Featuring the best 80s music videos, TV shows, 80s celebrities and more!
The Gap Band’s ‘You Dropped A Bomb On Me’ is still one of our all time favorite songs from the early ’80s. It wasn’t their highest charting single, but it’s arguably their most memorable hit!
Enjoy this look back at The Gap Band’s music video for You Dropped a Bomb on Me from 1982!
The Fine Young Cannibals seemed to come out of nowhere in 1988 when they scored a number one hit on the Hot 100 charts in April, 1989 with She Drives Me Crazy. But, this was actually their fourth top 10 hit in the UK, and their fourth top 30 hit in the US on the Dance charts. But, the song’s quirky music video below along with lead singer Roland Gift’s unique voice propelled the song and band to the top of the music world for a few years. They followed up this song with another number one on the Hot 100 charts with Good Thing.
Enjoy this look back at the official music video for She Drives Me Crazy from the Fine Young Cannibals!
Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 Total Eclipse of the Heart is one of the greatest songs of all time! It went to number one in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Ireland and Sweden, and it’s one of the greatest love songs of the 80’s and beyond!
“Total Eclipse Of The Heart” Lyrics:
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I get a little bit lonely
And you’re never coming round
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I get a little bit tired
Of listening to the sound of my tears
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I get a little bit nervous
That the best of all the years have gone by
(Turn around)
Every now and then I get a little bit terrified
And then I see the look in your eyes
(Turn around, bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around, bright eyes)
Every now and then
I fall apart
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I get a little bit restless
And I dream of something wild
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I get a little bit helpless
And I’m lying like a child in your arms
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I get a little bit angry
And I know I’ve got to get out and cry
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I get a little bit terrified
But then I see the look in your eyes
(Turn around, bright eyes)
Every now and then
I fall apart
Turn around, bright eyes
Every now and then
I fall apart
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right
‘Cause we’ll never be wrong
Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don’t know what to do and I’m always in the dark
We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight
(Forever’s gonna start tonight)
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I’m only falling apart
There’s nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there’s only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
[Instrumental interlude]
(Turn around, bright eyes)
(Turn around, bright eyes)
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I know you’ll never be the boy
You always wanted to be
(Turn around)
But every now and then
I know you’ll always be the only boy
Who wanted me the way that I am
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I know there’s no one in the universe
As magical and wondrous as you
(Turn around)
Every now and then
I know there’s nothing any better
There’s nothing that I just wouldn’t do
(Turn around, bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around, bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right
‘Cause we’ll never be wrong
Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don’t know what to do
I’m always in the dark
Living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight
(Forever’s gonna start tonight)
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I’m only falling apart
There’s nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there’s only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
(Turn around, bright eyes)
(Turn around, bright eyes)
(Turn around)
‘Rock Me Amadeus’ by Falco was one of the biggest hits of the entire decade of the 80’s. It hit number one in numerous countries as well as the Billboard Hot 100 charts here in the U.S. Sadly, Falco died in 1998 from severe injuries sustained when his car collided with a bus on a road in the Dominican Republic. It was determined that he was under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine.
When it comes to 80’s one hit wonders, Rockwell is one of the best. His 1984 debut single ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ went to number one on the R&B charts, number two on the Hot 100 charts and number three on the Dance charts. He scored one more top 40 hit with his next single ‘Obscene Phone Caller’. Enjoy!
DeBarge scored their biggest hit in 1985 when Rhythm of the Night topped both the R&B and A/C charts in 1985. The song was also a top five hit on the Hot 100 charts, peaking at number three. They followed up this song with another number one A/C hit for Who’s Holding Donna Now.
Enjoy this look back at DeBarge’s music video for Rhythm of the Night as well as DeBarge performing Who’s Holding Donna Now live!
The Go-Go’s released their debut album Beauty and the Beat in 1981, and the first single was Our Lips Are Sealed, which became their first top 20 hit on the Hot 100 charts when it peaked at number 20. They followed it up with their highest charting single of their career, We Got the Beat, which peaked at number two on the Hot 100 charts.
During their career, they scored one more top 20 song on the Hot 100 charts when Vacation peaked at number eight on the Hot 100 charts in 1982.
Enjoy this look back at The Go-Go’s music video for Our Lips Are Sealed, as well as the videos for We Got The Beat and Vacation!
Check out Crowded House’s music video for their top two ’80s hit ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’. Also below is footage of Crowded House’s Neil Finn singing the song with legendary rockers Fleetwood Mac during their world tour in 2019.
