TOP 200 SONGS OF THE 1980s. Update: #180-171.

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.

180 SUMMER OF ‘69

BRYAN ADAMS -1984

 

A quintessential nostalgic look back and feel good summer rock song that has lost none of its appeal.

179 DON’T GIVE UP

PETER GABRIEL & KATE BUSH - 1986

Peter Gabriel’s raw and desperate vocal is augmented by Kate Bush on this song of support and encouragement. Few duets are as glorious as this; its beauty and strength lies is in its simplicity.  

178 JOHNNY AND MARY

ROBERT PALMER -1980

Prior to this song, Palmer had scored with the rock song “Bad Case Of Loving You”. He switched sounds and instruments with this synth-driven track which embraced the new decade’s emerging musical possibilities.

177 GOLDEN BROWN

THE STRANGLERS - 1981

“Golden Brown” remains one of the gems of the 1980s.Its almost surrealistic beauty paved the way for others to explore new sounds.

176 MASTER BLASTER (JAMMIN’)

STEVIE WONDER - 1980

There had been reggae songs before, including Wonder’s own “Boogie On Reggae Woman” in 1974. Six years later, Bob Marley had firmly been established as the genre’s superstar. Around the time of this tribute to Marley, reggae’s greatest ambassador was diagnosed with cancer. He died shortly after, but Marley remains a giant in popular culture. Wonder’s hit cleverly mixes reggae with funk and soul.

175 UNDER THE MILKY WAY

THE CHURCH - 1988

Australian indie/ alternative group The Church scored a crossover hit with this lush college radio song that evoked the music of the 1960s by acts such as The Byrds and The Doors.  

174 MISPLACED LOVE

RUPERT HINE - 1981
 

Clever arrangements and synth-pop form the foundation of this oft-overlooked pop song. Marianne Faithful’s guest vocal adds to its moody and haunting atmosphere.

173 FREE NELSON MANDELA

SPECIAL AKA - 1984

The Specials’ off-shoot project saw Jerry Dammers lead a charge to demand the release of anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela from incarceration in South Africa. The ska hit helped raise worldwide attention to the cause and, in February 1990, he was finally set free.

172 THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

EUROPE - 1986

Swedish group Europe dumped its prog-rock style and adapted to the new decade. Keyboards were added to the line-up to launch the new radio friendly pop/ metal sound.

171 SHIP OF FOOLS

WORLD PARTY - 1987

 

Karl Wallinger’s foreboding lyrics created a watershed moment in raising awareness for the environmental cause. Greenpeace later used this song. As global warming and green issues gain more urgency in the future, this song’s importance will linger.

10 more songs will be added tomorrow, as they are every Saturday & Sunday.