15 Surefire Classics from the 1980s

Reading Time: 21 min read

15 Surefire Classics from the 1980s features songs by Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Mtume, Paul McCartney, Prince, and Stephanie Mills.

This playlist, 15 Surefire Classics from the 1980s, is for all you ‘80s babies out there! REPRESENT my peeps! I am a proud ‘80s baby, BUT, disclaimer, I was too young to fully embrace the music at the time… The deal is, I was only three by the time the calendar turned to 1990, being born in September 1986. 1990 ended a special decade of music, comprised of boxy drum programming, the rise of keys and synths, and glammy rock among other things.

15 Surefire Classics from the 1980s, a follow-up to four previous 1980s-themed lists, only scratches the surface of the awesome music recorded, released, and popularized in the era. It would take a million lists to capture all of the greatness. Rather than try to do the impossible, I’m offering a sampling of that greatness, and hopefully, it’s hearty! 15 Surefire Classics from the 1980s features songs by Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Mtume, Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson, Prince, and Stephanie Mills. So, without further ado, let’s take it back to the music of 1980 – 1989, shall we?!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Prince and the Revolution, “Let’s Go Crazy”	2. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick of Time”	3. Yarbrough & Peoples, “Don’t Stop The Music”	4. Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson, “Say Say Say”
5. Diana Ross, “Muscles”	6. Fine Young Cannibals, “She Drives Me Crazy”	7. Cyndi Lauper, “True Colors”	8. Mtume, “Juicy Fruit”
9. Chaka Khan, “I Feel For You”	10. Cameo, “Word Up”	11. Wham! featuring George Michael, “Careless Whisper”	12. Stephanie Mills, “Never Knew Love Like This Before”
13. Lionel Richie, “Say You, Say Me”	14. Queen, “Body Language”	15. Kool & The Gang, “Celebration”

1. Prince and the Revolution, “Let’s Go Crazy”

Purple Rain » NPG / Warner » 1984

“Dearly beloved / We are gathered here today / To get through this thing called ‘life’.” The introduction from “Let’s Go Crazy” is #ICONIC! “Let’s Go Crazy” appears as the opening song from Purple Rain, the epic, 1984 tour de force by Prince and the Revolution. Purple Rain marks the late, great Purple One at his best. “Let’s Go Crazy” sets the tone for the once-in-a-lifetime LP. It spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The detuned keys/synths in the intro of “Let’s Go Crazy” are everything, besides the memorable, spoken word vocals. Additionally, Prince and the Revolution bless us with a killer drum groove, enthusiastic guitar, and a strong bass line. Of course, Prince delivers stellar vocals that are chock-full of personality. The melodies are tuneful throughout, including the verses, pre-chorus (“Are we gonna let de-elevator bring us down? Oh, no, let’s go”), and particularly in the chorus: “Let’s go crazy / Let’s get nuts / Let’s look for the purple banana / Until they put us in the truck, let’s go.” Given Prince’s guitar skills, it should come as no surprise that he delivers an epic guitar solo towards the end. Call it what it is – crazy good! “Let’s Go Crazy” ends on a high note, with a marvelous, bluesy, noisy, rocking outro. One of Prince’s best? You bet!

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

2. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick of Time”

Nick of Time » Capitol » 1989

“I found love, baby / Love in the nick of time.” Comebacks are possible. Bonnie Raitt experienced a significant comeback with her 1989 album, Nick of Time. Following marginal success throughout the 80s, the Grammy-winning musician struck gold. Nick of Time eventually peaked at number one on the Billboard 200. It was certified multi-platinum. It won the most prestigious Grammy, Album Of The Year. “Nick of Time” also won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. Raitt wrote “Nick of Time” while Don Was produced it. It dented the pop charts, peaking at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. The song is better than its commercial performance.

