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Last updated on Oct 6,2024, updated monthly. |
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 1 . Def Leppard - Rock Of AgesInspired by the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, "Rock Of Ages" is a signature Def Leppard song released in 1983. Its famous intro, "Gunter Glieben Glauchen Globen," is gibberish invented by producer Mutt Lange to add humor. The song references Neil Young's "My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)" with the line "It's better to burn out, than to fade away," used by the character Kurgan in the film Highlander (1986). A fun fact is the owl appearing in the video when Joe Elliott says "all right," as director David Mallet thought it sounded like "owl right." The music video is directed by David Mallet. Writer(s) : Kenneth Barry Harding, Billy Aerts Publisher(s) : Kobalt Music Services Ltd Featured on the 1983 album Pyromania
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 2 . Asia - Heat Of The MomentAsia's hit "Heat Of The Moment," released in 1982, features catchy guitar riffs and powerful vocal harmonies. Asia, a supergroup of members from Yes, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, made a big impact in the '80s. John Wetton admits the lyrics are essentially apologies for his behavior towards a woman he later married and divorced. The song was also featured in the film "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" (2005) by Judd Apatow, starring Steve Carell. The music video is directed by Godley & Creme. Writer(s) : Geoffrey Downes, John Wetton Publisher(s) : Almond Legg Music Corp, Nosebag Music Inc Featured on the 1982 album Asia
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 4 . Cheap Trick - The Flame"The Flame" by Cheap Trick, produced by Richie Zito—who also worked with The Cult and Eddie Money—came out in 1988 and revived the band's career by hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Initially offered to other artists like Elkie Brooks, Cheap Trick accepted the song with some reluctance. Rumor has it Rick Nielsen disliked the song so much he stomped on the demo tape. The music video is directed by Jim Yukich. Featured on the 1988 album Lap of Luxury
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 5 . Def Leppard - Too Late For LoveProduced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and released in 1983, "Too Late For Love" is a powerful ballad by Def Leppard from Sheffield, England. The song features melancholic lyrics and a memorable guitar solo. Initially recorded with an orchestral intro later removed, it remains a live set staple, often compared to Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe. The music video is directed by Mike Mansfield. Writer(s) : Joseph Elliott, Richard Savage, Mutt Lange, Stephen Maynard Clark, Richard Allen, Peter Andrew Willis Publisher(s) : Out Of Pocket Publishing Co, Primary Wave Def Lepp, Bmg Rights Management (Uk) Ltd (Primary Wave), Def Lepp Music Featured on the 1983 album Pyromania
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 6 . Kingdom Come - Get It OnKingdom Come's 1988 hit "Get It On" is a hard rock anthem that reached the 4th spot on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in the US. Featuring Lenny Wolf’s powerful vocals and produced by Bob Rock, this track showcases the band's signature glam metal style. Writer(s) : Marc Feld Publisher(s) : Westminster Music Ltd Featured on the 1988 album Kingdom Come
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 7 . Dio - I Could Have Been A Dreamer"I Could Have Been A Dreamer" is a powerful Dio track released in 1987. Ronnie James Dio, known for his unique voice and heavy metal style, reflects on unrealized hopes and aspirations in this song. Formerly of Black Sabbath and Rainbow, Dio captivates fans with this poignant and energetic performance. Featured on the 1987 album Dream Evil
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 8 . April Wine - Just Between You And Me"Just Between You And Me" by April Wine, released in 1981, is a notable rock ballade that achieved significant popularity. Known for its guitar solo by Myles Goodwyn, played on a borrowed guitar with a RAT distortion pedal, it was one of the first 14 videos aired on MTV. Writer(s) : Myles Francis Goodwyn Publisher(s) : Northern Goody Two Tunes Ltd, Blue Image Music Featured on the 1981 album Nature of the Beast
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 9 . Thin Lizzy - The Sun Goes Down"The Sun Goes Down," a song by Thin Lizzy released in 1983, stands out for its dark atmosphere and lyrics about a demonic character. Formed in Dublin in 1969, Thin Lizzy is famous for hits like "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Jailbreak." This song reflects the personal struggles of frontman Phil Lynott and was featured in the TV series "Peaky Blinders," introducing the band's music to a new generation. Writer(s) : Philip Parris Lynott, Darren Lee Wharton Publisher(s) : Pippin The Friendly Ranger Music Co Ltd Featured on the 1983 album Thunder and Lightning
