Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 3

Reading Time: 16 min read

Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 3 features music courtesy of AC/DC, Prince, Queen, Rick James, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston.

Ah, the 1980s – what a time, what a time! What better way to reminisce on the decade than to select some of its best songs. There were plenty of kick a$$ rock, pop, and R&B records that stand the test of time. Honestly, there are far too many awesome musicians to recognize in one musical compendium – at least with blurbs involved. Still, we continue the process with 🎧 Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 3, following 🎧 Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 1 (2023) and 🎧 Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 2 (2023). 🎧 Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 3 features some of the 80s finest courtesy of 🎙 AC/DC, 🎙 Prince, 🎙 Queen, 🎙 Rick James, 🎙 Tina Turner, and 🎙 Whitney Houston among others. So, get into the spirit of the 1980s and check out these epic musical classics!

1. Whitney Houston, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”

💿 Whitney • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1987 

“Oh, I wanna dance with somebody / I wanna feel the heat with somebody / Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody / With somebody who loves me.” Woo, that’s #ICONIC!!! She just wants to dance and be in love with someone, sigh (understandable and relatable). The late, great 🎙 Whitney Houston sadly lived a brief life with its share of demons.  One of music’s all-time greatest vocalists succumbed to those demons, aged 48, in 2012 😭.  Despite an untimely death, her musical legacy endures, given a catalog filled with hits, including the beloved 🎵 “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” written by 🎼 ✍ Shannon Rubicam and George Merrill, graces Houston’s sophomore album, 💿 Whitney, released in 1987. Spending two weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is one of 11 no. 1 hits, and 23 top 10 hits by Houston. Impressive!

It goes without saying that “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” is an incredibly fun and infectious listen. It is up-tempo, and the minute the song begins playing, it is instantly recognizable. One of the quintessential numbers of the 1980s, it never loses its luster beyond the decade, which is a testament to its legendary, classic status. As excerpted, the chorus is the centerpiece – the crème de la crème. Houston shows off her immense musicianship, singing with ample energy, showing off an incredible personality, and most of all, wowing with THE VOICE. Beyond the elite singing, and the chorus, the verses, and the pre-choruses are memorable too, setting up that magnificent chorus. In the second verse, she asserts, “I’ve been in love and lost to my senses / Spinnin’ through the town / Sooner or later, the fever ends / And I wind up feelin’ down.” Again, relatable – who doesn’t want to find love to rid of loneliness? The sound is also marvelous, featuring arranging and production by the great 🎛 Narada Michael Walden. All told, 🎵 “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” speaks for itself – a true pop classic. Honestly, “Don’t you wanna dance? Say you wanna dance…” C’mon, baby!

Appears in 🔻:

2. Queen, “Another One Bites the Dust” 

💿 The Game • 🏷 Hollywood • 📅 1980  

“Are you ready? Hey, are you ready for this? / Are you hanging on the edge of your seat? / Out of the doorway, the bullets rip / To the sound of the beat, yeah.” YEAH!!! One of the best BITE songs of all time was a no. 1 hit.  That’s right! 🎙 Queen spent three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 with 🎵 “Another One Bites the Dust”.  The beloved gem appears as the third track on the 1980 album, 💿 The Game.  The other big-time song from The Game is 🎵 “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by the way, another no. 1 hit for the 🎙 Freddie Mercury-led collective.

What makes “Another One Bites the Dust” the sugar honey iced tea? It’s the groove, first and foremost! Those drums (🎙 Roger Taylor)! The robust bass line (🎙 John Deacon)! The guitar (Deacon and of course, 🎙 Brian May)!  The music is as infectious as the lyrics.   Notably, John Deacon wrote this song. Freddie Mercury, among the most entertaining and skilled front men of all time, does a superb job of bringing Deacon’s lyrics to life.  The crowning achievement, of course, is the chorus, in all its infectiousness! 

“Another one bites the dust 

Another one bites the dust 

And another one gone, and another one gone 

Another one bites the dust 

Hey, I’m gonna get you, too 

Another one bites the dust.”

