Category Archives: 1980s songs

The best 500 songs from the 1980s. Lyrics, meanings and interpretations from the eighties. The Cure, Prince, Michael Jackson, Cindi Lauper, The Smiths, The Cars, REO…see what artist ranks highest in our greatest all-time songs rankings.

1980s songs, authenticity

#248 True Colors- Cyndi Lauper

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I see your true colors/
And that’s why I love you.

In “True Colors”, Cyndi sees a world of people, living sad lives. She can see it in their eyes.  She thinks we need is to all gather our collective strength to show our true (wonderful) selves that we are hiding from the outside world.

It will take courage, but the payoff will be worth it. So smile, and show off your personality. Don’t be bashful or afraid about looking different. When you show who you really are…your True Colors…Cyndi thinks it is the most beautiful thing you can do. Though she realizes it is hard.

True Colors Meaning
Cyndi Lauper

Lauper’s “True Colors” works because it has a nice melody and hook with the chorus and it also doubles as a women’s anthem (more of a people’s anthem really). Cyndi’s unique voice is well matched to this song, and she sings it passionately. Cyndi Lauper’s most well known song is “Girls just want to have fun”, and while that is a fun song, I feel it pigeonholes her a bit. Her ballads are where she delivered her best work.

The best version might be from her “Body Acoustic” album. More great songs from Cindi Lauper.

True Colors Lyrics

You with the sad eyes-
Don’t be discouraged, oh I realize
It’s hard to take courage,
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all.
The darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small.

And I see your true colors
Shining through.
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you.
So don’t be afraid to let them show,
Your true colors.
True colors are beautiful:
Like a rainbow.

Show me a smile then
Don’t be unhappy
Can’t remember when
I last saw you laughing.
This world makes you crazy
And you’ve taken all you can bear,
Just call me up
‘Cause I will always be there.

And I see your true colors
Shining through.
I see your true colors-
And that’s why I love you.

So don’t be afraid to let them show-
Your true colors,
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow.

Ooh can’t remember when
I last saw you laughing.
Ooh oh oh oh
This world makes you crazy
And you’ve taken all you can bear,
Just call me up
‘Cause I will always be there.

And I see your true colors
Shining through.
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you.
So don’t be afraid (don’t be afraid)
To let them show your true colors,
True colors are beautiful (you’re beautiful, oh)
Like a rainbow.
Oh oh oh oh oh like a rainbow.

Songwriters: Billy Steinberg / Tom Kelly

1980s songs, love songs

#230 Islands In the Stream- Bee Gees/Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton

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Tender love is blind/
It requires a dedication.

It was Heraclitus who said you can never step in the same river twice. The Bee Gees attempted to take that idea, twist it a bit and make a song about it with “Islands in the Stream”. The version you know is the duet between Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers.

Occasionally the Bee Gees would perform it too. They played it similarly and it was equally great. The idea of the stream being that life (the stream) is moving fast by us, but our love together can be an island that gives life meaning and stability. It is a nice way to think about love.

Islands in the Stream Meaning
Bee Gees

“Islands in the Stream” has a really strong chorus. I also think Parton’s vocal is particularly strong. The song has a very eighties feel, but it still manages to transcend it. I think it is because of how well written the song is and also because of how well Roger’s voice blends with Parton’s.

Islands in the Stream Meaning
Parton and Rogers

Islands In the Stream Lyrics

Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown
I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb
I was soft inside
There was something going on

You do something to me that I can’t explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my heart
We got something going on

Tender love is blind
It requires a dedication
All this love we feel needs no conversation
We ride it together, ah ha
Making love with each other, ah ha

Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha

I can’t live without you if the love was gone
Everything is nothing if you got no one
And you did walk in the night
Slowly losing sight of the real thing

But that won’t happen to us and we got no doubt
Too deep in love and we got no way out
And the message is clear
This could be the year for the real thing

No more will you cry
Baby, I will hurt you never
We start and end as one
In love forever
We can ride it together, ah ha
Making love with each other, ah ha

Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha

Oh, come sail away with me
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha

Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between

Songwriters: Maurice Ernest Gibb / Robin Hugh Gibb / Barry Alan Gibb

1980s songs, story songs

#208 Atlantic City- Bruce Springsteen

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Well I guess everything dies baby that’s a fact/
But maybe everything that dies someday.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” tells the story of a poor couple who gather up their money and head to Atlantic City to try to make ends meet. They are aware that the city has an unsavory reputation–the city is being overtaken by the mob- but they have few options.

There are few jobs available there, and the man does end up getting involved with the mob by “doing a little favor for them.” He is sick of ending up on the wrong side, seeing everyone else wind up rich. The chorus is great. Springsteen discusses his hopes for the resurrection of the city that has died in the context of a man who hopes that this turn to the mob will not make him irredeemable.

Atlantic City Greatest Alltime Song Meaning
Bruce

That rawness of “Atlantic City” provides much of the appeal. Supposedly, Springsteen tried to make this into a rock song, but producer Jon Landau convinced him to keep it with the folkish sound. He has played it in concert with the full band and it never sounds the same.

The harmonica plays an essential part on this song. It is a great solo instrument here, and I think it is Springsteen’s finest harmonica work. I also like the mandolin. It brings the song together and brings home the Italian imagery.

Atlantic City Lyrics

Well they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night,
Now they blew up his house too.
Down on the boardwalk they’re gettin’ ready for a fight,
Gonna see what them racket boys can do.

Now there’s trouble busin’ in from out of state,
And the D.A. can’t get no relief.
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade,
And the gambling commission’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth.

Well now everything dies, baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Well I got a job and tried to put my money away,
But I got debts that no honest man can pay.
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust,
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus.

Well now everything dies baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold
But with you forever I’ll stay.
We’re goin’ out where the sand’s turning to gold.
So put on your stockings baby
Cause the night’s getting cold.

And everything dies baby that’s a fact,
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.

Now I been lookin’ for a job but it’s hard to find-
Down here it’s just winners and losers,
And don’t get caught on the wrong side of that line.
Well I’m tired of comin’ out on the losing end.

So honey last night I met this guy
And I’m gonna do a little favor for him.

Well now everything dies baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your hair up nice, fix your make up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

written by Bruce Springsteen