This 80s Song DEFINED A Classic Movie, I Can't Believe It Wasn't A HIT | Professor of Rock

WE count down the top 5 hidden gems from 80s movies. When you do this, it’s almost impossible to avoid the great John Hughes. He fingerprints were all over the greatest movies of the time like Weird Science (OINGO BOINGO), Pretty in Pink (OMD), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (The Beatles) The Breakfast Club (Simple Minds) but here we capture the hidden gems in his and others films including the Karate Kid, The Wild Life, and Sixteen Candles as some of the icons of the era help me count them down and tell the stories, including Paul Young, Huey Lewis, Young MC and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins
Thank you to this Episodes Sponsor, Zenni Optical
Incredible Prices on New Glasses - bit.ly/ZenniOpticalShop
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
CharleyAnne, Peggy Wolf, Dawgfan, Junal Garnett, Jeffrey Thorn, Yvonne Fus, Keith Novak, Thomas Halterman
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access To Backstage Content
Become a Patron - bit.ly/ProfessorofRockVIPFan
Check Out My Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's Store
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpForPremiumContent​
bit.ly/Facebook_Professor_of_...
bit.ly/Instagram_Professor_of...
​ #80s #movie #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 80s songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community with music history video essay's including today's 80s movie hidden gems soundtracks reaction. If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to become an Honorary Producer.
Coming in at #5 it’s a song by an artist who ruled 1984 along side some other superstars of the moment, with his take no prisoners bar band the news.. It’s Walking on a Thin Line By Huey Lewis and the news from the 1984 Movie the Wild Life. My pick for the #4 position; is a lesser known song from a 1984 blockbuster that blasts us back to the good old days when heart were young and music was king…it’s Young Hearts by Commuter from the film the Karate kid from 1984. Holy Crap, How I love this song. Coming in at #3 a song from blue eyed soulster who made his bones in America by covering a song originally written and recorded by the most famous duo in history. It’s Paul Young Love of the Common People from the John Hughes classic, Sixteen Candles. So as we dive in to the #2 spot. I’m going to break my own 80s hidden gems rules a little bit… This next song was a stone cold hit when it was released.. but it really hasn’t been played a whole lot on classic stations since. it’s Bust A Move by Marvin Young otherwise known as Young MC. from another John Hughes classic. Uncle Buck, starring the ever brilliant John Candy. John, always the scene stealer, has one of the greatest scenes in an 80 movies ever in Uncle Buck. Ok, so here’s my number one.. It’s another one from a John Hughes film.. in fact it’s another one from 16 candles and it’s from a scene that I believe it near the top of the John Hughes canon, and that’s saying a lot because he created so many classics scenes…
John Hughes is a master storyteller and he’s flawless in his choice of music to back up his films. . He’s crafted so many great moments from Don't You Forget about me at the end of The Breakfast Club or the Twist and Shout moment from Ferris Bueller. One of my favorites is the end scene of Sixteen Candles. Where Molly Ringwald’s Character Samantha Baker, gets the guy of her dreams, Jake Ryan.
This was of course After having one of the worst days of her adolescent life dealing with Farmer Ted Aka the Geek, and Long DuK Dong, and her entire family forgetting her Birthday, just when you think your heart can’t take anymore, she walks out of the church and see’s Jake gazing longingly at her while an unknown album track by Thomson Twin plays.
It’s not just any song. It’s If You Were Here by a band who would later demolish the charts in the 80s… Thompson Twins

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What if your pick for the strongest 80s soundtrack of the decade? Back to front, the most consistent, with all great songs...

[@Brad-fr4nr]

Footloose

[@tonytheHAT]

Purple Rain. You can shut this poll down now. 😊

[@stephenbrown4211]

Heavy Metal. Everything from Sammy Hagar and Black Sabbath to Stevie Nicks and Don Felder to Riggs and Devo

[@brianpattison4603]

Top gun footloose or breakfast club.

[@billywilson4908]

Kinda hard to beat Purple Rain, but for this purpose, I am going to go with a soundtrack where the artist wasn't the focus of the movie... Highlander - soundtrack by Queen. too many amazing songs

[@Kevin_Carlson]

Mark my words, 40 years from now nobody will look back on today's music with the same joy that we have as we remember the 80's.

[@alexgerrits349]

Yeah, right... HAHA. The 80s hasn't ONE band that will go down in history with Bach, Bethoven, Zeppelin and Floyd.

[@AarayKyramud]

Correct.

[@AarayKyramud]

​@@alexgerrits349 you don't appreciate musical evolution do you?

[@alexgerrits349]

@@AarayKyramud I love The Cars, Van Halen and many others, but they don't hold a candle to the likes of Styx and Kansas. Historically, 70s music will always be the pinnacle of what can be done with 12 notes.

[@pinkmonkeybird2644]

I don’t know about this. The 90s also brought on huge evolution in musical styles and video editing and made some truly unforgettable music. The frontmen and frontwomen were magnetic and just as talented. But the 90s were likely the last time that radio paid serious attention to music and when most stations played the same songs for the most part. So it was the last time audiences from all over had common ground and knew all the songs and lyrics. Albums and song order where on their last legs then as well. Napster and online music streaming killed all that and now there’s still great music being created, but there’s no common language to talk about it. We are so focused on our little musical niches that we don’t really know what’s happening outside it and have no way frame of reference about what the 2010s were vs. the 2020s. Maybe I’m grossly oversimplifying things here.

