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: Sarah
  • 10. Major Tom by Peter Schilling
    4...3...2...1! hehe...great song.
  • 9. Cars by Gary Numan
    very cool song!
  • 8. View To A Kill by Duran Duran
    just one of their terrific songs...
  • 7. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat
    how can anyone forget it? ;)
  • 6. Sounds Like A Melody by Alphaville
    just one of a whole load of great alphaville tracks in the 80s check out www.alphaville.de
  • 5. Chains Of Love by Erasure
    upbeat, catchy song...andy's vocals a perfect. "...how can i explain, when there are few words i can choose..." check out www.erasureinfo.com
  • 4. True Faith by New Order
    perfect song. "...when i was a very small boy, very small boys talked to me, now that we've grown up together they're afraid of what they see..." check out www.neworderonline.com
  • 3. Mad World by Tears For Fears
    TFF are getting back together again! good things are sure to come. "...and i find it kind of funny, i find it kind of sad the dreams in which i'm dying are the best i've ever had..." check out www.curtsmithzerodisc.com
  • 2. Rent by Pet Shop Boys
    Sad, beautiful, everything I love about PSB summed up in one song. "...look at my hopes look at my dreams, the currency we've spent, i love you you pay my rent..." check out www.petshopboys.co.uk
  • 1. Shake the Disease by Depeche Mode
    Brilliant song, by the most brilliant band! (i'm limiting myself to only one song per band)"...here is a plea, from my heart to you, nobody knows me as well as you do you know how hard it is for me to shake the disease that takes over my toungue in situations like these..." check out www.depechemode.com
Its not like these bands don't exist anymore! Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys and Erasure are very much around!! just go to their websites to see what's going on. DM released Exciter in 2001, PSB release "Release" in 2002 and this year they released "Disco 3". Erasure released a covers album entitled "Other People's Songs" this year too! none of these bands have faded away. Synthpop is very much alive with new bands coming out all the time! there's no reason for electronic pop music to be ignored by the media and by radio stations. Electronic music DID NOT DIE in the 80s. it was born in the 80s and will continue to reign...whether in underground status or one day in the mainstream!
By: Lex
  • 10. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
    sweet, seductive, she stole my heart.
  • 9. Election Day by Arcadia
    Art and music, more duran duran than duran duran
  • 8. I Hear A Motion by The Models
    Great 80's aussie band, sean kelly you should never had let James freud sing.
  • 7. Listening by Pseudo Echo
    ok so they werent duran duran, but they had the synth power to take the fight right up to them, pity they discovered guitars but plugged away with synth bass's could never work that out.
  • 6. Russians by Sting
    law and order after the police
  • 5. Blue Monday by New Order
    out of the ashes rises the phenix
  • 4. The Sun Always Shines On TV by A-ha
    after taking over the world with "take on me" the boys form norway showed they could also rock out with some guitars. another great voice from the 80, take a bow Mort.
  • 3. True by Spandau Ballet
    The nemisis of duran duran, Tony hadley the man with the golden voice.
  • 2. The Church Of The Poisoned Mind by Culture Club
    The original Gender bender, great vocals, reggae mixing with pop, hey he was a great singer.
  • 1. Rio by Duran Duran
    Rio, duran duran's best album, great grooves, evil bass lines and of course Nick Rhodes spooky syth in total contrast to Simon LeBons edgy vocals, This Album is the 80's
The 80's, The most inovatove decade of music next to the 60's. theres was so much more to the 80 than I could put in to my top ten, the 80's had inovation right along side blantant corperat hit makeing and then leading into stadium cock rock. Art and music, that was the 80's inovation with electronic music, that was the 80's,
By: jett
By: Ruskin
  • 10. Smalltown Boy (1984) by Bronski Beat
    A great hit that made Jimmy famous enough to leave and start "The Communards" (bit of a shame as Bronski Beat never recovered). Lyrics are quite sad, when you realise, it is about oppression of homo sexuals "...for the love that you seek will never be found at home. Pushed around and kicked around always a lonely boy. You were the one that they'd talk about around town as they put you down...". Not gay myself, but you have to respect their courage at standing up during a period, where those who did, where victimised.
