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 BEE FREEZE
  • 10. Groove Me by Guy
  • 9. Rumours by Timex Social Club
  • 8. So Far Away by Dire Straits
  • 7. A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing) by Romeo Void
  • 6. Red Red Wine by UB40
  • 5. Misfits by Curiosity Killed The Cat
  • 4. Promises, Promises by Naked Eyes
  • 3. The Warrior by Scandal
  • 2. What I Am by Edie Brickell & New Bohiemians
  • 1. One More Night by Phil Collins
By: G E
  • 10. Big Time by Peter Gabriel
  • 9. Current Stand by Kids In The Kitchen
  • 8. 50 Years by Uncanny X-Men
  • 7. Our Lips Are Sealed by The Go-Go's
  • 6. Shell Shock by New Order
  • 5. I Want Your Sex by George Michael
  • 4. Love Missile F1-11 by Sigue Sigue Sputnik
  • 3. Jeany by Falco
  • 2. Blood Makes Noise by Suzanne Vega
  • 1. Ship Of Fools by World Party
By: DJ BEE FREEZE
  • 10. Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung
  • 9. You Got It All Over by The Jets
  • 8. Posse On Brodway by Sir Mix-A-Lot
  • 7. Jam On It by Newcleus
  • 6. King Of Rock by Run-DMC
  • 5. Misfits by Curiosity Killed The Cat
  • 4. Promises, Promises by Naked Eyes
  • 3. The Warrior by Scandal
  • 2. Nasty Girl by Vanity 6
  • 1. Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell
By: Kev
By: Justin
  • 10. Don't You Want Me? by The Human League
    Very catchy song. See a pattern here? The chorus very much reminds me of Poison Arrow.
  • 9. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Not a huge Michael fan, but I am a huge fan of this song. Catchy pseudo-disco rhythm and easy to sing melody.
  • 8. Rock You Like A Hurricaine by The Scorpions
    Also one of the few songs I truly remember from my childhood. One of the better hard rock songs I've heard.
  • 7. We Built This City by Starship
    It may be the #1 awesomely bad song ever, but it's my #7 most favorite 80s song. Sure the Reading Rainbowesque synth line is about as ridiculous as the rolling dice in the video, but the song is just so much galldurn fun, dagnabbit!
  • 6. Message In A Bottle by The Police
    I remember first hearing this song when I was just learning to speak. I remember thinking the last part of the song was only two words: Sendanatta nessohhes. So sue me, I was maybe three at the time!
  • 5. Poison Arrow by ABC
    This song always makes me want to dance when I hear it. The video is just plain strange, but it definately has the catchiness factor.
  • 4. New Sensation by INXS
    Also a great song and video mix. The streaky animated neon lights are just classic of the type of creativity seen in the 80s.
  • 3. Take On Me by a-ha
    A great song, and perhaps the most infamous music video of all time? Top notch for me! The only other A-ha song I remember was "The Living Daylights," a very enjoyable Bond theme.
  • 2. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    This song makes me more nostalgic than any other 80s song, because of both the melodies and the imagery and style of the music video. A very easy song to lose yourself in.
  • 1. You Might Think by The Cars
    The catchiest 80's song with the best use of synth. When I hear it, it makes me delerious!
By: Jim
  • 10. The Killing Moon by Echo & The Bunnymen
    Great mood setter, especially when under a killing moon
  • 9. She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
    Here at #9, but could be anywhere higher
  • 8. Uncertain Smile by The The
    All of this sound by one man...get the long version
  • 7. Murderous by Nitzer Ebb
    This and Join in the Chant best enjoyed loud
  • 6. Penthouse And Pavement by Heaven 17
    Euro Synth music at its finest
  • 5. Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    The bastard child song to Relax...crank it up loud
  • 4. Everything Counts (Live) by Depeche Mode
    Could have picked a number of Depeche songs, and this one is as good as any
  • 3. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat
    Jimmy Sommerville singing over a perfect dance beat
  • 2. The Perfect Kiss by New Order
    This, not Blue Monday, is New Order's Best
  • 1. How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths
    Mood altering at it's best
Great music....where did it all go??
