Underrated 80s Songs

[gunslingerdick]

From a critical standpoint, the 80s just don’t match up to the 60s or 70s. That’s why 50 years later, we’re still listening to the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin and Floyd.

It’s doubtful that in another 10 years we’re playing Flock of Seagulls and Echo and The Bunnyman on classic radio stations.

 

[chickenhunter]

From a critical standpoint, the 80s just don’t match up to the 60s or 70s. That’s why 50 years later, we’re still listening to the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin and Floyd.

It’s doubtful that in another 10 years we’re playing Flock of Seagulls and Echo and The Bunnyman on classic radio stations.

But you will hear great 80's music like Kool and the Gang, Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, Journey, GNR, Springsteen, Metallica.

I'd much rather listen to them than the 4 you mentioned.

 

[tarheel0910]

From a critical standpoint, the 80s just don’t match up to the 60s or 70s. That’s why 50 years later, we’re still listening to the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin and Floyd.

It’s doubtful that in another 10 years we’re playing Flock of Seagulls and Echo and The Bunnyman on classic radio stations.

I think you'll hear plenty of 80's music, but it will be mostly 90's songs. They play what their audience wants and that's going to be more 90's songs as time goes on. That's not to say the bigger bands and songs from the 70s and 60s won't be played, just not as much. I would argue that what's played on the radio isn't a great judge of how good the music is in that particular decade though.

 

[gteeitup]

What punk and metal were top 40 hits?

it’s top underrated, not top 40.

 

[gunslingerdick]

I’m not taking shots at 80s music. I am the 80s. I own more 80s music than any other era. But let’s be real, from a critical standpoint, 80s music is regarded as shallow and just not in the same league as music from the 2 previous decades. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, times were so good that artists had less material to work with. And I’m not arguing against the listenability of it either. I don’t care that much of the 80s music was shallow. It’s catchy and I liked it. But just from a critical standpoint, it’s a hard argument to make.

 

[gunslingerdick]

it’s top underrated, not top 40.

I was responding to @heelmanwilm 's comment that said those two genres were in the top 40 in the 80s.

Jumping in the Kool-Aid and don't even know the flavor.

 

[dadika13]

From a critical standpoint, the 80s just don’t match up to the 60s or 70s. That’s why 50 years later, we’re still listening to the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin and Floyd.

It’s doubtful that in another 10 years we’re playing Flock of Seagulls and Echo and The Bunnyman on classic radio stations.

The other day I heard Green Day on a Sirius classic rock station and it made me feel super duper old.

 

[gunslingerdick]

The other day I heard Green Day on a Sirius classic rock station and it made me feel super duper old.

Yeah, a lot of classic rock stations are playing 90s alternative now, which is weird and annoying. Classic rock isn't just "classic rock" because of its age. It's become a genre. A genre that 90s alt rock doesn't fit into.

 

[heelmanwilm]

What punk and metal were top 40 hits?

I’m thinking songs by the clash, ac dc quiet riot. I’ll admit the lines blur between genres though. Plus I was drunk when I posted this.

 

[gunslingerdick]

I’m thinking songs by the clash, ac dc quiet riot. I’ll admit the lines blur between genres though. Plus I was drunk when I posted this.

Haha.

Some would argue that if they make the top 40 list, they are decidedly not punk or metal. I won't. But some would.

 

[uncboy10]

https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/americans-favorite-decade-music

More evidence that Americans are morons.

 

[uncboy10]

If we’re going to really nerd out then it also has to be mentioned that 80’s music generally had shitty audio quality in comparison. That’s the beginning of the compression/loudness wars and a lot of engineers started tracking on digital gear instead of the magnetic tape that was widely used in the 60’s and 70’s. It tends to sound harsher and sterile. Plus with analog tracking on tape , musicians had to be better because they needed to nail the song in one take instead of splicing together a track from hundreds of takes.

That vintage recording gear from the 60’s and 70’s is now worth a fortune and there are even fairly successful companies who have built their entire business around copying those old circuits.

 

[tarheel0910]

If we’re going to really nerd out then it also has to be mentioned that 80’s music generally had shitty audio quality in comparison. That’s the beginning of the compression/loudness wars and a lot of engineers started tracking on digital gear instead of the magnetic tape that was widely used in the 60’s and 70’s. It tends to sound harsher and sterile. Plus with analog tracking on tape , musicians had to be better because they needed to nail the song in one take instead of splicing together a track from hundreds of takes.

That vintage recording gear from the 60’s and 70’s is now worth a fortune and there are even fairly successful companies who have built their entire business around copying those old circuits.

Somewhat related to that, the Sonic Highways documentary that was made by Dave Grohl is a great watch that kind of explores some of what you mentioned. The Foo Fighters also still record all of their stuff on tape.

