The best mixtape in the 1980s
The 1980s were a magical time in movie history. People could spontaneously break into song and dance on taxi cabs 20 years before “Glee” brought musicals back. Movies had whimsical plots like a rich housewife taking over her daughter’s Girl Scout troop in “Troop Beverly Hills.” Before Sabrina was a teenage witch, “Teen Witch” found a young girl discovering her occult abilities and using them to make her friend rap. Here is a mixtape of the most memorable music moments in movies from the 1980s. Put on your leg warmers, DayGlo T-shirt and dance like you’re auditioning for “Club MTV.”
1.) “Cookie Time” from “Troop Beverly Hills” Before Girl Scouts were trying to sell to potheads outside dispensaries, the Wilderness Girls came up with this hit song. Let the dulcet tones of Shelley Long and a pre-Rilo Kiley Jenny Lewis make you forget your gluten allergy and celebrate cookies.
2.) “Fame” from “Fame”
An entire generation has been robbed of the retro-wonder of dancing around on tables and the hoods of yellow cabs. Flashmobs have nothing on this Irene Cara hit that had an entire generation wanting immortality and the ability to fly.
3.) Tom Cruise dancing in “Risky Business”
Most people know Cruise for jumping on Oprah’s couch and his outspoken stance on Scientology. However, he became a sex symbol for dancing in his underwear to “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. A dress shirt and tighty whities are a fashion trend that needs a comeback.
4.) “Piggy’s Fantasy” in “The Great Muppet Caper”
Did you know Muppets could breathe underwater? Catch Charles Grodin lip-synching to this ode to the most glamorous Muppet since Lady Gaga.
5.) “Top That” from “Teen Witch”
It’s unclear what’s more shocking from this clip. Is it that a girl with magical powers would use them to have her best friend serve the popular boys in school with a freestyle rap? Or is it that white boys in California would be rapping in front of their cars? Either way, this is one of the most memorable music movie moments from the 1980s.
6.) Tom Cruise singing in “Top Gun”
Cruise doesn’t just dance, he sings! In this karaoke rendition of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by The Righteous Brothers, Cruise cemented his place as a heartthrob. Single women (and men) everywhere developed a soft-spot for men in the armed forces singing pop songs in a completely heterosexual way. Maybe that’s why they’re so popular on YouTube.
7.) Madonna’s First Movie Role
You might just win pub trivia for knowing that Madonna’s first film role was in a movie about a teenage wrestler. “Vision Quest” stars Matthew Modine as an emo wrestler trying to get it on with a young Linda Fiorentino. Madonna played “Singer at the Club,” but she did sing her hit “Crazy for You.”
8.) David Bowie in “Labyrinth”
A rock god, an Oscar winner and Muppets — what more could you want? Jennifer Connelly inadvertently banishes her baby brother into a hell dimension run by David Bowie. This movie is not only memorable for its soundtrack, but also for Bowie’s very, very visible penis line (VPL). “Magic Dance” has Ziggy Stardust himself dancing with a baby and puppets.
9.) Goonie Love?
Cyndi Lauper is one step away from EGOT-ing. She has a Tony for her latest musical “Kinky Boots,” but she deserves an Oscar for this bizarre music video for “The Goonies.” “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” sounds very close to Goonie Love. Either way, both the film and this song are insanely addictive. Long live Martha Plimpton!
10.) “Revenge of the Nerds” victory song
What better way to target bullying … music numbers. When nerds form a fraternity, they attack their opposition and win over the school with the tools of the ’80s: synthesizers, break dancing and rap numbers. Check it out in all its VHS glory.