The 80s Song Appreciation Thread

jackbauer · February 25

I've learned a lot from the 60s and 70s thread and figured there should be one for the 80s as well.

The first thing that came to mind was Tarzan Boy by Baltimora, which I recognized as the oh-ah-oh-ah-oh-ah-oh-AH-OH-AH song until about five years ago. I can still see Chris Farley swaying from the palm tree and Casey Jones at the bar with the samurai (1:24:20 mark). Don't hate me ... I grew up in the 90s.

MtlJeff · February 25

Literally the most fun I've ever had was playing gran Turismo 3 listening to "she sells sanctuary" by the cult back in like 2000. I am pretty sure all of our girlfriends dumped us that summer over that. But the times we had with the electronic Porsche CTR2 sport live on!

I still listen to it a lot!

I'll contribute more to this for sure

Bob Cat · February 26

Who's Behind The Door - Zebra

Tell Me What You Want - Zebra

Both from their 1983 debut album.

Petethreeput · February 26

The 80s was a greatly under estimated time for music.

This is one of my favorites from this famous band. I saw them in the fall of '85 when they opened for Burning Spear, and then again on this tour in a small bar. I bet there were 200 people there, and they were absolutely incredible!

https://www.youtube....mdEOAH5xE may open up some eyes to their beginnings before Californication.

This album was unreal as a debut. I didnt get to see them for a few years, but they were amazing in concert. The first time I saw them Primus opened up for them, the second time was in a little theater around here.

https://www.youtube....h?v=1kAIMlISHhU

I have seen some dud concerts, but these two bands delivered well above the $10 ticket price.

DrOldSchool · February 26

I celebrate all 80s music - rock, pop, new wave, even country-western. But in my heart I am a hair metal guy, and am a sucker for "power ballads". The old monster ballads CD was a favorite of mine... Every bad boy has a soft side. I'll pull some deeper ones to get going:

Angel Eyes - Jeff Healy Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kag0TsZzxpw

I'll See You In My Dreams - Giant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iug0X6cJDDM

Carrie - Europe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmWE9UBFwtY

Million Miles Away - Hanoi Rocks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNY5vazyK_M

Don't Close Your Eyes - Kix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRx0NIvwQQg

highergr0und · February 26

I cannot wait for the Motley Crue movie to come out next month..... Trailer below

Bob Cat · February 26

DrOldSchool wrote:

I celebrate all 80s music - rock, pop, new wave, even country-western. But in my heart I am a hair metal guy, and am a sucker for "power ballads". The old monster ballads CD was a favorite of mine... Every bad boy has a soft side. I'll pull some deeper ones to get going:

Angel Eyes - Jeff Healy Band https://www.youtube....h?v=kag0TsZzxpw

I'll See You In My Dreams - Giant https://www.youtube....h?v=iug0X6cJDDM

Carrie - Europe https://www.youtube....h?v=KmWE9UBFwtY

Million Miles Away - Hanoi Rocks https://www.youtube....h?v=YNY5vazyK_M

Don't Close Your Eyes - Kix https://www.youtube....h?v=JRx0NIvwQQg

Haven't heard that Kix song in forever. Great tune. Good to hear it again.

jholz · February 26

They sort of span the late '70s and 80s, but I think they qualify as an 80s band certainly. And completely underrated.

Lots of good tracks, but this one has always been a favorite:

https://www.youtube....h?v=uqoH4rvXxpU

JBent9610 · February 26

The 80's were great - everything from catchy pop and hair metal to heavy and speed metal. Most people know of Poison, Motley Crue, Slayer, etc. so here's a few lesser known 80's bands/songs.

Hair metal:

Roxx Gang - Ball n Chain [url="

Cats in Boots - Her Monkey https://www.youtube....h?v=9ODLn_XyzEE

Bangalore Choir - Angel in Black https://www.youtube....h?v=ZXOQRvmkIl0

Rock:

Fifth Angel - Fifth Angel https://www.youtube....h?v=bYD_IIC4WKU

Speed/Thrash:

Dark Angel - Death is Certain (Life is Not) https://www.youtube....?v=ip1fdidNsGs

(this cd is just as good, if not better, than Slayer's "Reign in Blood")

jaysno24 · February 26

The entire Hysteria album by Def Leppard!

DrOldSchool · February 27

Hadn't heard this song in a while:

Petethreeput · February 27

Here's another band I picked up on in my high school career that I still listen to. They didn't put out too many duds, IMO. As with most bands I really enjoyed as a youngster, I also saw these guys multiple times in varying venues. Different energy than the bands previously mentioned, but I would absolutely do it again.

