10 Songs From The 198Os That You Need To Listen to Now
The 1980s was a decade of unbridled creativity, and nothing showed the diversity of the era more than the music. The 1980s, more than any other decade in history, gave us a variety of music in every genre. With the launch of MTV on August 1, 1981, Generation Exers’ could watch music videos 24 hours a day, seven days a week (Mental Itch). No matter what genre you listened to, MTV had you covered. The 1980s saw the emergence of hair metal, rap, and new wave as disco fell out of fashion (History.com). MTV made household names out of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Pat Benatar, and Prince — and music as we know it would never be the same. With the most popular music taking over the radio and airwaves, it was not uncommon to have a great song fall through the cracks. With that said, here is my top ten list of songs you should have on your 80s playlist.
10: Save It For Later by The English Beat
Fun Fact: On April 23rd, 1983, the English Beat performed “Save It For Later” on the ABC-TV program ‘American Bandstand’… It did not chart on Billboard’s Hot Top 100 chart but did reach #58 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart (Song Facts).
9: Ballad of Jayne by LA GUNS
Fun Fact: This song is about Jayne Mansfield, a blonde bombshell who was a popular actress and pin-up girl in the ’50s and ’60s. She was often compared to Marilyn Monroe, and also died young. Mansfield was killed in a car accident when she was 34: “Now she’s breaking’ hearts in heaven”(Song Facts).
8: Under the Milky Way by The Church
Fun Fact: The song was used in several TV shows, including Miami Vice (“Asian Cut,” 1989), Cold Case (“Family,” 2005), Prison Break (“Map 1213,” 2006), and Here and Now (“Yes,”2018). It was also featured in the 2001 movie Donnie Darko (Song Facts)
7: Can’t Hardly Wait by The Replacements
Fun Facts: Paul Westerberg has said that the lyrics were never about committing suicide. “That’s about us on the road, sitting around bored in hotel rooms waiting for something to happen.
6: Dear God by XTC
Fun Fact: This was inspired by a series of books with the same title, which lead singer Andy Partridge saw as an exploitation of children. The song is essentially a letter to God asking about his existence.
5: The Breakup Song by The Greg Kihn Band
Fun Fact: This song is better known as “They Don’t Write Em’ Like That Anymore,” the song’s memorable hook. It celebrates the quality of breakup songs in rock’s earlier times, as the narrator laments both his recent breakup and the fact that they don’t write good breakup songs anymore. It was the first hit for The Greg Kihn Band, and their biggest until they scored with “Jeopardy” in 1983.
4: I Don’t Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats
Fun Fact: This was #1 hit in 32 different countries, but it flopped in America, probably because the subject matter hit too close to home. Gun violence is a big problem in America.
3: Goodbye to You by Scandal
Fun Fact: Patty Smyth credits MTV for this song’s success. The song didn’t get much radio airplay, but the video got a lot of spins on MTV. The clip was a typical, low budget, performance video, but Smyth was easy on the eyes and MTV was hankering for American Rock acts, especially females (note Pat Benatar’s early acceptance on the network) (Song Facts).
2: I Get Excited by Rick Springfield
Fun Facts: Rick performed this song on the Live and Kickin’ Special. During the Karma Tour, Rick started picking girls from the audience to come onstage, get under his guitar, and help him sing the song.
1: And We Danced by The Hooters
Fun Fact: The Hooters played this at Live Aid in 1985. They were the first band to perform on the Philadelphia stage, going on after an introduction ceremony that included Joan Baez singing “Amazing Grace” (Song Facts).
Honorable Mentions:
Only You by Yazoo, The Whole of the Moon by The WaterBoys, Pictures of You by The Cure, More than This by Roxy Music, It’s My Life by Talk Talk, Heat of the Moment by Asia, The Ghost in You by The Psychedelic Furs, The Unguarded Moment by The Church.
Check out my blog next week for a rundown of the top ten 90s songs you may not have heard of. Thanks for viewing. Author Michael Gabriel #WordPress
