Come on, get happy

Is it just me or do you feel like a million voices suddenly cried out and then were suddenly silenced? College football is over. Holiday bills are arriving. I still haven't gotten my Mon-Chi-Chi of the Month in the mail yet. Man, this time of year is just depressing.

What we need is clear: A list of the happiest songs of the 80s.

This task won't be easy. We'll have to wade through a ton of the usual depressing stuff and then some real awful tunes that masquerade as happy songs (Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" comes to mind) in order to get to the true contenders.

So here are the rules for submitting to the list: Obviously, it must be an 80s song (so no "Shiny Happy People" by REM -- that was '91). Second, it has to actually cheer you up -- not want to tear your computer speakers out and throw them in the bathtub. Does it need to have "happy" in the title? Heck no, Smokey. Just use your common sense.

As always, I'll rank them later on. But for now, here are some to get your minds working:

Walking On Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves): Sure, very obvious. But after Jack Black blares it in High Fidelity, how can you hate it?

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper): It's cliche, but don't you still smile when you hear it?

What A Feeling (Irene Cara): Ah yes, Flashdance. The yin and the yang of 80s pop culture.

Break My Stride (Matthew Wilder): Where was this song when we did the one-hit wonders of 1983?

I'm Still Standing (Elton John): Believe it or not, the "Too Low For Zero" album in '83 was the first Elton John album I owned.

OK, it's your turn now.

Comments

[Al]

Oh, and if no one has mentioned it yet.....some 80's Cheese is pretty good:

"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Jefferson Starship

[Al]

Thanks for the shout-out, Bassnote. It's hard to come on here often now that's I'm back at work full-time.

Hey, here's my 2 cents:

The End Titles Theme from "The Untouchables"......just picks me up during my workout. Excellent tune. One of the best movie themes of all time.

"Good to Be Back" by Canuck rock band Prism

"Everybody Wants To Rule..." by Tears for Fears. You're scanning my mind, Bassman! Nice!

"Hot for Teacher" of course by the Mighty VH, it's pretty fun.

Love the Nik Kershaw love out there.

And I would put some Wang Chung, Triumph on my list too.

Tom, you're a genius. I love Big Country!

Also Giant. "Last of the Runaways" is a classic album.

[Bassnote]

Thanks Jake!

[Jake Grimme From Indiana]

Good song picks bassnote

[Tom]

Right, my top five I've decided are:

Take Off-Bob and Doug w/Geddy Lee
Stand and Deliver-Adam and the Ants
In A Big Country-Big Country
Rockit-Herbie Hancock
Time Again-Asia

[Jeff in Cuba]

Since I've got about 20 songs on the list, I figured I'd better get it down to my top 5 as well:

My Ever Changing Moods ~ Style Council
Just Got Lucky ~ JoBoxers
Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) ~ Haircut 100
Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw
New Song ~ HoJo

[Debra]

So...is it even possible to narrow the list down to 80 songs?!

[Bassnote]

Okay, here's my top five, in no particular order:

Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears
Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw
New Song - Howard Jones
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Lights Out - Peter Wolf

[Marissa]

Wow! I overslept. Imagine that!? I never oversleep. UGH!
Steve, I'll have to get back to you on my final top 5. What I said yesterday is still bouncing around in my skull for reconsideration. However, if you have to get my opinion NOW, just run with whatever I said. I'm sure it's a delightful five.

[Melissa]

Here are my top 5

She's Tight - Cheap Trick
Something About You - Level 42
Cum on Feel the Noise - Quiet Riot
Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
Turning Japanese - The Vapors

[Carla]

I'm sure there are many that will be neglected, but here are my top five (at the moment).

It's Tricky - Run DMC
Stone In Love - Journey
Miss Me Blind - Culture Club
Facination (Keep Feeling) - Human League
She's Tight - Cheap Trick

[jane]

Hmmm... Wasn't planning on going to the show, but this new interesting info might make the price of admission really worthwhile...

[Spears]

Jane -- any chance you're going to Night Ranger and Dennis DeYoung next week? Check my latest post out for interesting info on that show.

[jane]

Richard! I'm excited for you going to the Auckland show!

I saw Stewart and the boys (for me, he's the real star of the band) twice last summer -- both amazing shows. Will be interested to hear your impressions.

[Spears]

Yes, indeed, Richard. I do have the ability to put a poll on the blog. However, people could only pick one song on it. But I'll try it!

[jane]

And I thought I was the only one who woke up at this insane hour...

I might need to revisit my selections after sleeping on them. Again, waaaaay too many good songs to choose from here.

[Richard Phelps]

Steve - does the CMS for the TBT website have a polling function? It might be handy in compiling these lists?

The Police - De Do Do Do De Da Da Da

(Going to their Auckland concert!)

[Richard Phelps]

Yeah checking the January 1980 chart came in handy, and while I listed Rupert Holmes for the list, it makes me feel everything but happy. Certainly queezy, but not happy.

Cheers for the hawkeyes Brad. Steve, there are far more worse things to swallow about the 80s - but I hear ya!

[Spears]

Hey gang. Yes, I had a little premature sleep action last night.

Feel free to keep adding new songs to the list, but if you're already added everything you can think of, go ahead and try giving me your top 5.

That's what I meant up there about 8pm last night.

[aaron]

top 5

Rush Hour - Jane Wiedlin
vacation - the go gos
magic - the cars
reach out - Cheap Trick
Dare to be Supid - Weird Al Yankovic

[Marissa]

Steve said get serious and then stopped commenting. I think he got serious about finding the most comfortable spot on the couch :)

I'm going to go find the most comfortable spot on my bed.

