Obscure 80's songs you love ...

[NewHampshireDem]

I'm talking not so obscure no one knows it ... like your brother's garage band ... but songs that you heard on the radio, or maybe even MTV that have somehow been lost to the ages.

I'll start:

"Don't Pay the Ferryman" by Chris de Burgh.

I was laying in bed a couple of nights ago when that song popped into my head after an absence of many years. Not quite sure why it came back to me, but I was like, "Oh I gotta see if I can download that." Then the next morning I couldn't remember what song it was that had popped into my head. Now, all of a sudden I remember it again.

[Placebo]

1. VICIOUS PINK: "C-C-C-Can't You See"

Great song, I love me some obscure hidden 80's jewels.

Another would be "Politics of Dancing" :bounce:

[CanuckAmok]

3. Re-Flex! I haven't thought about them in years!!

I quite like anything from Howard Jones' "Human's Lib" album...and Thomas Dolby's "Golden Age of Wireless".

[NewHampshireDem]

6. "Europa" by Thomas Dolby would certainly count ...

though "She Blinded Me with Science" probably wouldn't. I have no idea which album either is from, though. :shrug:

[tXr]

12. ...also "Radio Silence' from Thomas Dolby.

all three songs are from his album 'The Golden Age of Wireless'.

[salvorhardin]

19. I thought that whole album was great

and unfortunately, way underplayed except for She Blinded Me With Science. My favorite tune off that album is Flying North, which IIRC was the B-side of the She Blinded Me With Science 45.

[CanuckAmok]

60. Bot are from "Wireless". Sorry, but his subsequent releases were crap.

Trivia: the old man saying "She blinded me with science" was Magnus Pike, a scientist who hosted a science TV show in the UK. At the begiinning of the song, he says "as a noted scientist it's a bit surprising that the girl blinded *me* with science", because he didn't understand the lyrics. He had a good point.

[Liberal Veteran]

73. I like "One of Submarines is Missing"

Cool song.

[Magrittes Pipe]

2. "Birth School Work Death" by the Godfathers

[jus_the_facts]

4. Voices Carry ~ 'Til Tuesday

:loveya:

In the dark, I like to read his mind
but I'm frightened of the things I might find
Oh, there must be something he's thinking of to tear him away
when I tell him that I'm falling in love why does he say

Hush hush keep it down now voices carry
Hush hush keep it down now voices carry
Uh-uh

I try so hard not to get upset
because I know all the trouble I'll get
oh, he tells me tears are something to hide
and something to fear
and I try so hard to keep it inside
so no one can hear

Hush hush keep it down now voices carry Am
Hush hush keep it down now voices carry Am
Hush hush keep it down now voices carry Am
Uh-uh

[mconvente]

7. Ditto

I was gonna post that but I didn't think it was that obscure. Nevertheless, it's a cool song.

[jus_the_facts]

37. Welcome to DU!!!

:hi:

......I love that song!!! :loveya:

[Placebo]

8. Great song

I think I will listen to it right now :bounce:

[jus_the_facts]

38. Hey there....got a link to it where I can listen too?

....or do ya have the CD? :D

[NewHampshireDem]

42. You should get the "Magnolia" soundtrack ... great Amiee Mann work

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00003A9NN/ref=m_art_li_1/104-3602582-3207963?v=glance&s=music

[jus_the_facts]

45. Thankies.....she's awesome isn't she......

.....always awed by her voice! :hi:

[ET Awful]

5. Gamma - "Condition Yellow"

Herbie Hancock - "Rock It"

I could probably come up with many more. Haven't heard Chris de Burgh in YEARS :).

edit: Major Tom (coming home) by Peter Schilling :)

[gollygee]

9. A Girl In Trouble is a Temporary Thing by Romeo Void

[Placebo]

11. "I Might Like You Better If We SLEPT Together...

I might like you better if we SLEPT together, but there's somethin' in your eyes that says MAYBE...that's never...NEVER SAAAAAAAY NEVER!"

"Never Say Never" : Romeo Void

another great song by them :)

[gollygee]

18. Yeah I like that one too!

[Placebo]

10. "Pop Musik" by: M

Get up...
Get down...

Radio, video
Boogie with a suitcase
Your livin' in a disco
Forget about the rat race
Let's do the milkshake, sellin' like a hotcake
Try some buy some fee-fi-fo-fum

Talk about, pop musik
Talk about, pop musik

New York, London, Paris, Munich
Everybody talk about pop musik
Talk about, pop musik
Talk about, pop musik
Pop pop pop pop musik

Singing in the subway
Shuffle with a shoe shine
Fix me a molotov
I'm on the headline

Wanna be a gun slinger
Don't be a rock singer
Eenie meenie mynie moe
Tell me where you wanna go

Talk about, pop musik
Talk about, pop musik

[FlashHarry]

24. Weren't they just called "M?"

Though the single's flip-side was a tune called "The M Factor," as I recall.

[Placebo]

28. Hmm good point

I'll change that. :)

[hinachan]

83. Re: Weren't they just called "M?"

Actually, "M" wasn't a "they", but a "he"...the girls in the video were just backup singers. :)

[Philostopher]

13. Bryan Adams isn't obscure ...

but one of my favorite songs from the '80s is fairly obscure, and it's one of his. "Fits Ya' Good" was a great power pop tune, good hooks, and it was perfect for his voice. It was on his second album, 'You Want It, You Got It' from 1981 -- the only song on there that got much airplay, if I remember correctly.

He lost me on "Cuts Like A Knife," though.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

14. The Associates - Club Country.

What's so obscure about Chris deBurgh?

[NewHampshireDem]

20. de Burgh himself is not obscure ...

I'm sure everyone knows "Lady in Red." I bet only about 1 person in 1000 knows "Ferryman."

[ET Awful]

22. My clearest memory of that song was in a high school

typing class where the teacher would play music at our request to provide background rhythm in the class. I brought a mix tape I'd made that had Ferryman on it and had 5 people ask me for a copy by the end of class :). I think I was a sophomore at the time.

[tXr]

15. Anything by Split Enz...

'I Got You', 'One Step Ahead', 'History Never Repeats', Dirty Creature'...great 80's pop!

edit: not terribly obscure, but no longer played on the radio, at least not in Houston!

[NightTrain]

16. Some great stuff came out of the early '80s Rockabilly Revival.

Everybody knows the Stray Cats, but what about some of the other great neo-rockabilly tunes that came out during Reagan's first term? Here are but a few:

The Blasters, AMERICAN MUSIC (LP)
Rocky Burnette, "Tired of Toein' The Line"
Ray Campi, "Rockabilly Music"
Marshall Crenshaw, "Someday, Someway"
The Morells, SHAKE 'N' PUSH (LP)
The Plimsouls, "Amanda Ruth"
Tex Rubinowitz, "Hot Rod Man"

[NightTrain]

17. "Robert DeNiro's Waiting," Bananarama; "The Earthquake Song," Little Girls

"Ch-Ch-Cherie," The Johnny Average Band
"Double Dutch Bus," Frankie Smith
"Echo Beach," Martha & The Muffins
"5 Minutes," Bonzo Goes To Washington
"Free Nelson Mandela," The Special AKA
"The Funky Western Civilization," Tonio K.
"General Hospi-Tale," The Afternoon Delights
"Goin' Down," Greg Guidry
"Hopes On Hold," Ruben Blades
"Hyperactive," Thomas Dolby
"Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime)," The Flirts
"Let's Go Dancin'," Kool & The Gang
"Like A Virgin," Lords of the New Church
"Lips Like Sugar," Echo & The Bunnymen
"My Town," The Michael Stanley Band
"Never Say Never," Romeo Void
"New Moon On Monday," Duran Duran
"No Sell Out," Malcolm X with Keith LeBlanc
"Not Now John," Pink Floyd
"Sex Dwarf," Soft Cell
"Shaddap You Face," Joe Dolce
"Sign of the Times," The Belle Stars
"Smack Jack," Nina Hagen
"So Wrong," Patrick Simmons
"Somebody's Knocking," Terri Gibbs
"Sun City," Artists United Against Apartheid
"The Walls Came Down," The Beat
"You Don't Want Me Anymore," Steel Breeze
"You Saved My Soul," Burton Cummings

[skjpm]

21. "Voyeur" by Kim Carnes

I like Bette Davis Eyes, but I loved this song, and the the ballad "Does It Make You Remember" on the same album. I thought this would be a huge hit for her. Oh, well. . .

[salvorhardin]

23. Another couple that come to mind

Emerson, Lake and Powell. Wonderful album. Running With the Devil was on the radio a lot.

Also, Kansas' Power. Can't remember the radio hit here though. Was there one?

Asia. A few radio hits off this album although my favorite song was rarely played -- Wildest Dreams.

