- 2 years ago
These underrated 80s tracks slap! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for those 1980s bangers that may have flown under your collective radar.
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00:00 "By the way, didn't I break your heart?
00:04 Please excuse me, I never meant to break your heart."
00:09 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for those 1980s bangers that
00:15 may have flown under your collective radar.
00:18 "There's no easy way out.
00:21 Giving in can't be wrong."
00:26 20.
00:30 Only Lonely - Bon Jovi Bon Jovi may be a multi-platinum selling rock
00:33 act, but that doesn't mean they don't possess some serious deep cuts in their back
00:38 catalog.
00:39 "Another long and sleepless night.
00:40 You need some watch, hold you tight."
00:47 Only Lonely is taken from the band's sophomore effort 7800 Degrees Fahrenheit, which was
00:53 a more experimental and artistic take on Bon Jovi's melodic rock.
00:58 Here, the anthemic hooks of Bon Jovi's self-titled debut are tempered with sleek and synthesized
01:04 sound.
01:05 While the accompanying music video feels like a mini-movie, the chorus is to die for, as
01:11 well as a desperate-sounding and emotionally charged performance from Bon Jovi that ranks
01:16 among his very best.
01:23 19.
01:31 Self Control - Laura Branigan The original version of Self Control was an
01:35 Italo disco song released by singer Raff in 1984.
01:40 But it's Laura Branigan's cover of the tune from that same year that's arguably
01:44 endured to the modern day.
01:54 The song is steeped in a massive-sounding 1980s production, yet Branigan's vocals
02:00 never get lost in the mix.
02:01 Instead, her powerful delivery shines through, as booming synths and hot guitar licks compliment
02:07 the song's danceable beat.
02:17 Self Control is hooky as hell, from that infectious chorus to each groovy verse.
02:23 Oh, and that music video?
02:25 Pure 80s excellence, y'all.
02:27 18.
02:28 Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo Danny Elfman may be best known today for his
02:33 wonderful film scores, but old-school 80s kids know full well how dope Oingo Boingo
02:38 was back in the day.
02:44 Dead Man's Party is perhaps one of the group's catchiest tunes, and appeared on
02:53 the soundtrack for the Rodney Dangerfield film, Back to School, back in 1986.
02:59 The song possesses a vibe all its own, with throbbing bass, cool lyrics, and Elfman's
03:04 soaring, enchanting vocals.
03:12 Dead Man's Party may be finally getting its due these days on some Halloween mixes
03:17 from the cooler kids you know, but we'll always cop to being fans of this one-of-a-kind
03:22 group.
03:23 17.
03:24 Message of Love - The Pretenders Is there any pop act more representative of
03:30 the 1980s than The Pretenders?
03:32 Maybe, but we highly doubt they have a front person as terminally cool as Chrissy freaking
03:38 Hyne.
03:46 Message of Love possesses a vibe that's simultaneously current and retro.
03:50 A 50s throwback visually, but a new wave classic back in its day.
03:55 Hyne's vocals are intentionally minimalistic and disinterested, almost a precursor to some
04:01 of the things Sheryl Crow would do on her debut album in the 90s.
04:05 Message of Love is melodic and deceptively well-written, incorporating multiple moods
04:10 that feel ahead of their time in terms of structure and efficiency.
04:18 16.
04:22 Run With Us - Lisa Lohe If you were a kid living in Canada during
04:26 the 1980s, then it's highly likely that you loved watching The Raccoons on TV.
04:31 It's also likely that you loved its theme song, Run With Us by Lisa Lohe.
04:37 And we're right there with you.
04:43 There's something emotionally resonant about the song that we can't quite explain.
04:49 Lohe's vocals are powerful but also possess a palpable energy that just drives home that
04:55 million-dollar chorus.
04:57 Run With Us boasts a compelling synth beat, some high-energy guitar licks, and some gothic
05:02 backing atmosphere that are unlike anything else from the time.
05:15 It takes us back to youthful innocence every time we hear it.
05:19 15.
05:20 A Mission In Life - Stan Ridgeway You may not know the name Stan Ridgeway, but
05:25 fans with their ears to the ground back in the 1980s can probably recall his old band,
05:31 Wall of Voodoo.
05:32 That group possessed its own quirky 80s history with their hit Mexican Radio.
05:36 But this solo cut from Ridgeway is comparatively more confessional and down to earth.
05:48 The vibe feels more Billy Joel than New Wave weirdness.
05:52 But that isn't a bad thing.
05:54 The backing instrumentation is particularly evocative and showcases Ridgeway's unique
05:59 vocals in a wonderful way.
06:01 The production is also thick and layered in that way only 80s records could be.
06:09 It's a deep cut that we highly recommend.
06:16 14.
06:17 Wings Of The Storm - Whitesnake You'd be forgiven for ignoring Wings Of
06:21 The Storm by Whitesnake since it was conveniently tucked away at the end of their 1989 album
06:27 Slip Of The Tongue.
06:36 If you did do that, however, then you'd be missing out on what's perhaps the glam
06:40 metal band's fastest and most aggressive moment.
06:45 Whitesnake's bluesy history from the 1970s is all but forgotten.
06:49 As Wings Of The Storm rips out of the gate with a startling amount of speed, it never
06:53 lets up on the gas either.
06:55 The Steve Vai's fretboard is practically set alight as the guitarist lets it rip with
07:00 fiery licks.
07:09 David Coverdale, for his part, stretches his vocal cords to the heavens, proving Whitesnake's
07:14 metallic might without a shadow of doubt.
07:17 13.
07:18 80s - Killing Joke We realize that having a song simply titled
07:23 80s on this list may seem lazy, but this English group was anything but complacent.
07:29 Killing Joke was a remarkably prescient and forward-thinking band for their time, serving
07:34 as influences for many other groups in their wake.
07:44 Nirvana was absolutely one of those bands, to the point where the latter's Come As You
07:49 Are has been accused of stealing the main riff from 80s.
07:57 Do you hear it?
07:58 We admit that it's close, but we also admire Killing Joke's cutting, almost industrial
08:03 guitar tone and martial approach to delivering the rhythms.
08:17 Is it post-punk?
08:18 Alternative?
08:19 New wave?
08:20 We're not sure, but what we do know is that 80s is killer.
08:25 12.
08:26 But Not Tonight's Depeche Mode The discography of Depeche Mode is chock-full
08:31 of bangers, but 1986's Black Celebration just has to count among the band's best.
08:45 But Not Tonight is perhaps a lesser-known track from that album, however, because it
08:49 possesses a more upbeat feeling to its melodies.
08:52 Black Celebration is fairly dark on the whole, and But Not Tonight breaks things up nicely
08:57 with a sound that harkens back to Depeche Mode's more minimalistic work.
09:11 The electronic framework is cold, but Dave Gahan's vocals are red-hot, and But Not
09:16 Tonight is made all the better for that fact.
09:19 11.
09:20 Don't Pay The Ferryman – Chris DeBerg What's the first song you think of when
09:25 the name Chris DeBerg comes up in conversation?
09:28 Most of us would probably list his hit 1986 ballad, Lady In Red, for obvious reasons.
09:40 Don't Pay The Ferryman from 1982 couldn't sound any more removed from that hit, however
09:49 – an energetic art-rock song for the ages.
09:52 The production is polished to a silvery sheen, and Don't Pay The Ferryman is written with
09:57 electricity to spare.
10:03 DeBerg's vocals are evocative and in-control, detailing the song's mythological and shamanic
10:10 Shakespearean origins with a palpable power.
10:13 As a result, Don't Pay The Ferryman practically begs for repeated spins.
10:22 10.
10:28 When I'm Gone – Albert Hammond A double-edged sword about professional songwriting
10:32 is how one can remain almost completely anonymous, while also having a profound effect upon millions
10:39 of music fans.
10:46 Albert Hammond was one of those people.
10:49 A prolific composer who wrote hits for others, but seemed to eschew personal fame when it
10:54 came down to his own career.
10:56 When I'm Gone practically begs for the listener to do some deep digging into Hammond's career,
11:01 however, thanks to this song's confessional nature and emotional viability.
11:05 The song feels tailor-made to connect with its audience.
11:13 A beautifully melancholic song that boasts a fantastic production, one that perfectly
11:18 highlights Hammond's voice.
11:20 When I'm Gone is a hidden gem that deserves all the flowers.
11:25 9.
11:26 No Easy Way Out – Robert Tepper You just know it when you hear it.
11:31 Call it montage music or training music, it's those songs that show up in movies when times
11:36 are tough and demand that the heroes step up their game.
11:47 For Sylvester Stallone in Rocky IV, that song was No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper, and
11:53 it's an absolute masterclass.
12:10 Tepper is without a shred of irony as his vocal performance goes for broke with a sincere
12:15 amount of power and passion.
12:17 It's such a barn burner that the accompanying instrumentation almost feels like an afterthought.
12:23 Pay attention, there are some amazing melodic choices here.
12:33 No Easy Way Out makes us feel like world champions.
12:36 Every day.
12:37 8.
12:38 Age of Consent – New Order New Order rose from the ashes of Joy Division,
12:44 a trailblazing voice in the burgeoning post-punk and early alternative rock movements.
12:49 That band's purposefully minimalistic style was opened up and brightened up a bit with
12:54 New Order, however, influencing an entire generation of goth rock fans in the process.
13:05 Age of Consent is taken from New Order's sophomore effort, Power, Corruption and Lies,
13:10 and immediately strikes as something special.
13:13 The reverberating guitar chords and echoed production are evocative as hell, while Bernard
13:18 Sumner's vocals float atop it all with personality and style.
13:29 Trust us, if you dig The Cure, The Smiths or Depeche Mode, then check this one out.
13:35 7.
