Top Four ’80s Songs I’m Crushin’ On Right Now

Four?  Yeah–four. One always sees “Top Five This” or “Ten Greatest That.” Four doesn’t get nearly the love it should.

As I’m on a big ’80s kick right now (something to do with nostalgia for the decade combined with sadness over my lost and wasted youth, I suppose), I thought I’d share my Top Four ’80s Songs I’m Crushin’ On Right Now (and no, I haven’t included mp3 links, so you’ll have to go and find these gems on your own):

“Hyperactive” by Thomas Dolby

And you thought Thomas Dolby was all about “She Blinded Me With Science,” didn’t you? Dolby’s lesser-known other single is just the bouncy, manic ride that the title suggests, complete with a funked-out bass line, trippy lyrics, and strange voice modulation. And call me crazy (and I’m sure if this gets out, people on Dave Matthews Band message boards will be doing just that) but I think Dave Matthews Band could knock this one out of the park. They’re already covering Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Fallettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)” and Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” on their current tour, so they’ve obviously caught the funk. Guys, if you’re reading, give this one a shot.

“Like to Get to Know You Well” by Howard Jones

I’ve been grooving on the bulk of the Howard Jones catalogue lately, but this song always gets me. “Like to Get to Know You Well” is a sweet, island-tinged come-on that would probably work well in getting the object of your affection to come home with you. And stay. I dare you not to smile and sway while listening to this song.

And just for the ultimate cheesy ’80s reference, “Like to Get to Know You Well” was the song playing over the montage of scenes in Better Off Dead in which the French Girl Whom I’m Assuming Isn’t French In Real Life helps John Cusack’s Lane Meyer fix up the beater car that’s been taking up space in his driveway and thus aides him in taking one more step towards self-confidence. So when I hear this song, I always get an overwhelming urge to ski the K-12.

“Notorious” by Duran Duran

I’ve waxed enthusiastic before about my love for the boys from Birmingham (England, that is), but I’d forgotten how much I liked this song until it came up in my iPod rotation recently. This song is a true funk jam, with a slamming John Taylor bass line and boisterous horns. And, yes, “I’ll leave you lonely/don’t monkey with my business” is a line that’s probably too cute by half, but as it was written by Simon LeBon, all is forgiven.

I also think that Dave Matthews Band could do something interesting with this song, but I see that happening even less than my Thomas Dolby suggestion as most DMB fans would probably start projectile vomiting at the thought of DMB covering what many consider to be one of the original “boy bands.” Too bad. 

“Earn Enough for Us” by XTC

While “Dear God” is usually the song from Skylarking that gets all the props, “Earn Enough for Us” is a catchy, jangly song about a guy just trying to make ends meet that gets my vote (although the whole album is wonderful). The Beatles influence is inescapable on this song as it is on many other XTC tracks.

I’d forgotten about this song (and had, indeed, forgotten about the whole of Skylarking) until the tune popped up on a rerun of an early Gilmore Girls episode (which is always a good place to go looking for songs you’d long forgotten about while you enjoy one of the best written shows ever to grace the TeeVee).

And what great ’80s songs will I be crushin’ on next? Only the “shuffle songs” setting on my iPod knows for sure. But for now, it’s time to get back to work in 2008.