[NightTrain]

25. Regarding Kansas...

They had a hit single in '82 called "Play The Game Tonight." Don't know if it came from the POWER album, though.

[salvorhardin]

30. Vinyl Confessions actually

Power was from 1986.

Another two semi-obscure songs from the '80s I think would be 90125 and Changes from Yes' album of the same name.

Maybe the ultimate semi-obscure song from the '80s would be The Buggles' Video Killed The Radio Star -- the first video played on MTV.

Also, I'm not sure if this qualifies but the second video played on MTV was Pat Benatar's You Better Run, which was off the same album that had (arguably) her biggest hit, Hit Me With Your Best Shot. That was her second album Crimes of Passion.

[tXr]

34. Emerson, Lake and Powell...

Self-titled album was released in 1986. Biggest hit was 'Touch and Go' - NOT to be confused with The Cars' album/song of the same title!

ELP - Touch and Go
Man in the street nowhere to sleep
No time for nothing no Patek Phillipe
Pedal to the metal Blow by Blow
You're runnin' with the devil it's touch and go
They're leaving you nothing and nowhere to go
Just put you in the corner like an old banjo
The strings are breakin' but you can't say no
You're runnin' with the devil it's touch and go
Systematic one man show
You're caught up in the middle where the four winds blow
No salvation 20 below
You're runnin' with the devil it's touch and go
All systems go friend or foe
It's all dependin' on the dice you throw
Come without a warning like a U.F.O.
You're runnin' with the devil it's touch and go
You see this woman on a T.V. show
She's drippin' in diamonds from head to toe
They make you believe it's the status quo
You're runnin' with the devil it's touch and go
All systems go friend or foe
It's all dependin' on the dice you throw
Come without a warning like a U.F.O.
You're runnin' with the devil it's touch and go...

[salvorhardin]

44. Erp. Yep. I misremembered the title.

[69KV]

55. Kansas Power

"All I Wanted" was the hit single. Pretty bland power ballad IIRC.

[FlashHarry]

26. Martin Briley: The Salt In My Tears

Cheesy 80s production, but great songwriting and a helluva guitar solo. Also: Donnie Iris Ah! Leah!.

[69KV]

56. Donnie Iris!

"Ah, Leah!", also "Love Is Like A Rock". Two of the best long forgotten 80s songs.

[Tom_Foolery]

68. That's my favorite, too...

along with "Mary's Prayer" by Danny Wilson.

[dorktv]

27. Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen.

Yeah it was in the movie Donnie Darko but I love that song.

Also One Night in Bangkok by Murray Head.

[NewHampshireDem]

29. I was gonna put "One Night in Bangkok" in my post, too

I absolutely love that song ... "I'd let you watch, I would invite you, but the queens we use would not excite you." Ha ha! Great lyrics. Have you heard the rest of the musical?

[salvorhardin]

31. Best musical concept album ever!

Chess (the original concept album) is one of my favorite albums ever in any genre. Showed off the absolute genius (genius I tell you!) of Benny Anderssen and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA, as well as Tim Rice's brilliant lyrics. Best tune off that album (at least for the lyrics though the music is great too) is Anthem.

No man, no madness
Though their sad power may prevail
Can possess, conquer, my country's heart
They rise to fail
She is eternal
Long before nations' lines were drawn
When no flags flew, when no armies stood
My land was born

And you ask me why I love her
Through wars, death and despair
She is the constant, we who don't care
And you ask me would I leave her-but how?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now

How can I leave her?
Where would I start?
Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart
My land's only borders lie around my heart

[dorktv]

35. No!

I was unaware there was a musical but I love the song.

[shawmut]

53. Anyone remember the other version of that song?

There were two versions of "One Night in Bangkok" out at the same time ... the other was by a female singer named Robey.

[Placebo]

33. One of the greatest songs ever.

Mmm, I love me some 'drifty' 80's new wave.

[Kellanved]

32. Udo Lindenberg: "Sonderzug nach Pankow"

An appeal to let the artist perform in the GDR, dung to the melody of "Chattanooga Choo Choo".