[@bicyclist2]

I'm eternally grateful to have been born in the 70's, so I could be a kid in the 80's. Great episode. Great interviews. Thank you.

[@guynicklin271]

One of my faves from an 80's movie that not a a ton of people remember is "Cry Little Sister" from Lost Boys. Awesome track.

[@davej.meister5421]

It's "Cry Little Sister" by Gerard McMann from the "The Lost Boys" soundtrack.

[@guynicklin271]

Sorry. autocorrect screwed it up. But what a great song!!! lol

[@scninja07]

@@guynicklin271 The Scottish synthpop band Chvrches do a good cover of "Cry Little Sister". kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKrPaZWteLuIqqs

[@pwrbomb1970]

That entire soundtrack is fantastic

[@collectingonthecheap56353]

I have that song in my playlist most of the year, only exclude it around Christmas.

[@TIsrealBees]

Thompson Twins was my favorite 80s band. When I realized "If You Were Here" was a Thompson Twins song, it made Sixteen Candles even better. I could watch that movie any time and I play that song often. 80's music is the music of my life.

[@kyachdistent1301]

Until I realised their dumb label didn't capitalise by making it a single!

[@relaxandsleep978]

1. "Moving In Stereo" by The Cars (Fast Times At Ridgemont High) 2. "Cry Little Sister" by Gerard McMahon (The Lost Boys) 3. "You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Joe Cocker (9 1/2 Weeks) 4. "Say The Word" by Arcadia (Playing For Keeps) 5. "Darling Nikki" by Prince (Purple Rain)

[@defundhollywood3259]

I had no idea "that song from Fast Times" was by The Cars until I listened to their greatest hits a few years ago. Actually every song on the CD was like, The Cars made THAT song TOO??? They're amazing!

[@relaxandsleep978]

@@defundhollywood3259 when you say "Greatest Hits" are you talking about their actual greatest hits album, or are you speaking of the debut album, which is sometimes referred to as their greatest hits because every song is great - no filler and yes, even "I'm In Touch With Your World" which really grows on you).

[@vcv6560]

If this list continues (part 2), I want to nominate the Oingo Boingo playing Dead Man's Party in Rodney Dangerfield's Back to School. When the obviously living a 2nd adolescence Melon just has a blast at college. Great cameo too by Screamin' Sam Kennison as the History teacher losin' it over the Vietnam war.

[@wylierichardson-tu6zs]

"Say it!!!" lol

[@kevins4254]

Not sure if this is a hidden gem but my favorite ‘80s movie song is Melt With You by Modern English. It was used in the movie Valley Girl. That song epitomizes the ‘80s for me.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Great song about nuclear war.

[@markallen2984]

From the same soundtrack: *A Million Miles Away* by "The Plimsouls"

[@floepiejane]

Wasn't Melt With You on the Sixteen Candles soundtrack?

[@Gman7774eye]

Million miles away!!!

[@kevins4254]

Great song!

[@parlance1]

So glad to see Paul Young get some love!

[@paulmclaughlin5492]

My all-time favourite 80s soundtrack song is "If You Leave" by OMD, from Pretty in Pink. Honourable mention for the title track by Psychedelic Furs too of course.

[@clair_de_lune4140]

Same! I'm a 90's kid but I love "If You Leave" by OMD and Pretty in Pink is one of my fave movie. ❤️

[@BonzaiLupin]

The whole PiP soundtrack is awesome, I too love the furs. My favorite 80s soundtrack is Valley Girl

[@Psilocybin77]

My brother took me to see "Pretty in Pink" when I was 9 yrs old and it definitely shaped my taste in music. I miss movies like that.

[@Heartwing37]

Awwww…great song and great movie!

[@timhealey7009]

You don't hear "Bust a Move" a lot because it sucks like 💩.

[@kevinquinn7645]

We need a dedicated John Hughes soundtrack episode.

[@ChrisConnolly-Mr.C-Dives-In]

Episode works, I could go for a full series of episodes.

[@tarp11z]

Please do, Professor!

[@jeffreyprice1804]

The Breakfast Club with Don't You Forget About Me introduced me to the group Simple Minds with Jim Kerr. They are a very underrated group. I wish you would do a session on this band.

[@toecutterjones]

Simple Minds is such an amazing band and so underrated, absolutely love them.

[@jamesrogers1554]

If I recall correctly the song was first pitched to Billy Idol, who turned it down. It then floated around for a while until Simple Minds finally albeit reluctantly latched on to it. Now ironically it's become their hallmark song.

[@londonbroker]

Is that underrated in the US? They were more than successful in the UK & Europe. Also had Alive & Kicking and others. Just not enough hits to be a supergroup

[@BACzero]

OMG... recently I stumbled on "If You Were Here" while going on an 80s music bender on YT, and Sixteen Candles instantly popped into my mind. That final scene with them bending over the birthday cake with lit candles to kiss... awww... almost got me choked up. Had to call my wife in to listen. So glad you included that one.

