The 100 Greatest “New Wave” songs 1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World-Tears for Fears (1 Viewer)

[Uruk-Hai]

Don't understand why so many are losing their marbles over this.  That said, post the next one so we can move on!!!

My friend, this is a group that argues to the death (& 600 pages) over whether a hot dog is a sandwich. I admire the restraint so far.

 

[otb_lifer]

totally unrelated (i think???!?), but watching some YouToobz live footage of the Floyd, circa Syd era ('67) ... young Roger Waters looks like a rather svelte version of circa '81 Martina Navrotilova. 

 

[Osaurus]

ETA: George Michael's voice was ridiculous.

No argument here whatsoever. 

 

[Gr00vus]

Going back to the top, Girls On Film is a top 100 all timer for me. Awesome tune. I don't know if I like the album release or the Extended Night Version better. They're similar enough where I'm not sure it matters.

It's funny, punk was in big part a backlash against disco and the other big production establishment stuff of the 70's. Then new wave comes along and basically puts a somewhat thick veneer of synths and jaggedness over disco.

 

[Zegras11]

My friend, this is a group that argues to the death (& 600 pages) over whether a hot dog is a sandwich. I admire the restraint so far.

I hate the genre that think it's a sandwich.  

 

[Osaurus]

I hate the genre that think it's a sandwich.  

Dawn

 

[Chaos Commish]

Kroq songs ranked by how much they were played each year.

I made my playlist from this, I dunno 6-7 years ago.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Going back to the top, Girls On Film is a top 100 all timer for me. Awesome tune. I don't know if I like the album release or the Extended Night Version better. They're similar enough where I'm not sure it matters.

It's funny, punk was in big part a backlash against disco and the other big production establishment stuff of the 70's. Then new wave comes along and basically puts a somewhat thick veneer of synths and jaggedness over disco.

Not that different than corporate AOR rock taking over from earlier more free form music.

 

[Zegras11]

Kroq songs ranked by how much they were played each year.

I made my playlist from this, I dunno 6-7 years ago.

1980.  

11.    Los Angeles -- X

Are heads going to explode on this one?

Heard it this morning on my Spotify 80's.  

 

[rockaction]

1980.  

11.    Los Angeles -- X

Are heads going to explode on this one?

Heard it this morning on my Spotify 80's.  

It's already been discussed and decided over PMs that we will get an X song, and we are gonna laugh at it.

That said, I'm not the genre police; I'll let others do the heavy lifting. 

 

[nirad3]

93. “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” Wham! (1984, from Make It Big) 

https://youtu.be/pIgZ7gMze7A

Choose Life! 

Question: what exactly is Andrew Ridgeley’s contribution to this group, anyhow? In the video he’s holding a guitar but doesn’t appear to be playing it. He mouths backup vocals but apparently the recording is actually George backing up his own lead. 

Anyhow: jitterbug! 

I'm not pretending to be an expert but I wouldn't classify Wham! as New Wave.  Great list minus this... so far. 

 

[Zegras11]

At the time, I never and still don't understand why U2 was considered New Wave.

 

[timschochet]

92. “I Ran”- A Flock of Seagulls (1982, from A Flock of Seagulls) 

https://youtu.be/iIpfWORQWhU

For several months after this song came out I thought it was about the country, Iran, and how far away it was. I even argued it with my best friend at the time. Oh well. 

Try arguing this one isn’t New Wave, mother####ers. Go ahead and try. 

 

[Chaos Commish]

1980.  

11.    Los Angeles -- X

Are heads going to explode on this one?

Heard it this morning on my Spotify 80's.  

they played a lot of alt rock and punk and no wham, i think. and called themselves alternative radio, so defining the genre tim chose by kroq is off, though the best of new wave is heavily represented. man, i miss the 80s today.

 

[nirad3]

92. “I Ran”- A Flock of Seagulls (1982, from A Flock of Seagulls) 

https://youtu.be/iIpfWORQWhU

For several months after this song came out I thought it was about the country, Iran, and how far away it was. I even argued it with my best friend at the time. Oh well. 

Try arguing this one isn’t New Wave, mother####ers. Go ahead and try. 

Now we're back on track!   And #92?  Man, I woulda thought this one would be in the teens if not higher.

 

[Zegras11]

92. “I Ran”- A Flock of Seagulls (1982, from A Flock of Seagulls) 

https://youtu.be/iIpfWORQWhU

For several months after this song came out I thought it was about the country, Iran, and how far away it was. I even argued it with my best friend at the time. Oh well. 

Try arguing this one isn’t New Wave, mother####ers. Go ahead and try. 

at both comments 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

At the time, I never and still don't understand why U2 was considered New Wave.

Going with somewhat more current playlists I might suggest grouping them with Coldplay.

 

[timschochet]

Now we're back on track!   And #92?  Man, I woulda thought this one would be in the teens if not higher.

No room for it with all the songs from Thriller coming up. 

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

92. “I Ran”- A Flock of Seagulls (1982, from A Flock of Seagulls) 

https://youtu.be/iIpfWORQWhU

For several months after this song came out I thought it was about the country, Iran, and how far away it was. I even argued it with my best friend at the time. Oh well. 

Try arguing this one isn’t New Wave, mother####ers. Go ahead and try. 

This one is criminally underrated. Like Tatum Bell back in the day.

 

[nirad3]

No room for it with all the songs from Thriller coming up. 

ah-heeeeeeee-heeeeeeeeeee!

