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: Chris
  • 10. Round And Round by Ratt
  • 9. Photograph by Def Leppard
  • 8. I Remember You by Skid Row
  • 7. Miami Vice Theme by Jan Hammer
  • 6. Don't Let Him Go by REO Speedwagon
  • 5. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
  • 4. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
  • 3. Tom Sawyer by Rush
  • 2. Runaway by Bon Jovi
  • 1. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
By: Theo Uiterwaal
  • 10. Porroh Man by Big Country
  • 9. Arpegiator by Jean-Michel Jarre
  • 8. Nocturnal Me by Echo & The Bunnymen
  • 7. Invisible Sun by The Police
  • 6. Quick Quick Slow by John Watts
  • 5. Scarlet by U2
  • 4. Winning by The Sound
  • 3. Tears by The Chameleons
  • 2. Mercy Street by Peter Gabriel
  • 1. San Jacinto by Peter Gabriel
By: Joe Cocker
  • 10. Fine Time by Yazz
    Her best...........A hairdresser in blackpool i believe now might head in to see her for a chop someday...88
  • 9. Lavender by Marillion
    A pure rock classic...you agree...85
  • 8. Ideal World by The Christians
    A forgotten Liverpool outfit who are still playing today....88
  • 7. What Time Is It by The Kane Gang
    From the album Miracle.....a real seller that one nobody knows........87
  • 6. Ship Of Fools by Erasure
    One of there best thats not too recognized....87
  • 5. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore by The Smiths
    A Living Legend.......84
  • 4. Wild Horses by Gino Vanelli
    A one hit wonder if ever.......86
  • 3. Stand Or Fall by The Fixx
    A Aussie masterpiece.......84
  • 2. Never Never by Assembly
    Never Never hear this one on the radio.......84
  • 1. Man Of Colours by Icehouse
    Brill tune by the icehouse guys make it to the top of the pile in one of the most rearest top 10 songs on this website.........87
Rear list of 10 but some of these songs were out there and didn't get enough notice.........the lesser hits sometimes were the better ones....
By: Matt
  • 10. Raining Blood by Slayer
    Up for nomination of metals best song. Atmospheric, evil and downright kick ass song. Dave on drums makes this though. Listen to the drum patterns and those double bass pedals. Wow.
  • 9. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) by Michael Jackson
    My fave Jackson song from his best LP (sorry i'm a thriller fan). Now this is what i call dance music. If only they played this in clubs now. M.J. rules.
  • 8. Automatic by The Pointer Sisters
    Great beat, great chorus, great song.
  • 7. Blackened by Metallica
    Just ousted "one" for my fave 'tallica song of the 80's because of the guitar solo (Kirk's best) and furious riff. From their best and cleverest album i think.
  • 6. Steppin' Out by Joe Jackson
    Classic 80's song once again. This subtle song doesn't try too hard for the listener to love it.
  • 5. Method Of Modern Love by Hall & Oates
    My favorite H & O song. Quite a dark song for them i guess. I love the fade in wind instrument.
  • 4. Call Me by Go West
    Go West's best song. Similiar band to Mr Mister and was just great at writing 80's pop rock songs.
  • 3. Africa by Toto
    One of the best choruses ever. God knows how Toto came up with it. Another classic.
  • 2. Head Over Heels/ Broken (Live) by Tears For Fears
    A classic and Tears for Fears' best song by far. It features in the film Donnie Darko which makes it even cooler. Arguably the song to best represent the 80's sound.
  • 1. Is It Love by Mr Mister
    My Favorite 80's song (by a whisker) by my favorite 80's band. This song just has so much energy and also has an edge (It isn't too popy). Love the intro.
Born in '84, too young to remember my time in the 80's never mind having time to stand around and admire it. Living in California in the eighties would have been cool, too bad i'm from London. The 80's owns the best movies, music, technology and fashion (Well maybe not those last two). Playing GTA: Vice City got me into the 80's and some of my chosen songs feature in it. I urge any 80's and video game lovers to check that out.
By: Andrea
  • 10. Keep On Lovin' You by REO Speedwagon
    Not big on this song but I don't feel the 80s would have been the same without it.....come on....EVERYBODY SINGS THIS SONG...its one song you won't forget whether you hate it or you love it.
  • 9. Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
    This song is what I feel inspired the rock in the 80s....and if not...THEY DEFINETLY HAD THE HAIR!!! BON JOVI STARTED THE HAIR MAN!!!!
