Endless summer songs of the 80s
Some are cheesy-fun anthems. A few are campy, dance-floor ditties. Others are weepy, end-of-the-season dirges. And then there's that one tune by Richard Marx ... Oh we jest, Mr. Marx. (Smile, you're in the top 5!)
All the songs in today's Top 15 list have one thing in common:
They're all dedicated to the white-hot, air-conditioned, why-is-my-back-sweating days of summer.
We asked for reader suggestions for the best 80s songs decided to summer, and they delivered. While you read the list, listen along to our Stuck in the 80s podcast about summer songs and movies. No sunscreen needed, though an umbrella drink wouldn't hurt.
BEST 80s SONGS ABOUT THE SUMMER:
15. SUMMER RAIN (Belinda Carlisle): [watch video]
14. WAIT UNTIL THE SUMMER'S GONE (Zebra): [watch video]
13. WILD SUMMER NIGHTS (John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band): [watch video]
12. SAUSALITO SUMMERNIGHT (Diesel): [watch video]
11. SUMMER LOVE (Neil Diamond): [watch video]
10. HOT SUMMER NIGHTS (Miami Sound Machine): [watch video]
9. SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER (The Motels): [watch video]
8. BOYS OF SUMMER (Don Henley): [watch video]
7. SUMMER OF 69 (Bryan Adams): [watch video]
6. SUMMER OF LOVE (B-52s): [watch video]
5. ENDLESS SUMMER NIGHTS (Richard Marx): [watch video]
4. CRUEL SUMMER (Bananarama): [watch video]
3. INDIAN SUMMER SKY (U2): [watch video]
2. SUMMER NIGHTS (Van Halen): [watch video]
1. SUMMERTIME GIRLS (Y&T): [watch video]
Which songs did we miss? Which are over-ranked ... or over-rated?
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:
Just heard a radio spot for Zebra. They are playing in Tampa this week, so I'm hoping for a whole podcast from Spearsy & Daly.
Kidding side, a hair band show might be fun. Poll away.
Posted by: Nokomis.FL | June 04, 2008 at 09:29 AM
RE: Rick's Midlife Crisis Post #8: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By the way, the price of gas is comparable to the price of the "environmental aging/too many florida sunburns" potions I use to keep my girlish facial glow. Who knew being a chick of the '80s would be so expensive in the '00s.
Posted by: jane | June 04, 2008 at 06:59 AM
I have to agree with some who've posted already... I've never heard of most of these songs, but there are a buttload of summer-associated songs, which of course, don't have the word "summer"in the title.
Still, I think the most solid on the list for me would be Don Henley's and The Motel's entries.
And you know how Bryan Adams assures us he practiced until his fingers bled? Well, I heard that song until my ears did the same. So, not the biggest fan of that over-played number.
(BTW midlife crisis post #8: On YouTube some girl old enough to post wrote that her "papa" was only 1 yr old when Richard Marx hit the Top 10 with Endless Summer Nights. I'm telling you, if gas wasn't so expensive I think I'd lock myself in the garage with the motor running and get it over with.)
Posted by: Rick | June 03, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Oh, I've been practicing singing the chorus of "summertime girls"
Posted by: Marissa | June 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
I pretty much avoided anything that involved 'hair' or 'metal' back in the 80s. I took exception for Def Leppard, but minimally.
I preferred New Wave, New Romantic, pseudo punk, or SD mainstream.
Posted by: Marissa | June 03, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Zebra are a Louisiana band that at one point were heralded as the next Zepplin, go figure. The self titled first album is definitely worth a listen, full of 80's goodness. They did get some airplay back on MTV when they actually showed videos.
"Who's Behind The Door" may ring a bell.
Posted by: Tom | June 03, 2008 at 08:00 PM
I'm nearly convinced those are the ONLY 15 songs from the 80s with "summer" in the title. So it's more of an all-encompassing list than a best-of list.
Posted by: Spears | June 03, 2008 at 07:52 PM
It seems the hair metal dudes sucked a lot of helium back in the day. That song by Zebra (which I've never heard nor seen the video) has caused my ears to bleed. Thank God I didn't have the volume up too loud. Eesh.
Posted by: Marissa | June 03, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Zebra?
Why haven't I ever heard of this band? That video was amazing (in an utterly cheesy '80s kind of way).
Posted by: Brandon | June 03, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Steve, have you listened to the new Journey disc yet? What do you think?
I think it is more of a nod to the pre-"Escape" albums like "Infinity" and "Departure." Arnel sounds great, and on the concert DVD he sounds even better. I so want to see them this year.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 03, 2008 at 02:15 PM
I have to throw one in for us Canadians that fits in the "doesn't have summer in the title but is totally a summer song" group... Maybe because being Canadian, beach = summer.... "Wave Babies" by Honeymoon Suite.
Posted by: Greg L | June 03, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I guess it would have been too much to ask for Billy Idol's "Hot In the City". For me, it easily beats over half of those on the list.
Posted by: Complaint Department Manager | June 03, 2008 at 01:15 PM
That is one melodic plethora of summer songs -- literally. I hadn't heard "Saulsalito Summernight" in over forever -- that's a great driving around with the top down song (except in Florida, where it's too damn hot for such indulgences.)
I might move "Boys of Summer" up on the list a bit, but otherwise, it's summer-ific just as is.
Posted by: jane | June 03, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I listened to Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams hundreds of times when i was a kid,thanks to my cousin.She`s four years older than me,so she was a teen in the late 80s,so painfully,when i would go to her home,i would listened to Bryan and George Michael all the time.Oh! The horror!But she`s a nice woman.
Posted by: Miguel | June 03, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Joe Joe:
I agree with you about David Lee Roth, but it was California Girls that always made me think of summer. Certain songs will remind me of summer but not really mention summer in the song or title. I remember Def Leppard and Pour Some Sugar On Me was really big in the summer of 1988. I think that number one on the MTV countdown that whole summer.
Posted by: Neil | June 03, 2008 at 01:02 PM
It's difficult to separate the song from its video. I associate "If This Is It" by Sean's bro Huey Lewis and his News to be a summer song; as well as "Just a Gigolo" by DLR. Among others.
Posted by: Joe Joe the Idiot Circus Boy | June 03, 2008 at 11:04 AM
i must proof read, thats gone, not goon. jeesh
Posted by: CHAD | June 03, 2008 at 10:25 AM
there is a song no one has mentioned. i meant to bring it up on sumday, but my fricking computer wasnt being co-operative. the artist is tony carey, the song is first day of summer. its a great song. it came out in 1984. i distinctly remember this song all over the radio. he toured with night ranger that year, as their opening act. check it out. i cant believe zebra's wait until the summers goon is there. i mentioned that song. zebra is the pride and joy of louisiana. originally from new orleans, relocated to new york, and the rest is history. they're still kicking around. theyh put out a new cd in 2004, and have a new live dvd that just came out.
Posted by: CHAD | June 03, 2008 at 10:24 AM
No "Magic" by the Cars?
Posted by: Bassnote | June 03, 2008 at 10:11 AM