What is the greatest pop song from the 80s?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

I say it's Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears - what say you?

[DainBramaged]

1. Video Killed the Radio Star, The Buggles

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

4. Or maybe Cars by Gary Numan

[tuvor]

19. Both Cars and Video Killed are from 1979.

Sorry. :(

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

25. That's what Satan wants you to believe

next you'll be telling me about "evolution"!

[DainBramaged]

29. I still think they qualify, who knew before MTV?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

31. We're starting to come near the disco/new wave argument

:thumbsup:

[tuvor]

38. Well...me.

I had both albums when they came out. But I agree about them qualifying. To me the 80s more or less "began" musically with the first B-52's album.

Wish I could find Living in the Plastic Age on CD--such a good album.

[DainBramaged]

39. Here it is, UK Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000257O9/ref=ed_ra_of_dp/202-5252480-9528605

[tuvor]

42. Well, at least I now know that it's out there.

Thanks! :hi:

[Left Is Write]

52. I beg to differ.

"Cars" first hit the Billboard Top 40 on 3/29/1980.


"Video Killed The Radio Star" did debut on the Billboard Top 40 in 1979 - December 15, 1979. It only lasted there for a week. However, it is generally considered an 80s song, in part because of its distinction as the first video played on MTV.

[tuvor]

56. I understand.

I'm just being pedantic--a residual trait left over from a job I had a few years ago. :)

(Could be worse, I suppose. I've seen people argue over whether Whip It is actually an 80s song, since it was actually recorded in 1979. Sheeeeeeesh.)

[Left Is Write]

60. It's usually determined by when the song hits the charts...

in the case of singles, anyway. "Whip It" debuted well into 1980.

I completely understand being a stickler for dates, though!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

73. !

:hug:

[DainBramaged]

22. Gary Numan, great music

Only reason I brought up the Buggles was I was there watching the first minutes of MTV when they went live in '81 and the video just destroyed me. I realized the power of the media and the moment. 25 years on we have satellite radio in our homes, Ipod's and instant communication world wide.

It may not have been the best song of the '80's, but it seems to be the most insightful and had the most impact.

I go back on my meds now. :hide:

[Texasgal]

30. ooooh yeah!

That's my vote!!!

[Jamastiene]

2. Either that or All Night Long by

Lionel Ritchie. I can't get that song out of my head today for some odd reason.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

3. My dog was hit by a car when I was 8 and listening to that song

so for me it's disqualified.

Especially with the fake swahili stuff.

[Jamastiene]

23. I can see why it would be after that.

I had a cat that died on my thirteenth birthday. I got the Joan Jett album named "Album" on that day too. Well, needless to say, it took years for me to get over the feelings I associated with that day. I love Joan Jett's music, so I had help there. At the time though, it was the last thing on my mind. Sorry you had to go through that. If I had known, I wouldn't have mentioned the song. :hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

27. Oh my God, Jama, I LOVE that song!

My parents were watching a couple of Miami Vice episodes on DVD the other night, and that song was in one of the episodes... LOVE it!

[Jamastiene]

43. I loved it too.

I never actually bought a copy of it thinking it would be around forever, but now I would like to hear the whole thing again. It's been in my head all day long, but only the chorus. :thumbsup:

[Radical Activist]

5. "pop song from the 80's" and "greatest" are two concepts I can't reconcile

80's pop as a genre has to be the most vile noise ever to be called music.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

7. ok then

:shrug:

[Radical Activist]

8. I just wanted to get that off my chest. Thanks. n/t

[WritingIsMyReligion]

28. Besides today's rap and hiphop?

Some of THAT is grueling, as well...

[Radical Activist]

35. I'll take Kanye West over Culture Club any day of the week.

But that's just my tastes.

[Alexander]

6. Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Yes.

Of course, their 70s output was way better.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. OOOOH - but what of Leave It from the same album?

[minkyboodle]

9. Voices Carry

by Til Tuesday

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

11. They sure do!

:thumbsup:

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. That one's in the running.

I'm rather partial to 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World', too.

And then there's 'What Do All The People Know' by the Monroes...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

13. Ok ok

duly noted

[terrya]

14. That's a good choice....

My choice would be "Love Plus One" by Haircut 100. Just a wonderfully infectious tune.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

15. Where do we go from here? Is it down to the lake I fear?

Randomkoolzip first played that video to me, way back in the day!

:hi: Terry :loveya: - I hope to see you soon!

[tuvor]

16. Take on Me by A-Ha, perhaps.

For the catchiest hooks, all surrounded by sheer frothy goodness.

[GirlinContempt]

85. It certainly wins best keytaur solo of the 80s

[supernova]

17. How Soon is Now - The Smiths

edit: The Killing Moon - Echo and the BunnyMen

[djeseru]

20. I second this.

That song defined me for sooooo long...

