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@jettywalker58.bsky.social

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A brief daily refuge from the extreme darkness of the current moment. Counting down the 365 Best Songs of the 80s, one day at a time.

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jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 6h

BEST 80s #74 “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
The lyrics weren’t meant to tell Elton’s personal story- Bernie Taupin wrote them after a failed affair. But the song’s release at an ebb in Elton’s career gave its message of resilience (delivered in triumphantly bratty vocals) enduring, iconic power.

Elton John - I'm Still Standing

YouTube video by EltonJohnVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 1d

BEST 80s #75 “It’s a Sin” by Pet Shop Boys
A sweeping and dramatic dance floor epic, “Sin” rages with clarity & sincerity against anti-gay religious oppression. Neil Tennant wrote the lyrics in minutes with a tongue-in-cheek approach, but the powerhouse production grants his song an intense gravity.

Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin (Official Video) [HD REMASTERED]

YouTube video by PetShopBoys Parlophone

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 2d

BEST 80s #76 “Little Red Corvette” by Prince
In a songbook filled with red-hot rock & raunch, “Corvette” is a flashing yellow sign tinged with sweetness: an out-of-his-depth Prince warns baby, who’s “much too fast,” that she needs a love that’s gonna last. A layered synth tune that pops with color.

Prince - Little Red Corvette (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by Prince

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 3d

BEST 80s #77 “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
A brash & swinging Rob Base vocal rides a floor-bouncing groove & a perfectly placed sample from 70s soul star Lyn Collins. An acknowledged classic in real time: within a year of its release, Spin magazine called it the greatest single ever made.

Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two

YouTube video by RobBaseDJEZRockVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 4d

BEST 80s #78 “Blue Monday” by New Order
Inspired by Donna Summer’s “Our Love,” New Order pushed dance music into a new, colder, and slightly off-kilter direction with “Blue Monday.” Filled with petulance, thick guitar chords, and a militant drum machine, it’s the best-selling 12-inch of all time.

New Order - Blue Monday 88 (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by New Order

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 5d

BEST 80s #79 “99 Red Balloons” by Nena
If you were the average U.S. radio listener who heard the German version, Nena’s hit was a fun, bouncy, new wave novelty. If you knew the English version though, you were dancing in the desolation of accidental nuclear war. (Either way, you got Captain Kirk.)

NENA | 99 Red Balloons [1984] (Official HD Music Video)

YouTube video by NENA

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 6d

BEST 80s #80 “Drive” by The Cars
“Drive” —The Cars biggest hit — is gorgeous melancholy. The gentle strength in Benjamin Orr’s vocals elevate Ric Ocasek’s empathetic lyrics; the whole thing floats on a cushion of rippling synths and daydreamy guitar. “You can’t go on thinking nothing’s wrong.”

The Cars - Drive (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by RHINO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 7d

So many subtle mood shifts on Peppermint Patty’s face, all coming across perfectly.

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 7d

BEST 80s #81 “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
“Somebody” is an exuberant platform for a powerhouse vocalist. Whitney sells her need & loneliness at the start, but by the time we reach the joyful conclusion, she’s celebrating: the hunt for love can be exhilarating, too.

Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Official 4K Video)

YouTube video by whitneyhoustonVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 8d

BEST 80s #82 “The Look of Love” by ABC
A highly cinematic post-breakup breakdown produced by Trevor Horn, with Martin Fry traveling from dispassionate reflection to unhinged cries: “Sisters & brothers should help each other!” The girl who broke his heart is on onboard too, offering a tart “goodbye!”

ABC - The Look Of Love

YouTube video by ABCVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 9d

BEST 80s #83 “Two Tribes” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
“When you hear the air attack warning, you and your family must take cover.” In a furious reply to the unbearable tension of the Cold War, singer Holly Johnson rages over a thick, dizzying anti-war dance track that whirls & slams like a tornado.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes

YouTube video by FGTHVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 10d

I’d wondered about that - I know it was a big chart hit in the UK.

