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: Doug Phillips
  • 10. That's When I Reach For My Revolver by Mission of Burma
    If you haven't heard it, find it!
  • 9. How Soon Is Now by The Smiths
    Classic!
  • 8. Making Plans For Nigel by XTC
    Ok, it was a song from 1979. Check out their 3 masterpiece albums: "Drums & Wires", "Black Sea", and "English Settlement".
  • 7. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
  • 6. Stand & Deliver by Adam and the Ants
    Still love to hear this song.
  • 5. I Melt With You by Modern English
  • 4. 8675-309 (Jenny) by Tommy Tutone
    Perfect pop song.
  • 3. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
  • 2. In Between Days by The Cure
    To me, their best single next to "Just Like Heaven".
  • 1. Uncertain Smile by The The
    Brillaint song. I prefer the 12" long version, but that's hard to find. The entire album, "Soul Mining" is worth purchasing.
By: You can call me Betty *wink*
  • 10. Blame It On The Rain by Milli Vanilli
    This song makes me hate rainy days. I only put it at number ten simply because 10 falls at the bottom of the list. Damn , use your imagination.
  • 9. Hold On by Wilson Phillips
    Yeah, okay, so I know it was released in 1990, but it's all the same right?
  • 8. Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals
    This song makes me want to take off my shoes and socks and run around barefooted screaming, "YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY."
  • 7. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cindy Lauper
    This is every girls anthem whether they want to admit it or not.
  • 6. Heart Of Glass by Blondie
    Can't you see right through my heart?
  • 5. Always by Erasure
    *singing* .. open your eyes I see your eyes are open... - STOP! CLOSE 'EM!
  • 4. You Spin Me Round (like a record) by Dead Or Alive
    spinning..spinning..spinning.. I'm scratched.
  • 3. I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany
    Welcome to the 90's folks.
  • 2. If You Leave by OMD
    Okay, This song should really be at number 1.
  • 1. Call Me Al by Paul Simon
    ******** ---------------------------..................... DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!................------------------********* Have you ever "really" listened to this song...?
By: aeryn
By: anonymous
  • 10. No Surrender by Bruce Springsteen
    An underrated gem from Springsteen's Born in the USA album. I too learned more from a three minute record than I ever learned in school (well maybe not, being a writer and all, but damn it's a great line).
  • 9. Heaven is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle
    Sure her stuff with the Go-Gos was fantastic, but this one beats em all. Plus the song always impressed me with its chorus.
  • 8. Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Hard to put this song so far down, but it deserves a place without question. Richie Sambora deserves more attention. And Bon Jovi is still rockin, I love 'It's my Life.'
  • 7. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
    The song I danced to with my first girlfriend well, time after time. Even when we weren't at a school dance, this one has emotional resonance.
  • 6. Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
    The first of two by the Boss on my list. A slam bang opening and Bruce's hollers make this one a great song to listen to when hanging out with the guys.
  • 5. St. Elmo's Fire/Man in Motion by John Parr
    And more movie based musical magnificence. I always felt inspired listening to this song too. Whatever happened to John Parr?
  • 4. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
    Another great movie song, this one remains a personal favorite due its touching and intriguing lyrics.
  • 3. We Built This City by Starship
    Amazing stuff that inspired me throughout high school. I felt like I could take on the world when I heard this song.
  • 2. Jump by Van Halen
    Eddie's scorching guitar solo and David Lee Roth's delicious vocal make this one to treasure. The original music video still kicks much booty as well.
  • 1. The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News
    A great, great song by perhaps the most consistently awesome band of the 80s. Who could forget the first time they saw 'Back to the Future' and heard this song as M.J. Fox cruises around on his skateboard?
It is evil to give us only ten slots. Make it 20 and I'll be happy. I still love Cruel Summer, Danger Zone, Hurts So Good, Pour Some Sugar On Me, Shook Me All Night Long, Sister Christian, Jessie's Girl, Sweet Child O' Mine, Right Here Waiting, Ghostbusters, Hungry Eyes, Boys of Summer and many, many more. The best 80s movie is Say Anything followed by Ferris, Back to the Future, Breakfast Club, and (the admittedly more serious) Glory, The Shining, and Full Metal Jacket.
By: Dion
By: mike
  • 10. We Built this City by Starship
  • 9. Working for the Weekend by Loverboy
  • 8. I Ran by Flock of Seagulls
  • 7. Whip It by Devo
  • 6. Need You Tonight by INXS
  • 5. Vidio Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
    Celebrity value: the first music video ever on MTV had to make the list.