[supernova]

21. It's still a fav of mine

I get it out when I'm feeling a little blue. It expresses some vital part of me that needs to come out.

[djeseru]

24. I agree with you.

And it still gives me the chills like it did 20 years ago.

[alcibiades_mystery]

91. But don't forget the songs that made you smile

And the songs that made you cry
When you lay in awe
On the bedroom floor
And said : oh, oh, smother me mother...

--------------------------------------------

I’m here with the cause
I’m holding the torch
In the corner of your room
Can you hear me ?
And when you’re dancing and laughing
And finally living
Hear my voice in your head
And think of me kindly

The Smiths, Rubber Ring

;-)

[NewJeffCT]

93. both great songs, but

I don't know if either were big enough in the US to qualify as "pop" or popular music.

[supernova]

109. Hey, I can't help it

if I was ahead of my time. B-)

Still am. :D

[Arugula Latte]

101. Supernova -- You named my two favorites!

Yes yes yes oh god yes!!

I was going to say both of those.

:thumbsup: :yourock:

[supernova]

110. Here's to great taste!

:toast:

[Daisy Adair]

18. Modern English, I Melt With You

Changed my mind...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

26. What of West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys?

[DainBramaged]

32. Oh God, my misspent youth

This is opening those dark sealed doors remembering these great songs and what I was doing then. Wow, as my creaky carpeled fingers and snow white hair stands on end, it makes me smile.

God what a great time I had.:evilgrin:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

34. I refuse to let this time ever die in my heart

It's my childhood - and that's sacred - cheesey- but sacred!

[Daisy Adair]

37. Oh yes.. or INFORMATION SOCIETY What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)

:thumbsup:

[Texasgal]

33. How about "Tempted"

by Squeeze?

I love that song...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

36. No fucking doubt!

:thumbsup:

[grannylib]

105. "Squeeze" was a very underrated band...that was a classic.

[Cocoa]

40. Billie Jean

:bounce:

[Gatchaman]

41. Goddamm, you people are hopeless

the best pop song of the 1980s is She Blinded me With Science by Thomas Dolby.

Sheesh, don't you kids today know anything?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

74. good heavens miss Yakamoto - YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!

[Inspired]

90. Billie Jean is a great song

too bad it is associated with a freak like Michael Jackson.

[Magrittes Pipe]

44. "Hero Takes a Fall" by the Bangles

XTC, "Senses Working Overtime"
Hüsker Dü, "Don't Want to Know if You Are Lonely"
New Edition, "Cool It Now"
Charlotte et Serge Gainsbourg "Lemon Incest"
Crowded House "Don't Dream It's Over"
The Gap Band "You Dropped a Bomb on Me"

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

48. God I hate you!

[Magrittes Pipe]

50. Why?

:cry:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

51. Cause I don't get to bed down with you at night!

DAMN THAT DOLO-WHATEVER SKANK!!!!

[HughBeaumont]

118. I second the Husker Du song.

That was the one song that woke me up to the underground.

[tallahasseedem]

45. Definately "Come on Eileen"

Extra points also given for the video.

[wildhorses]

46. "everybody wants to rule the world" by : tears for fears....

Welcome to your life
There’s no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you
Acting on your best behaviour
Turn your back on mother nature
Everybody wants to rule the world

It’s my own design
It’s my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the most
Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

There’s a room where the light won’t find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
When they do I’ll be right behind you

So glad we’ve almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world

I can’t stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you’ll never never never never need it
One headline why believe it ?
Everybody wants to rule the world

All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

47. C'mon!!!!!! "RELAX" By Frankie Goes To Hollywood

[DainBramaged]

49. How could we forget

And what's sad is nearly ALL of the songs we've listed are one hit wonders.

[Left Is Write]

53. I'd have a hard time choosing, but would ultimately go with "Cars"

I think. Give me time to ruminate.

[ok_cpu]

54. Softcell "Tainted Love"

[PassingFair]

135. A second vote for Tainted Love; also...

Pet Shop Boys:
West Side Girls
Since You Went Away

[gollygee]

55. Whatever it is, it's got to be by Erasure

they had some just plain fantastic pop songs

[xmas74]

57. Too hard to pick.

Tears for Fears put out a few great songs at that time. I remember listening to my cassette until I wore it out.

[2bfree]

58. Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks.

:)

[DanCa]

59. Saftey Dance (nt)

[swag]

61. "I Love a Man in Uniform" by Gang of Four

[GirlinContempt]

82. I knew

you made my pulse quicken for a reason

[swag]

99. Don't know whether it's true or not, but there is a persistent legend

that Gang of Four performed the song on the American pop music TV show Solid Gold, complete with camouflage-clad Solid Gold Dancers.

I would love to see that clip, if it exists. I think it would eclipse even the appearance of PiL on American Bandstand for strangeness.

