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: Kaye
  • 10. I just Died in Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew
    Good song...
  • 9. Stone in Love by Journey
    A good powerful sounding song.
  • 8. Tonight She Comes by The Cars
    They had a lot of upbeat fun songs.
  • 7. Peace of Mind by Boston
    Lot of energy. They were a different kind of band!
  • 6. You Better Love Somebody by Rick Springfield
    Good beat to this song and it flows.
  • 5. If You Needed Somebody by Bad Company
    Good powerful song.
  • 4. That Was Yesterday by Foreigner
    Again, another group that has so many good songs other than the main ones played on the charts.
  • 3. Take This Town by Bad Company
    Didn't know Bad Company had so many good songs. I'm finding so many I don't remember back in the 80's but found now.
  • 2. The One That Really Matters by Survivor
    Great group. Great lead singer.
  • 1. Caught up in You by .38 Special
    Still sounds good. They were great in concert too.
There are so many good songs in the 80's. They almost sound better to me today than they did back then. Wish I could go back ....
By: Chris
  • 10. A Good Heart by Feargal Sharkey
  • 9. Lullaby by The Cure
  • 8. You Can Win If You Want by Modern Talking
  • 7. (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena by Sandra
  • 6. History by Mai Tai
  • 5. Gente Ti Mare by Eurovision
  • 4. Big In Japan by Aplhaville
  • 3. Forever Young by Alphaville
  • 2. Cry Wolf by A-Ha
  • 1. You Spin Me Round by Dead Or Alive
By: Dodd Harris
  • 10. Point Blank by Bruce Springsteen
    Off of 1980's "The River" not as splashy or famous as "Born in the USA" but this song makes "Roxanne" look like Mary Poppins. "Do you still say your prayers little darling? do you go to bed at night, prayin' that tomorrow everything will be all right?"
  • 9. I Still Want You by The Del Fuegos
    Stalker sexy with a haunting sad chorus.
  • 8. Marlena on the Wall by Suzanne Vega
    Not as catchy as the later hits "Luka" and "Tom's Diner". SV wrote and sang with such unique icy cool observationalism that if you fall under her spell it's hard not to keep going back to her music. "Marlena watches from the wall, her mocking smile sees it all"
  • 7. Voices Carry by Til Tuesday
    Keep it down now, voices carry. Sad tale of abuse and loss of esteem.
  • 6. Gene Loves Jezebel by Desire
    These guys could rock. and it was good stripper music too!
  • 5. The Break-Up Song by Greg Kihn
    Before he sold out with his cheesy "Jeopardy" Kihn was a pretty tight rocker. They just don't write songs like that anymore.
  • 4. Nowhere Girl by B-Movie
    Great intro, huge 80's techno/synth/soulless thing going on and still a sad tale of love gonebad, the object of his affection mockingly laughs at him.
  • 3. A Million Miles Away by The Plimsouls
    Consumate 80's edgy cool, club, day-glo, big hair epic.
  • 2. More Than This by Roxy Music
    Put this on the old CD player and see if you don't instantly become cooler and more vulnerable at the same time. Bill Murray's off-key Karaoke version in "Lost In Translation" probably gets him laid too!
  • 1. In God's Country by U2
    Soaring and ethereal a very beautiful poem put to song. A lovely bass-like against the boys from Ireland's best.
I have to mention: Floating- Ephraim Lewis (he was Seal before Seal was Seal, sadly dying before fame found him) Home By the Sea- Genesis (not a huge fan, but this is a right spooky cool song)Tears for Fears- Change (great guitar riff) Pale Shelter and Everybody wants to rule the world (I'm a shameless fan!) Call Me- Blondie (I was 17 Y.O.geek watching Richard Gere being the coolest MF gigolo on earth)
By: Wes Rice
This was the soundtrack to my 21st birthday at the Breakfast Club in Charlotte, NC! What a kick-ass night!
By: jeremy
  • 10. Home Sweet Home by Mötley Crüe
  • 9. Something To Believe In by Poison
  • 8. The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden
  • 7. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n' Roses
  • 6. Cum On Feel The Noise by Quite Riot
  • 5. 18 and Life by Skid Row
  • 4. Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
  • 3. Girls,Girls,Girls by Mötley Crüe
  • 2. Talk dirty to me by Poison
  • 1. Welcome to the Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
In Any Oder!!!!
By: Deweyk
  • 10. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty
  • 9. Pink Houses by John Mellencamp
  • 8. True by Spandau Ballet
    Not sure why I like - just something about it
  • 7. Oh Sherry by Steve Perry
    Just because
  • 6. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2
  • 5. Tunnel of Love by Bruce Springsteen
    Less popular follow up to Born In USA makes it better.
  • 4. Big Log by Robert Plant
    Good Stuff
  • 3. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
    First Ozzy solo hit
  • 2. Burning Down The House by Talking Heads
  • 1. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC\DC
    Timeless
No real Hair metal band in here, but Petty, Mellencamp, Springsteen, Robert Plant- the 80's were much more than the MTV one or two hit wonders
By: Lewis Miles
  • 10. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Great...but not the best
  • 9. Africa by Toto
  • 8. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    This is his best song!!!
