52. Bob Dylan - Most Of The Time

Found On: Oh Mercy (1989)
A lost gem from a lost gem of an album, this song resurfaced in 2000 on the High Fidelity soundtrack. It's a sly, sad lament about a lost love, pretending not to recall any of the time spent together even as the lyrics betray themselves over and over again. "I don't even remember what her lips felt like on mine?" Sure, Bob. Sure. - RN

53. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

Found On: Too-Aye-Ray (1982)

Why is this man so sad? Is it because 75% of his song's lyrics are completely unintelligible? Maybe, but the joyous music should more than make up for it!

54. The Outfield - Your Love

Found On: Play Deep (1985)

Wonderful, wonderful song, but the lyrics don’t make a lick of sense. It's a bunch of half-completed thoughts strung together. This leads me to believe that it’s being told from the perspective of a drunk guy trying to pick up a girl.

55. Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark

Found On: Born In The U.S.A. (1984)

More than 10 years into his career, the Boss turned writer's block into a perfectly expressed youthful dissatisfaction and longing. More than just moaning about the struggle, he also offers a way out.

56. Whitney Houston - So Emotional

Found On: Whitney (1983)

I was going to say something about the overly dramatic nature (both in composition and performance) of this toe-tapper, but considering what we know about Whitney's personal life it seems pretty fitting.

57. AC/DC - Back In Black

Found On: Back In Black (1980)

I admire AC/DC for their gentle subtlety. Actually, given the bravado in lyrics such as "Forget the hearse 'cause I'll never die" it's not going out on a limb to say that singer Brian Johnson would have made a helluva rapper.

58. The Replacements - Skyway

Found On: Pleased To Meet Me (1987)

In just over two minutes, Paul Westerberg efficiently constructs a gentle tale of longing and loss. With the most economical of word choices, he evokes downtown Minneapolis, snowy weather, the passage of time and palpable romantic loss.

59. Aerosmith - The Other Side

Found On: Pump (1989)

Aerosmith have definitely had their peaks and valleys, but to me this is the high point. Pump featured What It Takes, Love In An Elevator, Janie's Got A Gun, and The Other Side. The latter was the lesser hit but a better song, featuring a surprisingly soulful approach: horns, honky-tonk piano, and tight harmonies.

P.S. 90% of Aerosmith's album covers are awful. Discuss.

60. N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

Found On: Straight Outta Compton (1986)

This was so good it inspired a whole genre of controversial music (gangsta rap) and a whole generation of suburban white boys to sag their pants and call people Gee. Oh yeah, it also introduced the world to Ice Cube, Eazy-E and Dr. Dre. Damn that shit was dope!

61. The Costello Show - Brilliant Mistake

Found On: King Of America (1986)

A jangly lament from his “American” album, Elvis gives us some of his best lines, a lot of them at our expense: ” He thought he was the king of America / where they pour Coca-Cola just like vintage wine” and “He thought he was the king of America / but it was just a boulevard of broken dreams.”

62. Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies

Found On: Tango In The Night (1987)

Christine McVie is the great unappreciated songwriter of Fleetwood Mac. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks generate all the talk, but McVie quietly penned and sang a healthy dose of their biggest hits, including this one, which stylishly blends the Fleetwood Mac sound with the synthesizer-friendly '80s to create something that stands up to repeated listening. - RN

63. Beastie Boys - The Sounds Of Science

Found On: Paul's Boutique (1989)

Opening with the repeated sound of one of those mooing cans and the Boys spouting slow-motion nonsense, the song changes radically after about a minute, with Ad-Rock yelling “rope-a-dope”, the guitar lick from The Beatles’ The End kicking in and the boys stepping up the rhyme tempo. An artistic leap you can shake your ass to.

64. Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love

Found On: The Seeds Of Love (1989)

Tears For Fears has quite a few amazing songs, but this epic is a sentimental favorite of mine. Not only did they manage to capture a bit of The Beatles' sound, but the lyrics maintain their spirit as well.

65. a-ha - Take On Me

Found On: Hunting High And Low (1984)
Picked By: MT

I don't know what to say, but I'll say it anyway. This song has an instantly memorable synth line, and a chorus that goes from alto to soprano in 10 words time.

66. XTC - Dear God

Found On: Skylarking (1986)

A lyrical smart bomb that was never intended for official release. The band put it on a b-side and college stations started playing it, forcing Geffen to re-press the album and include the song. It asks the age-old question: If God is so great why does he let horrible things happen? Never before has spiritual doubt sounded so sweet, courtesy of the usual XTC harmonies and lush Todd Rundgren production.

