Worst songs of the 80s: 21-30

The countdown of the 80 worst songs of the 80s is on the home stretch with numbers 21 through 30. Cover songs -- and two tunes by Stevie Wonder -- litter the list at this point. (Click here to see 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and  71-80).  30. I Just Called To Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder) 13th in the all-time list of best-selling singles in the UK; mocked by Jack Black in the film High Fidelity. "No first of spring. No song to sing. In fact here's just another ordinary day"

29. Morning Train (Sheena Easton)
Known as "9 to 5" in England but changed in the U.S. to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton's song. Also the fight song of Manchester United fan club of Ohio.
"All day I think of him, dreamin' of him constantly. I'm crazy mad for him, and he's crazy mad for me."

28. I Think We're Alone Now (Tiffany)
cover of the Tommy James & the Shondells song from 1967. Tiffany finished second in Star Search in 1985.
"Children behave. That's what they say when we're together"

27. California Girls (David Lee Roth)
Recorded in 1985, while DLR was still a member of Van Halen.
"I dig a French bikini on Hawaii island. Dolls by a palm tree in the sand"

26. Wild Boys (Duran Duran)
The last top 10 hit by the band in the 80s, released on the concert album Arena.
"You got sirens for a welcome. There's bloodstain for your pain. And your telephone been ringing while you're dancing in the rain"

25. The Final Countdown (Europe)
Song by the Swedish rock band was No. 1 in 26 countries.
"We're leaving together, But still it's farewell And maybe well come back. To earth, who can tell?"

24. Ebony and Ivory (Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder)
This song was named as the 10th worst song of all time by Blender magazine.
"We all know that people are the same where ever we go"

23. Mickey (Toni Basil)
A cover of a 1979 hit called "Kitty" by UK band Racey. Later parodied by Weird Al as "Ricky."
"Oh Mickey what a pity you don't understand. You take me by the heart When you take me by the hand"

22. Can't Fight This Feeling (REO Speedwagon)
Second No. 1 hit for REO (after "Keep on Lovin' You).
"And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight. You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night."

21. Sugar Walls (Sheena Easton)
Tipper Gore named this song one of the "Filthy 15," a list of "indecent songs" by the PMRC.
"Blood races to your private spots, that let's me know there's a fire"

Sneak peak at the top 10: Wham, Whitney and more horrors.

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

[Saur♥Kraut]

OK, OK, now wait a minute. I... I... *ahem* I must admit that I still like Morning Train and California Girls. There was something kitschy about them that I just adore.And I really liked Ebony & Ivory then, though if I ran across it on the dial now, I would skip past it. Have you ever seen the SNL skit parodying Ebony & Ivory that came out at that time?

[80sfan]

Sugar Walls is another Prince tune. Making it the 4th so far on the list. I find it interesting that when all is said and done he might have more songs on this list than any other artist.

[chilledbongo]

two by stevie wonder....ya know, ya gotta wonder what it was anyone saw in this guy anyway....i remember liking his stuff back then, but has it held up? ickee poopoo

[c.kelley]

Okay I love Duran Duran, but I have to admit Wild Boys is bad. New Moon on Monday and Union of the Snake were also pretty bad.Stevie Wonder songs were lame in the 80s. He lost his funk.Looking forward to the top 20!

[Steve Spears]

I think I hated California Girls from the moment I heard it. No, maybe even before the moment I've heard it. It'd be on my personal top 10 list.

[Steve Spears]

80sfan -- you're probably right ... Prince is probably guilty of being the biggest contributor. Though I think we've seen the last of his work on the list.

[Bassnote]

Stevie Wonder in the 80's....BAD!!! I Just Called To Say I Love You was the worst. I am a fan of Paul McCartney, but his duets with Stevie and Jacko were indeed bad. I have to admit that I still like the song Wild Boys...sorry.

[rock_vbrg]

I've been reading over the list so far and going "Hey, I liked some of those songs." However, the catchy stuck-in-you-head songs ( e.g. Mickey) and the politcal whiny songs (Ebony and Ivory) do get on my nerves rather quickly. Many of the songs that have been on the list so far are not truly horrendous but more annoying from over play (say like if they are played more than twice).Saurkraut: I loved that SNL skit and rember seeing it when it came out. I guess I fall into "you the remember when SNL was funny" crowd.

[Anonymous]

Every time I hear the "Final Countdown" now I think of GOB and mourn.

[Liza Marie]

Boy, those were bad. As much as I still love Duran Duran, Wild Boys is not on my favorite list. And that Stevie Wonder song? Hard to believe some people I know still love it, like my Mom, whom I've always thought of as having fine taste in music. Eek, hubby loves Europe and that Final Countdown song. I want to leave the house whenever he plays it. I kind of like that Tiffany song, though...Hee, thanks for the nice comments about my blog on the Podcast!! *love*

[Squirll]

Gob revived 'final countdown' for me. now i love the intro to the song.

[Anonymous]

I love Europe and the "Final Countdown". This list has alot of problems simply for including songs because they are overplayed. So what if something is overplayed...if its good... its good! Period.

[Anonymous]

Ok I dunno what 20 year old idiot you all had picking songs but someone need get a life for putting Poison on this list ! WTF people Poison is the shit ! As far as Lionel Richie he does suck ass I totally agree with those picks. Some of the others really stink also. I can say I remember the words to most. I guess I am just old now LOL But Poison ..Someone need to rethink that shit !

[Anonymous]

Ok I dunno what 20 year old idiot you all had picking songs but someone need get a life for putting Poison on this list ! WTF people Poison is the shit ! As far as Lionel Richie he does suck ass I totally agree with those picks. Some of the others really stink also. I can say I remember the words to most. I guess I am just old now LOL But Poison ..Someone need to rethink that shit !

[Damian P.]

Duran Duran had several more Billboard top 10 singles several after "Wild Boys" - "Notorious", "I Don't Want Your Love", "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone".Great Euro Trip reference!

[Synthsational]

Sugar Walls is a classic! Then again, i love it because it's by Sheena E, who played Crockett's ill fated second wife Caitlin in Miami Vice. I'm not sad enough to know the season

[Anonymous]

I don't know...there are some 80s songs that are taboo; you just have to leave alone. Kitchy? Sure, but they defined 80s music:Tainted Love, Come On Eileen...Come on! That's like making fun of Barbie Dolls you loved when you were a kid!

[Mirrorball Man]

Stevie, you got to love him, at least his older material,but the majority of his 80s material is plain cheese.Tiffany -the I play in shopping malls instead of concert halls girl.Didnt she get seperate and pose for Playboy some years back?I definately DID NOT like this song now or ever.DLR- Dave's got to be Dave, I just thought the video was funny.I love Duran Duean too, but Wild Boys is at the bottom of the barrel.My friend and I would change the chorus to Wild Bulls.Europe = Sad.Mikey- How did this song ever become a hit becasue I can not find a single person that ever admitted to liking it?REO Speedwagon..Um I Cant Fight This Feeling To Change The Station!MM