  • 8. White Wedding by Billy Idol
    I personally think this song was one of his best!
  • 7. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    Another incredibly good song....quite funny in a way actually!
  • 6. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    Very fun party song. This song is always stuck in my head!!!
  • 5. Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield
    Very cool. I love the guitar in this one. Very classic.
  • 4. (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew
    What can I say?......uh....I LOVE THIS SONG!!!
  • 3. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
    Its kinda my friends and my "anthem". Its a song we at least all agree we love.
  • 2. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    I think everybody loves this song. I DO!!!
  • 1. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    I absolutely love this song! I'm only half-way through the list but I'm surprised no one mentioned it so far!
well, there you have it. my list might not be all in order but i feel that those are song definetly worth mentioning (yes even including #10)
By: Andrea
  • 10. Paradise City by Guns 'n' Roses
    Another great one. Again this paved the way for the 90s also. (HECK the album came out in 87!)
  • 9. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
    oh.....yeah......(i know i've said this before but..)HOW COULD ANYONE FORGET THIS ONE!!! This song is absolutely great. One of my favorites! I think it definetly sticks out more than other songs...it kinda paved the way for the 90s.
  • 8. Love Bites by Def Leppard
    I think this is a great ballad. I especially love the music. It goes well with the song.
  • 7. Lay Your Hands On Me by Bon Jovi
    UH....NOW WHO COULD FORGET THIS ONE!!! I love the opening riff with all the guitars....oh yeah!!! easy to sing along to also.....lay your hands on me, lay your hands on me, lay your hands on me........!!!(yes...THUMBS UP!!)
  • 6. Let's Get It Up by AC/DC
    I especially love the lyrics to this song. GREAT SONG!!!
  • 5. Missing You by John Waite
    I love this song. The lyrics to it are somewhat powerful. IT CAN BE A TEAR-JERKER!
  • 4. Never Say Goodbye by Bon Jovi
    Ok....Ok....yes I admit I'm a Bon Jovi fanatic...(ok i'll admit it....I LOVED THE HAIR AND HES WICKED CUTE!!!) but besides that they wrote some really really....really great songs including this one.
  • 3. Centerfold by J. Geils Band
    OK NOW COME ON....WHO DOES LOVE THIS SONG!?!? especially going "na-na-na- na-na-na..." or the whistling at the end?.......classic.
  • 2. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    (yes i know they're on my list AGAIN...)but i got one word for you....ANTHEM. That song is one of the best out there!!!
  • 1. Back In Black by AC/DC
    you know....i just love that song HECK i love the album...its truly worth mentioning, part of what the 80s hard rock was all about
You know......10 songs is just not enough! So I decided to submit another list...(bear with me guys). Well (AGAIN) there you have it, my top TWENTY songs.....there will probably be more but then again lets face it....there is no possible way i can list every single song i love from the 80s. BUT GOSH DARN IT I WISH I LIVED THE 80S!!! I'm only 17. But I definetly have to say that the 80s are my favorite decade and the music is definetly the best from that decade (IT WASN'T FAKE!!!)
By: Tony A.
  • 10. The Promise by When In Rome
    A Triumph for this band.
  • 9. Our Lips Are Sealed by The Go-Go's
    You can never go wrong with Belinda Carlisle. Great bass riff in this song as well.
  • 8. Be Good Johnny by Men At Work
    Always loved this song. Great video. "You gonna play football this year John?"
  • 7. Hold Me Now by Thompson Twins
    Another great bass riff in this song. I always thought that this was easily their best song.
  • 6. Night Moves by Marilyn Martin
    You probably know her better for her duet with Phil Collins called "Separate Lives." This song has an eerie feeling to it with great guitar work.
  • 5. A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing) by Romeo Void
    Excellent singing. Great Saxophone. Masterful drumming.
  • 4. Stand Or Fall by The Fixx
    I am a long time Fixx fan. Cy Curnin is one of the greats. A wonderful anti-war song from their first album entitled Shuttered Room. Also has the sond "Red Skies."
  • 3. Take On Me by a-ha
    Great song, great video. Morten Harkett in my opinion is one of the greatest singers of all time. They still continue to make music. Also the song "Hunting High And Low" appeared on the same album.
  • 2. Heaven by Bryan Adams
    Great song. One of his best.