67. When In Rome - The Promise

Found On: When In Rome (1988)

Who is that woman on the album cover? Was she in the band, or is she just a beard? Anyway, this is a perfect synth pop single from the O.M.D. / Erasure / New Order school of songwriting.

68. The Smiths - Girlfriend In A Coma

Found On: Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)

The perfect example of the Smiths’ ability to find the humor in homicidal urges and awful relationships. When Morrissey asks “Do you really think she’ll pull through?” we’re not at all convinced he wants her to.

69. Prince - Erotic City

Found On: Let's Go Crazy (single) (1984)

A sexy, danceable song by a musical master – this guy is one of the most talented artists in the music industry, hands down. I love the naughtiness. - SA

70. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car

Found On: Tracy Chapman (1988)

It's difficult to remember now the way jaws dropped when Tracy Chapman came on the scene. This look at the struggles everyday people is easily the equal of any Public Enemy, Bruce Springsteen or John Mellencamp anthem.

71. Devo - Beautiful World

Found On: New Traditionalists (1981)

Target deftly used this for an ad campaign a couple of years back, ignoring that the optimistic first 3 minutes eventually end in the words: “It’s a beautiful world for you / but not for me.” The nerdy class clowns showed they had some depth.

72. Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is A Place On Earth

Found On: Heaven On Earth (1986)

There's no better way to spend a Saturday night than to go to Mama G's in Maple Grove, Minnesota, put this one the jukebox and sing along as loudly as possible.

73. George Michael - Faith

Found On: Faith (1987)

Hindsight has caused us to take it for granted, but George Michael's solo career were far from a guaranteed success. Who really knew he had the talent to come out of the gate with such a remarkable solo album? His ass got the attention, but the song has endured.

74. The Cure - Just Like Heaven

Found On: Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me (1987)

On Fridays in high school, this song played in my head, anticipating the coming events of the weekend. And it can still make me smile, even if the likelihood that any "tricks" will make me scream on any given day has declined by quite a bit. Just lose yourself in the fun before the song's disquieting second half, wherein the sea "stole the only girl I loved," begins. - RN

75. Billy Vera & the Beaters - At This Moment

Found On: By Request (1986)

The day Ellen left Alex P. Keaton (the only Republican I have ever been attracted to) to become a ballet dancer, the only thing that brought my mother and me any sort of comfort was the song they played at the end of the episode while Alex had his tearful moment in the Keaton kitchen. - SB

76. Stu Phillips - Knight Rider Theme

Found On: Knight Rider (1982)

Talk about hooks! There are enough here to provide samples for about 50 rap songs. More importantly, this throbbing electronic theme never failed to get me jazzed up for my weekly installment of talking cars and leather jackets.

77. Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

Found On: Dead Man's Party (1985)

Oingo Boingo are the unrecognized kings of the ‘80s soundtrack, contributing to Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Sixteen Candles and Back To School, among many others. Is it any wonder Danny Elfman went on to a career scoring movies? Anyway, this track features hot horns and funny macabre lyrics.

78. Metallica - Master Of Puppets

Found On: Master Of Puppets (1986)

Heavy yet melodic, with enough guitar solos to fill your monthly quota.

79. Chicago - What You're Missing

Found On: Chicago 16 (1982)

It wasn't a hit but this opener has everything that made ‘80s Chicago great: a strong guitar riff, swelling horns, keyboard played like it’s a grand piano and an impassioned Peter Cetera vocal performance. If you don’t know the song, take this advice: “Ohh, what you’re missing / could have been yours from the start.”

80. Big Country - In A Big Country

Found On: The Crossing (1983)
Picked By: SA

Every band should be required to write their own theme song.

81. Prince - Little Red Corvette

Found On: 1999 (1982)

A vehicular metaphor tells the story of a promiscuous girl. What’s interesting is Prince’s warning that she needs to slow down. Is he a proponent of monogamy? Hard to tell since immediately following his plea he tells her she’s got an ass like he ain’t never seen.

82. Huey Lewis and the News - The Power Of Love

Found On: Back To The Future (1985)

Those major chords offer nothing short of joy. If you heard this song on the loudspeakers at the water park and you were king of all you surveyed.

83. Laura Branigan - Gloria

Found On: Branigan (1982)
Picked By: SB

Stephanie claims that this is a great song because everyone tries to sing along, but can't because it's so damn difficult. I don't usually say this, but Stephanie's right.

