(Finished February 14th, 2024) Part 8 of Rolling Stone’s 200 Best Songs of the 80s: Songs 104-88

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 only song 96 on this part of the countdown. It’s only one song and band that I’ve never heard of before today.

This should be higher, maybe even in the Top 50. I haven’t seen their “Gold”, that should also be on here. It can replace one of those lame songs I had never heard of before. 104) Spandau Ballet “True”:

This should be higher, maybe even in the Top 10. It quite simply is one of the greatest songs of all-time. 103) George Jones “He Stopped Loving Her Today”:

I have never understood how this song has been so popular. At least this song isn’t obscure, it’s just not worthy of it’s ranking. However this definitely qualify for the Top 200 New Wave songs that aren’t as good as their reputations. 102) Bronski Beat “Smalltown Boy”:

I like this song now, but it took a long time to grow on me. 101) Smokey Robinson “Being With You”:

A Flock of Seagulls appeared on the scene, had three or four great songs and then disappeared. 100) A Flock of Seagulls “Space Age Love Song”:

This song should be much much higher, one of the best songs ever by a one hit wonder. 99) Gregory Abbott “Shake You Down”:

If it was “The Perfect Way” I would be more agreeable that it was the proper ranking. 98) Scritti Politti “The Word Girl (Flesh and Blood)”:

Bonus song: Scritti Politti “The Perfect Way”:

97) Joan Jett “I Love Rock and Roll”:

This is a song that I’ve never heard. I’m not opposed to songs I’ve never heard being on this list. This song starts out great, but it’s too long. It should’ve ended after three minutes. 96) Ralphi Rosario featuring Xavieria Gold “You Used To Hold Me”:

95) The Waitresses “I Know What Boys Like”:

This is such a great song. However I have heard it way too many times and sometimes I get tired of it. However when I hear it again I remember how much I love it. This song should be at least 80 notches higher. 94) Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar On Me”:

A perfectly fine song, but not worthy of this high ranking. It might be worthy of the Top 1000 80s songs. 93) Kajagoogoo “Too Shy”:

These next two songs are 80s classics, probably placed about their appropriate position. 92) Klymaxx “Meeting In The Ladies Room”:

A classic, but a little more on the obscure side. 91) Romeo Void “Never Say Never”:

90) Mission of Burma “That’s When I Reach For My Revolver”:

Again I’m not opposed to a song I’ve never heard of being on this list. Again this is a perfectly fine song. However if you ask a Gen X/ 80s music fan for some of their favorite 80s music how many people will name this song. Very few compared to people who will name the below song. 89) Black Uhuru “Youth of Eglinton”:

Probably should be at least in the Top Ten, it could and should replace “The Message”. 88) Dead or Alive “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”:

themusicaddict