Another 20 Beautiful Songs of the 80s
Published on February 27, 2008 - 177 Comments
This list follows on from the Top 20 Most Beautiful Songs of the 80s. As I promised on the first installment, the second installment would follow shortly after. Many thanks to Randall who obviously spent hours putting this entire list together! If you are going to complain about an omission, be sure to check the first list in case your song is there. Onwards!
20. A Slow Song Joe Jackson
I desperately wanted to include Joe Jackson’s “Steppin Out” on this list, but in keeping to my rule of one song per artist, I felt I had no choice but to choose “A Slow Song” instead, as it’s such a movingly beautiful ballad. There is no better slow song for closing out the night at the club. Trust me, I know.
19. Evangeline The Icicle Works
You’ll know these guys from their bigger hit from 82, “Whisper to a Scream,” but this song, from 86, has a gorgeous, soaring chorus that was top form for this group—they never did better.
18. Under the Milky Way The Church
Oh yeah. From the height of Shoegazing, from the ultimate Shoegazing band, one of the most haunting tunes from the mid-80s, or the whole decade for that matter.
17. Verdi Cries 10,000 Maniacs
Okay. First, I CHALLENGE you to find a prettier song. Go ahead. Try. It all works in this one… Natalie’s beautiful, strange voice, the poetic lyrics, the piano, the images it paints in your mind of a holiday in Italy. This may have been the one that made me fall madly in love with Natalie Merchant, my fellow upstate-New Yorker. And I still think this is her best.
I Could only find a live version of this from 2005, but it’s still good.
16. The Metro Berlin
Ah… supremely sexy Teri Nunn… total pretty-boy John Crawford. Quintessential overly-coiffed, overly made-up, it’s-all-about-how-we-look California New Wave.
15. Time (Clock of the Heart) Culture Club
I was never a fan of Culture Club. Had nothing to do with Boy George’s cross-dressing persona, I just found them a bit facile and was put off by the way they were hugely overplayed on the radio and on MTV in the early days. But with distance their songs are impressively arranged and immensely likeable.
14. Souvenir Orchestral Maneouvers in the Dark (OMD)
A band with many a pretty tune under its belt, OMD’s souvenir is, I think, their most haunting (and in a way simplest) melody. Gentle synth dancing along a quiet beat, vocals in a sort of distant echo, this song always reminded me of lying in the grass on a summer day, staring up at the empty blue sky.
13. Precious to Me Phil Seymour
A protégé of Nick Lowe’s (or something like that) Phil Seymour was a one-hit wonder (if this could be called a “hit” – I don’t think it charted very high) who, if I recall correctly, died at a young age. A grad of Dwight Twilley’s band, Phil had that gentle “country-ish” song similar to Lowe’s. This is his prettiest. [JFrater: excuse the video clip - it is the only embedable one I could find. Music starts around 00:28]
12. 2000 Miles The Pretenders
Come on, you all know this one. The only Christmas song on my list, and one of only two or three decent Christmas songs to come out of the 80s, and my personal pick as the best of them. First time I heard this song was literally on a snowy night in 1983 – my girlfriend of the time and I were in my car, getting ready to go inside a bar (ah, the days when the drinking age was 18) and this came on. Instant inspiration for making out. This is the kind of song that makes you want to rock your head from side to side.
11. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now The Smiths
Very difficult to pick a single “most beautiful” Smiths tune, but I finally got it down to this one and “Half a Person,” and then closed my eyes and picked one at random. And here we are. Morrissey’s fantastic drama-voice, Johnny Marr’s great guitar.
10. Greetings to the New Brunette Billy Bragg
Now bear with me on this one. Billy Bragg surely has one of the ugliest voices (and ugliest mugs) in modern music. And at first listen this song doesn’t seem all that pretty, with Bragg’s off-key, warbled refrain of “Shirley!” But listen to the lyrics coupled with the gentle melody that trips along. This is a poignant, beautiful little tune from 1986 that was big on college radio at the time. A pretty, non-sappy love song about growing up and getting older and living with failure.
9. Fall on Me REM
I had to stick to my rule of one song per group, but this was especially hard. Finally, though, I had to exclude REM’s Nightswimming since it wasn’t technically 80s. But Fall on Me is beautiful in its own right—a lilting, soaring song that carries you down the road on hot, summer days.
8. Lonely in Your Nightmare - Duran Duran
From Duran Duran’s greatest album, “Rio” (one of the greatest LPs of the 80s) and one of several haunting songs they produced.
7. Only You Yaz
Memories, memories in this song. I went out with several girls in college, but there was… one… well, you know what I mean. I still see her dark, dark hair and her big brown eyes, and yeah, I feel old now, and I still miss her… but the memories make me smile, too. Only You is one of the soundtrack selections to a young relationship. Could work for anybody. I recommend it.
6. See You Depeche Mode
Maybe a breakup sequel to “Only You.” But in any case one of DM’s best. Which is saying a lot. I was tempted to include others of theirs… several. But this is still the prettiest song they ever put out, I think. Not the best—just the prettiest.
5. Little Red Corvette Prince
Come on. The coolest and best make-out song ever. Another steamy, summer-evening song.
For some reason I couldn’t find the song on YouTube. Maybe Prince is angry again. Silly Prince.
4. Vienna Ultravox
Just HAD to include it for its cheesy Eurotrash moodiness. I had a friend in college who was mad for Ultravox and other Eurodisco stuff. Some stick with you, some don’t. This one always stuck with me for some unknown reason.
3. Depending on You Rain Parade
The Rain Parade were, to me, the best of the Paisley Underground groups, though some would hand that crown to The Dream Syndicate. In any case, this gem from 1985 had me the first time I heard it. Haunting and icy cool.
Unfortunately could only find a live version.
2. Oh Lamour Erasure
Erasure were the height of Eurodisco/synth. You weren’t supposed to take this music seriously—you were just supposed to LOOK serious when you were dancing to it.
1. Bizarre Love Triangle New Order
REALLY tough choice because there are so many great and beautiful New Order tunes. But this, perhaps their best known is still the tops, I think. The refrain makes it… “Everytime I see you falling, I get down on my knees and pray…”
Contributor: Randall
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1. SocialButterfly - February 27th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
YAY!! It’s finally here!
Must add… I love the Onwards bit in the intro Jamie.
2. SlickWilly - February 27th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Ah! Finally! Good picks once again, Randall. Your knowledge of 80’s music is impressive, given how many one-hit-wonders came out of the era.
3. Zach - February 27th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Great list… many memories for me as well.
“Only You” by Yaz was used particularly effectively in the finale of the British version of The Office. Great stuff.
4. dahnz - February 27th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Ah what a great list! I cant listen to them at work but cant wait to go home and hear them all, even tho i am only 20… i love my old school 80’s songs! i know all these… geek… heeh
5. copperdragon - February 27th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
still waiting for chris isaak’s Wicked Game to appear here.
6. copperdragon - February 27th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
the girl on #13 looks like a very young Nicole Kidman. anyone know if it is??
7. SocialButterfly - February 27th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
copperdragon: Wicked Game was released in the 90’s.
Randall/Jamie: IF you do a 90’s list I suggest you consider Ordinary World by Duran Duran and Mad World by Gary Jules. I know it’s a remake of Tears for Fears but it’s beautiful.
8. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Copperdragon:
That *is* Nicole Kidman, actually. Why she’s there I don’t know… but who cares? Look at her. Gorgeous.