[jus_the_facts]

36. Heavy Metal Love ~ Helix.......listen here.....

....click the last speaker on the right! :headbang:
http://planethelix.com/Albums/Album03.htm

[tXr]

39. More 80's...

'Stone Cold', 'All Night Long' - Rainbow
'In My House' - Mary Jane Girls
'Love Plus One' - Haircut 100
'Fantasy' - Aldo Nova
'I Am a Camera', 'Living In The Plastic Age' - The Buggles
'Kids In America' - Kim Wilde
'Losing You' - Uptown (a techno/disco version of the Temptations/ Rod Stewart song, released around 86-87.)
anything by The Judys! :silly: (local Houston band so might not count, early to mid 80s, very new wave!)

[NewHampshireDem]

41. Ahh ... the memories ...

"Love plus one" is one of my favs.

Do you remember the cheesy video for "Fantasy"? All I can recall is the helicopter on the roof and the guy with the guitar using it to laser the lock on the door. :)

[Zomby Woof]

40. I remember that video on MTV

Back when the song was new, and MTV played videos. "Don't pay the ferry man... 'til you get to the other side!" :D

My favorite, "One Known Soldier", by the Allen Collins Band, 1983. Written for a friend of the band's who died in the barracks bombing in Lebanon. Fuck Reagan.

(their album "Here, There, & Back" sold all 250,000 copies that were issued on vinyl and eventually CD, so it isn't as obscure as many might think)

[gollygee]

43. Laid by James

This bed is on fire
With passionate love
The neighbours complain about the noises above
But she only comes when she's on top

My therapist said not to see you no more
She said you?re like a disease without any cure
She said I?m so obsessed that I'm becoming a bore, oh no
Ah, you think you?re so pretty

Caught your hand inside the till
Slammed your fingers in the door
Fought with kitchen knives and skewers
Dressed me up in womens clothes
Messed around with gender roles
Dye my eyes and call me pretty

Moved out of the house, so you moved next door
I locked you out, you cut a hole in the wall
I found you sleeping next to me, I thought I was alone
You?re driving me crazy, when are you coming home

[NewHampshireDem]

46. Great obscure tune ... but wrong decade

:(
It certainly does have a New Wave feel to it, though. The first time I heard it I actually thought it was an 80's tune, too, that I had somehow missed.


http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3ckcu3qgan7k

[gollygee]

49. Wow I thought it was from when I was in high school

My memory isn't that great, obviously. LOL thanks for the info.

[Jade Fox]

47. "Look of Love" by ABC, "What Is Love" by ??

[NewHampshireDem]

50. Haddaway ... 1993!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

54. Howard Jones

[Zomby Woof]

48. Goin' Back to Ritzville

Mudhoney, 1989. Was released as a single, but appeared later in the 90's on their "Piece Of Cake" album. But it counts!

[luzdeluna]

51. "I wanna be adored"

By the Stone Roses ( but only when I was really high )

Luz

[tXr]

52. MORE 80s in no particular order...

'Walking On Sunshine' - Katrina and the Waves
'Hazy Shade Of Winter' - The Bangles, still played occasionally on the local 80s station
'Heart And Soul' - T'Pau
'Shattered Dreams' - Johnny Hates Jazz
'Rumors' - Timex Social Club, became Club Nouveau and released cover version of Bill Withers' 'Lean On Me'
'Ah! Leah!' - Donnie Iris
'Take Off' - Bob and Doug McKenzie :silly: :beer:
'867-5309/Jenny' - Tommy Tutone
'One Thing Leads To Another', 'Saved By Zero', 'Red Skies At Night' - The Fixx
'Turning Japanese' - The Vapors
'Why Me' - Planet P
'Puttin' On The Ritz' - Taco
'Weird Science' - Oingo Boingo
'Paranoimia' - The Art Of Noise
'Black Cars' - Gino Vannelli
'Eye In The Sky', 'Time' - Alan Parsons Project
'Gloria' - Laura Brannigan
'Words', 'Destination Unknown', 'Mental Hopscotch' - Missing Persons
'Happy Birthday' - Altered Images
'Driving My Life Away', 'I Love A Rainy Night' - Eddie Rabbitt
'Genius Of Love' - Tom Tom Club
'Theme From "The Greatest American Hero" (Believe It Or Not)' - Joey Scarbury
'Suddenly Last Summer', 'Only The Lonely', 'Take The L' - The Motels
'Axel F' - Harold Faltermeyer
'Party All The Time' - Eddie Murphy
'Steppin Out', 'Mad At You' - Joe Jackson
'Into The Night' - Benny Mardones
'Theme From S Express' - S Express (early techno)
'Pump Up The Volume' - M/A/R/R/S

[Kat45]

57. British band called Department S had 3 great singles;

"Is Vic There?"
"Going Left Right"
"I Want" (which included the line "I want a Mini Cooper"--I didn't know what the fuck that was way back then)

I loved these three singles, and they were the only songs I'd ever heard by the band. Never knew anything at all about the band, except that they were British.

