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: Aman Batish
  • 10. Thunderstruck by AC/DC
    Released in the late 80"s or early 90"s has the most in ur face riff,possible on the guitar of one man
  • 9. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
    Introduced the most kick in the face,volatile,hardcore orbital bandsin the world
  • 8. Easy Livin' by Uriah Heep
    Easy brilliance
  • 7. Two Steps Behind by Def Leopard
    Juicy chops on the acoustic, really tasty
  • 6. Powerslave by Iron Maiden
    Scary rhythm!
  • 5. Come As You Are by Nirvana
    I call it bass brilliance, the only song of nirvana where kurt's vocals r secondary
  • 4. Enter Sandman by Metallica
    Proved what metallica really is, no more just american but world fame at their feet
  • 3. Hit The Lights by Metallica
    4 guys and a legend in dave mustaine go fuckin crazy
  • 2. Back In Black by AC/DC
    Tearing apart riffs by angus and brilliance of the band
  • 1. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
    Great solos and a swinging rhythm, a slash product only
As u see this is from a guy who is hardcore rock freak himself, being a lead-guitarist myself some of the songs may be there just because of their complex solos, and not the whole song itself, however the purists may agree with my list.
By: Xin
They can just F**** U like a hurricane!
By: Candy
  • 10. I Remember You by Skid Row
  • 9. Hold The Line by Toto
  • 8. Wasting Love by Iron Maiden
  • 7. Love Bites by Def Leppard
  • 6. No Stranger To Love by Black Sabbath
  • 5. Strange Love by Depeche Mode
  • 4. Don't You Forget About Me by Simply Minds
  • 3. Like A Fool by Robin Gibb
  • 2. Is This Love? by Whitesnake
  • 1. Hurts To Be In Love by Gino Vanelli
By: Daniel
By: Raoul Duke, esq.
  • 10. Perfect Way by Scritti Politti
    Just a good song, I rediscovered it about two years ago, dusting off the crates and such. Catchy.
  • 9. Don't You Want Me? by Human League
    Many people have included it for an obvious reason: it's one of the best songs from the 80's. When will it get played out?
  • 8. I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman
    I've never seen the movie Streets Of Fire, a shame really, but this song is the jam. I want to hold a girl bad when it plays, hold her close, eyes closed, bliss.
  • 7. Your Love by The Outfield
    Always high volume for this.
  • 6. Working For The Weekend by Loverboy
    The best Friday song ever created, real upbeat, great keyboards. When I work for the weekend, I guess it is for romance? Are they considered a hair band too?
  • 5. Talking In Your Sleep by The Romantics
    Simply a classic, can listen to it over and over again without tire.
  • 4. China Girl by David Bowie
    Ha, had a great china girl once, she will never be forgotten.
  • 3. Call Me by Go West
    If I were to be of drinking/dancing age in the 80's, I'd shudder if this song blared on the speakers.
  • 2. Love My Way by Psychedelic Furs
    Pure genius songwriting, I'd love to see them do it live.
  • 1. Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant
    The ultimate anthem for night driving. Take it highyah!
Love the F-ing 80's so much, the soundtrack of my life after going through the history of music. I'm on the constant quest to expand my 80's library, and thus far haven't been severely hindered eh. I think my top ten is somewhat accurate, pretty close anyway, but there's so many awesome songs. I wish I could've bashed in the 80's instead of being a Snot-nosed delinquent hell-bent on world domination. I would've rocked the clubs since disco was justifiably dead (Yay!) and my Hair would've probably been the polar opposite of my Hair today, you know, like Flock of Seagulls while wearing some fat and shady aviator glasses. Style out in a pinstriped suit, it'd be like the Babylon Club in Scarface. Honorable Mention to my ultimate list goes to the 80's work of Giorgio Moroder. Most of the lists I've seen don't give him enough DaP. 80's FOREVER!! JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH!!
By: Roberto Ramirez
  • 10. I, Dopa by Big Black
    In the winter of 88, many a "F*%! you, Dad!" were furtively screamed through blasting "I, Dopa". The damage was done, but me and Big Black have lasted.
  • 9. I Never Knew Love Like This Before by Stephanie Mills
    Disco's last exuberant hurrah.
  • 8. Radio Free Europe by REM
    Proof that indiscernible lyrics make for a timeless pop tune.(How much better would a bad song be if every word was mumbled in ancient Stipeanese?)
  • 7. Don't Believe the Hype by Public Enemy
    Even at fourteen, "Don't Believe the Hype" was a slap in the face to wake-up and realize just what the radio - and pop- wasn't saying.
