Post a 1980s Top 40 pop song that doesn't suck

[Tommy_Carcetti]

I'll start:

Voices Carry, by 'Til Tuesday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz4pTMN3abw

I'm not a fan of 1980s pop in general, but I liked that song. I don't know why, but I do.

[reflection]

"Take On Me" by A-Ha

And it's the greatest video ever, to boot.

[LNM]

1. I'm not sure if this made the top 40 but it should have

Girls just wanna have fun. Cyndi Lauper

[TrogL]

2. This thread is useless without pics

[bertha katzenengel]

3. The Tide is High - Blondie

[Symarip]

96. This is a cover of The Parragons

Does that count?

[bertha katzenengel]

100. Hmm. I didn't know that.

I wonder if it does count.

[flvegan]

4. U2 made some great "pop" music in the 80s.

Both Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree came out during that period.

Also, Poison's entire catalog.

:popcorn:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. True, but I always considered them rock.

And didn't even figure them into the general suckitude of 1980s pop.

But I guess they are pop-rock, perhaps?

[flvegan]

11. I just figured that anything massively overplayed

by pop statins could be considered. I'd say they're pop-rock, I guess.

Of course, Rick Astley had that one song in the 80's...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

32. Good point. nt

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. "It's a Sin" by the Pet Shop Boys

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iszy6_NMOD0

[KamaAina]

6. No. 1 from back in 1988

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. Screw you!

:)

[JuniperLea]

43. Hahaha!

That's the first time I've seen that posted legitimately! You should win a prize!

:bounce:

[democracyindanger]

8. I Melt With You, Modern English

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v-tATVN_Hs

[Pale Blue Dot]

27. This one never made the Top 40, believe it or not.

Signed,

Finnfan (the 80's Top 40 trivia geek)

[democracyindanger]

72. Wow. Really?

That's pretty crazy.

[reflection]

81. That is a great song.

Even if Taco Bell ruined it for me. :)

[Tikki]

10. XTC.... "Senses Working Overtime"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0invUXXsRAQ

Andy Partridge....remarkable


Tikki

[Pale Blue Dot]

29. XTC never made the top 40.

They only had 1 Hot 100 hit, "The Mayor of Simpleton" (it got to #71).

Signed,

Finnfan (the 80's Hot 100 trivia geek)

[Tikki]

42. From w..i..k..i

Senses Working Overtime" is a single by XTC released in 1982. It is at once the apogee of their early-eighties British popularity as well as their last gasp of mainstream success in their homeland. While it hit the Top Ten and helped English Settlement reach #5 on the album charts, it would also be their last Top Forty entry for a decade.

...."in their homeland....

Tikki

[Condem]

53. Love XTC, Tikki

Skylarking. Man, those boys hated Todd Rundgren!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

12. touch of grey.... grateful dead

[Starbucks Anarchist]

13. Funkytown.

Yeah, I said it.

[MAGICBULLET]

14. there are so many

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJE5cBGgTSU>

Things Can Only Get Better - Howard Jones

[Redstone]

15. Why not just ask me to sprout wings and fly? That would be easier to do.

Redstone

[speedoo]

92. I used to feel the same way. Lots of crap from the 80's.

But I've realized there is also plenty of music from that decade worth litening to.

[DS1]

16. Rock me, Amadeus

[Scarlett17]

69. Falco rocks

:headbang:

[RainDog]

17. most all REM

it's the end of the world as we know it, most esp. since it got a lot of airplay, at least where I was.

The B-52s - Roam (and Private Idaho)

[Tommy_Carcetti]

25. REM goes in the same catagory as U2

More rock than pop, so I exempt it from generalized 80s pop scorn.

I'll agree with you on the B-52s. They were cool. Rock Lobster!

[Pale Blue Dot]

31. "It's the End of the World as We Know It" did not make the top 40.

It peaked at #72.

Signed,

Finnfan (the 80's Hot 100 trivia geek).

[RainDog]

35. I guess I shoulda known

but to tell you the truth, most people I knew back then didn't listen to top-40 stations so what would I know. I stopped listening to top-40 when I hit 12 and never looked back - b/c that was when my town got an AOR station.

[Radical Activist]

38. The little good music there was in the 80's didn't chart often.

That's a great example. When people start telling me about the "good" 80's music its usually underground stuff that most people didn't hear until after the 80's.

[MAGICBULLET]

18. Duran Duran

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gudEttJlw3s&feature=related>

Girls on Film!

amazing bass riff and great dance song to this day

[Pale Blue Dot]

34. "Girls on Film" never made the Top 40.

Duran Duran's first top 40 hit was "Hungry Like the Wolf" (#4).

Signed,

Finnfan (obnoxious 80's top 40 trivia geek)

[MAGICBULLET]

36. you got me

thanks...I'm just thinking top 40 groups that made the pop charts. Hungry Like the Wolf is a good one too

do you know a good online reference for pop and r&b charts?

