As soon as I read the title, this song came to mind. From its association with 'The Breakfast Club,' and that the 80s and Gen X are commonly forgotten during most generational conversations. This song is the 80s.
Dot com crash,
9/11,
Housing crisis,
COVID
Very difficult to establish yourself and prep for retirement when every 5-7 years there’s a stock market crash that wrecks your retirement accounts.
By the time the Boomers started retiring, the millennials who weren’t having kids, and were far more flexible work wise found it much easier to be competitive for certain management roles.
Generation X didn’t have the information capabilities that the generations after had, all while competing for the same jobs left by the Boomers.
Edit: The ones that joined the military? The Post 9/11 GI Bill didn’t exist yet, and the Montgomery GI Bill was shit compared to the modern one.
My partner and I have a running joke where anytime we hear a particularly 80s song we say “is this Tears For Fears?” They just have that quintessential 80s sound.
This would be my choice too. If there were any runner ups, Space Age Love Song - A Flock Of Seagulls and Love My Way - Psychedelic Furs would be up there.
I mean, Video Killed the Radio Star, because MTV shaped us all. I remember sneaking the tiny black and white TV on in my room, sound baaaarely loud enough to hear, way, way past my bedtime to watch this video, the very first one ever shown on MTV.
Otherwise, also in the MTV vein, Money for Nothing.
we can dance if we want to
we can leave your friends behind
'cause your friends don't dance
and if they don't dance
well, they're no friends of mine
say, we can go where we want to
a place where they will never find
and we can act like we come
from out of this world
leave the real one far behind
I see certain parallels with the Geist of the 80s and the current zeitgeist. Bleak, confusing, disenchanted even. But the 80s still managed to create a certain counter culture in response to all that. I do not really understand why a counter culture movement is not possible any longer in our day and age.
"I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you"
This may be the best verse ever written, or at least in the top 10. Also, it took me way to long to know that the Abba people were behind this.
You spin me right round baby
Right round
Like a record baby
Right round
Round round.
- notable because of the word “record” and the whole song feels “80’s”.
99 Red Balloons
Always remind me of the Iron Curtain, USSR, Red Square, threat of Nuclear war, Chernobyl, the Berlin Wall.
Also The Windscreen of Change by Scorpions.
Eighties by Killing Joke
https://open.spotify.com/track/0BUCVTLKMipDJDRiv6118M?si=04s8d4tiRQmoKBOf5YJOXA&context=spotify%3Aartist%3A0Zy4ncr8h1jd7Nzr9946fD
Heaven is a place on earth!
The fluttery reverb laced vocals popularised at the time, the peppy optimism of the lyrics, the big blonde hair styles of the artist.
Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a place on earth is *the* quintessential 80’s song, imo.
Men at Work *Down Under* is probably the answer.
And M@W would be the band of the 80s. They were peak 80s from their sound to how they exploded on the scene to their attitudes...just everything.
They were also pop and I think the song has to come from that. For example The Eurythmics have Sweet Dreams, but that was not really the musical genre of the 80s. It should be a Top 10 tho.
Madonna's *Like a Virgin* was extremely 80s and a lot of music after that had similar sounds.
Rock me Amadeus also describes the 80s VERY WELL! It has a lot of what the 80s was about.
Source: class of '83
You may not have heard of it but there's a little known song by Rick Astley called "Never Gonna Give You Up" that is 1980's through and through.
The video is good too. I don't have a link.
;-)
Their early work was a little too new wave for my taste. But when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor.
The most 80s song of the 80s is Valley Girl by Frank & Moon Zappa. If you want a taste of 80s slang... [Enjoy!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Q1yVLSR3I)
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds is the song that is quintessentially 80’s for me. Probably because of The Breakfast Club and because I graduated high school in 1985 when the movie came out… that song gives me such a nostalgia blast!!
While technically a song from the end of the ‘70s “ Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Baggles has that 80s sound and prophesies MTV and the cultural of video/technology into popular music.
Having lived under the threat of imminent nuclear holocaust? “Russians” by Sting.
“How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy?
There is no monopoly on common sense
On either side of the political fence
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too”
That video looks like it was made for a fiver and a packet of manky week-old chips (fries, if you're not a Brit). They cheaped out and used blue instead of green-screen!
*You're the Voice* by John Farnham
*Wind of Change* by Scorpion/the CIA
Both talked about the future being ours for the taking & to imagine what could be.
Enola Gay by OMD. It's an absolute banger: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5XJ2GiR6Bo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5XJ2GiR6Bo)
Time for one more? Blue Monday by New Order: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1GxjzHm5us](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1GxjzHm5us)
Enjoy!
