Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#82) The Outfield – Your Love

April 25, 2017

Josie probably shouldn’t have opted to go on a vacation far away from her residence, because her boyfriend is unequivocally locked into cheating on her. There’s no denying this as the biggest takeaway from The Outfield’s 1985 smash hit “Your Love”; a semi one-hit wonder from the band.  I mean, they technically also charted with … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#83) Devo– Whip It

April 24, 2017

There’s a plethora of worthy candidates, but Devo belongs on any marketing poster for  biggest one-hit wonders in the 1980s.  With all due respect to the band and I’m not exaggerating here, I never heard a Devo song before “Whip It” nor did I afterwards. Don’t let that take away from my admiration of this … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#84) Madonna– Like A Prayer

April 23, 2017

Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t a countdown of my favorite 100 Madonna songs from the 80s, despite her already appearing for a third time over these first 17 selections.  “Papa Don’t Preach” (86) and “Borderline” (88) have made their presence felt on the list, and now “Like A Prayer” comes in a bit higher.  … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#85) John Cougar – Jack And Diane

April 22, 2017

I’m speaking only for myself here but there’s a handful of songs that categorically personify 80s musical culture.  For me, “Jack and Diane” is unquestionably one of them. In 1982 John Cougar, before he became John Cougar Mellancamp released this song and I was instantly drawn in the first time I heard it (as an … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#87) Debbie Gibson– Foolish Beat

April 20, 2017

“Only in my Dreams” is neck and neck with “Foolish Beat” for the honor of being my favorite Debbie Gibson song, and the latter narrowly wins.  Don’t get me wrong— “Only in my Dreams” is great. But man, for me “Foolish Beat” was the goods. I wasn’t ashamed as a high schooler nor am I … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#88) Madonna – Borderline

April 19, 2017

Look, I can liter my countdown with Madonna songs and hardly anyone would protest. She’s music royalty and it began in the 80s.  Here’s a spoiler —you’ve already seen Madonna prior to this entry and it won’t be the last time either, not by a longshot. I can give you intelligent culturally –charged, enlightened explanations … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#89) Journey – Don’t Stop Believing

April 18, 2017

I loved this song so much more before June 10, 2007. Don’t get me wrong, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” was hardly an underground cult sensation when the band first released off their Escape album in 1981.  The song cracked the Billboard top ten and was popular. But not that popular. It was always an anthem … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#90) Asia – Heat of the Moment

April 17, 2017

If you’re not into processing the lyrics and (understandably) absorbed in the catchy beats of the drum, you wouldn’t recognize “Heat of the Moment” is fundamentally a 3-minute, 50-second apology—a damn good one at that. The band’s lead vocalist and bass player, John Wetton said so himself.  In a 2014 interview with Songfacts.com Wetton said … Read More

Favorite 100 Songs of the 80s: (#91) Night Ranger – Sister Christian

April 16, 2017

I never particularly wanted to like this song. There were rock power ballads here and there I appreciated from the 80s, but for the most part I was a pop/cheese guy.  Til this day I scarcely comprehend what this song is even about.  Still, I just couldn’t help but dig “Sister Christian”, a lot. Call … Read More