Sorry bballs, I didn't mean to hijack your thread - but Harry, you started this music discussion... not me.
I do have some very good memories of the 80's but you've got to admit much bad music and fashion came out of that era. I think folks were too coked up to notice though. 
I love "End of the world" - excellent pick. Fun, crazy, iconic - good stuff. Speaking of REM I think "Nightswimming" is one of their most underrated songs. It is just brilliant.
The worst song is easy.
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
http://youtu.be/L87DDH3pWN0
Not only the worst song of the 80's it is in the running for worst song of all time.
Ironically, it's on some folks list of best songs of the 80's. To which I say to those people you can no longer make any lists. Ever. Well, with the exception of "Here is a list of the ways I have no talent for musical appreciation."
It just shows that people can mistake being familiar with a song (good god how they loved to play it on the radio) with actually thinking the song is good. Or even tolerable. Or even music.
The best song is really tough as there was some really good music in the 80's (despite all the bad).
My number one pick would have to be
The Cure - Pictures of you
http://youtu.be/X8UR2TFUp8w
If I have to choose just one song to sum up all the great things about the 80's this would have to be it. Beautiful, heartbreaking, melodic, angst-ridden (but in a light hearted way) - it's just the best.
My second runner up would have to be
AC/DC - You shook me all night long
http://youtu.be/zWCINQn6k0s
Ok, sometimes I really do miss leotards and really big hair. LOL.
My third runner up would be
The Smiths - How soon is now
http://youtu.be/hnpILIIo9ek
Now I'm just cheating. I know you said only one.
Tainted love AND Come on Eileen!!!! Hate them both. I have Punk Rock roots. I had a record label in the 80's... Murphys Law, Agnostic Front, Token Entry, Warzone just to name a few....
But heres a few more hits from then
No Tears
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GwdHe5nQSQ
Rip It Up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESy-Z8vqMrE
Cavern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL45YOtbuy0
Pump Up The Volume
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPhUr-T6UM
The Message
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY
tyvm,P.T.
LOL - yes I would gladly pay to never hear Tainted Love or Come on Eileen again. In full disclosure, I liked Come on Eileen when it came out but they played it to death. Turns out it doesn't hold up after the 147th time you've heard it.
Your DJ background is definitely showing - that Deeelite beat is a great dance song, I remember that one. Thanks for the links to the others, they are interesting.
You mentioned punk roots and it made me think of two things. One is - I was a Clash fan so I could've easily put London Calling on my list. It's very difficult to narrow a decade down to one song. But I still stand by Pictures of You. It's the 80iest 80's song that ever 80ied.
The other thing I thought of (I did say two things) was I was a big fan of Jason and the Scorchers (I saw them live a few times). They are a punk/rock/country band. Yes, I know that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but somehow they made it work. Very well in fact. Their album Fervor is still one of my favorites. They even created a new genre of music known as cowpunk. Again, they sound much better than that name implies lol. But they are very symbolic of the 80's and the strong punk influence. So, strangely when I think of the 80's and punk I think fondly of them
Pretty well. My friend Vaughn was a writer he did lots stuff with them and Billy Bragg. Im happy to say I was at all 5 Clash shows at Bonds 
in NYC backstage They were the friendliest most down to earth guys! Then Mick went onto Big Audio Dynamite a lil more rock n roll reggae
Jason and the Scorchers eh.. Nashville band.. Not really my cuppa tea. I would rather go Psycho Billy The Reverend Horton Heat. This song by them is IMHO their best but Im not a country fan,, Even with a fast hard and loud beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9unLB8lNCJ8
DJ'in was lotsa fun. Good old days was lotsa fun!!! I bsicly lived there LOL
Heres something by Dimitri after DeeLite.. Im still in touch with them both We go back a long way.
-- Modified on 6/23/2015 11:25:15 PM
Yeah, in the 80's it wasn't really a party until something from the Clash popped up. Usually either Should I stay or should I go? or Rock the Casbah.
PS: I like Horton Heat too. Jason was really fun live which I'm sure factored into it. And my love for all things quirky and non-mainstream probably. And rooting for an underdog. Oh lots of alcohol I'm sure helped.
Posted By: SecretAgent_PT
Pretty well. My friend Vaughn was a writer he did lots stuff with them and Billy Bragg. Im happy to say I was at all 5 Clash shows at Bonds
in NYC backstage
They were the friendliest most down to earth guys! Then Mick went onto Big Audio Dynamite a lil more rock n roll reggae
Jason and the Scorchers eh.. Nashville band.. Not really my cuppa tea. I would rather go Psycho Billy
The Reverend Horton Heat. This song by them is IMHO their best but Im not a country fan,, Even with a fast hard and loud beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9unLB8lNCJ8
DJ'in was lotsa fun. Good old days was lotsa fun!!! I bsicly lived there LOL
Heres something by Dimitri after DeeLite.. Im still in touch with them both
We go back a long way.
