Most Popular 80′s Artists

Most Popular 80's Artists

The most popular alternative songs ever

Popular means widely liked or appreciated. In the case of alternative rock it also means a significant achievement of the punk generation in the 80s. Anchored by subversive music of reverse-guitar riffs, military drumming and occasionally black, yet consistently rebellious verses, alternative rock scene reveals a new cultural influence, through the creation of stereotypes and role models, reflecting the need of a substantial audience for more harmonious and less chaotic music.

To my view, the most popular alternative songs ever in the history of music (in alphabetical order) are:

CURE – A FOREST FROM THE ALBUM SEVENTEEN SECONDS (1980)

A Forest was released in the early days of what would be later called alternative rock scene and it has offered to post-punk groups a religion to believe in and a motive for further development.

Although the song reached only #31 in the U.K. Singles Chart it one of the most recognizable, rebelliously depressing songs that Robert Smith ever has written reflecting the Cure philosophy and sound.

Describing the despair of a man looking for a girl in the forest, a girl who was never there, A Forest starts atmospherically with military bass-chords, anchored by soft guitar and fast-tempo drumming, and fades out in a bass-heavy lament, after repeating 41 times “again and again and again and again” emphasizing on the emptiness and doubt of an illusionary relationship.

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN – THE KILLING MOON FROM THE ALBUM SONGS TO LEARN AND SING (1985)

Reflecting the Liverpool sounds of the 1980's, The Killing Moon is a solid, new wave sound.

The dramatic vocals of McCulloch, anchored by intense drumming tempo and melodically high pitched guitar chords reflect the desperation of a condemned love affair in “In starlit nights I saw you, so cruelly you kissed me, your lips a magic world, your sky all hung with jewels, the killing moon will come too soon”.

The song was used in the Donnie Darko, The Girl Next Door and Grose Point Blank OSTs and is  one of Echo & The Bunnymen’s highest-charting hits, reaching #9 U.K. Singles Chart.

NEW ORDER – BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE FROM THE ALBUM SUBSTANCE (1987)

Bizarre Love Triangle is a groundbreaking pop song, recalling memories of 80s dance hits, yet reflecting exactly how a post-punk band should perform. Rooting in the melancholy and self-distraction of Joy Division, Bizarre Love Triangle’s philosophical lyrics like There's no sense in telling me the wisdom of the fool won't set you free” or “I just don't know what to say, why can't we be ourselves like we were yesterday” affect the listener uniquely.

Bizarre Love Triangle is released and remixed by many artists like Frente!, Apoptygma Berzerk, South, Manitu and others. Surprisingly though, it has reached only #56 in the UK Top 40, but it was a smash hit #5 in Australia.

BLUR – SONG 2 FROM THE ALBUM BLUR (1997)

Projecting a fearless melody, progressive sound and experimental mood, Song 2 is a profoundly creative song full of emotions and meaning. Reaching immediately #2 in the UK Charts and #6 in the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, Song 2 became one of the most popular sounds of the 90s due to its catchy, tow-word chorus "Woo Hoo" and it was covered by other alternative bands like Weezer, Plain White T’s, and My Chemical Romance, but also the UK rapper Plan B.

About the Author

I work as a financial and investment advisor but my passion is writing, music and photography. Writing mostly about finance, business and music, being an amateur photographer and a professional dj, I am inspired from life.

Being a strong advocate of simplicity in life, I love my family, my partner and all the people that have stood by me with or without knowing. And I hope that someday, human nature will cease to be greedy and demanding realizing that the more we have the more we want and the more we satisfy our needs the more needs we create. And this is so needless after all.

What's your favourite 80's band or artist?

Hello, I'm going to set up an 80's theme night in a few months and I need to know what music is most popular from the 80's so I'm doing a survey. Don't be afraid to put more alternative artists/bands in your answer. The wider the range of bands and artists in my survey, the better. Please reply
thanks xxx

Iron Maiden

I LOVE 80'S MUSIC (HQ-HD) a tribute to the music, movies, television, and culture of the 1980's.

 

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Most Popular 80's Artists

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