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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: Missy Oesterheld and Alexandra Bass
  • 10. Missing You by John Waite
    Everytime I think of the 80's, this song pops into my head.....I'll even forgive him for his time in Bad English and that hideous long hair deal.
  • 9. Babe by Styx
    Closet Styx fans, reveal yourselves!!
  • 8. Let the Music Play by Shannon
    Surprised that this song wasn't on any other lists...what a great dance tune!
  • 7. Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner
  • 6. Close To You by Maxi Priest
    Most of the time, songs by guys with dreadlocks don't make my list...but this song is a definite exception.
  • 5. Into The Night by Benny Mardones
    Something about this song, and being sixteen, just so many emotions!
  • 4. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
    What a hottie! I still love this song!
  • 3. Sister Christian by Night Ranger
  • 2. Never Say Goodbye by Bon Jovi
    Most people would disagree, but we think this is Bon Jovi's best song ever!
  • 1. Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung
    Such a great 80s song...what else is there to say???
There's too much great music! We could probably give a list of 50 or 100 songs..........
By: Jeremie Boileau
By: TinaTwice
Runners up: "The Damned Don't Cry" by Visage, "Save a Prayer" by Duran Duran, "Enola Gay" by OMD, "With Love From China" by SPK, "Mad World" by Tears for Fears, "Roam" by The B-52s, and countless others...
By: Ron Citf
  • 10. Digital Bitch by Black Sabbath
    From one of the best albums of Black Sabbath
  • 9. Pump Up The Volume by MARS
    Great song and one of the first clips I've seen on MTV in 1987.
  • 8. I'll Come Back by Angeldust
    Just love this song and even the singing.
  • 7. Struck By Lightning by Tank
    The bridge from the previous song to this song is fenomenal!
  • 6. Antichrist by Slayer
    Great lyrics and fast song (for that time...)
  • 5. Creatures Of The Night by KISS
    Their 70s work was better, but this is their best 80s song.
  • 4. Poison by Venom
    Song about women...
  • 3. Rebel In The FDG by WASP
    Listen to this song when doing 180km/h (113mph) and you know what I mean!
  • 2. Princess Of The Night by Saxon
    Best Saxon song.
  • 1. Exciter (live) by Judas Priest
    The live version from 'Unleashed in the east' is great and powerful.
By: Emme0125
  • 10. Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol
    My sis had to tell me what he was really saying, and I said yep, that Billy all right.
  • 9. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
    Had the opp. to meet this guy, and he played it for us. Still sound good especially hearing him sing it live to us girls. He should have been #1.
  • 8. Glamorous Life by Sheila E.
    Honestly don't we all feel like that sometimes? I knew I did when I heard it.
  • 7. Waiting For The Star To Fall by Boy Meets Girl
    A catchy song to sing along with. A good, feel good song.
  • 6. Warrior by Scandel (feat. Patty Smyth)
    The war pant, the heavy blush, eyeliner, big hair. Still a good song to dance to.
  • 5. Invincible by Pat Benatar
    "The Legend of Billie Jean" Need I say more. An 80s song to go with an 80s movie. Feeling invincible right now too.
  • 4. How Will I Know by Whitney Houston
    To me, It was the song for answers, and then some. Seriously how will you know?
  • 3. Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
    When I first this song I went staight out and bought the album. Still have the record a bit scratched-Thank god for Cds.
  • 2. All Night Long by Lionel Ritche
    Very GOOD song.
  • 1. Big Country by Big Country
    It was an 80s song, and album with a twist. Bag pipes,chimes, ect you know.You just had to get up and dance.
Everything about the 80s was GREAT.Lets not forget "Walk this Way"...That song helped rap. I have to say that I was young at the time when the best of the best was first.So the selections I made may be rusty, although these selections were some of the few that I love (still)and really made a serious impact on me. The music of the 80s had a meaning, there was always something to be said. Todays music have come from yesterday's, well that is what I think.
By: kevin
  • 10. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    Probably the number 1 most memorable video of the 80's and a darn good song that takes you back when you hear it.
  • 9. Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
    Beautiful chicks,awesome eddie Van Halen licks,pretty much what the 80's was all about
  • 8. She's A Runner by Billy Squier
    Great live version catches Billy on his Emotions in motion tour 1982
  • 7. Mexican Radio by Wall Of Voodoo
    Remember the guys face comin out of the pot of beans! "radio...radio"
  • 6. Heavens On Fire by KISS
    Kiss'best 80's tune(besides maybe creatures of the night)
  • 5. Ratt by Round and Round
    Who could forget this metal gem featuring Uncle Miltie in the video
  • 4. Rio by Duran Duran
    What all new wave bands of the 80's wanted to be like.
