A Child of the 80s
As many of you know, by day, I’m a teacher to hormonally-charged little people (12 year olds). A few years back, I was trying to think of a fun way to incorporate music into my American history class. My husband came up with a great idea: The Song of the Day. As the kids enter my room when they change classes, I play a song from whatever decade they’re studying. In the 1920’s, we played “Yes, Sir, That’s My Baby” and “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue.” During WWII, we listened to Glenn Miller, and the Andrews Sisters.
But now, we’ve reached my decade: the 1980s. I am gleefully rubbing my hands together, figuring out which songs accurately depict the greatest decade of music EVER. I spent tonight burning a CD of possible songs. I have to choose only 6. But which ones? Which 6 songs can possibly be the perfect 1980s songs? It was like trying to choose between my children.
At last, I narrowed it down to nineteen. There were more, but I ran out of space on the CD. In any case, here are some of my top 1980s favorite songs. Which ones would you choose? Or, which songs were your favorite songs growing up?
Here are some of my top favorites, in no particular order:
Mickey by Toni Basil
Whip It by Devo
Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield
867-5309 by Tommy Tutone
Maneater by Hall & Oates
Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
Africa by Toto
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
Major Tom by Peter Schilling
In a Big Country by Big Country
Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
Maniac by Michael Sembello
Mr. Roboto by Styx
Man in Motion by John Parr
Life in a Northern Town by the Dream Academy
We Built this City by Starship
Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer
Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles
Venus by Bananarama
Wild Wild West by the Escape Club
Michelle posted in Writing @ 8:53 pm | Viewed 681 times
Amy K. Says:
Ack! You don’t ask for much!
My favorites would probably be different from what I think were most defining of the 80s. I’ll go with most defining since I think that’s what you’re looking for:
Mickey
Thriller
Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Mr. Roboto
Karma Chamelion
Maneater
What a fun idea!
Rene Says:
This is a pretty good list. I would add something from, say, the English Beat. I was Mod myself, so I listened to a lot of ska. I think you should include “Our Lips Are Sealed” by the GoGo’s. They were pretty important as an 80’s band and certainly paved the way for many of our female artists today.
I like Amy’s list although I would replace “Mr. Roboto” with “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Maneater” with “Whip It.”
Oh,Bowie was big so was my true love, Adam Ant. But I think Bowie’s stuff in the 70’s was more important.
Christine Keach Says:
I’d definitely include:
1.Jessie’s Girl (I still get the giggles when I hear a Rick Springfield song or see a picture of him!) 2.Hungry Like The Wolf
3.Girls Just Want to Have Fun
4.Thriller (Cause even though he’s on trial, he had a HUGE impact on music)
5.Mickey
6. Karma Chameleon
MaryF Says:
Well, for a definitive list, I say you definitely have to have Thriller, the Go Gos, Boy George, Cyndi Lauper, the Bangles, Duran Duran, Devo and 867-5309. My personal list would nont include Mr. Roboto or Africa or We Built This City, and I don’t remember Dream Academy. I would add INXS’s The One Thing, Adam and the Ants, Madonna, The Clash’s Rock the Casbah, B-52s, Prince and U2.
I love your blog, by the way!
Michelle Says:
Oh, I love the Go-Go’s. Especially “Vacation.” And “Our Lips are Sealed” is great, too!
Michelle Says:
MaryF–thanks!
Dream Academy wasn’t a huge group, but I love Life in Northern Town. It’s what I call the Hey-a-ma-ma-ma song. That’s in the chorus, anyway. It’s fun.
You know who I forgot? Billy Idol!:confused: We can’t forget “Cradle of Love” or “White Wedding.”
Tori Says:
Ooooh!!! *squeal* My favorite decade of music! :crazyjumping: Though that isn’t when I was growing up. I was in my 20s.
I’d go with:
1. Jessie’s Girl
2. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
3. Hungry Like a Wolf
4. Walk Like an Egyptian
5. Rebel Yell
6. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Tori Says:
Oh! Forgot about Bon Jovi! Def Leppard! Though you might not want to play Pour Some Sugar On Me to your class.
kacey Says:
Man, I’m old. I was working a tonofhours during the 80’s…I don’t even REMEMBER all of these songs. But I wouldn’t do Michael Jackson just because. That’s all I’ll say on that
This is a really cool idea though. You’re such a creative teacher!
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Walk LIke an Egyptian
Maniac
Axel F
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Hungry Like the Wolf
Thriller (For the reasons Christine stated)
Although really, six just isn’t enough
LauraP Says:
Hungry Like the Wolf - now you’ve done it. Must swipe the Duran Duran CDs back from my daughter.
Excellent teaching method, too. I loved the teachers my kids had who did these kinds of things to integrate other aspects and disciplines. Art & geometry, history & music, etc. Life is integrated.
Suzanne Says:
I love all 80s music so I could NEVER choose!!!!!!
Jill Says:
Oh, you’re brought me back!!!
Crystal* Says:
MUST. HAVE. BON JOVI.
Geez. I loved ALL the ones on your list. But I also had that “hair band” thing going on. You know, Poison, Whitesnake, Warrant, etc. I have this lovely 3 CD set of 80’s music. Then we’ve got the soundtracks, such as “Footloose” and “Dirty Dancing.” OMG! :crazyjumping: I can’t get enough!
Grins*
Michelle Says:
Oh, the Hair bands! Yes.
Did any of you guys hear that recent song called “1985″? I forget who it’s by (Bowling for Soup or something weird like that??), but it makes me laugh. It has that chorus:
“It’s like Springsteen, Madonna, way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie, music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
She’s still preoccupied
With 19-19-1985.”
Steph T. Says:
I. Love. 80’s. Music.
Can’t choose, but I’m headed upstairs right now to play some 80’s music. Loud.:wave:
8675309….:rotfl:
Sasha Says:
Mickey by Toni Basil
Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield
Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
We Built this City by Starship
Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer
Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles
Venus by Bananarama
Wild Wild West by the Escape Club
OKay, thats the best I coudl do. 9 Songs. Someof which bring back SUCH memories!! :confused2:
MaryF Says:
ACK! Billy Idol was one of the concerts I went to, also. Michelle, you did a great job describing the Dream Academy song - I know just which one you’re talking about now.
Margery Scott Says:
Ack! I don’t even recognize some of these titles. I was too busy in the 80’s to listen to much music, and my boys were more into heavy metal - Ozzie, Guns N Roses, etc.
What a great teacher you are! I wish there were more like you.
Crystal* Says:
Michelle: Yes! Bowling for Soup sings that. My kids know ALL the words. They don’t understand the references, but I LOVE IT!
When DID Motley Crue become classic rock? LMAO
Grins*