It’s that time of the week again: ’80s Music Video Thursday! I’ll call this the “Thanksgiving Edition,” although there is nothing relevant to the holiday to be found in the videos below. As always, suggest your favorite cheesy/awful/funny/cool 80s videos in the comments!

“Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles
One of my favorite things in life is learning dances that were choreographed specifically to match the lyrics of the song. Don’t tell me you don’t do “Egyptian arms” when this song comes on the radio. Just don’t do them while driving, ‘cuz that would be dangerous.

“Love is the Drug” by Grace Jones
Grace Jones’ cover of Roxy Music’s “Love is the Drug” is just as good as the original, which is a rare feat. As for Ms. Jones, she was doing the crazy-fashion-music-performance-art thing two decades before Lady GaGa, so let’s give her props. Despite the 80s-ness of the video, I still think it’s kind of cool.

“Lavender” by Marillion
A saccharine video to match a saccharine song. It’s so classically ’80s it hurts.

Previously:
’80s Music Video Thursdays are my Reality
’80s Music Video Thursday is Gonna Set Sail
Bonnie Tyler Owns ’80s Music Video Thursday
Return of the ’80s Music Video Thursday
’80s Music Video Thursday Strikes Back
’80s Music Video Thursday

Submitted by Patrick S, calling long distance from London.

Everybody knows a Clash song, even if they don’t know it’s a Clash song. And the London Calling album sleeve? Iconic. More than just a punk band, The Clash experimented with many genres of music, including rock, ska, reggae, rap, and funk. Whatever the genre, they usually managed to include left-leaning political messages into their lyrics. The group split for good in 1986. Lead vocalist and guitar player, Joe Strummer, passed away in 2002.

Submitted and Written by Paul Rizzerati and the Buckets of Blood, Rush cover band

Rush is like a sexual explosion of sound. Greatest drummer of all time and greatest bass player of all time, plus an excellent guitarist are pretty sweet right? Well, not until you add the incredible lyrics and the fact the just three guys can recreate a symphony of sound with total perfection that make professional musicians say HOLY F! As a kid I loved this song, and also the way the band spoke to non-conformist kids who weren’t ready to go full goth or full jock but just wanted to maintain some individuality in high school. This is what real talent looks like.

That’s one hell of a write up. Well done!

Submitted and Written by Andrea S

My favourite quote:

“Wer sich an die 80er erinnern kann, hat sie nicht miterlebt.” (it means: “Anyone who remembers the 80s didn’t live that time” and is probably in some relation to his drug use…)

I’ll be honest. I don’t think I’ve ever heard this song, but it garnered an overwhelming response on the voting pages. The only Falco I know is from Star Fox.

Submitted by Kevin N

I love this blurb from Wikipedia on the entry for Dexys Midnight Runners:

Dexys Midnight Runners are a British pop group with soul influences, who achieved their major success in the early to mid-1980s. They are best known for their songs “Come on Eileen” and “Geno”.

Who the heck has ever heard the song “Geno”? Dexys Midnight Runners epitomized the one-hit wonder. “Come on Eileen” is a song everyone can sing along to, yet few people can name the band. In fact, VH1 honored the song with the title of the #1 One-Hit Wonder of the ’80s.

What are your favorite one-hit wonders? (For inspiration, you can read the rest of VH1’s list.)