The reason that rock is the greatest genre of music is that it is a bit like the English language. It didn't really invent itself, but evolved from other forms. English and rock have both grown because each borrows and steals from the better elements of its origins.
Rock doesn't exist without the blues (especially the blues), dancehall, and country, even if some of your bands sound nothing like those genres. The six songs below are all rock tunes, but they also differ from one another quite a bit.
Each song also does the one thing any tune must: It entertains. There is an element of fun to most, and thoughtfulness to one, but all are worthy of being on heavy rotation 40 years or more after the tune was made.
1980s rock songs that should be helping make up the soundtrack of your life
Stray Cats - "Rock This Town" (1981)
Rockabilly was back for a short time. Brian Setzer and his mates made a good living from reforming the sound of the 1950s, but brought a punkish attitude with some excellent guitar work from Setzer. And there is no better example of the songs they could create than this gem.
While the words might imply some angry youths ripping up a town, it's quite different. This track is more about having a good time and enjoying being young. There is no pop to it, either. It's pure rock and roll.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" (1981)
The opening kick of the drum is nearly misleading on this tune. We don't know for a couple of seconds if we are about to hear some New Wave synth burst or a heavy metal storm. The truth is closer to the latter, but not exactly that either.
The simplicity of the song is what makes it work. The handclaps are perfect, and the pace is excellent. The chorus featuring some bombastic guitar is epic. Joan Jett has always known how to rock.
Psychedelic Furs - "Here Come Cowboys" (1984)
The Furs were of their time and ahead of it, too. They weren't truly New Wave, but more alt-rock with a slightly mellower side. But they could also churn out speedier winners such as "Pretty in Pink." "Here Come Cowboys" puts the listener into a different world, however. Exactly how is the mystery?
Maybe we don't even care about cowboys or why they are heading our way. It's the vibe that matters. One thing is for sure: When the cowboys do arrive, it's good. They are going to save us all.
Adam Ant - "Goody Two Shoes" (1982)
Adam Ant has had an interesting career. He appeared in 1979 as Adam and the Ants, and then transitioned into a solo act, which he had essentially been anyway. The trick was that he carried enough swagger and confidence that it seemed as if he had been around for decades and was an established star.
His songs might have been somewhat fluffy (and one expected pirates to suddenly appear), but they sure were fun. While he had an image of leaving one party for another, this song is actually about how he didn't drink or do drugs. Adam Ant might have been the first openly straight edge rock star.
Guns N' Roses - "Nightrain" (1987)
GNR was a punk band inside a metal band, and "Nightrain" at its roots is pure punk. The only thing keeping the track from being full-on Black Flag is Slash's amazing guitar work. Plus, the cowbell is certainly a staple of hard rock and likely eschewed by punk bands.
But what an adrenaline rush this track is. It only pauses to let you breathe before rushing forward again. There is a reason this tune is a staple of GNR concerts.
U2 - "New Year's Day" (1983)
There are several eras of U2. They began as a post-punk outfit, influenced by bands such as Joy Division. One difference between early U2 and what other bands were doing at the time was that the Irish lads knew how to create a classic rock song without sounding quite like anything you had heard before.
The Edge uses about 750 different guitar sounds on this song, and the instrument becomes another voice besides Bono's, but Bono emotes perfectly, and you believe everything he sings, even if it feels like the world is about to end.