Top 15 1980s Tunes For The Mornings

1. Ember - February 1st, 2008 at 4:22 am

Ooh no “Walking on Sunshine” it’s the only song that makes mornings bearable.

2. jfrater - February 1st, 2008 at 4:25 am

Ember: I love that song too!

3. dangorironhide - February 1st, 2008 at 4:30 am

Someone likes Simple Plan!

The only one I recognise from that list is ‘Eye in the Sky’, which is fucking AWESOME.

4. Ember - February 1st, 2008 at 4:33 am

Loving the Simple Minds flashback, this morning is now way better than previoulsly anticipated, thanks!

5. Ember - February 1st, 2008 at 4:44 am

Isn’t helping my typing skills however…

6. GingerLee - February 1st, 2008 at 4:46 am

What no Michael Jackson? Beat It…beat that urge to punch the alarm clock and then throw it across the room.

7. satori - February 1st, 2008 at 4:49 am

What about “I want candy”? or Blondie, “99 Red Balloons”…is Freedom 90 an 80’s track?

8. Ember - February 1st, 2008 at 4:52 am

hee, or “leave me alone” (Mum, I don’t wanna go to school)

9. GingerLee - February 1st, 2008 at 4:54 am

Ugh! How could I forget Elton John’s “I Guess that’s Why the Call it the Blues” was an 80’s single? I must be slipping in my old age.

10. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 4:56 am

#satori: I admit, it’s 1990, but it’s so 80’s in feel..i had to include it to top things up.

11. fiipinoknight - February 1st, 2008 at 5:12 am

wow great list didnt think anyone would remember the alan parsons project.

12. fiipinoknight - February 1st, 2008 at 5:14 am

also Level 42 Something About You would have been great on here good beat to it not to mention the bass line

13. satori - February 1st, 2008 at 5:16 am

Ok…just wanna throw in some more that were meaningful to me…”Livin’ on a prayer” Bon Jovi- “Pour some sugar on me” Def Lepard, “Hungry like the Wolf” Duran Duran, “Summer of 69″ Brian Adams…my personal absolute fav has to be “Money Money” Billie Idol. Oh, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”. “Walk like an Egyptian” The Bangles- “Vacation” The Go Gos- “I love rock ‘n’ roll” Joan Jett- Sorry…your list got me really inspired.

14. satori - February 1st, 2008 at 5:19 am

And I have to mention Prince…any really but I’d say “When Doves Cry” or “Kiss” would be tops. Thanks for this list, obviously, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it!

15. Hannah - February 1st, 2008 at 5:39 am

Note to site admin: on #7, the artist and song name are reversed.

Good list, though.

16. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 5:45 am

satori; billy idol, wonderful house cleaning music..the kids (all pretty much grown) bitch as soon as the hear Billy blastin’; they know whats comin’.
jfrater; being raised in the ’70’s was even better; I had friends whose siblings were actual hippies. Guess what we found in the pocket of the borrowed peasant skirt? Grade 7 french was never the same! (our french teacher was stunned; smoked it right out the portable window)

17. Taipans - February 1st, 2008 at 6:02 am

over 1/2 the links are dead already! BOO!

18. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 6:14 am

I am way too old. I can sing along with all these tunes. Come to think about it, I can sing along with every tune you ever hear on the radio….
depressing…..

19. jfrater - February 1st, 2008 at 6:15 am

Taipans: try again - sometimes they fail - I tested them all before posting this morning

20. lola - February 1st, 2008 at 6:21 am

Freedom, and Enjoy the Silence, are to die for, Timeless classics. Imagine how much George must have payed the supermodels to be in his video. That video, is a zenith in supermodeldoom.

21. byaskal - February 1st, 2008 at 6:26 am

A-Ha “Take on Me” and Men at Work “Down Under” are two of my faves from the 80s. Great list!!

22. AnotherEngine - February 1st, 2008 at 6:27 am

Big Country’s “In A Big Country” or The Waterboys’ “Whole Of The Moon” are also strong contenders.

23. Mystern - February 1st, 2008 at 6:31 am

Wow. It’s amazing how many of these I know considering when 1990 hit I was only 4 years old. Horray for Depeche Mode!

