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: Fernando
By: Rob Miller
  • 10. (Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon
    One of his last songs before he was tragically killed.
  • 9. Shout by Tears For Fears
    I put them down in my HS yearbook as my favorite band at the time.
  • 8. In A Big Country by Big Country
    Another one hit wonder. I thought this band would be as big as U2, REM, or Simple Minds. I missed that one.
  • 7. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    The Police were the hottest band during this time.
  • 6. New Year's Day by U2
    This got it started for me with U2.
  • 5. When Doves Cry by Prince
    One of the best songs ever recorded without a bass.
  • 4. 30 Days by RUN DMC
    Brought Rap to the mainstream.
  • 3. Life In A Northern Town by The Dream Academy
    Slo-Core one hit wonders.
  • 2. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    Great Song that ironically pretty much ended the career of Berlin.
  • 1. Just Like Heaven by Cure
    One of the best bands of the decade. Still making good music today.
There are so many other bands I would like to include like Husker Du, Black Flag, Plainsong by the Cure, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Bad to the Bone George Thorogood, Tom Petty, The Smiths, Marvin Gaye, Yes, Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, New Order, Thompson Twins, etc.
By: Mark Albizzi
  • 10. This Charming Man by The Smiths
    Johnny Marr's guitar!
  • 9. Under The Milky Way by The Church
    Atmospheric song from a great Aussie band of the 80s.
  • 8. Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel
    Great song - Don Walker's song, Barnsie's voice. A fine defibrolater for any dull party.
  • 7. True by Spandau Ballet
    Slick as anything, reminds me of big suits and waxed hair.
  • 6. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    Who said the 1980s had no spirit?
  • 5. Gigantic by The Pixies
    One of the most underrated bands of all time, especially when you consider who they influenced. A great 'up' song with wonderful guitars.
  • 4. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure
    Reminds me of how hard it was to be a young man. It's a lot easier being an old one. Emo has nothing on these guys.
  • 3. Infected by The The
    Charged up sex and angst from a wonderful album.
  • 2. Walls Come Tumbling Down by Style Council
    Reminds me of a time when I thought I could change the world, a time before I grew up and knew better...
  • 1. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    The best song of the 1980s.
By: carolina martinheira
  • 10. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
    quintessential 80s song and summer song
  • 9. The Look Of Love by ABC
    i LOVE IT! thats the look thats the look, the look of loveeeee :D
  • 8. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    everyone LOVES this song!
  • 7. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
    this song is so beautiful, i cried when I heard it the first time!
  • 6. I Ran by Flock of Seagulls
    it's soooooo catchy!!!!!!! i love it!!
  • 5. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    Limahl is soooooo sexy the song is so pretty
  • 4. Careless Whisper by George Michael
    so powerful... it's beautiful
  • 3. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    Madonna's greatest song! love it!!! she's great
  • 2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    i love this song and its video, it's awesome!! i love him
  • 1. Hello by Lionel Richie
    this is my 80s favorite song! it's beautiful
i was born in 1992 but i LOVE the 80s!!!!!!!!!!! there's other songs that i love like 'Tainted Love' by Soft Cell; 'Time after Time' by Cyndi Lauper'; 'here I go again' by Whitesnake, etc etc etc.. 80s LIVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!
By: laschgebiede
By: Stephen Imbriglia
  • 10. Whip It by Devo
    Good lyrics
  • 9. Eat It by Weird Al
    Funny or what
  • 8. Everybody Wants To Rule The Wold by Tears For Fears
    Over all good song
  • 7. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
    Great dance song
  • 6. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    Good song
  • 5. Physical by Olivia Newton John
    Sexy
  • 4. Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce's best song of the 80's
  • 3. Ture Colors by Cindy Lauper
    Great love Song
  • 2. Tempted by Squezze
    Gerat Song
  • 1. Borderline by Madonna
    Best song Madonna ever did
By: Charles
  • 10. Shout by Tears for Fears
    This one screams `80's from start to finish. Plus, it's just a killer anthem.
