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: Joe
By: DJ LB Jones
  • 10. Tender Lover by Babyface
  • 9. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
  • 8. Never Going To Give You Up by RICK ASTLEY
  • 7. Touch Me (All Night Long) by Cathy Dennis
  • 6. Come Get My Love by D-mob
  • 5. Outstanding by The Gap Band
  • 4. We Got Our Own Thing by Heavy D.and The Boyz
  • 3. Catch Me I'm Falling by Pretty Poison
  • 2. Paradise by Sade
  • 1. Cassanova by Levert
By: Sezan
  • 10. Easy Come, Easy Go by Winger
    It should be around my top 5 but I can't be fucked changing it. My favourite winger song
  • 9. Hangin' On by Winger
    A good band, I like this song.
  • 8. Crazy, Crazy nights by KISS
    One of of Kiss' best songs in the 80's.
  • 7. Born To Be My Baby by Bon Jovi
    My favourite love song.
  • 6. Tears Are Falling by KISS
    A must listened song.
  • 5. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    Greatest break up song.
  • 4. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Too good.
  • 3. Bad Medicine by Bon Jovi
    Favourite bon jovi song.
  • 2. Turn On The Night by KISS
    Favourite kiss song ,kiss is my favourite band the song is simular to van helan's jump at the start of the song.
  • 1. No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper
    Favourite song, and the soundtrack of my favourite movie - "Rocky 4"
KISS is the best band of all time.
By: Sonia Martinez
  • 10. Material Girl by Madonna
  • 9. Girls Just want to have fun by Cindy Lauper
  • 8. More More More by Billy Idol
  • 7. Bizarre Love triangle by New Order
  • 6. If You Leave Me by OMD
  • 5. Take on Me by A-Ha
  • 4. Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
  • 3. Don't Leave Me This Way by The Communards
  • 2. Nowhere Fast by Fire Inc.
    (Editor: From "Streets of Fire")
  • 1. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
By: George
  • 10. This is the World calling by Bob Geldof
    I think this is a very underrated classic, Bob Geldof is so cool and I think this showed him really as a brilliant singer as well as songwriter!
  • 9. Shout by Tears for Fears
    Brillaint Guitar Solo in the middle! Roland is a genius!
  • 8. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
    I love this record - and whenever I hear it, I actually get a little scared!
  • 7. Run To You by Bryan Adams
    GOOD SONG! I think its a classic!
  • 6. Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie
    The result of a chance meeting between two of Musics Legends, This is a brilliant Record
  • 5. Come on Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    Great song! one of those songs that will never date!
  • 4. Vienna by Ultravox
    Cool Record, one of the best records never to hit number one!
  • 3. Caravan of Love by The Housemartins
    Probably the Best UK christmas Number one of all time! its a beautiful Accapella number from one of the best bands of the 80's! The Housemartins for a while were compared to the Smiths - I for one thing they better Morrissey!
  • 2. Don't Dream its Over by Crowded House
    I recently had the honour of Meeting Neil Finn himself, and he is a truly charming modest man. And I tell you now, if I'd have written a song as poignant and beautiful as this, I would probably be an arrogant Jerk!
  • 1. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
    THE greatest Christmas Record of all time - if not one of the best songs of all time! Shane MacGowan is a genius, and this is my favourite record of all time as well! the best song never to reach number one!
By: Nicole Merritt
By: Dave
  • 10. Nightrain by Guns 'n' Roses
    Don't ask why.
  • 9. With or Without You by U2
  • 8. Welcome to the Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
    True.
  • 7. Paradise City by Guns 'n' Roses
    Just something about it that makes me like this song.
  • 6. Fade to Black by Metallica
    Interests me.
  • 5. Master of Puppets by Metallica
    Just plain bad ass.
  • 4. Ride the Lightning by Metallica
    Gives more energy than caffeine with extra sugar.
  • 3. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
    This song is just amazing...
  • 2. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    Good meaning to it.
  • 1. She Moves in Mysterious Ways by U2
    Listen to it.
By: Jeffrey Punter
  • 10. Method of Modern Love by Hall & Oates
    Greatest rock song of the 1980's. Blend of every thing from rock to soul.
  • 9. A Night To Remember by Shalamar
    The ultimate Shalamar anthem. The last great disco hit.
  • 8. Plane Love by Jeffrey Osborne
    Literally, his best song.
  • 7. I'll Be Good by Rene & Angela
    Funky. You have to get up and dance everytime you hear this
  • 6. I'm Freaky by O'Bryan
    Funky track. His best dance song ever. Not much known artist was underated and deserved much more than what the public was giving him. I was feelin' the intro to the song. "So Young, So Sweet, So Yooooooouuunnnggggg........"
  • 5. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson
    Superstar's best single, best song out of all of his works. 1983 was the year for MJ and this song proves it.
  • 4. Tonight by Kool & The Gang
    Rock and soul is the best combination in 1980's music. The video was tight. JT goes up to the center of the light and starts dancin' and jumps a flight of stairs in a freeze pose(thats where Usher got his idea at the end of the "Caught Up" video).
  • 3. Lovely One by The Jacksons
    Michael Jackson's best Jacksons comeback song from the Post-Off The Wall/Pre-Thriller. Rock, soul, and funk is what the people demand to get up and dance.
  • 2. Outstanding by The Gap Band
    Great R&B song from the boys from Oklahoma. Although this song is from 1983, it is played in every party and basketball game at my school (Hampton University, THE REAL HU IS "OUTSTANDING")
  • 1. You Get The Best From Me (Say Say Say) by Alicia Myers
    Slow start, but funky in the middle and end. "Say Say Say Say Say," this is a hot song.
By: Rich
By: Celanna
  • 10. Mony Mony by Billy Idol
    Banned at almost every high school dance because of the "alternate" lyrics, we played it anyway just to piss of the chaperones.
  • 9. Send Me an Angel by Scorpions
    Most people say their best ballad was "Winds of Change"... Ok so Gorbachev has a gold plaque with the lyrics given to him as a gift... I still think this is their best ballad.
  • 8. Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
    A totally awesome song... ranked this low only due to the memory of it being played at a friend's funeral.
  • 7. Sexual Thing by Poison
    Ok technically this came out in the 90s on their greatest hits album... but if you've heard it... you'll know why I listed it.
  • 6. Nobody's Fool by Cinderella
    My very first concert was when Cinderella opened for Bon Jovi. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
  • 5. We Will Rock You by Queen
    NO ONE can ever replace Freddy Mercury, someone please kill the idiot on The Knight's Tale soundtrack that "attempted" to sing We Are the Champions.
  • 4. Back in Black by AC/DC
    They're still around and still kick ass!
  • 3. Forever by Kiss
    Am I the only one that had this played as the first song at their wedding?
  • 2. Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
    My favorite concert of the 80s ... I still wonder how many car stereo speakers had to be replaced because of cranking this song.
  • 1. Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp
    Anyone growing up in the midwest in the 80s relates to this song... And some of us still wish we were holding onto 16 as long as we can...
I caught this site on accident and it brought back lots of memories. Some funny, some bittersweet. Being born in the early 70s, I remember the entire decade, it was wild, it was fun, and anyone that doesn't remember wearing two pairs of socks with your LA Gear hi-tops, Rave hairspray (liquid glue), and the "alternate" lyrics to Billy Idol's version of Mony Mony... you truly DO NOT know what you missed out on!
By: Fran
  • 10. Don't You Want Me by Human League
    Good lyrics and and just one I have to sing along with
  • 9. Just What I Needed by The Cars
    its rather catchy and i love the cars
  • 8. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    Okay this song just makes me wanna get up and dance
  • 7. I'm All Out Of Love by Air Supply
    Kind of a sappy love song but i like it
  • 6. Sweetest Thing by U2
    I love U2
  • 5. The Promise by When In Rome
    I love this song, great lyrics
  • 4. Something You Said by The bangles
    Good slow song it kind of makes me think back to relationships
  • 3. Angel Is A Centerfold by Jeff Geals Band
    Interesting idea for a song and I love it
  • 2. Harden My Heart by Quarter Flash
    One hit wonder, but a genuinely good song
  • 1. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
    Great beat and so catchy!
