The New Golden Oldies
Blog: Give It a Spin
March 18, 2010
After hearing "Jessie's Girl" on the radio, my editor approached me yesterday with a blog idea. He suggested I make a list of ’80s songs that have held up through the years. I said, "That's a good idea!"
When I was a kid in the ’80s, the oldies stations mostly played music from the ’50s and ’60s. So, as much as it pains me to admit, some stuff that has come out since I've been alive is now today's oldies. I can't imagine hearing "97.3, K-B-S-Geeee! We're back, and the song you just heard was "Love in an Elevator" by Aerosmith. An oldie, but a goodie, am I right?"
But I just have to face it. That song is more than 20 years old. Interestingly enough, though, after I finished this list, it just sounds like a regular everyday mix I'd make for myself, because all these songs aren't treasures lost in the past — they're songs that I still listen to today; there's nothing particularly "old" about them.
I think that qualifies them all as having "held up through the years." I couldn't fit everything I wanted to on here (not even close!), but I was able to select the 20 that I couldn't bear to discard, all songs released between 1980-89, all songs that prove the ’80s were not as embarrassing as everyone thinks.
*** DISCLAIMER: The omission of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey was based on Jefferson Robbins' assertion that the song transcends lists. The omissions of "Take on Me" by A-Ha and "Heat of the Moment" by Asia were based on my being really tired of those songs. My omission of anything by the Go-Gos was based on the unavoidable desire to slight Andrew Wahl. ***
1. "Lullaby" by Wang Chung
2. "Moonlight in Samosa" by Robert Plant
3. "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" by Dramarama
4. "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure
5. "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears
6. "Pressure" by Billy Joel
7. "Hey" by Pixies
8. "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" by Talking Heads
9. "Breaking the Law" by Judas Priest
10. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica
11. "Beach Party Vietnam" by the Dead Milkmen
12. "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama
13. "Magic" by the Cars
14. "Hey Ladies" by the Beastie Boys
15. "Burnin' for You" by the Blue Öyster Cult
16. "Kiss" by Prince
17. "Helplessly in Love" by Debbie Gibson
18. "All Over the World" by the Electric Light Orchestra
19. "She Sells Sanctuary" by the Cult
20. "Close My Eyes Forever" by Lita Ford (featuring Ozzy Osbourne)
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douglas 1 year, 10 months ago
The New Golden Oldies
One of the classic 80's songs for me is Brian Adams 1985 smash "Summer of 69". I don't read anything into it, I just like the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEnBgHbtsjM
For nostalgia's sake, I could throw in The Replacements' "Alex Chilton" from 1987, but that's a blog for latter today.
Just too bad there isn't a video of Redwulf's "Layback" available. Now THERE'S an 80's song......
psychoteacher 1 year, 10 months ago
The New Golden Oldies
John Lydon's reforming of Public Image Ltd.(granted it's a late line up, not with Keith Levine and Wobble) will prove to be the most important 80's music event of the year and it will go totally unnoticed.
holmes 1 year, 10 months ago
The New Golden Oldies
Which, as it turns out, will be happening at Seattle's Showbox April 20. Other tour dates can be found here: http://www.livedaily.com/news/public-image-ltd-tickets-and-tour-dates-public-image-ltd-adds-new-dates-to-comeback-bid-21705.html
freethinker 1 year, 10 months ago
The New Golden Oldies
Replacements - yes - I saw them live twice. New Order, the Del Lords, the Rainmakers, Robyn Hitchcock. Saw them all back in Seattle. Oldies but goodies.
But I keep moving - now I love Jet, Airborne Toxic Event, Gorillaz and the Whigs.
See you at Sasquatch, I'm the old guy in the mosh pit.
psychoteacher 1 year, 10 months ago
The New Golden Oldies
In the last couple of years I have found myself totally re-exploring Trevor Horn's work (besides The Buggles and Yes) from the 80's, much of which I ignored due to MTV, I've always loved ABC (The Lexicon of Love is still regarded as the greatest English pop album of the decade) and saw the humour in Frankie Goes to Hollywood, but I never realized just how much of an overall impact Art of Noise and his ZZT outfit had on English culture as a whole. I've also found a renewed intrest in Tears for Fears mainly because of their vailed request for Paul Weller to break up The Style Council and reform The Jam in "Sowing the Seed of Love". What is sad in this country is how MTV turned a lot of MAJOR English acts into one hit wonders through the promotion of just one or two videos.
freethinker 1 year, 10 months ago
The New Golden Oldies
For me the wonder and value of MTV died around 1985 when I had to get a job and didn't or couldn't stay up and watch it until 2 am like I did in college. When I checked back in about 1990 MTV did not play videos except at odd ball intervals which I didn't bother with. Seattle did have a good alternative radio station but a lot of good music slipped by me over the years. It's hard to keep up when your changing diapers at 2 am.
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