  • 3. In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
    The 1st Video i saw on MTV
  • 2. 867-5309 Jenny by Tommmy Tutone
    The girlies went wild when my band would play this back in high School
  • 1. Jessies Girl by Rick Springfield
    The coolest tune from the coolest artist of the 80's
What i'd give to have a time machine
By: Jess The Rock Godess
  • 10. Karma Chamelion by Culture Club
    The sog I alway wish they had when I do kareoke.
  • 9. Love is A Battlefield by Pat Benetar
    Come on you know you wish you could do that dance!!!
  • 8. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    Awesome song, very catchy, unique lyrics, great in the car.
  • 7. I Melt With You by Modern English
    Such a sweet song! Reminds me of the movie "Valley Girl"
  • 6. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
    Today a song like this would only be sang by girls who look lie a cross beteen a model and abarbie, but the, you had this girl who is not like anyone you're gonna see walking down the street, and you'd think she'd sing some crazy song togo with her style, but isted she sings a beautiful song to go with her beautiful voice.
  • 5. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'N' Roses
    This song just plain rocks, "You know where you are, you're in the jungle baby, you're gonna DIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!"
  • 4. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leopard
    I don't know the lyrics but I like i anyway, a must for anything that involves danceing around.
  • 3. Like a Prayer by Madonna
    Madonna has to be on an 80s list, you'd almost miss this becuse it was 1989, but if it weren't for this song, what would I sing kareoke to?
  • 2. White Wedding by Billy Idol
    There's only one person in the world tat I know who dosen't like this song and that's my 54 year old father, enough said.
  • 1. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Come on if t weren't for this song our planet wouldn't have been saved in the movie "coneheads" can ou say that about any other song
Yeah I left out the police and David Bowie and a bunch of 80s icons.
By: Doug Nilsen
  • 10. Runaway by Bon Jovi
    The beginning of Bon Jovi...it's excellent.
  • 9. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
    The Money Man is the coolest.
  • 8. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    It just rocks.
  • 7. Photograph by Def Leppard
    Killer song from the kings of 80's pop metal
  • 6. One by Metallica
    Killer song from the kings of 80's heavy metal
  • 5. Jump by Van Halen
    The Pinnacle of the David Lee Roth-Van Halen era...timeless.
  • 4. Tom Sawyer by Rush
    Extraordinary musicianship that has me in awe to this day.
  • 3. Animal by Def Leppard
    I get pumped up everytime I hear it.
  • 2. Poison by Alice Cooper
    Incredible song, showed an early 70's genius still had it.
  • 1. Eyes Of A Stranger by Queensryche
    Best song of the 80's concluding the best album of the 80's...so much emotion.
By: Blaine Loizeaux
By: Jon Adler
  • 10. Love Isn't Always On Time by Toto
    Its still rocking today.
  • 9. Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes
    you just have to love this song
  • 8. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker
    Who you going to call?
  • 7. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Doo Doo
  • 6. Party All The Time by Eddie Murphy
    Still dancing to this funny man's song
  • 5. 99 Luft Balloons by Nena
    its German silly!
  • 4. Rock the Casbah by The Clash
    still rocking the casbah
  • 3. Let's Go Crazy by Prince
    Prince is a genius
  • 2. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Gotta have MJ
  • 1. Easy Lover by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey
    Still awesome today
By: Jay
  • 10. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses
    With Slashs guitar playing and Axl's unique voice wailing away, this song deserves to be in everyones top ten
  • 9. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
    hey its the Boss, need i say more? You people should be ashamed if hes not on your top ten
  • 8. Burnin Down The House by Talking Heads
    This music more than new wave. The singer has that unique ability to make you actually enjoy the new wave, if ya know what i mean.
  • 7. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N Roses
    Because we got fun and games man. Ya dig?
  • 6. Still Haven't Found What I'm Lookin For by U2
    This song was released during the hair band era and the new wave s**t. This was your meditation.
  • 5. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Released in The Polices last album, probably there best song ever.
  • 4. Paradise City by Guns N Roses
    The lyrics make this song.
  • 3. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
    the first song i heard by u2, ever since ive been hooked.
  • 2. Johnny 99 by Bruce Springsteen
    One of the many great songs off the Nebraska Album, this song and album helped influence President Reagan at the time for many of his "Reganomics" decisions.
  • 1. With Or Without You by U2
    The Edge and Bono are probably one of the best on stage duos since Plant and Paige. The guitar playing is unique to say the least and Bono moves to the song in ways unexplainable
Hey whats the deal with the all new wave top tens?
By: Jay
  • 10. Star Trekkin' by The FIRM
    Okay, okay! Since the 80's were synonomous with novelty songs, this is the best! Funny song, great impressions, particularly Scotty! And an absolutely hilarious video! Great fun!
  • 9. The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby And The Range
    This song always reminds me of when I was young. And it was the background music on Grandstand on the BBC in the 80's!
  • 8. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Much of the same above, but I love Richie Sambora's solo and the voicebox track is excellent!
  • 7. Here I Go Again '87 by Whitesnake
    Good old fashioned stadium rock! Great video, great hair and a fantastic song! One of my favorites!
  • 6. It's Over by Level 42
    The quintessential love ballad of the 80's. Cheesy synths but a beautiful song. Boon Gould's lyrics are wonderfully moving.
  • 5. The Power Of Love by Huey Lewis And The News
    I love the Back To The Future movies! Also the band is one of the best live acts around!
  • 4. The Girl Can't Help It by Journey
    This song always reminds me of summer and how I should be listening to it, ie driving an open-top Mustang in California!
  • 3. Wouldn't It Be Good by Nik Kershaw
    I love the chord progression in this one! Also Nik's hair was seriously cool!
  • 2. Love Games by Level 42
    I am a bass guitarist and I think that this song is a work of art! Plus it has some very cheesy analog synths in it!
  • 1. Take On Me by A-ha
    Simply the best song to come out of the 80's! Listening to it always makes me feel better when I'm down.
I wish I had Marty McFly's DeLorean so I could re-live the greatest decade ever!
By: Mike Homan
  • 10. Life In A Northern Town by Dream Academy
    Great song with a great video!!!!
  • 9. Take Me To Heart by Quarterflash
    Another little know song that is one of my favorites!!!
  • 8. Ain't No Stopping Us( Theme from Break'in) by Ollie and Jerry
    A little know 80's song that is one of my favorites.
  • 7. Heat of the Moment by Asia
    Great song!
  • 6. Romancing The Stone by Eddie Grant
    This song did'nt get as much publicity as Electric Avenue, but in my opinion it was better!!!!
  • 5. Oh Sherri by Steve Perry
    Classic hit for lead singer from Journey a timless classic
  • 4. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    Great Song!!!
  • 3. Seperate Ways by Journey
    One of my favorite 80's bands, how can you not have a Journey song in your 80's top ten!!!
  • 2. Shoot That Poison Arrow by ABC
    My friends hate this song, but what do they know!! ABC rocks
  • 1. I Ran by Flock of Seagulls
    Awesome song!!! Loved the video!!
Awesome website!!! It was so hard to pick 10 of my favorite 80's songs. Keep up the good work!!!
By: Tom
  • 10. Misled by Kool & the Gang
    Liked this one because it reminded me of my high school girlfriend. Misled me for a long time. Plus, their performance of this in concert was excellent.
  • 9. Lay It Down by Ratt
    Loved all their stuff. Had a hard time picking one song of theirs. Had to choose from Round & Round and this one finally.
  • 8. Lovin' Every Minute Of It by Loverboy
    Another one that no too many will probably agree with, but I loved it.
  • 7. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Back when he was normal looking...awesome dance song. I remember loving the Pepsi commercials he did. Now he is just....no words to describe how much he has lost it.
  • 6. Jungle Love by The Time
    I know not too many will agree with this one, but hey, I loved it.
  • 5. In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins
    Who can forget Crockett and Tubbs crusing in the Ferrari while this song is playing?
  • 4. Hard Habit To Break by Chicago
    The kings of love songs. Followed closely by Air Supply.
  • 3. Cherish by Kool & the Gang
    One of the best love songs of the 80s. Played in a lot of weddings and still a popluar song on any soft rock radio station.
  • 2. Let's Go Crazy by Prince & the Revolution
    One of the best party and dance songs of the 80s.
  • 1. Celebration by Kool & the Gang
    Talk about a song that stands the test of time. I remember this playing when the hostages came home from Iran. Still played today at sporting events.
