1,001 songs to listen to before you die...

[gunnar hendershow]

Boring group. I like Depeche Mode and Siouxsie but both those selections are much more in the category of "some of the first songs I heard by them" as opposed to "some of the first songs I loved by them".

I do think "Dear Prudence" is a really strong cover, and it belongs in 10,001 songs to hear I suppose at least.

Btw I really love that on multiple occasions this list has had me go "oh yeah I should check (artist) out!" or "oh yeah I should listen to (artist) because it's been awhile."

Currently tuned into Depeche Mode's Black Celebration album. Now THIS is when Depeche Mode went from good to all-time great in my eyes. Hope to see some of this era of their music on the list in a few posts.

[GoGo Yubari]

I really like the "Dear Prudence" cover, always have, think it's one of the better Beatles covers. But it's weird seeing it in here when there are definitely artists and, oh, entire continents that this book underserves.

[METALMAN]

This has just made me think about what a great song Opportunities by the Pet Shop Boys is and if it doesn’t appear in this book soon Liam is getting his windows panned in

[gunnar hendershow]

5 minutes ago, metalman said:

This has just made me think about what a great song Opportunities by the Pet Shop Boys is and if it doesn’t appear in this book soon Liam is getting his windows panned in

Always wondered if you were a "shoot the messenger" type.

Also the Pet Shop Boys randomly played at my (at the time extremely rural) high school back in the 1980s. Very weird occurrence when one of the teachers told me, weirder because I immediately knew who they were which took everyone by surprise.

[RPS]

16 hours ago, metalman said:

This has just made me think about what a great song Opportunities by the Pet Shop Boys is and if it doesn’t appear in this book soon Liam is getting his windows panned in

There are two Pet Shop Boys songs on the list, neither of them Opportunities. One is the obvious PSB song, the other I think is included as queer representation. 

[Liam]

603.      

‘It’s Like That’, Run DMC (1983)

Not the easiest to find since it has been somewhat usurped by the vs Jason Nevins remix. This initial version is a lot sparer in terms of the backing as a drum track allows the rhymes and lyrics to do the work. This was apparently a groundbreaking song in terms of its atmosphere as it was a darker, edgier take on popular rap music, a genre that was still in its infancy. This is a weird one as I much prefer the remix as it adds a funkier layer to things, yet appreciate that the original song very much has its merits for the time it was created.

604.      

‘Rock of Ages’, Def Leppard (1983)

Influenced by: My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) • Neil Young (1979)   

Influence on: Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) • The Offspring (1998)  

Covered by: Kelly Hansen (2000)  

Other key track: Animal (1987)

There’s a ubiquity to ‘Rock of Ages’ as a title that made me think I must have heard this song before. I genuinely don’t think I have. I also genuinely don’t think I would have cared…until I read the entry and Joe Elliott referenced how it was written mainly as a spoof/parody of the rock anthem. To me, that doesn’t necessarily make the song better, but perhaps explains why I was somewhat underwhelmed by a song that sounded a lot like other stuff that I’d heard. The guitar work, gang chanting and production are all very good, don’t get me wrong, it just does very little for me.

605.      

'Gimme All Your Lovin'', ZZ Top (1983)

Influenced by: Life in the Fast Lane • The Eagles (1976)  

Influence on: Growing on Me • The Darkness (2003)  

Covered by: Lonestar (2002)   

Other key tracks: Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers (1973) • Jesus Just Left Chicago (1973) • Cheap Sunglasses (1979) • Sharp Dressed Man (1983)

Now, this is my idea of a tune. I don’t really want to compare the two, but I do find it funny that it comes after the bombast of Leppard. This is pretty straight rock and roll and all the more fun for it. I always enjoy well done rock with a poppy edge to it and this gets it right for me. A Southern twang to everything, coupled with a great hook for a chorus. It is simple, yet oh so effective.

606.      

‘Every Breath You Take’, The Police (1983)

This is by far and away the Police song I have heard the most as my Mum used to have it on a mixtape that was played on long journeys. It means I probably liked the song without really understanding the nastier undertones to the stalker-y lyrics until I was a lot older. There is an irony that some people consider this to be a romantic song when there is definitely a creepier vibe to everything. It is a song that I can’t really pinpoint the thing that makes it ‘good’ – the parts just come together to create something that hits at every points: introduction, verses, chorus.

[Bobfoc]

I like all these ones. I think Photograph would have been a better choice of songs from Def Leppard's Pyromania album, though. I enjoy Rock of Ages, but it wouldn't rank in my top ten songs by the band.

Every Breath You Take is another song I like a lot, but you're right that the lyrics are a bit troubling. In that regard, I prefer the version Sting recorded for Spitting Image in exchange for copies of the first series.