[@weareone6332]

As a teen of the 80's, I really appreciate all the nostalgia presented.

[@marseneau7]

The Valley Girl soundtrack is full of hits. I love the Plimsouls "A million miles away"

[@mce1939]

I always loved the song "Catch Me (I'm Falling)" by Pretty Poison from the 1987 movie "Hiding Out" starring Jon Cryer. Also, the song "Desire" by Gene Loves Jezebel from "She's Having A Baby." I feel like those are both hidden 80s soundtrack gems.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

"Catch Me" is such an infectious song.

[@andresflores1500]

Gene Loves Jezebel is like the hidden gems of bands.

[@kbf9644]

I f’love that movie and that song. 😁🌻

[@getaleneagnew9750]

I was starting to think I was the only one that knew "Hiding Out" existed 😆

[@briannicholson5205]

I also have a special fondness for "Oh Yeah" by Yello. It was used throughout Ferris Beuller's Day Off and everyone probably knows from the end credits and it by its thumping base line. Yello were probably a bit to 'avant garde' for the North American audiences at the time but it is a song that was perfect for that film.

[@lorneclose7312]

It was also in "The secret to my sucess"

[@brandonpuckrin7514]

Also used in a Oh Henry chocolate bar commercial

[@1SqueakyWheel]

Yello was odd fare for north american audiences for sure. But the majority of their stuff was REALLY catchy, even if it made ya scratch your head. I owned two of their albums, including Stella, which is where "Oh Yeah" surfaced from, if I'm not mistaken.

[@c28baby]

"The Edge of Forever" by The Dream Academy, which is near the end of Ferris Bueller’s, is my fav from the movie.

[@paulswanson534]

We’d use “oh yeah” when demonstrating stereo speakers at Sears. Great bass!

[@kimmychan1967]

I fell in love with The Plimsouls, particularly “A million miles away” from Valley girl. Wore that cassette out. Could never understand how that song didn’t get any air time.

[@Keeferz4Keeperz]

such a great band...and that whole lp is so good

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Professor, thank you so much for recognizing “If You Were Here”. That song just gives me the chills every time I hear it. It gives me so much nostalgia for a time I never lived. Sixteen Candles is one of the all-time great 80s movies, and Molly Ringwald is one of the all-time great 80s actresses.

[@ProfessorofRock]

IT's magical!

[@Terk131]

It's a GREAT song. My favorite from the Thompson Twins.

[@clevelandmaker386]

@@ProfessorofRock great video I sung heart of rock n roll at talent show once

[@Ralphanthonybianscomusic]

Me too. Chills during that scene every time and it’s the perfect song for it.

[@NITE_SHIFTING]

One of my favorite T.T. songs.

[@sschoppert]

The most profound John Hughes musical moment for me is the cover of The Smiths' "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" by The Dream Academy in the Ferris Bueller art museum scene. That song really set up the ending of the movie. It was not just a comic romp

[@jonesy2892]

God that was a beautiful song. I remember watching that scene as a child and not really understand what was going on with Cameron, but now I do.

[@kyachdistent1301]

Song's way to good for that disappointing movie of overrated proportions.

[@FunkyDPL]

Young MC's T-shirt says "I remember real hip-hop". That is SO true. You could be witty and make points without being vulgar. I was a big fan of Kurtis Blow back then for much the same reason. I will STILL crank up "Bust a Move" whenever I hear it!

[@dougclark7077]

Absolutely I would love to see a documentary on Bust A Move. Fun fact: this song spent 20 weeks in the Top 40 from August 1989 to January 1990. When did a song spend that long in the top 40 prior to that? It was Every Breath You Take by The Police in 1983. In those days, songs did not stay on the charts for months at a time as they may now. I love Bust A Move -- it is one of my favorite rap or hip hop songs of all time -- and this from someone who is not the biggest fan of that genre.

[@defundhollywood3259]

Bust A Move definitely came around at the exact right time for that type of song. I like it a lot, it would be one of my top faves if it wasn't totally overplayed at the time. Twenty weeks!?!?! I had no idea!!

[@titanfan12]

The Valley Girl soundtrack was one of the greatest 80s soundtracks period.

[@tanyaahmed1827]

Would love to see a deep dive on the Valley Girl soundtrack

[@chipdamutt108]

My favorite soundtrack and so few people seem to appreciate it.

[@davebanfield6251]

I'll stop the World and Melt with You, by Modern English was massive off that movie. It was my was, 1st my first wife and I's song. Great song, cheesy ass movie lol

[@boohiss]

Preach! Sparks, The Plimsouls, Josie Cotton.....and that FLIRTS song (Jukebox) is the jam!

[@1corycar]

"If you were here" - EXCELLENT pick for number one. I always wondered why it didn't get more play than it did - it really is a gem. Another song by the Thompson Twins that should have been bigger was "Nothing in Common" from the Tom Hanks movie of the same name. Love that one too.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

Underrated movie & song. It was a breakout semi-dramatic role for Tom Hanks & it was also Jackie Gleason’s last film.

