Even though the majority of us grew up in the '90s watching "Saved by the Bell" and listening to Third Eye Blind, the '80s have a special place in our heart.
There is nothing I love more than to rock out and karaoke to Journey at 2 a.m. with complete strangers. The '80s have a unique way of bringing people together.
The 1980s saw the end of the Cold War, a resurgence in patriotism and the emergence of the Yuppie. Fashion was defined through stirrup pants, Flashdance cutoff sweatshirts and big hair.
Yet the decade is truly remembered for the music that ranged from hip new wave pop songs to hard rock artists like AC/DC. Last week viewers were able to vote and decide on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.
As the show entered the Top 10, I felt like a little kid on Christmas Eve awaiting Santa Claus. After nearly five hours of wasting my life away in front of a television, the best songs of the '80s, voted by you, the viewer, were finally going to be announced. I was pumped up like some old-fashioned Reeboks for the No. 1 song.
Drumroll please.
Bon Jovi - "Livin' on a Prayer"
I felt like Arnold on "Different Strokes" when his brother said something beyond comprehension. "What you talking 'bout, Willis?"
Are you kidding me, Bon Jovi at number one on the countdown? Give me a break. Sure, it's a phenomenal song on a great album, but it's definitely not deserving of being named the best '80s song of all time. Bon Jovi did not define the era like Michael Jackson, Prince, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses and Madonna.
In reality, the No. 1 spot should be given to either the King of Pop or Prince. Obviously people are going to say Michael Jackson is leaps and bounds ahead of Prince because of his record setting 51 million album sales for "Thriller." Yet, Prince has arguably the best soundtrack of all time with "Purple Rain," a movie in which he also led the cast. Either way, "Billie Jean" or "Let's Go Crazy" are more deserving of the No. 1 spot.
Furthermore, this is a legitimate topic to consider. Who is better, Prince or Michael Jackson? For everybody who loves the '80s, this is some serious food for thought.
Not only did the countdown botch the No. 1 spot, but also left out key singles that were an integral part of the decade. "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News, "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams and "Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money were left off the list. "Back To The Future" starring Michael J. Fox would not have been half the movie it is without "The Power of Love."
In my opinion, the top five '80s songs are (starting with No. 1) "When the Doves Cry" by Prince, "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey, "One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx, "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield and "Back in Black" by AC/DC.
My top five probably won't match your top five, but that's okay as long as we can agree that Bon Jovi doesn't deserve the No. 1 spot.
Remember the '80s before you go out this weekend. Watch "Top Gun" and sing along to some "Danger Zone" because like Wang Chung, I just want "Everybody to Have Fun Tonight."
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