The following post was written by my lovely wife, M
I’m a huge fan of 80s music and countdown shows (They could have a show titled “The Most Boring Moments Ever Captured on Film” and I’d just have to know what the most boring moment was) . So when I saw that VH1 was doing the top 100 songs of the 80s I was immediately hooked.
In general I greatly enjoyed watching the show, hearing other artists’ takes on the songs, and finding out what had become of the 80s artists. For the most part, I agreed with the songs that were included, but some of my favorite 80s songs were missing.
Also, before we watched it, I told K that my prediction for #1 was Thriller by MJ. I mean, come on, that song’s an 80s classic, not to mention innovative in the story/video format. It wasn’t even on the list! The song that was selected as #1 – “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. What?! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like me some Bon Jovi, such as “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Never Say Goodbye.” I agree that “Livin’” should be on the list, but not #1. Here’s the top ten songs on the list:
10. “You Shook Me All Night Long” AC/DC
9. “Walk This Way” Run-D.M.C.
8. “Like a Virgin” Madonna
7. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” Guns N’Roses
6. “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” Daryl Hall & John Oates
5. “When Doves Cry” Prince
4. “Billie Jean” Michael Jackson
3. “Hungry Like the Wolf” Duran Duran
2. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” Def Leppard
1. “Livin’ on a Prayer” Bon Jovi
While I agree with most of the Top 10, I would have placed these a bit lower:
“Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Like a Virgin,” (I prefer “Get Into the Groove”) and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
There were a few songs in the top 100 that I would not have included:
- “Only in My Dreams” Debbie Gibson
- “Straight Up” Paula Abdul
- “Just Can’t Get Enough” Depeche Mode
- “Ain’t Nobody” Rufus & Chaka Khan [I would have put in “I Feel for You” by Ms. Khan].
Some of my favorite 80s songs were not included in the list. These include (in no particular order):
1. “The Warrior” Scandal
2. “Der Kommissar” After the Fire
3. “Our House” Madness
4. “Come Dancing” The Kinks
5. “If This is It” Huey Lewis and the News
6. “Summer of 69” Bryan Adams
7. “Dirty Laundry” Don Henley
8. “The Tide is High” Blondie
9. “Break My Stride” Matthew Wilder
10. “Fast Car” Tracy Chapman
11. “Centerfold” J. Geils Band
12. “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” Billy Joel
13. “Abracadabra” The Steve Miller Band
14. “Always Something There to Remind Me” Naked Eyes
15. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” Queen
16. “Smooth Operator” Sade
17. “Shout” Tears for Fears
18. “Missing You” John Waite
19. “Rock of Ages’” Def Leppard
20. “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” The Police
What about you? Do you agree with the songs on the list and their order? What are your favorite 80s songs not represented here or on the VH1 list?
Links:
VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s
Ultimate 80s songs (lyrics)
Bradboard- Top 733 of the 80s
Remember my wife wrote the post, so I’m responding to her =)
Come on, “Pour Some Sugar On Me” should definitely be in the top 10! Though I don’t know about “Walk This Way.”
I can’t believe they didn’t include a single Huey Lewis & The News! If I had to pick one HL&TN (which is hard), I’d have to go with “The Power Of Love” over “If This Is It.”
Ok, I’ll concede that “Pour Some Sugar On Me” should be in the top 10, but I wouldn’t put it as #2.
I do agree with the placement of “Walk This Way” in the top 10; it’s a great song and a great collaboration!
I’ll agree with you also on “The Power of Love” begin a great song; I had a hard time choosing just one Huey Lewis and the News song. I guess nostalgia and the cool “heads bopping in the sand” video was what swayed me.
I have a fav that didn’t make the list, Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” . Also one that should be way higher on the top 100 is Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” Of course I am a die hard-hard rock fan from way back!
So, seriously… “I Want Candy” and “Rock Me Amadeus” are better songs than Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”? I am scandalized.
i saw that on vh1 and i tapped.
i’m always watching it.
there are some songs that i would have inclued: ‘hello’ by Lionel Richie; ‘i just died in your arms tonight’ by Cutting Crew; ‘Wild boys’ by Duran Duran; ‘Drive’ by The Cars; Heaven is a place on earth’ by Belinda Carlisle; ‘Never gonna give you up’ by Rick Astley; ‘Crazy crazy nights’ by Kiss; ‘True’ by Spandau Ballet…
and yes honey, ‘living on a prayer’ IS the greatest song the 80s. for sure.
80s LIVE ON!
i saw that on vh1 and i tapped.
i’m always watching it.
there are some songs that i would have inclued: ‘hello’ by Lionel Richie; ‘i just died in your arms tonight’ by Cutting Crew; ‘Wild boys’ by Duran Duran; ‘Drive’ by The Cars; Heaven is a place on earth’ by Belinda Carlisle; ‘Never gonna give you up’ by Rick Astley; ‘Crazy crazy nights’ by Kiss; ‘True’ by Spandau Ballet…
and yes honey, ‘living on a prayer’ IS the greatest song of the 80s. for sure.
80s LIVE ON!
i saw that on vh1 and i tapped.
i’m always watching it.
there are some songs that i would have inclued: ‘hello’ by Lionel Richie; ‘i just died in your arms tonight’ by Cutting Crew; ‘Wild boys’ by Duran Duran; ‘Drive’ by The Cars; ‘Heaven is a place on earth’ by Belinda Carlisle; ‘Never gonna give you up’ by Rick Astley; ‘Crazy crazy nights’ by Kiss; ‘True’ by Spandau Ballet…
and yes, ‘living on a prayer’ IS the greatest song of the 80s.
80s LIVE ON!
Completely agree with your comments on this – thanks for taking the time to post.