80s Music

[Eel Snave]

So one of the huge gaps in my music appreciation is the 80s. I mean, I have never heard Thriller, and as far as I know I've never even heard a song by Prince. I'm pretty versed in the 50-70's, and 90's-00's, but dang if I know nothing about 80's music and I'd like to rectify that.

Here's what I've heard so far:

A little Michael Jackson (like "Billie Jean")
The Replacements: "Tim"
ESG: "Come Away With ESG"
Bruce Springsteen: "Born In the USA"
Some songs by The Outfield

That's pretty much it. So with that being said, if I want to get a picture of 80's music, where should I start? For example, I know I should listen to Thriller, but where do I start with Prince? Anyone I'm overlooking that I shouldn't?

[Isgrimnur]

Huey Lewis and the News.
Peter Gabriel

[Alefroth]

There is an enormous amount of good music from just about every genre. It's really one of the most diverse decades of music I can think of.

I'd suggest one of the 80's stations of the music streaming services as a start. Do you have a predilection for any particular genre?

Ale

[CeeKay]

Van Halen
MC Hammer (gotta get the cheese in too)
Poison
Skid Row
Warrant
Guns N Roses
Def Leppard
Beastie Boys
Bon Jovi
Duran Duran
Escape Club
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Motley Crue
The Cure
Quiet Riot
The Clash
Social Distortion
Robert Palmer

[Alefroth]

U2
Husker Du
Dead Kennedys
Circle Jerks
Joy Division
The Plimsouls
Modern English
The Police
The Pretenders
Blondie
The Motels
TSOL
Oingo Boingo
The Cars
Talking Heads
Iron Maiden
The Scorpions
Adam Ant
Siouxsie and the Banshees
The Minutemen
R.E.M.
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Echo and the Bunnymen
X
The Smiths
New Order
Camper van Beethoven
The Violent Femmes
Wall of Voodoo
The Pixies

and many, many more.

Ale

[CeeKay]

wow, mine was just off the top of my head and meant to be continued but I can't believe I forgot U2 in the first batch!

[Alefroth]

That's ok, I forgot The Clash, but then saw you had it 

Ale

[Kagath]

Dire Straits

[Eel Snave]

Snap, I forgot to mention the Talking Heads. I love Fear of Music and Remain in Light.

Also, I dig "Paul's Boutique" by the Beastie Boys.

OK, so let's break it down a little further. Which album should I start with for these artists?

Prince
The Clash
Adam Ant
Peter Gabriel
The Smiths
Joy Division
The Police

[Kagath]

I've discovered some 80s stuff that I haven't heard in forever and a couple new ones (to me at least) by using the Last.FM on Xbox Live. Set it to the 80s channel and write down the ones you like.

It's free with Gold Live.

[Zinfan]

You could try some movie sound tracks like
Romey and Michelles High School Reunion or
Grosse Point Blank

A-HA
Culture Club
Go-Go's
Bananarama
Tears for Fears
Kenny Loggins
Cyndi Lauper
Early Madonna
Devo
Bangles
Til Tuesday
REO Speedwagon (Hi Infidelity album)

One song that I seem to really associate with the 80's is "Maniac" by Michael Sembello from the movie FlashDance

[Zinfan]

I was curious about the soundtrack from Flashdance and found more 80's artists

Irene Cara
Kim Carnes
Joan Jett
Laura Branigan

and all these girls remind me also of
Bonnie Tyler

[metallicorphan]

when i think of 80s music i think of The Breakfast Club,obviously Simple Minds with Don't You (forget about me)

In fact John Hughes Films of the 80s always have great soundtracks





it was a great decade of music,which i didn't appreciate at the time(perhaps because of the way they all dressed),as i was only young and more interested in Star Wars and Thundercats

[rickfc]

Depends on your tastes, but you shouldn't pass up 80's Metallica

Master of Puppets
...And Justice For All
Ride the Lightning
Kill'em All

In that order

Also Megadeth:

Rust in Peace
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?
Killing is My Business...And Business is Good
So Far, So Good...So What!

