'80s Pop 2

When it comes to great music, the ten transformative years that were the ’80s were so chock-full, so teeming with poptastic tunes, that one Essentials playlist couldn’t possibly begin to hint at their riches. So we made two. Welcome to ’80s Pop 2, our treasure trove of everything from baby Madge (Madonna’s so-nice celebration “Holiday”), to end-of-the-century free-for-alls (Prince and the party-time prognosticator “1999”). In between, there’s sentimental synth-pop (Naked Eyes’s “Always Something There to Remind Me”), arena-rock fist-pumpers (Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”), and wonderful one-hit wonders (Nena’s “99 Luftballons”).

U2 are heading out “With or Without You,” but we’ll wait for you with more ’80s pop in Next Steps.

We’re not sure Rod Stewart knew just how right he’d be when he crooned the tune “Forever Young” — if our ’80s Pop 2 Next Steppers have anything in common, it’s uncommon staying power. Witness “What I Like About You,” the left-field smash from retro rockers the Romantics that kicked off the decade and, more than 30 years later, still pops up like a perennial. Or “Bette Davis Eyes,” the Kim Carnes ode to a femme fatale that lives on in girls’ nights out and karaoke triumphs all across the nation. Or “Walking On Sunshine,” the feel-good ray of light from eternal optimists Katrina and the Waves.

Loverboy are “Working for the Weekend” on their blue-collar anthem, and we’re working on even more ’80s Pop 2 in Deep Cuts.

After all these years, power-ballad lover man Richard Marx is still “Right Here Waiting,” but, hey, that’s the point of ’80s Pop 2, with all your favorite sounds of the day on permanent standby. So while Billy Vera & The Beaters are suspended in time on “At This Moment,” soul virtuoso Terence Trent D’Arby is making his move with the swoony “Sign Your Name,” the Stray Cats are looking for some action on a rockabilly “Rock This Town,” and jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin is piping up with the a cappella wisdom of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

For pop scholars, playlist completists, and plain ol’ music lovers, we offer ’80s Pop 2, our scintillating set of songs from the decade so nice, we Essential’d it twice! Bid adieu to the days of disco as Lipps, Inc wind it down with the gotta-move-on groove of “Funkytown,” then marvel as Michael Jackson breaks out the moves, and one glittery glove, for a groundbreaking reinvention on “Beat It.” Lay your trap as Berlin creates some amorous ambience on “Take My Breath Away,” then snuggle up to that special someone as hard-rock heroes Guns N’ Roses show their soft side on “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” From Foreigner’s romantic rock searcher “I Want to Know What Love Is,” to Kool & The Gang’s fail-safe party-starter “Celebration,” we bring you the best of a decade, one more time.