Written by Emma Kennedy
There’s no doubt that the 80s provided us with some of the most iconic pop songs to date. While a lot of hits retain their timeless, there’s a handful of 80s songs that I’ve yet to hear this generation talk about. Here’s a few 80s pop picks that I refuse to let go out of style.
The Sun Always Shines on TV – A-Ha
We all know Take on Me, so I curiously dove into the other gems hidden in Norwegian pop phenomenon A-Ha’s discography. I was shocked at my own amazement upon listening to The Sun Always Shines on TV, an intense symphony of synths with puzzling lyrics and a melodic keyboard solo. It’s the pinnacle of what 80s synthpop was all about, exploring the capabilities of synth with overlays of different electronic sounds over an echoey voice. The Sun Always Shines on TV is living proof that one hit wonder artists deserve another chance.
With One Look (The Wildest Dream) – Cy Curmin and Rupert Hine
I recently went to a special screening of Better off Dead at Lucas Theatre. The credits rolled and the final song blared, and I was quick to whip out my phone and open Shazam. The app failed to pick up this hypnotic melody, and I panicked, because I refused to walk out of the theater without that song title in my back pocket. Thanks to a good old internet search, I discovered With One Look (The Wildest Dream) by Rupert Hine. The tune isn’t on Spotify, much to my dismay, but it’s saturated with 80s pop sleaze and deserves attention that goes beyond its association with the 1985 Cusack cult classic. I use YouTube to get a taste of this gold I’ve struck, listening to it over and over again, wondering why the hell no one else is talking about it.
The Heart of Rock and Roll – Huey Lewis and the News
Suited up in his collared shirt and tie, Huey Lewis sings about the continuing popularity of good old rock and roll across America. I like to think The Heart of Rock and Roll truly is still beating across all the cities included in the lyrics. Huey Lewis manages to capture a catchy melody that reigns timeless, 40 years after the release of Sports. It’s a fun, bouncy, pop-rock Huey Lewis essential with funky bass riffs, trumpets, and a beat to soundtrack your walk to class.
A Little Respect – Erasure
British pop duo Erasure is responsible for a song that I simply cannot get out of my head. It’s an action-packed ballad full of yearning, heartbreak, and pleading. It’s got a decent amount of cheesy drama, but something about it never fails to send chills across my skin. It’s versatile. You can dance to it, the quick tempo being consistent across the whole track without slowing. You can use your hairbrush as a microphone and have a dramatic singalong with Andy Bell as he sings about unrequited love. If you so desire, if you’re like me, you can shed a tear or two as the chills return. Perhaps you’ll do all of those things at once. Up to you.
