David Stagg

One day I'll be a line drawing and run into George Michael. *One day.*

Everyone loves the ’80s, especially those of us who can claim to have been born in them. Actually, I take that back. Everyone loves the ’80s looking in their rear view mirror. (I’m not so sure leggings are still awesome. But looking at leggings back then? Awesome.) So with that in mind, the best of the best worst.

5. Aha — “Take on Me”

Now while most ’80s music videos are skrate bad, this one is actually not too bad. It’s just so iconic. So is the song. It’s a must know. That’s the end of that. I especially like the Family Guy parody of it.

4. Dead or Alive — “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”

“Alright, I’ve got this great idea for your music video.”
“OK, lay it on us.”
“So in the hook, we’re going to have all of the band stand back to back on a device that will turn them.”
“Whoa. Like, TURN them?”
“Yes. Turn them, probably all the way ’round.”
“What do you mean, like, like a record?”
“I’d say that’s a great analogy.”
“So the band will be turning, like a record, during the hook of the song.”
“Yes. What do you think?”
“Do it. Perfect.”

3. Huey Lewis and the News — “Do You Believe in Love?”

Alright, there are so many things that are perfect to this video. Let’s run through them in chronological order:

• 0:09—From the jump, creepy dude watching sleeping naked chick.
• 0:47—Huey Lewis looking directly into your eyes and telling you that he wants to “love you all over.”
• 0:51—Whole band watching sleeping naked chick does not equal less creepy.
• 1:15—Huey Lewis + Purple Shirt + Silk + Sweet Dance Moves = Awesome
• 1:44—Best part of the whole video. Bed magically expands and entire clothed band ends up in it with sleeping chick. All tapping foot. HA!
• 2:02—Classic “It’s my solo!” scene.

Anyway, you get the drift. Thank you, Huey. Thank you, The News.

2. Rick Astley — “Never Gonna Give You Up”

Before Rick Rolling people became an Internet phenomenon, this video was STILL awesome. There’s a reason it became a 2008 cultural landmark. The best part about this video are Rick Astley’s outfits. That, and that to me he looks somewhat obscurely like Doogie Howser.

Just like you’ll find out with Journey, the big suits have decided that embedding this video in your player is not allowed. Check out the video—and yes, I gave you the pop-up video version.

1. Journey — “Separate Ways”

Hands down the winner. I remember the first time I saw this it was like the perfect cocktail of sweet ’80s music and comedy. The part where they’re all in a line and singing. The keyboardists flair at the end of one of his phrases. The hot chick walking around. Playing invisible instruments and when they pop up a total jump cut. I mean, it can NOT get any better. If you haven’t seen this video before, you can thank me later.