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: Matt P.
  • 10. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues
    Only the Pogues could come up with this one
  • 9. Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
  • 8. More Than This by Roxy Music
  • 7. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
  • 6. Pulling Mussells From The Shell by Squeeze
    Long title, great song
  • 5. She Bang's the Drums by Stone Roses
    U2 who?
  • 4. Earn Enough For Us by XTC
    Most underappreciated yet influential bands of the 80's
  • 3. Pictures of You by The Cure
    This song has just grown on me over the years
  • 2. Add It Up by Violent Femmes
    Perhaps the best punk song ever, by a band with an acoustic guitar/bass no less.
  • 1. The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen
    Brilliant
By: rockking/rockgod/leadsinger/leadguitar
  • 10. Concrete And Steal by ZZ Top
  • 9. Electric Gypsy by L.A. Guns
    but wild child by W.A.S.P. is as good as this one
  • 8. Girls Girls Girls by Mötley Crüe
  • 7. Up Around The Bend by Hanoi Rocks
    You still cant root out creedence clearwater revival
  • 6. Teenage Frankenstein by Alice Cooper
  • 5. To Tame A Land by Iron Maiden
  • 4. Daddy Brother Lover Little Boy by Mr. BiG
  • 3. If You Don't Like It by Cinderella
  • 2. Peace Sells by Megadeth
  • 1. Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
i wish i could put every song on here that i like over 5,000 nick of time-acdc locomotive breath-jethro tull(his only good song) raining blood-slayer the cult bout all Godzilla-blue oyster cult i want to go on
By: william klinzing
  • 10. Flick Of The Switch by AC/DC
    they are very good rockers
  • 9. Eyes With Out A Face by Billy Idol
    he made the jump from punk rock to pop
  • 8. Rock This Town by Stray Cats
    they played fun rock
  • 7. Free Will by Rush
    they are one of the better bands of the 80's
  • 6. Metal Health by Quit Riot
    they put down alot of sound
  • 5. Time by Alan Parson's Project
    they are a good band that have great music
  • 4. Keep The Fire Burning by R.E.O. Speedwagon
    reo is a band that has survied with most of thier original line up kevin cronin joined in 73
  • 3. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
    what more can you say
  • 2. Walk The Dinosour by Dinosour Jr.
    this song makes you want to dance
  • 1. Two Less Lonely People In The World by Air Supply
    this is mine and my wifes song and i have always liked air supply
this list jumps through alot of music from the 80's just to show that it was not all hair bands as most young people think it was a good mixture of soft rock,new wave,hair bands,as far as music goes it was one of the best decades
By: MARK
  • 10. Purple Rain by Prince
    He reached all of the masses with this one.
  • 9. She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
    Her 1st and her best.
  • 8. Crowded House by Crowded House
    The best of the late 80s
  • 7. Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
    A great date album.
  • 6. 1984 by Van Halen
    This is what happens when a band gets it right.
  • 5. Eliminator by ZZ Top
    A great Friday Night Album
  • 4. Heartbeat City by The Cars
    Another band hitting their peak.
  • 3. Touch by Eurythmics
    Hitting their peak on this one.
  • 2. Sports by Huey Lewis And The News
    their best album by far.
  • 1. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
    the ultimat 80s album.
By: Mark
  • 10. Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top
    A great guy song.
  • 9. Hey Now, Hey Now by Crowded House
    A very underated song by an Underated Band.
  • 8. Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol
    Another great party song.
  • 7. Why Can't I be You? by The Cure
    Another Favorite from the Late 80s dance movement
  • 6. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    The best of the late 80's dance craze songs.
  • 5. Tempted by Squeeze
    Great Alternative Song by an underated UK band.
  • 4. Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
    Everybody knew all the words to this on.
  • 3. Burning Down the House by Talking Heads
    Another great party song.
  • 2. Should I Stay Or Should I Go? by The Clash
    A great party song.
