Eighties

Killing Joke

About Eighties

"Eighties" is the first single from English post-punk band Killing Joke's fifth studio album, Night Time. It was originally released in April 1984 by E. G. Records as a 12" and 7" single, produced by Chris Kimsey. The 12" single A-side featured the track "Eighties (Serious Dance Mix)" with "Eighties" and "Eighties (The Coming Mix)" as B-sides. The 7" single exempted the "Serious Dance Mix" and instead, featured "Eighties" as the A-side. Also, the 7" single was sold with a bonus 7" single of "Let's All Go (To the Fire Dances)". The single reached No. 60 in the UK Singles Chart. A short snippet of "Eighties" was the opening theme to the 2002 sitcom That '80s Show. It was used for a party scene in the 1985 movie Weird Science. It is also used as the theme song for the Investigation Discovery series The 1980s: The Deadliest Decade. 


3:40
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Eighties - I'm living in the eighties
Eighties - I have to push, I have to struggle
Eighties - get out of my way, I'm not for sale no more
Eighties - let's kamikaze 'til we get there

And we sang
You do it this way

Eighties - by day we run by night we dance, we do
Eighties - I'm in love with the coming race
Eighties - I've got the best, I'll take all I can get
Eighties - I'm living for the eighties

Eighties - I'm living in the eighties - I push
Eighties - I'm living
Eighties - I'm living in the eighties - I struggle
Eighties - I'm living

Eighties - I'm living
Eighties - I'm living in the eighties
Eighties - I'm living in the eighties - I push
Eighties - push, push, struggle

Eighties - I'm living
Eighties - eighties - I'm living
Eighties - I'm living in the eighties - I push

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Killing Joke

Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979. Founding members Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Geordie Walker (guitars) have been the only constant members. more »

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Written by: JEREMY COLEMAN, KEVIN WALKER, MATTHEW FERGUSON, PAUL VINCENT RAVEN

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Musical Composition
"Eighties" is built around a distinct guitar riff and its style can be predominantly classified as post-punk and new wave.
Controversial Lawsuit
A significant music industry controversy arose around the song due to a lawsuit where Killing Joke claimed that Nirvana's 1991 song "Come As You Are" plagiarised the distinctive guitar riff from "Eighties".
Illustrious Label
The song was released under the E.G. Records label, which was home to many prominent artists including Brian Eno and Robert Fripp of King Crimson.
Year of Release
It was first released in 1984 as part of Killing Joke's fifth studio album, ‘Night Time’.
Chart Performance
"Eighties" charted at number 60 in the UK Singles Chart, one of the band's highest-charting songs in their home country.
Video Depiction
The song's music video features Killing Joke's lead singer, Jaz Coleman, miming to the song in a number of London locations including Westminster and Trafalgar Square.
Cultural References
The song criticises the capitalist ideals of the 1980s and the Cold War anxieties prevalent during that decade, making it a significant cultural reference.
Live Performances
Despite the legal issues surrounding the song, "Eighties" remains a popular and frequent choice in Killing Joke's live sets.
Influential Impact
The song's distinctive sound and raw energy arguably helped to pave the way for future alternative rock acts.
Music Genre
Though linked to post-punk, "Eighties" showcases some of Killing Joke's musical range as the song contains elements of synth-pop, which was growing in popularity at the time.
Appearance in Media
"Eighties" has been used in a variety of films and TV shows thanks to its cultural resonance, including in the 2014 award-winning movie "Guardians of the Galaxy".

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