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(CH-DLEE)
  • 10. In The Heat Of The Night by Sandra
    For my opinion,this is the greatest song of her!
  • 9. Wages Day by Deacon Blue
    Without comments!!!Keep on dancing!!!
  • 8. Getting Away With It by Electronic
    This song is the result of a successful artist co-operation! Tennand-Marr-Summer(Pet Shop Boys-The Smiths-New Order)
  • 7. Easy Lover by Phillip Bailey And Phil Collins
    When this song starts, I feel like electricity heat my body!
  • 6. The Power Of Love by Jennifer Rush
    Who can forgive this beautiful song,performed by one of the greatest singers!
  • 5. When Doves Cry by Prince
    This song includes all the talent of this artist!
  • 4. Wouldn't It Be Good by Nik Kershaw
    A simple piece of pure-80s music!
  • 3. Like To Get To Know You Well by Howard Jones
    A reggae dance feeling from a original artist!
  • 2. Loverboy by Billy Ocean
    It has an unbelievable solo guitar despite it is a dance track!
  • 1. Mad Desire by Den Harrow
    A great song which represents italodisco and the magic atmospaire of this decade!
I could make a lot of top 10 lists, but these are the songs I truly love the most!!!
By: Zac
  • 10. I Wear My Sunglasses At Night by Corey Heart
    As lame as this song is it is catchy
  • 9. Harden My Heart by Quarterflash
    For the longest time I thought this song was by Stevie Nicks
  • 8. The Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    An easy song to sing along to.
  • 7. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    GTA
  • 6. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
    Love the voice
  • 5. Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil
    Very catchy, very wierd, Aussi
  • 4. Land Down Under by Men At Work
    This song is too wierd not to give some credit
  • 3. Stand Back by Stevie Nicks
    Love the voice of Stevie, this and Edge of Seventeen are both excellent
  • 2. White Wedding by Billy Idol
    It's a nice day to, start again.
  • 1. Dont You (Forget about me) by Simple Minds
    No matter how many times I listen to this song it never gets old, one of my absolute all time favorites.
By: Bart C
  • 10. Motley Crue by Live Wire
  • 9. Ratt by Lay It Down
  • 8. Metallica by One
  • 7. Send Her My Love by Journey
  • 6. Fight The Good Fight by Triumph
  • 5. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
  • 4. Foolin by Def Leppard
  • 3. Into The Fire by Dokken
  • 2. Bark At The Moon by Ozzy Osbourne
  • 1. I Won't Hold You Back by Toto
By: john
By: Chris
  • 10. Feels Like (heaven) by Fiction Factory
    I always loved that song.Yes,it WAS an one-hit-wonder but the 80's were full of them.Simple,but beautiful piano and nice "bassy" vocals.And the falsetto in the chorus...
  • 9. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    Yes,i know it's cheezy.But come on,people.When u think of the 80's,what is the first band that comes to mind ? Even Austin Powers said it...heehee...
  • 8. Shake The Disease by Depeche Mode
    Great lyrics and still beautiful after all these years when u hear Martin L. Gore singing it,alone on the stage,with just a piano accompanying him.
  • 7. Don't Go by Yazoo
    Vince Clarke was always a synth music genious.Whatever he did,he succeeded.He formed Depeche Mode,Yazoo,The Asembly and Erasure and he gave us beautiful songs with every project he did.But THIS one,is the trademark of his sound.
  • 6. (don't You) Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    What can anyone say about this masterpiece ? Is there ANYONE out there who hasn't yelled "hey hey hey HEY !" while dancing to it,back in the 80's ? I thought not...
  • 5. She's In Parties by Bauhaus
    Dark ! As dark as it gets ! But beautiful it its darkness...
  • 4. True Faith by New Order
    One of the most classic songs of the 80's.Melancholic lyrics,great beat (the Pet Shop Boys mix is excellent) and perhaps the best song of '87.
  • 3. Tricks Of The Light by Mike Oldfield Feat Maggie Reilly And Barry Palmer
    Mike at his best,introducing his two best vocalists,in a song with his trademark sound.Simply wonderful.
