This 80s TOP 10 Will Make You WONDER...What the HELL Happened to MUSIC??? | Professor of Rock

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest song and album of 1986?

The 80s spoiled us…and this list is proof. But when I look back, I believe that those of us that were 80s kids felt differently about music than kids today. We had radio, MTV, and cassette tapes and vinyl. But what we didn’t have was internet access to our music wherever, whenever. We held our music tight. Our music was the most important part of our life. We dubbed our friends albums and cassettes and cranked our DiscMan as we walked around or sat around. We also blasted our music in our boom boxes. Our music couldn’t be loud enough. We walked around our neighborhoods, our local malls. We found sanctuaries where we could gather, blast our music and not offend anyone. We danced, or at least thought we danced. We loved a girl or boy from afar. We had long or crazy hair. Boys wore mullets or big, long hair. The girls wore big hair and shoulder pads. We spent the night at our coolest friend’s house. We were outside. But doing all of this, music was a part of everything. We also listened to countdowns and argued that our songs should be at the top of the lists. Music from the 80s was all over the spectrum. It was in every genre. And even though some wouldn’t admit it, we liked most of it. But all we wanted to do was dress in the latest fashion and more importantly, find the newest music. We had to wait until the music was randomly played on the radio or on MTV. Creative videos were important as well. We made mixed tapes so we could hear “our” songs. We knew the problem with mixed tapes was that we may miss some new and amazing tunes. What connected us was our love and need for music. And my love for music, especially 80s music, has never changed. And the music is the main reason we use YouTube. The 80s spoiled us

When you actually play the 80s songs against todays songs it really hits you how far we’ve fallen.

I don't think I've ever told anyone this. In 86 I was 13. We were going on a family vacation and had to fly. I had my walkman and the Top Gun soundtrack cassette. I had it set to Danger Zone. When the plane's engines started to wind up for takeoff, I turned on Danger Zone and in my head I was taking off in a F14 just like Maverick!

Danger Zone still crushes to this day. Incredible song.

I was 28, married with two young boys in ‘86. These songs ushered in music videos for me. My late wife and I both loved the ‘’Invisible Touch’’ video among others of these and eagerly sang along with them. God I miss the music and my life as it was in the 80’s. I sit here with tears loving these songs and missing my wife who shared them with me. Next Wednesday will be two years since she passed away. Music is so bittersweet now. It brings back memories that I cherish but also hurts like hell. Love this countdown Professor. Keep them coming.

I never imagined that the late 80s would be the best era in my life. Looking back now and seeing the world around us now, I really wish I could travel back in time.

Holding back the years is one of those perfect masterpieces not realized until you are older.

The older I get, the more I love Holding Back the Years. Such a fantastic song.

I am so fortunate to be an 80’s child! The best movies and music ever!

The 80's where amazing, and unfortnatly, they will never happen again. We who lived through those times, know how great it was.

A cool thing about “In Your Wildest Dreams” is that that they did a follow up “I know You’re Out There Somewhere” which continues the story told “In Your Wildest Dreams”. Very warming combination.

Peter Cetera's voice is amazing. It's like he had natural auto tune built into himself. It's hard to describe as in it has some type a 'metallic' quality/sound I just can't put my finger on it. Just the instant you hear him sing a single word, you know exactly who it is.

It's bizarre to see this actually happened at one point. Music in the 80s was an entirely different breed indeed. Cheers!

Just for interest, here's the UK top 10 of the same week in 1986 (some bangers here!). 1. Madonna: Papa Don't preach 2: Rod Stewart: Every Beat of my Heart 3: Sly Fox: Let's Go all the Way 4: Owen Paul: My Favourite Waste of Time 5: Wham!: The Edge of Heaven 6: UB40: Sing our own Song 7: Housemartins: Happy Hour 8: Bananarama: Venus 9: Amazulu: Too Good to be Forgotten 10. Chris De Burgh: Lady in Red

I never thought that these songs.....would ever just STOP!!!!!! They just stopped putting out music like this ALTOGETHER!!!!! I never thought that one day, all I would have is LOOKING BACK!!!.....

My children, 16 years old in 2024, love 80s music. An aunt gave them a used boom box, and play my CD collection from the 90s with all that amazing music. They laugh with some of my memories of those times, for example, when I tell them there was no internet, no cell phones, and we lived so happy without.

Holding Back the Years... powerful, soulful and haunting. Amazing song.

1986. The year I graduated from High School. What a great time to be alive and a fan of all the great music that was out then!!

Mick’s delivery for the Simply Red tunes are some of the greatest ever done. The nonsense they put out today is not even good enough to call garbage.