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Do you have an opinion about 1 song that perfectly seems to meld, in this case, the "stereotypical" '70s and '80s sounds in 1980?  (i.e., allegedly the year things should transition.... :D)
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For me, it would be 2 songs from the "Double Fantasy" album, by John Lennon.

Both "Watching The Wheels" and "Just Like Starting Over" were reminiscant of his earlier songs, but with a fresh new sound, similar of what was about to hit in the "New Wave" sound.  It was not Disco, but it was not New Wave either.  Yet, it had a sound similar to both.

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it was 1981, not 1980, but "Video Killed the Radio Star" said it all! Music Videos changed EVERYTHING! Everything became all about image, looks, glamor, and marketing and money- rather than just about MUSIC! So that was pivotal.

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I agree with your assessment of what truly defined the 80s, but "Video Killed the Radio Star" actually came out in 1980 - a year before MTV.  There was a local video show here in Ohio that played it.  It was appropriate to launch MTV with that song, but it was far from new at that time.  Just a little history if anyone cares to know!   :)

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I agree with your assessment of what truly defined the 80s, but "Video Killed the Radio Star" actually came out in 1980 - a year before MTV.  There was a local video show here in Ohio that played it.  It was appropriate to launch MTV with that song, but it was far from new at that time.  Just a little history if anyone cares to know!   :)
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Actually, it came out in Sept 1979 :) If it had come out in 1980, I would have chosen that particular song.

For 1980 songs, I think I'm also gonna go with Blondie. Either 'Call Me' or 'Atomic' seem to fit the requirement :)

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I think that "I Love The Nightlife" by Alicia Bridges and "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie are both really good 70's to 80's transition songs. Both were released in 1980 or 1981, yet they still had that disco feel of the 70's.
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Both the songs "I Love the Nightlife" and "Heart of Glass", were released as albums and singles in 1978.  I bought both albums back then and remember them being on the radio.

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Actually, it came out in Sept 1979 :) If it had come out in 1980, I would have chosen that particular song.

For 1980 songs, I think I'm also gonna go with Blondie. Either 'Call Me' or 'Atomic' seem to fit the requirement :)
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Thanks!  My first recollection of the song was the fall of 1980.  The release date on the album was 1980, so that's where I got that date from.  I know a lot of times singles would be released before the album, so that's probably what happened.   8)

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I agree with John Lennon's music- and 1980 signified the REAL end of the 60's. Remnants of 60's ideals and fashions and music were still hanging around a little into the 70's, even with disco and all...In 1980, Reagan got elected, and Lennon was shot. Very symbolic that the 60's ideas were now dead, and a new era of all things OPPOSITE of the 60's was about to start- making money instead of making love, building up war defense instead of peace marches, the greed and go, go, go speed of the 80's instead of the laid back 60's/70's.
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I have expressed the same sentiment.  The assassination of John Lennon and inauguration of Ronald Reagan signified the cultural end of the '60s.  Let it be known, though, that the seeds of yuppiedom were planted in the counterculture: The constant emphasis on "me" and "self," the narcissism, and the disenchantment with the establishment were fertile ground when idealism failed.  Also, the Baby Boomers were so spoiled and so self-centered they thought everything they did was blessed with spiritual goodness.  Aggressive greed and conspicuous consumption got couched in terms such as "fulfilling my potential," "self-actulization," "nesting," and "feng-shui."  OK, feng shui was '90s, but you get the general idea.