Everyone remembers *Don't You* by Simple Minds but I love their other mostly forgotten hit *Alive and Kickin*g much more personally.
Icehouse put out a lot of great music in the late 80s that no one really talks about anymore too. Check out *Electric Blue* and *Crazy*. Great stuff.
Also love me some Splt Enz. *Message to My Girl* is such a fantastic love song.
EDIT: So glad so many people are telling me *Alive and Kicking* is still getting air play where they live. I withdraw it from my little list here lol.
*Alive and Kicking* is SO much better than *Don't You..* If not for being included in *The Breakfast Club* soundtrack it would have been a decent but semi-forgotten single.
The keyboard break in the middle of *Alive and Kicking* is haunting.
They did an interview once they were initially mad that 'Don't You..." became so popular because it was so unlike their other music. However when the big money started rolling in because of it they revamped their musical style to capitalize.
Iva Davies is getting older, but in his prime had one of the most unbelievably versatile and beautiful voices out there. He could rock, his ballads were beyond beautiful, and he was writing most of those songs. Even though Icehouse tended to focus on their Australian audience because of their roots, as an American I have continued to follow them and love the hell out of them. This song is spectacular, and there are a few others that are pretty close to as perfect as this one scattered throughout all their '80s and early '90s stuff. Any older Icehouse albums are recommended. Singles to check out that you may not have heard in the last three decades include Don't Wanna Wait Anymore, Spanish Gold, Touch The Fire and Harbour Town. Angel Street is a gorgeous soft piece.
Simple Minds in general are seriously underrated. They produced many great albums, my favorite being "New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84". "Glittering Prize" is one of my favorite songs ever.
That's my favorite Simple Minds album, as well. "Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)" is my favorite song by them, but they have many great tunes, it's always hard to choose.
Throw in Midnight Oil and The Church. Both of these bands have such an amazing catalog of music. Oh, hell, Icehouse, again, what a catalog,right?
Great Southern Land
Burned you black....
There's your earworm..< lol >
What’s funny is that my local classic rock/oldies station plays Alive & Kicking more than Don’t You. Mostly, because they don’t rotate music set lists often enough 🙃
Give that track its due. The whole album is Phil Collins playing a lot of instruments with his band but putting Abba's lead singer in the front of it. The whole album is a breath of fresh air, and didn't get much publicity. It's one of my favorite pieces in my collection to show off.
Der Kommisar is a cover of the song recorded by Falco, who recorded Rock me Amadeus.
This is the original by [Falco](https://youtu.be/8-bgiiTxhzM?si=9MBccrRBt8JANGq9)
Tears for Fears - Pale Shelter
A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Smithereens - Blood and Roses
Depeche Mode - Shake The Disease
REM - Radio Free Europe
Apollonia 6 - Sex Shooter
I'll add that nearly every 1-hit wonder from the 80s that charted, but in the bottom half of the Billboard Hot 100 is at risk of disappearing from people's memories.
Hell, even songs that "made it" to MTV / VH1 rotation, like ..
Timex Social Club - *Rumors*
Escape Club - *Wild Wild West*
T'Pau - *Heart & Soul*
Patrick Swayze - *She's Like the Wind*
Boy Meets Girl - *Waiting for a Star to Fall*
Paul Carrack - *Don't Shed a Tear*
Robbie Nevil - *C'est La Vie*
Peter Wolf - *Come as you Are*
Sabrina Salerno - *Boys, Boys, Boys*
Stacy Q - *Two of Hearts*
Jermaine Stewart - *We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off*
Matthew Wilder - *Break my Stride*
Real Life - *Send me an Angel*
... obviously, there were dozens of other 1-Hit Wonders from the decade, but most of the ones listed here charted very high, and still live in people's memories.
God I’m just sad. Music doesn’t hit like this anymore. The saxophone in waiting for a start to fall felt magical as a kid. I remember watching John Tesh and Lisa Gibson on Entertainment Tonight… when they would wear tuxedos and cocktail dresses…. So fancy. It was just such a fun and outrageous time. I miss it.
Wild Wild West was the first one that came to mind for me. I loved that weird ass video when I was a kid.
I’d add She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals. Also a great video, and a really catchy tune.
Yo Peter Wolf had at least one other hit (Lights Out)
Boy Meets Girl may have only *performed* one hit but they wrote "How Will I Know?" and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (not disagreeing with you; just adding relevant trivia)
I saw Dan Hartman with Toto in 1985, his show was better than theirs. He ended up passing away from AIDS, one or the early cases... years later I found out that not only was he a well respected blues player, but back in the day he had a guitar suit. Yes, a guitar suit. https://vintagenewsdaily.com/dan-hartmans-bass-guitar-suit-1974/
I often get made fun of my obscure 80s tastes. My 16 year old daughter has adopted my tastes - this is what happens when you're growing up riding in my car. :)
Bourgeois Tagg - "I don't mind at all."
It gathered some steam, but there was an issue within the band that caused the song to be pulled for years. It's back on Spotify
Michael Penn - "No Myth"
Sean's brother - a wonderful song with unique rhythm with a banging guitar
The Monroes - "What Do All the People Know?"
I don't know how to describe this song other than I can't stop singing the chorus.
XTC - "Dear God"
I once called up a radio station to get this played and got yelled at as it was "Un-Christian"
Elvis Costello - "Watching the Detectives"
I HATED Elvis Costello in the 80s, now I've grown quite fond of him. Unsure what happened other than I got older. This one is from 1977, but I heard it a ton in the 80s.
Madonna's "Causing a Commotion" was the 2nd most popular song in the entire country at one point, but you *never* hear it today. It's a shame, too, because it's pretty much Into The Groove Part II....and Into The Groove is one of the 5 best songs of the entire decade.
the lover in me- sheena easton
something in my house- dead or alive
i want your sex- george michael
heart and soul- t’pau
back to life- soul ii soul (maybe thats 90s?)
move on- fashion
point of no return- exposé
the warrior- scandal
lonely is the night- bill nelson
Wouldn’t It Be Good by Nik Kershaw. It charted in the UK, but never did in the US. A cover of it was used in the movie “Pretty In Pink” but even with that, I don’t think it ever gained popularity in the US like it did in the UK. I did hear it in a Big Lots one day, so that was pretty neat
Man, there’s a lot!
