I was born halfway through the 1980s and only discovered that decade's musical delights in my late teens. And seriously, had cheesy over-produced pop anthems ever had a finer era? I think not, and in that spirit let us each now recall a handful of our favourite - or just the most tragic and downright awful - music vids from the era of hairspray and Flashdance. Youtube links are recommended for easy listening. Why have a music thread with no music? Jimmy Barnes - Working Class Man A mighty fine example of classic Australian rock. Say what you like about Jimmy Barnes (and I could say plenty), but this track is where it's at. Check out that video: there's fire and trains and guys with hard hats on. And that hairstyle, goddamn. Bucks Fizz - The Land of Make Believe I was horrified to learn that my mother had a Bucks Fizz album, and that was before I discovered this music video from 1981. They, uh, look like they're having fun anyway. Just horrible, but so tragically awesome at the same time. Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time A rare chance to glimpse Cher before she became digitally remastered in the late 90s. That's right, I'm not talking about her music or her videos. Anyhow, it's unfortunate that the budget for this clip was stretched to the point where Cher was forced to substitute pants for black see-through stockings. Nevertheless, the sailors seemed to enjoy it and it's worth a laugh. Great song too Belinda Carlisle - Leave a Light On Belinda Carlisle is awesome, and I shall prepare appropriate retribution for anyone here who says otherwise. Also, what says '80s!' more than a denim jacket over a wedding dress?
Some of were fortunate enough to live through the whole decade. Mind you, my music memories only really begin circa. 1983 with The Police's "Every Breath You Take" - the first pop song I remember. Anyway, for me, nothing says 80s more than Big Country! "In A Big Country" "Fields of Fire" "One Great Thing"
Here's the Billboard #1 single during the week of my birth (October 8-15, 1983, my DOB being the 12th): Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart Talk about embarrassing. ETA: Here's a bunch of lists of all the #1 hits in the US since 1940, in case anyone's interested.
It could have been worse - #1 in the UK when I was born was "We Don't Talk Anymore" by Cliff Richard. Had I been born a little earlier, it could have been "I Don't Like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats. (Ironically, I was born on a Monday. I am *not* fair of face. ) A little later (i.e when my birth was actually due), and it would have been "Cars" by Gary Numan. On the other hand, the Billboard #1 on the day I was born was "My Sharona" by The Knack. I guess 1979 was a Good Year. Anyway, back to the 80s, and I was really fortunate to remember the days when these two classics came out: "Take On Me" - a-ha "Sledgehammer" - Peter Gabriel
Turn arouuuuuund... x200 Haha, I hadn't seen that vid before. That dude with the glowing eyes is awesome And what's with the swimteam in the mansion, eh Bonnie?
Ah, the 80's... Status Quo - In The Army Now http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eCLc8cZdhLI Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RXLHUThBib8&feature=related Hall & Oates - Maneater http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ap-OO0xqTe4&feature=related Huey Lewis & the News - The Power of Love (6 minute ver.) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wFaXTcR4dtE
Fantastic! I've not seen that version before with the Doc Brown segments in it... The one Huey Lewis song I remember from the 80s, however, was "Hip To Be Square". Great video, too, that actually scared me when I first saw it: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=F_byVtHrGEM (Incidentally, here's the Sesame Street version: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3Hh8nvn4k )
I too was born mid 80s, but only really got into the music over the last few years. I love it, nothing like some cheesy synthesizers! With my av, it has to be done- In 1987 Huey released this, Fore!, their most accomplished album. I think I their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip To Be Square," a song so catchy that most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends. It's also a personal statement about the band itself. Huey Lewis & the News- Hip To Be Square "In Too Deep" is the most moving pop song of the 1980s about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Genesis- In Too Deep Actually, Bateman does listen to some seriously good music. Maybe why I love him so much New Order- True Faith Phil Collins- Sussudio Katrina & the Waves- Walking on Sunshine Robert Palmer- Simply Irresistible Chris De Burgh- Lady In Red
The later years of the 80s had their gems too: From the decade that gave us Voltron, similarly in the world of music, five legendary names in pop and rock combine to form one mighty supergroup: The Traveling Wilburys! Here is their best-known hit, "Handle With Care" On the same lines, it was the decade we lost Roy Orbison, but with the help of fellow Wilbury members Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, he gave us a great send-off with my favourite of his songs, "You Got It". There was this 60s song given the 80s treatment by teenage temptress Tiffany (yes, like every pre-teen in the 80s I had a crush on her): "I Think We're Alone Now" And right at the end of the 80s came a band whose sound would help shape the 90s and beyond: The Stone Roses, with their eponymous debut album. "Fool's Gold" "I Wanna Be Adored" And a little gem: "Made of Stone" live on The Late Show (I think I need a job on VH1...)
^ Two great choices there, with the Wilburys and Orbison. My contrib: not my favorite Clash song of all time, but one that fits here as one of the canonical 80s music videos: "Rock The Casbah"
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but Dance music came of age in the 80s too: "Pump Up The Volume" - M/A/R/R/S "Theme from S'Express" - S'Express "19" - Paul Hardcastle "Close (to the Edit)" - Art of Noise And one last favourite of mine: "Walk This Way" - Run DMC and Aerosmith
Kenny Loggins - "Playing with the Boys" George Michael - "Faith" Don Johnson - "Heartbeat" Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger" Madonna - "Dress You Up" Debbie Gibson - "Only In My Dreams" David Hasselhoff - "Hooked on a Feeling" ... wait a minute, what do you mean this isn't from the 80s???? The exploding popularity of the electronic synthesizer: Jan Hammer - "Crockett's Theme" Harold Faltermeyer - "Axel F" 80s children's shows that emphasized the music of the time: Kidd Video Jem and the Holograms Kids Incorporated
Just for the record, I love Total Eclipse of the Heart. It was used to great effect in Old School. Here's another of my favorites from the old days. Clarence Carter - Strokin'
Stuff I liked in the 80s but am almost ashamed to admit it! Genius of Love Tom Tom Club Wake me up before you go-go Wham! Two of Hearts Stacy Q Don't You Want Me Baby Human League You Spin Me Round Dead or Alive I was a kid/teen of the 80's. I remember this stuff well!
Scorpions "Wind of Change" http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=taVW8Kv2HcQ Sabrina - Boys boys boys http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eiuHdUkuRi0 Samantha Fox- Nothing's gonna stop me now http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow8rsycBQ54&feature=related Kylie Minogue - I Should Be So Lucky http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mg8m49vSM8 Rah Band - Clouds across the moon http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2cXqHWur5Uk&feature=related
Call me sentimental, but I adore that song. It reminds me a lot of "Zoom" by Fat Larry's Band. Another oh-so-80s band that has to be mentioned is Yello: "The Race" "Oh Yeah"
I feel right at home in this thread I don't know about videos, but these tunes both appear in my 'top 200 most played' playlist Here's my top 10 most played tunes (not all 80s), Kate Bush - Hounds of Love. (possibly my favourite song ever. beautiful imagery) Nenah Cherry - Buffalo Stance Paula Abdul - Straight up Madonna - Dress You Up Peter Gabriel - Games Without Frontiers Bananarama - Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence Madonna - Express yourself Kylie - Put Yourself In My Place Eurythmics - Whose That Girl So now you know what I sing in the shower. That's SO Ferris Bueller A great 80s film. And Sorry ZR, 'Bake a pretty cake' isn't on my list.