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: MQ - from Chile
  • 10. Don't dream is over by Crowded house
  • 9. A girl in trouble (is a temporary thing) by Romeo Void
  • 8. Shattered dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz
    La mejor canción pop de los 80's.
  • 7. Danza rota by Soda Stereo
    Soda Stereo was a very sucessfull band in sudamerica at 80's decade.
  • 6. I ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
  • 5. Hurts to be in love by Gino Vanelli
  • 4. If my love doesn't suit ya by Erotic Exotic
  • 3. Do the dance by Trancedance
  • 2. What I like about you by The Romantics
  • 1. Der kommissar by After The Fire
    Great song. The Falco's version is good too.
Together in Electric Dreams (The Human League); Strut (Shenna Easton); Take me home tonight (Eddie Money) and many others that I don't remember.
By: jimbo vadney
  • 10. Information Society by Running
    "Hot steamy night alone I wait for you. Cold winter morning alone and I cry for you."
  • 9. Everyday Is Halloween by Ministry
    "The night i needed you the most. My cries fell on deaf ears."
  • 8. True by Spandau Ballet
    "Why do i fine it hard to write the next line? I want the truth to be said!"
  • 7. Only You by Yaz
    "All I needed was the love you gave. All I needed for another day. And all I ever new..Only you."
  • 6. If you leave by OMD
    "Promise me just one more night...Then we'll go our seperate ways"
  • 5. But Not Tonight by Depeche Mode
    "The moon is shining in the sky. Reminding me of so may other nights...But they're not like tonight."
  • 4. Temptation by New Order
    "Up! Down! Turn around! Please don't let me hit the ground. Tonight I think i'll walk alone. I'll find myself as I go home."
  • 3. The Promise by When In Rome
    "You know in the end...I'll always be there."
  • 2. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    "Show me how you do that trick. The one that MAKES ME SCREAM!"
  • 1. Thompson Twins by Hold Me Now
    "I have a picture pinned to my wall. Am image of you and of me...We're laughin', we're lovin' it all."
Special thanks to these nightclubs that bring back as many good memories as these as these songs do: -One Step Beyond (Santa Clara, CA) -The Edge (Palo Alto, CA) -Zoe Nightclub (San Jose, CA)…Where I work today: http://zoenightclub.com
By: Nick Napolitano
  • 10. Mickey by Toni Basil
    The ultimate Cant-Get-It-Out-Of-My-Head song!
  • 9. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Such a beautiful song!
  • 8. Gloria by Laura Branigan
    I love all the synthesizers!
  • 7. Take On Me by A-Ha
    I love how catchy it is!
  • 6. Let's Hear It For The Boy by Deneice Williams
    Too addicting!
  • 5. Maniac by Michael Sembello
    Electrifying! Pumps me up every time!
  • 4. Fame by Irene Cara
    Love the music! Great to sing along to!
  • 3. Breakin'...There's No Stopping Us by Ollie And Jerry
    Great hip-hop song fom one of the best dance movies ever!
  • 2. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
    Great party song! Also fun to dance to!
  • 1. Flashdance...What A Feeling by Irene Cara
    This song changed my life. Whenever I hear it, it motivates me to do something good.
I love the eighties movie soundtracks. My favorite eighties movies are Flashdance, Breakin', Footloose, Fame, and Dirty Dancing.
By: Debbie Oreckil
  • 10. Jack and Diane by John Cougar Mellencamp
    I just found out there really was a Jack and Diane and they did live in the Heartland.
  • 9. Here I go again by White snake
    Im on my own too so I can relate.
  • 8. Shook me all night long by AC/DC
    That song definetly shook me all night long.
  • 7. Cant drive 55 by Sammy Hagar
    Its like Matrix part 3 only in a court room.
  • 6. Jump by Van Halen
    David Lee Roth was better off in the band.
  • 5. Talk dirty to me by Poison
    I finally got the meaning of the song.
  • 4. Another one bust the duster by Queen
    Ilove Freddy and I tried to immatate his dance moves from the videos.
  • 3. Love bytes by Def leppord
    Love ddoes hurt..but def leppord rox.
  • 2. Ill be there for you by Bon jovi
    What girl didnt have dirty thoughts about Jon. awwwww.
  • 1. Girls,girls,girls by Motley Crue
    Strip club, hot drunk guys, crazy guatair riffs, making out..PURE 80S!
Class of 88 forever!
By: Josh
  • 10. Sister Christian by Night Ranger
    Another great driving song from an underrated 80s band.
  • 9. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
    One of their few ballads, but it's one of the best of the 80s. Also a gun karaoke song.
  • 8. Poison by Alice Cooper
    Just when they were starting to slip, they make a comeback with this awesome hard rockin' song.
  • 7. Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
    An awesome song from back when Bon Jovi was a hair band. The acoustic guitar in this is amazing.
  • 6. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison
    Another very catchy song fusing punk with metal.
  • 5. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
    Who could forget the video of David Coverdale's wife doing splits on those two cars? A great song for driving.
  • 4. Paradise City by Guns N' Roses
    Another great one from the Appetite For Destruction days. Still a great song to play at parties.
  • 3. Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue
    One of the catchiest songs I've ever heard. It's a song that punks and metalheads could both enjoy.
  • 2. I Remember You by Skid Row
    In my opinion, this is the greatest power ballad of all time. It switches from a soft, acoustic-driven verse to a metal chorus with a blaring electric guitar and pounding drums, all lead by Sebastian Bach's amazing voice.
  • 1. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
    Back in the Appetite For Destruction days, these guys were awesome. This song is just perfect in every way. It's very emotional and it rocks at the same time!
By: Subhankar Ganguly
  • 10. Somebodys Watching Me by Rockwell & Micheal Jackson
    Hell of number if Micheal is around - Luv U 80's Micheal
  • 9. Susana by The Art Company
    Another Gr8 80's Slow Dance track. I just LUV it whenever I listen. Listen it NOW.
  • 8. Life is Life by OPUS
    WOW! thats a hella of a foot thumping number. Listen to it GUYS.
  • 7. Pump up the volume by MARS
    I can tell U folks U will get wild to this - Dance Number of the 80's
  • 6. Heat of The Moment by Asia
    The Collaborated efforts are really gr8. Have a listen to it.
  • 5. Every breathe U Take by Police
    WOW! That was a probably everybodys song.
  • 4. Do U Really Want to hurt Me by Culcture Club
    Boy George & the Band members brought The COLOURS in 80's Music & Yes BOY went on to Record songs with Indian artists & got influnced by Hindiusim
  • 3. Ebony & Ivory by Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
  • 2. Thats what are Friend For by Steve Wonder, Dione Warwick & Elton J
    WOW! Thats what r friends for
  • 1. We R the World by USA for Africa
    Greatest Ever Recorded Historical effort - Thanks USA for Africa
Folks there R GR8 music of 80's I could not list all they are; Love of the Common People (Paul Young), Like a Virgin (Madonna), Whats LUV got 2 do with (Tina Turner), Money 4 Nothing (Dire Straits), Pass the Dutchie (Musical Youth), Born in the USA (Elton John), Tarzan Boy (Baltimora), What a Feeling (Irene Cara), Sweet dreams (Eurythmics), Waiting for a girl like U (Foreigner), Beds R burning (Midnight Oil), Electric Avenue (Eddy Grant), Abracadebra (Steve Miller Band), I wanna Break Free (Queen), Night Shift (Commodores), Infatuation (Rod Stewart) and yes lots of other gr8 songs its really some on MY Mind. I would love U listen them all.
By: Martin Ariel
  • 10. I Dont Want To Live Without Your Love by Chicago
    Great slow song
  • 9. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Classic
  • 8. Through The Barricades by Spandau Ballet
    Excellent melody
  • 7. a Groovy Kind Of Love by Phil Collins
    One of a lot great ballads of Phil
  • 6. Carrie by Europe
  • 5. Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx
  • 4. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    Great movie better song
  • 3. The Lady In Red by Chris De Burgh
    For fall in love
  • 2. Careless Whisper by Wham!
    A song of another world
  • 1. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    The best love song of all times
80's: was the time for best love songs ever. Also Whitney Houston, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Air Supply and more... Lo mejor de los 80 fueron los lentos. Who didn't fall in love listening this songs?! RomanticMartinhotmail
By: mike guthrie
  • 10. Gimme Back My Man by THE B-52's
    dont remember the name of this album but i liked every song on it , private idaho,strobe light,quiche lorraine,runnin around, devil in my car .i remember my friend chris and i going up north to caseville and all we listened to that week was this album over and over ..awesome !
  • 9. Be Near Me by ABC
    this song whenever i hear it takes me right back to how it felt to be back in high school ..alot feelings come flooding back.
  • 8. Feet Dont Fail Me Now by Todd Rundgren/utopia
    every guy can relate to the words in this song . every guy has been there in one form or another "cant you see she dont want you around no more , cant you see her hands pointing at the door .......feet dont fail me now,stop pretending that you've gone to sleep . feet dont fail me now,please dont keep me where i should not be."
  • 7. The Message Is You by Gary Myrick
    this song is a very emotional song for me,cant really say why other than from the time i first heard it til now , it struck me down deep . just the melody and the words . awesome !
  • 6. Walking In L.a. by Missing Persons
    this song just rocks!filled with total 80's attitude! what was cool and what wasnt
  • 5. Pretty In Pink by The Psychedelic Furs
    how can you have an 80's list without the furs !!! alot of memories with this song !there were alot of songs by them that i loved but i played this one in a band i used to be in so i listed it!
  • 4. Eaten By The Monster Of Love by Sparks
    woooooooaaaaaaaahhh! what a quirky ,fun ,addicting song . i always loved this one ! "dont let it get me , dont let it get me aaaaaawwwwww!"
  • 3. broken halos/solidarity by Rhythm Corps
    being from detroit i grew up listening to rhythm corps on the radio all the time , these 2 songs came off their very first ep ..there was a local tv show called THE BEAT hosted by dj personality doug podell, i first saw the videos for these songs on that show . just a great detroit band !brings back alot of memories.
  • 2. China by Red Rider
    i always just liked this song , it was catchy and romantic and very cool !
  • 1. Aeiou(sometimes Y) by Ebn-ozn
    wow!! i was in 8th grade when this song was out . i remember seeing the video on mtv . it just grabbed me ! it also took me until 1994 to find it !
of course most of my selections were new wave . i also loved ratt, dokken ,judas priest...the 80's metal and hard rock scene and the alternative bands echo & the bunneymen , the cure , etc,etc.i remember the 80's and the music was a soundtrack to my life ! im glad to see there are so many that still love the music ! if anyone on here knows me from high school ..."harper woods class of 87" get in touch w/ me , i would love to hear from ya !
By: Arturo H. - Bogota, Colombia
  • 10. Gloria by Laura Branigan
    End of the 70`s and beggining of the 80´s
  • 9. Addicted to love by Robert Palmer
    Erotic and Exotic
  • 8. Nikita by Elton John
    Total feeling
  • 7. Whats Love Got To Do With It? by Tina Turner
    A Classic
  • 6. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    No comments!!!
  • 5. Down Under by Men at Work
    Amazing ritmus
  • 4. Like a Virgin by Madonna
    Nice
  • 3. Time After Time by Cindy Lauper
    80´s chorus.
  • 2. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    Romantic and produces shock
  • 1. We Built This City by Starship
    Great and Fun. Total sound and total soul.
11. Karma Chamaleon - Culture Club 12. All wanna dance with somebody! - Whitney Houston 13. When doves cry - Prince 14. All through the night - Cindy Lauper 15. Girls Just want to have fun - Cindy Lauper 16. Billy Jean - Michael Jackson 17. Can´t this feeling - REO Speedwagon 18. The Reflex - Duran Duran 19. Africa - Toto 20. Take on me - A-ha ... I can add 100 more song to this list!!!
By: Troy Edwards
  • 10. Ratt by Lay It Down
    As I write this I think of Autograph, Twisted Sister, Cinderella, Winger, Dokken, Kix, Keel, and the dozens of other 80's bands I grew up with and still listen to, even if I don't crank it to ten! Do yourself a favor, pick some of these songs and CD's and go back to a simpler time!
  • 9. Motley Crue by Wild Side
    The Crue at the top of the world!
  • 8. Van Halen by Panama
    This video rocked! David Lee Roth is a one of a kind!
  • 7. 18 And Life by Skid Row
    Another group that was so huge and represents the 80's
  • 6. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    From 1984 till 1990 was an awesome time for rock music! It's never been the same!
  • 5. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N Roses
    What needs to be said about this record?
  • 4. Heaven by Warrant
    The white outfits in this video were hillarious! These guys were huge for about 3 years in the day!
  • 3. Still Of The Night by Whitesnake
    This song was so Zeppelin sounding, and completely different than what was out at the time!
  • 2. Every Rose Has It's Thorn by Poison
    One of the ultimate 80's rock ballads! Poison had tamed down the "Glam" look by now, but still rocked!
  • 1. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    I remember doing an "Air Band" to that! Now there's a term you don't these days! At the time I thought that song had everything..catchy cool chorus, smokin' guitar solo, the middle part where it's just the drums and vocals, and it was a "Get Back At Her" kind of song!
The 80's were an amazing decade and the music it left behind is timeless, whether it's Madonna, Van Halen or Hank Willaims Jr, the 80's still lives!
By: Bryan
  • 10. Revenge by Ministry
  • 9. When Doves Cry by Prince
  • 8. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
  • 7. Give Me Tonight by Shannon
  • 6. Get into the Groove by Madonna
  • 5. Careless Whisper by Wham!
  • 4. Obsession by Animotion
  • 3. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
  • 2. Point of No Return by Expose
  • 1. Tell it to My Heart by Taylor Dayne
10 of the best. Yep.
By: Peter Beardsley
  • 10. When Doves Cry by Prince
    genre: not quite synth pop, not really rock, bassless yet soulful, just plain awesome
  • 9. November Rain by Guns n Roses
    a thing of pure beauty
  • 8. Dirty Diane by Michael Jackson
    everyone seems to forget that Jacko could rock
  • 7. Father Figure by George Michael
    a memorable chorus and a great song
  • 6. Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
    come on...no explanation needed. this just rocks
  • 5. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    an angry protest song with real sincerity
  • 4. Somebody by Depeche Mode
    the best love song no one knows about
  • 3. I Melt With You by Modern English
    a timeless song, but definately 80s
  • 2. Voices Carry by Till Tuesday
    a classic, no doubt about it
  • 1. Time (Clock of the Heart) by Culture Club
    Such underrated composition...such lyrical depth
I tried to get in one song from all the great artists more than simply the 10 best songs, because then it would've been a list of nothing but Culture Club, U2, and Depeche Mode.
By: Mark
By: Gilda Flockard
  • 10. 1999 by Prince
    I love his little split sooo sexy! Purple rain for ever.
  • 9. With Or Without You by U2
    Bonos words are powerful and so is this song I have this song on my cell phone when ever my phone rings everyone stops and listens.
  • 8. Ill Tumble 4 Ya by Cultrue Club
    Why does no1 have this song it rules.
  • 7. Strange Love by Depeche Mode
    Who didnt love this song.
  • 6. Boys Of Summer by Don Henely
    Best video of the 80s its my fantasy what a great ballad.
  • 5. Safety Dance by Men At Work
    Ultimite party song you had to love them.
  • 4. Shake Your Love by Debbie Gibson
    I love her she was the good girl of pop in the 80s.
  • 3. Dont Stand So Close To Me by The Police
    You gotta love the whole group in a classroom acting crazy Sting being a teacher just a classic.
  • 2. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    OMG. What girl didnt wanna kiss Jon with his big 80s hair colgate smile tight ripped jeans, small ass, big boots, strong arms, and voice.He was the ultimate 80s dream guy.
  • 1. Keep On Lovin You by Reo Speed Wagon
    Ill keep on lovin this song I just remember my prom and dancing to it Reo speed wagons the best band of the 80s by far!
By: D. Fraser
  • 10. Missing You by John Waite
    This should probably be #1.
  • 9. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    This song is a cry for help.
  • 8. You're a Friend of Mine by Jackson Browne
    very happy tune.
  • 7. All at Once by Whitney Houston
    I could feel the emotion in elementary school!
  • 6. Shake You Down by Greg Abbott
  • 5. Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh
  • 4. Africa by Toto
  • 3. Taken In by Mike and the Mechanics
  • 2. Something About You by Level 42
    Great song. Great voice.
  • 1. I Don't Want To Live Without You by Foreigner
    I could hear this song 100 times in a row.
By: Andre Liberal
  • 10. Human by Human League
  • 9. I Know This Much Is True by Spandau ballet
  • 8. Broken Wings by Mr. Mister
  • 7. Sunday Morning by Bolshoi
  • 6. Danger Zone by Kenny Logins
    This music describes today
  • 5. Sweetest Taboo / Smooth Operator / Paradise by Sade
    Sade´s voice is cooooool!!
  • 4. All Over The World by Spy vs. Spy
    Everybody that surf must to listen it before go to beach
  • 3. Down Under / Mistake / Who Can It Be Now? by Men at Work
    Classic 80`s australian rock
  • 2. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
  • 1. Notorious by Duran Duran
    A classic 80´s european rock
By: Punk Lawyer
  • 10. Ask by The Smiths
    Two in the top ten and deservedly so...
  • 9. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
    They could have really been something...oh yeah, they did become New Order.
  • 8. She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
    Did they record this in an old empty castle or something?
  • 7. Kerosene by Big Black
    Disturbingly simple but amazing.
  • 6. Love Vigilantes by New Order
    Guitar rock from a synth band...excellent
  • 5. Alex Chilton by The Replacements
    Great energy
  • 4. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    One of the catchiest songs in history.
  • 3. People are People by Depeche Mode
    Great song with a great message.
  • 2. Makes No Sense At All by Husker Du
    One of the most overlooked bands of the 80s.
  • 1. The Boy With the Thorn In His Side by The Smiths
    Listen to it and you will know why its number one.
By: Karrie
  • 10. Wild Boys by Duran Duran
    Why didn't anyone mention These guys more!?!?!??!!?
  • 9. Careless Whisper by George Michaels
    I'm never gonna dance... *Sigh*
  • 8. Fight For Your Right To Party by Beastie Boys
    Of Course!
  • 7. Puttin' On The Ritz by Taco
    Oh come on... you KNOW you loved this song just admit it! It's viral! Infectious!
  • 6. Eternal Flame by The Bangles
    How could any top 10 list for 80's music be complete without The Bangles?
  • 5. House of Fun by Madness
    I remember seeing this Video for the first time on The Young Ones. I was so pumped! Madness where are you now???
  • 4. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    Another sexy song.
  • 3. Angel in the Centerfold by J. Giles band
    Oh My!!!! I remember being kinda young when this one came out on video and I thought WOW! this is sexy!
  • 2. Come on Eileen by Dexies Midnight Runners
    Eileen wanted to be bad she didn't need persuading! But it's so much fun when a guy begs!
  • 1. Our House (In the Middle of a Street) by Madness
    Come on this song was an instant classic!
By: Jack Ransone
By: Jimmy D.
  • 10. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
    Good Song.
  • 9. Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
    Really sappy.
  • 8. Upside Down by Diana Ross
  • 7. Gloria by Laura Brannigan
    Another good song.
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Before he got weird.
  • 5. Sweet Dreams by Eurthymics
  • 4. Money For Nothing by Dire Straits
    Good Song.
  • 3. For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton
  • 2. General Hospi-tale by Afternoon Delites
  • 1. Physical by Olivia Newton-John
    because she went from pop tart to country wannabe to slut

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