The 100 Greatest “New Wave” songs 1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World-Tears for Fears (2 Viewers)

[timschochet]

59. “Mad World” Tears for Fears (1983, from The Hurting) 

And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had 

Awesome, meaningful lyrics, or just incredibly pretentious? You choose. But it always helps to have a pretty, catchy melody to go along with them. It also helps that this song has had some very memorable, slow version covers over the years since, which have helped to enhance the original version. 

 

[joey]

59. “Mad World” Tears for Fears (1983, from The Hurting) 

And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had 

Awesome, meaningful lyrics, or just incredibly pretentious? You choose. But it always helps to have a pretty, catchy melody to go along with them. It also helps that this song has had some very memorable, slow version covers over the years since, which have helped to enhance the original version. 

Top 10 song for me. Such an amazing song on an absolutely amazing album. One of my top 10 albums of all time in any genre.
This was the one that introduced me to new wave. My brother cane back from college with it. I was still listening to hard rock and was like “huh?”  And then I was like “ahhhhhh!!!!”  And I fell in love with new wave music from that moment on. Starting college the next year helped as well  

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Head Over Heels or Suffer The Children for me.

 

[comfortably numb]

Top 10 song for me. Such an amazing song on an absolutely amazing album. One of my top 10 albums of all time in any genre.
This was the one that introduced me to new wave. My brother cane back from college with it. I was still listening to hard rock and was like “huh?”  And then I was like “ahhhhhh!!!!”  And I fell in love with new wave music from that moment on. Starting college the next year helped as well  

Yep.

Tears for tears is such and underrated band. Lots of good music from their catalog 

 

[Nipsey]

Mad World

https://clyp.it/5xwigbbn#

 

[wikkidpissah]

Mad World

https://clyp.it/5xwigbbn#

aww YEEah. the melancholy is your bailiwick, boyo 

 

[Ghost Rider]

Mad Word is a good tune from The Hurting, their really good debut record. 

Their next two, Songs from the Big Chair and The Seeds of Love, are masterpieces. 

Their comeback album in the 00's, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, was damn good as well. 

Tears for Fears is a great band. 

 

[rockaction]

Great cover, great movie.

 

[Osaurus]

When I was stoned in college, I would listen to Listen on Songs From the Big Chair a lot. That and all of My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless album. 

 

[zamboni]

59. “Mad World” Tears for Fears (1983, from The Hurting) 

And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had 

Awesome, meaningful lyrics, or just incredibly pretentious? You choose. But it always helps to have a pretty, catchy melody to go along with them. It also helps that this song has had some very memorable, slow version covers over the years since, which have helped to enhance the original version. 

Great tune. There’s another one from the same album that would be even way higher towards the top of my own personal ranking.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Great tune. There’s another one from the same album that would be even way higher towards the top of my own personal ranking.

 

[timschochet]

58. “Voices Carry” ‘Til Tuesday (1985, from Voices Carry)

https://youtu.be/uejh-bHa4To

Its really hard for me to believe, when I watch Aimee Mann perform, that this song is nearly 35 years old. She remains so vibrant, just an outstanding artist. 

“Voices Carry” is that rare New Wave song that dealt with a serious issue (that is, apart from the self-indulgent thoughts of death  that seemed to consume some of the British contributors to this genre.) 

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Hey look, a New Wave song.

 

[Doug B]

58. “Voices Carry” ‘Til Tuesday (1985, from Voices Carry)

https://youtu.be/uejh-bHa4To

Its really hard for me to believe, when I watch Aimee Mann perform, that this song is nearly 35 years old. She remains so vibrant, just an outstanding artist. 

There’s that second female bassist!

Great, great song.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Voices Carry was the first song Mann wrote on her own. Pretty strong start.

 

[Osaurus]

Anyone here know who Voices Carry was written about? It’s another musician if that helps.

 

[Osaurus]

Big fan of Aimee Mann and ‘Til Tuesday. Their greatest hits album is my favorite of  all the greatest hits albums out there. 
 

ETA: No even close to New Wave sounding, but I love Coming Up Close

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Anyone here know who Voices Carry was written about? It’s another musician if that helps.

I know she is (or was) married to Michael Penn - is it him?

 

[Doug B]

Anyone here know who Voices Carry was written about? It’s another musician if that helps.

This has always been shrouded in mystery to me. Two musicians claim it’s about them, while there’s a rumor it’s actually about a female lover of Mann’s.

