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The Top 20 Most Embarrassing Songs of the 80s

Posted Wed 1 Jul 2009 11:35AM NZST by Robert of the Radish in The Y! Music Playlist Blog

As someone who listens to a ton of music, I can say with high confidence that every decade has created its fair share of incredible and timeless music. The 80s were no exception. However, on the flip side, every decade also has its fair share of horrible, embarrassing music. And again, the 80s were no exception. I've run into a lot of people who say things like "the 80s sucked for music" or "there was no good music in the 90s". This is a false argument based on the individual's recollection of that particular decade, and the perception is usually formed by what was popular at the time. And as we know, what's the most popular does not usually correspond to the highest quality. I loved the music of the 80s, and the decade saw many new buds form that would become strong branches on the popular music tree. Everything from the emergence of a vital American punk scene, the birth of hip-hop, they evolution of college radio and new wave, and excellent growth in electronica, R&B and funk.

But for this playlist I've picked the 20 biggest losers. Songs that cause people to say, "the 80s sucked!" These are the culprits -- the songs that, when we hear them today, make us shake our heads in disbelief and turn us red with embarrassment.

I'll be the first to admit that I owned some of these, but I'll never tell you which.

What do you think is the most embarrassing song of the 1980s?

The Top 20 Most Embarrassing Songs of the 80s

   1. I Wanna Be A Lifeguard - Blotto   

   2. Mickey - Toni Basil   

   3. Maniac - Michael Sembello   

   4. I Love A Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt   

   5. Girl You Know It's True - Milli Vanilli

   6. Kokomo - The Beach Boys   

   7. We Built This City - Jefferson Starship   

   8. Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Richie   

   9. Heartbeat - Don Johnson   

   10. Puttin' On The Ritz - Taco   

   11. Sussudio - Phil Collins   

   12. We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart   

   13. Pass The Dutchie - Musical Youth   

   14. Sunglasses At Night - Corey Hart   

   15. Party All The Time - Eddie Murphy   

   16. Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice   

   17. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!   

   18. Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley   

   19. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister   

   20. Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison 

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49 Comments

1. Michael -
I use to listen to all of these songs, and come to think about it........they all pretty much sucked.

2. Yahoo! Music User -
I cannot believe the song "I've Never Been To Me" by Charlene is not on this list.

3. marilyn -
I don't really care about what people say about the 80s and 90s what I do know is you know what they are singing and and it had meaning to the songs. Unlike today most of the music is sex, language that is uncalled for and you here more of the beat than the words that is coming out of their mouth. So yes the 80's and 90's music is the BEST.

4. Eve -
Hahahaha! "Never Been To Me" was hilarious. My goodie-two-shoes rival in high school used to sing that staring off into space during study hall, which made me wanna slug her. Next time I heard the song it was the intro to the movie "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert." And the singer gets whacked by a flying beer bottle. Exaaaaaaactly.

5. gillda -
"She's like the Wind" -Patrick Swayze

6. Sarah B -
Awww.....I love Mickey!

7. Yahoo! Music User -
wow this is rediculous. every rose has its thorn?cherry pie? i know there had to be a lot more worse songs than at least those two and id also question a couple more. do you even know what music is? you my friend are an idiot

8. j.erwin rommel -
depends who is listening. if you are using drugs this musics is not for you druggist.

9. Kevin S -
Come on. Sister Christian by Night Ranger HAS to be included on this list.

10. Jimmy -
i think branigan's "Name Game" should be in the top 3 :)

11. annabee -
"every rose has its thorn": it took 20 years but karma finally struck down bret michaels with a Tony set piece bopping him on the head for this one.

12. DUDE -
....Hip To Be Square-Huey Lewis..Heaven-Warrant...Vogue-Madonna...Too Shy-Kakadoodoo(or whoever they were)...I'm sure there are more, but it is too painful to go there.....

13. tarak -
Two words: Culture Club

14. Muke -
And there was also music by Michael jackson like Thriller or beazt it or too many songs
finally most all north american music is stupid but they realize 20 or more years later

15. Muke -
who told you that american music was good music? at the 80s or anytime is only shows and image, best english music came from ireland, Uk or Europe
in 20 years some one will say the same about B Spears, Madonna, JL, and many more

16. Terri -
Westend Town by PetShop Boys!

17. BIG BAD AL -
Hey "OH SHERRY" by Stephen Perry needs to be on this list...

18. BIG BAD AL -
And who can forget "LET'S GO ALL THE WAY" by SLY FOX

19. StellaS -
ok,there are a few bad songs,but at the end of the day,our new music ,now at 2009 are all remakes from the 80s and 90s,so what can u say abot our music,i liked it ,very much soooo,

20. Gerry -
What? No "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo? That song stunked on its' own anti-merits, but their name deserves an Embarrassment Award all its' own.
As for "We Bult This City".....listen to it (if you have a strong stomach and/or no shame) after playing Jefferson Airplane's
AFTER BATHING AT BAXTERS' or VOLUNTEERS, and it's not just embarrassing. It's depressing.
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