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: Star Runner
This isn't really a Top. Here's some of the 80's songs that I like the most. Every one has its secret.
By: Debbie
  • 10. Material Girl by Madonna
    GREAT SONG AND VIDEO but, THAT'S WHAT YOU COME TO EXPECT FROM MADONNA!!
  • 9. Rio by Duran Duran
    A BEAUTIFUL SONG with A BEAUTIFUL VIDEO.
  • 8. Don't Dream (It's Over) by Crowded House
    I could listen to this song FOREVER- so LOVELY and COMFORTING!!
  • 7. Cars by Gary Numan
    WOW, WHAT A FUN SONG!!
  • 6. Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
    BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL SONG. INXS was a GREAT BAND.
  • 5. Drive by The Cars
    One of the best songs to come out of the 80's. Very nice video.
  • 4. Run To You by Bryan Adams
    This song holds a soft spot in my HEART.
  • 3. Road To Nowhere by Talking Heads
    Excellent song and Excellent VIDEO.
  • 2. A Forest by The Cure
    The live performance of this song is exceptional. I never get tired of listening to this song. Robert is very talented.
  • 1. The Lovecats by The Cure
    This is the song that made me fall in LOVE with THE CURE. Robert was so adorable in this video. The Bass lines are excellent.
Honorable mention: Anything by THE CURE, THE WHO, PETE TOWNSHEND, INXS, THE CARS, MADONNA, DURAN DURAN. THANKS FOR MAKING THE 80's FUN.
By: Beanie
  • 10. Fish Heads by Barnes And Barnes
    Very funny song and really odd video!
  • 9. Why Can't I Be You? by The Cure
    One really funny and adorable video!
  • 8. Wild Wild West by The Escape Club
    Great song and funny video.
  • 7. Hourglass by Squeeze
    A really catchy song and fun video.
  • 6. Need You Tonight/Mediate by INXS
    Great band, great song.
  • 5. Puttin' On The Ritz by Taco
    Nobody could do this song and video as well as he does!
  • 4. She Blinded Me With Science by Thomas Dolby
    A great song and a great video!
  • 3. Patience by Guns 'n' Roses
    I love this!!!!!! LOL
  • 2. Let My Love Open The Door by Pete Townshend
    Every time I hear this song it makes me smile.
  • 1. You Better You Bet by The Who
    A great song by my absolutely favorite band!!!!
Honorable mentions: any songs by The Who, Pete Townshend, The Cure, INXS, Duran Duran, Madonna
By: Nick Ascenzo
  • 10. Down Under by Men at Work
    Australian Classic
  • 9. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Great drum and bass line
  • 8. All I Want Is You by U2
    Epic Track released late 1989
  • 7. Africa by Toto
    Always a great song to listen to
  • 6. Shake It Up by The Cars
    Best from the Cars
  • 5. New Sensation by INXS
    INXS at their peak, best song they have released
  • 4. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
    Changed the trend of music in the 80's - Great Song
  • 3. I Got You by Split Enz
    Best they have ever done
  • 2. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
    What a Song What an intro
  • 1. With Or Without You by U2
    Greatest Song ever recorded. It is the complete package
By: Axle Dukes
  • 10. Message To My Girl by Split Enz
    Split Enz and later Crowded House rocked well, but their emotional songs such as this put them on the list
  • 9. Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon
    ultra consistent band, a powerful, well performed love song
  • 8. Errol by Australian Crawl
    hard rocking hard drinking aussies, a great tribute to swashbuckler errol flynn. Funnily, the phrase "In like flynn" came from his large...
  • 7. Sailing by Christopher Cross
    beautiful slow song to chill to, the violin is really good
  • 6. Oh Sherrie by Steve Perry
    raw, powerful love ballad that has been introduced to youngsters on australian idol
  • 5. Hard To Say I'm Sorry by Chicago
    heart felt with great instrument playing and simple lyrics.very meaningful.starting to seperate the men from the boys now
  • 4. While You See Your Chance by Steve Winwood
    from a long campaigner, emotional and the lyrics are uplifting.excellent instruments combines for it to beat chicago
  • 3. Yesterday's Hero by John Paul Young
    great rough vocals and passion in a powerful song.it's composition, force gets it to third
  • 2. So Long by Fischer Z
    could you ask for a better lament on love.angry at times, it gets second on passion and emotion.
  • 1. Take On Me by a-ha
    a catch cry, a song, brilliant film clip.high vocals, cool in every way.the number one.
so many good songs
By: BYRON BENGUCHE
  • 10. I Want Your Sex by George Michael
    GREAT SONG GREAT PICK UP LINE IN THE 80'S ENOUGH SAID.
