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Your Top 5 Post-1980 Pop Songs

post #1 of 278
9/14/07 at 8:39am
Thread Starter 
1. Genius of Love - Tom Tom Club
2. Close to Me - The Cure
3. Head Over Heels - The Go-Gos
4. Faith - George Michael
5. Float On - Modest Mouse

As you can see, my tastes lean a bit more bubble-gum than anything else, and the only song that compare with the output of the 80's for me is Float On, which I still love as much as when I first heard it, amazing considering how overplayed it was.
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post #2 of 278
9/14/07 at 9:06am
Really gotta think on this. We have a huge Spice Girls catalog to peruse...
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post #3 of 278
9/14/07 at 10:58am
Top 5 of the last 27 years is a pretty damn tough list to make. However, I would like to submit for your consideration "A Little Respect" by Erasure, and "Here Comes Your Man" by Pixies.
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post #4 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:13am
Good God, just five? Yikes....

I can't do it.
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post #5 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:18am
Christ, the entire first side of "Ramones - End of the Century" could be used to fill up the Top 5.
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post #6 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:24am
Damn, mis-understood the "post" bit in the subject title.

I had always thought the Ramones broke up pre 1990's probably due to the fact I lost touch with the music scene round that time and never heard anything new from them since then.


Edited for being too quick on the post button.
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post #7 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strumvogel
I think we can make it easier for you. Spice Girls are from the 90's.
Which means all of their songs qualify. I don't get what you're saying.

Great topic, Patrick, but this'll take serious thinking. Are we talking pop songs that were actually popular or songs with pop appeal, no matter whether they charted well or not? Given the Cure song on your list, I'm guessing the latter (well, okay, "Close to Me" did very well elsewhere, but I don't think the Cure cracked the U.S. top 40 until "Just Like Heaven").
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post #8 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:36am
And do we count songs from long-established artists like Springsteen or the Police? I wouldn't call what they did in the 80s pop by any stretch, but they were still popular songs.
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post #9 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson
And do we count songs from long-established artists like Springsteen or the Police? I wouldn't call what they did in the 80s pop by any stretch, but they were still popular songs.
You don't get much more pop than "Glory Days" and "Every Breath You Take." Whether you consider them rock takes on the pop genre or pop takes on the rock genre, their positions on the charts confirm that they had crossover appeal. They're both more typically "pop" than "Float On," actually.
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post #10 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:43am
I can't narrow it to 5, but "Can't Get You Out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue would be on any list I'd compile.
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post #11 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:46am
I know ABC's "Look of Love" is on my list for sure. Now for the other four....
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post #12 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strumvogel
I had always thought the Ramones broke up pre 1990's probably due to the fact I lost touch with the music scene round that time and never heard anything new from them since then.
The Ramones themselves didn't help. Following a path first blazed by the Stones, the Ramones had about 12 farewell tours and, in all truth, would have probably had several more if Joey hadn't passed away. Why, I saw them on two separate farewell tours.

On topic, this is going to take some serious thought.
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post #13 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:50am
Though incorrect, my interpretation of "best pop songs" will usually be comprised of songs I hear on the radio or wherever that I would not normally go out of my way to listen to, but enjoy nonetheless. For example, Since U Been Gone or Nobody's Home.
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post #14 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:55am
Man, I'm having trouble even coming up with the best George Michael song to include on my list. How am I supposed to choose between "Father Figure" and "Careless Whisper," huh? Answer me that!
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post #15 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:56am
I'm going by popularity factor instead of sound, otherwise this list would be mostly different. However, say what you will about MJ, but "Beat It" is pretty much a perfect pop song.

Beat It - Michael Jackson
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Hey Ya - Outkast
Mmm Bop - Hanson
Losing my Religion - R.E.M.
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post #16 of 278
9/14/07 at 11:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt M
Man, I'm having trouble even coming up with the best George Michael song to include on my list. How am I supposed to choose between "Father Figure" and "Careless Whisper," huh? Answer me that!

That's some Sophie's Choice shit right there.
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post #17 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan "Nordling" Cerny
I'm going by popularity factor instead of sound, otherwise this list would be mostly different. However, say what you will about MJ, but "Beat It" is pretty much a perfect pop song.
Pop-wise, though, I don't think "Beat It" stands up to the best of his late-70s stuff on Off the Wall.
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post #18 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt M
Man, I'm having trouble even coming up with the best George Michael song to include on my list. How am I supposed to choose between "Father Figure" and "Careless Whisper," huh? Answer me that!
"Careless Whisper," for sure. That acoustic guitar, that sax!
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post #19 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:13pm
Remember, guilty feelings got no rhythm.
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post #20 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:18pm
Yeah, that's a no-brainer.
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post #21 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:18pm
Impossible. Five from the top-o-the-noggin, that the average person would've heard on pop radio and that were both influential and (subjectively, at least) "good" (and only one per band/artist)

"Billy Jean" - Michael Jackson
"Little Red Corvette" - Prince
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana
"Pride (In the Name of Love)" - U2
"Rapture" - Blondie

And because I'm a weak, weak man:
"It's Tricky" - Run DMC
"The One I Love" - REM
"Nothing Compares 2 U" -Sinead O'Conner/Prince
"Once In A Lifetime" - Talking Heads
"She Sells Sanctuary" - The Cult
"Graceland" - Paul Simon
"Drive" - The Cars
"Straight Outta Compton" - NWA
"Wonderwall" - Oasis
"Enter Sandman" - Metallica
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" - Eurythmics
"Sweet Child O' Mine" - GnR

EDIT: Dammit! I forgot about George Michael! Forgive me, George!
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post #22 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:19pm
When we say "pop", are we talking about Top 40 radio? I request clarification.
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post #23 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveB
"Careless Whisper," for sure. That acoustic guitar, that sax!
But the chorus on "Father Figure"...transcendent.*

*Of course, I'm a sucker for gospel choir-esque touches in pop songs. Which also explains why "Sledgehammer" and "Like a Prayer" are vying for places on my list.
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post #24 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:32pm
This is actually impossible. There are too many great songs.

Five that spring to mind, but not anything near my top 5:
1) In This Home On Ice - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
- Probably the most effortless pop song I've ever heard, even if most people have never and will never hear it.
2) Just Like Heaven - The Cure
- I shouldn't have to explain this.
3) Two Princes - The Spin Doctors
- I think they're generally looked down upon now, but literally everyone loved this song when I was in junior high. Maybe it's a generational thing, but I think it's a great pop song.
4) Silent Sigh - Badly Drawn Boy
- Again, maybe not ever that popular, but so great and so listenable.
5) Your Love - The Outfield
- So unbelievably fun to sing along with. Also, a great alternative to Journey when you want embarrassingly earnest 80's rock.

Also, Jesse's Girl, Get Out of My Dreams, Get Into My Car, Losing My Religion, Bye Bye Bye, and a billion others...

EDIT 1: Oh, and about 3/4 of Madonna's early catalogue, plus the wildly underrated Human Nature.

EDIT 2: Also: Robert Palmer.

EDIT 3: The Bodyguard Soundtrack.

man, there's a LOT of good pop music out there...
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post #25 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:33pm
2 words. Rick Astley. His voice is the bomb.
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post #26 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:33pm
"Look of Love" - ABC
"Every Breath You Take" - The Police
"It's A Sin" - Pet Shop Boys
"Dancing With Myself" - Billy Idol
"Take Me Home" - Phil Collins
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post #27 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:37pm
I unapologetically love The Outfield.
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post #28 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson
"Take Me Home" - Phil Collins
Now, why'd you have to go and do that?
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post #29 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveB
Now, why'd you have to go and do that?
I'm sorry, it's catchy as hell and has Sting and Peter Gabriel on backing vocals.