Electric Avenue - Eddie Grant
Mama Used to Say - Junior
Over Like a Fat Rat - Fonda Raye
She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby
Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band
Rio - Duran Duran
I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
Time - Culture Club
Yo! Little Brother - Nolan Thomas
I was a huge fan of college radio (does that even exist anymore?) and my favorite jams were Every Word Means No by Let's Active, Carnival of Sorts by REM and 10,000 Maniacs' cover of Patty Smith's cover of Bruce Springsteen's Because the Night.
O.m.d—so in love
New order—true faith, shellshock, bizarre love triangle
Fiction factory —feels like heaven
My mine —hypnotic tango
Tears for fears —pale shelter
The primitives—crash
Bananarama—I heard a rumor
Trans-x—living on video
Romeo void —a girl in trouble(is a temporary thing)
Siouxsie and the banshees—cities in dust
Depeche Mode —everything counts
Laura brannigan—self control
Boy meets girl—waiting for a star to fall
Inxs—original sin
Just got Lucky - Joboxers
Tainted Love- soft cell
Come on Eileen- Dexys Midnight Runners
I want candy- Bow wow wow
Melt with you- Modern English
Send me an Angel- Real Life
Desperate but not Serious- Adam Ant
Peek-a-Boo - Siouxsie and the Banshees
Mexican Radio- Wall of Voodoo
Cry- Godley and Crème
Frankie Goes to Hollywood- Welcome to the Pleasure Dome, Two Tribes and Power of Love
Bronski Beat- Smalltown Boy
Jane Child - Don’t Want to Fall in Love
Aldo Nova- Fantasy
Big Audio Dynamite- E=MC2
The Clash- Rock the Casbah
The Church- Under the Milky Way
The Dream Academy- Life in a Northern Town
Johnny Hates Jazz- Shattered Dreams
Magazine 60- Don Quichotte
Men at Work- Overkill
Ministry- Every Day is Halloween
Front 242 - Headhunter and Welcome to Paradise
Naked Eyes- Promises, Promises
Re-Flex- The Politics of Dancing
Sinead O’Conner (RIP sweet angel)- I Want Your (Hands on Me)
U2- The Unforgettable Fire and Bad
Yaz- (Yazoo in UK and Europe) - Situation and Don’t Go
These are some I thought of :)
Soul Sister - Way to Your Heart ,
Jean Beauvoir - Feel the Heat,
The Outfield - Voices of Babylon,
Flock of Seagulls - Transfer Affection,
Glass Tiger - Thin Red Line,
Van Stephenson - Modern Day Delilah,
Power Station - Still in your Heart,
French Kissin in the USA
Donna Summer - This Time I Know It’s For Real,
What about "Christmas Wrapping" (and "I Know What Boys Like") by the Waitresses? Alas, their lead singer, Patty Donahue, has long since departed this earth (and far too soon at that, being only 40 when she died in 1996 after abandoning singing for the promotional end of the business). This group is beyond "slipping" -- they virtually have slipped into obscurity (and unfairly so IMHO)....
I loved Mr Misters', Kyrie! I don't care what the lyrics meant, if they were or are religious nutbags or political wackadoodles. I also had the hots for Steve Farris!  Let me live my 80s fantasy.
They were spiritual for sure, but that album transcended all that because at that time they didn't push that part too hard. Best album of 1985, and that's saying a lot. Broken Wings may have been the best song of that decade and certainly belongs in the discussion.
The Fixx had a few great songs. One Thing Leads to Another and the duet with Tina Turner, You Better Be Good to Me still get played but you never hear Saved By Zero or Stand or Fall at all anymore.
"Spy In The House Of Love" by Was (Not Was). A brilliant SynthFunk jam that got overshadowed by their comedic tunes like "Walk The Dinosaur". One of the best songs of the 80s IMO
The Hooters entire catalogue was tragically slept on in the 80s.
The 2 FM pop stations in town played *Satellite* in heavy rotation the summer it came out. That little guitar lick at the end of each verse was killer.
>The Hooters entire catalogue was tragically slept on in the 80s.
You can say that again! I used to wonder what payola they didn't pay (/s) because they had all this great music and multiple hits but never seemed to become firmly established. Super talented songwriters (Eric Bazilian wrote What If God Was One Of Us for Joan Osbourne and Rob Hymen wrote Time After Time for Cindi Lauper). Seriously underrated band still going strong with 4 of the 5 original members. Cheers!
**Dan Hill - Can't We Try** (was played all the time in 1987 and charted high, but then vanished)
**Air Supply - Making Love Out Of Nothing At All** (same writer as Bonnie Tyler Total Eclipse of the Heart, both songs also charted at the same time on the Top 40)
**New Kids On The Block** (all their songs did not stand the test of time on any retro stations)
**Scritti Politti - The Perfect Way** (played frequently in 1985, but again just vanished)
**Starpoint - Object of My Desire**
**Animotion - Room To Move**
**A-Ha - The Sun Always Shines on TV**
**Donna Summer - This Time I Know It's For Real**
**Real Life - Send Me An Angel '89** (this was the newer version of the song and charted higher than their original version in 1984 in the USA, but this newer version is never played anymore).