Bonnie Raitt sounds sublime on “Nick of Time.” Her performance feels authentic and sounds expressive, nuanced, and well-rounded. The voice is distinct. She brings thoughtful lyrics to life, pairing the memorable text with tuneful melodies. “A friend of mine, she cries at night / And she calls me on the phone,” Raitt sings in the first verse, continuing, “Sees babies everywhere she goes / And she wants one of her own.” You can guess what Raitt’s friend is fighting against… TIME (“She is scared / Scared to run out of time”). The situation is different in the second verse, but the antagonist remains the same: TIME (“I see my folks are getting on / And I watch their bodies change…”) In the bridge, Bonnie wisely sings, “Life gets mighty precious / When there’s less of it to waste.” The third verse is more optimistic: “You opened up my heart again / and then much to my surprise.” Guess what? In the chorus, she found love… Love in the nick of time! Raitt is supported by a smooth, groovy pop/rock backdrop (keys, bass, guitar, drums, and percussion) and sweet, soulful backing vocals (Harry Bowens and Arnold McCuller). Approaching 40 years after its arrival, “Nick of Time” remains epic.

Appears in:

Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 130 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

3. Yarbrough & Peoples, “Don’t Stop The Music”

The Two of Us » UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1980

“Don’t you know you’ve got me mesmerized / Wit the beat I always fantasize / Don’t stop the music cause it tends to soothe / I can tell you want to groove.” Ooh-wee! Yarbrough & Peoples – Calvin Yarbrough (1954 – 2025) and Alisa Peoples – delivered a surefire vibe in 1980. That surefire vibe as “Don’t Stop The Music”, the opening track from their album, The Two of Us. “Don’t Stop The Music” was the sole top 40 hit by the funk duo. It performed superbly well on the pop charts, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The fun, irresistible joint was written by Peoples alongside producers Jonah Ellis and Lonnie Simmons.

So, what makes “Don’t Stop The Music” a surefire vibe? The instrumental is EVERYTHING. The picturesque sounds and effects make this song. Scintillating synths, funked-out riffs, and a marvelous, rhythmic synth bass line excel. The groove = I-N-F-E-C-T-I-O-U-S! Body movement is inescapable while listening to this. Given all the ear candy from the instrumental, it’s unsurprising that “Don’t Stop The Music” is often sampled. Of course, it’s not only the instrumental that shines. Calvin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples ‘bring the heat’ with their vocals. Yarbrough secures the song’s excellence with the chorus, “Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop / Don’t stop the music,” repeated throughout the song. As for Peoples, she has her fair share of highlights. One of her most memorable moments comes when she sings, “I just wanna rock you (Oh, baby) / All night long (To my love song).” The power of music and dancing is the big takeaway. “I can tell you wanna boogie.” Indeed, Yarbrough & Peoples. The duo still has us dancing something fierce to “Don’t Stop The Music”.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

4. Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson, “Say Say Say”

Pipes of Peace » MPL Communications Inc/Ltd / Concord Music Group, Inc. » 1983

“Say, say, say what you want / But don’t play games with my affection.” Ooh-wee! “Say Say Say” marks one of 23 top-10 hits by Paul McCartney and one of 30 top-10 hits by Michael Jackson. This gem, which appears on McCartney’s 1983 album, Pipes of Peace, marks one of the biggest collaborations of all time. Paul! Michael! That’s huge! Unsurprisingly, “Say Say Say” spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking in December 1983. In 1992, this superstar collab was certified platinum by the RIAA. “Say Say Say” was written by McCartney and Jackson and produced by George Martin. The lyrics are memorable while the music slays.

“Say Say Say” features an electrifying groove from the onset, which sets the tone of this 80s pop classic. The instrumental is extra smooth. Instruments worth highlighting include the keys, guitars, harmonica (!), and those exuberant, rhythmic, and highly articulated horns. Both McCartney and Jackson serve up superb vocals. The vocal chemistry, as well as the contrast between Paul and Michael, is excellent. Another selling point of “Say Say Say” is the melodies, which are tuneful throughout. McCartney handles the verses, while MJ takes the chorus, with variations:

“All alone, I sit home by the phone

Waiting for you, baby

Through the years, how can you stand to hear

My pleading for you, dear?

