(Finished January 28th, 2024) Part 7 of Rolling Stone’s 200 Best Songs of the 80s: Songs 121-105

Hello,

Rolling Stone has released another Top 200 Best 80s songs list. I’m going to post the songs from 200 to 1 and review each song. Is it worthy of it’s ranking, is it too high and is it too low. I’m not a big fan of Rolling Stone’s rankings as they include songs that I’ve never heard of or songs that were only popular to a very select group of people. My Top 200 80s songs would look completely different.

With MTV at its peak and radio stations playing multiple genres back in the day, if I hadn’t heard a song then it’s truly obscure. I haven’t heard of the song or artist for songs 116, 114 or 105. That’s three songs and bands that I’ve never heard of before today.

Although this is a country song I have no problem with it being on this list. I’m not one of those country music haters. The 70s, 80s and 90s have some of the greatest country songs of all-time. Although the video is a bit hokey, the song is great. 121) Randy Travis “Forever and Ever, Amen”:

120) Bow Wow Wow “I Want Candy”:

119) Debbie Gibson “Only In My Dreams”:

118) ABC “Be Near Me”:

Great video and a great song. 117) Cher “If I Could Turn Back Time”:

I never have heard this song and it has no right being here. A perfectly fine song, but nowhere near the Top 200 best songs of the 80s. 116) Alaska y Dinarama, “Ni Tu Ni Nadie”:

I don’t want to hear this song so bad, or at all. 115) Lucinda Williams “I Just Wanted To See You So Bad”:

This song is six minutes too long. 114) Rhythim Is Rhythim “Strings of Life”:

I like Henry Rollins, he’s a Mac fan after all. However this nonsense song has no place on any list of the best songs of the 80s. This song is just a bit over two minutes and I couldn’t even listen to the whole thing. No, just no.

113) Black Flag “Rise Above”:

If it wasn’t for the legendary Prince there would be no Vanity 6. 112) Vanity 6 “Nasty Girl”:

Finally a good song after those last three less than good songs. 111) Billy Joel “We Didn’t Start The Fire”:

Do you know that Rolling Stone could have included more RUN-D.M.C., LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys or those one off rap novelty songs rather than this mediocre song? 110) Kool G Rap and DJ Polo “Road To The Riches”:

I get it that they are making some kind of statement, but I hate their band name. Their music isn’t much better. 109) The Slits “Typical Girls”:

108) Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much”:

107) Lita Ford “Kiss Me Deadly”:

Rolling Stone loves Dylan, something I have never understood. I will take Jakob Dylan over his father any day. 106) Bob Dylan “Groom’s Still Waiting At The Altar”:

Another song where I wonder what is the point of this song? Also how is this song considered a Top 200 song of the 80s? Five songs that would be better at this spot include Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love”, Sade’s “Smooth Operator”, The Temptations “Treat Her Like A Lady”, George Benson’s “Gimme The Night”, Dazz Band’s “Let It Whip” and so many others. I don’t understand how such obscure songs and songs not worthy make it on this countdown? 105) A Guy Called Gerald “Voodoo Ray”:

104) Spandau Ballet “True”:

themusicaddict