In the 80s - Top Ten Lists of Eighties Songs

What are your top ten favorite songs from the 80s?

This page currently edited by: Quirk. Past editor: RetroGuyDK, Absolutely Vile, Junior

By: Laurie
  • 10. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    Come on, it's cute...right?
  • 9. Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC
    I love Aerosmith and I love 'em even more when they're rockin' next to Run DMC.
  • 8. More Than A Feeling by Boston
  • 7. Faith by George Michael
    Can you imagine the 80s without George Michael? I can't. You gotta have Faith on an 80s Best Songs list.
  • 6. We Built This City by Air Supply
  • 5. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
  • 4. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Bon Jovi-'nuf said.
  • 3. Shook Me All Night Long by ACDC
    The ultimate bar song.
  • 2. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    I lied, this is the ultimate bar song.
  • 1. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Riders
    Nothing puts you in a better mood than dancing and singing along to this song with your friends. I could listen to it again and again...and then again.
By: Ricardo Trucsi
  • 10. Life In A Northern Town by The Dream Academy
    What do you think of this song? beautiful...
  • 9. Valerie by Steve Winwood
    I would like to meet a girl wich name is Valery,Why?because I would like to sing her this song...
  • 8. The Promise by When in Rome
    Have you heard this song?Why in the eighties there's a lot of big bands with one good song or twoo? When in Rome is an example...
  • 7. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    I know guys that this band has a lot of good songs, but this one has just delight me...
  • 6. Crazy by Ice House
    This is the best australian band, sorry if you're not agree with me but Crazy and Electric Blue are so good songs
  • 5. Love At First Sight by Styx
    Have you read the lyric of this song? the rythme...
  • 4. The Sun Always Shines On Tv by A-HA
    Fantastic, I don't know how to describe this wonderful song,this band is not from this planet...
  • 3. A Piece Of Paradise by Peter Mayer
    I've just heard one song of PM but thatīs enough for me to classiffy it like one of my favourites
  • 2. Major Tom by Peter Schilling
    Excellent song, the rythme is unique, I would like to know more about this great artist
  • 1. Dreaming by OMD
    Itīs a really strange song but I think OMD is one of the best band of the century, and this song is really amazing
I love eighties music, thereīs a lot of of excellents bands but with one or twoo songs, what's happen with them I can give you some examples:Baltimora(tarzan boy),Peter Schilling,Eight seconds,Electronika... I know thereīs a lot of good music but I have to choose 10 of my favourites. What do you think of eighties music?
By: Shane
  • 10. Under Pressure by Queen w/ David Bowie
    Awesome Duo on this song, I can't think of a better person for Queen to team up with.
  • 9. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    Back in Black is one of my favorite AC/DC albums, this is actually what got me interested in the band.
  • 8. Runaway by Bon Jovi
    One of the best Bon Jovi songs around, I originally found out about these guys when Slippery When Wet was released.
  • 7. Smokin' in the Boys' Room by Motley Crue
    This is an awesome cover of the Brownsville Station hit from the 70's, I have to thank my step-brother for getting me into this band. Been a fan ever since Theatre of Pain was released.
  • 6. Honestly by Stryper
    For a Christian Heavy Metal band, Stryper could play some great ballads, I never knew about them until pop stations started playing Honestly. Not too shabby!
  • 5. Open Arm by Journey
    I love this ballad because the lyrics are so powerful, I see why some movies in the 80's used it, great choice!
  • 4. You May Be Right by Billy Joel
    I remember getting Glass Houses and this song blaring out the speakers, once in a while I still find myself doing that. This is one of Billy's best hits in my opinion!
  • 3. Kids In America by Kim Wilde
    Awesome song, and very upbeat... need I say more? ;)
  • 2. On The Dark Side by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
    Eddie and the Cruisers is one of the best 80s films and this is one of the best songs from a soundtrack. I can't go without playing air guitar on this one. ;)
  • 1. Jack & Diane by John Cougar
    This is one of the best John Mellencamp songs ever released in the 80s, the video us great too with all the footage. John is one of my biggest influences, a great singer and a great actor too.
So many great songs from this decade and not enough time to pick the best, Men At Work, Split Enz, Duran Duran... the list goes on and on.
By: Tessa Doolan
  • 10. Club Tropicana by Wham!
    Pure happiness on vinyl.
  • 9. 1999 by Prince
    A shame the real millennium parties weren't as great as this promised they would be!
  • 8. Billie Jean by Micheal Jackson
    The best dance song ever - and he still looked black(ish) in those days.