You know I’m crying, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.”

Ooh-wee! The bridge separates itself from the verse and chorus – a solid lead into the third and final verse. Ultimately, “Say Say Say” doesn’t require deep analysis lyrically or musically – it’s greatness speaks for itself.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

5. Diana Ross, “Muscles”

Silk Electric » RCA » 1982

“They say they have to see / His real personality / But that’s alright for them / Still it ain’t enough for me.” Hmm, Diana Ross desires ‘more’ out of her men. The iconic singer is thinking physically on “Muscles”. Honestly, that’s what she wants: “I want muscles / All over his body.” It’s not unusual to hear songs that focus on physical attraction, particularly arriving beyond 1982, but what makes this opener from Silk Electric compelling is the fact that it’s almost approached backwards. How so? Well, typically, the antagonists in the song narrative would focus on a physical connection while the ‘protagonist’ is ‘better’ and ‘deeper.’ focusing on an emotional bond. Looks, hence, would be secondary. In this case, most women (not antagonists, of course) want the personality and ‘deeper’ things, while Ross wants that banging, gym bod, like #FLEX Adonis!

A prime example of the importance of attractiveness to Ross: “I don’t care if he’s young or old / Just make him beautiful / I just want some strong man to hold on to / I want muscles.” To her credit, on this Michael Jackson (!) penned and produced gem, age isn’t a factor. Still, beauty is! Jackson gives Ross a radiant backdrop to work with, including keys and strings. Vocally, Diana never forces the issues, bringing the sexiness with her calm, cool, and collected vocals. “Muscles” earned Ross one of her 12 top 10 hits, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sadly, this icon has never won a Grammy. Bummer!

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

6. Fine Young Cannibals, “She Drives Me Crazy”

The Raw & The Cooked » London » 1988

“Won’t you ever set me free? / This waiting ‘round’s killing me.” Of course, it is, you Fine Young Cannibals! “She Drives Me Crazy” appears as the opener from The Raw & The Cooked, the 1988 album by the English pop band. The song to beat from the no. 1 peaking album on the Billboard 200 is the no. 1 peaking Billboard Hot 100 hit. “She Drives Me Crazy” is infectious and incredibly memorable; it’s a pop song that you won’t forget!

“She Drives Me Crazy” features quintessential 1980s, boxy-sounding drum programming (David Steele). Sigh, something about those drums! Additionally, there are slick keys (Steele), electric guitar (Andy Cox), and an anchoring bass line (Steele, again!). Fabulous riffs appear throughout “She Drives Me Crazy.” It is an incredibly rhythmic joint. Also, earning high marks on this pop culture staple is the fact that it’s exuberant – set in a major key. Roland Gift delivers smooth lead vocals, sung in falsetto in many instances. Of course, The centerpiece of this classic is the chorus – this is what you all came for with this song! Gift sings, “She drives me crazy / Like no one else / She drives me crazy / And I can’t help myself.” Word! It should be noted that Gift also uses chest voice, specifically in the second iteration of the chorus. “She Drives Me Crazy” doesn’t require extensive analysis; this crazy awesome joint speaks for itself!

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

7. Cyndi Lauper, “True Colors”

True Colors » Epic » 1986

“In a world full of people / You can lose sight of it all,” Grammy-winning pop/rock musician Cyndi Lauper sings in the first verse of her classic, “True Colors”. She continues singing, “And the darkness inside you / Can make you feel small.” Of course, there’s good news despite darkness and smallness: the visibility of true colors. “True Colors” is the fourth track from Lauper’s double platinum, 1986 album, True Colors. It spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. Furthermore, it was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2021. That is what you call a rousing success! “True Colors” was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female at the 29^th Annual GRAMMY Awards, deservingly. Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly penned it, while Lauper and Lennie Petze produced it.

“If this world makes you crazy / And you’ve taken all you can bear,” Lauper sings in the second verse, continuing, “You can call me up / Because you know I’ll be there.” What Lauper sees in this individual that others miss is summed up brilliantly in the chorus, the centerpiece:

“But I see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that’s why I love you

So don’t be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors

Are beautiful like a rainbow.”

Yes, yes, yes! The inspirational, uplifting nature of “True Colors” is one of the reasons it is such a special song. When performing this song, Lauper had a friend who’d died of AIDS in mind. “True Colors” is an important song to the LGBTQ+ community – a beloved gay anthem. Musically, it begins with a distinct percussion groove at the beginning. Following the percussion groove, rhythmic guitar and synth (keys) take over. Gradually, percussion returns, first with conga drums and then a fuller, more developed groove. Over the backdrop, Cyndi Lauper delivers lovely, sincere vocals. She is an ally, despite what others see or might think. The magnificence of “True Colors” speaks for itself. Many musicians have covered this classic, including The Weeknd, Anna Kendrick, and Justin Timberlake.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

8. Mtume, “Juicy Fruit”

Juicy Fruit » Sony Music Entertainment Inc. » 1983

“I need it, I need it / Oh, girl.” Oh, snap! R&B/funk band Mtume struck gold with “Juicy Fruit” in 1983. “Juicy Fruit” was the second track from the collective’s album, also titled Juicy Fruit. The late James Mtume (1946 – 2022), the leader, composed and produced “Juicy Fruit.” The band’s top-charting song failed to crack the top 40. Bummer! Despite peaking modestly at no. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, the single and album are certified gold, the group’s sole certifications from the RIAA. Chart success isn’t everything, and “Juicy Fruit” has proven itself iconic beyond its moderate pop showing.

“But you’re the only love / That gives me good and plenty.” Ooh-la-la! The sound of “Juicy Fruit” is crucial to its success. Drum programming is a signature feature. The production is marvelous, with the groove, big bass line (with slapped bass), guitar, and keys. The riffs shine like a beacon throughout. The introduction is colorful and naughty, setting up the perfect ‘sex on the track.’ Once the song settles in, the magic and sensual vibes are simply irresistible. The playful and powerful vocals by Tawatha Agee are one of the selling points. Background vocals add to the sweetness. Of course, it is the titillating lyrics that catch the ears. “Candy rain / Comin’ down / Taste you in my mind / And spread you all around,” Agee sings lustily. She adds:

“Cherry blossom kiss

What you’re givin’

Makes my body rock

Keeps me sizzlin’

Do what you want

I don’t care

I’ll be your lollipop

(You can lick me everywhere).”

Damn… Yes, the lyrics and song are about oral sex… That juicy fruit ‘hits’ differently, doesn’t it? “Juicy Fruit,” a 1980s gem, has been sampled by The Notorious B.I.G. (“Juicy”) and Keyshia Cole (“Let It Go”), among others. Need a great sex song? Look no further than “Juicy Fruit”!

Appears in:

Mtume, Juicy Fruit: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 181 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

9. Chaka Khan, “I Feel For You”

I Feel for You » Warner » 1984

“Chaka, Chaka, Chaka, Chaka Khan / Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan.” Word, Melle Mel! 10-time Grammy-winning R&B artist Chaka Khan scored a huge hit with “I Feel for You”, the sixth track from her 1984, platinum-certified album, I Feel for You. A cover, the original was composed and performed by Prince. Arif Mardin produced it. The biggest solo hit of her career, matching the chart success of “Tell Me Something Good” with Rufus, “I Feel for You” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified platinum by the RIAA. Adding to the accolades, “I Feel For You” won the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female.

In “I Feel for You, ” Khan sings her face off, showing the dynamic, expressive, and powerful nature of her instrument. She infuses ample personality. Before she ever sings a note, she is prefaced by rapper Melle Mel, the rare rap feature at the time. After the stuttering intro where Melle Mel ‘gasses her up,’ he drops a brief, relatively clean verse. “I’ll make you more than just a physical dream / I wanna rock you, Chaka,” the spits, continuing, “Baby, ‘cause you make me wanna scream / Let me rock you, rock you.” From there, Chaka is on autopilot, making the Prince original hers. “There’s something about the things you do / That keeps me satisfied,” she asserts in the first verse, adding in the pre-chorus, “It’s mainly a physical thing.” Ooh-la-la. It leads to the satisfying sing-along chorus, “I feel for you, I think I love you.” Beyond her continual desire for this man, Khan is supported by a marvelous backdrop. The music is funky, amplified by exuberant, high-energy synths, an inescapable groove, and a lit harmonica solo by the one-and-only Stevie Wonder. No deep analysis is necessary for “I Feel for You”, one of the most epic R&B joints of the 1980s. Chaka Khan did that!

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

10. Cameo, “Word Up”

Word Up » PolyGram Records Inc. / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1986

“Do your dance, do your dance / Do your dance quick, mama / Come on baby, tell me, what’s the word? / WORD UP!” Cameo delivered a surefire bop in the 1980s with the infectious, funk song, “Word Up”. “Word Up” served as one of two top 10 hits by the collective led by Larry Blackmon. Specifically, “Word Up” peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest charting single attributed solely to the band. “Word Up” was nominated for their sole Grammy at the 29^th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

“Word Up” was written by Larry Blackmon and Thomas Michael Jenkins. Additionally, Blackmon produced the track. The sound encompasses signature, box, 1980s drums, and bright, colorful synths. Blackmon delivers funky, playful lead vocals. The lyrics are highly entertaining. “‘Cause we’re about to throw down / And you’ll know just what to do / Wave your hands in the air / Like you don’t care,” he sings in the first verse. In the second, he sings, “Give us music, we can use it / We need to dance / We don’t have the time / For psychological romance.” Word… UP! Of course, the most epic section of “Word Up” is the chorus:

“Oh, word up!

Everybody say when you hear their call

You’ve got to get it underway

Word up! It’s the code word

No matter where you say it

You’ll know that you’ll be heard.”

And for good measure, the outro is a blast too, to the tune of “W-O-R-D- up, W-O-R-D up.” “Word Up” is the stuff! FYI, Korn memorably covered it on their Greatest Hits Vol. 1 compilation 🤘.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

11. Wham! featuring George Michael, “Careless Whisper”

Make It Big » Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Limited » 1984

“I’m never gonna dance again / Guilty feet have got no rhythm / Though it’s easy to pretend / I know you’re not a fool.” Uh-oh! The guilt is pronounced on the Wham! – George Michael and Andrew Ridgeway – classic, “Careless Whisper”. In the chorus, the centerpiece, Michael, expounds regretfully, “I should have known better than to cheat a friend / And waste the chance that I’d been given / So, I’m never gonna dance again / The way I danced with you.” Infidelity is always a stellar topic for a song, hence why so many love this song. But George is critical of it. Michael asserts (via GM Forever):

“I was 17 years old, and I had not really experienced anything that strong in my life, so it was a bit precocious. …But basically, I see that song as a bunch of images which I threw together to represent the fact that at the time I was seeing one girl and then I started seeing another, and it was just the guilt in between those two periods.”

“Careless Whisper” is the eighth and final track on Wham’s multiplatinum, 1984 album, Make It Big. It runs a ‘glorious’ six-and-a-half minutes in duration. It spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. “Whisper” was certified septuple platinum by the RIAA in 2024. George may not have been a fan, but everybody else was!

