The neon, shoulder-padded glam, the synth-heavy dance music, the rise of hip-hop, and the steady popularity of rock 'n' roll: These are just a few of the reasons the 1980s are fondly remembered as one of the best decades in music. Famed songwriters such as Bruce Springsteen, Kate Bush, and John Mellencamp saw their popularity rise behind songs that touched on everything from love, to social change, to simply letting go and living in the moment.
The boom of music videos, propelled by the launch of MTV in 1981, also helped launch careers for unfettered, revolutionary pop superstars including Madonna and Prince, while groundbreaking musical events like 1985's Live Aid concert imbued rock 'n' roll with a higher moral purpose.
Songs such as Bruce Hornsby's "The Way It Is" (1986) and Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" (1989) called on listeners to treat others with fairness and live up to social responsibilities, while anthems like Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" (1986) and Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981) reminded fans to hold tight to the love in their lives while they worked for a better tomorrow.
Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon, who wrote the 1986 hit "You Can Call Me Al," once said that "music is forever" — and if any decade has gone on to prove its lasting impact, it's the '80s. Read on for some of the most hopeful, romantic, and motivating lyrics from one of music's greatest eras.
Time isn't holding up, time isn't after us / Same as it ever was, same as it ever was."Once in a Lifetime," Talking Heads, 1980
Two hearts that beat as one / Our lives have just begun."Endless Love," Lionel Richie ft. Diana Ross, 1981
With music by our side to break the color lines / Let's work together to improve our way of life / Join voices in protest to social injustice / A generation full of courage, come forth with me."Rhythm Nation," Janet Jackson, 1989
Sometimes love don't feel like it should / You make it hurt so good."Hurts So Good," John Mellencamp, 1982
Life is just a party / And parties weren't meant to last."1999," Prince, 1982
I know you have a little life in you yet / I know you have a lot of strength left."This Woman's Work," Kate Bush, 1988
These people round here / Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face / They're so resigned to what their fate is / But not us (No never) / But not us (Not ever) / We are far too young and clever."Come On Eileen," Dexys Midnight Runners, 1982
Some boys take a beautiful girl / And hide her away from the rest of the world / I wanna be the one to walk in the sun / Oh, girls, they wanna have fun."Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Cyndi Lauper, 1983
You're all the things I've got to remember."Take on Me," a-ha, 1984
We are strong / No one can tell us we're wrong / Searching our hearts for so long / Both of us knowing / Love is a battlefield."Love Is a Battlefield," Pat Benatar, 1983
In your eyes, the light, the heat / In your eyes, I am complete / In your eyes, I see the doorway / In your eyes, to a thousand churches / In your eyes, the resolution / In your eyes, of all the fruitless searches."In Your Eyes," Peter Gabriel, 1986
Take me as I am / Put your heart in mine, stay with me forever / Because I am just a man who never understood / I never had a thing to prove / There was you / You and me / Then it all came clear so suddenly / How close to you that I wanna be."Will You Still Love Me?," Chicago, 1986
We've gotta hold on to what we've got / It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not / We've got each other and that's a lot for love."Livin' on a Prayer," Bon Jovi, 1986
She works hard for the money / So hard for it, honey / She works hard for the money / So you better treat her right."She Works Hard for the Money," Donna Summer, 1983
For reasons I cannot explain / There's some part of me wants to see Graceland / And I may be obliged to defend / Every love, every ending / Or maybe there's no obligations now / Maybe I've a reason to believe / We all will be received in Graceland."Graceland," Paul Simon, 1986
It ought to be easy, ought to be simple enough / Man meets a woman and they fall in love / But this house is haunted and the ride gets rough / You've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above / If you want to ride on down in through this tunnel of love."Tunnel of Love," Bruce Springsteen, 1987
She's got a smile that it seems to me / Reminds me of childhood memories / Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky."Sweet Child O' Mine," Guns N' Roses, 1987
Doesn't matter what they say / In the jealous games people play / Our lips are sealed."Our Lips Are Sealed," The Go-Go's, 1981
In every life we have some trouble / But when you worry you make it double / Don't worry, be happy."Don't Worry, Be Happy," Bobby McFerrin, 1988
We didn't start the fire / It was always burning / Since the world's been turning / We didn't start the fire / No, we didn't light it / But we tried to fight it."We Didn't Start the Fire," Billy Joel, 1989
Let love shine / And we will find / A way to come together and make things better / We need a holiday."Holiday," Madonna, 1983
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