TOP SONGS OF THE 1980s. Update: #170-161.

THE ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS

OF THE

1980s

These are the songs that mattered most in terms of breaking new ground; changing the musical landscape and influencing the music that followed. These 200 songs helped shape the music of the present day and / or captured that timeless quality.

To be eligible for the list, a song had to have first appeared –on an album or single- between Jan. 1980 and Dec. 1989.

170 THE LOOK

ROXETTE -1989

Roxette broke through internationally with this song and its hook-laden blast of Swedish pop. It started a string of hits for the duo and set off the Swedish domination of pop that followed with the likes of Max Martin, Ace of Base and Agnes.

169 (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE

BILL MEDLEY & JENNIFER WARNES - 1987

 

Benefitting from its use in the hit film ‘Dirty Dancing’, this duet has been played at countless events ever since and is an apt selection for a special occasion.

168 POWER AND THE PASSION

MIDNIGHT OIL -1982

 

This group managed to aplly biting lyrics into rock and dance songs. The song takes a shot at various issues of the 1980s.

167 CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC

VILLAGE PEOPLE - 1980

Just as the group had done with “Y.M.C.A.”, this movie hit’s choreography has encouraged audience participation at the Village People’s live shows and on dance floors since.

166 TRUE

SPANDAU BALLET - 1983

 

After finding an audience with the New Romantic sound, the group recorded this blue-eyed soul smooth track. Its lush production makes it a memorable and classy 80s cut.

165 STATE OF INDEPENDENCE

DONNA SUMMER - 1982

Donna Summer is miles away from the disco genre that made her a star in the preceding decade with this cover of a Jon &  Vangelis song. The music is ahead of its time and added an essence of soul and gospel. Most of the stellar choir on this track re-united for “We Are The World”. Quincy Jones produced this and it spawned the USA For Africa charity hit.   

164 BIRTHDAY

THE SUGARCUBES – 1987 

The world discovered Icelandic group The Sugarcubes via this song that introduced us to the vocals of Bjork and the band’s unique sound.

163 I LOVE ROCK ‘N ROLL

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS - 1981

 

Jett’s belief in this song’s potential paid off, becoming a rock anthem and established its lead singer as one of the leading rock chicks of the 1980s.

162 STAY

OINGO BOINGO - 1985

With its novel approach to music, Oingo Boingo scored a lasting pop hit in “Stay”. It raised the group’s profile. Today, pivotal member Danny Elfman is widely respected for scoring films including ‘Batman’, ‘Beetlejuice’, ‘Edward Scissorhands, ‘Spider-man 1 & 2’, ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ and the theme from TV’s “The Simpsons”.    

161 BORN IN THE U.S.A.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - 1984

Mistaken for a patriotic song, Springsteen protests the futility of war. His band’s musicianship drives the message further. It’s an effective marriage of lyrics and pounding beat.

10 new songs will be added next Saturday & Sunday.