  • 4. Hold Me Now by The Thompson Twins
    Just a great song
  • 3. The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    I don't even know why, but I have to listen to it
  • 2. Take on Me by A-ha
    This song epitomizes the decade.
  • 1. Come Undone by Duran Duran
    The fact of the matter is that this song can just bring out the 80s mood in me like no other.
I just couldn't decide on one REO Speedwagon song, so I left them off the list. They are one of the best though.
By: Carlos Jordan
  • 10. Nowhere Girl by B-Movie
    Well, the extended version just keeps growing and gets you dancing and moving your feet.
  • 9. Everybody wants to rule the world by Tears for fears
    Did you heard the version they did for the 84 olimpics: Everybody wants to run the world
  • 8. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    There are songs that grow into you....
  • 7. I Melt With You by Modern English
    I'll stop the world and melt with you.... The accapella start was genious
  • 6. If you leave by OMD
    It just bring back such great memories
  • 5. Anything Box by Living in Oblivion
    This is definitely a Classic for me
  • 4. Lessons in Love by Level 42
    The Shep Pettibone Mix is far better than the original
  • 3. The Promise by When In Rome
    Definitely a classic (Check out the 12" and the remixes
  • 2. It's My Life by Talk Talk
    That melancholic sound, and the perfect song comes trough
  • 1. Figures Whispering by Aatache
    You'll be extremely lucky if you can get your hands of this 12" but I can only say What an awesome tune. Really really great!
I'm always looking for 80's music. Please contact me at: puntocom@telnor.net
By: Bill Roland
  • 10. Everytime I See You Falling by New Order
    Catchy tune, I just like this one.
  • 9. Find Another Fool by Quarterflash
    Had a hard time getting this one, but it was worth it, another awesome song...
  • 8. The Valley Road by Bruce Hornsby
    Nobody seems to know this guy, but his stuff is great...
  • 7. Bad Medicine by Jon Bon Jovi
    Another great 80's rock song...
  • 6. You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive
    Classic 80's...
  • 5. I Can't Dance by Genesis/Phil Collins
    Good stuff...
  • 4. Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes
    Owner of a lonely heart, much better than the owner of a broken heart... Words to live by...
  • 3. In a Big Country by In a Big Country
    Catchy tune, nice lyrics, overall a cool song.
  • 2. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
    This one is also a classic that never grows old. Hard to choose between Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World, both classics from a classic band...
  • 1. Shout by Tears for Fears
    Quite possible the greatest song ever. It's as good today as it was in 1985.
By: Kim S.
  • 10. Amanda by Boston
  • 9. Any Way You Want It by Journey
  • 8. Is This Love? by White Snake
  • 7. Double Vision by Foreigner
  • 6. Live to Tell by Madonna
    It's Madonna, need I say more?
  • 5. I Ain't Missing You by John Waite
    The next best ballet of the 80's.
  • 4. Working for the Weekend by Loverboy
    Who could forget this one?
  • 3. Shook Me All Night by ACDC
    The greatest dance tune of all times.
  • 2. Hurt So Good by John Mellancamp
    Brings back memories of "Footloose" - One of the best 80's movies.
  • 1. True by Spandeau Ballet
    The best 80's ballet ever written.
By: Scott Bergey
  • 10. Lust for Love by Images in Vogue
  • 9. Cooling the Medium by Matha and the Muffins
  • 8. Saftey Dance by Men Without Hats
  • 7. Flesh under Skin by National Velvet
  • 6. Might as well be on Mars by Pukka Orchestra
  • 5. She's so Young by The Pursuit of Happiness
  • 4. All Touch by Rough Trade
  • 3. Nova Heart by The Spoons
  • 2. We Run by Strange Advance
  • 1. Something On My Mind by Teenage Head
Here are some cool Canadian 80's songs that are new wave with good melodies
By: Trevor
By: Blake
  • 10. I Drove All Night by Cyndi Lauper
    Last of Cyndi's hits in the 80's
  • 9. Change of Heart by Cyndi Lauper
    another great Cyndi song
  • 8. She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals
    Just a great 80's song
  • 7. She Bop by Cyndi Lauper
    It's got a cool beat
  • 6. I Think Were Alone Now by Tiffany
    I like to cruise around listening to this song
  • 5. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
    It has a good message and a good sound
  • 4. Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    A girl song but its got a cool beat anyway. Takes me back to when I was just a little kid.
  • 3. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
    another one of Cyndi's great songs
  • 2. When You Were Mine by Cyndi Lauper
    Never really played on the radio but it's an excellent song
  • 1. Goonies R Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper
    Goonies Rock! Best song ever from the best movie ever!
You can see I really like Cyndi Lauper, but all 80's music is great, I could list many more songs that I like.
By: Pirategrrl
  • 10. Too Far Down by Husker Du
    This was a toss up between this - a fantastic song but way depressing - a million other husker du songs, and a million pixies songs. If man is five, then the devil is six and Bob Mould is seven. My congratulations if that made any sense to you. If not, sorry.
  • 9. Avalon by Roxy Music
    Man, this was years ahead of its time, so it sounds sort of dated now. But then again, all that synth pop stuff -- take these broken wings -- does too. Brian Ferry really understood the value of restraint, and this song moves just perfectly -- like the best kind of loving love making.
  • 8. Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil
    The whole bald white guy thing can be traced back to this pretentious clown. In spite of that, the song still kind of rocks.
  • 7. Walking in LA by Missing Persons
    F. You Gwen Stefani, you totally stole the mojo of the singer from Missing Persons. She had the whole riot grrl thing years before you, and you never even said thank you for ripping off the style of the singer from this one hit wonder band.
  • 6. TV Party by Black Flag
    We're gonna have a TV party tonight . . . Ok, Ok, I'll admit to being a little pink haired punker girl, and being pissed that people thought it was funny to call me cyndy lauper, even though I had hoped it would make me look all cool.
  • 5. Camper van Beethoven by Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart
    I laughed at this song before I realized that it was about Patty Hearst. I laughed even harder when I learned who Patty Hearst was. "How we long for the days when you came to liberate us from boredom from driving around between five and seven in the evening."
  • 4. Turning Japanese by The Vapors
    The value of these lists is that they let you give credit to some one hit wonder, for which the bass player is probably your math teacher and the drummer is in the next cube at work. Betcha didn’t know the name of the band huh? Thanks Napster – we’ll miss yah.
  • 3. Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
    This must have been part of that movie of the same name, though I don't remember hearing it in the theater. I do remember Bobby Gurin trying to fondle my boobs halfway through the movie -- it was a horror movie Bobby. I hope you learned later that the breakfast club or pretty in pink were much better makeout movies.
  • 2. How Soon Is Now by The Smiths
    Yeah, I would have picked this song even if it weren't covered for the theme of that dumbass show with the three girls who are supposed to be sisters but look about as similar as Larry Holmes, Gerry Cooney and Roberto Duran. How did they make that guitar WAWAWAWA sound anyway? I mean the sound in the song, not in the boxing match. OK, "no mas" on this song.
  • 1. Radio Free Europe by REM
    Sure there is a song that you probably know better, sure there is an REM song that you like better, but if you were halfway conscious in the 80's, and I am not so sure if I really was, then this is the song that started you off on a life of musical awareness. OK, it did that for me, and I am just assuming that everyone else on earth is exactly like me. You are, aren't you?
By: Fabio
  • 10. Karma Chamelion by Culture Club
  • 9. Break Out by Swing Out Sisters
  • 8. When Doves Cry by Prince
  • 7. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
  • 6. Sweet Dreans (Are Made Of This) by Eurithimics
  • 5. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham
  • 4. Save A Prayer by Duran Duran
  • 3. Overkill by Men At Work
  • 2. Always Is Something There To Remind Me by Naked Eyes
  • 1. Like A Prayer by Madonna
By: Sonray
  • 10. Lola by The Kinks
    Man what a cool tune!
  • 9. Sometimes it Snows In April by Prince
    I could cry thinking of it.
  • 8. Your Eyes by Peter Gabrial
    If you saw the movie "Say Anything" you would understand. I had a teen relationship alot like that one (in the movie) and that song moved me.
  • 7. Time After Time by Cyndee Lauper
    Haunting, Emotional. Perfect!
  • 6. Games without Frontiers by Peter Gabrial
    Man what a departure from anything mainstream and yet it WAS Mainstream.
  • 5. In Cars by Gary Newmann
    Just a cool catchy synthy pop song. Nothing more nothing less.
  • 4. Hell is for Children by Pat Benetar
    Just awesome in every way. Neil Geraldo is the decades most underated guitarist and Pat can out shine most any female vocalist alive.
  • 3. Little red Corvette by Prince and the Revolution
    Great word pictures and memorable chorus. Awesome prodction.
  • 2. Boys of Summer by Don Henley
    The sum and definition of a perfect pop song. Production values are excellent and the blend of cool rock guitar with synths is perfect! The video is equally a work of art! This one made me want to be a song writer.
  • 1. Tom Sawyer by Rush
    One of the finest and most creative "progressive" bands of our time! I spent hours learning their songs on guitar. Never got to play out any because nobody we knew could sing that high>
Fly high Michelle! I'll remember you! Stoned in Love! I loved the 80's! celli sends his love to all and the peace of our Lord Jesus!!!!
By: Sebastian Vazquez
By: Linda
  • 10. The Flame by Cheap Trick
    cheap trick is an all around good band. I love the lyrics. "After the fire, after all the rain, I will be the flame"
  • 9. Sweet Dreams by The Eurythmics
    The eurythmics have a unique sound. I didn't like the remake by Marilyn Manson, it did the song no justice.
  • 8. Take My Breath Away/Top Gun Sdtk by Berlin/Various artists
    Top Gun made me want to be a fighter pilot. Once again Kenny Loggins does a soundtrack.
  • 7. Heart of Glass by Blondie
    I really wanna be able to sing like that. When blondie's on the radio I'll try to imitate her voice.
  • 6. We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
    I think everyone relates to this song. I need a stylist who can do that to my hair! j/k
  • 5. The Search is Over by Survivor
    This is a great band, It's too bad that some lame ass tv show stole their name.
  • 4. When I'm With You by Sheriff
    I've looked under every rock for a sheriff album, but I can never seem to find one.
  • 3. Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar
    Pat Benatar is awesome! And Love really is a Battlefield!
  • 2. The entire footloose soundtrack by various artists
    How can you not love the soundtrack as much as the movie? Kenny Loggins is the man. Every song is sooo good!!
  • 1. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty
    I should really say any Tom Petty in the 80s or actually anything Tom Petty and the Heartbeakers ever played. I think Tom is way underrated.
Honorable mentions: INXS, Mike+the Mechanics, Bad English, REO Speedwagon, AC/DC etc.
By: freddy theriault
  • 10. Alive And Kicking by Simple Minds
    This band had succes to give hope and joy.
  • 9. It's My Life by Talk talk
    This band is so wonderdul but so unknown.
  • 8. Googbye Is Forever by Arcadia (Duran Duran)
    This only lp from Arcadia is better than all Duran Duran songs.
  • 7. This Is Your Land by Simple Minds
    This song is very sophisticated but the beauty of his instruments is very nice.
  • 6. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
    Very romantic
  • 5. Don't You (forget me) by Simple Minds
    This song contains nostalgy for everyone.
  • 4. Head Over Heals by Tears for fears
    The best sond from this band
  • 3. Il Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2
    Very Gospel and country but a masterpiece.
  • 2. With Or Without You by U2
    The most original song because of his very simple form but fantastic.
  • 1. Someone Somewhere In Summertime by Simple Minds
    The most beautiful song of the 80's
The best decade of all time.
By: Wayney
  • 10. Say I'm Your Number One by Princess
    A one hit wonder. I just like this song and the video.
  • 9. Duel by Propaganda
    Good synth song from Germany.
  • 8. Moonlighting by Al Jarreau
    Nice song from the TV series.
  • 7. Scritti Politti by The Word Girl
    Enchanting song.
  • 6. Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil
    A song that rocks, and the video rocks too.
  • 5. Wild World by Maxi Priest
    A nice soothing song. Maxi has a wonderful voice.
  • 4. Patti LaBelle by New Attitude
    Great energetic song.
  • 3. Prefab Sprout by Bonny
    Prefab Sprout are my #1 group, and this is their best 80s song.
  • 2. Sweet Freedom by Michael McDonald
    Memorable feel good song.
  • 1. Slave to the Rhythem by Grace Jones
    A great beat, a great song, and a great video.
There's many more 80s songs I like and could have picked. Maybe I'll pick another top 10 :o) Wayney http://www.wayney.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
By: ice pop
  • 10. Land Down Under by Men at Work
    Perhaps the greatest song ever...
  • 9. If You Leave by OMD
    this song makes me cry
  • 8. You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive
    OOOooooh Yeeaaahhh....need I say more?
  • 7. Der Kommissar by After the Fire
    the punk that wrote this song is a genius
  • 6. Electric Avenue by Eddie Grant
    "and then we'll take it higher..."
  • 5. Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder
    "Nobody's gonna hold me down...oh, no...I've got to keep on movin'"
  • 4. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    "...too shy, shy, hush-hush, eye-to-eye..."
  • 3. Rock me Amadeus (real, original one) by Falco
    This song ROCKS!!!
  • 2. Abracadabra by Steve Miller Band
    after listening to this once, you just can't stop...
  • 1. Super Freak by Rick James
    "She's a very kinky girrrl...the kind you don't take home to mah-thah..."
...the 80s rocked, man...

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