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: zara khan
  • 10. Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
    a great song,with folk sound.
  • 9. Kylie by Loco-motion
    cheesy,but good.
  • 8. Simply Red by Money's Too Tight To Mention
    wicked song,with great video performing in a bar.
  • 7. New Sensation by Inxs
    a band with great songs and videos with flashy images.
  • 6. Let's Dance by David Bowie
    a swinging video.great song,brilliant artist with vishuel content,very stylish.
  • 5. With Or Without You by U2
    it has a mysterious spooky romantic video,the songs the best
  • 4. Love Action by Human League
    a great video song's great.they were a cool band.
  • 3. Rio by Duran Duran
    oh wow,glamerous,lovable-catchy,cute guys,i would say billions things,it wouldn't be a best ever glorious-glamourous pure decade without them.
  • 2. Red Rain by Peter Gabriel
    a great video,a great song,peter is a genius behind this serious song it's fantastic and pure 80's with rocky mystirous feel.brilliant
  • 1. I Don't Want A Lover by Texas
    they look very young,and played the best music.they were considered as a great brit group,this became a huge hit in 1989,i love it it's catchy and brilliant lyrics.
a brilliant decade,i couldn't put all my fav songs,but these are the great ones.eltro-pop new romantic,fashion,lovely,wicked fun,sexist. evreything evreyones cool.
By: Chris
  • 10. Perfect World by Huey Lewis and the News
    Keep on dreaming guys....maybe some day...
  • 9. Land of Confusion by Genesis
    Puppets...but other than that...the song makes so much sense
  • 8. Talk Talk by Talk Talk
    Probably the only one here who knows that song...I like it..snappy tune
  • 7. True by Spandau Ballet
    Simple song...Very moving...and the video is a nice compliment
  • 6. King of Wishful Thinking by Go West
    I agree with every word of the song...
  • 5. Out of Touch by Hall and Oates
    One of the best duos of the 80s
  • 4. We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel
    Definitely a good song...should be redone to reflect events since then I think
  • 3. Shout by Tears For Fears
    I coud sing that lyric over and over and over and over and over and over again
  • 2. Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz
    One hit wonder from Britain...great song..very catchy
  • 1. Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News
    Power of Love, Huey Lewis and the News, Back to the Future...that just sums up the 80s in a nutshell...
By: ALEX
  • 10. Looks That Kill by Motley Crue
  • 9. Rainbow In The Dark by Dio
  • 8. Balls To The Wall by Accept
  • 7. Heavy Metal Shuffle by Kickaxe
  • 6. Photograph by Def Leppard
  • 5. Ace Of Spades by Motorhead
  • 4. Princess Of The Night by Saxon
  • 3. Yeah, Right by Girlschool
  • 2. Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
  • 1. Another Thing Coming by Judas Priest
This Is Just A Top 10 Metal List; Maybe Some Top Ten Glam Rock, Ballads And Little Known Good Metal Should Be Out There?
By: Markus Stanley
  • 10. Youth Gone Wild by Skid Row
    Sebastian Bach and the Skids were the 80s last best hope but the odds were stacked against them.
  • 9. Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses
    Almost too late for the 80s but in time to forstall the onslaught of Grunge
  • 8. Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
    Boy oh boy, what can you say about this one?
  • 7. Still of the Night by Whitesnake
    David Coverdale personafied the term Rock Star and his voice made the girlies squirm
  • 6. L.O.V.E Machine by WASP
    Blackie and the boys upped the ante with this one
  • 5. Rock You Like A Hurricane by Scorpions
    Cock Rock rules
  • 4. Take Me To The Top by Motley Crue
    Motley Crue set the pace for the glamour and glitz of the decade with this one
  • 3. Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne
    The Ozman rocks and Randy Rhoades became a demigod
  • 2. Lunatic Fringe by Red Ryder
    This is as close as a pop anthem can get to social commentary
  • 1. Ah Leah! by Donny Iris
    The vocal harmonies are perfect
Don't forget about Queensryche, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest or Ratt, DLR, and Van Halen
By: dqsimon17
  • 10. New Moon On Monday by Duran Duran
    Why is it that their lesser known works are so much better than the ones that got major play in the 80's? More importantly, who cares?
  • 9. Hazy Shade Of Winter by The Bangles
    Come on, show of hands, how many of you cursed the day they broke up? Right... just me, I guess.
  • 8. It's A Sin by Pet Shop Boys
    Awesome song from a very pretentious band.
  • 7. The Promise by When In Rome
    This is not the same song as "A Little Respect" by Erasure
  • 6. A Little Respect by Erasure
    This is not the same song as "The Promise" by When in Rome.