24. Mystern - February 1st, 2008 at 6:36 am

Mom424: That’s not depressing. That’s cool. I wish I could sing along with every tune on the radio. I can’t remember songs to save my life. About the only songs I remember are the Hip Hop songs my wife loves . . . alright, I admit it, she got me hooked on them too.

25. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 6:37 am

Depeche Mode is indeed a great band!!

26. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 6:41 am

Mystern; my family wishes I didn’t. I love to sing, but trust me, I won’t be trying out for the met any time soon…
The Lullaby thing never worked for me, the kids’ would cry louder….lol

27. me - February 1st, 2008 at 6:42 am

i love 80’s music andtought ur list was great till i got to #2

George micheal? really ive never understood why people like him

28. darthbarbie - February 1st, 2008 at 6:44 am

What no Wham! “I’m your Man” is my mobile tune. It always make me happy….

29. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 6:44 am

#me: It’s the song, not the man..

30. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 6:53 am

What was that gay “before you go go” Wham tune?
I used to laugh every time I saw the video or heard the tune….tooooo fruity
I could never get over the Depeche Mode posturing, always reminded me of a Mike Myers skit on either SCTV or Saturday Night Live….

31. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 6:58 am

#Mom424: “Wake me up(before you go)”
That was embarrasing.

32. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 7:06 am

huge, used to make me squirmy for him
there was also bananarama, made me embarrassed to be female

33. JwJwBean - February 1st, 2008 at 7:20 am

A lot of these songs are slow starters. I like a more upbeat morning. They are all great songs from the 80’s though.

34. DanOhh - February 1st, 2008 at 7:27 am

Looks like someone needs a larger music selection.

35. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 7:32 am

Okay, weird idea for a list, but I can get behind it, since New Wave is dear to my heart, having been a teen during the original punk movement, and having graduated high school in 1983.

But right off the top of my head, my choice for an 80’s morning tune has got to be “I Melt With You” by Modern English… my mind was turning around a few songs by the English Beat and the Psychedelic Furs, Echo & The Bunnymen and The Cure… but I’d still have to settle back on “I Melt With You.” In early ‘84 when I was in college, I was dating this gorgeous brunette–love of my life, of course–that big college relationship, you know what I mean… and “I Melt With You” was one of “our” songs—we used to grab each other and run to the dance floor whenever a DJ played it at one of the local clubs.

Whenever I hear that thing, it still makes me happy. Hell of an awesome tune. Gets you going no matter when you hear it.

36. incipiat - February 1st, 2008 at 7:36 am

How about that 80’s tune by Men without Hats - “We can Dance if we want to”.

37. SocialButterfly - February 1st, 2008 at 7:43 am

Love the songs on this list but a good morning song is Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham.

Definitely not the best band of the 80’s but a great morning song nonetheless.

38. Lisa - February 1st, 2008 at 7:54 am

Ember: Surprisingly, I heard “Walking on Sunshine” this morning in the work bathroom while I was taking my shower. You’re right, great morning song!

Bette Davis Eyes is one of my favorite songs EVER. It won the Grammy the year I was born (82)

39. JOE ROSSON - February 1st, 2008 at 7:55 am

Wow,Don’t forget about me was a heartbreaker,I was seriously in love with this cute 18 year old and I was 15,she had to move back to her parents house across the usa and we lost contact and that song killed me everytime I heard it,I actually used to turn the dial if it came on because it reminded me of her soo much,it killed me when I heard it.The 80’s were amazing.

40. DiscHuker - February 1st, 2008 at 7:58 am

what about bill withers “lovely day” or dexy’s midnight runners “come on eileen”? excellent getting the energy flowing music.

41. unhustler - February 1st, 2008 at 8:02 am

My morning 80s tunes were *slightly* different:

Welcome to the Jungle- Guns N Roses
Battery- Metallica
Caught in a Mosh- Anthrax
One- Metallica
My Michelle- Guns N Roses
Antisocial- Anthrax
Manic Monday- The Bangles
For Those About to Rock…- AC/DC
Bitchin Camero- Dead Milkmen
Peace Sells, But Who’s Buying- Megadeth
Higher Ground- Red Hot Chili Peppers

Good tunes on your list, just not the jump starters I needed.

42. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 8:04 am

#unhustler: honestly, thats kinda more like my morning list too *shhh*

43. jfrater - February 1st, 2008 at 8:07 am

This list reminds me that I am overdue for an 80s party!

44. DiscHuker - February 1st, 2008 at 8:07 am

unhustler: the comedy of your list is awesome. not the songs mind you, just that a little bangles is slipped into the list of thrash rock. i wonder what anthrax and megadeath would think about being grouped with the ladies

45. unhustler - February 1st, 2008 at 8:08 am

Skater punk in the 80s, mild mannered daddy in the 00s, silence is the best sound in the morning now, lol

46. lyrebyrd - February 1st, 2008 at 8:09 am

Okay, I like Simple Minds as well, but in they’re weighing in a bit heavily here. Madness! No, I mean the group Madness - how can anything be more upbeat than most Madness songs? I’d list House of Fun or One Step Beyond. Also, gotta have Dexy’s Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen, and Big Country - In a Big Country.

47. teacherman - February 1st, 2008 at 8:12 am

This list is kind of lame without any commentary. Anyone agree? 4 Simple minds in the top 15 deserves an explanation!

Worst List Ever!

48. DiscHuker - February 1st, 2008 at 8:12 am

here’s bill making the day bright…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2DnUxLISFcA

and dexy getting me excited…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7z9bPrUark4

49. Mystern - February 1st, 2008 at 8:14 am

JF: Wait! An 80’s party? Can I come? I’ll bring my wife and she can do her hair up into an afro!

50. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 8:17 am

Mystern, nobody wore afros in the 80s. Please. Big hair, yes. Afros, no.

51. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 8:18 am

afro reminds me of pam grier now..

52. Mystern - February 1st, 2008 at 8:19 am

Randall: Okay then fine. Please see comment number 23 on this list. I wasn’t really around. But that being said my wife can just as easily do big hair.

53. Einstein217 - February 1st, 2008 at 8:34 am

Wow! This just triggered some memories of how bad some of the ’80s music really was. NOt as bad as some of the arena rock shite that was from the ’70s but bad nonetheless.

54. Marcy - February 1st, 2008 at 8:47 am

The first song I thought of when I saw this list was “Walking on Sunshine”! I was scrolling down the page, knowing that it had to be #1.

BOOO! (in the nicest way possible)

I vote it be added as an honorable mention, at the very least!

55. StarDust - February 1st, 2008 at 9:26 am

You forgot Manic Monday by the Bangles, also Where’s the love for Fleetwood Mac, I listen to Gypsy,and be with you almost everymorning.

56. toolnut - February 1st, 2008 at 9:26 am

I think I hear almost every one of these songs almost every day on our local radio station. Sorry to burst the bubble but the only ones I can still handle to listen to are “Don’t Your (Forget About Me), and Depeche Mode (which I never get tired of).

57. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 9:29 am

Mystern:

Hey, historical accuracy is important. Key to the 80s was, we (who were young adults in the 80s) hated and were in rebellion against everything 70s and everything baby-boom and everything hippie-related. Afros were therefore tres declasse, along with bell-bottoms; tie-dyes; beads… you get the idea.

58. Derek - February 1st, 2008 at 9:41 am

Not enough simple minds.

The artist and song title are switched on #7

Oh noes

59. Mystern - February 1st, 2008 at 9:42 am

Randall: Yes I do get the idea. Thanks for correcting me. I was a 90’s child and thus consider myself to have diplomatic immunity concerning foolish statements concerning other decades.

60. satori - February 1st, 2008 at 9:49 am

How about the Smiths? “This charming man”? I guess you could include “How soon is now”, but a little depressing in the morning. Actually, any Smiths is depressing in the morning, unless it’s “Panic”. I am so on board with the Dexy’s Midnight Runners guys! SO ON BOARD!

61. toolnut - February 1st, 2008 at 9:52 am

Mystern: I feel ya, I was born in/around ‘85/’86 also.

Randall: Just be glad that we recognize and appreciate who these artists are.

62. DiscHuker - February 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am

ok. no afros. jheri-curl then?

63. DiscHuker - February 1st, 2008 at 10:01 am

so how close to london does this list maker live? seems to be a little brit-centered.

