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: Ellie
By: Brittany
  • 10. Crack City by Tin Machine
    When I heard this song on the Tin Machine album, I knew I'd become addicted to it. And I did. It was a good song.
  • 9. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles
    This song wasn't always a favourite of mine, but when I heard the rerecorded version by The Presidents of the United States of America, I knew I had to hear the original. I loved it!
  • 8. The Boys And The Girls Are Doing It by Vital Signs
    This song was never so important to me until I saw the movie Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and got the soundtrack. It was an energetic song that my sister and I would always dance or play to.
  • 7. Blue Jean by David Bowie
    I heard this song for the first time on Sounds of the 80s: 1984 because I recognized the name from somewhere and knew it was David Bowie. It then made my Top 20 Bowie list, as the first one from the 80s.
  • 6. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
    I remember that I was listening to Sounds of the 80s: 1984 and heard Ghostbusters, which was immediately one of my favourites on there. Every time I watch the movie, I turn the volume all the way up when the song comes on.
  • 5. Cold Metal by Iggy Pop
    Not much to say about the song, but when I first heard it, it caught in my head and I was hooked on it.
  • 4. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
    I first saw this song as the video on Top 80 of the 80s and I fell in love with the song! It became a real looker for me, with all it's wild.
  • 3. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    Even here, it was hard to find a number three, but AC/DC took the spot. I don't really have much of a comment about the song, except that it does sometimes affect me in real life.
  • 2. Jump by Van Halen
    Jump is a perfect song. I mean, it was popluar in the 80s and it's still popular now.
  • 1. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
    Somehow, I felt that this song related to me. Maybe it's because all it means is to dance with yourself, and I get nervous around people. But either way, it took me a fight between Billy Idol songs to find the best of my favourites. I had a Top 20 Idol list going and this was the first song in the end.
Well, that's my list. There were some others I wanted on there, like "White Wedding", "Rebel Yell" and "Blue Highway" by Billy Idol (my very favourite artist) but I was feeling I should give other artists a chance. One from each artist, but it must be a song I love from the 80s. I think it turned out to be a good list. What do you think?
By: Eclectica!
Wierd, huh?
By: inRed
Iron Maiden is the best!
By: Dave
  • 10. Original Sin by INXS
    And wake up to a brand new day.
  • 9. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Remember how the video was shown in different hues (Red/White, Blue/White, Yellow/White, and Black/White)?
  • 8. Save It For Later by English Beat
    English Beat, Madness, and the Specials brought that B&W music thing to the MTV generation.
  • 7. Do You Wanna Hold Me? by Bow Wow Wow
    Yes, I wanted to hold her.
  • 6. Too Shy by KajaGooGoo
    A guilty pleasure of real simplicity.
  • 5. Love My Way by Psychedelic Furs
    Pure 80's sound.
  • 4. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    When this band was still looked down upon by most folks, they were making good music.
  • 3. Rio by Duran Duran
    Hungry Like the Wolf was another heavy hitter for this band.
  • 2. I Melt With You by Modern English
    Somebody else picked this and already commented on it, but I couldn't leave it out.
  • 1. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    Breakfast Club theme song was an anthem for a generation.
By: RTW
  • 10. Verdi Cries by 10,000 Maniacs
    The most poetic song of the era off one of the greatest CDs in rock history, IN MY TRIBE. This delicate, lyrical tune about loss played counterpoint to a decade of excess. It remains one of the most beautiful works of art I've encountered.
  • 9. Oliver's Army by Elvis Costello
    Somewho, he's always forgotten as the best songwriter of the 80s, a man who could blow Sting away with his allusive and illusive wordsmithing and penchant for unforgettable melody.
  • 8. Whisper To A Scream (birds Fly) by Icicle Works
    The lyrics are tough to interpret, but with the majestic vocals and power-packed instrumental track, who cares? This is what rock music used to be.
  • 7. King And Queen Of America by The Eurythmics
    Annie Lennox opens her throat and the music soars. Her range and her emotive delivery lift this track slightly above a decade's worth of superlative material.
  • 6. Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? by Soft Cell
    The full brilliance of "Tainted Love" isn't appreciated without its companion track, "Where Did Our Love Go?" The cover of the Supremes' classic smolders as Marc Almond whisper-sings the lyrics with total abandon.
  • 5. Money Changes Everything by Cyndi Lauper
    One of the most amazing vocal talents of the decade let loose a primal scream as she tore through these lyrics. This was a woman who had had nothing and everything and knew the difference.