  • 7. Take On Me by A-Ha
    One hit wonder?....
  • 6. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    So eighties......
  • 5. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    Best beat, dunno bout the lyrics...
  • 4. One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head
    If you havent heard this song your seriously mising out
  • 3. I Ran by Flock Of Seagulls
    So eighties, I love this song so much
  • 2. Original Sin by Inxs
    This is their best song ever
  • 1. Don't Dream Its Over by Crowded House
    I get goosebumps from this song, best song seriously
By: Brian
  • 10. Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon
    In the early and mid eighties they were a hit machine especially with ballads. Easily they could be a strong contender for best band of the eighties.
  • 9. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    I've never been a big fan of the power rockers but I must give them their due. They have the anthem song of the eighties with "You Shook Me...
  • 8. Sweet Child O'Mine by Guns N Roses
    These guys had the potential to carry the torch of the eighties rockers into the 90s but staying power just was not part of their character. It still does not deminish the changes they had on the eighties music sound.
  • 7. Open Arms by Journey
    In my opinion the greatest rock band in all of history (*as long as Steve Perry is the front man that is)! Journey had no peer in the eighties simply because they had the greatest lead singer of all time in the rock band world! This in no way can be disputed with a legitimate argument!
  • 6. Smalltown by John Cougar Mellencamp
    He is my favorite "solo" artist! No one has more passion about his music than JCM and it comes across vividly in his words and music. Few people have anything of value and wisdom they could share with you but personally I would like to sit across from JCM and pick his brain about his life and his music, it would be fascinating!
  • 5. Brilliant Disguise by Bruce Springsteen
    This guy can carry the eighties almost by himself with the incredible range of sound and song that he delivered especially on the Tunnel Of Love record, phenomenal!
  • 4. Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams
    Simply put the man can rock!
  • 3. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    By far the greatest American Band in the last 25 years! Probably will still be making hits 20 years from now! Yes, they are that good.
  • 2. Jump by Van Halen
    Without David Lee Van Halen is, was and always will be a shell of its glory days in the early eighties. David Lee Roth please come back to the Van Halen Family to give us 40 year old adolescents a taste of the fountain of youth.
  • 1. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    To say that the thunder gods from the UK were not the biggest, baddest, loudest band not to mention the new sound they brought which redefined the whole of metal music is simply an injustice to the eighties music culture!
In all the world of music itself I am glad to say that I was a teenager in the eighties which was a decade that shaped the future of music hopefully for the better!
By: Alvaro (Montevideo)
  • 10. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd
    Marcó a más de una generación en todo el mundo...
  • 9. I Love Rock & Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
    Guau!!! Bailaban hasta los muertos...
  • 8. I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls
    Un sentimiento...
  • 7. Don´t You Want Me Baby? by Human League
    Un himno del New Wave...
  • 6. Down Under by Men At Work
    Hacía mover hasta las paredes de las discotecas...
  • 5. Drive by The Cars
    Mágica...
  • 4. Take On Me by A-Ha
    La canción más conocida, reconocida, bailada y querida de los 80´...
  • 3. It Must Have Been Love by Roxette
    Bailando bien juntos...
  • 2. Africa by Toto
    Única, impresionante, SUPER!!!! Un ícono de los 80´!!!!
  • 1. I Want To Know The Love Is by Foreigner
    Sin palabras!!!! Sólo escúchala, pero no con los oídos sino con el corazón!!!!!
Los 80´s fueron la época más gloriosa de la música... Inolvidables FOR EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Bob Dylan
  • 10. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
    One of the better pop.
  • 9. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
    Stupid song, but you have to include some pop. In reflection, most the 80s songs were stupid.
  • 8. Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode
    Music for the Masses
  • 7. Oh Yeah by Yello
    Save Ferris!
  • 6. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    War
  • 5. Fight for Your Right To Party by Beastie Boys
    License to Ill, the album, made the song a hit.
  • 4. Dear God by XTC
    Defined a sound and revolution.
  • 3. Driver 8 by REM
    Fables of the Reconstruction
  • 2. Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes
    The whole album was cool
  • 1. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Without a question, the best one hit wonder.
The Cult (Electric and Love albums), Love & Rockets (No New Tell to Tale, Kundalina Express, Mirror People), The Cure, OMD, INXS, Guadacanal Diary (Litany), and the stupid guy with all the hot women with guitars, are honorable mentions. REM should have retired after Document. U2 is probably the most over-rated.
By: Tay
  • 10. Do They Know It's Christmas? by BandAid
    Forget the remake version. This one is the best. All the participants sang it with true heart-felt meaning.
  • 9. People Are People by Depeche Mode
    Powerful words and a great beat..need I say more
  • 8. Victims by Culture Club
    Yes, I chose Culture Club... but this song is just so beautiful. Listen to it.. you'll see.
  • 7. Everytime You Go Away by Paul Young
    Not one person can resist the soulful voice of Paul Young. He really did this song right.