  • 5. The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics
    Um... depressing song.
  • 4. Separate Ways by Journey
    Hey, All my songs are sorta depressing. Let's see if the trend continues
  • 3. The Breakup Song (They Just Don't Write 'em) by Greg Kihn Band
  • 2. I Drove All Night by Cyndi Lauper
    The best version of a great song.
  • 1. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    Lonely Saturday Nights, a bottle of Stoli, and this song on Repeat!
Why is Soft Cell a one-hit wonder? Tainted Love is not a hit! Same goes for Dexy's Midnight Runners, a-Ha, Tommy Tutone, and those guys with the weird hair who played the synthesizers.
By: Aleta
  • 10. Generals and Majors by XTC
    Insightful but cute.
  • 9. I Got You by Split Enz
    :)
  • 8. Antmusic by Adam and the Ants
    Do us all a favor- listen to this song if you haven't. EVERYONE should love this!
  • 7. The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen
    Beautiful.
  • 6. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
    Ohh. This song is just atmospheric as it gets.
  • 5. A Forest by The Cure
    This song is great for road trips at night...so is the album Seventeen Seconds in itself...
  • 4. Late Bar by Duran Duran
    Stuck in my head for weeks...
  • 3. Mental Hopscotch by Missing Persons
    This song is fun, and yet so depressing :/
  • 2. Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus
    Never forget that fine fine bassline...
  • 1. Eighties by Killing Joke
    Nuff said.
Honorable mentions: "Stripped", Depche Mode/"Peek-A-Boo", Siouxsie and the Banshees/"Everyday (Is Halloween)", Ministry/"Telecommunication", A Flock of Seagulls
By: HollyQ
  • 10. Save A Prayer by Duran Duran
    THE best DD song! Oh to be 14 again....
  • 9. Push It by Salt N Pepa
    The best dance song, always got me on my feet.
  • 8. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    I didn't catch how sexual this on was until I was older!
  • 7. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Why is this not on another list. It's on of the best 80's songs!
  • 6. Don't Change by INXS
    Off the first album. Not sad.
  • 5. Invisible by Alison Moyet
    Alison Moyet from Yaz...sad song again.
  • 4. Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus
    From my darker days. Goth at it's darkest. From the "Hunger" with David Bowie.
  • 3. Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel with Kate Bush
    The guy's out of work, depressed but he's holding on. Very sad.
  • 2. Is Your Love Strong Enough? by Brian Ferry
    Remember the movie "Legend" with Tom Cruise? Sultry, sexy...
  • 1. Forever Young by Alphaville
    My favorite 80's song! Oh to be 14 again...
I still love 80's music. It was so varied, dance, pop, new wave...I couldn't even get to the punk stuff...the list needs to be longer.
By: Tom
  • 10. Def Leppard by Pour Some Sugar On Me
  • 9. Fade To Black by Metallica
  • 8. Unchained by Van Halen
  • 7. Crazy Train by Ozzy
  • 6. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
  • 5. Paradise City by Guns N Roses
  • 4. Thunderstruck by AC/DC
  • 3. Looks That Kill by Motley Crue
  • 2. Jump by Van Halen
  • 1. Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses
By: Murdock
  • 10. Lullaby by The Cure
    love that one
  • 9. One by Metallica
    absolute horror
  • 8. Straight Outta Compton by NWA
    pioneers of gangsta rap
  • 7. China Girl by David Bowie
    feelgood song
  • 6. Don't Believe The Hype by Public Enemy
    yes, was the start of my last jam
  • 5. Atlantic City by Bruce Springsteen
    everything dies baby, that's a fact.
  • 4. Purple Rain by Prince And The Revolution
    who hasn't danced a slow on this one??
  • 3. The Message by Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five
    the best rap song ever
  • 2. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    love that beat
  • 1. Sign O The Times by Prince
    this song doesn't age
By: Karen
By: Karina
I also like Depeche Mode- Lie to me,Master and servant,Strangelove,Enjoy the silence,Stripped Other TFF songs I like would be- Mothers Talk,Sowing the seeds of love,The prisoner,Pharoahs
By: Jasper Abraxxis
  • 10. Under The Milkyway by The Church
    Another popular Australian band...actually the lead singer has been quoted as saying he hates this song because its the only one people remember and he's sick of it being requested at concerts....its a tough like eh? Very catchy, acoustical and slightly gothic, should have been part of The Crow soundtrack.....says I. :)
  • 9. It's Raining Again by Supertramp
    The song to mark their breakup. Widely held as the most unique sounding band ever, no one sounded anything like them before, or after. Songs like Breakfast In America, The Logical Song (which some morons fucked up royally just recently), Dreamer and Take The Long Way Home were pinnicles of the 70s, It's Raining Again was the mark in the 80s. Hell, anyone who is a lover of music should get their hands on as much Supertramp as possible, the only band I NEVER get sick of.
