3 of the Best 1980s Classic Rock Happy Birthday Songs

When it’s your favorite person’s special day, there are usually a few things you have to happen. A cake, balloons, presents, and the singing of “Happy Birthday.” But did you know that you don’t just have to belt out the ol’ traditional Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! No, there are other great happy birthday songs perfect for the occasion.

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Here below, we wanted to examine three offerings from some big-name performers. Indeed, these are three of the best 1980s classic rock happy birthday songs of all time. So, let’s mix it up a little, shall we?

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“Birthday” by The Sugarcubes from Life’s Too Good (1987)

Fronted by the acclaimed singer Björk, the Reykjavík, Iceland-born band The Sugarcubes created one of the most memorable and interesting birthday songs in rock history. Of course, Björk is known for her eccentric and experimental style, and this song is no different. On it, she sings as if howling into some wintry caves, telling the story about a 5-year-old child. A creative little kid, it’s also their birthday. And so Björk honors the occasion as only she can, belting,

She lives in this house over there
Has her world outside it
Scrabbles in the earth with her fingers and her mouth
She’s five years old

Threads worms on a string
Keeps spiders in her pocket
Collects fly wings in a jar
Scrubs horse flies and
And pinches them on a line

“Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder from Hotter Than July (1981)

Perhaps the most famous alternative happy birthday song out there, this track from the Saginaw, Michigan-born Stevie Wonder is heartfelt and lovely. It’s as celebratory of the occasion as it is of the person whose birthday it is. Wonder sings at the top of his lungs to bring joy and a feeling of warmth and community around the special someone. Wonder may be the musician of the 20th century so there might be no other person you want to hear sing you happy birthday. Indeed, he offers,

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition

“Happy Birthday” by Altered Images from Happy Birthday (1980)

This Scottish new wave band took the wishing of happy birthday to a new level with this song. It seems almost like a spell put to bouncy music. You feel almost taken over by the music—strange for something that’s supposed to be a simple little ditty. But it works. And it’s infectious. And it’s captivating. So much so that you may want to hear it over and over again. The group’s frontwoman Clare Grogan sings,

Happy, happy birthday in a hot bath
To those nice, nice nights
I remember always, always I got such a fright
Seeing them in my dark cupboard with my great big cake

If they were me, if they were me
And I was you and I was you
If they were me, if they were me
And I was you and I was you
If they were me and I was you
Would you have liked a present too?

Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns