What many people consider the quintessential song for this band debuted in 1981. The opening E blows up any speaker system, and after Geddy’s introductory vocal, you’re off on a wild ride. Time signature changes, iconic synths, and a drum solo that Neil Peart loved doing every time make this the band’s most popular song. At #4 it’s Tom Sawyer by Rush.
We enter the top 5 with another song that holds a firm place in 80s culture based solely on its sound. It is still a huge song today, almost always in every 80s radio station rotation, and it’s hard not to sing along to every lyric too. Arriving at #5 in my countdown is Don’t You Want Me by Human League.
This is the second tune in this countdown with a personal connection to me. As a child, I loved the movie Arthur and Dudley Moore’s iconic laugh, but it was also the theme song that I loved. I learned how to play the song in my early playing years, and years later I still love the song. Coming in #6 is Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) by Christopher Cross.
Some songs hold a firm place in 1980s culture, and this one of them. You hear it, and you know the time period instantly. Years later, it can still be heard at weddings, clubs, parties, and it remains this guy’s biggest hit to date. Our #7 song is Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield.
As with prior countdowns, I emphasize that these are MY picks, and while some hold a higher place in others’ lists, some tunes have a personal connection that overrides others. This is the first of 2 such songs. I’m not ashamed to say that I marked out when Jeff Carlisi did the solo of this song during the Yacht Rock Revival a few years back. It is one of my all time favorite rock songs, coming in at #8 – Hold On Loosely by 38 Special.
One of his songs got knocked out of my initial top 20 1981 list, but this song remained in the top 10 and is one of the best early 80s funk tunes today. It doesn’t hurt that its use in U Can’t Touch This further cemented this man’s musical legacy. Coming in at #9 is Super Freak by Rick James.