I know alot of people say the 80's weren't a very good decade but I think they had some really great music
By: Allix
  • 10. You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    What would the 80s be without Bon Jovi
  • 9. This is (Radio Clash) by The Clash
    This song has a tune that makes you want to dance
  • 8. Call Me by Blondie
    Best 80s pop group
  • 7. The Ramones by California Sun
    Not too sure if this was one of The Ramones late 1970 releases or not, but it's definately a great song and one of the Ramones best
  • 6. Rat Race by The Specials
    The Specials, along with Madness, are probably one of the most influencial ska-punk bands
  • 5. Love Cats by The Cure
    Another great band
  • 4. Baggy Trousers by Madness
    Madness are definately one of my all time favourite bands
  • 3. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
    The opening track from Rocky 3.. and probably the reason for it's success
  • 2. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    Duran Duran had many great songs.. but this is probably my personal favourite
  • 1. London Calling by The Clash
    Great song by an even greater band. Even though the album "London Calling" was originally released in 1979.. it's still my number 1
Ofcourse.. I was only born in 1986, but alot of my parents musical tastes reside in the 1980's-70s which made it easier for me to compile a top 10. But there is no exact order to this list and it's missing many other awesome songs.
By: Bobby
  • 10. Cult of Personality by Living Colour
    Amazing!!!!!!!!!
  • 9. Jenny by Tommy Tutone
    I dont know many people of any age that cant at least hum along with this song its so catchy.
  • 8. Little Red Corvette by Prince
    A pop masterpiece.Catchy.Moody.Great lyrics and guitar solo.
  • 7. Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield
    Who can argue with this?
  • 6. Big Country by Big Country
    Simply the catchiest tune ever.
  • 5. In my Darkest Hour. by Megadeth
    Another classic of despair.
  • 4. Fade to Black by Metallica
    The guitar...the lyrics...the despair...powerful stuff.
  • 3. Living on a Prayer. by Bon Jovi.
    A great song is a great song.
  • 2. Round and Round by RATT
    Great song.
  • 1. When Doves Cry by Prince And The Revolution
    This is the ONLY song I have EVER heard that I cant find its influences in any other music.Possibly the most original and unusual pop song ever released.People take it for granted and thats a shame.
Holy Wars{the punishment due} by Megadeth. The hardest,most exotic,passionate and athletic thing EVER played on the radio.Has never been surpassed since.
By: Travis Galvan
  • 10. We Got The Beat by Go Go's
    ...
  • 9. I Want You Back by Jackson 5
    ...
  • 8. I Love Rock'N'Roll by Joan Jett
    ...
  • 7. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
    ...
  • 6. I Wanna Dance With Sombody by Whitney Houston
    Awesome!!!!!!
  • 5. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
    "Everybody cut footloose..."
  • 4. Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo
    Yes!
  • 3. Sweet Dreams (Are made of these) by Eurythmics
    "Who am I to disagree..." can't get enough
  • 2. What's Up by 4 Nonblondes
    Love it
  • 1. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfeild
    THe best song ever!!
The 80s is the best era in existance.... but Jessies girl rox my sox
By: Gabi
Love is a battlefield (Pat Benetar), Whats Love Got to do with it (Tina Turner), Your just what I needed (Cars), Faith (George Michael), Free Fallin (Tom Petty)
By: Your Dad
  • 10. Roxanne by The Police
  • 9. God Gave Rock'n Roll To You by Kiss
    (Editor: Played in "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey")
  • 8. Hotel California by Eagles
  • 7. Up All Night by Slaughter
  • 6. Gutter Ballet by Savatage
  • 5. Renegade by Styx
  • 4. Babe by Styx
  • 3. Shout At The Devil by Mötley Crüe
  • 2. Ice, Ice Baby by Vannilla Ice
  • 1. Patience by Guns'n Roses
By: Nick B
  • 10. Something About You by Level 42
    1985. Should have got to number 1. Great song from a great band.
  • 9. Waiting For A Star To Fall by Boy Meets Girl
    1988. This has got to be the best feel good song of the 80s.
  • 8. Fade To Grey by Visage
    1981. The best synth record of the 80s. Great video too.
  • 7. Atomic by Blondie
    1980. Probably the greatest bass guitar solo ever half way through this song. Listen to it and you'll know what i mean.
  • 6. Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes
    1983. Great record, never get bored of it.
  • 5. Take Me Home by Phil Collins
    1985. This was on the album 'No Jacket Required' from '85. Its one of those songs that just seems to flow and get better as it goes along.