[shawmut]

58. A bunch of my favorite obscure 80's songs:

"19" - Paul Hardcastle
"Cry" - Godley and Creme
"Teardrops" - Womack and Womack
"I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" - Cherrelle
"A Fine Fine Day" - Tony Carey
"Don't Look Any Further" - Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett
"Deep In Vouge" - Malcolm McLaren
"Wordy Rappinghood" - Tom Tom Club
"Anchorage" - Michelle Shocked
"Don't Answer Me" - Alan Parsons Project (I remember this song having the first animated video on MTV back in 1984)
"Someone, Somewhere, in Summertime" - Simple Minds
"Under The Milky Way" - The Church
"Leave It" - Yes
"Silent Morning" - Noel
"The Promise" - When In Rome
"Just Got Lucky - Joeboxers
"State of the Nation" - Industry
"Digging Your Scene" - Blow Monkeys
"Stand or Fall" - The Fixx
"Change" - Tears For Fears
"Love Is A Stranger" - Eurythmics
"Pleasure and Pain" - Divinyls
"Ship of Fools" - World Party

[69KV]

59. Here's more

"Steal Away" and "Hot Rod Hearts", Robbie Dupree
"Cars", Gary Numan
"We Live For Love", Pat Benatar. Her one good song IMO.
"Pilot of the Airwaves", Charlie Dore
"Don't Misunderatand Me", Rossington-Collins Band
"Fly Away" and "Train Train", Blackfoot
"Sweetheart", Frankie and the Knockouts
"Sausalito Summernight", Diesel
"Nicole", Point Blank
"My Girl (Gone Gone Gone)", Chilliwack
"The Fanatic", Felony
"Too Shy", Kajagoogoo
"Slipping Away", Dave Edmunds
"Whirly Girl", Oxo
"China", Red Rockers - commie band from New Orleans had a pop hit!
"A Million Miles Away", Plimsouls
"Caught in the Game", Survivor. Their one good song IMO.
"It's My Life" and "Life's What You Make It", Talk Talk
"Had A Dream (Sleeping with the enemy)", Roger Hodgson
"Go For Soda", Kim Mitchell
"19", Paul Hardcastle i-i-i-i-in Vietnam he was 19...
"Election Day", Arcadia
"Sun City", Artists United Against Apartheid
"Perfect Way", Scritti Politti
"Let's Go All The Way", Sly Fox
"Press", Paul McCartney. The only good thing he did in the 80s IMHO
"Welcome to the Boomtown", David & David
"Dominoes", Robbie Nevil
"Something Real (Inside Me/Inside You)", Mr. Mister
"Don't Shed A Tear", Paul Carrack
"System of Survival", Earth Wind & Fire (where is the money? the president has yet to address the issue of, money...)
"Kiss and Tell", Bryan Ferry
"Breakaway", Big Pig
"Praying to a New God", Wang Chung, great slam at televangelists
"What I Am", Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
"Sowing the Seeds of Love", Tears for Fears
"Touch Me Tonight", Shooting Star

There, I think that about covers it....
100% certified free of Billy Joel and hair metal.

[carpetbagger]

61. "Old and Wise" Alan Parsons...

"Out of the Blue" David Gilmour

The recent re-birth of 80's format radio means that a lot of what I'd call obscure no longer is off the radio. But the one thing I haven't seen or heard in a while is the "Two Tribes" video by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, the one with Reagan and Chernenko mud wrestling. I didn't particularly enjoy it when it was on the radio all the time, but I miss the video.

Also, "Do It Again" by the Kinks seems to have been lost to the FM dial.

[MikeG]

62. O Superman by Laurie Anderson.

[NewHampshireDem]

63. You guys rock!

:toast:

You came up with so many good songs, many of which I had forgotten about. The 80's was truly the BEST decade for music ... though I readily admit it was also the WORST--can anyone say "hair bands" and "Stryper"?

Keep the list going!

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

64. Home of the Brave, by The Nails, 1984, I think...

...from their "Mood Swing" album. Interesting band.

[NightTrain]

76. Remember "88 Lines About 44 Women?"

Rhoda, Turkish, liked to fuck while wearing leather biker boots!