  • 9. Paper Thin by MC Lyte
    A HEAD BEFORE HER TIME.
  • 8. Ladies First by Queen Latifah & Monie Lovie
    TWO OF THE GREATEST FEMALE MC'S IN THE BUSINESS.
  • 7. Keep On Movin' by Soul II Soul
    I LOVE THIS SONG IT REMIND ME OF THE SUMMER OF 1988 WHEN I WAS AT MY BEST FRIEND BIRTHDAY PARTY.
  • 6. I'll Tumble 4 Ya by Culture Club
    I COULD HAVE PUT ANY SONG BY CULTURE CLUB.BUT THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE PLUS IT WAS IN THE MOVIE BILLY MADISON
  • 5. Shout by Tears For Fears
    I SAW THIS SONG ON FRIDAY NIGHT VIDEOS AND I LIKE IT.
  • 4. Wanted (Dead Or Alive) by Bon Jovi
    THIS IS A DEFINATLY A CLASSIC ROCK JOINT.ESPECIALY WHEN THEY START OUT ON ACOUSTIC GUIATRS AND THEN THEY ROCK OUT
  • 3. Need You Tonight by INXS
    INXS WAS ANTHOR GREAT GROUP I LIKE THE WAY THE COMBINED R&B AND ROCK AND ROLL.
  • 2. We Got The Beat by The Go Go's
    THIS SONG WAS USED IN THE MOVIE FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH.
  • 1. If You Love Somebody (Set Them Free) by Sting
    I LOVE THIS SONG BY STING BECAUSE IT TOLD THE TRUTH.
By: Jimmy Meade
  • 10. November Rain by Guns 'n' Roses
    Respect to one of the greatest rock bands ever
  • 9. Pride (In The Name Of Love) by U2
    Been greating outstanding songs for many generations
  • 8. You Might Think by The Cars
  • 7. Tempted by Squeeze
  • 6. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles
    No 80s collection is complete without it
  • 5. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  • 4. Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil
    Aussies rule
  • 3. White Wedding by Billy Idol
  • 2. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
  • 1. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    awesome electronics and a memorable song
Im sure there are many other great songs i didn't include but i just quickly scrolled through the page and tried to include the songs that weren't mentioned by someone else
By: BYRON BENGUCHE
  • 10. Holding Back The Years by Simply Red
    BULE EYE SOUL AT IS BEST.
  • 9. True by Spandau Ballet
    THIS SONG WAS USED IN THE WEDDING SINGER AND SIXTENN CANDLES.IT A VERY CLASSY SONG
  • 8. Night And Day by Al B. Sure
    I MET MY FIRST HIGH SCHOOL GIRLFRIEND ON THIS SONG IN 1988.
  • 7. Let The Music Play by Shannon
    THIS IS A GREAT DANCE JOINT FROM 1984.
  • 6. Don't Give Up by Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel
    THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SONG.BECAUSE OF THIS SONG I WAS INTRODUCED TO KATE BUSH.
  • 5. It Takes Two by Rob Base And DJ E-Z Rock
    I STILL LOVE THIS SONG.IT TAKE ME BACK TO MY JUNOIR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL BACK IN 1988.
  • 4. Paid In Full by Eric B. & Rakim
    RAKIM WAS A HEAD BEFORE HIS TIME.IF IT WASN'T FOR RAKIM NAS OR JAY Z WOULDN'T BE HERE
  • 3. Children Story by Slick Rick
    THE VIDEO WAS VERY FUNNY AND THE SONG WAS GREAT ANTHOR CLASSIC HIP HOP JOINT.
  • 2. The Show by Dougie Fresh & Slick Rick
    CLASSIC,CLASSIC HIP HOP JOINT.DOUGIE IS STILL THE GREATEST SHOWMAN IN THE GAME.
  • 1. Time (Clock Of The Heart) by Culture Club
    THIS WAS THE BEST SONG OF THE KISSING TO BE CLEVER ALBUM.BOY GEORGE HAS A VERY SOULFUL VOICE.
HONERABLE METION INCLUDES SLEDGEHAMMER PETER GABRIEL,WHAT IS LOVE HOWARD JONES,AND SUPERSONIC JJ FAD.
By: r_c
  • 10. Dancing On The Ceiling by Lionel Richie
    I could put All Night Long (All Night) too, but this song is so good and you still wanna dance when you're hear it!
  • 9. There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) by Eurythmics
    This song is way more better than Sweet Dreams, only because of the intruments used, and the lyrics are good too.
