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, relationship problems

#128 Don’t Dream It’s Over- Crowded House

Leave a comment

They come, they come to build a wall between us/
We know they won’t win.

“Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House  explores the idea that life is hard–and relationships are too. Together they seem impossible-it seems amazing that we make it through the day. There are problems that we will face that will make it difficult to go on and will challenge even the strongest relationships. Finn is pointing out this basic reality of life to his significant other while also encouraging her to remain strong. He says to her, “Don’t Dream its Over”. These external forces should not break them apart.

Don't Dream Its over Meaning
Crowded House

“Don’t Dream it’s Over” has a catchy chorus and phrase (“hey now, hey now! Don’t dream it’s over.”), and Finn’s vocal is great. The lyrics and sentiment are timeless–and are especially relevant to a young audience– so I assume this will always remain a classic. It is the only song that I can think of that uses an organ for its solo. And it works.

Even when performing solo, Finn uses the organ for the solo. Some artists will experiment with the solo instruments on tour; this tells me he thinks the instruments’ sound is intrinsic to the song. To be sure, whenever I hear a wailing organ I do think of this song.

This song is a great 80s song that manages to transcend the time period and is one of the best songs of the decade.

Don’t Dream It’s Over Lyrics

There is freedom within, there is freedom without,
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup.
There’s a battle ahead, many battles are lost,
But you’ll never see the end of the road
While you’re traveling with me.

Hey now, hey now!
Don’t dream it’s over.
Hey now, hey now,
When the world comes in.
They come, they come
To build a wall between us.
We know they won’t win.

Now I’m towing my car, there’s a hole in the roof,
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there’s no proof.
In the paper today, tales of war and of waste,
But you turn right over to the T.V. page.

Hey now, hey now!
Don’t dream it’s over.
Hey now, hey now,
When the world comes in,
They come, they come
To build a wall between us.
We know they won’t win.

Now I’m walking again to the beat of a drum,
And I’m counting the steps to the door of your heart.
Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof,
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release.

Hey now, hey now!
Don’t dream it’s over.
Hey now, hey now,
When the world comes in,
They come, they come
To build a wall between us.
We know they won’t win.

Don’t let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now),
Hey now, hey now.
Don’t let them win (they come, they come),
Don’t let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now).

written by Neil Finn

1980s songs, love songs

#122 Drive- The Cars

Leave a comment

Who’s gonna pay attention
To your dreams?
Who’s gonna plug their ears
When you scream?

What is love? In The Cars “Drive” Ric Ocasek says that it is easy to be in lust at the beginning of the relationship when everybody is on their best behavior. Everyone is easy to love when they are acting their best. Who will love you when you’re at your worst? That is real love.

Drive cars song meaning
The Cars

Also, the further action of going out of your way to stay sober to drive your significant other home while she is wasted seems like a loving act that you would really only do for someone you really care about. Would the other guy do this for you? Because Ric would. (He’d even listen to her dreams…that’s a bridge too far for me.)

Not many great songs made it out of the 80s, but “Drive” does because it is slick, has a unique take on love and a catchy chorus. It is slightly overproduced, but that was just the style then…and also the style of The Cars. Just remember—if you don’t have someone to drive you home at night it might not be real love.

Drive Lyrics

Who’s gonna tell you when
It’s too late?
Who’s gonna tell you things
Aren’t so great?

You can’t go on,
Thinking nothing’s wrong.
Who’s gonna drive you home
Tonight?

Who’s gonna pick you up
When you fall?
Who’s gonna hang it up
When you call?
Who’s gonna pay attention
To your dreams?
Who’s gonna plug their ears
When you scream?

You can’t go on
Thinking nothing’s wrong.
Who’s gonna drive you home
Tonight?

Who’s gonna hold you down
When you shake?
Who’s gonna come around
When you break?

You can’t go on
Thinking nothing’s wrong.
Who’s gonna drive you home
Tonight?
Oh, you know you can’t go on
Thinking nothing’s wrong.
Who’s gonna drive you home
Tonight?

written by The Cars

1980s songs, breakup songs

#115 Time After Time- Cyndi Lauper

Leave a comment

Then you say, “go slow”
And I fall behind
The second hand unwinds.

In “Time After Time” Cyndi Lauper explores a somewhat ambiguous period in a relationship. Perhaps she and her significant other went on a break. Perhaps they are completely broken up. Things and events in her daily life remind her of him and it brings her back. “The second hand unwinds” as she does things in her life that turn back the clock and move the relationship back to her ex. Things like thinking about him, calling him, hooking up with him, whatever.

We also know that he is experiencing similar things. He might reach out and then they seem to fall into their old patterns. Lauper seems to be encouraging him to venture out. She encourages him and tells him she will always be there for him. It is a really lovely sentiment. I am not sure many people feel this way after a relationship ends. She says this as much for her as for him.

Time After Time Meaning
Cyndi Lauper

“Time After Time” is Lauper’s greatest hit, but she has many. She is one of the more surprising candidates missing from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She has two songs on this list, but also a near miss in “All Through the Night” and of course “Girls just want to have fun”, which was a hit, but not good.

Time After Time Lyrics

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you
Caught up in circles
Confusion is nothing new
Flashback, warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcase of memories
Time after

Sometimes you picture me
I’m walking too far ahead
You’re calling to me, I can’t hear
What you’ve said
Then you say, “go slow”
And I fall behind
The second hand unwinds

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting
Time after time
If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time

After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching through windows
You’re wondering if I’m okay
Secrets stolen from deep inside (deep inside)
And the drum beats out of time
If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time

If you fall I will catch you, I’ll be waiting
Time after time
If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time
Time after time

I’ve got a suitcase of memories that I almost left behind
Time after time
Time, time, time
But you say to go slow but I fall behind
Time after time after time (after time, oh)
written by Cyndi Lauper, Hyman Zaret