  • 4. Blue Monday by New Order
    1983. The best selling 12" of all time. This has probably got the best beat to any song ever recorded.
  • 3. Love Comes Quickly by Pet Shop Boys
    1986. This was their 2nd ever single after West End Girls. Not one of their most famous but in my opinion this is the best record P.S.B. ever did.
  • 2. Love Is A Battlefield by Pat Benatar
    84/85(re-issue) How did this record only reach number 17 in March '85. It should at least have got in the top 5.
  • 1. Kyrie by Mr. Mister
    1986. One of the geatest songs of all time let alone the 80s.
The 80s were definately the best decade for music EVER. I remember it like it was yesterday. There was so many different types of music like pop, rock, soul, synth, heavy metal, dance. Bands of the 80s seemed to just know how to make good/memorable records. Music of the 80s was so much more fun than it is nowadays and thats why 80s music will last for ever unlike todays music which will last for about 5 minutes.
By: Jon Dale
  • 10. Disorder by Joy Division
    Joy Division put out a small but very respectable catalogue and they had a unique dark beautiful sound and texture to their music. This is my personal favourite song from their first album.
  • 9. Mommy's Little Monster by Social Distortion
    Where would I be without Social D? this is one of the best songs of their 80's output, great riffs nice solo work and Mike Ness outlines a great profiel for punks of the time.
  • 8. Redemption Song by Bob Marley
    Well this is another one right on the cusp but a classic and personal favourite none the less. It was fairly uncharacteristic of Robert with the accoustic but so very him with the strong ideals of empowerment and fine lyracism expressed within the piece.
  • 7. KKK Took My Baby Away by The Ramones
    The Ramones were always good for creating dumb and catchy punk pop songs and this was one of the dumbest/funniest songs I have had the pleasure of listening to to this day.
  • 6. Dancing With My Self by Billy Idol
    Billy Idol was the best punk not doing punk music and this song was his earliest hit and my fave. It is about a lonely kid out on the dancefloor but has a tough edge to him, kinda like teh song it's self.
  • 5. Eye Know by De La Soul
    Cutting it close once again but this comes from another '89 Hip-Hop masterpiece. A bright love song that uses fun samples and sweet lyrics, and is made even catchier by the vocal sample "I know I love you better". Good example of the possibilty that Hip-Hop music had with respect to vision and fun during this time period.
  • 4. Ghost Town by The Specials
    When I got this song's EP I must have been skankin' (or atleast trying to) for a week straight. The chorus kicks butt, the bassline is smooth, the opening organ is fantastic, truly haunting.
  • 3. Blister In The Sun by Violent Femmes
    Such a grainy accoustic number was an odd duck at the time, but to me the song spoke and still speaks volumes about that of a confused teenager. The lyrics are funny and catchy and Gordon Gano's vocal arrangement is great.
  • 2. I Love You, Suzanne by Lou Reed
    This was a song that blew me away, Lou really made an extremely fun feel-good classic rock n roll track with this one. His swagger shines through perfectly (something a lot fo modern artists could use a little of). "You broke my heart and made me cry when you said I couldn't dance. Now I'm back to let you know I can really make romance." (superb).
  • 1. Shake Your Rump by The Beastie Boys
    Okay this might have been right at the end of the decade, but this song cannot be resisted and Paul's Boutique remains one of the finest examples of sampling in Hip Hop and a true product of the 80's.
honourable mentions: Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long, Pixies - Where Is My Mind, The Smiths - This Charming Man, The Go-Gos - Our Lips Are Sealed, Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon Soem of my choices might seem strange but I'm a music freak and so much great music is packed into that decade.
By: Marly
  • 10. This Promise by When In Rome
    Great, great song.
  • 9. We Built This City by Jefferson Starship
    This song NEVER leaves my brain. I always sing it at the most random times.
  • 8. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N Roses
    Dance for me, baby.
  • 7. Down Under by Men At Work
    I come from the land down under...
  • 6. Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx
    When you think of the 80s...think of the mullet.
  • 5. Pictures Of You by The Cure
    Really good song...
  • 4. Take On Me by A-Ha
    Great song to just sing along with...
  • 3. The Final Countdown by Europe
    Don't ask.
  • 2. Shout by Tears For Fears
    I can listen to this song on repeat and not get tired of it.
  • 1. With Or Without You by U2
    Need I say more? An amazing song by an amazing band.
By: Jax

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