Happiest songs of the 80s (Nos. 41-60)
The never-ending list of the 80 Happiest Songs of the '80s marches forward today.
Remember, no wagering at home. With this list of pure sunshine, the only thing you need to worry about is how white your teeth are.
Today's happiest 80s star: Kenny Loggins makes two appearances on this list this fine day. And let's face it: Is there anything unhappy about Kenny? Can you picture him covering a song by The Cure? Hell no, Smokey. Kenny's all about smiles. They should have named a Care Bear after him.
Click here to see Nos. 1-20, 21-40, 61-80.
HAPPIEST SONGS OF THE 80s: (Nos. 41-60)
60. Walk Like an Egyptian (The Bangles): [video]
59. Don't Fight It (Kenny Loggins & Steve Perry): [listen]
58. Eaten by the Monster of Love (Sparks): [student video]
57. Footloose (Kenny Loggins): [video]
56. Love's Got a Line On You (Scandal): [video]
55. Genius Of Love (Tom Tom Club): [video]
54. Rock this Town (Stray Cats): [video]
53. I Go Crazy (Flesh for Lulu): [video]
52. Miss Amanda Jones (March Violets) [listen]
51. Lawyers in Love (Jackson Browne): [video]
50. Dancing with Myself (Billy Idol): [video]
49. Kids in America (Kim Wilde): [video]
48. Melt with You (Modern English): [video]
47. Rave Up/Shut Up (The Rave-Ups)
46. Down Under (Men at Work): [video]
45. Tesla Girls (OMD): [video]
44. Run Run Away (Slade): [video]
43. Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes (Paul Simon): [live performance]
42. Rio (Duran Duran): [video]
41. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Tears For Fears): [video]
Sneak preview of tomorrow's list: Get funky, get space-aged, just get out of my car.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Who can forget the video for Walk Like an Egyptian? That video I always remember.
Posted by: mike | September 16, 2008 at 01:40 AM
Two years ago I would have said "Come On Eileen" was the most overplayed 80s song.
The wheel will turn.
Posted by: Brad | April 07, 2008 at 04:26 PM
How can ya not love Scandal and their fab 80s threads? (I know I had the dress that Patty's wearing in this video...)
I sang with a band in the 80s, and so far, songs 80-41 are like a Broken Shadows set list (trying to decide whether to use my stapler or pen as a mike right now)...
Posted by: Laurel | April 07, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I never said it was a bad song... I will agree that it's idiosyncratic and totally emblematic. I'm just weary of hearing it over. And over. And over. And over.
However, much like reruns of "I Love Lucy" and "The Simpsons" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" which I've seen enough times to quote verbatim, I'm sure that there will come a point when it will sound new and fresh to me. I look forward to that day.
Posted by: jane | April 07, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Just because it is over played, and commercialized, does not stop me from owning both the Valley Girl soundtrack, and Modern English's After The Snow cd. The song may be tainted as of late, but it still represents all things holy in the 80s to me.
Posted by: Bassnote | April 07, 2008 at 12:42 PM
The key to not having contempt toward what was or is the quintessential song of the 80s is to turn the channel during commercials. Jeez! That's what a remote is for.
I for one don't mind hearing "Melt With You" because it serves as a time machine.
Posted by: Marissa | April 07, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I know it's overplayed -- which is why it's so high on the list as opposed to being a top 20 song.
Just remember, that song was once the symbol of all that was good about the 80s. And it could be again.
Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.
Posted by: Spears | April 07, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I'm with Jane. "Melt With You" is the most overplayed song of the 80s - at least right now. The sooner I never hear that song again, the better.
Posted by: Brad | April 07, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Oh Spearsy, you slay me. Open the curtains, sunshine. Let the day begin!
Posted by: Marissa | April 07, 2008 at 10:55 AM
If anyone can find links to Miss Amanda Jones and Rave Ups, let me know and I'll add them to the blog post.
Posted by: Spears | April 07, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Nice to see the Rave-Ups make the list. I agree with Jane about 'I Melt With You.' Thanks to commercialization, it has lost its charm. I'm still batting 1000 on the songs. Of course, I'm going to have to put this list on my iPod.
Posted by: Bassnote | April 07, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Actually, I thought today's list relied too much on "Some Kind of Wonderful."
Greetings from Las Vegas, where it's pitch black right now. Only because I refuse to open my curtains.
For those asking, one Bellagio buffet down, several more to go. The only shells left over for Sean were Alaskan king crab leg shells, and they're too prickly to sneak away with in your pockets.
But Daly would approve of the sheer volume of bourbon swilling, cigarette puffing girls in town. It's like a convention of the Sean Daly International Fan Club.
As for myself, I plan on just spending the day in the city library, quietly contemplating life's mysteries and perusing some books to better help me communicate with the opposite sex. Maybe help some old ladies cross the street. Perhaps just get "Field of Dreams" on pay per view and grab some tissues.
Posted by: Spears | April 07, 2008 at 10:11 AM
The list so far has been relying heavily on the Valley Girl soundtrack - and I'm perfectly OK with that.
Down here in the big state, I've actually seen country line dancing to Genius of Love. Just imagine.
Posted by: Big Tex | April 07, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Me too, Emily. That's some serious coifage there.
Faves on this portion: "Eaten by the Monster of Love" and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes." Plus Slade -- fab!
But... "Melt with You?" Can't do it. Just can't. Waaaaaay too ubiquitous for me any more. That one garners an Automatic Channel Change from me.
Posted by: jane | April 07, 2008 at 08:04 AM
There are some not so obvious choices on this portion of the list. Not a bad thing, mind you.
Thus far I am correct on my happiest Kenny Loggins songs to make the list. Sweet!
Did ya hit the ginormous seafood buffet yet? Are you saving the lobster shells for Sean?
Posted by: Marissa | April 07, 2008 at 07:29 AM
I am just in awe of the hirsuteness of Kenny Loggins. So daring!
Posted by: Emily | April 07, 2008 at 12:52 AM