-- Modified on 6/23/2015 11:25:15 PM
ince you have a #2 and #3:
#2 - Princes of the Universe (theme to HIGHLANDER) by Queen I still love Freddie Mercury's voice but Somebody To Love is a 70s song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEJ8lpCQbyw
#3 - View To A Kill (theme to Bond film of same name) - Duran Duran
John Taylor's guitar riff combined with the heavy percussion from the orchestra (for me) set the bar for pop/rock--orchestra compilation before Daft Punk did TRON: Legacy - which is the new standard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3pQDMi4W-
Somebody to love. My favorite as well. Freddie we'll miss you.
Duran Duran was very hit and miss for me. Mostly miss. But when they were on their game they were pretty amazing.
My favorite Duran Duran song (link below) doesn't qualify as it's squarely in the 90's.
Beautiful song though...
Posted By: HarryWacker
Since you have a #2 and #3:
#2 - Princes of the Universe (theme to HIGHLANDER) by Queen I still love Freddie Mercury's voice but Somebody To Love is a 70s song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEJ8lpCQbyw #3 - View To A Kill (theme to Bond film of same name) - Duran Duran
John Taylor's guitar riff combined with the heavy percussion from the orchestra (for me) set the bar for pop/rock--orchestra compilation before Daft Punk did TRON: Legacy - which is the new standard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3pQDMi4W-g They didn't even know eachother before.... sigh... Money talks.. Songs not theirs..
TYVM,P.T.
Who you think you are - George Lucas?
Seems that way since you, (like he did with Phantom Menace) are taking a giant piss on my fond memory parade.
Then again, I liked the Monkees and Milli Vanilli too... and professional wrestling... and I can't tell if the lady has a good time...
Easily amused and confused,
Harry
What about pro wrestling? That stuff is real. It's even in the name - "Professional" Wrestling. They couldn't call it that if it wasn't real. That would be false advertising. Don't listen to those haters...
And if we only considered organically grown garage bands as "real" music we would have a lot less good stuff to listen to.
Even the best bands have some duds. Some more that others. LOL.
And say what you will about Duran Duran they do have some good songs - Hungry like the wolf, Wild boys (come on who doesn't like wild boys?), Ordinary world, Girls on film, Come undone, Save a prayer - just to name a few.
Posted By: HarryWacker
Who you think you are - George Lucas?
Seems that way since you, (like he did with Phantom Menace) are taking a giant piss on my fond memory parade.
Then again, I liked the Monkees and Milli Vanilli too... and professional wrestling... and I can't tell if the lady has a good time...
Easily amused and confused,
Harry
This is an awesome video. Their first hit (for me) was their best. Link below.
Harry, To borrow from the Bard:
All Sports are Staged. Professional Wrestlers just has the Worst Actors.
AND That the label introduced them to eachother. Packaged and marketed. Good songs though
tyvm,P.T.
Harmonic 60's style rock. Hazy Shade of Winter was rocking!!! They had a slew of #1 hits that defined the 80's.
Posted By: electr0nsrealm
What about pro wrestling? That stuff is real. It's even in the name - "Professional" Wrestling. They couldn't call it that if it wasn't real. That would be false advertising. Don't listen to those haters...
And if we only considered organically grown garage bands as "real" music we would have a lot less good stuff to listen to.
Even the best bands have some duds. Some more that others. LOL.
And say what you will about Duran Duran they do have some good songs - Hungry like the wolf, Wild boys (come on who doesn't like wild boys?), Ordinary world, Girls on film, Come undone, Save a prayer - just to name a few.
Posted By: HarryWacker
Who you think you are - George Lucas?
Seems that way since you, (like he did with Phantom Menace) are taking a giant piss on my fond memory parade.
Then again, I liked the Monkees and Milli Vanilli too... and professional wrestling... and I can't tell if the lady has a good time...
Easily amused and confused,
Harry
The Runaways
Cherry Bomb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMDn6V7ZLhE
The Bangles Rocked my world!!!
tyvm,P.T
Some kisses and hugs to make it all better
tyvm,P.T.
With all this talk about falling in love I referenced this song earlier but it is worth repeating. When it comes to the hobby this song fits:
What's love got to do with it? Tina Turner
-- Modified on 6/23/2015 7:14:00 PM
I second that Miss Turner is awesome. I've always enjoyed her best live - when you can pick up on her vocal power and raw energy on stage. That woman is unstoppable.
I have a hard time choosing a favorite song, honestly. But the good thing about her is that she's covered pretty much everything at one point or another in her career. So I choose her cover of Come Together as my favorite Miss Turner song.
Those legs tho...
Damn.
Posted By: austin197
With all this talk about falling in love I referenced this song earlier but it is worth repeating. When it comes to the hobby this song fits:
What's love got to do with it? Tina Turner
-- Modified on 6/23/2015 7:14:00 PM
Good stuff mentioned thus far. I'll add:
Worst song: "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" (to have a good time)
This is TER! So either STFU! Or GTFOH!
Best,(love Queen, REM, and others):
Prince PURPLE RAIN soundtrack.
Def Leppard HYSTERIA album.
Pink Floyd DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. Every teenaged male thought that was something brand new and magical. I know kids today express the same thoughts. 1980s or not, It's timeless
