5 Guilty Pleasure Songs From the ’80s
There should be no shame in cranking great music, and these five guilty pleasure songs from the ’80s are certainly worth listening to loud. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo via Mark Seliger
The 1980s were simply a fun, wild decade for music, so there should really be nothing embarrassing about rocking out to the hits of the ’80s. But, there are a few songs from that era that could be designated as guilty pleasures. So, what is a guilty pleasure song? It’s something that you love listening to, but perhaps you are a little too embarrassed to crank it at maximum volume. You may even feel a bit ashamed or guilty about liking it but not enough to actually stop. In that spirit, Audio Ink Radio names five of the best guilty pleasure songs of the 1980s. These are all solid songs, and nobody should feel too embarrassed about listening to them.
Fantastic Guilty Pleasure Songs From the ’80s
Bon Jovi, “I’ll Be There for You”
Bon Jovi was already huge when the band released their infamous ballad “I’ll Be There for You” in 1988, but they got even bigger after this song came out. There should be no shame in listening to this great track, but it is a bit of a tear-jerker, so it might be embarrassing if someone catches you dotting the corners of your eyes with tissue while listening to it. Still, it’s one of the greatest ballads from the 1980s and the perfect guilty pleasure song. In it, Jon Bon Jovi croons about wanting his ex back and promises to be there for her.
Europe, “The Final Countdown”
Europe scored themselves a stadium hit in 1986’s “The Final Countdown,” which to this day is the kind of pump-up anthem that athletes listen to when getting ready for a big moment. It’s a super thrilling and empowering song, but it’s also so over-the-top that is seems a bit silly to listen to in some situations. Everything about “The Final Countdown” is bombastic and dramatic, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. So, don’t be ashamed. A Rolling Stone poll named it one of the worst songs of the 1980s, but we disagree.
Styx, “Mr. Roboto”
“Mr. Roboto” by Styx is one of those songs that got more appreciated as time went by. When “Mr. Roboto” came out in 1983 off their “Kilroy Was Here” album, many thought it was a bit over the top. Okay, make that a lot over the top. It is a super flamboyant song with wild instrumentals, computerized vocals and an overall theatrical delivery, but it’s also so fun. The theme of the song was man-against-nature, and it played out in a futuristic track. They finally started playing it live again right before the pandemic.
Tommy Tutone, “867-5309/Jenny”
Tommy Tutone had one of the biggest anthems of the ’80s in 1981’s “867-5309/Jenny.” This is song the ultimate invitation to ask that crush out on a date. Who Jenny actually is turns out to be murky, with Tommy Heath telling Forbes that, “Jenny and I think she’s real, and Jim and Alex say she’s not,” adding that “she did give me that number, and I did write it on the bathroom wall instead of giving it to Jim.” The moral of the story is that when a girl gives you her number, call her.
Toto, “Africa”
Here is another song that nobody should be ashamed of cranking up loud. But, if you’re a metalhead, it might be surprising to find it in your collection. Toto released “Africa” in 1982, and the song became an instant hit and regular at their shows. It’s been covered by everyone from Weezer to Howie Day, so don’t get sheepish when you listen.
Find some of the best rock songs of the 1980s in this Audio Ink Radio feature.
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