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

[squistion]

And Rat Trap. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ02zCMoxCo

OK, I can hear a Phil Lynott influence on this track, although more of a Springsteen vibe overall, like the prior track.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

One of my favorites. But not punk. 

Your understanding of what punk was in 1977 may be less conventional than your definition of New Wave.

 

[Miro Z]

Critics love to overrate London Calling, and Rolling Stone is right at the front of the line. 

Sacrilege! It's a total classic! It's not so much the title song, it's more tracks like Wrong 'Em Boyo, Revolution Rock and Rudie Can't Fail that are legenday...

 

[timschochet]

25. “Karma Chameleon” Culture Club (1983, from Colour By Numbers) 

https://youtu.be/JmcA9LIIXWw

When you strip away the psychedelic lyrics and New Romantic presentation, what you have left is a pretty classic 60s style folk rock tune that would fit in nicely in Simon and Garfunkel’s catalogue. Which is the main reason why it was such a huge hit back in 1983. 

 

[The_Man]

25. “Karma Chameleon” Culture Club (1983, from Colour By Numbers) 

https://youtu.be/JmcA9LIIXWw

When you strip away the psychedelic lyrics and New Romantic presentation, what you have left is a pretty classic 60s style folk rock tune that would fit in nicely in Simon and Garfunkel’s catalogue. Which is the main reason why it was such a huge hit back in 1983. 

Oh, no.

Though popular, this song was a trifle that should not' be listed alongside some really outstanding music 

 

[Osaurus]

 

[DocHolliday]

Oh, no.

Though popular, this song was a trifle that should not' be listed alongside some really outstanding music 

We can agree that it is new wave.  

 

[Anarchy99]

Was there really a need to include more than one Culture Club song? Can we expect I’ll Tumble 4 Ya as well?

 

[timschochet]

Was there really a need to include more than one Culture Club song? Can we expect I’ll Tumble 4 Ya as well?

Considered it but I would have had to scratch “Jessie’s Girl” coming up and that I won’t do. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Was there really a need to include more than one Culture Club song? Can we expect I’ll Tumble 4 Ya as well?

I'm not a fan but they were pretty big during that period. Tim's list is fairly obviously leaning towards the "hits" from the early MTV era.

 

[timschochet]

I'm not a fan but they were pretty big during that period. Tim's list is fairly obviously leaning towards the "hits" from the early MTV era.

I don’t know about “leaning toward”. I would say it includes some very important ones which I don’t think can be ignored. 

But beyond that, I dispute the implied argument that “Karma Chameleon” because it was overplayed, a huge hit, and somewhat sappy, isn’t a great song and is somehow less deserving of recognition than other songs which I’ve ranked that are generally regarded as “cooler” somehow. This is, IMO, one of the great songs of New Wave, or it would not be ranked at #25. 

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Oh, no.

Though popular, this song was a trifle that should not' be listed alongside some really outstanding music 

Yeah, that song is putrid garbage.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Was there really a need to include more than one Culture Club song? Can we expect I’ll Tumble 4 Ya as well?

There wasn't an actual need to include any Culture Club songs.

 

[timschochet]

Yeah, that song is putrid garbage.

As opposed to non putrid garbage? 

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

As opposed to non putrid garbage? 

If I need to make my criticisms more precise, I guess I would call it especially putrid garbage, replete with empty tuna cans, baby diapers, and paper towels covered in dog bile. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Considered it but I would have had to scratch “Jessie’s Girl” coming up and that I won’t do. 

Sigh. It's your list and you are going to do what you want. But Jessie's Girl is considered new wave? I haven't seen him considered new wave before. Rick Springfield had been recording for 10-12 years and released numerous other pop-rock albums. Being a heartthrob actor and appearing on General Hospital helped mold him into a popular pop-rock singer.

How is Jessie's Girl considered in a different category than say Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor? They came out relatively near each other and have a somewhat similar sound.

 

[timschochet]

If I need to make my criticisms more precise, I guess I would call it especially putrid garbage, replete with empty tuna cans, baby diapers, and paper towels covered in dog bile. 

Well NOW you’re talking my language! I am a veritable Oscar the Grouch when it comes to 80s New Wave. 

 

[timschochet]

Sigh. It's your list and you are going to do what you want. But Jessie's Girl is considered new wave? I haven't seen him considered new wave before. Rick Springfield had been recording for 10-12 years and released numerous other pop-rock albums. Being a heartthrob actor and appearing on General Hospital helped mold him into a popular pop-rock singer.

How is Jessie's Girl considered in a different category than say Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor? They came out relatively near each other and have a somewhat similar sound.

Umm, I was kidding Anarchy. If I truly wanted to include “Jessie’s Girl”, I never would have mentioned Jessie’s Girl. 

And besides, if I make space for Rick, I’ll have no room for Billy Squire. Do you see how difficult this is? 

 

[timschochet]

If I truly wanted to include “Jessie’s Girl”, I never would have mentioned Jessie’s Girl. 

By the way: where can I find a woman like that? 

 

[Anarchy99]

Umm, I was kidding Anarchy. If I truly wanted to include “Jessie’s Girl”, I never would have mentioned Jessie’s Girl. 

And besides, if I make space for Rick, I’ll have no room for Billy Squire. Do you see how difficult this is? 

Speaking of Rick, when he was 25 he dated (and lived with) a 15 year old. So I am guessing Jessie's girl was probably pretty young.

 

[timschochet]

Speaking of Rick, when he was 25 he dated (and lived with) a 15 year old. So I am guessing Jessie's girl was probably pretty young.

