PlayDates is back!. This time, we bring you “Songs That We’re Or Could’ve Been In A 1980s John Hughes Movie” or “DateSpaces’ New Wave of Love”. The songs are united in their earnestness, 80s feel, and, in most cases, upbeat tempo. More simply, the criteria were these:

a) The song uses (or could use) an occasional crash cymbal on the sixth and eighth eighth-notes of a measure, and/or

b) The song makes your kiss feel magical enough for a 1980s teen movie.

Here they are (and click here for the Rhapsody playlist!):

1. “Just Like Heaven” -The Cure. These boys practically epitomize the sound and the spirit we’re going for: “I promise that I’ll run away with you.” Awww.
(“Friday I’m in Love,” would’ve worked nicely, too.)

2. “Don’t Get Me Wrong” -The Pretenders. “There’s something in the air.” Is there a sweeter song?

3. “Tenderness” -General Public. This one makes it in on the title alone–not to mention the fact that it’s in Weird Science.

4. “Can’t Hardly Wait” -The Replacements. Youthful urgency at its pop music best.

5. “Keep The Car Running” -Arcade Fire. Here marks our anachronistic detour to songs a decade or two late, but otherwise perfect. The highlight of this one is at about 1:45. Hard to believe this band wasn’t Born in the USA.

6. “In This Home On Ice” -Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Yeah.

7. “Is This Music?” -Teenage Fanclub. This one’s all instrumental and, though from 1991, cries 80s. (Often overlooked fact: the album from whence it came–Bandwagonesque–beat out Nirvana’s Nevermind for Spin’s album of the year.)

8. “Edge Of Forever” -Dream Academy. This one makes an appearance in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It’s the song to which Sloane Peterson declares “He’s going to marry me.”

9. “I Melt With You” -Modern English. It really can’t be beat. Mmm-mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm…

10. “The Promise” -When in Rome. If it’s good enough to round out Napoleon Dynamite, it’s good enough to round out our play list.