Michael produced the gem, set in a minor key. The sound palette is marvelous. The instrumental highlights include a robust bass line, strings, rhythm guitar, keys (including synthesizer), saxophone, drums, and percussion. The alto saxophone solo by Steve Gregory is nothing short of iconic. Speaking of icons, what about those ultra-smooth, boyish vocals of a youthful George Michael? His tone is everything. He brings the tuneful melodies to life, particularly the chorus. In the third verse, he continues his regret: “We could have been so good living together / We could have lived this dance forever / but now, who’s gonna dance with me? / Please stay.” The greatness and timeless nature of “Careless Whisper”. Even though Michael hadn’t experienced much life when it was written or released, he gave listeners an enduring pop/R&B classic.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

12. Stephanie Mills, “Never Knew Love Like This Before”

Gold » UMG Recordings, Inc. » 2006

“I never knew love like this before / Now I’m lonely never more / Since you came into my life.” Stephanie Mills adds In the first verse of “Never Knew Love Like This Before”, “Once I was lost and now I’m found / Then you turned my world around / When I need I call your name.” Ooh-wee! “Never Knew Love Like This Before” is the seventh track from Mills’ 1980 gold-certified album, Sweet Sensation. The gold-certified track is most readily available on multiple greatest hits compilations, including Gold from 2006. Her highest charting hit, “Never Knew Love Like This Before” peaked at no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. It also won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. James Mtume and Reggie Lucas penned and produced the R&B gem.

“Never Knew Love Like This” is sublime in every facet. The musical accompaniment is groovy and lush, characteristic of the R&B of the early 80s. We expect no less with James Mtume involved! The cool yet energetic sounds marvelously fuel Mills’ vocal fire. Mills sings with ease. For much of the song, she sounds as if she never breaks a sweat. Even with a cool, calm, and collected performance, the authenticity, energy, and passion are still piping hot. This person is extra special to Mills, undoubtedly. In the second verse, she asserts, “You are my sunlight, and my rain / And time could never change / What we share forevermore.” Word. The chorus sums up the impenetrable love:

“‘Cause I never knew love like this before

Open my eyes

Cause I never knew love like this before

What a surprise

Cause I never knew love like this before.”

By the outro, Mills ‘lets it rip’ with sickening vocal ad-libs and riffs. “Never Knew Love Like This Before” is a timeless R&B song and the ‘ace-in-the-hole’ in Mills’ catalog.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

13. Lionel Richie, “Say You, Say Me”

Dancing on the Ceiling » Motown » 1986

“Say you, say me / Say it for always, that’s the way it should be,” Lionel Richie sings on his 1985 hit single, “Say You, Say Me”. He continues singing, in the centerpiece, the chorus, “Say you say me / Say it together, naturally.” “Say You, Say Me,” penned by Richie, marks one of 13 top-10 hits. Making the song even more elite is the fact that it is one of five no. 1 hits by the Grammy-winning musician. Specifically, “Say You, Say Me” spent four weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching its peak position in late 1985. Ultimately, it was certified gold by the RIAA. Meanwhile, the parent album, Dancing on the Ceiling, has been certified quadruple platinum. One more accolade regarding “Say You, Say Me” – it won Best Original Song at the 1986 Oscars.

The chorus is simple, but a big reason for the success of “Say You, Say Me.” That said, the songwriting in the verses is sweet too. “As we go down life’s lonesome highway / Seems the hardest thing to do is to find a friend or two,” Richie sings in the second verse. In the bridge, he asserts, “I’m telling you / It’s time to start believing, oh yes / Believing who you are, you are a shining star.” Lionel sounds fabulous, singing authentically and expressively. The melodies are sweet, playing a key role in the catchiness of this classic. Furthermore, the music – the instrumental – shines as well. It is idiomatic of the 1980s sound with it use of keys/synths, guitar, and punchy drums. He produced this four minute, juggernaut alongside James Anthony Carmichael. “Say You, Say Me” sits at or near the top of Richie’s illustrious song catalog.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

14. Queen, “Body Language”

Hot Space » Hollywood » 1982

“Give me, body / Give me your body.” Queen delivered a sex song with “Body Language”. It’s attributed to the legendary prog rock band, but this song has Freddie Mercury written all over it. Mercury wrote the fourth track from the band’s 1982 album, Hot Space. Queen and Reinhold Mack produced it. It sounds starkly different from the band’s earlier output. The departure in sound is part of the controversy.

