80s Music (NSF56K)

Thanatos

No Rick Astley

For those of you who don't know, I'm a total fanatic about 80s music. I can understand if it's not your favorite type of music, but what I can't get is people who don't even like it. I literally cannot comprehend someone not liking this music. I'm going to avoid some of the more staple bands that bled over into the 90s who are really popular with kids today (like ACDC, Metallica) in favor of some bands who were really popular, who the younger members of the forum may not be familiar with.

We'll start with one of my favorite genres of 80s music, chick rock:

Joan Jett and the Blackearts, one of the staples of the 80s. Joan remains fantastically hot to this day, and the Blackhearts were responsible for one of the greatest pieces of music to come out of the 80s:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3T_xeoGES8

Of course, in the beginning of the chick rock movement, you have Heart. Heart actually got their beginning in the 70s, but had the most success in the 80s. They, like most chick rockers (and most rock bands, for that matter) during the 80s, had a fairly hard edge on their electric guitar. One of my favorites:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hpkitLUbeEg

Blondie was more of a New Wave/Punk band. They had a similar edge to many of the other chick rock bands of the 80s, but with more synth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7LZRaHz0Q8

Other examples include Scandal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBeP9RCrb3o&feature=related

Bonnie Tyler (who could also be discussed under the "Power Ballad" heading):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55nTwg5NIPM

and The Pointer Sisters, who were another synth-rock band who actually got their start in the late 60s, but saw most of their success in the 80s:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WDtUvX1iUVg


If the 80s was known for one thing, though, it was the height of the era of the music video (I'm sorry, 90s and 00s music videos can't even begin to stack up). We're going to hit on some of my favorites that, while not necessarily the most popular, were some of the best for reasons which I will explain.

The first we will start with is a seminal music video from the hair rock band Twisted Sister. Notable for their crazy hair and wearing makeup, they were one of the bands that drew the wrath of Tipper Gore, during the rock music Congressional Hearings of the 80s. This music video was one of the reasons why:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs37NSLy3z4

Tame, and even fairly hokey by today's standards, it was seen as very controversial at the time, and brought about Dee Snider's testimony in front of Congress, which is a beautiful thing to see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pvmyNnepTk

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a better, more complete video.

Another artist who made a name for himself largely through music videos was Billy Idol. A punk rocker from the UK, and also a controversial figure, his video for White Wedding enraged the religious right, who were offended by the very subtle religious imagery:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AofzLsvTsM0

I know I said I'd focus on less-popular, less-known personages in this thread, but I wouldn't feel right talking about music videos without talking about two more incredibly famous personages, Michael Jackson and Madonna. Even before he was accused of child molestation, Michael Jackson was an incredibly controversial figure for his music videos, being accused of promoting everything from the occult (in Thriller) to gang violence (in Beat It, and Bad):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8

Pretty much every music video Michael Jackson has ever done has inspired controversy, up to and including Black or White.

Madonna is pretty much the undisputed queen of the music video, but I think it's safe to say that her most controversial music video was definitely Like a Prayer. It pretty much hits on every possible controversial issue, from race (interracial attraction, black Jesus, burning crosses) to violence (portrayal of a rape) to religious imagery (again, black Jesus, and showing Madonna with stigmata) to sexuality (some have implied that the song is about oral sex; frankly, I think those people have dirty minds):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gKMHtcZ7dAQ

The last group I'm going to touch on is the Supergroup. This is typically butt rock, frequently groups of already-semi-famous musicians, or groups brought together by corporations. Some of them made some of the greatest music to come out of the 80s. The creation of the supergroup also popularized a trend that continued into the 90s, known as the "Power Ballad," which is where a normally harder-edged band sings something softer, more romantic, usually in order to sell records. I'm gonna focus on Power Ballads here. The first group (and one of the best) to point out would be Foreigner. Their lineup changed a lot over the years, but they did some truly fantastic work. One of my favorites:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z9OGfBGOCpk

Styx was a highly successful 70s band which saw a lot of bleedover into the 80s. They sang a lot of hugely popular songs, including arguably the best power ballad of all time, Babe:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1FIOjLwwj-U

Saving the best (and my personal favorite) for last, it's absolutely vital that we mention Journey. Unlike most supergroups, who sang hard-rocking songs, then made a power ballad, Journey sang a bunch of power ballads, and then a couple of hard-rocking songs. Being my favorite, I'm going to have to post two of their songs, because it's just too hard to choose, otherwise; the first, and my personal favorite power ballad of all time, is Open Arms:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2lLmYLw0WRI

This is the song I'm having my wedding dance to. I don't care what my future wife thinks, that's a deal-breaker for the whole marriage thing.

The other song from Journey, which I'm sure most, if not all of you have heard, is arguably the greatest song of all time, Don't Stop Believin' (in this case, live, illustrating why I prefer studio recordings):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrCpbMSgt5Q&feature=related

So, talk about 80s music, and how totally radical the 80s were. Post your favorite 80s music videos and songs. Rock on.

Richy

The 80s are the best decade for music and Saturday morning cartoons. But since we're talking about music here, let me just say that the 80s should capture your heart and soul.

T'Pau "Heart and Soul"

I love how that song has, like, two songs singing on top of each other.

Richy

The 80s were also the Duran Duran decade, with several good hits, including one of my favourites:

Save a Prayer

And of course the world-famous:

Hungry Like the Wolf

Gim

Don Felder - Heavy Metal (Takin' A Ride)

Thanatos

Speaking of power ballads, how could we forget Guns 'n' Roses nine-minute opus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siBoLc9vxac

Regina Fong

This is pretty much my childhood here. 80's music (and music videos) are a great guilty pleasure of mine. I've tortured the [chat] gang with Bonnie Tyler already but since this thread is topic specific I'm going to repoast Bonnie's Grammy performance which I so very much.

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Such a great voice. Back in the day artists didn't lip synch awards show performances, and the acoustics of the venues and the quality of the recordings mean that these are some of the best live clips you'll find on the internet.

Cyndi Lauper didn't transition well into the 90's, but she was incredibly popular in the 80's. MTV ran her videos constantly, and everyone who grew up in the 80's will remember Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Goonies R Good Enough. Here's her 1984 Grammys performance of Time After Time, a favorite of mine, and unbelievably, it was the last song tacked onto the end of the album (the studio wasn't really interested in the songs she was writing, prefering to sell her image and voice, but she managed to get this one on) and ended up being a #1 billboard hit.

Time After Time


Gender bending was quite a staple in the 80's, and no one pulled it off quite as smashingly as Annie Lennox. The video for Sweet Dreams Are Made of This raised more than a few eyebrows, but it was very successful. (You'll have to click and go directly to youtube for this one, as BMG disabled embedded videos).

Gotta click this one right here


My last submission for tonight is an artist who is pretty much as pure 80's as you can get; Pat Benetar. I'm actually shocked that Thanatos missed her in his post. Love is a Battlefield was her biggest commercial hit, period. Not her best song IMO, but here is the video.

Love is a Battlefield

Not a favorite of mine by any means, but this one is! Some people may be familiar with this from Guitar Hero: Hit Me With Your Best Shot.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Speed Racer

They Might Be Giants were pretty awesome in the 80s



DEVO too

Thanatos

Jeeps, I was trying not to make the OP too huge, and I knew who I wanted to hit for the music video stuff, so I had to reduce the chick rock section from the 20 or so videos I would have liked to have put there. :P

Speaking of gender-bending, 1985:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMwdAc1Dzfg

And 2003:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OUVDqCrKYE

The revelation that Pete Burns is transgendered was almost as big of a shock as the revelations that George Michael and Boy George are gay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hksil-KkebQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqeTpbV9nt0

Kilroy

Oh hells yes, the 80s were awesome.

Back in the summer of '06, I saw Journey in concert. Performing after them, at this very same concert, were these gentlemen:

Pour Some Sugar on Me

That's right, Def Leppard, the hard-rockin' band with the one armed drummer. Their 1987 album "Hysteria" contains some truly awesome songs, including a rather unique take on the power ballad:

Love Bites

And since Than metioned awesome music videos:

Rock of Ages (1983)

Yes, the drummer does have both arms in that video. His accident and subsequent amputation was in 1984.

While not Def Leppard, no 80s thread could ever be complete without one of my favorite songs of all time:

Africa

This song is more awesome than you could ever hope to be. End of story.

Thanatos

Kilroy, you're not by chance named after the Styx album, are you?

Also, Def Leppard's most recent album was an abortion. After someone stole my Guns 'n' Roses Greatest Hits album out of my car, I left that one in my car, thinking that whoever stole my GNR album deserved it.

Even though I left the doors unlocked for a week, with the CD on the dashboard, no one ever stole it. :?

Hi I'm Vee!

Glad I managed to get in here before someone else brought up The Police. Definitely a classic 80's band, with awesome hits like Every Breath You Take:

aka The Stalker Song

Every Little Thing She Does (You have to click on the actual video, no embedding on this one)

Every Little Thing She Does

And, although this was technically in '79, (You have to click on this one too, goddammit)

Message In A Bottle

They broke up, but then got back together in 2007, and now they're touring. In fact, they're playing at the Hollywood Bowl, although I don't know if I'll be able to get tickets this late...

Thanatos

visiblehowl wrote: »

They broke up, but then got back together in 2007, and now they're touring. In fact, they're playing at the Hollywood Bowl, although I don't know if I'll be able to get tickets this late...

If you could get tickets at this point, they would cost you your first three children.

Assuming you were buying them from someone willing to sell them at a loss.

Also, you missed my favorite Police song (also the most surreal):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UlSK4WVZ9A

It's worth noting that Sting and Billy Idol are twin brothers.*

*Not really.

Regina Fong

What has nine arms and sucks?

Def Leppard!

evilbob

The best new wave/synthpop album.

If you haven't heard this you should probably be shot.

My favourite off the album.

Kilroy

Than! You've discovered my secret! Yes, as a matter of fact,

I'M KILROY! KILROY! Kilroy...

I fucking love Styx.

Dickerdoodle

Speaking of opus, listening to Purple Rain right now.

Speed Racer

What the hell there aren't enough videos on this page already, so I may as well go all out on TMBG.

Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head

Don't Let's Start

She Was a Hotel Detective

Purple Toupee

They'll Need a Crane

Pretty sure this one's actually early 90s but whatever it's cool:

Birdhouse in Your Soul

Dudes know how to make an entertaining music video.


The two founding members of TMBG were both named John, and for a while in the 90s, their backing band was called The Band of Dans, and was comprised of three guys named Dan.

Kilroy

When speaking of the ladies of the 80s, one shouldn't forget Laura Branigan. She was the first artist to record Michael Bolton's hit "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," and her 1982 single "Gloria" went platinum. My favorite song of hers though, is this gem from '84:

Self Control

It's really fun to listen to right before hitting the bar/club/etc.

Speaking of fun nightlife songs,

Night Owls

Yeah, most of The Little River Band's hits came out in the 70s, and yes they sound like a 70s band, but this came out in '81 so it counts, goddammit. And it proves that our friends from the land of Oz know how to make music (and make out with microphones).

jeepguy wrote: »

What has nine arms and sucks?

Def Leppard!

Philistine! :P

Thanatos

I really don't like TMBG very much (even after seeing them in concert), and to be fair, their best works weren't even entirely their own:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnUXZlatV6Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-05xJ5bHmY

Speed Racer

How is Particle Man not entirely their own? Or are you just saying that the music video's neat? Because the song wasn't specifically made for Tiny Toons.

kdrudy

Oh man, this is a great thread, I'm such a fan of 80's music.

I'm surprised we've gotten this far without one of the best known music videos ever

Take On Me

Although A-Ha were basically one hit wonders in the US, they continued doing well across the world and according to Wikipedia are the best selling Norwegian band ever with 80 million albums sold worldwide.

Thanatos

Mushroom Pie wrote: »

How is Particle Man not entirely their own? Or are you just saying that the music video's neat? Because the song wasn't specifically made for Tiny Toons.

