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

#366 Leader of the Band- Dan Fogelburg

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A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate/
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn’t wait.

“Leader of the Band” is a beautiful tribute song to Fogelburg’s father, who he dubs “The leader of the band”. We learn much about both Fogelburg and his father (and his family) in just this short song. We learn that his father was also a guitarist, and we can tell how much Fogelburg looked up to him both as a man and as a guitar player.

In many ways, it seems like Fogelburg is living his life as a tribute to his old man’s life on the road. He loved his old man’s stories of the road and now here he is out living the same life. He is grateful and he is hoping this song makes his father proud—just as he is proud of his father.

Leader of the Band Meaning
Dan Fogelburg

The simple finger-picking of the acoustic guitar sounds great. The pattern sounds relatively unique: that is hard to do. It is hard to find a unique pattern: there are only so many. I also like Fogelburg’s voice. It is in the higher range for the male voice and it excels in these delicate, soft-rock songs. Interestingly, Fogelburg chooses a trumpet to perform the solo in the song. It is a bit of a surprise but it works perfectly for the song.

Leader of the Band Lyrics

An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker’s son,
His hands were meant for different work,
And his heart was known to none.
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way,
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay.

A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate,
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn’t wait.
He earned his love through discipline, a thundering velvet hand,
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand.

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old,
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul.
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man;
I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band.

My brother’s lives were different for they heard another call,
One went to Chicago and the other to St. Paul.
And I’m in Colorado when I’m not in some hotel,
Living out this life I’ve chose and come to know so well.

I thank you for the music and your stories of the road.
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go.
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough,
And papa, I don’t think I said I love you near enough.

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old,
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul.
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man;
I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band,
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band.

Songwriters: Dan Fogelberg

1980s songs, looking for love

#351 Come Here- Kath Bloom

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There’s wind that blows in from the north/
And it says that loving takes this course/
Come here.

Kath Bloom’s “Come Here” is such a delicate song. A lot of that has to do with Bloom’s delivery. She sings so softly yet somehow assuredly, knowing that she and her love are meant to be together. She speaks of feeling the wind coming in from the North making them cold and perhaps needing to find warmth in each other. It doesn’t sound like a cheesy line. Somehow, she sounds like a sage.

Come Here Meaning
Kath Bloom

Bloom subtly hints at their relationship without giving away too many details. They have probably been off-and-on for awhile and he is “timid” yet prideful around her. She comforts him by saying this time it is going to be fine. It doesn’t sound like a generic love song, but one from her specific experience. That makes the song all the more interesting.

One unique aspect of this song is the use of harmonica. Folk music has used the harmonica long before Dylan. However, often times it is used as a lead guitarist would use their guitar: during breaks from singing they would play the harmonica.

In “Come Here” the harmonica is an accompanying instrument more prominent than any other instrument, even the guitar. It solos along in the background while the lead vocals are occurring. It creates a unique sound.

Come Here Lyrics

There’s wind that blows in from the north
And it says that loving takes this course
Come here
Come here

No I’m not impossible to touch
I have never wanted you so much
Come here
Come here

Have I never laid down by your side
Baby, let’s forget about this pride
Come here
Come here

Well I’m in no hurry
You don’t have to run away this time
I know you’re timid
But it’s gonna be all right this time

There’s wind that blows in from the north
And it says that loving takes this course
Come here
Come here
Please, hey, hey
Hey, hey

written by: Katherine Bloom-bronski

1980s songs, songs about exes

#343 Only The Lonely- The Motels

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It’s like I told you/
Only the lonely can play.

The Motel’s Martha Davis sings “Only the Lonely” and makes it sound so depressing. She truly captures what loneliness seems like it would sound like, and we seem to feel her loneliness. The vocal is clearly what makes the song. The lyrics remain a bit cryptic: what exactly is it that ‘only the lonely can play’? Let’s figure out what is going on in the song:

We get the impression that two people who were once together are meeting over drinks and the author begins to reminisce and ponders the situation she finds herself in. It is awkward and there is not necessarily an intention of doing anything other than catching up.

Only The Lonely Meaning
The Motels

She remembers the life they had. It seems like during the relationship there were some lies told and perhaps they took each other for granted. She has forgotten a lot of the specifics, but overall, she gets a good feeling thinking of their past.

So, it sounds like the experience that ‘only the lonely can play’ is the bittersweet reminiscing between two old lovers. This song is truly heartbreaking. Another good song with a similar theme is Dan Fogelburg’s Another Auld Lang Syne.

Lyrics Only The Lonely
We walked the loneliest mile
We smile without any style
We kiss all together wrong
No intention

We lie about each other’s drinks
We live without each other
Thinking what anyone would do
Without me and you

It’s like I told you
Only the lonely can play

So hold on here we go
Hold on to nothin’ we know
I feel so lonely
Way up here

You mention the time we were together
So long ago well I don’t remember
All I know is it makes me feel good now

It’s like I told you only the lonely can play
Only the lonely only the lonely can play

Only the lonely only the lonely can play
It’s like I told you only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
Only the lonely can play

Songwriters: Martha Emily Davis