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: Henrik Dons Christensen
  • 10. RE-SEPP-TEN by VM holdet
    A Danish football song from the eighties. I'm sorry that I placed danish tracks on this list because only 1 out of 1100 is danish, but I have lived with this song nearby all of my life and I love it.
  • 9. Kom tilbage nu by Danseorkestret
    I Know that any of know don't know this song, but it's far the most played song on danish discos. It's from the danish eighties and it is still played as much as 50 cents and britney spears
  • 8. Gold or True by Spandau Ballet
    if you don't know these songs you are not a true eighties freek
  • 7. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    this is firstclass eighties music
  • 6. Our House by Madness
    In the middle of our street
  • 5. Panic by The Smiths
    Great like all the other smiths hits like this charming man, heaven knows I'm miserable now etc.
  • 4. Sex Dwarf by Soft Cell
    I heard this song quite recently at a friend of mine. I haden't heard it before, but it's from the eighties and sounds great. Isn't it nice/Sugar and spice/luring disco dollies/to a life on vice
  • 3. Rio by Duran Duran
    I've just downloaded the music video for this song and i like it. I damn like it Dura Duran was the eighties. Absolutely. (eventhough, I like the songs below more than this song)
  • 2. Blue Monday by New Order
    I Like this song too. It's a kind of Depeche Mode sound or maybe it's otherwise.
  • 1. Never Ending Story by Limahl
    Oh, what a wonderful song. It reminds me of a movie with a flying dog. Oh that was a great movie too.
I'm from 1984 so I haven't listend to much music in my first 6 years. I remember some queen but that's not the best music I know.
By: Michelle
  • 10. Sunset Grill by Don Henley
    It puts me in a romantic mood when I hear it. I think about my fiance and it reminds me of the pubs we went to when I went to visit him in Ireland.
  • 9. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight by Genesis
    Something to listen to when you are in a really, really dark state of mind.
  • 8. Kyrie by Mr. Mister
    Come on. Even if you are not having any sort of religious experience, which is basically the whole premise of this song, you turn it up really loud and wave your arms in the air. You know you do.
  • 7. While The Night Is Still Young by Billy Joel
    This is an incredibly sexy song. It will make you fall in love all over again.
  • 6. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police
    This will cheer you up every single time you hear it.
  • 5. I'll Be Alright Without You by Journey
    The melody of this song is gorgeous. It's not exactly the happiest song in the world, but it wraps around your heart, and I love that.
  • 4. Foolish Heart by Steve Perry
    Now, who hasn't heard this song and cried at least once after it was over?
  • 3. Just the Same Way by Journey
    A great echo effect. It's like Journey now...there will always be Steve Perry in the background.
  • 2. Faithfully by Journey
    This will strengthen any long distance relationship. Trust me.
  • 1. Feelin' That Way/Anytime by Journey
    This is my number one song. It's cheerful, the harmony is fantastic, and I will always turn it up when I hear it.
Notice that the top five spots are occupied by either Journey or Steve Perry. As you may have guessed, they are my favorite band. It's hard to pick favorites from my 80's tunes, since it's basically all I listen to and I enjoy it all, practically! If you love the 80's, please e-mail me.
By: Dann
  • 10. We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel
    "JFK blown away, what else do i hve to say"
  • 9. Mad World by Tears for Fears
    Recent covers aside, a great song
  • 8. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
    fun, but with a moral.
  • 7. Going Underground by The Jam
    Wellers barking vocals, the sound of polital music.
  • 6. White Man In Hammersmith Palais by The Clash
    Could have picked so many clash songs, for me this edges it.
  • 5. Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits
    Great story telling by a great band
  • 4. Our House by Madness
    wistful memories..
  • 3. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
    no comment - billy idol
  • 2. So Lonely by The Police
    I heard a band merge this into bob marleys 'no woman no cry' it was awesome
  • 1. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure
    Probably the best, but to be honest could just as easily be 'lovecats'or 'inbetween days'
By: Kathryn Keishia Dannii
  • 10. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Sure it's about a twisted, perverted sort of love but you can't help but like it or its video.
  • 9. Africa by Toto
    Very memorable.
  • 8. Celebration by Kool & The Gang
    At least there was something to cheer about back then.
  • 7. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    A great dance and very catchy.
  • 6. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    The best song about humanity's stupidity. The German version is better.
  • 5. Photograph by Def Leppard
    Thier best song.
  • 4. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    This is excellent for Karaoke.
  • 3. With Or Without You by U2
    All of U2's songs are powerful and meaningful.
  • 2. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Totally inspirational and power. Bon Jovi's best song ever!
  • 1. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    Who says I have to follow tradition?
It is unfair to just choose ten, so I'll choose another 10 as well. #11: We are the World by USA for Africa. #12: Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. #13: Take on Me by a-ha. #14: The Final Countdown by Europe. #15: Sunday, Bloody Sunday by U2. #16: Like a Prayer by Madonna. 17#: Another one bites the Dust by Queen. #18: Hungry like the Wolf by Duran Duran. #19: Jump by Van Halen. #20: In you eyes by Peter Gabriel
By: Tim Grayson
  • 10. Whip It by Devo
    DEVO WAS A GREAT NEW WAVE BAND AND I STILL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THEY GOT TOO?
  • 9. Dreaming by Blondie
    I GUESS YOU CAN TELL IM A BIG BLONDIE FAN LOL.
  • 8. Funky Town by Lipps, Inc.
    THIS IS ONE HELL OF A DANCE SONG
  • 7. Like A Prayer by Madonna
    SHE IS OUEEN
  • 6. One Way Or Another by Blondie
    YOUR STILL GOING TO HERE THIS SONG IN MOVIES TODAY.
  • 5. Back In Black by AC/DC
    THEY ARE THE BEST HAVEY METAL BAND EVER
  • 4. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    Madonna was and still is hot.
  • 3. Heart Of Glass by Blondie
    THIS IS A GREAT DANCE SONG AND STILL IS IN THE YEAR 2004.
  • 2. I Love Rock 'N Roll by Jonn Jett and the Blackhearts
    There is no list form the 80s wiht out jonn Jett.
  • 1. Call me by Blondie
    This is one of the best songs i have ever heard.
By: Tim Grayson
  • 10. Whip It by Devo
    DEVO WAS A GREAT NEW WAVE BAND AND I STILL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THEY GOT TOO?
  • 9. Dreaming by Blondie
    I GUESS YOU CAN TELL IM A BIG BLONDIE FAN LOL.
  • 8. Funky Town by Lipps, Inc.
    THIS IS ONE HELL OF A DANCE SONG
  • 7. Like A Prayer by Madonna
    SHE IS OUEEN
  • 6. One Way Or Another by Blondie
    YOUR STILL GOING TO HERE THIS SONG IN MOVIES TODAY.
  • 5. Back In Black by AC/DC
    THEY ARE THE BEST HAVEY METAL BAND EVER
  • 4. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    Madonna was and still is hot.
  • 3. Heart Of Glass by Blondie
    THIS IS A GREAT DANCE SONG AND STILL IS IN THE YEAR 2004.
  • 2. I Love Rock 'N' Roll by Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
    There is no list form the 80s wiht out jonn Jett.
  • 1. Call Me by Blondie
    This is one of the best songs i have ever heard.
By: Becki C
  • 10. Poison by Alice Cooper
    pucker up!
  • 9. Once Bitten Twice Shy by Great White
    whatever!
  • 8. Everybody's Working For The Weekend by Loverboy
    how come no one had this one?
  • 7. Cherry Pie by Warrant
    wicked awesome song.
  • 6. Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot
    not so quiet any more.
  • 5. Cult Of Personality by Living Colour
    a monster of rock how could we forget?
  • 4. Seventeen by Winger
    classic fur sure.
  • 3. Africa by Toto
    i come from the land down under too.
  • 2. Kiss Me Deadly by Lita Ford
    i went to a party last saturday night....! lita rocks!!!
  • 1. Round And Round by Ratt
    come on where is the rock!
i love 80's rock and roll, thankyou Mtv and Vh1 for educating the world on the greatest lost era in history!
By: james doyle
  • 10. Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones
    could of been done in the seventies but tons of punk bands are judged by how well they can cover this song
  • 9. Take On Me by a-ha
    eighties emo
  • 8. Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
    should be everyone's favorite.....
  • 7. She Blinded Me With Science by Thomas Dolby
    i love the scientist
  • 6. Our House by Madness
    our house was indeed in the middle of the street
  • 5. Turning Japanese by The Vapors
    any song about mastubation is a good song
  • 4. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
    when i wake up, yes i know im gonna be, im gonna be the man who wakes up next to you. beautifal pick up line
  • 3. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    very folky song, come on eileen tolura ey
  • 2. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    everytime i listen to this it takes back to the eighites, and neon?
