Best 80's POP artist[s]

How can anyone listen to this song and not know who the best is.

I really like U2 from that list so I chose them. I love their 80's material the most.

Prince is easily my favorite from that era, but I voted Michael Jackson, because I believe peak-era Michael Jackson was just incredible.

At first glance, I could eliminate Bruce Springsteen, as I'm only a casual fan at best, along with Billy Joel, who I preferred the previous decade, as well as ZZ Top, whose music from the 80's has not stood up well for me after all of these years. Once again, I much prefer their music from the previous decade. Queen is probably the best example of a band, who didn't do it for me either in the 80's, though there are a few standout songs. That leaves: Prince, Madonna, Duran Duran, U2, Michael Jackson & Hall & Oates.

I've only recently really started getting into U2's first three albums (Boy, October & War) and they are fantastic. Having said that, they would have to be eliminated due to the fact that I haven't been listening to those albums for years on end. I just listened to Duran Duran's self titled album for the first time a few months ago and it was great as well. The problem with Duran Duran is, they were going their separate ways in 1985, so they only produced a half a decade of music.

That leaves Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Hall & Oates. The last four all have the distinction of me really liking them for their HITS. I didn't care as much for the direction that Prince took after the Purple Rain album and preferred his time with the Revolution, so he would probably be the next off the list. Honestly, one could flip a coin with the next three artists, but if push came to shove, I would probably go with Hall & Oates.

Most of those on the list I do not care for but I went with Duran Duran.

Prince by a mile (Queen would have a shout if '70s songs counted and Madonna was pretty good too) I mostly avoided pop in the '80s although I did like 

Depeche Mode
The Pet Shop Boys
Soft Cell
Belinda Carlisle 

and loads of bands that wouldn't count as they were not mega popular

Huey Lewis and The News! Tons of 80's hits!

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Prince is easily my favorite from that era, but I voted Michael Jackson, because I believe peak-era Michael Jackson was just incredible.

I went to look at MJ's numbers and it is pretty impressive. In the 1980s he only released two solo albums(Off the Wall was 1979), yet he dominated!

I'll be the lone Billy Joel fan. I've always thought of myself as an Uptown Girl in a downtown man's world.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'll be the lone Billy Joel fan. I've always thought of myself as an Uptown Girl in a downtown man's world.

I alway liked him until I discovered that he actually DID start the fire!!

I could never trust him again after that!  

Well, you may be right, I may be crazy. He's always proclaimed to be an innocent Man. It's just a matter of trust, Boris.

I chose Madonna...only because I would expect that she sold the most albums (out of the artists listed).

My personal choice, would be a tie between ZZ Top and Queen

Went with U2, as their 80's output was their best. Queen had two albums I liked in the 80's (the game and flash Gordon soundtrack.) Duran Durans first two are good. Not a Sprinsteen fan at all and if I never hear a his protest song played as an American anthem on July 4th it will be far too soon. Madonna sucks.Michael Jackson was a one trick Quincy Jones pony (and someone never to leave your kids with.) While talented, not at all a fan of Joel or hall and oats. ZZ Top loses points for the drum machines.

Not a huge Prince fan but he is extremely talented and did it his own way and never gave up control of his career. 1999 and Purple Rain are good albums.

From this list, I went with U2... but my true choice would probably have been Tears For Fears. And since we're talking Pop music, I think George Michael had more than a few good songs.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'll be the lone Billy Joel fan. I've always thought of myself as an Uptown Girl in a downtown man's world.

Boris2008 wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'll be the lone Billy Joel fan. I've always thought of myself as an Uptown Girl in a downtown man's world.

I alway liked him until I discovered that he actually DID start the fire!!

I could never trust him again after that!  

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Well, you may be right, I may be crazy. He's always proclaimed to be an innocent Man. It's just a matter of trust, Boris.

It was just announced that he's playing here this July 1st, first time in over 20 years. I'd actually like to see that show because after all, It's Still Rock N Roll To Me.

007 wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'll be the lone Billy Joel fan. I've always thought of myself as an Uptown Girl in a downtown man's world.

Boris2008 wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'll be the lone Billy Joel fan. I've always thought of myself as an Uptown Girl in a downtown man's world.

I alway liked him until I discovered that he actually DID start the fire!!

I could never trust him again after that!  

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Well, you may be right, I may be crazy. He's always proclaimed to be an innocent Man. It's just a matter of trust, Boris.

It was just announced that he's playing here this July 1st, first time in over 20 years. I'd actually like to see that show because after all, It's Still Rock N Roll To Me.

I quite like Billy Joel.  But the two-disc Best Of I have is enough.  I would have loved to have seen him when he toured with Elton John.  Those are probably my two favorite "pop" artists.

mikeinfla wrote:

Huey Lewis and The News! Tons of 80's hits!

Good choice! He would be my runner up to Prince.

I would nominate Peter Gabriel. I mean, progressive pop is still pop, right?

Based off of So alone, you could put him up there with the more mainstream acts, and there's still a great amount of depth and musical prowess to his music. Maybe I'm biased as solo Gabriel is some of my favorite music ever, but who knows.

I voted for Michael Jackson, but not for Thriller but because of Bad. A much more diverse album than Thriller IMO.

U2 - MTV - they just exploded - huge - Edge's guitar work - fresh sounding - He must of got best guitarist awards -I never got to see them live....but have heard, over and over, that they leave everyone with quite the impression. I was close to saying Billy Joel....you cant deny all his hits -
But no way - U2 were tougher....like rebels....loving type guys too....Streets have no Name.....soooo haunting. To hear that song, on the radio, in a dark bedroom, at 3am....

The Police were also huge in the 80s. Tons of radio and MTV hits.

Troublezone wrote:

The Police were also huge in the 80s. Tons of radio and MTV hits.

True, probably the big name that was missing from this list though was Whitney Houston who sold records by the truckload in the '80s.

Didn't really care for her though.

Troublezone wrote:

The Police were also huge in the 80s. Tons of radio and MTV hits.

They were huge, but their last record was in 1983 and they were done after that tour the following year.

U2...the only albums I dig by them are from the 1980's.

I didn't even know U2 did albums prior to the 80s! I know their debut Boy was at least 1980 or 1981.

All these artists had peak points, so I can't say which I'd prefer. Duran Duran's output after the first two records sucked, so nix them. But for me, I'd say Stock Aitken Waterman!