Top movie songs of the '80s: the top 20
Are you ready for the epic conclusion to our list of the Top 80 movie songs of the 1980s? Did you throw a party to celebrate the unveiling? Skip work, get a pony keg, rent the entire Karate Kid franchise on DVD? Oh man, I am so there.
This has been a tough list to put together. Remember, the major hitch is that the song must invoke the movie. Only songs are here; scores and orchestrations will be a future list. Basically any song in the top 40 is a top 10 contender of any of our personal lists. But the readers have spoken, common sense has played out, and a top 20 must be chosen.
Today's big winner: Probably Netflix or Blockbuster.com, because you're going to want to run out and rent these killer movies again. (Well, not Hard to Hold or Electric Dreams, but the rest are solid gold.)
TOP MOVIE SONGS OF THE '80s: The top 20
(See 21-40, 41-60, 61-80. Click artist name to see video.)
20. To Live And Die In L.A. - Wang Chung (To Live and Die in L.A.)
19. Slave To Love - Bryan Ferry (9 1/2 Weeks)
18. Jungle Love - Morris Day & the Time (Purple Rain)
17. Together In Electric Dreams - Philip Oakey & Georgio Moroder (Electric Dreams)
16. Love Somebody - Rick Springfield (Hard to Hold)
15. Million Miles Away - The Plimsouls (Valley Girl)
14. Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne (Fast Times at Ridgemont High)
13. Fame - Irene Cara (Fame)
12. Hazy Shade of Winter - The Bangles (Less Than Zero)
11. Man in Motion - John Parr (St. Elmo's Fire)
10. Melt With You - Modern English (Valley Girl)
9. Highway to the Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins (Top Gun)
8. Purple Rain - Prince & the Revolution (Purple Rain)
7. Footloose - Kenny Loggins (Footloose)
6. If You Leave - OMD (Pretty in Pink)
5. I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins (Caddyshack)
4. Power of Love - Huey Lewis & The News (Back to the Future)
3. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor (Rocky III)
2. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel (Say Anything)
1. Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)
THE RATIONALE: Any of the top 10 songs could be in the No. 1 spot, but Don't You Forget About Me is not only the symbol of John Hughes' signature flick, it was perhaps the signature anthem of anyone who grew up in the '80s.
OK, so what songs are missing? Which are overranked or underranked?
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:
"Changes" by ZZ Top, from the so-gawd-awful-it's-kinda-funny movie "The Whoopie Boys," starring Paul Rodriguez and that guy from Caddyshack (the lead guy). Thankfully I've created a DVD from the long long long OOP VHS tape I've got...
Also, I recently put "Electric Dreams" on DVD for myself to watch, and the soundtrack is a classic (I "put" that on CD too, since both the VHS tape is long long OOP and the soundtrack's expensive to buy).
I have way too many OOP VHS tapes from the 80's that I have put to DVD, you name it, I've got it.
Sad, isn't it?
Posted by: Johnny Chicago | October 15, 2008 at 12:15 PM
4 hours...2 picture changes...and still not one El DeBarge fan clamoring for the inclusion of "Who's Johnny."
You're welcome.
Posted by: Tonianne | October 15, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Hey - cool, 3 of my picks were listed! Doesn't get any better than Rick Springfield's "Love Somebody" - a song 1,000 times better than its movie, though I thought Hard to Hold was cute and fun. All that great singing! "Power of Love" and "Fame" just belong to the 80s too - great choices. This was fun!
Posted by: Lauri J | October 15, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Gimme Some Lovin' would work from the Blues Brothers.
I can't complain about this top 20. sure, some songs might rank higher than others in my book, but this is a darn good top 20.
Posted by: Bassnote | October 15, 2008 at 11:27 AM
The Blues Brothers
Release Date:
20 June 1980 (USA)
Can you think of ANY songs you might want to add, knowing this little tidbit of info?
Posted by: Dan | October 15, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Did I miss the "She's Having a Baby" songs? "This Woman's Work" and "Crazy Love" are tied to that movie for me.
Posted by: Michelle | October 15, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Steve,
I can't gripe with the top slot, but what about the troika at 15, 16, & 17?
Those are three of my favorite 80's movie tunes (or 80's tunes in general) and I know you feel the same way. So why are they huddled there on the fringe of the top 20?
It's your list! Embrace the power of the bully pulpit, and take care of your songs!
(Unless, of course, I disagree with you, in which case you should embrace the democratic ideals that make this country great)
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | October 15, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I'm all hopped up on sugar from the FREE RAY'S DONUTS!
I love ~SLAVE TO LOVE~ & it automatically makes me think of 9 1/2 weeks, & so does the song > I like bread & butter, I like toast & jam.
Bryan Ferry is HOT! To me he transcends generations. All of his ROXY MUSIC stuff still sounds perfectly `FRESH` to me, like it could have been just released yesterday. And another thing, Bryan "cares" enough to take care of himself, dress well & look good. And the ladies appreciate that.
On the other end of the spectrum is that crabby old Ringo who will NOT accept any more fan mail after Oct. 20. I thought he got by with a little help from his friends? He's getting to be a boring old Beatle! Must be >> MAN~O~PAUSE. Ringo needs to get his hormones bioidentically balanced!
Posted by: Cat | October 15, 2008 at 10:20 AM
"Melt With You" doesn't conjure up VALLEY GIRL for me, but that movie doesn't hold a special place in my memory. The soundtrack is awesome, but I admit I've only seen it once. I say that knowing I'm probably the only person who feels that way.
The rest of the top 10 I agree could be anywhere. However, I agree the Simple Minds tune is perfectly placed.
Posted by: Marissa | October 15, 2008 at 08:31 AM