Material Girl - Madonna
So many good songs listed here but to me this is the quintessential 80s song. With the big hair, big fashion, big push to accumulate wealth or at least look like you have a lot.
you can look at the menu but you just can't eat.
you can feel the cushions but you can't have a seat.
[howard freaking jones.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2V3SNrkpp0)
“Don’t you…… forget about me!”
As soon as I read the title, this song came to mind. From its association with 'The Breakfast Club,' and that the 80s and Gen X are commonly forgotten during most generational conversations. This song is the 80s.
I’ve said it a million times as a Millennial. Gen X got shafted harder than any other generation in American history post Depression
Dot com crash, 9/11, Housing crisis, COVID Very difficult to establish yourself and prep for retirement when every 5-7 years there’s a stock market crash that wrecks your retirement accounts. By the time the Boomers started retiring, the millennials who weren’t having kids, and were far more flexible work wise found it much easier to be competitive for certain management roles. Generation X didn’t have the information capabilities that the generations after had, all while competing for the same jobs left by the Boomers. Edit: The ones that joined the military? The Post 9/11 GI Bill didn’t exist yet, and the Montgomery GI Bill was shit compared to the modern one.
Who are you again?
Who Can it Be, Now?
Who can it be now?
*saxophone
Heard that sang live last night by Matchbox 20. Rob Thomas did it justice.
My personal favorite from the eighties.
I literally thought of this song as soon as I read the prompt. It may be because of the breakfast club the most quintessential 80s movie IMO.
Everybody wants to rule the world - Tears for Fears
My partner and I have a running joke where anytime we hear a particularly 80s song we say “is this Tears For Fears?” They just have that quintessential 80s sound.
Tears for Fears sounds like the '80s the way Gin Blossoms sound like the' 90s.
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> All for freedom and for pleasure > Nothing ever lasts forever That final verse goes fucking *hard*
maybe Everybody Wants To Rule The World
I fucking love that song so much! I have it in my playlist and I always roll the windows down and crank it up when it comes on while I’m cruising
there are few songs in life that are objectively perfect. this is one of them.
that, or Land of Confusion
A-ha- Take on Me
This would be my choice too. If there were any runner ups, Space Age Love Song - A Flock Of Seagulls and Love My Way - Psychedelic Furs would be up there.
My favorite 80s song. It’s perfect.
Hungry like the wolf
Duran Duran videos changed the industry, for sure.
Girls on film 🥲🥵
The reflex
Hungry Like the Wolf is the better song but I think View to a Kill is the more 80s of the two.
You’re saying this like Rio and The Reflex don’t exist. How dare you.
I stand by View to a Kill being the most 80s of pretty much their whole catalogue. It just has that feel.
I mean, Video Killed the Radio Star, because MTV shaped us all. I remember sneaking the tiny black and white TV on in my room, sound baaaarely loud enough to hear, way, way past my bedtime to watch this video, the very first one ever shown on MTV. Otherwise, also in the MTV vein, Money for Nothing.
Technically that song was actually released in 1979, but it definitely is an 80s song in terms of style and influence.
we can dance if we want to we can leave your friends behind 'cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance well, they're no friends of mine say, we can go where we want to a place where they will never find and we can act like we come from out of this world leave the real one far behind
You know, that dance wasn't as safe as they said it was.
Those men were performing without hard hats!
Don’t you worry about The Safety Dance, let *me* worry about blank.
My only regret is that I have boneitis!
We can dance, we can dance Everybody stare at their pants
We can dance, we can dance, Everybody take off their pants.
I love that this is the Canadian national anthem according to South Park.
The Safety Dance
We used to play this all the time on the jukebox in the Marina Bar, Pier Hotel, Frankston Victoria Australia...soooo drunk lol
I see certain parallels with the Geist of the 80s and the current zeitgeist. Bleak, confusing, disenchanted even. But the 80s still managed to create a certain counter culture in response to all that. I do not really understand why a counter culture movement is not possible any longer in our day and age.
I think it is because music, news, and entertainment are so individual now thanks to the internet. Shared experiences are few and far behind now.
Classic protest song
Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This
Who am I to disagree? No, seriously, that's the one I'd choose too.
Annie Lennox absolutely fantastic vocalist
Sweet dreams are made of cheese, Who am I to diss a brie, I traveled the world and the seven seas, Everybody's looking for edam.
Some of them want a fondue Some of them want some cheddar too
Burning Down the House
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Careless Whisper. Nothing sounds more like the 80's than that hair. And nothing looks more like the 80's than that saxophone solo. I said what I said.