  • 9. Love Theme from "St. Elmo's Fire" by David Foster
    Okay, so this one might possibly be here for sentimental reasons. I'm not sure, because, as this song played, I danced with and kissed a girl that I thought was (actually still is) one of the most beautiful girls ever. We're still good friends 20+ years later. Regardless, this really is a great `80's love song.
  • 8. I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man) by Kenny Loggins
    This song came from the `80's movie music god, Kenny L. Written for "Footloose." Not his most popular song. Not his highest chart topper. But it oozes the `80's sound.
  • 7. Jump by Van Halen
    To the shock and horror of rock fans worldwide, Eddie replaced the guitar with a synthesizer... and Van Halen's biggest hit ever was made. I hated this song when I first heard it, but the more I heard it, the more I liked it. It really is a great `80's tune.
  • 6. 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tu Tone
    It doesn't matter whether or not you like this song. It's probably one of the most catchy/addictive tunes ever written.
  • 5. If You Were Here by Thompson Twins
    Great date song. I can still see the face of the girl I went with to see "Sixteen Candles," and every time I hear this song, I get transported back to that date.
  • 4. Material Girl by Madonna
    I don't really like this song, but it is soooo `80's
  • 3. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    These two guys produced some great dance music.
  • 2. If You Leave by Orchestral Maneouvres in the Dark (OMD)
    Duckie rules... and in the end, he does get the girl. This is a great tune for dancing, cruising, or just hanging out with friends on a Saturday night.
  • 1. (Don't You) Forget about Me by Simple Minds
    Quintessential `80's tune. Everyone is a brain, an athlete, a princess, a basket-case, and a criminal...
I didn't choose these songs, because they are my favorites, nor did I choose them based on their chart position(s) during the `80's. I chose them, because upon hearing the first few seconds of each song, you instantly know it as an `80's song, AND you can remember where you were/what you were doing the first (or every) time you heard any of them.
By: Alli from Cali
  • 10. Pretty In Pink by The Psychedelic Furs
    Thought the movie was crap. The song is sterling.
  • 9. Feel Me by Blancmange
    They were obscure but incredible. IF you haven't heard it and don't gag on my other choices TRY it you'll love it.
  • 8. Lovecats by The Cure
    Orchestral and FUN!
  • 7. Scarry Monsters (and Super Creeps) by David Bowie
    I prefer this Bowie to the Modern Love morph.
  • 6. Take On Me by A-HA
    So snappy, so danceable...a favorite of everyone
  • 5. I Melt With You by Modern English
    Underplayed in the Chicago area.
  • 4. Art Of Noise by Art Of Noise
    All brits, all the time
  • 3. Tainted Love (Extended Play) by SoftCell
    The EP should have been the only way to access the song(s)...the middle bridge sounds like an airplane is landing on your head--and we didn't have CD's back then!
  • 2. Stand And Deliver by Adam And The Ants
    Yes, I like the pretty boys.
  • 1. I Ran (So Far Away) by Flock of Seagulls
    All the other songs on that album were fantastic!
Torture to choose. Some others I like include anything The Cars or Blondie or Yaz (Upstairs at Eric's)or Boy George or Devo or Echo and the Bunnymen or yes the Bangles or OMD or on and on and on....
By: jeeneeaulix
  • 10. Every Breath You Take by The Police
  • 9. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N Roses
  • 8. Take On Me by A Ha
  • 7. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
  • 6. Our Lps Are Sealed by The Gogo's
  • 5. Smooth Criminal by Micheal Jackson
  • 4. Walk This Way by Run Dmc Aerosmith
  • 3. Sweet Child Of Mine by Guns N Roses
  • 2. Sweet Dreams Are Made Of Thee by The Erythmics
  • 1. Wake Me Up Before You Gogo by George Micheal
80's was the best...although i didn't live during that time....well the music is tight
By: James Earthenware
  • 10. Words by Missing Persons
    Interesting blend of prog rock-drumming, New wave posturing and commercial pop. Song completely made by the singer's mind-warping vocal style.
  • 9. Computer Love by Kraftwerk
    Kraftwerk are many things to many people, but they were at their best when emotional and melodic.