  • 2. Losing My Mind by Liza Minelli
    Probably the best dance song of the 80's.Perfect synth arrangement by the Pet Shop Boys and a "dark" mood in the lyrics,give this song a very unique sound.
  • 1. With Or Without You by U2
    What can anyone say about U2 ? Thy ruled,they rule and they will keep ruling.It all started for me back in '81 with "Gloria".I became an instant fan and still am.This song is beautiful,yet so simple if you think about it.It only has 4 notes on the bass.It takes musical genious to write songs like it.U2 always did...
It's hard to narrow a whole decade down to just 10 songs,but this is my personal fave list...
By: Kerri
  • 10. Addicted To Love by Robert Palmer
  • 9. Faith by George Michael
  • 8. Bad Reputation by Joan Jet
  • 7. Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles
    Whoo hoo!
  • 6. Jenny/867-5309 by Tommy Tu Tone
    This was one of my big sisters favorite songs. This is still the most requested cell phone number. Long live the 80's.
  • 5. Angel In A Centerfold by J. Geils Band
    Why isn't this on anyone's list?!?!
  • 4. Take On Me by Aha
    Man, when I was a kid...I was sooo in love with this video!
  • 3. Puttin' On The Ritz by Taco
    The voice, the beat...love it!
  • 2. Your Love by The Outfield
    Josie's on a vacation far away... Man, such a good song!!!
  • 1. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
They are in no particular order, just some of my favorite songs from the 80s.
By: Akbar Mohmand
  • 10. Oh Yeah by Yello
    We can thank Ferris Bueller for introducing us to this one. The video is one of the weirdest ever.
  • 9. Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue
    Yes, I know this is cutting it close. But no other song epitomized the West Coast rock scene quite like this. Plus, it's hard-core rock.
  • 8. (You Gotta)Fight for Your Right(to Party) by Beastie Boys
    The first Beastie Boys single. Enough said.
  • 7. We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
    The video alone is enough for this song (Dee Snider in drag!). But no other song was so symbolic of teenagers rebelling as this one.
  • 6. Manic Monday by The Bangles
    I could've put "Eternal Flame" or "Walk Like an Egyptian", but this one is so much more uplifting . It also has the distinction of being their first single.
  • 5. Africa by Toto
    I still don't know why this is so low on the list. The haunting lyrics, the beautiful melodies, a timeless classic.
  • 4. Down Under by Men At Work
    Such a happy go lucky song. It pretty much sums up what the 80s were.
  • 3. It's Tricky by Run-D.M.C.
    This beat out "Walk This Way" because in my opinion it's way better. Plus, I discovered it while playing a video game. Thus, introducing me to 80s music. And I couldn't have a top 10 80s list without mentioning THE rap fathers, Run-DMC.
  • 2. Who Can It Be Now? by Men at Work
    I personally like this better than "Down Under" only because of a coin flip. Still, such a great song.
  • 1. Sunglasses at Night by Corey Hart
    No other song is as symbolic of the decade than this. The synthesizer really lifts this to the top. To think that this was originally supposed to be about a totalitarian society rather than a romantic song baffles me.
Ok, I was born in 1989 so I missed out on the 80s craze. But I just love how the decade was so laid back and awesome. I had to make a top 10 list. When I started, I had NO idea I would have so many rock songs. But hey, thats life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So many Honorable Mentions: Walk This Way Don't worry, Be happy Relax I'm on Fire Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go Welcome to the Jungle Total Eclipse of the Heart All Night Long Don't Stop Believin' Eternal Flame Walk Like an Egyptian -and many more!
By: Kushieman
  • 10. 9 To 5 by Sheena Easton
  • 9. Ant Music by Adam Ant
  • 8. Message To My Girl by Crowded House
  • 7. Eye Of The Tiger by Forigner
  • 6. Drive by Cars
  • 5. Moscow by Those Russian Boof Heads
  • 4. Back In Black by AC/DC
  • 3. Respectable by Mel And Kim
  • 2. True by Spandout Ballet
  • 1. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
I feel old now
By: mark sammut
  • 10. Crazy Train by Black Sabbath
    gd song but not one of their best
  • 9. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    Gr8 Song
  • 8. My Michelle by Guns N' Roses
    Not one of their most known, but gr8 song!!!!!!
