I've mentioned this briefly when discussing Nile Rodgers (who produced this) but I don't think I've paid it enough attention. It's no exaggeration to say this is one of my favourite songs from the 80s. I know that true Bowie fans despair at how commercial it is but commerciality has never bothered me. I'm an 80s kid, a child of Thatcher, I worship at the alter of commercialisation!
I don't listen to this song much but whenever I hear it, it makes me very happy and reminds me of a very specific time at school. We all loved this and China Girl. I'd never heard of David Bowie before this came out! hey, I was 12, what did I know? My parents like Neil Diamond!
I love the lyrics: under the moonlight, the serious moonlight! Put on your red shoes and dance the blues. It's just wonderful. And it seems perfect for this lovely sunny evening.
Inspired by just watching the Carly Simon video for Let The River Run. I am now watching Africa by Toto which is not, to my knowledge, featured in an 80s film but god, I love it. If you feel the same way, read this.
Anyway, to my list. Oh, this is so hard. SO HARD. How can I pick just ten? Let me dive in and see how I get on.
Now, strictly speaking I am cheating from the start because this isn't really a song and it has no video to go with it. But I love this more than life itself and it's from one of my favourite movies ever (not just the 80s) and therefore I am having it. The love theme from St Elmo's Fire.
Footloose! Kenny Loggins is the king of the 80s soundtrack. This is the very definition of a 'they don't make 'em like they used to' song. It's impossible to sit still to and it really does make me want to kick off my Sunday shoes. Added bonus of Kevin Bacon dancing of course.
It would be too easy to pick What A Feeling from Flashdance and yes, I do love it. However, Maniac by Michael Sembello is also a classic.
Fame! I want to live forever. This was huge. I still love watching the video. Dancing is a big thing for me.
If you want cheese, this video delivers in spades. Carly mingling with the characters from Working Girl. It's deeply odd but what an anthem.
I could include the entire Dirty Dancing soundtrack. While I love Time of My Life, this montage is when they fall in love and I can watch it over and over again.
I could also include the whole Pretty Woman soundtrack. One of the greatest soundtracks of our time. Go West! Roxette! I've always adored this little love song though.
I can't find any video that went with Crocodile Dundee and this song. Mental As Anything - Live It Up. Best band name ever. This is perfect pop.
I hate Simple Minds but to not include this would be all kinds of wrong. And it's the one thing they did right.
The finest rom com ever made give me my final choice. Nobody else gave me a thrill, with all your faults I love you still. Another great soundtrack.
No Top Gun songs? No room. Although the theme from Top Gun would be on my list on a different day and a different mood. Also Oh Yeah by Yello. What have I missed? Tell me your choices.
The original Freaky Friday with Jodie Foster has always been a bit of a favourite of mine. I've not seen it in years but Jodie! Anyway, this remake is a hoot. I saw it on TV the other day and laughed like a drain. It's genuinely really funny because Jamie Lee-Curtis and Lindsey Lohan are brilliant.
The academy rarely rewards comedy acting and it's a crime because these two both deserve awards for their performances in this. Jamie driving the kids to school with the dreamy Mark Harmon on the first morning they've swapped bodies is one of the funniest scenes I've watched for a long time. Lindsey is great as the prim mother trying to comfort her 'daughter' when she has a meltdown. Everyone in this is great and it has a bonus Coco from Fame appearance too. But this film is Jamie's, she is simply magnificent and it reminds me why I like her so much. She's so much fun, I bet Jamie and I would be friends. She comes across as so normal for someone who is essentially Hollywood royalty given her parents. I might kick start a JLC season and open it with Perfect.