 

[VerbalPuke]

ZZ Top rules. I prefer Sharp Dressed Man from that era but can't go wrong with Give it all your loving.

They were my first concert and they were great. Netflix has a cool documentary on them as well.

[gunnar hendershow]

That's a lot of songs that would be my second or third choice from their respective albums. All good choices though. I have quite a soft spot for ZZ Top, they make me want to hop in my car and drive 100 down the open road.

The remix of "It's Like That" absolutely stands a lot taller. And at the risk of sounding elitist it's starting to feel like the hip hop that gets included in this list is all the stuff that crossed out from the hip hop scene. It's a bit insider with rock, especially British rock music, but with the hip hop so far (as well as the less Anglophone sounds and stylings) it's got a certain tinge of needing a certain kind of public approval. We'll see what happens as the mid-80s to mid-90s are a huge time in the development of hip hop and there's hundreds of songs from then that would all be worthy inclusions.

That's not to say I'm not really enjoying this and that the songs that get included are by and large worthy inclusions, it's just been something I've noticed and as a massive hip hop head something I am going to really inspect as we start possibly passing over a lot of landmark songs in that style of music.

[METALMAN]

I love ZZ Top, and while I generally prefer their slightly rawer sound of the 70s, Gimme All Your Lovin' is still a great tune.

Every Breath You Take is a good song but I don't think I'll ever need to hear it again.

I don't really care for Run DMC or Def Leppard. They are okay. It's Like That is pretty good, both the original and remix, but I don't really listen to either.

Edited September 3, 2020 by metalman

[Liam]

607.      

’99 Luftballoons’, Nena (1983)

This is an already good song – a chirpy take on nuclear annihilation – that has been helped along over the years by its use in popular culture. I think the original German edges the remade UK version that came out the following year, with the original also being the song that went to number 2 in the US (the English version had more success in the UK). It is very synth heavy in a way that could feel dated, but the driving drums and urgent vocals of Nena herself make it a song that still ‘works’ even today.

608.      

‘Zungguzungguguzungguzeng’, Yellowman (1983)

Apparently the title is a reference to the Jamaican emergency service number, for those who might be wondering. This hits the list due to how the melody and beat was sampled a number of times in the future, though the original more than stands on its own and is a joyful groove from start to finish. There isn’t much more to say about this – just enjoy it.

609.      

‘Blue Monday’, New Order (1983)

It is pretty crazy that this was the music that spawned from the band that were Joy Division, naturally minus Ian Curtis. Some of the nuts and bolts transitioned over – the darkly sinister bass and synths - but this was aiming for the dance floors rather than the stereos of introspective teens everywhere. The book uses the word ‘hypnotic’ and that is pretty perfect to sum up the song’s appeal. It sucks you in and keeps you listening. This is musically much more interesting than the stuff that came before, though whether you prefer one or the other is a matter of taste.

610.      

‘The Trooper’, Iron Maiden (1983)

Influenced by: Lights Out • UFO (1977)   

Influence on: Paschendale • Iron Maiden (2003)   

Covered by: Sentenced (1993) • Jughead’s Revenge (1996) • Vital Remains (1996) • Supernova (1999) • Zen Guerrilla (2001) • Rage (2002) • Highland Glory (2005) • Hellsongs (2008)

I always feel like I should like Iron Maiden more than I do, or that I should at least listen to more of their music. It is rare that I come away from a Maiden song without enjoying it, yet that brand of metal is something I can only really stomach in small doses. However, I do get the appeal, and with Bruce Dickinson they have one of the most impressive sounding vocalists in metal – the ease and clarity of his delivery always struck me. This galloping masterclass bolts out of the gate and never really relents.

[gunnar hendershow]

Well now that is a fucking group. Great, great songs all around. All of those songs are gems. I think Iron Maiden may have one or two songs that are better, or more complete, than "The Trooper" but the way that song comes out of the gates is just phenomenal. I perhaps like some New Order songs more than "Blue Monday" but that is in many ways their opus. That Yellowman song is extremely enjoyable, and yes also sampled quite a bit. It gets overplayed perhaps but you can do a lot worse than "99 Luftbaloons" in picking a song to be overplayed to death.

[apsham]

Whenever I get a new pair of headphones - the first thing I do is break out Blue Monday and see how they handle it. I fucking love that song. Synths and the Oberheim DMX drum machine? Fucking yes.

[Liam]

611.      