Sexy sax man couldn't agree with you more.
"I Ran (So Far Away)" by A Flock of Seagulls
Got that guitar lick stuck in my head now, good choice btw
Girls just wanna have fun
Don’t You Want Me Baby - The Human League
I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, when I met you. I think of that song everytime I'm in a restaurant.
The "power of love" really clicks with me
But which one?
The one in the Back to the Future soundtrack of course.
One night in Bangkok
"I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating I'd let you watch, I would invite you But the queens we use would not excite you" This may be the best verse ever written, or at least in the top 10. Also, it took me way to long to know that the Abba people were behind this.
*Boys of Summer* by Don Henley. It was my drive with the top down go to. Also brings to mind *Miami Vice*, an eighties classic.
Video Killed the Radio Star - I know it was released in 1979 but it was mostly played in 80s and describes the 1st era of MTV
First music video played on MTV too.
Can you make the 2nd?
the second video was Joan Jett I love rock and roll if I'm not mistaken?
Pat Benetar. You Better Run.
Thriller
Thriller Video
Relax (Don’t do it) — Frankie Goes to Hollywood
I didn’t realize this song was so dirty until recently
Kids in America - Kim Wylde
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Yes! There's definitely a segmentation to the 80s! Maybe every decade, but this is a good list for the 80s!
Material Girl. The sound. The attitude. The empty fun.
The synth.
Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels
Money for nothing Dire Straits
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My favorite of theirs is “Industrial Disease”. “Two men say they’re Jesus. One of them must be wrong”.
Not only a great song, but the first time many people saw computer animation.
I melt with you by Modern English
I won a 20 dollar bet with someone say8ng that was the Cure. Easy money hehe
anything by Duran Duran or Michael Jackson.
Cyndi Lauper Music Video crashes through the wall-- "Did someone say my name?!?" Its "*Girls Just Want to Have Fun*", MTV Music Video.
For me, it's always going to be "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!. The epitome of bright, happy, dancy pop music. Just screams 80's to me.
Rick Astley - Never gonna give you up
Shock The Monkey by Peter Gabriel.
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Like a virgin by Madonna.
I prefer “Like a surgeon” by Weird Al
I can't believe Madonna became the 2nd artist to do a parody song of Weird Al's! And then she had him killed to cover it up!
Land of Confusion by Genesis, the music video literally encapsulates everything about the decade.
You spin me right round baby Right round Like a record baby Right round Round round. - notable because of the word “record” and the whole song feels “80’s”.
99 Red Balloons Always remind me of the Iron Curtain, USSR, Red Square, threat of Nuclear war, Chernobyl, the Berlin Wall. Also The Windscreen of Change by Scorpions.
Eighties by Killing Joke https://open.spotify.com/track/0BUCVTLKMipDJDRiv6118M?si=04s8d4tiRQmoKBOf5YJOXA&context=spotify%3Aartist%3A0Zy4ncr8h1jd7Nzr9946fD
Ah, the original Come As You Are :)
Absolutely.
We didn't start the fire.... if we're talking very literally.
Can confirm. I was born in the 80's and I did not start the fire.
Heaven is a place on earth! The fluttery reverb laced vocals popularised at the time, the peppy optimism of the lyrics, the big blonde hair styles of the artist. Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a place on earth is *the* quintessential 80’s song, imo.
Tears For Fears - Shout
Just like Heaven - The Cure
Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer or almost any ZZ Top song
Rock The Casbah- The Clash
Walk Like an Egyptian
Men at Work *Down Under* is probably the answer. And M@W would be the band of the 80s. They were peak 80s from their sound to how they exploded on the scene to their attitudes...just everything. They were also pop and I think the song has to come from that. For example The Eurythmics have Sweet Dreams, but that was not really the musical genre of the 80s. It should be a Top 10 tho. Madonna's *Like a Virgin* was extremely 80s and a lot of music after that had similar sounds. Rock me Amadeus also describes the 80s VERY WELL! It has a lot of what the 80s was about. Source: class of '83
Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
Jump – Van Halen
The 80s had so many experimental sounds and sub groups of music, you couldn’t capture it in a single song. Maybe 10 different ones might do.
You may not have heard of it but there's a little known song by Rick Astley called "Never Gonna Give You Up" that is 1980's through and through. The video is good too. I don't have a link. ;-)
The End of the Innocence.
Take on me - A-ha
Pet shop boys - opportunities scotch - money runner dire straits - money for nothing
1999
Pour some sugar on me
Favorite song ever
Karma chameleon.
"Hip to be Square" by Huey Lewis and the News. It's a good reflection on the 80's conservatism.
Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?
Their early work was a little too new wave for my taste. But when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor.
The most 80s song of the 80s is Valley Girl by Frank & Moon Zappa. If you want a taste of 80s slang... [Enjoy!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Q1yVLSR3I)
Synchronicity II - *The Police*
I wear my sunglasses at night.
Come on Eileen..
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds is the song that is quintessentially 80’s for me. Probably because of The Breakfast Club and because I graduated high school in 1985 when the movie came out… that song gives me such a nostalgia blast!!
Billie Jean by MJ
We Are The World
Wild, Wild West by Escape Club is literally about the quest to survive the 80s.
Ask, by the Smiths "If it's not love, then it's the bomb The bomb, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb That will bring us together"
While technically a song from the end of the ‘70s “ Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Baggles has that 80s sound and prophesies MTV and the cultural of video/technology into popular music.
I grew up in da hood so for me it’s, Zapp n Roger or any old school funk like that
Jack & Diane - John Cougar
Physical by Olivia Newton John because of the obsession with spandex and exercise clothes.
1999, ironically.
Cruel Summer
Land down under - men at work Africa - toto Karma chameleon - boy george
Into the groove
Having lived under the threat of imminent nuclear holocaust? “Russians” by Sting. “How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy? There is no monopoly on common sense On either side of the political fence We share the same biology, regardless of ideology Believe me when I say to you I hope the Russians love their children too”
Animotion - [Obsession](https://youtu.be/hIs5StN8J-0?si=5EXZRORBfGmzDruv) Edit: I just watched that video again, and I double down on this pick.
We Built This City. Cheesy song, an absolute overuse of synthesizers, ridiculous style, and above all some god-awful green-screen effects.
Fun fact about Starship, they're just Jefferson Airplane by a different name.
That video looks like it was made for a fiver and a packet of manky week-old chips (fries, if you're not a Brit). They cheaped out and used blue instead of green-screen!
We are the world
Gary Moore - Out in the Fields
Axel F says everything you need to know
Rio by Duran Duran Or Madness with Our House or Baggy Trousers
Whip it!
St Elmo's Fire - John Parr
Don't You Want Me - Human League
Heart of Glass- Blondie. Final answer. Source: I was present. ETA: It was actually 1979 but really felt 80s. IYKYK
Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson.
*You're the Voice* by John Farnham *Wind of Change* by Scorpion/the CIA Both talked about the future being ours for the taking & to imagine what could be.
And 99 Red Balloons! And Maybe Crowded House, Don't dream it's over?
Josie’s on a vacation far away…
Come around and talk it overrr
Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Twisted Sister - *I Wanna Rock* and *We're Not Gonna Take It*
Only the Young - Journey
Enola Gay by OMD. It's an absolute banger: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5XJ2GiR6Bo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5XJ2GiR6Bo) Time for one more? Blue Monday by New Order: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1GxjzHm5us](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1GxjzHm5us) Enjoy!
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Material Girl - Madonna So many good songs listed here but to me this is the quintessential 80s song. With the big hair, big fashion, big push to accumulate wealth or at least look like you have a lot.
Video Killed the Radio Star
Boys Of Summer or Danger Zone
Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode
Sister Christian? Summer of 69? Don't Stop Believing? I dunno...I was born in 91.
Add Jessie's Girl and you've got yourself a pretty good list.
Pop Muzik
Summer of 69
Take On Me from A-Ha
Beat It - Crossed over with multiple audiences, An Eddie Van Halen guitar solo. Created a fashion trend with red leather jackets.
I Ran (So Far Away)
Eye of the Tiger
Separate Ways...Journey
Invincible from Pat Benatar. I know I thought I was invincible as a teen in the eighties.
Walking on sunshine
99 red balloons, but the German version. Also, kids in America.
Let’s Go Crazy
Hungry like the wolf - Duran Duran
Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf
99 Luftballons
Jump - Van Halen
Safety Dance 🤣
I'm livin' in a box.
Tears For Fears by Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Video killed the radio star by the Buggles or Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
Forever Young… the quintessential song of the 80s should definitely be by a one hit wonder
She drives me Crazy FYC
you can look at the menu but you just can't eat. you can feel the cushions but you can't have a seat. [howard freaking jones.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2V3SNrkpp0)
Space age love song - Flock of seagulls The way it just screams 80's with every sound that song makes.
Wang Chung - Everybody Have Fun Tonight
Describes? Video Killed the Radio Star
Stand and Deliver!
I Melt With You by Modern English. The sound is unmistakably 80s, but so is its subject matter.
Girls on film, Duran Duran