MOST ESSENTIAL 80s SONGS update: #100 - 91.

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 first appeared –on an album or single- between Jan. 1980 and Dec. 1989

100 BEAT IT

MICHAEL JACKSON -1982

 

Others had mixed R&B and dance with rock before (eg. Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" and Kiss' "I Was Made For Lovin' You") but this used fresh new 80s sounds with an iconic riff from Eddie Van Halen.  

99 TEEN AGE RIOT

SONIC YOUTH - 1988

 

This alternative rock track ushered in one of the dominant sounds of the 1990s; paving the way for acts like Beck, Foo Fighters, Radiohead and Weezer.

98 OH YEAH

YELLO -1985

 

The Swiss duo opened up a new aural soundscape with a unique approach to beats and electronica. "Oh Yeah" has been mined ever since by techno artists.

97 LOCOMOTION

KYLIE MINOGUE - 1987

 

This song first exploded in Australia, where the cute singer was starring in the TV soap "Neighbours". It was reworked for the UK and beyond, using a production by the Stock, Aitken & Waterman team. By the end of the decade, Kylie was a bona fide pop sensation, amassing a further 3 British #1s among a total of 8 singles that finished in the Top 2 positions there.

96 SHE SELLS SANCTUARY

THE CULT - 1985

 

New wave and psychedelic heavy rock were fused in a novel way for the 1980s, opening doors for groups such as Creed, Stone Temple Pilots and Queens of the Stone Age.

95 LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

BON JOVI - 1986

 

The Springsteen-lite approach to rock only widened the appeal of Bon Jovi.  Audiences, still drawn to the tale of Tommy & Gina, have ensured "Livin' on a Prayer" remains an iconic crowd favourite.

94 CARELESS WHISPER

GEORGE MICHAEL - 1984

 

The success of this single proved George Michael as a soloist could surpass the popularity of Wham! He has been a major pop act in his own right since. His music matured and moved closer to blue-eyed soul / R&B.

93 LIKE A VIRGIN

MADONNA - 1984

 

Madonna had scored hit singles prior to "Like A Virgin"; but the song marked a line in the sand. This smash propelled her to superstar status, courting a new (higher) level of controversy which has followed her since. A key moment in 80s pop.

92 SUN CITY

ARTISTS UNITED AGAINST APARTHEID - 1985

 

George Harrison's 'Concert For Bangladesh' in the 1970s was a seminal charity project where musicians united to exercise their social conscience. This culminated in 1984-5 with Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas", USA for Africa's "We Are The World" and Live Aid. "Sun City" took another approach to musical activism. The artists involved not only protested South Africa's apartheid system but also declared their refusal to play for generous payments at the United Nations-boycotted resort. Led by Steven Van Zandt, others involved included Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Pat Benatar, Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, Peter Garrett, Bob Geldof, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Keith Richards, Run D.M.C., Lou Reed and Bonnie Raitt.

91 FAST CAR

TRACY CHAPMAN - 1988

 

Ushering in a revival of the introspective singer/ songwriter and folk music, Tracy Chapman's debut album was a provocative contrast to the excesses of 80s pop. "Fast Car" reflected the hopelessness of the era.

Another 10 songs will be added tomorrow.