Bob Cat · February 27

Find Your Way Back - Jefferson Starship (Modern Times - 1981)

You Can't Kill Rock and Roll - Ozzie Ozbourne (Diary Of A Madman - 1981)

Both require a full twist to the right for complete functionality.

Hawkeye77 · February 27

Didn’t the 80s give us Eye Of The Tiger? Hmmmmmm.

Actually some good rock music to be found in the 80s, just have to look harder.

Back to my Sugarloaf ........

Steele47 · February 27

Petethreeput wrote:

Here's another band I picked up on in my high school career that I still listen to. They didn't put out too many duds, IMO. As with most bands I really enjoyed as a youngster, I also saw these guys multiple times in varying venues. Different energy than the bands previously mentioned, but I would absolutely do it again.

https://www.youtube....h?v=icGOLDJv08c

Michael Stipe in interviews used to make me cringe but I was able to see REM in LA in the late 80s. I gotta admit they were fantastic live. Probably the best show I'd been to.

Petethreeput · February 27

Bob Cat wrote:

Find Your Way Back - Jefferson Starship (Modern Times - 1981)

You Can't Kill Rock and Roll - Ozzie Ozbourne (Diary Of A Madman - 1981)

Both require a full twist to the right for complete functionality.

I saw them in middle school (I was the last kid and was raised by wolves), and besides, I was a good kid at Kansas in 5th grade. Anyway, I won’t ever forget when JS did this song.

Mr. Grumpy · February 27

Love threads like this,, I was still listening to CCR, Neil Young, and the like. But,, I rocked bands like The Replacements, Husker DU, and any traveling basement band..

Funny,, my memory of the 80"s is kinda hazy...

Edit: by love I mean taking time to listen to the music again...

Steele47 · February 27

The Replacements were and are still one of my favorites. Caught them live as well and they were not fall down drunk so was good show. They petered out way too quick leaving a lot on the table.

Mr. Grumpy · February 27

Steele47 wrote:

The Replacements were and are still one of my favorites. Caught them live as well and they were not fall down drunk so was good show. They petered out way too quick leaving a lot on the table.

Yeah,, I almost remember the urgency of seeing them thinking it may never happen again.. Paul was wearing Green Doc's and I swear half my friend group had some by the end of the following week..

MtlJeff · February 27

You guys like Phil Collins? Been a big Genesis fan, ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand, any of their work, too artsy, too intellectual .. It was on Duke, where, uh, Phil Collins presence became more apparent .. I think "Invisible Touch" is the group's undisputed masterpiece .. It's an epic meditation on intangibility .. at the same time it deepens and enriches the meaning of the proceeding three albums .. listen the to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins, and Rutherford, you can practically hear every nuance of every instrument .. in terms of lyrical craftsmanship and sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism .. take the lyrics to 'Land of Confusion", in this song Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority .. "In Too Deep", is the most moving pop song of the 1980s about monogamy and commitment .. the song is extremely uplifting, the lyrics are as positive and affirmative as, uh, anything I've heard in rock .. Phil Collins solo career, seems to be more commercial, and therefore more satisfying in a narrower way, especially songs like, "In The Air Tonight" and, uh, "Against All Odds" .. but I also think, Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and i stress the word, artist .. this is "Susudeo", a great, great song, a personal favorite

Petethreeput · February 27

Mr. Grumpy wrote:

Steele47 wrote:

The Replacements were and are still one of my favorites. Caught them live as well and they were not fall down drunk so was good show. They petered out way too quick leaving a lot on the table.

Yeah,, I almost remember the urgency of seeing them thinking it may never happen again.. Paul was wearing Green Doc's and I swear half my friend group had some by the end of the following week..

I saw them after Bob had been fired. And, as a basement band, it was appropriate I saw them in the basement of the Syria Mosque in PGH. What a fun show.

Petethreeput · February 27

MtlJeff wrote:

You guys like Phil Collins? Been a big Genesis fan, ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand, any of their work, too artsy, too intellectual .. It was on Duke, where, uh, Phil Collins presence became more apparent .. I think "Invisible Touch" is the group's undisputed masterpiece .. It's an epic meditation on intangibility .. at the same time it deepens and enriches the meaning of the proceeding three albums .. listen the to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins, and Rutherford, you can practically hear every nuance of every instrument .. in terms of lyrical craftsmanship and sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism .. take the lyrics to 'Land of Confusion", in this song Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority .. "In Too Deep", is the most moving pop song of the 1980s about monogamy and commitment .. the song is extremely uplifting, the lyrics are as positive and affirmative as, uh, anything I've heard in rock .. Phil Collins solo career, seems to be more commercial, and therefore more satisfying in a narrower way, especially songs like, "In The Air Tonight" and, uh, "Against All Odds" .. but I also think, Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and i stress the word, artist .. this is "Susudeo", a great, great song, a personal favorite

I saw Phil on his No Jacket Required tour at the Spectrum. Oddly enough, I now listen to Genesis exclusively and have not heard a Phil solo song in forever. And you are correct, he/they are/were great artists.