  • 6. This Charming Man by The Smiths
    Tongue-in-cheek, bulge-in-your-pants, will-he-or won't-he, is-he-or-isn't-he homophile sex farce played straight in under three minutes. Oh, to be a pantry boy in the wonderful world of Moz...
  • 5. Resurrection by The Stone Roses
    Recovering ravers and Britpop apostates, bow your heads and remember: there was once something genuinely exhilirating before the numbing sameness of turntable entrepreneurs and tortured prog rockers.
  • 4. Caribou by The Pixies
    In the beginning, there were the Pixies...
  • 3. You Give Good Love by Whitney Houston
    With a straight face, the era's unrecognized soul classic. Listen to it again, and you'll hear - and feel -why.
  • 2. Kid Dynamite by Squirrel Bait
    The rebel yell from Louisville that challenged the whole unsophistication of punk - thanks to TV.
  • 1. Every Day Is Like Sunday by Morrissey
    The singular defining moment when 80s pop transcended the plastic to become poetry.
"And don't forget the songs that made you cry, and the songs that saved your life"... Uh-duh, as if: "How Soon Is Now?", the Smiths; "Borderline", Madonna; "True", Spandau Ballet; "Purple Rain", Prince; "Holding Back the Years", Simply Red; "Brass Monkey", the Beastie Boys; "Mommy Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight", the Misfits; "Blister in the Sun", Violent Femmes; "Free", Deniece Williams; "How Come", the Pogues.
By: Wolf Attack
  • 10. Innocent Love by Sandra
    1986
  • 9. Physical by Olivia Newton-John
    1981
  • 8. Boys by Sabrina
    1988
  • 7. Life Is Live by Opus
    1987
  • 6. Careless Whispers by Wham!
    1984
  • 5. Brother Louie by Modern Talking
    1987
  • 4. Holiday by Madonna
    1983
  • 3. Little Girl by Sandra
    1985
  • 2. Hello by Lionel Richie
    1983
  • 1. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    1982
By: Jennel Smith
  • 10. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
  • 9. If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    ...Love this song
  • 8. Hold Me Now by Thompson Twins
  • 7. My Heart Goes Bang by Dead or Alive
  • 6. Heart of Glass by Blondie
  • 5. Wild Boys by Duran Duran
    This songs so hot
  • 4. Love My Way by The Psychedelic Furs
  • 3. Take On Me by Aha
    Love this video ...its soo sweet! =)
  • 2. Like A Prayer by Madonna
    ...That's hot
  • 1. With or Without You by U2
    ..First heard this song on "Friends" when Ross and Rachel are fighting...and fell in love with it!!
By: Todd Hebert
It's very hard to make a top ten list of the best of an era or decade. Especially in light of the particularity of each listener. Everyone has their own opinion of what is and what should be. But I must say with all honesty that I feel some of the best music in time was made in the 80's. Todd Hebert
By: Christen Stewart
  • 10. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
  • 9. 99 Luftballons by Nena
  • 8. Piano Man by Billy Joel
  • 7. Nebraska by Bruce Springstein
  • 6. On My Own by Whitesnake
  • 5. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
  • 4. River by Bruce Springstein
  • 3. With Or With Out You by U2
  • 2. Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
  • 1. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
I guess im just a hopless romantic?
By: Zach Dedlow
  • 10. Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
  • 9. When I Think Of You by Journey
  • 8. Bark At The Moon by Ozzy Osbourne
  • 7. Holy Diver by Ronnie James Dio
  • 6. Love Me by Collin Ray
    LOve me always Anna!!
  • 5. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
    We're goin off the rails for this stuff!!!
  • 4. Shot Through The Heart by Bon Jovi
  • 3. The Final Countdown by Europe
  • 2. Dinamite by AC/DC
    This song rules!!!
  • 1. You're The Insperation by Chicago
F!@# the chezy 40's songs!!!
By: Rick S
  • 10. Whip It by Devo
  • 9. Rock In The USA by John Mellencamp
  • 8. Always Something There To Remind Me by Naked Eyes
  • 7. Our House by Madness
  • 6. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
  • 5. (Keep Feeling) Fascination by The Human League
  • 4. Express Yourself by NWA
  • 3. I Ran by A Flock Of Seaguls
  • 2. Take On Me by A-Ha
  • 1. My Adidas by Run D.M.C.
