Songs that define the 80's

Some obvious ones:

Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears
Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
Africa - Toto
Take On Me - a ha

It will be interesting to see how this breaks down along partisan lines.

Great timing. I literally just finished watching this documentary: http://dtbdthemovie.com/

I will say that I don't have nostalgia for the 80s like many people my age do.

Billie Jean
Power of Love
Money For Nothin'
Sweet Child O Mine

Ice Ice baby

I was a teenager during the 80's. Looking back, I didn't appreciate the time period. But I guess that's typical of most people, isn't it?

I guess I should specify that what I'm looking for here isn't just a listing of all the top-40 hits of the decade, but those songs that, for you, somehow encapsulate your 80's experience and evoke those memories.

This Is It - Huey Lewis and the News, is one such song for me.

If I was to step outside of music into another medium, Bloom County is another uniquely 80's creation that instantly transports me back to certain places and situations.

"The Salt in My Tears" - Martin Briley
"Smoking Gun" - Robert Cray

"Pride and Joy" - SRV
"Tuff Enuff" - Fabulous Thunderbirds

The best there ever was and the best there ever will be

Wanted Dead or Alive
Free Falin' (80s Right?)
Don't Dream it's Over
Livin on A prayer

Walk This Way With RunDMC

The Cure - Just Like Heaven

"Dare to be Stupid," Weird Al Yankovic
"Eat It," Weird Al Yankovic
"The Power of Love," Huey Lewis & The News
"99 Luftballons," Nena
"Hammer to Fall," Queen
"Radio GaGa," Queen
"Sirius," The Alan Parsons Project

Jane Says.

My top 10 most memorable 80s (pop) songs (some have already been named, and, yes, my taste in music is boringly pedestrian)

Cruel Summer - Bananarama
Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles
Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Beat It - Michael Jackson
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
Flashdance (What a Feeling) - Irene Cara
99 Luftballons - Nena
Who's That Girl - Madonna
Every Breath You Take - The Police

Specifically trying to go for ones that haven't been mentioned. Apologies if any have.

Ghostbusters
Born in the USA
Livin' On a Prayer
Like a Prayer
Like a Virgin
Dance Hall Days
Footloose
The Touch
Most of Michael Jackon's eighties number ones
The Heat is On
Rhythm of the Night
We Don't Need Another Hero
Let The River Run
Danger Zone from Top Gun
Axel F
Nothin's Gonna Stop Us Now
Take On Me
Tainted Love
Jump (Van Halen)
West End Girls
Walk Like An Egyptian
Never Gonna Give You Up
Under Pressure
Going Underground
Everytime You Go Away
I've Seen That Face Before by Grace Jones

I like the eighties more than I would otherwise because of how good they look next to the nineties.

Like a Prayer

Don't you want me baby?
Take my breath away
Voices carry
Hit me with your best shot
I need a lover who won't drive me crazy
Walk like an Egyptian
...

10 more...

Head Over Heels - The Go-Gos
Cum On Feel the Noize - Quiet Riot
Physical - Olivia Newton-John
Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
Down Under - Men at Work
Love Shack - The B-52s
Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House
Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil

To answer Flashie's partisan question, I'd go with the last three definitely and I don't MIND Billie Jean. Would take Down Under and Relax from Paladin's list too. Chup and I aren't on the same page politically either (though we're both lefty Brits as far as Flashie thinks) and he's got some good ones there.

Here's some more:

Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
Call Me - Blondie
Gold - Spandau Ballet
Kids in America - Kim Wilde
(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles - The Proclaimers
The Best - Tina Turner
Red Red Wine - UB40

10 more...

1999 - Prince
I Had the Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Don't You Want Me Baby - The Human League
500 Miles - The Proclaimers
Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon
Wake Me Up Before You Go-go - WHAM!
I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
The Sweetest Taboo - Sade