Appears in 🔻:

3. Tina Turner, “The Best”

💿 Foreign Affair • 🏷 Parlophone • 🗓 1989

“Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams / Speak the language of love like you know what it means.” WOO! Sadly, on May 24, 2023, the world lost an icon, and one of my very favorite musicians, 🎙 Tina Turner 😭. In my mind, The 🏆 Grammy winner was definitely one of 🎵 “The Best”, just like her beloved hit song (a cover!). “The Best,” which appeared on her 1989 album, 💿 Foreign Affair, somehow missed the top 10 – what a travesty. It did ultimately peak at no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. So, what makes “The Best” simply the best? Well, it’s “Better than all the rest” first and foremost because of the epic, powerful vocals by Tina Turner. Turner was truly one of a kind. Who sounded like her? No one! The songwriting by 🎼 ✍ Mike Chapman and Holly Knight is superb. Turner executes the memorable lyrics and tuneful melody superbly. The chorus, of course, is the centerpiece:

“Oh, you’re simply the best

Better than all the rest

Better than anyone

Anyone I ever met

I’m stuck on your heart, baby

I hang on every word you say

Oh, tear us apart? No, no

Baby, I would rather be dead.”

The chorus ranks at or near the top of her catalog, as well as the 1980s. Besides the voice and solid songwriting, the sound and production are superb as well. The energetic sound exemplifies the quintessential 80s sound with the groove being EVERYTHING. Also, the key change is idiomatic of the times. As Turner did so well in her comeback/rebrand in the 80s, 🎵 “The Best” blends pop and rock with ample soul within her pipes. “The Best” is, simply, one of the best songs ever. Rest in Peace Queen!

Appears in 🔻:

Tina Turner, “The Best”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 80 (2023)

4. Rick James, “Super Freak”

💿 Street Songs • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1981

“She’s a very kinky girl / The kind you don’t take home to mother.” Woo! 🎙 Rick James (1948 – 2004) was such a talent. Listening back to his 1981, platinum certified album, 💿 Street Songs in particular, his musicianship is nothing short of incredible. Street Songs is one of the true gems in terms of 1980s R&B and funk. Chocked full of hits including the biggest of them all, 🎵 “Super Freak”. 🎙 MC Hammer and 🎙 Nicki Minaj among others owe James big time for sampling his ace in the hole, which peaked at no. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in ’81.

The funked-up instrumental is a major selling point on “Super Freak.” Specifically, the iconic riff is what fuels the fire. Furthermore, the lyrics are infectious, naughty, and tongue in cheek. In the first verse, unsurprisingly, Rick is the object of her affection: “She likes the boys in the band / She says that I’m her all-time favorite / When I make my move to her room, it’s the right time / She’s never hard to please, oh no.” Woo! It gets freakier in the second verse, where “Three’s not a crowd to her, she says (Ménage à trois, oui la la).” Of course, the pre-chorus and chorus are the catchiest sections, emphasizing her utter freakiness. Beyond the fact that “She’s a super freak,” it cool that 🎙 The Temptations contribute background vocals, with James shouting them out during the bridge. Fun fact, The Temptations’ iconic bass singer, 🎙 Melvin Franklin, was Rick’s uncle 🤯. How about another mind blowing fact? James won his sole 🏆 Grammy for his writing credit on MC Hammer’s 🎵 “U Can’t Touch This”, which won Best Rhythm & Blues Song 🤯. All told, 🎵 “Super Freak” is #ICONIC – one of the best songs, regardless of genre, of all-time.

Appears in 🔻:

Rick James, “Super Freak”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 97 (2023)

5. Teena Marie, “Square Biz”

💿 It Must Be Magic • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1981

“I’m gonna hip you to the Tee / (The Tee?) The Tee / (What’s the Tee?) And you know that’s me!” Woo! That white girl can sang! Okay, okay… there are lots of white girls that can sang to be fair 😃, but the late, great 🎙 Teena Marie (Mary Brockert nicknamed Lady T) DID NOT SOUND WHITE! Marie possessed a robust, soulful voice often mistaken for a black female vocalist. One of Lady T’s most beloved songs is 🎵 “Square Biz”, which is chocked-full of personality – a surefire, six-minute vibe. It deserved much better than its paltry no. 50 peak on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 😏.

“Flashback, who’s that dancing to the latest?

Suave de bone, the greatest, ooh, he sure is moving me

That’s what I said, though you didn’t know yet

All of it was kismet, soon to be made history.”

