I’m not good at writing about music (do I know how to sell the hell out of blog post, or what?). For one thing, I know next to nothing about the intricacies of the art form, comparing an artist’s work to others, divining the meaning behind lyrics, blah, blah, blah. As the old saying goes, I know what I like. And I like me some ’80s music. And I like movies. So — and just go with me here — I thought I’d make a list of the top 20 songs from ’80s movie soundtracks. Lists: the crystal meth of the online world! Look what you’ve become, internet. No wonder we don’t capitalize you anymore.
Anyway, I set some ground rules. The song had to be written specifically for the soundtrack in question…which was actually harder to determine than you’d think. For example, “Is It Love” by Mr. Mister appears on the soundtrack for Stakeout (as everybody knows), but it was actually on its 1986 album Welcome To The Real World. Also, I didn’t allow my feelings about a particular movie factor into the rankings. I went strictly by the quality of the song. This is serious shit, and integrity must be maintained. Finally, to define the decade, I used the years 1980-89. Technically, the decade of the eighties was 1981-90, but in this case I made an exception.

1. “Nobody’s Fool,” Kenny Loggins (Caddyshack 2, 1989) If your idea of comedy is watching Randy Quaid give Robert Stack a wedgie, have I got a movie for you! But, I suppose without this cinematic monstrosity, we wouldn’t have this gem from the Logman. “Nobody’s Fool” is the center fielder who wins the Triple Crown on a baseball team that loses 100 games. It all comes together on this song: a great hook, introspective lyrics, expert musicianship and, in the video, let’s just say that the party’s in the front and the back of Kenny’s head.
2. “Playin’ With The Boys,” Kenny Loggins (Top Gun, 1986) While Kenny Loggins has had an enormously successful career, think of the heights he would’ve reached if his producers had just lied and told him that every album he recorded was a soundtrack. Were that so, they’d have to call it The Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame That Kenny Loggins Allows Others To Be In Because In Addition To Being The Greatest Ever He’s Kind And Generous. This insanely catchy ditty has always been overshadowed by other songs from the TG soundtrack, such as Loggins’ own “Danger Zone” and Berlin’s Oscar-winning “Take My Breath Away.” If you disagree with me, well, we can settle our differences on the volleyball court.
3. “Good Enuf,” Cyndi Lauper (Goonies, 1985) Forget about soundtracks, this is one of the best songs of the ‘80s, period. And yet, it’s never mentioned among the elite. “Good Enuf” gets no respect… kind of like the Goonies.
4. “Arthur’s Theme,” Christopher Cross (Arthur, 1981) I think the best costume for an ‘80s-themed party would be a tux like Dudley Moore wore in Arthur. You could get stinky drunk and just tell people that you’re in character. And when you begin offending women by hitting on them, just bring up how tragic it is that such an entertainment legend was taken from us too soon. But oh, this song! Just a tour de force by Mr. Cross. This Yacht Rock standard doesn’t just sing to your soul, it takes it out for a couples massage, then to a fancy dinner followed by a midnight carriage ride through Central Park.
5. “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion),” John Parr (St. Elmo’s Fire, 1985) Fun fact: members of Toto play on this song, and Richard Marx provides backing vocals. I also read a story that Parr was on the video shoot set and saw the cast members hanging around. He thought they were just extras, so he started giving acting tips to them. Only Judd Nelson took notes.
6. “After All,” Peter Cetera and Cher (Chances Are, 1988) I don’t know why I have this song ranked so high, since I’m clearly allergic to it. My eyes water up every time I hear it.
7. “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club, 1985) The only bad thing about this seminal ‘80s song is that its immense popularity overshadows some truly great stuff put out by this Scottish group. Also, I bet the group really, really, really regrets turning down the publishing rights to this tune.
8. “The Power of Love,” Huey Lewis & The News (Back To The Future, 1985) What more can be said about this one? One of those songs that you can’t imagine being performed by anyone else besides the original artist. Of course, some tweeny boppers are probably holed up in a studio butchering it as I type this sentence.
9. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” (Against All Odds, 1984) As a boozy ex-tight end who’s gotten mixed up with shady gambler and a femme fatale, let’s just say that this song speaks to me…and if you haven’t seen the movie, this joke clearly does not.
10. “Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire,” David Foster (St. Elmo’s Fire, 1985) How many 30-year-olds out there were conceived to this romantic piece of romance? Maybe like four, I bet.
11. “To Live and Die in LA,” Wang Chung (To Live and Die in LA, 1985) Hells yeah, Wang Chung made this list! They did the whole damn soundtrack for this movie. Loving WC isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying To Live and Die in LA, but it don’t hurt.
12. “It Might Be You,” Stephen Bishop (Tootsie, 1982) I’m usually pretty terrible at divining the meaning behind certain songs. But I think it’s pretty clear that this is a heartfelt ode to sweet, sweet cocaine.
13. “Fame,” Irene Cara (Fame, 1980) Ugh, I have to write about 20 songs here, and I’m only a little more than halfway home. Sorry, Irene, but here’s where I choose to take a breather.
14. “Flashdance…What a Feeling,” (Flashdance, 1983) Love the song, hate the title. At no point does Irene Cara utter the title of the movie during the song. Why they felt the need to tack the movie title on there is beyond me. This song has ‘80s music royalty behind it: Keith Forsey, who wrote the lyrics with Cara, also wrote “Shakedown” for Beverly Hills Cop II and “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” for The Breakfast Club. Giorgio Moroder, who composed the music, wrote “Danger Zone” and “Take My Breath Away” for Top Gun.
15. “Who’s That Girl,” Madonna (Who’s That Girl, 1987) If you say that you don’t like this song, I have one thing to say to you: “Hi, liar!”
16. “I Can Dream About You,” Dan Hartman (Streets of Fire, 1984) Dan Hartman died of AIDS in 1986!
17. “No Easy Way Out,” Robert Tepper (Rocky IV, 1985) Come on, you knew there’d be a song from the Rocky franchise on this list. Lots of interesting trivia about Robert Tepper out there. If you have any, could you let me know?
18. “Sweet Freedom,” Michael McDonald (Running Scared, 1986) This song was actually written by Michael McDonald’s beard. There’s nothing you can say that’ll convince me otherwise.
19. “Holding Out For A Hero,” Bonnie Tyler (Footloose, 1984) It would be a crime against listing if I didn’t include a tune from Footloose in this post. This is the best of the bunch. Plus, it made history’s slowest game of “Chicken” seem exciting.
20. “For Your Eyes Only,” Sheena Easton (For Your Eyes Only, 1981) Like all the Bond movie theme songs, this is girly, but somehow works. Nevertheless, I’ll never forgive Sheena Easton for dying and screwing up Sonny Crockett’s psyche on Miami Vice.