THE ESSENTIAL 80s SONGS update: #60-51. 

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

60 HALLELUJAH

LEONARD COHEN -1984

This classic song was largely overlooked by mainstream audiences in the 1980s, but its power and beauty has seen it evolve into a monumental and oft- covered track since.

59 LOVE IS A STRANGER

THE EURYTHMICS - 1982

 

When the duo dropped this song, it demonstrated how Annie Lennox's vocals could mesh effectively with Dave Stewart's music. A synth pop track with obvious humanity, it paved the way for a decade of hits enjoyed by The Eurythmics.

58 BEDS ARE BURNING

MIDNIGHT OIL -1987

 

Social comment wasn't new in 80s pop, but the way rock and dance beats were thrown up with punching lyrics was unique to this provocative Australian band. Midnight Oil made the world aware of issues pertinent to the indigenous population of Australia with "Beds Are Burning".

57 WORD UP

CAMEO - 1986

This funky track became a new template for R&B in the 1980s and beyond.

56 WEST END GIRLS

PET SHOP BOYS - 1984

 

The Pet Shop Boys broke through with this hit in 1985, finally introducing the duo's groundbreaking approach to synth pop. Its lyrics and sound create a mood that still mesmerizes to this day.

55 HOLIDAY

MADONNA - 1983

 

The success of "Holiday" announced the arrival of 1 of the decade's most iconic artists. Madonna has been a key dance & pop music act ever since.

54 PATIENCE

GUNS 'N ROSES - 1989

 

In the era of hair metal and heavy rock, Guns 'N Roses changed the rules with "Patience". Suddenly, hard rock bands were going acoustic and revealing their sensitive side.

53 SIGN O' THE TIMES

PRINCE - 1987

 

Armed with a Fairlight synthesizer, Prince reported on where the world was at in 1987. This powerful snapshot is his commentary on issues including gang violence, A.I.D.S., poverty and drugs.

52 ONCE IN A LIFETIME

TALKING HEADS - 1980

 

When Talking Heads unleashed this track, it was unlike anything before. Today, it is still ahead of its time. Brian Eno's production is inspired. The way the verses are spoken around an aural feast of sounds is both visionary and bold.

51 BUST A MOVE

YOUNG MC - 1989

 

By the late 1980s, rap was percolating. The genre would finally explode the following year. Today, hip hop dominates the pop mainstream. "Bust A Move" was 1 of the 1st rap hits embraced by a wider (and white) audience. 

Another 10 songs will be added next week.