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: Dan
  • 10. Sleep Walk by Ultravox
    Atmospheric & cool
  • 9. Bank Robber by The Clash
    Great reggae from the greatest band ever
  • 8. In A Big Country by Big Country
    Best use of bag pipes ever
  • 7. Lawn Chairs by Our Dauhters Wedding
    Second best synth song ever
  • 6. Cars by Gary Numan
    Best Synth song ever
  • 5. Poison Arrow by ABC
    Bowie-esque
  • 4. Bed Are Burning by Midnight Oil
    Best Austrailian song ever
  • 3. I Melt With You by Modern English
    Best romantic 80's New Wave song ever
  • 2. I Ran by Flock of Seagulls
    Greatest overall 80's New Wave song ever
  • 1. Complete Control by The Clash
    Yeah, yeah, I know, 1979 - still the greatest song ever - bar none - end of story - move on
This is the best top 10 list ever of 80's music you have ever seen, until I release another one.
By: JON
  • 10. True by Spandau Ballet
    Tony Hadley has a very good voice...
  • 9. With or Without You by U2
    One of U2's best definitely, great band
  • 8. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    the original and best version
  • 7. Beat It by Michael Jackson
    best MJ song, great guitar
  • 6. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
    great song
  • 5. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    stalker song...
  • 4. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    amazing chorus. defines Bon Jovi
  • 3. Waiting For A Girl Like You by Foreigner
    just missed out on #2, everything about this song is amazing
  • 2. Another Day In Paradise by Phil Collins
    This song is so calming, sad and mysterious at the same time and is amazing
  • 1. Careless Whisper by George Michael
    Incredible saxophone, incredible voice, increadible song. legendary
songs that just missed out: Wanted Dead or Alive: Bon Jovi Englishman In New York: Sting Don't Stand So Close To Me: The Police
By: Angyedark
  • 10. As Long As You Follow by Fleetwood Mac
    ONE OF MY FAVORITES BANDS...10 POINTS
  • 9. Goodbye To You by The Scandals
    whine up!!this song is awesome
  • 8. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Once upon a time not so long ago
  • 7. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    IT BRINGS ME ALL BACK!!! HOW A PRETTY SONG..THANKS GODNESS
  • 6. True Blue by Madonna
    every time i listen to this song...no words...it expresses everything
  • 5. Big Mouth Strikes Again by The Simths
  • 4. New Year's Day by U2
    i love u2!!!!
  • 3. Crazy For You by Madonna
    this the best song of madonna...i'd listen to again and again...it gets me happy
  • 2. Toy Soldiers by Martika
    MEMORIES FROM Y CHILDHOOD---A WELL-MADE SONG
  • 1. One Lonely Night by Reo Speed Wagon
    CUT MY VEINS..THIS IS FOR YOU
By: Brian
  • 10. Rio/Don't You Want Me by Duran Duran/Huam League
  • 9. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
  • 8. I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
  • 7. Cut's Like a Knife/Cruel Summer by Bryan Adams/Bananarama
  • 6. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
    Great rock anthem
  • 5. Sister Christain by Night Ranger
    Big fan of Night Ranger
  • 4. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    Favorite U2 song
  • 3. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    From one of the best movies of the 80's
  • 2. Open Arms by Journey
    Can't have an 80's list without Journey.
  • 1. Boys of Summer by Don Henley
Yea, I had a couple of ties. It's a cheesy way to add a couple of more songs. But hearing these songs totally transports me in my Delorean back to a time when there was a lot of great divesity in music.
By: Melinda
By: Jeanie_marie
Honorable Mentions: Faithfully- Journey, People are People album- Depeche Mode, Thriller-Michael Jackson, Wanna Be a Cowboy- ,INXS (yes, all of it), Pictures of You- The Cure. Oh, never mind. There is NO WAY to list all the great songs of the 80's. I am so glad I grew up in that wonderful decade of music!
By: Bear
By: Ak Qayum
  • 10. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
  • 9. Atlantis Is Calling by Modern Talking
  • 8. Rock You Like A Hurricane by Scorpions
  • 7. When The Smoke Is Going Down by Scorpions
  • 6. No One Like You by Scorpions
  • 5. Every Breath You Take by The Police
  • 4. Come Back And Stay by Bad Boys Blue
  • 3. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All by Air Supply
  • 2. Cheri Cheri Lady by Modern Talking
  • 1. Still Loving You by Scorpions
By: kh260686
  • 10. Love Changes Everything by Climie Fisher
  • 9. More Than Words Can Say by Alias
  • 8. Best of Me by Cliff Richard
  • 7. Lover of Mine by Alannah Myles
  • 6. Release Me by Wilson Phillips
  • 5. Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx
  • 4. How am I Supposed to Live Without You by Michael Bolton
  • 3. It Must Have Been Love by Roxette
  • 2. All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You by Heart
  • 1. The Living Years by Mike + the Mechanics
All of these songs were on a mix tape we had in our car, which we used to play on long trips. Does anybody know the name of this tape/CD?
By: Jordan
By: Mike Ryans
  • 10. Rock Of Ages by Def Leppard
    What Do you Know?...
  • 9. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    Need anything be said?
  • 8. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns & Roses
    Come on how can anyone not like this one
  • 7. Hungry Like Th Wolf by Duran Duran
    Very high energy
  • 6. Just Like Paradise by David Lee Roth
    Almost perfect
  • 5. Livin On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    ah.......ha
  • 4. Seperate Ways (worlds Apart) by Journey
    Nothing beats journey, execpt the ones below it.
  • 3. Rock You Like A Hurricane by The Scorpions
    Can you tell i love 80's rock
  • 2. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
    Gotta love that rock
  • 1. The Stroke by Billy Squire
    Amazing rock with great tempo my favorite by alot
To me these are the all time best but it could be longer.
By: Justin
  • 10. My Brain is Hanging Upside Down by The Ramones
    The last great song from the classic punk-rock bands.
  • 9. Hot for Teacher by Van Halen
    Everyone can relate to this song at some point in their lives.
  • 8. I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls
    80's new wave at its best.
  • 7. In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
    The best drum fill ever.
  • 6. We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
    Amazingly catchy chorus for rebelling against those who won't let us rock.
  • 5. Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
    The anthem for weird kids everywhere.
  • 4. Aces High by Iron Maiden
    Sheer power that makes you feel like you're flying a real Spitfire during the chorus.
  • 3. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    Tragic and heartwrenching.
  • 2. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
    The ultimate party song.
  • 1. Under Pressure by Queen/David Bowie
    Not much can compare to the collaboration of two of the best rock musicians ever.
By: AdkPeakBoy
By: Sylvia
  • 10. Careless Whisper by George Michael
  • 9. Still Loving You by Scorpion
  • 8. Illegal Allien by Genesis
  • 7. Another Day In Paradise by Phill Collins
  • 6. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
  • 5. Africa by Toto
    awesome
  • 4. No More Lonely Night by Phill Collin
  • 3. Mama by Queen
    hmm sorry if it is not listed as 80's coz i always listened it in 80's
  • 2. Cherie The Love We Have by Europe
    thx to my bro
  • 1. Beat It by Michael Jackson
    he always is my favorite, cant beat him
i luv this site....still MJ is the best, followed by Queen, Scorpion and Toto plus Genesis
By: Shelby
amazing songs!!!!
By: Barry Feist
By: Paul S.
  • 10. Kayleigh by Marillion
    One of those songs that you never forget the lyrics to.
  • 9. Turn Back The Clock by Johnny Hates Jazz
    The lyrics of this great song certainly make you think back to those care-free days as a kid!
  • 8. Reward by The Teardrop Explodes
    Put Julian Cope, Pete Wylie and Ian McCulloch together and they produce this absolute belter!
  • 7. Africa by Toto
    Bought this fantastic song on a picture disc in the shape of Africa. Magical.
