1980s Songs About The World

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Following on from my last column on early songs about the world , and between doing chapters for National Novel Writing Month , this follow-up column is about those songs about the world from that most amazing of decades, the 1980s.

Not much more to say, so, here is a list of 1980s songs about “the world”!



Still, so many songs to choose from! I had to restrict myself, and, therefore, the normal rules apply here. The word “world” must appear in the title, one song per artist (across all lists), one version of each song (also across all lists), no live only tracks, I need to like the song. They are listed in chronological order, the date of first release, either as single or the home album. These are not only charting singles, but songs from my collection that fulfill the requirement and that I like.

Here are 1980s Songs About The World!


’All Over The World’ by Electric Light Orchestra (1980)

Recorded for the film Xanadu , later becoming a live favourite of the band, this is one of the typical great ELO songs, with synths, orchestrations and Jeff Lynne’s altered vocals. It doesn’t matter what people think about the source (I personally like the film), it is still a great track.


’Beautiful World’ by Devo (1981)

This is my personal favourite track from Devo, but one which is all but forgotten nowadays. I have it on one of those K-Tel compilation albums, which was where I first heard a lot of music and bands in the early 1980s, and this made me seek out the band, from where I discovered their biggest hit (‘Whip It’). Still prefer this one.


’Cool World’ by Mondo Rock (1981)

After the disbanding of Daddy Cool, Ross Wilson formed Mondo Rock, and I actually prefer this band to the earlier one. This is one of their better songs, and, again, was one I found on a K-Tel compilation.


’Best Of Both Worlds’ by Midnight Oil (1984)

When I was younger, I wondered why Midnight Oil were one of those bands that only had success in Australia; as I got older and understood the politics behind their songs, I could see why. Doesn’t change it for me, though – I think they are one of the best bands Australia has produced. Songs like this are a reason why.


’Everybody Wants To Rule the World’ by Tears For Fears (1985)

I had a few songs to choose from from Tears For Fears, and picked this one, but one other has a famous and well-liked cover version which will appear in the next column. T4F had some amazing songs (and their comeback album was great ). I am a sucker for 1980s synth, though.


’Spirits In The Material World’ by The Police (1986)

I like a lot of The Police’s output, and this is certainly one of their better tracks. They come together as a band so well here. Not much more to say – just a great song.


’World Where You Live’ by Crowded House (1986)

One of the best-loved bands from the Australian/New Zealand canon, this was one of the many of their songs that reached the charts and made an impact on people. And they are still making great music .


’This Is The World Calling’ by Bob Geldof (1986)

I do find that there is a lot of Bob Geldof’s solo career that is overlooked by the music-loving public at large. He has released some fine songs, and this is one that, I believe, actually made the charts, on the heels of his fine work organising Live Aid. I like to think it would have charted even without that boost.


’Best Of Both Worlds’ by Van Halen (1986)

I quite like the Sammy Hagar version of Van Halen, even if they did become a little synthesiser heavy and over-produced at times. This song is one of the strong singles they released with Sammy singing, and it still rocks.


’World Shut Your Mouth’ by Julian Cope (1987)

An angry song, yes, but one I think most people have been able to relate to at one point or another in their lives. I know more about his band Teardrop Explodes than his solo work, but this song is still a great one.


’It’s The End Of The World As We Know it (And I Feel Fine)’ by R.E.M. (1987)

I remember a few of my friends trying this one at karaoke and failing miserably to sing the verses. It is an incredible song, and one that just hits you and does not let go. And, yes, I found the lyrics and decided to try it while I was doing this – I failed as well.


’Rocking In The Free World’ by Neil Young (1989)

After a decade of interesting musical choices, including a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young comeback album, Neil Young closed out the 1980s with one of his hardest hitting songs, and one that still sounds as good and poignant today as it did back then.


A dozen songs about the world from the 1980s. Again, I think there is something here for most musical tastes, so I hope you found something to enjoy.

There will be a follow-up of recent songs about the world, so until then, I hope you have fun listening.


#music
#list
#pop_culture
#performing_arts
#quirky
#retro
#vintage
#world

%wneverywhere