There are a lot of things I love about the ’80s – but nothing beats the music. Just listening to it automatically puts me in a good mood, even when it’s not supposed to. There’s just something so delightfully tacky about it all – the lyrics, the power ballads, the singers with their big hair and tight pants – that I can’t help but turn my radio on full blast and start belting out the lyrics as soon as an ’80s tune comes on. Sigh. If only I hadn’t just been a toddler at the height of all of this fun.
That’s okay, I appreciate it now, and guess what? With three payments of $15.99 a month, you can, too. We’ll even throw in a “Frankie Says Relax” T-shirt.
Just kidding . . . but I have taken the liberty of putting together some playlists for your next mix tape, organized by the mood you may be in. That’s if you ever make another mix tape again. Okay, maybe these are playlists for your iPod, or whatever fancy device you kids are listening to nowadays.
Whatever your medium is for listening to these songs, enjoy and rock out like you’re wearing spandex pants and used a full can of Aqua Net Extra Super Hold hairspray in your hair.
It will be like, totally awesome, man.
For the Broken Hearted
1. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” Phil Collins
2. “Heartbreaker,” Pat Benatar
3. “All Cried Out,” Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
4. “Right Here Waiting,” Richard Marx
5. “Free Fallin,” Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
6. “It Must Have Been Love,” Roxette
7. “Hold me Now,” Thompson Twins
8. “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” Bonnie Tyler
9. “With or Without You,” U2
10. “Here I go Again,” Whitesnake
11. “If I Could Turn Back Time,” Cher
12. “You Give Love a Bad Name,” Bon Jovi
13. “Every Rose Has its Thorn,” Poison
When you’re totally crushin’
1. “Keep on Lovin’ You,” REO Speedwagon
2. “She Drives Me Crazy,” Fine Young Cannibals
3. “Never Tear Us Apart,” INXS
4. “Need you Tonight,” INXS
5. “Time After Time,” Cyndi Lauper
6. “Abracadabra,” Steve Miller Band
7. “Every Breath You Take,” The Police
8. “Gimme all your Lovin,” ZZ Top
9. “Take My Breath Away,” Berlin
10. “Hungry Eyes,” Eric Carmen
11. “Tide is High,” Blondie
12. “Got My Mind Set on You,” George Harrison
13. “I’ve Had the Time of My Life,” Billy Medley and Jennifer Warnes
14. “Come on Eileen,” Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Best of The Ladies of the ‘80s
1. “I Think We’re Alone Now,” Tiffany
2. “Material Girl,” Madonna
3. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper
4. “Call Me,” Blondie
5. “Brass in Pocket,” The Pretenders
6. “Rhythm Nation,” Janet Jackson
7. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Whitney Houston
8. “Our Lips are Sealed,” Go-Gos
9. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Pat Benatar
10. “What About Love,” Heart
11. “Manic Monday,” Bangles
When you want to feel like da bomb!
1. “Don’t Stop Believin,” Journey
2. “Eye of the Tiger,” Survivor
3. “Rebel Yell,” Bill Idol
4. “Hungry like the Wolf,” Duran Duran
5. “1999,” Prince
6. “Burning Down the House,” Talking Heads
7. “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” Wang Chung
8. “You’re the Best,” Joe Esposito
9. “Take on Me,” A-Ha
10. “Sunglasses at Night,” Corey Hart
11. “Thriller,” Michael Jackson
12. “Walking on Sunshine,” Katrina and the Waves
13. “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party),” Beastie Boys
14. “Paradise City,” Guns N’ Roses
15. “Start Me Up,” Rolling Stones
16. “Jump,” Van Halen
The Best Songs to Belt Out While in the Privacy of Your Car
1. “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Billy Joel
2. “99 Luftballons,” Nena
3. “Sister Christian,” Night Ranger
4. “Your Love,” Outfield
5. “Oh Sherri,” Steve Perry
6. “Blister in the Sun,” Violent Femmes
7. “Wake me Up Before You Go-Go,” Wham
8. “Rock Lobster,” B-52s
9. “Faith,” George Michaels
10. “Rock the Casbah,” The Clash
11. “Mickey,” Toni Basil
12. “Footloose,” Kenny Loggins
13. “Take Me Home Tonight” Eddie Money
14. “Heat of the Moment” Asia
