Here’s one for you music buffs, inspired by the best single of 1980 thread. I’m not talking about the *best *song of the 1980s, but the one that is most… evocative of the decade - say if you played it to 1000 people, the percentage of people who got that it was recorded in the '80s determines it’s '80s-ness.
So ladies and gentlemen, I challenge you to top my suggestion - Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now.
I didn’t think I’ve ever even heard that song. I looked it up and its something I recognized as ‘filler’ on the radio. What’s 80’s about it??? Some blithering teenybopper girl, could be any era. Nothing about the 80’s IMO.
I nominate “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. Anything by Duran Duran, too.
I nominate “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” by Culture Club
It’s cheating to say WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE, right?
(Ronald Reagan! Wheel of Fortune! AIDS! Crack! Bernie Goetz!)
Total Eclipse of the Heart.
Ah, you can’t tell from the first few seconds of that synth that it bleeds '80s from every pore? Might be just me. I offer as an alternative; Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want To Have Fun from a bit earlier in the decade.
First one that came to mind was “Take On Me” by a-ha.
Another vote for “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds (first thing that came to mind when I saw the thread title).
(Personally, for me it would be R.E.M.'s “Fall on Me,” but this isn’t about me.)
Either Like A Virgin by Madonna, or Beat It by Michael Jackson. They pretty much ruled the 80s.
Wikipedia agrees with you, using the totally scientific measure that Like A Virgin is the first song mentioned and Jackson the first artist mentioned in the article on the 1980s in music.
The first thing I thought of was “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper.
The first song I thought of was “I Ran” by A Flock of Seagulls.
Wouldn’t It Be Good - Nik Kershaw
The first I thought of were, “Don’t You Want Me?”, by the Human League and “Relax,” from Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
But really, anything with synthesizers, 808s and mousse will do.
You can’t get more 80s than Shakedown by Bob Seger. It’s got synths, horns, squealing guitars, dopey macho lyrics, and was the theme for a Tony Scott film (though it would have worked just as well for a good old skiing/surfing montage or beer commercial.)
Almost any of the ones mentioned in this thread would be better than the one in the OP, sorry.
Especially since the Tiffany song is a cover of a 60’s song. Weird.
Tim Capello’s version of “I Still Believe”. Or Mick Smiley’s “I Believe It’s Magic”. Or Joe Esposito’s “You’re the Best”. Or anything from Tahnee Cain & Tryanglz.
“Rio” by Duran Duran.
Paging Doctor Loggins, Doctor Kenny Loggins, because you are headed to the Danger Zone!
But the real one has got to be this classic by Billy Joel. (not we didn’t start the fire)