Five super 1980s new wave songs more people need to hear

New wave is a much-used term for music. It was at one point even used to refer to the punk bands in the mid-1970s when that scene was emerging. It is mainly used in connection with bands that followed punk and had a certain new style to them. It wasn't about old-school classic rock; it was instead often, but by no means always,  electronic keyboard or synth-based. Usually very rhythmic, fun, and occasionally quirky. It was a very broad description at times. 

The 1980s was a prime period for new wave music, and a huge variety of bands picked up that label or tag. Many went on to great things, and some, like Depeche Mode and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, are still very active now. There were plenty of other bands that had much lower levels of success but still made great music.

As an example, here are five great songs from new wave bands that should have been even more successful. That relates to both the song and the band. Some of them were one-hit wonders, others had further but modest chart success. The five songs all deserve to be heard by more people so please do give them a play. Or listen again if you know them already. 

Five super 1980s songs from new wave bands 

Wah! – “The Story Of The Blues (Part 1)” 

This is an epic single from 1982. It was the biggest hit for Wah! Or other variations on that band name, including The Mighty Wah! When you look back at their history, you will see that they had more names than singles.  Whatever the name, though, it was largely Pete Wylie behind it. He’d been in a variety of bands before too, including The Critical Three alongside Ian McCulloch (Echo And The Bunnymen)  and Julian Cope (Teardrop Explodes). Not a bad pedigree for Wylie. 

“The Story Of The Blues” was written by Wylie, partly inspired by a UK TV drama, The Boys From The Blackstuff, a bleak drama focussed on the trauma of unemployment in the early 1980s in Liverpool. Wylie also took his frustration with the media and a record company on the song too. But it’s a strong and positive set of lyrics intended to inspire and motivate. 

The song peaked at number three in the UK charts, behind Men At Work with “Down Under” and Phil Collins with “You Can’t Hurry Love." Those would have taken some shifting. “The Story Of The Blues” is bright and rhythmic from the start. Great instrumentation and a strong voice with a multi-layered chorus, it easily becomes an earworm that will stay with you. 

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