To assert that "Africa" is the best song of the 80's...

[Rebeccaslicker]

"live forever" is the best song of the 90's; "mr bright side" is the best of the 00's and "get lucky" is the best of the 20-teens.

What have you got for second place?!

Or possibly Temple of Love!

Hounds of love-obvs

This is an amazing thread - I wish Mumsnet produced playlists for a fee! Though no ones said heaven 17! Temptation is a classic track, surely?

Modern Love or Ashes to Ashes, Davis Bowie.

And of course, West End Girls

Awks Heaven 17 have indeed had a mention.

Temple of Love was way way better than This Corrosion or Dominion. Anything prior to Eldritch going it alone was better.

"Twenty five whores in the room next door..." when it comes to The Sisters of Mercy it has to be Vision Thing.

Have we had any Bon Jovi yet? If not - You Give Love a Bad Name. Not the best Bon Jovi song of all time, because that is obviously It's My Life, but definitely the best one of the 80s.

Nope Don't Stop Believing is the number 1 80s song for sure

How could I forget "I am the resurrection" - might need a joint number one for the 90's!

And also "don't speak". Possibly the most powerful break-up song ever.

I looooove Africa too, one of my all time favourite songs.

But may I suggest Joe Jackson, Steppin' Out to be up there too.

Wow, this is a blast from the past.

Among my top picks would be -

Don't Give Up

Killing An Arab (probably now banned!)

The Sweetest Girl

but I'd have to go with Blue Monday for the best song of the decade

Delighted to see mentions for Heaven 17, OMD and Psychedelic Furs.

But may I suggest Joe Jackson, Steppin' Out to be up there too.

You certainly may! Joe Jackson was great, saw him live a few times (including a gig in Crystal Palace park, where Bob Marley was also on the bill).

I bloody loved the 80s. We used to go out 3-4 times a week to see bands (and get pissed), can you imagine what it would cost to do that these days?

Its a great song, but...no.

Best is Gold or Oh l'Amour

Howard Jones - New Song. Amazingly enough he could do all his songs live by layering the looping tracks progressively.

But honestly... anything by Prince but Little Red Corvette

But Little Red Corvette wins it for me. Damn the lack o an edit function. Am way today and have culled the songs above to play. I feel young again!

Africa is way up there but nothing beats Spandau Ballet's Gold for capturing the absolute essence of the 80s

Laughing at the idea of a MN playlist.

You Stole My Parking Space - the P&Cs
Vaping is Dangerous - the Frothers
Poopoo Weewee - Shit Troll & The Gang
Should I Stay Or Should I Go - cover version by The Vaccines

Getting away with it, Electronic(1989) just squeaks in.

For soft rock I'd choose REO Speedwagon Can't fight this feeling.

A different corner - George Michael

How about "fairytale of New York" for the decade's Christmas number one? Or does that slot have to go to band aid?

I see your Africa and raise you an Every Breath You Take...

Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Come on Eileen
Tainted Love
Hungry Like the Wolf
Pour Some Sugar on Me

Hungry Like The Wolf makes me laugh to this day.

"Africa" for me is nostalgic for the 21st century, not the 80s. I go to two music festivals in Australia every year. They have a single stage, so everyone hears the same songs, etc. and the audience is mid-20s to early 30s, not around when the record came out.

The "Africa" comes on all the cool young things sing along like good 'uns to its slightly cheesy lyrics and dancing about and yelling the chorus. Word perfect and in tune.

"Africa" is Australia for me, always sunny at the Supernatural Amphitheatre. Happy days. 😎