What's your favorite song from the 1980s? (1 Viewer)

[Bruce Dickinson]

 Phil Collins

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent.

I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock.

Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds.  But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. 

 

[Zegras11]

Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor.

In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.

All I remember was that they were ok, and that they started/are from my wife's hometown.  Get to see Joan Jett the following night.  Not bad for spending $9 to get into the Fair.

 

[Conanthecontrarian]

All I remember was that they were ok, and that they started/are from my wife's hometown.  Get to see Joan Jett the following night.  Not bad for spending $9 to get into the Fair.

i saw Ms.Jett on the Foo Fighters Sonic highways show on hbo. she has not aged well.

 

[jon_mx]

Talking Heads  Burning Down the House 

And honorable mention to:

Bangles. Eternal Flame.  Susanna 

 

[Shankopotamus]

To me, no song says 1980's more than a-ha's Take on Me.  The keyboard heavy new wave sound.  The iconic video.  

Every guy driving in the car has, at one time or another, tried to hit that low note to high note crescendo.

 

[jon_mx]

Dire Staits Money for Nothing is still an awesome song, even with some of the lyrics being deleted out of existence from PC. 

 

[Hov34]

Dire Staits Money for Nothing is still an awesome song, even with some of the lyrics being deleted out of existence from PC. 

Not true. Herd the long "earring" version on terrestrial radio last month while in Ft. Myers - couldn't believe it.

The full song is also on Spotify.

 

[otb_lifer]

Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder

this.  was coming in to post this. 

a bajillion others to mention, but gotdamn was this one infectious. 

 

[badmojo1006]

To me, no song says 1980's more than a-ha's Take on Me.  The keyboard heavy new wave sound.  The iconic video.  

Every guy driving in the car has, at one time or another, tried to hit that low note to high note crescendo.

Two of favorite versions on TV shows:

One word...Jeffster

Chris, where have you been? I don't know!

 

[Andy Dufresne]

When In Rome - The Promise

Of course, there are a LOT more.

 

[arrow1]

99 luftballons

Heard this on the way to work this morning 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

this.  was coming in to post this. 

a bajillion others to mention, but gotdamn was this one infectious. 

Exactly.  What also stood out to me about that one is I don't remember a video being made for it, when everything else that catchy from the era had at least something filmed/taped to send to MTV. 

Only thing I could find on YouTube was this performance on Solid Gold, which is awesome in its own way (though I could have used more synthesizer).  

 

[jon_mx]

99 luftballons

Yep...although only the german version.  The English version kind of ruined it. 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

technically pop rock but I'm going with  Van Halen - Hot for teacher

Sit down Waldo!

This may come off snarky, but I assure you I say all this with great fondness...

What I like about this song is it seems like it could have been made up on the spot...

"OK, Alex: start playing, make it sound like you grew extra arms and legs.."

"All right, Eddie: you come in with something fast, play it like you have extra fingers..."

"Michael: find a nice pocket between Alex and Eddie..."

"David: sing whatever comes to mind, just freestyle it..."

 

[Nick Vermeil]

I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. 

I dispute.  That song is terrible.  "I want a new drug" is where it's at for Huey.  

 

[B Maverick]

99 luftballons

This is up there.  Got my 8 year old trying to sign along to this too.  She loves it.

I'm a big depeche mode fan so I will mention Never Let Me Down, People are People, Master and Servant, Behind the Wheel and Strangelove all as top 20 options for me.  

 All great choices.  Oddly People are People feels relevant again.....

Oingo Boingo also comes to mind.

But for me, whenever I see 80s, has to be Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

 

[jon_mx]

I dispute.  That song is terrible.  "I want a new drug" is where it's at for Huey.  

Be careful.  He is kind of psycho and may have an ax to grind with you.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I dispute.  That song is terrible.  "I want a new drug" is where it's at for Huey.  

HL was good all around but my favorite is Jacob's Ladder. Walking on a Thin Line is underrated.

The only bad one is Heart & Soul.

 

[wikkidpissah]

chakachakachaka is more 80s than wakawakawaka

 

[Captain Quinoa]

The only bad one is Heart & Soul.

wat

 

[Limp Ditka]

Come Dancing - The Kinks

 

[rockaction]

Come Dancing - The Kinks

That's such a lyrically sad song. 

 

[otb_lifer]

That's such a lyrically sad song. 

i thought This said it much, much better (sadder, more poignant)

 

[The General]

The Promise

Anything by The Cars.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

wat

I SAID "THE ONLY BAD ONE IS 'HEART AND SOUL'"

 

[dhockster]

Technically, released in 1979, but I think it captured a lot of the keyboard feel of the 80's: Gary Numan - Cars

For a true 80's song: Duran Duran - Rio

 

[Leroy Hoard]

This over the top production of OMD screams 1980's to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4z24GZd-eA

 

[shifty]

I SAID "THE ONLY BAD ONE IS 'HEART AND SOUL'"

Wrong . The hot blonde in the video makes it a great song by itself. 

