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: Dj Evan Frangos
  • 10. Boom Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room) by Paul Lekakis
    great dance track for its time
  • 9. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    still popular on the dance floor
  • 8. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham!
    legends in their own time
  • 7. Don't Leave Me This Way by The Communards
    uplifting beat
  • 6. Don't You Want Me? by The Human League
    good remake out by alcazar from 2001
  • 5. First True Love Affair by Jimmy Ross
    good memories
  • 4. Dr. Beat by Miami Sound Machine
    rarely played now on radio but still a classic
  • 3. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    reminds me when disco statred going punk
  • 2. Love Shack by The B-52's
    anothing party favorite
  • 1. Mickey by Toni Basil
    gets the party started
By: Nick M
  • 10. Mickey by Toni Basil
    Great song to kick off the early 80's.
  • 9. Don't Be Cruel by Bobby Brown
    I love this song especially with the rap, which some stations back in the 80's edited.
  • 8. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    I was a huge Culture Club fan. There was a song from them that I swear I was the only one that liked it...The War Song.
  • 7. Human Touch by Rick Springfield
    This is my fav from Rick.
  • 6. Beat It by Michael Jackson
    This is my favorite video from him as well.
  • 5. Strut by Sheena Easton
    What a great song.
  • 4. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    Rock of Ages is back up, but for me this is their best song. Wow what a great song.
  • 3. Alone by Heart
    Oh what can I about the Wilson sisters. I love this song and heart was huge for me in the 80's
  • 2. Straight Up by Paula Abdul
    Don't you like watching her on AI? It brings back memories. I Adore this song.
  • 1. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    I really wanted to but a more upbeat song, but I love this song alot!! Talk about love songs.
What a great decade!!! The music is better than any decade.
By: Bret
  • 10. Carless Whisper by Wham!
    GOOD.
  • 9. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    very catchy
  • 8. Jump by Van Halen
    i still like it
  • 7. Wait by White Lion
    you have to listen to it.
  • 6. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    amazing on the rocky movies
  • 5. Round And Round by Ratt
    like, like it a lot
  • 4. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 3. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
    AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 2. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1. Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot
    THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know how so many of you could leave some of these songs out
By: Drew Mena
By: emily
  • 10. Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin
    Because I grew up with the Coctail soundtrack.
  • 9. Love Becomes Electric by Strange Advance
    I couldn't tell you why I love this song...
  • 8. I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister
    Enjoyed it much more than their actual hit.
  • 7. All I Want Is You by U2
    Mmmmm...
  • 6. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    I actually managed to forget this song until the dance remake in '94.
  • 5. Yin & Yang (The Flower Pot Men) by Love and Rockets
    Would you believe they played this on retro boogie dance party?
  • 4. Dream Come True by Frozen Ghost
  • 3. Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
    With honourable mention to "Need you Tonight" despite their copying the beat for 1997's "Elegantly wasted"
  • 2. Wired For Sound by Cliff Richard
  • 1. Africa by Toto
    The most amazing song from the '80s.
This was very difficult. :)
By: Ski
  • 10. Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue
  • 9. With Or Without You by U2
  • 8. Take On Me by a-ha
  • 7. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
  • 6. Young Hearts by Commuter
    Song from the Karate Kid, amusement park scene
  • 5. I Melt With You by Modern English
  • 4. Win In The End by Mark Safan
    Song from Teen Wolf, end of movie basketball game
  • 3. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
  • 2. If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
  • 1. I Remember You by Skid Row
By: Kris
  • 10. Hard Habit To Break by Chicago
    One sappy love song for the road
  • 9. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    To dance to
  • 8. Message In A Bottle by Police
    All great songs, hard to narrow it down to one Police tune but they had to be included.
  • 7. It's The End Of The World As We Know It by R.E.M.
    Goes without saying
  • 6. Town Called Malice by The Jam
    Need some 80's punk in a top 10
  • 5. I'm On My Way by Proclaimers
    Tail end of the 80's but still in there
  • 4. 99 Luftballons by Nena
    Either version great
  • 3. Vacation by The Go-Go's
    Greatest Chick band ever
  • 2. Teenland by The Northern Pikes
    Greatest band
  • 1. Tenderness by General Public
    My all time fav song
By: Kevin Armstrong
  • 10. Foolin' by Def Leppard
    "Lady Love never smiles..." Awesome song. I heard this song for the first time on the bus ride home in 7th grade. I made it a point to find out who this was and listen to more of their stuff. Great band that really stuck together through some hard times. Their next album, Hysteria, was another album during my senior year of high school that I knew by heart...
  • 9. You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive
    Summer of '89, cruising in my buddy's Camaro with the T-tops off and this song blasting away. One of my favorite memories...
  • 8. Runaway by Bon Jovi
    I hate to admit that I'm a huge Bon Jovi fan, but I am. This is an earlier song that gets made fun of alot, but it's actually got more heart and depth than their later more well known stuff. I want to be the curly-headed keyboard guy. What other heavy rock band has a goofy looking keyboard guy?
  • 7. Cars by Gary Numan
    Great hook, great sound. I couldn't tell you another song he sang, but this one is one of my favorite's of all time. Cheap looking video. I remember dancing to this in junior high. I got jiggy with it. I requested this at a company party 4 years ago. I danced alone to it. My wife was sooooo embarrassed....
  • 6. Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode
    This song may be on the 80's/90's borderline, but this is such an awesowm song. Great song to make out too or to be broken hearted too. Listen to the lyrics and understand them. Pure genius...
  • 5. She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
    Great party song. We used to dance with the sorority girls to this song in my fraternity days in college. This band made alot of great music. I listen to their Greatest Hits album in my office at work all the time. "Wildflower" is one of the greatest simple songs of all time as well...
  • 4. My Michelle by Guns 'n' Roses
    I know every word to every song on this album. This was the soundtrack to my senior year in high school. Used to race home from work on Saturday night's to watch "Headbanger's Ball" on MTV just to see this video. It's a shame that this band could not have stayed together and made alot more music...
  • 3. New Year's Day by U2
    "All is quiet, on New Year's Day.." I'm not a huge U2 fan, but I do enjoy their earlier stuff more than Joshua Tree material. I don't agree with most of Bono's politics, but he can really sing...
  • 2. All I Want by The Cure
    Song right after "Just Like Heaven" on the "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" album. Simple lyrics, but a haunting melody and awesome vocals. Great make-out song. Later release "Fascination Street" is another one of my all-time favorites...
  • 1. One by Metallica
    Great story, great lyrics, insane guitar action and the best drumming performance of all time. Lars Ulrich is better than Animal (The Muppet Show). This song turned me into a huge Metallica fan. Went to see them in person for the first time when I was 30 years old. Felt like I was 16 again...
Great website. I found alot of songs that I had forgotten. I have enough material to burn at least 3 CD's. The 80's were my decade. I was 10-19 years of age during them and all the music I truly love came out of those years...
By: The Master of 80's
  • 10. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    I had to bump Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters theme song -- Great movie, great theme, Key boards! enough said. I apologize for leaving out Toto, R.E.M., Jimmy Buffett, Grateful Dead (Touch of Grey), the Bangles (Walk like an Egyptian, Janet J., Paula Abdul, Men at Work, Soft Cell, Phil Colins, Mr. Mister (Broken Wings), & (unfortunately) George Michael, Survivor (Eye of the Tiger) etc.
  • 9. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
    Any song by Billy will suffice - Rebel Yell, etc.
  • 8. Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
    Get real, Top Gun with Tom Cruise & Meg Ryan, defined the 80's. I also felt the Song by Billy Ocean ("Going gets Tough")on the "Jewel of the Nile" with Kathleen Turner & Michael Douglas needs mentioning. Ghostbusters is recognized below...
  • 7. Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung
    Had to throw in the name "Wang Chung". 10 songs doesn't do justice to all the legendary bands...
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    A pervert, but he ruled the 80's. He's one of my favorite artists.
  • 5. Jump by Van Halen
    10 songs isn't enough, Van Halen is my tribute to Bon Jovi, Poison, Ratt, Warrant, Guns 'N Roses, Motley Crue & all the other hair bands
  • 4. Shout by Tears For Fears
    Most of the songs other people requested are terrible. What are you guys thinking?????? Requirements -- Tears for Fears, G. in f'n Roses, Billy Idol. Don't forget "Everybody wants to Rule World"
  • 3. Take On Me by a-ha
    legendary... greatest one hit wonder of all time. Remember the video! Comic strip, black & white!
  • 2. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    1985 - this should be #1, The Breakfast Club. Obviously most of the people submiting their lists didn't take the advice.
  • 1. Paradise City by Guns 'n' Roses
    Don't forget Sweet Child O' Mine, Welcome to the Jungle, etc. I have to say a lot of the listings on the page are junk. This is the real list. I've integrated Pop, Rock, Dance & everything else. I offer my greatest apologies to all the great bands I had to leave out. If've credited them periodically below.
Once again, my apologies to everyone. 10 songs is not enough. But my list sure as heck is better than most of the lists. I've never heard of most of the songs other people listed. Go to Napster, make a CD & sell it for $15 bucks a pop as a greatest hits, then collect your $1 million dollars.
By: arito
  • 10. (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles by The Proclaimers
    When i bought this single everybody told me: How can you hear this music?. 3 months later, everybody had that song
  • 9. Heaven by The Psychedelic Furs
    I did't hear this song in the 80's. I discovered 5 years ago and then i loved it.
  • 8. Breakout by Swing Out Sister
    I always liked the melody of this song
  • 7. With Or Without You by U2
    no words for this song. more i listen more i like it
  • 6. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths
    A classic that never will disapear
  • 5. Happy Hour by The Housemartins
    Funny! the most authentic band at the end of 80's. Great song and great video.
  • 4. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure
    This band has many wonderful songs, i 've decided this one. Good memories!
  • 3. Better Days by Gun
    Anybody remember this band? Fantastic concert in Barcelona many years ago!
  • 2. Walk Of Life by Dire Straits
    Uaaaauh! Simply: A classic!
  • 1. Dignity by Deacon Blue
    It's a great song, probably the best of this great band
By: Rafa
By: Sebastian
  • 10. The Unforgettable Fire by U2
    Writing 10 things in "Eighties Cover Songs" will stop me from searching by songs that are not by real artists. That will REALLY happen.
  • 9. Tempted by Squeeze
  • 8. Addicted To Love by Robert Palmer
  • 7. Need You Tonight by INXS
  • 6. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
  • 5. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics
  • 4. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
  • 3. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
  • 2. Out Of Touch by Hall & Oates
  • 1. Mr. Roboto by Styx
By: jim koniaris
  • 10. Rave Up /Shut Up by The Rave Ups
    this band was in pretty in pink.
  • 9. Thieves Like Us by New Order
  • 8. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
  • 7. Life In A Northern Town by Dream Academy
  • 6. Holiday In Cambodia by Dead Kennedys
  • 5. Stop Me If You Think Youve Heard This One Before by The Smiths
  • 4. Los Angeles by X
    a great song from the best album of the 80s.
  • 3. Nevermind by The Replacements
    the greatest american band
  • 2. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
    no comment needed here
  • 1. A Million Miles Away by The Plimsouls
    the perfect power pop song, and a song most have never heard.
By: Matt
  • 10. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    The good old days, when Jacko was black. Also a great song to dance to.
  • 9. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
    Perfect song. Just perfect.
  • 8. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
    The best song of the 80's to jump off your feet and dance to. I'm always in the mood for Footloose, no matter what.
  • 7. The Spirit Of Radio by Rush
    The first song that talked about the importance of music in the 80's! Rush is truly a brilliant band.
  • 6. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
  • 5. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    Finally, a rock song about love! Not that it was the first ,but may be the best.
  • 4. Paradise City by Guns 'n' Roses
    This song describes where every man would love to visit....where the grass is green, and the girls are pretty.
  • 3. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    Ah, the theme song to my favorite movie- The Breakfast Club.
  • 2. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    Excellent song, excellent intro, excellent point.
  • 1. Under Pressure by Queen+David Bowie
    David Bowie and Queen made the perfect match for this meaningful song about how we all feel at certain times- Under Pressure.
{These songs are not listed in a very particular order}
By: Raven
  • 10. Round And Round by Ratt
  • 9. Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx
  • 8. Nobody's Fool by Cinderella
    Always been a Cinderella fan
  • 7. Love Song (Love Will Find A Way) by Tesla
  • 6. Kiss Me Deadly by Lita Ford
    Had the donor of meeting her while in High school.Nicest lady and she had a great sense of humor.Looks just as good in person as she does on her album covers lol...
  • 5. Hazy Shade Of Winter by The Bangles
  • 4. China Girl by David Bowie
  • 3. 18 And Life by Skid Row
  • 2. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
  • 1. Take On Me by a-ha
Yeah strange mix huh? But everyone has their own style i guess ....
By: Sebastian
  • 10. Burning Down The House by Talking Heads
    Making 10 sets of eighties cover songs will really stop me from searching for songs that are not by real artists. And I will really stop that. I promise. The promise will never be broken.
  • 9. Life's What You Make It by Talk Talk
  • 8. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  • 7. Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung
  • 6. Something About You by Level 42
  • 5. Last Worthless Evening by Don Henley
  • 4. It's My Life by Talk Talk
  • 3. Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House
  • 2. New Year's Day by U2
  • 1. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
By: allANAh
  • 10. Stroke Me by Billy Squire
  • 9. Call Me by Blondie
  • 8. Red Red Wine by UB40
  • 7. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
  • 6. The Joker by Steve Miller Band
  • 5. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
  • 4. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
  • 3. Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot
  • 2. Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
  • 1. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
There are alot more good ones but we just put those and they arent definently in order..!
By: GRS
  • 10. Hunting High And Low by a-ha
    Most people think of Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines On TV when they think of this band, but I think this was the best they produced.
  • 9. Against All Odds by Phil Collins
    Never a great Collin's fan but I love this one. "You're the only one who really knew me at all"
  • 8. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) by Paul Young
    Great soulful cover version from 1983. School disco last dance classic.
  • 7. All Of My Heart by ABC
    The Lexicon Of Love, one of my favourite albums of the 80's. Beats The Look Of Love and Poison Arrow as far as I'm concerned.
  • 6. The Power Of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    Yes I know, what about Relax and Two Tribes, they are great songs but I'm doing my top ten ballads. Do They Know It's Christmas and Last Christmas overshadowed this song in December 1984.
  • 5. Victims by Culture Club
    Never a great Boy George fan but I loved this song. Better than the usual Karma Chameleon, Church Of The Poison Mind etc. etc.
  • 4. Body Talk by Imagination
    A school disco last dance special. A gem from 1982. Not listed on 80's compilations very often nor given much radio airplay anymore.
  • 3. True by Spandau Ballet
    This song must appear on 80's compilalations more than any other. Bit of an obvious one but another last chance to dance with the girl you fancy classic.
  • 2. The Bitterest Pill by The Jam
    The Jam must be the most underlisted group in the top ten compilations I've seen. Criminally never made it in the US but in the eary eighties must have been the biggest band in Europe.
  • 1. Save A Prayer by Duran Duran
    "You saw me standing by the wall corner of a main street" One of the true great ballads of the 80's by a band that were one of the true greats of the 80's. Rio was a great album.
My top ten ballads of the 80's. Some that came close. Phyllis Nelson - Move Closer, Korgis - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime, Dee C. Lee - See The Day, Sam Brown - Stop.
By: g181gr
By: lauren molitor
  • 10. The Birth Of The True by Aztec Camera
    Aztec Camera is my 2nd favorite band from the 80's. If you have never heard this one you should take a listen, Roddy Frame is an amazing song writer.
  • 9. Any Second Now (Voices) by Depeche Mode
    I'ts almost impossible to pick just one song from DM they were 1 of my 2 most favorite band from the 80's. This song still gives me the chills as well.
  • 8. All In My Mind by Love and Rockets
    I've never wanted a man who wore makeup more than Daniel Ash. Awesome song!
  • 7. Pulling Mussels From A Shell by Squeeze
    I recently had the priveledge of meeting Glen Tillbrook who I adore, anyway I told him when I was a teen I burnt out my copy of singles 45 and under 3 times. Thank god for cd's.
  • 6. Deeper And Deeper by The Fixx
    How you anyone complete a list of best songs from the 80's and not include the fixx.
  • 5. It's Not The Same For Us by Level 42
    I love this song! I know it's not a popular song, but dammit it should be.
  • 4. (Keep Feeling) Fascination by The Human League
    I love the opening riff on this song.
  • 3. More Than This by Roxy Music
    I'm a huge Roxy Music fan it's so hard to choose just one song from any decade, but this one is so beautiful.
  • 2. Love of the Common People by Paul Young
    Great song I wish paul young was still around.
  • 1. Only You by Yazoo
    This song like so many of yazoos songs was so ahead of it's time. What a simple love song, i still get chills when I play it.
I am a HUGE 80's music fan, my collection grows every year. E-Mail me and we can talk about it.

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