  • 9. Lament (1984) by Ultravox
    Fantastic group (although, I doubt they would have progressed very far, without Midge Ure). This song has a nice musical score.
  • 8. Belfast Child (1989) by Simple Minds
    Great band ("See The Lights" would be my favourite, but that was released in '91, so hasn't been listed). Belfast Child is my second favourite from this band and is a story about the troubles in Northern Ireland. It's a good tune and builds up quite nicely.
  • 7. Southern Cross (1982) by Crosby, Stills and Nash
    Very similar in style and genre, to Sailing by Christopher Cross. It's another relaxing song, that is best heard out on the water.
  • 6. Sailing (1982) by Christopher Cross
    This man was brilliant on the piano (just look at some of his other classics, like "Ride Like The Wind" and "Best That You Can Do", which is more commonly known as "Arthur's Theme"). Sailing is a nice relaxing ballard. It's just a shame that 'N Tranc' decided to kill it.
  • 5. Copperhead Road (1988) by Steve Earle
    Catchy tune, interesting lyrics. Does quite well, to tell a story of someone's life, in a song (even if it is about running moonshine and drugs).
  • 4. The Way It Is (1986) by Bruce Hornsby And The Range
    Again, the piano in this song, is quite fantastic (but along with Christopher Cross, this man is a magician on the piano. Just listen to this song and "Mandolin Range"). The Way It Is, has has a very poignant story in the lyrics.
  • 3. Eye In The Sky (1981) by Alan Parsons Project
    Great melody, great lyrics. Unfortunately, this song was not as popular as you would have expected.
  • 2. Assault and Battery (1982) by Howard Jones
    Again, it's the piano score that makes this song. It's just a pity, that the lyrics of assault and battery, don't support the music.
  • 1. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All (1983) by Air Supply
    Another great Jim Steinman song, pulled off magnificently by the guys from Air Supply. I'm a huge fan of piano accompaniments in songs. So needless to say, this is one of the better ones (the best, would have to be "I Don't Like Mondays" by "Boomtown Rats". Would have listed this song, but it was released in '79. Followed closely by "November Rain" by "Guns 'n' Roses", which was released in '92, so again, have not listed. Although, the raspy voice of Axle Rose did not do justice to what would have been one of the greatest songs ever, if someone with a smoother voice had sung it). Making Love, has a very simple, but very effective, piano score and the lyrics match. I especially love the build up, and the instrumental part, in the middle of the song.
These songs are not in any particular order. They are just some of my favourites from the '80s. Just a pity we can only list 10, as there are so many...
By: Matt Jacoby
By: andrew trotman
  • 10. Do They Know Its Christmas? by Band Aid
  • 9. Mickey by Toni Basil
  • 8. Died In Your Arms by Cutting Crew
  • 7. Big In Japan by Alphaville
  • 6. I've Been Losing You by A-Ha
  • 5. Borderline by Madonna
  • 4. Last Christmas by Wham
  • 3. Centerfold by J Geils Band
  • 2. The Power Of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  • 1. Take On Me by A-Ha
By: S.P.
  • 10. The Winner Takes It All by Abba
    "Does it feel the same, When she calls your name?"
  • 9. Live To Tell by Madonna
    "The light that you could never see, It shines inside, you can't take that from me"
  • 8. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    "I dream at night I can only see your face, I look around but it's you I can't replace"
  • 7. Always On My Mind by The Pet Shop Boys
    "Little things I should have said and done, I just never took the time"
  • 6. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
    "Let me bid you farewell, Every man has to die"
  • 5. Drive by The Cars
    "Who's gonna drive you home tonight?"
  • 4. Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
    "Can't make it all alone, I've built my dreams around you"
  • 3. Throwing It All Away by Genesis
    "everytime that I look at you, I can see the future"
  • 2. Coming Around Again by Carly Simon
    "what else can I do...I'm so in love with you"
  • 1. Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    "brown skin shining in the sun...wayfarers on baby"
I am the original child of the 80's - 8 years old when they arrived, all my growing years were in that wonderful decade. So many more outstanding tracks desrve a mention - All Time High, For a Friend, When Tommorrow Comes, They Don't Know About Us, Time After Time, Holding Back the Years, Last Christmas, and many, many more.
