ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1980s Updated: #30-21. 

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

30 RIDE ON TIME

BLACK BOX -1989

 

Black Box had the watershed hit for Italian house music; a dance sub-genre that was to be a major force in early 90s pop. "Ride On Time" creatively sampled "Love Sensation" by Loleatta Holloway and the beat of Salsoul Records.

29 EYE KNOW

DE LA SOUL - 1989

 

De La Soul borrow from Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and Steely Dan's "Peg" to recreate a landmark rap/ hip hop crossover hit lifted off the group's influential album '3 Feet High And Rising'.

28 DON'T YOU WANT ME

HUMAN LEAGUE -1981

 

The guitar seemed obsolete when Human League took this hit to the charts around the globe. It was the 1st new wave song to reach #1 in the USA. It also established the synthesizer as integral an instrument as the piano and guitar had been. The deadpan and off-key vocals have left an indelible effect on indie pop.

27 BUFFALO STANCE

NENEH CHERRY - 1988

 

"Buffalo Stance" brought together elements of R&B, pop, hip hop and dance in an innovative way. The sngle flew to the Top 3 in both the US and UK.

26 FOOLS GOLD

THE STONE ROSES - 1989

 

"Fools Gold" became an influential landmark for indie pop and the sub-genre Madchester- popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, of which The Stone Roses were among its leading exponents. 

25 JACK YOUR BODY

STEVE "SILK" HURLEY - 1986

 

Steve "Silk" Hurley helped usher in Chicago house music. His seminal hit "Jack Your Body" became the 1st house #1 when it topped the British chart in 1987. Its influence on pop music was due to the effective inclusion of elements of pop and hip-hop into his brand of house music. Hurley became 1 of the most in-demand remixer / producers in the ensuing decade.

24 THE CUTTER

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - 1983

 

With "The Cutter", Echo & The Bunnymen shaped the sub-genre referred to as Neo-psychedelic.  

23 FUCK THA POLICE

N.W.A. - 1988

Gangsta-rap was controversial before this 1988 hip-hop anthem, but "Fuck Tha Police" took N.W.A.'s infamy to a new level. Sadly, its subject matter is still pertinent today.

22 LOVE WILL TEAR US APART

JOY DIVISION - 1980

 

The post-punk music scene welcomed Joy Division and its fatalistic breakthrough classic "Love Will Tear Us Apart". Sadly, lead singer Ian Curtis suicided shortly after its release. From its ashes, New Order emerged.

21 ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

QUEEN - 1980

 

Queen ventured into new musical waters when bassist John Deacon presented "Another One Bites The Dust" to the group. The hit became an apt launching pad for the rock band in the new decade. Its crossover appeal took it to #1 Pop, 2 R&B and Disco in the USA. 

Another 10 songs to be added next weekend.