    Late 80's
By: David Herrera
By: Marcos
  • 10. Losing My Religion by REM
  • 9. Another Day In Paradise by Phill Collins
  • 8. Self Control by Laura Branigan
  • 7. Back In Black by AC/DC
  • 6. Mistify by INXS
  • 5. Modern Love by David Bowie
  • 4. Much Better by Prophets On Tv
  • 3. Love Is A Shield by Camouflage
  • 2. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat
  • 1. Matter Of Trust by Billy Joel
By: ThWiplash
  • 10. Cowboys From Hell by Pantera
    The title song off the album that kick started Pantera's career.
  • 9. Surfing With The Alien by Joe Satriani
    Its the satch.'nuf sed.
  • 8. Creeping Death by Metallica
    Song about the biblical plague. AWSEOME!
  • 7. Zombie Ritual by Death
    C'mon. Death pretty much single handedly INVENTED death metal.
  • 6. One by Metallica
    Watch the uncut music video for the full effect.Absolutely brilliant.
  • 5. Raining Blood by Slayer
    Also an epic.
  • 4. Fade to Black by Metallica
    This song is a fucking epic.
  • 3. Cemetary Gates by Pantera
    Yes, its kinda ballady.So what? Dimebag owns your mother. R.I.P. Brother.
  • 2. Angel of Death by Slayer
    Possibly the finest aggressive thrash song made.
  • 1. Master of Puppets by Metallica
    Sweet shit.The greatest song ever.Period.No question.
The 80's RULED for Heavy and Thrash metal.
By: Joseph Mejstrik
  • 10. PYT (Pretty Young Thing) by Michael Jackson
    Best MJ dance song out there!
  • 9. Private Eyes by Hall & Oates
  • 8. Phil Collins/Genesis by Mama
    If you haven't this one before give it a shot!
  • 7. Cyndi Lauper by Time after Time
  • 6. Time by Culture Club
  • 5. Some Like it Hot by Power Station/Robert Plant
  • 4. Say Say Say by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
    Great song but the video is absolutely ridiculous!
  • 3. I Feel For You by Prince
    Covered by Chakkakahn (SP?)
  • 2. The Relex by Duran Duran
    Best Duran Duran song out there!
  • 1. Everything She Wants by Wham
By: Your Daddy
  • 10. More Love by Kim Carnes
    Have it on the playlist for when the clothes are off and you're getting busy, she'll love you forever, or for the hours of love making you share.
  • 9. Go Insane by Lindsey Buckingham
    Ever feel like you're going nuts?
  • 8. We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off by Jermaine Stewart
    Great to play if you just wanna get to know her better, especially if she's trying to slut out on you. That's not so bad though :)
  • 7. Don't Disturb This Groove by The System
    Great to play when you're about to get down.
  • 6. Heart & Soul by T'Pau
    What a song, so cheesy!!
  • 5. Space Age Love Song by A Flock of Seagulls
    Better than I Ran I think.
  • 4. Love Action by Human League
  • 3. We Close Our Eyes by Go West
    Reminds me of too many great times.
  • 2. How To Be A Millionaire by ABC
    Great song, my favorite of ABC
  • 1. Love & Pride by King
    Simply the jam, so 80's!
So many good songs. I could list a top 200!
By: FonkFonkyFresh
  • 10. Too Hot by Kool & The Gang
  • 9. The Chase by Giorgio Moroder
  • 8. Superfreak by Rick James
    Often duplicated never equalled
  • 7. Notorious by Duran Duran
  • 6. A Night To Remember by Shalamar
    Unforgettable
  • 5. Love Come Down by Evelyn Champagne King
  • 4. And The Beat Goes On by The Whispers
    A classic
  • 3. The Message by Grandmaster Flash
    The first genuine rap song
  • 2. Forget Me Nots by Patrice Rushen
    Sampled by Will SMith for Men In Black
  • 1. Thriller by Micheal Jackson
    What else to say ?
By: GG
By: bobbi jo
  • 10. Heat of the Moment by Asia
    Loved it too...
  • 9. Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
    I love to jam to this song in my car. Is a feel good song.
  • 8. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
    I love the song
  • 7. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    Great song great voice.
  • 6. Every Little Thing She Does by Sting and the Police
    Enough said..
  • 5. Take On Me by Ah - Ha
    Music Video so great...
  • 4. Voices Carry by Til Tuesday
    Great song Amazing vocals.
  • 3. Something So Strong by Crowded House
    What can I say?
  • 2. There's A Girl by Heart
    I think this was 80's either way terrific song.
  • 1. Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks
    I loved the song...I love the meaning of the song. She really puts so much into her music and its has just...I just love everything she does...I hope she keeps writing...
I don't think just 10 can cut it.

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