Happiest songs of the 80s: The top 20

I know, I know. You'll be happy when this list is finally over. But seriously, do you know how hard it was to narrow the list down to only 80 tunes? I could have done 180 tunes, and we won't even be halfway through it yet.

Let's face it: We were all happier in the 80s.

Today's happiest 80s star: That'd be Cyndi Lauper, who finishes in the top 5 just in time for her big True Colors tour across the United States. Be honest, you may publicly disavow her, but you secretly love Cyndi. She knows it -- and she's cool with it.

Click here to see Nos. 21-40, 41-60, 61-80.

80 HAPPIEST SONGS OF THE 80s: The Top 20

20. Break My Stride (Matthew Wilder): [video]

19. Spirit of Radio (Rush): [live performance]

18. Tenderness (General Public): [video]

17. I'm Alright (Kenny Loggins): [listen]

16. And We Danced (The Hooters): [video]

15. Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves): [video]

14. Together in Electric Dreams (Phil Oakey): [video]

13. Working For The Weekend (Loverboy): [live performance]

12. Fascination (Human League): [video]

11. Lights Out (Peter Wolf): [video]

10. Blister In The Sun (Violent Femmes): [live performance]

9. In A Big Country (Big Country): [video]

8. Vacation (The Go-Gos): [video]

7. Magic (The Cars): [video]

6. Our House (Madness): [video]

5. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper): [video]

4. Jump (Van Halen): [video]

3. Safety Dance (Men Without Hats): [video]

2. Wouldn't It Be Good (Nik Kershaw): [video]

1. New Song (Howard Jones): [video]

The list is finally complete. Feel free to fire away with the choices and omissions. Our peers over at USA Today's Pop Candy blog added these suggestions.

Comments

[Emily]

I think Madness should be further up there but otherwise a very acceptable top 20.

[Bryan]

Not to nitpick...but Dancing with Myself is listed twice!

love the song though >>

[specialkness]

Love the list and I'm not ashamed to say that I loved Cyndi Lauper in the 80s. While most of my friends were singing and dancing to Madonna and trying to dress like her, I was going for the ecclectic Lauper look. Shaved the side of my head, with my mom's help tried a few interesting shades of hair dye, didn't quite dress like her (that would have been taking it too far at 12).
I love seeing the Human League in the top 20. I love that song!

[jane]

Fab finale, Mr. Spears.

Have love long time for "And We Danced"(totally dig that melodica); "Fascination"; "Blister in the Sun" (I always clap along); "Lights Out" (anyone who survived marriage to Faye Dunaway is groovy in my book) and of course, the terrific top two.

Bravo!

[jane]

PS: Cyndi's also happy about the Hooters (at least Bazilian and Hyman) being on the list, as they played on "She's So Unusual."

[Marissa]

But, but, but ... did I miss it or is my numero uno make me feel happy song not even on the list? Someone please tell me my failing eyesight simply overlooked "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves.

Helloooo even Jack Black was diggin' it High Fidelity, dude! Anyway, great list. I give you kudos for compiling it.

[Big Tex]

Glad to see Nik Kershaw at the 2 spot - Pretty in Pink soundtrack represent! I'm also a fan of Fascination, specialkness it is easily my favorite League song. I would have liked to have seen Aztec Camera's Oblivious and (even though its a cover) Communard's Don't Leave Me this Way.

All in all a good list, Spearsy!

[Spears]

I thought "Dancing with Myself" looked familiar. It's off, "Walking on Sunshine" is back.

[Walter Cox]

Kershaw at #2? Ugh.

[Jeff in Cuba]

HoJo and the wee Nik Kershaw in the top 2 slots?

I couldn't be any happier.

But "Good Times" at #64 (behind the Cure?!!) still frosts my flakes.

[Marissa]

WEE! I'm so pleased. In fact, I'm so joyful that I'm walking on sunshine. Steve Spears you just made me the happiest girl in the blogosphere.

[Spears]

Walter, Walter, Walter ... so angry these days. Let the power of the list wash away the negative chi.

[Ron]

Great list, but I would have included "The Futures So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3.

Also, great move adding "Walking On Sunshine" to the list.

[Spears]

"The Future is so Bright" is actually the opposite of a happy song, according to Timbuk Three. Hence, I left it off.