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 10 . White Lion - Wait"Wait" is a successful single by hard rock band White Lion, released in 1987. It showcases Mike Tramp's powerful vocals and Vito Bratta's virtuoso guitar solo. Formed in New York in 1983 and influenced by bands like Van Halen and Led Zeppelin, White Lion saw "Wait" reach the 8th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Writer(s) : Mike Tramp, Vito Bratta Publisher(s) : Vavoom Music Inc, Discoton Musik Edition Gmbh Featured on the 1987 album Pride
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 11 . Ratt - You're In Love"You're In Love" by glam metal band Ratt, released in 1985, is known for its raw energy and catchy guitar riff by Warren DeMartini, highlighting Stephen Pearcy's distinctive voice. Featured in the film "Point Break" (1991) directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the song's popularity soared. Ratt also joined the 1985 Monsters of Rock tour alongside Scorpions and Ozzy Osbourne. Writer(s) : Juan C Croucier, Stephen E Pearcy Publisher(s) : Ratt Music Featured on the 1985 album Invasion of Your Privacy
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 12 . Styx - Babe"Babe," released in 1979, is a rock ballad by American band Styx. Written by keyboardist Dennis DeYoung for his wife, it became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Formed in 1972, Styx is known for vocal harmonies and melodic compositions. "Babe" was one of the first songs to extensively use synthesizers, influencing many artists. It has been featured in various films and TV shows, including "Freaks and Geeks" by Paul Feig. Writer(s) : T J Jackson, Taryll Adren Jackson Publisher(s) : Yabo Music, Tar It Up Music Featured on the 1979 album Cornerstone
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 13 . Ratt - Lay It Down"Lay It Down," characterized by its catchy guitar riff and Stephen Pearcy's distinctive voice, is a song by Ratt released in 1985. Emerging from the Los Angeles glam metal scene in the early '80s, the song gained further popularity after being featured in the film "Weird Science" (1985) directed by John Hughes. The music video is directed by Marshall Berle. Writer(s) : Warren Just In De Martini, Robbinson L Crosby, Juan C Croucier, Stephen E Pearcy Publisher(s) : Ratt Music Featured on the 1985 album Invasion of Your Privacy
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 14 . Dio - Rainbow In The Dark"Rainbow In The Dark," released in 1983, is one of Dio's biggest hits. Ronnie James Dio, former singer of Black Sabbath and Rainbow, left a lasting mark on heavy metal with this song. Known for its iconic keyboard riff by Claude Schnell, the song is associated with power metal and featured in the movie Rock of Ages (2012) by Adam Shankman. The music video is directed by Arthur Ellis. Writer(s) : Vivian Patric Campbell, Ronald Padavona, James Stewart Bain, Vincent Appice Publisher(s) : Litedusting Music Ltd, Niji Music, Appice Vinny Music Featured on the 1983 album Holy Diver
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 15 . Lita Ford - Close My Eyes ForeverThe duet "Close My Eyes Forever" by Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne, released in 1988, explores themes of love and loss. Ford, a former Runaways guitarist, and Osbourne, a heavy metal legend, recorded this ballad during an impromptu session. It became one of Ford's biggest hits, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. Writer(s) : Ozzy Osbourne, Lita Rossana Ford Publisher(s) : Emi April Music Inc, Lisabella Music, Monowise Ltd Featured on the 1988 album Lita
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 16 . Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn"Every Rose Has Its Thorn" is one of Poison's most famous ballads, released in 1988. Written by singer Bret Michaels after a painful breakup, the song's acoustic rhythm and melancholic lyrics reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making it Poison's only number one hit. It’s said that Michaels wrote the song in a laundromat after receiving a breakup call. The music video is directed by Marty Callner. Writer(s) : Rikki Aaron Rockett, Bobby Dall, Bruce Johannesson, Bret Michaels Publisher(s) : Universal Music Z Songs Featured on the 1988 album Open Up and Say... Ahh!
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 17 . White Lion - When The Children Cry"When The Children Cry" is an acoustic ballad by White Lion, released in 1987. The song addresses themes of peace and global unity. Often compared to Bon Jovi and Scorpions, White Lion reached the 3rd spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with this track. They performed it at the Live Aid charity concert in 1985, gaining worldwide attention. The music video is directed by Jim Hershleder ·. Writer(s) : Mike Tramp, Vito Bratta Publisher(s) : Vavoom Music Inc, Discoton Musik Edition Gmbh Featured on the 1987 album Pride
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 18 . Poison - Fallen Angel"Fallen Angel" is a Poison song released in 1988. It tells the story of a girl leaving her small town to pursue dreams in Los Angeles but facing challenges. Bret Michaels wrote the song inspired by personal observations. "Fallen Angel" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a fan favorite. The video, filmed in Los Angeles, visually complements the song's story. The music video is directed by Marty Callner. Writer(s) : Rikki Aaron Rockett, Bobby Dall, Bruce Johannesson, Bret Michaels Publisher(s) : Universal Music Z Songs Featured on the 1988 album Open Up and Say... Ahh!