  • 7. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    Nice and fast!
  • 6. I Love It Loud by Kiss
    gd song by a legendary group
  • 5. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Gr8 song by a gr8 band
  • 4. Holy Wars by Megadeath
    Megadeath r legends
  • 3. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N' Roses
    wat a song! gd speed and gr8 lyrics
  • 2. We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
    We're not gonna take it!!
  • 1. Fade To Black by Metallica
    Gr8 riff,gr8 lyrics a classic song from a classic album by a legendary group!
By: smitty
  • 10. Foolin' by Def Leppard
    Def leppard is a great band and foolin' has one of the catchiest choruses ever.
  • 9. Knockin' At Your Back Door by Deep Purple
    Deep Purple is amazing.
  • 8. Nightrain by Guns N' Roses
    This song flat out rocks.
  • 7. Jump by Van Halen
    I love the synthesizer mixed with the guitar solo. It fits well with Diamond Dave's best vocal with Van Halen.
  • 6. Mr. Crowley by Ozzy Osbourne
    Ozzy is so scary sometimes. No More Tears (1991) is even better.
  • 5. On The Turnig Away by Pink Floyd
    This is a great song from the best band ever. Great guitar.
  • 4. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
    Ozzy is the best Metal singer i have ever heard. He doesn't have a good voice, but he has the perfect metal voice. No one else can sing his songs.Randy Rhoads was a great guitarist RIP
  • 3. Hells Bells by AC/DC
    Best intro. Plus AC/DC is from Australia, which is awesome.
  • 2. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
    Appetite for destruction anyone? One of the best guitar solos ever. Slash rules!
  • 1. Dreams by Van Halen
    This song is so overlooked and it is ridiculous. Van Halen was a great band they all leave it all on the table for this song.
The first few lists i read kind of left out the evolution of metal that was happening in the 80's. These are some of my favorite songs of the 80's from my favorite 80's pop metal, hair metal, and just metal bands. And Pink Floyd. I actually couldn't get Metallica in here. Wow.
By: panagiotis
  • 10. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    can you dance like this?
  • 9. Talking In Your Sleep by Romanticks
    a great song
  • 8. Shadow On The Wall by Mike Oldfield
    very powerfull song
  • 7. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    the ballad of ballads
  • 6. Venus by Banarama
    just great
  • 5. Save A Prayer by Duran Duran
    a great group,a great song
  • 4. Cheri Cheri Lady by Modern Talking
    dance,dance,dance!!
  • 3. Papa Don't Preach by Madonna
    the best 80's song of madonna
  • 2. The Sun Always Shines On Tv by A-ha
    what can i say...
  • 1. Self Control by Laura Branigan
    all the feeling of 80's inside a song
a list of ten great 80's songs
By: Mikael Sjöberg
By: Jared
  • 10. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
    Really sad song but it's really good
  • 9. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    one of the cure's best songs
  • 8. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggls
    The song that started MTV
  • 7. 911 by Cyndi Lauper
    I really like this song
  • 6. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For For Fears
    Really good song sounds really 80's
  • 5. True Colors by Cyndi lauper
    Great Song off a great album
  • 4. She Bop by Cyndi lauper
    Love the guitars on this one
  • 3. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
    Another great cyndi Song
  • 2. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    Love Cyndi one of the greatest songs ever
  • 1. Come On Elieen by Dexys Midnight Runners
    Greatest song ever, have to sing it every time i hear it, can't help it
there are so many great 80's songs this is just a few of them
By: John
  • 10. What A feeling (Flashdance) by Irene Cara
  • 9. Gee Whiz! by Bernadette Peters
  • 8. A Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
  • 7. If I could Turn Back Time by Cher
  • 6. Purple Rain by Prince
  • 5. Hell Is For Children by Pat Benatar
  • 4. I Don't Want To Be Your Friend by Cyndi Lauper
  • 3. 9 To 5 by Dolly Parton
  • 2. Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
    A great song that was at no.1 in 1988
  • 1. I Found Someone by Cher
    I Think its the best song from the 80's!!
