Last summer, I rode my bike 200 miles to my 20-year high school reunion, which I wrote about for the March issue of Bicycling Magazine.  To mark the occasion, I’m counting down the top songs of the 1980s.  Bring on the angst! Bring on the noise! Girls rock your boys!

No. 15: Sweet Child of Mine

Not much to say about this one.  Pure 80’s genius. (Unfortunately, you have to watch it on youtube.)

No 14: Nineteen

Never a more perfect mix of synthesizer and politics. This one’s a heartbreaker. (Click through to watch.)

No. 13: You Spin Me Round

Yeah, yeah, I know.  But how can you not love this? (Once again, only on youtube.)

No. 12: I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll

Spent a lot of dimes on this one.

No. 11: Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em

This one still gives me goosebumps it’s so good. (Watch it here.)

No. 10: Down Under

They’re Australian! They eat vegemite!  They’re so choice! (Click here to watch.)

No. 9: 99 Luftballons

I’m going to lose some friends on this one, but I’ve always secretly thought this song was awesome, in a German, uber-poppy kind of way. (See it here.)

No. 8: Walk This Way

Sorry, Mr. Kurzweil. This was the singularity. (You know the drill. Click here. Apologies for the annoying ad.)

No. 7: Sigue Sigue Sputnik:  Love Missile F1-11

I’m not even sure where we got this, but I pretty much wore out the tape. It’s like the past and the future all rolled into one! (Click here for full hair-sprayed awesomeness.

No. 6: Tom’s Diner

This one sounds like it could have been written a year ago instead of 30. (Watch here.)

No. 5: Panama

Diamond Dave, spandex, endless enthusiasm. What’s not to love?

No. 4: Another One Bites the Dust

Roller Rink. Comb in pocket This song. 80’s Trifecta

No. 3: Just Like Heaven

I tried really hard to like The Cure, but I never quite managed it. Except for this song. (Click here for the music video.)

No. 2: Burn Hollywood Burn

Loved this song then. Love it more now. So many good reasons for Hollywood to keep burning. (Burn, Youtube, burn!)

No. 1: You Shook Me all Night Long

What’s there to say? It’s an anthem, not a song.