By: bree
  • 10. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
  • 9. Babooshka by Kate Bush
    this is more so as an aussie perspective, was massive here.
  • 8. You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive
  • 7. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
  • 6. Right On Track by Breakfast Club
    maybe not considered because they were one-hit wonders.
  • 5. Don't Dream (It's Over) by Crowded House
    what can i say, the finn brothers, it was either this or the split endz
  • 4. It Must Be Love by Madness
    although, Our House & House of Fun were equally good.
  • 3. The Love Cats by The Cure
    A lot of their songs were good, It's friday I'm In Love, Close to Me etc
  • 2. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    awesome song~
  • 1. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    Hello people! boy george, karma karma karma chameleon
the 80's had some awesome hits, almost more then you would think after some of the fashion...i really missed out on some big ones like INXS, ACDC, Queen (they were voted the best band of the whole of the 80's). The thing most about the 80's is that there were a lot of one hit wonders.
By: les lumsdon
By: Drew and Lorin
  • 10. Freedom by Wham!
    George Michael is unbelievably gay with this one...let freedom ring!!!
  • 9. Roxanne by The Police
    You don't gotta put on the red light on this hit!
  • 8. Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
    This top gun missile was a direct hit! Arguably number one...but we'll give it an 8...
  • 7. Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes
    My grandma loves this song!
  • 6. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
    seriously...who the hell wears their sunglasses at night???...but we love this hit anyway!
  • 5. Maneater by Hall & Oates
    Anyone who can pull off a song as gay as this is totally sweet!
  • 4. True by Spandau Ballet
    You know you turn this up when it's on the radio everytime!
  • 3. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    I don't know anyone that doesn't love this song!
  • 2. Workin' For The Weekend by Loverboy
    ...awesome!
  • 1. Rio by Duran Duran
    Hands down, this is the best song of all time...no one will ever create a masterpiece equaling this one!!!
Honorable Mention: Lady in Red-Chris DeBurgh, 867-5309-Tommy Tutone, Don't you want me baby?-Human League, Take on Me-A-ha!, Jitterbug-WHAM!, St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)-John Parr,Mr. Roboto-Styx, and Run, Runaway-Flock of Seaguls Worst Song of the 80's: Walk the Dinosaur-Was Not Was (gayest song ever!!!)WTF?
By: Unreleased Hits and Other Rarities
  • 10. (Remember) Walking In The Sand by The Go Go's
    Second contender: "Good For Gone"
  • 9. What Do All The People Know by The Monroes
    One of the most obscure, but great one hit wonders from the 1980's. Other contender: too many to list, but one of my favorite songs that was never a hit in both the US. & UK is listed.
  • 8. Shy by Debbie Gibson
    Yeah, Debbie Gibson doesn't quite fit in this list, but I actually like her music. Not to mention quite a cutie... Second contender: "Spotlight" (1987)
  • 7. Passion Planet by Thompson Twins
  • 6. Make A Circuit With Me by The Polecats
    Suprisingly, never was a hit in both the U.S. and U.K. A great song from that band that was a bit similar to The Stray Cats. Second contender: "88 Lines About 44 Women" from The Nails (1984)
  • 5. The Way You Are by Tears For Fears
    Not released in the U.S.
  • 4. Work Is A Four Letter Word by The Smiths
    Not released in the US.
  • 3. Enola Gay by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Not released in the US.
  • 2. How Beautiful You Are by The Cure
    Second contender: their cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart"
  • 1. Two Hearts Beat As One by U2
    Second contender: "Everlasting Love" (1989)
B Sides,some previously unreleased tracks, and obscure one hit wonders... Aside from many countless hits that everybody are familiar with, including myself, from the 1980's... Source: "Living In Oblivion" CDs (worth finding) and other collections of lost treasures from the 1980's.
By: Chris Smith
By: aaron lee
  • 10. Imagination by Belouis Some
    Upbeat and made me feel good!