  • 8. Opposites Attract by Paula Abdul
    Very funky song, very funky film clip, Bedroom Eyes was catchy, this is even better.
  • 7. Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder
    Yes, after listening to the shithouse 90s cover version, by some fly by nighter (never to be heard of again, luckily), the original sounds better than ever.
  • 6. Crazy In The Night by Kim Carnes
    Why anyone bothers with the quite drab Betty Davis Eyes when she released this catchy grabber soon afterwards is beyond me....
  • 5. Crying In The Chappel by Peter Blakeley
    Another Australian ahead of his time, his 1987 hit employed much of the pop/gospel sounds that were to become very popular in the mid 90s.
  • 4. Do You See What I See by Hunters and Collectors
    Australia really blossomed in the 70s and 80s (although we were also responsible for the likes of Kylie Minogue and Tina Arena...sorry) and the Hunters and Collectors had their fair share of hits. Do You See What I See was one the best pop/rock tunes they released.
  • 3. Private Eyes by Hall & Oates
    After hearing what some tone deaf talentless hacks (gaylord boy band) did to their classic 70s song Rich Girl, I had to look back on their other stuff to remind myself how rich their sound was, Private Eyes is a prime example of the sound that comes from experienced songwriters....as apposed to gaylord boy bands..... :)
  • 2. Call Me by Blondie
    Deborah Harry defined sexy rock, and Call Me was her best.
  • 1. Big Time by Peter Gabriel
    Peter Gabriel was one of the most innovative singer/songwriters of the 80s and 90s....if this were a 90s top ten then I would have no hesitation in putting in Peter Gabriels emotional masterpiece - Digging In The Dirt, by far my favourate song of all time.
Erm, I played keyboard for 9 years and music is a large part of my life. Im into a bit of everything except rap (crap) techno (was good in the early 80s - Computer Games by MiSex as an example was bordering on techno) and country (yucko... :)).....Most influential artists of the 80s? Definately Peter Gabriel and Billy Joel....
By: Barry O'Sullivan
  • 10. Livin On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
  • 9. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N Roses
  • 8. Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
  • 7. I Still Havent Found What I Am Looking For by U2
  • 6. Patience by Guns N Roses
    A beatiful ballad, shows GNR's growing maturity
  • 5. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    no one will forget this song
  • 4. With Or Without You by U2
    Absolute Class. Another timeless track
  • 3. Paradise City by Guns N Roses
    An anthem for the ages. A truly remarkable Rock Song. A timeless classic by one of the most gifted Rock acts ever
  • 2. Pride by U2
    U2's best song along with One. Bono at his brilliant best
  • 1. Sweet Child O'Mine by Guns N Roses
    One of the All-time great songs crowned by two awesome guitar solo's by the great Slash. Achingly beautiful
GNR and U2 rocked the 80's. Two exceptional acts in an otherwise bland decade. Not as bad as music is now though
By: s benedetti
  • 10. Earn Enough For Us by XTC
    skylarking: the very best album of the 80s
  • 9. Little Mascara by The Replacements
  • 8. Love Stinks by J. Geils Band
  • 7. Pretty Persuasion by REM
  • 6. That's When I Reach For My Revolver by Mission Of Burma
  • 5. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
  • 4. Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young
  • 3. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
  • 2. Rio by Duran Duran
  • 1. Flexible Flyer by Husker Du
seems like there were 3 decades' worth of music in the 80s
By: amy jean.
  • 10. Melt With You by Modern English
    this is a terrific song. it's beautiful. it reminds me of jon.
  • 9. In A Big Country by Big Country
    i always thought this song was so rad. it rocks and i like the lyrics. and now it's sad because that guy killed himself. STAY ALIVE!
  • 8. We Belong by Pat Benatar
    this is such a beautiful song. of course i cry when i hear it.
  • 7. She Bop by Cyndi Lauper
    i heard this today at my boyfriend's house. it's a fun song.
  • 6. Livin On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    jon bon jovi was the first guy i ever had a crush on. this is a great song to sing along to. when i got my first tattoo, this song was on.
  • 5. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths
    i love the smiths. and this song makes me cry more than any of their other songs. it reminds me of my boyfriend.
