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: James
  • 10. Mr. Telephone Man by New Edition
    This song is just funny.. the music video is even funnier
  • 9. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    I think were always running in a sense...
  • 8. I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman
    HA! You cant stop me from dreaming!
  • 7. Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
    Put you in a good mood song.
  • 6. Tempted by Squeeze
    tempted by the fruit of another. Anything else need to be said?
  • 5. Africa by Toto
    sweet song
  • 4. Cars by Gary Numan
    badass song
  • 3. Lovesong by The Cure
    311 Has a good remake of this song.
  • 2. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    sad song but good
  • 1. Your Love by The Outfield
    Song just rocks.
Ummmm and every Hall and Oates song. Those are on everyones though. Jessie's Girl-Rick Springfield, 867-5309- Tommy Tutone
By: Monica, Becca, Mandiqua
  • 10. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    Becca has colors in her dreams... red gold and green? blue? purple?
  • 9. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
    it always makes us cry... *tear*
  • 8. White Wedding / Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
    both great songs... as mandi cries more more more
  • 7. Sussudio by Phil Collins
    we think thats how you spell it anyways... and if it doesnt work out with the new wife... call monica (wink wink)
  • 6. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics
    well... mandi was thinking more along the lines of wet dreams... but this will do
  • 5. Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
    go Mozart... w00t w00t
  • 4. Whip It by Devo
    video scared the crap out of monica, nice hats guys.
  • 3. Love Shack by B-52's
    Becca and her boyfriends song... how original...
  • 2. Our House by Madness
    if our house was in the middle of the street... someone might drive through it.
  • 1. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    It's so go0o0od!!!!
Its so hard to pick just ten... can we pick like 50 more???
By: bec
  • 10. I Touch Myself by Divinyls
    Controversial!
  • 9. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    Still fun trying to figure out the lyrics!
  • 8. Maniac by Michael Sembello
    Not even sure this is the 80's, but it doesn't matter, its pure genius!!
  • 7. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    Karaoke classic.
  • 6. Careless Whisper by Wham!
    Go the sleazy saxophone!
  • 5. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    This song is the greatest party song.
  • 4. Funky Cold Medina by Tone-Loc
    It had me with the line 'It's the 80's, and I'm down with the ladies' - yeah, I'm sure!
  • 3. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Take my tears and thats not really all!
  • 2. Take On Me by a-ha
    This song is so so cool
  • 1. (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew
    Gotta love the synth. Best song EVER!
By: Emilio
  • 10. Taxi by Francesco Salvi
    Essato..
  • 9. Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
    ooh ohh ohhh ohhohohhoh ohhh ohhhhh
  • 8. Duran Duran by Rio
    girls at film,hungry like the wolf, electrick barbaella ,etc
  • 7. Erasure by A Little Respect
    Blue savanah,oh lamour,sometimes,victim of love,i just can get enought
  • 6. UB40 by Red Red Wine
  • 5. Call Me by Blondie
  • 4. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles
  • 3. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
  • 2. Regret by New Order
    Bizarre love triangle , the village , blue monday etc
  • 1. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure
    79..= cut here,just like heaven,mint car,in between days,why cant i'be you? etc
Bonus track: A question of Time Depeche mode
By: ayhan kulak
  • 10. In The Heat Of The Night by Sandra
  • 9. Self Control by Laura Branigan
  • 8. Sounds Like A Melody by Alphaville
  • 7. One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head
  • 6. Samurai by Michael Cretu
  • 5. Words by F.R. David
  • 4. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
  • 3. 99 Luftballons by Nena
  • 2. 'Cause You Are Young by C.C. Catch
    best song of Dieter Bohlen
  • 1. You're My Heart You're My Soul by Modern Talking
    best song of 80's my no 1 track
By: Are From Norway
  • 10. Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon
    just fantastic..
  • 9. Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
    This song just cheers me up =D
  • 8. Gold by Spandau Ballet
  • 7. The Sun Always Shines On TV by a-ha
    I'll have to be a bit patriotic.And frankly, i think this one is better than Take On Me...
  • 6. Nightshift by Commodores
  • 5. Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
  • 4. Only The Children by Toto
  • 3. Your Love by Outfield
  • 2. Valerie by Steve Winwood
  • 1. St. Elmo's Fire by John Parr
    Simply the best song EVER!!! This was the door opener to 80's music for me :)
why couldn't this have been a top 200? ;)
By: Stacy Sardelli
Adam & The Ants ('Kings of the Wild Frontier' especially), New Model Army ('The Charge' especially), & The Mission U.K. ('Tower of Strength' especially), Love & Rockets ('No New Tale To Tell'), & The Waterboys ('Whole Of The Moon') also kicked ass. This was a tough list to make - too much good stuff I missed.
By: player68
  • 10. Cold Day In Hell by Steeler
  • 9. Rock Soldiers by Frehley´s Comet
  • 8. Chains Around Heaven by Black ´N Blue
  • 7. Crazy Night by Loudness
  • 6. Live Wire by Mötley Crüe
  • 5. Speed Demon by Keel
  • 4. Bang Your Head by Quiet Riot
  • 3. Breakin´ Out by King Kobra
  • 2. Under The Blade by Twisted Sister
  • 1. Animal House by Helix
This is my TOP TEN of 80s rock,not pop.
By: plur
  • 10. The Promise You Made by Cock Robin
  • 9. Out Of Touch by Hall & Oates
  • 8. Every Day Is Like Sunday by Morrissey
  • 7. Red Rain by Peter Gabriel
    That voice.
  • 6. I Can't Wait by Stevie Nicks
    Latest Fleetwood Mac's vocal best song
  • 5. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
  • 4. Woman In Chains by Tears for Fears
  • 3. The Year Of The Cat by Al Stewart
  • 2. When Doves cry by Prince
  • 1. Here Comes The Rain Again by Eurythmics
Hello everybody, I'm Paco. This is my list and I really enjoy it. It's not completed but I tried.
By: mike m
  • 10. We Are The World by Usa For Africa
    we are gods master peices &laura branigan won a trophy in heavon.
  • 9. Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon
    i love this song
  • 8. Amanda by Boston
  • 7. Sara by Starship
    i 've got freinds named sara
  • 6. Fight For Your Right by The Beastie Boys
  • 5. Land Of Confusion by Genesis
    the look funny in memory of ronald reagon
  • 4. That's What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick & Friends
    for good times&bad times it's a great song
  • 3. Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle
    in memory of my cat zak
  • 2. Somwhere Out There by Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram
    a great love song song
  • 1. Legs by ZZ Top
    great song
i love the 80's
By: Karl Frost
  • 10. Double Dutch Bus by Frankie Smith
  • 9. Youth Gone WIld by Skid Row
  • 8. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
  • 7. Jesse's GIrl by Rick Springfield
    Every guy has a friend who has a girlfriend....
  • 6. Miami Vice Theme by Jan Hammer
  • 5. Maniac by Michael Sembello
    Dance dance dance!!!
  • 4. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
    Man, another make out song.
  • 3. When Doves Cry by Prince
    Oh yeah, cant beat it.
  • 2. If You Were Here by Thompson Twins
    Cool groovin song
  • 1. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    Who didn't want to beat someone up after they heard this!
By: Scotty Marsden
  • 10. Wouldn't It Be Good by Nik Kershaw
    Blonde tips,synth/rock,pinup boy of the early-mid 80's,crank the volume to 10.Perfect.
  • 9. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics
    Recorded on an 8 track in their bedroom,these guys struck gold with this song.Absolute 80's,brilliant.
  • 8. Send Me An Angel by Real Life
    Maybe i'm showing slight favouritism because i'm Australian,but this songs haunting synth intro and driving beat made this a club fave here in OZ and in Europe.If u haven't heard it,do yourself a favour,you won't be disappointed.
  • 7. The Reflex by Duran Duran
    I was 13 when this song was released,and can vividly remember the video,thinking these guys were rulers of the world,gods of the 80's."Ta na na na"Great stuff.
  • 6. When Doves Cry by Prince
    As an 80's DJ,i guess i lean more towards songs that tore places up,and this one did just that.It sounds like nothing else,which is trademark Prince.
  • 5. Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
    Booming piano intro,and thumping drums are the things i love about this song.Great chorus too.This track gets a nice feature in the movie "Donnie Darko".
  • 4. Some Like It Hot by The Power Station
    Showing some bias towards all things "Duran" again,but the percussion work on this track is a drummmers delight,just a BIG BIG song.Collaboration between Robert Palmer and John and Andy Taylor from Duran Duran make this one of my faves.
  • 3. Blue Monday 12" by New Order
    What can you say about this,the greatest electronic song is history.Put together after the band had just bought a new keyboard and wanted to "see what it could do",well...this is the result,legendary dancefloor royalty.
  • 2. Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    Slam this song onto the hifi before going out to fire yourself right up,a classic.Who could forget the video,with a mock "Reagan and Gorbachev" fighting inside a circle of people.
  • 1. Talking In Your Sleep by The Romantics
    Strange choice i know,but loved this song the second i heard it and more than 20 years later it's lost none of it's appeal,killer track.
So many to choose from,sometimes you can start thinking "too much" about it,so just go with the ones that made ya feel good!
By: loren
  • 10. Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam by I Wonder If I Take You Home
    Great song, great beat!
  • 9. One Way Love by TKA
    TKA, all their songs are great
  • 8. Bad Of The Heart by George Lamond
    Love this song!!!
  • 7. Party Your Body by Stevie B.
    Home Town Boy (Miami)
  • 6. Egypt, Egypt by Egyptian Lover
    Roller Skating Days!
  • 5. Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa
    Still hits
  • 4. Diamond Girl by Nice & Wild
    Sends me back in time!
  • 3. When I Hear Music by Debbie Deb
    still great!
  • 2. All Night by Trinere
    Queen of Freestyle
  • 1. Play At Your Own Risk by Planet Patrol
    Best Freestyle Song Ever!
This is just some of the great Freestyle songs of the 80's.
By: megs
They arent really in the right order...but U2 is definetly #1
By: Tom
  • 10. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
    the abulm was the greatest listened to it all over radio and all else the songs were great one of my very favorites Tawney Kataine was on the Car in the video , brings back lots of old memories.
  • 9. Crazy Crazy Nights by Kiss
    Kiss took off the makeup in the 80's excellent abulm I always loved the songs Crazy crazy nights.
  • 8. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    I always liked simple minds good group , and was the song to the movie breakfast club.
  • 7. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    Good song brings back alot of memories , was from the Top Gun movie , excellent 80's movie as well.
  • 6. Hangin' Tough by New Kids On The Block
    Never like the pop stuff much my self but the bombarded my sisters radio and I kinda listened not to bad group , songs like please don't go girl the fab fav from boston.
  • 5. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
    Dirty Harry movie they played in , one of the best songs from the 80's Guns and Roses really rocked. For awhile it was # 1 on billboard spot. You can see why thats for sure.
  • 4. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurthymics
    Annie Lennox was legendery her music broke the mode for alot of singers. Sweet Dreams was one of my favorite ballads.
  • 3. Wild Boys by Duran Duran
    This was cool group great song not much into pop but I liked the loud ness of the song. Duran Duran was pretty good group in the 80's.
  • 2. Dream Warriors by Dokken
    The nightmare on elm street ballad was a cool video and the coolest show thier was in the 80's. I listened to it often it really made the show worth watching.
  • 1. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison
    I loved this song I used listen to the abulm all the time this band really rocked.
Cinderella went on tour with Bon Jovi in the 80's hit a abulm called Night Songs one of the very best abulms I ever listened to not to bad for a opening act my very favorite song on the abulm was Nobody's Fool a slew more they turned out Shake me and , Somebody Save Me.
By: Kayleigh O'Connell
  • 10. Moonbeam by Men Without Hats
  • 9. Don't You Want Me? by Human League
    I Love This One.
  • 8. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    Great for every Movie Theatre background music.
  • 7. Dare To Be Stupid by "Weird Al" Yankovic
    Funny but great song in Transformers The Movie.
  • 6. Lies by Thompson Twins
    I Love the Thompson Twins
  • 5. I Can't Wait by Nu Shooz
    Greatest
  • 4. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
    Summer Rocks.
  • 3. Middle Of The Road by The Pretenders
    Middle of the road say the darnest things.
  • 2. What's On Your Mind? by Information Society
    I want to know What your thinking.
  • 1. True Faith by New Order
    The Bestest of the other New Order songs
By: Chris
  • 10. Electric Blue by Icehouse
  • 9. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
  • 8. Need You Tonight by INXS
  • 7. What You Need by INXS
  • 6. I Melt With You by Modern English
  • 5. Something About You by Level 42
  • 4. A Little Respect by Erasure
  • 3. Chains Of Love by Erasure
  • 2. Let The Music Play by Shannon
    Brought freestyle music into the mainstream.
  • 1. I can't wait by Nu Shooz
    The dry-hump song of the 80's!
By: dom
  • 10. Cold As Ice by Foreigner
    this song was awesome, thomas and I do karaoke to this at work
  • 9. Jungle Love by Morris Day And The Time
    50 bucks little man put that shit in my hand or you owe me, owe me, owe
  • 8. The Four Horsemen by Metallica
    This song made me love metal and hardcore so it rocks hard
  • 7. Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung
    this song touched me in places that according to federal and state laws, I'm not allowed to talk about
  • 6. Angel Of Death by Slayer
    They make my head feel good
  • 5. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
    Eddie money reminds me of being drunk all the time good song to sing along with
  • 4. Photograph by Def Leppard
    this song is rocking and I couldn't decide between this and pour some sugar on me
  • 3. Dust In The Wind by Kansas
    a powerful power ballad
  • 2. Open Arms by Journey
    so powerful it hurts anyone whose within a 500 meter radius
  • 1. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    this song has been immortalized by one of the best movies ever
By: Frank Rizzo
  • 10. Say You, Say Me by Lionel Richie
    I still love it
  • 9. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
    Still rocks with any of there songs. This on was the big hit but any of thier hundreds of songs are great
  • 8. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    Never did understand it but what a catchy beat
  • 7. Down Under by Men At Work
    This song still packs the dancefloors in 04'
  • 6. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
  • 5. In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
    Just listen to it and say it isnt one of a kind
  • 4. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    Great song from the best 80's movie "Breakfast Club"
  • 3. Kyrie by Mr. Mister
    Another song that just lives on.
  • 2. Love Song/Changes by Tesla
    Tesla actually has a few but lets leave it with these two
  • 1. Purple Rain by Prince
    It never gets old, unlike us
I think this site is awesome. I am amzaed at kids today taking an interest in 80's music. Ill listen till the day I die...excpet to Mili Vinilli haha
By: chadi alwane
  • 10. White Lines (Don't Do It) by Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel
    great bassline.
  • 9. Fade To Grey by Visage
    very arty and stylish (it has french lyrics). love it.
  • 8. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    great beat, check out the 12" version. it's great
  • 7. Live To Tell by Madonna
    it gives me chills everytime i hear it, it's so sad and melancholic.
  • 6. Blue Monday by New Order
    the biggest selling 12" ever and it deserves it. great band very avant garde considering their time.
  • 5. The Riddle by Nik Kershaw
    where the hell is he these days? i think he's doing some production work.
  • 4. New Year's Day by U2
    simply timeless. the raw drum sounds is extraoridnary in this song, sunday bloody sunday would qualify too for the # 4 position.
  • 3. P Machinery by Propaganda
    i heard that one of their memebers is collaborating with depeche mode memeber (i think it's fletch). anyway the production is massive on this song and i hope somebody would remix it soon.
  • 2. Leave In Silence by Depeche Mode
    i love depeche mode and they are the grandaddys of today's dance music, this debatable (depeche mode were heavily influenced by kraftwerk). all their songs are elleigible for my personal top 10. it's a shame that they went rock later, i guess their best stuff is their exclusive synth stuff that they did early in their career. can't wait to see them on tour.
  • 1. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    these guys ruled during the 80's, the lyrics and their production was very good. this song was featured in "weird science" at the end credits i think, a true classic and i am glad it hasn't been covered entirely (nas sampled it on one of his tracks. check out other TFF tracks: pale shelter, mad world, shout, change, head over heels, sowing he seeds of love.

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