[enigmatic]

123. I have to see this

I've never heard that story, but I bet it's true...

[DanCa]

62. wait anything by Elton John at the time.

Forget Safety Dance.

[Inspired]

89. In Neon

There was a gorgeous Elton John song with that title. I think it was the 80's. It didn't get too much airplay....I hate when a song that I love is never played on the radio.

[shawmut]

63. "Just Like Heaven" - The Cure

[Daisy Adair]

95. or "Pictures of You"

[HEyHEY]

130. I love that song

[6000eliot]

64. "Ship of Fools" by World Party

Or Bruce Hornsby and the Range's "The Way It Is." Or "Shout" by Tears For Fears."

[nytemare]

65. "In Your Eyes" Peter Gabriel.

Yep.

[Flaxbee]

66. any of Blondie's 80s music, or how about

One Night in Bangkok - Murray Head?

And not necessarily "best ever", just going for pure nostalgia, some of Adam Ant's stuff - Goody Two Shoes, etc.

Sheesh I'm being completely overwhelmed by high school again! AAAAHHHH! Though I loved the music - Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel... too many to recall.

[enigmatic]

67. "A Million Miles Away"- The Plimsouls

If Peter Case never wrote another song he'd be a God because of "A Million Miles Away"..

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

68. Any Duran Duran song .

Any Duran Duran song from the Duran Duran , Rio and Seven and The Ragged Tiger Albums . Especially " The Reflex " , " Hungry Like The Wolf " , " Union of The Snake " , " Save A Prayer " , " Rio " and " Is There Something I Should Know " .

[SmileyBoy]

69. "Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money

Circa 1986.

[DainBramaged]

70. Eddie Money lookin like no one be 'takin him home tonight.

[CanuckAmok]

71. 70+ responses and nobody has posted "Blue Monday" or "Love Will Tear..."?!

Hmm.

[GirlinContempt]

83. New Order

Had better songs, ditto Joy Division

[alcibiades_mystery]

92. Love will Tear Us Apart

strangely, isn't Joy Divisions best song (that would be Transmission) ;-)

[XemaSab]

72. A Flock of Seagulls

"I RAN!"

:woohoo:

[B Calm]

75. In the Navy

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

76. That's the 70s

[B Calm]

79. Well then, I guess there weren't any great pop songs in the 80's.

[Inspired]

77. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

81. oooh - good call

[Inspired]

88. Why thank you

as it is an honor to have you agree! The lyrics are simple and the melody is lovely.

Song: Never Tear Us Apart
Artist: INXS

Don't ask me
What you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart

I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart

We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I'd make wine from your tears

I told you
That we could fly
'Cause we all have wings
But some of us don't know why

I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never ever tear us apart

[fishwax]

121. very good call

that's definitely up there :)

[JVS]

78. "are you ready for the sex girls" by the gleaming spires

Are you ready for the sex girls
the hot hot Levi big hot girls
are you ready for the sex girls
the right white ultra-bright nice nice girls
They can play pool in your house and take off their old clothes
they can talk about locals and no where to go’s
they are women without any faults

are your ready for the pony girls
the wild ride fast ride pony girls
are you ready for the lonely girls
the sad sad oh sad lonely girls
they got time on their hands, they got skin like seals
they can talk about love they know how it feels
they are women without any faults

one comes over then they all come over
then they party all around your house
one gets too romantic, one gets kinda frantic, one stays quiet as a mouse
bikinis gleaming in the morning light, you might lose your life....
they go crazy in the bedroom baby, and they might explode, they might

are you ready for the sex girls
the fine fine super special real sex girls
are you ready for the best girls
the you show me, show me best girls
there’s a knock on yout door, and they’re there in your house
if you can’t talk love then you’d better get out
they are women without any fault

....and they are never accidental
and the party never ends so close your eyes and make a wish
the sex girls will be there

are you ready for the sex girls
sex sex sex sex, sex girls, sex sex sex sex, sex girls, sex sex sex sex
are you ready for the sex girls
the hot hot Levi big hot girls
are you ready for the sex girls
there’s a knock on your door and they’ve come back again
if you can’t talk love then you’d better pretend
they are women without any fault

are you ready for the sex girls
no one is ready for the sex girls
are you ready for the sex girls
no one is ready for the sex girls
there’s a knock on your door and you just gotta look
so wild about lovin’ the boy gets his look
with his women without any faults
are you ready for the sex girls
no one is ready for the sex girls

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

80. I wasn't ready for that

[AngryAmish]

84. Walk This Way by Run-DMC

[taterguy]

86. A Million Miles Away by the Plimsouls

There are plenty of contenders but if pop is defined as popular I'll choose this one at the moment. Seemed to sum up the decade for me. Honorable mention goes to Never Say Never by Romeo Void

[Arugula Latte]

102. Love that song!

It's in my top ten 80s, along with How Soon is Now, The Killing Moon, Golden Brown, Alex Chilton, Free Nelson Mandela, West End Girls, Love Will Tear Us Apart Again, Anything Anything, and China (by the Red Rockers).