9. cparker - February 27th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
dude i have never even heard of most these bands. my 80s suck but have my doctorate in 90s. i was too busy being young and listening to hair bands (poison, g-n-r…). you seem to know your stuff, bad decade though (in my opinion). except of course for the zebra pants
10. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
SocialButterfly:
Oh honey, it was hard enough coming up with an 80s list. I thought of doing a 90s one, but if anything there was an even-greater variety of music types in the 90s and I’m not sure I’d even know where to begin. THIS list ran to 40 songs I think… imagine a 90s list.
But we’ll see.
11. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
cparker:
Someone who only listened to hair bands in the 80s could say, yes, that it was a bad decade. If you’d opened your ears up at the time to all the *good* stuff that was out there, though, you wouldn’t have thought it was so bad. In fact the 80s were second only to the 60s as the greatest decade for pop music, going back as far as any of us can remember, and longer. Not Top 40 — Top 40 in the 80s was godawful—but in the 80s the good stuff for the most part wasn’t on Top 40 (unlike the 60s).
12. SocialButterfly - February 27th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Randall: maybe you can subcategorize it? Pop, R&B, etc…
13. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
SocialButterfly:
Yeah, that’s a thought.
I can tell you I’d never *attempt* to do a “Best Songs of the 90s” (or Best Songs of the 80s) list—there’d just be too much too choose from. Imagine “Best Songs of the 60s”–where the hell would you begin? How could you limit it to ten, or even twenty or thirty or forty?
But it might be possible to categorize songs from the 90s in some way, yeah.
14. chershey - February 27th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Dammit, now I have Bizarre Love Triangle stuck in my head. I suppose it’s not as bad as one time at work when I came across a client that lived on Electric Avenue…
15. SocialButterfly - February 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Randall: Where would you begin in the 60’s… probably with the Beatles and then go from there..
No you have to categorize them… music is so amazing in it’s ability to touch people at different moments in their lives that it would be impossible to do a decade list. So many people (possibly myself included) would have certain songs they appreciate more than others, because of the emotion they attatched to the song.
Categorizing is a necessity to avoid arguments.
16. Mom424 - February 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Randall; I don’t remember very much of the 1980’s. I was busy procreating and wiping up baby puke. Good thing! Sorry Randall, but I find with most of these tunes a huge lack of connection. I don’t feel the singers emotion, say the way I do with Janis Joplin. Also no Elvis Costello, No Cowboy Junkies, No Neil Young, No Bruce, No Annie Lennox. They all had beautiful songs in the ’80s.
I liked your choice of Chrissy Hinds, and Prince and Yaz..I’m talking in general…
I guess the 80’s were just too light and airy for me…I like it rough!
17. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
SocialButterfly:
You might *begin* with the Beatles (though there was some good music in the 60s *before* them) but where would you *end?* Yipes. And how could anybody pick *one* Beatles song?
18. Jakoooob - February 27th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Am I ever glad that I’m too young to be stuck in the 80’s.
19. JT - February 27th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Excellent list! Like your old one I have some great music to check out.
Here are some songs I’m gonna throw out there.
The Chameleons - Up the Down Escalator
Christopher Cross - Sailing
Dead Can Dance - In the Kingdom of the Blind
Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet
Kitchens of Distinction - Prize
Kraftwerk - Computer Love
The Lotus Eaters - The First Picture of You
Morrissey - Late Night, Maudlin Street
The Passions - I’m in Love with a German Film Star
Pink Floyd - Learning to Fly
The Tragically Hip - 38 Years Old
20. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Mom:
Well, you know… trying to compare any of this stuff to Janis Joplin isn’t fair. I mean… she’s freakin’ Janis Joplin.
Elvis Costello…. I was tempted to put “Everyday I Write the Book” or “Shipbuilding” on the list… but I had to stop somewhere.
And sorry, but Neil Young doesn’t belong on this list. I don’t know what song you’re thinking of, but my thinking was that these lists were about *80s* music, which isn’t just ANY music from the 80s… but music of a certain kind.
Annie Lennox is another miss. Again, I had to stop somewhere…. but yes, I’d have no problem including her.
I like “rough” music too, but I also like the soft stuff. I’ve never been impressed with people who like only *one* kind of music. To me great music should cross boundaries. A beautiful melody is therefore a beautiful melody. A great voice is a great voice.
For instance… we mock the Carpenters and always have—but Karen Carpenter had one of the greatest voices of the last 50 years. And some of her songs, therefore, are worthwhile.
21. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Great list! I think the 80’s and 90’s gave us the best music ever, my personal fave of the these two eras is Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” its one of the best songs of all time if you ask me.
22. SocialButterfly - February 27th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Randall: I know there were bands before and after them, but I think that they would be a good jumping off point for a list of the 60’s. Once you scale them everything else is easy in comparison.
For the record, my personal faves are Obladi Oblada, Here Comes the Sun and When I’m 64 but their best work is probably Let it Be (kind of annoying because I am more of a John fan than I am a Paul fan but I can’t argue with quality).
23. Joss - February 27th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
You can see Little Red Corvette here:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?.....;vid=58774
24. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
heres the link for buddy holly and its music video, the best music video of all-time might i add,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiIC5qcXeNU
25. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
socialbutterfly: a 60’s list would be good too, it gave us the beatles and elvis, a 70’s list would be good too, my favorite band of the 70’s was KISS, but in the 80’s they turned into a pop group which just sucks.
26. Andrea Carlena - February 27th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Hehe, I have 4 words: You’ve just been RickRolled. But really, nice list, makes me feel good. OH! OH! Greatest dance songs of the 90’s! Do it now!!
-Andrea Carlena Beauman
27. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
andrea carlena: it would include some really corny songs, like the “mockarena” im not sure if i spelled that right, but the soulja boy dance is turning into it.
28. Kalied - February 27th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Greetings! Interesting choice with regards to ‘See You’ by Depeche Mode. ‘See You’ was their first single after Vince Clark’s departure. He went on to found Erasure and Yazoo.
‘Only You’ was written by Vince Clark as an olive branch to Depeche Mode, but they (obviously) shot it down. Vince then found Alison Moyet and made ‘Only You’ a hit with Yazoo.
I dont know that I would have included ‘See You’ as Depeche Mode’s most beautiful song from the 80’s. Personally, I would have included ‘Shouldn’t Have Done That’ or ‘The Sun and The Rainfall’ instead. These songs were not singles, rather album tracks off of their 1982 album ‘A Broken Frame’. Both songs are charmingly haunting, whereas I feel that ‘See You’ was very cutesy, not necessarily beautiful.
29. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
jamie: you should start making categories of these songs, like best R&B, Pop, rock, etc.
30. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
its pretty good that 2000 Miles is on here, its one my fave christmas songs, that and Fountains Of Waynes’ “I want an alien for christmas” heres the link if you want to hear it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHWmhR3rD74
31. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
jamie: the drinking age use to be 18?!? was that here in the U.S. or in England, New Zealand or somewhere else?
32. Nikki - February 27th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
No Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses?
LOL. But seriously, you should have some kind of list with GNR on it, perhaps top 10 rock bands, or guitarists.
33. antlyon - February 27th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I think I must be getting old. I read a previous poster refer to the 80’s as “old school” I had to shake my head and thought back and the last albums I bought were in 82 or 83. So even tho these are old now they are new to me. I have heard of 8 of the artists and 2 of the songs on this list, so I guess I have some catching up to do. Now some lists for the 70’s and 60’s would be cool and provide much debate.
34. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Nikki: OH! there should be a list with GNR on it! I mean come on, they had 3 of their most recognized songs on their debut album and some of the best songs ever!
“welcome to the jungle”
“Sweet Child of mine”
“Paradise City”
3 great 80’s songs and should be on a list.
35. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
but sweet child of mine should be on here, great guitar, great lyrics, great song, ’nuff said.
36. SocialButterfly - February 27th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Csimmons (comment #25): Be aware that anyone from this website will instantly challenge you to fisticuffs if you put anyone but Led Zepplin as top position in the 70’s
Nikki: GNR is a great rock band but they have had their share of beautiful songs as well. My personal favourite is Patience. The melody is haunting and the whistle stays with you for a while.
37. SocialButterfly - February 27th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Here is a link to the Patience video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEzuC5UoM8g
38. Flock O’Seagulls - February 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I fully agree about Sweet Child O’ Mine–one of the best rock songs, ever. As for including a track from Duran Duran’s RIO, which I agree is their best album, I think that “New Religion” and “Last Chance on the Stairway” are equally good. They are infinitely better than “Hungry Like the Wolf,” also off this album. And a band that merits mention is Big Country. Any number of tracks off The Crossing are hauntingly beautiful and could be included, including “Chance” and “Lost Patrol.” Thanks.
39. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
socialbutterfly: i liked KISS more, but Led Zepplin is my #2 of all-time, i mean they both set the basis for some of the best bands of the 80’s. Plus you can’t beat Stairway To Heaven so i see why anyone would say that.
40. Flock O’Seagulls - February 27th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I also forgot to mention “Save A Prayer,” also off Rio and very good. Thanks.
41. jfrater - February 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Flock O’Seagulls: I agree - save a prayer is a brilliant song!
42. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
flock o’ seagulls: i would have rather put “hungry like the wolf” buts that the only song of theirs i know so i can’t argue.
43. Angelina - February 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Soc Butterfly: I love Patience!!! GNR Rocks!
44. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
can someone put a link for save a prayer, i would look for it but i have two pages up right now, on the other one im watching this crazy kid get upset over myspace, if you want to see it, heres the link
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/206975/
45. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Jamie: heres an idea for a few lists
“best bands of the 90’s”
“best bands of the 80’s”
“best bands of the 70’s”
“best bands of the 60’s”
and “best bands of all-time”
these would ignite HUGE controverdies
and my #1’s for each one would be
90’s-Weezer
80’s-Guns N’ Roses
70’s-KISS or Led Zepplin
60’s-The Beatles, theres no competion there.
46. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
as for all-time, i would have to say the Beatles, for obvious reasons.
47. Mom424 - February 27th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Randall; I’m all over the place…I love Willy Nelson, but also GnR, Patsy Cline, Tom Wait, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, The Beatles, The Who, Janis, Aretha Franklin, Queen/Freddy Mercury (Have you seen the Barcelona duet with Maria Callas?)Rush, Patsy Cline,
Karen Carpenter has a lovely voice (her rendition of Close to You is beautiful, but I also like the Bare Naked Ladies version of it),,,
the list could go on and on,,,,
and we haven’t even touched on classical….
48. jfrater - February 27th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
csimmons: for drinking age I don’t know - I didn’t write this list - in NZ and the rest of the world (except the US and Muslim countries) the drinking age is 18 or less. And of course, that is only if you are not with an adult - in NZ you can drink anywhere at any age if you have a guardian over the age of 18 with you - ie, restaurants etc.
49. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Okay, everyone please note… I wrote this list, not Jamie. Not that I mind him getting the credit, but I’m sure he’d rather not deal with the complaints.
Now…
NO Guns N’Roses on ANY list of MINE. Not ever. Nor KISS… one of the worst bands of all time. And trust me, I know… I was there. You kids weren’t.
But it won’t be ME writing any of these “Best Of” lists if I can help it. They’re just too subjective. Too many of you youngsters are far too ignorant of 90% of the stuff that came before you to offer informed, balanced opinions—and your taste, all too often, runs to the absurd, either because it’s all Metal, Metal, Metal or it’s Guns N’Roses this and Guns N’Roses that or god knows what else. You’ll know who Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones and Beatles were, but you have no clue as to who Janis Joplin was (or you’ve never listened to her) or Love, or you have no idea that Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow” was one of the greatest albums of the 60s, and you have no idea who Moby Grape were, let alone The Band or for that matter any of the original punk groups like Television or Richard Hell and the Voidoids or X-Ray Spex or the Adverts… and… I could go on forever.
Let’s leave the listmaking to people who know this shit—please. Great, love what you love, I’m not saying you’re wrong–but don’t think you know all there is to know.
I mean somebody up there said that the 60s brought us Elvis Presley. Good lord.
Elvis was the key figure in FIFTIES rock and roll. FIFTIES. Yes he made music in the 60s… but he’s not really *known* for that music.
50. jfrater - February 27th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hey - hello! In big black writing at the bottom of the list it says: Contributor: Randall!
51. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Randall: How in the world can you not put GnR on a list and say KISS is the worst band of all-time!?! If you ask me, you need to listen to some classic KISS and not just “Rock and roll all nite”
52. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
jfrater:sorry, ill notice that from now on
randall: i mentioned Elvis in the 60’s and im sorry, i had a blond moment there.
53. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
csimmons:
Yes, the drinking age was once 18. Actually, it was left up to the states at the time–but I believe almost everywhere it was 18.
UNTIL 1984… when in a fit of pique over trumped-up drunk-driving figures, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving… a well meaning but in the end buttinsky, self-righteous group with no brains) managed to cajole and threaten various politicians in the House and Senate to pass a bill mandating that the drinking age become FEDERAL and that it be raised to 21 by such and such a date (I believe it was by 1986 if I recall correctly) or any state not complying would lose all federal funds for road maintenance. As you can see, the states were left without a choice.
In New York, then, it was raised in stages… as of 1984 it went to 19, and then a year or two later it went to 21.
There it’s been nationwide ever since.
But it WILL come down again. Rest assured. Because following on the heels of this madness was waves and waves of BINGE DRINKING by under-21 year olds at colleges across the country—a problem that DID NOT EXIST prior to the raising of the drinking age.
After 30 years of this, colleges and universities across the country are getting fed up. The attitude of an increasing number of university presidents is, “why the hell should we have to police and babysit these kids who BY EVERY OTHER DEFINITION are adults in our society… but they aren’t allowed to drink?” And I agree 100%.
IF ANYTHING what we should do is raise the age when you can legally drive from 16 to 18. But at any rate, it’s time for the drinking age to come down. All it did was create a culture of binge drinking, because alcohol became a “forbidden fruit” and we all know what THAT does to kids—they want it all the more. And so they binge and act like idiots, all because it’s become an underground, surreptitious practice… as if kids WOULDN’T drink. And we don’t even know for sure that it brought drunk driving deaths down in their age group. The numbers on this aren’t even clear.
54. Nelia - February 27th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
*Sigh* I love Only You, it makes me happy to listen to it. I used to sing it with my acapella group when I was younger and it was my favorite song in our repertoire.
55. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Gotta admit Randall, you’ve done you’re homework here. I can honestly say I didn’t care too much for a lot of what’s on this list. I was more into Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pat Methany, Rush and the Police. But I can’t argue much with what you’ve presented.
56. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
csimmons:
Did you not listen to me, about KISS? I WAS THERE. I was a young teenager in the 1970s and trust me, I listened to KISS, and not just “Rock and Roll All Nite.” They were a joke then and are a joke still, and were *really* popular for only about 3 years before all of us grew out of them. And I DO mean all of us—basically they were a band for 13 year olds, and I remember friends of mine *throwing away* their KISS records (probably out of deep embarrassment) by the time they were 16 or 17.
The cool ones amongst us (including me, of course) quickly moved on to the Sex Pistols and the Clash and the Talking Heads and a million other punk and New Wave bands — except for the metalheads who wouldn’t grow up… and thus we were all separated and demarcated, and we mocked them and they us, and there we parted company.
57. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
kalied:
I know very well the songs you refer to—I was a fan of Depeche Mode back when they first appeared in 1982—but this list also had a personal edge for me—I was thinking of songs that had affected me in some way or other, back then.
I agree, See You is cutesy. Depeche Mode did far better and prettier songs. But See You was important to me for other reasons at the time.
58. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
bucslim:
Thank you. But you shouldn’t argue with me anyway. You know it’s not healthy.
59. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Randall, especially because I’ve been right most of the time.
60. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
bucslim:
Oh you’re funny. So droll. I actually bent over with the urge to vomit I laughed so hard.
I’ve humbled you so many times you should just hang your head in shame every time you see my name, pal.
61. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Randall, I have that effect on a lot of people. Hugs and Kisses!
62. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
And to Csimmons: I just plain don’t understand people’s infatuation with GNR. Yeeeechhh!
63. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Randall: I too agree on the drinking age thing, and i will admit that KISS might have was a joke after awhile, but i just love their music, and they had without a doubt, the best stageshow ever!
64. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
buclism:GnR was one of the world’s best bands and made some classic songs like Sweet Child of Mine, plus with Slash’s guitar playing, and Axel Rose’s vocals, they could easily be one of the best bands of the 80’s, including Van Halen who had hits one after another.
65. BDAY55 - February 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Sorry, but can we finally bury the 80’s. Please! It’s just dickless dribble. I understand the appeal to guys that are ‘a little light on their feet’ but it was an empty decade. Most of these 80’s worshippers weren’t even born then or were still poopin their Pampers.
66. 20Fan20 - February 27th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
The reason many of us (who were there) are GNR this and GNR that is because GNR helped to usher in a new level of music. For rock (heavy not new wave) fans it was great. Yes, I liked the fun of the hair bands but having GNR kill them off was a good thing.
Leaving them (GNR) off the list becuase you don’t like that stlye of music is fine becuase yoiu wrote the list. I think your distinction of 80’s music is not clear. You seem to have written (and did a good job) a list of “80s” music not music that came out during the 80’s. I think that is why you only picked songs from a particular style.
67. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Axel Rose’s vocals sounded like someone gutting a cat with a chainsaw. Cousin It, I mean Slash was average at best. They hit the karmac jackpot once and people have been worshiping them since. I thought it was a bunch of pretentious b.s. What about that time they wouldn’t finish a set with Metallica because Axel was being a whiny little bitch!
Axel celebrrated his success by firing everyone in the band. Never to be heard from again, yay!
68. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Uh, hate to break it to you 20Fan20, but Nirvana killed off the hair bands and GNR as well.
69. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
BDAY55: i might not have been born in the 80’s (90’s, sorry!) but I sure as hell wish i was, it gave us some damn good movies, music and the killing off of some bad music (new wave sucked ass)
70. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
20Fan20:
All GNR did was make the hair bands look silly finally—as if they needed help in doing that. You and others think you hear this great quality in their music, though, and it’s just going way overboard. I listened to GNR and dismissed them because they were drek. Yes, better than utter crap like Loverboy and Poison and whatnot, but only a few notches better.
The problem people like you have is, you think rock and roll has to be “heavy” otherwise it’s worthless pop drivel. Fans of such music tended to be (and usually still are) boys and young men who are insecure about who they are and feel they have to be defined by some ridiculous hard-rock or heavy metal zeitgeist that “proves” they’re hard-edged and “tough” and so on. When in fact underneath they’re scared.
I will not stand for listening to this nonsense about Guns N’Roses being “the greatest band of the 80s.” They’re nowhere on the list. The Greatest band of the 80s was either REM or the Smiths. Or maybe U2. Not some fake bunch of poseurs-with-slightly-better-taste-than-other-poseurs like Guns N’freakin’ Roses.
71. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
buclism: theres no way Slash was average, hes in my top 10 of greatest guitarists (#1 being of course Jimmy Hendrix) and theres a reason why slash is on Guitar Hero III, He kicked ass, plus i agree on what you said about Axel, i didn’t respect him that much after the metallica incident, i still wish Guns N’ Roses had on reunion before they all die.
72. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Csimmons: sorry, I could name at least 50 guitarists that are better than him, and I’d get plenty of support for it.
73. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Randall: look, lets just bury this, GNR might not be the best band of the 80’s(good point in U2)but they were a good band, no?
74. Mom424 - February 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Csimmons; Slash? What about Eric Clapton? Willy Nelson? Jack White? Jimmy Page? all better guitar players than Slash….
75. Kalied - February 27th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Randall,
Fair play then. I can absolutely appreciate what you’re saying with reagrds to a song perhaps rating higher than another because of personal associations that you may have with the aforementioned song. (Man, that was a wordy sentence, wasn’t it?)
Being a huge fan of New Wave, this is a fairly balanced list you’ve created here. I would have further suggested ‘The Chauffeur’ off of their album The Arena, but well played nonetheless.
I noticed that people have been asking for lists from different genres of music. Perhaps a New Wave list would be appropriate? Just a suggestion.
76. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
BDAY55:
I was born in 1965. I take it from your moniker that you were born in 1955.
Well herein we have our problem, “BDAY.” Trust me, I ain’t “light on my feet,” pal. Perhaps you are, and afraid to face it.
But the difference between us REALLY is, you boomers can’t stand that we rebelled against you. We got sick of your self-indulgent, overblown hippie nonsense and music that you couldn’t dance to.
Yeah, “BDAY.” I LIKED dancing with girls. I learned early on that chicks PREFERRED men that could dance with them… because dancing is a metaphor for SEX. One and one equals two, there, sport.
“dickless dribble”? Hardly. It was fun, danceable music and we had a hell of a party in the 80s… and nope, you weren’t invited. We had more fun without you.
And when our man Barack Obama finally *buries* your freakin’ whiny-ass ME ME ME generation by trouncing Hillary Clinton and the rickety McCain, it’ll be a glorious day—the torch passed on, FINALLY, to US. Ha.
77. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
buclism:im sure you could name plenty, but just like with randall, lets bury this, he was a good(in my view great)guitarist and made some classic riffs and good if not great songs, no?
78. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
csimmons:
No. They were not a good band.
You think they are because you’re ill-informed and stuck in a musical rut. I beg you and implore you to dig yourself out of it. Before it’s too late kid.
79. Kalied - February 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Oops, my apologies. I was referring to Duran Duran in the above post.
80. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
mom424:I agree there are a lot of better guitarists, especially eric clapton, but i think we can all agree that Jimmy Hendrix was the best.
81. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Oh and by the way—-I’ve played guitar since I was 15 years old. (Proud owner of a vintage 65 Gretsch I bought from a guy in the Dictators… honestly). And I therefore know that Slash ain’t no great guitar player either.
James Honeyman-Scott of the Pretenders was a GREAT guitar player. Johny Marr of the Smiths was a GREAT guitar player.
Slash was a mediocrity. A barely inventive mediocrity.
82. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
randall:I like all music, pop, rock, R&B,Rap,etc. I just like GNR as do a lot of people, espically for their song “Welcome To The Jungle” That song embodies all that is true metal, just listen to the lyrics and you’ll see why.
83. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
randall:All im saying is this, he was good, he made good songs, he may have been mediocre in your view, but he made some damn good songs.
84. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Oh and Randall: amen with Obama.
85. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
csimmons and everyone else:
OKAY. *MY* FREAKIN’ LIST. And I say, ENOUGH with the GUNS and FREAKIN ROSES.
Really, you make poor Randall all angry and give him the sour stomach.
86. Mom424 - February 27th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Randall; you must admit they (GnR) had a few catchy tunes…you never sing along to Sweet Child o’ Mine? It comes on the radio while I’m driving the car, I sing along, its like a reflex. Bono kind of ruined U2 for me, I know its not fair but his pontificating (like a rock star has answers to the world’s ills)
spoiled his music for me…Kind of like Tom Cruise/John Travolta and Xenu….
87. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Csimmons: I know a lot of musical topics here are discussed into the ground with some strong opinions. Some of the time it boils down to taste and I can appreciate that some will like stuff that I don’t care for.
I just get riled up when some folks go apeshit over GNR. To me it’s obvious. But I’m not an uber rock critic, I just play one here.
88. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
csimmons:
Something we can agree upon. Obama. Yes.
Obama cured my sinus infection. Through the TV.
Really… he can do that.
89. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Mom:
No, I don’t sing along when I hear it. I turn the station.
I don’t care for Bono either, but I was more of an REM and Smiths fan.
I did see U2 live at my college in 1982, though.
90. bucslim - February 27th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Randall - glad you included Joe Jackson - his Look Sharp and Steppin Out albums were the shit.
Not necessarily on ‘Beautiful Tunes,’ but what was your opinion of the Tubes?
91. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Ah yes, U2, Bono ruined it for me too,
Randall:Okay, for the last time, lets bury this, they(GnR)were a good(not great but good)band and had some catchy tunes, and if you say no, then ill stop arguing.
92. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
And Obama cured my sinus infection too, it creeped me the hell out.
93. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
csimmons:
I will never agree that they were even good. But you like them, and that’s okay… and if you want to think they were great, feel free. But please–no more on my list.
And don’t be creeped out by Obama’s powers. They’re all for the good.
94. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
bucslim:
The Tubes? Minor band, funny, decent music. Not great, but okay. Fee Waybill was a funny bastard.
95. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
okay, ill stop and i respect you r opinion on them, and if i could vote(13, Damn!)I would vote for Obama and if i were to vote republican, id vote Huckabee because hes on the “Colbert Report” and Stephen Colbert is funny as hell!
96. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
csimmons:
HOW OLD are you?
are you saying you’re 13?
ohmigod, my daughter is 13. I’ve been talking to you thinking you were 18 or 20 or something.
Oh good lord… I can’t do this.
Go away and be a kid. Forget what I’ve said, just be yourself.
97. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
randall:SORRY! Damn, i just like classic rock more, jeez!
98. Randall - February 27th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
csimmons:
That’s okay, like what you like. It’s good you like classic rock… good for you. Don’t take anything I’ve said to heart.
99. Kalied - February 27th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
My personal favorite U2 song is ‘Gloria.’ The guitar riff is inspired, and they sing in LATIN! Truly an underrated song if ever there was one.
100. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
randall: i won’t, plus i find most of todays rock to be crap any way(except Dragonforce’s “Through The Fire And Flames”)thats why i listen to a lot of stuff from the 60’s, 70’s, etc.
101. mitchsn - February 27th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
As beautiful as New Orders original is, this cover by Frente blows me away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ1c9ErCn7w
102. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
See yall tomorrow!
103. Kevin Lewis - February 27th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Anybody remember “Don’t answer me” by the Alan Parsons Project? It had the most simple and melodic chorus in it and the video was totally mesmerizing
104. Csimmons - February 27th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
disregard me signing off, what about Van Halen? they didn’t really have any beautiful songs, but had some good ones, no?
105. Jeremy - February 27th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
born in the usa
106. goof_ball - February 27th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I didn’t know a song could be beautiful. Usually you judge beauty on site. I donno, maybe it just me!
107. 20Fan20 - February 27th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I never said GNR was the best band of the 80s. I explained why thier contributions were important. I appreciate your efforts to write a list. Like I said it was good for what it was. Your replys to the comments are great. I do think I am reading a lot of if it is not my style, or you were there or if they sold to many records etc etc then they are crap.
I don’t have to like rap to appreciate what a band like Whodinni or Easy-E did for the genre.
I don’t have to like pop to appreciate what Maddonna did for the genre.
this could go on.
I do know enough to know the 80s as a whole had more than one particular new wave genre.
I guess it comes down to beauty in the eye of the beholder. Metallicas One is a very beautiful song, yup it is heavy. US and Bruce had plenty of “beautiful” songs. Social D had what I consider beautiful songs. Heck RHCP had some “beautiful gems on Uplift MoFO Party Plan. I thought Queen put out a few songs in the 80s.
Look keep the lists coming and enjoy the past, just don’t forget the rosie glasses make us miss songs like Whip It! or Bitchin Camero…
PS Yeah I know I know I heard it from my parents “your music sucks mine is better….yours is too loud, turn it down, you don’t know good music because it is not my style or it aint cool cause I didn’t tell you it was etc etc”
108. anandaji67 - February 27th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I could make an entire 10 song list of New Order songs that are better than triangle. Not mentioning Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen, or the Chameleons is a freaking sin, especially JD. JD had to be the best band since the Who. I was pleasantly suprised to see the Church on here though.
109. SarahJ - February 27th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I can only say Duran Duran - I go weak at the knees (well weak at the memory) and I LOVED this song - thanks for the memory Jamie
110. emeraldi - February 27th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Fantastic List!! I would have added “The Picture” by Hubert Kah from the movie Once Bitten except that I think I am one of about 10 people you actually know of that song. I’ve never met anybody else who has heard of it. It’s been one of my favorites since I was a kid and the only place I could find it was on a myspace tribute page here:
http://www.myspace.com/oncebittenost
Definitely check it out if you’re into the Depeche Mode, New Order or Joy Division synth music.
111. cambrexia101 - February 27th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I have to say, while Bizarre Love Triangle is wonderful and all,
I always liked “True Faith” better,
and the music video for it was actually what got me hooked on New Order.
=]
112. cambrexia101 - February 27th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Woah woah woah, sorry about the 2 comments in a row,
but I have to say:
It is IMPOSSIBLE to write ANY Best Band list and keep Queen off of there.
We Will Rock You? I remember singing that before I knew it was a real song.
Bohemian Rhapsody? The only song to ever be a single TWICE (1975 and 1991).
We Are The Champions and Another One Bites the Dust? Well, we hear those nonstop.
Queen is legendary. Everyone knows them, even if they don’t think they do.
Queen happens to be amazing.
In 2005, the Guinness Book of World Records said that Queen has spent TWENTY SEVEN years all in all in the UK album charts.
