Favourite underrated/overlooked 80s songs

[Floogal]

Love these songs, even though you can't find them on 80s compilation CDs or they get very rarely played on radio. Mine are:
'chocolate girl ' and 'ship called dignity' by Deacon Blue. I still dont entirely get what they're about though.
'beds are burning ' by midnight oil.
'sign of the times' by Belle stars. Prince version is great too
Sowing the seeds of love

I'm sure I'll remember more 😂

Aimee Mann looks a bit scary there.

Soft Cell Say Hello Wave Goodbye
Chaka Khan Ain't Nobody
Aha Take on Me
Nena 99 Luftballons

I absolutely LOVE 80s music - and so does my 15 yr old now!

Its been mentioned a couple of times already but No More I Love Yous is definitely my favourite ❤️.

And anything by OMD!

Robert Palmer - She Makes My Day ❤️

I have lots of songs already suggested on compilation albums, so the ones I'm going to suggest weren't overlooked at the time, but would get lower scores on a Pointless round.
The Bluebells: Falling
Big Country: Chance
Howard Jones: Hide and Seek
Fairground Attraction: Find My Love

by Laura Branigan Quality. And her outfit is awesome too!

Steve Winwood's Back in the High Life Again

And yes that Robert Palmer one.

Also Robert Palmer and UB40 I'll Be Your Baby Tonight. I like it better than the original Dylan version.

Everything by Japan! David Sylvian, sigh...

Had forgotten this one The Bluebells: Falling - love it.

Self Control by Laura Brannigan is also brilliant

Dinner with Gershwin by Donna Summer
Girlfriend by Pebbles
If she knew what she wants by the Bangles
Lily Was Here by Dave Stewart and Candy Dulfer
Im Nin Alu by Ofra Haza
Love Like Blood by Killing Joke
Sanctify Yourself by Simple Minds
Feels like Heaven by Fiction Factory
Broken Land by Adventurers
Hey Little Girl by ICEHOUSE

Fisheads by Barnes and Barnes. Fucking bonkers.
Sugar Hiccup by The Cocteau Twins.

Fish heads

Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

I very rarely hear this played but often find myself singing it when I put my sunnies on! I always thought the female singer was so cool. I've just read online that they've never allowed it to be licensed for commercial use - which is also pretty cool.

I've been losing you, A-ha

The whole of the moon, The waterboys

The promise, When in Rome

Forever young, Alphaville

All of my heart, ABC

Diggin' your scene, Blow monkeys (upbeat and catchy, despite the song meaning🙁)

Edge of heaven, Wham

Wax - Building a Bridge to your Heart
PhD - I Won't let you down
Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives me Crazy
Mock Turtles - Can you dig it?
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out

Just five off the top of my head of so many, many great songs of the '80s. So glad I was growing up just then!

Lots of great ones already mentioned but I’ve got a soft spot for
The Alarm - 68 Guns
Tom Robinson - War Baby
Tesrdrop Explodes - Reward

Love that one!

Captain of her heart by The Double
Fascist Groove Thang by Heaven 17
It's my life by Talk Talk
Love Games by Level 42 - one of their best before they went more commercial

Blow monkeys - digging your scene

Swing out sister - breakout

Mick Jagger - Lucky in Love
Slade - My oh my
Bruce Hornsby - The Way it Is.
Jan Hammer - Crockett's Theme

Have you watched ‘White Gold’? Stars Ed Westwick, Joe Thomas and James Buckley. Set in early 80s and has a brilliant soundtrack

Yes! Irish girl too ...how could I forget ?

Billy Mackenzie taken way too young @franke

Absolute 80s has already been mentioned as having many of these songs on its playlist, I know, but they also have a 'forgotten 80s' segment where lesser known songs suggested by listeners are played - well worth a listen.

My offering - Martha's Harbour by All About Eve.

Stay - Oingo Boingo

The lady don't mind - Talking Heads

Take me home tonight - Eddie Money

Endless summer night - Richard Marx