  • 8. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    So nasty this guy, but this song is actually a good song.
  • 7. Touch Me by Samantha Fox
    This super-model with this sexy body came out in 1986 with this huge hit. Touch Me is a sensual, no, a sexual song who makes us wanna... grab someone else...
  • 6. We Built This City by Starship
    1985 was their year and twenty year after, where are they?????? I love this song, still listening to it!
  • 5. Mad About You by Belinda Carlisle
    A so good song, maybe her best. Love you Belinda with your "so difficult dance moves", but you were nice to look at.
  • 4. Material Girl by Madonna
    SHE is THE woman of the 80's. When you think 80's, you think Madonna and her Marilyne Monroe style in this video and this nice song... (When I was young, I taught she was saying "Living in a cherrios world...".
  • 3. What Have You Done For Me Lately? by Janet Jackson
    What a nice song! Just can't get out of your head at first listening. Janet is according to me a huge icon who will never be an "has been" because she knows how to make people dance and talk about her...
  • 2. Love Is A Battlefield by Pat Benatar
    The dance part rocks!! The chest dancing and all those prostitutes having these beautiful 80's clothes, makes this song and this video a real anthem for this decade.
  • 1. She Bop by Cyndi Lauper
    Oh my God! I was so scared of this video with those strange people walking like robots in front a restaurant and what a song! Talking about masturbation in 1984!!! So good this song!
I LOVE THE 80'S (1988 POWER) lol
By: Larcen Tyler
  • 10. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    Very unique and worth listening to at least once.
  • 9. Kids In America by Kim Wilde
    A rockin' tale about the youth of the 80s and their love for rock 'n' roll on a Friday night, sure to bring back nostalgic memories to anybody.
  • 8. 99 Luftballons/99 Red Balloons by Nena
    A nuclear protest song, first sung in German, then in English, complete with very moving lyrics. It's a powerful song worth listening to.
  • 7. Obsession by Animotion
    I've felt the exact same way this song describes before, so I can relate, and, of course, the synthesizers are great too.
  • 6. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker, Jr.
    Who could forget this one? The classic theme to a hit movie!
  • 5. New Song by Howard Jones
    I've always had a thing for the sound of a synthesizer mixed with an upbeat song, and this is just one of those songs that really gets me in a good mood. It's a shame Howard Jones never put out any newer material, as he was a great keyboard player.
  • 4. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    This might have been slightly different in terms of lyrics had George Orwell's vision of 1984 come true. As it stands, though, it's one of Sting's signature songs.
  • 3. The Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    A great use of synthesizers and guitars, as well as the classic voice of Don Henley.
  • 2. Take On Me by a-ha
    Everyone remembers the catchy synthesizer parts throughout the song, but very few pay attention to the unique lyrics.
  • 1. Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon
    It always sounded like a proposal song, which made it unique from most ballads of the 80s, and I also remember having my first slow dance to this song.
By: DJ DOUG
By: jon m
  • 10. Born In The Usa by Bruce Springsteen
    If u are like me, u remember exactly where you were when u first heard it..and u knew it was special...the performer of the decade without doubt
  • 9. Shout by Tears For Fears
    great tune, 20 years later...
  • 8. Alive And Kicking by Simple Minds
    great band..u cannot possibly hear this song and not have an 80's reaction
  • 7. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Anyone who happened to be watching that Motown special that night when he publically debuted the moonwalk has to include this..mesmerising
  • 6. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    Right up there with the great bands ever, certainly not even close to their best work, but it defined the era...
  • 5. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Lived in London in 1982-83..think of that period every single time i hear the intro
  • 4. Don't You Want Me? by The Human League
    cant deny this was humongous
  • 3. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    Loved the sound, the beat...
  • 2. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    Told You i was into the fad thing..great dance song, great scene in the DePalma movie, and great concert at the Ritz in NYC
  • 1. Bad by U2
    Although totally into the new wave/dance fad of the 80's, this band and this song separated themselves from the pack..the Live Aid version is genius
if i do this 50 times, i will have 50 different lists..alot of stuff i dig now from the 80's , i wasn't passionate about back then, most noticeably Prince..
By: BYRON BENGUCHE
  • 10. Raspberry Beret by Prince
  • 9. Follow The Leader by Eric B. & Rakim
  • 8. Don't Be Cruel by Bobby Brown
  • 7. My Philosphy by Boogie Down Productions.