  • 7. With Or Without You by U2
    Heartbreaking!
  • 6. Babooshka by Kate Bush
    For *that* outfit in the video - twenty years before Christina wore such things!
  • 5. Girlfriend In A Coma by The Smiths
    A happy song about a miserable subject.
  • 4. True Blue by Madonna
    She seems to want to ignore it - it's not on The Immaculate Collection - but it holds special memories for me.
  • 3. Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
    For teh comedy value - the cheesiest lyrics of all time. 'It's not good to masturbate'.
  • 2. Love Cats by The Cure
    Never fails to get me dancing.
  • 1. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
    The sexiest song ever! The woman is a betwitching genius.
By: Marcelo Maeda
By: cybelle
  • 10. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    This song kills! hehehe
  • 9. Cherry Pie by Warrant
    She's my cherry pie! felt so good make a grown man cry!
  • 8. Dude Looks Like A Lady by Aerosmith
    Dude looks likde lady! yeah! yeah! dude lools like a lady!!!
  • 7. Anything For You by Mr. Big
  • 6. Paradise City by Guns n' Roses
    "TAKE ME DOWN TO THE PARADISE CITY WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN AND THE GIRLS ARE PRETTY! OH, WONT YA PLEASE TAKE ME HOME!!! YEA-YEAH!!!" need i say more??? hehehe
  • 5. Anything For You by Mr. Big
    power ballad is the word.
  • 4. Is this love? by Whitesnake
    His voice gives me the chills...
  • 3. Alone by Heart
    They're cool. They rock! and they're chicks!
  • 2. I'll Be Over You by Toto
    a classic 80s glamrock song that has a kick ass guitar solo! hail guitar god steve lukather!
  • 1. Lea by Toto
    one word...breath taking.
By: eduardo iga
  • 10. Beat It by Michael Jackson
    great for a pop song, cool guitars
  • 9. Livin On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    another grat live song
  • 8. Rocket Queen by Guns N Roses
    you should hear it live
  • 7. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N Roses
    another gnr classic
  • 6. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
    its a classic
  • 5. Paradise City by Guns N Roses
    has a cool beat, perfect to sing
  • 4. One by Metallica
    its a underground heavy metal song, but still it appears in mtv
  • 3. Youth Gone Wild by Skid Row
    sebastian bach sings just perfect, not as much as axl but still...
  • 2. Wild Side by Montly Crue
    has grat guitars and its a heavy but at the same time fun song
  • 1. Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses
    simply... its a guns n roses song
slash is a god
By: J.
By: Cedric Vandorpe
  • 10. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
  • 9. Take On Me by A-HA
  • 8. Like a Virgin by Madonna
    It was number 1 in Belgium the day I was born
  • 7. Who Wants To Live Forever by Queen
  • 6. Our House by Madness
    catchy
  • 5. Down Under by Men At Work
  • 4. Suburbia by Pet Shop Boys
  • 3. Final Countdown by Europe
    ok so the lyrics are a bit rediculous, but the music more than makes up for it
  • 2. Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh
    I can't believe no one has mentioned this song; it sounds very personal
  • 1. Goodnight Saigon by Billy Joel
    One of the best songs ever, it sounds epic
By: Brent Palmer
  • 10. Cattle and Cane by The Go-Betweens (1983)
  • 9. Blue Monday (the original version!) by New Order (1983)
  • 8. Shipbuilding by Elvis Costello (1983)
  • 7. Perfect Circle by REM (1983)
  • 6. Reward by Julian Cope (1981)
  • 5. No Language in Our Lungs by XTC (1980)
    From the album *Black Sea*.
  • 4. Rat Race by The Specials (1980)
  • 3. Jet Set Junta by The Monochrome Set (1983)
  • 2. Quasimodo's Dream by The Reels (1981)
  • 1. Primrose Hill by Madness (1982)
    From the same album as "Our House".
By: A-Car
  • 10. Do They Know it's Christmas by Bandaid
    THE BEST CHRISTMAS SONG EVER!
  • 9. You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon jovi
    No comment...the song says it all
  • 8. Always Something There to Remind Me by Can't remember
    Good song, good memories.
  • 7. Don't You forget About Me by can't remember
    The breakfast club...who doesn't love it?
  • 6. Mad about you by Belinda Carsleigh
    I can't actually remember what her name is, but she was in the bangles...I think.
  • 5. I Just Died in your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew
    The chorus is worth it
  • 4. Right Stuff by New Kids on the Block
    LOVE THEM STILL!
  • 3. I think we're Alone Now by Tiffany
    So she did a mall tour...the song isn't bad...ok yeah it is, but I love it anyway...
  • 2. Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh
    Another amazing song that is very romantic.
  • 1. Flashdance by From the movie
    This is seriously a song that would be on the soundtrack of my childhood.
The 80's are what give joy to my life!
By: Aaron
  • 10. Family Man by Hall & Oates
    Forgotten favorite from outstanding duo
  • 9. Kyrie by Mr. Mister
    Good power ballad; very 80's
  • 8. Land of Confusion by Genesis
    Great lyrics, fun song
  • 7. Still They Ride by Journey
    I think that Steve Perry is the best singer that I ever heard.
  • 6. You Might Think by The Cars
    Pure fun!
  • 5. Amanda by Boston
    Great acoustic/electric work
  • 4. No One is to Blame by Howard Jones
    Nice wistful ballad
  • 3. Synchronicity II by The Police
    Perfect musicianship
  • 2. Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
    Super strong melody
  • 1. Eye in the Sky by Alan Parsons Project
    Good lyrics
Great songs in no particular order. I am truly stuck in the 80's (and loving every minute of it).
By: Giancarlo
By: Nick Frassetto
  • 10. All Night Long by Lionel Richie -
    this song is long but has a lot of feel in it. i couldnt decide which one to put in between either this Steve Winwood -Higher Love or Eddie Money - Take Me Home Tonight that are all just as good.
  • 9. Slipping Away by Max Merrit -
    This is a good song for those in a relationship with a bit of trouble it's a good one to break up on too. I once recited these lyrics to this chick right befor i broke up with her.
  • 8. Just Died In Your Arms Tonight by Journey - Air suply
    The best of air suply... but then again all thoes boy's hits all have a special mesage in them.
  • 7. One Summer by Daryl Braithwaite -
    Thi is a good exampel of 80's australian music at it's best Then again any of Daryl Braithwaite's songs such as The Horses, Higher Than Hope take the cake aswell.
  • 6. In Too Deep by Genesis -Phil Collins
    another Phil collins masterpice.
  • 5. Belinda carlisle by Heaven is a place on earth
    This would have to be my best old school tune.
  • 4. Dont Dream Its Over by Crowded House
    this would have to be Crowded House's all time best. Definitly has the most feeling in it.
  • 3. One More Night by Phil Collins -
    This is a goodie to just sit back and close your eyes to!! there are a few good one liners in the lyrics to hand out to your girl when there's a little trouble in paridice.
  • 2. Sister Christian by Night Ranger
    Another clasic reborn off the Boogie Nights Movie, man i love that film. dam it has some good 80's in it too.
  • 1. Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfeild
    This would have to be my all time fav when it comes to old school 80's. Only such a song could come from a auzzie.
Most of the music from the 80's brings back a lot of memories weather it was played on the radio or if i was at a particular place in time. i belive that it is good to just sit back, close your eyes put on a few 80's tracks and rember the good times.
By: Oz
  • 10. People Are People - Depeche Mode by Never Surrender Corey Hart
    I always remembered the lyrics for these songs - "I can't understand what makes a man hate another man." and "And when the night is cold and dark You can see, you can see light Cause no-one can take away your right To fight and never surrender" Blasphemous Rumours is also fantastic - "I think that god's got a sick sense of humour..."
  • 9. No More Words - Berlin by Won't Hold You Back - Toto
    The underrated Berlin, famous for the theme to Top Gun, but this is better and the video had a cool bonnie and clyde getaway scene. As for Hold You Back..."time can't erase the love we shared but it gives me time to realize just how much you cared" 'nuff said.
  • 8. Love Is A Battlefield - Pat Benatar by I Just Died In Your Arms - Cutting Crew
    I remember the video for Pat Benatar's song and runaway kid, dancing hooker thing -- it really affected me even though it has little to do with the song. She is the #1 female rocker of the eighties if not all time. As for Cutting Crew - "OhAh I just died in your arms"...and the synth or violins...it's unforgettable.
  • 7. Take On Me - Aha by Look Who's Crying Now - Journey
    The Aha songs is great with a great video. As for Journey they need to be on any list for all their songs Don't Stop Believing, Separate Ways, Wheel In The Sky, Faithfully -- it's endless. But this is one of the less sappy and more haunting tunes..."Only so many tears you can cry 'til the heartache is over, and now you can say your love will never die"
  • 6. I Am A Warrior - Scandal by Total Eclips Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
    I keep remembering videos but I Am A Warrior and also Laura Brannigan's Self Control were the tough but moody pop/rock songs of the eighties. Total Eclipse is long and endless but "like a powder keg shooting off sparks" it endures. "Turn around bright eyes"...
  • 5. Mania - Michael Sembello by Don't Answer Me - Alan Parsons
    Maniac is great. There were a lot of movie themes that are worthy of top tens. I'd also include What A feeling because I still sing it in my car when it comes on the radio. But Maniac is better musically. Don't Answer Me is a beautiful song most people miss "If you believe in the power of magic, It's all a fantasy So if you need to believe in someone, Just pretend it's me"
  • 4. Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins by Boys Of Summer - Don Henley
    Before they disallowed CD players upon take off I used to listen to this song just as the plane rolled down the runway. Once I got to my sunny destination I'd listen to Boys of Summer - "Never will forget those nights, wonder if it was a dream. Remember how you made me crazy, remember how I made you scream." There is a remake now...i shudder.
  • 3. Let The Music Play - Shannon by Drive - The Cars
    The eighties were about upbeat dancing and Shannon did it best with this one. As for Drive, it's haunting and now whenever I hear it I think of Ben Orr who sang lead on this song and passed away in Oct. 2000. "You can't go on thinking nothing is wrong...Who's gonna drive you home...tonight?"
  • 2. You Can Do Magic - America by Careless Whispers - Wham!
    Nobody remembers this song but it's great. A nice song and sort of bridges the 70's and 80's. As for Careless Whispers it is poetry and musically beautiful and it's not often that the singer is painted as the bad guy of the song. "Was what I did so wrong that you had to leave me alone?"
  • 1. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor by Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw
    Survivor had so many hits in the eighties and this especially endures. Other bands might come to mind but no other song is synonymous with Rocky and no other song is so closely identified as the fighter's anthem. As for Nik, people forget this song but it holds up and true and lyrically has so many layers...Wouldn't it be good to be on your side, grass is always greener over there. Wouldn't it be good if we could live without a care." this song is the eighties - materialistic pressurized eighties.
I couldn't do it. Ten songs total? So I made a fast and slow list. This was a strong ballad decade. Honorable Mentions are Walk This Way which revived Aerosmith and introduced Rap and RunDMC to the mainstream, White Wedding - Billy Idol, Say A Prayer Duran Duran (who defined the 80's look best), Sweet Dreams - The Eurythmics and What Is Love - Howard Jones, Loving Every Minute of It - Loverboy, and finally Don't Mean Nothing - Richard Marx who got pigeon holed into ballads but wrote some awesome rock/pops songs and even got the Eagles to back him up on this one!
By: Sagat89
  • 10. Video Killed the Radio Star by Buggles
    i had trouble deciding between this song, and "The Kids in America" by Kim Wilde. I first heard this song from: "Grant Theft Auto Vice City" on Playstation 2. it has a very nice tune to it.
  • 9. A View To a Kill by Duran Duran
    This has to be my favorite james bond theme. so as you might have guessed, i first heard it on the hit james bond movie.
  • 8. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    I heard this song on a "Best of the 80's" commercial. it appealed to me, so i tracked down the song. now it is one of my favorites.
  • 7. You Spin Me Right Round by Dead or Alive
    This was a song i heard on the flick: The Wedding Singer. though it was not the same with Adam Sandler singing it. so i bought the soundtrack.
  • 6. Catch Me Im Falling by Real Life
    another song i discovered on that Real Life Album. again, i like it alot.
  • 5. Face To Face by Real Life
    a song i discovered when i bought the album: Send Me an Angel, by real life. i like it alot.
  • 4. Power of Love by Hewy Lewis and the News
    I first heard this song from the movie: Back to the future. Hewy Lewis did a good job on this one.
  • 3. The Promise by When In Rome
    very creative song, i first heard it on the radio. and then i saw the music video of it, which was also good.
  • 2. Take On Me by A-ha
    also a very good song. the first time i heard it was on a music video.i knew the band A-ha because they had made the song: The Living Daylights, which was made as the theme song for the hit james bond film in 1987.
  • 1. Send Me An Angel by Real Life
    Probably my Favorite 80's Song. Incredibly well done in every aspect.
By: Magnus Hanslofwa
  • 10. Voyage Voyage by Desireless
  • 9. Gonna Pull My Self Together by Nolans
  • 8. Take Me Up by Scotch
  • 7. They Say It's Gonna Rain by Hazell Dean
  • 6. Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode
  • 5. Open Your Heart by Human League
    Well together with Duran Durans's "Hungry like the wolf" heard this song first time on vacation in Luxemburg 1982....
  • 4. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Well a great cover from an old song from the 50's.....