[@georgeford6439]

"If you were here" is my fave TT song.

[@tarantulady8565]

I LOVE “If Ypu Were Here”. Agreed…no idea why it wasn’t more popular - makes no sense.🤷🏻‍♀️

[@fletchbg]

Nothing in Common was produced by Geoff Downes, keyboardist of Asia and now Yes. A rare example of a Downes production outside of the prog/AOR sphere

[@sharonc6602]

Both excellent! Throws me right back to being a teen in the mid 80's.

[@ruthzamarripa6058]

The movie Valley Girl has a lot of musical gems. One in particular is Eaten By The Monster Of Love by the Sparks.

[@chipdamutt108]

Sadly, that soundtrack always gets overlooked. So many awesome songs.

[@xaviergutierrez8786]

Just listen to this song the other day...yes, great soundtrack.

[@marius35925]

Don't like the movie but I love the soundtrack. Payolas 'Eyes of a Stranger' is a definite gem

[@hellradiolives]

Holy Crud, I sing this all of the time!!!

[@gailflora1835]

I love this movie. Love Melt with You.

[@raymondmoore5476]

Nice to see "Some Kind Of Wonderful" get any sort of mention. I honestly believe it is one of the greatest under rated movie in this history of under rated movies. It is a gem that everyone should see at least once. How anyone can not love it is mind blowing to me. Great movie all around, soundtrack is great, acting is awesome, story is really good, just a 10 tier movie IMHO.

[@bettaeisenberg3352]

Love lick the tins

[@nicolehuffman2995]

I agree; SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL is a great story with a message that is timeless.

[@yepper1165]

It's in a slot with Can't Buy Me Love with Corrie Haim in my mind. Liked them both.

[@Psilocybin77]

Definitely under rated. A masterful teen film, written by the master of teen films. Leah Thompson married the director Howard Deutsch (spelling?), who had also directed Pretty in Pink.

[@mournblade1066]

"If You Were Here" by The Thompson Twins is absolutely sublime.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a phenomenal piece of art.

[@surlechapeau]

Love the Thompson Twins, saw them in concert April 1984. The first band I ever saw who used wireless microphones. Met Thomas Dolby in the audience as he was playing the same venue that week. Love Huey Lewis & The News and have their first album on vinyl. We played them on the college radio station. Still kicking myself for not taking time out from my studies to see them at a small club in the early 80s.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They’re all great musicians!

[@shafali1972]

Oh my Gawd, Bust a Move has a special place in my heart, Uncle Buck was a movie i saw with my Father and i fell in love with the song and you can hear that song played in my house at least once a week.

[@SD9Driver]

Danny Elfman (formerly of Oingo Boingo) went on to be a very successful film score writer/producer. Professor, you get some of the most interesting musical guests to interview. This is why we keep coming back to watch. 👍

[@6lillium]

My list: 1) Live And Die In L.A. - Wang Chung " To Live And Die In L.A." 2)Tequila Sunrise - Crowded House " Recurring Dream" 3 ) Valley Girl - Plimsouls " A Million Miles Away" 4)Lost Boys - Gerard McMahon " Cry Little Sister"

[@scninja07]

The Scottish synthpop band Chvrches do a good cover of "Cry Little Sister". kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKrPaZWteLuIqqs

[@SBphd]

Cry Little Sister is a great song.

[@theangrycowb0y]

I dig that Wang Chung song.

[@cliffordnealon]

Live and Die in LA - Great Album.

[@jamiparrish8806]

LOVE A Million Miles Away!

[@evancortez2]

Another forgotten movie that made a big impression with teenagers in the 80s was "The Last American Virgin" and a lot of great under appreciated songs is in that movie as well - "Better Luck Next Time" by Oingo Boingo, "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?" by Gleaming Spires, "I Know What Boys Like" by The Waitresses and "Oh No" by The Commodores

[@FreddyKurganNimmo]

Along with "Since You're Gone" by The Cars, "I Will Follow" by U2, and "Just Once" by James Ingram

[@evancortez2]

Unforgettable!

[@dranet47]

Paul Young is one of my all time favorites. Thank you for featuring him!

[@jennyjenny4501]

God, I miss the 80’s! You’ve got me overdosed on nostalgia this morning, Professor!

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's always the goal!!!

[@RBS_]

....I KNOW, right, I'm supposed to be workin', and I perusing the comments to see which Soundtrack I should pull out! ...ha-HAAA!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Nostalgia every time!

[@CMDR_Elizium51RA]

I'm of the '80s, graduated high school in '86. It's funny because Bust a Move was huge at my high school. Thinking about it now, I often will hear it at weddings or perhaps 80s nights at a bar and anyone around my age or a little bit older will get up and dance. I think you nailed it with that one, a huge hit at the time but it doesn't quite get the play of some of the other big tunes of its day. Great list, enjoyed this video a lot.

[@LRBT]

some of my favorite 80's film songs are John Waite's "Change" (Vision Quest), Dan Hartman's "I Can Dream About You" (Streets of Fire), Lick the Tins' "Can't Help Falling In Love" (Some Kind of Wonderful), Bobby Brown's "On Our Own" (Ghostbusters 2) and The Plimsouls' "A Million Miles Away" (Valley Girl).

