The Smiths "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

Genesis "Home by the Sea" from the album "Mama".

I don't know why I think it is the best 80's song, because there were much better, more meaningful lyrics, but "Home by the Sea" is a ripping ghost tale in musical form, and the music is terrific prog-rock, synth-laden, percussion driven stuff.

Genesis has always been one of my favorite bands, so that's another reason I pick it, I guess.

Spode -

Have you seen "American Psycho"? :)

No...it is one of those on my 'gotta see it eventually' list. Why do you ask? Is there some tawdry scene therein which will give me a whole new outlook on "Home"?

No, but there is a great scene that heavily involves Genesis. :)

Well heck, I've gotta see this one, then! I can get out my autographed Mama Tour program and fondle it while I watch. Wait...that sounded pretty pornographic, didn't it. Sheesh.

How the fuck did I forget about U2? My bad. Hmmm...their best song of the 80s? I'd either go with "Sunday Bloody Sunday" or "I Will Follow." (Honorable mention goes to "Pride.")

i don't know if it's been mentioned or not, because i neglected to read the entire thread thus far...

but my vote probably goes to "out of touch" by hall and oates. either that or "run to you" by bryan adams. man, i love those songs.


of course, i love lots of others. i am the 80's music queen. i love it. i can't really pick one this easily, but i've been listening to a lot of the vice city soundtrack in the past couple of months, and those songs are both on there.

some more of my favorites include a-ha's "take on me" and "walking on sunshine" by katrina and the waves. and, of course, "walk like an egyptian".

Interesting that nobody has mentioned his purpleness. Prince.
He was hot stuff, at least in these parts. 1999 was the party soundtrack. Then all the spinoffs- Morris Day and the Time, Shelia E, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam.

Agreed..."Little Red Corvette" is just an awesome song. Grabbed my ass the first time I ever heard it, and hasn't let go since.

what about the THE PIXIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
too many songs to list.
(OK-it's late eighties)

Pixies definitely had some good ones. If I had to pick a single favorite, I'd probably go with "Where Is My Mind?"... "River Euphrates" is also extremely good.

But I wouldn't put them at the top of the heap. They definitely have a song or two in the top 100, and could maybe squeeze into the top 10, but not the single one.

Crowded House
 

I think that Crowded House and Neil Finn in particular had/have an enormous amount of talent and musicality. Someone was commenting on melodies - I don't think there is a greater melodic singer songwritere working today (and working then) than Neil Finn.

"Fall At your Feet" is just plain beautiful as is "Better Be Home Soon."

XTC was mentioned up-thread, too. One of my all-time favorites and I'd put "Black Sea" up as one of the best 80's records (even though it was released in 1980 and therefore not technically in the 80's decade) along with "Skylarking."

Re: Crowded House
 

I totally forgot about XTC's "Dear God". What a killer song. Great message, and you could almost dance to it.

I heard "What I Like About You" by the Romantics today and judging by the weight and spectral color of the flashback plus the thrust of the Pavlovian-like bad, spastic, 80s hop-dance urge, I submit it as Best Song of 80s. Or at least in the pantheon.