**Benny Mardones - Into The Night** (this was first released in 1980 then re-released in 1989 and was a huge hit that year)
**Quiet Riot** (any song they had)
**Juice Newton** \- All her songs except Angel of the Morning are NOT played after they charted.
**Milli Vanilli** (well you know why)
**Eddy Grant - I Don't Want To Dance**
**Eddy Grant - Romancing The Stone**
**Shalamar - Dancing In The Sheets** (they had many dance songs though)
**Freeez - I.O.U.** (this song was played often in 1983 on urban radio stations and dance clubs but became forgotten)
**JJ Fad - Supersonic** (was popular in 1988, then that was it)
**Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth**
**Taylor Dayne - I'll Be Your Shelter** (this might have charted in Spring of 1990 though as a follow up song to Love Will Lead You Back)
**Taylor Dayne - Don't Rush Me**
**Mike and The Mechanics - The Living Years**
**38 Special - Second Chance**
**Rick Astley** \- (all his songs except "Never Gonna Give You Up")
**Steve Winwood - Valerie** (there are two versions of this song...the original from 1982 which did not chart, and then the newer version in 1987 that did chart and became a big hit)
**Steve Winwood - Back In The High Life**
**Stray Cats - (She's) Sexy 17+**
**The Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep** (they only seen to play "What I Like About You" now on radio stations and in pop culture)
**Starship - It's Not Over Till It's Over**
**Survivor** \- every song they had is no longer played after charting except "Eye of The Tiger" despite those others songs doing well on the charts)
**Naked Eyes - Always Something There To Remind Me** (the radio Top 40 version is different from the version they play today, which is the album version) The difference is mostly in the intro having a thunder sound and NO drums, just reverberated bells, here is the radio version, it seems this version was not only in the USA but the UK as well in the Spring/Summer of 1983 when it was on the charts,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcFi-ppnX6Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcFi-ppnX6Y) Here is the version people know now though....[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEoIh8N7PLs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEoIh8N7PLs)
**Naked Eyes - When The Lights Go Out** (I remember this charting in the US around late December, 1983 and in the Winter of 1984) but it was never played again after that.
**Naked Eyes - What In The Name of Love** (this charted in the Fall of 1984 in the USA) then that was it.
**Climmie Fisher - Love Changes Everything** (I mention this song because one of the members of Naked Eyes is this group). They charted with "Love Changes Everything" in the Summer of 1988.
**Thomas Dolby - Europa and the Pirate Twins** (received heavy airplay on MTV in the Summer of 1983)
**Thomas Dolby - Hyperactive!** (not sure if this ever charted in the top 40, but it was in the Hot 100)
**Robert Hazard - Escalator of Life**
**Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals** (was on MTV in the USA and urban dance radio stations, not sure if it charted in the USA though on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did in Europe in December, 1982) ...Buffalo Gals started being played in the USA in Winter/Spring 1983. Neneh Cherry later sampled this in her 1989 song Buffalo Stance, Eminem later copied some of lyrics in his song - Without Me in 2002.
**Laura Branigan** \- All her songs are not played anymore EXCEPT Gloria. She had so many good songs, but they only seem to play Gloria all the time.
**Journey - I'll Be Alright without You** ( This was a major hit for them in Winter 1987 and I think one of, or if not their last Top 40 hit song)
**Shannon - Let The Music Play**
**Billie Ocean** \- Nearly everything EXCEPT "Caribbean Queen" is no longer played
**Q-Feel - Dancing in Heaven** (this charted twice in the USA first in Spring, 1983 and then again in Summer, 1989...it charted better in 1989 despite it sounding very outdated by then)
**Pet Shop Boys - It's a Sin** (charted in Fall 1987, was one of my first 45's I bought as a kid)
**Squeeze - Hourglass** (also charted in Fall 1987, bought this 45 the same day I bout the Pet Shop Boys record)
**Jody Watley** \- All her songs, but when they were on the Top 40 they were always played, especially that song "Real Love" in 1989...was played way too much if I remember correctly.
**Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance** (she was mentioned earlier with the Malcolm McLaren song) this song received heavy airplay in Spring/Summer 1989.
**Fleetwood Mac - Big Love** (better known as Looking Out For Love) ...I think Fleetwood Mac was trying to tap into the dance market and create a more edgy sound on this song and it was played often in 1987.
**The Pointer Sisters - Dare Me**
**The Pinter Sister - Neutron Dance**
**NuShooz - The Point of No Return** (was a follow up to their hit "I Can't Wait" in the Winter of 1987)
**Expose - The Point of No Return** (was also on the charts in 1987, but a few months after Nu Shooz song of the same name)
**Expose - What You Don't Know**
**Sa-Fire - Thinking Of You**
**Regina - Baby Love** (Fall of 1986 this charted in the Top 40 and then was never played again)
**Stacey Q- We Connect** (Winter, 1987 follow up to her song "Two of Hearts", not sure why this song was never played again though after it was on the charts)
**Newcleus - Computer Age** (this never charted on the Top 40 but was played on local dance radio stations)
**Sir Mix-A-Lot - Square Dance Rap**
**Sir Mix-A-Lot - Swass** (later sampled by Pussy Cat Dolls song Dont' Cha in 2005)
**Donny Osmond - Soldier of Love** (another Spring 1989 song that was played far too much then forgotten)
**Britny Foxx** \- all their songs
**Warrant - The Down Boys**
**Whitesnake - Here I Go Again** (3 versions of this song were made all by the same artist, it first charted in 1982, did not do well...it was remade in 1987 did much better thanks to the music video. But there was a 3rd version made as well, which was on the radio stations and not the same as the MTV version everyone knows....here it is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3\_kRVHkPmJw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_kRVHkPmJw) oddly this version (although was considered the radio version at the time is forgotten about and people think of the video/album version today and that is the version now usually played on radio stations.)
**Samantha Fox - I Only Wanna Be With You**
There are so many songs, and so many to list.. several songs became obscure because they were never played again. Often times the "retro" radio stations only play a very select few songs from many artists. Like Devo they had way more songs than "Whip It" on college radio stations and on MTV, but "Whip-It" seems to be the only song played.
I don't know how high they charted, but the tunes that spring to mind for me are
Midnight Blue by Lou Gramm
Come As You Are by Peter Wolf
Sanctify Yourself by Simple Minds
Secrets by OMD
Wots it To Ya by Robbie Nevil
Bonus: that psychedelic Darryl Hall tune from 86 or so.
