20 Forgotten 80's Musical Gems

Touch and Go by Emerson, Lake, and Powell.

That's right, that says POWELL. Emerson, Lake, and Powell only lasted a year before breaking up.

Leave It by Yes

When discussing Yes, music fans always return to the 70's, forgetting that they had one of the best hits of the 80's.

Hyperactive! by Thomas Dolby

Many consider Thomas Dolby a one-hit wonder, but I always loved the Hyperactive! video.

He Can't Love You by The Michael Stanley Band

In the Cleveland, Ohio area, there was no bigger band than the Michael Stanley Band. In 1982, "MSB kicked off four shows in six days, drawing 74,404 fans to Blossom Music Center, a feat that was unheard of." If you don't live in the Midwest, you may have never heard of the Michael Stanley Band.

Love Stinks by the J Geils Band

Another regional powerhouse, this one of New England.

Too Much Time on My Hands by Styx

Somewhere between Dennis DeYoung's ballads and Tommy Shaw's rock sensibilities, was Too Much Time on My Hands, which could almost be considered a novelty hit. Well, except that it went Top 10 in the United States.

Feet Don't Fail Me Now by Utopia

In 1983, Todd Rundgren's side project was overshadowed by his solo project. Both Bang on the Drum all Day and Feet Don't Fail Me Now peaked at about the same position on the charts.

Fight Like a Brave by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Long before Under the Bridge, the Fight Like a Brave anthem was the song that introduced many to the Chili Peppers.

Good Times by INXS and Jimmy Barnes

The lead single from the Lost Boys Soundtrack, Good Times was nominated as single of the year....in Australia.

From Out of Nowhere by Faith No More

Like the Chili Peppers, the music before FNM's breakout single was often overlooked.

Welcome to the Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes to Hollywood

I always thought that as the LGBT Movement matured, the masses would find this underrated musical soundscape.

Nature Trail to Hell by Weird Al Yankovic

Though known for parodies, Nature Trail to Hell was Al's first great original song.

Run Runaway by Slade

In the United Kingdom, Slade was beloved as they had 16 Top 10 hits in their career. In America, they only barely broke the Top 20 once with Run Runaway, which peaked at # 20.

Out of Touch by Hall and Oates

Out of Touch was Hall and Oates' last # 1 single. The music scene was evolving away from them in the mid 80's.

High Plains Drifter by the Beastie Boys

Paul's Boutique went from the band's most despised album, to their most beloved, in a generation. It's sin? Not being Licensed to Ill Part 2.

Posse on Broadway by Sir Mix-a-Lot

Sir Mix-a-Lot's second biggest single celebrated hanging out with your friends better than almost any other rap song.

Going Back to Cali by LL Cool J

The smoothest rap song of the 80's, it wasn't even one of LL Cool J's top dozen or so hits in his career.

Two Headed Dog (Red Temple Prayer) by Roky Erickson

This song is the equivalent of a cult classic movie.

Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio? by the Ramones

Though released in February of 1980, Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio? was the symbolic end of the 70's.

It's the end, the end of the 70's

It's the end, the end of the century

All Lies by NoMeansNo

And the last song on NoMeansNo's Wrong album, released in the Fall of 1989, was the symbolic end of the 80's.

I said pray to me, pray to me

Pray to me, pray to me

But it was all lies, a pack of lies

It was all lies, why don't you fuck off and die