I find “Body Language” to be an intriguing four-and-a-half-minute song. The guitar by Brian May is spare as keys and synths rule the roost. The drums are electronic. The iconic bass line isn’t a bass guitar but rather a bass synth. Stylistically, it leans more post-disco, dance-rock, and synth-pop. The lyrics are simple to the nth degree. Phrases Mercury sings include “Don’t talk” (repeated thrice), “Sexy body / Sexy, sexy body / I want your body,” and “Baby, you’re hot.” The chorus keeps it uncomplicated, too: “Body language / Body language / Body language.” The simplistic lyrics sufficiently evoke sex, but there is one moment, the bridge, where Mercury is even more attuned to sex:

“You got red lips

Snakes in your eyes

Long legs

Great thighs

You’ve got the cutest ass I’ve ever seen

Knock me down for a six anytime.”

May and Roger Taylor have commented many times that this song was far different from others. Also, it felt too gay for them. Even beyond Mercury bringing his bandmates into the LGBTQ+ world against their will, the ‘actual’ controversy behind “Body Language” was the music video. MTV banned it because it was considered incredibly risqué at the time – too sexual. Today, the video is quite tame – not nearly as spicy as the videos many artists release to shock. “Body Language” was a change of pace and departure for Queen. It is not the top of their catalog, but infectious, nonetheless. It also reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~

15. Kool & The Gang, “Celebration”

Celebrate » The Island Def Jam Music Group » 1980

“Yahoo! This is your celebration.” Indeed, Kool & The Gang! The Grammy-winning collective is one of the most iconic R&B groups ever, PERIOD! It’s no surprise that the elite collective is responsible for one of the crème de la crème of R&B songs, “Celebration”. “Celebration” transcends R&B of course, reaching no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Appearing on their 1980, platinum-certified album, Celebrate, the ‘celebration’ incited by this song is enduring and timeless. “Celebration” was certified platinum by the RIAA back in 1981. Who are the credited songwriters on this celebratory gem? Robert “Kool” Bell, Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Earl Toon, Robert Spike Mickens, James “J.T.” Taylor, George Brown, Claydes Smith, and Khalis Bayyan. Also credited as a songwriter and producer is Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger, and record producer Eumir Deodato. Fun fact: Deodato is the maternal grandfather of Hailey Bieber, the wife of Justin Bieber.

The funk is lit post-disco on “Celebration.” The production and instrumental arrangement by Eumir Deodato is incredible. The horns bite in all their articulated glory, the rhythm section is tight, and the riffs riff hard. “Celebration” grooves hard from the get-go. James “J.T.” Taylor slays on lead vocals as he proclaims, “There’s a party goin’ on right here / A celebration to last throughout the years.” He didn’t lie about the prolonged celebration! He continues, “So bring your good times and your laughter too / We gonna celebrate your party with you.” The songwriting is simple but charming and easy to follow. “It’s time to come together / It’s up to you, what’s your pleasure,” Taylor continues, with the band joining in, “Everyone around the world, come on.” And, what is Kool & The Gang going to do? They’re going to “Celebrate good times, come on (It’s a celebration).” In another infectious section beyond the chorus, the bridge, Taylor and the collective proclaim, “We’re gonna have a good time tonight (Celebration) / Let’s celebrate, it’s alright.” It’s easy to consistently celebrate with “Celebration”, one of the most beloved, celebrated, and timeless songs ever.

Appears in:

Kool & The Gang, Celebration: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 144 (2024)

Check out my past 1980s-themed playlists

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

15 Surefire Classics from The 1980s (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Capitol, Concord Music Group, Epic, Hollywood, London, Motown, MPL Communications Inc/Ltd, Inc., NPG, PolyGram Records Inc., RCA, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Limited, The Island Def Jam Music Group, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner; Gabrielle Durant, Ron Lach from Pexels; AcatXIo, Artapixel, Patrick Schwarz, Victoria from Pixabay]

15 Surefire Classics from the 1980s | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on July 25, 2025July 25, 2025