Besides, Collins really didn't become a blight until after No Jacket Required.
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post #30 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:48pm
"In The Air Tonight" is an awesome song.
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post #31 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan "Nordling" Cerny
"In The Air Tonight" is an awesome song.
It also led to Jay-Z's "The City is Mine", which has one of the greatest bass lines in the history of rap.
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post #32 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:50pm
Yeah, I'm a bit confused as to what "pop" means...but here's five pop-radio-ish songs I'll add as personal favorites:

1. Rancid "Ruby Soho"
2. Fresh Prince "Summertime" (does rap count as pop?)
3. The Tony Rich Project "Nobody Knows"
4. Danzig "Mother" (god, I'm a loser)
5. 112 "Only You (Bad Boy Remix)"

I'll stop since I could keep naming random bands that come to mind from the 1990's (goldfinger, superdrag, figdish, samiam, catherine's wheel), that are personal favorites and I always considered poppy, but not top 40-ish pop.
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post #33 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soul Ahn Ice
3. The Tony Rich Project "Nobody Knows"

5. 112 "Only You (Bad Boy Remix)"
Brilliance. I'm surprised you didn't include any Del Amitri. I can't believe I didn't think of "Only You", since that was my favorite song for years. Incidentally, 112's output from 1997-2003 could easily account for 5 of the best pop songs of the last 27 years.
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post #34 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The LD
Brilliance. I'm surprised you didn't include any Del Amitri.
There's too many Del Amitri songs to name...and yes to everyone else, I am fucking serious.
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post #35 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:54pm
In no order:

-"Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel
-"Can't Get You Out of My Head" - Kylie Minogue
-"Smalltown Boy" - Bronski Beat
-"Father Figure" - George Michael
-"I Would Die 4 U" - Prince
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post #36 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:56pm
I can't believe we've gotten this far with nary a mention of Katrina & the Waves and Dexy's Midnight Runners.
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post #37 of 278
9/14/07 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The LD
It also led to Jay-Z's "The City is Mine", which has one of the greatest bass lines in the history of rap.
That's "You Belong to the City" by Glenn Frey.
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post #38 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:00pm
Thread Starter 
It's impossible to really define pop, I just went on feeling, rather than success on the charts. Close to Me is a catchy poppy kind of song, so is Float On and so on and so forth. I didn't better define it because I myself was puzzled on how to properly do so.
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post #39 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson
I'm sorry, it's catchy as hell and has Sting and Peter Gabriel on backing vocals.

Besides, Collins really didn't become a blight until after No Jacket Required.
Collins has his moments, but for pure unabashed pop greatness, I think he only hit it with "Against All Odds."

Plus, there's personal experience informing my "Take Me Home" hatred. In sixth grade or so, a teacher decided that, as a pre-public speaking exercise, it would be a really great idea to have us lip-synch in front of the class - costumes and props included, if so desired. This one dorky guy obviously hadn't prepared at all and borrowed someone's copy of No Jacket Required right before class. Having not practiced and apparently not having listened to the radio very much, he didn't know any of the words, except for that fucking insipid chorus, so he just lip-synched that part. Come to think of it, it was a lot like Andy Kaufman's Mighty Mouse bit - except with a lot more nervous breathing and red-faced sweating. It was incredibly uncomfortable to watch, and it sticks with me to this day.
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post #40 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:03pm
Five more, more rap:

1. Arrested Development "Tennessee"
2. Paperboy "Ditty"
3. 112 "Cupid"
4. Young MC "Bust A Move"
5. Lucas "Lucas with the Lid Off"
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post #41 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:06pm
I know what pop isn't. That's easier to define than what it is. Pop songs aren't normally longer than 3 and a half minutes and certainly not longer than 6.

One of the lines in THE COMMITMENTS describes soul music vs. jazz music, but I think it applies here: Pop songs have corners. They don't spiral, like jazz, or even some types of rock. There's strict patterns in a pop song that have to be adhered to - they can be bent, but the basic premise is fairly ironclad.
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post #42 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:06pm
This seems to have turned into "What's your five favorite songs since 1980", since I'm spying a few bands that could never be realistically classified as "pop", even by record sales.