84. Depeche Mode - Shake The Disease

Found On: Catching Up With Depeche Mode (1985)

It's hard to top Dave Gahan's voice when it comes to cool detachment. What's strange is hearing him express sentiments as straightforward and vulnerable as the ones in this song.

85. The Pretenders - Back On The Chain Gang

Found On: Learning To Crawl (1982)

Paul Tuite rightfully pointed out that no '80s list is complete without The Pretenders. This tune may be their catchiest, with a jangly guitar line and Chrissie Hynde's assured vocal.

86. Paul Simon - Graceland

Found On: Graceland (1986)

Simon envisions Elvis Presley's homestead as a secular heaven, a place to repair broken hearts, a place where all is forgiven and all are welcome. In his long career Simon may not have a better couplet than: “Losing love is like a window in your heart / Everybody sees you’re blown apart."

87. Bryan Ferry - Is Your Love Strong Enough?

Found On: Legend (1985)

This plays over the end credits of the Ridley Scott fantasy film and is perfectly suited to the story of a man who literally goes to hell and back for love. The verses are all dreamy while the chorus is clear-headed and forceful.

88. Spandau Ballet - True

Found On: True (1982)

Great cheesy slow dance song, especially if you are dancing with Jake Ryan. - MT

89. Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

Found On: Whenever You Need Somebody (1987)

Have you been rickrolled yet?

Bonus fact: This song was actually written by the Stock Aikmen Waterman team, who also composed hits for Bananarama and Kylie Minogue.

90. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - You Got Lucky

Found On: Long After Dark (1982)

A combined kiss-off, warning and plea, this pulsing single helped endear Petty and his Heartbreakers to an audience moving away from traditional rock and toward new wave. And I love the confident chorus: “Good love is hard to find / You got lucky, babe / When I found you.”

91. Van Halen - Why Can't This Be Love?

Found On: 5150 (1986)

TRUE Van Halen fans heard this heart-swelling single and asked themselves the same thing about new lead singer Sammy Hagar.

92. Split Enz - I Got You

Found On: True Colours (1980)

Imagine this: You invite your younger brother into your band and immediately he writes a big hit. Wouldn't that suck? If your brother was Neil Finn, one of the best songwriters there is, then it'd probably a little bit easier to swallow.

93. Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure

Found On: Hot Space (1981)

One awesome gay vocalist + one awesome sometimes gay vocalist + the bassline that inspired the world to send word to their mothers = best collaboration ever.

94. Jane's Addiction - Jane Says

Found On: Nothing's Shocking (1988)

I love how Perry Farrell kind of yells the lyrics. You can scream along with this one in the car, the shower, the street; pump your fist to “She can hit!” This is an empowering song. - SA

95. Deniece Williams - Let's Hear It For The Boy

Found On: Let's Hear It For The Boy (1984)

Former Johnny Mathis duet partner (that was them doing the Family Ties theme) remakes herself as a Madonna style dance pixie, and damn if it isn’t sweet. Of course whenever I heard this as a kid I thought she was singing about me.

96. Journey - Don't Stop Believin'

Found On: Escape (1981)
Picked By: JG

Personally I prefer Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), but if you are looking to take the midnight train going anywhere, or just go roller skating, there's no better soundtrack.

97. Men At Work - Who Can It Be Now?

Found On: Business As Usual (1981)

That saxophone was ingenious, as were the drumbeats knocking on the door and Colin Hay’s eyes in the video. As far as I can tell the song is about a shut-in recluse terrified of any contact with the outside world. If I had a dollar for every pop song on that subject…

98. Marshall Crenshaw - There She Goes Again

Found On: Marshall Crenshaw (1982)

Marshall Crenshaw was an ‘80s version of Buddy Holly that captured the critics’ hearts with his perfect first album. There She Goes Again is the opening cut, a toe-tapping, harmony-laden tale of a girl lost.

99. Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al

Found On: Graceland (1986)
Picked By: SB

Okay, so Chevy Chase was in the video and it features a 12 man African a capella group called Ladysmith Black Mambazo. There’s no way that misses the list.

100. Ronnie Milsap - There's No Gettin' Over Me

Found On: There's No Gettin' Over Me (1982)

Instead of getting pissed at the girl who’s leaving him, Ronnie tells her how much she’s going to regret the decision, how he’ll haunt her without even trying: “I’ll be the smile when there’s no one around / I’ll be the book that you just can’t put down.”

101. The dB's - Love Is For Lovers

Found On: Like This (1984)
Picked By: JG

There are certain artists who should have been much more commercially successful than they were, and The dB's definitely belong on the list. This immaculate power pop single is a prime example why.