Loudwire Examines Deep Cuts From the 1980s

Loudwire is examining the best deep cut songs from the best-selling rock and metal albums of the 1980s. Deep cuts are defined as songs that were not officially released as singles. Some deep cuts remained in band setlists for much of their careers despite not being commercially released. Metallica was not a major radio or singles band in the 1980s, and two of its recognized tracks for concert audiences are included in the selection.

Deep cuts by Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and Def Leppard are among the most popular songs they have played live. Restrictions on radio and television broadcasts were stricter in the 1980s. Loudwire notes that some deep cuts by Guns N' Roses, Prince and ZZ Top likely had little chance of receiving mainstream attention because of their explicit content.

Loudwire selected notable deep cuts from the best-selling rock and metal albums of the 1980s and attempted to rank them. The best-selling albums of the 1980s contained hit songs as well as solid deep cuts that contributed to the listenability of the albums.