#43. "Personal Jesus" - Depeche Mode (1989)

Think back to the early 80s for minute. Hands up if you thought back these guys would be sporting cowboy hats and playing guitars five years later?

The evolution of Depeche Mode from a light synth-pop act to filling stadiums in North America was quite impressive. Like U2 did a couple years prior with the The Joshua Tree, Depeche Mode captured the hearts and minds of America with an amped up, somewhat industrial form of dance music with the Violator album in 1989.

"Personal Jesus" is the best song from that period: a big beat that don't quit while twangy guitars and clinical keys keep things interesting. 

The badass video is a bonus. 

Well done boys, you've come a long way.

#44. "In Between Days" - The Cure (1985)

So these blokes aren't all doom and gloom as some might say.

"In Between Days" by The Cure is classic new wave and a staple at 80s parties. 

And one of the finest examples showing off the cardinal rules of new wave alt rock: melancholic lyrics and upbeat music. 

It's also one of the tightest songs of the decade at an economical 02:55.  

The intro is outstanding, immediately grabbing your attention with a wall of melodic guitars...and then come the synths. 

The lyrics allude to some sort of bizarre love triangle -- no, I'm not confusing this with New Order's tune although this song does have a New Order mid-80s kind of vibe...

In 1985, The Cure was still 'Indie pop' in North America where the mainstream wasn't ready for the likes of The Cure until a few years later...

#45. "She Sells Sanctuary" - The Cult (1985)

First things first: turn up the volume before clicking on the clip. 

Need an ice-breaker to liven up your house party / dance club / road trip? 

It's a rare sighting when headbangers, new wavers, preppies and rockers can all get down to the same groove. 

"She Sells Sanctuary" is one such song that crosses all the genres: an 80s "Kumbaya" for the feet if you will...

And how about that intro?

A ten-second tease and then lower the BOOM! A real rocker with a killer guitar riff that makes you wanna cut a rug.

#46. "What You Need" - INXS (1986)

One of Australia's favorite musical exports, INXS got more prolific as the decade went on culminating with the epic Kick album and a slew of singles. 

My fave is the first single from the Listen Like Thieves album: the rock groove "What You Need".

This is one seriously funked up tune, with killer bass and sax riffs driving the track. 

Lyrically, it's pretty vapid but who cares. Not to worry, Michael Hutchence would come to the forefront in the next album. 

"What You Need" is a solid all hands-on-deck group effort albeit a bit of an underrated masterpiece. 

If I had to make a fave 3 from INXS, "Need You Tonight" comes third, while "Original Sin" would be #2:

#47. "You Spin Me Round" - Dead Or Alive (1985)

I may not have been actually clubbing at the time but I was enamored with this club song. 

From the opening beats, "You Spin Me Round" by Dead or Alive is a relentless assault on the senses. The dance inferno didn't sound like anything else charting in the spring of '85. 

The "You spin me round like a record, baby" chorus is equally inane and brilliant, the groove catchy and cheesy, and the whole production over the top. No wonder The Wedding Singer embraced it. 

I'll never forget Mom coming into the TV room while catching a glimpse of lead singer Pete Burns only to ask "What the hell is that?". 

I'll also always think of Corey Mock from our Dartmouth High days when I hear this iconic dance track. Corey absolutely loved this tune, the only guy I knew who enjoyed it more than I did! I can still see him grooving on the dance floor to it. RIP buddy.