  • 4. Come Dancing by The Kinks
    The forgotten geniuses of the 60s British Invasion proved that if they wanted to, they could still throw down a hit. That they produced a witty albeit nostalgic glance back to another time isn't as impressive as the timelessness of the lyrics and melody. Simply splendid.
  • 3. Downtown Train by Rod Stewart
    For my money, the best vocal of his career AND one of the most moving ballads of the decade. He owns this song as few vocalists own any song.
  • 2. Coming Up Close by 'Til Tuesday
    Much more moving than "Voices Carry" and a hint of the brilliant solo work that Aimee Mann would later do
  • 1. What Have I Done To Deserve This? by Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield
    Not only did the Boys revive the career of the woman Elton John described, rightly so, as the greatest white female singer in history, but the subtext of the song was a battle for the soul of pop music: the Boys' monotone synth pop vs. Dusty's soulful pleas. It's as epic as "River Deep, Mountain High" was in its day.
I regret not being able to include REM, U2, Tina Turner, David Bowie, Queen, Roseanne Cash, Patti Labelle, Erasure, Talking Heads and so many other great artists and even one-hit wonders who made listening to radio so special during the last hurrah of the Rock Era.
By: Troy
Living during the 80's was the best, it changed music forever. They were so many good songs & so many we forget about.
By: A.G. Pennypacker
  • 10. Ride Like The Wind by Christopher Cross
    He kicked off the decade...Cross style.
  • 9. What A Fool Believes by The Doobie Brothers
    This song is mostly associated with Micheal McDonald and it should be because this is VERY Micheal McDonald.
  • 8. Money For Nothing by Dire Straits
    This video pioneered the techniques that made it possible for such things as Ice Cube wrestling a giant snake in Anaconda, Bill Pullman wrestling a giant alligator in Lake Placid, and Samuel L. Jackson to be eaten by a giant shark in Deep Blue Sea. Thanks Dire Straits, we owe you one.
  • 7. Drive by The Cars
    See also, "Just What I Needed," "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friends Girl," and "Let's Go."
  • 6. Danny's Song by Kenny Loggins
    The king of 80's soundtracks(Footloose, Caddyshack, Top Gun, etc) has so many other great songs its stupid. How do you do it Kenny? See also "This Is It."
  • 5. Sweet Freedom by Micheal McDonald
    When you wore white t-shirts with pastel colored streaks, you marveled at the salt and pepper wonder that is Micheal McDonald.
  • 4. Faithfully by Journey
    Steve Perry, you dream boat, where are you?
  • 3. In The Living Years by Mike And The Mechanics
    Mike and his Mechanics do me right. See also "All I Need is a Miracle" and "Silent Running."
  • 2. Holding Back The Years by Simply Red
    It doesn't get any better.
  • 1. All Night Long by Lionel Richie
    Someone please explain why this isn't on anyone’s list! I don't have enough appendages to count the number of times I played this song at 2:30 A.M. when spirits are low and lasted (for lack of a better phrase) all night long. Word to the wise in the Bible Belt, remember to purchase your courage in a can and/or bottle before it gets too late. At 2:30 when you only options are stealing or bribing, both can be very costly.
The Fixx, Glen Frey, Cindy Lauper, Genesis, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Fleetwood Mac, Cutting Crew, David Bowie, Yello, Wang Chung, The Outfield, WHAM!, Mr. Mister, Huey Lewis and the News, Men at Work, Eddie Money, The Eurythmics, Yaz, Tears for Fears, Toto, Depeche Mode, The Police, Spandau Ballet, Crowded House, Paul Young, John Parr, Sheena Easton, Howard Jones, Corey Hart, and Billie Ocean! MY GOD BILLIE OCEAN! This was hard.
By: Michael Burgess
  • 10. Rockit by Herbie Hancock
    The undisputed weirdo from the whole gang. This music video was and still is the weirdest music video ever. You cannot argue that.
  • 9. Lights Out by Peter Wolf
    THat annoying voice at the beginning is just too catchy. Why not, this songs fun and addictive. Youll find yourself singing it out loud.
  • 8. Rock Steady by The Whispers
    I have nothing to say here, its just a wonderful song. I love it.
  • 7. Everything She Wants by Wham!
    Well, George Michael is a little bent, but Andrew Ridgely's background singing brought this one here. There's just something about it. Uh huh, Uh Huh, Ooowooow, Ooowooow, Uh huh, Uh huh, do do do, la la la lala.....Priceless
  • 6. Major Tom (Coming Home) by Peter Schilling
    4....3...2..1 Earth below us.......I like it.
  • 5. People Are People by Depeche Mode
    Although Sly Foxes "Let's go all the way", Information Society's "What's On Your Mind", and Nu Shooz's "I Can't Wait" all had incredible 80s sounds and intros, you cant beat the electronic metallic beat. Its absolutely incredible. This song is anything but awful.
  • 4. Don't Want To Fall In Love by Jane Child
    A one-hit wonder that is just spectacular. She would have been a lot hotter w/o all the metal though.
  • 3. We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel
    I am actually in the process (or finished depending on when you read this) of creating an all 80s version of this song. The video is amazing, the song is amazing, Billy Joel is just plain amazing.
  • 2. Radio Ga Ga by Queen
    I love this song. What else can i say?
  • 1. After The Fire by Roger Daltrey
    Absolutely incredible. This song for some odd reson grabs me by the eardrums and causes my nerves to refuse to let me skip over it. I just cannot listen to my playlist w/o playing this one. My soul will always yearn for this one. One H-E-Double hockey sticks of a song. Period.
Everyone here has their own taste. If you understand the beauty of music (if you like 80s music you already obviously do) these songs will appeal to everyone. I lived for two years in the 80s, but these are my favorite songs from the entire decade. After all, the only music i listen to came from those wonderful ten years of sheer delight.
By: Robert
By: TAPESH
  • 10. Breakout by Swing Out Sister
  • 9. Faith by George Michael
  • 8. Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
  • 7. What Have You Done For Me Lately? by Janet Jackson
  • 6. Wonderful Life by Black
    THIS IS THE BEST SONG I'VE EVER LISTENED
  • 5. It's A Mistake by Men At Work
  • 4. I Want Your Sex by George Michael
    ALL THE THREE PARTS OF THIS SONG ARE VERY GOOD
  • 3. Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You by Glenn Medeiros
  • 2. Lost In Emotion by Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam
  • 1. Love In The First Degree by Bananarama
    SONG NO1,2 AND 6 R VERY GOOD I DON'T KNOW WHY ANY ONE OF THEM HAVEN'T MENTIONED IN THE LIST
OTHER FAVOURITE SONGS OF MINE ARE:- HUNGRY HEART BY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TOO HOT TO HANDLE BY GIORGIO MOREDOR FATHER FIGURE BY GEORGE MICHAEL CRUISING BY SINITTA BOOGIE NIGHTS BY HEATWAVE I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW BY TIFFANY NOTHING LOOKS THE SAME IN THE LIGHT BY WHAM CARELESS WHISPERS BY WHAM LAST CHRISTMAS BY WHAM HEAL THE PAIN BY GEORGE MICHAEL RENT BY PET SHOP BOYS IT COULN'T HAPPEN HERE BY PET SHOP BOYS IT'S A SIN BY PET SHOP BOYS ONE MORE CHANCE PET SHOP BOYS ANY COMMENT ON MY SONG LIST AT TAPESHMEHTA@YAHOO.COM
By: Chris Lawrence
By: Scott Allen
By: I'vegottafuzzbox
  • 10. The Cutter by Echo And The Bunnymen
    Dangerously dark
  • 9. Ship Of Fools by World Party
    Great chorus
  • 8. Eyes Of A Stranger by Queensryche
    From the very underrated "Operation:Mindcrime"
  • 7. Blues From A Gun by The Jesus And Mary Chain
    One song of many greats from The Brothers Grimm
  • 6. The Motive by Then Jerico
    Love it!
  • 5. Lucretia My Reflection by The Sisters Of Mercy
    One song to represent a fantastic album "Floodland"
  • 4. True Faith by New Order
    One of the best songs ever written.
  • 3. The Sun Always Shines On TV by a-ha
    Was it just me or were these guys really dark but showed a boy-band type image to get noticed?. Genius all round, as good as anything of their time.
  • 2. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Divison
    Not the original LP version, but the faster "live" version from the John Peel BBC Sessions.
  • 1. Love Like Blood by Killing Joke
    Dark and deadly. Fantastic!
All 10 of these are the best of the decade, so hard to rank them! New Order as most consistantly superb band of the 1980's for me, Substance 1987 as the #1 album.
By: Trev
  • 10. Just A Gigolo/Ain't Got Nobody by David Lee Roth
    Bop, Bozey bozey Bop...ziddy bop.
  • 9. Da Da Da by Trio
    Probably the dumbest song ever written, but once it gets in your head...
  • 8. Givin' The Dog A Bone by AC/DC
    If you really wanna see a 33 year old fat guy with glasses thrashing like Angus, just play this one.
  • 7. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    My first girlfriend's favorite song.
  • 6. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    Ladies and Gentlemen. A NEW World Wrestling Federation champion...the Incredible Hulk HOGAN!!! nuff said
  • 5. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
    Maybe not released in the 80s (not sure) but still a huge part of the roller-boogie experience
  • 4. We Got The Beat by The Go-Gos
    Quintessential roller-boogie tune. (honorable mention to "Hey Mickey" by Toni Basil
  • 3. Pac Man Fever by Buckner and Garcia
    Still got the LP.
  • 2. If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Molly was hot!
  • 1. We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
    I was proud to be an SMF even after they were't cool anymore.
By: Eric A.
  • 10. Goodbye To You by Scandal
    I enjoy this song, especially the poorly made music video, good times
  • 9. Nobody's Diary by Yazoo
    Nice synth sound, gotta love the british accent
  • 8. Sit And Wait by Sydney Joungblood
    Good song, is he South African?
  • 7. Levoton Tuhkimo by Dingo
    Good song, I guess it's about Cinderella, i don't really speak Finnish
  • 6. We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel
    Just a great song that sums up all the major events from the 50's to 80's
  • 5. King Of Wishful Thinking by Go West
    A great one hit wonder, kinda depressing, but at least hes positive about losing his girl
  • 4. Believe It Or Not by Joey Scarbury
    Best theme song of all time
  • 3. But Not Tonight by Depeche Mode
    I love the beat and words, Depeche Mode was a great group
  • 2. All The Love In The World by Outfield
    Very depressing love song
  • 1. In Your Wildest Dreams by Moody Blues
    The best love song of the 80's I think, this is just a great song
80's music was by far the best written and performed music of all time, I have so many favorite 80's songs, that I could write a book on all of them, and regardless of what people think the 80's was the best music and pioneered all "modern" music
By: Man of misery
  • 10. Is Anyone There? by Flux Of Pink Indians
  • 9. Never Understand by Jesus And Mary Chain
    I used to slam around to this at clubs when I was 18
  • 8. Testure by Skinny Puppy
    Industrial/techno metal pioneers - were around before Ministry and NIN - SP were a major influence on both these groups
  • 7. Darkness Before Dawn by Killing Joke
  • 6. Dancing On Your Grave by Motorhead
    Killer guitar riff - I used to steal this cassette from my brother's room all the time
  • 5. Nick The Stripper by The Birthday Party
  • 4. Holiday In Cambodia by Dead Kennedys
    Need I say more - the ultimate 80's thrash classic - and the first video to show a mosh pit?
  • 3. The Darkest Hour by Amebix
    possibly one of the earliest punk/metal crossover bands
  • 2. A Forest by The Cure
    Their best single ever!
  • 1. 24 Hours by Joy Division
    The song I was going to end my life to in the 80's - I probably still will
A couple of tracks that should get a mention but missed out due to being released in 1990 :SOMEONE SOMEWHERE SCORNED by Godflesh and JESUS WAS A TERRORIST by No Means No.
By: Lindsay
  • 10. When Doves Cry by Prince
    Isn't he fabulous?!!! Love the sincerity in this song along with the synthesisers!
  • 9. Borderline by Madonna
    Feel like im going to lose my mind.....
  • 8. Dirty Diana by Micheal Jackson
    Like this song mainly for the guitar solo and no list would be complete wiuthout a M.J. song, right?
  • 7. So Far, So Good by Sheena Easton
    Song from the greatest movie made in the 80s, "About Last Night"
  • 6. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
    Love this song and video!!!!!!! He is soooooo cute!
  • 5. Miss Me Blind by Culture Club
    Bet you got a good gun......
  • 4. Who's Cryin' Now by Journey
    The ultimate haha revenge song of the 80's.
  • 3. She's Like The Wind by Patrick Swayze
    Maybe I am crazy because he wasn't a for real singer but I love Dirty Dancing and the man himself, so there you go
  • 2. Foolish Beat by Debbie Gibson
    I LOVE this song, especially the sax solo and the do do da do do do ooooooh oh I could never love again, now that we're apart
  • 1. Careless Whisper by Wham!
    This song just pulls at my heart because G.M. sounds so sorry about whatever he did wrong, it makes want to forgive him and mad at whoever doesn't
By: Jessica Elmaleh
Also love:Bon Jovi,Janet Jackson,Michael Jackson,Tiffany,New Kids On The Block,Kylie Minogue,Milli Vanilli,New Edition,Whitney Houston,Pet Shop Boys,Eurythmics, Thanks and great site!
By: James

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