 

[bluetoe]

would like to have been there for that awesome jam

 

[uncboy10]

Somewhat related to that, the Sonic Highways documentary that was made by Dave Grohl is a great watch that kind of explores some of what you mentioned. The Foo Fighters also still record all of their stuff on tape.

Is that the one where he rescues the old Neve console?

 

[strummingram]

Somewhat related to that, the Sonic Highways documentary that was made by Dave Grohl is a great watch that kind of explores some of what you mentioned. The Foo Fighters also still record all of their stuff on tape.

The Sound City documentary?

 

[tarheel0910]

Is that the one where he rescues the old Neve console?

I think so.

The Sound City documentary?

Yes

 

[strummingram]

I think so.


Yes

Grohl has the console!

 

[chickenhunter]

So, who is gonna lie and say they didnt like this song back from 1986?

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

I don't know that it was underrated but this song, more than any other, reminds me of the 1980s. Likely because the local station played it 473 times a day when I was in high school.

 

[blazers]

I don't know that it was underrated but this song, more than any other, reminds me of the 1980s. Likely because the local station played it 473 times a day when I was in high school.

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overplayed? hold my beer:

 

[gunslingerdick]

Hold my beer.

 

[dadika13]

I don't know that it was underrated but this song, more than any other, reminds me of the 1980s. Likely because the local station played it 473 times a day when I was in high school.

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Susanna Hoffs is (was) absolutely, ridiculously, insanely hot. I love her.

 

[strummingram]

There is some totally cringe-worthy music ITT.

I forgot that the 80s was the decade that spawned the success of one of the best guitarists (and vocalists) of all time! And, one of my Top-5 all-time favorite videos:

 

[strummingram]

Underrated and obscure... but one of the coolest solos ever!

 

[strummingram]

The last two songs (and album) where The Cars were actually good. The crap that came after this was abysmal.

 

[bluetoe]

overplayed? hold my beer:

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a generality with shining exceptions, but this is why I hate the eighties for the music. And when I say hate, I mean I just flat out deSPISE that unlistenable crap.

 

[strummingram]

a generality with shining exceptions, but this is why I hate the eighties for the music. And when I say hate, I mean I just flat out deSPISE that unlistenable crap.

It took balls... or the total lack of them... to admit that you like Take On Me.

But, I'll offer a guilty pleasure that will likely bring ridicule. I had the Freedome Of Choice album, in fact!

 

[strummingram]

 

[strummingram]

I'm actually thankful that after 3 pages of the thread, no one has posted any of that insufferable music from... Men At fvcking Work.

 

[bluetoe]

and here is your shining exception. Not really underrated but actually it is......I had to have an example for my contention anyway so here it is.



If this doesn't get your juices flowing, you just don't have juices. Chrissie Hynde is my favorite female lead, but that guitar in the middle is insane.

 

[gteeitup]

Jumping in the Kool-Aid and don't even know the flavor.

that’s a prerequisite here

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

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Hahaha. I'd forgotten all about that song!

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

overplayed? hold my beer:

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That song became our running golf joke. A friend had the intro as his ringtone (well after the 80s) and his phone went off right during his swing and he duffed it into the woods. I can't help but think about that moment every time I play golf.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

I'm actually thankful that after 3 pages of the thread, no one has posted any of that insufferable music from... Men At fvcking Work.

I think you guitar guys despise 80s music because of the rise of synthesizers and keyboards. But, mostly because of the birth of...

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

[bluetoe]

It took balls... or the total lack of them... to admit that you like Take On Me.

But, I'll offer a guilty pleasure that will likely bring ridicule. I had the Freedome Of Choice album, in fact!

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no shame at all here. I LOVE this tune and the video is perfectly simpatico wuth the music. Nothing to turn your nose up at here.

Sometimes I think you might actually be redeemable.

 

[strummingram]

no shame at all here. I LOVE this tune and the video is perfectly simpatico wuth the music. Nothing to turn your nose up at here.

Sometimes I think you might actually be redeemable.

music binds us together

 

[strummingram]

I think you guitar guys despise 80s music because of the rise of synthesizers and keyboards. But, mostly because of the birth of...

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I think that might be some of it. But, the 80s was littered with guitar-laden music. Look at the dominance of heavy metal in the whole decade. It may not have gotten tons of radio airplay, but MTV pushed it and they drew huge concert crowds. ZZ Top and Aerosmith hit their second stride and became more popular, and famous, than ever.

And, I was always eager to see the trio of hotties in the ZZ Top videos. Later found out that one was a former Playboy Playmate- Jeana Tomasino!

 

[bluetoe]

music binds us together

easy man, we're not girlfriends yet. But I'm not saying you're wrong, either.

There's really quite a lot of meat left on the eighties bone....chew on this.

 

[gunslingerdick]