Atomic Robot: FLASHBACK Music Friday - Featuring Bananarama, INXS, The Cure, New Order, and The Smiths

FLASHBACK Music Friday - Featuring Bananarama, INXS, The Cure, New Order, and The Smiths

Written By Ken Hulsey

It's Friday once again, which means it's time for FLASHBACK Music Friday! This week, we're diving into a collection of the best music from the days of Pac-Man, checkered Vans, and countless hours spent trying to solve a Rubik's Cube. No worries—I managed to solve that puzzle! While everyone else was twisting and turning, swearing, and cursing the folks at Ideal, I, being the genius I am, simply peeled off the colored stickers and rearranged them to get all sides the same color again. Then I tossed it into a box and went back to playing with my Micronauts.

Not everyone could be as cool as I am!

Yes, this week's videos are 100% pure '80s gold, featuring some of my favorite songs from that decade. I remember falling in love with the girls from Bananarama, wishing I had a girlfriend who looked like them. While I was dreaming of them, they were busy dreaming of Robert De Niro. If only they had known how he would turn out, they might have started dreaming about Tom Cruise instead! Well, he's a bit of a nut too, so let's move on.

Now, let's talk about New Order, whose video for "Touched By the Hand of God" parodied the hair bands of the time and paid homage to all the heavy metal fans who became huge supporters of the band in the late '80s. Another interesting tidbit involves Morrissey, the lead singer of The Smiths, who had a messy breakup with Pete Burns of Dead or Alive. Burns wrote the song "Stop Kicking My Heart Around" in reference to that split.

Yes, my brothers and sisters, the '80s were both cool and complicated, sprinkled with a dose of heartbreak.

Once again, if you enjoy music like this, please check out the playlist to the right for more great songs!

1. Bananarama - Cruel Summer