Music Samples for Are We Not New Wave? | return to Media Kits page

"Just What I Needed"/The Cars

The Cars's coolly detached anti-romantic love song was the first new wave single to crack the Top 40 U.S. charts in 1978.

"Satisfaction"/DEVO

Devo's robotic minimalist reworking of the Rolling Stones' classic was a prime example of the new wave's irreverent attitude towards rock's past.

"Once in a Lifetime"/The Talking Heads

David Byrne's wildly influential nervous persona was one of the most visible markers of new wave's modern style.

"My Sharona"/The Knack

The Knack revived the sharp mid-60s mod style and musical big beat of the British Invasion with this power pop classic.

"Cars"/Gary Numan

New wave's first synthesizer star created a futuristic image and sound to match with his breakthrough 1979 hit.

"Antmusic"/Adam and the Ants

Backed by the thunderous "Burundi Beat" and a carnivalesque fashion display, Adam Ant was one of the U.K.'s biggest stars of the early '80s.

"Don't You Want Me"/The Human League

The American debut of MTV in 1981 ushered in a "Second British Invasion" of stylish synth pop groups like the Human League.