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 19 . Poison - Nothin' But A Good TimeProduced by Tom Werman, known for his work with bands like Mötley Crüe and Cheap Trick, Poison's "Nothin' But A Good Time," released in 1988, is an anthem to partying and escaping everyday worries. This song becomes one of Poison's biggest hits, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video perfectly captures the song's message of carefree fun, showing the band playing in a club while a bored restaurant worker sneaks out to join the concert. The music video is directed by Marc Reshovsky. Writer(s) : Rikki Aaron Rockett, Bobby Dall, Bruce Johannesson, Bret Michaels Publisher(s) : Universal Music Z Songs Featured on the 1988 album Open Up and Say... Ahh!
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 20 . Judas Priest - Living After MidnightReleased in 1980, "Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest is an iconic heavy metal song with a catchy guitar riff and lyrics celebrating nightlife. With Rob Halford's powerful vocals and theatrical style, Judas Priest, formed in 1969, pioneers heavy metal and influences many subsequent bands. The music video is directed by Julien Temple. Writer(s) : Robert John Ar Halford, Glenn Raymond Tipton, K K Downing Publisher(s) : Crewglen Ltd, Round Hill Songs Ii, Ebonytree Ltd Featured on the 1980 album British Steel
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ABOUT 80s GLAM METALWhat is 80s Glam Metal ?Glam metal, also known as “hair metal,” is a subgenre of heavy metal that springs up in the early 1980s. It’s characterized by a mix of catchy guitar riffs, virtuosic solos, and memorable melodies, often accompanied by flamboyant stage performances and extravagant outfits. The roots of glam metal are mainly in the United States, with a strong concentration of bands coming out of Los Angeles, California. The glam metal scene in LA revolves around famous clubs like Whisky a Go Go and the Roxy Theatre, where many bands launch their careers. Influenced heavily by the glam rock of the 1970s, represented by artists like David Bowie, T. Rex, and Alice Cooper, glam metal incorporates flamboyant and theatrical visual elements into rock. Added to this are influences from traditional heavy metal bands of the 1970s like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, bringing elements of power and musical intensity. 80s Glam Metal, Sound and StyleThe sound of glam metal is marked by distinctive musical elements. Guitar riffs are often catchy and powerful, designed to grab the listener’s attention immediately. Guitar solos are virtuosic, showcasing the technique and dexterity of the guitarists. Melodies are catchy and memorable, frequently accompanied by harmonized vocals that add an extra dimension to the songs. Vocal performances play a crucial role in glam metal. Singers generally have powerful and energetic voices, capable of hitting high notes and conveying strong emotional intensity. Harmonized vocals, often provided by other band members, enrich the sound and create a dense, engaging vocal texture. 80s Glam Metal, LyricsThe lyrical themes in glam metal are often recurring and reflect the hedonistic and rebellious spirit of the genre. Songs frequently talk about partying, freedom, and nightlife, celebrating a lifestyle focused on pleasure and excess. Love and relationships are also common subjects, but often addressed in a dramatic and passionate manner. Rebellion is another central theme, with songs expressing the desire for freedom and the rejection of social norms. This theme is often linked to a defiant attitude and non-conformity, characteristic of the style and image of glam metal artists. 80s Glam Metal in Fashion & MoviesIn fashion, glam metal popularizes flamboyant clothing with animal prints, glitter, and bright colors: tight pants, studded leather jackets, and bandanas, fingerless gloves, and high boots. Voluminous hairstyles, often created with lots of hairspray and dye, bold makeup—colored eyeshadow, bright lipstick, and pronounced eyeliner, common among both men and women—become symbols of glam metal. To get an idea of the cultural impact of glam metal, one should (re)watch “The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years” (1988), a documentary exploring the heavy metal and glam metal scene in Los Angeles. Throughout the 90s, glam metal remains present in several films: Detroit Rock City (1999), where a group of teenagers tries to see their favorite band, KISS; Wayne’s World (1992); and Airheads (1994), where a rock band tries to become famous like Mötley Crüe and White Zombie. |
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