  • 1. Paradise By The Dashboard Light by Meat Loaf
    Everybody loved this song.
By: Kimberly Williams
  • 10. The Flame by Cheap Trick
    This song was meant for me and my boyfriend becasue I'd do anything for him. And no matter what I'll always be with him.
  • 9. Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks
    This song gets stuck in my head every time I hear it. Stevie Nicks has an amazing voice.
  • 8. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    Come on who doesn't like this song? Everyone wants to be Rocky Balboa...YO ADRIENNE I DID IT!!!!!
  • 7. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    this song is me and jenna all the way. When we did stupid stuff we always sang this song.
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    My friends always make me dance to this song. Its my party dance.
  • 5. Total Eclipse Of The Heart. by Bonnie Tyler
    Me and my friends use to always listen to this song when we were little.
  • 4. Rosanna by Toto
    This was one of the first songsmy boyfriend played for me and he likes heavy metal and I hadnever heard it but I loved it the first time I heard it.
  • 3. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
    This song reminds me of the road trip my sister and my best friend went on last summer and I will never forget it.
  • 2. Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield
    Most of my friends don't listen to the music I listen to especially the 80's but whenever this song plays they all know the words.
  • 1. Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
    This song has so many memories and that I wouldn't trade in a million years.This song for me was a heartache and happiness.
I picked these song's because in my opinion they were the best. You can;t change the memories behind these songs especially for me. I din't mention Foriegner but they were at the top as well these song's just came first.
By: Nicholas Adams
By: heath duggan
  • 10. Been Caught Stealing by Jane's Addiction
    Jane's breakthrough hit...the whole Ritual de lo Habitual album is brilliant with the epic Three Days song. Perry Ferrell at his wailing best!
  • 9. I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister
    This song was just in your face awesome! I still bang my head everytime I hear it! Dee Snyder and teh rest of the "Sisters" looked ridiculous, but they knew how to rock!
  • 8. Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode
    Brilliant song with unforgettable lyrics. The whole Violator album was a masterpiece.
  • 7. I Ran by Flock of Seagulls
    In league with Gary Neuman, these guys were way ahead of their time! The haircut was proof this guy was not from our time!
  • 6. Goodbye Horses by Q Lazurus
    Song can be heard in Silence of the Lambs in one of the most creepy scenes ever filmed. The song's moody synthesizers and haunting lyrics are unforgettable. Unfortunatly, I picture Buffalo Bob everytime I hear this song!
  • 5. Cars by Gary Neuman
    I think Gary Neuman was a genius ahead of his time...I believe his time machine from the future dropped him off about twenty years too early. Only now is he truly appreciated!
  • 4. Lips Like Sugar by Echo & the Bunneymen
    Very underrated eighties band!
  • 3. The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    Again this song has a great beat and is FUN to Dance to! Also the Video was outrageous with the "Little Person" dancing around the village!
  • 2. Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
    The driving beat makes my arm hairs stand up everytime I hear it
  • 1. How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths
    Epitomizes the feelings of self-doubt every teenager deals with
By: Luke (GRS)
  • 10. Every Rose Has It's Thorn by Poison
  • 9. Join Together by The Who
  • 8. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
  • 7. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Another great hard rock band.
  • 6. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
    Excellent song.
  • 5. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police
    Forget "Every Breath You Take" (That song is overrated in my opinion) this is the best from The Police.
  • 4. Give The Music Back by The Hooters
    One of the most underrated bands of the era.
  • 3. Blue Monday by New Order
    This song just screams out "80s".
  • 2. It's The End Of The World As We Know It by R.E.M.
    It's true that their best stuff was released in the 80s. This is their most popular single to date, and for good reason too.
  • 1. Dreams by Van Halen
    Quite possibly the best hard rock band of the 80s. This song is from their 5150 album released in 1986 - their first with Sammy Hagar.