That’s more than any other band, including The Beatles and like Elvis and such.
Also in 2005, Queen was third on the list of RECORD sales.
Those are quite some accomplishments.
Can Led Zeppelin or Guns’n'Roses say the same?
They may be great, but they are not the best.
The best is Queen.
BAM.
My rant is done.
113. emeraldi - February 27th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I spoke too soon. Here’s a youtube link with “The Picture” by Hubert Kah. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfXJ-a6gPNs
114. Bad News - February 27th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
If we’re limiting this list to “New Wave”, then this list (wait for it…) is what it is. But there is an absolute *world* of popular music from the ’80s, that was very much of the ’80s, infinitely more beautiful than some of the dreck on here. Jesus Christ, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” came out in 1980…
115. rhharley - February 27th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Faith No More’s The Real Thing is my absolute favourite from this time frame.
The lyrics are amazing.
And I agree with SocialButterfly about ‘Patience’, another of my favs.
116. Susana - February 27th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Why dont I know any of these??!!!
117. Lawrence - February 28th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Natalie! Natalie! Natalie! Amazing song! I’m in awe of her and her music.
118. SarahJ - February 28th, 2008 at 12:05 am
ok I now need to rephrase. Earlier I SKIMMED the list, thought there wasnt much to your taste Jamie, ONLY to come back with the time to read it properly and discover within a moment that it was written by Randall. SO a thousand apologies for giving Jamie the credit for my happy memory :B Thankyou Randall
119. jfrater - February 28th, 2008 at 3:08 am
SarahJ: hehe I thought of you when I was copying the text in for the Duran Duran song
120. romerozombie - February 28th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Under the Mily Way
121. romerozombie - February 28th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Metallica - Fade To Black (give it a chance, it’s beautiful - ‘Tallica are very capable of slow, burning songs - even their die hard fans thought they had sold out when they heard this becuase it’s so different to their ussal sound)
122. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 6:46 am
romerozombie:
No. No metal power ballads.
123. dimitar - February 28th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Bravo! New Order IS the #1!
124. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Bad News:
Care to give me some examples?
I’ve got news for you, “Bad News.” The 80s essentially WAS New Wave. Or, if you prefer, you can call it “Post-Punk.” Which then become Alternative, and which became the dominant music of the 90s. Along with New Wave there was Rap and Hip-Hop, House and Electronic, and the beginnings of Ambient. But except for Rap these all stem from and are closely related to New Wave anyway. There was also the small latter-day punk/thrash/speed metal scene, but that hardly fits in with the list I was doing. And yes, there was the hairband/metal scene, but I ignore that for the crap it was.
I was there, pal. As an adult. I KNOW there was a lot of BAD pop in the 80s, but that also isn’t what I was talking about.
What are YOU talking about?
125. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Cambrexia101:
Queen is and always was a joke. A couple good songs and that’s it.
Check out the rest of the musical world while you’re here, okay?
126. romerozombie - February 28th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Why not Randall?
127. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 7:03 am
romerozombie:
Because it’s fake, cliched crap? That’s my quick answer.
Read my original introduction, to the first part of this list (back a few pages on List Universe–no time to look up the date just now).
128. romerozombie - February 28th, 2008 at 7:04 am
“Because it’s fake, cliched crap? That’s my quick answer.”
And Duran Duran isn’t? At least Metallica weren’t manufactured and wrote their own material.
129. diver d - February 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
After reading both lists, i was saddened not to see one of the most beautiful,melancholy and poignant songs of the ’80’s …not listed…”pictures of you” by the cure. This song will continue to please for years to come. it transcends the ages.
130. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 9:25 am
diver d:
I know, I know…. but I had to keep myself to one song per artist… and it was therefore a personal choice between the two songs–which one meant something personal to *me.*
Trust me though, I agree with you… “Pictures of You” is beautiful, sublimely beautiful.
131. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am
romerozombie:
I never said Duran Duran were some example to go by. But the point is, if they were “fake,” the KNEW they were fake, they had some self-awareness about it–as most new wave acts did. Duran probably had much less self-awareness than others, and so I’d agree with you to a certain extent. Duran Duran were not the Smiths or the Cure. Not in the same league.
But one correction–Duran were NOT manufactured. They started out as a glam-punk band heavily influenced by both the Sex Pistols and Roxy Music. And they *did,* in fact, write their own material.
And no, I would not have called Duran Duran “cliched.” As cheesy as they could be (but their album “Rio” is hardly cheesy) they were still fresh and original *at the time,* which cannot be said for Metallica—just another in a long line of crap metal bands. And just because Metallica was a few notches above even *worse* crap like Quiet Riot or Ratt or Poison, people think Metallica are some kind of “great artists.” Please.
132. dofnup - February 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Wow … I only know 4 of these!! I apparently suck u_u
133. Cedestra - February 28th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Aw, my favorite Depeche Mode song would have beat out that one but was released in ‘93: One Caress.
134. romerozombie - February 28th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I never Duran Duran were manufactured. You just can’t appreciate metal music. I agree with you about RATT, Poison, etc - they were laughable. Metallica was never in the same vein. It’s a shame you tar them all with the same brush.
135. Maggot - February 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
No hair-band power ballads? Come on….
136. Nikki - February 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Whoa Randall, take it easy. You’re being quite harsh to alot of entertaining bands.
Csimmons, I agree with everything you’ve posted!
137. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
No, no hairband/metal power ballads…. why *should* they be here? They’re utter and total crap.
Why do you people think otherwise?
138. Nikki - February 28th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I think the whole Monster Ballads CD should be on the list
139. kiwiboi - February 28th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
My list would contain Waterboys - Whole of the Moon, Pretenders - I Go to Sleep (though Kid, which would be my first choice, misses qualifying by a year), The Cure - Friday I’m in Love, Karla Bonoff - Personally, Crowded House - Don’t Dream it’s Over. Not necessarily seminal tracks, but I have fond memories playing these in various bands.
Actually, for a little more off-the-wall choice, I’d add The Motels - Crybaby.
140. kiwiboi - February 28th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Coupla other thoughts…
Queen sux bigtime ! I truly can’t understand the following they have. I can admire one or two of their tracks…but no more/no less than a gazillion other bands.
And someone mentioned Clapton. Whilst not wanting to wholly undermine his undoubted abilities…in my humble opinion, he would rank as one of the most over-rated guitar players ever.
141. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
kiwiboi:
THANK YOU for backing me up on Queen… and I agree about Eric Clapton.
And I COMPLETELY forgot about the Waterboys “Whole of the Moon.” God, what a beautiful tune that was…
and Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream it’s Over” was on the first half of this list, by the way…
142. Csimmons - February 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
kiwiboi: queen, sucking?!? clapton, over-rated?!? Queen was the first true stadium rock band, they were on the uk charts for 27 years! thats why they have such a huge following, and because they made some of the best and most recognizable music ever. and clapton, hes one of the best guitarists of all-time, you would know if you just listen to him play, and not just with that thing he uses to make his voice sound like the guitar.
143. Randall - February 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Popularity doesn’t mean a band is great. Longevity doesn’t mean they’re great. And being a stadium rock band is a bad thing, not a good thing.
Clapton, while very, very good, is, yes, over-rated. As a guitarist. But I admire a lot of his work and think he had excellent taste and music sense.
144. kiwiboi - February 28th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Crowded House - yeah, so I see.