[@joegilbert8010]

Streets of Fire soundtrack is criminally underrated in general & so is the movie. One of my favs!

[@c28baby]

“Sorcerer” by Marilyn Martin (written by Stevie Nicks) is my fav from Streets of Fire. “A Million Miles Away” is a great song too.

[@sharonc6602]

We are kindred spirits! Also love The Rave Ups in Pretty in Pink.

[@deeking914]

Sixteen Candles is my all-time favorite movie. I was actually 17 when that movie came out and could so relate to everything Molly Ringwald's character had gone through, especially crushing on a guy that seemed like an impossibility to even be noticed by and being insecure about my underdeveloped body (at least in mind), so the scene at the end where Molly Ringwald's character comes out of the church to see Jake waiting for her after having the worst day ever was the best/still is, in no small part because of the song playing. "if You Were Here" was the perfect song for that scene. I also became an Anthony Michael Hall fan after watching the movie as he was hilarious in it. I loved Farmer Ted.

[@mournblade1066]

For so-called "One Hit Wonders," I would like to see you cover "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n' The Tears. For me, it is the greatest One Hit Wonder of all time.

[@markallen2984]

What about "See You On The Other Side" by Brian Briggs?

[@geoffgipe7280]

I love driver’s seat such an under rated song!!

[@vcv6560]

Also the subject of a great mis-heard lyric "Couple dollars for gettin' away." not "Gonna dance the day away."

[@doulbledee9758]

Agree, watching the back up singer in the video is worth the look tol. He was into it. This is my wake up song in the morning.

[@driver4011]

"drivers seat" n "born to be alive" ....good ole days of roller skating rinks.

[@thecorinthianguy]

I've always been drawn to Giorgio Morodor's soundtrack compositions. "Electric Dreams" has SO many great tracks on it. So does the "Metropolis" reboot. Morodor is an unsung hero!

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

You read my mind.

[@josephwolosz2522]

One of the best videos from the early MTV days was "Take on Me" by A HA. A one hit wonder . But the change from Live action to animation is so well done. I think it made the song score even bigger.

[@hello-vs4dc]

a-ha definitely were *not* a one-hit wonder! In fact, they just released another (terrific) album a few months ago. Unfortunately, they just didn’t get the same level of promotion in the US as they did almost everywhere else in the world, which is literally the *only* reason people here keep mistakenly calling them a one-hit wonder when they’ve actually lasted longer as a band and had more hits than most bands do, not to mention the fact that they’ve set *TWO* world records (for giving a concert to the largest paying audience anywhere in the world, and for Morten Harket holding a note longer than anyone else - 22seconds if I recall correctly - in their song “Summer Moved On,” which was another of their hits, by the way). You should check out the Professor of Rock’s episode (there actually might be more than one) on a-ha because even he says they *aren’t* a one-hit wonder! That said, I absolutely agree with what you said about “Take On Me” and its video! 😉😉😉

[@scograham]

What I like about “If you were here” is that it sounds nice and sweet and was used that way in Sixteen Candles. But the lyrics are so dark!

[@stephenpaller7747]

The soundtrack from Vision Quest could be it's own video. Great movie and soundtrack.

[@dgax65]

You are spot on with #1. There was a ton of good music in Sixteen Candles, but the use of If You Were Here for the ending was perfect. Still my favorite song from the soundtrack.

[@geoffgipe7280]

I don’t know if you’ve covered it yet as I’ve just discovered this channel but the Movie Rad and the song send me an angel by real life is one of those songs that just takes you back instantly in to a time of bike riding and young thrills! Always loved it

[@mce1939]

Yes! Send Me An Angel (the version with the 'claps') is an awesome song. My 11 year old son loves it too!!

[@arlenehohneker9053]

That Thompson Twins song always gives me the feelies. Another TT song I love is "You Take Me Up" because it is like British Gospel music. Simple Minds another band had really good hits. Seeing Paul Young was such a rush. Love No Parlez and I got it on vinyl. .

[@TheGarageRecordingSC]

the Bill and Ted's movies had excellent soundtracks, and also the movie, Pump up the Volume, had a pretty cool soundtrack as well.

[@Gman7774eye]

Pump up the volume did have a great soundtrack!!

[@tracyengle7829]

My nephew who is 5 years old and most of his songs he loves to hear are from the 80's. We were listen to the radio and when Steven Winwood song, bring me a higher love cane on he told me to not change the song, he really likes it. He lives, can't drive 55, the outfield, he also loves the song little latin Lupe lu by the Righteous Brothers. He is definitely an old soul and has great taste in music. Thank you and God Bless!

[@glasgowjohn7831]

Paul young's album 'no parlez' is just fantastic and i would love for you to do one of videos on albums like that and a few other British bands

[@robertdoiron2280]

John Hugh’s was a God. Love all his movies and their music.

