The 25 best indie-rock songs of 1986, turning 40 this year, according to Radio X

Immortal songs, at least for the past forty years. Radio X magazine continues its work of revisiting the classics of the indie-rock past, publishing its ranking of the 25 “Best indie songs of 1986”. Twenty-five tracks that turn 40 this year, yet show no sign of losing their appeal. Just like the number one: “Life's What You Make It” by Talk Talk from “The Colour Of Spring“.

So here is the ranking of the 25 best indie-rock songs of 1986, according to Radio X (full feature here).

25. Iggy Pop – “Real Wild Child (Wild One)”

24. New Order – “Bizarre Love Triangle”

23. The Smiths – “Ask”

22. The Primitives – “Really Stupid”

21. The The – “Infected”

20. The Mission – “Stay With Me”

19. Julian Cope – “World Shut Your Mouth”

18. The Fall – “Mr Pharmacist”

17. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – “(Forever) Live And Die”

16. Psychedelic Furs – “Pretty In Pink”

15. The Jesus And Mary Chain – “Some Candy Talking”

14. R.E.M. – “Fall On Me”

13. Billy Bragg – “Levi Stubbs Tears”

12. The Housemartins – “Happy Hour”

11. Furniture – “Brilliant Mind”

10. Doctor And The Medics – “Spirit In The Sky”

9. The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry (New Voice – New Mix)”

8. Pete Wylie – “Sinful”

7. Big Audio Dynamite – “E=MC2”

6. Siouxsie & The Banshees – “Candyman”

5. Depeche Mode – “Stripped”

4. The Damned – “Eloise”

3. Public Image Ltd – “Rise”

2. The Alarm – “Spirit Of ’76”

1. Talk Talk – “Life's What You Make It”

Recently, a similar operation was carried out by Ultimate Classic Rock magazine, which published its ranking of the 40 “Best songs of 1986”. “Looking back today, 1986 doesn't seem like a pivotal year in music history,” the magazine states in its introduction. “Over the course of the year, new artists emerged, veterans continued to occupy chart space, and the most important records were a mix of familiar elements and a few surprises. Yet, as the list below of UCR's Top 40 Songs of 1986 shows, there was much more going on beneath the surface. A push toward change was taking hold, as popular music expanded its boundaries, and even artists from the Sixties and Seventies were starting to look ahead. These songs – a mix of singles and album tracks – reflect a turning point: rock, metal, alternative, pop, new wave and dance music all compete for a place among the best songs of 1986,” UCR concludes.

So here is the ranking of the 40 best songs of 1986, according to Ultimate Classic Rock (full feature here).

40. Slayer – “Angel of Death” (da “Reign in Blood”)

39. Ozzy Osbourne – “Shot in the Dark” (da “The Ultimate Sin”)

38. The Smiths – “Panic” (da singolo)

37. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – “If You Leave” (da “Pretty in Pink Soundtrack”)

36. Van Halen – “Dreams” (from “5150”)

35. David & David – “Welcome to the Boomtown” (da “Boomtown”)

34. Huey Lewis and the News – “Hip to Be Square” (da “Fore!”)

33. Cinderella – “Nobody's Fool” (from “Night Songs”)

32. Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead or Alive” (from “Slippery When Wet”)

31. Elvis Costello and the Attractions – “I Want You” (da “Blood & Chocolate”)

30. Billy Idol – “To Be a Lover” (from “Whiplash Smile”)

29. Europe – “The Final Countdown” (da “The Final Countdown”)

28. The Smithereens – “Blood and Roses” (da “Especially for You”)

27. Motorhead – “Deaf Forever” (from “Orgasmatron”)

26. Slayer – “Raining Blood” (from “Reign in Blood”)

25. Megadeth – “Peace Sells” (from “Peace Sells…but Who's Buying?”)

24. Prince and the Revolution – “Mountains” (da “Parade”)

23. Bangles – “Walk Like an Egyptian” (from “Different Light”)

22. Pretenders – “Don't Get Me Wrong” (from “Get Close”)

21. AC/DC – “Who Made Who” (from “Who Made Who”)

20. The Smiths – “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” (da “The Queen Is Dead”)

19. Paul Simon – “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” (da “Graceland”)

18. Madonna – “Open Your Heart” (from “True Blue”)

17. Iron Maiden – “Wasted Years” (from “Somewhere in Time”)

16. Paul Simon – “Graceland” (from “Graceland”)

15. Run-D.M.C. – “Walk This Way” (da “Raising Hell”)

14. Cyndi Lauper – “True Colors” (from “True Colors”)

13. Van Halen – “Best of Both Worlds” (da “5150”)

12. Bon Jovi – “Livin' on a Prayer” (from “Slippery When Wet”)

11. Bruce Hornsby & the Range – “The Way It Is” (da “The Way It Is”)

10. Paul Simon – “You Can Call Me Al” (from “Graceland”)

9. R.E.M. – “Fall on Me” (from “Lifes Rich Pageant”)

8. Crowded House – “Don't Dream It's Over” (from “Crowded House”)

7. Steve Winwood – “Higher Love” (da “Back in the High Life”)

6. David Lee Roth – “Yankee Rose” (da “Eat ‘Em and Smile”)

5. Peter Gabriel – “Sledgehammer” (from “So”)

4. Metallica – “Master of Puppets” (da “Master of Puppets”)

3. New Order – “Bizarre Love Triangle” (from “Brotherhood”)

2. Prince and the Revolution – “Kiss” (da “Parade”)

1. Peter Gabriel – “In Your Eyes” (from “So”)

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