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: Michael Abracham
  • 10. Give Me Back My Man by B-52s
  • 9. Lucky Number by Lene Lovich
  • 8. Lips Like Sugar by Echo & The Bunnymen
  • 7. Castles In Spain by The Armoury Show
  • 6. Please by The Bolshoi
  • 5. Love Like Blood by Killing Joke
  • 4. Living On The Ceiling by Blancmange
  • 3. Images Of Heaven by Peter Godwin
  • 2. Work For Love by Ministry
  • 1. Don't Go by Yazoo
In no particular order. And then Honorable Mention would go to: To Be A Lover/Billy Idol, Vive Le Rock/Adam Ant, Town Called Malice/The Jam, Infected/The The, Telecommunication/Flock Of Seagulls, Ask/The Smiths, Shellshock/New Order, A Man Inside My Mouth/The Cure, No Promises/Icehouse
By: Darian Dennison
  • 10. Jelly Roll by Blue Murder
    great song and great band formed by ex-Whitesnake guitarist John Sykes, too bad these guys couldn't been as huge as Whitesnake
  • 9. Looking For The Perfect Beat by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force
    Great song that you wanna dance and party to, no matter what mood I'm in this song always cheers me up
  • 8. Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot
    These guys really helped get rock 'n roll back on track with this rock anthem and one of the best 80s metal tunes ever!
  • 7. Draw Of The Cards by Kim Carnes
    Great song by a great artist and this song seems to be overlooked in favor of the overrated "Bette Davis Eyes"
  • 6. The Curly Shuffle by Jump 'N The Saddle
    great novelty tune about Curly Howard (my favorite of the Three Stooges) and a fun song to listen to.
  • 5. Say You Will by Foreigner
    while this song wasn't nearly as popular as "Urgent", "Waiting For A Girl Like You" and "I Want To Know What Love Is" I personally liked this song better
  • 4. Take A Little Rhythm by Ali Thomson
    Very underrated 80s hit song that doesn't seem to get a lot of recognition, wish it wasn't so hard to find, great song for all people who loves lite rock music from the early 80s
  • 3. Denim And Leather by Saxon
    Another great metal band from the NWOBHM and this is my all time favorite song by them, any metalhead should check out this song
  • 2. Halloween by Helloween
    Great song and at 13 minutes it never seems to let up, why couldn't Helloween been as huge as Maiden and Priest is beyond me
  • 1. For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica
    this is my #1 favorite Metallica song of all time and this came out during the height of their career
I consider the 80s to be the last great decade of music and it's also one of the most diverse eras of music
By: Michael Christiansen
  • 10. Nothing Too Serious by Icehouse
    Icehouse or Flowers - Iva Davies produced some classic 'pop', also loved the mature 'Man of Colours' title track. Earlier great work includes 'Great Southern Land', 'Hey little girl', 'Walls'.
  • 9. Mad World by Tears For Fears
    also loved Everyone wants to rule the world and Shout, but, Mad World scrapes ahead.
  • 8. Solid Rock by Goanna
  • 7. Cool World by Mondo Rock
  • 6. Overkill by Men At Work
  • 5. Under The Clocks by Weddings Parties Anything
  • 4. Wide Open Road by The Triffids
  • 3. Innocent Man by Billy Joel
  • 2. Time After Time by Cindi Lauper
  • 1. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
    In amongst some cute pop on debut, this was a mature gem.
A fair sprinkling of Australian flavour, but, there was a lot of bubblegum pop from overseas!! Heck, I didn't get Flame Trees in there by Cold Chisel!!
By: Michael
  • 10. West of the Pecos by Howard Hughes
  • 9. Where Are You? by 16-Bit
    16-Bit is now the group called Off. Off has another song called Electrica Salsa.
  • 8. White Horse by Laidback
    This song had a great sound in the Clubs. Laidback is now more hardcore with a really different sound.
  • 7. Get The Balance Right by Depeche Mode
    The extended version is fantastic.
  • 6. Walking In The Neon (Club Mix) by Peter Richard
    A great Club song.
  • 5. Gloria by Laura Branigan
    Brings back so many great memories from when I started my Freshman year in College back in 1982.
  • 4. Serious by Donna Allen
    A real melodic song with a great beat.
  • 3. That Smiling Face by Camouflage
    Haunting and Beautiful.
  • 2. Keep in Touch by Re-Flex
    Their big hit was The Politics of Dancing in 1983.
  • 1. One Thing Leads To Another by The Fixx
    The original edit is okay but do yourselves a favor and find the Extended Version of this song.
My list is less mainstream...sure there a few popular groups I have on the list but their B-sides were much better tunes than their bigger hits.
By: SWada
  • 10. Always the Sun by The Stranglers
  • 9. Crash by The Primitives
  • 8. Ship of Fools by World Party
  • 7. I Got You by Split Enz
  • 6. E=MC2 by Big Audio Dynamite
  • 5. Reptile by The Church
  • 4. 40 Years by House of Freaks
  • 3. Alone Again Or by The Damned
  • 2. Inside Out by Mighty Lemon Drops
  • 1. Nowhere Girl by B-Movie
my top 10 list of 80's songs that most people never heard of or just simply forgot.
By: John
By: cleo777
  • 10. Ain't Nobody Here but us Chickens by Five Guys named Moe
    Just one of those corny, quirky, perky songs that you can't seem to forget. What was in that chicken coop anyway????
  • 9. Down to the Waterline by Paradox
    It took me forever to even find out the name of this band, whenever I called the radio stations they didn't seem to know.
  • 8. We're Only Making Plans For Nigel by XTC
    I remember my friend had their record, and I played it at her house more than she did! kept hoping it would be gifted to me, but it never was....
  • 7. On My Radio by The Selecter
    More ska goodness!
  • 6. A Message to Rudy by The Specials
    from the same era, I was kind of into ska in those days.
  • 5. One Step Beyond by Madness
    Partied to this song a lot in high school. Did the Madness dance and everything.
  • 4. Money by Flying Lizards
    One of the first new wave songs I can remember, came out when I was in high school and it was love at first listen.
  • 3. Twenty Questions by Tic Toc
    I think the album was called at the picnic or something. Loved this song. So 80's!
  • 2. Sunset Now by Heaven 17
    Pretty obscure, but liked the video on T.V.
  • 1. Doctor, Doctor by Thompson Twins
    Loved these guys!
Hoping some of these make it in, they are all great songs I remember fondly from my youth.
By: cleo777
  • 10. April Fool by Chalk Circle
    Another one I had a tough time finding out the name of the band, but the song does remind me of spring.
  • 9. Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
    Whether you like him or not, Mark Knoppfler was the BOMB in those days. Awesome licks.
  • 8. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker, Jr.
    Another great song! Great movie too, still funny!
  • 7. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    What a fantastic song. Still listen to his stuff, always will.
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    What can I say? He was amazing. We would beat it to the dance floor every time it came on.
  • 5. Rock Lobster by B52's
    See Song #4! Still love this one though. Actually owned the album, boy did my Mom think I was weird LOL!
  • 4. Never Say Never by Romeo Void
    weirdly compelling. Strange little song!
  • 3. Year of the Cat by Al Stewart
    HATED this song, but it was on the radio ALL the flipping time!!
  • 2. Take On Me by A-ha
    OK so I was completely in love with Morten Harket at the time, and the video was RAD, man! Who didn't want to be the girl that got pulled into the comic strip?
  • 1. Always something there to remind me by Naked Eyes
    Iconic for me. This is my second list!
80's music was the best. Love it love it love it!
By: Storminorm
Bringing me back to my teen years, listening to KROQ Pasadena Los Angeles...
By: Storminorm
Bringing me back to my teen years, listening to KROQ Pasadena Los Angeles...
By: Damien McKee
  • 10. All Cried Out by Alison Moyet
    UK number 8 hit in 1984
  • 9. Endless Summer Nights by Richard Marx
    Power Ballad from Right Here Waiting singer UK number 50 hit in 1988
  • 8. The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
    Power Ballad from Eagles singer UK number 12 hit in 1985
  • 7. The Best by Tina Turner
    Great song that showed Tina could sing both Soul music and Rock music UK number 5 hit in 1989
  • 6. Piano In The Dark by Brenda Russell
    Great song. UK Top 30 hit in 1988
  • 5. 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
    Brilliant song
  • 4. Hand On Your Heart by Kylie Minogue
    Great number 1 song
  • 3. Leave A Light On by Belinda Carlisle
    Great song from brilliant Pop singer reached number 4 in 1989
  • 2. Take On Me by A-Ha
    Fantastic song with great video reaching number 2
  • 1. China In Your Hand by T'Pau
    Fantastic Pop ballad from the British answer to A-Ha and went to number 1 in 1987
Contain some songs that Americans may not know
By: Samantha
  • 10. Madness by Our House
    The bad boys of Two tone themselves- Definately one of their best!
  • 9. Bonnie Tyler by Total Eclipse Of The Heart
    Love it sooo much - beautiful voice
  • 8. Berlin by Take Mt Breathe Away
    One of the main tracks to an all time amazing film- Top Gun!
  • 7. White Snake by Is This The Love
  • 6. Heaven 17 by Temptation
  • 5. Q-feel by Dancing In Heaven
    Don't know if it got much attention, only heard it on Girls just wanna have fun(Great Film)
  • 4. Duran Duran by Seventh Stranger
    Love Simon le bon so could have put any song of there's
  • 3. Gary Numan by Cars
    Gives me goosebumps
  • 2. The Mighty Wah! by Story Of The Blues
    Always thought Pete Wiley was undermined
  • 1. Secret by Omd
    Just Never gets boring!
Love the whole new romantic period and there was definatelyother bands i could have chose: Frankie goes to hollywood, Big audio dynamite, Dexie's midnight runners, The human leauge, Erasure, Adsam and the ants, The specials, Fun Boy Three, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Banarama, Kim Wilde, Visage, Ultravox, Culture club, The police, Tears for fears, Depeche mode, Joy Division, King and Siouxsie and the banshees
By: Steve Dwyer
  • 10. Naughty Naughty by Danger Danger
  • 9. Round And Round by Ratt
  • 8. Drive by The Cars
    the band who mixed guitar rock with new wave and was completely successful. Who are still listened to today.
  • 7. Lick It Up by Kiss
  • 6. Your All I Need by Motley Crue
  • 5. Girls Girls Girls by Motley Crue
    off of Girls Girls Girls album
  • 4. Paradise City by Guns N Roses
  • 3. Rocket Queen by Guns N Roses
    track # 12 off Appetite for Destruction
  • 2. Shake It Up by The Cars
  • 1. Running To You by The Cars
    off of 1980 Panorama album
By: ancele007
By: Jean-Philippe Drapeau
By: Steven Dwyer
By: Byron Smith
  • 10. Orange Crush by R.E.M.
    lived in Athens, Ga, so it seems a crime not to mention it.
  • 9. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    need I say more?
  • 8. Every Rose Has It's Thorn by Poison
    first break up.
  • 7. I'll Remember You by Skid Row
    first dance, first kiss soon followed by song #8
  • 6. Dogs of War by Pink Floyd
    highly under-rated album.
  • 5. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) by Metallica
    Always felt an odd connection to this song. Diagnosis of Schizofrenia in my mid 20s may be why.
  • 4. They Walked in Line by Joy Division
    Ian Curtis. Great songwriter, tragic end.recorded in 1979, released in US in 1980, posthumously.
  • 3. Shot In The Dark by Ozzy Osbourne
    First metal concert.no-where near the last
  • 2. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    one of the greatest bands ever. Misses my top spot only because of a sentimental situation. out of the 22 times I've seen them live, one of the few always played
  • 1. All I Want is You by U2
    Great on vinyl, cassette, and cd. even better live.
I wanted to add so many more, but of course 20 years on, some songs have become more to me than others. these have remained constant.
By: Rafael R.
By: Luis C
  • 10. Wrapped Around Your Finger by The Police
    Some would argue that they had other songs that were better and bigger hits, but this is just pure poesy.
  • 9. Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springteen & the E St Band
    The Boss! Enough said.
  • 8. Don't Dream Is Over by Crowded House
    Awesome song and very poignant. It's supposed to be Neil Finn's autobiographical account of his fight with drugs.
  • 7. Puple Rain by Prince and the Revolution
    Love the movie, love the soundtrack, love this song.
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Again, no top ten 80's list is complete without a song from the king of pop. Possibly one of the best.
  • 5. Dress You Up by Madonna
    No top ten 80's list is complete without a song from the Material Girl herself. This is one of my favorites.
  • 4. Everything She Wants by WHAM!
    An awesome but underrated song.
  • 3. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
    The anthem of 1987!
  • 2. Faithfully by Journey
    Possibly one of the greatest songs ever written. The lyrics are so palpably visceral.
  • 1. True by Spandau Ballet
    How can this song not make anyone's top ten list?
These artist and bands were some of the most successful of the 80's, but I think these songs transcend time and would be hits in any decade, not just for the music, but the lyrics as well. There are so many great songs that the 80's gave us, that it's almost unfair to come up with a top ten list, but I think these truly represent what the 80's were all about.
By: Keith
  • 10. Take On Me by A Ha
    Great song with an amazing video. What imagination!
  • 9. Sitting At The Wheel by The Moody Blues
    I bought my first "NEW" car in the 80's. This was the first song I listened to on the cassette player.
  • 8. Heat Of The Moment by Asia
    A song that always made me play the drums on my steering wheel.
  • 7. Don't Stop Believing by Journey
    One of the staples of the 80's.
  • 6. Oh No by Lionel Richie
    Great song. I used to have fun with it. It would come on the radio, I would say "oh no" and when someone would say "what's wrong," I'd point at the radio.
  • 5. Magic by The Cars
    Classic summer song that starts off with the work "summer."
  • 4. Boy's Of Summer by Don Henley
    Classic summer song with many interpretations. Great video.
  • 3. Eye's Without A Face by Billy Idol
    A great song that stays in my head after I hear it.
  • 2. Space Age Love Song by A Flock Of Seagulls
    Just a fun song with great guitar and drums.
  • 1. Drive by The Cars
    Smooth Voice of the late Benjamin Orr. Great Video. Thought provoking song. My brother heard this song and told me I would like it. He was right!
The music of the 80's was so phenomenal, I could easily change these songs around in order. And...it was hard to narrow it down to 10.

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