“Square Biz” appears as the fifth track off Marie’s 1981 LP, 💿 It Must Be Magic. Penned by Marie alongside 🎼 ✍ Allen McGrier, the energy is lit from the get-go, as Lady T asserts, “Everybody get up!” WOO! Melodically, “Square Biz” is infectious and tuneful – the verses, pre-chorus, chorus – ALL OF IT. Furthermore, in addition to being tuneful, some of the melodies are rhythmic, specifically the pre-chorus (“So don’t you have no doubt, I’m gonna spell it out / I’ll hip you to the Tee that is”). Speaking of rhythm, what about Lady T’s rapping skills in the fourth verse? “I’m less than five-foot-one, a hundred pounds of fun / I like sophisticated funk / I live on Dom Perignon, caviar, and filet mignon.” Day-umm Lady T! Besides the high-flying rapped and sung vocals and the energetic, fun lyrics, the production is exceptional too, courtesy of – you guessed it – Teena Marie! Picturesque, the backdrop features standard rhythm section, as well as exuberant horns that up the ante. There is nothing the least bit square about the awesome Lady T or 🎵 “Square Biz”!

Appears in 🔻:

Teena Marie, “Square Biz”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 83 (2023)

6. Prince and the Revolution, “I Would Die 4 U”

💿 Purple Rain • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 1984

“You, I would die for you.” Oh, the dedication that 🎙 Prince exhibits on the 🎙 Prince and the Revolution gem, 🎵 “I Would Die 4 U”. He continues in the chorus of this no. 8 hit from 💿 Purple Rain, “Darling, if you want me to / You, I would die for you.” Backed by an exuberant, busy, rhythmic instrumental, “I Would Die 4 U” exemplifies the 1980s aesthetic and stands tall as one of the Purple One’s very, very best numbers.

Yes, Prince is devoting himself to a significant other on “I Would Die 4 U” BUT the track goes deeper. The verses and the bridge bring in a spiritual element. “I’m not a woman / I’m not a man / I am something that you’ll never understand” references God, who requires faith to believe in. Even if we do believe in him, and his ability to “forgive you by and by,” we don’t fully understand God as humans. At the same time, it is sort of hard not to listen to the line and be thinking androgyny, something Prince many rock stars mastered, particularly in the 1970s and 80s. There is a similar sentiment on the second verse, with spiritual references paralleling to Prince’s ability to hold his love down (“I’m your messiah, and you’re the reason why”). All told, 🎵 “I Would Die 4 U” is nothing short of awesome 🙌.

Appears in 🔻:

15 Epic Songs Worth Dying For (2023)

7. Aretha Franklin, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”

💿 Who’s Zoomin Who? • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1985

Take another look and tell me, baby / (Who’s zoomin’ who?).” Great musicians are able to adapt to the times and changing face of the music business, and 🎙 Aretha Franklin found herself with some well-rounded pop hits in the 1980s including 🎵 “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” from her 1985 album, 💿 Who’s Zoomin Who?. “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” peaked at no. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 – one of her 17 top-10 hits.

“Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” was written by Franklin, 🎛 Narada Michael Walden (who also produces), and Preston Glass. It’s idiomatic of the changing face of R&B in the 1980s with the drum programming, in its boxy, rhythm glory. The sound palette is also colorful thanks to the warm synths that help fuel the fire. Of course, Aretha doesn’t need much fueling if any – she was a powerhouse who always seemed to be locked-in and on autopilot. Her vocals sound remarkable, retaining their soulful sensibilities. Of course, Franklin, who commandingly handles the lead, gets a marvelous assist from backing vocals, allowing her to riff and do her T-H-A-N-G. She offers up plenty of personality on the verses, fueled by its flirtation, led not by him, but rather, her. “Guess you believed the world / Played by your rules,” Franklin sings in the second verse, adding, “Here stands an experienced girl / I ain’t nobody’s fool, bump you.” Woo! She goes on to state in the pre-chorus, “You thought you had me covered now, boy /… But you’re bound to be my lover, oh.” Da-yum! We concentrate on the earlier part of Aretha’s career for good reason, but there are later gems like the infectious 🎵 “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” that deserve even more love.

