These arena rock anthems from the 1980s still feel massive. Whether you heard these in a crowded venue back in their day or only know what they sound like through the speaker of your car in modernity, these anthems haven’t lost their gusto.
The 1980s saw a rise in rock that could fill arenas, exciting everyone from the front to the back of the room. Songs in this vein had massive pop appeal without losing rock’s edge. It was the perfect storm for rock to hit its mainstream stride. These three songs epitomized that era.
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[RELATED: 4 Outstanding Songs From Rock Acts That Didn’t Do Much on the 1981 Pop Charts]
“Don’t Stop Believin’” — Journey
Perhaps the quintessential arena rock song, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” remains a must-listen in this sub-genre. This song revolutionized the anthemic nature of rock. Never had a song been so energizing. From theatrical vocals and driving piano chords, “Don’t Stop Believin’” is an undisputed classic.
A testament to keeping the faith amid hard times, “Don’t Stop Believin’” hasn’t wavered an inch since its release in 1981. The sentiment remains potent every time we listen to this throwback staple.
“The Final Countdown” — Europe
Europe’s arena rock hit, “The Final Countdown”, is as big as it gets. It’s nearly hammy, especially by today’s standards. But it’s a welcome over-dramatization. This staple track epitomizes everything great about 1980s music. It’s earnestly over-the-top and endlessly entertaining.
No matter how many years pass since the release of this pseudo one-hit wonder, it still feels like a lightning strike. The minute the familiar synth riff starts playing, almost everyone can jump right into this track, making it a great unifier. Sure, it might be showing signs of aging, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less anthemic.
“Jump” — Van Halen
Van Halen decided to diversify their sound with “Jump”. They swapped their hard-edged guitar for synths in this hit, deciding to play into the conventions of their era. It worked out for them, earning one of their biggest hits and, moreover, one of the decade’s biggest hits.
We still get excited when we hear the opening riff of this song. It makes us long for a time when rockers weren’t afraid of sounding cheesy. Earnesty was the name of the game in the 1980s, and this song epitomizes that idea. Few rock songs have been as buoyant.
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