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[80’s] A Collection of Iconic Songs Representing the New Romantic Movement [New Wave]

The New Romantic movement, born in early-1980s Britain.

Its glamorous makeup and fashion, combined with synth-heavy sounds, became the driving force that opened up a new musical scene.

Born as a reaction to punk, this style was brief as a movement, but with its glamorous aesthetic it fused with dance music and influenced many musicians—Japan included.

In this article, we’ll introduce tracks ranging from songs that can be considered the roots of the New Romantic sound to its signature anthems.

If you’ve only recently come across the term “New Romantic,” be sure to check it out!

Playlist

[80’s] A Collection of Iconic Songs Representing the New Romantic Movement [New Wave]
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastTo Cut A Long Story ShortSpandau BalletNeoromantic, racing toward the future
2eastFade To GreyVisageLoneliness and emptiness, a neuro-romantic world
3eastBeing BoiledThe Human LeagueInnovative music that hints at the future
4eastGirls On FilmDuran DuranDuran Duran's signature songs of the 1980s
5eastBack to NatureFad GadgetThe experimental musical world of Fado Gadget
6eastWarm LeatheretteThe NormalInnovative electronic music depicting the moment of an accident
7eastElectricityOrchestral Manoeuvres in the DarkOMD debut song, electronic sounds sing of the future
8eastLife in TokyoJapanJapan’s shift to a glam path and Moroder
9eastDo You Really Want To Hurt MeCulture ClubA masterpiece that sings of poignant emotions with a lover
10eastSleepwalkUltravoxAn innovative song that marked a turning point for Ultravox
11eastAntmusicAdam&the AntsThe innovative music of Adam Ant
12eastMemorabiliaSoft CellAn emotional classic that lit up 80s clubs
13eastR.E.R.B.ShockA representative classic of the neuromantic genre
14eastHot In The Heels Of LoveThrobbing GristleAn innovative track of industrial music
15eastNo G.D.M.Gina X PerformanceA solitary song that stays true to itself
16eastYou Spin Me RoundDead Or AliveIf you lived through the disco era, this song...
17eastCarsGary Numan
CarsGary Numan
It became a global hit, and in the UK and Canada, it ch...
18eastThe Look Of LoveABCThis song is included on the first album and…
19eastI travelSimple MindsBy the mid-80s, Simple Minds were ro…
20eastToo ShyKajagoogooThis song is Kajagoogoo’s first sing…
21eastDon’t You Want MeThe Human LeagueSpeaking of The Human League, it's “Human”…
22eastEnola GayOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark“Enola Gay” refers to the aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb on Japan…
23eastPlanet EarthDuran DuranThis song is from Duran Duran’s debut sin…
24eastAshes To AshesDavid BowieDavid Bowie passed away in 2016, and...
25eastIn the Name of LoveThompson TwinsThis song is from the early days of Thompson Twins...
26eastPoison MindCulture ClubCulture Club that everyone knows, Tak...
27eastAll Stood StillUltravoxThe part where the bass synth really hits...
28eastSweet DreamsEurythmicsWhen Anne, the vocalist, wears a men's suit...
29eastGoody Two-ShoesAdam AntLeft the band Adam and the Ants mid-…
30eastDon’t Stop the DanceBryan FerryBrian, who is famous for his sexy voice, but...
31eastIs It a DreamClassix NouveauxNeoromantic bands are kind of feminine...
32eastWhere Did Our Love GoSoft CellThis song is by the American vocal group, s...
33eastAi LanA Flock Of SeagullsThis group is a group from the UK...
34eastGentlemen Take PolaroidsJapanJapan is a genre of the New Romantic movem…
35eastMad WorldTears for FearsFor Tears for Fears, …
36eastCalling Your NameMARILYNSince it was a big hit in Japan as well, those of you who know it…
37eastTalk TalkTalk TalkBoth the band name and the song title are the same: “Tal…"
38eastWishful thinkingChina CrisisFor China Crisis, this song is the only...
39eastLiving on the SailingBLANCMANGEI think they’re a band that isn’t very well known in Japan…
40eastForever YoungAlphavilleThis band is a group from Germany, and this...
41eastMore Than ThisRoxy MusicIs it Roxy Music’s last album…
42eastI don’t want to be a heroJohnny Hates JazzThis song climbed up to 11th place on the UK charts…
43eastJust Can’t Get EnoughDepeche ModeAn unusual song for Depeche Mode...