  • 6. Aint No Half Steppin. by Big Daddy Kane
  • 5. I'll House You by Jungle Brothers
  • 4. Come Go With Me by Exposé
  • 3. Me, Myself And I by De La Soul
  • 2. Just Got Paid (Friday Night) by Johnny Kemp
  • 1. Two Occasions by The Deele
By: Christian Knight
  • 10. He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones
    I know it's country, but this song has to be one of the most depressing songs ever written in any genre. The song is about a man whose woman had left him, but the opening verse "He said 'I'll love you 'til I die'" sums up his mindset. Eventually he dies, thus he has stopped loving her. "First time I'd seen him smile in years."
  • 9. Black Cat by Janet Jackson
    Say what you will, but this song is her best... probably because it's not her style :)
  • 8. High Enough by Damn Yankees
    Nothing says lovin like the 'Nuge kicking down a screendoor and ripping out a full on pentatonic solo in the face of several trigger-happy deputies while wearing a zebra-striped trench and matching git-fiddle!
  • 7. Gates Of Valhalla by Manowar
    Another great one from arguably the best metal band to ever walk the earth. This catchy tune in 3/4 sig paints a picture of life as a Norse god (Leaning towards Thor here)
  • 6. Achilles, Agony And Ecstacy In Eight Parts by Manowar
    True, this song wasn't released until 1993, HOWEVER, I feel it worth the mention, as it is the single COOLEST song ever written. Clocking in at over 28 minutes, this is a heavy metal synopsis of Homer's "Iliad." "Oooh Achilles, let thy arrows fly/ Into the wind/ Where Eagles cross the sky/ Today my mortal blood/ Will mix with sand/ It was foretold/ I will die by thy hand/ Into Hades/ My soul descend"
  • 5. People Are People by Depeche Mode
    Illustrates the estrangement between East/West Germany, and also even the breaking of the USSR.
  • 4. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    An excellent view of the cocaine problem in the 80's from the perspective of the drug itself.
  • 3. Tell Me by White Lion
    One of the most classic examples of the 80's Glam melody I could give. "Tell me baby all through the night/ That you'll never let me go/ Tell me baby cause I'm old enough to know"
  • 2. Jungle Love by Morris Day And The Time
    Oh wee oh wee oh!
  • 1. Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
    I've had that neat little bassline stuck in my head for almost 20 years now...
By: José
  • 10. Fat by Weird Al Yankovic
    It was a parody Micheal Jackson's "Bad". Totally hillarious..as was to be expected from "Weird Al"
  • 9. Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson
    Really great song and video. Actually, it was part of his movie "moonwalker"
  • 8. Land Of Confusion by Genesis
    One of my favorites back then. I still like it, infact.
  • 7. You're The Best by Joe Esposito
    Terrific Song..and yes..another one from Karate Kid..but c'mon they're all great!
  • 6. No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper
    From Rocky IV - best song of the whole series..
  • 5. For The Longest Time by Billy Joel
    One of those timeless songs that I heard as a kid and still like as much
  • 4. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
    It's a classic. This is another one of those songs that just take me back to the 80's
  • 3. Glory Of Love by Peter Cetera
    From Karate Kid 2 - I could never forget that one.. probably because it reminds me of Tamlyn Tomita
  • 2. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    Overall cool song. It gives me feelings of nostalgia.
  • 1. Hazy Shade Of Winter by The Bangles
    Remake of Simon and Garfunkel classic. For some reason the song made a huge impact when I heard it in "Less than Zero." This song reminds me most of the 80's..or maybe it was just Susanna Hoffs
It was really hard to chose from all of the great music. I this list is a representation of the songs that I remember most from childhood. If I filled out this form tomorrow.. I have no doubt that there would be some huge changes. With so much music..picking 10 can be difficult
By: Brian
  • 10. Stages by ZZ Top
    You can not have a top 10 without ZZ Top! They just flat out rocked in the 1980s. They flat out rocked in the 1970s. This song just brought it all together for me. Great cut from the Afterburner album in 1985.
  • 9. Holiday by The Other Ones
    Not at the top of most peoples songs of 1987. It was so diffrent from most songs I was playing back then. This 45 fit into my collection in some weird way.
  • 8. All Those Years Ago by George Harrison
    His tribute to John Lennon. Now it serves as a tribute to his life. The same lyrics apply to him.
  • 7. The Captain Of Her Heart by Double
    The lyrics can be a bit too much. The song, in so many ways, is too slow for me. But some how this just clicked back in 1986.
  • 6. Somebody Save Me by Cinderella
    This was the first music video played on MTV's headbangers ball. It was a pure in your face hard rocker.
