The new wave movement of the 1980’s was a melding of sorts that came after the demise of disco and punk rock in the earlier part of the decade. This new genre of music blended the rebelliousness of punk rockers with the dance floor affability of those who mourned disco’s loss. Much of it was silly, danceable and fun, and sparked not only a musical craze that defined a decade, but a pop culture craze as well.
Choosing a top ten list of new wave songs is difficult. There were so many good tunes back in those days that still make me move my feet. Many new wave groups contributed their fair share to 80’s music and are an indelible part of the songbook of my life. New wave groups like Duran Duran, Divo, Culture Club, Blondie, the B-52’s, Depeche Mode, Erasure, Dead or Alive, A Flock of Seagulls, and many others entertained us with innovative sounds and memorably awkward and sometimes silly videos during the time of MTV’s inception.
So here’s my personal roundup of the ten best new wave songs. Enjoy it. I’m sure you’re familiar with at least a few of them.
10- Lies, Thompson Twins – “Lies” is a magnetic track that’s got a typically new wave feel. With synth sounds, catchy lyrics, and ethnic musical samples added in for fun, this one is a classic of the genre.
9- Private Idaho, the B-52’s – This early B-52’s smash from their CD “Wild Planet’ is a fast moving, dance inducing, and utterly silly tune that’s classic B-52’s sound.
8- Blue Monday, New Order – This song was a club smash for the group off of its 1987 album “Substance”. It had been a smash earlier in the UK and was reincarnated several times during the decade and beyond only to reach the charts again. This seven-plus minute song is a bass-heavy, haunting track unlike most other songs in that it doesn’t have a traditional chorus. The tune is dance floor friendly and irresistible to sing along with.
7- I Know What Boys Like, the Waitresses – This case of naughty girl cockiness was a one hit wonder for this new wave group. The tune was featured in the 80’s teen comedy “The Last American Virgin” and the sound is all 80’s, and a lot of fun!
6- Goody Two Shoes, Adam Ant – “Don’t drink. Don’t Smoke. What do you do?” This catchy ditty was a radio smash for Adam and unforgettably fun for us.
5- Here Comes the Rain Again, Eurythmics – The Eurythmics, made up of Dave Stewart and Annie Lenox, were one of the more successful groups of the genre and of the decade. Included among their string of top 40 hits was this haunting tune, taking the listener on a hypnotic journey through Lenox’s desolate emotions.
4- You Spin Me (Right Around), Dead or Alive – Dead or Alive was an underground sensation during the new wave era that spurned a loyal following. In what was their largest success to date, “You Spin Me (Right Around)” filled dance floors all over the place with its captivating rhythms and chorus. It would become the first of a string of hits for the group, which still maintains a devoted fan base to this day.
3- Situation, Yaz – Originally known as Yazoo, this duo comprised of Depeche Mode songwriter Vince Clark and vocalist Alison Moyet released two classic albums during the new wave era. Their debut, “Upstairs at Eric’s”, is a classic album featuring the #1 US dance hit “Situation”. This one nears the top of this list for its uniquely identifiable keyboard-based track and Moyet’s powerful vocals.
2- I Ran (So Far Away), A Flock of Seagulls – Two things come to mind when I think of a Flock of Seagulls; “I Ran (So Far Away)” and bad hair! This one’s a classic, with catchy lyrics and signature eighties synth-pop rhythms.
1-Rock Lobster, the B-52’s – With a hypnotic guitar melody and nonsensical lyrics, “Rock Lobster” seduced a legion of music lovers and became an instant classic in the new genre of music that would come to be known as “new wave. Fred Schneider’s one of a kind vocals, paired with the harmonious duo of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, play off each other in perfect synch. “Rock Lobster” is the ultimate in fun!
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Order
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazoo_(band)
Purchase great new wave tunes at:
Amazon.com , DiscoNet; www.discomusic.com, Rhapsody.com, iTunes.com,