[Pale Blue Dot]

37. I don't know anything online that goes back to the 80's.

I was an obsessed kid who listened to "American Top 40" every week. In addition, my father collected 45s and had a book that listed all songs that made the Hot 100 with their chart position and number of weeks on the chart. I memorized that sucker.

For some reason, I didn't have a lot of friends.... :D

[muriel_volestrangler]

90. Though I wasn't keen on it at the time, 'Rio' wasn't bad

I think the band's image put me off more than anything, but musically, I think it's OK now.

[AlCzervik]

19. The Metro by Berlin. I don't know if that was top 40 but i liked it.

[RainDog]

20. oh, top-40- whose top 40? that varied a LOT

David Bowie - doing Iggy's China Girl or Young America or All the Young Dudes

[taterguy]

21. The Bangles If She Knew What She Wants

There are several other songs of theirs that qualify but this is my favorite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjQ76vqwYMk

[MAGICBULLET]

23. indeed

their cover for the Less Than Zero sdtk is also great and better than the original. This song takes me right back to that winter

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMEjoNcOMVA>

[Carnea]

52. Best remake ever nt

[RainDog]

22. John Lennon (It'll be just like) Starting Over

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing

Blondie- Rapture

The Police - Roxanne

[Celeborn Skywalker]

24. The big 3.

Pretty much all hits by Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson were, imho, pretty good pop songs.

[RainDog]

26. Elvis Costello - Veronica

The Cars - Drive

[LSK]

28. Madonna - Borderline

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGtXPdkB7wo

[LSK]

30. OMD - If You Leave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJfKyHR5-1M

[Scarlett17]

50. I saw them open for the Thompson Twins

in Indianapolis in 1986. It was awesome. I was 14 and lied to my mom to go. I said I was staying at a friend's house and we drove 60 miles to Indy to see the show. My daughter is 14 now and knowing the stuff I got away with scares me to death. Poor kid--I watch her like a hawk.

[JackBeck]

58. The very first song that came to mind.

Did you know she's never performed that song live, in concert?

(Spoiler)

























Until now: http://perezhilton.com/2008-06-18-warning-11#more-23022

[MAGICBULLET]

33. New Sensation

INXS -- what incredible lyrics!

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu6GUBT0sIw>

Live baby live
Now that the day is over
I got a new sensation
In perfect moments
Impossible to refuse
Sleep baby sleep
Now that the night is over
And the sun comes like a god
Into our room
All perfect light and promises
Gotta hold on you
A new sensation

Dream baby dream
Of all thats come and going
And you will find out
In the end
There really is
There really is no difference

Cry baby cry
When youve got to get it out
Ill be your shoulder
You can tell me all
Dont keep it in ya
Well thats the reason why Im here

Are you ready for a new sensation
A new sensation

Hate baby hate
When theres nothing left for you
You're only human
What can you do?
It'll soon be over
Dont let your pain take over you

Love baby love
Its written all over your face
Theres nothing better we could do
Than live forever
Well thats all weve got to do

Hey now Im gonna take a new sensation

[MAGICBULLET]

39. Wishing Well

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Uz-dPANDY>

[Scarlett17]

68. I love Terence Trent d'Arby!

I have that on album, cassette, and CD. It's great.

[Phillycat]

95. Remember when he said he would be bigger than the Beatles?

:rofl:

[raouldukelives]

40. Talking Heads - Burning Down the House

[av8rdave]

91. Also Wild, Wild Life

Think it made the top 40, but not positive.

[MAGICBULLET]

41. Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqyc37aOqT0>

amazingly timeless tune

[JanMichael]

44. Tempted - Squeeze. Not their best but it's still doesn't suck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUA7F9j_xzs

There you go!

[Pale Blue Dot]

54. Also didn't make the Top 40, believe it or not.

It got to #47.

[Twitch14]

45. Stray Cats, pick one n/t

[BeachBaby]

46. "Land of Confusion" by Genesis.

[blockhead]

47. David and David

Welcome to the Boomtown. Also one of my top ten albums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrHURXNMTnA&feature=related

[hellbound-liberal]

48. Here's the song and video that won MTV's first Video of the Year from The Cars:

You Might Think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkUYx_6xnZE

[Scarlett17]

49. "Who Can It Be Now? " By Men At Work n/t

[Steven_S]

56. I was going to say that one...

another one that I like is Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpmWIyjilQo

[Carnea]

51. Depeche Mode "Personal Jesus"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KW3aEimWW10

[Scarlett17]

70. People Are People

[devilgrrl]

55. Running Up That Hill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BZsXVf6INc

[JackBeck]

59. OMG, I love you.

As well as Kate Bush.

Have you ever heard of Kiki & Herb?

They incorporate amazing covers of Kate into their act.