  • 9. Girls On Film by Duran Duran
    Video was Great!
  • 8. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Class!
  • 7. Just Cant Get Enough by Depeche Mode
    Best tune they ever did.
  • 6. Misfit by Curiosity Killed The Cat
    Great Tune
  • 5. I Feel For You by Chaka Khan
    How did Power of Love, Frankie knock this off No1?
  • 4. Rumours by Timex Social Club
    Classic - Most slept on pop tune of the 80s!
  • 3. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Another !
  • 2. Slow Down by Loose Ends
    Again, still play this out.
  • 1. Just Be Good To Me by The S.O.S. Band
    Floor Filla - Still play this out!!
I am a total 80s fan - I could have given you my top 100. I think people forget how good some of the music actually was during this decade. Its thanks to the 80s that my love of electro and hip hop was born and am I ever grateful for that! I'll never forget my 80s roots though......;-)
By: Antonio masikip II
  • 10. Sara by Starship
    Dedicated to all those sara's in the world.
  • 9. How Can We Be Lovers by Michael Bolton
    did I forget to mention that I'm a sucker for lovesongs as well
  • 8. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship
    Come on you Know i had to put it somewhere in this List. from the movie Manequin.
  • 7. Kokomo by The Beach Boys
    when I was a kid back in the 80s this was one of my favourite songs
  • 6. Together In Electric Dreams by Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder
    A song thet deserved more recognition than originally given
  • 5. Robert DeNiro's Waiting by Bananarama
    Bannaramma the British all girl band of the 80s.The list of memorable songs from this band can go on forever but this song does it for me.
  • 4. Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen
    Ah the classic song from dirty dancing
  • 3. Silent Running by Mike & The Mechanics
    One of those songs that gets you thinking
  • 2. Only When You Leave by Spandau Ballet
    alot of ppl probably remember spandau ballet for hits like gold or true but I think this song is one of their best.
  • 1. Head Over Heels by Tears For Fears
    probably my fave song from this Duo. also featured in the movie Donnie darko
To Be Honest I got back to 80's music after playing GTA Vice city, so Rockstar I blame you in a good way. I wish I could wake up 2moro and it would be 1987. So to all those anti-80s ppl. Funk you
By: Marco
  • 10. I Be Over You by Toto
    Bella Balada, toto es una banda de otro nivel
  • 9. Cherish by Madonna
    Maestra
  • 8. The Touch by Stan Bush
    Transformers
  • 7. Lavander by Marillion
  • 6. Pamela by Toto
  • 5. True by Spandau Ballet
  • 4. Beat It by Michael Jackson
    gran guitarra de steve lukather y edy van halen
  • 3. Kayleigh by Marillion
    merillion la mejor banda progresiva de la historia
  • 2. Through The Barricades by Spandau Ballet
    gran Balada y gran bamda New Romantic
  • 1. Africa by Toto
    Vinieron A Chile El 2004 al festival de viña y demostraron ser lo mejor de este evento, virtuosismo y calidad. africa gran balada
By: sagritale
  • 10. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    I really liked this one. The tune was very catchy, and the lyrics was kind of good.
  • 9. (Keep Feeling) Fascination by The Human League
    The real reason behind this is I liked the back-up singer's accents. It's kinda fun to mimic.
  • 8. Drive by Cars
    It was very soothing...
  • 7. Shame by Evekyn Champagne King
    The "SHAME!" part was always fun to listen to.
  • 6. Never Too Much by Luther Vandross
    It was really cool to dance with. And besides, the lyrics was very much similar to me.
  • 5. Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon
    I sang this one to my girlfriend. Actually, just the chorus since the other parts sounded bad for that situation. It had a nice result.
  • 4. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
    The intro sounded sinister. I thought it was. But it was good.
  • 3. 99 Luftballons by Nena
    I have no idea what the lyrics meant. But I really liked to sing along with it.
  • 2. Gold by Spandau Ballet
    I liked Spandau, and this is one of their songs I really liked.