64. satori - February 1st, 2008 at 10:05 am

Jerry curl was definately 80’s-one of my fav scenes ever in a movie was in “Coming to America” when there’s the family who own a jerry curl gel empire, and they’re sitting on a couch-and they all get up together and there is a perfect jerry curl residue outline on the wall.

65. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 10:24 am

Mystern; you are but a baby, and I couldn’t tell, this is a compliment.
I was born in 1962,,,just missed being a hippie

66. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 10:29 am

My oldest son was born in 1986 and he sings along with me on the stones, ac/dc,billy idol etc, but unfortunately he also listens to repetitive rap crap

67. Mystern - February 1st, 2008 at 10:30 am

Mom424: Thanks for the compliment. I think I am one of the few people who reads profiles.

68. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 10:38 am

Mom:

My oldest daughter (born 1994) has taken after her father in many ways, most especially in regards to musical taste. She’s into a lot of stuff contemporary (The Killers, Strokes, White Stripes) and various 90s artists (she loves PJ Harvey and Sarah Mclachlan, and Green Day) and original Punk is her special love… she’s listened to her Sex Pistols, Ramones, and Clash CDs so many times, I’m surprised they still work… but when it comes to the 80s, she’s intensely picky. As we drive along in the car, an 80s tune may come on… and more often than not her reaction is swift and terrible:

“Eighties pop drivel,” she’ll sneer derisively, and change the station.

69. Borg - February 1st, 2008 at 10:56 am

Like Mystern and toolnut, I was also a child of the 90’s. It’s a bit peculiar how our generation is obsessed with “80’s music.” In college, it felt like EVERY week there was another 80’s party to go to. I think generally we love 80’s music because it’s so wacky and upbeat, filled with handclaps and falsetto-filled choruses. Plus, we didn’t have to hear these songs a thousand times a day on the radio growing up.
Anyway, I really like the songs on the list here but I would add “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen, “Mint Car” by the Cure, and “Melt With You” by Modern English. I actually have a morning playlist and it’s mostly 80’s music, Beatles, and A Tribe Called Quest.

70. Borg - February 1st, 2008 at 11:00 am

Satori: “This Charming Man” by the Smiths is a GREAT song. I almost can’t get dressed without listening to it.

71. burgeon - February 1st, 2008 at 11:01 am

Great list, love me some 80’s. I’d add Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” to the list - Whooa-WoAoAo-AoAo-A-Wa-oA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related

And sorry, can’t resist:

Gentlemen, allow me to demonstrate the awesome lethality of the Alan Parsons Project. Fire the laser!

72. Rocknopera - February 1st, 2008 at 11:14 am

Here’s a few good ones you missed….

1. Aha - Take on Me
2. Billy Idol - White Wedding
3. Bruce Hornsby - The Way It Is
4. Cutting Crew - I Just Died In Your Arms
5. David Bowie/Queen - Under pressure
6. Dexy’s Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
7. Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
8. Huey Lewis & The News - The Power of Love
9. Mr. Mister - Take These Broken Wings
10. Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes
11. Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World
12. Wang Chung - Everybody Have Fun Tonight
13. Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart….

……to name a few.

73. phunniemee - February 1st, 2008 at 11:26 am

The Talking Heads’ “And She Was” always puts me in a happy mood.

74. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 11:26 am

Borg:

You’ve hit a nail right on its head here.

The fact is that there was a TON of great music in the 90s–Alternative music, that is–top 40 in the 90s was mostly godawful, which has been true of every decade, actually, since the 60s. (The 60s was the last time when everything top 40 was almost universally great). The great bands of the 90s are too numerous to mention. But there’s a difference between the way music was disseminated, produced, and marketed in the 80s vs. the 90s, and a difference in what the two decades were about, when it came to music.

What your generation is reacting to, in loving 80s New Wave, is similar to the reaction all of have had to 60s pop. 60s pop was fun, danceable, vital and hugely memorable. (Unfortunately you can’t say the same for 60s hippie music, which was, with only a few exceptions, ponderous, dull, and totally forgettable). The key word is, 60s pop was FUN. There were countless one-hit wonders, and that tells you right there–what mattered in the 60s was the individual 3 minute pop song.

