20 Landmark Songs Of The 80s

2. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y Alongside Prince and Madonna, Michael Jackson was part of the triumvirate of solo artists who defined the 80€™s, all of them understood the rules of engagement. The videos had to look amazing, the outfits had to define their character, and most of all of the songs had to tell a story - both in terms of the music and the lyrics - to define themselves against the hordes. Like the best of Motown, the songs best songs of the decade had to strike a contemporary emotional chord, as well as being timeless. A big ask, but all three of them nailed it and Michael Jackson hit an untouchable peak on €˜Billie Jean€™, which was his equivalent of the marker The Beatles laid down with €˜Day in the life€™. The song is a tale of promiscuity, the abdication of responsibility, and masterminded by Quincy Jones moves along with a funky groove that gives a sexuality to how it€™s danced to; brilliantly telling the tempo and raunchiness of the evening that the protagonist allegedly committed the crime of squiring said child. This is a song about danger, but what makes it so wonderful is the marriage of the words and the music. It tips its hat to Chic and takes its time - this isn€™t a ten second fumble, rather a slow rumination on the consequences of action and a desire for freedom. Freedom was a recurrent word of the songs of decade, be that a release from responsibilities or of political figures who were unjustly imprisoned. And as with many great songs, if you don€™t want to think about what it means too much, that€™s also good. The root of the story is in the dance floor, and here for this author's money, is where twerking was invented.