Other Mentions: Van Halen - Summer Nights, U2 - New Years Day, The Cure - Close To Me, Dire Straits - Industrial Disease...
By: Byron Benguche
  • 10. Tender Lover by Force Md's
  • 9. Hanging On A String by Loose Ends
  • 8. Back To Life by Soul To Soul
  • 7. Touch Me (All Night Long) by Cathy Dennis
  • 6. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
  • 5. The Look Of Love Part One by ABC
  • 4. Never Too Much by Luther Vandross
  • 3. Domino Dancing by Pet Shop Boys
  • 2. I Wonder If I Can Take You Home? by Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam Feat.full Force
  • 1. Make It Real by The Jets
By: Juvius
  • 10. Take Me Home by Phil Collins
    This song always used to cheer me up.
  • 9. Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield
    Who can't relate to this song?
  • 8. Just What I Needed by The Cars
    Couldn't decide between these two, but the Cars definitely belong on the list.
  • 7. Faithfully by Journey
    One of the best ballads of all time, this song has the distinction of finishing stronger than it starts.
  • 6. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
    Hard to think of the eighties without thinking of this song.
  • 5. Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
    Money for Nothing was a huge hit, but this song affected me.
  • 4. Dirty Laundry by Don Henley
    One of the best song writers in the biz.
  • 3. Keep Feeling Fascination by The Human League
    This song still fascinates me.
  • 2. I Ran by Flock of Seagulls
    The hair was great; the song was greater.
  • 1. Don't You Want Me? by The Human League
    It's the theme song of the early eighties as far as I'm concerned.
I tried to choose songs (and artists) that I not only liked, but that defined the era.
By: Michelle
By: Anjel
  • 10. It Takes Two by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
  • 9. Nightmare on My Street by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
  • 8. Here and Now by Luther Vandross
  • 7. Smooth Operator by Sade
  • 6. She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals
  • 5. Supersonic by J J Fadd
  • 4. Push It by Salt-n-Pepa
  • 3. Fight the Power by Public Enemey
  • 2. Can You Stand the Rain? by New Edition
  • 1. Don't Be Cruel by Bobby Brown
How many of ya'll remember these songs?
By: Caitlin
  • 10. Need You Tonight by INXS
    Woo hoo! I also really love this song. There is nothing bad about it, ever. Such an 80s anthem.
  • 9. Heat of the Moment by Asia
    One of my favorite songs of all time. I would like to put it higher up on the chart but I think lots of people forget about it. It's great though!
  • 8. Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar
    Oh Pat, you are such a woman's activist. But it's all right because you are awesome at making music! This song still amazes me.
  • 7. Come on Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    A-MA-ZING! I love love this song. It's sooo 80s.
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Michael does not molest children! I won't have it! He revolutionized music forever. Go MJ!
  • 5. Africa by Toto
    I used to love this song a ton, but it is getting slightly old. However, it is still really great and such a good 80s song.
  • 4. Take It On The Run by REO Speedwagon
    YES! This song rocks soooo much. 'Nuff said. And remember: "talk is cheaper when the story is good."
  • 3. Rio by Duran Duran
    Duran Duran is my favorite band ever. They are THE 80s band, and I don't think anyone can argue with that. They completely revolutionized MTV. Rio is the first song I think of when I think of Duran Duran. I named my dog Rio ok? I heart you Simon LeBon!
  • 2. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    I wish I could have Bonnie Tyler follow me around everywhere and just sing this song over and over. I love it and it is amazing. There is nothing about this song that is bad.
  • 1. Your Love by The Outfield
    If this isn't the ultimate 80's song, I don't know what is. It is just so good and ridiculously eighties. No one can hate this song.
It is really hard to choose only 10 80s songs. The 80s had soooo many AWESOME songs, I hate to leave out all the good ones. I could name a billion more Duran Duran and REO Speedwagon songs that I absolutely LOVE!
By: Charlie Coalman
  • 10. Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie
    By far and away the greatest tune of the 80's (if ever such a subjective list could actually be created). In its defence it has a unique beat, a fresh melody and powerful lyrics "I've never done good things/I've never done bad things/I never did anything out of the blue". Sublime sound
  • 9. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    There is a lot more to this song than meets the cheesy eye. Unforgettable chorus whether liked or not
  • 8. I ran (So far away) by Flock of Seagulls
    Many people rate 'Wishing I had..' over this single but i find this particular song beyond doubt as the better of the two and therefore highlighted in this list. Long intro but once into the break it does not let up.
  • 7. Come on Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    Rip-roaring sing-along classic which can only become tiring with heavy usage. Nice use of banjo and violin.
  • 6. Gold by Spandau Ballet
    Of all the songs in this groups back catalogue, I chose this one as I think it truely captures a moment in this era. I could think of no better soundtrack to a seedy disco full of yuppies and people with really awful haircuts snorting coke and drilling eachother
  • 5. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
    Stereo Synth lines batting around notes across the spectrum of sound with a wailing Annie Lennox overseeing and commanding throughout this tune.
  • 4. Prince Charming by Adam Ant
    Not one of my favourite songs ever but it works when played in context with other classic 80's tunes
  • 3. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    I find it quite difficult to endorse Boy George but have to admit this is a Catchy tune with a fine melody and deservedly earns a place in 80's music history
  • 2. Enola Gay by OMD
    Fairly simple loops with that slightl echoed vocal sound which became so synonamous with the 80's sound
  • 1. Sunglasses at Night by Corey Hart
    Frightful guitar near the end of this song really hauls it into the 80's perspective
List was created with quite a synthesiser bent to it. I find it hard to compare tunes within a decade of music, incorporating so many different genres and styles without becoming to prejudice towards any particular area of music. This list represents those tunes which i feel shaped a great deal of the sounds which are being recorded in the present decade. I could be totally wrong of course...
By: Tracy
  • 10. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Let's face it, weird or not...the guy is a musical genius
  • 9. Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd
    You didn't even have to be high to appreciate this one
  • 8. My Perogative by Bobby Brown
    The start of hip hop
  • 7. You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oates
    80's icons---you have to choose one of their songs
  • 6. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    Appealed even to people who weren't "rockers"
  • 5. The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics
    What a tear jerker--still gets me every time I hear it
  • 4. Jenny by Tommy Tutone
    You will never forget that phone number!
  • 3. Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles
    Forget the Electric Slide and the Macarena...
  • 2. Funkytown by Lipps, Inc.
    You still here it today--and oh what a dance tune
  • 1. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    The Breakfast Club defined a generation and this song says it all!
Tough to pick...so much was happening with music, so I chose some dance, some ballad and some rock, but I think appeals to any type of music lover!
By: tomas zapa
i lived the eightees. i loved that music...and i still do.
By: Jossiano Leal
  • 10. Forever by Kiss
    A great song.
  • 9. One Way or Another by Blondie
    A song that makes remember the tv series from this decade.
  • 8. Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
    This song was the theme from a TV show called "Perdidos na Noite", here in Brazil.
  • 7. Summer Of '69 by Brian Adams
    Probably the best song from Brian.
  • 6. Doo Wah Diddy by 2 Live Crew
    Really funny!
  • 5. Jump by Van Halen
    The power of synths from the eighties.
  • 4. Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes
    The last song from this group to enter the hit parades, I think.
  • 3. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    It's old, but sounds like actual. Incredible.
  • 2. Fight for Your Right (To Party) by Beastie Boys
    From the first album of the Beasties.
  • 1. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    Simply the best.
The decade of power pops and hard rock. I like it.
By: Amare Stoudemire
These are the top 10 songs in no order, off the top of my head right now......
By: DJ
When I think of the 1980's music, I think of these sweet songs.

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