  • 1. I Melt With You by Modern English
    hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmmm hmm, ill stop the world and melt with you, ive seen the differnce and its getting better all the time.
By: Alvise
By: JASON
Man I miss the 80's. Those were the days when nothing mattered but trying to be the one that everyone wanted to be. Songs like these bring those memories back. Those were the days I truly miss and it's a shame they aren't coming back!
By: Gene P.
  • 10. Fatima by Hassan
    A dance classic out of the Middle East, of all places. Truly one of my favorites.
  • 9. Touch By Touch by Joy
    Disco-edged song and not as well known. Look for it ... another great dance/new wave classic.
  • 8. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    One of a number of New Order masterpieces ... other include True Faith, Tempatation, Perfect Kiss, and Subculture (among many others).
  • 7. Always On My Mind by Pet Shop Boys
    Due to overplay, this song was banned by a couple of stations at its height (ie. Chicago B96 - fools), but catchy as heck; I loved it, as did most of the public.
  • 6. Modigliani by Book Of Love
    Beautiful song ... although, Book of Love's self-titled song comes close (with tons of heart).
  • 5. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    Pure bliss. Another of my favorite songs by the Cure include their earlier work, such as Killing an Arab and Jumping on Someone Else's Train.
  • 4. Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode
    DM was just starting in '81 with this song ... ! A nice set of for what was to follow ... Master and Servant, Somebody, Blasphemous Rumours, Never Let Me Down Again, etc.
  • 3. Oh L'Amour by Erasure
    Erasure (who had a lengthy and great career) could never quite top this classic, which, IMO, still stands the test of time.
  • 2. It's My Life by Talk Talk
    Another classic; I can't say enough of this song. (No Doubt's version pale's in comparison ... and makes me cringe.)
  • 1. Forever Young by Alphaville
    The classic song of new wave 80's. Simply the best.
[Honorable mentions]: "Cccan't You See" by Vicious Pink ('... back in your arms is where I want to be!'), "Nowhere Girl" by B-Movie (esp. the Just Say No series mixed version), "Rio" by Duran Duran, "Situations" by Cetu Javu (no one knew the artist, but almost every '80's college dance party played it), and "A Quien Le Importa" by Alaska y Dinarama (a Spanish song that is worthy of comparison to its mainly-British wave counterparts).
By: Laura
  • 10. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles
    Oh, how I loved my 1980s MTV....
  • 9. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    "I ran so far a-wayyyyy....".
  • 8. Straight Up by Paula Abdul
    I add this simply because it was a must have for me in 1988. Another must have was Beach Boys' "Kokomo", for interest's sake...and "Electric Youth" by the ever wonderful Ms. Gibson
  • 7. Take On Me by a-ha
    Hauntingly beautiful.
  • 6. Something About You by Level 42
    For some reason, this is one I crank up in my car...I just love it.
  • 5. Need You Tonight/Mediate by INXS
    Absolutely incredible beat, absolutely incredible band. "Never Tear Us Apart" is also noteworthy here.
  • 4. She Blinded Me With Science by Thomas Dolby
    "SCIENCE!!" God help Mr. Pyke should I ever encounter him on the street...if he's not already dead.
  • 3. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics
    Annie Lennox is amazing...although this song is my favorite, one could add in "Here Comes the Rain Again", "Angel", and "Love is a Stranger".
  • 2. The Living Years by Mike And The Mechanics
    Another sappy, sentimental one that invades my memories....
  • 1. Sowing The Seeds Of Love by Tears For Fears
    The song that I remember loving the most during the '80s (I was born in 1982)...I listen to it incessantly to this day.
One must pay their dues to Duran Duran for being only one of the greatest pop bands ever. Suck it, NSync.
By: bob
  • 10. Cold Blood by Kix
  • 9. Loving You Sunday Morning by Scorpions
  • 8. No Surprise by Ratt
  • 7. Rock Candy by Bullet Boys
  • 6. Kid Ego by Extreme
  • 5. Pissed by Dangerous Toys
  • 4. Blackout (In The Red Room) by Love/Hate
  • 3. Unchain The Night by Dokken
  • 2. Heaven Tonight by Yngwie Malmsteen
  • 1. Inside Out by XYZ
directions... 1. download 2. copy to disc 3. kick back 4. crack beer 5. become educated.
By: Alan
All Michael Jackson songs are excluded from this list due to his little "adventures" since the 80's.
By: emily
  • 10. Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
  • 9. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
  • 8. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    I remember listening to this at the skating rink when I was little but I had no clue what the words were back then. I just knew I like it!
  • 7. Centerfold by J. Geils Band
  • 6. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    My favorite local band does an awesome cover of this song!
  • 5. Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    Great song! I even like the new version by the Atari's!
  • 4. Faithfully by Journey
    I remember dancing to this song at all my high school dances.
  • 3. Walk This Way by Run DMC & Aerosmith
    Who would've thought to put rock and rap together? Awesome song!
  • 2. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'N' Roses
    Guns-N-Roses was my favorite rock band of the 80's and this is my favorite song by them!
  • 1. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    One of the best songs by THE best entertainer EVER!!!!!
By: Nate Peterson
  • 10. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    The epitome of the early 80s.
  • 9. Doctor Doctor by The Thompson Twins
    Never forget the first time I heard it...
  • 8. Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes
    Best when played loud.
  • 7. One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head
    I get my kicks above the waist line, Sunshine.
  • 6. Faithfully by Journey
    Ah, high-school slow dances.
  • 5. I Melt With You by Modern English
    Forget the Burger King ad.
  • 4. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Classic.
  • 3. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    Refuses to get old. Even after years of playback.
  • 2. Strangelove by Depeche Mode
    Insert any DM song here. Really.
  • 1. Blue Monday by New Order
    I can name 100 songs that came after this with roots in this tune. A true masterpiece.
I may have a completely different top 10 another day. But this suits me fine.
By: Kim
  • 10. Don't Stand So Close To Me by The Police
    Really, anything by the Police rocks. I can't think of a single song of theirs that I don't like. Great band all around.
  • 9. Sara by Starship
    Pure 80's. This one'll get stuck in your head for a while. "Storms are brewing in your eyes"
  • 8. Need You Tonight by INXS
    Michael Hutchence was so ahead of his time. This song could be released today and it would still be cool.
  • 7. True by Spandau Ballet
    This song and the video epitomize what the 80's were all about - the saxophone solo is what I remember the most.
  • 6. Into The Groove by Madonna
    So many to choose from, but this one seems to have the 80's vibe down pat.
  • 5. Hall & Oates by I Can't Go For That
    This one is so nostalgic for me - my Dad loved anything by Hall and Oates! So catchy.
  • 4. Shake It Up by The Cars
    This one is irresistible! Put it on, and you'll be in a better mood instantly!
  • 3. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
    George Michael has one of the greatest voices in the business, even if this song isn't one of his best efforts.
  • 2. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    Love this one - timeless.
  • 1. Girls On Film by Duran Duran
    How can you not move to this one? Truly one of the best of the decade.
Honourable mention: Cars - Gary Neuman Whip It - Devo (come on, what list of 80's songs would be complete without this one?) In the Air At Night - Phil Collins I Ran - Flock of Seagulls R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. - I think this was mid- to late eighties (?) Totally rocks. Let's Dance/China Girl - David Bowie This site is awesome - keep up the good work! Brings back so many good memories.
By: heidi
By: Kerry
  • 10. Truly by Lionel Richie
  • 9. Stand Or Fall by The Fixx
  • 8. Cry by Godley & Creme
  • 7. Voices Of Babylon by The Outfield
  • 6. What Have I Done To Deserve This? by Pet Shop Boys/Dusty Springfield
  • 5. Infected by The The
    Infectious beat!
  • 4. Modern Day Delilah by Van Stephenson
  • 3. Single Life by Cameo
  • 2. Tunnel Of Love by Bruce Springsteen
  • 1. Changes by Yes
By: C.F.
  • 10. Abracadabra by Steve Miller Band
  • 9. Heat Of The Moment by Asia
    Doesnt really go with the rest of these songs but I like it.
  • 8. Stone Cold by Rainbow
  • 7. Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider
  • 6. New Girl Now by Honeymoon Suite
  • 5. Twilight Zone by Golden Earring
  • 4. Burnin' For You by Blue Oyster Cult
  • 3. On The Loose by Saga
  • 2. Fantasy by Aldo Nova
  • 1. Ah Leah! by Donnie Iris
Ok, this is not your standard 80's poppy type stuff. This is some of that rock type stuff, and it is focused on the early 1980s (1980 - 1983) I picked these songs because this was a short time period for this "sound" of rock, which I have become partial to in these past few years. Being born in '79, Im just now discovering this music, so it would be interesting to know how those who were in there teens or 20s or even 30s who like rock thinks about my picks.

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