Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 1 | Playlist 🎧

6. Prince and the Revolution, “Purple Rain”

💿 Purple Rain • 🏷 Warner • 📅 1984

In its updated 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, Rolling Stone dubbed 🎵 “Purple Rain,” the 🎙 Prince and the Revolution classic, the 18^th best song.  That’s high praise, no doubt, but even that feels low for the biggest song in the 🎙 Prince catalog.  Simply put, songs like “Purple Rain” come merely once in a lifetime, and “Purple Rain” more than ‘kicks ass and takes names.’

It’s rare that extended length songs are as successful as “Purple Rain” was for the late musician.  It failed to reach no. 1 on the Hot 100, but no. 2 ‘ain’t bad,’ particularly for a near-nine-minute juggernaut.  Worth noting, “Purple Rain” (the song) won Prince an 🏆 Academy Award (Best Original Song) and a 🏆 Grammy. Throughout the course of the song, Prince gives us some of his best vocals, EVER.  None soar higher than his ripe falsetto, sigh.  Of course, the crowning achievement is the chorus, among the greatest, most memorable, and most recognizable of all time:

“Purple rain, purple rain

Purple rain, purple rain

Purple rain, purple rain

I only want to see you

Only want to see you in the purple rain.”

Also, shout out to Prince’s prodigious guitar skills! R.I.P. legend!

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Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Songs That are Purple Through & Through (2021)
• 15 Soul Oldies That Tickle My Fancy (2021)
• 13 Songs Where, When It Rains It Pours (Pt II) (2021)

7. Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” 

💿 Private Dancer • 🏷 Parlophone • 📅 1984

“What’s love got to do, got to do with it? / What’s love but a secondhand emotion?”  Those lyrics are simply ICONIC.  Who better to sing iconic lyrics than an icon herself? What’s surprising is how old 🎙Tina Turner was when 🎵 “What’s Love Got To Do With It” materialized – nearly 45 years old! This beloved no. 1 hit was a big part of her comeback on 💿 Private Dancer, an album that found the versatile, 🏆 Grammy-winning musician embracing pop/rock. Speaking of Grammys, for “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” Turner won two: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female and more prestigiously, Record of The Year.  “What’s Love Got to Do With It” was certified gold by the RIAA, while the parent album, Private Dancer, has been certified quintuple platinum.

“What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

What’s love but a secondhand emotion?

What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?”

Besides the timeless chorus, what makes “What’s Love Got To Do With It” so epic? It all starts with Tina Turner, whose vocals are phenomenal.  She sings smoothly in the verses, packing more of a punch on that anthemic refrain.  Beyond her pipes, the production, with its smooth, 80s palette of sounds (guitars, keys/synths) is pretty sweet – the definition of what we call a vibe in the 2020s.  It serves as the perfect soundtrack for this love-oriented track.  Of course, “What’s Love Got To Do With,” which was penned by 🎼 ✍ Terry Britten (also produces) and Graham Lyle, is well-written.  The lyrics stand out first and foremost (“You must understand though the touch of your hand / Makes my pulse react / That it’s only the thrill of boy meeting girl” or “It may seem to you that I’m acting confused / When you’re close to me / If I tend to look dazed I’ve read it someplace / I’ve got cause to be”) but even harmonically, it’s unique.  Interestingly, 🎵 “What’s Love Got To Do With It” was offered to many others before it landed in the hands of Turner.  Thank God it ultimately did land in Turner’s hands because it was made for her – PERIOD.

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Appears in 🔻: 

• Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got To Do With It”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 105 (2022)
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 6 (2023)

8. Tears For Fears, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”

💿 Song From The Big Chair • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 1985

“Welcome to your life / There’s no turning back / Even while we sleep / We will find you.” Oh, my 👀 😬! When you earn a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, you have solidified a spot in history 💪! 🎙 Tears For Fears – 🎙 Roland Orzabal and 🎙 Curt Smith – earned two no. 1 hits.  Furthermore, both songs hailed from their 1985 album, 💿 Song From The Big Chair, which eventually reached no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  For our intents and purposes, we focus only on 🎵 “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, among the truly beloved tracks of the 1980s. Notably, the band did earn a 🏆 Grammy nomination, but not for this song nor album – bummer!

Curt Smith sounds utterly fantastic on “Everybody Wants to Rule The World.” The verses are short, sweet, and relatively simple.  The same can be said of the chorus, which is variable, but always concludes with the powerful, titular lyric, “Everybody Wants to Rule The World.”  One of the reasons why this song is stellar is because the melody is incredibly tuneful, particularly the chorus.  Furthermore, the overall sound (keys, programming, guitars) and production (🎛 Chris Hughes) – the aesthetic, overall – is M-A-R-V-E-L-O-U-S!  “I can’t stand this indecision / Married with a lack of vision / Everybody wants to rule the – ” Woo! 🎵 “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” is a vibe that endures well beyond the 80s!

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Appears in 🔻:

• Tears For Fears, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 34 (2023)
• 15 Epic Songs Regarding The World (2023)
• Tears For Fears vs. Robert Glasper: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 10 (2023)

9. Dionne Warwick & Friends, “That’s What Friends Are For”

💿 Platinum & Gold Collection • 🏷 Sony Legacy • 🗓 2003

Sometimes, the cover version of a song ends up being the definitive version.  This occurs because the covering musician (1) does a more memorable take or (2) the original isn’t considered to be universal classic.  As mentioned earlier, 🎙 Rod Stewart originally recorded the 🎼 ✍ Burt Bacharach (RIP) and 🎼 ✍ Carole Bayer Sager, 🎵 “That’s What Friends Are For”; he does a respectable job, all told.  That said, no disrespect to Rod, but the best and most successful rendition of the song is performed by 🎙 Dionne Warwick, 🎙 Elton John, 🎙 Gladys Knight, and 🎙 Stevie Wonder – aka 🎙 Dionne & Friends.

Dionne & Friends took “That’s What Friends Are For” to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. Just the addition of Stevie Wonder’s harmonica is enough to declare this 🏆 Grammy-winning performance as the definitive take.  The record from Warwick’s album, 💿 Friends, finds her taking the reins first in the first verse.  Her voice is easygoing – pleasant and radiant. Elton John joins her for the final lyric, duetting with her on select lines in the beloved, friendly chorus!

“Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me for sure

That’s what friends are for

In good times, in bad times

I’ll be on your side forevermore

Oh, that’s what friends are for.”

Wonder arrives in the second verse, showing off incredibly impressive vocals.  He brings more grit than Dionne and is joined by Elton John in the second half. These two have remarkable chemistry. During the chorus, it’s all Stevie, who sets up an equally powerful chorus by Gladys Knight.  That rich alto has rarely been matched.  Finally, John gets his biggest moments, showing off his own soulful, unrivaled vocals on the final chorus, with the return of Dionne and the rest of the friends.

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Appears in 🔻:

• Dionne & Friends, “That’s What Friends Are For”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 55 (2022)
• Rod Stewart vs. Dionne Warwick: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 26 (2022)
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 2 (2022)
• 13 Utterly Friend-tastic Friend Songs (2023)

10. Freddie Jackson, “You Are My Lady”

💿 Rock Me Tonight • 🏷 Capitol • 🗓 1985

“There’s nothing that I’d rather do / Than spend every moment with you / I guess you should know, I love you so.” Cutting straight to the chase, 🎵 “You Are My Lady” is one of the best R&B songs of the 1980s as well as ALL TIME.  🎙 Freddie Jackson truly ‘put in work’ on this 1985 💿 Rock Me Tonight gem which peaked at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 (that’s a hit!).  The fourth track, written and produced by 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Barry Eastmond is truly special – timeless.

So, what makes “You Are My Lady” so epic? First and foremost, it’s the refined, buttery smooth vocals by Freddie Jackson.  Jackson sings with incredible ease, never forcing things, executing flawlessly.  His tone is heaven-sent, tailor-made for a dedicated love song like the one at hand.  In the chorus, he sounds incredibly authentic on the simple but meaningful lyrics:

“You are my lady

You’re everything I need and more

You are my lady

You’re all I’m living for.”

Also, worth noting, Jackson’s ad-libs are superb – highly effective yet non troppo. Adding to the surefire excellence is that silky smooth, 80s adult contemporary R&B production – Barry! I can’t emphasize how much “You Are My Lady” is an R&B classic.  Even as the song approaches 40 years of age, it remains sweet to the n^th degree.  Can anyone give Freddie a run for his money covering this one?

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Appears in 🔽:

• Freddie Jackson, “You Are My Lady”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 26 (2022)
• Freddie Jackson vs. Kim Waters: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 13 (2022)

11. Atlantic Starr, “Always”

💿 All in the Name of Love • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 1987

“Girl, you are to me / All that a woman should be / And I dedicate my life / To you always.” Oh, the chivalry! The heyday for R&B collective 🎙 Atlantic Starr was in the 1980s. Even so, Atlantic Starr formed in 1976, and scored a hit single in the early 90s.  The collective’s three most successful singles begins with the utterly superb no. 1 Hot 100 hit, 🎵 “Always”. “Always” graces Atlantic Starr’s 1987 album, 💿 All in the Name of Love.

“Always” is a prime example of the brand of smooth, adult contemporary R&B that was affluent in the late 80s.  Written and produced by 🎼 ✍ 🎛 David Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, and Wayne Lewis, this record is filled with love and chill vibes.  The chemistry between co-lead vocalists Wayne Lewis and Barbara Weathers is utterly stupendous.  “Oh, boy / I love you so / I can’t find enough ways / To let you know,” Weather sings in the second verse, continuing, “But you can be sure I’m yours / For always.” R&B records don’t sound like “Always” does anymore, but it still gives you those feels more than three decades later.  The crowning achievement is none other than the chorus:

“Oh, you’re like the sun

Chasing all the rain away

When you come around

You bring brighter days

You’re the perfect one

For me and you

Forever will be

And I will love you so

For always.”

What more can be said? 🎵 “Always” is a classic that will, indeed, ALWAYS make our ears perk up when hearing it.

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Appears in 🔻:

• ALWAYS: 13 Songs That Exemplify Utmost Consistency (2020)
• Atlantic Starr, “Always”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 32 (2023)

12. Whitney Houston, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”

💿 Whitney • 🏷 Arista • 🗓 1987

“Remember when we held on in the rain / The night we almost lost it / Once again…” 🎵 “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” ranks among the best 🎙 Whitney Houston songs.  Fittingly, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” was nominated for the 🏆 Grammy for Song of the Year.  Writers 🎼✍ Michael Masser and 🎼✍ Will Jennings gave the iconic R&B singer a surefire gem to work with, beginning with those memorable lyrics from the first verse. 🎙 James Cleveland, 💿 The King of Gospel Music, borrowed the tune for a gospel rendition, 🎵 “Aren’t You Glad You Know the Lord” – more on that later!“Didn’t We Almost Have It All” appears on Houston’s 1987 sophomore album, 💿 Whitney.

“…We can take the night into tomorrow / Living on feelings / Touching you I feel it all again.” “Didn’t We Have It All” is exceptionally well-produced, sitting in the sweet spot between pop and R&B. The palette of sounds includes colorful keys and soaring strings. Houston is the star of the show, sounding utterly sublime, particularly on the beloved chorus. The production grows robust, Houston gives her all vocally, and honestly, it’s just special. Love fuels the fire, as it does with the best songs!

“Didn’t we almost have it all

When love was all we had worth giving?

The ride with you was worth the fall my friend

Loving you makes life worth the living

Didn’t we almost have it all

The night we hold on ‘til the morning

You know you’ll never love that way again

Didn’t we almost have it all?”

This no. 1 hit is still potent as it approaches 40. A quintessential 1980s ballad that you just don’t make like this anymore.

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Appears in 🔻: 

• Whitney Houston, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 38 (2022)
• Whitney Houston vs. James Cleveland: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 18 (2022)
• 13 Amazing, Must HAVE Songs (2022)
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 3 (2022)

13. Erasure, “A Little Respect”

💿 The Innocents • 🏷 Sire • 🗓 1988 

Hayden Manders of Nylon describes the 🎙 Erasure classic, 🎵 “A Little Respect”, as “a strikingly strong lesson in what it means to be queer and in love.” That is a great characterization of this beloved, surefire LGBTQ bop 🌈🎶.  Manders concludes his insightful article by asserting that the song, “sounds like … the triumph of queer people falling in love together and singing out about love’s glory.” Important to note, that 🎙 Andy Bell, the singer in the British synthpop duo (also including 🎙 Vince Clarke) is openly gay. Also, worth noting that “A Little Respect” arrived in the 1980s, when ‘openly gay’ pop stars were rarer.  The bop opens the duo’s 1988 album, 💿 The Innocents.

“I try to discover

A little something to make me sweeter

Oh, baby, refrain

From breaking my heart.”

Clearly, Andy Bell is deeply in love. In the first verse, he goes on to say, “I’m so in love with you / I’ll be blue forever / That you give me no reason / Why you make me work so hard.” Man does that hit like a brick! The second verse is like the first, as Bell sings, “What religion or reason / Could drive a man to forsake his lover?” It’s that line that helps solidify the queerness of this pop hit without revealing too many cards (for the times).  Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, which shines over the brilliant production:

“Soul, I hear you calling

Oh, baby, please

Give a little respect to me.”

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“A Little Respect” is one killer song. The vocals are superb, particularly that ripe falsetto.  The production (🎛 Stephen Hague) is bright and ear-catching, set in a major key – good old C major to be precise!  Furthermore, there’s a fine music video 🎶📼 to accompany this 80s classic and staple of the LGBTQ community.

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Appears in 🔻:

• Erasure, “A Little Respect”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 2 (2022)
• Incredible LGBTQ Songs, Young & Old, Vol. 1 (2022)

14. New Edition, “Can You Stand The Rain”

💿 Heart Break • 🏷 MCA • 📅 1988

“Sunny days, everybody loves them / Tell me, baby, can you stand the rain?” Well, can you? 🎵 “Can You Stand The Rain” arrives courtesy of male R&B collective, 🎙 New Edition. “Can You Stand The Rain” topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, though only peaked at no. 44 on the pop charts (Billboard Hot 100). The parent album, 💿 Heart Break, had more success.  It peaked at no. 12 on the Billboard 200, spending 53 weeks on the chart, and was certified double platinum.

“Can You Stand The Rain” opens memorably with birds tweeting.  The record possesses that quintessential 1980s R&B sound with the boxy drum programming.  It features lush production work courtesy of the 🎛 Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis with the keys and guitars.  Throughout, our ears are blessed with silky smooth, passionate vocals.  🎙 Johnny Gill sounds amazing handling the lead vocals in the two verses (“On a perfect day, I know that I can count on you / When that’s not possible / Tell me can you weather the storm”). 🎙 Ralph Tresvant provides incredible contrast in the pre-chorus section (“‘Cause I need somebody who will stand by me / Through the good times and bad times / She will always, always be right there”).  Of course, the centerpiece is the incredibly memorable, tuneful chorus performed by the entire collective:

“Sunny days, everybody loves them

Tell me, baby, can you stand the rain?

Storms will come

This we know for sure (This we know for sure)

Can you stand the rain?”

“Can You Stand The Rain” is a #CLASSIC!

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Appears in 🔻:

• New Edition, “Can You Stand The Rain”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 97 (2022)
• 11 Marvelous Songs That Stand Tall (2022)
• 11 Songs Where When It Rains It Pours (Pt. III) (2022)

15. Madonna, “Like a Prayer”

💿 Like a Prayer • 🏷 Sire • 📅 1989

“Life is a mystery / Everyone must stand alone / I hear you call my name / And it feels like home.” 🎙 Madonna is an icon, period. 🎵 “Like a Prayer” appears on her 1989 album, 💿 Like a Prayer.  Rather than being a dance-pop record, “Like a Prayer” is more gospel-pop/pop-soul. The gospel part is undeniable, with incredible backing vocals by the legendary 🎙 The Andraé Crouch Singers, who participated on many secular recordings adding some extra oomph.  With a title like “Like a Prayer,” spirituality is an inescapable theme.  The problem is, it’s not particularly Christian!

“When you call my name / It’s like a little prayer / I’m down on my knees / I want to take you there…” Hmm, I want to take you there, Madge? Where? Continuing: “In the midnight hour / I can feel your power / Just like a prayer / You know I’ll take you there.” Hmm, doesn’t sound like “a little talk with Jesus,” that’s for sure! She makes spiritual references mind you, but sex is on her mind.  “Like a child / You whisper softly to me,” she sings in the second verse, adding, “You’re in control.” God or this god – “That is the question!” Clearly, we get no ‘spiritual’ answers or advice from Madge, but the innuendo is lit.  The bridge and the outro mark my favorite sections, highlighting the gospel-tinged nature of the record. Not shying away from controversy, the music video 🎶📼 has ample blasphemy including burning crosses, a kiss between Madge and a black saint, and arguably, when Madge ‘catches the spirit.’ Ultimately, controversy aside, 🎵 “Like a Prayer” is an utterly sublime classic!

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Appears in 🔻:

• Madonna, “Like a Prayer”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 17 (2021)
• You’re Gonna Love These 15 LIKE Songs (2021)
• Pray 🙏: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 13 (2023)
• 11 Songs Where, I Pray, The Prayers Go Up (2023)