The ABC's of the 80's

The 1980’s possessed a plethora of so many unique songs across many different genres. I thought it would be fun to compose a list that includes one song for each letter of the alphabet. Such a list guarantees a wide variety of songs.

The fact that I had to pick just one designated song for each letter of the alphabet made it extremely hard, debating from one song to the next … but in a good way!

The 1980’s was easily my favorite decade music wise. I strived to keep this song list as diverse as possible all while choosing the songs I truly enjoy.

Africa — Toto (1982)

This is such an iconic song — the one song that Toto is most known for. The lyrics paint images of love and aspiration along with beautiful imagery of Africa from the Serengeti to Mount Kilimanjaro. With an instantly recognizable intro, it is a song I absolutely must listen to.

Boys of Summer — Don Henley (1984)

This summer tune brings thoughts of carefree late summers of love and what could have been. I always thought this song was a great song to listen to during a summer time road trip preferably with the windows and / or top down.

Conga — Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine (1985)

This is a super fun summer dance tune! It has such an engaging tropical vibe to it. With fun and encouraging lyrics, it’s really hard to not want to dance along to it. Who care if you can’t dance!

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me — Culture Club (1983)

This is one of the few songs I was introduced to as a kid. I have fond memories of listening to it outside on a garage stereo on a warm summer evening along with a vast array of other songs from numerous genres and decades. This is probably one of my top favorite songs from Culture Club.

Eye of the Tiger — Survivor (1982)

This is one of my favorite motivational fight songs. A classic! And right out of the movie Rocky — a movie that is just as motivating as the song itself. It’s one of those songs that has such an iconic intro that is instantly recognizable to everyone.

Fight For Your Right — Beastie Boys (1986)

Parents are so unfair! This song with rock and rap elements focuses on the view point of rebellious teenagers that want nothing more than to let loose and party!!! Even if their choice of entertainment is more than a little questionable to parents (smoking and pornography magazines).

Got my Mind Set on You — George Harrison (1987)

I really liked this fun and catchy tune the first time I heard it. The main chorus is especially memorable. Even though the lyrics are a little repetitive, with it's easygoing and catchy beat, I honestly don't get tired of it.

Hangin’ Tough — New Kids on the Block (1989)

This song was released at the very end of the 80’s so it is a song that might rather well likely be thought of as one from the 90’s. It was released in a time when the music began to shift from that of the 80’s into the 90’s as new sounds were experimented.

I Ran So Far Away — A Flock of Seagulls (1982)

This is one of the more recognizable songs from the 80’s New Wave / alternative rock genre. Released in the early decade of 80’s, it is one of the songs that helped pave the way for the 80’s pop and New Wave scene and the song that A Flock of Seagulls is most known for.

Come to think of it, just how far did they run?

Jenny (867 — 5309) — Tommy Tutone (1982)

Easily one of the most recognizable phone numbers out there thanks to this song! It’s about a guy who obtains the phone number of a girl he likes named Jenny and finally works up the nerve to call her up. I like how you can notice his confidence to call her growing throughout the song.

Keep on Loving You — REO Speedwagon (1980)

This is such a warm light hearted feel good love song! Its laid back and easy going while still having the elements you’d expect in a rock song. While I don’t hear it too often, it never fails to make me smile.

Like a Prayer — Madonna (1989)

This is easily one of my top favorite Madonna songs. Released at the tail end of the 80’s, this song has a dramatic build up and a very diverse range from start to end.

Money for Nothing — Dire Straits (1985)

“I want my MTV!”

— written by Gordon Sumner and Mark Knopfler

This classic 80’s song is based on the desire to live the life of a rock star. Lead guitarist, singer, and songwriter Mark Knopfler was inspired to write it after overhearing delivery men complaining about their jobs (hey, lots of refrigerators and color TVs to move!) and wishing they had the so called easier and glamorous life of that of a rockstar.

Interesting fact: The music video was one of the first to have animation that was computer generated.

New Year’s Day — U2 (1983)

This has to be one of my top favorite songs from U2. It has an emotional intro that instantly captures my attention and holds it throughout until the end. To me, the song brings up feelings of possibilities, changes, and new opportunities.

Surprisingly, it is actually a war song. The song refers to the Polish Solidarity movement and its persecuted leader, Lech Walesa. While it mentions war, the mood of the song, at the same time, gives me love song vibes.

Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money ) — Pet Shop Boys (1985)

We should be business partners! Our minds working together would make for the perfect idea that could make us millions! We would make the perfect team! 😎💰

This fun song by The Pet Shop Boys is about dreaming up the perfect idea that would make some serious cash with the perfect business partner. It’s also about how two minds with different strengths compliment each other.

I’ve got the brains

You’ve got the looks

Let’s make lots of money

— song written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe

Not only is it a fun and somewhat humorous song, but a motivating one as well.

Poison — Alice Cooper (1989)

This song is about forbidden love and falling and longing for someone dangerous. It’s about wanting to be with someone but having second thoughts. With someone that dangerous, maybe it would be best to keep your distance.

I vaguely remember the first time I heard this noticeably catchy and edgy 80’s rock song. It has since become one of my favorite hard rock love songs of the 80’s era.

A Question of Lust — Depeche Mode (1986)

One of my favorite things about writing music related articles is the chance to discover new artists and new music. Even as a huge Depeche Mode fan, I have not heard of this song before!

I’ve been searching through the net for any 80’s songs that start with Q. Like V, X, and Z, it seems to be an extremely elusive letter for song titles.

This song is a refreshing difference from their usual songs. It is slow and melodic. While it is a slow song, the tune and more specifically, the vocals, still keep me interested to listen through until the end.

Another great Depeche Mode song to add to my playlist! I’m glad I stumbled upon it!

Relax — Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1983)

This is one of the songs I remember listening to as a kid during the summer on the garage stereo outside on a summer night. I had no idea what it was called. I just knew that I liked it.

This amazing dance song has a killer intro that quickly leads into its main chorus. With the song title being “relax”, it’s ironically an insanely energetic song.

So, relax! We are just now wrapping up this alphabetical list of songs from the 80’s now!

Smooth Criminal — Michael Jackson (1987)

This has to be one of the most iconic pop songs from the 80’s era and from the king of pop himself. Right from the start, this song has some killer beats that grasp my attention and hold it for the entire song.

Tainted Love — Soft Cell (1981)

Ah. Another song about falling for the wrong person. This dance tune is about someone who, after falling in love with someone, soon sees who that someone really is, has some serious second thoughts, and just wants to get away.

Union of the Snake — Duran Duran (1983)

Of course, as a huge Duran Duran fan, I had to add one song of theirs to this list. The song has a somewhat mysterious and chilling vibe to it. To me, it’s as if the song is warning one of something sinister. Whatever that something is remains debatable and I believe is up to the imagination of the listener.

Veronica — Elvis Costello (1989)

Oh! Here we go! Here is a gem I totally forgot about! As I was looking for 80’s songs that start with V, I was for certain I’ve never heard this song before. Listening to it proved me wrong.

Oohh! That song!

This is such a fun song that will make you smile, but at the same time, its an emotional one as well. It’s emotional because it tells the story of an elderly woman and all that she has accomplished through out her life in the midst of memory loss from Alzheimer's disease. The song is actually based on Costello’s grandmother going through Alzheimer’s which makes it even more emotional.

The music video was a huge success on MTV and even won Best Male Video.

Weird Science — Oingo Boingo (1985)

Here is another fun song by a band with a rather amusing name. Every time I listen to this song, I imagine some sort of mad scientist plotting a crazy yet ingenious idea in his lab.

This comic song also gives me strong feelings of fascination and curiosity.

This was the opening theme song for the 1990's TV show of the same name.

Xanadu — Olivia Newton-John (1980)

And yet, another great 80’s song I discovered! This song features the beautiful vocals of the late Olivia Newton-John.

The song is from the 1980 musical of the same name about an artist who falls for a woman photographed in one of his projects.

You Make My Dreams — Hall & Oates (1980)

I like quite a few songs from Hall & Oates. This has to be one of my favorites of theirs. It’s a fun and lighthearted love song that always makes me smile.

Zombie Zoo — Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1989)

Z had to be by far the most challenging and elusive letter for 80’s song titles.

I like quite a few songs by the late Tom Petty but I’ve never heard this one before! It took a little bit for me to get into it at first, but soon after the intro, I found it to be a very mellow and easy listening pop / alternative rock song hidden amongst Petty’s more well known songs.

This was an insanely fun yet challenging music related article to write. I enjoyed listening to these songs for analysis and did my best to add in some variety. Along the way, I discovered some new songs!