[metallicorphan]

Just been talking about this song and realised that it belongs right here


John Farnham-Your The Voice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oawfn73Va6M


has a kind of 80s Bon Jovi feel to it

and don't worry,that youtube video has lyrics so you can sing along when no one is about 

[Purge]

wow, mine was just off the top of my head and meant to be continued but I can't believe I forgot U2 in the first batch!

I was shocked too. Alefroth had you covered though.

I'm also shocked that these haven't been listed:

INXS
Nine Inch Nails (PHM was in 89)
Whitesnake
Queen
Sonic Youth
Tom Petty
George Thorogood
Stevie Ray Vaughn
The Beastie Boys
Electric Light Orchestra

[Booner]

Duran Duran's "Rio"

I didn't appreciate it at the time, but I think deserves a listen.

[Purge]

Chris Issak's "Wicked Game"
George Michael's "Careless Whisper"
Boy George / Culture Club "Karma Chameleon"
The 5 INXS "Kick" singles charted, and three of them climbed to above #5 in the US billboard Top 100. (one got to #1)

[Gratch]

A few that I would consider classics on the more "extreme" side of 80's music:

-  Death
-  Skinny Puppy
-  Bad Religion
-  Possessed
-  Slayer
-  Venom
-  Frontline Assembly
-  Christian Death
-  Bauhaus
-  Dead Can Dance
-  Joy Division
-  Sisters of Mercy
-  The Pixies
-  Mission UK
-  Morbid Angel
-  Dead Kennedys
-  Early Metallica (oddly, I never got into Megadeth much)


I've also always had a soft spot for Oingo Boingo and Men Without Hats, for some reason.  Also, David Bowie, with a caveat:  "Scary Monsters" Bowie, not "Let's Dance" Bowie (even though I still love "Labyrinth" Bowie)

[Gratch]

Prince
The Clash
Adam Ant
Peter Gabriel
The Smiths
Joy Division
The Police

I know it's sort of "cheating", but I'd go with Greatest Hits compilations for most of those bands.  Not much into the others, but can attest that "Substance" for Joy Division and "Shaking the Tree" for Peter Gabriel are both superb.

[Purge]

Ministry - Jesus Built My Hotrod
Milli Vanilli - Blame it on the Rain
Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
Tears for Fears - Everybody wants to Rule the World, Shout
Phil Collins solo career was huge in the eighties, starting with "In the Air Tonight".

[PeteRock]

In fact John Hughes Films of the 80s always have great soundtracks...

If we're including soundtracks, then the following cannot be omitted:

Rocky IV
Beverly Hills Cop
The Blues Brothers
Flashdance
Footloose
Top Gun
Purple Rain

[McNutt]

How the hell am I the first guy to mention Journey or Hall and Oates?

If you want to branch into country music you should start with Alabama, Ronnie Milsap and George Strait.

[Purge]

Well, I for one stopped believing.

[McNutt]

That's fine.  I'll be alright without you.

[Alefroth]

Snap, I forgot to mention the Talking Heads. I love Fear of Music and Remain in Light.

Also, I dig "Paul's Boutique" by the Beastie Boys.

OK, so let's break it down a little further. Which album should I start with for these artists?

Prince
The Clash
Adam Ant
Peter Gabriel
The Smiths
Joy Division
The Police

1999
Give 'em Enough Rope (London Calling close second, but I think GeER is tighter and more focused)
Friend or Foe
Security
Meat is Murder
Closer
Can't choose between Zenyatta Mondatta or Ghost in the Machine

They're not 80's, but Talking Heads: 77 and More Songs About Buildings and Food are both superb.

Ale

[Gratch]

Ministry - Jesus Built My Hotrod

While a great song, it's not exactly 80's...released in 1991.

If you want some actual 80's-era Ministry, go with either Stigmata or Thieves (my personal fave)

[Devil]

...I've never even heard a song by Prince

You should be punched until you are liquid.

 

Purple Rain Soundtrack

[Biyobi]

Depeche Mode had some awesome music in the 80s.