[Shelly]

Okay...a little late, but here are my picks (in no particular order):

It's Tricky - Run DMC (and Road Trip cracks me up!)
All Fired Up - Pat Benatar (good pick 80sfan - you were the first person I saw with this in your list)
Bust a Move - Young MC
Goody Two Shoes - Adam Ant
Turning Japanese - The Vapors

(I'm sure I could come up with more, but I'm limiting myself to five since Steve wanted to "get serious.")

[Marissa]

I saw that! You are one odd bird, Mike

[Mike in Austin]

Marissa, I just zapped you back on myspace.

[Bassnote]

Okay I just got home a little while ago, I had to go to band practice. I had an 'That's So Good, I Have To Hear It Again' moment in the car. I grabbed a random disc as I was leaving, and just popped it in. About three songs in 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' by Tears For Fears started playing. I started singing along and getting wrapped up in the guitar solos. As soon as it ended, I hit the repeat button and sang it all over again. That song always makes me feel good. It is definitely in my top 5.

[Marissa]

Welcome back Tim!

[Marissa]

Wow! Did we neglect E L O?

[Tonianne]

80sfan, 80sfan, 80sfan. You're glib.

(Sorry, had to.)

[Tom]

Ok Steve,
For music from the Great White North

Saga-On The Loose
Triumph-Magic Power
Triumph-Somebody's Out There
Bob and Doug(with Geddy Lee)-Take Off
Rush-Limelight

[80sfan]

I am going to go out on a limb and add Xanadu to the list.

[Tim in Illinois]

"Looks like University of Illinois"
LOL

[Marissa]

LOL

[80sfan]

Is it just me or is that picture of Tom Cruise giving anyone else the creeps?

[jane]

Thank you 80sfan, for the Power Station backing.

You have EXCELLENT taste.

[Tom]

I'll add "Dance Hall Days" -Wang Chung. In fact, I'm listening to them right now. Great tune!

[Marissa]

Anything involving John Taylor gets a high stamp of oh-hell-yes from me.

[Marissa]

::running around the room with excitement:: Brad gave me approval on Wang Chung!!!

[80sfan]

And for the record, I am backing on Jane on her choice of The Power Station's Get It On!

[Marissa]

Days Like These ~ Asia

[80sfan]

I almost put that one on my list Marissa!

[Brad]

I almost threw Wang Chung's "Wake Up Stop Dreaming" (from the To Live And Die In L.A. soundtrack) on the list.

Great song. Great soundtrack. Super-fun band. No booing.

[80sfan]

The top 5 songs that make "me" happy.

Love Shack - The B-52's
I've Done Everything for You - Rick Springfield
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard
The Warrior - Scandal
Rock Me Amadeus - Falco

Runners up:
Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
Bust a Move - Young MC
Desire (Hollywood Remix) - U2
Popmuzik - M (technically 70s)

[Marissa]

OKay, I'm sure I'll get a big nasty BOOOO on this, but I'm taking the chance:
Let's Go! ~ Wang Chung

[jane]

Great list, Tonianne! I saw The Hooters and Big Country back in the day -- terrific shows both.

There are just way too many songs to choose from...

[Brad]

Five in no order:

Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
Oblivious - Aztec Camera
Right By Your Side - Eurythmics
Nobody's Fool - Kenny Loggins
Wild Wild Life - Talking Heads

Bonus tracks

Rockin' The Paradise - Styx
And We Danced - The Hooters
Something About You - Level 42
Modern Love - David Bowie

[Marissa]

Oh poop! I forgot about Jungle Love. I danced on a bar in Chicago while that song played.

[Tonianne]

I had them narrowed down to 5, but I haven''t been able to get Michael McDonald out of my head. (Thanks, Bassnote!)

1. And We Danced - Hooters
2. New Song - Howard Jones
3. In a Big Country - Big Country
4. Something About You - Level 42
5. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen

6. Sweet Freedom - Michael McDonald

[80sfan]

Here's what I have come up with. Keep in mind that "happy" is in the mind of the beholder.

Roam - The B-52's
Jumpin' Jack Flash - Aretha Franklin
Celebrate Youth - Rick Springfield
I'll Tumble 4 Ya - Culture Club
Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
Good Times - INXS & Jimmy Barnes
Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler
Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy
Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves - Annie Lennox & Aretha Franklin
I Love Rock N Roll - Joan Jett
Locomotion - Kylie Minogue
All Fired Up - Pat Benatar
Nothing But a Good Time - Poison
Partyman - Prince
Metal Health - Quiet Riot
I Get Excited - Rick Springfield
What I Like About You - The Romantics
Oh Yeah - Yello

[jane]

My tentative top five, with a couple of personal prerogative bonuses:

“Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” -- The Police

“I Feel For You” -- Chaka Khan

“Head Over Heels” -- Go-Gos

“Jungle Love” -- Morris Day & the Time

“Kiss” -- Sir Tom Jones and the Art of Noise

Personal bonuses:
“Too Kool to Kalypso” -- Klark Kent
“Don’t Box Me In” -- Stan Ridgway & Stewart Copeland (from Rumble Fish)

[Carla]

Have to leave the party for a little while... a line of Thunder storms are coming through. I'm shutting down the puter. Keep up the excellent lists... yet more I'll owe to itunes!