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

65. Whitte China...Ultravox?

that was the band, but not sure about the title?

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

66. Lunatic Fringe, Red Ryder

....at least I think it was the 80s...

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

67. Hothouse Flowers,,.,,(this is late 80s)....Dont Go...

..from their People album.

Actually everything from that album is good, but obsucre.

[NewHampshireDem]

71. "We all know you're out there ..."

It was certainly in the 80's ... I think it was like 12 or so when it came out. I remember being in the van (yes, *the van*) driving to pick up my step-father who worked 2nd shift. We were driving down this windy backroad--which we had driven a million times--at like 11:00 at night and that song came on the radio. It just totally freaked me out. It was a full moon and I had this idea that like monsters or something were gonna drop out of the trees over the road.

Well, I had an overactive imagination ... what can I say? :shrug:

I haven't thought about that song in years.

[kutastha]

69. Some random stuff

"Private Revolution" - World Party
"Private Future" - Love and Rockets
"House" - Psych Furs
"Tomorrow Wendy" - Concrete Blonde
"Glad I'm Not a Kennedy" - Shona Laing
"The Exploding Boy" - The Cure
"Inside Out" - Mighty Lemon Drops
"Complusion" - Martin L. Gore
"Party's Fall" - Siouxsie & the Banshees
"Stop this Car" - The Woodentops
"Temple of Love" - Sisters of Mercy
"It Won't Be Long" - Alison Moyet
"She Brakes for Rainbows" - B52s
"Self!" - Fuzzbox
"Stay" - OMD

[The Great Escape]

70. Haircut 100...Love Plus One....

Squeeze- Hourglass
Oran Juice Jones- The Rain
Poco- Call It Love
The Call- The Walls Came Down


Just a few off the top of my head

[whalerider55]

74. Haircut 100 redux

actually, i've always loved Lemon Fire Brigade- saw them during their only tour in musta been 1982, at a club in Buffalo, NY- they played everything on their album, and when they came out for two encores, they played thye same stuff again- not ready for prime time, i guess, but they were wonderful fun to listen to.

whalerider55

[rednek_Liberal]

72. Life in a Northern Town from The Dream Academy...

Probably because it doesent involve a Drum Machine and weak keyboard licks. I hate all that wannabe funky shite.

[BlueHandDuo]

77. East of Eden's Gate

Billy Thorpe, 1982.

[rednek_Liberal]

75. Rock Me Amadaeus... By Falco

Ok I did like Some new wavy stuff...

Red Rain -Peter Gabriel ( I still listen to alot of Gabriel, Especially Passion( not the Gibson Kind).
Beds are Burning- Midnight Oil
Epic-Faith No More
Punks not Dead- The Exploited
All of the Replacements songs
Land of Rape and Honey -Ministry
Many songs by Joy Division that I can't remember names to.
Bizarre Love Triangle -New Order
Getting Away with it- Electronic
Mea Culpa- Enigma

[LanternWaste]

78. Wild Weekend by NRBQ

Wild Weekend by NRBQ

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

79. 1980 "Hot Rod Hearts" by Robbie Dupree

I think it's a better tune than the much overplayed "Steal Away" and now is virtually never heard on the radio. I guess I liked the words of the tune and its nostalgic feel. I don't recall very many 1980's tunes that I enjoyed listening to but this is one of the rare ones.

[kcr]

80. "The Man's Too Strong"

By Dire Straights. Not only are the lyrics and music great, but the singer does a great job of conveying character through his voice. He sings with just the right mix of desperation and arrogance in his voice, and it really makes the song work.

[bookfreak]

81. "Street of Dreams" by Rainbow

I have to get that someday. I also like "We Live for Love" by Pat Benetar. She's not obscure of course, but that wasn't one of her chart toppers.

[NewHampshireDem]

82. Rainbow ... I remember the song

The band though ... were they kinda like Journey wannabes, or am I thinking of someone else?

[hinachan]

84. 99 Luftballons by Nena

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich?
Dann singe ich ein Lied für zich
Von neun-und-neunzig Luftballons
Auf Ihrem weg im Horizont....

So touching to hear a peace song sung in German, a language so sadly maligned by Hitler and his ilk. And the ending was so chilling:

99 Jahre Krieg
Liessen keine Platz für Sieger
Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr
Und auch keine Düsenflieger
Heute zieh ich meine Runden
Seh' die Welt in Trümmern liegen
Hab' 'nen Luftballon gefunden
Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen....