R.E.M.: Superman (1986)

The Clique recorded "Superman" in 1969. The song became famous when R.E.M. covered it in 1986. Mike Mills provided the lead vocals since Michael Stipe was not enthusiastic about covering the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxQS6lfn0yU

The Talking Heads: Wild Wild Life (1986)

The video came from the film True Stories and featured John Goodman. The song receieved major MTV play and won the group  the award for Best Group Video. Interestingly, David Byrne did not play the song live until 2013.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NXkM8PsPXs&noredirect=1

Bob Seger: American Storm (1986)

Bob Seger wrote “American Storm” after reading Bob Woodward’s biography of John Belushi. Seger thought the coke epidemic was a fad and his song would be outdated before it came out. However, the problem worsened by 1986. The music video featured James Woods, Scott Glenn, Leslie Ann Warren, and Randy Quaid and was banned by MTV. The network obviously did not get the anti-drug message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLr43Slkwis

Phil Collins: Take Me Home (1986)

Phil Collins based "Take Me Home" on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The song is about someone in a mental hospital and not about someone returning home. Peter Gabriel provides backup vocals on the track, which peaked at #7 in 1986.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRY1NG1P_kw

Heart: These Dreams (1986)

Heart really did not do pop ballads before "These Dreams". The song also featured Nancy Wilson on vocals as opposed to Ann. Stevie Nicks turned down the song, which went to #1 in 1986. Reminds me of junior high....probably not a good thing there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41P8UxneDJE&ob=av2e

INXS: What you Need (1986)

INXS finished the Listen Like Thieves album and record execs worried that it lacked a hit. So, in no time, they wrote "What You Need." Sometimes, it does not take long to write a hit song. Makes one wonder about pop music listeners....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSME53nL8tg

Ted Nugent: Little Miss Dangerous (1986)

"Little Miss Dangerous" is about Ted Nugent's girlfriend of the time. In 1978, he began the relationship with the then seventeen-year-old Pela Massa. Nugent convinced her parents to sign documents making him legal guardian. He really was her daddy! On a side note, "Little Miss Dangerous", the song not Pela, appeared in an episode of Miami Vice. Nugent also made an appearance on the show, starring as a drug dealer who died in a shootout at the end.

From Miami Vice:

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

and the original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YPst1CMnOI&feature=related

807. Walk This Way by Aerosmith (1975)

"Walk This Way" was a hit for Aerosmith in 1975 and then reinvigorated their career in 1986. The band fell on hard times due to excessive drug use. In fact, Run DMC never heard of Aerosmith before covering the song. Their version resurrected Aerosmith who went on to a enjoy a second run.

Aerosmith:

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

Run DMC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_UYYPb-Gk

849. Use Your Love by the Outfield (1986)

"Use Your Love" was the signature hit for The Outfield in 1986. It reached #6 on the Billboard charts. The band had a couple other minor hits, but never again experienced the success of "Use Your Love." Believe it or not, they are still around! On a side note, the band is British...and their name derives from baseball which is the American pastime.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N1iwQxiHrs

897. Turbo Lover by Judas Priest (1986)

This song needs no interpretation. I saw a piece on the news about Megan Fox and this came to mind. Go figure! Listeners can hear the eighties influence on Priest in this song as it includes synthesizers. The video features the band on motorcycles in some post apocalyptic wasteland.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhY9GOhFwN4

923. Peter Gunn Theme by Jeff Beck (1958, 2009)

Henry Mancini wrote this clasic rock-jazz standard for the television series of the same name. It's considered one of the greatest television themes of all time and has been covered multiple times most notably by Jeff Beck.

Jeff Beck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00UJ1Bb-Txg

Original from TV:

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

Art of Noise and Duane Eddy from 1986:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH33RIfi2KI

990. Peace Sells by Megadeth (1986)

Old MTV viewers may recognize the bass line at the beginning of the song...MTV News used it for years. The song itself is Dave Mustaine's attempt to refute negative stereotypes about metal fans.

Best Line: What do you mean, "I don't support your system"?
I go to court when I have to.

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