An article from American Songwriter picks out three pop songs from the 1980s that it argues offer more than catchy hooks, blending intellectual or artistic depth with mainstream appeal. The piece highlights how these tracks combined complex themes and unconventional styles with chart success, suggesting they left a lasting impact on how pop music could engage listeners beyond simple entertainment.

The selection includes Madonna's "Like a Prayer", praised for weaving religious imagery, romance, and themes of death and rebirth into a US number-one hit; Enya's "Orinoco Flow", which reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 with its distinctive chanting, choral sound unlike anything else in the decade; and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" from her 1983 debut album She's So Unusual, noted for its nostalgic, memory-evoking quality.

– Madonna's "Like a Prayer" merged religious and romantic themes in a number-one hit
– Enya's "Orinoco Flow" brought a unique choral sound to the charts
– Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" is praised for its reflective, nostalgic power