Top 10 2020s Songs with That Classic 80s Vibe

WatchMojo

Break out your cassette players and neon windbreakers! Join us as we count down recent hits that perfectly capture the synthesizer-soaked sound of the 1980s. These modern tracks blend nostalgic production with contemporary styles, creating time-traveling tunes that would feel right at home on MTV circa 1985!

Transcript

00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best examples of songs

00:13with production values, sounds, and or vibes that feel the most 80s.

00:25Number 10. Breathe Deeper, Tame Impala

00:28If you love groovy and psychedelic music, Tame Impala is probably right up your alley.

00:39It's the brainchild of Kevin Parker, and features some beautiful and layered productions.

00:44There's nothing quite like listening to Breathe Deeper, with the track giving you a glimpse into the singer's brain.

00:48His vocals might remind you of John Lennon, with effects that give you a deeper 80s funk vibe.

00:53The latter sound wafts through your speakers, sending listeners a postcard from the middle of a beloved decade.

01:06It's a lush experience that few can create, as well as this performer.

01:10Starting off the 2020s in style, the single and the accompanying album, The Slow Rush, gives you a tornado of laid-back beats.

01:17Number 9. Leave the Door Open

01:27Silk Sonic

01:28Combining two talented people, Silk Sonic is something like a fantasy team-up for certain music fans.

01:40Anderson Paak and Bruno Mars take things slow with this tribute to R&B from long ago.

01:45Leave the Door Open is a warm brush of smooth jams, forming a love letter full of soul and pop elements.

01:51I'ma leave the door open

01:54I'ma leave the door open

01:57You don't need to be an expert to recognize this as a faithful adaptation of 70s and 80s styles.

02:02Throughout the listening experience, viewers might imagine putting on the period wardrobe and accessories as well.

02:08Both artists know exactly what they're doing, and make this an enjoyable effort.

02:12Unsurprisingly, the track won a slew of Grammys, like Record of the Year.

02:23Number 8. Good Luck Babe

02:26Chapel Rhone

02:27This iconoclastic vocalist sounds like she could have been a star in any generation.

02:40Good Luck Babe finds the artist in top form, creating an incredible melody that goes the distance.

02:46Rhone is a fiercely independent voice that could be connected to titans like Kate Bush.

02:50As both a singer and songwriter, she's already proven herself as a timeless and multifaceted pop star.

02:55Her provocative style harkens back to Madonna's trailblazing work in the 1980s.

03:04This song takes aim at somebody denying their identity, but with the charm of a synth-pop groove underneath.

03:10The artist also explored an upbeat Tony Basil-esque single, with her crowd-pleasing Hot To Go.

03:14H-O-T-T-R-G-O

03:18You can take it hard to go

03:21Number 7. Falling Through

03:24Particle House featuring Ryan Gilmore

03:26This one might sound so 80s that you'll be doing a double-take.

03:37Particle House's Falling Through captures the wave of nostalgia that a well-placed synth can give you.

03:43While you could spend all day on the keys, you can't forget the rocking guitar, either.

03:47There's an ounce of new wave and arena rock in there, too.

03:50With some heartfelt and sincere vocals, this song takes audiences to a time where Journey, or even Kenny Loggins ruled the day.

04:02The Immaculate production copies all of the finer elements of a bygone pop era.

04:07Even the drum fills make you wonder if a band like Starship secretly recorded this one.

04:18Number 6. Let's Love

04:20David Gitta and Sia

04:22With a superstar producer and a world-class singer, you know this song is going to be good.

04:33Let's Love immediately hits you with its dreamy synths and an 80s drum machine sound.

04:38If you listen closely, you might even hear a hint of Pat Benatar in the music.

04:42David Gitta lays down a great groove for Sia to sing over.

04:51The pop hook makes the catchy track all the more memorable, with a slick sound that'll have you skipping to the beat.

