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: Davey
  • 10. Tom Sawyer by Rush
    Rush's best song from the 80's
  • 9. Sorrow by Pink Floyd
    Not a very big single but I am a huge Pink Floyd fan and loved their songs from the 80's also. Amazing vocals and guitar playing by David Gilmour
  • 8. Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
    Just a marvelous song, period!
  • 7. Hells Bells by AC/DC
    AC/DC's best song from the 80's from AC/DC's best album Back In Black
  • 6. Where Is My Mind? by The Pixies
    An underground college hit from a very influencial band
  • 5. One by Metallica
    Probably the greatest guitar solos I ever heard by Kirk Hammett with meaningful and aggressive lyrics... great ending also
  • 4. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
    The funkiest beat song I ever heard from a rock band with great vocals by the incredible, Freddy mercury
  • 3. Raining Blood by Slayer
    I have a great interest in speed metal and this is just a thrash masterpiece!
  • 2. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
    Slash's solo is such a beauty..........................There's nothing else to say about this song but that it's so close of being the greatest of the 80's
  • 1. Master of Puppets by Metallica
    Yes Metallica again, but this time with the greatest song og the 80's... just a havy metal classic with a great melodic bridge... some of the fastest guitars ever and of course well written lyrics....
Metallica is the best band of the 80's.
By: Sue
  • 10. All Over The World by ELO
  • 9. Pilot of The Airwaves by Charlie Dore
  • 8. Gone Gone Gone She's Been Gone So Long by Chilliwack
  • 7. Whose Behind The Door by Zebra
  • 6. I Love You by The Climax Blues Band
  • 5. No Smoke Without A Fire by Bad Company
  • 4. Sausalito Summer by Diesel
  • 3. All Those Years Ago by George Harrison
  • 2. Queen of Broken Hearts by Loverboy
  • 1. Aleah by Donny Iris
Does anyomne remember these awesome 80's songs that you just NEVER hear anymore??? Well try downloading them and listen to a clip, it will FOR SURE give you an 80's Retro Flashback..............
By: Andy from Boston
  • 10. I Can Almost Hear You Sigh by Rolling Stones
    Steel Wheels is the best Stones album ever. Jagger pours it out in this one, but really the whole album gets equal credit.
  • 9. Not Enough Time by INXS
    Beyond a love song. Anything else from Welcome equally qualifies!
  • 8. Save It For Later by English Beat
    Tossup between this and The Game by Echo and the Bunnymen
  • 7. Close To Me by The Cure
    Hard to come up with a definitive Cure song, but you can't get any more Cure than this one.
  • 6. Do They Know Its Christmas by Band Aid
    Defining moment in 80s history.
  • 5. Lovergirl by Teena Marie
    Her singing style has an underrated in-your-face attitude.
  • 4. Add It Up by Violent Femmes
    Tossup between this and Rock Lobster for great party song!
  • 3. Wrapped Around Your Finger by Police
    This one never seemed overplayed!
  • 2. Whisper to a Scream by Icicle Works
    The best of MTV. Beats out a-ha, DD, Flock of Seagulls by a spiked hair.
  • 1. Surrender by U2
    Everything good about the "old" U2. The Unforgettable Fire is equally worthy!
Too many others to make a top-10 list worthy - West End Girls, Sisters of Mercy, a few from Van Halen 1984, The Outfield, C&C Music Factory to name a few!
By: Yulia
  • 10. Eyes Without a Face by Billy Idol
  • 9. Flesh for Fantasy by Billy Idol
  • 8. Highway to Hell by ACDC
  • 7. Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol
  • 6. White Wedding by Billy Idol
  • 5. L.A. Woman by Billy Idol
  • 4. God Save the Queen by The Sex Pistols
  • 3. You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive
  • 2. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
  • 1. Cradle of Love by Billy Idol
    Cradle of Love is the best song in the world, sung by the best singer in the world, Billy Idol!
Billy Idol ROCKS!
By: michelle shephard
  • 10. Lucky Star by Madonna
    she was the pop queen then outrageous,different and still is!!!!
  • 9. Dont Stand So Close To Me by The Police
    what more can i say we all fancied sting !!!! umm lovely he gets more sexier as he gets older ...lucky trudie
  • 8. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    i could listen to this song over and over again - it will never go out of music fashion for electro pop/dance they are brill!!!!
  • 7. Everything Counts In Large Amounts by Depeche Mode
  • 6. Time by Culture Club
    well when it first came out (boy george) i didnt know if he was girl/boy but the song was different and have loved this song from the first time I heard it - it brings back fond memories of me trying to get my make-up just like george....
  • 5. Alive And Kicking by Simple Minds
    why cant they produce hits now like this one!!!!
  • 4. Jump by Pointer Sisters
    will always love this very energetic dance floor filler!!!!
  • 3. Must Be An Angel by Eurythmics
    hummed this tune forever , annie lennox has a fantastic voice luv it!
  • 2. A Night To Remember by Shalamar
    very disco always wanted to dress as trendy as jodie watley (one of the lead singers)now used unfortunately as gala bingo theme song
  • 1. Reflex by Duran Duran
    typically 80's expensive video, very brash eighties,danced on many dance floors to this song in my stilletos, love it sums eighties lah lah lah reflex flex flex flex.....
i have too many favourites just a few that remind me that the eighties was the best era ever......
By: Sean
  • 10. You Can't Bring Me Down by Suicidal Tendancies
    Yeaaahhhhh!
  • 9. Gods Of War by Def Leppard
    The Hysteria album was fantastic
  • 8. Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
    Not sure if this is 70s or 80s but i have an acoustic version and it rocks
  • 7. The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen
    love this
  • 6. Haunted when the Minutes Drag by Bahaus
    Put this here for my friend who is no longer with us... he loved this song i like it too
  • 5. The Glory of Love by Peter Cetera
    I watched the karate kid countless time, cruel summer also worth a mention on that soundtrack
  • 4. Mr. Brownstone by Guns N' Roses
    what an album appetite is any of those could be here
  • 3. 18 And A Life by Skid Row
    Think it was 80s gr8 song tho
  • 2. Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
    What can i saw just a great song
  • 1. Fascination Street by The Cure
    Just brilliant could of had so many from them, a Forest, Lovesong, close to me, lullaby
By: Ramiro from Argentina
  • 10. David Bowie by Modern Love
    Just a grat song from Bowie
  • 9. Don´t You (forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    The Breakfast Club, Molly Ringwald, That kid...Hall, hughes the director, and stupid Vermon...simpler times...
  • 8. 99 Red Baloons by Nena
    It catches the "spirit" of the cold war fear of walking up to a nuclear blast
  • 7. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
    In Argentina there was a very popular Tv Show for kids finishing high-school (Happy Sundays!). If they pass a series of "tests" they would win a snow trip...one of those tests were receating a dance scene from a movie, they would have to choose from Footlose and Dirty DAncing...Awesome
  • 6. Take On Me by A-HA
    The vide was amazing...simpler times
  • 5. Wild Wild Life by Talking Heads
    One of the Best songs of Talking Heads (although is hard to pick just one)
  • 4. Rudy Can't Fail by The Clash
    Greate song that proves that those guys really went further Punk
  • 3. Our House by Madness
    I knew this song during Law School, were I met a few guys absolutly into Ska!
  • 2. Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Srpingsteen
    I love the song since I cought it on a movie (but I don't know the name of it)- actor the guy from the Matchstick men that is not Cage) (He is a great actor)Also the video with Courtney Cox
  • 1. Oh L'amour by Erasure
    One of the best songs of the late 80's (the only part I really remember since I was born on 1980)
So many out of list: Bands: Queen, Kiss, Duran Duran, Dire Straits, Poison, the 80's hairs up heavy metal, Van Halen, Roxy Music, The smiths (I can´t belive I didn´t choose at least ono of their songs) Got to say something: Viva los grupos ochentososos de la Argentina Democratica!
By: Leo
By: Catman
  • 10. Catch My Fall by Billy Idol
    If i should stumble........................
  • 9. Cold Hearted Snake by Paula abdul
    Hes just a cold hearted snake...............
  • 8. Englishman in New York by The Police
    Oh Oh im an alien im a legal alien................
  • 7. Whos That Girl by Madonna
    Whos that girl seneriti oh baby.................
  • 6. Tell Me When(will I See You Again) by Human League
    Will i see you again.....................
  • 5. Family Man by Roachford
    Getting high getting drunk out with your dad man you were so cool...............
  • 4. I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
    You can stand me up at the gates of hell no i won't back down............
  • 3. Waterfall by The Stone Roses
    Stand or slip inside the scales are in her eyes....................
  • 2. Cars and Girls by Prehab Sprout
    Somethings hurt so much more than cars and girls..........
  • 1. Ghost Train by Madness
    Its Black and White don't try to hide it............
80s till i die.........forever..........
By: Jeremy
  • 10. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    The song that defined 80s sound.
  • 9. Legs by ZZ Top
    AWESOME video, great guitar sound.
  • 8. Africa by Toto
  • 7. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
  • 6. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
    The Boss is THE best. Period.
  • 5. Hurts So Good by John Mellencamp
    Cool opening guitar solo.
  • 4. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    The Police were an awesome band.
  • 3. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
    The Joshua Tree is a great album, and this is the best song from it. Great lyrics, great sound.
  • 2. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    From Michael's biggest album comes his biggest song ever. Great song, great story, wow he actually used to be cool. Now he's a sketchball.
  • 1. Jump by Van Halen
    Eddie Van Halen only scored #44 on Rolling Stone's recent top 100 guitarists list, but this song should have put him in the twenties. My favorite song from the 80s.
Honorable mention: Thriller, Panama, Beat It, Hungry Like The Wolf, Dancing In The Dark, Don't Stop Believin' (Journey had a great sound), Start Me Up (One of the Rolling Stones' best songs and their big hit from the 80s)
By: Heretic
  • 10. Journey by Faithfully
    Still the best 'lonely band on the road too long without the ones they love' song I've ever heard (even edging out Load out/Stay by Jackson Brown)
  • 9. The Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    The last images you see in the video are of Don Henley backing out of a driveway, then driving down a street in L.A. (?), his eyes visible in the rearview mirror. Becoming unstuck and moving forward again into the future but looking back on the past. Still the best metaphor I've ever seen on film.
  • 8. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
    The song that taught mainstream America what a bass groove was
  • 7. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    The main title theme from 'The Breakfast Club'; it belongs on every 80s Top 10 List
  • 6. Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
    Defines all the hopes and dreams my friends and I had when it was still the 80s and we were still young
  • 5. Somebody by Depeche Mode
    Pure poetry to a sixteen-year-old romantic
  • 4. The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News
    Back to the Future ('nuff said)
  • 3. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) by Phil Collins
    My future wife and I had this same song in mind for each other years after we broke up.
  • 2. Hard Habit to Break by Chicago
    You know why they're called crushes? Boy meets girl, boy swoons, boy never has a chance, boy gets his feelings crushed.
  • 1. King Of Pain by The Police
    The song conjures more images of loneliness and alienation than any song I've ever heard.
Honorable mention (obscure songs and minor hits that should not be lost in time, like tears in rain...): Leaving Me Now - Level 42; Eleven (Live)- Opus; Brilliant Mind - Furniture; To Live and Die in L.A. - Wang Chung; It Doesn't Matter - Depeche Mode; Everyday is like Sunday - Morrissey; The Working Hour - Tears for Fears; Is It A Crime - Sade; The Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire (Instrumental) - David Foster; Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny) - Elton John; The River Runs Low - Bruce Hornsby and The Range; I'll Be Alright Without You - Journey
By: dug
  • 10. How Soon is Now by Smiths
  • 9. Every Day I Write the Book by Elvis Costello
  • 8. Dont Stop the Dance by Bryan Ferry
  • 7. New Order by Bizarre Love Triangle
    Never quite got the title to this song, unless it has some relation to the christian trinity
  • 6. Secret by OMD
  • 5. I Confess by English Beat
    Cant decide on my top five order, they are all great
  • 4. Pale Shelter by Tears for Fears
    Cant decide on my top five order, they are all great
  • 3. I Will Follow by U2
    Cant decide on my top five order, they are all great
  • 2. In Between Days by Cure
    Cant decide on my top five order, they are all great
  • 1. Forever Young by Alphaville
    Cant decide on my top five order, they are all great
Too many others - hard to select top 10; other greats are: Alive and Kicking, Simple Minds; Celebration, New Order; Bring on the Dancing Horses, Echo and the Bunnymen; Talk Talk by Talk Talk; Love my Way, Pysch furs; Red Rain, Peter Gabriel (or in your eyes); Number with Wings, Bongos (obscure); E=MC2, Big Audio Dynamite; Save a Prayer, Duran
By: DJ Shawn Flint
  • 10. Rockit by Herbie Hancock
    The first big song to use scratching (invented by DJ Grand Wizard Theordore, Bronx, NY and used so brilliantly by Grandmaster DXT on this track)
  • 9. Egypt, Egypt by The Egyptian Love
    This song's driving hi-hat (courtesty of the Roland 808 drum machine) drove us into a breakdancing frenzy.
  • 8. Basketball by Kurtis Blow
    It's simple. You put this song on the ghetto blaster (they call them boom boxes today), and then you play the game. Hip Hop and Basketball joined forces at this song's genesis.
  • 7. Freaks Come Out At Night by Whodini
    A dance hall classic. We had our dances at night. We were freaks. Hence, the freaks come out at night. Whodini also set things off with "Friends" which should not be missed.
  • 6. The Roof Is On Fire by Rockmaster Scott
    A very influetial song sampled by the Chemical Brothers, countless others and still a part of our culture today. Many do not know who originally rapped this song.
  • 5. Lodi Dodi by Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick
    First song to use the word "bitch" but oh so much more. Introduced most to beatboxing (making drum sounds with your mouth) although you suburban kids might think it was the Fat Boys. Remember the "Polo Cologne" and "Kangol!" Thankfully Rick was not deported as was widely reported.
  • 4. LL Cool J by Rock The Bells
    LL! Another NY original. This song broke LL in a big way.
  • 3. My Adidas by Run DMC
    Launched bling, hip hop fashion, materialism, etc. Adidas executives were at a Run DMC show when the boys said "everyone show us your Adidas!" and the entire crowd pumped their Adidas in the air. Adidas signed an endorsement deal with the group shortly thereafter. History, my friends.
  • 2. Fight The Power by Public Enemy
    The most powerful rap song ever published. The 80's were coming to a close, and PE hit us HARD with the anthem of "we're not gonna take it anymore" PE's reveleance and staying power as the first major political hip hop group goes down in the history books.
  • 1. The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
    This song was actually rapped by Melle Mel and a guest rapper, Duke Bootee, but set the stage for "story-based" rap and has never been topped. The only true "old school" South Bronx, NY.
It's really impossible to only include 10, and the order could drive you nuts, but this is a great list of songs that deserve more exploration. I tried in include one song from every "genre" within Hip Hop. Note: I excluded, intentionally, "gangsta rap." Everyone forgets Hip Hop was invented in the 70's but took off in the 80's! When it was formed, it was about love, dancing, graffiti, music, art, poetry, and paying homage to the great musicians and songs of all time (sampling). It should always be remembered as that, a ridiculously original and amazing American art form.
By: guy
By: t-money
my eighties top ten....although all of the eighties rocked
By: Sean
  • 10. No More Lies by Neil Schon & Jan Hammer
    I completely forgot about this song until I heard it on the 80's channel last year on my cable system. This was a cool song!
  • 9. Rock & Roll Party In The Streets by Axe
    I can remember cruising around, thinking we were cool and hearing this song.
  • 8. Round and Round by Ratt
    Sure, you laugh now, but you used to think it was cool. I still do! Now stop laughing!
  • 7. Shapes of Things by Gary Moore
    If you hear it, you'll know it. This one rocks and has some awsome guitar work. Afterall, the guitar work is what made 80's music isn't it?
  • 6. Mama Were All Crazy Now by Mama's Boys
    Not the Quiet Riot version. Quiet Riot did a good job on it, but the Mama's Boys did even better. The guitar work is much better.
  • 5. Strange Dreams by Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush
    Another unknown. This song was their biggest hit, and if you heard it, you'd recognize it.
  • 4. Easy Livin' by Fastway
    Not too popular, but one of my favorites.
  • 3. Magic by Cars
    This song was such a hit my senior year in high school. Right after graduation, my parents left on vacation for 3 weeks. Solid party, and I remember this song was always on the radio. What memories!
  • 2. You Got Lucky by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
    Everytime that I hear this one, I always think of the video. That's the one that they are in the future and the world is deserted. They find a shelter with all sorts of cool stereo equipment and video games. I think all of my friends and I wished that we could have that happen to us!
  • 1. Cars by Gary Numan
    This one is one of the bigger hits of the 80's that everyone has heard and most people usually list that as an 80's song that they remember.
I have quite a few rare ones, but if you'd like some real popular honorable mentions, then here ya go: Destroyer - The Kinks, Easy Lover - Phillip Bailey & Phil Collins, Find Another Fool and Harden My Heart - Quarterflash, Goodbye To You - Scandal, Heavy Metal - Don Felder, Lay It On The Line - Triumph, Love Is Like A Rock and Ah! Leah - Donnie Iris, Mental Hopscotch - Missing Persons, Object Of My Desire - Starpoint, Party All Night - Quiet Riot, (You Can Still) Rock In America - Night Ranger, Stick To Your Guns - Motley Crue and anything from Van Halen with David Lee Roth!
By: Diane
  • 10. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    This song is so easy to sing along to. It is very unique, which is great because it will be remembered.
  • 9. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    This song has a catchy beat and melody, and Nena has a great voice.
  • 8. Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp
    John Mellencamp is awesome, and he's even from my home state!
  • 7. Born In the USA by Bruce Springsteen
    I love the beat, and I agree with Bruce's stance on being against the Vietnam War!
  • 6. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
    Awesome song from an awesome singer!
  • 5. Every Rose Has it's Thorn by Poison
    If you're ever feeling down about a relationship, listen to this song. This is definitely Poison's best song. It is so easy to relate to.
  • 4. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns n' Roses
    I like this song because it is deep and easy to listen to. G&R rock!
  • 3. Land Down Under by Men at Work
    This song is funny.........haven't gotten tired of it yet.
  • 2. Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
    Definitely Duran Duran's best song.
  • 1. Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
    I love the melody of this song!
By the way, I was born in 1988, which means that I did not grow up in the 80s. Nevertheless, I have developed a huge interest in 80s music. I don't care how old the music is! LONG LIVE THE 80s!! Peace Out!
By: Virginia Miller
  • 10. Don't You Want Me by Human League
    This is probably my very favorite 80's song ever to be written. I Love it.
  • 9. With Or Without You by U2
    classic
  • 8. Dont' You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    love breakfast club
  • 7. Tables Turning by Modern English
    This song rocks my world, if you haven't heard it-get it.
  • 6. West end Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    This is a ten.
  • 5. Under Pressure by David Bowie and Queen
    Mr. Ice just didn't quite do the trick.
  • 4. The Cure by Lullaby
    My fave. cure song
  • 3. Voices Carry by 'Til Tuesday
    Classic.
  • 2. Mad World by Tears for fears
    Again, amazing.
  • 1. I ran (so far away) by Flock of Seagulls
    This song is just damn amazing.
I think that this decade produced the best music ever. If you're into this sort of music, e-mail me.
By: Angie
  • 10. Alone Again by Dokken
  • 9. Shake It Up by The Cars
  • 8. Hot Hot Hot!!! by The Cure
  • 7. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure
  • 6. Losing My Religion by REM
    I remember this song from when I was a wee youngin'...for some reason it brings up memories of the movie theatre...hmm....
  • 5. Talking in Your Sleep by The Romantics
    Doesn't anyone remember this song? It's so...catchy...
  • 4. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears For Fears
  • 3. Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo
    What can I say? Everyone knows Danny Elfman is a genius.
  • 2. Just What I Needed by The Cars
  • 1. Every Breath You Take by The Police
By: CESAR PEREZ
  • 10. Patience by Guns N roses
    Goodbye glam rockˇ
  • 9. Drive by The Cars
    I still remember her, but she's wed. Who's gonna pick you up?
  • 8. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
    Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup. There's a bullet hole in your pants
  • 7. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    A sort of hymn in my prom party (primary, of course)
  • 6. Close To Me by The Cure
    My adolescence beginsˇ
  • 5. New Year's Day by U2
    greatˇ the eve nightˇ the terrorist always blowed up at least a electric tower so: black out in our cityˇ
  • 4. Everything Counts by Depeche Mode
    in large amounts, everything counts. SHORTAGE TIME. We had to buy some food to queue up.
  • 3. If You Leave by OMD
    My first time
  • 2. Big Mouth Strikes Again by The Smiths
    One of the best eighties bands, my fav.
  • 1. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    In my country a terrorist group called 'Shinning Path' was killing innocent people. I used to listen this song in my room hearing some bombs noise as well.
These songs are not in order. Sorry for my bad Englishˇ

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