TOP 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1980s. Updated: #120-111.

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

120 LIKE A PRAYER

MADONNA -1989

 

Madonna reached new heights in her creation of pop with “Like A Prayer”. It featured elements of dance music, gospel and spirituality; all astutely meshed together. This was a fitting conclusion to the decade in which Madonna dominated.

119 IN THE AIR TONIGHT

PHIL COLLINS - 1981

 

The Genesis drummer became a bonafide solo pop star with this highlight in his repertoire. The haunting song established Collins as 1 of the top recording acts of the 1980s. Additionally, the production was impeccable. When the drumbeats blast towards the end of the track, “In The Air Tonight” assures its place in rock music history.

118 WHITE LINES (DON’T DO IT)

GRANDMASTER FLASH & MELLE MEL -1983

 

After years of criticism for its homophobic and misogynistic themes and lyrics, Grandmaster Flash showed that rap could be responsible and progressive. The anti-drugs message addressed an issue that was affecting the rap community and audience.

117 EYE OF THE TIGER

SURVIVOR - 1982

 

“Eye of the Tiger” was featured in the film ‘Rocky III’. Since then, it has motivated countless athletes and others facing an adversary. It remains an enduring favourite from the era.

116 SMOOTH OPERATOR

SADE - 1984

 

Sade’s sultry jazz style paved the way for the likes of Dido, Des’ree, India.Arie and Norah Jones. “Smooth Operator” became the new yardstick for classy lounge /  soulful pop.

115 AVALON

ROXY MUSIC - 1982

 

Bryan Ferry’s suave vocals, Andy MacKay’s saxophone work and Phil Manzanera’s skills on the guitar; all combine to make this track an aesthetic aural delight. Roxy Music create a sound that is contemporaneously romantic and mysterious.

114 ASHES TO ASHES

DAVID BOWIE - 1980

 

Bowie approached the new decade embracing the ‘New Romantic’ genre that was a chart fixture at the time of this single’s release. It was a perfect bridge to Bowie’s 70s work as well as his 1^st hit “Space Oddity”. This is an example of a true artist evolving and adapting to changing musical trends.

113 ONLY YOU

YAZOO [aka YAZ] - 1982

 

Synth pop sounded cold in its early years; that is, until it met the voice of Alison Moyet. Her soulful, impassioned vocal skills gave the genre a new depth that had hitherto been lacking.

112 WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN

STYLE COUNCIL - 1985

 

Paul Weller’s political message was wrapped around a beat reminiscent of The Motown Sound. This empowering song was simultaneously stinging and inspiring. Dee C. Lee’s backing vocals add force to the group’s theme attacking the evils of Thatcher and her government.

111 THE RIVER

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - 1980

 

Gloomy and pessimistic, “The River” delivers the harsh realities of those hit hard by the economy. Springsteen continues in his Dylanesque role as a spokesperson for the working class and deft storyteller.

10 new songs will be added tomorrow.

THE MOST ESSENTIAL 80s SONGS. Update: #130-121.

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.

130 MONEY FOR NOTHING

DIRE STRAITS - 1985

Unfortunate use of a homophobic term aside, this rocker from Dire Straits begins with a nod to MTV via a guest vocal from Sting. The rest of the lyrics lampoon rock stars, complemented by 1 of the most memorable guitar riffs of the decade.

129 WHAT YOU NEED

INXS - 1985

INXS seemingly created its own brand of pop by thrashing around in a bed with rock, funk and a whole lot of sex (via Michael Hutchence’s vocals and a mighty sax solo from Kirk Pengilly).

128 I RAN

A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS -1982

 

Despite its simplistic lyrics, this hit helped establish synth-pop as the new dominant sound of the early 80s.

127 ORANGE CRUSH

R.E.M. - 1988

 

Guitars power this R.E.M. choice track from ‘Green’, an album which found the band sharpening its song craft and musicial skills.

126 UNDER PRESSURE

QUEEN & DAVID BOWIE - 1981

 

The meeting of 2 British rock giants: Queen and Bowie, results in 1 of the coolest collaborations ever. Every instant sees the 2 legendary acts complement, and draw out the best, from the other. It later inspired Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby”,  

125 DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’

JOURNEY - 1981

This rock track’s theme made it an anthem for anyone needing empowerment. It created a new mould for American pop/ rock and paved the way for similar anthems from the likes of Bon Jovi and Survivor.

124 WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY

JANET JACKSON – 1986 

 

Janet emerged from out of the shadow of older brother Michael to assert herself as 1 of the major artists in R&B and Pop. This song from her hit album ‘Control’ was 1 of the best results from her work with the songwriting / production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It introduced a fresh approach to both genres.

123 KARMA CHAMELEON

CULTURE CLUB - 1983

This worldwide chart-topping single was the group at its zenith; with sunshine shining from its grooves. Culture Club enjoyed consistent chart success around the time of its release. Lead singer Boy George challenged and shaped attitudes with his cross-dressing androgyny as well as influencing 80s fashion.

122 I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY 

(WHO LOVES ME)

WHITNEY HOUSTON - 1987

 

This single marked the moment when Whitney proved her debut album was no fluke: achieving even greater success with this and her 2^nd LP ‘Whitney’. Whitney was now an indisputable star and 1 of the biggest acts of 80s pop.

121 WHIP IT

DEVO - 1980

 

Devo developed its unique approach to music and it all came together best on this catchy single. “Whip It” deceptively sounds like a novelty song, but the track added to the synth-pop canvas.