 

[Zegras11]

It's already been discussed and decided over PMs that we will get an X song, and we are gonna laugh at it.

That said, I'm not the genre police; I'll let others do the heavy lifting. 

Did you discuss The Bangles also?

 

[rockaction]

Did you discuss The Bangles also?

No. Susanna will have her day, Lord willing, somewhere else. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

At the time, I never and still don't understand why U2 was considered New Wave.

You would be more likely to if you'd been around when Boy & October came out. For this ol' poop, early U2, Police, ECostello & the Attractions are the heart of New Wave, much moreso than poofed-out technowankers. The rescue of rock, the elevation of punk, the incorporation of all possible elements & genres into a ringing sound, etc etc. Now, THAT's What I Call New Wave!

btw, i condemn no definitions, genuinely felt - merely disagree with, add perspective to & ridicule same.

 

[Zegras11]

Kroq songs ranked by how much they were played each year.

I made my playlist from this, I dunno 6-7 years ago.

So I went through all those yearly links.  Tough to pick a Top 100 for sure.   Many songs from the late 80's are just as strong IMO.

 

[otb_lifer]

It's already been discussed and decided over PMs that we will get an X song, and we are gonna laugh at it.

That said, I'm not the genre police; I'll let others do the heavy lifting. 

what kinda sick, hubris filled bastid would be so grandiose as to run back channel snides?

92. “I Ran”- A Flock of Seagulls (1982, from A Flock of Seagulls) 

https://youtu.be/iIpfWORQWhU

cream of the crop, co #1 selection of mine, along with their aforementioned "Wishing" - yeah, dead ####in' heat - i can roll that way.  

 

[rockaction]

what kinda sick, hubris filled bastid would be so grandiose as to run back channel snides?

Just an awful person destined for a life of turpitude or torpor, your choice. 

 

[Osaurus]

Tiffany has to be top 60, right?

 

[Osaurus]

Was wondering about the side conversations. What’s the point exactly? Mediation? 

 

[rockaction]

Was wondering about the side conversations. What’s the point exactly? Mediation? 

Nah, just a running convo with a friend that turned to this topic and reveals. Didn't want to spotlight or place anything above the OP and his countdown. Courtesy, not devious. 

 

[otb_lifer]

Just an awful person destined for a life of turpitude or torpor, your choice. 

... more like turpentine, i'm afraid - damn Reds. 

 

[Osaurus]

I think MTV Classic is tuned into this thread

 

[zamboni]

Kroq songs ranked by how much they were played each year.

I made my playlist from this, I dunno 6-7 years ago.

I’ve perused those KROQ annual lists many a time - just didn’t want to spotlight here until the end.

 

[otb_lifer]

I think MTV Classic is tuned into this thread

if a certain band (not U2) pops up on the Tim machine here, im'ma post up a couple 80s pics of me that are Paul Hewson's spittin' image. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

This one is criminally underrated. Like Tatum Bell back in the day.

It's what motivated the singer to get that haircut.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

 poofed-out technowankers

Thanks for giving me the name for my 80s new wave cover band.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

FOS did an album a couple years ago with the Prague Philharmonic. I liked it. It's on Spotify.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascension_(A_Flock_of_Seagulls_album)

 

[zamboni]

FOS did an album a couple years ago with the Prague Philharmonic. I liked it. It's on Spotify.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascension_(A_Flock_of_Seagulls_album)

Surprised it wasn’t with the Teheran Philharmonic.

 

[El Floppo]

if a certain band (not U2) pops up on the Tim machine here, im'ma post up a couple 80s pics of me that are Paul Hewson's spittin' image. 

Pics or gtfo

 

[Brony]

just catching up on this.  pretty interesting list until...

Wham???

Really bold choice to go with this as your "I can define New Wave however I want" song.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Surprised it wasn’t with the Teheran Philharmonic.

Stay vague and roll.

 

[otb_lifer]

Pics or gtfo

in due time ... have faith in our gracious countdown host 

 

[Osaurus]

Ok..now this is getting creepy 

 

[El Floppo]

in due time ... have faith in our gracious countdown host 

Oh I do.



Btw....I had a hewson phase myself. People thought I was basically anybody with long hair and a cromag forehead

 

[El Floppo]

Stay vague and roll.

This is really growing on me.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Thanks for giving me the name for my 80s new wave cover band.

Setlist:

Der Kommisar

One Night in Bangkok

99 Luftballons

Come On Eileen

Cult of Personality

Runnin' Down a Dream

Shattered Dreams

Got My Mind Set on You/Handle With Care

 

[otb_lifer]

Ok..now this is getting creepy 

awaiting screen shot of them

 

[Osaurus]

awaiting screen shot of them

Culture Club on now. Karma Chameleon easily top 10, right?

 

[otb_lifer]

Culture Club on now. Karma Chameleon easily top 10, right?

i loved their lyric stylings ...

"war war is stupid/and people are stupid/and love means nothing/in some strange quarters"  makes 'People are People' read like Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Coleridge, not Maiden) 

oh ... but Karma Cham?  it should place loftily, yesh. 

 

[El Floppo]

Culture Club on now. Karma Chameleon easily top 10, right?

Angry floppo is angry

 

[timschochet]

91. “Local Girls” Graham Parker & The Rumour (1979, from Squeezing Out Sparks) 

https://youtu.be/taXvBivGcMo

The video is kind of cheesy but this guy put out some great pop songs back in the day. From the same London pub scene as Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, and Elvis Costello.