  • 1. Crazy by Icehouse
    Truly one of the best. Iva Davies can sing like no other. This song was kind of overshadowed by "Electric Blue", but it is the best song on the album Man Of Colours.
By: Bagpuss
  • 10. Love Comes Quickly by Pet Shop Boys
    Can't believe i haven't seen this one out there.....86
  • 9. You Are My World by Bronski Beat
    We got some quickly to it now....85
  • 8. Heart Of Gold by Johnny Hates Jazz
    No jazz here just pure brilliance....87
  • 7. Point Of No Return by Exposé
    A good tune.......88
  • 6. Glittering Prize by Simple Minds
    Decent hit by jim and the boys....82
  • 5. Deacon Blue by I'll Never Fall In Love Again
    A real sad one.....88
  • 4. Carly Simon by Coming Around Again
    What a singer maybe a forgotten hit...87
  • 3. I Can Hear Your Heartbeat by Chris Rea
    This was his best in my opinion........87
  • 2. U Got The Look by Prince/Sheena Easton
    Think i want ya.......87
  • 1. I Found Lovin' by The Fatback Band
    Rear but class........87
Never mind the dress code its the music that matters..........thats all i have to say.......best era ever
By: Ben Gartner
  • 10. Love Will Save The Day by Whitney Houston
    When your feeling down and out..........88
  • 9. Who's Leaving Who by Hazel Dean
    Is it me, is it you...........88
  • 8. Rok Da House by Beatmasters feat.Cookie Crew Rhythm King
    Gotta Rok, Rok, Rok, Rok, Rok da House.....88
  • 7. Breakfast In Bed by UB40 & Chrissie Hynde
    This is for me you don't have to say you love me....88
  • 6. I Quit by Bros
    I Quit, I Quit and so they did.......88
  • 5. Suddenly by Angry Anderson
    Now im talking just as fast as i can....88
  • 4. Joe Le Taxi by Vanessa Paradis
    Joe la taxi, avada.........88
  • 3. Rise To The Occasion by Climie Fisher
    Help me through this situation....88
  • 2. Angel Eyes by Wet Wet Wet
    And with those angel eyes.....88
  • 1. Desireless by Voyage Voyage
    Voyage, Voyage...Makes me what to go on my holidays....88
80 Galore.....bring them back now....88
By: dustin
Comfortly Numb/Pink Floyd, Patients/ Guns N Roses , Welcome To the Jungle/ Guns in Roses, Thriller/ Michael Jackson, Don't Stop Believin'/ Journey, Hot for Teacher/ Van Halen, Sister Christian/ Night Ranger, Pour Some Sugar on Me/ Def Leoppard, Faith/ George Michael, Like A Virgin/ Madonna, Bad/ Michael Jackson
By: Billy
  • 10. The Power Of Love by Huey Lewis And The News
    What was Back to the Future without this song? A good movie, but still. It's a good song.
  • 9. Whip It by Devo
    No matter what anyone says, they've hummed part of this song, sung it, whispered it, said it, thought it at least once. It's such an infectious song.
  • 8. Notorious by Duran Duran
    Great song. One of my personal favorites of Duran Duran's. Also, I liked the way they used it in the movie Donnie Darko, which was set in the 80's.
  • 7. I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany
    I know many people might not like Tiffany, but I do. I think she has a very good singing voice. Unfortunate how she faded out, though.
  • 6. Nasty Habits by Oingo Boingo
    What's a list without a song about masturbation? Umm... a list of really good songs. Anyways, I love this song. Great music and beat and even though I know what the song is really about, with it I still sing. (Sorry, didn't want to end that in a preposition.)
  • 5. I Love Rock 'n' Roll by Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
    Great song. Joan's vocals in this song is very awesome.
  • 4. I Love Rocky Road by "Weird Al" Yankovic
    Yes, I had to put the parody on here. But, it's still a great song and the video is still fun to watch.
  • 3. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    You can't have an 80's CD without this song. It's just not worth it's weight. I love to sing and dance to this one.
  • 2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
    I can't think how I could ever survive without this 'un(yes, this 'un). I'm a Texan, give me a break. =P
  • 1. Head Over Heels by Tears For Fears
    My all-time favorite song. I could listen to this one all day everyday. Great how they used it in the movie Donnie Darko.
I'm a very big fan of 80's music, mainly New Wave. But, 80's metal has a place in my heart.
