We (Jana and Erin) told you last month, as we looked at the music from the Men of the '80s, that we are unable to come up with any kind of sensible length of a playlist in the '80s unless we broke it down for you. There will be more to come because we will take a look at groups, and hairbands will probably get their own list too. So, you've probably figured out what today is all about...well, the title kinda gave it away...that's right...it's time for "The Ladies of the Eighties!"
Awwwww the '80s...when the ladies (and the guys) used Aquanet so our bangs could reach heights never seen before. Spandex was king. So were shoulder pads and blue eyeliner. We saw Janet Jackson step out from behind the shadows of her famous brothers. We saw her choreographer, Paula Abdul, step out from Janet's shadow and become a pop star too. Cyndi Lauper just wanted us to have fun. Madonna wanted to feel like a virgin. We had artists with established careers shine on the radio and in the movies (Dolly and Cher.) The ladies danced, they sang, some yielded guitars, and most of them kicked ass.
Erin's note: Before we hit you with our list, I have to give Jana props. She came up with this ultimate playlist. I just added a few touches to finesse it. I wouldn't have picked all the songs that she did, but as I looked at the total list, I thought she pretty much nailed it.
As always, some of our picks are obvious ones and others are hidden gems. We hope you enjoy!
Awwwww the '80s...when the ladies (and the guys) used Aquanet so our bangs could reach heights never seen before. Spandex was king. So were shoulder pads and blue eyeliner. We saw Janet Jackson step out from behind the shadows of her famous brothers. We saw her choreographer, Paula Abdul, step out from Janet's shadow and become a pop star too. Cyndi Lauper just wanted us to have fun. Madonna wanted to feel like a virgin. We had artists with established careers shine on the radio and in the movies (Dolly and Cher.) The ladies danced, they sang, some yielded guitars, and most of them kicked ass.
Erin's note: Before we hit you with our list, I have to give Jana props. She came up with this ultimate playlist. I just added a few touches to finesse it. I wouldn't have picked all the songs that she did, but as I looked at the total list, I thought she pretty much nailed it.
As always, some of our picks are obvious ones and others are hidden gems. We hope you enjoy!
Madonna - Dress You Up
Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen
Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
Janet Jackson - What Have You Done for Me Lately
Paula Abdul - Cold Hearted
Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot AND Invincible (okay, yes, we normally try to limit ourselves to only one song per artist, but Jana felt strongly about her choice, and Erin did as well, and Pat Benatar is awesome, so, yes, she gets two.)
Irene Cara - Flashdance...What a Feeling
Alannah Myles - Black Velvet
Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (always reminding Jana of "Old School")
Toni Basil - Mickey
Juice Newton - Angel of the Morning
Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On
Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a Place on Earth (don't worry, the Go-Go's will be represented in our groups post)
Taylor Dayne - Tell It to My Heart (the original Taylor)
Joan Jett - I Hate Myself for Loving You
Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time
Sheena Easton - Morning Train
Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth
Tiffany - Could've Been (fun fact: Jana's first concert ever was Tiffany and New Kids on the Block.......another fun fact: Erin forgot this song existed, but when listening to it for this playlist sang almost every lyric. How do our minds remember song lyrics like that?!)
Laura Branigan - Solitaire
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
Now, it's your turn. Tell us your favorite song(s) by The Ladies of the Eighties!
I like the little notes about Erin and Jana along the way.
ReplyDeleteOutfits from the 80s always catch me off guard. So bold and colorful (or dark!) and tight. Lol. When I see pictures of my mom in the 80s I always think her poofy hair and cut off jeans are just right. Lol :)
cher, paula, debbie, tracy, i mean the list goes on! this is a great roundup and i'm super impressed. as a child of the 80s i can relate to this high hair/bangs situation. it was a wave. a bad one haha. now i wanna go watch "girls just wanna have fun" and eat popcorn ha
ReplyDeletexoxo cheshire kat
i had no idea Paula Abdul was Janet Jackson's choreographer.
ReplyDeleteit blows my mind how my mind remembers song lyrics to songs i had forgotten about.
i don't know all of these songs, but the ones i do know, i love!
I love Cher so much. My list would've included "I Found Someone" because I like it just the tiniest bit more than "If I Could Turn Back Time." Also would've gone with Janet's "Nasty" because "No my first name ain't baby" is one of my fav song lyrics everrrr
ReplyDeleteALL THE HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI couldnt even pick a favorite. I just have the biggest 80's playlist on Spotify. The BEST... memories galore for me.
Like I said to Jana, this is my favorite playlist! I love every lady here. While I might have picked a song or two differently, they are all great choices. This is going to be playing while I work today, although I might end up singing and dancing around my apartment versus getting any actual work done. :D
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Paula Abdul was Janet Jackson's choreographer either! LOVE that Tiffany and Taylor Dane are on here, though I would have chosen Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now." There were a few where I didn't know the artists' names, but I definitely knew the song. This might be my favorite playlist from you guys!
ReplyDeleteI love Time After Time and Total Eclipse of the Heart! And of course If I Could Turn Back Time. You guys have basically nailed it this time, although I do feel like Tina Turner should be on there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteTiffany though... I didn't even know she HAD another song other than "I Think We're Alone Now". Also, I saw her in the 2000s when she was doing some UK university tour and she SUCKED (Chesney Hawkes on the other hand was actually really good).
Like I told Jana, this list is so awesome! I want to know if you added Dolly's song or Jana did? It's a total must include in my opinion!
ReplyDeletehaving lunch with a friend at gino's east. the music of the moment is tiffany's i think we're alone now.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good list! I think I'll have to have this on while I work tomorrow!
ReplyDeletePaula Abdul forever and ever and ever. She was my favorite!! Also, Fast Car is seriously one of my favorite songs.
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ReplyDeleteThis is the best list ever!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I would add is Berlin's "Take My Breath Away." But maybe that doesn't count because it's from a band and not a solo artist?
These posts are my favorite! I'd have to add What's Love Got to Do with It by Tina, Crazy For You by Madonna, and Wind Beneath My Winds by Bette. And now I'm off to listen to Belinda Carlisle all day!
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