1980 was a pretty incredible year in rock music. The beginning of what remains an unforgettable decade in the genre, some of the songs that were released in 1980 are so timeless they might sound just as good—or even better—if they were remade today, including these three.
“Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen released one song in 1980, and it’s “Hungry Heart”. On his The River record, Springsteen wrote “Hungry Heart” by himself.
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“Hungry Heart” says, “Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack / I went out for a ride and I never went back / Like a river that don’t know where it’s flowing / I took a wrong turn and I just kept going / Everybody’s got a hungry heart / Everybody’s got a hungry heart / Lay down your money and you play your part / Everybody’s got a hungry heart.”
Several artists have already covered “Hungry Heart” over the years, including Rod Stewart, Mike Love, Paul Young, and The Mavericks, among others.
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar
On Pat Benatar’s sophomore Crimes Of Passion record is “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”. The song, written by Eddie Schwartz, is Benatar’s first Top 10 single.
The rock anthem begins with, “Well you’re the real tough cookie / With a long history / Of breaking little hearts / Like the one in me / That’s OK / Lets see how you do it / Put up your dukes / Lets get down to it / Hit me with your best shot / Why don’t you hit me / With your best shot / Hit me with your best shot / Fire away.”
“Keep On Loving You” by REO Speedwagon
Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon’s lead singer, wrote “Keep On Loving You”. The song appears on REO Speedwagon’s Hi Infidelity album.
“Keep On Loving You” seems like a sweet love song, and it is, sort of. Cronin actually wrote “Keep On Loving You” after he found out that his wife was cheating on him. “Keep On Loving You” became his vow to forgive her and remain committed to his marriage vows.
The song says, “And I meant every word I said / When I said that I love you / I meant that I love you forever / And I’m gonna keep on lovin’ you / ‘Cause it’s the only thing I wanna do / I don’t wanna sleep / I just wanna keep on lovin’ you.”
Sadly, “Keep On Loving You” did not become a self-fulfilling prophecy for Cronin. The couple later split up.
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Kyu Sakamoto. (1941-1985) Japanese singer, best known outside Japan for his international hit song "Ue o Muite Aruko" (known as "Sukiyaki" in English-speaking markets), which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies. It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. (Photo by Sjöberg Bildbyrå/ullstein bild via Getty Images) -
Picture taken in 1974 in Stockholm shows the Swedish pop group Abba with its members (L-R) Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus posing after winning the Swedish branch of the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Waterloo". – Sweden's legendary disco group ABBA announced on April 27, 2018 that they have reunited to record two new songs, 35 years after their last single. The quartet split up in 1982 after dominating the disco scene for more than a decade with hits like "Waterloo", "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia" and "Super Trouper". (Photo by Olle LINDEBORG / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo credit should read OLLE LINDEBORG/AFP via Getty Images) -
IN CONCERT – Airdate: March 1, 1974. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) LINDA RONSTADT
