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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: Lorenzo
  • 10. 99 Red Baloons by Nena
    They go by.
  • 9. Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes
  • 8. Voices by Russ Ballard
  • 7. Just An Illusion by Imagination
  • 6. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
  • 5. (You Shook Me) All Night Long by ACDC
  • 4. All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie
  • 3. Get Down On It by Kool & the Gang
    The ultimate dance song (again, for definition).
  • 2. Run To You by Bryan Adams
  • 1. Jump by Van Halen
    The coolest song ever made. Definition of the word "cool" is this song.
By: Mary Kate
  • 10. Whip It by Devo
    This song rules! I am so amused by it everytime I hear it.
  • 9. Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
    I love Bryan Adams, and this was just a great rock 'n' roll song.
  • 8. (You Gotta) Fight Fof Your Right (To Party) by The Beastie Boys
    The ultimate party anthem. It doesn't get better than this, kids.
  • 7. Pink Houses by John Mellencamp
    Another song that makes you feel great to be an American. And it's got a great hook.
  • 6. Born In The U.S.A by Bruce Springsteen
    The Boss! How can you NOT love this song?
  • 5. Faith by George Michael
    I love this song! Fun, pop song that will never be improved upon (especially when you scream the chorus ::cough::Fred Durtz!::cough::
  • 4. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
    An absolute classic.
  • 3. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    Great song that truly captured a great movie (The Breakfast Club, for those who might not know...go rent it!)
  • 2. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Sting's masterwork. Who ever knew obsessive love could sound this beautiful?
  • 1. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
    This song makes me feel ALIVE! No song makes me feel as happy to be alive than this one. And "The Joshua Tree" is the BEST '80's album, hands down!
I picked "Where The Streets Have No Name", but any U2 song could be #1, whether they were singles or not. Best band then, best band now. All of their music is absolutely timeless
By: simon from adelaide australia
  • 10. Winner Takes It All by Sammy Hagar
    from the sylvester stallone film 'over the top'
  • 9. We Built This City by Starship
  • 8. Slice Of Heaven by Dave Dobbyn
  • 7. Working Class Man by Jimmy Barnes
  • 6. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
  • 5. Just Like Paradise by David Lee Roth
    cruising song
  • 4. Blue Day by Mi Sex
  • 3. Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
  • 2. Dancing In The Dark by Bruse Springsteen
    best individual artist
  • 1. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
    best band
electric blue by icehouse i cant dance by genesis in a big country by big country change in moods by kids in the kitchen modern love by david bowie hungry like the wolf by duran duran africa by toto i got my mind set on you by george harrison tuckers daughter by ian moss young years by dragon i want it all by queen danger zone by kenny loggins (and every other top gun song) all U2 songs all madonna's songs all bon jovi songs all talking heads songs all noiseworks songs the 80's kicks ass
By: DJ TOLGA
  • 10. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive
    not only mine but also BANANARAMA's favourite song of the 80's
  • 9. Blue Monday by NEW ORDER
    what can I say more? a masterpice from Bernard sumner and friends........
  • 8. Life's What You Make It by TALK TALK
    all the songs of the band are beautiful but I had to choose one...
  • 7. Here Comes The Rain Again by Eurythmics
    song is perfect, besides it has an extraordinary video.....
  • 6. Disco Band by Scotch
    This is one of the songs that directed me listening to synth-pop.
  • 5. The Great Commandment by Camouflage
    If these boys weren't from GERMANY, they would have been so popular than ever...I believe!
  • 4. Do or Die by The Human League
    The song contains an ultimate synthesizer solo such as Steve Harris' but this is much better.
  • 3. Dance With Me by Alphaville
    this may be strange but I have been murmuring this song everyday for years..thanks boys..
  • 2. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat
    I have tried to record the video of this song for many years and finally I have succeeded.Exactly the greatest song of the 80's.....
  • 1. Blasphemous Rumors by Depeche Mode
    I am still thinking of how Martin felt himself while writing the lyrics of this song?
By: Jaymz Boykin
  • 10. One by Metallica
    I don't really like it,but it was popular.
  • 9. Breakin' The Law by Judas Priest
    I love this song, represents me in so many different ways.
  • 8. Everybody wants to rule the world by Tears for Fears
    This is the only song I liked of there's. So I feel I should mention them since they were a big part of the eighties.
  • 7. Jump In The Fire by Metallica
    Maybe not mainstream, but they had a big impact.
  • 6. Is This Love by Whitesnake
    I love this song.
  • 5. Battery by Metallica
    Metallica started the metal era, screw the new Metallica. I love the old Metallica but they sold out so to hell with them.
  • 4. We Belong Together by Joan Jett
    It has meaning.
