Even though I’m a child of the '90s, thanks to some pretty cool parents, I have a love for all things '80s—especially the music. The 1980s were a magical time where the keytar reigned as king and synthesized pop melodies ruled the airwaves. The outfits were fun, life was colorful and the music was hot. Nothing screams “summer!” to me like a little bit of '80s music. So don’t let a cruel summer get you down. Add these songs from the '80s to your playlist and you’ll be walkin' on sunshine all summer long.
8. "Sausalito Summernight" – Diesel
With an upbeat, catchy tune and lyrics like “Hot summer night in Sausalito, can't stand the heat another mile. Let's drop a quarter in the meter, and hit the sidewalk for a while," this ode to a road trip gone awry practically screams summer fun. Just one listen and you’ll be dying to head out on a road trip to California for a root beer, burger and trip across the Golden Gate.
7. "Hot Hot Hot" – Buster Poindexter and his Banshees of Blues
This instantly recognizable tune will put you in the mood for a fiesta. This song is perfect for any event this summer. House party? Check! Impromptu beach volleyball game? Sure to boost your game. Road trip? Instant dance party no matter how long you’ve been in the car. It’s hard not to start dancing as soon as that first note comes out of the stereo
6. "Hot in the City" – Billy Idol
From the crooner who gave us "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding," "Hot in the City" makes you want to go out and find a summer fling. The line, “Don’t be no fun, don’t forget you’re young,” spoke to the generation 30 years ago and is still relevant now. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in everything we have to do that we forget to have some fun while we’re young; but fortunately for us, summer is the perfect time to let loose and have some fun.
5. "Rio" – Duran Duran
Duran Duran was listed as one of Princess Diana’s favorite bands. You can bet if she was alive today, "Rio" would make the cut onto her playlist. Duran Duran perfectly embodies what '80s music is about: metaphors, funky sounds and a good time.
4. "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" – Wang Chung
With a simple beat and repetitive lyrics, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" is that song that is an instant mood-lifter. There's absolutely no way to be angry while listening to this catchy tune; the lyrics literally tell you what to do.
3. "Working for the Weekend" – Loverboy
The best way to start an impromptu dance or karaoke party is to start playing this song. If you don’t know the verse, you for sure know the chorus. Grab your best friends, start belting the lyrics into your hairbrush-turned-microphone and pretend you’re the star of your own '80s movie.
2. "Summer Nights" – Van Halen
It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of the Sammy Hagar days of Van Halen or the David Lee Roth. We can all agree that "Summer Nights" is a fun, angst-ridden take on summer. Van Halen had it right—summer is the time to celebrate when the gangs all here!
1. "Summer Love" – Neil Diamond
My top '80s pick to add to your playlist! I dare you to not turn up the radio when this song comes through—it's just that good. The tans may fade and the air may cool, but they can't take away your summer love.
