# The most 80s song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 8, 2014, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804 "2014-10-08T22:40:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/101 "2014-10-09T19:02:42Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > The most 80s song must have: > \ > Saxophone\ I would nominate “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” except for its one single failing - no sax solo. I would argue that THE defining sound of the 80s was the sax solo. Once you start listening for it, it’s in everything from that time. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/102 "2014-10-09T19:06:38Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > What, no Dexy’s Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen? > > Also a nominee for one-hit-wonder. That’s because it doesn’t exist, no matter what you say. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/103 "2014-10-09T20:14:03Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I would nominate “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” except for its one single failing - no sax solo. I would argue that THE defining sound of the 80s was the sax solo. Once you start listening for it, it’s in everything from that time. Hmm, sax solos eh? In that case I nominate David Bowie’s “Modern Love”. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/104 "2014-10-09T21:34:37Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I would nominate “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” except for its one single failing - no sax solo. I would argue that THE defining sound of the 80s was the sax solo. Once you start listening for it, it’s in everything from that time. And very little synth. Here are some: “Politics of Dancing” by Re-Flex “Whip It” Devo It’s funny because 1980s music was diverse, but I guarantee this thread could turn into 500 pages and no one will mention artists like Anita Baker or songs such as “Lady in Red” by Chris DeBurgh or “Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers. And it took some two pages to mention big hair bands. But yes people associate synth, new wave, pop songs as “80’s”. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/105 "2014-10-09T21:36:20Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > That’s because it doesn’t exist, no matter what you say. Huh, is this a whoosh or something? ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/106 "2014-10-09T21:41:14Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > First one that came to mind was “Take On Me” by a-ha. That’s the first one that I thought of, too. Wasn’t “I Think We’re Alone Now” a cover of a 60’s song? I only ever got “retro” out of it, rather than it screaming 1980’s. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/107 "2014-10-09T21:43:47Z")
“Heat is On” Glen Frey “Love Shack” or better yet from 1980 “Private Idaho” B-52s “Bette David Eyes” Kim Carnes “Whisper to A Scream” Icicle Works So many to be honest. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/108 "2014-10-09T21:45:20Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I would nominate “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” except for its one single failing - no sax solo. I would argue that THE defining sound of the 80s was the sax solo. Once you start listening for it, it’s in everything from that time. While made famous, and I daresay, overused in the 80s, the sax solo in pop music was rooted in the 1978 Gerry Rafferty hit “_Baker Street_”. Remember that one? From Wikipedia: [Raphael] Ravenscroft, a session musician, was in the studio to record a brief soprano saxophone part and suggested that he record the now-famous break using the alto saxophone he had in his car. The part led to what became known as “the ‘Baker Street’ phenomenon”, a resurgence in the sales of saxophones and their use in mainstream pop music and television advertising. We can once again blame the 70s for something. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/109 "2014-10-09T21:45:47Z")
> [@Katriona](#): > > That’s the first one that I thought of, too. > > Wasn’t “I Think We’re Alone Now” a cover of a 60’s song? I only ever got “retro” out of it, rather than it screaming 1980’s. OP is right that it is 80’s which it is, but not the most 80s one. However it is a good example of a circa 1987 song, though not for the entire decade. Yes it was originally done by Tommy James and the Shondells. Speaking of covers, how about “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell and “Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes? ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/110 "2014-10-09T21:50:29Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > What, no Dexy’s Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen? > > Also a nominee for one-hit-wonder. I mentioned it in post 46, but it was embedded within a spoiler box as the answer to a joke. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/111 "2014-10-10T00:22:10Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > And I wouldn’t forget old school rap, either. Maybe something like Run D.M.C. “It’s Tricky,” or Beastie Boys’ “Hey Ladies” (or whatever you want to pick here.) It’s a completely different side of the 80s coin, though. 80s Country too, then Keeny Rogers and Dolly: **Islands In the Stream** (1983?) Randy Travis: **Forever and Ever, Amen** (1986?) I’m guessing on the exact dates, but I know these were 80s. I think Barbara Mandrell’s **I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool** might just slip in at the beginning of the decade. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/112 "2014-10-10T00:47:34Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > _You went up town ridin’ in your limousine with your fine Park Avenue clothes, > You had the Dom Perignon in your hand and the spoon up your nose. . ._ > > – Big Shot, Billy Joel > [@Leaffan](#): > > I always wondered if that was autobiographical. Please don’t make me visualize Billy Joel impressing his friends by wearing a Halston dress. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/113 "2014-10-10T01:22:31Z")