Then all that fun pop got morphed for a time into “ROCK,” by the hippies and their 70s successors, and a lot of the fun was drained out of it. It was bloated and self-important. Then the Punk rockers reacted against that, and voila–in the 80s we had the return of meaningless, FUN, danceable, energetic music. Tons of one-hit wonders. Nobody cared who the bands were. All that mattered was the hit song with the great synth beat and the swirling guitars and memorable melody.

Some of that carried over into the 90s for a while, but the difference with 90s music—while I love a LOT of it—is that it wasn’t “fun” the way 80s New Wave was. It wasn’t just innocent lets-go-dance-and-party music anymore. The 90s were great…. but different.

75. teacherman - February 1st, 2008 at 11:27 am

This is a terrible list. JMHO.
Simple minds? Please.

Worst

List

Ever.

76. JMurf - February 1st, 2008 at 11:37 am

Under pressure by bowie and mercury, should no matter what, be on that list

77. toolnut - February 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am

Rocknopera: awww, I totally forgot about Peter Gabriel. One of my favorites by far. Although I would have to say “Sledgehammer” rather than “In Your Eyes”

78. Yogi Barrister - February 1st, 2008 at 11:43 am

I never realized how ambivalent I was about music from the Eighties. I’m looking at my 250 CDs right now and can only find Elvis Costello, Dire Straits, The Stranglers, The Pixies, Graham Parker, and X.
Here in America, many of us are eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring and the opening day for baseball. How about John Fogerty’s, CENTERFIELD to boost our spirits in the morning?

79. Yogi Barrister - February 1st, 2008 at 11:46 am

Oh good! I just found another great morning song from the Eighties, MANDINKA, by Sinead O’Connor.

80. Borg - February 1st, 2008 at 11:55 am

Absolutely, Randall. I feel, however, that I can only appreciate the simplicity of that type of music because I didn’t have to listen to it every day. I’m sure if I had been born 10 years earlier, I would have been listening to the Replacements, the Pixies, the Smiths, the Clash, instead. 80’s music makes great morning and party music, but I can’t listen to it very long before I get bored.

81. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 12:08 pm

Rocknopera;
awesome list, i’m with toolnut on the peter gabriel, and I would definitely replace most of the simple minds and the depeche mode and the pat benatar tune “we belong” with anything from your list. Good choices! (I don’t recognize 3 or 4, probably just because I’m old, or they didn’t play it on the radio where I lived)

82. pufonthis - February 1st, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Simple Minds were never that great even IN the 80s.. now they have 4 spots on this list… yuck.

83. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Borg:

Absolutely. I was *there* and I definitely preferred the Replacements, Smiths, Pixies, etc. etc. See… there was also, back then, a dividing line between what was popular and what was “college music.” College radio was playing stuff that was inventive, cool, hip, intelligent… and yet a lot of it was still fun. Whereas top 40 80s music–especially after 1985–was filled with drek.

We got bored with New Wave after a while, just as you say–and after all, New Wave more or less started around 1978 or 79… and was good and listenable until… say, 1985. That’s 6 or 7 years, a long time for a “style” to last. Not bad. After that the cool bands went more underground, into college radio, and the crap filled the top 40 playlists.

If you notice, the huge New Wave groups had a great slacking off of hits after 85 or so… Culture Club and Duran Duran for instance. The form became stale.

You learned to hear it condensed down into the hits… which is great, that’s how it should be now. But back then, yeah…. you got sick of hearing the pop stuff after a while.

84. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 12:20 pm

Borg:

Also, you make another fantastic point about 80s music:

“80’s music makes great morning and party music, but I can’t listen to it very long before I get bored.”

Well said, kid. That’s exactly what I was getting at… 80s music is party music, it’s get-pumped up and excited and have fun music. But that can also get boring when you want a little more density and substance in what you’re listening to.

BUT, it’s got its place.

85. Mom424 - February 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm

Randall; your kid likes the same contemporary music I do. I love the white stripes, Jolene by them kinda sends willies up my back….
I’m not fond of the Killers, cuz they can’t sing in real life, not that the radio versions aren’t catchy, and I like the ramones, and the clash, and green day’s kinda cool
i don’t know how old your daughter is but I also like Hank III, punkabilly, lots of swearing but if she’s old enough get her to give it a try, he also sings old style country which is beautiful….