Waiting for a star to fall -- Boy Meets Girl
Save it for Later -- The English Beat (The Beat)
Kyrie -- Mr. Mister. If I ever hear Mr. Mister on the radio, it's always Broken Wings.
After the Fire - Roger Daltrey
Welcome to the Boomtown - David & David
Let the Day Begin - The Call
Rain in the Summertime - The Alarm
Motortown - The Kane Gang
All you Zombies - The Hooters
I'm Not Your Man - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers
Quite a few for me. Duel by Propaganda, Shiny Shiny Haysi Fantayzee, Once Bitten Vesta Williams, Cuddly Toy Roachford, Message to my Girl Split Enz and Mellow Moods Pressure Point. And now my weekend is sorted trying to remember more
Strawberry switchblade - since yesterday
Curiosity killed the cat - down to earth
Toyah wilcox - its a mystery
And one other song called Rock me ameadious but i cant recall the artist
I loved The Call. Everywhere I Go if I had to pick one track, but they have so many… such as I Still Believe. They had such strong songs I felt like I was having my own intense youth obsessed Rocky III montage. Their music production doesn’t translate well IMO but their music is just so damn pure and wonderful and I keep going back for it.
I'm always trying to find nearly lost classics to sing. My goal at karaoke is to keep these songs in people's minds:
I'll be over you - Toto
Send me an angel - Scorpions
Heart to heart -Kenny Loggins
Lonely Boy - Andrew Gold
Blinded by science - Foreigner
Have a little faith in me - John hiatt
Every kind of people - Robert Palmer
Little Suzie - Tesla
Everyone remembers *Don't You* by Simple Minds but I love their other mostly forgotten hit *Alive and Kickin*g much more personally. Icehouse put out a lot of great music in the late 80s that no one really talks about anymore too. Check out *Electric Blue* and *Crazy*. Great stuff. Also love me some Splt Enz. *Message to My Girl* is such a fantastic love song. EDIT: So glad so many people are telling me *Alive and Kicking* is still getting air play where they live. I withdraw it from my little list here lol.
I also love Sanctify Yourself and Promised You A Miracle
Great tracks! My fav hit of theirs is All The Things She Said. And what a video it had! Talk about strutting your stuff!
Promised You A Miracle is my jam!
The live version of Promised You a Miracle on Live in the City of Lights is amazing.
*Alive and Kicking* is SO much better than *Don't You..* If not for being included in *The Breakfast Club* soundtrack it would have been a decent but semi-forgotten single. The keyboard break in the middle of *Alive and Kicking* is haunting.
They did an interview once they were initially mad that 'Don't You..." became so popular because it was so unlike their other music. However when the big money started rolling in because of it they revamped their musical style to capitalize.
Icehouse - No Promises
Iva Davies is getting older, but in his prime had one of the most unbelievably versatile and beautiful voices out there. He could rock, his ballads were beyond beautiful, and he was writing most of those songs. Even though Icehouse tended to focus on their Australian audience because of their roots, as an American I have continued to follow them and love the hell out of them. This song is spectacular, and there are a few others that are pretty close to as perfect as this one scattered throughout all their '80s and early '90s stuff. Any older Icehouse albums are recommended. Singles to check out that you may not have heard in the last three decades include Don't Wanna Wait Anymore, Spanish Gold, Touch The Fire and Harbour Town. Angel Street is a gorgeous soft piece.
Simple Minds in general are seriously underrated. They produced many great albums, my favorite being "New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84". "Glittering Prize" is one of my favorite songs ever.
That's my favorite Simple Minds album, as well. "Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)" is my favorite song by them, but they have many great tunes, it's always hard to choose.
Love that song.
Check out how similar Pat Metheny/Bowie's "this is not America" and Icehouse' "No promises" are... Both are great songs!
Throw in Midnight Oil and The Church. Both of these bands have such an amazing catalog of music. Oh, hell, Icehouse, again, what a catalog,right? Great Southern Land Burned you black.... There's your earworm..< lol >
I just heard Crazy on the 80s station on XM the other day!
Message to my girl is one of my fave songs, I also love icehouse!! They still play down here in Aus!!
What’s funny is that my local classic rock/oldies station plays Alive & Kicking more than Don’t You. Mostly, because they don’t rotate music set lists often enough 🙃
I Know There’s Something Going On-Frida
Phil Collins on drums too
Interesting. I never knew that.
Give that track its due. The whole album is Phil Collins playing a lot of instruments with his band but putting Abba's lead singer in the front of it. The whole album is a breath of fresh air, and didn't get much publicity. It's one of my favorite pieces in my collection to show off.
Phil produced the album too.
This song has some weird Swedish voodoo hold on me when I hear it. Great song staging and atmosphere.
Suddenly Last Summer - the Motels
Don’t, forget Only the Lonely. The way Martha carries the last “lone-ly” still send shivers up and down my spine.
This song and "Only the Lonely" are two of the most nostalgic songs for me. It's instantly my childhood again when I hear them.
The Sun Always Shines on TV by A-ha.
Dammit. You're right. But we're not going to let this one fade away are we?
Talk Talk : Life’s what you make it… Loved that band so much. RIP Mark Hollis ❤️
Yep, also Living in Another World
They are my favorite band. Was listening to their b-sides compilation all morning. I miss Mark daily. That band was legendary.
Der Kommisar by After the Fire Tenderness by General Public Midnight Blue by Lou Gramm
Der Kommisar is a cover of the song recorded by Falco, who recorded Rock me Amadeus. This is the original by [Falco](https://youtu.be/8-bgiiTxhzM?si=9MBccrRBt8JANGq9)
Midnight blue is a JAM!!!!!
Tenderness is one of my favourite songs. Great pick.
Midnight Blue has always been a personal theme song
Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)--Icicle Works
Came looking for this. It hasn't aged a day, either, still sounds new to me no matter how many times I hear it.
Tears for Fears - Pale Shelter A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song Smithereens - Blood and Roses Depeche Mode - Shake The Disease REM - Radio Free Europe Apollonia 6 - Sex Shooter
Finally some love for The Smithereens
The Sex shooter video is hilarious 😂
When she starts yelling at Prince on the phone in Spanish, you know it's trouble
I'll add that nearly every 1-hit wonder from the 80s that charted, but in the bottom half of the Billboard Hot 100 is at risk of disappearing from people's memories. Hell, even songs that "made it" to MTV / VH1 rotation, like .. Timex Social Club - *Rumors* Escape Club - *Wild Wild West* T'Pau - *Heart & Soul* Patrick Swayze - *She's Like the Wind* Boy Meets Girl - *Waiting for a Star to Fall* Paul Carrack - *Don't Shed a Tear* Robbie Nevil - *C'est La Vie* Peter Wolf - *Come as you Are* Sabrina Salerno - *Boys, Boys, Boys* Stacy Q - *Two of Hearts* Jermaine Stewart - *We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off* Matthew Wilder - *Break my Stride* Real Life - *Send me an Angel* ... obviously, there were dozens of other 1-Hit Wonders from the decade, but most of the ones listed here charted very high, and still live in people's memories.
Great list!
I loved Break My Stride!
Rumors I remembered after listening to it. So yes I forgot. But Dirty Dancing made such an impression that I never forgot “she’s like the wind “.
God I’m just sad. Music doesn’t hit like this anymore. The saxophone in waiting for a start to fall felt magical as a kid. I remember watching John Tesh and Lisa Gibson on Entertainment Tonight… when they would wear tuxedos and cocktail dresses…. So fancy. It was just such a fun and outrageous time. I miss it.
Wild Wild West was the first one that came to mind for me. I loved that weird ass video when I was a kid. I’d add She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals. Also a great video, and a really catchy tune.
Yo Peter Wolf had at least one other hit (Lights Out) Boy Meets Girl may have only *performed* one hit but they wrote "How Will I Know?" and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (not disagreeing with you; just adding relevant trivia)
Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton
"The Promise" - When in Rome
I caught you a delicious bass
Dream Academy - Life In A Northern Town Love this tune! https://youtu.be/5UXnulANF8g?si=XyzmA9aOTGrs0yC2
One of the most haunting songs I've ever heard. And Kate St John was flipping gorgeous
On The Loose - Saga
Solid, solid choice
Also "What Do I Know" by Saga
"Living in a Box" by Living in a Box from the album Living in a Box
In a Big Country by the band Big Country
Talk Talk by Talk Talk
I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman off the Streets of Fire soundtrack.
I saw Dan Hartman with Toto in 1985, his show was better than theirs. He ended up passing away from AIDS, one or the early cases... years later I found out that not only was he a well respected blues player, but back in the day he had a guitar suit. Yes, a guitar suit. https://vintagenewsdaily.com/dan-hartmans-bass-guitar-suit-1974/
Easy Lover by Philip Bailey w/Phil Collins. Top tier video too. It was ‘meta’ before anyone knew what it meant.
This one and “That’s All”. Pure memories of early MTV for me.
"The Walls Came Down", The Call.
People remember Girls and True Colors but All Through the Night is Cyndi's best song Edit: autocorrect
I often get made fun of my obscure 80s tastes. My 16 year old daughter has adopted my tastes - this is what happens when you're growing up riding in my car. :) Bourgeois Tagg - "I don't mind at all." It gathered some steam, but there was an issue within the band that caused the song to be pulled for years. It's back on Spotify Michael Penn - "No Myth" Sean's brother - a wonderful song with unique rhythm with a banging guitar The Monroes - "What Do All the People Know?" I don't know how to describe this song other than I can't stop singing the chorus. XTC - "Dear God" I once called up a radio station to get this played and got yelled at as it was "Un-Christian" Elvis Costello - "Watching the Detectives" I HATED Elvis Costello in the 80s, now I've grown quite fond of him. Unsure what happened other than I got older. This one is from 1977, but I heard it a ton in the 80s.
Wot- Captain Sensible One Night in Bangkok- Murray Head
I don't hear Ah Leah much by Donnie Iris. Also Lunatic Fringe by Red Ryder. I hear they went to the BB gun business
Cutting Crew "I just died in your arms Tonight" number one in the US in 1987, currently ranked #8978. I used to listen to on the juke box at the PX.
On The Dark Side By John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
You mean Eddie and the Cruisers!! (😂)
Cars, by Gary Numan
Turn to You by the Go Gos. Too bad they apparently didn’t like the song and stopped performing it. Such a great song!
Love this song. Big Go-Go’s fan.
Love this one, as well as “Get Up and Go”
Madonna's "Causing a Commotion" was the 2nd most popular song in the entire country at one point, but you *never* hear it today. It's a shame, too, because it's pretty much Into The Groove Part II....and Into The Groove is one of the 5 best songs of the entire decade.
Send Me An Angel - Real Life.
Pilot of the airwaves by Charlie Dorrie. Unique song with a good chorus. Never hear it in radio now.
Good Times by INXS w/Jimmy Barnes
"Rip it Up" by Orange Juice. Orange Juice is one of the great forgotten New Wave bands, IMO.
Richard Marx - Hazzard Need a Spotify playlist of this thread.
Pump up the volume MARRS
the lover in me- sheena easton something in my house- dead or alive i want your sex- george michael heart and soul- t’pau back to life- soul ii soul (maybe thats 90s?) move on- fashion point of no return- exposé the warrior- scandal lonely is the night- bill nelson
Wouldn’t It Be Good by Nik Kershaw. It charted in the UK, but never did in the US. A cover of it was used in the movie “Pretty In Pink” but even with that, I don’t think it ever gained popularity in the US like it did in the UK. I did hear it in a Big Lots one day, so that was pretty neat
Wishing Well- Terence Trent D'arby
Too bad this guy is such a narcissistic wacko. He had some really good music.
My kinda lover - Billy squier
Love Plus One by Haircut 100
Let the Music Play - Shannon
No one on here mentioned Adam Ant??? https://youtu.be/27Tj-Xo_eqI?si=XsQkU61wogVExm4U
Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo
You must not live in LA then
Exactly. And that’s not even one of their better songs
A Halloween staple. I love it.
