I love the 80s!
Okay, I was inspired by fellow blogger, Sara’s post about the 90s that I thought I would make my own rad (80s lingo) post about how much I love the 80s. Now, I’m going to make it easy for everyone reading and tell you that I’m 25, which means I was born in 1987. Even though I was only 3 by the time the 80s exited my life, I happen to be quite the fan of the decade, thanks to my awesome mother.
My mom was a teenager in the 80s and I’ve always been jealous of that fact. She got to see St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink, and many more awesome (80s lingo strikes again!) movies in theaters. Not to mention, she got to dance to some of the classic pop songs at parties and school dances! I’m jealous. I have a feeling her parties looked something like Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night” video (at least I hope they did).
I decided it would be fun to make a top 20 list of my favorite 80s songs and movies for your viewing pleasure.
Movies:
- Sixteen Candles (1984)
- The Breakfast Club (1985)
- St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) (Amazing movie with Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, and Ally Sheedy. It’s the Breakfast Club for grown-ups)
- Just One of the Guys (1985) (Such a funny movie about a ultra pretty “girly-girl” who goes undercover at a different high school as a boy and falls in love with her best friend)
- Pretty in Pink (1986) (I watch this movie every year on my birthday, it’s my favorite 80s movie ever, plus Andrew McCarthy is SO dreamy)
- Less than Zero (1987) (this movie is terribly depressing, but I’m strangely drawn to it. It’s one of the best Bret Easton Ellis adaptations in my opinion)
- Dirty Dancing (1987) (Patrick Swayze is SO dreamy. I can’t help but watch this movie every time it comes on tv. I love the end dance number!)
- The Lost Boys (1987)
- Mystic Pizza (1988) (Love it!)
- Say Anything (1989) (*sigh* Lloyd Dobler)
Music:
- “Jessie’s Girl” (1981) Rick Springfield
- “Don’t Stop Believing” (1981) Journey
- “Thriller” (1983) Michael Jackson
- “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (1983) Cyndi Lauper
- “Faithfully” (1983) Journey
- “Love is a Battlefield” (1983) Pat Benatar (I’m attaching the video because it rocks)
- “Broken Wings (1985) Mr. Mister
- “Crazy for You” (1985) Madonna
- “If You Leave” (1986) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)
- “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” (1987) Whitney Houston
So, there you have it! I would like to thank my mom for exposing me to these awesome movies and songs. I have most of them in my iTunes library or sitting on my DVD shelf.
What’s one of your favorite songs and films from the 80s?
February 4th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
The 80s really did have some of the best films and music. Almost any song by The Smiths and for movies can’t go wrong with Alien, Blade Runner, and those Star Wars films.
February 4th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
It’s funny, I was born in 1980, so the 80′s are pretty much my core childhood years, but I didn’t know about half the movies on your list (*when I actually get some free time, I will check some of them out). I did recognize most of the songs.
It reminds me of a funny side story which I will share, though it’s mildly embarrassing. We had a movie card to some local small movie store when I was a kid, so my sister and I could go get movies when we had a sitter. Once we went, and I selected “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas,” not knowing what it was, and having misread the label as “The Best Little Warehouse in Texas”. We ended up walking the movie back to the store shortly after the first song, where I proceeded to explain to the cashier that I thought it said “Warehouse,” and wanted another movie. Funny story, but I’m not entirely sure why I was so interested in warehouses.
February 4th, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Frank-The 80s were awesome! Unfortunately, Alien freaks me out and I don’t like Star Wars much, I know, I’m a bad person
Michael-HAHAHA that’s such a great story, thanks for sharing!! And you must see the movies, they are so awesome. Which ones haven’t you seen before that I listed??
February 12th, 2013 at 11:54 am
I haven’t seen four of them–St. Elmo’s Fire, Just one of the Guys, Less than Zero, and Say Anything.
February 5th, 2013 at 9:02 am
Alexia-
Great blog! I have to say that I really loved living my teen years in the 80′s. Some other great movies of the day were:
1. Terminator
2. Back to the Future
3. Bladerunner
4. Raiders of the Lost Ark
5. Last American Virgin (which I think is one of the few that you
have not seen).
I also have fond memories of hanging out at Countdown video on Friday/Saturday nights with my friends playing all those great video games (Donkey Kong, Frogger, Q-Bert) I wasn’t that good, so my poor frog always got squished when trying to make it across the road:0).
Thanks for the memory trip!
-Mom
February 5th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Mom, thanks for the awesome list!! Terminator freaked me out, you know that
Honestly, I haven’t seen the other movies you listed, which means we totally should watch them sometime when we hang out again!
Love you!
February 6th, 2013 at 2:10 pm
I LOVED that you added movies to this!! Good list for sure! Dirty Dancing though will always be one of my favorites!
February 6th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Your list of movies is probably the some of the few 1980′s movies that I really know and enjoy. I also think your choice of movies and songs sums up that era pretty well.
February 10th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
I agree with Carrie, seeing how I was born in ’93 I have very few remits on the ’80′s, However, this list sums up what I’m familiar with and enjoy watching/listening to from the 80′s. Also, I like your mother’s list too! =) Thanks for sharing Alexia!
February 20th, 2013 at 12:00 am
Wow, this is a great list! I need to jump on the list trend, everyone is making such awesome ones! I’ve been listening a lot to the STRFKR cover of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. I just go on walks and when it comes on I start dancing. No shame in saying it. haha