“Don’t Dream It’s Over”
There is freedom within
there is freedom without
Try to catch a deluge in a paper cup
There’s a battle ahead
many battles are lost
But you’ll never see the end of the road
While you’re traveling with me
[CHORUS]
Hey now, hey now
Don’t dream it’s over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won’t win
Now I’m towing my car
there’s a hole in the roof
my possessions are causing me suspicion but there’s no proof
in the paper today
tales of war and of waste
but you turn right over to the T.V. page
[CHORUS]
Hey now, hey now
Don’t dream it’s over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won’t win
Now I’m walking again
to the beat of a drum
And I’m counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead
barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and relief
Hey now, Hey now
Don’t dream it’s over
Hey now, Hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
You know they won’t win
Don’t let them win
Hey now, Hey now
Hey now, Hey now
Hey now, Hey now
Don’t let them win
They come, They come
Don’t let them win
Hey now, Hey now (yeah)
Hey now, Hey now
In 1982, The Motels scored their first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with Only The Lonely, which peaked at number nine on the Hot 100, number six on the Rock chart, and number seven on the Dance chart. It’s since become one of their signature songs along with their number one Rock hit from 1983, Suddenly Last Summer. They had two more top 40 hits on the Hot 100 chart in the ’80s for Remember the Nights, number 36 in ’83, and Shame, number 21 in ’85.
Enjoy this look back at music videos and live performances of Only the Lonely, Suddenly Last Summer, Remember the Nights, and Shame from The Motels!
Wham’s music video for their 80’s hit ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’!
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” Lyrics:
Jitterbug
Jitterbug
Jitterbug
Jitterbug
You put the boom-boom into my heart (do do)
You send my soul sky high when your lovin’ starts
Jitterbug into my brain (yeah yeah)
Goes a bang-bang-bang ’til my feet do the same
But something’s bugging you
Something ain’t right
My best friend told me what you did last night
Left me sleepin’ in my bed
I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead.
Wake me up before you go-go
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don’t want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
‘Cause I’m not planning on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go (ah)
Take me dancing tonight
I wanna hit that high (yeah, yeah)
You take the grey skies out of my way (do do)
You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day
Turned a bright spark into a flame (yeah yeah)
My beats per minute never been the same
‘Cause you’re my lady, I’m your fool
It makes me crazy when you act so cruel
Come on, baby, let’s not fight
We’ll go dancing, everything will be all right
Wake me up before you go-go
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don’t want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
‘Cause I’m not planning on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go (ah)
Take me dancing tonight
I wanna hit that high (yeah, yeah, yeah, baby)
(Jitterbug)
(Jitterbug)
Cuddle up, baby, move in tight
We’ll go dancing tomorrow night
It’s cold out there, but it’s warm in bed
They can dance, we’ll stay home instead (yeah, yeah)
(Jitterbug)
Wake me up before you go-go
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don’t want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
‘Cause I’m not plannin’ on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go (ah)
Take me dancing tonight
Wake me up before you go-go, don’t you dare to leave me hanging on like a
Yo-yo
Take me dancing
(Boom-boom-boom-boom)
(Boom-boom-boom-boom)
The Human League’s music video for their number one 80’s hit ‘Don’t You Want Me’!
“Don’t You Want Me” Lyrics:
You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up
And turned you around
Turned you into someone new
Now five years later on you’ve got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But don’t forget it’s me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too.
Don’t. Don’t you want me?
You know I can’t believe it when I hear that you won’t see me
Don’t. Don’t you want me?
You know I don’t believe you when you say that you don’t need me
It’s much too late to find
When you think you’ve changed your mind
You’d better change it back or we will both be sorry
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me? Oh!
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me? Oh!
I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew I’d find a much better place
Either with or without you
The five years we have had have been such good at times
I still love you
But now I think it’s time I lived my life on my own
I guess it’s just what I must do
Don’t. Don’t you want me?
You know I can’t believe it when I hear that you won’t see me
Don’t. Don’t you want me?
You know I don’t believe you when you say that you don’t need me
It’s much too late find
When you think you’ve changed your mind
You’d better change it back or we will both be sorry
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me? Oh!
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me? Oh!
[REPEAT x3]
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me? Oh!
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me? Oh!
Eurythmic’s music video for their 80’s hit ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This’!
