Happiest songs of the 80s (Nos. 21-40)

Are you happy yet? If not, this list of 80 Happiest Songs of the '80s really hits its stride today.

Try not to listen to too many of these songs at once. Your coworkers and significant others will wonder why you're not gloomy anymore. Impressions are important, after all.

Today's happiest 80s star: Huey Lewis was tired and grumpy when we interviewed him on the Stuck in the 80s podcast a year ago, but we'll always have "Do You Believe In Love." Dare I say classic?

Click here to see Nos. 1-20, 41-60, 61-80.

HAPPIEST SONGS OF THE 80s: (Nos. 41-60)

40. It's My Life (Talk Talk): [video]

39. She's a Beauty (The Tubes): [video]

38. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (The Police): [video]

37. Let's Go Crazy (Prince): [video]

36. Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car (Billy Ocean): [video]

35. Dancing on the Ceiling (Lionel Richie): [video]

34. Do You Believe In Love (Huey Lewis & The News): [video]

33. Space Age Love Song (Flock Of Seagulls): [video]

32. Jenny 867-5309 (Tommy Tutone): [video]

31. P.Y.T (Michael Jackson): [listen]

30. Something So Strong (Crowded House): [video]

29. Funky Town (Pseudo Echo): [video]

28. Freeze Frame (J. Geils Band): [video]

27. It's Tricky (Run D.M.C.): [video]

26. Turning Japanese (The Vapors): [video]

25. She's Tight (Cheap Trick): [video]

24. Stone In Love (Journey): [live performance]

23. I'm Still Standing (Elton John): [video]

22. Rush Hour (Jane Wiedlin): [video]

21. What A Feeling (Irene Cara): [video]

Sneak peak at tomorrow's list: Would it'd be good if some unexpected new song made the top spot?

Comments

[mike]

I like I'm Still Standing a lot.

[mark slavin]

Wake me up before you go, go, not on the list? Bogus!

[Walter Cox]

Well, Steve, they don't bring me down at all, but the way the goods are delivered sometimes had a note of desperation included, like "It's My Life" and "Kids in America". If "True Faith" is in the top 20, that would be the one a prime example. It gets you pumped up and you like it, but there's that underneath that makes you start thinking about it if you notice it.

[chad]

nice to see cheap trick on there. i think their 80s material is very underrated. one on one is a great record. some other great records are, next position please, and lap of luxury. always liked the video for shes tight

[Eric62]

Turns out I was waiting for the 63 bus. No list of 80s music should be complete without a guy with really tiny glasses. Nice pick.

[Marissa]

Actually, the clip I linked above is a compilation of 40 live clips in sync.

[Marissa]

Oh wow! "Switchin' to Glide" reminds me of ice skating at our local rink. Thanks Rick, you are pure genius.

Here kids. The Kings on American Bandstand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Wr8J8faGA

[Al]

Rick's a smart dude. I should have mentioned the Kings!

Nick work, Rick.

[Spears]

Which songs bring you down, Walter?

[Bassnote]

I'm psyched for tomorrows list. From your hints I gather that two of my favorite songs ever will be on it.

[Tom]

I suggested the Asia song "Time Again". It's as happy as most songs on the list. Oh well, maybe Big Country will make an appearance on the next set.

[Walter Cox]

All good songs, but I've thought the past couple days that a few of them have a certain note of melancholy to them.

[Bassnote]

Nice choice for #63. Totally dig the Dolby man.

[Spears]

And what's wrong with Viagra?!? We're all approaching its key demographic age group!

Thanks Bassnote -- I've fixed #63. Go back to see which one, single Dolby song makes the list.

[Rick]

(Back again after a hiatus due to whatever anti-Safari freakin' pop-up plug-in monster The Times webmaster keeps throwing up on SIT80s...)

Anyway, what about this gem from 1980: The Kings "This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide," a one-two punch of upbeat yet rebellious Canadian New Wave near-gold that led me and my friends out of the feathered-hair Carter Era into the seminal gelled days of Reagan's 80s.

[Dennis]

some really nice choices - Jane Wiedlin, The Vapors, Talk Talk and of course the mighty Flock Of Seagulls...
Elton John - I'm still standing? come on, more of a song for a promospot for Viagra...

[Bassnote]

You still need a # 63 on the list.

[Spears]

Normally I don't like to give away future picks, but I will say there's no Asia on this list -- mainly because I don't think anyone suggested "Here Comes the Feeling" before now.

Don't get too carried away with the rankings at this point. I think all these are great tunes and could easily be top 20.

[jane]

Tex, if I'm being honest, I'm also a wee bit disappointed to see ELTSHIM only at number 38. But I'm completely and admittedly biased, given my affection for the band.

And since reading this list, I've had a strange mash up of "Get Outta My Dreams..." and Ringo Starr's "You're Sixteen" running through my head. Totally weird.

[Bassnote]

Love today's list! Any list that includes the Tubes & Talk Talk is great in my book. Still batting 1000 on the songs, must go add to the iPod list now.

[Eric62]

Like a guy standing at the corner waiting for a bus that never comes, I still keep looking down the block for something, anything, by Thomas Dolby.

"Good heavens Miss Sakamoto - you're beautiful.''

[Marissa]

Big Tex, I'm with you on SALS. I'm not saying I turn "I Ran" off when it comes on a playlist or the radio. However, whenever someone mentions Flock of Seagulls I'm quick to point out "Space Age Love Song" is way better. Then, I hold the person down and force them to listen to it for comparison.

Oh, I recall hearing on VH1 that Elton John so despised making videos that he was relying on liquid patience to make the one for "I'm Still Standing."

[Big Tex]

To be honest, I'm little disappointed to see the Police at 38. I had predicted that song to make the Top 10. However, I'm pleased to see Space Age Love Song make the list. I much prefer SALS over I Ran as far as Flock of Seagulls goes.

Will we see your favorite Asia song (Here Comes the Feeling) make an appearance tomorrow, Spears?

[Jeff in Cuba]

If your sneak peak means what I think it means I'm going to be very pleased come tomorrow!

[Marissa]

Ya know, I had a premonition that "She's a Beauty" would be on the list today. Seriously. The song came on the radio during 80s at 8 while I was working. I thought, "yeah, that's a happyish tune. It'll be there."
Now if I can just have such feelings about the Power Ball winning numbers.
Think big; start small.

[jane]

Now this is fun stuff right here... j'adore the Pseudo Echo tune (and the original, for what it's worth) and Miss Jane Wiedlin.

Faves on here, though, are "Jenny (867-5309)" -- I can still count out the phone number with my fingers while singing, thankyouverymuch -- and of course, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." I've already watched the video twice. It makes me unspeakably happy, particularly the Stewart segments, of which there are many.

[Emily]

Something So Strong...great choice. A really uplifting song. I loved that podcast with Huey Lewis. You guys did really well with hostile talent!