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: Robert Grazer
  • 10. Cacophony by Speed Metal Symphony
    THAT IS SOME FAST GUITAR!
  • 9. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    Classic
  • 8. Hallowed be thy Name by Iron Maiden
    Perfect song.
  • 7. Burnin' For You by Blue Oyster Cult
    Pay the devil his dues.
  • 6. Welceme Home (Sanitarium) by Metallica
    The angriest song ever written.
  • 5. The White Car by Yes
    I love the whole minute and a half.
  • 4. The Call of Kthulu by Metallica
    Their extremely underrated instumental.
  • 3. Tempus Fugit by Yes
    My answer is yes, this song rocks.
  • 2. Fade to Black by Metallica
    Metallica IS 80's metal. When they got to the 90s...
  • 1. Into the Lens by Yes
    Arguably Yes's best song of the 80's. I abolutely love this song.
Yes's release Drama and metal ruled the 80's with an Iron Scepter. And yes, I know. I too hate the people who limit themselves to only a few bands. But the 80's was not one of my favorite eras in music. I do try to keep it to one per band, but when this is the decade you have to work with....
By: Robert Grazer
By: Metal Asylum
  • 10. Eyes of a Stranger by Queensryche
    No one can do better than Geoff Tate can with those vocal chords of gold
  • 9. Wildside by Motley Crue
    Motley Crue's better days in my opinion
  • 8. Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N Roses
    Axl, I plead the 5th
  • 7. Poison by Alice Cooper
    Alice Cooper, hmmmm, there is too much to say about this god of evil
  • 6. Lick It Up by KISS
    I dont think i need to make a comment on KISS either. Let the millenium bells of 3000 ring for this band
  • 5. Mother by Danzig
    Glenn is one evil mother fucker!!
  • 4. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
    Ozzy is and will always be GOD
  • 3. South of Heaven by Slayer
    The best from the Lords of the Underworld!!! Slayerrrrrrrrrrr
  • 2. Peace Sells (But Who's Buying?) by Megadeth
    do i even need to make a comment? i didnt think so
  • 1. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica
    The best from the kings of metal
These are ALL 80's songs. they may not match the (80's) style that you have published, but you should not refuse publication due to those terms. The 80's RULED no matter if it was heavy or not.
By: Adrian
  • 10. Seperate Lives by Phil Collins
    Another great love song
  • 9. Never Surrender by Corey Hart
  • 8. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    I hear this song and can't stop signing it!
  • 7. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    Well it's true,isn't it?
  • 6. Africa by Toto
    Great love song
  • 5. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    I never get tired of this one!
  • 4. Total Eclispe of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
  • 3. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
  • 2. Against All Odds by Phil Collins
    Lets jsut say it takes me back to a love that was never met to be!
  • 1. Glory of Love by Peter Cetera
    The best love song ever!
By: Peter Hummel
  • 10. Run To Paradise by Choir Boys
  • 9. Take Me Back by Noiseworks
  • 8. Bad Boy For Love by Rose Tattoo
  • 7. Bow River by Cold Chisel
  • 6. Come said the boy by Mondo Rock
  • 5. state of heart by Mondo Rock
  • 4. Cool World by Mondo Rock
  • 3. Errol by Australian Crawl
  • 2. Boys Light Up by Australian Crawl
  • 1. Land Down Under by Men At Work
    Australias Song
By: Kirk Kaminsky
  • 10. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    even though they disowned this one for many years
  • 9. Broken Wings by Mister Mister
    and Kyrie
  • 8. If You Leave by Orchestral Maneouvres In The Dark (OMD)
  • 7. Message In A Bottle by The Police
    As well as Every Breath You Take, King of Pain...
  • 6. Africa by Toto
  • 5. With Or Without You by U2
    As well as Where The Streets Have No Name, Still Haven't Found...
  • 4. Invincible by Pat Benetar
    and Love Is A Battlefield
  • 3. Down Under by Men At Work
  • 2. Once In A Lifetime by Talking Heads
    As well as Lifetime Piling Up, This Must Be The Place...