‘Two Tribes’, Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984)

Influenced by: I Feel Love • Donna Summer (1977)   

Influence on: Paranoimia • The Art of Noise (1986)   

Covered by: Rosetta Stone (2000) • Doctor & The Medics (2008)   

Other key track: One February Friday (1984) • War (1984) • The Power of Love (1984)

What a one-two punch when you consider that this followed ‘Relax’. It might be because the former is somewhat overplayed, but I think I prefer ‘Two Tribes’ as a song. It is another one where the video was so important as Reagan and Chernenko engaged in a fist fight for baying punters. The production for this, just like ‘Relax’, makes everything sound so big, while the bass line does a lot of the heavy lifting. There seems to be a potent mix when you take social commentary and dress it up in a seemingly positive, poppy fashion – it often does the job.

612.      

‘Runaway’, Bon Jovi (1984)

Influenced by: All for Leyna • Billy Joel (1980)   

Influence on: Ryders • Saigon featuring Memphis Bleek (2008)  

Covered by: Alex Mitchell (2006)   

Other key tracks: She Don’t Know Me (1984) • Burning for Love (1984) • You Give Love a Bad Name (1986)

I’m never one hundred percent sure what to think of Bon Jovi. They/he produce the odd stone cold banger, yet for the most part I couldn’t really care less about their output. This was a song that I don’t think I’ve ever heard from them and I can get the appeal…but it does nothing for me really. It establishes what Bon Jovi does – driving guitars, hooky choruses, capable vocals – but since I don’t overly care for them, that doesn’t really move me like some of the songs I’ve heard on this list.

613.      

‘Born In The USA’, Bruce Springsteen (1984)

Influenced by: Love, Reign O’er Me • The Who (1973)   

Influence on: Banned in the U.S.A. • Luke (1990)   

Covered by: Stanley Clarke (1985) • Eric Rigler (2003) • Richard Shindell (2007) • Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (2009)   

Other key track: Born to Run (1975)

What I said about my experiences with Bon Jovi could almost be repeated word for word here, except I have a bit more excitement when I hear a good Springsteen song. What I had heard from him in the past was enough to make me want to delve a little deeper, though he isn’t the first artist I think of when I talk about music I enjoy. The stadium anthem nature of this tune, providing the listener ample chances to sing along, is what makes this song, though it does always blow my mind how often people misinterpret it. It isn’t exactly lyrically subtle.

614.      

‘World Destruction’, Time Zone (1984)

This is a weird collaboration viewed through a 2020 lens: Afrika Bambaataa and John Lydon. Even weirder was that Joe Elliott of Def Leppard was originally pencilled in as the lead singer for this track. I’m not the biggest fan of Lydon’s general vocal style, but it does work well side by side with Bambaataa. What this does that is perhaps more interesting than the song itself was the marriage of rock and urban music, something that was pretty rare at the time and would become a more increasingly utilised combination.

Edited September 6, 2020 by Liam

[METALMAN]

I like the Nena one. I was sure I'd seen it here already but obviously not. I'm getting old.

The Yellowman one is nice.

I love New Order but merely like Blue Monday.

The Trooper is great. I love that galloping bass rhythm. Only Iron Maiden seem to do it.

Two Tribes go to war is so big and in your face. Not many bands deserve to have two songs taken from the same album but FGTH definitely do. I don't even like them that much but they are so significant they have to be there.

Whereas what the fuck is Runaway doing here? Seriously? Bon Jovi are shit but I'd be happy to let them have Livin On A Prayer, sure. But what is this rubbish? It's like Boston if Boston were really shit. Not what I expected from Bon Jovi, but not in a good way.

Born In the USA is brilliant. And I'd maintain the album it's taken from is Springsteen's best. It's a shame that when he plays it live he does that dull as ditchwater slowed down acoustic version.

Eh that Time Zone one isn't very good, is it?

[Liam]

615.      

‘Immigres/Bitim Rew’, Youssou N’Dour (1984)

This is another song that I’d love to be able to talk about with some level of knowledge, but I know so little about N’Dour and this style of music. Like many, I mainly know of him based on the song ‘7 Seconds’, but this was the song that took him into the international mainstream. N’Dour’s wailing high pitched wailing vocals play across an exciting polyrhythmic (primarily) percussive melody, something which I always appreciate of music from Africa – just the sheer amount of different instruments, tones and sounds they generate create a lively background. Towards the end, there is even some rapping and a several false endings. I can see why this was a breakthrough song for the wider mainstream and while it isn’t always for me, it is the work of a talented man.

616.      

‘It’s My Life’, Talk Talk (1984)

This is one of my Dad’s….favourite might be a stretch….but a song that I remember him downloading off of the internet in the early days of file sharing. That was my first introduction to the song, thus leading to me holding it in higher esteem than it probably deserves. Synth-pop isn’t for everyone, but this works for me. The bridge into the pre-chorus and the chorus itself are the best bits for me, though I would understand completely people who don’t like this song whatsoever.

617.      

