Crap. I forgot Joe Esposito. Trust me, you’ve heard this one, too.
I agree that the 80s was (at least) two different categories, New Wave vs. Straight Pop. The song that will be your nominee depends on which camp you most identified with.
I’ll be third (or is it fourth or fifth?) to go with Modern English I Melt With You as the ultimate 80s song.
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.
Also, I’m pretty sure Robert Tepper’s “No Easy Way Out” is a healthy contender for the most 80s song ever.
If you go that route, you can’t leave out Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s “The Show” or “La Di Da Di”. Or Slick Rick’s own “Children’s Story”.
True enough. But it’s so far off my radar screen that it would never occur to me. Any more than the 80s chart-toppers of Tuvan Throat Singing or Balinese Gamelan music would.
Sunglasses at Night.
Sure, I actually wonder what the quintessential “80’s rap” song would be.
“Bust a Move”? “It Takes Two”? “The Message”?
Very, very strong contender.
I said bland pop and hair metal hinting that the two were different beasts. And I love Welcome to the Jungle. Bland pop, not so much 
.
Ah, I see. I am now holstering my pistol, good sir.
My nominee is “Whip It” by Devo.
“Rapper’s Delight” - Sugar Hill Gang (released in late 1979 but I’m grandfathering it in)
“(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” (the Beastie Boys would hate this nomination, but that song was EVERYWHERE).
And that is exactly the reason that it is the single worst song recorded in the last…well, ever.
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned “Forever Young” by Alphaville. That was my first thought, hands-down.
Great choice!
Another contender along those same lines would be Ultravox’s “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes”.
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…
What, no Dexy’s Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen?
Also a nominee for one-hit-wonder.
My vote is for Huey Lewis and the News, The Power of Love.
First thing I thought was “Don’t You Forget about Me” and, yes, definitely the Breakfast Club effect. The 80’s song from the 80’s movie. As someone mentioned, the first song on MTV was Video Killed the Radio Star which was recorded in 1979.
I think the Violent Femmes deserve some sort of mention.