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What is the defining characteristic of 80s new wave music?
Who are some of the most influential 80s new wave artists?
How did New Wave music evolve over the 1980's?
New wave music encompassed a wide variety of styles that shared a quirky, lighthearted, and humorous tone that were popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. New wave includes several pop-oriented styles from this time period.
- Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Tears for Fears. 1,162 votes. Tears for Fears' soaring anthem "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" features mesmerizing guitar riffs and vibrant synths, making it an emblematic New Wave hit.
- Don't You (Forget About Me) Simple Minds. 1,117 votes. Simple Minds' unforgettable anthem "Don't You (Forget About Me)" defines the 80s New Wave sound with its moody synths and Jim Kerr's distinctive vocals.
- Tainted Love. Soft Cell. 1,086 votes. Soft Cell's pulsating cover of "Tainted Love" boasts infectious synth beats, perfectly complementing Marc Almond's signature vocal style.
- Don't You Want Me. The Human League. 960 votes. The Human League captured the essence of 80s synthpop with their catchy hit "Don't You Want Me," featuring irresistible electronic hooks and an engaging duet between Philip Oakey and Joanne Catherall.
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.
New wave, category of popular music spanning the late 1970s and the early 1980s. Taking its name from the French New Wave cinema of the late 1950s, this catchall classification was defined in opposition to punk (which was generally more raw, rough edged, and political) and to mainstream “corporate”.
- Stephen Seddon
- 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.
May 21, 2023 · By the time the mid-80s rolled around, new wave artists had become the establishment that punk had sought to destroy. Ironic, sure, but worth it: this is a genre that gave us some of the most memorable pop hits of all time. From escaping punk's shadow to dominating MTV and beyond, here is the story of new wave in five essential albums.
80s New Wave Music was formed from the remnants of 70s punk rock. 80s New Wave took the aggressive nature of punk, added dance beats to give it a little disco feel, and then through in some keyboards to give it the distinctive 80s New Wave sound.
