The 1980s are often thought of as a decade of excess and to a certain degree, it was. However, after nearly two decades of people doing their own thing, man, many people were ready to be taught how to be responsible adults. Or at the very least, new parents (who very likely didn’t lead responsible lives before then) wanted to have the federal government and pop culture do the job for them because doing it themselves would take them away from watching “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” This was a bipartisan movement by Republicans and Democrats (remember it was Tipper Gore, wife of Al Gore, who was the most visible founder/member of the Parents Music Resource Center – PMRC).
On a side note, yes naysayers, the “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” message of a lot of music is pretty stupid when applied to the real world. Of course it seems fun at first, until you factor in hangovers, DUI arrests, vehicular manslaughter convictions, the cost of rehab, STDs, unwanted pregnancies, the emotional fallout when one partner in a casual hookup takes it more seriously than the other, jail, having to adopt a relative’s multiple kids (of different fathers) during said relative’s rehab or jail stint, etc.
On the other hand, if you are over the age of 12 and actively enjoy listening to music whose main message is to show up on time for work, eat right, brush your teeth, clean your room, walk the dog, etc. you are a dolt who probably should still be wearing diapers.
Without further ado, here’s the 1980s government-approved hit parade of hell:
1. We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart
2. I Want a New Drug – Huey Lewis and the News
3. Hip to Be Square – Huey Lewis and the News
4. Let’s Work – Mick Jagger
5. Modern Love – David Bowie
6. New Attitude – Patti LaBelle
7. Living Right – Glenn Frey
I can’t find a video for this, but this was a song he composed for a fitness commercial that he included on an album back in the late 1980s.
Feel free to add more below…
Dave's Evil Twin 