13:36 Cambodia – Kim Wild If you only know the career of Kim Wild from
13:40 her early hit Kids in America, then might we suggest the singer's more experimental
13:45 sophomore effort, Select.
13:47 This 1982 album was marked by a pronounced atmosphere of experimentation and even slight
13:53 menace, as evidenced by this single, Cambodia.
14:05 The song is dark and mysterious, a layered synth-pop song that feels delivered from outer
14:10 space yet anchored by Wild's gorgeous, otherworldly voice.
14:14 View from a Bridge is another great song from Select, but there's only one Cambodia, and
14:20 once you hear it, we doubt you'll forget it.
14:27 6.
14:29 It's a Sin – Pet Shop Boys Isn't it funny how songs tend to take on
14:40 lives of their own?
14:42 The Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant told The Daily Dish in 2019 how he originally wrote
14:47 It's a Sin without much thought as to how seriously it would be taken by the group's
14:52 fans.
14:53 The song was initially conceived during Tennant's reflection about his Catholic school upbringing,
15:04 but many fans today have internalized the song's themes of oppression and shame and
15:09 frequently interpret them as cathartic.
15:16 Tennant also interestingly compared It's a Sin and the Pet Shop Boys' high-energy
15:21 music to heavy metal.
15:22 And you know what?
15:23 We totally hear it.
15:24 It's a Sin rocks, plain and simple.
15:28 5.
15:29 Dancing With Tears In My Eyes – Ultravox That title may sound extravagant, because
15:35 it is, but that's just part and parcel for Ultravox's deeply romantic new wave sound.
15:41 The British group formed in the 70s but saw their greatest success in the 80s, thanks
15:46 to gems like him and The Voice.
15:53 Dancing With Tears In My Eyes highlights how Midge Yerr's lead vocals truly take Ultravox
15:58 to another level, as he soars above the song's synthesized 80s beat with a stately grandeur.
16:05 This is 80s pop at its most melodramatic, but also some of its most melodically satisfying.
16:18 The songwriting is impeccable, the chorus wonderful, and the execution note perfect.
16:24 Check out Ultravox.
16:25 You won't be disappointed.
16:27 4.
16:28 Ride Like The Wind – Christopher Cross Christopher Cross's debut album may have
16:32 dropped for Christmas of 1979, but this first single thankfully fits our criteria, having
16:38 been released in February of the following year.
16:42 If we're being honest though, any time is a great time to rock Ride Like The Wind.
16:52 This isn't only due to the spectacular songwriting displayed by Cross, but also those amazing
16:58 backing vocals from Michael McDonald.
17:00 The former Doobie Brother assists Cross in a way only he can, smoothing over Ride Like
17:05 The Wind with his velvety voice and creating pure musical heaven in the process.
17:14 3.
17:20 Wild Wild West – The Escape Club The story of The Escape Club is a funny one,
17:25 since this British export actually didn't do too well on their homeland.
17:30 Wild Wild West was a hit in the US however, and we totally see why, because the song feels
17:35 like a movie montage scene come to life.
17:45 This isn't a slight whatsoever, mind you, because we admire The Escape Club's dedication
17:49 to unabashed, sugar-coated pop.
17:52 Wild Wild West is an earworm that sounds indebted to Duran Duran, with an approach that's
17:58 weird and nearly impossible to categorise.
18:00 It's funky, with a little rock for good measure, and catchy as hell.
18:09 2.
18:12 Kayleigh – Meridian It may seem improbable that a 1980s prog
18:16 rock band could go on to influence the proliferation of an actual forename in their native UK,
18:23 but truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
18:35 The early career of Meridian was largely indebted to the sound of 70s Genesis, but Kayleigh
18:40 was an unadulterated pop hit from a group known for crafting 10-minute-plus epics.
18:47 Lead singer Phish emotes with abandon, while the chorus and delay-drenched guitar of Steve
18:52 Rothery creates that insanely catchy opening lick.
18:58 It's beautiful and bittersweet, a true gem deserving of discovery by anyone who assumed
19:08 prog simply died in the 70s.
19:26 1.
19:28 The Sun Always Shines On TV – Aha Norway's Aha will probably always be best
19:35 known for their Smash International single 'Take On Me'.
19:40 However, there's also a lot of other musical gold to be mined for fans seeking out more
19:49 great music.
19:50 The band's theme to the James Bond film 'The Living Daylights' was a franchise
19:54 highlight.
19:55 'The Sun Always Shines On TV' may just be Aha's secret weapon.
20:08 Morten Harket delivers a vocal performance that rivals even his watershed moments on
20:13 'Take On Me', while also proving that Aha was no one-hit wonder.
20:17 'The Sun Always Shines On TV' is expertly composed and magnificently executed.
20:24 A slice of absolute pop-rock perfection.
20:34 Feel like shouting out a deep cut from your favorite band?
20:37 Let us know in the comments.
20:50 [music]
21:00 (upbeat music)
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