There was never a time as good as the ‘80s for huge, singalong refrains. These seven radio staples have all the nutritional value of Cheez-Whiz and all the grace of a two-by-four to the face, and all of them are incredible. This week, I present Epic Anthem Choruses of the ‘80s.

All of my siblings competed on a swim team called The Barracudas. I’ve been jealous of them for years, both because I wish I was more athletic, and also because I think they had the perfect swim team name. Barracudas are cool and frightening sea creatures. More importantly, the team had built-in, all-time great pump up song.

I can just imagine myself there. I’m wearing my skintight swim trunks, anxious about my upcoming race. Then the speakers come on. It’s that riff, that earth-shaking rattle. You know what it sounds like? It sounds like a sleek and deadly creature catching up to you. Capturing and conquering you. It sounds like a barracuda. At that moment, I’m ready to swim. I’m ready to chase and to kill. I’m ready to win.

Alas, I’ll have to rely on my imagination. It won’t stop me from pumping this song and speeding down the highway as Ann Wilson’s voice slithers up and down my spinal cord, Nancy Wilson’s guitar shakes me to my core.

The chorus still gives me chills sometimes.

“Ooooh…. barracuda.”

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