 

[Osaurus]

I know she is (or was) married to Michael Penn - is it him?

Nope.

This has always been shrouded in mystery to me. Two musicians claim it’s about them, while there’s a rumor it’s actually about a female lover of Mann’s.

Not quite. The going theory, and has basically been confirmed by Al Jorgensen himself, that it was about Al when he and  Mann had a brief albeit tumultuous relationship in Boston a very long time ago. No shocker here, but he’s kind of a tool. 

 

[AcerFC]

Nope.

Not quite. The going theory, and has basically been confirmed by Al Jorgensen himself, that it was about Al when he and  Mann had a brief albeit tumultuous relationship in Boston a very long time ago. No shocker here, but he’s kind of a tool. 

Is that when he went Industrial. The breakup sent Ministry from new Wave to New World Order

 

[Osaurus]

Is that when he went Industrial. The breakup sent Ministry from new Wave to New World Order

Doubt that was the reason.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Doubt that was the reason.

It was the darkness in his soul, clearly. But maybe the break-up uncorked it. Hmm.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

HE SAID SHUT UP!!!!!!

Ruins the song for me.

 

[wikkidpissah]

58. “Voices Carry” ‘Til Tuesday (1985, from Voices Carry)

https://youtu.be/uejh-bHa4To

Its really hard for me to believe, when I watch Aimee Mann perform, that this song is nearly 35 years old. She remains so vibrant, just an outstanding artist. 

“Voices Carry” is that rare New Wave song that dealt with a serious issue (that is, apart from the self-indulgent thoughts of death  that seemed to consume some of the British contributors to this genre.) 

My one New Wave personal anecdote (tho my firm did manage a new wave band w 2 EPs that opened 3 dates for The Clash, i wasnt personally connected) As usual, pardon me, those who've heard it before. Though i was sued out of the music business in '75, local musicians knew all the connections & associations i had built and were always asking for help & favors and I ended up renting a giant house for bands to practice/party at cuz i just liked the life. It seemed ridiculous not to turn this into a going concern, so we started B Sharp Mgmt, with my friends Larry & Mezz as the titular heads and me doing some back-end help for some front end money. They did some good work and existed for many years after i moved west.

The unprecedented "overnite" success of Boston - every Boston mgmt firm had had a few limp Tom Scholz demos on their desks over the years - made the local biz fairly hysterical. I didnt care - i was playing Hide the Chilito w naked hippie chicks in the natural hot springs of the Sangre de Christos. One day i get a call from Mezz saying they have a chance to sign a hot band but had to drop my name and the chick singer was impressed that "the boss" had worked w Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur, Ellen McIlwaine etc and wanted to talk to him. I said 'what's the harm" so they hooked me up for a 45-minute phone conversation w Aimee Mann. By the end, i at least had her interested in talking with Sire, the deal B Sharp had set up.

Well, that werent enough - til Tuesday was having some showcase and Mezz wanted me out there for it. I flew out late, got to the fancy suite they had arranged for the meet and sat drinking foreign beers, eating crudite for the next two days. The til Tuesday keyboard player showed up for about ten minutes and that was it til we finally heard that they'd signed w the same label as Boston. My New Wave moment....

 

[Mr. Ected]

HE SAID SHUT UP!!!!!!

Ruins the song for me.

I'm curious, why? Best part of the song in the video (important part of songs back in 80s!) when they were at the opera, and she is standing up for herself.

Is it better if it is written more as her repeating a quote?

He said, "Shut Up!"

He said, "Shut Up!"
"Oh God, can't you keep it down"
Voices carry
Hush hush, voices carry

I wish he would let me talk

 

[Charlie Steiner]

I'm curious, why? Best part of the song in the video (important part of songs back in 80s!) when they were at the opera, and she is standing up for herself.

Is it better if it is written more as her repeating a quote?
 

TBH, I probably like it less because of the video.

This is definitely a good female empowerment song, especially for the time it came out, and I appreciate that the line comes in part of a greater context, it just rubs me the wrong way. That was probably her point though.

 

[timschochet]

57. “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” Joe Jackson (1979, from Look Sharp!)

https://youtu.be/6TzKSFbsh2Y

I really should listen to more of this guy. People have always told me, over the years, “If you like Elvis Costello...” For whatever reason I haven’t done it. That’s it; I’m going to play Look Sharp! this week sometime. 

Always liked this song though...