But I do still enjoy hearing it. If you ever get a chance to listen to other Timbuk 3 tunes, do so. They have some great tunes.

[Bassnote]

EXCELLENT top two! I love both of those songs. And the rest of the top 20 is awesome too. And yes, I batted 1000 on the top 20 also. Wow, I own every one of the 80 songs... should I be embarrassed or proud?

[Tonianne]

Dude...you nailed it. Big time.

I wouldn't change a thing.

[Bassnote]

Ahhhhhh... I just put the top 20 on my iPod list. These 80 songs adds up to nearly 5 hours and 15 minutes of pure 80s goodness. My computer would be dancing if it could.

[chnest]

Two big omissions. Eddy Grant--"Electric Avenue" and Dexy's Midnight Runners--"Come on Eileen"

[Walter Cox]

I'm just negative on #2. Hate it. I've been sitting here humming to myself under my breath all morning, "our house it has a crowd.....there's always something happening, and it's usually quite loud...."

"Kids in America" and "Every Little Thing..." are two of those songs I never skip on my ipod.

Nice choice on #1. I never hear that one on the radio.

[Bassnote]

Come On Eileen makes me feel quite the opposite of happy, in fact that song makes me down right hostile. To quote Major League, "I hate that @#$%& song!"

[Walter Cox]

Hey, you guys are on the Pop Candy blog on USA Today.

[Jeff in Cuba]

Walter,

If you were in Guantanamo today your would have heard "New Song" on the radio. I played it on my show directly off of the vinyl, in all its poppy, scratchy goodness.

Much fun was had by all.

PS: I also played "Wouldn't It Be Good". How can you not like itty-bitty little Nik Kershaw?

[Walter Cox]

Jeff,
I'm sure Nik is a fine individual. It's his song I hate.

[LockBull]

Any list of Happy 80's songs without Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock's "It Takes Two" is not a list, sorry

[Douglas Arthur]

W T F ?, Mr. Spears,

WHERE in the HECK is Girlfriend In A Coma?????

Can't believe you missed that one!

I'm going to go pout now.

I would put "Come as you are" by Peter Wolf over Light's Out.

I mean, he literally jumps throughout the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ImTo2uqSoE

[Douglas Arthur]

That, I say, that was a joke son.

[Tonianne]

Douglas - Look again. "Girlfriend in a Coma" is positioned between "Hell is For Children" and "Goodnight Saigon."

[jane]

Isn't "Holiday in Cambodia" in there somewhere as well, along with "They Dance Alone (Gueca Solo)" and "Dear God."

[jane]

Damn -- hit send before mentioning the always uplifting "Bastards of Young."

[steve]

No love for "Love Shack" by the B52s?

[Tonianne]

Indeed they are, Jane. They follow "Fairytale of New York" and "Blasphemous Rumors."

[Paul]

Your inclusion of Men Without Hats at #3 is almost enough for me to forget about the whole Midnight Oil thing.

[Marissa]

HEY! It's Paul with the didgeradoo threats! I probably spelled that wrong, Paul. And for that I am wholeheartedly sorry. Please don't sic the rabid dingo on me.
Oh for those that don't know, the USA Today Pop Candy blog link is over there on the right. Howevah...
http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/

I'm here to make things easier.

[jane]

PS: Douglas. I so read your last post with a Foghorn Leghorn voice in my head. Hee!

[Paul]

Marissa:
Alas, being a suburban American, I'm noticeably lacking in the rabid dingo department.
I do however, have a very large cat.

[Marissa]

Dingo, large cat... whatever :)

[Spears]

Electric Avenue? Seriously? Not a happy song.

I do love "Girlfriend in a Coma" though.

Any suggestions on what lists we should tackle next?

Maybe best duets of the 80s?

[Marissa]

Duets could be a good choice. First up: Kenny Loggins and Steve Perry. Jane Wiedlin and Sparks.

[Carla]

My suggestion for the next list we should do, (and one you've mentioned before for a possible future podcast)... Obscure Songs of the 80's.

Got a few already lined up!

[Marissa]

Bananarama and Fun Boy Three

[jane]

my two cents, which is kind of a continuation of the best front-person list:
best lead guitarist/drummer/keyboard/bassist

that could be very interesting -- and educational, at least for someone like me.