  • 5. I Can't Drive 55 by Sammy Hagar
    The theme song for every kid who started to drive in the 1980s. Pure put the hammer down rock n roll. Long live the red rocker! VOA
  • 4. The Doctor by Doobie Brothers
    If you would have asked me 10 or 15 years ago about the Doobie Brothers I would have said "old burnt out 70s band." This song really just drove home my view on music. How the 80s music could make you feel. "Music is the doctor makes you feel how you want too." Great song from 1989.
  • 3. Suburbia by Pet Shop Boys
    This song was my childhood. Growing up in suberbia. You always had one foot in being board and the other in trouble. Even if you had to make up the trouble it was better than being board to death. They hit it on the head with this one.
  • 2. Running In The Family by Level 42
    Pure pop fun that makes you think. Level 42 never did get the credit they should have.
  • 1. Panama by Van Halen
    This song is the 80s! It has a great guitar hook, lyrics that don't mean a thing, a front man with attitude and all the 1980s good time party rock n roll you could stand! Great rock n roll party album "1984' by Van Halen
These are the top 10 tracks today. Ask me some other day and I just may give you 10 others. It is hard to bring the list to just 10.
By: z
  • 10. Little Red Corvette by Prince
    you cant have a list without prince so I just picked this one.
  • 9. Running With The Devil by Van Halen
    listen to this when you party, it will make you wanna break somthing.
  • 8. Drive by The Cars
    The cars best song in my opinion.
  • 7. One On One by Hall & Oates
    Was that eighties ? a bad jam none the less.
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    MJ blew the roof off with this gem. What happened ?
  • 5. Love Bites by Def Leppard
    close second in the love ballad niche.
  • 4. Brass In Pocket by The Pretenders
    GONNA MAKE YOU NOTICE ,classic.
  • 3. Is This Love by Whitesnake
    The best monster band love ballad, period.
  • 2. Never Surrender by Corey Hart
    I used to think this song was so lame but after a while i couldnt get it out of my head. So I just accepted it.
  • 1. Your Love by The Outfield
    the perfect mix of pop and rock, this song is the bomb.
Photograph,fade to black,in the air tonight
By: Oliver
  • 10. Eternal Flame by The Bangles
    1989
  • 9. First Time by Robin Beck
    1988
  • 8. You Win Again by Bee Gees
    1987
  • 7. Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
    1986
  • 6. Dancing In The Street by Mick Jagger/David Bowie
    1985
  • 5. The Never Ending Story by Limahl
    1984
  • 4. Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield
    1983 Sung by Maggie Reilly
  • 3. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    1982
  • 2. Physical by Olivia Newton-John
    1981
  • 1. Fade To Grey by Visage
    1980
In the 80s I was more into the likes of Iron Maiden, WASP and Warlock, but few of my friends were, so this is what was played at parties.
By: BYRON BENGUCHE
  • 10. Let's Dance by David Bowie
    I WAS NEVER A BIG FAN OF DAVID BOWIE NOT UNTIL I HEARD THIS SONG IN 1983.EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN.
  • 9. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    I LOVE THIS SONG FROM 1984.THE WAY THEY COMBINED GOSPEL AND POP WAS PURE CLASSIC.
  • 8. Mama Used To Say by Junior
    JUNIOR WAS A HEAD BEFORE HIS TIME HE STARTED THE WHOLE UK R&B SCENE IN THE 80'S.
  • 7. Right On Track by Breakfast Club
    I REMEMBER WHEN THIS SONG CAME OUT IN 1987.THIS WAS A GREAT DANCE TUNE
  • 6. Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
    THIS GUY HAD A POWERFUL VOICE TOO BAD HE WAS A ONE HIT WONDER.
  • 5. I Can't Go For That (Say No Go) by Hall & Oates
    HALL AND OATS ARE THE GREATEST SONG WRITERS OF ALL TIME THEY WAY THEY COMBINE R&B AND POP WAS AWESOME
  • 4. Seasons Change by Exposé
    THIS SONG SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON MY LIST IN THE FIRST PLACE.THIS IS A GREAT LOVE SONG
  • 3. Let Me Love You Down by Ready For The World
    THIS IS A GREAT LOVE SONG IT TAKES ME BACK TO MY DAYS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THOSE HIGH SCHOOL DANCES.
  • 2. Once In A Lifetime by Talking Heads
    I LOVE THIS SONG AND I LIKE THE VIDEO.IT REMIND ME OF THE FIRST TIME I SAW MTV IN 1982.
  • 1. Genius Of Love by The Tom Tom Club
    THIS IS A GREAT TECHNO SONG FROM THE 80'S.IT HAS BEEN SAMPLED BY EVERYONE FROM GRANDMASTER FLASH TO MARIAH CAREY.
By: Dirk Diggler

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