04:57Gitta is clearly a huge fan of the previous decade, and makes his love known throughout.

05:01Number 5. If You're Too Shy, Let Me Know

05:12The 1975

05:13Overflowing with influences, the 1975 travel into another era for this single.

05:25If You're Too Shy, Let Me Know

05:27shines with guitar and synth lines reminiscent of many 80s classics.

05:31It's a deceptively simple song that's jet-propelled by a crystal-clear production.

05:35The steady beat keeps a strong pulse, making the dance elements come alive.

05:39Baby, I would like you, baby, you got me, my words.

05:46Their work here owes a healthy amount to any number of pop, rock, and electronic acts from yesteryear.

05:52They're able to both build tension and execute high-flying maneuvers with ease.

05:56Adding in a saxophone, the group calls to mind a day when more unexpected instruments

06:00filled mainstream music.

06:09Number 4. Midnight Sky

06:11Miley Cyrus

06:12With her signature vocals, Miley Cyrus can seemingly blend any number of genres.

06:24Midnight Sky finds her going for a pure pop number with a splash of disco.

06:28Shining lights and bright dance floors might hit your brain as you listen.

06:31It's a fun ride full of a fusion of 80s pop, electronic, and synth flavors.

06:44Don't underestimate her ability to make you have a great time.

06:47You can groove to it and maybe even sing along to the sharp hook.

06:50In another successful era, Cyrus salutes the past and brings old sounds into the present day.

06:56Her raspy twang only makes it all that much better.

07:03Number 3. Levitating

07:04Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby

07:06On her second album, Dua Lipa kicked it up a notch with a number of big hits,

07:15like Levitating and Love Again.

07:18The former exemplifies her take on the new disco genre.

07:21It mixes modern production with a dash of late 70s and early 80s disco.

07:25You can see people of all ages dancing to this at the club.

07:28The song and its lyrics only uplift you, throwing you back to an earlier decade where many pop acts were doing the same.

07:40The single somehow manages to be nostalgic without being desperate.

07:44With Lipa at the helm, this one makes you want to dance in your parachute pants.

07:47Number 2. Save Your Tears

07:57The Weeknd

07:58If you know The Weeknd's music, you're probably hearing the 80s influence.

08:09There's everything from Prince to other classic pop and R&B sounds.

08:13Save Your Tears is one of his most effective synth ballads, covering heartbreak with a rich layer of electronic keyboards.

08:26It's the moodier flip side of his other big and vintage sounding single, Blinding Lights.

08:31With his high quality vocals, the artist knows how to give listeners a musical journey full of emotions.

08:37It's so catchy that you can't stop listening or wondering how he does it.

08:40Using a tried and true formula, the performer crafts tribute to dreamlike and melancholic 80s tracks.

08:53Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.

08:59You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.

09:03If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.

09:07Number 1. As It Was

09:11Harry Styles

09:12Come on, Harry, we want to say goodnight to you!

09:21On his third album, Harry's House, this pop star earns one of his biggest hits yet.

09:28As It Was finds the artist singing over bouncy synth lines.

09:31There's an ease with which he can access the massive highs of an 80s mixtape.

09:35This one in particular feels like a nod to any number of music icons,

09:39blending in what could be a mix of new wave and new romantic sounds.

09:48He's also proving once again that he shouldn't be underestimated.

09:52Throughout his acclaimed solo career,

09:53Styles shows that he's full of exciting choices and traditional pop elements.

09:57Do we forget another recent song that's packed with 80s flavor?

10:08Let us know in the comments below.

10:09I'm making bad decisions

10:12I'm making bad decisions

10:15I'm making bad decisions

10:18For you

10:20Of course

10:21You

10:23Of course

10:23You

10:24Of course

10:24But

10:24You

10:25I'm making bad decisions

10:26You

10:27Of course

10:27I'm getting bad decisions

10:28You

10:29いる

10:29You

10:30Of course

10:30You

10:31To be

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended