Top 10 Totally Rad 1980s Love Songs
Romantic songs from the 1980s — with videos
Lately, I’ve been drifting off to sleep whilst letting pop culture drift around my memory banks.
It turns out I’m romantic, sentimental, and dramatic.
Much like the music of the 1980s.
Kinda sweet and simple too.
Give me love and sex.
That’s the good life.
Obviously, all Top 10 Lists are subjective.
These are the songs that emerged as my top 10.
I’d love to hear yours either in the comments or if you’d like, in your own top 10 article.
Let’s get into these sultry, quirky, poppy, inviting, enchanting vibes.
Culture Club “Do You Realy Want to Hurt Me?” Culture Club 1982
Written by Boy George about his relationship with drummer Jon Moss.
“[The MTV video/song was] about being gay and being victimized for your sexuality, which George was kind of emblematic of. It seemed appropriate to me that in the video he would be judged by jurors in blackface, to send up bigotry and point out the hypocrisy of the many gay judges and politicians in the UK who’d enacted anti-gay legislation.”
-Julien Temple, Director.
Jon was fine shagging me until his mum met me. — Boy George
In the song, Boy George sings, “I could waste a thousand years/ Wrapped in sorrow, words are token.” It’s no wonder his feeling were hurt. When Boy George dropped by his boyfriend-at-the-time’s mom’s home, she gave him the once-over and put him to eat with the servants. Boy George later reflected, “Jon was fine shagging me until his mum met me.”
Boy George was a cult favorite, not widely accepted in the 1980s. Many listeners weren’t prepared to accept his cross-dressing and mysterious sexuality. Many of my friends thought his cross-dressing and sexuality were hot and they got me into listening to Culture Club and Boy George.
Thank you, Friends!
The Cure “Just Like Heaven” Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me 1987
Robert Smith is another lipstick-wearing male singer who my friends clued me on to when I was in high school in the 1990s. Watching the video, which is simply a recording of a live show, his awkward shyness comes across in a distinctly sexy way.
You know when guys say women who are beautiful but don’t know they are are super sexy? Yeah, Smith emanates that kind of sexiness.
“Just Like Heaven” was inspired by a trip with his future wife, Mary Poole.
Smith called “Just Like Heaven” “the best pop song The Cure has ever done.”
“Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick The one that makes me scream”, she said “The one that makes me laugh”, she said And threw her arms around my neck “Show me how you do it, and I promise you I promise that I’ll run away with you I’ll run away with you”
-Robert Smith
High school me was like YES, show me how to scream. I know that’s about sex. I can hear the sex seeping from your mouths and instruments, The Cure.
Damn. Hot damn. Hot, hot damn.
And, then I’d replay it on my boombox with my door closed and the music blasting.
Aww, the romance. And, the sex.
It still hits me in the sweet spot.
Only, now I know all about what Smith is singing about.
Thank you, David (that’s my husband).
Yaz “Only You” Upstairs at Eric’s 1982
I found Yaz in high school. I’m pretty sure I picked up the CD at a music store. It must’ve been on sale.
They’re electronica. They’re mushy. They love love. And, so did I. At least the concept. I didn’t date until post-high school.
This song still gets me in the feels.
All I needed was the love you gave All I needed for another day And all I ever knew Only you
I longed for love and romance when I was a teen and into my early twenties. “Only You” captured the elusive relationship feelings I was so desperately seeking.
Ha, joke’s on me. I’ve felt the gamut of relationship feelings since those high school days.
Singer Allison Moyet called it “a universal, everyman song.” Vince Clark tried to rescue his career with the simple arrangement after leaving Depeche Mode. It was a success.
Talking Heads “And She Was” Little Creatures 1985
Byrne wrote this song about a girl he knew who tripped acid in a field by a factory. I always liked to think it was more of a romantic ballad about a girl who can’t keep her head out of the clouds very easily (me!) or about astral projecting (me!) or both (me!).
The video is illustrated with lots of neato 1980s art effects. It’s got a trippy, poppy 1970s vibe, but is firmly rooted in the 1980s.
And she’s drifting this way and that Not touching the ground at all And she’s up above the yard
Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget About Me” Breakfast Club Soundtrack 1985
The Breakfast Club was the film that made many of us 1980s kids feel there was hope for our quirky, eccentric selves when we finally entered high school in the 90s. Plus the songs on the soundtrack are dope, like Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me.”
Tell me your troubles and doubts Giving me everything inside and out and Love’s strange, so real in the dark Think of the tender things that we were working on Slow change may pull us apart
-Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff
Several bands passed over the song, including Billy Idol. The Simple Minds label, A&M, talked them into playing the song. It ended up being their most popular song in the U.S.
The video features Simple Minds’ lead singer, James Kerr, waxing romantic from his twenty-something babyface while toys accumulate around the band members’ feet. There’s a longing love-face with a jukebox. It’s a little odd.
The Breakfast Club is integrated into the video as it plays on a 1980s box-style TV.
Nena “99 Luftballoons” 99 Luftballoons 1983
German band, NENA, recorded the hit, “99 Luftballons” or “99 Red Balloons in 1983. I discovered it in the 2010s when playing one of those Dancing video games.
It’s sultry and sexy. I enjoy listening to the German lyric version, which is the video I included. It does have English subtitles.
Such a great dance song.
It’s actually an anti-war anthem about the Cold War but there’s definitely a sexual element, too.
Of course, miscommunication leads to many romantic fiascos and on a larger scale, it can lead to war.
Watch the video.
Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” Rio 1982
On YouTube, Lucid Dreamer states, “As a little 11 year old black girl, it was really nice to see the first black woman ever featured as the object of desire in a video on TV. Thanks Duran Duran. You made me feel relevant.”
I can see how the featuring of BIPOC in this video was both ahead of its times and problematic. I’m curious what you all think?
It starts with a highly-recognizable giggle and dives into sexual animal attraction. The thing is the song was inspired by Little Red Riding Hood.
I feel confused AND I bleeping love this song.
Woman you want me, give me a sign And catch my breathing even closer behind
-Roger Taylor (Duran Duran), John Taylor, Andy Taylor, Simon Le Bon & Nick Rhodes
Eurythmics “Here Comes the Rain Again” Touch 1983
Annie Lennox, a synthesizer, a camcorder. So totally 1980s. Lennox expresses confidence and longing in her perfect-pitch crooning. I need to go back and listen to more Annie Lennox. I feel like I missed out on her talent at the time.
I want to talk like lovers do Want to dive into your ocean Is it raining with you?
-David A. Stewart & Annie Lennox
I kept on playing this riff, and Annie was looking out the window at the slate grey sky above the New York skyline and just sang spontaneously, ‘Here comes the rain again.’
[…] The whole song was about that undecided thing, like here comes depression, or here comes that downward spiral. But then it goes, ‘so talk to me like lovers do.’ It’s the wandering in and out of melancholy, a dark beauty
It’s beautiful and melancholy. All the water, bird, and nature scenery in the video is mesmerizing.
U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” The Joshua Tree 1987
I have kissed honey lips Felt the healing in her fingertips It burned like fire This burning desire
-Larry Mullen Jr, Adam Clayton, The Edge (Guitarist) & Bono
Bono wrote this as a purposefully elusive song. Is he searching for love, the meaning to life, or something else? We know he still hasn’t found what he’s searching for.
It’s melancholy. It’s 80s. It’s sensual and sentimental, sad and hopeful.
Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now” Tiffany 1987
There were a lot of opinions about singer Tiffany at my elementary school in the 1980s. I remember kids being uber-critical of Tiffany, but I don’t remember why exactly. Was it in defense of rival Debbie Gibson? Maybe.
This saccharine, bubblegum pop song is sweet and innocent and a little risque as it waxes poetic about a young couple alone together getting in trouble for “play” otherwise known as PDA (public displays of affection) — at least in my mind.
I think we’re alone now There doesn’t seem to be anyone around I think we’re alone now The beating of our hearts is the only sound
Tiffany was 16 years old when this topped the charts for 2 weeks in 1987. It was originally sung by Tommy James and The Shondells.
For a taste of 1980s style, check out the video. It’s complete with mall performances, Gumby, jean jackets, big hair, breakdancing, and acid wash jeans.
This may be my favorite video. Watch to the end for the airport scene. It gives the pre-911 vibe of travel in the 80s.
Bonus Track: SNEAK PEAK INTO THE 90S
Boy George “The Crying Game” The Crying Game Soundtrack 1992
When I started thinking about 1980s music, this song popped into my head. The only problem is it was recorded in 1992. For whatever reason, in my head, it belongs on this mix, so I’m including it as a bonus track.
One day soon, I’m gonna tell the moon about the crying game And if he knows, maybe he’ll explain Why there are heartaches (Heartaches) Why there are tears (So sad) Then what to do to stop feeling blue When love disappears
This is a cover of the 1960s song by the same name that was used for the 1992 film The Crying Game, which earned an Academy Award for the screenplay.
The video is filmed in smoky darkness and evokes a feeling of melancholy mystery.
Which songs did I leave out?
I was tempted to include Madonna’s “Just Like a Prayer,” but I think that’s for a different playlist.
Want to enjoy a digestible 1980s music sesh? I’ve compiled the playlist Crushin’ the 1980s for your music education, nostalgic time machine travel, and listening pleasure.
At just over 43 minutes, it’s a fun and quick listen.