[@Eric-pf3cd]

There's so many great 80's soundtrack songs that are under the radar. Here are five of my favorites: 1) Mind Over Matter- E.G. Daily (Summer School) 2) Shine- Martin Ansell (Better Off Dead) 3) Living On The Edge- Shandi (Making The Grade) 4) My Science Project - The Tubes (My Science Project) 5) Staring Down The Demons- Animotion (Thrashin')

[@mikemcnamara6483]

E.G. had a pair of great 80s soundtrack songs, Mind Over Matter, and One-Way Love from Better Off Dead. Have you heard Debbie Harry's recording of Mind Over Matter? Her backing vocals are in E.G.'s version.

[@RedQueenCreative_Roxie]

@@mikemcnamara6483 came here to find Mind Over Matter, 100% agree

[@maxglendale7614]

Dennis DeYoun's "This is The time" from Karate Kid 2 was a great song.

[@chrishenderson9130]

Night Ranger did a track on the "Teachers" soundtrack called "interstate love affair". It kicked so much ass...

[@shawnbrown456]

One of my favorite Oingo Boingo songs is from the dance scene in Sixteen Candles with The Geek. And "If You Were Here" never gets its due. John Hughes was a genius.

[@frumanchu]

Oingo Boingo had some great gems. Always loved “Dead Man’s Party” from Back To School.

[@billcook4768]

They even got to be on the movie

[@bethshadid2087]

Absolutely love all of John Hughes movies.....and great music.....I miss the 80s 🕊️

[@larrybarnes1892]

Love the Thompson Twins! Into the Gap is one of my favorite albums and songs! Would love to watch a documentary on them! Miss their music! Thanks again for the videos!

[@tobesocourtney]

Three of my favorite Stevie Nicks songs were all from soundtracks - Sleeping Angel from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Blue Lamp from Heavy Metal and Battle of the Dragon from American Anthem.

[@Ontir]

A deep dive on the awesome/troubled soundtrack to 1984 is well in order. A gem by the Eurythmics, which the filmmaker didn't want and, a 1st single radio wouldn't touch!

[@paultomaszewski1964]

Since this movie didn't do well when it came out, most people forget how good the sound track is. The movie, (which has a cult like following now) Streets of Fire. It had one hit off of it, the Dan Hartman song, " I Can Dream About You". But the rest of it is really good with the Jim Steinman songs " Nowhere Fast" and " Tonight is What it Means to be Young" along with one of the best songs by The Fixx, " Deeper and Deeper". The movie stars a 19 year old Diane Lane,(just did The Outsiders and Rumble Fish) Rick Moranis, Willem Defoe, Michael Pare, and Bill Paxton in a smaller role.

[@sharonc6602]

Love this!

[@richiek1131]

Agreed …I never understood why “if you were here” never got any play…..that moment is palpable because of that song….with that said I still believe Beat so Lonely by Charlie Sexton in Some kind of Wonderful is a top 3 pinnacle John Hughes moment…Awesome stuff Professor…

[@jasonlochary9656]

I always thought the song that fit the movie Karate Kid was “ You’re The Best Around” by Joe Esposito. What a great song to play during the karate championship.

[@omarvasquez445]

Hey Jason, how are you? Did you know that song was made for RockyIII, but they decided to go with Eye of the tiger. So karate kid took it

[@jasonlochary9656]

@@omarvasquez445 Good choices for both movies.

[@1SqueakyWheel]

Yes... it was perfect for that scene!

[@mcgilj1]

It actually had a "moment" a few years back.. in an episode of South Park and It's Always Sunny... Was a pleasant surprise seeing it pop up.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

Oh, that's a good one.👍

[@davidellis5141]

The conclusion of To Live & Die In LA has Wait by Wang Chung playing over " You're Working For Me Now " & the closing credits. Great soundtrack by Wang Chung. Love The Wild Life by Bananarama !

[@hbofbyu1]

"To Live and Die in LA" was a great song.

[@HorologicRannygazoo]

Yeah, I forgot about that one when I made my list, but Wang Chung did a fantastic job on that soundtrack. . .

[@jodyserner1229]

Flesh For Lulu's I Go Crazy. Should have been HUGE. From John Hughes "Sone Kind Of Wonderful"

[@dgarve]

Mighty Wings by Cheap Trick is my vote for the greatest hidden gem '80s soundtrack tune. That track, which plays during the Top Gun closing credits, is awesome!

[@gansosmansos]

💯

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

I was going to say that. Cheap Trick did nothing in the UK and I don't like their other stuff but that's a brilliant song

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

John Hughes is a genius who knows the right songs to pick in his movies. Too bad most of these were overlooked while some became iconic

[@richardmedina737]

As for the Thompson Twins band, it is worth mentioning their song Nothing in Common as a single from the soundtrack of the American film Nothing in Common. that song is simply Great 😉🎵

[@cheebawobanu]

This is the song that came immediately to mind.

[@willix1391]

Saw the title and I went right to the Thompson Twins and the end scene to Sixteen Candles! Professor you are right there with me! A girl I liked my junior year of high school gave me their album with If You Were Here! This was before the internet and radio stations did not play the song so her giving me the album was awesome! Great song, great movie, great memories!