Appears in 🔻:

Aretha Franklin, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 102 (2023)

8. AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long”

💿 Back in Black • 🏷 Leidseplein Presse B.V. • 🗓 1980

“She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean.” Whoa, whoa, whoa, 🎙 AC/DC! Clearly, this is a different sort of motor that lead singer 🎙 Brian Johnson is referencing. For more context on the 💿 Back in Black hit, 🎵 “You Shook Me All Night Long”, Johnson memorably sings, “She told me to come, but I was already there.” Wow… no sexual innuendo whatsoever 😏! And if that’s not enough evidence of what’s going down on this outlandish, guitar-heavy rock gem, what about the fact that “… The walls start shaking, the Earth was quaking / My mind was aching, and we were making it.” The earthquake, my friends, is clearly coitus.

“And you shook me all night long

Yeah you, shook me all night long.”

Clearly, the sex was out of this world – amazing! In the second verse, Johnson mentions a “seduction line,” and asserts, “Made a meal outta me, and come back for more.” A meal, huh? Use your imagination… It’s understandable why, “Had to cool me down to take another round.” There’s science behind that, actually. Regardless, the plan is to go again, and by go, Johnson is totally referring to doing it. The thing is, unless you have virgin ears or live totally under a rock, it doesn’t take much analysis to understand this one. 🎵 “You Shook Me All Night Long” is what it is – a kickass, hard rock song about sex. It’s a classic tale of man and woman banging… boning… doing it…fu¢king… getting down… hunching… making it do… Honestly, is sex really that outlandish when it’s universal and everyone seems to enjoy it? Food for thought!

Appears in 🔻:

AC/DC, You Shook Me All Night Long: Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 16 (2022)

9. Bette Midler, “Wind Beneath My Wings”

💿 Beaches • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 1988

Question: “Did you ever know that you’re my hero / And everything I would like to be?” Just hearing those famous lyrics give me chills! 🎙 Bette Midler is undoubtedly an icon. Her career as an award-winning actress and singer is truly amazing and ‘once in a lifetime.’ Among her most iconic moments was her recording of the oft-covered, much beloved song, 🎵 “Wind Beneath My Wings.” No, Midler was not the first to record this 🎼 ✍ Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley penned hit. Doesn’t matter because her version, which appeared on the soundtrack for the film 🎦 Beaches, has become the definitive, most decorated version of the song. Few would deny that “Wind Beneath My Wings” is the perfect song. The music and lyrics – incredibly thoughtful and poetically penned – are awesome. “It must’ve been cold there in my shadow,” the first verse commences, continuing, “To never have sunlight on your face.” So, so, gorgeous! Add those expressive vocals by Midler, along with a heaping dose of authenticity, and this record is nothing short of a juggernaut. The chorus, excerpted at the top (the centerpiece of this masterpiece), continues as follows:

“I can fly higher than an eagle

For you are the wind beneath my wings.”

Appears in 🔻:

10. Lakeside, “Fantastic Voyage”

💿 Fantastic Voyage • 🏷 Unidisc Music Inc. • 🗓 1980

“Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage.” Why of course we will, 🎙 Lakeside – WOO! The R&B/funk band is renowned for the 1980 classic, 🎵 “Fantastic Voyage”, a moderate hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 55. The funked-up classic fared better on the R&B charts. Chart numbers aside, I think any and everyone who hears “Fantastic Voyage” today respects it as a surefire classic. One of the biggest reasons why “Fantastic Voyage” is an awesome record is the production. The sound palette is crazy – in the best way possible, of course. “Fantastic Voyage” is a clear bridge from the 70s to the growing electronic vibes of the 80s. Still, the groove, riffs, and commanding vocals preserve the sanctity of the soul music that precedes.

The lyrics are incredibly fun, amplifying the overall vibe. Truly, “Fantastic Voyage” sounds like one big-time party:

“Just slide, glide, slippity-slide

Just forget about your troubles and your 9 to 5

And just sail on (That’s what you do), just sail on

Now this groove’s so funky, hey, what do you think?

What is it called? Let’s call it Lakeside stank.”

“Lakeside stank,” huh? I’m in! Honestly, there’s no way you can be bummed listening to “the directors of this groove ship.” Who doesn’t want to “Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage?” Even 40+ years later, doesn’t “The Land of Funk” sound like an inviting place? WOO!