[Tonianne]

Great topic, tons to choose from. Some of my favorites:

"This is Not America" - David Bowie/Pat Metheny

"I Knew You Were Waiting" - George Michael/Aretha Franklin

"Close My Eyes Forever" - Ozzy/Lita Ford

"What Have I Done To Deserve This" - Pet Shop Boys/Dusty Springfield"

"Don't Give Up" - Kate Bush/Peter Gabriel

"Stop Dragging My Heart Around" - Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty

"Leather and Lace" - Stevie Nicks/Don Henley

[Tonianne]

Best drummer eh?

I sense a gratuitous Stewart Copeland plug.

[Douglas Arthur]

way to pick up on that Foghorn ref, Jane! Thought I'd add a little mirth to the festivities..seemed like a few folks were taking it all too seriously! This is Spearsy's sandbox, we just play in it.

[jane]

A Stewart Copeland plug is never gratuitous -- it's always appropriate.

And when it comes to picking up cartoon or most tv references, Douglas, I'm totally your girl. I have a very co-dependent relationship with my telly.

[Chris]

I find it a little ironic that Jump by Van Halen is listed as number four. The song is about a guy saying he might as well kill himself..

[chad]

boy, over on the usa today blog, they are kinda going all out against the list. but someone said the power of love was missing. if it is, thats a blaring omission. also, i think lovesong by tesla should also be on the list. great band, then and now.

[kerri]

Ahem. No Rick Astley? I'm actually not kidding. Though I hear people hate getting "Rickrolled" how can you not be happy with the toe-tapping sounds of "Never Gonna Give You Up"?

[samer]

I have to agree with kerri, if you could bottle the happiness in "NGGYU", we could solve the energy crisis.

But my beef is with skipping The Outfield's "Your Love". A great, great song.

[aces88ss]

well, I looked, but there is one glaring omission...

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" by musician Bobby McFerrin

[Emily]

I can't believe I didn't make comment on the inclusion of Come on Eileen...I friggin' hate that song. I used to nearly smash the TV when I watched Top of the Pops 2 when I was living in London and they'd be in their stupid dungarees performing this highly irritating ditty.

[Marissa]

OK, I have to say something to everybody who is blasting Steve for leaving off many songs. The list would take weeks to post if he didn't reduce it. He's mentioned that.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/80s/2008/02/this-is-why-i-l.html I think that's the blog post that started it all.
Everybody had a chance to submit their choices for happy, happy, joy, joy. It's also apparent to me that he chose some less obvious songs for the list. Why walk the path already taken (VH1) when you can blaze your own trail? That's all I'm sayin'.

[jane]

Emily! The phrase "stupid dungarees" made me snicker aloud... and this Yank wasn't aware that there was such a thing as Top of the Pops 2.

Cue the Smithereens -- who are now running through my head... "Top, top, top of the Pops- Hey! Hey!"

[ZombieMan]

I can't believe we made it through a list of 80's anything without one Madonna mention. Not complaining, it's remarkable. I expected either Holiday or True Blue to be on there, but like I said. I don't miss them.
Not crazy about all of the songs, (walking on sunshine) but have to admit they all fit the bill. But I can't believe you missed the most obvious one. 1980's Celebrate by Kool and the Gang. It don't get much happier than that.

[ZombieMan]

You do, BTW, have some awesome selection. Some of which no other 80's lists (VH1) seem to remeber exist. It's always the same 50 songs named over and over. Your top would have never been mentioned. Brilliant!

[marc]

mercedes,you're cute

[Jennifer Mitts]

Oh, and how about a Crowded House song? There are at least a couple that are very happy-go-lucky.

[Marissa]

Thank God Bassnote has these songs on a playlist on IMEEM. I need happiness now that Roo is no longer on that ignorantonlyworthyofsnarkshow American Idol.

Bitter! Party of one.

[Aaron]

I find it quick shocking that "Wouldn't it be Good" is on a list of happy songs. It's hard to imagine a song that starts with "I got it bad, you don't know how bad I got it." and ends with "I dont wanna be here no more" as a happy song. What am I missing?

[mike]

I like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. She Bop was also a fun song.