MOST ESSENTIAL 80s SONGS updated: #80-71.

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

80 RELAX

FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD -1983

 

Producer Trevor Horn pulls out all the stops on this influential camp dance pop hit from FGTH. It was a watershed moment in 80s pop culture.

79 WALKING ON THIN ICE

YOKO ONO - 1981

 

It was walking home from the studio after recording this song by Ono that John Lennon was gunned down in December 1980. The track was years ahead of its time and the avant garde artist's experimental catalogue paved the way for the likes of Bjork, The B-52s and Sia as well as punk / new wave.

78 DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE

PUBLIC ENEMY -1988

 

The anthemic track from the group that shook up hip-hop forever.

77 TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT

SPANDAU BALLET - 1980

 

"To Cut A Long Story Short" was one of the early synth pop hits of the 1980s and announced the emergence of the "New Romantic" sub-genre.

76 LOVE MISSILE F1-11

SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK - 1986

 

Most of "Love Missile F1-11" centres around assorted sound effects and hints of influences from rock's past (such as "Summertime Blues", Elton Motello and glam). It certainly was a unique recording; vastly different from other singles produced by Giorgio Moroder. 

75 THE ONE I LOVE

R.E.M. - 1987

 

With "The One I Love", R.E.M. crossed over to the mainstream. Its simplicity is its endearing strength, although the lyrics reveal a more sinister theme. Finally, this fine group had arrived.

74 WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

U2 - 1987

 

Bono's dreamy vocals soar, matching the stunning power of The Edge's guitar skill on this majestic track.

73 BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE

TALKING HEADS - 1983

 

Talking Heads proved they were still evolving as a band with this hit. The inventive song kept the group relevant during the 1980s.

72 (YOU GOTTA) FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT (TO PARTY)

BEASTIE BOYS - 1986

 

An early crossover rap hit when the genre was a long way from being as popular as it would become in the 1990s and beyond. The Beastie Boys would prove to be one of the leading influences on hip-hop.

71 JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH

DEPECHE MODE - 1981

 

Before Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode to form Yazoo (aka Yaz) and, later, Erasure; he constructed a synth pop classic that bounces its way into your brain. An unforgettable early 80s party favourite from the era.

Another 10 songs added tomorrow.