  • 1. True by Spandau Ballet
    And this... this is my all time favorite. I've been singing this one since I was a kid, and it's probably the first song I memorized. I heard it in one of my dad's cassette tapes, and I was hooked with Spandau.
I like eighties music. Even if it means being constantly teased by my fellow teenagers. Yes, I am still in my teens.
By: ozzy
  • 10. Ghost Town by The Specials
    Could have been released today.Brilliance is ageless.
  • 9. Wouldn't It Be Good by Nik Kershaw
    Great stuff,brings a tear to the eye.
  • 8. Atomic by Blondie
    Majestic and funky.
  • 7. Pump Up The Volume by M/A/R/R/S
    Groundbreaking dance tune,no more no less.
  • 6. Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean
    Sundrenched,Armani clad and driving a Ferrari.That's what this song is in my head.
  • 5. Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield
    Still sounds fresh today.
  • 4. Together In Electric Dreams by Georgio Moroder & Phillip Oakey
    I loved the movie this came from too!
  • 3. Let's Dance by David Bowie
    Great song,great album,Bowie looked like a new man after the excesses of the 70's.
  • 2. See You by Depeche Mode
    Classic electronica for a saturday night.
  • 1. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship
    Power pop. What the 80's did best.
By: titusz
By: Jesse James
  • 10. Hold Me Now by The Thompson twins
    A good slow song
  • 9. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    Has a really good chorus and overal great song
  • 8. Obsession by Animotion
    Has an awsome beat, I remembered this song while playing Vice City at the strip club lol
  • 7. Whip It by Devo
    This song defines the 80's, just listin to it!
  • 6. Need You Tonight by INXS
    Oh the good ol' INXS I love these guys
  • 5. Never Going To Give You Up by Rick Astley
    Rick was in his early 20s when he made this song but his voice is so deep its quite moving.
  • 4. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
    Because it's my Name lol
  • 3. Rio by Duran Duran
    I used to listin to this in Highschool it was one of my favourite songs
  • 2. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    Ive always Liked Duran Duran and this is their best, a must download!
  • 1. If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Cranking this song up full bass give me the chills!
By: simon
  • 10. Push It by Salt-N-Pepa
    gets u moving
  • 9. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    he should have a song in everyones list
  • 8. Rapture by Blondie
    really funky hit
  • 7. Drop The Pilot by Joan Armatrading
  • 6. Love Action (I Believe In Love) by The Human League
    i only thought human had one hit 'don't you want me' but this one is awesome
  • 5. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
  • 4. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
  • 3. Every Breath You Take by The Police
  • 2. Can We Still Be Friends by Todd Rundgren
    i think this song was in the 80's its such a cool song
  • 1. Head Over Heels by Tears For Fears
    when i heard this song in Donnie Darko it made me love it even more
too many songs to put into 10 hits, bands like duran duran, blondie, soft cell, spandeau ballet, simple minds, madness, the police, pat benetar, and so much more
By: Steve
  • 10. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    Movie music goes mainstream. This one's for you Honey!
  • 9. Still Of The Night by Whitesnake
    Late 80's ass kicker. I still go mental when I hear this song. David Coverdale is one dirty little boy!
  • 8. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    the 80's at it's best
  • 7. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    Admit it, you'd LOVE to hear this song again
  • 6. Separate Ways by Journey
    Ass kicking song. I defy anyone to hate this song.
  • 5. Shadows Of The Night by Pat Benatar
    Great composition, big feel. She was a pioneer for any and all of these girly rockers of today who couldn't hold a candle to Pat
  • 4. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    groundbreaking in moving keyboards up front in music. Paved the way for direction of music
  • 3. Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot
    Short lived, but a vital part of that early 80's Heavy Metal naissance
  • 2. Jump by Van Halen
    Rock meets technology for the first time. Catchy synth line make eveyone wanna JUMP!
  • 1. Heat Of The Moment by Asia
    FIRST 80's supergroup, ONLY 80's supergroup

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