I was saying the music video is neat, and yes, I'm aware it wasn't specifically made for Tiny Toons. :P

Thanatos

kdrudy wrote: »

Oh man, this is a great thread, I'm such a fan of 80's music.

I'm surprised we've gotten this far without one of the best known music videos ever

Although A-Ha were basically one hit wonders in the US, they continued doing well across the world and according to Wikipedia are the best selling Norwegian band ever with 80 million albums sold worldwide.

I almost put that in the OP, actually, because it is such a well-known video. If I wouldn't have been going for the controversy angle, I almost certainly would have.

And wouldn't they still be the best-selling Norwegian band ever if they'd sold 8 albums instead of 80 million? :P

Kilroy

Ah yes, "Take on Me." The first time I watched that video, I was halfway delirious from fever and lack of sleep. That was a fun experience...

Nova_C

Oh goddamn you Thanatos. You know I'm gonna head over to iTunes now. Fuck.

Also, Pour Some Sugar On Me is a fucking anthem of the 80s!

Thanatos

Okay, Jeep made me feel bad for not putting Pat Benatar in the OP, who was maybe the rockinest chick ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz1RiIp-9mU

But also had a softer side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuyYAL-nNY

But not usually:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoVBp_Cr3po

Kilroy

Nova_C wrote: »

Oh goddamn you Thanatos. You know I'm gonna head over to iTunes now. Fuck.

Also, Pour Some Sugar On Me is a fucking anthem of the 80s!

See this guy? This guy fucking gets it.

Thanatos

You know when you're listening to the radio, and you go "wait, is that Bon Jovi?"

No, it's not. It's White Snake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTiwCez6Zs

Tachos

Probably my favorite thread ever. I have found my new family, it is you guys.

Nova_C

Edit: Didn't see it was already linked - carry on.

Thanatos

Some people have said

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdDxz2bkfhE&NR=1

that much 80s music contains

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzpxRd44PpE

thinly-veiled sexual innuendo;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpCcelpvkps

poppycock, I say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHc-yIAPbg

Big Dookie

I have to say, "Don't Stop Believin'" really is an awesome song. I still get goosebumps every time I listen to it. However, my favorite 80s power ballad has to be this one:

Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Awesome song, and even better, it's like the easiest song ever to play on the guitar. I don't even play guitar, and I can play this song. It is from a little later in the 80's, so some might not consider it a true 80's power ballad, but it certainly is to me.

Nova_C

Guys, guys....Man, can't forget Motley Crue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDWxf5qkAIs


Damn. Kickstart My Heart and Girls, Girls, Girls won't link.

Thanatos

I added to the OP, but I'll reiterate here:

NO RICK ASTLEY.

Kilroy

In 1982, Jethro Tull, one of the best bands of all time, in my opinion, released the album "The Broadsword and the Beast." Unfortunately, youtube doesn't have a music video for the song "Broadsword," so enjoy this live recording from a German t.v. show.

Broadsword

Jethro Tull.

WonderMink

jeepguy wrote: »

What has nine arms and sucks?

Def Leppard!

True story.

edit: also, evil bob is right, gary numan is pretty good. Whats his deal with pyramids though?

One Thousand Cables

I know they're not exactly a lesser-known band, but god DAMN Queen was awesome during the 80s (and the 70s as well, but that's not what the thread is about).

Fuck yes.

Another awesome band that was active in the 80s was Talking Heads. They seem a bit weird sometimes, but hell I love them anyway.

Life During Wartime

Thanatos

Kilroy, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Jethro Tull sucks.

And I can't believe you posted a Little River Band song that wasn't Lady.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=141iECnEiKI&feature=related

chamberlain

Journey link in OP fails and fails hard. I don't know who the douche bag singing is, but he is not Steve Perry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip1zsUIosoA

And Open Arms is indead the perfect first dance wedding song. It worked great for mine.

Plus they are good for break up songs, too.

Separate Ways

Feral

I love how half this thread is hair rock and the other half is pop & new wave.

Kind of like how the 80s really were.

Thanatos

Feral wrote: »

I love how half this thread is hair rock and the other half is pop & new wave.

Kind of like how the 80s really were.

Half hair rock, half pop/new wave, and all awesome.