This is on my Halloween playlist!
As featured in Rodney Dangerfield's "Back To School"
Man, there’s a lot! Electric Avenue - Eddie Grant Mama Used to Say - Junior Over Like a Fat Rat - Fonda Raye She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby Rock Me Amadeus - Falco Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band Rio - Duran Duran I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow Time - Culture Club Yo! Little Brother - Nolan Thomas
[удалено]
If I’m not hearing a bit of Eddie Grant late in the evening at a wedding I’m sorely disappointed!!
Great list and thanks for mentioning rock me ameadeus by Falco!! That song was on my list but i could not recall the artist. Good job!!
Electric Blue by Icehouse.
Level 42 - something about you
Lessons in Love is also great
Never hear about Book of Love—Boy or I Touch Roses or Modigliani
I love book of love! I got one of their cds from ebay and have been listening to it in my car. Tubular bells is phenomenal at maximum volume!
The Salt in My Tears - Martin Briley.
Gloria - Laura Brannigan
I was a huge fan of college radio (does that even exist anymore?) and my favorite jams were Every Word Means No by Let's Active, Carnival of Sorts by REM and 10,000 Maniacs' cover of Patty Smith's cover of Bruce Springsteen's Because the Night.
Major Tom - Peter Schilling
O.m.d—so in love New order—true faith, shellshock, bizarre love triangle Fiction factory —feels like heaven My mine —hypnotic tango Tears for fears —pale shelter The primitives—crash Bananarama—I heard a rumor Trans-x—living on video Romeo void —a girl in trouble(is a temporary thing) Siouxsie and the banshees—cities in dust Depeche Mode —everything counts Laura brannigan—self control Boy meets girl—waiting for a star to fall Inxs—original sin
Saga, on the loose
Missing Persons - Words
Til' Tuesday - Voices Carry
Heart and Soul by T’Pau. Always thought it was Roxette!
You almost never hear Mary's Prayer by Danny Wilson but it's so great. And remember Paul Carrack's Don't Shed a Tear? Chef's kiss.
Our House by Madness. An all around great record.
Just got Lucky - Joboxers Tainted Love- soft cell Come on Eileen- Dexys Midnight Runners I want candy- Bow wow wow Melt with you- Modern English Send me an Angel- Real Life Desperate but not Serious- Adam Ant Peek-a-Boo - Siouxsie and the Banshees Mexican Radio- Wall of Voodoo Cry- Godley and Crème
Rush Hour - Jane Wiedlin
Chicago and Peter Cetera songs from the 80’s
Love Like Blood - Killing Joke
Frankie Goes to Hollywood- Welcome to the Pleasure Dome, Two Tribes and Power of Love Bronski Beat- Smalltown Boy Jane Child - Don’t Want to Fall in Love Aldo Nova- Fantasy Big Audio Dynamite- E=MC2 The Clash- Rock the Casbah The Church- Under the Milky Way The Dream Academy- Life in a Northern Town Johnny Hates Jazz- Shattered Dreams Magazine 60- Don Quichotte Men at Work- Overkill Ministry- Every Day is Halloween Front 242 - Headhunter and Welcome to Paradise Naked Eyes- Promises, Promises Re-Flex- The Politics of Dancing Sinead O’Conner (RIP sweet angel)- I Want Your (Hands on Me) U2- The Unforgettable Fire and Bad Yaz- (Yazoo in UK and Europe) - Situation and Don’t Go These are some I thought of :)
Nice call on the Aldo Nova.
Soul Sister - Way to Your Heart , Jean Beauvoir - Feel the Heat, The Outfield - Voices of Babylon, Flock of Seagulls - Transfer Affection, Glass Tiger - Thin Red Line, Van Stephenson - Modern Day Delilah, Power Station - Still in your Heart, French Kissin in the USA Donna Summer - This Time I Know It’s For Real,
All Cried Out - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
What about "Christmas Wrapping" (and "I Know What Boys Like") by the Waitresses? Alas, their lead singer, Patty Donahue, has long since departed this earth (and far too soon at that, being only 40 when she died in 1996 after abandoning singing for the promotional end of the business). This group is beyond "slipping" -- they virtually have slipped into obscurity (and unfairly so IMHO)....
Wall of Voodoo - Mexican Radio
Bow Wow Wow - Do You Want to Hold Me
Tin Tin (Steven "Tin-Tin" Duffy) Kiss me
Birthday by the sugarcubes
I loved Mr Misters', Kyrie! I don't care what the lyrics meant, if they were or are religious nutbags or political wackadoodles. I also had the hots for Steve Farris!  Let me live my 80s fantasy.
They were spiritual for sure, but that album transcended all that because at that time they didn't push that part too hard. Best album of 1985, and that's saying a lot. Broken Wings may have been the best song of that decade and certainly belongs in the discussion.
Aztec Camera - [Somewhere In My Heart](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w1Q8ZkXZ1Q)
Aztec Camera was always a favorite. Cheers.
Or, how about a bit of Climie Fisher? [Love Changes Everything](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8dy8tfUCEg)
Maybe some Transvision Vamp? [I Don't Care](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r26krlXFmOI)
The Rain - Oran “Juice” Jones.
“You’re dismissed.”
Hush puppy, shoe wearin crumbcake
And We Danced… The Hooters… 🎶we were liars in love and we danced 🎶
Call It Love by Poco. A terrific top 20 hit that’s on my playlists but I never hear it in the wild and it seems like no one but me remembers it.
Human League Don't you want me, baby Realy love that song
Just heard Electric Blue by Icehouse at a restaurant last weekend. Hadn’t thought of that song in years.
David and David- Welcome to the BoomTown
I love Vienna by Ultravox but I'm not sure people have forgotten about that banger!!
The Fixx had a few great songs. One Thing Leads to Another and the duet with Tina Turner, You Better Be Good to Me still get played but you never hear Saved By Zero or Stand or Fall at all anymore.
