it's really a matter of personal choice, but the 80s for me was the best time for music especially. this was the time when music mattered unlike now full of crap music and remakes.

Ultravox, Railway Children, The Cure, Care, Midge Ure, The Smiths, Flesh for Lulu, Simple Minds, The Alarm, Lightning Seeds, Simple Minds, O.M.D., New Order, James, Aztec Camera, Kon Kan, Morrissey, Violent Femmes, Big Audio Dynamite, Oingo Boingo, The Sundays, Joy Division to name a few. - these were the best contributors to 80s music and yeah Tears for Fears!