TopPicks Index
Top 7 Poison Songs of the '80s
One of hair metal's most popular and vilified bands of the '80s, Poison made some of the era's most defining music, for better or for worse depending on your perspective.
Top 6 Men at Work Songs of the '80s
Despite an unfortunately brief three-year run on the pop music landscape, the Australian former bar band Men at Work made an indelible mark on '80s music. And unlike many of its contemporaries, the group did so by focusing squarely on making great, eclectic rock music like these fine tunes.
Top 6 Kool & the Gang Songs of the '80s
Here's my take on the best tracks from the most commercially successful years of the classic funk/soul band Kool & the Gang. Although the music certainly took on a strong pop flavor as the decade wore on, the band pumped out a consistent string of high-quality hits.
Top 6 Loverboy Songs of the '80s
Though several of Loverboy’s five full-length album releases of the '80s had their share of filler tracks and silly slices of cheesy machismo, the best songs from this one-of-a-kind new wave/arena rock band stand proudly as some of the best music of the decade.
Top 8 Cyndi Lauper Songs of the '80s
Cyndi Lauper became an unforgettable '80s icon through her unique blend of punk/new wave style and a distinctively free-spirited persona. But the relatively small amount of music she released during the decade is what will continue to fuel her legacy as a recording artist. The strength of her best songs will continue to ensure that Lauper is remembered fondly as an important ‘80s pop music artist as well as a highly visible one.
Top 8 Wham! & George Michael Songs of the '80s
Throughout his glossy '80s journey to superstardom, George Michael stood firm as perhaps the era’s purest pop singer-songwriter. His obsession with glamorous melodic content fueled the music of Wham!, the duo he founded with childhood pal Andrew Ridgeley, and also drove his massive success as a solo artist. Critics have always been slow to recognize the brilliance of pop music this unabashed, but in the years since his heyday, Michael’s music has held up because of its very sound construction.
Top 10 John Mellencamp Songs of the '80s
With or without the "Cougar" designation, Indiana singer-songwriter John Mellencamp enjoyed a very deep '80s catalogue. Distilling his best material from that body of work is therefore challenging and rewarding for the patient listener. Here's a preliminary look at this essential artist's finest compositions.
Top 10 Pretenders Songs of the '80s
Although always a vehicle for charismatic frontwoman Chrissie Hynde’s songwriting, the Pretenders initially emerged as a highly eclectic, talented quartet of musicians capable of producing various rock and pop styles. The best of the band’s '80s tunes employ a fierce, ragged rock and roll approach but benefit also from a tuneful pop sensibility fueled by Hynde’s unique vocal style. The tragic deaths of two original may have slowed but never stopped Hynde’s pursuit of pop/rock perfection.
Top 10 Police Songs of the '80s
The Police were unique among their '80s compatriots as a band that produced remarkably consistent albums, so coming up with a short list of the group's top 10 songs of the decade is a challenging enterprise indeed.
Top 10 Prince Songs of the '80s
Here's a countdown of the most essential tunes from the extraordinarily varied '80s catalogue of the true American original who at that time went by the simple but striking name of Prince. Find out why he still stands today as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of the highest order.
Top 10 Madonna Songs of the '80s
Perhaps few would argue that the '80s were Madonna's peak of influence, but coming up with a list of the top Madonna songs from that period is a particularly challenging enterprise.