By: Nele
Iron Maiden Rules!!!
By: kristian
  • 10. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    simply a mad electronic piece of music
  • 9. Addicted To Love by Robert Palmer
    this song is so addictive
  • 8. Rockit by Herbie Hancock
    this was a song that helped create the breakdance era and hip hop culture too
  • 7. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    really fitted the boxing film
  • 6. Red Red Wine by UB40
    this is definately one of the BEST reggae tracks of all time
  • 5. Run To You by Bryan Adams
    loved the meldoy of this one that guitar ostinato adams used really worked well
  • 4. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
    what a great pop song somthing many of us who have problems can relate to
  • 3. The Final Countdown by Europe
    one of rock musics greatest hard rock tunes and love the synth riff
  • 2. Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer
    an amazing piece of work and it is still popular today I have already heard more than 3 cover versions in the past 5 years. a good song for a good film
  • 1. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    great electronic beats and tune
By: Jay
  • 10. Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles
  • 9. Kiss Me by Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy
    Awesome make-out song!
  • 8. Ball And Chain by Aldo Nova
    Again...my teenage hormones
  • 7. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
    I LOVE Billy Idol, still to this day!
  • 6. Strip by Adam Ant
  • 5. Hot Water by Level 42
    I just like this song...it rocks!
  • 4. Doesn't Really Matter/Standing In The Dark by Platinum Blonde
    THE SONGS at the high school dance!
  • 3. Some Like It Hot by Power Station
    Oh, my teenage hormones!
  • 2. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Oh, break my teenage heart!
  • 1. Always Something There To Remind Me by Naked Eyes
    Always reminds me of the Grade 10 ski trip!
Wasn't High School TOTALLY NARLY MAN???
By: GAC
  • 10. William, It Was Really Nothing by The Smiths
    I just found The Smiths about a year ago and I absolutley love them to death. This is one of my favorites.
  • 9. Down Under by Men At Work
    Just a great song. And popularized the vegemite sandwich.
  • 8. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    Hey they're Canadian too! It's catchy and the first time i heard it was on Bio Dome when they were trying to drive pauly shore insane but instead he got into it and started dancing.
  • 7. Rio by Duran Duran
    Great song, catchy. Duran Duran are very entertaining.
  • 6. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    Ahh the Breakfast Club. This song capped it all off perfectly.
  • 5. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
    Yes!! I'm all about Billy Idol over here!
  • 4. Photograph by Def Leppard
    This song just takes me somewhere
  • 3. Panama/Jump by Van Halen
    I couldn't bring myself to put one above the other but they are both superb.
  • 2. Things Can Only Get Better by Howard Jones
    I'm not sure if that is the title but its that " uh uh oh oh oh oh uho oh oh oh" song.
  • 1. Take On Me by a-ha
    Great Video Great song, love it to death
I was born in 1985 so essential I grew up a 90's kid. I get flack from all my friends for listening to 80's music all the time but i love it!!!
By: Alex King
By: Matti Simula
  • 10. Holy Diver by Dio
  • 9. I'm A Legend Tonight by Kiss
  • 8. Sign Of The Times by Europe
  • 7. Back On The Streets by Vinnie Vincent Invasion
  • 6. Runaway by Bon Jovi
  • 5. Thrills In The Night by Kiss
  • 4. Fool For Your Loving by Whitesnake
  • 3. Wild Side by Mötley Crüe
  • 2. Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe
  • 1. Good Girl Gone Bad by Kiss
By: Nick
By: angel
  • 10. We Built This City by Starship
    the video for this song is so horribly cheesy that you have to love the song
  • 9. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
  • 8. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da by The Police
  • 7. Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car by Billy Ocean
  • 6. Temptation by Squeeze
  • 5. Turning Japanese by The Vapors
  • 4. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
  • 3. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
  • 2. Where Is My Mind by The Pixies
  • 1. Mr. Roboto by Styx
By: Coleman Chase
  • 10. We Built This City by Starship
  • 9. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
  • 8. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da by The Police
    GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS
  • 7. Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car by Billy Ocean
  • 6. Temptation by Squeeze
    THE GREATEST BAND EVER
  • 5. Turning Japanese by The Vapors
  • 4. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
  • 3. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    kewlest song ever
  • 2. Where Is My Mind by The Pixies
  • 1. Mr. Roboto by Styx
    the greatest song ever undoubtedly
HAIR METAL ROX

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