One day, remind me to tell the story of how close I came to trying out for Crowded House, right as they were starting up. My wife (and now my kids) still reminds me of this when she wants to irritate me!!
145. Csimmons - February 28th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
i agree randall about queen, longevity doesn’t mean a band is great, but they made hit after hit, plus everytime you hear one of their signature songs, tell me you don’t sing along.
and clapton maybe over-rated as a guitarist, but he is a damn good musician.
146. kiwiboi - February 28th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Csimmons - with Clapton (like many other guitarists) everything is relative. Listen to some quality players and then make an honest assessment. And note that I did not say Clapton was crap (or similar). I said he was over-rated. Like most guitarists, I have plenty of Clapton material - I’ve also seen him play live.
And, like Randall, I agree that popularity (ie. Queen) is not the full picture. And I’m not dissing Queen fans - it’s just that I cannot for the life of me understand why so many peeps rate them so highly. Each to their own, I guess…
147. Csimmons - February 28th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
kiwiboi: i agree, i just like queen because of their success i guess, i should really my “rock” horizons.
148. Csimmons - February 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
sorry, meant to say widen my horizons.
149. kiwiboi - February 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Csimmons - good for you. There’s a wealth of music out there for you to explore.
150. Csimmons - February 28th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
i guess you don’t hear any good rock anymore because of that monstrocity MTV, rock used to be pure, then bands sold out just to get their vid on there and almost ruined rock until bands lke metallica came along, now true metal like metallica and slayer are disappearing due to MTV yet again, but theres still some good rock and some good rap (more bout pimps and hos now, miss gangsta rap).
151. marqueemark - February 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
been a lot of songs off donnie darko on these lists, great songs!
152. Bad News - February 28th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Randall:
After coming up with some examples (Tom Waits was in the absolute prime of his career; Victoria Williams; Lucinda Williams; Leonard Cohen, etc), I think I figured out your take. “New Wave” (which to me is different from “Post-Punk” — labels are wierd), to me, means over-produced, soul-less, make-up wearing eurotrash playing those jacked up keyboard/guitar deals. The music is instantly forgettable (mostly because of the slavish reliance on the new MIDI technology, less so because of the actual songs). Despite that, some songs stood out. So titling this list “Beautiful Examples of Ugly New Wave Music” is hard for me to dispute.
And why are you so hung up on proving your age bona fides? Frankly, I don’t think it lends your voice more authority than it would otherwise have.
And I’m older than you. Point proven?
153. Bad News - February 28th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Oh, snap! There was supposed to be a after “Point proven?” above. Don’t know why it didn’t show up.
Not trying to provoke anybody. Especially someone who was there…as an ADULT…
And “Whole of the Moon” is indeed beautiful.
154. swampsnake - February 28th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
ok heres my take on this. i was in high school in the mid and late 70s. new wave started then as an offshoot and softer side of punk , if you will. saw fist fights over they are punk no they are new wave etc. so this list is subjective based on someones opinion. i listen to all types of music and imho most beautiful song of the 80s would have to be…seven spanish angles by ray and wille
155. Maggot - February 28th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Of course “utter and total crap” is in the eye of the beholder. But Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Culture Club…? Please.
156. rhea - February 29th, 2008 at 5:05 am
it always brings tears to my eyes everytime i hear bizarre love triangle….huhuhuhu
157. Randall - February 29th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Bad News:
Ahhhhhh…. I see now… you’re one of these people I knew in college who thought if an artist wasn’t *totally freakin’ obscure and unknown,* then they weren’t worth listening to.
I mean, *come on.* Victoria Williams? Lucinda Williams? Talk about cult-following. And god help me, I love Leonard Cohen, but please… I was keeping this list to artists who were known for being *80’s*… Cohen, as we know, is a singer/songwriter (albeit a one-of-a-kind singer/songwriter) from that era of the singer/songwriter, the early 70s. And Tom Waits? I like Tom Waits sometimes, but you know, really… I’ve never understood the rabid (but small) following he has… I just don’t get it. His voice is cool, but it gets old listening to that rasp. And I don’t find his music interesting the way people seem to.
As for New Wave—I certainly never said (and never felt) that it was a form or era that was ALL gems. There was a LOT of crap from both sides of the Atlantic. I’ve always said, the difference between the Sixties and the Eighties, in terms of pop music, is that in the Sixties most of the great pop music was all over the Top 40. Whereas in the Eighties most of it was in the underground or was at least *not* on the Top 40. (And of course there was *more* great pop music in the Sixties, though I’d place the Eighties in second). But the key here is how you treat the term “New Wave”–it can be both a form AND an era. You’re talking of it as a form, in essence—the often soulless, style-over-substance thing. (Although one could also argue that there was a time and place for that—as a revolt against Seventies style and vapidity). I am, in this case, thinking of New Wave more as an era—that period in postpunk from about 1978 - 1985 (though note, this list wasn’t titled “The Most Beautiful Songs of New Wave,” because some of them were drawn from later in the decade). After 1985, postpunk morphed into “college music” and into “Alternative.” As we recall, most of the big-name New Wave acts fell right off the charts and weren’t listened to, even, after about 1985/86. The styles changed, the approach changed, the mindset changed, and the music changed–the synthesizer fell back into Electronica and other forms of dance music, and guitar-based bands came back, largely due to the influence of The Smiths and REM and their jangle-pop ilk.
As for the age thing… all you have to do is think about it. MOST of the people on the internet—at least on sites like this—are not our age. They’re younger–sometimes much younger–and it’s safer to assume they *are* younger if they don’t identify their age. And I’ve run into too many such kids here who insist on telling ME what the 80s were all about when they weren’t even there, weren’t even born yet, or were too young to remember any of it firsthand. I think you’re wrong on this, for that reason—the experience of *being there* as an adult DOES lend weight and authority—it should. I was born in 1965, and would NEVER presume to tell someone from the 40s or 50s what their decades’ music was about, unless I had made it some particular and intense study of mine. I MIGHT offer opinions about Sixties music, not because I was alive at the time–because I was still just a child–but because I HAVE made Sixties music a study of mine, because I’ve loved it immensely ever since I WAS a child. But I still wouldn’t feel comfortable trying to high-hand someone older than me who WAS there in the Sixties.
Same goes for me with the Eighties. You and I were there. We know better than some kid who wasn’t even born until 1992 or whatever. But I didn’t KNOW how old you were, and felt it safer to point out that I AM old enough to have been there.
158. Csimmons - February 29th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
should have some rock ballads or something rockin’ on this list randall, the 80’s was the best time for rock and had some beautiful songs.
159. Bad News - February 29th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Randall,
You can praise The Smiths (likeable enough) while diminishing the importance of Tom Waits (for example), but that says more about you than Tom Waits. It’s really not subjective — by any meaningful standard, Tom Waits is much more important. You can like The Smiths better, and who am I to say otherwise, but you cannot say that their music is better than Tom Waits’.
I’m allowed to like velveeta better than Parmegiana Regiano; Thomas Kincaid more than Rene Magritte; white zinfandel more than Gaja Barbaresco. But I’m not allowed to say they’re better.
And I did not seek obscurity as a youth — I sought truth. And it usually didn’t play one of those keyboard/guitar thingies.
And the English Beat belong on this list.
On a more important note, I sincerely appreciate your contributions to this site, and to this list specifically. Reading through your comments (and those of others) helps me understand what’s important to me. So kudos to you too , Jamie, for a great site.
