New Model Army: Chinese Whispers The first ever song I heard by my (still favorite band) back in 1988. I can't believe I've been listening to their music for almost as long as they've been recording. Although there are (shockingly) some songs in their catalogue that I just can't listen to, for the most part, their output is (largely) outstanding and unparalleled.
Dead Kennedys: California Uber Alles Dead Kennedys were one of the first punk bands I discovered and myself and those I used to sakte with continually played their albums during our sessions. Back then, I didn't appreciate Jello's wit nearly as much as I do now.
Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This I'm guessing that I'm probably not the only who thought Annie Lennox was singing "sweet dreams are made of cheese". Regardless, my first reccolection of hearing this song was at a family reunion and to this day, whenever I hear it, I can't help but increase the volume.
Black Flag:My War The titular track for what I think is Black Flag's second best album (their best, the compilation The First Four Years) if listening to this song doesn't make your ears bleed, I suggest increasing the volume.
Motley Crue: Shout At The Devil Surprise, surprise, Steve LIKES metal. Well, some. I don't care for much of what passes for metal these days, however, I think it's the pounding rhythm provided by the kick drum in this song that still gets me amped.
Love And Rockets: Mirror People The entire album (Earth Sun Moon) this song is on just screams of Beatles influences...jangly, haunting and simple tempo should've catapulted the L&R guys to greater noteriety (unfortunately, it was So Alive which played that role) sonically, its a happy song, but the lyrics do tell a different story.
Minor Threat: Look Back and Laugh Mr present, run and hide you have no right to what you feel inside.....yeah. Ian was angry. Hell, I was angry too. Who wasn't angry in the 80's? Punk rock isn't like this anymore. It amazes me that with all the resources people have for discovering bands, few eschew what's heard on the radio. If you don't know MT then go pick up their complete discography collection, and hear some great great tunes.
Suicidal Tendencies: I Want More Yeah....Venice's own band of cyco's answers Black Flag's legendary "American Waste" the mid tempo breakdowns within this song made it an instant classic. The original copies of their debut album are probably fetching huges sums on gemm, and if you can track down a copy of it, is a great album to have. Hell, I'd consider it essential.
Meatmen: I Sin For A Living um yeah.....definitely NOT a band for uber-sensitive pc types...hilarious, debauched and utterly profane. It's everything I still love about punk music. Sure, some punk shit is about "smashing the state" and class war, etc. and other shit, is jut pure fun with an occasional message mixed in (See: Dead Milkmen- sidenote, there used to be a player on the Detroit Tigers roster name Jim Walewander who was a HUGE Dead Milkmen fan; and it kinda saddens me that they're best known for the song "Bitchin' Camaro").
Nine Inch Nails: Down In It And Everything I never liked about you is kind of seeping into me I guess the joke's on me. If I ever decide to compile one, I'm sure Pretty Hate Machine would make my list of 20 best albums released in the 80's. The first time I ever heard NIN was on a mix tape I received from someone (back in the 80's Maximum Rock N' Roll used to have a huge section of classified ads many of which were from people looing to trade mixtapes, and I was a participant in that. I'd spend hours painstakingly crafting "the perfect" mix, which wasn't easy.
