I was listening to some 80s Pop today, and I realized that that time period as a whole is pretty good (and that's a bit of an understatement). I actually first got into 80s Pop -- and this is going to be predictable -- when I played Vice City. It's certainly one of the reasons I'm so fond of the game. I never really had given songs from that period of time a second thought. I'd heard a lot of them growing up, but I was never a real big fan. It was only when Vice City hit that I was struck by the proverbial epiphany, if you will, and I realized that this stuff is pretty damn good.
I've got hundreds of songs in my 80s Pop folder but most of them are singles. I was hoping that you guys could throw a few out there that might be slightly less common that I haven't heard of. That way I can leech off you and discover new musics. In any case, here are my top ten (actually top fifteen, but I've only commented on the top ten). Grooveshark playlist is (hopefully) embedded below for a listen if you so desire.
15. Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley (Not a joke. Although this song is known for other things deriving from the internet, I think it's actually alright.)
14. Suddenly Last Summer - The Motels
13. Sailing - Christopher Cross
12. They Don't Know - Tracy Ullman
11. The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
10. Rumors - Timex Social Club. I find this to be such a strange song. It's good, but most definitely strange. Maybe it's because of the pseudo-mature content, talking about tasting Tina's juices among other things. I just wasn't expecting it when I first heard the song, but I really like this one. It's fairly popular. I happen to think that it's a better tune than a lot of other wave pop, namely Billie Jean. But that's just me.
9. Major Tom (Coming Home) - Peter Schilling. Major Tom is really haunting. It's a spin-off from the David Bowie song. As a song I like it more than Bowie's hit though most would probably disagree with me. Still, its content is what does it for me. The music itself is meek (which is fitting), but it's the lyrics that get the job done, if I can use such a hackneyed phrase.
8. Love My Way - The Psychedelic Furs. This is hella more haunting than Major Tom. It's also a better song, though I've listened to it so many times that I'm kinda worn out. Also, lead singer's voice (whose name I've forgotten) is totally laryngitis-y awesome.
7. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is a classic. It's so smooth, and I feel like it's Tears for Fears' best work.
6. A View to a Kill - Duran Duran. This song might surprise some as much as the fact that I've picked it as the 6th best 80s Pop song might surprise others, but that's only probably because it was commissioned for the James Bond film of the same name. In actuality it's a terrific piece. It's my favorite Duran Duran work, and it pretty much epitomizes 80s Pop.
5. Sister Christian - Night Ranger. I've still got no idea why I like this song so much, because I really shouldn't, and yet it sticks in there. I definitely like it infinitely more for the acoustic bits than the more rock-oriented chorus.
4. Karma Chameleon - Culture Club. I don't know if you have a problem with Boy George, but Karma Chameleon is more than alright. Especially the bit where the beat breaks down towards the end and it's just people clapping. Best part of the song, lasts ten seconds.
3. Genius of Love - Tom Tom Club. I wish I could rank this higher, I really do; if I could I would put this at #1 but the following two songs are just as good. I don't know if many people know this one. It's like a sleeper hit or something. It's so much easy listening, it's so much musac or elevator music, but somehow it manages to be rad. Can't get it out of my head on days when it gets stuck in there.
2. Africa - Toto. Of course! Toto's best work. Chorus is the best part. Enough has been said.
1. Such a Shame - Talk Talk. I think this will surprise 80s aficionados as well, but there's nothing I'm willing to do about that. I just love how the whole lyric comes from halfway down the singer's straining throat. It's like the song's being squeezed out through a sponge. And I find it impossible not to scream along with him, which is why I don't listen to this song in public anymore.
My favorite 80s Pop songs (and tell us yours too)
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