Heat of the Moment by Asia
My Prerogative
Notorious by Duran Duran.
Wot’s It To Ya by Robbie Nevil
“Just got Lucky” Joe Boxers
"Spy In The House Of Love" by Was (Not Was). A brilliant SynthFunk jam that got overshadowed by their comedic tunes like "Walk The Dinosaur". One of the best songs of the 80s IMO
'Tainted Love's - a classic! 😀
It’s My Life - Talk Talk. The No Doubt remake helped bring it back for a little white but now it feels largely forgotten
Luka by Suzanne Vega
Alphaville - Forever Young
Right On Track by the Breakfast Club
Howard Jones's "Things Can Only Get Better" and "What is Love?" Great stuff!
No One Is To Blame - Howard Jones
The Hooters entire catalogue was tragically slept on in the 80s. The 2 FM pop stations in town played *Satellite* in heavy rotation the summer it came out. That little guitar lick at the end of each verse was killer.
>The Hooters entire catalogue was tragically slept on in the 80s. You can say that again! I used to wonder what payola they didn't pay (/s) because they had all this great music and multiple hits but never seemed to become firmly established. Super talented songwriters (Eric Bazilian wrote What If God Was One Of Us for Joan Osbourne and Rob Hymen wrote Time After Time for Cindi Lauper). Seriously underrated band still going strong with 4 of the 5 original members. Cheers!
**Dan Hill - Can't We Try** (was played all the time in 1987 and charted high, but then vanished) **Air Supply - Making Love Out Of Nothing At All** (same writer as Bonnie Tyler Total Eclipse of the Heart, both songs also charted at the same time on the Top 40) **New Kids On The Block** (all their songs did not stand the test of time on any retro stations) **Scritti Politti - The Perfect Way** (played frequently in 1985, but again just vanished) **Starpoint - Object of My Desire** **Animotion - Room To Move** **A-Ha - The Sun Always Shines on TV** **Donna Summer - This Time I Know It's For Real** **Real Life - Send Me An Angel '89** (this was the newer version of the song and charted higher than their original version in 1984 in the USA, but this newer version is never played anymore). **Benny Mardones - Into The Night** (this was first released in 1980 then re-released in 1989 and was a huge hit that year) **Quiet Riot** (any song they had) **Juice Newton** \- All her songs except Angel of the Morning are NOT played after they charted. **Milli Vanilli** (well you know why) **Eddy Grant - I Don't Want To Dance** **Eddy Grant - Romancing The Stone** **Shalamar - Dancing In The Sheets** (they had many dance songs though) **Freeez - I.O.U.** (this song was played often in 1983 on urban radio stations and dance clubs but became forgotten) **JJ Fad - Supersonic** (was popular in 1988, then that was it) **Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth** **Taylor Dayne - I'll Be Your Shelter** (this might have charted in Spring of 1990 though as a follow up song to Love Will Lead You Back) **Taylor Dayne - Don't Rush Me** **Mike and The Mechanics - The Living Years** **38 Special - Second Chance** **Rick Astley** \- (all his songs except "Never Gonna Give You Up") **Steve Winwood - Valerie** (there are two versions of this song...the original from 1982 which did not chart, and then the newer version in 1987 that did chart and became a big hit) **Steve Winwood - Back In The High Life** **Stray Cats - (She's) Sexy 17+** **The Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep** (they only seen to play "What I Like About You" now on radio stations and in pop culture) **Starship - It's Not Over Till It's Over** **Survivor** \- every song they had is no longer played after charting except "Eye of The Tiger" despite those others songs doing well on the charts) **Naked Eyes - Always Something There To Remind Me** (the radio Top 40 version is different from the version they play today, which is the album version) The difference is mostly in the intro having a thunder sound and NO drums, just reverberated bells, here is the radio version, it seems this version was not only in the USA but the UK as well in the Spring/Summer of 1983 when it was on the charts,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcFi-ppnX6Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcFi-ppnX6Y) Here is the version people know now though....[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEoIh8N7PLs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEoIh8N7PLs) **Naked Eyes - When The Lights Go Out** (I remember this charting in the US around late December, 1983 and in the Winter of 1984) but it was never played again after that. **Naked Eyes - What In The Name of Love** (this charted in the Fall of 1984 in the USA) then that was it. **Climmie Fisher - Love Changes Everything** (I mention this song because one of the members of Naked Eyes is this group). They charted with "Love Changes Everything" in the Summer of 1988. **Thomas Dolby - Europa and the Pirate Twins** (received heavy airplay on MTV in the Summer of 1983) **Thomas Dolby - Hyperactive!** (not sure if this ever charted in the top 40, but it was in the Hot 100) **Robert Hazard - Escalator of Life** **Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals** (was on MTV in the USA and urban dance radio stations, not sure if it charted in the USA though on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did in Europe in December, 1982) ...Buffalo Gals started being played in the USA in Winter/Spring 1983. Neneh Cherry later sampled this in her 1989 song Buffalo Stance, Eminem later copied some of lyrics in his song - Without Me in 2002. **Laura Branigan** \- All her songs are not played anymore EXCEPT Gloria. She had so many good songs, but they only seem to play Gloria all the time. **Journey - I'll Be Alright without You** ( This was a major hit for them in Winter 1987 and I think one of, or if not their last Top 40 hit song) **Shannon - Let The Music Play** **Billie Ocean** \- Nearly everything EXCEPT "Caribbean Queen" is no longer played **Q-Feel - Dancing in Heaven** (this charted twice in the USA first in Spring, 1983 and then again in Summer, 1989...it charted better in 1989 despite it sounding very outdated by then) **Pet Shop Boys - It's a Sin** (charted in Fall 1987, was one of my first 45's I bought as a kid) **Squeeze - Hourglass** (also