  • 1. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
10 defining 80s tunes that fill me with nostalgia...(no particular order)
By: vinny
  • 10. we close our eyes by go west
    fun fun fun
  • 9. wind beneath my wings by bette midler
    makes u cry anytime if u have any heart in you
  • 8. running up that hill (remix) by kate bush
    bizarre, haunting. and extremely beautiful
  • 7. everybody wants to rule the world by tears for fears
    close your eyes and let it take u away
  • 6. africa by toto
    perfection
  • 5. i'll be there by escape club
    saddest and most insipiring
  • 4. i drove all night by cyndi lauper
    her last top 10. and her best song ever. what a shame people gave up on her
  • 3. tarzan boy by baltimora
    as cheery and campy as they come
  • 2. one night in bankok by murray head
    a mish-mash of sound that was very very unique
  • 1. toy soldiers by martika
    talk about deep. listen and make many assumptions of what this is about. from drug addiction to love addiction
too many to mention. eighties was about fun and throwing something serious in to make us think once in a while. it will always be the best
By: Xtom, Germany
  • 10. Loosing my Religion by R.E.M
  • 9. Talking Heads by Road to nowhere
  • 8. They might be giants by Birdhouse in your Soul
  • 7. 51st State by New Model Army
  • 6. Trough the Barricades by Spandau Ballet
  • 5. True Faith by New Order
  • 4. It's the end of the World (as we know it) by R.E.M
  • 3. You spin me round by Dead or Alive
  • 2. The great Commandment by Camouflage
  • 1. Tears run Rings by Marc Almond
By: dita
  • 10. neverending story by limahl
    i play this song every morning...even for the morbid persona i have, this brings a smile to my face.
  • 9. sex dwarf by soft cell
    marc almond makes you believe in bondage after this one...don't let the kiddies hear it or it may corrupt them as it did for me..this definitely led to my gothic days.
  • 8. cruel to be kind by nick lowe
    this song was on MTV all the damn time...wait, what song wasn't? hey, that was back when MTV played videos!!
  • 7. nowhere girl by b-movie
    greatest underground 80's song. it makes me wish i was a teen during the 80's.
  • 6. eyes of a stranger by payola$
    "...that chick, julie, is truly dazzling..."
  • 5. wishing (if i had a photograph..) by flock of seagulls
    the best song by FoS.
  • 4. precious to me by phil seymour
    i remember my mother cleaning house while popping in this song on the 8-track goofing off with my brother. i just found it after not hearing it for 15+ years and it brought tears to my eyes to hear again.
  • 3. doot doot by freur
    intense, haunting, chilling...what a lovely love song.
  • 2. kids in america by kim wilde
    this song played in the best scene of the movie Reckless...
  • 1. never say never by romeo void
    need i say more?
i am an 80's junkie even though my generation was all about nirvana (geniuses, too). all this music brings back fond childhood memories. don't forget about missing persons or adam ant!! i could go on, but you already know...
By: Athene
I have a wide veriety of tastes in music ;p
By: Tim Stanley
Notables include - 'Romeo and Juliet'by Dire Straits, 'Who can it be now', by Men at Work, 'I don't want to live without you' by Foreigner and 'Sad songs to make you cry' by Billy Ocean. Lots of others actually esp by Chicago, Violent Femmes and R.E.M
By: Kin Man Yuen
  • 10. careless whisper by george michael
    The most drama romantic music I've ever heard. I was 5 years old and I've already got that feeling when I've watched that clip.
  • 9. Sweet memories by KOR
    It's from an anime serie called kimangure orange road! Very 80's beat style.
  • 8. the Reflex by Duran duran
    I can remember the eifel tower in paris or could I've been mistaking? I've heard it on the radio in a toy store: my first playmobil green chesna airplane.
  • 7. material girl by madonna
    Sexy clip.
  • 6. girls just wanna have fun by cindy lauper
    I can remember that she can be so enoying because she sings so ear loud.
  • 5. everybody wants to rule the world by tears for fears
    I remember that buggy driving over the sand.