86. DiscHuker - February 1st, 2008 at 12:41 pm

what about dj jazzy jeff and the fresh prince “parents just don’t understand”?

87. Randall - February 1st, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Mom:

My daughter swears like a sailor. No problem there.

88. Borg - February 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Randall:

And it sure beats the modern day equivalent of dance music: mainstream rap. Just as mindless, but more about posturing than fun. I much prefer electronic.

89. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm

#88: Lol!

90. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 12:54 pm

That was meant for Randall’s daughter!!

91. skipps - February 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm

I’m a child of the 90s, and I’m not really familiar with the songs on this list. However, I do like “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”, which I first heard in one of Futurama’s rather emotional episodes, “The Luck of the Fryish”.

Anyway, I think “Maniac” by Michael Sembello and “Flashdance” by Irene Cara are also great songs for the mornings

92. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 1:00 pm

#80: I do agree with Borg and i’m more of a rock and metal fan but more often than not this list reminds me of just how beautiful and simple life can be sometimes..

93. heavybison - February 1st, 2008 at 1:03 pm

And i’m surprised…i thought there were more TFS fans out there..

94. sarahj - February 1st, 2008 at 1:04 pm

There are just so many great 80s songs to get you going, that writing this list is like commenting on 15 special fish in the sea. Well done another cool list!!

95. Cedestra - February 1st, 2008 at 1:42 pm

@Byaskal: I was waiting for someone to say “Take on me”! My favorite 80s song! Excellent inclusion of Men at Work.

96. Butterfish - February 1st, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Has to be Black Box and ‘Ride on Time’. That’ll get you out of bed pretty sharpish.

97. Angelina - February 1st, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Good List. Lots of good songs and more in the comments. My vote is for cheesetastic “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler!!! As a child of the 80s, I love these reminders of my youth. I really do love the 80s!!!

98. ElleMNOP - February 1st, 2008 at 2:24 pm

You didn’t just leave out “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)” by the Proclaimers. For shame!

99. macabresoren - February 1st, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I’m a little proud and somehow slightly depressed by the fact that I’m only 20 and I know all these songs…

100. Kalied - February 1st, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Hello! Ok, time for some Depeche Mode snobbery. Enjoy The Silence was released in 1990. Thanks all!

101. ringtailroxy - February 1st, 2008 at 5:39 pm

ohh… Pat Benetar! she rocks! but… no Patty Smith? no Men at Work? c’mon now…

102. goof_ball - February 1st, 2008 at 5:47 pm

um.. cool(?)

103. Maxx_the_Slash - February 1st, 2008 at 6:19 pm

What’s with the Simple Minds favoritism? They aren’t that good.

104. Einstein217 - February 1st, 2008 at 6:59 pm

’80s Tunes that are overlooked
1) Androgynous–Replacements
2) Trouble Waiting to Happen–Warren Zevon
3) She Bangs the Drum–Stone Roses

105. Einstein217 - February 1st, 2008 at 7:31 pm

’80s Tunes that are overlooked
1) Birth, School, Work, Death–The Godfathers
2) Trouble Waiting to Happen–Warren Zevon
3) She Bangs the Drum–Stone Roses
4) I Ain’t Ever Satisfied–Steve Earle
5) Come Dancing–Teh Kinks
6) People Who Died–Jim Carroll
7) Tomorrow Night–The Shoes
Rise–Public Image Limited
9) A Million Miles Away–Plimsouls
10) Lake of Fire–Meat Puppets
11) Memphis, Egypt–The Mekons
12) Love Vigilantes–New Order
13) Pay to Cum–Bad Brains
14) Home of the Brave–The Nails
15) That’s Entertainment–The Jam

None of which got any time on MTV, save The Kinks
“Come Dancing” and of course this doesn’t include stuff by Husker Du, The Smiths, Naked Raygun, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, or The Replacements because there are too many awesome songs to choose

106. islanderbst - February 1st, 2008 at 7:34 pm

nu shooz i cant wait
swing out sister breakout

and seriously NOT ONE mention for anything by INXS?!? like “new sensation” or “mystify”

107. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 7:38 pm

I hear this stuff all day at work, on a Golden Oldies FM station. I was more into The Clash, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Tom Petty, The Pretenders, UB40, Fine Young Cannibals about then.

108. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Men at Work are the guys that sang “Land Down Under” weren’t the?

109. islanderbst - February 1st, 2008 at 7:41 pm

but really a list like this is just impossible, there was just way too much pop music in the 80’s.

i’ve seen no mentions for phil collins, eurythmics,
cyndi lauper, motley crue, rem, nowhere near enough love for duran duran, and the song “dont you want me baby” by human league

110. islanderbst - February 1st, 2008 at 7:42 pm

“blister in the sun” Violent femmes

111. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 7:43 pm

This should have been done the same way the jokes were done. islanderbst has a good point.

112. Angelina - February 1st, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Islanderbst: Great additions! How about some Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam????

113. Angelina - February 1st, 2008 at 7:46 pm

jocsboss: Golden Oldies, huh? Wow. . . now I do feel old!

114. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 7:48 pm

Blondie, Loverboy, 4 Non Blondes and especially the Divinyls with “I Touch Myself”

115. Angelina - February 1st, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Where’s the love for ABBA!!! Dancing Queen!!!

116. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Well the really sad part of the Golden Oldies for me is that I remember music for twenty years before that. I got hooked when the Rolling Stones and Sonny and Cher were hot.

117. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 7:52 pm

ABBA! Yeah and the banana song, Chiquita!

I know, it’s Chidita or something like that but I always thought of bananas.

118. Angelina - February 1st, 2008 at 7:55 pm

Born in the 70s, formative years in the 80s. I have a very soft spot for all things 80s. Big hair, banana clips, neon pink, hair metal, etc. Not that I have big hair now or anything, really. . .

Night Ranger, Sister Christian!!!

119. islanderbst - February 1st, 2008 at 8:25 pm

definitely angelina on the lisa lisa and cult jam
“head to toe” outstanding

120. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 8:34 pm

What about White Snake and “Here We go Again”

121. jocsboss - February 1st, 2008 at 8:38 pm

I still think The Pretenders “Back on The Chain Gang” should be here.

122. islanderbst - February 1st, 2008 at 8:45 pm

pretenders yes-chrissie hynde pwns all 80’s chick rockers! (er, except for bangles)
brass in pocket and dont get me wrong very good

123. Borg - February 1st, 2008 at 10:42 pm

Lots of the songs being mentioned are great 80s songs but I wouldn’t listen to them first thing in the morning.

124. Miss Destiny - February 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 am

Ah, Toto! I love “Africa” but I think I like “Rosanna” more.

I thought that Proclaimers song was from the ’90’s. Still a good song nonetheless.

I really like the Bangles’ “Walk Like An Egyptian” because it’s fun, and reminds me of my boyfriend. (Not for any funny reasons, just that he says he liked that song when he was a kid.)

I saw someone mention Violent Femmes so I have to mention “American Music” because I love that song! My friends and I used to drive around singing it at the top of our lungs!

I love how music brings back such memories.

125. jrjb - February 2nd, 2008 at 2:20 am

REPLACEMENTS - esp the album Tim. (I listened to that morning, noon, and night)

However I do like the pop stuff too.

While You See a Chance - Steve Winwood
Down Under - Men at Work (cracks me up)
In a Big Country - Big Country
That’s Just the Way it is - Bruce Hornsby & the Range)
Magic and Drive by the Cars
Check it out and Cherry Bomb - John Mellencamp
and Jack and Diane

good era - college days

126. Clues - February 2nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm

This is the first time I have heard Simple Minds Belfast Child I quiet like it, its gentle.
Great List!

127. islanderbst - February 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm

i got my mind set on you -george harrison

128. JwJwBean - February 2nd, 2008 at 5:33 pm

That one just reminds me of the Weird Al version “This song is just six words long.”

129. JwJwBean - February 2nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Oops I meant “This song is six words long.” remove the just.

130. treypole - February 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm

Actually, it’s “(This Song’s Just) Six Words Long”. But I always found it funny that the george harrison song is just 7 words long, and i’m pretty sure weird al sings “this song is just six words long” as well. I’m not sure why that’s funny. I need to get out more.