[Burma Jones]

87. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves

[Missy Vixen]

94. "Wouldn't It Be Good" Nik Kershaw

There's a great acoustic version of this song on Rhapsody.

I'd also like to mention the following:

"The Politics of Dancing", Re-Flex
"It's My Life", Talk Talk
"My Ever Changing Moods", Style Council
"True" Spandau Ballet

Julie

[Arugula Latte]

103. Good picks!

:thumbsup:

[speedoo]

96. "Don't Get Me Wrong" - The Pretenders.

Several other Pretenders tunes could also be the greatest. I adore Ms. Hynde.

[CanuckAmok]

97. Wide Boy Awake - Billy Hyaena

I forgot about that one.

[hiaasenrocks]

98. So many to choose from!

But I might go with another Tears For Fears song:

"Everybody Wants To Rule The World"

[fishwax]

100. You'd Better Be Home Soon, by Crowded House

Probably not really, but it popped into my head first.

[grannylib]

108. *lol* Didn't see this post until after I posted mine - nice to see another

Finn Fan out there!

[fishwax]

120. very cool

:toast:

[RandomKoolzip]

114. That song should have been a HUGE hit.

One of the most beautiful pop songs ever written. Nice choice.

[fishwax]

119. thanks (and I agree)

I don't know why it wasn't a huge hit. I can go months or years without hearing the song in its entirety, and it still just pop into my head on random occasions. A really good song.

[grannylib]

104. That actually got airplay? "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House.

I think a lot of their other stuff was better, but that one was on the radio.

[CanuckAmok]

106. a nod to "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Venus".

I know both are covers of pre-80s songs, but I consider the Bangles' and Bananarama's covers of these songs to be "hand in glove" with the 80s.

[DBoon]

107. Translator - Everywhere That I'm Not

nt

[HughBeaumont]

117. I remember that one!

Saw it on VH1 Classic last year for the first time in 20 years.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

111. Heart and Soul by T'Pau

bitchin tune.

[grannylib]

112. Mike and the Mechanics "In the Living Years" was also a real jewel

[CanuckAmok]

127. Anything deconstructed by Patrick Bateman is an 80s classic, by default.

[SeattleGirl]

128. Sniff. That song reminds me of my dad.

Can't listen to it without crying. "I wasn't there that morning, when my father passed away." Fortunately, I DID get to tell him "all the things I meant to say". I love the song, but it does make me cry.

[El Fuego]

113. "Wild Wild West" by Escape Club

Hands down the Greatest Song WINNER!

[supernova]

116. Oh I love that song

Not as much as The Smiths, but I think I'll play it right now. :thumbsup:

[RandomKoolzip]

115. "Shakin'" by Eddie Money.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

122. 'Just like Heaven' The Cure--or something by Talking Heads or Pet Shop Boy

hard to pick. notice 90% of everyone's choices come from the first half of the decade

[Fox Mulder]

124. "And I ran, I ran so far away....

I just ran...I ran all night and day...I couldn't get away..."

[k_jerome]

125. The Outfield - Your Love. nt.

[bliss_eternal]

126. Devo or Sparks

Devo Just about any of their work...

Sparks,Angst in my Pants

[HEyHEY]

129. Where the streets have no name

[njdemocrat106]

131. "No One Is to Blame" by Howard Jones

I have lots of 80s favorites, though. My obligatory Tears for Fears favorites for this thread, however, are "Pale Shelter", "Shout", and "Woman in Chains".

[CanuckAmok]

132. "Patrick Bateman: Do you like Huey Lewis and the news?

Paul Allen: They're OK.

Patrick Bateman: Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83,I think they really came into their own, commercial and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consimante professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far much more bitter, cynical sense of humour.

Paul Allen: Hey Halberstram.

Patrick Bateman: Yes, Allen?

Paul Allen: Why are their copies of the style section all over the place, d-do you have a dog? A little chow or something?

Patrick Bateman: No, Allen.

Paul Allen: Is that a rain coat?

Patrick Bateman: Yes it is! In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. BUT THEY SHOULD, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.



Patrick Bateman: Hey Paul!



Patrick Bateman: TRY GETTING A RESERVATION AT DORSIA NOW YOU FUCKING STUPID BASTARD! YOU, FUCKING BASTARD! "

[GrpCaptMandrake]

133. Modern English

Melt With You

[mitchum]

134. "Lady Sniff" Butthole Surfers

[NaturalHigh]

136. Jenny (867-5309)

I didn't even have to think about that one, even though there must be a thousand 80s songs that I love.

[kwassa]

137. "Once in a Lifetime" Talking Heads