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 10d

BEST 80s #84 “Atomic” by Blondie
Blondie speed down the highway with the top down & the volume up, beautiful hair flying. An exercise in synthesizing styles by Jimmy Destri & Debbie Harry, “Atomic” is a campy blend of disco, rock, and spacey new wave; it charges into the future with its eyes closed.

Blondie - Atomic (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by BlondieVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 11d

BEST 80s #85 “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” by Hall & Oates
Daryl Hall draws a line in the sand over a funky groove that’s in no hurry; it takes the spotlight and holds it while Hall & Oates back each other up amid a myriad of hooky features, including a soaring sax and Rhodes keyboard sparkle.

Daryl Hall & John Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) (Official Video)

YouTube video by hallandoatesVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 12d

BEST 80s #86 “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler overheard disdainful comments from an appliance store worker watching videos by the “yo-yos” on MTV and turned it into pop art - with help from Sting on the hook & ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, who advised Knopfler on the iconic guitar riff.

Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by DireStraitsVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 13d

BEST 80s #87 “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
Sung by Brian Johnson but with numerous lyrics from the late Bon Scott (Including the poetic “She told me to come but I was already there”), this vein-popping valentine to an earthshaking lover rocketed the Australians into global superstardom.

AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long (Official 4K Video)

YouTube video by acdcVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 14d

BEST 80s #88 “Raspberry Beret” by Prince & the Revolution
It’s all about the details: inside a bouncy, string-laden pop melody, Prince remembers his first time and the whole world around it from Mr. McGee to the horses, but especially, the vintage beret – raspberry – that she wore, with little else.

Prince and the Revolution - Raspberry Beret (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by Prince

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 15d

BEST 80s #89 “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye
Rub the sleep out of your eyes, because Marvin needs sexual healing & you’re his medicine. Over a rhythm track that creates the warm, woozy world of sleepy stimulation, he knows just how to flatter, in sweetly pleading tones. It was the legend’s last hit.

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Official HD Video)

YouTube video by MarvinGayeVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 16d

BEST 80s #90 “Gloria” by Laura Branigan
A triple threat of crazed mania: Laura Branigan’s soaring, scolding vocals, the cranked-to-eleven synth-happy disco track, and the vivid lyrics, translated from original Italian, about poor, deluded Gloria: “If everybody wants you, why isn’t anybody calling?

Laura Branigan - Gloria (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by RHINO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 17d

BEST 80s #91 “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House
Neil Finn’s longing tone rides the sway & the rising swell of the instrumental track on this rich, melodic plea to keep our troubles, the world’s troubles, & the imagined troubles in our heads from harming the love that might ease the troubles.

Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by CrowdedHouseVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 18d

BEST 80s #92 “Straight Up” by Paula Abdul
Paula asks an eternal pop query, “do you really wanna love me forever or am I caught in a hit-and-run?” with self-possessed charm; it’s clear anyone who lets her get away is a fool. The track, filled with hesitation & oh-oh-ohs, says that he might be a fool.

Paula Abdul - Straight Up

YouTube video by PaulaAbdulVEVO

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 19d

This entire administration has spent their entire lives looking *up* at the bottom of the barrel. Worst of the worst serving a nitwit who should be in a nuthouse.

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 19d

BEST 80s #93 “Back on the Chain Gang” by Pretenders
A sparkling track about despair. Chrissie Hynde could sing stronger & tougher than many; when she let her steely resolve soften, as on this gorgeous self-penned memory of bandmate James Honeyman-Scott, lost to an overdose, it was affecting.

Pretenders - Back on the Chain Gang (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by Pretenders

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 19d

Perfect middle school energy!

jettywalker58.bsky.social @jettywalker58.bsky.social · 20d

BEST 80s #94 “I Got You” by Split Enz
“I don’t know why sometimes I get frightened.” “I Got You” is a neurotic, spiraling, and relentless ride, a power-pop blend of Squeeze and Cars. The song, written and artfully performed by Neil Finn, quickly became the top-selling record ever in Australia.

Split Enz - I Got You (Official Video)

YouTube video by Split Enz