The Scorpions: The Zoo (1980)

The Scorpions penned "The Zoo" with New York City in mind. Indeed, the city had become a hell hole by the late 70s. However, the song also seems to emote a Cold War feel as well. Whether New York of the late 70s or Soviet East Berlin, the urban decay is palatable in this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMaJyUQfwv4

Bruce Springsteen: Out in the Street (1980)

"Out in the Street" combines the downbeat aspects of The River with its more upbeat pop sensibilities. On one hand, the main character is a hard working blue collar man in a bleak world. On the other, he is completely free and never more alive than when he is out in the street.

Studio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8yphj2hUI8

Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgt_rZFQHjo

U2: I Will Follow (1980)

This is U2's first single that sounded like classic U2. The song is about a mother's unconditional love for her child. It was the first song off U2's first album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2BqLlVHlWA

Pete Townshend: Let My Love Open the Door (1980)

This is Pete Townshend's only Top 10 hit in America as a solo artist. The song has appeared in numerous ads and film ranging from Look Who's Talking to Jersey Girl to Evan Almighty. It also appeared in Californication. It will most likely continue to be used in film, television, and commercials for years to come. It's too bouncy and happy! I wonder if this might be the most used song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JtYgQxetek

Pete Townshend: Rough Boys (1980)

Was Pete coming out? Or was he discussing his ambiguous sexuality? Or was he talking about people he knew? Pete has given contradictory statements on the song and the issue. It continues to confuse people to this day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkT8W6u81Ks

Blondie: The Tide Is High (1980)

Blondie is one of the most eclectic groups in music history. They began as a punk band, but evolved to include everything around them. In this case, they throw some reggae into the mix. The video had a figure that looks remarkably like Darth Vader.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppYgrdJ0pWk

Ozzy Osbourne: Crazy Train (1980)

"Crazy Train" is about nuclear annihilation. The Cold War had grown colder following the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and collapse of Detente. As a result, people worried more and more about nuclear war. The song is memorable for Randy Rhoads guitar work. Later, Ozzy released a video for the song as a tribute to Rhoads, who died in a plane crash in 1982.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxlqZBBttxg

Van Halen: Everybody Wants Some! (1980)

“Everybody Wants Some” sounds improvised from start to finish. The song opens with jungle drumming and Roth doing his best Tarzan imitation. It moves in and out of lyrics that sound improvised on the spot and ends with some Roth screeching and offering to “pay for it.” This might be Roth’s best work.  The song also appears in a classic scene in the John Cusak film, Better Off Dead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAktV72_nnE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgnhkxxYZv8

Billy Joel: It's Still Rock n Roll to Me (1980)

Billy Joel responded to music critics and record execs begging him to change with the times. He wrote "It's Still Rock n Roll to Me" as his own cynical critique of the business. They wanted him to change and he basically said he will remain popular based on his merits as opposed to copying New Wave, Punk, or Funk. The song does incorporate the New Wave sound as a contrast to its message. It reached #1 in 1980.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAQa4MOGkE

Willie Nelson: On The Road Again (1980)

"On The Road Again" is about life on tour. Unlike Bob Seger's "Turn The Page", it is more upbeat and positive. The song remains Willie's biggest hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSeNelU

Motorhead: Ace of Spades (1980)

"Ace of Spades" helped define Motorhead. In popular culture, the term refers to death. During the Iraq War, Saddam Hussein was the Ace of Spades when the U.S. published cards with his face on it. Meanwhile, Motorhead chugs along. The band helped redefine and reinvigorate heavy metal in the late 70s and early 80s. They pioneered thrash and speed metal as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iwC2QljLn4

Bob Marley: Redemption Song (1980)

"Redemption Song" borrows from Marcus Garvey's pan-Africanist movement from the 1920s. At the same time, it immortalizes Marley's own inner feelings as he is battling cancer. As a result, it documents not only Marley's political beliefs, but his pain, sorrow, and concerns over his own mortality.

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zyAVfH6VPg

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGitwApwOX8&feature=related

Fleetwood Mac: Sisters of the Moon (1980)

The studio track is 4:36 long, but when the band plays it live, "Sisters of the Moon" often tops 8 minutes. The song has a supernatural paranormal feel to it. Naturally, it was written by Stevie Nicks. The song is a favorite among her fans.

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onbwcek3qvM

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbD4fj39pEk

Billy Joel: Don't Ask Me Why (1980)

"Don't Ask Me Why" sounds like it belongs on earlier Billy Joel albums. It is softer than other tracks he recorded around 1980. He also includes some Latin piano in the bridge.

Best Line: All your life you had to stand in line. Still you're standing on your feet.

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVUUoN87Y5o

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHJyu9beA7Q&feature=related

805. You May Be Right by Billy Joel (1980)

Billy Joel hit #7 on the charts with "You May Be Right." The song opens with the sound of breaking glass which matched the album cover featuring Joel with a rock in his hand outside a glass house. This was meant as a message to his critics. People in glass houses...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S4NU-f6x6Q

823. The Battle in the Snow by John Williams (1980)

This is one of the best tracks on one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. You can feel the AT-AT walkers marching on the rebels in the music. I was 8 when the movie came out which may help explain my affinity for the film and its music...and yes the original version is superior to the special edition!

The Track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm8OXtgPBRY

The actual battle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWjj8EKTkWE

844. Breaking the Law by Judas Priest (1980)

Want to understand a man that was a teenager during the eighties? Here it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psTUiQzNoxw

872. Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie (1980)

"Ashes to Ashes" helped David Bowie wrap "up the seventies." The song reflects Bowie's experiences throughout the decade and features an appearance from Major Tom. While looking back at the previous decade, Bowie's video looked ahead to the golden age of MTV. Bowie was a natural to the video music medium as "Ashes to Ashes" demonstrates.

Note to younger readers: Once upon a time, MTV played music...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMThz7eQ6K0

928. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da by the Police (1980)

Sting was curious about why people were attracted to simple songs such as "Da Doo Ron Run" and "Do Wah Diddy," so he wrote one himself. Despite the title, this song is far from simple. Sting calls this "An articulate song about being inarticulate." It's about word manipulation by politicians and others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2GDbEmjGE&ob=av3e

949. Cars by Gary Numan (1980)

If you want to get a feel for New Wave music, "Cars" is the place to start. Numan took inspiration from a road rage incident to create this work. The song features the use of synthesizers and lacks a chorus. By the mid-80s, synthesizers were a staple of popular music. This was somewhat controversial and artists that relied on them were dubbed "plastic keyboard bands."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw