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: Ann
  • 10. Skin Deep by The Stranglers
    Great tune and there still goin strong!!!!!
  • 9. Train Of Thought by A-Ha
    Of there album Headlines and Deadlines the best album of all time
  • 8. I Can't Wait by Nu Shooz
    A disco pop song from 1986
  • 7. Heaven Knows Im Miserble Now by The Smiths
    Check out Fat boy slim in the video
  • 6. Mated by Jackie Graham And David Grant
    Great song-great duo-great year 1986
  • 5. Edge Of Heaven by Wham!
    There best song by a mile!!!
  • 4. Like To Get To Know You Well by Howard Jones
    How good was this man is beyond belief-so many good hits
  • 3. Get Lucky by Jermaine Stewart
    This song can always get you in the mood before you go out
  • 2. Shell Shock by New Order
    Just Brillant
  • 1. Take me To Your Heart by Rick Astley
    The best singer of all time without doubt
Who needs U2 the so called best band of the 80's thats nonsence and the likes of Micheal Jackson, Duran Duran the may have pretty faces but the songs like these were just as good!
By: Malcolm Frank
  • 10. The Search Is Over by Survivor
    Underated band.This ballad really does take one's breath away..
  • 9. Forever Young by Alphaville
    Another great band of the 80's.
  • 8. The Riddle by Nik Kershaw
    Favorite Nik Kershaw song.Love the lyrics..
  • 7. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Great rock band.The album Slippery when Wet has to be one of the albums of the 80's.
  • 6. Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship
    Great band of the 80's.Love their other songs as well.
  • 5. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    The King of pop, no doubt about that.Michael really redefined music and dancing in the 80's.Thriller is the greatest album ever.
  • 4. The End Of The Innocence by Don Henley
    My favourite Henley track since "Hotel California" with the Eagles..
  • 3. Summer Of '69 by Bryan Adams
    Bryan at his best,no 80's collection is complete without Bryan.The Album Reckless is brilliant as well.
  • 2. Can't Fight This Feeling by Reo Speedwagon
    What a ballad.Beutiful lyrics and Kevin Cronin's voice is unforgettable.
  • 1. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
    The ultimate rock song.Slash's guitar intro is unforgetable. Appetite for Destruction is probably the greatest debut rock album of all time.
This is an awesome site.The 80's for me represents without doubt the best music ever produced.I am so glad to see that there are so many fans of the 80's out there.Great stuff...
By: Karl Stringer
  • 10. Centerfold by J. Geils Band
    The song our mothers couldn't believe we were listening to. Man, was life tame back then!
  • 9. Burn For You by INXS
    Wasn't there early stuff great.
  • 8. Underneath The Radar by Underworld
    Not my favourite of theirs, but I wanted to include something from their pop/rock days.
  • 7. Doctoring The Tardis by Timelords
    Amazing what can be achieved with scissors and paste.
  • 6. Get Out Of Your Lazy Bed by Matt Bianco
    Any Kiwis out there remember this on Saturday mornings?
  • 5. Micky by Lolly
    Well, my sister likes it. That's good enough for me.
  • 4. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    Sometime you've gotta hang loose, and not care what anyone else thinks.
  • 3. Video Killed The Radio Star by Buggles
    Surely, we can't miss out the first MTV video to be broadcast.
  • 2. Nemesis by Shriekback
    "New Zealand is the promised land for freaks", according to Barry Andrews. What a great band.
  • 1. Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie
    Who is better? David Bowie or Queen? I'm not sure.
After browsing through these lists I felt there were a few songs missing that shouldn't be. These songs are in no particular order, but all of them scream "eighties" to me.
By: T.B.
  • 10. It's My Life by Talk Talk
    Probably should have been higher on my list, one of my all time favorites.
  • 9. PYT by Michael Jackson
    Everybody needs a PYT!
  • 8. Think Of Laura by Christopher Cross
    Radio legend... video disaster! This song was one of his best!
  • 7. I'm Still Standing by Elton John
    Great song with a positive message.
  • 6. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Classic song of the ages! Nuff' said!
  • 5. Flashdance by Irene Cara
    Didn't hear much more out of her, but she was "HOT"
  • 4. Through The Fire by Chaka Khan
    One of my favorite slow songs, makes you think about romance and life in general.
  • 3. Holiday by Madonna
    Reminds me of so many things... great time to be alive!
  • 2. I Ran (So Far Away) by Flock Of Seagulls
    Love the hair and the music, a great song!
  • 1. Down Under by Men at Work
    Just the best... I love the sound of the instruments and the voices of the band.
This was very tough to do... so many great songs! The Clach were good, The Human League and many others. What I would give to go back to "the 80's" and do it all again.
By: Simon
I am only a young lad of 17 and I think that today's music doesnt stack up to 80's music. I love the 80's!
By: Nicola
  • 10. Gold by Spandau Ballet
    I love this song.
  • 9. Fame/ What A Feeling by Irene Cara
    Typical 80's sound for typical 80's movies.
  • 8. Road To Nowhere by Talking Heads
    I still love them very much.
  • 7. Love Will Never Do Without You by Janet Jackson
    The best of her 80's stuff.
  • 6. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    The best song and video he has ever done.
  • 5. Rebell Yell/White Wedding by Billy Idol
    Fake punk but great music.
  • 4. Live To Tell/ Oh Father by Madonna
    Great ballads as well.
  • 3. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Great ballad.
  • 2. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    The song stands for itself.
  • 1. Into The Groove by Madonna
    To me, this is THE dance anthem of the 80's.
By: Ace Freely
  • 10. Midnight Oil by U 2
    Midnight Oil stood No 1 for the longest time in the 80s but it stood along U2 deserves there day. Lets not forget U2 was the very first group to just go set up in a square in L.A. and preform for free LAPD shut down there show! That sucked.
  • 9. Old Time Rock And Roll by Bob Seger
    This has to B mentioned, it is problay # 2 but other bands deserve there due. Remember this song carried a movie to #1
  • 8. Rock And Roll Fantasy by Bad Company
    rock and roll fantacy carried this band to no 1 twice in the great 80s
  • 7. Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution by AC\ DC
    great song still is today
  • 6. Rock Of Ages by Def Leppard
    A great song by A great group. radio today neglects this song!
  • 5. Renagade by Styx
    as mentioned above anything by styx was great
  • 4. Candy O by Cars
    Not Mentioned Here But The Cars Was A Very Played Fav. Candy O Played Almost Everyday! Also Cars Was The 4th Most Selling Tape Of The 80 S Thats Why They Get 4th.
  • 3. Grand Illusion by Styx
    anything bi styx was great but grand illision seemed to B everyones fav.
  • 2. Turn The Page by Bob Seger
    has to B no 2 still played on A regular bases today even remade by that loser group (cry baby matelica).
  • 1. Freebird by Lynrd Skynyrd
    the #1 song of the eighty without ? 16 mins 34 sec. long . only alice S resturant stands longer but my radio never played alice rest. but they always played freebird. even elton johns 12 min plus furneal 4 A friend was not much heared!
By: Johannes Post
  • 10. Who's Leaving Who by Hazell Dean
    Just an example how an energy song must sound like.
  • 9. Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now by Samantha Fox
    I don't care that she can't sing. I just love the production and of course her body.
  • 8. I Want You Back by Bananarama
    Bananadrama now that they are not with Pete Waterman anymore
  • 7. G.T.O by Sinitta
    This is so wrong that it's just so right.
  • 6. Free To Love Again by Suzette Charles
    A lot of people don't know this song, well that's a shame, because when you listen to this song, you will never want to hear another song than this one.
  • 5. I Don't Wanna Get Hurt by Donna Summer
    If Donna Summer wants to have hits again, she has to call Mike Stock or Pete Waterman. Cause they are the best producers in the universe
  • 4. That's The Way It Is by Mel And Kim
    Such a shame that Mel isn't here anymore, other wise they would have been bigger than the spice girls
  • 3. My Arms Keep Missing You by Rick Astley
    The b-side of that awful christmas song.
  • 2. Better The Devil You Know by Kylie Minogue
    Even though she's not with PWL anymore, this is her best song for always.
  • 1. Can't Forget You by Sonia
    Just the best melodies in the world. And the best S.A.W song ever
you can see that I'm a Stock/Aitken/Waterman fan.
By: T. Smith
  • 10. Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo
    The days before MTV sucked. Could I see David Byrne do that hand gesture in "Once in a Lifetime"
  • 9. Nemesis by Shriekback
    Discovered this little "light hearted" gem later on in college.
  • 8. She Shelia by Producers
    Remember when musicians could actually play their instruments. You know what I'm say-en.
  • 7. Vacation by Go Go's
    Light hearted fun. Camaro's ruled! Just don't slam the door or the handle will break
  • 6. Girl U Want by Devo
    Quirky like most of the 80's. Note to self : Time to dig out the parachute pants and spud rings.
  • 5. Good Thing by Fine young Cannibals
    Please don't tell anyone I put this on here.
  • 4. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    It helps if you sing this with your facial muscles drawn up like your frowning.
  • 3. It's My Life by Talk Talk
    It's also my list, don't you forget it
  • 2. Fantasy by Aldo Nova
    Who cares if is the same song as "Jane" with different lyrics. Played it till my ears bled. Would you wedge that piece of paper under the 8-track please?
  • 1. Out Of My Hands by Face to Face
    Better song that 10.9.8. I found and bought a copy in Japan.
Left out tons of good Metal. If the last Def Leppard album you know was Pyromania and you know all the words to Screaming for Vengence then you know what I mean.
By: lucas
  • 10. Mysterious Ways by U2
  • 9. Paradise City by Guns 'N' Roses
  • 8. Two Princes by Spin Doctors
  • 7. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
  • 6. Love In An Elevator by Aerosmith
  • 5. With Or Without You by U2
  • 4. Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue
  • 3. Living On The Edge by Aerosmith
  • 2. Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
  • 1. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'N' Roses
By: Mustafa Tolga YILMAZ
  • 10. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
    With his White Hairs I still remember him.
  • 9. One Night In Bangkok by Murry Head
    Hmmm... with a introducing sound of over 1 minute a masterpiece of the 80s
  • 8. Money For Nothing by Dire Straits
    As seen on MTV
  • 7. Walk This Way by Aerosmith/Run DMC
    When Rock meets Hip Hop !
  • 6. Wiener Blut by Falco
    Maybe he died too early... He could have done some more classics !
  • 5. People Are People by Depeche Mode
    Well that showed as that Depeche Mode is not such a depeche mode as they though it to be... It's now 21 yrs. for them congratulations !
  • 4. Rockit by Herbie Hancock
    Maybe a different view at those times. Electronic Music.
  • 3. Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil
    This was one of the songs that inspired the 80s !!! Awesome sound...
  • 2. Queen by A Kind of Magic
  • 1. Girls on Film by Duran Duran
Well actually my all time fav's are Depeche Mode, Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Queen, Duran Duran and many I can't mention here because the 80s were THE times when Music was Music...
By: Marcos Abreu Torres
By: John N.
  • 10. Papa Don't Preach by Madonna
    You'll worth your relationship.
  • 9. Careless Whisper by George Michael
    Just listen it...you'll cry.
  • 8. Straight Up by Paula Abdul
    To move your body.
  • 7. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
    Listen this one, and at the end you will want everybody accept you the way you are.
  • 6. Live To Tell by Madonna
    This song will make you cry if you have finished in a bad way with your boy/girlfriend.
  • 5. Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlile
    For you to dedicate it to someone you love.
  • 4. Flashdance... What A Feeling. by Irene Cara
    One of the songs that will make you independent.
  • 3. Toy Soldiers by Martika
    A combination of sadness and love.
  • 2. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    This song was made to make us cry.
  • 1. Boys, Boys, Boys by Sabrina
    This is one of the best 80's songs, you won't hear it without moving your body.
Others:Fame (Irene Cara), Let's hear it for the boys (Deniece Williams), Take on me (aha), making love out of nothing at all (ear supply), Tarzan Boy (Bartimora),
By: Ed
  • 10. Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne
    Great song with the late Randy Rhodes at his guitar playing peak. It was songs like this that kept rock on it's true path.
  • 9. Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider
    Just one of those songs you can get stuck in your head for days when you hear it. It was one of a few progressive rock songs that real rockers wouldn't be afraid of saying they had in their collection.
  • 8. Lonely Is The Night by Billy Squire
    One of the great air-guitar songs of the 80's. Whatever happened to Billy, he rocked!
  • 7. Bad To The Bone by George Thorogood
    One of the most timeless songs I've ever heard. It was also one of my top 10 MTV videos of all time. It's one of those songs that no matter how many times you've heard it, you don't seem to get tired of it. Porbably since George doesn't allow it to be saturated through commercials.
  • 6. Pride And Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan
    I love the blues but this takes it to another level. Stevie made the blues fashionable again through the 80's. I miss him dearly. God bless you Stevie, they took you away too soon.
  • 5. Epic by Faith No More
    It's hard to believe it been out there that long. It is one of the first to mainstream rap and metal into something listenable. It is an epic.
  • 4. Dude Looks Like A Lady by Aerosmith
    Great song period. Every time I hear it, I want to watch "Mrs. Doubtfire".
  • 3. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
    Who says heavy couldn't be tender? One of the great rock ballads of all time, not just the 80's. Crue was a major part in keeping rock stewing during these MTV years.
  • 2. Paradise City by Guns 'N' Roses
    The band who single handedly brought rock back into the mainstream after suffering through years of techno-pop and the glamour-pusses of the early and mid 80's. It's one of the great concert songs of all time.
  • 1. Bakc in Black by AC/DC
    Both the song and the album proved that rock was roaring into the 80's like a lion. 20 million albums sold solidify's that.
Despite what MTV did to music in the 80's, rock survived and kept the torch burning for the next generation.
By: Maxie James
  • 10. Piano Man by Billy Joel
    Pretty much anything by Billy Joel is amazing but this song never seizes to make me happy
  • 9. Dont You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    Always brings a smile to my face....probably the best 80's song ever...
  • 8. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    no words to explain the greatness of this song.
  • 7. Fire And Rain by James Taylor
    pretty intense stuff
  • 6. Women's Work by Kate Bush
    What a great song!!!!!
  • 5. Valpiriso by Sting
    Just a really peacful song when u want nothing more then to chill out.
  • 4. Africa by Toto
    Just rocks altogether
  • 3. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
    Really sweet song!!!!
  • 2. Time Of My life by From Dirty Dancing
    mainly because its just one of the best songs for a movie
  • 1. More Then Words by Elton John
    Whats to say? its great!!!
I dont think 10 spots is enough to aknowledge my appreciation of a whole era of great music
By: PANAMA Top TEN
By: Ellen
  • 10. Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac
    What can I say about Fleetwood Mac? Another amazing band and Stevie Nicks is a genius and a goddess..
  • 9. Piano In The Dark by Brenda Russell
    The best post-breakup song..sad and beautiful..
  • 8. Eye Of Fatima by Camper Van Beethoven
    CVB just rocked. This song is just so cool..
  • 7. Concrete Blonde by Joey
    No one can belt out tunes like Johnette Napolitano..
  • 6. Overkill by Men At Work
    Collin Hay is one of the most underrecognized singer/songwriters, great music..
  • 5. The Smiths by How Soon Is Now?
    Still gets played over and over, but it's still so good..
  • 4. Send Her My Love by Journey
    Steve Perry definitely had the best voice of the 80's
  • 3. Pictures Of You by The Cure
    One of the most beautiful songs ever written.
  • 2. Strangelove by Depeche Mode
    DM was the most different band of the decade, dark and mysterious, and so cool..still the best alternative/electronic band ever. Every DM song should be on this list..
  • 1. Lifetime Piling Up by Talking Heads
    Talking Heads is the best band of the 80's and one of the best of all time. David Byrne is a genius..
Other great songs..Cities in Dust by Siouxsie and the Banshees, So Alive by Love and Rockets, This Corrosion by Sisters of Mercy..One More Try by George Michael..
By: Melissa
  • 10. Alone by Heart
    this was heart's second number one hit. a good band from the 70's who sounded great in the 80's.
  • 9. When Doves Cry by Prince
    purple rain was definetly the best album of the 80's ever!! every song could've been a hit but this one was the biggest hit from the album staying at number one for five weeks in the summer of '84.
  • 8. With Or Without You by U2
    this ballad from U2 reached number one and stayed there for three weeks and is one of the best ballads of the 80's.
  • 7. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    no 80's countdown would be complete without Boy George, one of the most visible performers of the decade.
  • 6. Addicted To Love by Robert Palmer
    definetly one of the most unforgettable videos of the 80's plus the song was a huge hit in the spring of '86.
  • 5. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    a number one hit in 1985. this was definetly one of the best songs of the 80's coming the popular breakfast club film.
  • 4. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    one of the best videos from that early era of mtv, duran duran's hungry like the wolf video still looks and sounds great today.
  • 3. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    a number one hit in september of 1986, this one comes from the top gun soundtrack. an essential 80's track from an essential 80's film.
  • 2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    fun, upbeat song from one of the best albums of the decade, "she's so unusual."
  • 1. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    Madonna's first number one hit and no 80's countdown would be complete without Madonna.
By: anna
By: Don Jones
  • 10. Manic Monday by Bangles
    A breezy song with adorable singers
  • 9. Rio by Duran Duran
    Good melody -not at all naff
  • 8. Blue Monday by New Order
    Classic very influential drum beat
  • 7. Wishful Thinking by China Crisis
    Tunefully melancholic
  • 6. Lets Go All The Way by Sly Fox
    Arresting, strange barrage of noises
  • 5. Lets Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams
    Vey hummable -always puts an extra pep in the step
  • 4. Jane Wiedlin by Rush Hour
    Light fresh vivacious just like the singer
  • 3. Crash by The Primitives
    rolling, angry but very cool
  • 2. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    Superb, controlled zeitgeist capturing song
  • 1. Marlene On The Wall by Suzanne Vega
    lyrically superior - a crisp rapid delivery. Charged with nostalgia and tinged with slight sadness

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