10 new songs will be added next Saturday.

TOP 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1980s update: #140 - 131.

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

140 WATCHING THE WHEELS

JOHN LENNON -1980

 

The gunning down of a former member of The Beatles shocked the world. That the man who sang songs such as “Imagine” and “Give Peace A Chance” would have his life snuffed out in such a way left us all dismayed. The event gripped the world the same way JFK’s assassination and Princess Diana’s tragic crash did in 1963 and 1997 respectively. That John Lennon’s murderer was a fan changed celebrity forever. “Watching The Wheels” finds the influential artist updating us on his reflections and life.

139 AFRICA

TOTO - 1982

 

Toto harnessed all of its strengths as a band of skilled musicians to create the blueprint sound for soft rock in the 1980s. “Africa” remains a popular souvenir of the decade. Sadly, the perfection for which they were exalted became a double edged sword for the group.

138 WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU

FOREIGNER -1981

 

The rock group Foreigner dropped 1 of the decade’s best ballads; far superior to the cheesy “I Want To Know What Love Is”, “Waiting for a Girl Like You” not only widened the band’s fan base but helped shape the power ballad sound of the 1980s.

137 WHO CAN IT BE NOW?

MEN AT WORK - 1982

 

Men At Work carved out its fresh new sound mixing elements of new wave, reggae and jazz. The Australian group dominated charts around the world in 1982.  

136 GENO

DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS - 1980

 

Along with later hit “Come On Eileen”, “Geno” ushered in Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ brand of pop; comprising new wave, Celtic folk and soul music as ingredients.

135 ENDLESS LOVE

DIANA ROSS & LIONEL RICHIE - 1981

 

“Endless Love” marked a turning point for both Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. This became not only her biggest hit, but the best seller for Motown. Richie, in the meantime, was testing the water before quitting The Commodores and launching s solo career that would prove to be lucrative throughout the remainder of the decade. Ross left Motown soon after, gaining greater control over her career. The song’s success soon eclipsed the movie for which it was created.

134 1999

PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION - 1982

 

Prince captured the mood of the Eighties, suggesting that if the apocalypse was nigh, we might as well party. “1999” became an anthem with resonance for the remainder of the century. His message was wrapped with a mighty funky beat.

133 ANTMUSIC

ADAM & THE ANTS - 1980

 

With a radio-friendly approach to punk and new wave, Adam & The Ants announced their arrival with “Antmusic”. With an incessant beat and the song’s chants, it established Adam Ant as 1 of the 1^st pop stars of the new decade.

132 YOU GOT IT (THE RIGHT STUFF)

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - 1988

 

NKOTB ushered in a revival of the boy band. They were the modern precursors for Take That, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC and One Direction.

131 REDEMPTION SONG

BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS - 1980

 

A fitting end to an enduring songbook from reggae’s greatest exponent; here, the legendary singer/ songwriter’s protest song deals with slavery and empowerment.  

Another 10 songs will be added tomorrow.

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL 80s SONGS update: #150-141.

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.

150 JUMP

VAN HALEN  -1989

 

Van Halen struck gold with “Jump”, the best result of combining keyboards and synthesizers to their rock sound.  

149 HARD TO SAY I’M SORRY

CHICAGO - 1982

 

Chicago established a new ballad style which resulted in a string of pre- power ballad hits such as this, “Hard Habit To Break” and “You’re The Inspiration”. “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” was from the ‘Summer Lovers’ film soundtrack.

148 OWNER OF A LONELY HEART

YES -1983

 

This single exposed a new generation to the group Yes. Miles away from its prog-rock sound, the US #1 hit featured a refreshing production from Trevor Horne as the band embraced synth-pop.

147 ALL OUT OF LOVE

AIR SUPPLY - 1980

 

The Australian group mined the American sound so well, it enjoyed 7 consecutive Top 5 singles during 1980-2. They enriched the Adult Contemporary genre as well as helped usher in the power ballad.

146 CELEBRATION

KOOL & THE GANG - 1980

 

Once this hit charted around the world, it became a perennial soundtrack for birthday parties and assorted other events.

145 WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

BETTE MIDLER - 1988

 

After audiences heard Midler’s interpretation of this ballad, it has been used in umpteen contexts; evolving into the ultimate tribute song.

144 ALONE

HEART – 1987 

“Alone” is one of the best examples of a 1980s power ballad. Its success marked a shift in the group’s sound (from rock tracks such as “Magic Man” and “Barracuda” in the 1970s).

143 I’LL FIND MY WAY HOME

JON & VANGELIS - 1981

 

Yes lead vocalist Jon Anderson collaborated with synth composer Vangelis (who would create the unforgettable score for the film ‘Chariots Of Fire’ a year later). “I'll Find My Way Home” was the duo’s biggest hit and explored an innovative electronic soundscape.  

142 THE POWER OF LOVE

JENNIFER RUSH - 1985

 

Before Celine Dion covered this mammoth ballad, Jennifer Rush enjoyed one of the decade’s lengthiest reigns atop the UK chart with her original version. She co-wrote the song which showcased the power of her voice. It helped shape the power ballad sound which was to be a chart constant during the 1980s. 

141 KISS

PRINCE - 1986

 

Prince woos us with his soulful lyrics and falsetto on “Kiss”, one of the coolest love songs of the decade. Throughout the 1980s, Prince was prolific and penned many outstanding singles, including this funky track.

Another 10 songs will be added Saturday.