Steele47 · February 27

Petethreeput wrote:

Mr. Grumpy wrote:

Steele47 wrote:

The Replacements were and are still one of my favorites. Caught them live as well and they were not fall down drunk so was good show. They petered out way too quick leaving a lot on the table.

Yeah,, I almost remember the urgency of seeing them thinking it may never happen again.. Paul was wearing Green Doc's and I swear half my friend group had some by the end of the following week..

I saw them after Bob had been fired. And, as a basement band, it was appropriate I saw them in the basement of the Syria Mosque in PGH. What a fun show.

He (Bob) must have been incredibly messed up to be fired from that band.

What cracks me up is Tommy. I mean here he is, 12 year old kid who is probably semi neglected thrust into spotlight. All he's ever really known is being in a famous band. It's like. "Uhhh... I'm just gonna pass on the formative years thing."

Steele47 · February 27

Petethreeput wrote:

Mr. Grumpy wrote:

Steele47 wrote:

The Replacements were and are still one of my favorites. Caught them live as well and they were not fall down drunk so was good show. They petered out way too quick leaving a lot on the table.

Yeah,, I almost remember the urgency of seeing them thinking it may never happen again.. Paul was wearing Green Doc's and I swear half my friend group had some by the end of the following week..

I saw them after Bob had been fired. And, as a basement band, it was appropriate I saw them in the basement of the Syria Mosque in PGH. What a fun show.

I got around to looking up the Syria Mosque. Granted just looked at wikipedia but was not what I expected. The name really threw me off not sounding like a concert venue lol... Quite a history there.

DrOldSchool · February 27

Since Ozzy was mentioned up thread, how about some Black Sabbath with the immortal Ronnie James Dio out front after Ozzy left the band:

[media=]

JBent9610 · February 28

Lizzy Borden - Master of Disguise

[media=]

Metal Church - Method to Your Madness

[media=]

ohioglfr · February 28

jholz wrote:

They sort of span the late '70s and 80s, but I think they qualify as an 80s band certainly. And completely underrated.

Lots of good tracks, but this one has always been a favorite:

https://www.youtube....h?v=uqoH4rvXxpU

Along those lines, don't forget Wall of Voodoo

bscinstnct · February 28

College days.

Steele47 · March 1

Petethreeput · March 1

Much of my 80s was spent playing beer pong. Not the beer pong sissies play today, we played true blue beer pong with paddles. There were 4 of us, sometimes more, and we would change the album after one side, and everyone got a pick. We had about 2000 albums to choose from, and the genres were varied from 60s/70s to Zoogz Rift. This album was always on the short list for us, and it still holds up in my opinion. When you can sing, "my girlfriend asked me which one like better/ I hope the answer don't upset her" you know you have the makings for a smash hit. There were no weak songs on this album, but played some serious fast paced pong when this side was on.

Here's a couple that I remember most vividly. One of my regrets is never seeing them live.

Steele47 · March 1

Petethreeput wrote:

Much of my 80s was spent playing beer pong. Not the beer pong sissies play today, we played true blue beer pong with paddles. There were 4 of us, sometimes more, and we would change the album after one side, and everyone got a pick. We had about 2000 albums to choose from, and the genres were varied from 60s/70s to Zoogz Rift. This album was always on the short list for us, and it still holds up in my opinion. When you can sing, "my girlfriend asked me which one like better/ I hope the answer don't upset her" you know you have the makings for a smash hit. There were no weak songs on this album, but played some serious fast paced pong when this side was on.

Here's a couple that I remember most vividly. One of my regrets is never seeing them live.

https://www.youtube....h?v=JiI3YGFmXlg

https://www.youtube....h?v=a6otjCKg594

Forgot about those guys. When I'm golfing for some reason I always have a song going thru my mind. Could be a song I love. Could be a song i despise. I remember last year I played really well with Madonna's Borderline song stuck in my head. I had no idea how it got there. Probably heard it earlier in the day at a supermarket or something. Anyway, if I had Black Flag stuck in my head I"d probably shoot 40 over.

lol.. Just popped into my mind how I used to play pretty well many moons ago with Camper Van Beethoven's Take the Skinheads Bowling looping in my head. Probably promoted a smooth transition at the top.