[@markadams157]

I'm 59 years old so I live the '80s as best as I could I love this channel it's one of the only channels where I can listen to a whole interview

[@johnbourget4160]

For a themed 80s hidden gems show, how about Canadian acts. You could look at different genres and such. There are great new wave bands like Platinum Blond, or Images In Vogue, or great rock like Chalk Circle, Northern Pines, or The Tragically Hip and so many other bands.

[@briannicholson5205]

How Platinum Blonde did not make a splash south of the border is a mystery to me. They had one of the biggest songs of the year in 1985 in Canada with 'Crying Over You". It's video should have been all over MTV (it was heavy rotation on MuchMusic) at the time.

[@brianflint8036]

I think the entire soundtrack of Some Kind of Wonderful is a gigantic hidden gem. It's hardly a list of household names except for Flesh for Lulu and The Jesus and Mary Chain and every song should be a hit. My opinion. :D

[@mikemcnamara6483]

A recent discovery for me is Turn to the Sky by March Violets. Such a great song.

[@sharonc6602]

Agreed!

[@user-wp3pg4ho7z]

Spandau Ballet - True played in the dance scene in sixteen candles. Classic!

[@jackiepaper6464]

For an 80’s kid the breakfast club is the greatest movie ever. It’s because we were or knew a kid exactly like the characters. We could identify with all of them. Beautiful! The 80’s were so very simple.

[@tridoc99]

Professor, you have really channeled the legacy of Casey Kasem, but honestly I think you do it even better. Thanks for the great content!

[@janet4498]

One of my favorite '80s movie soundtrack hidden gems is "Light of Day," by The Barbusters (which was really Joan Jett), a song written by Bruce Springsteen and featured in the 1987 movie of the same name (with Michael J. Fox and Joan).

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The Barbusters. I’m gonna have to check them out!

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's a great BOSS deep track for sure.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Absolutely fantastic gem, good call

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

I hadn't heard it in awhile. Great song.

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

I hadn't heard it in awhile. Great song.

[@BroadwayLatinBear]

The way u described the nostalgia that you feel for that Commuter song was exactly what I just felt when you reminded me of that Bananarama song, The Wild Life. i havent heard that song since 1984 when i had the cassette of their album. Wow I felt SO transported to ’84! I was a freshman in High School and Culture Club (along w/ Eurythmics, Kajagoogoo, Yaz and all my British 80’s faves) was KING! You are always preaching to the choir with me w/ all your videos. i love them!

[@cooliam5667]

100% agree with your number 1! It’s already on several mixes on cassettes that I kept from the mid - late 80’s. It brings memories of laughter, high school, being the “cool” girl who knew the song, joy, & most importantly hope. In my opinion, the best John Hughes soundtrack is from “She’s Having a Baby.” EVERY song is outstanding and acts as a supporting character in each scene for which the thoughtful & unique song was placed.

[@jeffponcar391]

If I could add to this list I would include, Firstly, "I'm Falling" by Comsat Angels (why wasn't it a huge hit???) from Real Genius that perfectly fits into the studying for finals montage. Secondly, another from Sixteen Candles (fabulous soundtrack IMO) "Lenny" by the great Stevie Ray Vaughan that fit in great for the scene with Samantha and Farmer Ted in the auto shop while both were trying to de-stress from the dance and where Ted somehow smoothly gets Samantha to loan him her underpants.

[@NITE_SHIFTING]

Agreed.

[@DeathsjesterKMNP]

You beat me to it Jeff, I was just about to make a post about "I'm Falling"...such a good song, but then I'm sure there are scores of such great songs that never really made it to airplay sadly. There's also another song off the Real Genius soundtrack that I also think is really good, but probably totally under the radar, which is "Number One" by Chaz Jankel.

[@johnsowell423]

Hey Professor, I'd like to see that mini-documentary on "Bust A Move." Question: Did Young M.C. get sued for that tune (by Dennis Coffey for example)? His other Top 40 hit "Principal's Office" was funny as hell!

[@wealthweb1]

Thanks for loving the 80s as much as we do.

[@thejackalope2757]

Ozzy's "Secret Loser" from The Wraith has always been one of my favorites. Great scene with a great song.

[@eleniprovia7667]

Adam, thank you for the trip down memory lane! How I love John Candy in “Uncle Buck”! I remember watching it on VHS when I was about twelve years old. Good times! As for “The wild life”, it’s my. fave Bananarama song ever, a true hidden gem if you ask me.

[@vcv6560]

Me too for Wild Life, I was shocked when it wasn't on the Greatest Hits. Then I found it only charted to position #70. So my copy is a rip from the VHS tape of Banarama videos. To the broader point that movie soundtrack is still unavailable. I think something went wrong in the licensing rights. Such a loss.

[@chrismiceli5023]

This list brings back a lot of good memories. I personally would have put ‘Pretty in Pink’ by the Psychedelic Furs ahead of these songs; there’s a lot to be said for a movie being named after the song instead of vice versa.

[@AarayKyramud]

"Young hearts beat fast! Driving down the road. Rubber, plastic, metal, glass." LOVE IT!

[@kellycranford3592]

I LOVE The Thompson Twins!!! Hold me Now will always have a special place in my heart. When I hear it, it takes me back to my youth and first love. Ah, Great memories.