160. jrjb - March 1st, 2008 at 2:59 am
Here Comes a Regular - The Replacements
Friday I’m in love - The Cure
Million miles away - The Plimsouls (sp)
161. rp - March 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 am
It may help to be on heroin, like the singer, but this is pretty nice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHfVNH1FaT4
162. Randall - March 3rd, 2008 at 6:54 am
Bad News:
Okay, you’re comparing the Smiths to Velveeta? To Thomas Kincaid? Get over yourself–you’re nothing but a snob.
I was joking originally, but clearly I’ve got you pegged–you’re one of these people who feels NO ONE in music is legitimate if they sell lots of records or are popular. Only artists with cult-followings are legit, in your view.
Sorry dude, but no–Tom Waits is NOT more important than the Smiths, and I CAN say their music is better. I’d find a lot of professional music critics who agree with me. I can bet, from your statements, that you’ve never even listened to the Smiths, or at least haven’t listened to them carefully.
Notice I do NOT say that Tom Waits “sucks” or anything of that nature. I acknowledge his artistry and to some extent his importance. And note I don’t denigrate Waits the way you absurdly have denigrated the Smiths. I mean, come off it—this is THE SMITHS we’re talking about here, not the goddamned Culture Club.
I love the pomposity you unabashedly display here, “And I did not seek obscurity as a youth…” (but I bet you attained it anyway, didn’t you?) “…I sought truth.” Woooooo…. I’m supposed to be impressed. Again—get over your freakin’ self. Again—more proof of your snobbery–as if we didn’t ALL “seek truth.” But of course, in your orange-sky-colored-world, YOU are the only one who found it, right? You and the 59 other Tom Waits fans.
“And it usually didn’t play one of those keyboard/guitar thingies.” More snobbery of course… though I won’t hesitate to also point out that Johnny Marr (of the Smiths) never played one of those things. But see, again–what someone plays doesn’t matter to me. It’s what comes out. I sense you also look down on New Order for their use of synth. Yes yes.. I can see it. You’re one of THOSE.
I won’t argue that the English Beat belong on the list. There you’re right—but I also picked tunes that had had some personal importance to me when I was younger. I loved the English Beat, but none of their songs fit the bill in that respect.
About everything else you’ve said though—you need to stop being such a stiff, “Bad News.”
163. Bad News - March 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
>
1.) Bruce Springsteen
2.) The Rolling Stones
3.) The Beatles
d.) Elvis Presley
V.) Kelly Clarkson
F.) Bob Dylan
7.) Michael Jackson (Off the Wall years)
All of these are all-timers for me. Gettin’ tired of being wrong? Okay, not Kelly Clarkson, but I will holler out “Since You’ve Been Gone” at the top of my lungs with little provocation. It’s got nothing to do with obscurity, homie. You really shouldn’t presume to know someone’s personality from these posts. For instance, I won’t guess that you were one of those luckless saps sitting in your dorm room, teasing your hair up on a Saturday night and getting your make-up “just right”, listening to The Cure, thinking Robert was singing to you and you only, about a pain only the two of you felt. Right? Meanwhile, the Replacements, X, the Minutemen, Sonic Youth, etc were kicking these wimps in the pants. It’s sad to think someone wasted the ’80s listening to synth crap with so much good music being made.
Johnny Marr is a total badass on guitbox (I dig Modest Mouse), and Morrisey is maybe his equal lyrically. But to me, their music is a petit four. Sorry. Maybe I’m selling them short, but their music is not timeless. It is absolutely trapped in the ’80s, which is why it’s suitable for this list.
And, hey, aren’t you the one who says popularity does not equal quality? I could give a crap how many fans of Tom Waits there are — most people have had to make do with what radio shoves down their throats, anyway, and ol’ Tom doesn’t write chart toppers.
But he has written important music — see the list of his songs covered by people at all points of the musical spectrum.
And the more I listen to “Rain Dogs”, the better it gets. The more I listen to “The Queen is Dead”, the more I wish I’d listened to “Tim”.
164. Randall - March 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Bad News:
I don’t tire of being wrong because I’m entirely unaccustomed to it and am not, in fact, wrong now. As it happens, I too was a huge fan of the Replacements, Sonic Youth, Husker Du, (and later Sugar), The Pixies, Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, Agent Orange, etc. etc. etc. I did think X were overrated. They just weren’t that great.
And you can just fold up your little attempt at pushing my buttons with the teased hair/goth/gay/Cure references, moron. No, that wasn’t me… I was simply what YOU are clearly not–someone with an open mind who liked TONS of shit from all different styles and forms in the 80s because I embraced all good music. I (unlike you) didn’t despise the synth stuff because it was “wimpy,” but rather liked it if it was good and danceable. You, on the other hand, seem to have some insecurity with your sexuality. You might wanna look into that, and find your true self that’s buried under all the hostility.
For someone to say that the music of The Smiths… THE SMITHS.. is “trapped in the 80s” is so absurd it’s laughable. You haven’t a clue.
You’ve taken my point about popularity and pulled a little logical fallacy with it, which further shows your desperation and lack of wit on this topic. Yes, I have said many times that popularity is no measure of an artist’s value. But YOU, “Bad News,” are making the opposite claim: that Tom Waits’ LACK of popularity somehow makes him MORE valuable. Which is the very point I was shoving in your face last time. People like you have this need to show how “cool” you are by putting on the pose of despising the popular… rather than simply opening yourself up to liking whatever comes along of value.
*I* say that those things of value can be found amongst the Tom Waits of the musical world *as well* as in the mainstream/popular examples. *You* mock this attitude, which, again, makes you simply nothing more than a snob.
And again—I never said Tom Waits wasn’t important. I personally don’t dig him, he’s a bit of a bore to me. But I acknowledge his value.
165. Bad News - March 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Aaaaahhh, you’re not a listverser til ol’ Randall’s called you a moron…
Two more points: 1.) How do you know I’m *not* gay? and 2.)If you think only gays tease their hair and wear make-up, you’re wrong — again. Believe me — I am very, very much in touch with that side of me. Your propensity to make assumptions (I’m a kid, I’m a snob, I’m making a gay reference) continues to derail your arguments.
Finally, the list of popular acts in my last post was meant to rebut your claim that I’m a snob. Nowhere did I say that TW’s lack of popularity is a good or admirable thing, so you have imagined this logical fallacy.
That said, I think we’re starting to bore others, if not ourselves. You’ve definitely got your ’80s music down pat (even if I am critical of this list, and new wave in general).
And lay off the name-calling — you endeavor to be wittier than that, I think.
166. Randall - March 5th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Bad News:
“…you’re not a listverser til ol’ Randall’s called you a moron…”
That’s right. You should feel benighted now.
The gay thing is a cute rhetorical trick. YOU used the SUGGESTION of it to take a radically wild and unsubstantiated swipe at me, even though you didn’t come out and say it.
I frankly do not care one way or the other if you’re gay or not gay. Nor am I under the mistaken assumption that (in the 80s at least) only gay guys teased their hair and wore makeup.
But let’s not play games here and pretend you weren’t taking a wild swipe, pal. I make no assumptions–I read things for the way they are.
Your list of popular acts rebutted nothing. One would have to be some kind of a fool to NOT cite the artists you cited (with the exception of Kelly Clarkson — bad joke, that too–and Michael Jackson) as the general “big names.” This only proves that you’re not brain-damaged.
Further, I have imagined nothing. You started out by denigrating