Wriggles · March 2

I liked those girl group songs, like "Cruel Summer", and "Our Lips are Sealed."

Or the B52's "Love Shack."

Cool party songs.

The other day, heard the Georgia Satellites, " Keep your hands to yourself." Reminds me of a date telling me that long before the song came out.

Wriggles · March 2

Steele47 wrote:

Petethreeput wrote:

Much of my 80s was spent playing beer pong. Not the beer pong sissies play today, we played true blue beer pong with paddles. There were 4 of us, sometimes more, and we would change the album after one side, and everyone got a pick. We had about 2000 albums to choose from, and the genres were varied from 60s/70s to Zoogz Rift. This album was always on the short list for us, and it still holds up in my opinion. When you can sing, "my girlfriend asked me which one like better/ I hope the answer don't upset her" you know you have the makings for a smash hit. There were no weak songs on this album, but played some serious fast paced pong when this side was on.

Here's a couple that I remember most vividly. One of my regrets is never seeing them live.

https://www.youtube....h?v=JiI3YGFmXlg

https://www.youtube....h?v=a6otjCKg594

Forgot about those guys. When I'm golfing for some reason I always have a song going thru my mind. Could be a song I love. Could be a song i despise. I remember last year I played really well with Madonna's Borderline song stuck in my head. I had no idea how it got there. Probably heard it earlier in the day at a supermarket or something. Anyway, if I had Black Flag stuck in my head I"d probably shoot 40 over.

lol.. Just popped into my mind how I used to play pretty well many moons ago with Camper Van Beethoven's Take the Skinheads Bowling looping in my head. Probably promoted a smooth transition at the top.

Don't feel too badly. A couple weeks ago, I couldn't get the theme to "My Favorite Martian" out of my head.

Hankshank · March 2

Simple minds, Level 42, Culture Club... no, that was not the best of decades for music. Nice background drinking champagne and eating quiche lorraine back in the days when i had curly hair, suit and tie at the lectures, and found long hair or beard sooo medevial. Quite an awful decade as long as style goes.

But of course there were some lights in the dark. Like the Cure, Pretenders, Violent Femmes and some scandinavian groups you havent heard of.

Petethreeput · March 2

Perhaps, with The Who’s “My Generation” and NY Dolls “Personality Crisis” one of the finest songs of teen angst ever written.

deadsolid...shank · March 2

Steele47 wrote:

Petethreeput wrote:

Much of my 80s was spent playing beer pong. Not the beer pong sissies play today, we played true blue beer pong with paddles. There were 4 of us, sometimes more, and we would change the album after one side, and everyone got a pick. We had about 2000 albums to choose from, and the genres were varied from 60s/70s to Zoogz Rift. This album was always on the short list for us, and it still holds up in my opinion. When you can sing, "my girlfriend asked me which one like better/ I hope the answer don't upset her" you know you have the makings for a smash hit. There were no weak songs on this album, but played some serious fast paced pong when this side was on.

Here's a couple that I remember most vividly. One of my regrets is never seeing them live.

[url="

[url="

Forgot about those guys. When I'm golfing for some reason I always have a song going thru my mind. Could be a song I love. Could be a song i despise. I remember last year I played really well with Madonna's Borderline song stuck in my head. I had no idea how it got there. Probably heard it earlier in the day at a supermarket or something. Anyway, if I had Black Flag stuck in my head I"d probably shoot 40 over.

lol.. Just popped into my mind how I used to play pretty well many moons ago with Camper Van Beethoven's Take the Skinheads Bowling looping in my head. Probably promoted a smooth transition at the top.

Isn’t it funny how that works. But there seems to be no way put that song back there for the next round.

deadsolid...shank · March 2

This thread continues to amaze me. I was alive in the 80’s, college for half of them, but half of these songs I don’t even recognize.

I must have been drunker than I thought!

Petethreeput · March 2

My contributions would be the culmination of an ill-spent youth.

Perhaps, in retrospect, you are pure as the driven snow?

Steele47 · March 2

https://youtu.be/aIxgBMNhsKU

This band lasted as long as a burp it seemed. Corny video but always liked this song.

