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: iain seddon
  • 10. The First Picture Of You by The Lotus Eaters
    dont really know much about the lotus eaters,this is a song that everyone knows and loves but noone has a clue who sings it.classic new wave/pop
  • 9. Alive And Kicking by Simple Minds
    uplifting pop/rock from my favorite scottish band,its a shame they werent bigger.
  • 8. How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths
    dark,depressing new wave,guitar rock from the masters of 80's guitar music.
  • 7. The Sun Always Shines On TV by a-ha
    the norweigan trios best effort,a-ha were one of the best bands of the eighties,underated aswell.
  • 6. When Doves Cry by Prince
    by far princes stand out track,nothing else comes close.
  • 5. Shout by Tears For Fears
    an absolutely superb dark,imaginative electropop/rock song that still has me shouting along
  • 4. Lovesong by The Cure
    dark but simple melodic goth/new wave/pop with gorgeous lyrics.
  • 3. Orange Crush by R.E.M.
    the best effort in the eighties by one of the greatest bands of all time
  • 2. It's My Life by Talk Talk
    fantastic,depressing,brooding dark imaginative,timeless newwave/electropop for the soul.
  • 1. Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode
    one of the modes best efforts,from there 1987 album music for the masses,its flawless but unfortunetly one of their lesser known hits
By: Kal
  • 10. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    Scary guy but this song was cool
  • 9. Take On Me by a-ha
    Awsome song, i loved the music video lol
  • 8. Cyndi Lauper by Time After Time
    Shes hott.
  • 7. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    Duran Duran is a classic 80s band
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jacskon
    ^
  • 5. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    ...Its Michael Jackson.
  • 4. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    This song started her career.
  • 3. Shout by Tears For Fears
    Just because its Tears For Fears.
  • 2. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    This song is the 80s.
  • 1. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    My all time favorite song.
I kinda liked Rio- Duran Duran, i liked the whole boat scene
By: djimitre mynsk
  • 10. Rio by Duran Duran
  • 9. Take On Me by a-ha
    only first on usa
  • 8. Cry Wolf by a-ha
  • 7. Notorious by Duran Duran
  • 6. Stay On These Roads by a-ha
  • 5. The Living Daylights by a-ha
    morten have the best voice of 80's
  • 4. A View To A Kill by Duran Duran
    i like the musics of dd but not they
  • 3. Scoundrel Days by a-ha
  • 2. The Blood That Moves The Body by a-ha
    in my opition the best song of a-ha
  • 1. The Sun Always Shines On TV by a-ha
    first on england, this is not enough?the best hit of a-ha
duran duran sao metidos, na verdade convencidos, fizeram de tudo para ser mais que outras bandas como pet shop boys e a-ha dizendo que eram os melhores e so por serem ingleses riam dos noruegueses morten,marg e paul mas estes com sua musica provaram que eram melhores
By: Lindsey Heminghaus
By: Gary
  • 10. Control by Janet Jackson
    loved the video and still love the song and her!! Go Janet!!!!!!
  • 9. Dont You Want Me? by Human League
    Still love this group and this is one of my favorite all time songs
  • 8. What Have I Done To Deserve This? by Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield
    This song was everything 80s. Add a catchy Dance sound; one of the great artists from the 60s and a great synthsizer duo and what do you get? An Awesome song!!
  • 7. I Wanna Have Some Fun by Samantha Fox
    I remember being a youngster and seeing this on MTV thru Jr High and All I can say is wow.
  • 6. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    what can I say. Love the song
  • 5. Push It by Salt-N-Pepa
    I still love dancing to this song. SNP Rock!! Get Up on This!
  • 4. Waiting For A Star To Fall by Boy Meets Girl
    This was one of those catchy pop tunes that not alot of people will remember but it was just a fun song to listen to
  • 3. Physical by Olivia Newton-John
    Love Her!! love the song loved the video.
  • 2. Love Is In The Air by John Paul Young
    I love this song and the movie it came from "Strictly Ballroom" just a real dancable song.
