It's no mistake that Corey Hart's "Sunglasses at Night" was included on the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto Vice City. That single video game reintroduced the cheesiness of the '80s to a generation of video game players that were mere children in the actual era, blissfully unaware that their popular culture was awash in potential kitsch. Vice City also reintroduced some of the most defining pop songs of the day to players, giving songs like "Sunglasses" a new lease on life (even if players began associating the song with ultra-violent drive-bys).

In it's day, "Sunglasses at Night" was ubiquitous on the radio. It was a fine example of catchy synth-pop, though the music video that appeared on MTV is laughable. What may have seemed like a hip, fashion-conscious concept at the time (Corey Hart staring intensely out of a dark alleyway while wearing dark shades, or yelling lyrics like "Don't switch the blade on the guy in shades, oh no" into a phone) inspires giggles today.

Still, Hart's ability as a pop musician is no joke. "Sunglasses" is a genuinely good pop song, and was instantly picked up as a hit when Hart released his debut album, First Offense, in 1984. It rose to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, but it was far from his last success. Though thought of as a one-hit wonder, the Montreal-native had a distinctive voice and produced enjoyable synth-pop throughout the '80s, selling millions of records and regularly appearing on the Billboard charts. He even had the chance to cross over into film, declining the role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future.

Though not as well known today, it was another hit, "Never Surrender," that ranked highest on the charts out of Hart's impressive oeuvre. Though his popularity waned throughout the decade, Hart was an indispensable contributor to the era's distinctive--and sometimes even cheesy--look and sound.