  • 8. How Soon Is Now by The Smiths
    No brit-pop or shoe-gaze if this epic hadn't been penned.
  • 7. Steelworker by Big Black
    The musical equivalent of a horror movie, nothing has been recorded since with the same intensity.
  • 6. Kinky Sex Makes The World Go 'Round by Dead Kennedy's
    Ironically the band's anti-establishment message has only become more relevant with time.
  • 5. An Ending (Ascent) by Brian Eno
    One of the most beautiful and enchanting pieces of ambient music ever created. Pops up on soundtracks all the time.
  • 4. Nothing To Do With The Dog by Krisma
    This Italian band made the best use of Casiotone keyboards ever.
  • 3. All You Wanted by The Apartments
    If more than 10 people had heard it, and if the band they hadn't broken up after only a couple of years it would probably be considered one of the best Australian song ever!
  • 2. Our Darkness by Anne Clarke
    Intense poetry, trippy synths and driving rhythms. Gothic yet uplifting due to the tempo, apeggio and saxophone blast wig-out solo.
  • 1. Strange Pursuit by Devo
    Insincere sentiments, incomprehensible screaming, vocoders, cheesy wobbly synths, primitive rhythms...DEVO ARE the F***ing 80's. This is the ultimate 80's song.
Honorable mentions; the Pixies (Caribou), The Gang Of Four (Not Great Men), The Clean (Tally Ho)...Nena (99 red balloons), Grandmixer DST (why is it fresh?) + all the other pioneering hip hop artists!
By: jay sean
  • 10. Love Bites by Def Leppard
    the band which was hated in britain (their homeland) but loved everywhere else brought us some of the best arena anthems of the 80's. this is one those hits.
  • 9. Maniac by Mike Sembello
    song from flashdance. pure 80's.
  • 8. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    the song which most reminds u of the 80's from the movie which most reminds you of the 80's starring that guy who was jumpin on the sofa wuts his name? lol. btw i wonder wut is kelly mcgillis upto nowdays. i liked her very much.
  • 7. Is This Love by Whitesnake
    this is one of the cheesiest songs of all time but there is somethin bout it that makes u play it time and again. plus the video with tawny kitaen damn!
  • 6. Careless Whisper by Wham
    george may be gay but u can't deny his talents. not only did he sing the song, he also produced and wrote the song.
  • 5. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    the clash damnit! wut else can i say.
  • 4. Don't Disturb This Groove by The System
    jus listenin to the opening bass (synth of course) gives me chills to this very day.
  • 3. I Just Died In Your Arms by Cutting Crew
    1986/1987 - i don't think there was any song more popular than this. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
  • 2. Last Christmas by Wham
    never mind how hard u try not to like wham u just cant ignore their catchy tunes. pure pop all the way.
  • 1. You Are In My System by The System
    this group had their own sound which in my opinion later on influenced the neptunes sound with their off kilter melodies and beats. the song itself was way ahead of its time.
this list is made by a group of friends where each of them put their fav 80's song. hope u do enjoy our selection of songs.
By: David Johnson
  • 10. Dangerous by Roxette
  • 9. Windows In The Sky's by U2
  • 8. We Built This City On Rock And Roll by Jefferson Starship
  • 7. A Little Aint Enough by Van Halen
  • 6. Every Breath You Take by Sting And The Police
  • 5. Its The End Of The World by R.E.M.
  • 4. Hungry Like A Wolf by Duran Duran
  • 3. Cought Up In You by 38. Special
  • 2. Summer Of 69 by Brian Adams
  • 1. Since Your'e Gone by The Cars
By: Shelley
Great songs, good mix of music.
By: Jamoz
  • 10. Careless Whisper by WHAM
  • 9. All I Do by Daryl Braithwaite
  • 8. What A Feeling/fame by Irene Cara
  • 7. Sara by Starship
  • 6. Shes Like The Wind/hungry Eyes/the Time Of My Life by Dirty Dancing Soundtrack
  • 5. Take On Me by A-Ha
  • 4. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
  • 3. True by Spandau Ballet
  • 2. In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
  • 1. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
Honourable mentions: I can't fight this feeling-REO Speedwagon, Last Christmas-WHAM, Caribbean Queen-Billy Ocean, When doves cry-Prince, All at once/One moment in time-Whitney Houston, We don't need another hero-Tina Turner
By: Alli from Cali
  • 10. She Blinded Me With Science by Thomas Dolby
    I always thought his name was a joke, like Dolby Stereo in the movies...his very playful video was sooo 80's
  • 9. Never Say Never by Romeo Void
    Another girl song, unfortunately appropriated by the soft and not so soft porn industry.
  • 8. Homo Superior by Pete Shelley
    A brit who's tired of taking **** for his preference, in a very danceable way.
  • 7. Cars by Gary Numan
    Slow, it was too slow but it was really cool.
  • 6. Rock Lobster by B-52's
    All of their music was good to drive to, especially in a car jammed full of people headed somewhere or nowhere in particular.
  • 5. White Wedding/Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol
    A tie! Two blow-out videos from the wonderful dawn of MTV.
  • 4. Lucky Number by Lene Lovich
    She and No. 10 were pals. She was a bored housewife/art student who discovered a keyboard synthesizer in the garage...I loved her fake braids.
  • 3. One Step Beyond by Madness
    Ska too.
  • 2. A Message to You (Rudi) by The Specials
    SKA SKA SKA...if you don't know what it is, look it up. What were you listening to, this was the sound of the moment and heavily influenced Gwen Stefani (or so I hear)...
  • 1. She Bop by Cyndi Lauper
    The EP version. Girls needed a coming of age song too.
I thought I'd throw some more eclectic stuff in the mix.
By: Wodders s0ngs in reverse order to confuse the fool
  • 10. Hold Me Now by Thomson Twins
    This is the 80s in one song - superb
  • 9. Come Dancing by The Kinks
    WOW
  • 8. Come Live With Me by Heaven 17
    Underated song - cracking tune
  • 7. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles
    awesome track
  • 6. Tainted love by Soft Cell
    early 80s bit suspect was mark but great beat
  • 5. Billy Jean by Michael Jackson
    Defined the term dance floor classic
  • 4. Brother Louie by Modern Talking
    86 - the year dance music changed - holiday hit from the german duo
  • 3. Come On Eileen by Dexys
    Fantastic memories from Butlins - oh to be young once more :p
  • 2. Red Red Wine by UB40
    The only song you heard that summer
  • 1. Baby Jane by Rod Stewart
    brings back the summer days of underage drinking in the park - magic
brilliant site chaps - nostalgia is indeed a wonderful thing - althoguh try getting your 10 year old son into the a team LOL
By: Marco
  • 10. Medicine Show by Big Audio Dynamite
    Simple but an awesome beat. (also love The bottom Line and e=MC2
  • 9. Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant
    Overabundance of percussion for sure...but oddly it works perfectly.
  • 8. The Promise by When in Rome The Promise
    Loved that this song finally got its long overdue honor in being selected as the final song in Napoleon Dynomite. Can't help but sing along.
  • 7. Just Can't Get enough by Depeche Mode
    Anmother song that absolutely cannot be overplayed. Ive tried.
  • 6. We Live So Fast by Heaven 17
    all synth all the time.
  • 5. How Soon Is Now by The Smiths
    Smiths had to be represented here. Again, coulkd have been nearly any song by them...all great
  • 4. Only You by Yaz
    Not as upbeat as some other yaz toons, but the smoky voice of Alison Moyet comes through so well when contrasted with the hollow keyboards
  • 3. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    Could have picked almost any New Order song, but the synth Pop sound is so crisp on this one.
  • 2. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    80s anthem that never gets old.
  • 1. Space Age Lovesong by Flock of Seagulls
    Far better than "I Ran" and not nearly as overplayed
Not in any order and certainly not complete by any stretch...would need top 500 to even scratch the surface of this decade...a decade far too often overlooked for its musical contributions.
By: Jennifer Voigt
These are just some of the top songs the wonderful era of the eighties are known for!!!!
By: Kath
By: Andre

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