just about any tune from drums and wires, black sea or English settlement works for me. Pretty stunning run. And I know I'm in the minority thinking they tailed off a lot after settlement, but I'm sure a lot of people would include the next couple too, epsecially skylarking.
I even like that 25 o'clock psychadelic thing they did in the middle of all that.
I even like that 25 o'clock psychadelic thing they did in the middle of all that.
That one guy
Footballguy
This may or may not be crapping on the genre and certain songs to some of y’all, but I freaking love this band and their covers of this era:
https://youtu.be/ldQu1c4UflE
https://youtu.be/ldQu1c4UflE
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
worrierking
Footballguy
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I've become a huge fan XTC in the last two years, but their first three albums are more miss than hit for me. I thought Making Plans for Nigel was mediocre the first time I heard it, but I've come around to liking it. They have a million better songs, but this isn't a bad choice for this countdown considering it was their first real hit.
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Atomic Punk
Footballguy
This is awesome Tim ... Mrs. Punk and I are in for the long haul. Great start and already bringing back some fun memories.
Zegras11
Footballguy
rockaction
Footballguy
I like this countdown, genre arguments and all.
I love "Girls on Film." I'm with Bill Hicks on that. That might be a top ten new wave song for me. Duran Duran was seriously underrated -- of course, that's when I was pre-pubescent. I didn't come of age with New Wave, it was about five years ahead of my cognizance of pop culture. But they were at least palatable on the radio when so many others weren't and unlike many other acts, they had lasting power.
Also, "Words" is a very cool tune, IMHO.
I love "Girls on Film." I'm with Bill Hicks on that. That might be a top ten new wave song for me. Duran Duran was seriously underrated -- of course, that's when I was pre-pubescent. I didn't come of age with New Wave, it was about five years ahead of my cognizance of pop culture. But they were at least palatable on the radio when so many others weren't and unlike many other acts, they had lasting power.
Also, "Words" is a very cool tune, IMHO.
RedmondLonghorn
Footballguy
100. Girls on Film - Duran Duran 
99. People are People - Depeche Mode
98. Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
97. Words - Missing Persons
96. Making Plans for Nigel - XTC
(breaking ranks with most here, I think this does qualify as New Wave but I also hate it)
99. People are People - Depeche Mode
98. Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
97. Words - Missing Persons
96. Making Plans for Nigel - XTC
(breaking ranks with most here, I think this does qualify as New Wave but I also hate it)
TripItUp
Footballguy
100. Girls on Film - Duran Duran
Iconic, would be higher on my list
99. People are People - Depeche Mode
There are at least 10 other DM songs I would rank higher, have seen them in concert 3 times, amazing live
98. Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
Was never a fan, among the most overrated bands of the decade
97. Words - Missing Persons
Nice pull, great band
96. Making Plans for Nigel - XTC
meh, not my cup of tea
Iconic, would be higher on my list
99. People are People - Depeche Mode
There are at least 10 other DM songs I would rank higher, have seen them in concert 3 times, amazing live
98. Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
Was never a fan, among the most overrated bands of the decade
97. Words - Missing Persons
Nice pull, great band
96. Making Plans for Nigel - XTC
meh, not my cup of tea
TripItUp
Footballguy
PIK95
Footballguy
rockaction
Footballguy
Jello Biafra weighs in on the development of genres for the great genre debate.
https://youtu.be/Gm0t99WmSCM?t=17
https://youtu.be/Gm0t99WmSCM?t=17
Chaos Commish
Footballguy
Osaurus
Footballguy
What a great band. This and Life Begins at the Hop are a couple of favorites from the earlier stuff.
Osaurus
Footballguy
Don Hutson
Footballguy
I like Hold Me Now but I prefer this Thompson Twins song. It's funny how a band like the Thompson Twins could be so big and are nothing now. Few New Wave bands had staying power. Most would have to play the county fair circuit if they wanted to tour. Or they just do smaller venues in big cities for a few of their die hard fans.
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otb_lifer
Footballguy
im'ma be up in here for as long as i can, budski ... matter of fact, if i throw genre bias out the window, and play this totally straight, viewing it as a net that encompasses acts like Joy Division/Cult/'Mats/Smiffs/Pixies/R.E.M./Cure/Police/etc ... well, it's gonna be worse, 'cuz i know there will be TONS of worthy tunes left out ... to wit, if i'm going by "all is fair game", none of the four already listed remotely sniff my top 100.
conversely, viewing this thus far as a strictly New Wave countdown, i can get with the opening picks, somewhat .... i think DM is a gray area act, but, meh ... i can live them being considered - loathe the song that was chosen for them (not in my personal top 20 DM), but, it's Tim's call(s) here - and awaaaaaaay we go.
doubt i'm spotlighting here, but if we gonna invite XTC erroneously to this gig, then we need this to be recognized ... again, if i am gonna cast the net that wide, that song goes into my top 100.
ftr, no, i don't consider them New Wave ... so you're correct.
we'll be eviscerated for "oversimplifying", but that kinda cuts right to it ... matter of fact, i know for damn sure the Jesus and Mary Chain ain't making this list (even with the large ### net cast), but they crafted amazing pop hooks ... if we allow all to the party, though, i'd hazard to guess at least 5 of their tunes should be here. mind you, that's only using ONE band as an example ... point is, for as much pop sensibilities as they had, they drenched the earlier work in sonic feedback deliciousness, and kinda kept William Reid's violently fuzzy riffs as a template ... we pitch a huge tent, then they get at least a handful of seats. doubt they pop up here, but, if they do, it'll be 'cuz the tune was used in a Bill Murray/Spike Jonze/ScarJo flick. uggghhh.
again, if it were strictly that route, nah .... none of the four chosen merit top 100.
the seal is broken, can't put this genie back in the bottle.
now, back to the fun! awaiting today's nuggets!
PIK95
Footballguy
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