Who is the best band of the '80s?

[DINGO Joe]

For those of you keeping score at home it won't be a surprise that I rank Husker Du #1.  The Clash were great but they were definitely at their peak in the 70s and fading by the 80s. Same for AC/DC and Ramones. I want to vote for Tom Petty, but for the 70s, 80s, or 90s or all 3? (on edit withdrew cause he's more a "solo" like the Boss)

My top 10

1) Husker Du
2) REM
3) U2
4) Talking Heads
5) Sonic Youth
6) Replacements
7) X
Pogues
9) Los Lobos
10) any of Dinosaur Jr Bad Brains Cure Joy Division/New Order

[DINGO Joe]

I spent the 1980's as a grad student in Boston, and listening to a lot of new music coming out.

My mom could have written this sentence. BU Law, class of 1983.

If they were in Boston in the 80s they should have been rocking out to J. Geils and Barrence Whitfield every night.

[DINGO Joe]

I'm fascinated that The Smiths are leading. During the 80s I barely heard their music, and they were seen more as a band with a cult following. I know that a lot of later bands were influenced by The Smiths, but they seemed to me to hearken back to 60s style playing, but with depressing punkish lyrics.

And if a double-decker bus
Crashes in to us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well the pleasure, the privilege is mine

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I mean the Smiths sounded lovely and all, but it was hard to not burst out laughing at the lyrics