Song title: Danger Zone
Artist: Kenny Loggins
Year: 1986
Why I like this song:
Some songs just make you feel like a badass
It's doubtful that this song will ever not be associated with the movie Top Gun. But personally I find it a useful song to have when you're roaring down the highway - of course my car will never be an F-14 but close enough XD
Song title: Ghost Town
Artist: The Specials
Year: 1981
Why I like this song:
In talking about Eighties songs there are three perspectives at work: That of myself as a child, that of myself as a teenager and that of myself as a adult. And this song represents how each perspective can work on a song. Child me didn't know of it, Teenager me didn't know what to make of it but Adult me came to appreciate it.
As for the song itself, it's effective at tackling subjects like unemployment, poverty and de-urbansiation and makes it sound like a horror movie. And it still sound relevant now
Song title: What a Feeling
Artist: Irene Cara
Year: 1983
Why I like this song:
Can't say I've seen the movie but I do know when I hear something I like.
So what makes this song special? A lot may rest on the shoulders of one Giorgio Moroder delivering the goods as producer. But in the end this is a slice of irresistible eighties pop and it does it's job with flair
Song title: Mickey
Artist: Toni Basil
Year: 1981
Why I like this song:
Believe it or not this song has a particular resonance for me as it was number one on the Australian charts the week i was born - and that was enough to secure a position on this list.
Some people might think this song is annoying and obnoxious but to those people i say: RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!!!
Original video located here. Accessed 1st November 2022
Song title: Hotta
Artist: Sky
Year: 1980
Why I like this song:
It may surprise some people but my father had an influence on my tastes in music. Indeed, i credit my interest in the Beatles, Celtic folk and classical music to my Dad. However, the returning of the favor has yet to happen (he said through gritted teeth).
But I digress: Among the list of musical acts that my father got me into there was also this: Sky. A band made up of British and Australian personnel, who enjoyed success in both countries. Some say their success was the last hurrah for the prog rock that defined the seventies and who am i to argue with such an assessment?
As for the song: I am a sucker for a great instrumental and this one delivers. Also, the song shows off the musicianship these guys have and everyone gets to solo.
Song title: A View to a Kill
Artist: Duran Duran
Year: 1985
Why I like this song:
Duran Duran was, for most people, they pretty much defined much of the sound, and image, of the 1980s. Personally, when i was a kid, I knew little of Duran Duran beyond them being something of a joke: By the time I caught up to them, the tools that gave them their success looked like very old news. The videos, the synthesizers, the clothes and the make-up and a sensation amongst the teens that would make the boy bands of the late 90s/early 2000s envious.
Getting past that however, Duran Duran did have some great songs at their disposal so i went with this one: The theme to the James Bond of the same name. Yes this song plays to their strengths - big drums, prominent bass, and the synthesizers - but it's the fact that it's a Bond theme pushes it over the edge. And as a result it can hold it's held high as being one of the best Bond themes.
Song title: Sounds of Then
Artist: GANGgajang
Year: 1985
Why I like this song:
I've always felt that the eighties were a golden era for Australian pop music so expect a lot more to come.
As for the song, well it's summer anthem. It perfectly illustrates the Australian summer both lyrically and musically (it's amazing what a delay pedal can do). I have enjoyed listening every summer and I anticipate to keep on doing so with more summers to come.