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” Lyrics:
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Hold your head up, keep your head up, movin’ on
Hold your head up, movin’ on, keep your head up, movin’ on
Hold your head up, movin’ on, keep your head up, movin’ on
Hold your head up, movin’ on, keep your head up
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
In 1984, Van Halen released their album 1984, and it spawned three top 15 Hot 100 singles and four top 25 Rock singles. The first single Jump became Van Halen’s first number one song on the Hot 100 charts. They followed Jump up with two number 13 songs on the Hot 100 charts with I’ll Wait and Panama. The fourth and last single released from the album was Hot For Teacher. It didn’t chart in the top 40 on the Hot 100 charts, but it did peak at number 24 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Hot For Teacher was the last official single released from the original Van Halen lineup of David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, Eddie Van Halen, and Alex Van Halen.
Hot For Teacher might not have been as popular with the masses as the first three singles, but the music video is one of our all time favorite music videos from Van Halen. Enjoy this look back at Van Halen’s music video for Hot For Teacher as well as a rare live video for I’ll Wait, one of Van Halen’s more underrated, but really good songs!
Motley Crue’s music video for their ’80s hit song, ‘Dr. Feelgood’!
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics:
Rat-tailed Jimmy is a second hand hood
He deals out in Hollywood
Got a ’65 Chevy, primered flames
Traded for some powdered goods
Jigsaw Jimmy He’s runnin’ a gang
But I hear he’s doin’ o.k.
Got a cozy little job, sells the Mexican mob
Packages of candycaine
He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He’s the one that makes ya feel alright
He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood
Cops on the corner always ignore
Somebody’s getting paid
Jimmy’s got it wired, law’s for hire
Got it made in the shade
Got a little hideaway, does business all day
But at night he’ll always be found
Selling sugar to the sweet
People on the street
Call this Jimmy’s town
He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He’s the one that makes ya feel alright
He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He’s gonna be your Frankenstein I’ve got one thing you’ll understand
He’s not what you’d call a glamorous man
Got one thing that’s easily understood
He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He’ll tell you he’s the king
Of these barrio streets
Moving up to Shangri-La
Came by his wealth as a matter of luck
Says he never broke no law
Two time loser running out of juice
Time to move out quick
Heard a rumour going round
Jimmy’s going down
This time it’s gonna stick
He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He’s the one that makes ya feel alright
He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He’s gonna be your Frankenstein
Let him soothe your soul, just take his hand
Some people call him an evil man
Let him introduce himself real good
He’s the only one they call “Feelgood”
Def Leppard’s Hysteria was their first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. In 1987, it peaked at number ten on the Hot 100 charts and number nine on the Rock charts. It was one of six top ten Rock singles from Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’ album.
Enjoy this look back at Def Leppard’s music video for Hysteria!
In 1983, the Thompson Twins released their fourth studio album titled Into the Gap. The first single released from the album, Hold Me Now, became their highest charting song on the Hot 100 charts when it peaked at number three in 1983. It also became their third number one song on the U.S. Dance charts. They followed it up with another hit on the Hot 100 charts with Doctor! Doctor! a top 20 hit peaking at number 11.
Enjoy this look back at the Thompson Twins’ music video for ‘Hold Me Now’ from 1983!
Animotion came out of the gates on fire in 1984 with the release of their self-titled debut album, which produced a top 10 hit on the Hot 100 charts with Obsession, which peaked at number six. They followed up Obsession with a top 40 single, Let Him Go, which peaked at number 39.
They scored one more top ten hit on the Hot 100 charts in 1989 with Room to Move, which peaked at number nine.
Enjoy this look back at Animotion’s music video for Obsession as well as a live performance from American Bandstand in 1985, and just for fun, we’ve got their music videos for Let Him Go and Room to Move as well!
T’Pau’s debut single ‘Heart And Soul’ went all the way to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1987. Unfortunately, that was their only song to chart on the Hot 100 charts. But, this song will live forever as one of the best from the ’80s!
Enjoy this look back at T’Pau’s music video for ‘Heart and Soul’ as well as a very cool live performance we found from 2013!
The Police were way ahead of their time! It’s amazing that some of the their best songs came right at the beginning of the 80’s. By the time this song, ‘Every Breath You Take’ hit number one on the charts in 1983, they had already scored three top ten hits for ‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me’, De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da’, and ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’! Enjoy!
In 1984, The Cars released their fifth studio album called Heartbeat City. It was the most successful album of their career peaking at number one on the US Rock Albums chart and selling over four million copies. The album produced four top 20 songs on the Hot 100 charts including two top ten hits for You Might Think (#7) and this song, Drive, which peaked at number three. Drive was their highest charting song on the Hot 100 charts.
Enjoy this look back at The Cars’ music video for Drive from 1984!