  • 3. Adam & the Ants by Goody Two Shoes
    As Adam has as his qoute: Antmusic for sexy people.... Well my neighbour and I listen to Adam and his Ants several of nights...
  • 2. Gold by Spandau Ballet
    Superb.... Spandau Ballet is great with the lovely saxophonesounds....
  • 1. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    Well comments not needed.. The song is great... With his song I started my love for music seriously..... aand Duran Duran is still the favourites of all bands
Well the 80's was the greastest decade ever... I would love to have more songs on the list... But I reduce to have 1 song from some of my favouritebands.. For example Duran Duran which is my fav. band #1... Would be fun to get mail from other fans of the 80's... and discuss music...
By: Brendan Mooney
  • 10. Hammer To Fall by Queen
    No list would be complete without the boys.....give it to me 1 more time!!!
  • 9. I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman
    Ditto Dreamtime
  • 8. Dreamtime by Daryll Hall
    Brilliant Friday song!!!...still sounds fresh as ever
  • 7. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    I always thought they were Dutch for some reason!!
  • 6. No Memory by Scarlet Fantastic
    Most under-achievers of the business
  • 5. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    Yeh....course it sounds cheesy now....but back then......fresh air.
  • 4. With Or Without You by U2
    My 1st real love.......this was the song which made you feel on top of the world one day...and suicidal the next....ahhh teenage years!!
  • 3. Summer Of 69 by Bryan Adams
    Speaking of summers..........what more needs to be said.......b4 the guy sold out in the early 90's....thank God I saw him live in '87
  • 2. Africa by Toto
    Legendary.......hazy summer of '82
  • 1. Wole of the Moon by Waterboys
    What a floor filler!! had everything.....and has more than stood the test of time.
Let me know what you think.....agree or disagree?? bren1971@yahoo.co.uk
By: simon
  • 10. Deep And Wide And Tall by Aztec Camera
    give it to em roddy
  • 9. Whos Johnny by El Debarge
    singalong
  • 8. Dont You Just Know It by Amazulu
    behave girls
  • 7. Christian by China Cris
    lement
  • 6. Tinseltown In The Rain by Blue Nile
    atmospheric brilliant
  • 5. The Motive by Then Jerico
    classic
  • 4. For America by Red Box
    happy jolly tune
  • 3. Kool In The Kaftan by Ba Robertson
    humour
  • 2. Messages by Omd
    youve gotta love em
  • 1. Stand Or Fall by The Fixx
    cy curnin brilliant
By: Paulisse
  • 10. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
    Lyrics lack variety but the musical theme is just great (as well as "Here comes the rain again")
  • 9. Still Loving You by Scorpions
    Quite different from "Wind of Change" but just as nice.
  • 8. Enola Gay by Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark
    The video-clip is very 60s-like but the synthesizer theme is great (reminds me a bit of the music of an 8-bits computer game named Equinox (from Mikro-Gen)).
  • 7. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cindy Lauper
    Very dynamic (though I like as well "All through the night" of the same singer, despite a radically different tempo)
  • 6. Such A Shame by Talk-Talk
    The video-clip is bit sober (and this is an understatement) but very funny, and the musical theme is really catching.
  • 5. Can't Get Enough (of Your Love) by Kim Wilde
    I rarely put money in Bars Juke-Boxes, but I did often for this one... If they had been availableat that time, I would have too for "You came" and "You keep me hangin' on".
  • 4. Take On Me by A-ha
    One of the best (if not the best) video-clip I've ever seen. Vocals and music are great too...
  • 3. Big in Japan by Alphaville
    I like Japan and I like the musical theme ("Sounds like a Melody" of the same band is just as great)
  • 2. La Isla Bonita by Madonna
    I heard it on a 45rpm vinyl so many times... as well as "Into the Groove" ("Like a Prayer" was only on a Compact-Disc)
  • 1. Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield
    Vocals by Maggie Reilly are just great as well as the musical theme
I definetely love those ones too: High on emotion (Chris de Burgh), The Road to Hell (Chris Rea), I'm still standing (Elton Jones), Heaven can wait (Sandra), All around my Heart (Sandra), Vollmond (Nena), Nur getraumt (Nena), L'an mil (Michel Sardou), Manu Reva (Alain Chamfort), Plus pres des etoiles (Gold), La groupie du pianiste (Michel Berger), Diego libre dans sa tete (France Gall), Le chanteur (Daniel Balavoine, Les aventures de Gerard Lambert (Renaud), Miss Maggie (Renaud), Les Murs de Poussiere (Francis Cabrel)

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