Don’t You Forget About Me and Beat It are good selections. I would throw Van Halen’s Jump in there as well. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/114 "2014-10-10T01:52:08Z")
“We Built This City (On Rock n’ Roll)” ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/115 "2014-10-10T02:07:15Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > The most 80s song must have: > Synthesisers > Saxophone > Lyrics that sound deep and poetic but upon analysis actually mean nothing > > The band must have: > Ambiguously gendered members > Big hair and shoulder pads > Too much make-up > > The video must have: > Fans blowing said big hair > Lots of draped cloth > On a stage with a crowd > Soft focus > > So something halfway between Europe’s [Superstitious](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gU5Vg2JokU) and Bonnie Tyler’s [Holding Out For A Hero](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVtaVrUAPK0). “We’re Not Gonna Take it”. Confession: most songs mentioned are on my iPod. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/116 "2014-10-10T09:06:39Z")
> [@clnilsen](#): > > The song that seems to be on the cusp of all is a different New Order track - [Blue Monday](http://youtu.be/FYH8DsU2WCk). Synth, guitars, pretentious lyrics, and if you don’t dance to this, you’re dead (or undead mike-pole-beating Freddy Mercury). Yes, I mentioned this in post #44. I did kind of cheat and look up popular 80’s songs, and this one (which I have never heard of before) popped up as #1. I gave it a listen and nominated it. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/117 "2014-10-10T10:47:13Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > While made famous, and I daresay, overused in the 80s, the sax solo in pop music was rooted in the 1978 Gerry Rafferty hit “_Baker Street_”. Remember that one? > > From Wikipedia: > [Raphael] Ravenscroft, a session musician, was in the studio to record a brief soprano saxophone part and suggested that he record the now-famous break using the alto saxophone he had in his car. The part led to what became known as “the ‘Baker Street’ phenomenon”, a resurgence in the sales of saxophones and their use in mainstream pop music and television advertising. > > **We can once again blame the 70s for something.** Except that in _Baker Street_’s case, adding a sax solo was the perfect finishing touch to an already great song. Something similar happened with **Jacques Dutronc** ’s _Il Est Cinq Heures Paris S’Eveille_ ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyNng8st5kU](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyNng8st5kU)). The song was finished and recorded but he was unsatisfied with it. In another studio, flutist **Roger Bourdin** had just finished a recording session. He dropped by and added complex but totally improvised solos between each verses. They made the song: all of a sudden, you could _see_ Paris slowly waking up in the early morning. (Sorry for the hijack as it’s a 60s song but these are the two best examples I know of chance meetings that turned excellent songs into classics). ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/118 "2014-10-10T12:36:44Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Please don’t make me visualize Billy Joel impressing his friends by wearing a Halston dress. I guess I should have read all the lyrics… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/119 "2014-10-10T15:17:08Z")
Like U2, Michael Jackson had his own distinct sound. While he was bigger than practically anyone in the 1980s, he doesn’t really define an '80s sound, just his own. So I’d exclude MJ. And J. Geils’ “Centerfold” would have fit in perfectly well if it had come out in, say, 1975. I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned “Man in Motion” yet. Another '80s song from an '80s movie (St. Elmo’s Fire). > [@Ponch8](#): > > “Don’t You Want Me,” as mentioned upthread > > And the other one is the answer to a joke: what’s worse than sweat on Olivia Newton John? > > Come On Eileen Never heard that one before. I’m gonna grin like a banshee the next time I hear that song on the radio. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804/120 "2014-10-10T16:27:55Z")
[QUOTE=Quimby] To be honest I first heard that song in the the early 2000s so I associate it with that era. It was in a Saturn commercial… [/QUOTE] And don’t forget it was in Napoleon Dynamite, too. It took me a while to realize that movie was not set in the 80s. If you avoid synth pop, there’s always _How Soon Is Now?_ by the Smiths, _Can’t Hardly Wait_ by the Replacements, and _Steppin’ Out_ by Joe Jackson. Something by Springsteen has to be on the list. _Glory Days_ probably. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-80s-song/700804.md?page=7)