[@matthewganote6165]

Always loved Lunatic Fringe from Vision Quest. The way the song and the scene build to the climactic match was brilliantly done.

[@sharonc6602]

Loved roller skating to that song back in the day!

[@BillGraper]

"Bust A Move" is one of the greatest rap songs ever. It's such a cleverly written song, and has a nice groove. It was hilarious how they used the song in an episode of "Grounded For Life." 😂

[@abrozon]

"If you were here" GREAT SONG!! Well deserved #1

[@glennteneycke6885]

"Pretty in Pink" Soundtrack is probably the best 80s soundtrack. Such great songs from the Smiths, New Order, Psychedelic Furs, INXS , OMD and others. For hidden gem I'd go with "Edge of Forever" by Dream Academy that was used in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" ending just as he starts to run through the backyards.

[@davidmartin8974]

Couldn't agree more about young hearts love it! One I would have to throw in is " Change " from Vision quest

[@christianworship9223]

...and Only the Lonely by Journey and Lunatic Frnge by Red Rider. The whole soundtrack is awesome!

[@kudukilla]

Strangely they didn’t include Berlin’s No More Words. It was in the movie but not on the soundtrack album.

[@agirlfromcapella]

If you do a sequel to this video, please include Beats So Lonely by Charlie Sexton from the John Hughes movie Some Kind of Wonderful. Charlie Sexton should have had a huge career in the 80's. Cry Little Sister from The Lost Boys was such a great song by Sexton as well. Everybody knows the song...but few people know about Charlie Sexton still to this day.

[@melanieedwards3785]

I just recently found my Charlie Sexton tape. Loved that album.

[@ykook7000]

He already did Charlie sexton in the one hit wonders video

[@agirlfromcapella]

@@ykook7000 Thanks! I will check it out.

[@edwardjacobs4042]

Adam you picked 5 great hidden gems. I love the ending of sixteen candles and couldn’t agree with you more about that song being perfect. I would love to see a full video of bust a move big young mc fan plus the album is amazing. Thanks for keeping the music alive my friend. Love the channel and you do such an amazing job keep up the good work and don’t forget to take care of yourself too

[@kategranville2745]

I didn’t pay much attention to the charts as a teen, but “If You Were Here” was a hit to me. It was on my most loved mix tape. Still listen to it. Made my kids listen to it in the car when they were little. My 25 year old daughter still likes it.

[@tonytheHAT]

2 things Professor....1) yes, please break down Bust a Move someday. It'd be really interesting. And b) An interview and/or breakdown with Terrence Trent D'Arby would be GREAT! (although today, he's known as Sananda Maitreya)

[@petergunn3614]

I've never been a huge rap/hiphop fan, but i did like some early artists like Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, MC Hammer. But I loved Bust A Move, it's so damn catchy!!!

[@andrewhudson7108]

I was thinking the same thing. He has a lot of other good material but Introducing the Hardline was an amazing debut.

[@jessemiller2233]

If you plan to do another soundtrack Top 5, I would love to hear about Send Me An Angel by Real Life. That song should be on regular rotation but doesn't get the love like it should.

[@RyuHayabusa06]

Great song from The Wizard soundtrack.

[@christianworship9223]

....and an Awesome music video!

[@kimberlypillman2983]

LOVED this video! I could not agree more with your #1 pick. Love that song. The 80s were best. I listen to songs now that just take me back. And yes, Molly Ringwald was my favorite actress. Thanks for all of your videos. My husband and I love them all. 😍

[@NoArmsJames]

The thing I struggle with when watching this channel is that I have to constantly pause the video and then go find the song he's talking about because it's a song that I used to love and have forgotten about and now I need to go listen to it right away. It's a good struggle.

[@flavellinator]

My fav hidden hidden gem would be "Fire in the Twilight" from The Breakfast Club... Detention Breakout! How about your Top Five 80s songs that never cracked the Billboard Top 40 list (Unless you've done that and I missed it)? It would be a great homework assignment 😉

[@ProfessorofRock]

Will do! Good call!

[@billg3356]

That's a fantastic song

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@ProfessorofRock Get some interviews in for that too.

[@Ontir]

Wang Chung had the great Fire In the Twilight, on the Breakfast Club soundtrack but, they also scored To Live & Die In LA. The eponymous track, like Fire, remain 2 of my absolute favorites. An odd aside: when I saw the latter film, I was in art school and had just learned to do every commercial art process Willem Dafoe was doing. I resisted the urge to so apply my new skills, tho.🤣

[@RockRage]

Your Videos are so good. Thank you for what you do!

[@rb032682]

Whenever I attempt to get my elderly guitar fingers back in shape, I play "Every Time You Go Away" (the Paul Young version). Playing that song is so sweet it seems relieve the inevitable pain of playing guitar. I think I'll try to play it today, as soon as that 800mg of ibuprofen kicks in.

[@violetmoon2283]

My votes for 80s hidden gems are Baltimora's "Tarzan Boy" and Wall of Voodoo's "Mexican Radio".

[@kaybee6050]

Love Mexican Radio!

[@NinerK]

Tarzan Boy! I have that 45 in a box of 45’s in my closet right now.