MOST ESSENTIAL 80s SONGS update #90-81.

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.

90 SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU

WHITNEY HOUSTON - 1985

By the time this torch song reached #1 around the world, it established Houston as 1 of the leading pop stars (and a breathtaking vocalist) of the decade. Her chart success continued gaining momentum in the ensuing years.

89 BAGGY TROUSERS

MADNESS - 1980

 

Ska married pop as Madness took the lead on bringing the genre to the mainstream. Upbeat, jolly tracks like this kept the band on the chart with its string of hits.

88 SMALLTOWN BOY

BRONSKI BEAT -1984

 

A plea for tolerance wrapped around a contemporary dance beat. Jimmy Somerville's lead vocals soar as he narrates the plight of too many gay youths. Accompanied by a confronting music video that challenged public opinion, no pop song had previously addressed gay issues this way. 

87 PLANET EARTH

DURAN DURAN - 1981

 

Duran Duran's 1st hit drew from the suave attitude of Roxy Music and Chic and mixed in the exciting new synth possibilities of 80s pop. Its futuristic feel added extra excitement.

86 MAD WORLD

TEARS FOR FEARS - 1982

 

Tears For Fears presented its music in an inventive way. This song has retained its quality thanks also to the stark and clever lyrics. 

85 VIENNA

ULTRAVOX - 1980

 

The new wave synth pop of Ultravox never stood apart from the rest as it does on "Vienna"; a lush aesthetic delight that creates a sense of elegance, beauty and timelessness. It remains 1 of the most visionary epics of the decade.

84 WHERE IS MY MIND?

THE PIXIES – 1988

 

The indie/ alternative rock of The Pixies ushered in a sound that saw this group pass the torch on to the likes of Radiohead, Nirvana, Blur, Good Charlotte, Ben Folds Five and Weezer.  

83 TAINTED LOVE

SOFT CELL – 1981

 

A groundbreaking remake of the Gloria Jones R&B 1965 classic. The synth pop reworking proved electronic music could convey passion and emotion.

82 MADAM BUTTERFLY

MALCOLM McCLAREN - 1984

 

A visionary combination of opera and electronic dance beats with R&B and rap. McLaren plays off soprano Betty Ann White with soul vocalist Debbie Cole. Synthesizers and sequencers are thrown in to create a gorgeous and inspired version of the aria "Un Bel Di Vedremo".

81 THE BOY IN THE BUBBLE

PAUL SIMON - 1986

 

An adventurous recording from Paul Simon who exposed many in the West to the delights of South African rhythms; blending these elements into a novel approach to crafting rock songs. 

Another 10 songs will be added next weekend.