Suggestions for danceable new wave '80s songs?

[DLM]

My band has been asked to learn some of the more popular '80s New Wave dance songs and while I can think of a dozen while I'm driving in my car, I can't think of even one when I'm at my computer, so I'm hoping you can help.

We have guitar, drums, bass, keys and one sax player. Given our instrumentation, which songs would you recommend? I'd like to stick with songs that are more conventional instrument-related as opposed to sequenced keys (i.e., Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, etc.), so song suggestions that use a real bass and drum kit would be appreciated!

Thanks for your help!

[The_Ox]

You guys play any Police? If not, most of their stuff is very danceable.


If you guys had a bigger horn section, I would recommend some ska. Half of the ska Experience is dancing to it.

[MisterFabulous]

Lived thru the whole scene...still not sure what qualified as "New Wave", except...came from England?

So...
"When Smokey Sings" ABC (or any ABC song)
"Love Plus One" Haircut 100
"Who Can It Be Now" Men At Work
"Our House" Madness
"Would I Lie to You?" Eurythmics

[Richland123]

Who Can It Be Now? - Men At Work
Whip it - Devo
My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, Magic, You
Might Think - The Cars

Not quite new wave but from same era and can utilize the sax

I Want A New Drug, The Heart Of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewis & The News
Freeze Frame, Centerfold - The J. Geils Band

[Phalex]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC76M...eature=related

No Sax, but I LOVE this tune!

[lunarpollen]

"Rio" by Duran Duran has some sax in it

You say not Soft Cell, but the original 1964 northern soul version of "Tainted Love" by Gloria Jones would easily be doable by a band of your configuration, while being recognizable to fans of the hit 1981 cover version

[elgecko]

Rio (...my daughter's name ) - Duran Duran

I'll Stop the World and Melt With You - Modern English

Anything - Dramarama

Tempted - Squeeze

Don't Dream it's Over - Crowded House

Our House - Madness

Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

I Ran - Flock of Seagulls

Turning Japanese - The Vapors

Come Dancing - The Kinks

Land Down Under - Men at Work

Tide is High - Blondie

Ghost Town - The Specials

Big Country - Big Country

Let's Go To Bed - The Cure

Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo

and on and on and on...


EDIT for more:

Safety Dance - Men Without Hats

Whisper to a Scream - Icicle Works

Electric Avenue - Eddie Grant

Understanding Jane - The Smithereens

How Soon is Now - The Smiths

[Linas]

Rip it up - orange juice

[bass12]

I don't know that I'd call all of these "New Wave", per se, but I doubt if anyone would take you to task over it. Some 80s songs that might work:

"One Thing Leads To Another" by The Fixx
"Promises" by Naked Eyes
"Flesh For Fantasy" by Billy Idol
"Church Of The Poison Mind" by Culture Club
"Pale Shelter" by Tears For Fears
"She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals
"Pull Up To The Bumper" by Grace Jones
"Need You Tonight" by INXS
"Steppin' Out" by Joe Jackson
"Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds
"It's My Life" by Talk Talk
"Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung

[Richland123]

INXS - What You Need has lots of sax in it

[Hoover]

"Everybody Have Fun Tonight" - Wang Chung
"Day After Day" - Thomson Twins


edit: Thought of two more

"Sledgehammer" - Peter Gabriel
"Never Say Never" - Romeo Void

[Jerry Ziarko]

One Way or Another --Blondie. Even with a male singer, it will usually fill the dance floor.

[bassybill]

Some good numbers in that category to make your sax player earn his/her keep:

David Bowie - Modern Love
Roxy Music - Love Is The Drug (okay, this was earlier, but way ahead of its time and always goes down well as a dance number)
Style Council - My Ever Changing Moods
Linx - So This Is Romance
Curiosity Killed The Cat - Down To Earth (great song, this one)
Teardrop Explodes - Reward (really needs brass, but it can be done with a single sax and it drives most crowds nuts)

[Rebmo]

Haircut 100, I think the CD is pelican west. Songs - Boy meets Girl, Fantastic Day. + more Really great stuff.

[DLM]

All, thanks for the great suggestions. You've provided a good foundation for me to talk to my bandmates.