DrOldSchool · March 2

Been listening to a lot of 80s Queen recently. Always loved the movie Highlander and their soundtrack for it is great. Here's a couple favorites:

touch · March 3

1989

Qqq123xx · March 4

https\://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST86JM1RPl0

Qqq123xx · March 4

mwink822 · March 4

My 80's song top picks in no particular order:

Dio - Egypt (The Chains Are On); Rainbow in the Dark; and Holy Diver

Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train; Mr. Crowley; Goodbye to Romance; Bark at The Moon; and Shot in the Dark

Metallica - Fade to Black; Master of Puppets; and For Whom the Bell Tolls

Joan Jett - Bad Reputation

Judas Priest - Breaking the Law

Clearly, I have a leaning toward the heavier side of music from the 80's.

aloha b. · March 5

Bob Cat · March 5

Triumph

Fight The Good Fight - Allied Forces (1981)

ChronicSlicer · March 5

Petethreeput wrote:

Much of my 80s was spent playing beer pong. Not the beer pong sissies play today, we played true blue beer pong with paddles. There were 4 of us, sometimes more, and we would change the album after one side, and everyone got a pick. We had about 2000 albums to choose from, and the genres were varied from 60s/70s to Zoogz Rift. This album was always on the short list for us, and it still holds up in my opinion. When you can sing, "my girlfriend asked me which one like better/ I hope the answer don't upset her" you know you have the makings for a smash hit. There were no weak songs on this album, but played some serious fast paced pong when this side was on.

Here's a couple that I remember most vividly. One of my regrets is never seeing them live.

https://www.youtube....h?v=JiI3YGFmXlg

https://www.youtube....h?v=a6otjCKg594

I like how you roll, if you don`t mind I`ll add a few from the early punk/hardcore days.

Misfits- Halloween 1981 https://www.youtube....h?v=ChlW283_33s

Social Distortion- Mommy`s Little Monster 1983 https://www.youtube....h?v=D7sUh-DX7I0

Bad Religion- Give You Nothing 1988 https://www.youtube....h?v=sOyRIyOvBn4

Dead Kennedys- Pull my strings 1980ish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUMT9OIaVvE

DrOldSchool · March 5

Bob Cat wrote:

Triumph

Fight The Good Fight - Allied Forces (1981)

In my humble opinion, Triumph is the best band to come out of Canada. Yes, better than Rush. Here's my favorite by them "A World of Fantasy"

ChronicSlicer · March 5

Metallica- For whom the bell tolls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeqGuaAl6Ic

Slayer- South of Heaven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtLvlaGJJEU

Iron Maiden- Revelations Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft-7VSuCark

Motorhead- The Road Crew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ9V5cRSOPg

Venom- Black Xmas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlBXd6FE2ic

ChronicSlicer · March 5

DrOldSchool wrote:

In my humble opinion, Triumph is the best band to come out of Canada. Yes, better than Rush.

Whaaaat...you do realize The Crash Test Dummies are Canadian right?

/taunt.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':taunt:' /> Been a big Rush fan since I was a wee lad, and Neil Young too.

Steele47 · March 5

ChronicSlicer wrote:

Petethreeput wrote:

Much of my 80s was spent playing beer pong. Not the beer pong sissies play today, we played true blue beer pong with paddles. There were 4 of us, sometimes more, and we would change the album after one side, and everyone got a pick. We had about 2000 albums to choose from, and the genres were varied from 60s/70s to Zoogz Rift. This album was always on the short list for us, and it still holds up in my opinion. When you can sing, "my girlfriend asked me which one like better/ I hope the answer don't upset her" you know you have the makings for a smash hit. There were no weak songs on this album, but played some serious fast paced pong when this side was on.

Here's a couple that I remember most vividly. One of my regrets is never seeing them live.

https://www.youtube....h?v=JiI3YGFmXlg

https://www.youtube....h?v=a6otjCKg594

I like how you roll, if you don`t mind I`ll add a few from the early punk/hardcore days.

Misfits- Halloween 1981 https://www.youtube....h?v=ChlW283_33s

Social Distortion- Mommy`s Little Monster 1983 https://www.youtube....h?v=D7sUh-DX7I0

Bad Religion- Give You Nothing 1988 https://www.youtube....h?v=sOyRIyOvBn4

Dead Kennedys- Pull my strings 1980ish https://www.youtube....h?v=lUMT9OIaVvE

Oh boy. I almost put up a Dead Kennedys link but then backed off. lol... Saw those guys in 84 right before or after (can't remember which) the Olympics in LA. Funny enough saw them at the Olympic Auditorium where I believe they used to do that Roller Derby with chicks lol... Was my first real punk show and have to admit I got a little nervous at times with people spitting in my hair and the slam pit etc.. Good times!

The 80s Song Appreciation Thread

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