Before the 1990s ushered in music centered on how life is shitty, people suck, and the only real question wasn't if you were going to commit suicide but when and how meaningfully, we used to rock out to songs that were all about lifting our spirits and challenging us to be better. Sure, the downside of that manifested itself in legions of coke-fueled corporate shoulder pads hate-fucking the world into submission, but the upside was music that made you feel that, yes, indeed, you were the best around. You could do it. You must do it. Since life really is shitty these days and suicide is the only health care option we can afford, here are some of our favorite inspirational self-esteem songs from the '80s.

"The Touch" - Stan Bush


"The One and Only" - Chesney Hawkes


"You're the Best Around" - Joe Esposito


"Fight to Survive" - Paul Delph


"Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor


"No Easy Way Out" - Robert Tepper


"St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" - John Parr


"Simply the Best" - Tina Turner


"Flashdance (What a Feeling)" - Irene Cara


"Win in the End" - Mark Safan


"Stir it Up" - Patti LaBelle


"Number One" - Chas Jankel


"One Foot in Front of the Other" - Bone Symphony


"Never Surrender" - Corey Hart