What Song Most Encapsulates the 1980s? (1 Viewer)

[Cage1]

What one song sounds the most like the 80s felt? Not the best 80s song, not the greatest 80s song. I'm looking for the MOST 80s song, using whatever criteria you want.

You didn't ask, but I'll tell you how I got here. I saw it was Susanna Hoffs' birthday today, so I watched the Walk Like an Egyptian video to see "The Look" again (you guys know what I'm talking about). And there's a ton of really 80s stuff in there. Which made me wonder if it was the most 80s song ever.

But after much deliberation, I've landed on Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds.

Criteria:

-It's the theme song for the most 80s movie ever.
-Stylistically, it could only have been released in the 1980s.
-It was in smack in the middle of the decade.
-It became an 80s anthem.

Runner up - Take on Me by Ah-Ha

I dismissed songs my Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, etc because they're just too big and transcendent. Their reach really extended well beyond the 1980s, but reasonable minds could differ.

 

[Moon]

This played over the opening credits of The Last Emperor

 

[mambodeath]

For me it's easily Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads.

 

[sfidc3]

I'd vote for:

 

[gboudx]

I like your 2 choices. "Take on me" was a great video. Just to be different I'll say "Purple Rain", but then again, Prince could fit into your "too big and transcendent" category. So then I'd go with "True" by Spandau Ballet.

 

[Optimus Prime]

 

[DCSaints_Fan]

This thread is just begging to be RickRolled ...

Or Jefferson Starshipped ...

How about New Edition

 

[DCSaints_Fan]

How about Mike and the Mechanics

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

For me, anything off the “Moving Pictures” album by Rush

Edit- I may have misread the instructions, but bleep it, it was the 80’s. If I’ve broken the rules, I am not overly concerned, but I’ll offer up “I Ran” by that pesky Flock of Seagulls as an honorable mention.

 

[Optimus Prime]

 

[Optimus Prime]

There are plenty of great songs being listed, but I think that to be included, a song needs to significantly alter or faithfully represent the cultural landscape of the era.

It's been already mentioned, Video Killed The Radio Star really defines the early 1980's and the advent of the music video not only as a true marketing tool to sell music but even an art form.

Then there is Depeche Mode's People Are People which became a sort of anthem for the beginnings of the LGBT movement.

Rap grew big in the 80's, but none of the rap songs listed here where catalysts to rap going mainstream. Sugarhill's Rapper's Delight had done that in 1979. Then there was Falco in 1981-2 who popularized the style in Europe, and a cover of his Der Kommissar by After The Fire was a big hit in the U.S. in 82 (I want to say) There was even Blondie's The Rapture. If anything, Madonna taking Beastie Boys on tour with her is what caused the rap boom among teenagers.

Lastly, already mentioned as well, there's Born In The U.S.A. by The Boss. This song kick started our current love affair with the military and a wave of patriotism that had been somewhat lost during the 60s-70s. I don't remember if the song came before R. Reagan's speech about officially welcoming the troops who fought in Viet Nam, I want to say the song came out first.

Decade Defining Songs: 1980s

This forum overwhelming looks at the 1980s as the best musical decade:http://saintsreport.com/forums/f3/geek-question-week-203327/With that in mind,What songs do you think best define the 1980s?This is not necessarily your personal favorite song of the 80s.This is not necessarily your...

saintsreport.com

can't see the embedded videos anymore

 

[faceman]

For me, I always think 80's when I hear this.

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

.

But after much deliberation, I've landed on Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds.



Runner up - Take on Me by Ah-Ha

I swear to Christ, before i clicked on the thread, i saw the thread title and thought about which song(s) i would pick before i saw anyone‘s response.. those are the EXACT two songs i came up with - though i had them in a tie as opposed to one being a runner up.. that must mean that this isnt even a subjective thing, that those two songs are *objectively* the correct answer .

 

[bclemms]

 

[antipop]