ONE SONG to define the 80s

[BenJepheneT]

It's probably an overblown, """contrarian boomer""" take but yes, I agree that the 80s got the best hit songs. Not the best songs, mind you; the best HIT SONGS. Shit that goes on the top 30 lists in radio stations and plays on repeat. HIT SONGS, not just songs in general, but even then, that era of music is a strong contender in the culture as a whole.

So you're tasked to find ONE SONG that defines that era. It needs not encapsulate the decade as a whole, nor does it need to be immediately recognizable. If it's, to you, that one melody that SCREAMS 1980s CONSERVATIVE WALL STREET COKE UNDER THE NOSE PICKET FENCES HIGH RACIAL TENSION.

Okay, it's not a good era to romanticise but hey, selective hindsight is a gift.

For me, Africa by Toto is KING. It needs no introduction. It's the quintessential track for any THAT'S WHAT I CALL THE 80s album.

A close second would be Let's Boogie by Earth, Wind & Fire. I know, they're known for September, but this is one of their lesser known hits that, in my opinion, far supercedes the ninth month of the year as a good disco track.

There's no deep analysis behind these picks. They're just what I FEEL to be the best tracks to listen when you want to get into that 80s vibe. Half of us haven't even lived in that era before, as ironic as it is.

So what's your pick?

 

[CupcakeNinja]

No, no. You're right.

 

[Agentt]

I used to like 80s songs, listened to them with my mother when I was little. Really enjoyed them.
Now, whenever I listen to them, I die of cringe.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Dancing queen by abba (despite it being released in 1976)

 

[BenJepheneT]

I used to like 80s songs, listened to them with my mother when I was little. Really enjoyed them.
Now, whenever I listen to them, I die of cringe.

 

[Kitsura]

Bon Jovi “living on a prayer”
AC/DC “highway to hell”

 

[High-in-the-skys]

Just a song I immediately thought of when I read the title...

 

[RepresentingSilence]

I used to like 80s songs, listened to them with my mother when I was little. Really enjoyed them.
Now, whenever I listen to them, I die of cringe.

Where's the dislike button?

 

[zisefenghuang]

Please don't kill me.

 

[LesserSarcasm]

still cant beleive noone posted this.

 

[DubstheDuke]

Never gonna give you up?

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Never gonna give you up?

Listen here you little
(Jk, all good)

 

[Draconite]

Michael Jackson's hee hee

 

[AKnightWithaKnife]

I just think of radical son

 

[gaylolis]

i thought i'd see never gonna give you up in the get go.

justin had been my favorite 80s artist, but after 20 years i feel that he's losing his muse. back then, he's the jam all along, my uncle would replay his vinyl on the living room's gramophone nonstop while preaching about good ol' american values with a can of bacon.

goodnight sweet prince, you used to be the king of pop but your old masterpieces will always be remembered.

 

[Bloodysin28]

How has none used this

 

[BubbleC]

My submission: a-ha's "Take on Me"
It's released right in the middle of the eighties (1985), and it's got that classic 80's production from the synths to the bassline. Not to mention, it's a bop to this day! No one can hate this song (I'm looking at you, Agentt).

 

[RepresentingCaution]