'80s songs: which ones work best in your set?

[eJake]

Like a prayer - Madonna
Last dance - Donna summer
Fight for your right to party - beastie boys

 

[filwitheneff]

I play in a wedding band (that occasionally plays bars and wineries), and I can't add much to what's already been listed.

But one 80s song that works every single time is "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. You'll need both male and female vocals, but it packs the floor consistently.

 

[Richland123]

Some of the songs posted here are actually from the 70s but they still go over well.

 

[Richland123]

Here are songs from the 1980s that my last band played and they always went over.

White Wedding - Billy Idol
Pink Cadillac - Bruce Springsteen
Summer Of ’69 - Bryan Adams
Should I Stay Or Should I Go - The Clash
Whip It – Devo
Battleship Chains – Georgia Satellites
Keep Your Hands To Yourself – Georgia Satellites
Twilight Zone - Golden Earring
The Breakup Song - The Greg Kihn Band
Devil Inside – INXS
You've Got Another Thing Coming - Judas Priest
The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil
Smokin’ In The Boys Room - Motley Crue Version
Rockin’ In The Free World - Neil Young
Hard Times In The Land Of Plenty - Omar & The Howlers
Your Love - The Outfield
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones
Jessie’s Girl - Rick Springfield
What I Like About You - The Romantics
Behind The Wall Of Sleep - The Smithereens
Abracadabra - The Steve Miller Band
The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades – Timbuk 3
Runnin’ Down A Dream - Tom Petty
867-5309 Jenny, Jenny - Tommy Tutone
Gimme All Your Lovin’ - ZZ Top
Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top
Tube Snake Boogie - ZZ Top

 

[Atshen]

Some of the songs posted here are actually from the 70s but they still go over well.

Which ones?

 

[Richland123]

Which ones?

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover – 1975
Superstition – 1972
Hey Bulldog – 1969
Let’s Go - 1979
Message In A Bottle - 1979
Breakdown – 1977
One Way Or Another - 1979
American Girl - 1977
My Best Friend’s Girl - 1978
Just What I Needed – 1978
Blitzkreig Bop – 1976
Brass In Pocket – 1979
Tush – 1975
Venus – original version by Shocking Blue 1969 but covered by Banarama in 1986 so this is also an 80s tune
Two Tickets To Paradise – 1978
Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) – original by Moon Martin 1978 and covered by Robert Palmer 1979
Another Brick In The Wall - 1979
Beautiful Girls - 1979
Last Dance - 1978

 

[Atshen]

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover – 1975
Superstition – 1972
Hey Bulldog – 1969
Let’s Go - 1979
Message In A Bottle - 1979
Breakdown – 1977
One Way Or Another - 1979
American Girl - 1977
My Best Friend’s Girl - 1978
Just What I Needed – 1978
Blitzkreig Bop – 1976
Brass In Pocket – 1979
Tush – 1975
Venus – original version by Shocking Blue 1969 but covered by Banarama in 1986 so this is also an 80s tune
Two Tickets To Paradise – 1978
Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) – original by Moon Martin 1978 and covered by Robert Palmer 1979
Another Brick In The Wall - 1979
Beautiful Girls - 1979
Last Dance - 1978

D'Oh! Two of mine are there. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[Jebberz]

D'Oh! Two of mine are there. Thanks for clarifying!

Remind me of the young lady that said to me at a gig that she liked it when we played '70s songs like Bon Jovi and Brian Adams...

 

[bass12]

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, folks! It's definitely helpful to get others' feedback on this.