The 1980s had some of the best rock songs ever released. The decade saw plenty of heartbreak songs, love songs, and uptempo songs, including these four, all out in 1984, which still make us want to dance.
“Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
The title track of the hit movie starring Kevin Bacon, Kenny Loggins wrote “Footloose” with Dean Pitchford. A three-week No. 1 hit, the song earned Loggins two Grammy Award nominations.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Footloose” says, “So now I gotta cut loose / Footloose / Kick off the Sunday shoes / Please, Louise / Pull me off of my knees / Jack, get back / Come on before we crack / Lose your blues / Everybody cut footloose.”
In 2011, Blake Shelton recorded a new version for a remake of the film.
“The Heart Of Rock & Roll” by Huey Lewis and The News
Huey Lewis and Johnny Colla are the two writers of “The Heart Of Rock & Roll”. A No. 1 hit for Huey Lewis and The News, the song is on the group’s third album, Sports.
The feel-good song says, “But it’s still that same old back beat rhythm / That really, really drives ’em wild / They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating / And from what I’ve seen I believe ’em / Now the old boy may be barely breathing / But the heart of rock and roll / Heart of rock and roll is still beating.”
“Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters
There likely isn’t a more dance-worthy song than “Jump (For My Love)” by The Pointer Sisters. On their Break Out record, the uptempo track is written by Marti Sharron, Gary Skardina, and Stephen Mitchell.
“Jump (For My Love)” says, “And if you want more / If you want more, more, more / Then jump / For my love / Jump in / And feel my touch / Jump, if you want to taste my kisses in the night then / Jump (jump) for my love.”
“Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince
A two-week No.1 hit for Prince, recorded as Prince and The Revolution, Prince wrote “Let’s Go Crazy” by himself. The first single from his Purple Rain record, “Let’s Go Crazy” remains one of Prince’s most memorable hits.
“Let’s Go Crazy” says, “Are we gonna let the elevator bring us down? / Oh no, let’s go / Let’s go crazy / Let’s get nuts / Let’s look for the purple banana / ‘Til they put us in the truck / Let’s go.”
After Prince tragically passed away in 2016, “Let’s Go Crazy” became a Top 40 hit again, 32 years after it was first released.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
More The List
-
Rock music legend Janis Joplin performs at the free Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The festival took place on Max Yasgur's dairy farm, which he rented to event organizers for $75,000. About 450,000 people attended the three day concert, which turned into chaos due to the crowds, heavy rains, and traffic jams. It is nonetheless romantically remembered as a symbol of the liberal spirit of the hippie generation. (Photo by Henry Diltz/Corbis via Getty Images) -
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – AUGUST 30: Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates performs in concert at Etess Arena on August 30, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Donald Kravitz/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – MAY 1999: (EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE WAS CREATED USING COLOR INFRARED FILM) American rock band Smash Mouth (L – R) drummer Kevin Coleman, vocalist Steven Harwell, guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul De Lisle pose for a May 1999 portrait in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images) -
Left to right: Doug Clifford, Tom Fogerty, John Fogerty and Stu Cook of American rock group, Creedence Clearwater Revival, in New York City, 1970. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage -
CIRCA 1967: Members of the rock band "Youngbloods" pose for a circa 1967 portrait. Original members include Jesse Colin Young, Lowell "Banana" Levinger, Jerry Corbitt and Joe Bauer. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
The Beatles, from left to right: Paul McCartney, George Harrison (1943 – 2001), John Lennon (1940 – 1980) and Ringo Starr, jump for joy during a rehearsal for the Royal Command Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) -
English singers, musicians, and songwriters Mick Jagger (at microphone), Keith Richards and Bill Wyman (far right) of the rock band 'The Rolling Stones,' perform on stage at Madison Square Garden, November 28, 1969. Jagger stands with his hands on his hips, eyes closed, and lips pursed together as he sings. (Photo by David Fenton/Getty Images)