‘Smooth Operator’, Sade (1984)

The best hold/elevator music ever? This was a song that I had heard in any number of places, but had never pinned down to Sade until I was in my 20s. The jazzy pop elements does make it a song that I will forever link to muzak-laden waits on phone lines or elevator music. I guess it is up to you to decide whether that speaks to the quality of the tune, or the mundane nature of what she/they offered. Personally, I think Sade’s vocals are silky and appealing, even if the music the group produced was not the most exciting necessarily.

Edited September 8, 2020 by Liam

[METALMAN]

This is a good set. It highlights that the 80s was a far more diverse and interesting decade than it is often credited with being.

Immigrés is great and a real harbinger of the big heights "world music" would hit in the 80s. Album its from is good too.

Talk Talk were a really interesting band, they had a couple of albums that are held up as real classics. I think this them at their most poppish, and they do a great job. It's probably worth mentioning that No Doubt did an excellent job with their cover version - I'd go so far as to say its their best song.

Smooth Operator is, well, smooth. But I've always had a real soft spot for the likes of Donald Fagen, Steve Winwood and those so-called sophisti-pop people. Smooth Operator is great but its actually only Sade song I know. Maybe I will listen to her more one day. It's right up my street.

 

[gunnar hendershow]

Immigres is a really fantastic example of, as @metalman said, what came to be called world music. I should check out the album it's on.

Talk Talk would put out some incredible albums and help to pioneer a kind of music that labeled as post-rock. I enjoy their earlier synthpop music as well and "It's My Life" might be the best example of this. The album it's on is kind of forgettable, and I think might be their weakest one, but this song is a real great tune. However I think the No Doubt cover is actually better and, agreeing with @metalman again, might be that band's best song. I have a very sentimental relationship with the No Doubt version due to hearing it for the first time during a really memorable weekend in high school and I can't separate it from those extremely positive memories.

Sade is wonderful. A lot of people definitely have only heard "Smooth Operator" which is fine because it's one of the best songs she produced. I also have extremely positive memories of sitting eating delicious Belgian-style French fries in Reykjavik with a live album of Sade's on in the background. Can't separate Sade from those positive memories.

Sorry for personal anecdotes about two songs but it's always wild how sometimes we attach a song or an artist to a very specific place in time and it increases our appreciation of that artist.

[METALMAN]

the personal reflections are the whole point of it!

that and agreeing with me, of course.

[Liam]

618.      

‘I Feel For You’, Chaka Khan (1984)

Influenced by: I Feel for You • Pointer Sisters (1982)   

Influence on: Who’s Zoomin’ Who • Aretha Franklin (1985)   

Covered by: The Flying Pickets (1991) • El Caco (2008)   

Other key tracks: I’m Every Woman (1979) • Ain’t Nobody (1983)

This is a great example of magpie-ing as this song saw really interesting elements taken from disparate places, all stuck together to create a really good four minutes of music. This was originally a Prince song, fused rap and R&B, had a bit of Stevie Wonder on the Harmonica and was helmed by Khan’s strong vocal. I like that this feels like a song that has been built to via various stepping stones from earlier in the list – an amalgam of sounds to create something as good, if not better.

619.      

‘The Killing Moon’, Echo and the Bunnymen (1984)

Influenced by: The Seventh Seal • Scott Walker (1969)   

Influence on: Crown of Love • Arcade Fire (2004)   

Covered by: Pavement (1997) • Wendy Rule (1997) • Eva O (1998) • The Quakes (2003) • Grant-Lee Phillips (2006) • Nouvelle Vague (2006) • Something for Kate (2006)  

Other key track: Back of Love (1982)

Periodically, this is a song that gets daily play from me. I then will go through times where I don’t listen to it for months. There is something about the song that just captures my imagination for certain windows of time. I love the relatively sparse instrumentation, somewhat jangly in nature, while also finding the vocal transition from verse to chorus really stirring. I’ll admit to only knowing this song through its use in Donnie Darko, but it has stayed with me longer than my interest in that film has.

620.      

‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’, Dead or Alive (1984) 

Influenced by: Fashion • David Bowie (1980)   

Influence on: Rock Me Amadeus • Falco (1986)  

Covered by: Templebeat (1997) • Second Skin (1998) • Dope (2000) • Hate Dept. (2000) • Thalía (2002) • Jessica Simpson (2006) • Danzel (2007) • Thea Gilmore (2008) • Indochine (2009)

I find it hard to take Dead or Alive seriously, or moreso what Pete Burns became, but this is a banger of an 80s tune. The longevity of the song as a cover or a song to sample speaks to the quality pop that it offers. What is also of interest is this was an early Stock, Aitken and Waterman tune, names that became synonymous with the music charts in the years to follow. Sometimes you just have to enjoy a tune without thinking too much about it.