  • 4. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
    this song is beautiful. it makes me cry. and then that rockin part comes on. it's so kick ass!
  • 3. Into The Groove by Madonna
    madonna has a million amazing songs. this is the song that is the funnest to scream along to.
  • 2. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    this is my all time favorite song. it is so much fun to dance around to in my underwear, or whilst drinking in a bar. good times.
  • 1. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
    this song is so amazing. the lyrics are mindblowing.
i cry alot and really love my boyfriend and everything reminds me of him. and i love a million more songs.
By: Mike Hunt
  • 10. Look Of Love by ABC
    Cheesy, fun, New Wave!
  • 9. Hello. Hooray! by Alice Cooper
    What more can i say! Alice! Yes!
  • 8. Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
    fist pumping, riot inducing, mosh pit pandimoniuem! Big Iron Maiden fan! BIG BIG BIG!
  • 7. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Great White
    Cool ballad!
  • 6. Winners by Deadsy
    A modern New Wave band. Everything the 80's New Wave movement could have been if the bands were more inventive and more bold. Check them out if you can. Their first cd is titled "COMMENCMENT"
  • 5. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    Great party song!
  • 4. One Thing Leads To Another by The Fixx
    Sleazy feel too it. Paints a good picture of the trouble and excess of the 80's.
  • 3. Our House by Madness
    Enerjetic! Tells a story about the fun and pain of growing up.
  • 2. Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot
    Fun song to listen too and jam too!
  • 1. In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
    What a great song! Very moody and intense. Brings about lots of feelings.
Deadsy! You must check them out!
By: rick parker
  • 10. You Might Think by The Cars
    one of the first big hits the 80's and one coolest(for it's time) videos.
  • 9. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    hard to decide between this and "danger zone" but i can't say enough about how i love this song ,the sountrack it's on and the movie it's featured in.
  • 8. Making Love (Out Nothing At All) by Air Supply
    this is another one from the jr high days and when girls were starting to become important to me.
  • 7. Fight The Power by Public Enemy
    this one did not get much if any airplay on radio but i remember it from mtv/much music in canada
  • 6. Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder
    in my opinion probabley one of the most overlooked ballads of the 80's. reminds strongly of my last days in jr. high
  • 5. All Through The Night by Cyndi Lauper
    for some reason this song brings back memories of the 80's mini series "v" as does chris de burgs "ship to shore".
  • 4. Jump by Van Halen
    this song pretty much introduced me the heavier side of music.
  • 3. Live To Tell by Madonna
    madonna had so many hits during the 80's this one,however, is my personal favorite.
  • 2. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    there are two versions of this song one in german and one in english. both are equally enjoyable. says alot about the song.
  • 1. You Belong To The City by Glen Frey
    like alot songs on this list the songs is strongly tied to either a video or movie/soundtrack. luv this one.
like my 70's list just too many favs too include such as" guess thats why they call it the blues(elton john) radio ga ga (queen) lets go crazy(prince) man in the mirror(micheal jackson) and hard habit to break (chicago)
By: maemaxx
  • 10. All Day Long by New Order
  • 9. Butterfly On A Wheel by Mission UK
  • 8. I Beg Your Pardon by Kon Kan
  • 7. Radio Gaga by Queen
  • 6. Pale Shelter by Tears For Fears
  • 5. Face To Face Heart To Heart by The Twins
  • 4. Right Between The Eyes by Wax
  • 3. Always Something There To Remind Me by Spandau Ballet
  • 2. Our House by Madness
  • 1. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runnerd
By: Jose
  • 10. Running by Information Society
    What a wanderfull song!!!!!!!
  • 9. You´re My Heart You´re My Soul by Moderm Talking
  • 8. Take On Me by A-ha
  • 7. Send Me An Angel by Real Life
    El mejor tema de la historia de la musica en todo el planeta Tierra
  • 6. Souvenir by OMD
  • 5. Brother Louie by Modern Talking
  • 4. Voyage Voyage by Desireless
  • 3. Maria Magdalena by sandra
  • 2. Vienna by Ultra Box
  • 1. Gold by Spandau Ballet
By: franck darius
  • 10. Love Cats by Simple Mind
  • 9. Alone by Heart
  • 8. Doctor Doctor by Thomson Twins
  • 7. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
  • 6. Let's Dance by David Bowie
  • 5. Women In Chain by Tears For Fears
  • 4. Always The Sun by Stranglers
  • 3. Tell Me Why (more) by Fletwood Mac
  • 2. Broken Wings by Mister Mister
  • 1. Little Red Corvette by Prince

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