131. JwJwBean - February 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm

Thank you. I thought the word just was in there and then thought it couldn’t be because then it was seven words. And I was too lazy to actually look it up.

132. heavybison - February 3rd, 2008 at 3:28 am

#128: rolf!! First time i heard this one. Thanks man.

133. Drogo - February 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 am

“Venus” by Bananarama

I could cheat and add all 17 songs from a CD I have of 80’s Hits but I’ll just mention 2 of them:

“I Ran” - by A flock Of Seagulls
“Working For The Weekend” by Loverboy

134. jocsboss - February 3rd, 2008 at 7:09 am

Drogo: go ahead and cheat. Now that you brought it up you have to tell us.

135. JwJwBean - February 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am

heavybison: My kids have ruined many a song for me. Okay I can’t blame it on the kids. I like Weird Al too. Whenever we go through a drive-thru they have to sing “Stuck in the drive-thru”. I had never even heard the original. Now when I do hear it, all the words will be from the wierd al version.

136. DiscHuker - February 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 pm

after giving it some thought.
summer of 69 - brian adams
jack and diane - john COUGAR mellencamp
vacation - bangles or bananarama (i forget which)
and i’ll put another vote in for lovely day by bill withers

137. dofnup - February 4th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

OMGOMG Thank you thank you thank you for mentioning “Head Over Heels”, it’s my favorite Tears For Fears song by far and also just one of my favorite songs, period. Yay!!

138. dan231 - February 4th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

“Welcome to the Jungle- Guns N Roses
Battery- Metallica
Caught in a Mosh- Anthrax
One- Metallica
My Michelle- Guns N Roses
Antisocial- Anthrax
Manic Monday- The Bangles
For Those About to Rock…- AC/DC
Bitchin Camero- Dead Milkmen
Peace Sells, But Who’s Buying- Megadeth
Higher Ground- Red Hot Chili Peppers”

…Manic Monday- The Bangles…

anyone catch this entry? Dosen’t really fit in with the rest of the selection

139. heavybison - February 4th, 2008 at 4:35 pm

Wow. Dan is one sharp dude.

140. Angelina - February 4th, 2008 at 4:59 pm

DiscHuker: Vacation by The Go-Gos, great song!

141. crimsonchrissi - February 4th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

Boy, someone likes Simple Minds!!!!

142. Jaxx - February 5th, 2008 at 7:47 am

Always Something There To Remind Me - Naked Eyes
Boys Of Summer - Don Henley

All I can come up with right now. Good songs listed above.

143. heavybison - February 5th, 2008 at 10:28 am

That..is one hell of a great song…Always Something There To Remind Me - Naked Eyes

144. angryray - February 14th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

I dont agree with a lot of this list. How can it contain more than one song by of all bands, Simple Minds, and not one by
Roxy Music? Dance hall days anyone?

145. Tenebrae - March 12th, 2008 at 8:51 am

Cheesy though it may be, I think “Everybody Have Fun” should be up there… That’s definately a bouyant, chipper, bright eyed and bushy tailed kind of tune..

146. Jacob - March 28th, 2008 at 2:17 am

Yeah, “Walking On Sunshine” was the first song I thought of…How ’bout “Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure?…Or, “Beautiful Day” by U2 (which I don’t really like)?…”Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M.,…That’s all I got for now…

147. Jacob - March 28th, 2008 at 2:22 am

Yeah, I guess I missed the 80s part…whoops…

148. Bumhaskins - May 4th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

I hate Bette Davis Eyes.

149. Drogo - May 4th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

@ Bumhaskins (148)

So did Bette Davis until Kim Carnes met her and explained that she should consider it as a compliment. [from a Kim Carnes interview]

150. nelson - July 3rd, 2008 at 5:24 am

alive and kicking great but bette davis eyes is a stupid song
who is anyway bette davis a porn star? women=reprodutive only

151. Tempyra - July 3rd, 2008 at 6:01 am

I love the Bette Davis Eyes song.

And I’m a female… doing something beside spawning screaming progeny.

152. Alexis - August 9th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

I LOVE “Love Is A Battlefield”
I hairbrush karaoke that song more than anything else.