I Don't know if you agree with me, nut i suppose these songs are CLASSICS!!
By: carolina martinheira
  • 10. So Emotional by Whitney Houston
    this album is great and this is my favourite song of it
  • 9. Specially For You by Kylie Minogue And Jason Donovan
    and now we're back together tpgether i wanna show you my heart is oh so tru and all the love i have is specially for you ohhhhhhhh.....
  • 8. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    best rock song of the 80s
  • 7. Don't You Want Me by Human League
    there's something about that song... i dont know, it's beautiful
  • 6. Let's Wait A While by Janet Jackson
    my favourite Janet's song it's beautiful
  • 5. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    too sy shy hush hush eye to eye too shy shy hush hush...
  • 4. Careless Whisper by George Michael
    a classic of the 80s! no one can deny it
  • 3. Hello by Lionel Richie
    My favourite love song... beautiful...
  • 2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Great artist, great dancer, great album, great song and of course great VIDEO!
  • 1. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    Like a Virgin HEY! the greatest artist of all time!
I LLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THE 80s
By: carolina martinheira
  • 10. So Emotional by Whitney Houston
    this album is great! and this is my fsvourite song of it
  • 9. Specially For You by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan
    and now we're back together together, i wanna show you my heart is oh so true and all the love i have is specially for you
  • 8. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    greatest rock song of the 80s
  • 7. Don't You Want Me by Human League
    dnt you want my baby dont you want me OHHHHHH
  • 6. Let's Wait A While by Janet Jackson
    my favourite Janet's song
  • 5. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    too shy shy hush hush eye to eye too shy shy hush hush...
  • 4. Careless Whisper by George Michael
    grrrrrreat song
  • 3. Hello by Lionel Richie
    my favourite love song beautifulllllll
  • 2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    great song, great artist, great dancer, great album and of course great VIDEO
  • 1. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    the greatest artist of all time like a virgin HEY!
i was born in 92 but i totally LOVE the 80s! i wish i was born in...68...69 so i could be a teenager in the 80s, and i could enjoy it! i've got much more songs that i would have put in this list like : 'Wild Boys' by Duran Duran; 'Physical' by Olivia Newton John; 'Girls just have fun' by Cyndi Lauper; 'Still havent found what im looking for' by U2; 'Cryin' by Vixen; and many many more Bye Kiss Carolina
By: Paul
  • 10. Everyday Is Halloween by Ministry
    An infectious beat that makes this song scream 80's.
  • 9. A Million Miles Away by The Plimsouls
    Another great track from "Valley Girl"
  • 8. She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
    One of the hardest rockin' songs of the 80's.
  • 7. Ghost In You by Psychedelic Furs
    A song that sends me into a hypnotic state.
  • 6. Only The Lonely by The Motels
    Smooth, mellow 80's track.
  • 5. Ah Leah by Donnie Iris
    Classic 80's song.
  • 4. Eyes Of A Stranger by The Payolas
    From "Valley Girl" soundtrack.
  • 3. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
    I think it's his best song.
  • 2. How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths
    The 80's personified.
  • 1. Welcome To The Boomtown by David And David
    Some of the best guitar work I ever heard. Did everyone forget this one?
I could list 100 great songs from the 80's....I feel there are that many.If you have not heard any of these songs please do yourself a favor and track them down and give them a listen. You can thank me later.
By: Bryan
This is my top ten songs from the 80's... I am a really big 80's fan and I'm only 14 years old!... I was born in the year 1992...I'm always jamming to these songs in my Ipod...When my friends listen to the songs they tell me what the hell is this... but I don't really care what they I'm going to love the 80's music forever.
By: JimBob
Honorable mention: Van Halen - 1984 (the sound of the 80's!), Peter Gabriel - So, Def Leppard - Hysteria, Genesis - Invisible Touch (only because of Domino!), R.E.M. - Reckoning, and The Pretenders - Pretenders I. Rock on!
By: Phil Simmons
So many songs from the 80s are all time classics, so it's really difficult to narrow down to a top ten.

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