Whitesnake: Slide It In (1984)

80s metal was not only over-the-top, but straight and to the point. "Slide It In" speaks for itself.

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

Van Halen: Jump (1984)

"Jump" was released right before Christmas in 1983 and became a soundtrack song for the summer of 1984. Van Halen combined synth pop with their own arena hard rock sound to create one of the greatest works of the decade. It became Van Halen's only #1 song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYN7mTi6HM

The Police: Wrapped Around Your Finger (1984)

Sting claims "Wrapped Around Your Finger" is about his life. Essentially, the protanganist turns the tables on person who believes they are in charge. The Police incorporate mythological images and Faust into the song. The music video is nearly ethereal and sets a mood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svWINSRhQU0

Bruce Springsteen: Darlington County (1984)

A pair of young guys are driving along the county line looking for girls and work. In the end, Wayne ends up cuffed to the bumper of a state trooper's car. This song exudes youth and fun and is what rock n roll is about. It also marks Springsteen's cultural peak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGtE42NYtes

Twisted Sister: We're Not Gonna Take It (1984)

The song is remembered for its slapstick video featuring Mark Metcalf of Animal House and Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame. The song was used by Arnold Schwartzeneger for his campaign for governor and Paul Ryan in the 2012 presidential election.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9AbeALNVkk

KISS: Heaven's on Fire (1984)

"Heaven's on Fire" is one of the few songs from the non-makeup era that KISS still performs live. The song is filled with typical KISS musical themes (fans know!). The song hit #11 on the American rock charts and the video received MTV airplay, when MTV played videos. The video included Mark St. John's official debut. He would soon leave the band with Reiter's Syndrome. Bruce Kulick replaced him shortly thereafter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZjevnnkA20

R.E.M.: Don't Go Back to Rockville (1984)

Mike Mills wrote this piece as a plea to his girlfriend to not leave for her parents’ home in Rockville, Maryland. The band originally conceived the song in punk fashion, but changed it to its now familiar country sound as a joke. In the band’s later years, Mike Mills took over vocals on the song.

Acoustic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zgh0y9vTgY

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fXCjSgItgw

Mike Mills:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWRawTxpD4E

Stevie Ray Vaughan: Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984)

“Couldn’t Stand the Weather” was the title track off the album of the same name. The video received heavy MTV play and many were introduced to Stevie Ray Vaughan for the first time. By the end of the decade, Vaughan was an A-list guitarist mentioned alongside Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO23B5C_Mcw

 

Rockwell: Somebody's Watching Me (1984)

Berry Gordy’s son wanted to record an album. His father was less than enthused until he heard the backing vocals. Michael and Jermaine Jackson helped out Gordy’s son and their talents really propelled the song. Rockwell’s character is extremely paranoid and the video employs a Halloween/Night of the Living Dead feel. Over 20 years later, “Somebody’s Watching Me” could be the NSA’s theme song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY

Scandal: The Warrior (1984)

The 80s pop music scene resembled nothing like 2013. Rock songs dominated radio. Rock stars were pop stars and proto hip hop was reserved to a few isolated urban stations. “The Warrior”, and its accompanying video, is the perfect example of the mid-80s music scene and culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT9t5nkZn8I

Huey Lewis and the News: Heart of Rock n Roll (1984)

Nothing screams 1984 like Huey Lewis and the News. The band was omnipresent from the mid-to-late 80s racking up a string of hits. MTV played the video constantly and it became a summer anthem. 25 years later, Blender panned the song as the sixth worst ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7JVlpm0eRs

Sting: Desert Rose (2000)

"Desert Rose" was inspired by the novel, Dune. Sting starred in the 1984 film adaptation and includes arabic and features Cheb Mami. The song later appeared in a Jaguar commercial. In the old days, this would have been considered selling out. In the last decade and a half, it is now viewed as a way to get music to the public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3lWwBslWqg

Rod Stewart: Infatuation (1984)

Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck teamed up for 1984's "Infatuation." The song is about obsession and the video portrays this in a humorous fashion. Two versions were filmed. In one, Stewart gets the girl. Doesn't the old man look a little like LBJ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lru_kgkb6x8

Lindsey Buckingham: Go Insane (1984)

Lindsey Buckingham said "Go Insane" is about the relative nature of insanity. Insanity can depend on the context someone finds themselves in. He goes on, "Looking at it that way we all tend to go insane a little bit, I think that's ok. I think that's one of the things the album is saying - it is ok to go insane, it can be quite cathartic actually, to watch yourself go out to the edge and sort of reel yourself back in - now hopefully you do reel yourself back in." The original definitely sounds like it's from 1984. In recent years, Buckingham has stripped it down for live performances.

The original:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/36owgl_ZhI0/

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGrOqhQvDC4

Sammy Hagar: VOA (1984)

V.O.A. stands for Voice of America and Sammy Hagar takes the acronym and runs. This is classic Cold War rock. The music video plays into the theme as Sammy battles America's enemies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c51qJ3Ad_4&ob=av2e

Berlin: No More Words (1984)

Berlin formed in the late 1970s. They were influenced by the keyboard work of Kraftwerk and Ultravox and emerged as one of the great synthpop bands of the 80s. The video for "No More Words" pays homage to Bonnie and Clyde.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIb9QUGjdIc&ob=av2e

Elton John: I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues (1983)

This song has enjoyed an exceptionally long life. It has been used in commercials, on an episode of Family Guy, and remains a radio staple. It's even been covered by Mary J. Blige. The song peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 in 1984.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6KYAVn8ons&ob=av3e

Mary J Blige:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c7xn3zG0iA

Metallica: Fade to Black (1984)

Lars and James were "obsessed with death" at the time they wrote "Fade to Black." It's about suicidal feelings and has become a concert staple. In 1992, Hetfield was severely burned when he stepped into the on-stage flames while performing the song forcing a premature end of Metallica's set. Guns n Roses came on later and Axl melted down leading to a riot in Montreal.

Live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7C90sLh5Ok

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEQnzs8wl6E

804. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) by R.E.M.(1984)

Michael Stipe refused to lip synch "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" for the music video. While the rest of the band faked playing their instruments, Stipe needed to sing the song live along with the recording. He would not lip synch for a video until 1991's "Losing My Religion."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msWi0c4tHV8

812. Legs by ZZ Top (1984)

ZZ Top became a cultural phenomenon with their flashy videos and trademark beards. "Legs" provided the formula. A hot red classic car and a bevy of models too cool for you. The band parlayed the format to superstardom after fifteen years together. Following "Legs" and Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher", rock bands began inserting scantily clad women into their videos. A few years later, Hip Hop videos followed suit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXXZVdUJ98