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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: Brendan Mooney
  • 10. Hammer To Fall by Queen
    No list would be complete without the boys.....give it to me 1 more time!!!
  • 9. I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman
    Ditto Dreamtime
  • 8. Dreamtime by Daryll Hall
    Brilliant Friday song!!!...still sounds fresh as ever
  • 7. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    I always thought they were Dutch for some reason!!
  • 6. No Memory by Scarlet Fantastic
    Most under-achievers of the business
  • 5. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    Yeh....course it sounds cheesy now....but back then......fresh air.
  • 4. With Or Without You by U2
    My 1st real love.......this was the song which made you feel on top of the world one day...and suicidal the next....ahhh teenage years!!
  • 3. Summer Of 69 by Bryan Adams
    Speaking of summers..........what more needs to be said.......b4 the guy sold out in the early 90's....thank God I saw him live in '87
  • 2. Africa by Toto
    Legendary.......hazy summer of '82
  • 1. Wole of the Moon by Waterboys
    What a floor filler!! had everything.....and has more than stood the test of time.
Let me know what you think.....agree or disagree?? bren1971@yahoo.co.uk
By: simon
  • 10. Deep And Wide And Tall by Aztec Camera
    give it to em roddy
  • 9. Whos Johnny by El Debarge
    singalong
  • 8. Dont You Just Know It by Amazulu
    behave girls
  • 7. Christian by China Cris
    lement
  • 6. Tinseltown In The Rain by Blue Nile
    atmospheric brilliant
  • 5. The Motive by Then Jerico
    classic
  • 4. For America by Red Box
    happy jolly tune
  • 3. Kool In The Kaftan by Ba Robertson
    humour
  • 2. Messages by Omd
    youve gotta love em
  • 1. Stand Or Fall by The Fixx
    cy curnin brilliant
By: Paulisse
  • 10. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
    Lyrics lack variety but the musical theme is just great (as well as "Here comes the rain again")
  • 9. Still Loving You by Scorpions
    Quite different from "Wind of Change" but just as nice.
  • 8. Enola Gay by Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark
    The video-clip is very 60s-like but the synthesizer theme is great (reminds me a bit of the music of an 8-bits computer game named Equinox (from Mikro-Gen)).
  • 7. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cindy Lauper
    Very dynamic (though I like as well "All through the night" of the same singer, despite a radically different tempo)
  • 6. Such A Shame by Talk-Talk
    The video-clip is bit sober (and this is an understatement) but very funny, and the musical theme is really catching.
  • 5. Can't Get Enough (of Your Love) by Kim Wilde
    I rarely put money in Bars Juke-Boxes, but I did often for this one... If they had been availableat that time, I would have too for "You came" and "You keep me hangin' on".
  • 4. Take On Me by A-ha
    One of the best (if not the best) video-clip I've ever seen. Vocals and music are great too...
  • 3. Big in Japan by Alphaville
    I like Japan and I like the musical theme ("Sounds like a Melody" of the same band is just as great)
  • 2. La Isla Bonita by Madonna
    I heard it on a 45rpm vinyl so many times... as well as "Into the Groove" ("Like a Prayer" was only on a Compact-Disc)
  • 1. Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield
    Vocals by Maggie Reilly are just great as well as the musical theme
I definetely love those ones too: High on emotion (Chris de Burgh), The Road to Hell (Chris Rea), I'm still standing (Elton Jones), Heaven can wait (Sandra), All around my Heart (Sandra), Vollmond (Nena), Nur getraumt (Nena), L'an mil (Michel Sardou), Manu Reva (Alain Chamfort), Plus pres des etoiles (Gold), La groupie du pianiste (Michel Berger), Diego libre dans sa tete (France Gall), Le chanteur (Daniel Balavoine, Les aventures de Gerard Lambert (Renaud), Miss Maggie (Renaud), Les Murs de Poussiere (Francis Cabrel)
By: mari
  • 10. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
  • 9. Take On Me by A-ha
  • 8. Love Is A Battlefield by Pet Benetar
    i loved this song it made me strong in relationship
  • 7. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
  • 6. I Wear My Sunglasses At Night by Corey Heart
    started people wearing glasses in the clubs
  • 5. Material Girl by Madonna
  • 4. Beat It by Michael Jackson
    i think everybody had that jacket he wore on this song
  • 3. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham
    uuh what a hottie!
  • 2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    who can forget lou albano in this song,getting beat by skinny little cyndi :)
  • 1. What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner
these are the top ten for me that i remember all the time,there are others that i can remember but these i'll never forget
By: Cheryl Rudd
  • 10. Every song by Duran Duran by Duran Duran
    My ultimate 80's band. I loved these guys!!
  • 9. Take it Easy by Andy Taylor
    Only hit by the former Duran Duran Member from the gymnastics movie with Mitch Gaylord and Janet Jones (a.k.a. Mrs. Wayne Gretzky)
  • 8. Get it on, Bang a Gong by The Power Station
  • 7. Parents Just Don't Understand by Dj Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
    This was a cool song. Before Will Smith was a big star!! How can anyone forget this one?
  • 6. Fight For Your Right by The Beastie Boys
    My theme song in High School. It totally Rocked.
  • 5. I wanna be sedated by The Ramones
  • 4. Joey by Concrete Blond
  • 3. White Wedding by Billy Idol
  • 2. Rock Myself To Sleep by April Wine
  • 1. Wild Wild West by The Escape Club
    I have not seen this one yet. Awesome dance song.
By: Linn Brekke
  • 10. Forever Young by Alphaville
  • 9. I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany
  • 8. Do You Dream About Me by Alisha
  • 7. Talking In Your Sleep by Romantics
  • 6. Little Lies by Fleetwood Mac
  • 5. You Came by Kim Wilde
  • 4. Cambodia by Kim Wilde
  • 3. Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
  • 2. Let's Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams
  • 1. Words by FR David
    I love love love this song!!
It's good to see that i'm not alone to LOVE the 80's :)
By: Shane
  • 10. Pictures Of You by The Cure
    This is one of the best written song by Robert Smith. And I really the album version the best then the single version. Cuase the onrignal plays it longer then the single version.
  • 9. In Between Days by The Cure
    A year before this song came out. I become to like THE CURE and ever since I have been a CURE fan and bought ever album and cd's. And I saw Them three times in concert.
  • 8. Lips Like Sugar by Echo & The Bunnymen
    This pictualr song is a well crafted song with great lyrics by far. On the Bunnymen's catalouge
  • 7. The Killing Moon by Echo & The Bunnymen
    Probaly one of the best BUNNYMEN's song ever
  • 6. I Melt With You by Modern English
    I have 8 differnt version of this song but the onrignal stands out the best.
  • 5. Every Breathe You Take by The Police
    I can't believe that Sting wrote this song in ten mintues and became a classic hit. I find that amazing.
  • 4. The Killing Jar by Siouxsie & The Banshees
    I like the remix version of this song and including the 12" version. This song is about taking herion. Look at the lyrics and see why. Awesome guitar licks and a amazing vocal style by old Siouxsie.
  • 3. Red Barchetta by Rush
    This is Niel Peart's best written song ever made!!!!!!
  • 2. Spellbound/That's Entertainment by Siouxsie And The Banshees/The Jam
    This song rocks and the best song by Siouxsie And The Banshees. And for That's Entertainment by The Jam is the best Jam song ever love the sound quality
  • 1. Save It For Later by The English Beat
    One of the best Ska songs ever written. And also glad that I got to meet Dave Wakeling. At one of his concert just recently.
I like to say that THE CURE & SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHES are my all time favorite bands that hails from London, England. And I like other bands too. To name a few. ENGLISH BEAT RUSH THE SPECAILS MADNESS THE CULT THE CLASH SEX PISTOLS THE WHO DEVO THOMPSON TWINS THE ALARM DEPECHE MODE MODERN ENGLISH DURAN DURAN THE JAM AND INXS AND LOTS MORE
By: ilove80's
  • 10. Pass the Dutchie by Musical Youth
    Cute!
  • 9. Red red wine by UB40
    Talk about high unemployment rate
  • 8. Girls just wanna have fun by Cyndi Lauper
    Need I say more
  • 7. Vienna by Ultravox
    Remember the video?
  • 6. Behind the Wheel by Depeche Mode
    Actually all songs by DM are excellent.
  • 5. Love and Pride by King
    Soooooo 80's!
  • 4. 99 Luftballons by Nena
    Not the English version!
  • 3. Come on Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    Musically Genious
  • 2. Wild Horses by Gino Vanelli
    Sexy song
  • 1. Forbidden Colours by David Sylvian
    ONE OF THOSE FORGOTTEN BEAUTIES. LISTEN AND GET GOOSEBUMPS!
11. True - Spandau Ballet, 12. Take on me - A-ha, 13. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo, 14. White Wedding - Billy Idol, 15. Don't Go - Yazoo, 16. Holiday - Madonna, 17. Lessons in Love - Level 42, 18. Running up that hill - Kate Bush, 19. Somewhere in my heart - Aztec Camera, 20. Don't dream it's over - Crowded House. Can't we make a top 100?
By: stephane
  • 10. Big In Japan by Alphaville
  • 9. Sleeper In Metropolis by Anne Clarke
  • 8. Quite Unusual by Front 242
  • 7. Let Me Go by Heaven 17
  • 6. Life In Tokyo by Japan
  • 5. Blue Monday by New Order
  • 4. Images Of Heaven by Peter Goodwin
  • 3. P Machinery by Propaganda
  • 2. Murderous by Nitzer Ebb
  • 1. Perfect by The The
By: Heywood
  • 10. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
  • 9. Nothing Compares To You by Sinead O'connor
  • 8. Summer Of 69 by bryan adams
  • 7. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
  • 6. Paradise City by Guns N Roses
    i love it when he does the snake!OhYeaa..
  • 5. Faith by George Michael
    hes hot
  • 4. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
  • 3. Under Pressure by David Bowie And Queen
    best songg
  • 2. The Goonies Are Good Enough by Cindy Lauper
  • 1. Dream On by Aerosmith
the 80s rock my worldd
By: mike
  • 10. Rhythm of the Night by El Debarge
  • 9. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
  • 8. Our House by Madness
  • 7. Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  • 6. Get Outta My Dreams (And Into My Car) by Billy Ocean
  • 5. I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister
  • 4. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
  • 3. Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung
    ...So funny when Fez sang it on That '70s Show
  • 2. Cherry Pie by Warrant
  • 1. 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone
    Love this song. Brings back some good memories...
By: Brian Marc
  • 10. Maneater by Michael Sambello
  • 9. Take On Me by A-Ha
  • 8. Come Go With Me/Point of No Return/Seasons Change by Expose
    Definitly the Roller Skating group of the 80's.
  • 7. Like a Prayer by Madonna
    ANYTHING by the Material Girl certainly deserves 80's recognition.
  • 6. When the Children Cry by White Lion
  • 5. Only In My Dreams by Debbie Gibson
  • 4. I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman
  • 3. Luca by Suzanne Vega
  • 2. Conga by Miami Sound Machine
  • 1. Africa by Toto
By: Ashley Blair
  • 10. Situation by Yazoo
    Techno New Wave At It's Best
  • 9. Take On Me by A-ha
    Great Song From 1985.
  • 8. How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths
    The Best Song They Ever Recorded, Really Moody.
  • 7. The Message by Grandmaster Flash
    Great Hip Hop From 1982
  • 6. Someone, Somewhere In Summertime by Simple Minds
    Great Song From A Great Album In 1982
  • 5. True by Spandau Ballet
    Another Great Song From A Great Album In 1982
  • 4. The Tide Is High by Blondie
    Another #1 Song By Blondie, Also From "autoamerican" Album. In The Top 100 Best Charted Songs Of The 1980's.
  • 3. Moments In Love by The Art Of Noise
    Released In 1982, Awesome Instrumental.
  • 2. Call Me by Blondie
    #1 Charted Song Of 1980 And 8th Of The Decade.......totally Awesome Song.
  • 1. Rapture by Blondie
    The first ever #1 Rap song EVER!!! Blondie were and are so cutting edge. Released on the Blondie album "AutoAmerican" in November 1980.
BLONDIE above all other artists in the 1980's are the best. Their music acheievements are above all others in the 80's. First Rap and Reggae #1 songs, first artist to have the #1 Song of the Decade....ETC
By: Paul Voorhies
  • 10. Papa Don't Preach by Madonna
    The Queen of Pop turns in a record---of substance. Controversial tune about teen pregnancy showed that Madonna was here to stay, and stay, and stay, and stay!!
  • 9. Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
    Raw and primal, the most important hit from D2 remains today a fun, sexy, and downright naughty little ditty.
  • 8. Call Me by Blondie
    Debbie and company strike again with the perfectly rocky, hard-driving, sex anthem from "American Gigolo."
  • 7. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    The most important One Hit Wonder of the decade, in my opinion, chronicles the yearnings of "taboo" teen sex. So they were never heard from again. Better to have hit a homerun than to never have batted at all!! =)~~
  • 6. When Doves Cry by Prince
    It's hard to come up with a better R&B/pop anthem from the decade. Far and away Prince's best contribution to the world of music.
  • 5. Our House by Madness
    A wacky ode to family life, British purveyors of ska pop's only major U.S. hit is truly remarkable.
  • 4. Back On The Chain Gang by The Pretenders
    Another great rock group in the Blondie vein, Chrissie and Company yield their finest pop/rock effort to date with this upbeat yet pensive '83 gem.
  • 3. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
    Beautiful, haunting, post-apocalyptic tune puts the boys from down under near the top.
  • 2. The Tide Is High by Blondie
    The best band of the early '80s hit its apex with this calypso-flavored classic!
  • 1. Like a Prayer by Madonna
    The perfect blend of rock and funk, the sacred and the profane. Madonna's finest '80s tune has stood the test of time.
By: Jessica Jones
Debbie Harry's "French Kissin and Backfired" The GoGos, Expose, Duran Duran and B'52's
By: Nick
  • 10. New Song by Howard Jones
    This dude epitomizes the 80's and this song epitomizes the dude
  • 9. Steppin' Out by Joe Jackson
    Memories
  • 8. Tender Love by Force MDs
    One of the prettiest tunes I can think of
  • 7. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police
    Hard to believe this band was only around for 6 years, so many great tunes
  • 6. Bad by U2
    Perhaps the greatest live moment ever when U2 played this at Live Aid
  • 5. Limelight by Rush
    Rock and roll wasn't completely dead in the 80's thanks to these Canucks
  • 4. Blue Monday by New Order
    Another club classic
  • 3. True by Spandau Ballet
    Practically catapults me back into the 80's whenever I hear it
  • 2. Hanging On A String by Loose Ends
    Pure ear candy
  • 1. Erotic City by Prince
    Best Club Tune all-time by one of the great artists all-time.
I could do about 10 more lists like this to truly capture the diversity in music that was the 80's
By: Sean Moran
  • 10. Don't Tell Me by Shona Laing
    Only thing I've ever heard by her - must follow my own advice above and buy her today, except I can never find her stuff. Great end of a romance song which I heard as an 18 year old when I'd just been dumped by my first love. Played it so many times back then that my parents probably know the lyrics backwards.
  • 9. Thinking of You by The Colourfield
    Take 20 or 30 cliches, add a tune that's catchier than treacle-coated barbed wire (and just as bitter-sweet), and you've got this pop classic. Terry Hall seems to get less commercial success with each outing, even though his talent just keeps growing. BUY HIM TODAY.
  • 8. This Charming Man/Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now by The Smiths
    The lyrics, that guitar work, and those gladioli. Truly iconic, and these are the two singles I loved the best.
  • 7. What's She Like? by Dexys Midnight Runners
    Third incarnation Dexys from Don't Stand Me Down. Not their most accessible album and with the full version running to about 12 minutes this track didn't get a huge amount of airplay. It should have done. They're touring in the UK in November 2003 - see them if you get the chance.
  • 6. I Want You by Elvis Costello
    Look, this might surprise you but I'm not from Merseyside, despite the provenance of so many of my choices. Quality songwriter with more strings to his bow than most. This one's a dark twisted piece of neurotic longing and low self-esteem. Makes Every Breath You Take sound like a Xmas Carol.
  • 5. Jean's Not Happening by The Pale Fountains
    Yup, that's three Liverpool bands on the trot. Vastly under-rated group who fused guitar-based Indie with a penchant for Bacharach and came up with a killer combination. Check out successor bands Shack, and The Strands for more evidence of Mick Head's talents.