 

[Stoneys]

one of my favorite 80s songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47y5bo8wtqM

Also, my 14yr old self loved Tiffany https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Q3mHyzn78

 

[El Floppo]

I always think of Modern English

coming in here to post the same song.... feel like it best encapsulates most of the new wave and pop sensibilities from those early 80s

 

[El Floppo]

also partial to a few more early 80s:

Doot Doot- Freur

Fade to Grey- Visage

Temptation- New Order

Primitive Painters- Felt

but don't know that they'd be considered "pop", even though they're all solidly in most deeper 80s cuts. going to think about this some more instead of just linking songs I like...

 

[rockaction]

Anything by The Cars.

Hearing some good ideas in here. I think the Go-Go's, The Cars, a-ha, etc., are those that also immediately came to mind.  

 

[Captain Quinoa]

I SAID "THE ONLY BAD ONE IS 'HEART AND SOUL'"

But that makes no sense.  1. It's good.  2. "If This is It" and "Stuck With You"  exist

 

[Chemical X]

mmmmbop

 

[LOCO]

3 pages and no mention of

"i ran" - flock of seagulls.

 

[Brony]

Looking through the list of Billboard Number One hits, it's a wasteland of lame songs.  

It did remind me that I was listening to Billy Idol a few weeks back and "To Be A Lover" and "Dancing with Myself" were actually pretty good.  I'll throw INXS' pop-ish album Kick as also being pretty good but a big step down from their earlier stuff. 

 

[Mr. Ected]

mmmmbop

1997 - Those guys probably were toddlers in the 80s!

 

[Leroy Hoard]

3 pages and no mention of

"i ran" - flock of seagulls.

Just for the singer's haircut alone.

 

[Chemical X]

mmm mmm mmm mmm

 

[crusty crab]

Video Killed the Radio Star (79, but makes me think of the start of MTV) and Come on Eileen

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Debbie Gibson - Only In My Dreams

Jane Wiedlin - Rush Hour

Hooters - Day By Day

Charlie Sexton - Beats So Lonely

Tina Turner - Better Be Good To Me

Gino Vannelli - Black Cars/Wild Horses

The Primitives - Crash/Way Behind Me

Missing Persons - Destination Unknown/Words

Katrina & The Waves - Do You Want Crying

Bruce Hornsby - Every Little Kiss

The Psychedelic Furs - Ghost In You/Heartbreak Beat

Go Gos- Head Over Heels

U2 - Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses

Tom Petty - Jammin Me

David Lee Roth - Just Like Paradise

Marillion - Kayleigh

Kim Wylde - Kids In America

Pete Townshend - Let My Love Open The Door

Berlin - Like Flames/Masquerade

Rick Springfield - Love Somebody/Human Touch

Kenny Rogers - Love Will Turn You Around

Juice Newton - Love's Been A Little Bit Hard On Me

Chilliwack - My Girl

Heart - Nothin' At All/Who Will You Run Yo

Men At Work - Overkill

The Alarm - Rain In The Summertime

Toto - Rosanna

Elton John - I'm Still Standing

Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song

ZZ Top - Stages

Bryan Adams - Cuts Like A Knife/This Time

Hoodo Gurus - Tojo

Spandau Ballet - True

Elvis Costello - Veronica

 

[sn0mm1s]

Crash - The Primitives

 

[Andy Dufresne]

But that makes no sense.  1. It's good.  2. "If This is It" and "Stuck With You"  exist

1. I don't think it is. 2. I like those two all right.

 

[Tom Servo]

I always think of Modern English

My college room mate and his now wife had this as their song. 

 

[Tom Servo]

For me, nothing was more (early) 80s than the Michael Stanley band. If you were a high school kid in NE Ohio/NW PA at that time, you probably had one or more of their albums. This was one of their better known songs. They were a regional act, selling out show in the Cleveland area for the most part. 

On the other hand, Pittsburgh had Donnie Iris who is still considered an icon all these years later. Ah! Leah was the song that most everyone knows him by. 

 

[DocHolliday]

Anything by Quiet Riot or Motley Crue takes me back since that was the beginning of hair metal for me. 

Lots of great songs mentioned but a song that popped in my head is the Romantics - Talking in Your Sleep

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes

Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin/Let's Make Money

Falco - Vienna Calling

 

[Mr. Ected]

Hall and Oates were great also. Love the show that Daryl Hall has on VH1 where he gets together with a band or artist and they play some of each other's music together. It was 'Live From Daryl's House'

Here's one of the better performances - Kiss on My List - Rob Thomas and Daryl Hall (original version)

 

[ScottNorwood]

Hall and Oates were great also. Love the show that Daryl Hall has on VH1 where he gets together with a band or artist and they play some of each other's music together. It was 'Live From Daryl's House'

Here's one of the better performances - Kiss on My List - Rob Thomas and Daryl Hall (original version)

Um, excuse me.  The name of the band is Haulin' Oats.

 

[Tom Servo]

Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes

Falco - Vienna Calling

Somebody had a parody of BDE for baseball fans called "Chili Davis Eyes". 

I'm glad you mentioned the genius that is Falco.