There are many songs from the 80s that have stayed with us for decades. Some of the best are ‘Temptation,’ ‘Whip It,’ ‘That’s What Friends Are For,’ and ‘Every Breath of Life.’ These songs helped define the sound of the decade and helped to shape the music industry for decades to come.
‘Temptation’
‘Temptation’ is one of the greatest songs from the 1980s. It captures the spirit of the early Temptations and is an excellent example of how to use psychedelic sounds in pop music. The band also produced several hit albums. In the 1980s, psychedelic music was a huge trend. A lot of bands explored this style, and Temptations’ Psychedelic Shack was no exception.
The song was written by Eddie Rabbit twelve years before it was released. It features a simplistic, 1960s sound, with hints of the country side of Elvis Presley. It’s not as bombastic as other pop songs from the 1980s, but its lyrics are vivid and the chorus is memorable.
‘Whip It’
The 80s were defined by a number of memorable songs. One of the most popular songs of this era was ‘Whip It’ by Devo. This hit turned the band from obscure art rockers into mainstream pop stars. Its video has become an MTV staple, and it even influenced an episode of The Simpsons.
The song’s music video depicted sexual themes, with Mothersbaugh whipping a woman’s clothing. Although Warner Bros. Records did not expect the song to be a hit, it was a surprise hit when it reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and even found chart success in other countries.
“California” by EMA is another song from the era that has stood the test of time. At its core, it is a gospel song that invites listeners to lay down their burden at the feet of a greater force. The song’s rhythms are like the sounds of a storm. While the singer may not be feeling too comfortable in the midst of the storm, she’s surrendered herself to a greater force and now has a fresh start.
‘Super Freak’ by Rick James, also a ’80s classic, was a global hit in 1981. The track was inspired by the book The Wasteland by T.S. Eliot and features an annunciated delivery. It has been sampled by MC Hammer and other artists.
‘That’s What Friends Are For’
‘That’s What Friends Are For,’ a Burt Bacharach song, is an ode to friendship. It is one of the most famous songs of all time, and one that we all can relate to. In the song, friends are the best, and they’re the ones who make our lives better.
Burt Bacharach was one of the greatest pop composers of the 20th century and has written songs for countless artists. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Steve Perry, Bette Midler, Rita Coolidge, and Melissa Machester. He has also written songs for several movie soundtracks, including ‘The Producers’ (1987).
The song is a muddled, watery tribute to friendship. While it’s vague and clumsy, it’s an excellent vocal showcase for Dionne Warwick. While she sounds like a classic crooner, her delivery is conversational and warm. Listen to the song on a soft, gentle level to enjoy its subtleties.
This song was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart, and was included on the soundtrack of the movie “Night Shift”. It was later covered by Elton John and Stevie Wonder and released as a charity single for AIDS research in 1985. It became a number one hit and raised more than three million dollars for AIDS research.
‘Every Breath’
Many people mock the ’80s as an era of excess, but there is a surprising amount of restraint in some of the best singles of the decade. Phil Collins’ ‘Every Breath’ is one of those classics, which showcases the band’s cool restraint. Although artists of that era spent a lot of money and time on their productions, you can still hear the cool restraint in their music. Sting’s drumming was especially florid, while Stewart Copeland’s’stretched’ extra flicks into his grooves. ‘Every Breath’ is a classic example of the ’80s style, calculating each note microscopically and with a creepy vibe.
The song features vocals by Patti Austin and James Ingram, and was released in April 1982. The song was not a hit when it first came out, but when it became the theme song of a hit soap opera, it was an instant hit.
Despite its gloomy subject matter, “Every Breath” is still considered a classic love song. It’s also a huge moneymaker for Sting, which accounts for about a third of his publishing income. Although it isn’t the most dynamic song, it is still one of the defining hits of the decade.
‘Paul Revere’
Paul Revere & the Raiders are an American rock band from the 1960s. They had many top charting singles and albums, and made many television appearances. Their music was influenced by many artists, including The Rolling Stones and The Byrds. Some of their songs have been covered by artists like David Bowie and Joan Jett.
After their commercial success petered out in the late 60s, Paul Revere and the Raiders went through personnel upheavals. Their last major hit was 1971’s “Indian Reservation.” While this was their last major pop hit, they continued touring for over 40 years. The group disbanded in August 2014, but their legacy lives on.
After the song’s release, the band was featured in television shows such as Where The Action Is, It’s Happening, and Batman. They were also featured in a number of films, including The Matrix, the X-Men, and The Simpsons.
Revere & the Raiders performed and recorded music for nearly four decades, and they even had a TV show. Their greatest hits stayed in their catalogs, and they were even reissued into the 1990s. Even after Paul Revere’s passing, the group is still active on the oldies circuit.
‘Through the Fire’
‘Through the Fire’ is one of the most memorable songs of the 1980s. The title is a reference to the bands Audioslave influenced, and it is a song about a relationship surviving hardship. While the song is sappy, it has a great guitar hook and a message about a relationship’s strength. The song’s lyrics seem to talk about demons and hell, but it has an uplifting message.
‘Through the Fire’ is a catchy song by the Winger band. The song’s positive message is that people should pursue their dreams and “keep the fire burning.” It starts off with a tapped guitar solo and then morphs into pure prog rock heaven.
‘Through the Fire’ was a smash hit for the band and it’s now a classic in the 80s. It was a million-selling single in the US and is associated with the hippie movement and the Summer of Love.
‘Play With Fire’ was written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger while they were feeling lonely. The lyrics tap into the universal questioning that everyone has and became an instant classic in the Madchester scene. ‘This Wheel’s On Fire’ by The Band and Bob Dylan was recorded in 1967. The song references biblical imagery and was later re-released in 1975 on Dylan’s album, The Basement Tapes. Rick Danko’s live performances helped keep this song alive.
‘Karma Chameleon’
Boy George’s ‘Karma Chameleon’ is a song that became an international symbol for the ’80s. Written by Boy George, Phil Pickett, and George O’Dowd, the song was a hit for the Culture Club, and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. Its message of not being true to yourself and being ignored is a message that resonates with many today.
This song was inspired by the novel The Wasteland by T.S. Eliot. It features an annunciated delivery that’s hypnotic in its hip hop flow. The song has been described as “the sound of a chameleon’s karma biting its butt.” It has received many accolades over the years and remains a classic.
It’s hard to imagine a 80s song that wasn’t great. Its first snare drum note is enough to identify the song as a classic. It also features one of the best bass lines and synth parts ever recorded. It was Michael Jackson’s fastest-rising #1 single and sold over ten million copies.