  • 4. Kolly Kibber's Birthday/Passionate Friend by Julian Cope/The Teardrop Explodes
    Erratic genius. If he was a footballer (soccer doesn't exist - join the world, America) he'd be out on the left wing doing nothing for 89 minutes and still manage to win the game in an instant's brilliance.
  • 3. 7 Minutes to Midnight by Wah!
    My favourite version is on the flip of the Story of the Blues 12". Pete Wylie is an incredible talent who had to make it onto the list. Washington's bass line meant choosing this over the A-side. Close call though.
  • 2. Release by Aztec Camera
    Nearly went for their cover of Jump, (which widdles all over the Van Halen version), but then I thought it would be more pure to have one of Roddy's own songs. This one is from High Land, Hard Rain, possible the finest album ever.
  • 1. Beat Surrender/Shout to the Top by The Jam/The Style Council
    Paul Weller at his finest, although there were dozens of other examples I could have chosen. Beat Surrender because it showed how to break up the band at their peak and not degenerate into something less vital (are you reading this M Jagger?). And Shout to the Top because it was out during the Miners Strike in the UK and was about making your voice heard, no matter how small you were and how low you felt. Keep the faith.
The top 10 were in no particular order. I was also going to have Spanish Bombs by The Clash until I realised it was released 14 December 1979. Now here's some others that got away. Queen/Bowie - Under Pressure; The Alarm - 68 Guns; Icicle Works - Love is a Wonderful Colour; Lotus Eaters - First Picture of You; Mari Wilson - Beat the Beat; Echo and the Bunnymen - My Kingdom ; New Order - Blue Monday; JoBoxers - Just Got Lucky; Prefab Sprout - Little Green Isaac; Pretenders - Talk of the Town; Everything But The Girl - When All's Well; Furniture - Brilliant Mind; The Housemartins - Happy Hour. Which is an apt place to stop, as I've had a very happy hour (or more) compiling this.
By: joanna gay sigue
  • 10. Sailing by Christoffer Cross/'N sync
    This song was revived by 'n sync.this is included on their 1st album.i like this song.the revival of 'nsync to this song is great!
  • 9. If by Bread
    i sang this song when i attended my former classmates debut.i was accompanied by my father who was playing the guitar.
  • 8. Aubrey by Bread
    This was the favorite song of my mom.I also find it nice to listen to.
  • 7. Through the years by Kenny Rogers
    I always hear this song whenever my cousin is sound tripping.This song was always #1 on the list.
  • 6. Betcha by Golly Wow by Prince
    This song was revived by Prince.i dont know who originally sang it.this song was popular way back when i was in highschool.we sang it all the time.
  • 5. Think of Laura by Christoffer Cross
    The voice of the singer fits the song.Its soothing when you hear this song.It makes me feel sleepy.
  • 4. Honesty by Billy Joel
    This song became my piece when i joined a singing contest.Luckily i won!!!
  • 3. Through the Fire by Chaka Kahn
    "love is in the air!"
  • 2. Always by Atlantic Starr
    This song is really nice,the blending of the voice is fantastic!I love it!
  • 1. Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder
    I love this song coz its really romantic!This song makes me feel in love!
Its really nice to mesmerize sometimes!!!!!! :)
By: David Anderson
  • 10. Somewhere In My Heart by Aztec Camera
  • 9. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
  • 8. Happy Birthday by Altered Images
  • 7. One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head
  • 6. The Motels by Control
  • 5. Life In a Northern Town by Dream Academy
  • 4. Oh'Lamour by Erasure
  • 3. 99 Luft Balloons by Nena
    da da da, da da, da da...
  • 2. Our Lips Are Sealed by Go Gos
  • 1. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
    A Classic
By: Brandon
  • 10. I Remember You by Skid Row
  • 9. Give to live by Sammy Hagar
  • 8. Fallen Angel by Poison
  • 7. Jack and Dian by John mellancamp
  • 6. High Enough by Damn Yankees
  • 5. Bang Bang by Danger Danger
  • 4. Livin On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
  • 3. Take It On The Run by REO Speedwagon
  • 2. Dont Stop Believing by Journey
  • 1. Sweet Child by GNR
I have to be the biggest 80's rock person there is and im only 17, i prolly know more shit then the poeple who lived in the 80's

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