Top 10 Songs of the 1980s

What exactly is it that made the '80s, the '80s? Was it "wacky and tacky" fashion? Was it bright colors, or the blockbuster movie E.T.? Was it Molly Ringwald or Miami Vice? Could it have been the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl Shuffle? There's too many good things to name about the 80s, it's just too good of a decade to sum up in just a few setences. While I might not be able to sum up the 80s pop culture in a few sentences, I can show you the ropes of the '80s music scene. In my humble opinion, I present to you, the top '80s songs to help beef up your '80s Itunes collection.

10. Love My Way by the Psychedelic Furs. This song by the Psychedelic Furs was released in 1982, and helped them burst onto the scene for their hit single from the movie Pretty In Pink. The name of that single? Well, Pretty In Pink of course. This song (and band) set an early tone for what the '80s music was all about. Brandon Flowers of The Killers cites this band as a major influence on his work. Can't be all bad now, huh?

Memorable Song Moment: Those opening synthesizers.

9. I Ran by Flock of Seagulls. I remember the first time I heard this song. I was hooked for at least a week, and that was in 2002. Can you imagine how the song felt back when it started receiving a generous amount of airtime on MTV in 1982? Not only was it featured on the commercial for Rockstar's hit video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, this song helped spawn the music giant that was MTV. I only say was because MTV's music video playing days are far gone. 'Tis a shame.

Memorable Song Moment: Those over-the-top hairstyles. When one thinks 1980s it's common to think of the hairstyles these New Wave Brits were supporting.

8. Born In The USA/Glory Days/Dancin' in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen. I group these three songs together because they all promote what Springsteen was all about - Americana. One of Saturday Night Live's most famous skits that contains Springfield's Dancin' in the Dark was performed by one of its most famous stars, Adam Sandler (who coincidentally looks like Springsteen). When you made it to Saturday Night live back in those days, you were onto something. Bruce isn't to be confused with the other '80s legend who went by the same last name, Rick Springsteen. Rick's hit Jessie's Girl could have easily made the list, but the fact that Bruce composed three wonderful songs springboards him into this top 10 list.

Memorable Song Moment: "You can't start a fire, can't start a fire without a spark. This gun's for hire, even if we're just dancin' in the dark."

7. 99 Red Balloons by Nena. This song makes the list for a couple of reasons. Reason number one would be the fact that this song was made into two languages (German and English) and was a hit in both respecitve languages. The German version titled 99 Luftballons is a song set during the Cold War era, and was an "activist" song, if you will. The song was then translated into English and became an overseas success. The video essientally creates that Cold War era feeling of dark and drab, and background explosions at random intervals dispersed throughout the video just add to the feeling. (See song number 2 for another video with quite a great video). And while you're at it, dig those basslines. Totally.

Memorable Song Moment: The picture of her raising her arms at a concert only to reveal some underbrush. Yikes.

6. Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang. Admittedly, this might not be a song you think about when you think 80s, but this song makes the list for one main reason - it (in large part) created what we now know as "Hip-hop". These guys from Brooklyn, New York were leaps and bounds ahead of their time. I couldn't tell you whether it was the funky beat, the fresh rhymes, or just the fact that it was something new that made the song popular. But I can tell you I like this song, and it's definietly 80s.

Memorable Song Moment: It's hard to pick one moment because it's such a long song filled with so many lyrics. But if I had to pick one, I'd go with "I said a hip-hop, a hibbie to the hip hip hop you don't stop." Who doesn't know at least that part of the song when they hear it?

5. Cars by Gary Numan. Okay, so chronologically this song falls outside of the 80s, big whoop. This song popularized the ever present (and over used) monster of the 80s known as the "synthesizer". The only reason this song is only number 5 because it technically falls outside of the 80s. But not only did the song have a resurgance in 1987, it was also a featured parody on Fox's television show "Family Guy. Numan was a guy who was little weird at the time (and maybe even today) and he was far from mainstream. But without him and this song, we might not have had the enjoyment of the 80s experience. We should at least owe him a little bit.

Memorable Song Moment: Like Love My Way, those opening synthesizers. Or the first time we see Numan in his video. Is that make-up? Yeah, it is. Oh Boy.

4. Tainted Love by Soft Cell. This song's this high on the list for more than a few reasons. Let's start with the fact that this song was a number one hit in 17 countries. 17 countries! That probably means that this song was a hit in countries that don't even speak English. But whatever. As long as you get feel for the song (which is somewhat light at the surface but has rather depressing lyrics) then you're in good shape, no matter your country of origin. Another reason this song is number four in this list is because it's been sampled by tons of musicians. Houston rapper Lil Scrappy sampled this in his song Money in the Bank, and more recently, Barbadian beauty Rihanna used a sample in her breakout song SOS. And finally, this song is just 80s, simple as that. That simple couldn't be a segway now, could it? Nah, couldn't be.

Memorable Song Moment: "Once I ran to you (I ran), now I run from you. This tainted love you've given, I give you all a boy could give you, take my tears and that's not nearly all. Oh tainted love."

3. Jump by Van Halen. If there's one band on this list that still has heavy influcences in its respective genre, that band would be Van Halen. They had more Billboard hits than any other rock band of the 80s. And aside from that fact, it's hard to imagine rock music evolving as far as it has without help from the Van Halen guys. Sure, they might've ended their run on a bad note, but what's not to like about this band, or this song? The synthesizer and guitars shred in this song, and David Lee Roth's vocals are, as always, stellar. If there's one downside to this song, it would be the overshadowing of the drums. But hey, it can't be all bad. This is one song that when I have the rare fourtune of stumbling upon it on the radio, I make sure to enjoy all 4 minutes of it.

Memorable Song Moment: "Might as well jump!" *Dun dun, dun dun dunnn* "Heyo, hey who said that, baby, how you been?"

2. Don't You (Forget About Me) -- Simple Minds. It was really hard for me to not put this at number one on the list. For one, it closes out not only in my opinion the best movie of the 80s, but my favorite movie of all time. The late John Hughes' masterpiece The Breakfast Club is 80s right down to its core. If you see Breakfast Club, chances are you hear this song and if you hear this song, chances are you think Breakfast Club. Additionally, it happens to be me and one of my best friend's honorary graduation song to each other. Don't worry, she's a girl, so it's not weird.

Memorable Song Moment: At the end of The Breakfast Club when Bender is walking on the field across from the school with the song playing in the background. The fist pump freeze frame makes it perfect. Those guys from Jersey Shore ain't got nothin' on that fist pump.

And finally, the number one song on the list...

1. Take On Me by Aha. Just like Lucy, looks like I got some 'splaning to do. Let me start with this. Have you seen the video? Talk about being leaps and bounds beyond its time. Is this from 2005? How about 1985. Just ridiculous that the video's this advanced. But it doesn't take just a good video to crack the number one spot on the list. This song has all the instruments an 80s song needs. Poppy synth beats, kick drums, guitars, and some high pitched lyrics. After you listen to this song (which I highly recommend along with the video), you wouldn't have ever guessed that these guys are actually Norweigan. The poppy backbeat is surely enough to make you at least tap your foot, and Morten Harket's voice is unparalleled. There's nothing about this song that wouldn't make it into every top 10, and in this case, it made it to number one.

Memorable Song Moment: The whole video, just every bit of it. But aside from harping too much on the video, the "breakdown" at around 2:00 into the song is quite intriguing. Have to love it.