Worst songs of the 80s: 11-20

Finally, we reach the top 20 songs from our countdown of the 80 worst songs of the 80s. It must leave you wondering what 10 songs are left, eh? (Click here to see 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and  71-80).

20. Pacman Fever (Buckner & Garcia)
A No. 8 hit in the U.S. back in 1982; the album it's on has a song about seven more different arcade games (Frogger, Centipede, Donkey Kong, Asteroids, Defender, Mouse Trap, Berzerk)
"I'm gonna eat 'em all up, just as soon as they turn blue."

19. Walk the Dinosaur (Was Not Was)
The group's earlier work featured guest vocals by Mel Torme and Ozzy Osbourne; also known for the song "Out Come the Freaks."
"That night we split a rattlesnake and danced beneath the stars."

18. Abracadabra (Steve Miller Band)
Best known for The Joker (and the "pompatus of love"), he gave up recording in 1993. This song ought to be the reason why.
"Keep me burnin' for your love, With the touch of a velvet glove"

17. Puttin' on the Ritz (Taco)
Truly a one-hit wonder around the world, Taco Ockerse was born to Dutch parents in Jakarta and now is only still popular in Germany. Hasselhoff and Taco? What is it with the Germans?
"Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)"

16. Dirty Laundry (Don Henley)
A song about lousy TV news was a Top 5 hit; Henley's next solo album is due out later this year. (Will it feature a tune about this lousy song?)
"We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who comes on at five"

15. The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades (Timbuk 3)
Husband/wife team of Pat and Barbara MacDonald; song featured on "My Best Friend is a Vampire."
" Fifty thou a year buys a lot of beer "

14. Who's Johnny (El DeBarge)
Best known as the theme song to the Steve Guttenberg masterpiece "Short Circuit."
"Who's Johnny? she said. And smiled in her special way"

13. Dancing on the Ceiling (Lionel Richie)
The last of Richie's top 10 work; video pays homage to Fred Astaire.
"People were starting to climb the walls. Ooh, it looks like everybody is having a ball"

12. Heartbeat (Don Johnson)
A popular European music group -- Don Johnson Big Band -- is named after him.
" I can feel it in the rhythm of the heartbeat in the street. "

11. We Built This City (Starship)
Though a No. 1 hit, it was named the worst song of all time by a variety of publications
"Knee deep in the hoopla, sinking in your fight. Too many runaways eating up the night"

Sneak preview of the top 10: Don't worry, you'll find out tomorrow.

By the way, our Stuck in the 80s podcast this week is also about the worst songs of the 80s. Click here to download it or click here to subscribe to us for free on iTunes.

Comments

[Anonymous]

People who have only HEARD Putting on the Ritz can't possibly have grasped how much it belongs on the list. The picture, frightening as it is, only hints at the sheer weird creepiness of the video.I'll admit to liking the chorus of Built This City that starts the song; I'm a sucker for a capella intros. It's downhill from there, though.

[Mirrorball Man]

To be quite honest I do not remember Pac Man Fever.I probably dont want to considering.The only thing Was Not Was put out that was good was the little skit: Hello Dad, I'm in jail!Steve Miller's last known hit is the one I remember the most..I can think of alot worse than this song.Taco..the name says it all.Don once again getting all synth on us! Eh!Timbuck3 is all right ,I dont think they should be this high on the list either.The song goes flat after a couple of play though.Anything by El Debarge is just plain sick.Don Johnson whats worse this song or his acting...I cant tell.We built this city? Well maybe you did but it certainly wasnt on rock and roll,trust me...MM

[DBCooper]

I have to wonder if "Dirty Laundry" isn't on the list because the list was written by a journalist."Dirty Laundry" hammers the worst excesses of journalism, and has only gotten more relevant with time.As to complaints about Don Henley's melody and musicianship: Admittedly, his voice is far too "mayonnaise" to sing this song, which is absolutely blues, but imagine having "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins perform it.Okay, imagine one of his 37 kids performing it, since he's sadly no longer with us.But Lionel Richie is still alive? Feh

[bingethinker]

lockbull, she scowled at you because humming "Dirty Laundry" is even more annoying than the song itself. There's no tune; you must have sounded like a rapper with his mouth taped shut. (Not a bad idea, that.)

[Robert]

Dirty Laundry doesn't belong on this list.

[Saur♥Kraut]

OK, I'll go with all of that except "Walk the Dinosaur". As you know by now, I love schlocky songs. This was fun and idiotic with a catchy beat. Now it's nothing anyone played at their wedding, I'll grant you, but it might be fun at a wake!

[Tonka]

Maybe it's because I was a child in the 80's, but "We Built This City" has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. Hearin' it for FREE tomorrow night! I'll probably concur with it's placement on the list though, after this weekend.

[Bassnote]

I agree with all the songs except Future's So Bright...I still like that song.

[chilledbongo]

oh good lord: don johnson. that high, empty, soulless white voice. hes got to be more embarrassed about this today than he is about his pastel jackets.

[Hamptune]

The tunes are indeed getting bad, I can't say I like ANY of those songs 11-20. I'd be ok with any of the 11-20 in the top 10. The 10 and under must be a real stinker list.

[lockBull]

True story, I was in the Computer Lab of my University when I was absent-mindedly humming "Dirty Laundry". Close to me was someone who looked familiar, but I couldn't place her, so I kept humming. I then realized that this person was a local TV reporter, a person who could easily pass for the "Bubble headed bleach blond". She scowled at me, and I tried to get back to work...