The next underrated 80s song is a case of widespread critical acclaim not being paired with commercial success. This song — ‘Just Like Honey’ by The Jesus and Mary Chain — wasn’t played much in 1985, let alone 2025.
The Scottish alt-rockers had a dozen Top 40 hits in the UK, and many more just outside the Top 40, but they had very little penetration in the U.S. I listened to a half dozen of their most popular songs and didn’t recognize one.
It turns out I have heard the critically-beloved ‘Just Like Honey,’ though, because it plays at the end of Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation. That might have earned it some airplay in 2003 but not two decades later.
With its big drum intro cribbing from The Ronettes’ ‘Be My Baby’ segueing into shoegaze guitar distortion and mumbled lyrics, this is a nifty mashup of decades and genres.
Listen to the girl as she takes on half the world
Moving up and so alive in her honey dripping beehive, beehive
It’s good, so good
It’s so good, so good
[Verse 2]
Walking back to you is the hardest thing that I can do
That I can do for you, for you
[Bridge]
I’ll be your plastic toy
I’ll be your plastic toy, for you
[Verse 3]
Eating up the scum is the hardest thing for me to do
[Chorus]
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey, just like honey
Just like honey
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’ve heard of the band, but not this song. With over half the song repeating the title, I’m fine remaining unfamiliar. I suspect my wife, who has a particular aversion to repetition, would turn this off at the 1:30 mark, if not before.
And do would your mother in law 😊
so would