I love the ’80s

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OK. To be fair, I was born in ‘84 so my cognizant memories of the actual ’80s are few and far between. BUT, the music? Well, that transcends all generations.

Amazon had this crazy sale going on for their MP3s (Thanks for the tip, Sheena!) and I got a live version of ‘If you Leave’ by Orchestral Manuevers in the Dark for gratis. I know what you’re thinking, does anyone honestly NEED a live version of ‘If you Leave’? Well, no. But, my life is all the richer now that I have it.

What’s even funnier is that the ’80s music I absolutely adore now, my mom COULD NOT STAND while it was out. Duran Duran? Yeah, Mom hated them. Madonna and Prince were welcome in our house, but Simon Lebon? Nope. Mom was more of a Dire Straits fan. Of course, I am too, so there ya go.

Another example, The Cure. Robert Smith is a god in my eyes. Mom’s take? ‘Wait, is that another one of those boys who wears makeup?’

As far as Dad’s concerned, Bob Seger is the only musician who has ever recorded.

Let’s not let that stop us! Here are my favorite ’80s songs. Feel free to chime in with yours!

‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ by Duran Duran: I absolutely adore Duran Duran. This song is kinda mine and Sheena’s (in a completely hetero way, ya’ll). When we were training at The DM, we would drive around Oxford playing this song. It was so fucking fun. I gotta thank Mr. Billy Corgan for asking the all-important question (’Have you been Lebon-ed?’) on his blog and inspiring the Duran Duran love. ‘Mouth is alive, juice is like wine, and I’m hungry like the wolf’ YES! Love it! OK, now for why my mom hates this song. Some lady decided to shoot her three children, killing two of them, and this song was playing while she did it. Mom was both a cop and a mother at the time and she was not happy about it. See also: ‘Reflex’ and ‘Ordinary World’

‘Little Red Corvette’ by Prince: OK, if you’re not sure what the title refers to, let me burst your bubble: IT’S ABOUT A VAGINA. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s focus on how awesome this song is. Prince is the master of nasty, nasty songs. For that alone, he deserves musical sainthood. From the slinky beats, the insane falsetto, the heavy breathing and well, the lyrics, the whole thing is just marvelous. You will never have more fun singing a song about a vagina. Trust. ‘But it was Saturday night, I guess that makes it all right, you say what have I got to lose’ What he said. See Also: ‘1999′ and ‘When Doves Cry’

‘Under Pressure’ by Queen with David Bowie: Queen and David Bowie. David Bowie and Queen. PERFECTION. You tried to cheese it up Vanilla Ice, but this is a friggin’ amazing piece of music. Freddy Mercury’s soaring falsetto, David Bowie and his bad ass self. The music starts as a hum, winds up into a frenzied flourish and ends with in a hum. ‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word, and love dares you to care, for the people on the edge of the night, and love dares you to change our way of, caring about ourselves, this is our last dance, this our last dance, this is ourselves, under pressure’ Fabulous.

‘Dancing with Myself’ by Billy Idol: *snicker* This is about masturbation, right? Or did I just make that up? Either way , I really do like to dance to this song. Who doesn’t love Billy Idol? Even though I really should have picked ‘Rebel Yell’ this is a fun song. ‘So lets sink another drink, ’cause it’ll give me time to think’ is my favorite line, even though I don’t actually drink, like ever. See Also: ‘White Wedding’ and ‘Rebel Yell’

‘Don’t you Want me?’ by Human League: If I ever find a suitable karaoke partner of the male persuasion, this will be our jam. I am convinced. Until then, my shower and hairbrush will have to suffice. Just try not to sing along with the chorus: ‘Don’t you want me, baby, don’t you want me, ohhhhhh’

‘Just can’t get Enough’ by Depeche Mode: Last October, when I was visiting those little people I call nephews, I was watching Barney with the little one (Don’t judge!), and the song the kids were singing sounded really familiar. Then it hit me. They were singing bastardized version of this song. It was bizarre in the best possible way. My friend KAK reminded me that it could have been worse; they could have been singing ‘Personal Jesus.’ This song occasionally comes on in the car, and yes, I sing along. I have no shame. ‘When I’m with you, baby, I go out of my head, and I just can’t get enough’ Yup, that always makes me smile.

‘Dancing in the Dark’ by Bruce Springsteen: BRRRRUUUUUUUUCE. That felt good. Please ignore the video for this. It’s hideous. The Boss and a young Courtney Cox dance the traditional dance of the Causasians. It’s tragic. This song, however, is amazing. My favorite line: ‘You can’t start a fire, worrying about your little world falling apart, this gun’s for hire, even if we’re just dancing in the dark.’ See Also: HIS ENTIRE FUCKING CATALOG.

‘Just Like Heaven’ by The Cure: Remember what I said about Robert Smith being a god? Yeah, this is why. This is what happens when Goth kids fall in love. So, so sweet, but with a bit of darkness thrown in for good measure. ‘I found myself alone, alone, alone above the raging sea, stole the only girl I loved, and drowned her deep inside of me’ SWOON. See Also: ‘The End of The World’ ‘Friday I’m in Love’ and AFI’s cover of ‘Just Like Heaven.’

There a ton of others that are well worth a listen. Anything by Cyndi Lauper, especially ‘She Bop’ and ‘Girls just Wanna Have Fun,’ any and everything Cher put out and a gajillion one hit wonders.

There are some noticable absences. ‘Relax’ by Frankie Goes to Hollywood? Yeah, I can’t stand that song.

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