 

[Mr. Ected]

57. “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” Joe Jackson (1979, from Look Sharp!)

https://youtu.be/6TzKSFbsh2Y

I really should listen to more of this guy. People have always told me, over the years, “If you like Elvis Costello...” For whatever reason I haven’t done it. That’s it; I’m going to play Look Sharp! this week sometime. 

Always liked this song though...

Great song. Would love to see him live. Probably a good show.

"Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street." is a great line!

 

[Zegras11]

Great song. Would love to see him live. Probably a good show.

"Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street." is a great line!

Saw him at The Greek Theater like in 86.   Solid show.  

 

[Osaurus]

Great song. Would love to see him live. Probably a good show.

"Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street." is a great line!

Saw him a couple of years ago here in Tampa. He still rocks!

 

[wikkidpissah]

57. “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” Joe Jackson (1979, from Look Sharp!)

https://youtu.be/6TzKSFbsh2Y

I really should listen to more of this guy. People have always told me, over the years, “If you like Elvis Costello...” For whatever reason I haven’t done it. That’s it; I’m going to play Look Sharp! this week sometime. 

Always liked this song though...

Joe Jackson's 1st MTV vid. Purely loved it, it was never in heavy rotation and i think it was the first MTV vid i actually used to hunt. Delightful petulance AND musicality

 

[Shankopotamus]

I'm curious, why? Best part of the song in the video (important part of songs back in 80s!) when they were at the opera, and she is standing up for herself.
 

I will have to say, though I was in tune with pop music on the radio beginning around 1983, and even loved the Twisted Sister song video (you know which one) from the previous year, I think this was the song that really made me notice MTV and music videos as an artistic medium.  

 

[dhockster]

Big fan of Aimee Mann and ‘Til Tuesday. Their greatest hits album is my favorite of  all the greatest hits albums out there. 
 

ETA: No even close to New Wave sounding, but I love Coming Up Close

"Coming up Close" is one of my all time favorite songs. 

 

[El Floppo]

59. “Mad World” Tears for Fears (1983, from The Hurting) 

And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had 

Awesome, meaningful lyrics, or just incredibly pretentious? You choose. But it always helps to have a pretty, catchy melody to go along with them. It also helps that this song has had some very memorable, slow version covers over the years since, which have helped to enhance the original version. 

I loved the video for this, including the uncomfortable white guy arm dancing.

Mad Word is a good tune from The Hurting, their really good debut record. 

Their next two, Songs from the Big Chair and The Seeds of Love, are masterpieces. 

Their comeback album in the 00's, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, was damn good as well. 

Tears for Fears is a great band. 

See, the hurting is their masterpiece for me. The next two felt overdone and without the same kind of distinctive quality that this one did- and they were played to death. 

57. “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” Joe Jackson (1979, from Look Sharp!)

https://youtu.be/6TzKSFbsh2Y

I really should listen to more of this guy. People have always told me, over the years, “If you like Elvis Costello...” For whatever reason I haven’t done it. That’s it; I’m going to play Look Sharp! this week sometime. 

Always liked this song though...

Tim! I mentioned it upthread, but I'd put his run of first albums up against anybody- look sharp!, I'm the man, beat crazy, jumpin Jive and night and day. Each great in very distinct ways.

 

[nirad3]

By no means am I questioning the choices, it's just interesting to see what actually classifies as New Wave.  Growing up with this music, I guess the genre really didn't matter to me.  I liked what I liked.

 

[Mr. Ected]

I'm curious, why? Best part of the song in the video (important part of songs back in 80s!) when they were at the opera, and she is standing up for herself.
 

I will have to say, though I was in tune with pop music on the radio beginning around 1983, and even loved the Twisted Sister song video (you know which one) from the previous year, I think this was the song that really made me notice MTV and music videos as an artistic medium. 

It's one of my favorites, but also being from Boston in being in middle school at the time, you get more attached to videos from 'local' bands that show your city.

ETA: Where are you living in VA? 

 

[Gr00vus]

61. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” The Police (1981, from The Ghost In the Machine) 

https://youtu.be/aENX1Sf3fgQ

Another simple sounding song that is actually pretty complex. Sting had a beautiful falsetto voice back then. I love a stand up bass too. 

Some guy analyzes what makes this song great.

 

[Shankopotamus]

It's one of my favorites, but also being from Boston in being in middle school at the time, you get more attached to videos from 'local' bands that show your city.

ETA: Where are you living in VA? 