Appears in 🔻:

Lakeside, “Fantastic Voyage”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 23 (2022)

11. Grace Jones, “Warm Leatherette”

💿 Warm Leatherette • 🏷 Island • 📅 1980

“A tear of petrol / Is in your eye / The hand brake / Penetrates your thigh.” Woo! In case you weren’t aware, 🎙 Grace Jones is a total bad ass. Now that that’s been established, her 1980 album, 💿 Warm Leatherette is must-hear listening, period. It commences with a cover you’d swear was her own: 🎵 “Warm Leatherette” courtesy of 🎙 The Normal. “Warm Leatherette” was written by 🎼✍ Daniel Miller (aka The Normal). 🎛 Chris Blackwell and Alex Sadkin produce this funky gem. Oh, and in case you’re unfamiliar with the terminology, leatherette, per Soho Concept, is a synthetic material designed to mimic leather. “Warm Leatherette” is a vibe. There’s a hypnotic quality that sucks you right in from the jump. Lyrically, there’s ample repetition, yet the lyrics are also abstract and descriptive. A prime example:

“Warm Leatherette melts

On your burning flesh

You can see your reflection

On the luminescent dash.”

Grace Jones kills it with her mix of singing and ‘talking’ the lyrics. Did I mention that fact that Jones, well, she’s a bad ass?

Appears in 🔻:

12. The Vapors, “Turning Japanese”

💿 New Clear Days • 🏷 RT Industries • 📅 1980

“I’ve got your picture / Of me and you /… I sit there staring, and there’s nothing else to do / … I often kiss you when there’s no one else around…” We’ve all been there! One of the most famous songs referencing Japan (sort of) is 🎵 “Turning Japanese” by English new wave band, 🎙 The Vapors. Interestingly, the meaning of the song created a more sexual narrative than anticipated. The narrative has been debunked. That said, doesn’t the band deserve the blame for masturbation becoming associated with their song?

“I’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture

I’d like a million f you, all ‘round my cell

I want a doctor to take your picture

So, I can look at you from inside as well

You’ve got md turning up and turning down

And turning in and turning ‘round

I’m turning Japanese.”

Yes, The Vapors totally deserve the blame! I mean, pictures are potent and incite the mind and the loins. Furthermore, though debunked regarding the song, turning Japanese is slang for masturbation, and the effect on the eyes. I’ll leave it that – do what you will with it. The song, of course, is a classic. And if he’s lonely, who’s going to deny him some solo fun? Also, worth noting, there are distinct Japanese music cues in addition to the punk/new wave vibes.

Appears in 🔻:

13. Luther Vandross, “Here and Now”

💿 The Essential Luther Vandross • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 2015

“Here in my heart / I believe / Your love is all I ever need.” Oh, the feels, the feels, the feels. It is a bit hard to believe that 🎵 “Here and Now”, one of the biggest hits from the late, great 🎙 Luther Vandross, did NOT appear on one of his studio albums 🤯. Instead, this silky-smooth ballad, penned by 🎼 ✍ Terry Steele and David Elliott, appeared on Vandross’ 1989 compilation album, 💿 The Best of Luther Vandross… The Best of Love. “Here and Now” peaked at no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. Vandross produced this adult contemporary R&B alongside 🎛 Marcus Miller (an amazing musician in his own right).

What makes “Here and Now” so awesome, first and foremost, are the incredible sophisticated vocals by Luther. Few could concoct such buttery smooth performances like Vandross, who never sounded like he broke a sweat (he did sweat, of course). The way that Vandross executes the melodies, as well as the ad-libs – the nuances and the runs – is stunning. Of course, the theme of love never grows old. “I look in your eyes / And there I see / What happiness really means…” Aww 🥰, its lyrics like that that make you appreciate the beauty and power of love. Of course, the crème de la crème – the crowning achievement – is the chorus: “Here and now / I promise to love faithfully / You’re all I need / Here and now / I vow to be one with thee / Your love is all I need.” The perfect wedding song more than three decades later, Luther Vandross delivered something truly special with 🎵 “Here and Now”. It should come as no surprise he won the 🏆 Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male 💪.

Appears in 🔻:

Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 3 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Atlantic, Hollywood, Island, Leidseplein Presse B.V., Motown, Parlophone, RT Industries, Sony Music Entertainment, Unidisc Music Inc., Warner; Yaritza from Pexels]

Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 3 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on July 10, 2023July 10, 2023