Best movie songs of the 80s: Nos. 41-60
The march through the Top 80 movie songs of the '80s resumes today. Remember the goal: We sought the songs that immediately conjure up memories of the movie as soon as you hear those opening notes.
So far, the feedback has been ... well, predictably disapproving. "Come on Steve," uber-fan Bassnote wrote. "Show some love to John Waite!" (Dude, nobody loves the Waite-ster more than me! He's my bud, he's my pal!)
Today's big winner: The lads from Queen, who landed two songs on today's list. Plus, I've been listening to Queen: Live at Wembley as well.
TOP MOVIE SONGS OF THE '80s: No.s 41-60
(Click here to see Nos. 61-80; Click artist name to see video)
60. Maniac - Michael Sembello (Flashdance)
59. Looking for Love - Johnny Lee (Urban Cowboy)
58. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears (Real Genius)
57. Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr. (Ghostbusters)
56. Weird Science - Oingo Boingo (Weird Science)
55. Nobody's Fool - Kenny Loggins (Caddyshack 2)
54. Pretty in Pink - The Psychedelic Furs (Pretty In Pink)
53. Everybody Wants Some - Van Halen (Better Off Dead)
52. Crazy For You - Madonna (Vision Quest)
51. We Don't Need Another Hero - Tina Turner (Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome)
50. Biko - Peter Gabriel (Cry Freedom)
49. The Neverending Story - Limahl (The Neverending Story)
48. Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross (Arthur)
47. Absolute Beginners - David Bowie (Absolute Beginners)
46. The Boys Are Back In Town - The Bus Boys (48 Hours)
45. Just Once - James Ingram (Last American Virgin)
44. One Vision - Queen (Iron Eagle)
43. The Time of My Life - Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes (Dirty Dancing)
42. On the Dark Side - John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band (Eddie and the Cruisers)
41. Who Wants to Live Forever - Queen (Highlander)
Sneak peak at tomorrow's list: A whole lotta love for tunes from a Kevin Bacon classic.
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:
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Posted by: elen | July 13, 2009 at 11:26 PM
is flesh for lulu's "i go crazy" from the movie some kind of wonderful on here?
Posted by: jimbo | October 22, 2008 at 10:01 PM
On the Dark Side.
AWESOME Song.
Great Movie.
Even Michael Pare did well.
Hell, Streets of Fire's "I can Dream About You" still gets me when i hear that bass line.
I think ill go listen to it now.....
What did we do before the internet and Itunes?
Floppies and BBS'?
Posted by: Crockett | October 14, 2008 at 08:56 AM
'Maniac' and 'Nobody's Fool' are way too low, especially given the fact that the only positive thing to say about 'Caddyshack 2' is the theme tune- that deserves extra credit. Other than that i can live with this list.
Posted by: Roy, UK | October 14, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Biko, eh?
Inspired.
Posted by: Tonianne | October 13, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Sorry,Steve but i don`t agree.I think,although it may look a little obvious,"Pretty in Pink" is the main song of the movie.
Before "If You Leave" i would choose "Please,Please,Please.." from The Smiths or "Bring on the dancing Horses" by Echo. But it`s true that all of this is subjective.
Posted by: Miguel | October 13, 2008 at 09:02 PM
a pretty good list, some good tunes on it. some songs bring back great memories. im assuming eye of the tiger makes it to number uno. i love one vision, even the fried chicken ending of the song. arthurs theme is a guilty pleasure type of song, but its a good one. it even was referred to in friends. im very surprised to see a country tune in there. but, i have to say, looking for love is a good tune. also kudos for, on the dark side. i look forward to the next list.
Posted by: CHAD | October 13, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Off all the songs in Pretty in Pink, the Psychedelic Furs song doesn't stand out as much as Shell Shock and If You Leave.
Though I think I left Shell Shock off the list too.
It's hard to pick 80 songs. I could have picked 800.
Posted by: Spears | October 13, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Love Queen, great to see two of their songs on here! Of course I'd love to see their songs and some others a little higher but I can't complain, just can't wait for the next list of songs to see what could beat some of my favorite soundtrack songs.
Posted by: specialkness | October 13, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Now I'm really curious what makes the top 10. Weren't we doinked if the song had the movie title *in* the title of the song? I can't remember the stipulations of higher ranking.
Does it matter? Not really. It's Spearsy's blog. I'd rely on drawing the songs out of a hat for ranking.
Posted by: Marissa | October 13, 2008 at 08:01 PM
I'm with Miguel. The list is a fun read, and I agree with a lot of it, but "Pretty in Pink" is a top 10/20 song.
Posted by: Blaine | October 13, 2008 at 07:57 PM
I would put "Pretty in Pink" in my top 10,not n.54! But generally it is an interesting list.I like many of the songs you put here.
From what i remember from your soundtracks of the 80s podcast,i thought you would put "The Boys are Back in Town" in a higher place.
Posted by: Miguel | October 13, 2008 at 07:50 PM
*chirp* *chirp*
Posted by: Bassnote | October 13, 2008 at 07:38 PM
And I know you have much love for John Waite.
Posted by: Bassnote | October 13, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Wow, I thought "Just Once" would be in the top 20. You didn't stick to the rule about songs being written specifically for the movie. Both "Biko" and "Everybody Wants Some!!" were written long before the movies they were in. For that matter, so was "Pretty In Pink". But, I like this list better than the first one.
Posted by: Bassnote | October 13, 2008 at 02:36 PM