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Common characteristics of new wave music include a humorous or quirky pop approach, the use of electronic sounds, and a distinctive visual style in music videos and fashion. [30] According to Simon Reynolds, new wave music had a twitchy, agitated feel.
- Everybody Wants to Rule The World – Tears For Fears
- Tainted Love – Soft Cell
- Don’T You Want Me – The Human League
- Burning Down The House – Talking Heads
- Don’T You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
- Always Something There to Remind Me – Naked Eyes
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
- I Ran – A Flock of Seagulls
- Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division
- Down Under – Men at Work
This Tears for Fears hit explores the dangers of wanting more power than is healthy. While it wasn’t one of the group’s favorite songs, it became their biggest chart-topper, hitting number two in their home country of Britain and charting in other countries. Related: Check out these royal songs with king or queen in the title.
Soft Cell covers Gloria Jones’ 1962 classic here. It tells a universally relatable story of an unhealthy romantic relationship for the protagonist, who has trouble leaving even though he knows he has to. The cover became tied in with the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s after its release. Related: Find this tune on our playlist of 1980s love songs.
Here we learn the story of a man and a waitress. The two are in a romantic relationship that fails after the waitress becomes famous with the man’s help. He wants her to get back with him and threatens to end her career if she doesn’t: “it’s me who put you where you are now, and I can put you back down too.” Related: You won’t be able to get enough...
This is a typical funk song in that the lyrics aren’t designed to make much sense. Instead, the whole track has a feel-good vibe. ‘Burning Down the House’ became Talking Heads’ biggest hit and is still used in pop culture to evoke nostalgic feelings from the 1980s. Related: Is it getting hot in here? It will with the best songs about heat or fire!
Simple Minds’ classic hit remains popular today, largely because of its iconic use in the film The Breakfast Club. The lyrics find its protagonist hoping a lover won’t forget him and will see him with recognition if they cross paths in the future. The song was unusual for the group, as they did not write it or spend much time working on it. Related...
While Naked Eyes’ 80s version and its more modern sensibility made the song an enduring hit, Lou Johnson first sang this Burt Bacharach and Hal David-penned track in 1963. The protagonist can’t get over a love interest because he sees reminders of the pair’s romance everywhere he goes.
This track explores the darker side of our dreams, which we sometimes use to hurt others. It became Eurythmics’ first single in the United States after reaching number one in the United Kingdom. Despite its haunting undertones, the song remains a favorite dance track for many listeners. Related: Rock out with the best female rock songs.
A man finds himself attracted to a woman on this track. He is afraid of his feelings but can’t get over them. The two are then abducted by aliens, which isn’t too crazy since this song is the opener for an entire album about an alien invasion on earth. A Flock of Seagulls was one of many groups in the 80s who found success due largely in part to pr...
This is a sarcastic response to the song ‘Love Will Keep Us Together.’ Ian Curtis wrote the heartbreak-infused lyrics while his marriage was falling apart. The song did not chart after its release, and Curtis died a month later. The song was re-released a month after his death and finally found success. Related: This is one of the songs in Donnie D...
While this song is a celebration of Men at Work’s native Australia, it also criticizes the changes that the country was experiencing in the 80s. Despite its criticisms, ‘Down Under’ became the unofficial anthem of Australia in 1983 after the country won America’s Cup. Related: You won’t want to miss our 80s hits playlist.
Sep 12, 2024 · Still, new wave ushered in an incredible array of legendary acts. We've highlight our favorite below in our ranking of the 20 Greatest New Wave Bands.
- Corey Irwin
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) — Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, And Dave Stewart. Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (Official Video)
- Don’t Stand So Close To Me — The Police. The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me (Official Music Video) The Police’s 1980 single Don’t Stand So Close To Me was written with their fanbase in mind.
- Always Something There To Remind Me — Naked Eyes. Always Something There to Remind Me (2018 Remaster) Always Something To Remind Me was first composed in the 1960s and recorded by multiple artists during the decade.
- Video Killed The Radio Star — The Buggles. The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star (Official Music Video) Video Killed The Radio Star was released in 1979 and was famously the first video to air on MTV when it began in 1981.
Jun 8, 2021 · New Wave Music: The History and Bands of New Wave Music. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Jun 8, 2021 • 3 min read. While much of 1960s and 1970s rock music bore the heavy influence of the blues, the new wave movement took a different route.
Oct 13, 2020 · As we look at the best New Wave albums of the ’70s and ’80s, we’re focused both on the early records which overlap with our 50 Best Post-Punk Albums list through the New Romantics, left-of ...
May 31, 2023 · Influenced less by '70s blues and rock 'n' roll, and more by '60s power-pop, new wave incorporated witty lyrics, electronic sounds and choppier tempos. Given the genre's breadth, most...
