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: brian serfass
there are many many more song that i could name, but i love the police the best out of all 80's bands, and my favorite female band of the 80's was the go go's
By: Philippe Ouellet
By: Debi
  • 10. In My Room by The Beachboys
    Brian Wilson was WAY ahead of his time...
  • 9. Miracles by Jefferson Airplane
    melodic mastery of R&R
  • 8. Bridge by Eric Clapton
    absolute simple genius
  • 7. Deacon Blues by Steely Dan
    I cried when I heard this song...
  • 6. Baker Street by Jerry Rafferty
    beautiful musical wake-up call
  • 5. Classical Gas by Mason Williams
    like nothing I ever heard in R&R
  • 4. She's Gone by Hall & Oates
    raw emotion cloaked in musical notes
  • 3. Black by Pearl Jam
    dark love song
  • 2. Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett
    a summer anthem...
  • 1. The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
    pure rock and roll
By: jessica
  • 10. Wallflower by Peter Gabriel
    This song always gets me.
  • 9. Affair of the Heart by Rick Springfield
    very sexy man
  • 8. All Through the Night by Cyndi Lauper
  • 7. When Smokey Sings by ABC
    "...I hear violins"
  • 6. Everday is Like Sunday by Morrissey
  • 5. Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush
    This one is kind of creepy, as well as cheezy. A great combination.
  • 4. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    One of the most perfect pop songs ever.
  • 3. Mr. Roboto by Styx
    My 4 year old knows this song by heart.
  • 2. It's My Life by Talk Talk
  • 1. I Missed Again / Behind the Lines by Phil Collins
    This is Funky Phil.
I've already sent in a list, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't mention these ten songs.
By: Leana
  • 10. Love is Alright Tonite by Rick Springfield
    Major power pop hit!!
  • 9. Don't Talk To Strangers by Rick Springfield
    Fun song. Video is cool too.
  • 8. Bop Til You Drop by Rick Springfield
    From Hard To Hold. The song is rather sillie-sounding at first, but you gotta listen to the lyrics. The video is da bomb!!!
  • 7. State of the Heart by Rick Springfield
    A cover song. But Rick does it sooo good. It's another power ballad. OOh, I just love this one.
  • 6. Souls by Rick Springfield
    Another great power ballad. If anyone thinks Rick is bubble-gum, think again!!
  • 5. I've Done Everything For You by Rick Springfield
    Written by Sammy Hagar, but performed by Rick Springfield. One of the few songs not written by Springfield that I take much liking to.
  • 4. Don't Walk Away by Rick Springfield
    One of the only things worth keeping when walking away from that horrible movie Hard To Hold is this power ballad. Saxaphone sounds really give it a smooth soft-rock feel.
  • 3. Affair of the Heart by Rick Springfield
    Sexy. Rick's kicking aside the power-pop sounds of Jessie's Girl, and getting a hard-edge-on in this overtly sexual piece.
  • 2. Celebrate Youth by Rick Springfield
    Synthesizers and new wave dancebeats enhance this song about optimism for our children. Best line: "Looking through a child's eye, there's no hate and there's no lie, there's no black and there's no white."
  • 1. Rock of Life by Rick Springfield
    This song was the title track off of Rick's last album of the 80s. The song as well as the entire album is emotional and was released after Rick's recovery from a two-year bout with depression and months before a tragic motorcycle accident cancelled his comeback tour.
Jessie's Girl gets alot of hype, but in my opinion,it ain't "all that" when Rick's got plenty o' other hits with a lot more musical and lyrical depth.
By: Paul Jensen
  • 10. What Difference Does it Make? by The Smiths
  • 9. Winter by The Sound
  • 8. Age of Consent by New Order
  • 7. Ocean Rain by Echo and the Bunnymen
  • 6. So. Central Rain by R.E.M
  • 5. Spirits in the Material World by The Police
  • 4. Back in Flesh by Wall of Voodoo
  • 3. Hungry Wolf by X
  • 2. Senses Working Overtime by XTC
  • 1. Beyond Belief by Elvis Costello
Honorable Mention: I Hope You're Happy Now -- Elvis Costello Ain't This the Life -- Oingo Boingo Modern Love -- David Bowie Stepping Out -- Joe Jackson Never Say Never -- Romeo Void Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime -- The Korgis Waiting Man -- King Crimson Each and Every One -- Everything But the Girl Isolation -- Joy Division Call Me Up -- Gang of Four
By: Gary
  • 10. Burning Down the House by Talking Heads
    very catchy dont' know what he is saying though lol
  • 9. In Your Eyes by Gabriel
    OH MY GOD! a song not sung by TFF!? LOL
  • 8. Mad World by TFF
    cool beans
  • 7. Change by TFF
    love the music
  • 6. Woman in Chains by TFF
    Very very good :)
  • 5. Sowing the Seeds of Love by TFF
    Very catchy.
  • 4. Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
    Great song....yes i love Tears for Fears.
  • 3. Working Hour by Tears for Fears
    Great music! I love the sax.
  • 2. Shout by Tears for Fears
    Great song! Great for sing a longs hehe. And i love the guitar solo.
  • 1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
    This song is unbelievable. It has touched me like no other song has.
Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds, honarable meniton
By: Dino Green
  • 10. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
  • 9. In A Big Country by Big Country
  • 8. Lick It Up by KISS
  • 7. Cuts Like A Knife by Bryan Adams
  • 6. Fields of Gold by Sting
  • 5. Back in Black by AC/DC
  • 4. Looks That Kill by Motley Crue
    great cruisin, let it all out song.
  • 3. Hysteria by Def Leppard
  • 2. Missing You by John Waite
    A very moving song when heart broken.
  • 1. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    I WAS 15 IN THE SUMMER OF 1983 DID'NT LISTEN TO ALOT OF ROCK MUSIC,TOP 40 RADIO;UNTIL A FRIEND OF MINE PLAYED EVERY BREATH.IT'S BEEN MY FAVORITE #1 EVER SINCE AND LISTENED TO ROCK AND ALL OTHER TYPES OF MUSIC SINCE THEN TOO.
By: Phil Beadling
  • 10. I wanna know what love is by Foreigner
    "Why?", I hear you cry. Well no top ten is complete without some sort of mullet orientated mush forging it's way in. Come on, you all love this song too, you just won't admit it!
  • 9. Don't dream it's over by Crowded House
    Great tune, unless you've split up with your girlfriend, then it should avoided at all costs.
  • 8. Careless Whispers by George Micheal
    This tune will have your girlfriend wetter than an otter's pocket in no time, then it's time for some lurve making. Fantastic!
  • 7. Enjoy the silence by Depeche Mode
    This song doesn't seem to get a mention on anyone else's top ten. How! May be they where only big in England, but this song is realy cool, and gave us countless other bands with bassists who thought it their right to play stupidly high notes. Just buy a guitar man! The video was well trippy too. It had me convinced that my mother was spiking my packet lunches with LSD, crazy colours!
  • 6. Luka by Suzanne Vega
    I love the guitar part to this song, nice chord progession, and Suzanne's voice just fits efforlessly with it.
  • 5. Drive by The Cars
    A lovely song with that unforgetable Eighties synth sound, which had us all on the brink of suicide. Where's my Prozac!
  • 4. Take on me by A-Ha
    Anyone who claims not to like this song is a liar, and should probably be killed. A fantastic video, plus any man who can sing that high deserves some credit.
  • 3. Regret / True Faith by New Order
    I have a sneaky fealing that Regret was actually released in the Nineties, if that's the case then True Faith is almost as good. Both deserve a mention.
  • 2. True by Spandau Ballet
    Why doesn't Martin Kemp stop trying to act tough in Walford and reform Spandau Ballet. We all know you killed her Kemp (Strictly British Joke!).
  • 1. With or without you by U2
    One of the best songs ever in my opinion. So simple, but what a voice that Bono has. He must pull the ladies.
So many more bands, alas not enough room. A quick mention to Johnny Hates Jazz, The Police (You and Foreigner swapped places many times in my prelimary lists...if only you had all mullets), Duran Duran, Madonna and Terence Trent Derby. Hope you all like my list, Phil.
By: Brooke
By: Naseem Nasser
By: Charlie Panayiotou
  • 10. Don't You Want Me by Human League
    It's just a great song.
  • 9. Do They Know Its Christmas by Band-Aid
    A good charity single-isn't that enough?!
  • 8. Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
    I can't say anything about this that hasn't been said already.
  • 7. When the Going Gets Tough by Billy Ocean
    Another irrestistible song.
  • 6. Our House by Madness
    I had to include this song from the brilliant Madness, who are from my area,Camden.(obviously)
  • 5. Take On Me by A-Ha
    One of the greatest videos of all time-and the song ain't bad either.
  • 4. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
    Another great from the Boss-and I'm not even American.
  • 3. Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer
    This song just makes me want to get up and sing!
  • 2. You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon
    Another classic-angels in the architecture indeed.
  • 1. Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen
    "Can't start a fire..."-the finest song of the decede from the decade's finest artist.Great video as well!
By: Jimmy Simard
  • 10. Lost in your eyes by Debbie Gibson
  • 9. one in a million by The Romantics
  • 8. uptown girl by Billy Joel
  • 7. 99 red ballons by Nena
  • 6. vienna calling by Falco
  • 5. Mickey by Tony basil
  • 4. I wanna rock by Twisted sisters
  • 3. Everytime you go away by Paul Young
  • 2. Try by Blue rodeo
  • 1. I love rock'n roll by Joan jett and the blackhearts
By: MICHELLE HENDRICKSON
  • 10. Money for nothing by Dire Straits
    I thought the video was cool
  • 9. Everybody have fun tonight by Wang Chung
    I remember partying to this song many times!
  • 8. I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL by JOA N JETT
    made it cool to dress like a bad girl.
  • 7. MICKEY by TONI BASIL
    This was song that just got you going.
  • 6. GOODBYE TO YOU by SCANDAL
    great song to play when you got rid of a guy!
  • 5. ELECTRIC AVENUE by EDDIE GRANT
    Some kids I went to school with made up a dance for this song, and we used to do every time it was played.
  • 4. EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE by THE POLICE
  • 3. THE SEARCH IS OVER by SURVIVOR
    great song to send to someone that you love
  • 2. JESSIES GIRL by RICK SPRINGFIELD
    what girl in the 80's didn't just DIE for him as DR NOAH DRAKE!?
  • 1. FAITHFULLY by JOURNEY
    I saw them in concert in 1986, which I believe is also the last year that they were together.
ALOT OF THESE SONGS BRING BACK MEMORIES OF GROWING UP IN THE 80'S AND MY SON JUST ASKED ME THE OTHER DAY IF I HAD EVER HEARD OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN! I TOLD HIM THAT THE BOSS HAS BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN HE HAS!! TWO DAYS LATER HE WAS SINGING MR ROBOTO. I GRADUATED IN 1986, AND I HAVE HAD A BLAST SINCE I FOUND THIS SITE, THANKS FOR MAKING ME SMILE AND LAUGH TIL IT HURTS!!!
By: Justin James
  • 10. 'Til Tuesday by Voices Carry
  • 9. Alan Parsons Project by Eye in the Sky
  • 8. MARRS by Pump Up the Volume
  • 7. The Church by Under the Milky Way
  • 6. Tears For Fears by Head Over Heels
  • 5. Yazoo by Situation
  • 4. Howard Jones by Things Can only Get Better
  • 3. Dexi's Midnight Runners by Come on Eileen
  • 2. The Police by King of Pain
  • 1. Take On Me by A-ha
By: George
  • 10. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH by BELINDA CARLISLE
    Not so strong as Wilde's & Minogue's but still a great song to dance together with your girlfriend
  • 9. I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY by KYLIE MINOGUE
    Probably the..second greatest disco...When u listen to this...(as above!)
  • 8. YOU CAME by KIM WILDE
    For sure the greatest disco cut of the decade , when you listen to this you just want to go on the dance floor and never stop dancin'...
  • 7. POISON by ALICE COOPER
    Alice doesn't want to break these chains...and we don't wanna stop listening to that "venomous" song
  • 6. YOU DON'T REMEMBER,I'LL NEVER FORGET by YNGWIE MALMSTEEN
    The greatest ever metal guitarist in his peak...
  • 5. I'M LEAVING YOU by SCORPIONS
    In here Scorpions gives the way on how a poor-lyric song can be converted to an amazing both hard and emotional cut...
  • 4. THE HUNTER by DOKKEN
    A typical 80s rocker...
  • 3. REASON TO LIVE by KISS
    With this song , Kiss showed how a power-ballad should be played...
  • 2. STILL OF THE NIGHT by WHITESNAKE
    Absolutely the greatest heavy rock anthem ever (not just for the 80s !!...)
  • 1. THE FINAL COUNTDOWN by EUROPE
    The powerful song , with the anthemic keyboards and the smashing guitar solo...
BOTH THE BEST HARD ROCK AND DISCO MUSIC EVER , HAVE BEEN RECORDER DURING EIGHTIES...
By: J.Lluch
By: Griddlebone
  • 10. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
  • 9. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes by Asia
  • 8. In a Big Country by Big Country
  • 7. My Love is Chemical by Lou Reed
    "it's much more than physical, baby"
  • 6. Little Lady by Duke Jupiter
  • 5. Weapons by Rough Trade
    It's raw. You know, Carole Pope did the school teacher in the animated Pippi Longstockig movie...
  • 4. The Pros and Cons of Hitchiking by Roger Waters (?)
    I'm pretty sure it's Roger Waters. "Why prolong the agony? All men must die"
  • 3. Modern Day Delilah by Van Stephenson
    Mythology has always been a hobby of mine...
  • 2. The Mask by Roger Glover
    I like the pool/reflection imagery
  • 1. When the Lady Smiles by Golden Earring
    I don't know if it's my number one of all the 80s, but it still cheers me up, makes me smile, makes me wish someone had written it for me...*g*
Honorable mention: Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Meatloaf *List subject to change without notice.*
By: Alan C-C
  • 10. Venus by Bananarama
    Wow, picking just one more is difficult, but it has to be a Bananarama one. They made so many good records in the 80's, and every week I have a different favourite. This and Nathan Jones are worth special mention though.
  • 9. One Step Further by Bardo
    A brilliant song which was featured in the Eurovision Song Contest. It didn't win but made number 2 in the UK anyway!
  • 8. The Big Kiss by Thereza Bazar
    Not known in America, except perhaps for singing the theme to the movie Gotcha! She was half of UK duo Dollar in the late 70's/80's, and this was her debut solo single, exceedingly well produced by Arif Mardin. Her album was the most expensive ever recorded in MCA Records history at the time.
  • 7. One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head
    The album version needs to be heard to appreciate this one. The classical music intro is so powerful.
  • 6. Eyes by Donna Summer
    This made number 99 in Britain. The song was remixed by Jellybean Benitez who turned the staid album version into a pop masterpiece.
  • 5. Brand New Lover by Dead Or Alive
    Not a big hit in the UK, it did much better in America and is by far the best DOA record ever.
  • 4. Jody by Jermaine Stewart
    Not one of his better known songs but by far his best work. This was written about Jody Watley.
  • 3. Never Give You Up by Sharon Redd
    This and the flipside, Beat The Street, have become samplers dreams. A true 80s classic with production that still stands up today.
  • 2. The Boom Boom Room by Natasha
    She was around back in 1982, when she had a top 10 hit with a cover of The Dixie Cups IKO IKO. Her version was out at the same time as The Belle Stars but did better here. This was the follow-up, very bluesy and a minor hit for her.
  • 1. Shockwaves by Diana Ross
    OK, this is an American site with primarily American viewers, most of you won't even know this track. Most Britons don't know it as it only made number 76 in the UK. It's a classic track - very reminiscent of her days in the Supremes, but with a louder more upbeat production. A real classic, and far better than her similar recording, Chain Reaction.
Other great acts who didn't get in - Imagination, The Pointer Sisters, Change, Clive Griffin. The 80s was the best time ever for music !
By: Casey
U2 was the best band of the 80s, without a doubt.

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