[devilgrrl]

60. Kiki & Herb. I've heard of them now!

Thank you, I will definitely check them out. :7

[JackBeck]

63. If you ever get to see them live, I highly recommend it.

They are a fucking laugh riot. (Full disclosure: 'Herb' is a friend)

You will have an enjoyable evening watching a pseudo-boozy lounge act that recreates their history through raucous, provocative interpretations of songs from O.D.B. to Kate Bush. Their Christmas album put them in the Catholic League's (William Donahue) Top Ten List of "anti-Catholics".

[Texasgal]

57. My fave:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUA7F9j_xzs

[From The Ashes]

80. Thanks Texasgal!

I've been wondering what the name of that song was. Every time they play it on the radio, I never catch the name of it. Now I can go find it! Thanks again!

[Carnea]

61. Favorite eighties song about the Bush invasion of Iraq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRib_aAQFQ

[CabalPowered]

62. Wang Chung

Dance hall days.

[Phillycat]

83. Good choice - I love that song.

[hellbound-liberal]

64. My favorite 80s song: Free Fallin' by Tom Petty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=726Zf-zin-s

[Hissyspit]

65. The Carpenters "Close To You"

Did I mention that I am perpetually "off" by exactly one decade?

[mochajava666]

66. Tainted Love by Soft Cell

Harden my Heart by Quarterflash
Only the Lonely by The Motels

[SoxFan]

67. A few good ones

Space Age Love Song (#30 on Billboard US Hot 100 chart, 1982)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfDnmOV5Sko

Just Like Heaven (#40, 1987)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORc5Td_T6og

Beds Are Burning (#17, 1987)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td1ZLqrEpXI

[Generic Brad]

71. You're just begging to be Rick Rolled

And I won't be the one to do it.

[Rhythm]

88. See #6

Been done...

[newmajority]

73. Power Station - Some Like It Hot

The half of Duran Duran that actually had musical talent. Along with Robert Palmer and Tony Thompson, both of whom are no longer with us, unfortunately :evilfrown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-F3Eg6cAx0


Oh yeah, they had a remake of an old T-Rex song too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUc629OcQPo&NR=1

[pokerfan]

74. That decade sucked for music

but there were a few hits that I liked.

Call Me - Blondie
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
I Love Rock N' Roll - Joan Jett
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits

[MrSlayer]

75. "Union of the Snake" by Duran Duran.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VUzvEJTTY8

Lots of good pop stuff from the 80's. Compared to the garbage that's out today a lot of those guys were Bach and Mozart. The underground Metal and Alternative scenes were the best part of 80's music.

[MilesColtrane]

76. "Live To Tell" by Madonna

Not sure if it actually cracked the top 40, but it's one of maybe three Madonna tunes that I don't hate.

The movie was pretty good too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=augaF7IdrW0

[Withywindle]

77. this one still slays me

"I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered but you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkr_2G3Jlko

[AccessGranted]

78. I Was Listening To That One Yesterday

In A Big Country, Right?

[Fox Mulder]

79. Mike and the Mechanics - The Living Years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqQM-HoFeEk

:cry:

[MissMillie]

82. you like that song because Aimee Mann is an incredible songwriter

check out her solo work, particularly "Whatever"

she's a genius.


As to an 80s top-40 song that doesn't suck..... hmmmm.....


In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel

[Phillycat]

84. You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi!

I'm listening to it right now! :headbang:

[Sabriel]

85. "19" (Paul Hardcastle mix)

Fits in well today, too, unfortunately:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=byCCmBwRjGw&feature=related

[wickerwoman]

86. Simple Minds "Don't You Forget About Me"

Also, second Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" unless that doesn't count as pop. The Bangles "Walk Like an Egyptian". Cyndi Lauper "Time After Time" (really any Cyndi Lauper). Toto "Africa". Paul Simon's solo stuff. Of course, I was in elementary school for most of the 80s... but those are the ones that I think are still redeemable.

[Rhythm]

87. Nik Kershaw - "Wouldn't It Be Good"

Only #46 in the US, but a Top-10 in the UK and Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KppaQ3HwO_k

[speedoo]

89. Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7jG8EWr63k

[Phillycat]

94. OMG, I fucking HATE that song.

:banghead:

[speedoo]

98. Our tastes clearly differ.... I can't stand Bon Jovi.

It's what makes the world go around, yano?

[Phillycat]

99. True dat.

I think it was the video for that FYC song that made me really hate it, though. :D

[speedoo]

101. I agree, that video sucks.

I mean, it truly sucks. :)

[speedoo]

93. Queen... several...

Under Pressure (with David Bowie)

Radio Ga Ga

A Kind of Magic

Breakthru

Maybe not all Top 40, but they are all fabulous songs.

[Symarip]

97. Echo and The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon

The (English) Beat - Save It For Later
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party


None of these songs are, by far, the artists best individual song... But it is Top 40 so there's a certain suck factor that has to be accounted for.