Forest (Lynchburg area)

 

[timschochet]

56. “Brass In Pocket” The Pretenders (1979, from Pretenders) 

https://youtu.be/-7Hy7uAb_eU

Probably the worst video for a great song I can remember. Chrissie, who is a beautiful woman, looks downright awful as a waitress. And whose idea was it to have the members of the band pointing at the word “special” while grinning stupidly into the camera? Just awful. The song, however, is terrific. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

56. “Brass In Pocket” The Pretenders (1979, from Pretenders) 

https://youtu.be/-7Hy7uAb_eU

Probably the worst video for a great song I can remember. Chrissie, who is a beautiful woman, looks downright awful as a waitress. And whose idea was it to have the members of the band pointing at the word “special” while grinning stupidly into the camera? Just awful. The song, however, is terrific. 

One constant with me is how awful some of these videos were for what were some excellent songs.  I'd like to meet some of these so called directors just so I could punch them in the mouth.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

56. “Brass In Pocket” The Pretenders (1979, from Pretenders) 

https://youtu.be/-7Hy7uAb_eU

Probably the worst video for a great song I can remember. Chrissie, who is a beautiful woman, looks downright awful as a waitress. And whose idea was it to have the members of the band pointing at the word “special” while grinning stupidly into the camera? Just awful. The song, however, is terrific. 

Chrissie can still rock it out. 

Different song and you have to forward through an awful 90 second drum intro.  I thin she's 66 year old in this .  Age has taken its usual toll, but she can still belt it out   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVry7uMud1o

This was at 63 years old.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ8kbordCAg

Such a great sultry voice.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

since this isn't a draft (just tim's list) ...are throwing things out there?  

 

[Osaurus]

Used to really dislike the Pretenders, but I was young and dumb and...you know the rest. In any case, absolutely love them now not ever having seen them live. Oh well. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Used to really dislike the Pretenders, but I was young and dumb and...you know the rest. In any case, absolutely love them now not ever having seen them live. Oh well. 

I had the chance as a young lad to see them the week after the Ramones (which i did see).  Work got in the way of that.

 

[PIK95]

56. “Brass In Pocket” The Pretenders (1979, from Pretenders) 

https://youtu.be/-7Hy7uAb_eU

Probably the worst video for a great song I can remember. Chrissie, who is a beautiful woman, looks downright awful as a waitress. And whose idea was it to have the members of the band pointing at the word “special” while grinning stupidly into the camera? Just awful. The song, however, is terrific. 

Wat!  This is classic rock imo.  Have been watching from afar, and it's been decent so far.  But this was a needle scratch for me when I saw it.  Carry on.  And Crowded House should be top ten with one of their hits imo.

 

[higgins]

56. “Brass In Pocket” The Pretenders (1979, from Pretenders) 

https://youtu.be/-7Hy7uAb_eU

Probably the worst video for a great song I can remember. Chrissie, who is a beautiful woman, looks downright awful as a waitress. And whose idea was it to have the members of the band pointing at the word “special” while grinning stupidly into the camera? Just awful. The song, however, is terrific. 

Too low on your index — there will be repercussions — nothing violent or extreme mind you, but some kind of tomfoolery perhaps. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Too low on your index — there will be repercussions — nothing violent or extreme mind you, but some kind of tomfoolery perhaps. 

I got bottle, I'm gonna use it

 

[squistion]

56. “Brass In Pocket” The Pretenders (1979, from Pretenders) 

https://youtu.be/-7Hy7uAb_eU

Probably the worst video for a great song I can remember. Chrissie, who is a beautiful woman, looks downright awful as a waitress. And whose idea was it to have the members of the band pointing at the word “special” while grinning stupidly into the camera? Just awful. The song, however, is terrific. 

If it is a bad video, you can just link the studio version of the song, particularly if it were a pre-MTV video like this was (song released 79 while MTV launch was not until 81). And if you happen to include Tainted Love by Soft Cell on your list, please please don't link the horrible video that was made for the song after it became a huge hit.

 

[Osaurus]

Kraftwerk just announced a US tour. Closest to me is Orlando, but it’s a Thursday night and I hate Orlando (although Miami maybe have unseated it as my least favorite FL city).

Tix go on sale Thursday/Friday for Pet Shop Boys/New Order co-headlining tour. They’re doing anchor cities so nothing south (for now). Think I’m flying up to Philly September 8th for the show there if I can get tix. Should be a great show.