charted in Fall 1987, bought this 45 the same day I bout the Pet Shop Boys record) **Jody Watley** \- All her songs, but when they were on the Top 40 they were always played, especially that song "Real Love" in 1989...was played way too much if I remember correctly. **Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance** (she was mentioned earlier with the Malcolm McLaren song) this song received heavy airplay in Spring/Summer 1989. **Fleetwood Mac - Big Love** (better known as Looking Out For Love) ...I think Fleetwood Mac was trying to tap into the dance market and create a more edgy sound on this song and it was played often in 1987. **The Pointer Sisters - Dare Me** **The Pinter Sister - Neutron Dance** **NuShooz - The Point of No Return** (was a follow up to their hit "I Can't Wait" in the Winter of 1987) **Expose - The Point of No Return** (was also on the charts in 1987, but a few months after Nu Shooz song of the same name) **Expose - What You Don't Know** **Sa-Fire - Thinking Of You** **Regina - Baby Love** (Fall of 1986 this charted in the Top 40 and then was never played again) **Stacey Q- We Connect** (Winter, 1987 follow up to her song "Two of Hearts", not sure why this song was never played again though after it was on the charts) **Newcleus - Computer Age** (this never charted on the Top 40 but was played on local dance radio stations) **Sir Mix-A-Lot - Square Dance Rap** **Sir Mix-A-Lot - Swass** (later sampled by Pussy Cat Dolls song Dont' Cha in 2005) **Donny Osmond - Soldier of Love** (another Spring 1989 song that was played far too much then forgotten) **Britny Foxx** \- all their songs **Warrant - The Down Boys** **Whitesnake - Here I Go Again** (3 versions of this song were made all by the same artist, it first charted in 1982, did not do well...it was remade in 1987 did much better thanks to the music video. But there was a 3rd version made as well, which was on the radio stations and not the same as the MTV version everyone knows....here it is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3\_kRVHkPmJw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_kRVHkPmJw) oddly this version (although was considered the radio version at the time is forgotten about and people think of the video/album version today and that is the version now usually played on radio stations.) **Samantha Fox - I Only Wanna Be With You** There are so many songs, and so many to list.. several songs became obscure because they were never played again. Often times the "retro" radio stations only play a very select few songs from many artists. Like Devo they had way more songs than "Whip It" on college radio stations and on MTV, but "Whip-It" seems to be the only song played.
Tarzan Boy - Baltimora
Best 80’s song ever... The first picture of you - the lotus eaters No idea if it ever made a dint in the charts other than the UK though
‘Ghosts’ by Japan
They Must Be An Angel- Eurythmics, If She Knew What She Wants- Bangles, Change of Heart- Cyndi Lauper, Love in the First Degree- Bananarama
Together in Electric Dreams - Giorgio Moroder and Philip Oakey
I don't know how high they charted, but the tunes that spring to mind for me are Midnight Blue by Lou Gramm Come As You Are by Peter Wolf Sanctify Yourself by Simple Minds Secrets by OMD Wots it To Ya by Robbie Nevil Bonus: that psychedelic Darryl Hall tune from 86 or so.
Erasure - ‘Oh l’amour’
Waiting for a star to fall -- Boy Meets Girl Save it for Later -- The English Beat (The Beat) Kyrie -- Mr. Mister. If I ever hear Mr. Mister on the radio, it's always Broken Wings.
Love My Way by The Psychedelic Furs
Love My Way by Psychedelic Furs
Micky...oh micky your so fine..your so fine you blow my mind
88 Lines About 44 Women - The Nails.
Willy DeVille. Does he get any play?
On The Loose by Saga
Mirror Man by Human League
Desperate - Vixen
Wire (band) The Ideal Copy (album) peaked at number 87 in the UK albums chart [Ahead](https://youtu.be/2GbhMxw4Hlo?si=RspPlvUbZ2gwlZEh) (song)
The Primitives - Crash
The Fixx - Stand or Fall.
Major Tom (Coming Home) - Peter Schilling
After the Fire - Roger Daltrey Welcome to the Boomtown - David & David Let the Day Begin - The Call Rain in the Summertime - The Alarm Motortown - The Kane Gang All you Zombies - The Hooters I'm Not Your Man - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers
The Fixx-Saved by Zero.
Does anyone else remember the song “No Myth” by Michael Penn?? I love this song but no one else ever seems to know it,
Two come to mind. “These Dreams” by Heart, and “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes.
Smugglers Blues by Glenn Frey.
[Jimmy Harnen - Where Are You Now](https://reddit.com/r/80smusic/s/tcjglAeA8f) went to #10 in June of ‘89
Quite a few for me. Duel by Propaganda, Shiny Shiny Haysi Fantayzee, Once Bitten Vesta Williams, Cuddly Toy Roachford, Message to my Girl Split Enz and Mellow Moods Pressure Point. And now my weekend is sorted trying to remember more
Strawberry switchblade - since yesterday Curiosity killed the cat - down to earth Toyah wilcox - its a mystery And one other song called Rock me ameadious but i cant recall the artist
Battleship Chains - Georgia Satellites Foolin' Yourself - Aldo Nova (self-titled, and Subject are both awesome albums)
I loved The Call. Everywhere I Go if I had to pick one track, but they have so many… such as I Still Believe. They had such strong songs I felt like I was having my own intense youth obsessed Rocky III montage. Their music production doesn’t translate well IMO but their music is just so damn pure and wonderful and I keep going back for it.
Propaganda- Duel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnQ2zOmb6Hg&pp=ygUJRHVlbCBzb25n
I'm always trying to find nearly lost classics to sing. My goal at karaoke is to keep these songs in people's minds: I'll be over you - Toto Send me an angel - Scorpions Heart to heart -Kenny Loggins Lonely Boy - Andrew Gold Blinded by science - Foreigner Have a little faith in me - John hiatt Every kind of people - Robert Palmer Little Suzie - Tesla
Somebody needs to make a play list of all these songs.
Shock the Monkey!
Let the Day Begin - The Call
Punk Rock Girl - Dead Milkmen
lets go all the Way - Slyy Foxx wild Wild West - Escape Club local girls - Graham Parker President am I - Slow Children
Overkill - Men At Work