[CeeKay]

Prince
The Clash
Adam Ant
Peter Gabriel
The Smiths
Joy Division
The Police

I know it's sort of "cheating", but I'd go with Greatest Hits compilations for most of those bands.  Not much into the others, but can attest that "Substance" for Joy Division and "Shaking the Tree" for Peter Gabriel are both superb.

Greatest Hits can also be a good jumping off point to get into bands if you don't mind getting duplicates of songs.

[CeeKay]

I can think of only one song by him, but that song by Stan Bush is a must for geeks.

[Kagath]

Depeche Mode had some awesome music in the 80s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwyEr_ZcrOk

I can think of only one song by him, but that song by Stan Bush is a must for geeks.

Chuck fans also like it I bet.

[kratz]

How has nobody mentioned Men at Work?  That seems like such a total 80s thing...

[rittchard]

but where do I start with Prince?

Purple Rain soundtrack was probably his most career-defining work.  My guess is you've at least heard some of the songs somewhere but didn't necessarily know it.  When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U, Purple Rain, Let's Go Crazy - pretty much the entire album is excellent.

The one before that (1999) has 3 absolute classics and some might argue is a better album:  Delirious, 1999 and Little Red Corvette

Another song I'd be shocked if you hadn't heard before in some form: Kiss!

[kratz]

Husker Du
Dead Kennedys
Circle Jerks
Joy Division (he died in 1980, so they don't really count)
The Police
The Pretenders
The Cars
Iron Maiden
The Minutemen
X

Ale

You had some good stuff on your list... I cut it down to the ones I also give a thumbs up to... though it's not really representative of mainstream 80s stuff for the most start, there was a TON of awesome underground stuff.

I would add to the list of great 80s off the grid music:

Black Flag
Meat Puppets
Minor Threat
Slayer (Hell Awaits, Reign in Blood, Seasons in the Abyss (ok, ok, 1990 is pushing it)
Roky Erickson - The Evil One
Bad Religion - Suffer
Warlock Pinchers

And how about Tom Petty?  He's really in every year, but there was some good stuff in the 80s.

Dire Straits? That's pretty damn 80s.

[Purge]

Toto
Tiffany

[CeeKay]

here's a Prince song you may have heard:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Bj_So1PuA

and another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkRJQOITi-4

[Laner]

Prince has a superb "Greatest Hits" collection entitled "The Hits/The B-sides".  That plus "Purple Rain" in it's entirety, and you're pretty much set as far as his 80s material goes.  "Sign O The Times" is considered one of his seminal works, but it's not a good introduction to his stuff, IMO.

I'd add to the other artists listed so far:

Foreigner - "4" or "Records"

Hughes Thrall - "Hughes Thrall" (virtually unknown, but it's well-do early 80s pop rock - similar to Billy Idol)

Chicago - "17" is their best known album from that era, but everything from 16 through 19 is good.

Michael Jackson - "Off The Wall"  ("Thriller" is a given, but Off The Wall is excellent in it's own right)

ZZ Top - "Eliminator"

[Soulchilde]

Prince and The Revolution  - Is the 80"s iteration
Rick James
Madonna - didn't see her I don't think
Luther Vandross
Stevie Wonder
Tears for Fears
The Police
Bon Jovi
Run-DMC
AeroSmith
Tina Turner
Pattie LaBelle
S.O.S Band
The Gap Band
INXS
Tears for Fears
The Thompson Twins
ZZ Tops


Any Soundtracks from the following movies
Footloose
Top Gun
Rocky
Breakfast Club
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Something Wonderful
Say Anything
Purple Rain
Weird Science

[Purge]

Prince and The Revolution  - Is the 80"s iteration
Rick James
Madonna - didn't see her I don't think
Luther Vandross
Stevie Wonder
Tears for Fears
The Police
Bon Jovi
Run-DMC
AeroSmith
Tina Turner
Pattie LaBelle
S.O.S Band
The Gap Band
INXS
Tears for Fears
The Thompson Twins
ZZ Tops


Any Soundtracks from the following movies
Footloose
Top Gun
Rocky
Breakfast Club
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Something Wonderful
Say Anything
Purple Rain
Weird Science

Looks like SOMEONE wants to rule the world.