  • 6. Let Me Go by Heaven 17
    Don't know what it was about this song... the music I suppose, but it is still one I love.
  • 5. None Is To Blame by Howard Jones
    This song was like the story of my life. Never could get what I wanted, and couldn't blame a soul.
  • 4. Always Something There to Remind Me by Naked Eyes
    I never grow tired of this one.
  • 3. Forever Young by Alphaville
    Nothing short of dreamy to listen to.
  • 2. Save A Prayer by Duran Duran
    Could pick nearly any song by D2, but this one stands out simply for its beauty.
  • 1. I Melt With You by Modern English
    What's not to love about this one. Can't listen to it without seeing the movie "Valley Girl" in my head.
This was a difficult list to compile. I'm a freak for 80's music and love too many songs. I give an honorable mention to "What About Me" by the band Moving Pictures
By: nick
By: Crystal
By: Ken Fjeldstad
  • 10. Your Love by The Outfield
    The best song ever!!
  • 9. It`s A Sin by Pet Shop Boys
    Need i say more.
  • 8. I Would Walk (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
    Oh my God!! Love it!
  • 7. And We Danced by The Hooters
    Play It LOUD!!!
  • 6. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    The ultimate rock song, and my favourite band!
  • 5. Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    Not summer without this one.
  • 4. We Buildt This City by Starship
    Haven`t seen this song on any list! Shocking! Super song!!
  • 3. St.Elmo`s Fire by John Parr
    Whatever happened to this guy? Anyway, one of the best songs of the 80s.
  • 2. Kyrie by Mr Mister
    Just a great song.
  • 1. Don`t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    Saw the movie "The Breakfast Club" 10 min after i bought the album.
There you go, my list of the 80s.
By: Ronda
Wow found this site when I was looking for songs for our wedding. Too many other greats to list! Had fun reminiscing.
By: Garth
By: FARID
  • 10. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    The UK scene in the early 80s produced a lot of gems when the US was still stuck somewhere in 1977. cool.
  • 9. Walk this Way by Aerosmith feat. Run DMC
    The pioneers in rap-rock way back when rockers and hip-hoppers couldn't see eye to eye.
  • 8. The Message by Grandmaster Flash
    Hey, this started it all..
  • 7. Shout by Tears for Fears
    Stadium rock at its best. Can anyone withstand the chorus? it is embedded in my brains.
  • 6. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    PSB ruled the 2nd half of the 80s!
  • 5. One by Metallica
    Metal for thinkers. the sputtering riffs sounded like machine guns..
  • 4. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses
    18 years on still sounded dangerous..
  • 3. Pump Up The Volume by M/a/r/r/s
    HELLO? Didn't it start the 90s? Enough said.
  • 2. Father Figure by George Michael
    This in my opinion is his best song of the 80s.
  • 1. With Or Without You by U2
    There is a lot of underlying tension in the song amidst the cool synth and then The Edge's trademark riffs sealed the crowning glory.
Just look at the many retro-bands which sound like it's the reagan years again. you'd never think the 80s was that cool huh?
By: Farid
  • 10. Hysteria by Def Leppard
  • 9. Born In The USA by bruce springsteen
    Blue collar rock anyone?
  • 8. Purple Rain by Prince and The Revolution
    Jimmy Hendrix would be proud!
  • 7. Faith by George Michael
    5 no.1 hits..too bad he didn't get the grammy for best male artiste
  • 6. 101 by Depeche Mode
    Didn't they epitomise synth-gloom pop?
  • 5. Appetite For Destruction by Guns n Roses
    At least their power ballads sounded more dangerous than those from all the other hair metal bands (warrant anyone?)
  • 4. Like A Prayer by Madonna
    The album that made people rethink Madonna
  • 3. Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
  • 2. Joshua Tree by U2
    They are a cure to the yuppie-let's-go-back-to-the-60s nostalgia crap on radio back in '87-88. oh, it's also their best before achtung baby.
  • 1. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    It sounded like nothing else back then and justified the mega-sales. too bad MJ is still stuck in the 80s.
By: Jose K.
  • 10. Emminence Front by The Who
    It speaks for itself.
  • 9. China Girl by David Bowie
    Just shut your mouth.
  • 8. I Fight Authority by John Mellencamp
    A midwest anthem.
  • 7. Into the Great Wide Open by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
    TP knows how to tell a story.
  • 6. Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes
    GNR on acoustic...
  • 5. New Years Day by U2
    Born again.
  • 4. Right Now by Van Hagar
    It isn't David, but it's great for mowing the lawn.
  • 3. Bullet the Blue Sky by U2
    Slap em down
  • 2. Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
    Truly educational
  • 1. Paradise City by Guns 'n' Roses
    Raw energy--true emotion.
Rock lived on and GNR brought it all back at the end of a decade of too much synth...
By: Rachel
Because I was born in the 90s I am expected to love music form the 90s but as everyone knows music from the 80s was like heaven to your ears and personally I perfer these songs much more.....

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