  • 4. money for nothing by dire straits
    Computer art? I remeber a fat and a skinny guy computer rendered wtih a lot of tv-sets
  • 3. Take on me by A-HA
    When I was 6, I could remeber that clip. An art-direcor style clip. Even amaze me because I'm a designer. Maybe because it has a manga adventure in it.
  • 2. never gonna give you up by Rick Astley
    A house style like beat.
  • 1. the boys of summer by Don Henley
    Cool if you play it when your driving in a car and it's dawn
I'm very dissapointed that the music nowadays are too simple to made with computers. No different styles and it's all the same. Same beats, same text, same tunes. Why WASS I 12 IN THE 90's? NO FAIR! you could say that I'm weird because I don't look like someone who likes 80's rather than nowadays.
By: Chris Demaria
  • 10. Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper
    Did any kid not love Goonies?
  • 9. Magic by Cars
    Ya know, Ocasek produced the first album of Weezer...the greatest band of teh 90s.
  • 8. Classical Gas by Mason Williams
    Classic, yet 80s.
  • 7. Africa by Toto
    Toto at their best, whatever that means.
  • 6. Piano Man by Billy Joel
    Sing us more songs piano man.
  • 5. Always Something There To Remind Me by Naked Eyes
    I think a lot of people can relate to this one.
  • 4. Little Red Corvette by Prince
  • 3. Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
    I have no fear...now.
  • 2. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
    What a badass.
  • 1. Land Down Under by Men at Work
    In the spirit of the Olympics...
Weezer rocks.
By: Replicante
By: Roberto Malano
Mention to: Quiet Riot, Eurythmics, Jan Hammer, Billy Idol, Billy Joel, Blondie, Culture Club, Kenny Loggins,The Cars, Newcleus, New Order, Echo and the Bunnymen, Men at work, Harold Faltermayer, Prince, Chicago,The GO-GO's,Twisted Sister.
By: G. vandeKamp
  • 10. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    Not a huge Cure fan, but this is one of their songs that I really like. Good beat.
  • 9. With Or Withour You by U2
    Great song, just one of their many!
  • 8. Head Over Heals by Tears For Fears
    Great band from the eighties, one of the best and most popular songs they had.
  • 7. Our House by Madness
    This song is great. One that most people will remember from the 80's!
  • 6. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    Great Song with a good beat. I love their music altogether.
  • 5. People are People by Depeche Mode
    Probably on of my favorite bands. Many great songs throughout 80's and 90's. This song was real popular in the mid 80's. I still like listening to it.
  • 4. True by Spandau Ballet
    One of those romantic songs to dance to. Still played on the radio from time to time. Even used in a Movie a few years back.
  • 3. Down Under by Men At Work
    Classic song! Never get tired of listening to it.
  • 2. Take On Me by A-ha
    Great Song and video. Their most popular song, and one of the 80's most played and remembered songs.
  • 1. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    I really like this song. Brings back many memories of my teen years.
Many other great songs. I can easily make a list of 100 songs that I love. These are just the one's that stood out the most.
By: Max
  • 10. Love Plus One by Haircut 100
    Sublime 80's music. Priceless. I found an 80's compilation that has this on it and it's my favourite track.
  • 9. Valley Girl by Moon Unit Zappa
    Like totally! Gag me with a spoon! Annoying and fantastic all at the same time. A truly unique feat.
  • 8. Rapture by Blondie
    Everyone I knew had the rap completely memorized. You don't hear it much but I feel Blondie is completely responsible for rap coming into the pop mainstream.
  • 7. (Keep Feeling) Fascination by Human League
    I ADORED the video with the red dot on the map and everything in muted gray. Fabulous!
  • 6. Genius of Love by Tom Tom Club
    Genius song! It was my favourite song for like an entire year.
  • 5. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    The end credits of "The Breakfast Club"! Another one of my Molly Ringwald moments!
  • 4. Planet Earth by Duran Duran
    This song reminds me of the very first junior high school dance I attended. I will NEVER forget the moment I heard this standing in the bleachers in the gym. They even played the video!
  • 3. Borderline by Madonna
    Ahh, what can one say...Madonna kicking the pole with the lime green socks and the orange pumps (or was it orange socks and lime green pumps?!) Either way...Heaven!
  • 2. Little Red Corvette by Prince
    A classic song from any decade, it just happened to have come out in the 80's. Pop song craft gets no better.
  • 1. True by Spandau Ballet
    Just simply my favourite song from the 80's. It instantly takes me back and reminds me of all of the Molly Ringwald movies that were so brilliant!
Thanks for the great site. It's been fun to revisit the decade of my coming of age. What a wonderful time. I will always remember it fondly and warmly. I miss the simplicity of my life back then. Thanks for the memories (and the laughs!).
By: Sly
  • 10. Small Town Boy by Bronski Beat
    One of the first videos I ever saw and the song itself is pretty hypnotic.
  • 9. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    THE breakup song of the 80's...and beyond!
  • 8. Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode
    Great opening riff, great first lyric. 101 version is terrific!
  • 7. True Faith by New Order
    Always a pick me up even after I found out what the song was really about. It still reminds me of how naive I was once. Great groove!
  • 6. Call Me by Blondie
    Always wished the girls in my high school were more like her. Now I wish the women I work with are more like her!
  • 5. Close To Me by The Cure
    Summed up my feelings before my first date. Still psyches me up when I'm getting ready to go out.
  • 4. Add It Up by Violent Femmes
    The ultimate teenage boy song. Timeless!
  • 3. It's The End of The World... by REM
    Always works at parties and always will.
  • 2. Message In A Bottle by The Police
    A clever song that moves and has meaning!
  • 1. How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths
    Best guitar song (in a synth driven decade)by the best British pop band since the Beatles. I still think this is the coolest video ever!
Honourable mentions go to Safety Dance, One Night In Bangkok, Whisper To A Scream, We Got The Beat and No One Is To Blame
By: Rob Hamilton
  • 10. Heart of Rock and Roll by Huey Lewis and the News
    Classic rock n' roll type song.
  • 9. Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
  • 8. Freeze-Frame by J. Giels Band
    Another classis rock n' roll.
  • 7. Election Day by Arcadia
    Freakin' hilarious! Too bad they aren't playin this at the debates =p
  • 6. Wake Me Up by Wham!
    Classic Rock n' roll!
  • 5. 867-5309 by Tommy Tutone
  • 4. Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo
    Crazy!
  • 3. Centerfold by J. Giels Band
    Hilarious!
  • 2. Quiet Riot by Cum On Feel the Noize
    Gotta luv thoze guys!
  • 1. Something About You by Level 42
    First song played in my first car! ['87 Le Baron]
I'm a self-proclaimed generation X-er [former member of the millinium generation] Most of my fav. songs have a hint of the 50's/60's in them [j.giels, huey lewis, wham! et all] but I like a few of the odder pop back then too.
By: juan tovar
  • 10. bizarre love triangle by new order
    this song defines being in love in the 80's
  • 9. cum on feel the noize by quiet riot
    a great cover of glam rock slade, first album i wore thin
  • 8. live to tell by madonna
    her testament as a legitimate artist
  • 7. how soon is now? by the smiths
    the best song to listen to before you become a loner
  • 6. that was then, this is now by the monkees
    sitting infront of MTV on a nice weekend and watching the monkees marathon and discovering the evolution of MTV
  • 5. purple rain by prince and the revolution
    the darkest song since stairway to heaven
  • 4. people are people by depeche mode
    the effort for the world to get over their differences and communicate withe music
  • 3. a little respect by erasure
    discovering gay love in the late 80's
  • 2. like a prayer by madonna
    realizing the difference between religion and having fun!!!
  • 1. just like heaven by the cure
    dancing freely and enjoying being a new wave kid!
i enjoyed the 80's immensely but would never want to live them again only through music

Previous List or Next List

We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 70s and 90s

Do You Have a List to Share?

Please check out the Top Ten Music Songs submission page.