By: Darik
  • 10. One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head
    I'll have to agree with everyone else, Chess and pop music...the 80s
  • 9. Believe It Or Not by Joey Scarborough
    Wednesday night TV, Dynasty and America's Greates Hero
  • 8. Start Me Up by Rolling Stones
    Hey, I played this most mornings in High School to get myself out of bed
  • 7. Down Under by Men At Work
    Wasn't this THE 80s song
  • 6. Escape (Pina Colda Song) by Rupert Holmes
    I have no idea why I like this song so much....
  • 5. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
    The ulitmate psych up song before high school basketball games....sure every high school athlete from the 80s played this song
  • 4. Call Me by Blondie
    Who didn't want the career Richard Gere had in that movie.....
  • 3. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    Hey it still brings a tear to my eye....
  • 2. Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
    What a love song, we even had it in our wedding in 87....that darn movie ended me up at West Point.
  • 1. Whip It by Devo
    My all time favorite dance song, danced so many times to this with my now sister-in-law!!
Junior High, High School, College, wedding and my first child, all in one decade...
By: Karen
By: Ken Phillips
  • 10. Mutual Surrender by Bourgois Tagg
    Cool song
  • 9. You're The Voice by John Farnham
    Great pipes
  • 8. The Rain Fell by Limited Warranty
    This was a local Minneapolis Band... really good stuff
  • 7. Can You Stand The Rain by New Edition
    Fntastic Ballad
  • 6. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
    You gotta love the Crue
  • 5. Jump by Van Halen
    Epitomy of 80's rock!
  • 4. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison
  • 3. Tyranny by The Stabilizers
    Little known Band... really good album
  • 2. You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    Couldn't go anywhere in 1986 without hearing this song
  • 1. When Doves Cry by Prince
    The single greatest song writer and performer... to this day!!
Accapella songs by The Nylons;ALL PRINCE!!!;Hair bands i.e. Twisted Sister, Poison, Ratt, etc etc, The Jets,
By: Lisa Marie
  • 10. St. Elmo's Fire by John Parr
  • 9. Every Breath You Take by Sting
  • 8. Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams
    I remember hanging out with friends at the pool with this song...can't believe it was that long ago!!
  • 7. Firewoman by The Cult
    What ever happened to these guys or this song??
  • 6. Take on Me by A-ha
    Ah Morton (lead singer) was soooo cute :-)
  • 5. You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive
    A one hit wonder...but a good one!
  • 4. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
    Randy Rhode's guitar solo in this song kicks ass!
  • 3. Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
    I still listen to this song!!
  • 2. Alive and Kicking by Simple Minds
  • 1. If You Leave by Orchestral Manuevers In the Dark
    Part of the Pretty In Pink soundtrack - one of my all time favorite movies!!
By: Christopher Bentley
  • 10. I Won't Lie by Nine Below Zero
    This is actually just an album track (last track, first side of 'Don't Point Your Finger') but I do wonder if N.B.Z. would have had more success if they'd have released this as a single. The moment when Mark Feltham swings into his blues harp break is truly achingly piercing and is for me one of the greatest moments in recorded music history. It never fails to reduce me to jelly and the whole album is worth it just for that few seconds.
  • 9. Sound Of Confusion by Secret Affair
    The most epic in scale of the 'New Mod Band' records of the late seventies/early eighties, captures a feeling of real foreboding about the truly crazeee decade then just in its first year, but doomwatching has never been as enjoyable as this!
  • 8. All Of My Heart by ABC
    Trevor Horn, early eighties Britain's very own Phil Spector, (although the less said about him the better at the moment!), at his most sumptuous - a truly beautifully romantic record that sounds like the 'silk and coffee lace' alluded to in the lyrics. It all wouldn't be complete without the soulful vocals of Martin Fry, though.
  • 7. (Do) The Hucklebuck by Coast To Coast
    What's a Mod like me doing with this in? I have my excuses. One of the song-writers, Roy Alfred, is half of the team behind one of my fave Northern Soul records, 'Come On Down Baby Baby', by The Orlons. If you're going to do a cover of an oldie do it like this. It thunders along and the high energy Doo Wop-style backing vocals are a dream. For two minutes I'm happy to say I'm a Rocker.
  • 6. I Should Have Known Better by Natasha
    Once again we are in b/w territory - this time the c/w being 'Iko Iko'. Not only was Natasha a real looker, (dig the picture sleeve), at whom the singer of 'Too Nice To Talk To' is probably staring, but on this 'Killer B' she doesn't half lay down some low-down, mean Blues - WOW! Once again I think I play this more often than 'Iko Iko'. Who can blame me?
  • 5. D-a-a-ance by The Lambrettas
    More scenes from a typical early eighties (or any other period, for that matter) night out. This time we think our luck might be better - but once again, who cares what happens as long as there's this to dance to - Power Brit Pop of the highest order driven along by figures from the guitars that come down with a mighty big wallop.
  • 4. Too Nice To Talk To by The (English) Beat
    More great 'skanking' and tells a story with which many a young man would be all too familiar on a night out at the club - but who cares when you've got this to dance to anyway?
  • 3. Special Brew by Bad Manners
    Slight change of image from Mari (!!!) Great music to 'skank' to and all-round huge, big, massive fun, fun, fun. The sax break towards the end ups the intensity at just the right moment while the organ keeps bubbling away.
  • 2. You Look So Good by Mari Wilson
    This is the b/w to 'Baby It's True' but since I discovered it I play it more than the c/w. The choruses are magnificent exclamation marks. It's just about the perfect example of a 'Killer B'.
  • 1. Heartache Avenue by The Maisonettes
    Just about the smoothest Brit Motown that was ever laid down - with wonderfully swooping backing vocals. The lead vocalist, Lol Mason, had been in City Boy previously - shame nothing much happened with him or The Maisonettes after this release, (as far as I know)
Special mention for 'Hand Held In Black And White' by Dollar, whom I've recently rediscovered in the wake of ITV's 'Reborn In The USA'. HHIB&W is a mega production, with the added bonus that Thereza Bazar was my 'girlfriend', as it were, (I wished!). It also first charted in August 1981, when I went on a crazy, 'boys trip out' caravan holiday in North Wales with my brother and his mates. Ah! Happy days! Dream on! (Well what's music but something by which to dream?)
By: Tripp Vicious
  • 10. Unforgiven by Metallica
  • 9. No Leaf Clover by Metallica
  • 8. One Way Or Another by Blondie
    The only GOOD girl singer
  • 7. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    The Best movie in the world and Judd Nelson is so hott
  • 6. I Fought The Law by the Clash
  • 5. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
  • 4. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
  • 3. White Wedding by Billy idol
  • 2. Knockin On Heavens Door by Guns n Roses
    Awsome Song and Axl Rose is so hott
  • 1. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns n Roses
    Awsome song by the best band in the world
The 4 best bands in the world are Lynyrd skynyrd, Guns n Roses, Nirvana, Linkin Park! And don't forget Axl Rose from Guns n Roses and Brad Delson from Linkin Park are both so hott! Peace Out and Much Luv! Tripp Vicious ...oh and one more thing, Sid vicious from the Sex Pistols is the hottest guy in the world!
By: Matt Glassing
  • 10. Disposable Heros by Metallica
    Sweet!
  • 9. One by Metallica
    Sweet!
  • 8. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    Sweet!!
  • 7. Everybody Wants Some!!! by Van Halen
    The best.
  • 6. Jump by Van Halen
    Awesome song!
  • 5. Foolin by Def Leppard
    Good song!
  • 4. Back In Black by AC/DC
    Awesome tune.
  • 3. Fade To Black by Metallica
    So good!
  • 2. Raise Your Hands by Bon Jovi
    The song rules!
  • 1. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
    great song!
Metallica rules the 80's!
By: Natalie
By: Ronda R.
  • 10. Night Owl by Little River Band
    My favorite of this band.
  • 9. Wash The Rain by World On Edge
    This is the only song I remember from them.
  • 8. Kiss You When It's Dangerous by 8 Seconds
    A very underrated song.
  • 7. I Did It For Love by Harlequin
    Fast beat, sing along and I'll guarantee you'll feel better.
  • 6. Are We Ourselves by The Fixx
    Another beaty song. Their best IMHO.
  • 5. Modern Day Delilah by Van Stephenson
    Love it. Hardly ever see it mentioned anywhere. A very feel good song.
  • 4. Send Me An Angel by Real Life
    Such an 80s song. This is the 80s all in one song.
  • 3. You Can Do Magic by America
    Very upbeat. Love this song.
  • 2. Don't Walk Past by Blue Peter
    I can't believe this is not already here. The drums are amazing, awesome beat.
  • 1. Whisper to a Scream by Icicle Works
    Play it loud, in your car. I dare you to not tap along.
A few honorable mentions (for who can pick just 10?): Pale Shelter - Tears for Fears The Voice - The Moody Blues Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yess Silent Running - Mike and the Mechanics Boys of Summer - Don Henley The Runner - Manfred Mann
By: Matthew Hull
  • 10. Looking Back Over My Shoulder by Mike And The Mechanics
  • 9. UB40 by Red Red Wine
  • 8. Poison Arrow by ABC
  • 7. The Living Daylights by A-ha
  • 6. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
  • 5. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
  • 4. Dont You Want Me Baby by Human League
    all round pure 80's classic
  • 3. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    he may be wacko but he made some bloody good songs, thriller being the best
  • 2. Out Of Touch by Hall And Oats
    very catchy, also from vice city
  • 1. I Ran by Flock Of Seaguls
    just pure class, i only discovered it from the GTA vice city advert, one of my favourite songs ever
i was only born in the mid 80's myself, but im a huge fan of 80's music, this site is a great place to pick ups tips for songs to get
By: DanzigSpice
  • 10. Party All The Time by Eddie Murphy
    Come on, you know you liked it too!
  • 9. Fall Guy by Lee Majors
    YES! This is the greatest TV show theme song.
  • 8. Mountains by Prince
    The only Prince song I liked and no one knows about it.
  • 7. Holiday In Cambodia by Dead Kennedys
  • 6. Freeze Frame by J Giles Band
    I cant help it, when I hear this song, I gotta move, jump, dance like a moron, anything...
  • 5. Twilight Zone by Golden Earring
  • 4. Smuggler's Blues by Glenn Fry
  • 3. Rise Above by Black Flag
  • 2. Let the Day Begin by Samhain
    THE coolest of all Glenn Danzig bands.
  • 1. Horror Hotel by The Misfits
    THE coolest punk band to ever exist!!
By: Osky
  • 10. Wherever Would I Be by Cheap Trick
    Every time they realease a song, a sucess, like all great band!!
  • 9. I Miss You So by Bonnie Bianco
    The only song I know of Bonnie Bianco, but excelent slow song!!
  • 8. Toys Soldiers by Martika
    a classic for eveybody say loves ´80 songs, Great Martika
  • 7. Till Death Do Us Apart by White Lion
    So Beautiful, so sad, Omg, what a song!!
  • 6. Is This Love by Whitesnake
    Another Heavy Metal ´80 Hymn, if you didnt like it, watch the video, and you will fall in love Tawny Kitaen,
  • 5. Love Bites by Def Leppard
    Who did forget, this song, Who didnt dance this song,,,,,,Omg!!!
  • 4. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Hymn of the ´80, the great police creation that along years was sang by different bands
  • 3. Still Havent Found What Im Looking For by U2
    Considered one of the most beautiful songs of Century
  • 2. Angel by Aerosmith
    the Ballad !!!
  • 1. Why Lover Why by Century
    The best song and the best guitar I heard ever
By: Ron C
  • 10. Just Like Honey by The Jesus and Mary Chain
  • 9. 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone
  • 8. Never Say Never by Romeo Void
  • 7. A Million Miles Away by The Plimsouls
  • 6. Holiday by The Other Ones
  • 5. C'est Comme Ca by Les Rita Mitsouko
  • 4. I Confess by The English Beat
  • 3. Eyes of a Stranger by Payolas
  • 2. Turning Japanese by The Vapors
  • 1. Under the Milky Way by The Church
These are some of my favorite 80s songs, in no particular order. Of course, Bauhaus was the greatest 80s band.

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