Well at least he didn’t adopt her to have her like a certain right wing rocker who shall go unnamed...

 

[Anarchy99]

Well at least he didn’t adopt her to have her like a certain right wing rocker who shall go unnamed...

He certainly was a habitual offender and put a stranglehold on that jailbait and put her in a flying lip lock.

 

[Osaurus]

As opposed to non putrid garbage? 

Big fan of Garbage fwiw, but that’s for another list.

 

[Osaurus]

Well NOW you’re talking my language! I am a veritable Oscar the Grouch when it comes to 80s New Wave. 

It shows in this list. 

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

It shows in this list. 

"Oh, I LOVE trash!"

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Big fan of Garbage fwiw, but that’s for another list.

Shirley you jest.

 

[El Floppo]

Oh, no.

Though popular, this song was a trifle that should not' be listed alongside some really outstanding music 

It was and is just awful.

 

[Vanilla Guerrilla]

Big fan of Garbage fwiw, but that’s for another list.

We'll see.

 

[El Floppo]

It was and is just awful.

This or Xmas song....possibly the two worst songs of the era- and there were some doozies. 

Had to reread what the list is, new wave or not...just a bunch of songs from the 80s, or if there's meant to be some kind of subjective/objective quality here. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

oy gevalt...

 

[The_Man]

I sense the imminent arrival of "Mexican Radio"

 

[Brony]

The Shuke 1000 has never had a better moment. 

 

[El Floppo]

I sense the imminent arrival of "Mexican Radio"

Wall of voodoo's great. And I'd expect the song to be here even though...dead horse... I have other preferred tunes by them.

Karma BS in the same breath as most music is fightin' woids.

 

[wikkidpissah]

The Shuke 1000 has never had a better moment. 

the highlight of this countdown has been the songs mr timmy sprinkles in which give me a flash picture of him @ 14yo doing the Silence of the Lambs dance in front of the mirror

 

[Gr00vus]

If Lene Lovich doesn't make this list I'm going to burn every copy of Mr. Ishida's Bookstore I can find in protest.

 

[El Floppo]

If Lene Lovich doesn't make this list I'm going to burn every copy of Mr. Ishida's Bookstore I can find in protest.

Which song though?

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

This or Xmas song....possibly the two worst songs of the era- and there were some doozies. 

Had to reread what the list is, new wave or not...just a bunch of songs from the 80s, or if there's meant to be some kind of subjective/objective quality here. 

It is as bad a song as appears anywhere on the list, which is no small statement, and somehow it is being judged to be in the top quartile of all New Wave songs.

Sad!

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Wall of voodoo's great. And I'd expect the song to be here even though...dead horse... I have other preferred tunes by them.

Karma BS in the same breath as most music is fightin' woids.

We get it, you are a scarf-wearing, deep-cuts-preferring, hipster music snob.

And we love you for it.

 

[Osaurus]

Which song though?

Gotta be Lucky Number, right?

 

[Ghost Rider]

Sacrilege! It's a total classic! It's not so much the title song, it's more tracks like Wrong 'Em Boyo, Revolution Rock and Rudie Can't Fail that are legenday...

To be clear, I don’t think London Calling is bad: it’s a solid record with a handful of good tunes. But when I see talk of it being one of the best albums of the 80’s, or the best like in that RS article, I can’t help but chuckle at how overrated critics have made it. 

 

[timschochet]

24. “We Got the Beat” The Go-Gos” (1981, from Beauty and the Beat) 

https://youtu.be/f55KlPe81Yw

Love the video, takes me back. It was filmed at Palo Verde High School in Los Angeles. They’re having so much fun. Belinda looks really stoned though. 

Classic band, classic song. 

 

[DocHolliday]

To be clear, I don’t think London Calling is bad: it’s a solid record with a handful of good tunes. But when I see talk of it being one of the best albums of the 80’s, or the best like in that RS article, I can’t help but chuckle at how overrated critics have made it. 

It may not be bad but it’s not good either. The 80s was filled with great music across a wide range of music.   Never understood why certain albums were loved so much without reason.  

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

It may not be bad but it’s not good either. The 80s was filled with great music across a wide range of music.   Never understood why certain albums were loved so much without reason.  

 

[timschochet]

London Calling is the best rock album of all time. Thanks. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

24. “We Got the Beat” The Go-Gos” (1981, from Beauty and the Beat) 

https://youtu.be/f55KlPe81Yw

Love the video, takes me back. It was filmed at Palo Verde High School in Los Angeles. They’re having so much fun. Belinda looks really stoned though. 

Classic band, classic song. 

!

 

[whoknew]

24. “We Got the Beat” The Go-Gos” (1981, from Beauty and the Beat) 

https://youtu.be/f55KlPe81Yw

Love the video, takes me back. It was filmed at Palo Verde High School in Los Angeles. They’re having so much fun. Belinda looks really stoned though. 

Classic band, classic song. 

Great song. Great band.

 

[El Floppo]

We get it, you are a scarf-wearing, deep-cuts-preferring, hipster music snob.

And we love you for it.

Oh for sure -record store bin thumbing nerd. 

But I do feel some bands get a rap as only having one song...Devo, flock, wall of voodoo- all had pretty solid and consistent catalogs.

Just thought of dramarama...suffered that stupid name and a one-hit, but were really good.

 

[El Floppo]

Gotta be Lucky Number, right?

Or new toy.

 

[El Floppo]

I assume Dreamweaver is top 10.

 

[El Floppo]

.. My wife is a top hits from the 80s kinda gal. All the big songs from the Smiths, the cure, u2, etc. A self professed music anti-snob. Even she is disgusted by that culture club song.