Readers' Poll: The 10 Worst Songs of the 1980s

rolling stone ^ | 10/6/2011 | Andy Greene

[SoFloFreeper]

A few weeks ago we asked our readers to vote for their least favorite songs from the 1990s, so it was the obvious next move to dial it back 10 years and see what you guys hated in the 1980s. The results are sure to infuriate a lot of people. For the record, I personally disagree with most of these selections. In fact, I love a lot of these songs...

10. Rick Astley - 'Never Gonna Give You Up'...

9. Taco - 'Puttin' On The Ritz'...

8. Toni Basil - 'Mickey'...

7. Bobby McFerrin - 'Don't Worry Be Happy'...

6. Falco - 'Rock Me Amadeus'...

5. Men Without Hats - 'The Safety Dance'...

4. Wham! - 'Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go)'....

3. Chris de Burgh - 'Lady In Red'....

2. Europe - 'The Final Countdown'...

1. Starship - 'We Built This City'...

[dfwgator]

What, no David Bowie/Mick Jagger "Dancing in the Streets"?

The gay was strong with that one.

[Kazan]

I hated 4 and 7 when they came out so I have no problem with them being on the list. But Mickey is a classic.

[lodi90]

Oh God, Jack and Diane, I smashed a radio playing that song once, it was just the most retarded song I ever heard in my life.

---

You might want to keep your radio off since there is a new country song that heavily samples Jack & Diane. It’s been playing a lot here in Jacksonville.

[Fiji Hill]

Anyone that says good music stopped before the 80s or 90s is just a fuddy duddy.

Then I must be a fuddy duddy. I only like a handful of 80s songs and even fewer 90s songs. As for the 21st century, I doubt if I can even name five songs. In my opinion, the only decent music of past several decades is movie music.

My favorite decade for popular songs is the 20s, followed by the 30s.

[Bodleian_Girl]

I loved Tusk.

[FreedomOfExpression]

3. Chris de Burgh - 'Lady In Red'
For my wife and me, it is "our" song. Okay, since you're twisting my arm, here's the story:
Not long after we began dating, one of my best friends was engaged and about to get married. So I invited her to come to the wedding with me.
The day arrived, and she showed up in a pretty red dress that she sewed herself. She had always lived in rural areas or in small towns, so that's what she was used to.
During the reception, we danced to that song. It fit perfectly and that night was the turning point in our relationship. I found out later that my friend pulled her aside and told her not to play games. If she was serious to let me know.
We've been married for almost 28 years now.
BTW, she sewed her wedding dress as well. Nothing extremely fancy, but beautiful.

[FreedomOfExpression]

I invited my girlfriend at the time to the wedding. I need to proofread more.

[Fiji Hill]

# 1. To me is Don’t Worry Be Happy.

Alamo rent-a-car once used that as the music they play when you call them and they put you on hold. This is one of the reasons that Enterprise is now my first choice when I need to rent a car.

[Bikkuri]

I had a really strange dream last night (didn’t remember it until you mentioned vinyl)..

In my old bedroom (which was extended by about 100 feet), I had 100s of boxes of vinyl records that I wanted to hide so no one would steal them.. lol

[Bonemaker]

“Hah! I was on work trip to Minneapolis. Sitting in the bar/lounge of the Holiday inn. This woman comes up to me and asks to dance. Turns out she’s from Australia. It’s a slow song and we talk and dance. The song comes to an end and the band starts playing “Wake Me Up Before...”. People start emptying dance floor. She says, “You want to stay and dance?”. I say, “Sure!”

I’ve had the same dream...always wake up early...damn!

[Bonemaker]

“He sucks on the organ.

“
He sucks the organ.

[Djl3668]

I do too love every song on this list. Every song on this list has memories now that I'm 50. I've seen Rush 8 times, at the time I “disliked” many of these early 80’s MTV vids. The “vids” of course drove the record sales... worst 80 song? Walk Like A Dinosaur. Was that a wedding thing? Even that was better than today's Disney/Rap/Recycled crap. Maybe not but what the hell.

BTW... who is reading Rolling Stone here? Worst political mag next to Vanity Fair, Time and Newsweek!

Best 80’s? Welcome to the Jungle.

[musicman]

My pick would be “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.

The first time I heard it, I swore it sounded familiar.

That’s because it did. It was a total rip-off of “I Wanna New Drug” by Huey Lewis & The News.

Huey played it perfectly and waited ‘till a lot of the money rolled in and then sued the crap out of Ray and won BIG TIME.

[cornfedcowboy]

Happy to be Stuck with You by Hughey Lewis.

[Djl3668]

David Lee Roth killed me with “Living in Paradise”. So bad.

[Bonemaker]

Speaking of Berlin...99 Luft Balloons blew.

[littleharbour]

Hey! Don’t diss the Bangles Babes 😎

[thescourged1]

"Can't fight this feeling anymore" by REO Speedwagon.

Ear and masculinity death.

[Bonemaker]

“You misread. This isn’t a list of the best songs...”

I know. Although a ittle earlier, “Hotel California” ate.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Never heard, ‘Beers for Queers’ but I don’t doubt you, LOL!