Otherwise, if Danzig, Rancid, and NWA are "Pop" music, I must have completely lost touch with top 40 radio.
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post #43 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan "Nordling" Cerny
"In The Air Tonight" is an awesome song.
Absolutely. That's probably in my top 5. And it helped define the Michael Mann aesthetic, which is valuable by itself.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt M
Man, I'm having trouble even coming up with the best George Michael song to include on my list. How am I supposed to choose between "Father Figure" and "Careless Whisper," huh? Answer me that!
Actually that's pretty easy:

"Father Figure" = George Michael

"Careless Whisper" = WHAM!

Semantics maybe, but a point worth making.

Incidentally, I think Faith is easily one of the best pop albums of the last 25 years.
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post #44 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:09pm
Did not expect to see Catherine Wheel mentioned in this thread.


Anyway:
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
What Goes Around... - Justin Timberlake
If You Could Only See - Tonic
Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'Arby
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post #45 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Death Surge
This seems to have turned into "What's your five favorite songs since 1980", since I'm spying a few bands that could never be realistically classified as "pop", even by record sales.

Otherwise, if Danzig, Rancid, and NWA are "Pop" music, I must have completely lost touch with top 40 radio.
I thought it was radio play...in that case, I know that Rancid and Danzig got their singles played a lot on the radio in the alternative days. At least where I was...

Funny random story that just popped into my head, a rival team in my high school friend's rec bball league used to bring a boombox and play "Mother" while they warmed up. I think they thought it made them badass. Instead, it made them look like fucking tools.

EDIT: Admittedly, I read this title as post-1980's...which to me meant 90's...so, my bad y'all.
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post #46 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soul Ahn Ice
I thought it was radio play...in that case, I know that Rancid and Danzig got their singles played a lot on the radio in the alternative days. At least where I was...

Funny random story that just popped into my head, a rival team in my high school friend's rec bball league used to bring a boombox and play "Mother" while they warmed up. I think they thought it made them badass. Instead, it made them look like fucking tools.

EDIT: Admittedly, I read this title as post-1980's...which to me meant 90's...so, my bad y'all.
I don't know about Danzig and NWA, but "Ruby Soho" and "Timebomb" are both pretty pop radio-friendly. They're a little more ragged than the rock-pop crossovers of the 80s (and maybe even now), but early/mid 90s standards in pop-rock were a little different. On those songs, Rancid were really only a small step away from what No Doubt were doing.
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post #47 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveB
I don't know about Danzig and NWA, but "Ruby Soho" and "Timebomb" are both pretty pop radio-friendly. They're a little more ragged than the rock-pop crossovers of the 80s (and maybe even now), but early/mid 90s standards in pop-rock were a little different. On those songs, Rancid were really only a small step away from what No Doubt were doing.
Don't forget "Salvation" as well...ok, we can stop talking about Rancid now.
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post #48 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:28pm
Next 5:

"Come On Eileen" - Dexy's Midnight Runners
"Don't Stop Believing" - Journey
"Shock the Monkey" - Peter Gabriel
"Vacation" - The Go-Gos
"She-Bop" - Cyndi Lauper
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post #49 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:32pm
Eh, I'll admit that NWA probably wasn't on the radio enough at the time to be considered pop. I think they "popped" (sorry) into my head due to hindsight: Dr. Dre, Cube, their subsequent influence on pop music, etc.

I reserve the right to replace that suggestion with Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Buttermilk Biscuits," which was ALL OVER the radio (at least in the Great Northwest).
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post #50 of 278
9/14/07 at 1:35pm
Just the REALLY obvious ones of the 80's. There's at least 25 others names that can fit in there.

New Order - True Faith

Michael Jackson - Beat it

Madonna - Like a Prayer

A-Ah - Take on Me

Men without hats - Safety Dance

Some of them were already mentioned, like Beat it, but hey, it's MJ's best, and with a touch of Van Halen.
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