Featuring the best 80s music videos, TV shows, 80s celebrities and more!
Enjoy Steve Earle’s music video for ‘Guitar Town’, his 1985 hit that many of today’s alt-country artists credit for breaking down the boundaries between country and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #50 on their list of the top 100 country songs of all time.
A rare short clip of Motley Crue way back in 1982 in Edmonton, Canada talking to a reporter about why they’re not receiving the best reception so far in Canada.
When asked by a reporter, “Who’s got it in for you in Edmonton?”, Nikki Sixx replied, “I don’t know… and, I don’t really care. We’re here to give everybody their money’s worth for the show and to play rock n’ roll Los Angeles style. If they don’t enjoy it, they don’t have to see it”. Well said Nikki!
VH1’s ‘Behind the Music’ with 80’s legends Ratt!
Ratt, along with bands like Motley Crue, have been recognized as instrumental in the formation of the glam metal scene in Los Angeles, CA in the early ’80s. They’re known for their singles ‘Round and Round’, ‘Lay It Down’, and ‘You’re in Love’ as well as for being one of the hardest partying rock bands of the ’80s! Unfortunately, that reputation came at a heavy price when they lost original guitarist Robbin Crosby on June 6, 2002 after a battle with AIDS and drug addiction.
Ratt have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but to this day, they’re still going strong. Enjoy this look behind the music with Ratt!
In 2014, 80’s legend Sebastian Bach released a new album called ‘Give ‘Em Hell. It was his fifth solo album, and the third to include all original studio recordings. Our favorite song on the album is this one, ‘All My Friends Are Dead’. You’ll notice a familiar face from the 80’s on bass… It’s Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses!
Def Leppard’s music video for one of their most popular songs from the ’80s, ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’!
‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ Lyrics:
Step inside, walk this way
You and me babe
Hey Hey!
Love is like a bomb, baby, c’mon get it on
Livin’ like a lover with a radar phone
Lookin’ like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition woman, can I be your man?
Razzle ‘n’ a dazzle ‘n’ a flash a little light
Television lover, baby, go all night
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Little Missy Innocent sugar me
So c’mon
Take a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up
Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C’mon, fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
I can’t get enough
I’m hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet
Listen!
Red light, yellow light, green light go!
Crazy little woman in a one-man show
Mirror queen, mannequin, rhythm of love
Sweet dream, saccharine, loosen up
You gotta squeeze a little, tease a little, please a little more
Easy operator come a knockin’ on my door
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Little Missy Innocent sugar me
So give a little more
Take a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up
Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C’mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
I can’t get enough
I’m hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet
You got the peaches, I got the cream
Sweet to taste, saccharine
‘Cause I’m hot, hot, say what, sticky sweet
From my head, my head to my feet
Do you take sugar?
One lump or two?
Take a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up
Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C’mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can’t get enough
Pour some sugar on me
Oh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
Get it, come get it
Pour your sugar on me
Pour some sugar on me
Sugar me!
At the end of the ’80s, Joan Jett was still putting out great music, and her cover of Love Hurts was awesome! Love Hurts was included on her album The Hit List that was released on January 16, 1990. In addition to Love Hurts, the album featured covers of AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, ZZ Top’s Tush, CCR’s Have You Ever Seen The Rain?, and The Doors’ Love Me Two Times.
Enjoy this look back at Joan Jett covering The Everly Brothers and Nazareth’s Love Hurts as well as her video for Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and a live performance of Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Mr. Big released their self-titled debut album in 1989, and the first single was called ‘Addicted To That Rush’. It’s a hard rocking song that peaked at #39 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts, and brought the band some mainstream attention. Three years later, they would score a number one song with ‘To Be With You’.
‘The Love Shack’ is The B-52’s biggest hit. In 1989, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and went to number one in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. The music video below was played religiously on MTV and remains one of the most popular songs/videos from the late 80’s!
Borderline was the last single released from Madonna’s 1982 self-titled debut album. It was also her second top ten pop hit in a row and her 4th top five dance hit when it peaked at #10 and #4 respectively. Her previous single Lucky Star was her first top ten hit on the Hot 100 charts when it peaked at number four, and her second number one single on the Dance charts. Her first number one single on the Dance charts was Holiday.
Enjoy this look back at Madonna’s music video for Borderline as well as the other four singles from her debut album, Everybody, Burning Up, Holiday, and Lucky Star!
In 1981, Foreigner released their fourth studio album titled 4. The album produced four top 40 hits on the Hot 100 charts, and four top 20 hits on the Rock charts including two number one Rock hits for Urgent and Waiting for a Girl Like You.
Jukebox Hero peaked at number 26 on the Hot 100 charts and number three on the Rock charts in 1981. It’s become one of Foreigner’s signature songs and one of our personal favorites from the band.
Enjoy this look back at Foreigner’s music video for Jukebox Hero as well as a live performance from 1981!
Check out Van Halen’s complete concert from 1986 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut.
Set list:
There’s Only One Way to Rock
Summer Nights
Get Up
Drum Solo
5150
Best of Both Worlds
Bass Solo
Panama
Love Walks In
Guitar Solo
I Can’t Drive 55
Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love
Why Can’t This Be Love
Rock ‘N’ Roll
In 1983, Kiss released their album ‘Lick It Up’, and the first single ‘Lick It Up’ became their first top 20 rock hit when it peaked at #19 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. The music video below premiered on MTV on September 18, 1983, and it was the first music video featuring the band without makeup.
‘Lick It Up’ is also one of the only songs from Kiss’ “unmasked” era that is still regularly played by the band due to its popularity with fans. Personally, we could do without the unmasking, but this song and ‘Heaven’s On Fire’ (another unmasked song) are two of our all time favorites from Kiss!
