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, no love song

#104 Every Breath You Take- The Police

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Every single day and every word you say/
Every game you play, every night you stay, I’ll be watching you.

The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” is the most famous example of a song that sounds like a love song but really isn’t-it’s about a voyeur/stalker. We’ve had lots of these similar pseudo-love songs throughout the list. Half of the times I argue that the song would be better if the song were an actual love song, however, “Every Breath You Take” is better once we understanding the lyrics.

The primary reason is because of Sting’s excellent delivery of the lyrics. Upon further examination, he isn’t delivering these lines in a sultry (or loving) manner…it is in an intense manner that is appropriate for the lyrics. That is why it works so well.

Every Breath You Take Meaning
The Police

The guitar riff in the intro and throughout the song is iconic. The bass plays a big part too. Even though it is only repeated sixteenth notes, there is an intensity about them that push the song along and also mimic a racing pulse (somewhat). The bridge does a great job of reinforcing the message of an obsessive individual—and it is also a perfect fit with the rest of the song. As we get to the top of this list, we start to see songs that are basically flawless.

For another classic song you thought was a love song, but isn’t check here.

Every Breath You Take Lyrics

Every breath you take and every move you make,
Every bond you break, every step you take, I’ll be watching you.
Every single day and every word you say,
Every game you play, every night you stay, I’ll be watching you.

Oh, can’t you see you belong to me.
How my poor heart aches with every step you take.

Every move you make, and every vow you break,
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I’ll be watching you.

Since you’ve gone I’ve been lost without a trace.
I dream at night, I can only see your face.
I look around but it’s you I can’t replace,
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace.
I keep crying, “Baby, baby, please”.

Oh, can’t you see you belong to me,
How my poor heart aches with every step you take.

Every move you make and every vow you break,
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I’ll be watching you.
Every move you make, every step you take, I’ll be watching you.

I’ll be watching you,
Every breath you take and every move you make,
Every bond you break I’ll be watching you.
Every single day, every word you say,
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you).
Every move you make, every vow you break,
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake (I’ll be watching you).
Every single day, every word you say,
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you).
Every breath you take, every move you make…

written by Sting

1980s songs, escape

#84 Fast Car- Tracy Chapman

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You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away?

In Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”, the narrator, her family and boyfriend are stuck in a cycle of poverty. But she has come up with a great plan to escape. See, her boyfriend has a car. What if they drive out of town and they get a job? They both know that if they don’t leave now, they’ll live and die here in poverty like their parents. Deal?

They make the right decision—they leave and start their new life—they are not going to be like their parents. For a while it works out. But then they begin to repeat the pattern of their parents: she gets pregnant too young; he gets drunk all the time. Just like her father, his body is beat down by manual labor that pays little, so he drinks to cope.

Fast Car Meaning
Tracy Chapman

Eventually he is out all night, she is taking care of the kids and resents him. They break up—they can’t afford a nanny. Also, they left their town to try to be different from their family so their parents can’t babysit.

And that car…the fast car. He still has it all these years later. It reminds them both of a better time. They both remember how hopeful they were. He still loves it because it takes him back to the good times. She hates. It is a constant reminder of that this was their best shot at making it. And now it is the only thing they own and the only thing he pays attention to.

Fast Car Tracy Chapman
Tracy

Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” is a throwback to sixties folk and blues music.  It is the most unlikely hit of the eighties. Chapman speaks of the plight of the poor—specifically poor black individuals—whose sole healthy escape might be via their car.

Tracy Chapman’s voice in “Fast Car” sounds great. It is understated, but emotional, strong and beautiful. She creates a unique guitar riff that is instantly recognizable, and it sounds great on her acoustic guitar. When the full band comes in during the chorus it feels powerful—like we are joining her on her ride in her fast car.

You might also like “The Promise” by Tracy Chapman.

Fast Car Lyrics

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere

Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we’ll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money

We won’t have to drive too far
Just across the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

You see my old man’s got a problem
He live with the bottle that’s the way it is
He says his body’s too old for working
I say his body’s too young to look like his

My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody’s got to take care of him
So I quit school and that’s what I did

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way

See I remember we were driving, driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
We go cruising entertain ourselves
You still ain’t got a job
And I work in the market as a checkout girl

I know things will get better
You’ll find work and I’ll get promoted
We’ll move out of the shelter
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs

See I remember we were driving, driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids

I’d always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me’d find it
I got no plans I ain’t going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

See I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

written by Tracy Chapman

1980s songs, breakup songs

#77 The Weakness in Me- Joan Armatrading

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Make me lie, when I don’t want to/
And make someone else some kind of an unknowin’ fool.

“The Weakness in Me” by Joan Armatrading is a heartbreaking, personal song that you probably have not heard. Armatrading’s sound (in this song at least) is similar to Tracy Chapman, but she never got the airplay or the accolades that Chapman did. This song preceded Chapman’s and ranks higher than any of her songs, though Chapman’s catalog overall is better.

 

The Weakness in Me Meaning
Joan Armatrading

“The Weakness in Me” tells the story of a woman in a relationship who meets someone while she is currently in love. Her current lover loves her, why would she look twice at anyone else? But she begins to fall for the new lover. We hear her struggle to keep the new love at bay. It is so hard. The physical chemistry is undeniable. It begins to complicate her life. Is she weak? Does her new lover feel this way about her too?

By the end of the song we know what decision she will probably end up making, though she doesn’t outright say it. If this is at all autobiographical, I don’t think it would go well if she didn’t breakup with the old love and move to the new one. That would make for an awkward record-listening release party.

The song is kind of jazz-ish, in both her vocal, and the heavy use of bass and piano. The bass plays a big part in creating the sound of this song. Her vocal is amazing. Notice that she doesn’t belt out any notes in an attempt for emphasis. We already hear the emotion in her words right from the beginning of the song. The lyrics are great. The words she chooses can be unexpected at times and she is able to convey a lot of thoughts in a few words. (see above).

The Weakness In Me Lyrics

I’m not the sort of person who falls
In and quickly out of love.
But to you I gave my affection,
Right from the start.

I have a lover who loves me-
How could I break such a heart?
Yet still you gained my attention.

Why do you come here,
When you know I’ve got troubles enough?
Why do you call me,
When you know I can’t answer the phone?

Make me lie, when I don’t want to,
And make someone else some kind of an unknowin’ fool.
You make me stare, when I should not,
Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me?

Why do you come here,
And pretend to be just passing by?
But I need to see you,
And I mean to hold you
Tightly.

Feeling guilty, worried,
Waking from tormented sleep.
This old love has me bound,
But this new love cuts deep.

If I choose now, I’ll lose out;
One of you has to fall.
But I need you, and you…

Why do you come here,
When you know I’ve got troubles enough?
Why do you call me,
When you know I can’t answer the phone?

Make me lie, when I don’t want to,
And make someone else some kind of an unknowin’ fool
You make me stare, when I should not,
Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me?

Why do you come here,
And pretend to be just passing by?
But I need to see you,
And I mean to hold you
Tightly.

written by Joan Armatrading