  • 3. Baby You're All That I Want by Bryan Adams
    This song reminds me of my first and only love.
  • 2. Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
    The voice will always be associated with the 80's.
  • 1. Cars by Gary Newman
    This song came out in 1980 and started the sound that was the 80's, for the most part.
I am a fan of metal and death metal, but I am well rounded. I would like to have mentioned more metal, but oh well. I am right so don't argue.
By: grand master sexay
  • 10. Shoot To Thrill by Ac/dc
  • 9. Who Made Who by Ac/dc
  • 8. The Jack by Ac/dc
  • 7. Whole Lotta Rosie by Ac/dc
  • 6. Money Talks by Ac/dc
  • 5. T.n.t. by Ac/dc
  • 4. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by Ac/dc
  • 3. Thunderstruck by Ac/dc
  • 2. Hells Bells by Ac/dc
  • 1. Back In Black by Ac/dc
By: Steve Schimsky
  • 10. Hanging On A Heartbeat by Hooters
  • 9. Our Lips Are Sealed by GoGos
  • 8. Head Over Heals by Tears For Fears
  • 7. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
  • 6. Borderline by Madonna
  • 5. Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
  • 4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cindy Lauper
  • 3. Life In A Northern Town by Dream Acadamy
  • 2. Take On Me by Aha
  • 1. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
By: Rick Miles
  • 10. Scared by Dangerous Toys
    Not too many people remember this song. Hey man I think I like being Scared, and I wish you all were there. Man I really really think really think, yeah I think, I like being Scared.
  • 9. Runaway by Bon Jovi
    Hot girls. Video. Say no more.
  • 8. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    The last time a violin in a song was this cool, it had Charlie Daniels attached to it.
  • 7. Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
    Never have I liked a song so much, that I didn't fucking understand the words to.
  • 6. Somebody's Baby by Jackson Browne
    Jennifer Jason Leigh loses her virginity in the dugout in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" to this song.
  • 5. Is She Really Going Out With Him by Joe Jackson
    We all have said this once in a while.
  • 4. Seperate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey
    Just a great beat. Hard driving guitar. Keyboards cool, too.
  • 3. When You Close Your Eyes by Night Ranger
    Cool "do you dig me" song
  • 2. Funky Little Beat by Connie
    All skate in the opposite direction.
  • 1. Give Me Tonight by Shannon
    Good Beat
I switched my allegiance so many times during the 80's between rock, metal, pop, etc. Two honorable mentions are definitely Prince and the Revolution, and of course, the King of Pop. Check out some of those old Thriller videos. Funny stuff.
By: becca
By: matt
  • 10. Utopia (road to) by Utopia
    old Todd R. fan
  • 9. Sleepless by King Crimson
    freeking bass line !!
  • 8. Scary Monsters(and supercreeps) by David Bowie
    David blows the competition away
  • 7. Senses Working Overtime by XTC
    was really torn between these two songs.
  • 6. No Thugs In Our House by XTC
  • 5. London Calling by Clash
  • 4. Third Uncle by Brian Eno
    taking tiger mountain was a great example of what music could have been in the 80's
  • 3. Rain In The Summertime by Alarm
    im not sure if this song made a 80's release but what the hell...the band was 80's sound until it's eventual demise. and this song just pumps out the emotion like there's no tomorrow
  • 2. New Years Day by U2
  • 1. Big Country by Big Country
    Those scotsmen really whooped it up
By: Josh Randall
By: David Wilde
Hi everybody! PLEASE watch the movie "Weird Science" (L.I.S.A. Der helle Wahnsinn) !!!! It´s the best 80´s movie of all!!! Also great: "No retreat, no surrender" (Karate Tiger) "Mannequin 1 + 2" "The Goonies" "Rocky IV"
By: seven_out
By: Joel Smith
  • 10. Touch by Noiseworks
    Loved the sound....
  • 9. Great Southern Land by Ice House
    Beginning of a wacky Aussie film "Young Einstien" with some great visuals... very cool song.
  • 8. Hey Little Girl by Ice House
    First concert ever as a 9 year old at EXPO 88 in Brisbane (strangely special song).
  • 7. Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? (Live) by The Angels
    ... NO WAY GET F*%KED, F&$K OFF! A true Aussie classic known by all for the controversial answer to the song title as displayed above.
  • 6. Mainstream by Bob Segar
    Don't laugh! This song is really beautiful.
  • 5. Telegraph Road by Dire Straits
    All 12 minutes of this track is great... What a fine narrative it is.
  • 4. With or Without You by U2
    Special song, unreal harmony. Still listen to it today (only in MP3 form these days)
  • 3. Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush
    So unique and great sounds... Kate's addition is fabulous
  • 2. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
    Do I have to say anything? THE most beautiful song ever...
  • 1. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
    First ever record as a youngster, still love the harmony of this song... Billy was a cool dude :)
If you want to chat about this kind of thing feel free to email me on joelbra@iprimus.com.au
By: Ken Bui
  • 10. You Can Do Magic by America
  • 9. Be Near Me by ABC
  • 8. For You by The Outfield
  • 7. Emotion in Motion by Ric Ocasek
  • 6. Someday by Glass Tiger
  • 5. Hands To Heaven by Breathe
  • 4. Wonderful Life by Black
  • 3. Into The Night by Benny Mardones
  • 2. Electric Blue by Icehouse
  • 1. Stay The Night by Benjamin Orr
    Took me ages to find this one. Most of my top 10 songs on this list are rare. =)
Chris Cuevas - You Are the One, Air Supply - Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, Howard Jones - Everlasting Love, Johnny Hates Jazz - Turn Back The Clock, Corey Hart - Never Surrender, Toto - I'll Be Over You.
By: Claudio
  • 10. Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
    Let's dance!
  • 9. Living In A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    First BJ hit! Energy!
  • 8. When Will I Be Famous by Bros
    Radio song
  • 7. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? by Culture Club
    Great Boy George
  • 6. Walk Of Life by Dire Straits
    happy
  • 5. The Final Countdown by Europe
    From sweden
  • 4. What Is Love? by Howard Jones
    I like it
  • 3. We Are The World by Usa for Africa
    We can help!
  • 2. Power Of Love by Huey lewis
    Back from the future!
  • 1. Holyday by Madonna
    What a sexy girl
By: Chris
  • 10. We Will Together by The Eurythmics
  • 9. Dreamin by Cliff Richard
  • 8. Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz
  • 7. Slice Of Heaven by Dave Dobin
    Came from the movie 'Footrot Flats' in 86.
  • 6. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
    Songs like this one makes me wish I was a teen around this time.
  • 5. Broken Wings by Mr Mister
  • 4. All I Need Is A Miracle by Mike & The Mechanics
  • 3. When The Going Gets Tough by Billy Ocean
    A song to sing when you've got a tough task ahead of you.
  • 2. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
  • 1. Close To Me by The Cure
    Just a groovy song, I still love today! Since I first heard it 1 year ago.
Being born in 81, I wasn't really old enough to appreciate the 80s until I was about 16-17, (a bit late isn't it?). Since then I've built up my 80s music collection, and hearing some songs I've never heard before, suddenly they become as good to me as a great new song altogether. Almost like it came out the year I first heard it. There's a song by Stevie Nicks I like, but I don't know the name of it. I'm constantly searching around for songs I don't know the names of.
By: mikey
  • 10. Voices Carry by Til' Tuesday
  • 9. She's a Beauty by The Tubes
  • 8. Kyrie by Mr. Mister
  • 7. We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off by Jermaine Stewart
  • 6. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
  • 5. Eye in the Sky by Alan Parsons Project
  • 4. Africa by Toto
  • 3. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
  • 2. No More Tears (Enough is Enough) by Babs and Donna Summer
  • 1. I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues by Elton John
By: Kristin
  • 10. Save a Prayer by Duran Duran
    The ultimate song for unrequited love...
  • 9. Cities in Dust by Souxie and the Banshees
    The song your mother would complain about. "What's she screaming about it there!?"
  • 8. Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
    A guilty pleasure - this song was *so* cheezy! When they made it into a toothpaste ad I just had to laugh.
  • 7. No-one is to Blame by Howard Jones
    Some days it just isn't going to work out right no matter how hard you try. This song helps me remember that.
  • 6. One Night in Bangkok by from the Broadway musical Chess
    Former ABBA members make good!
  • 5. Go Insane by Lindsey Buckingham
    I always loved the music, now after a few love affairs gone sour I understand the lyrics so much more...
  • 4. In Between Days by The Cure
    A definite song to turn up loud and drive to.
  • 3. Headhunter by Front 182
    First you lock the target. This song still gets me pumped up after a bad day at work LOL!
  • 2. Perfect Way by Scritti Politti
    Catchy catchy song - and wasn't Green a cutie!?
  • 1. The Working Hour by Tears for Fears
    Absolutely my all time favorite song ever. Hands down, no question.
I'm leaving SO much out! I always liked more obscure stuff - Tears for Fears gets a lot of talk for "Shout" for instance, but I've always thought "The Working Hour" was far superior. All of the big 80's bands have done stuff that was better than what actually got played on the radio! Somebody by Depeche Mode is another fave... 10 just isn't enough!
By: travis

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