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, family problems

#71 I Know It’s Over- The Smiths

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Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head.
See, the sea wants to take me…

The narrator of “I Know It’s Over” by The Smiths is heartbroken. The girl he loves is getting married to someone else. Well, “loves” is a strong word. He’s infatuated with her. He seeks out the comfort and advice of his mother, who is the wrong person to go to. His mother seems to be horrible for so many reasons. One, she seems broken herself. Two, she doesn’t seem very supportive of her son.

I Know It's Over Meaning
The Smiths

She says the following to her son: “If you’re so good-looking, why do you sleep with yourself tonight.” Ouch. Is that tough love or shitty parenting? Perhaps if your son is talking about suicide (or feelings of impending doom), you might want to take it a little easier.

His mother does have some good advice for him, but it is couched in horrible advice. She tells him not to be bitter about love: “It is so easy to laugh. It is so easy to hate. It takes guts to be gentle and kind.” Okay good advice! Then: “love is…not for such as you and I my love”. Why say that?  She’s telling him he will be fated to the same lack of love that she is because…I am not sure why. It is a devastating story. Naturally, this brings the narrator back to thoughts of suicide.

“I Know It’s Over” highlights Morrisey’s voice in a way that few of his other songs do. There is a distinct melody to the song, but it is similar to the melodies in Dylan’s songs: it is understated, and might not be as accessible as other rock songs.

I Know It’s Over Lyrics

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well. Enough said.
I know it’s over – still I cling
I don’t know where else I can go
Oh…

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See, the sea wants to take me
The knife wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me?

Sad veiled bride, please be happy
Handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
(Though she needs you
More than she loves you)
And I know it’s over – still I cling
I don’t know where else I can go
Over and over and over and over
Over and over, la…

I know it’s over
And it never really began
But in my heart it was so real
And you even spoke to me, and said :
“If you’re so funny
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
And if you’re so clever
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you’re so very entertaining
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you’re so very good-looking
Why do you sleep alone tonight ?
I know…

‘Cause tonight is just like any other night
That’s why you’re on your own tonight
With your triumphs and your charms
While they’re in each other’s arms…”
It’s so easy to laugh
It’s so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It’s so easy to laugh
It’s so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind
Over, over

Love is natural and real
But not for you, my love
Not tonight, my love
Love is natural and real
But not for such as you and I, my love
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head

written by The Smiths

1980s songs, looking for love

#64 Somebody- Depeche Mode

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Though my views may be wrong, they may even be perverted/
She’ll hear me out and won’t easily be converted/

“Somebody” by Depeche Mode is one of the most underrated love songs. You never hear it mentioned as an all-time great or get radio airtime, but the song is fantastic. The lyrics are outstanding. Look at the detail and depth of thought that Martin Gore puts into what he wants in a woman.

Imagine reading his “list” of wants on a personals section. Does anyone really put that much thought into what they want in a partner other than someone hot? His wants and needs are insightful and idiosyncratic and unapologetic. That is really refreshing.

Somebody Depeche Mode Meaning
Depeche Mode

So what does he want? Gore wants someone who will be patient with him, give him the benefit of the doubt and challenge him, but also understand him. Later in “Someone” he lists other things that he envisions wanting in a woman. They are so deeply personal that I don’t see how anyone couldn’t love this song. It is so honest and open.

The melody and piano accompaniment to Depeche Mode’s “Somebody” are equally amazing. The song actually requires quite a vocal range. Gore delivers the vocals tenderly—as if they are something that have meaning to him. What else can we ask for in a song? What is crazy to me is that somehow “Somebody” is not in the top ten songs listened to in Spotify by Depeche Mode.

“Somebody” is an underappreciated love song that deserves to be discussed with the best of all-time.  For more Depeche Mode.

Somebody Lyrics

I want somebody to share, share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts, know my intimate details.
Someone who’ll stand by my side and give me support,
And in return, she’ll get my support.

She will listen to me when I want to speak
About the world we live in, and life in general.
Though my views may be wrong, they may even be perverted,
She’ll hear me out and won’t easily be converted
To my way of thinking, in fact, she’ll often disagree.
But at the end of it all, she will understand me.

I want somebody who cares for me passionately,
With every thought and with every breath.
Someone who’ll help me see things in a different light,
All the things I detest I will almost like.

I don’t want to be tied to anyone’s strings,
I’m carefully trying to steer clear of those things.
But when I’m asleep I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me and kiss me tenderly.
Though things like this make me sick,
In a case like this, I’ll get away with it.

written by Martin Lee Gore (Depeche Mode)

1980s songs, relationship problems

#33 When Doves Cry- Prince

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Don’t make me chase you/
Even doves have pride.

In “When Doves Cry”, Prince is talking to his lover about what is not working in their relationship. And a bit about what is working. We get the feeling that the passion and physical side of the relationship is fine. Prince asks his girl to picture them entwined together, kissing dripping wet with sweat. Everything seems fine. Then he asks her to imagine them screaming at each other in a courtyard. Even the animals feel uncomfortable around them. Why are things this way?

 

When Doves Cry Meaning
Prince

We then get to the classic chorus where he questions if it has something to do with the relationship his parents had.  He is not sure. It just feels like there is something about him that feels beyond his control. She is turned off by his actions and that leaves him feeling alone. But he feels too prideful to chase her, so where does that leave their relationship. He asks her (in a roundabout way) to put aside her hurt and reach out to him and restore their love. Will this be a love that lasts? We’re not sure.

There are so many great individual pieces of music in this song, from the introductory guitar riff, to the great chorus, to the unique “dove crying” sounds Prince makes. The keyboard work is also outstanding. It is very tangential to the song. That is, you couldn’t play the keyboard and sing along and have it sound right. A lot of the keyboard work adds flavor—kind of like a lead guitar rather than a rhythm guitar.  “When Doves Cry” is one of the best produced songs you’ll hear.

More songs by Prince.

When Doves Cry Lyrics

Dig if you will the picture
Of you and I engaged in a kiss.
The sweat of your body covers me,
Can you my darling-
Can you picture this?

Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom.
Animals strike curious poses.
They feel the heat
The heat between me and you.

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that’s so cold? (So cold)
Maybe I’m just too demanding,
Maybe I’m just like my father too bold.
Maybe you’re just like my mother,
She’s never satisfied (she’s never satisfied).
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry.

Touch if you will my stomach,
Feel how it trembles inside.
You’ve got the butterflies all tied up.
Don’t make me chase you
Even doves have pride.

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world so cold? (World so cold)
Maybe I’m just too demanding,
Maybe I’m just like my father too bold.
Maybe you’re just like my mother,
She’s never satisfied (she’s never satisfied).
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry.

How can you just leave me standing
Alone in a world that’s so cold? (A world that’s so cold)
Maybe I’m just too demanding (maybe, maybe I’m like my father),
Maybe I’m just like my father too bold (you know he’s too bold).
Maybe you’re just like my mother (maybe you’re just like my mother)
She’s never satisfied (she’s never, never satisfied).
Why do we scream at each other? (Why do we scream? Why?)
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry.

When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry)
When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry)
Written by Prince