Attack of the REAL 80's Bar Song! (a.k.a my life as a barfly)
- Tainted Love-Soft Cell...Giving an honorable mention here also for Sex Dwarf which my favorite bar did occasionally play. It's really funny when you're drunk and 18 years old. But then what isn't?
- How Soon Is Now?-The Smiths...I have a friend that had the phrase "The Smiths, yes, Morrissey, no" adhered to the splashboard in the kitchen of her apartment. Yeah. College. Despite recent adaptations for commercial and silly use, this song represents the bar scene of the late 80's to me quite nicely. I still love it. Angst and all. Despite my 'more mature' self.
- Headhunter-Front 242...This is a band I really enjoyed during my Industrial Dance induction. I had a good friend who listened to nothing but Industrial Dance, which got a bit 'white-noisy' for me after a bit. But I did dive in several times. This is not, by the way, my favorite track from them. However, It was played nearly every night that I frequented my favorite bar. I was in that bar for over 5 years, so this is saying alot. Just a truly ridiculous song and, as is fitting "it's got a beat, you can dance to it."
- Bizarre Love Triange-New Order...I can't divulge too much about this song, but, suffice it to say, whenever I hear it I still am transported back to a very mesmerizing and heart-breaking time. All, ironically, centered around an era where 'my bar' played this nightly. Ah, youth.
- Sensoria-Cabaret Voltaire...Well the lyrics of this song still drive home for me even as an adult! I think on particularly tedious work days, I can actually hear this still playing. The video was highly popular at that bar as well.
- Cities In Dust-Siouxsie & The Banshees...They had many more dance songs. True. But as a teenager, this is the first I heard while dancing away. It was so haunting that I continued following their music. I still do.
- The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight-Dominatrix...Light and airy for such a strange subject matter. I find it hilarious. I would probably still dance if it were spontaneously played in my presence.
- Halloween-Ministry...An early and non-typical offering from this band. I'm sure the band itself is not nearly fond of it. I saw a car burn in a parking lot to this one fine October evening. What an unfortunate bar patron that was. This song used to make me feel it was okay to be different, which can be pretty valuable if your ears are still ringing with the lies of High School.
- Warm Leatherette-The Normal...Now, I know they did not originally record this song, so don't get your ire up. This was merely the version that people went mad over played at the club. I cannot tell you how many times we stood back, drink in hand, laughing at the early making of Gothic kids killing themselves to run to the dance floor for this one. We spent alot of time making up alternate lead lyrics...consider if you will (especially if you've heard it): Moist Towelette. It's pretentious and silly. Yes, I've danced to it. And fully enjoyed myself doing it
- Go-Tones on Tail..Yeah, two songs on this list are from the soundtrack of Grosse Point Blank. But honestly, that's a testament to the accuracy of the songs chosen for that flick. But that's another story. This song could make a dead person move around a bit. It's so catchy, I can't even type it without wanting to hear it play. I'll put it on soon.
- Just Like Heaven-The Cure...Yes, they had many hits during this era. Some other popular bar offerings from this (one of my favorite) bands: Boys Don't Cry, Why Can't I Be You? Close To Me...etc. All very noteable. But I have a specific memory of great intoxication and fun that features Just Like Heaven prominently. For that, I choose it above all other Cure hits.
- Shock Of Point 6-Thrill Kill Kult...a late band in the running, for my history. This songs lyrics really amuse me. Any song that commands worship would. Very catchy and a dramatic opening. Loads of industrial dance-loving young'uns raced to participate when this blared over the speakers. Very enjoyable to remember.
- Summer Of Love-B52's...Oh yes, and it was. I think it was not the summer they were singing about, but who cares? Very nice to hear while dancing and I love most the B52's songs that showcase the girls' harmonies. Always have, always will. Great lyrics.
Please note: One of these songs is late 70's in origin, though that's not where I heard them first. Some may be early 90's, but I don't think my hangover had gotten better yet. Please have an open mind on actual dates. After all, this is an era I'm trying to capture here. I'm not trying to win a trivia contest. Given that, here we go:
The 80's bar, arguably one of the only vestiges of counter culture allowed during that era. I loved the 80's, but honestly, why was everyone who is doing a retro show force-feeding us Tina Turner and Prince? As hugely popular as "Tainted Love" is and was, why is it never mentioned in polite company? For those of you who weren't there, the 80's were not just comprised of Huey Lewis and Men At Work. You must know the truth.
Sure, bars did play Top 40 music, which I'm sure we all heard. But they played other things too, that were equally as popular for those of us who spent way too much time in clubs.
I've often wondered why do so few of them appear on lists of best 80's songs? Probably because 'bar music' is hardly cerebral. Many of these are ridiculous and served as both a dance and a laugh. Perhaps as adults we are far too sophisticated to uncover what we found fun in our youth.
Maybe also because alot of the bar fare wasn't Top 40, by in large. I don't know, but whenever I hear someone talk about 80's music, it's "Oh Mickey" and "Maneater". Ghastly.
Now here's an aside to people under 30: I did not find Top 40 enjoyable back then. Many of us didn't. So when people (perhaps even your parents) mention the 80's, don't immediately think of break-dancing, permanently turned-up collars and skinny ties. There was much more beneath the surface. The songs I have listed have nothing to do with any of those things.
I listened to these, loved them (at least at one time), and danced to them all...sober or otherwise. I'm sure they are all (by now) elevator music. I might've even heard a few of them in the grocery store.
Here, humbly offered, is a brief list representing my memories of my time in bars...Written by an uber-responsible, sober and smoke-free Mom in her late 30's (I was none of those things when I first heard these songs).
Take it for what it's worth. But it was one of the best times of my life.
Have you ever listened to any of Marc Almond's more recent music?
OH certainly and very nice stuff. :-)
I really enjoyed this list and many of the songs listed. Like you, the Cure's 'Just Like Heaven' is my favorite from them.
It's a wonderful song, I'm glad to see someone else enjoyed some of the songs. Really glad you liked this list. :-)
Wow! What a list! That would be one great CD! Just reading over your list took me back to rubber bracelets, dog collars, elmers glued hair, torn stockings at accessories & a angst I couldn't then - nor - now explain!
Me loveth!