  • 6. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    Heard this playing on a pub jukebox back in 1983 whilst on my first date with my (now) wife. Twenty seven years later both the song (and my marriage) are still going strong!
  • 5. Vienna by Ultravox
    Great lyrics from a fantastic band. The official video went hand in hand with this classic.
  • 4. Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
    Is there anyone out there who doesn't love this song?
  • 3. Story Of The Blues by The Mighty Wah
    A Pete Wylie monster hit
  • 2. Leaving Me Now by Level 42
    Another classic which brings back many memories
  • 1. The Closest Thing To Heaven by The Kane Gang
    Truly awesome, brings back many great memories from the magical 80's (a decade of real music where life was so much easier).
There are so many great songs from the 80's that keeping the list down to 10 was the most difficult part!! How about the Top 100 songs!?
By: Mark
  • 10. Love Like Blood by Killing Joke
    A personal fav by them!!
  • 9. Lies by Thompson Twins
    From the album Sidekicks a New Wave Classic!
  • 8. Restless Time by The Sound
    Great Song by the group!
  • 7. How Soon Is Now by The Smiths
    Need I say, anything by them really!
  • 6. The Big Sky by Kate Bush
    Many songs from Hounds Of Love Really would work here!
  • 5. Cities In Dust by Souxie And The Banshees
    A catchy Classic!
  • 4. A New Way Of Life by The Sound
    Amazing lyrics. From one of my favorite bands in college back then. Stills sounds fresh everytime I listen.
  • 3. Desire (Come & Get It) by Gene Loves Jezebel
    Another favorite band during my college years back then.
  • 2. Don't You Want Me by The Human League
    One of the tightest pop songs of the decade. Clever and orginal and will never lose its luster.
  • 1. I Will Follow by U2
    And I did right through the decade!!
By: LMR
  • 10. In Lust by The Dance
    What a progessive dance song. I remember it played at just about every college party then in 81-82. We were looking for something different than Disco by this point, and we got it! Very provocative lyrics as well!!
  • 9. Nice Girls by Eye To Eye
    Eye To Eye were produced by Donald Fagen. Smooth with a well put together sound. You Can hear the Steely Danish influence with an alternative flare. Nearly perfect musically.
  • 8. Worth Waiting For by Gene Loves Jezebel
    Good 80's alternative Rock. Very popular group for me during the decade. Just one of my fav's by brothers and their group.
  • 7. Charm by Positive Noise
    Another Great Alternative Song! Liked this group alot and could not get enough of this song for a period wore out my needle.
  • 6. Heartbreak Beat by The Psychedelic Furs
    Great song as many of their others. Can still pop in a cd and enjoy.
  • 5. Pleasure And Pain by The Chameleons
    Another great group. Excellent music, GOOD STUFF!!An 80's essential.
  • 4. Get The Balance Right by Depeche Mode
    One of my favorite Depeche Mode songs.
  • 3. Cities In Dust by Souxie And The Banshees
    Again, great alternative stuff. Brings back so many memories!! Classic really!
  • 2. Change by Tears For Fears
    the song from an album I remember coming out of every dorm window while crossing the campus. This song holds alot of memories during that time. This album I played heavily as well as that particular song from it.
  • 1. Don't You Want Me by Human League
    What can I say for me a trend setter for the decade. When this song came out in 82" it sounded so different from other songs. Set the pop trend!All other new wave pop songs molded from the sound there after throughout the decade. In my eyes truly influencial. The synth-pop definative of the 80's.
I enjoyed all kinds of music from 80' to 89. Standard Rock from Foreigner, Journey, ect. New Wave and alternative, R&B. There are to many good songs no different than trying to pick my top 10 70's songs. Most of the songs I selected did not receive alot of airplay other than college radio but they hold many memories for what I was doing then. They are actually great if you listen to them.
By: John C. Harrison

Previous List or Next List

We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 70s and 90s

Do You Have a List to Share?

Please check out the Top Ten Music Songs submission page.