  • 1. Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode
    What 80s List would be complete without Depeche Mode. I love the driving guitar at the beginning. just made me want to dance.
Debbie Gibson; Tiffany; Skid Row; Whitney; Madonna; Bad English; What more can be said? The 80s Rocked!!
By: Miller
  • 10. Down Under by Men At Work
    theme song for the 1986 or something like that. america's cup boat race for the Australian ship! only song ive heard of these guys
  • 9. Kings Of Metal by Manowar
    most likely Manowars greatest song. heavy, resonable speed. ballsy lyrics, great band ''We dont attract wimps cos we're to loud, just true metal people, thats manowars crowd''
  • 8. Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson
    dunno what it was about this song, but its good!
  • 7. Little Red Corvette by Prince
    classic song
  • 6. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    always a fan of Bon Jovi, nice song.
  • 5. The Sentiel by Judas Priest
    i dunno what it is, just has the greatness to be one of the greats i guess
  • 4. You've Got Another Thing Coming by Judas Priest
    classified as Priest's greatest song ever, as you can see, i disagree
  • 3. Ram It Down by Judas Priest
    late 80's song, heavy, fast, power vocals. good ol Rob Halford
  • 2. Screaming For Vengeance by Judas Priest
    fast, great riffs, great vocals, great all round song
  • 1. Breaking The Law by Judas Priest
    Dare i even start to explain what makes this song what it is????? fantastic! loved the video for it
as you can all see, i think Judas Priest ruled the 80's with 5 of the 10 songs being Priest, the top 5 at that!
By: Kara Taylor
By: Trojan Man
  • 10. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
  • 9. Call Me by Blondie
  • 8. Whip It by Devo
    Whip It Good!
  • 7. You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive
  • 6. Superfreak by Rick James
  • 5. Owner Of A Lonley Heart by Yes
  • 4. Wild Thing by Tone-Loc
    The GUitar in this song is awesome
  • 3. What I Like About You by Romantics
    No Comment
  • 2. You've Got Another Thing Comin' by Judas Priest
    Rock On!
  • 1. Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot
    Great Cover
I'm a Child of The 80's
By: John
Too many to list :) Man I miss the 80s sometimes.
By: Joel Vander Linden
  • 10. Animal by Def Leppard
    So many great hits from this band
  • 9. Are We Ourselves by The Fixx
    another under appreciated band
  • 8. To Live And Die In L.A. by Wang Chung
    The most under rated band of all times
  • 7. Cars by Gary Numan
    Wow and Wild
  • 6. Wild Boys by Duran Duran
    this song always got your adrenaline pumping
  • 5. Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
    fast beat, lively music, weird lyrics
  • 4. Blister In The Sun by Violent Femmes
  • 3. Let My Love Open The Door by Pete Townsend
    70's style rock in the 80's
  • 2. I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones
    What a party sone and High school theme song
  • 1. Should I Stay Or Should I Go by The Clash
    It was the first song I heard that dealt with inner conflict
So many great bands in the 80's and so many one hit wonders at well
By: Brittney
  • 10. Fly To The Angels by Slaughter
    A Kick Ass Power Balled..and Mark Slaughter Is So cute..They can sing and you'll shut up to listen..
  • 9. Always There For You by Stryper
    This Band Kicks Ass For Jesus Thats Why I Like Them..and They Can sing good..
  • 8. Silent Night by Winger
    This Band Kick Major Ass..and Kip Winger Is Hott..
  • 7. Dance Dance Dance by Ratt
    This song make you dance.. and Stephen Pearcy is Hott As HELL.. very very cute..
  • 6. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
    This Is The Coolest Song They Have Ever Sung..This is another band that is nothing but cute guys..
  • 5. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison
    This whole band is very very sexy..this is how i rate them c.c.deville,bobby dall,bret michaels,and RIKKI ROCKETT..
  • 4. We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
    Dee Snider Rocks When he sings that song..
  • 3. House Of Pain by Faster Pussycat
    Brent Muscat is the best bass player ever..and Taime downe has the best vocals in the world..
  • 2. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
    A very good power balled..and nikki sixx is a hott bass player..and Vince Neil Is got some powerful vocals..
  • 1. Don't Know What You Got 'Til Its Gone by Cinderella
    A kick ass power balled..and a very cute singer named TOM KEIFER.. well all of them are cute..
Thats not even half of what i like out of the 80s....80s ruled.... it sucks that all those years had to go.... it was the best years you could ever had. The 80s had the best bands in the universe....I LOVE THE 80'S.... PEACE OUT....
By: Bjorn
  • 10. Broken Wings by Mr. Mister
    Just a beautiful song! Still is!
  • 9. Kids In America by Kim Wilde
    For crying out loud, look at her, and listen to her voice! The sexiest woman who ever lived!
  • 8. Take On Me by A-ha
    They´re norwegian, I´m norwegian. They have to be on my list. The only norwegian band that ever made it top the top of Billboard. I hope everybody understands...!!!
  • 7. Heaven by Bryan Adams
    Maybe not his best song. i actually hate ballads like this, but it ment something to me then, and of course it has it´s right to a place on my list since this song and I went through a lot of kissing together :-)
  • 6. Blasphemous Rumours by Depeche Mode
    The song opened my eyes for this excellent band. One of the few bands I still like as much today as I did then.
  • 5. The Riddle by Nik Kershaw
    So very eighties, and a great song from a guy who wrote a lot of them.
  • 4. Overkill by Men At Work
    Could have been a lot of songs from this band on my list. Dr. Heckyll and mr. Jive, Who can it be now etc. I was a big fan!
  • 3. 99 Luftballons by Nena
    It´s just a great pop/rock song from the eighties. the verses and the chorus could just as well have been made today, but the bridge is typically eighties. As a matter of fact I like the german version best. Believe it or not!!
  • 2. Purple Rain by Prince
    Maybe this should be number one on my list. It´s probably one of the best songs ever written. He was a little genious during this period. No further comments!!
  • 1. What Is Love by Howard Jones
    This song IS the eighties for me! I rediscovered it a couple of years ago, and I want to thank Howard Jones for making this one!
As a musician I will say that the eighties gave us some of the best songs. I´m just so glad I was there :-)
By: Gil
By: Harlina I.
  • 10. The Reflex by Duran Duran
    No idea why I adored this song and why I kept soo many clippings of the group ! Congratulations, popmusic-business men and women !
  • 9. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me ? by Culture Club
    Much fun !
  • 8. If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    Favourite background music during my medical studies
  • 7. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Dance on Baby ! Whether you like men or women !
  • 6. I Want To Break Free by Queen
    Love the video, not the lyrics... Now it is the other way around !
  • 5. Drive by The Cars
    Lonely song.. Did not understand it at first, now I feel as if the song is talking about me...
  • 4. True by Spandau Ballet
    My first ever pop concert experience was Spandau Ballet. Thanks to True !
  • 3. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    In the 80s I loved the music, but did not understand the meaning of the words. Now it is the other way around.
  • 2. With Or Without You by U2
    My soul surrendered to U2 after hearing this song.
  • 1. Careless Whisper by Wham!
    This song keeps me from cheating on someone ! Wonderful !
The music of the 80s were a faithful friend during my lonely teenage and young adult years. Even though the quality of the music is eeh, what should I say... eehmm. But it was fun and unforgetable !
By: Ivo Silva
  • 10. Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
  • 9. Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield
  • 8. Pop Corn by Jean- Michel Jarre
  • 7. Woodpecker From Space by Video Kids
    I cannot resist that... ah ah ah ah ah ah ah (LOL)
  • 6. Walk Of Life by Dire Straits
  • 5. You're My Heart, You're My Soul by Modern Talking
  • 4. Down Under by Men At Work
  • 3. Gimme Hope Jo'anna by Eddy Grant
  • 2. Living On My Own by Freddie Mercury
  • 1. The Final Countdown by Europe
Probably... some of these musics are not of the 80's but nearly that... :)
By: Carlos
  • 10. I Love Rock 'n' Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
  • 9. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
  • 8. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
  • 7. Every Breath You Take by The Police
  • 6. Down Under by Men At Work
  • 5. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham!
  • 4. The Outfield by Your Love
  • 3. Take On Me by a-ha
  • 2. Careless Whisper by Wham!
  • 1. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
By: Dominic
  • 10. When Doves Cry by Prince
    this is prince at his greatest, good lyrics and an amazing sound
  • 9. Jump by Van Halen
    just wondering how eddie van halen plays the guitar and the piano at the same time? best guitarist of all time, even beats hendrix
  • 8. Faith by George Michael
    starts of with just him and his guitar, just great.
  • 7. Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
    if only they were still around today
  • 6. Photograph by Def Leppard
    nothing beats a british band that rocks
  • 5. Girls On Film by Duran Duran
    i had to put these guys on here
  • 4. Centerfold by J. Geils Band
    the most catchiest song of the decade. plus thats a pretty nice video
  • 3. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    it's a beautiful song
  • 2. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
    one of the best rock songs period, amazing guitar rift and amazing solo
  • 1. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    what else could go here?
i probably should have put cap locks on the bands names but oh well, honorable mention to areosmith and run dmc walk this way
By: Joanne
  • 10. Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House
    All time favourite band.
  • 9. Eternal Flame by The Bangles
    Nice song
  • 8. All 4 Love by Colour Me Badd
    Coolest band ever.. love their other song 'Close to Heaven'... melts my heart everytime I listen to it.
  • 7. Step By Step by New Kids On The Block
    I totally adored Jonathon...
  • 6. The Loco-Motion by Kylie Minogue
    dance dance...
  • 5. Especially For You by Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan
    Jeez, I liked all her songs back then... shes gone a little too wild now compared to what she was like back then dont you think? lol. Liked to dance to all her songs.
  • 4. Faith by George Michael
    Oh my gosh, this song rocked for me back then. Awesome, totally awesome.
  • 3. Gloria by Laura Branigan
    Good song to dance wild to, you know? lol.
  • 2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Even though Im 22 now, every time I see the song clip to this song it still freaks me out! All those sleepless nights....
  • 1. I Owe You Nothing by Bros
    Has anyone mentioned this song yet??? I remember jumping off the arm chair doing their dance moves from the song clip. Ive only just recently heard it again after 11 maybe 12 years. I still like this song!
WHAM - Im your man, and Freedom... BRING BACK THE 80's!!!!!
By: Jack Lynx
  • 10. Let The Music Play by Shannon
    This song has great rhythm and power.
  • 9. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    Just a great song from top to bottom.
  • 8. St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) by John Parr
    John shows great emotion in this song. Gotta love pasion.
  • 7. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    Great vocal effects.
  • 6. Don't You Want Me? by Human League
    I love battling duets. Especially silly ones like this.
  • 5. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
    Any young teenager can relate to this song. I still can 20 years later.
  • 4. Hold Me Now by Thompson Twins
    A simple masterpiece.
  • 3. Make Me Lose Control by Eric Carmen
    Great Chorus Melody. Nice overtones and muted lyrics. Fantastic song. Simple but complex.
  • 2. Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
    If you were ever in a band with your best buddies, but did nothing impressive but have fun, this is our anthem.
  • 1. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    Rocky aside, this was a classic.
Although I was and remain a metalhead, these 80's anthems are what everyone considers the songs of the 80s. Great decade for all styles of music. Honorable mentions go to: Express Yourself - Madonna, Amanda - Boston, One More Night - Phil Collins, Warrior - Scandal, Push It - Salt 'n Pepa, Only in My Dreams - Debbie Gibson, and Parents Just Don't Understand - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.
By: Jozko
  • 10. New Year's Day by U2
  • 9. Bad by U2
  • 8. Desire by U2
  • 7. Angel Of Harlem by U2
  • 6. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
  • 5. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
  • 4. I Will Follow by U2
  • 3. Pride (In The Name Of Love) by U2
  • 2. With Or Without You by U2
  • 1. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2

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