I know there are a lot of songs on here that a lot of people won't agree with, but it is hard to pick just 10 songs from the 80s. Most of the songs I picked are because they bring back a memory that is emotional or personal. How many of you out there are like me, in that you can hear a song on the radio, and remember exactly where you were when you heard it sometime in high school or college and associate it with some event? That is what these songs are about to me.
By: Emm :P
  • 10. Poison by Alice Cooper
  • 9. Jealous Guy by John Lennon
    top class song!!
  • 8. Youth Gone Wild by Skid Row
  • 7. Hole In My Soul by Aeromsith
    both live and track versions r wicked!
  • 6. Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
    The unplugged version is better!!!
  • 5. Somebody To Love by Queen
  • 4. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
    "The boss!!"
  • 3. When Love & Hate Collide by Def Leppard
  • 2. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
  • 1. Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
    My all time fave!!!
there r more!! it's so hard to do ya faves!! But those r the ones off the toppa me head! And yes girls can like this type a music 2!!! :P
By: Wes
  • 10. When Doves Cry by Prince
    When I round out my ten fav's with this you know the 80's had a slew of music..
  • 9. Holiday by Madonna
    The grand entrance to an amazing career...it's still unforgettable, funky and fluffy...
  • 8. Take On Me by A-HA
    They lived and died in the 80's but oh what a life! Take On Me will continue to excite the ears...timeless
  • 7. Sweet Dreams by Eurthymics
    Annie Lennox and her drag king person coupled with heavy hitting pulses and attitude...
  • 6. A Little Respect by Erasure
    Ok, this is simply the best pop confection out of Britain. Shakey vocals and yet another classic 80's chorus really work here
  • 5. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
    Big Hair Goes COuntry? It did in the 80's. Great lyrics and drive move this song out of hairspray hell and into post 80's life
  • 4. We Got The Beat by The Go-Go's
    I dare anyone to not fall in with the killer riffs and energy of this classic.
  • 3. The Reflex by Duran Duran
    The ultimate 80's group with their best song ever.
  • 2. Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
    Where went all the anthems? Once the 80's ended so did all the energy...Astleys soulful voice driving a Britpop classic...a perfect combo.
  • 1. Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle
    The definitive 80's anthem. It summed up a lot of the energy of the decade. With a rousing chorus and Carlisle's throaty vibrato this song is unbeatable!!!!
Jody Watley: Lookin' For A New Love, Martika: TOy Soldiers, Samantha Fox: Naughty Girls, Blondie: Heart Of Glass, T'Pau: Heart and Soul, Breathe: Hands To Heaven, Bryan Adams: Heaven, Tina Turner: What's Love Got To Do With It, Belinda Carlisle: Cirlce In The Sand, Cher: If I Could Turn Back Time, Thmas Dolby: She Blinded Me With Science...
By: Daire Leonard
  • 10. I Wanna Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    best love song ever
  • 9. Thats Entertainment by The Jam
    great song
  • 8. My Way by Frank Sinatra
    great balled
  • 7. In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
    excellent song brilliant breakdown at the end
  • 6. Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode
    80's i think
  • 5. Fade To Gray by Visage
    great song a true 80's tune
  • 4. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    given recent popularity due to grand theft auto vice city
  • 3. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    a classic
  • 2. Whole Of The Moon by Waterboys
    pure brilliance
  • 1. Fishermans Blues by Waterboys
    unbeleivable song
i think theres a lot of variety in my choices but thats what made the eighties so good was the diversity
By: DOK
  • 10. Should I Stay Or Should I Go? by Clash
    Pretty much anything the Clash did from 79-86 - basically one of the best eras in the history or rock music
  • 9. Rock This Town by Stray Cats
  • 8. Middle Of The Road by Pretenders
    Ditto
  • 7. Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
    Now that I have hit 35 I understand...
  • 6. Worlds Away by Strange Advance
  • 5. Telegraph Road by Dire Straits
    Knopfler at his best....
  • 4. Hells Bells/You Shook Me by ACDC
    A Classic Desert Island Disk
  • 3. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
    The Passion of Gabriel
  • 2. New Year's Day by U2
    Before the boys had everything they could ever want.....
  • 1. Save It For Later by English Beat
    Its the Sultans of Swing of the 80s
By: Francisco
  • 10. Michael Jackson by Billy Jean
    Multiple Grammy Winner
  • 9. Level 42 by Lessons in Love
    I like it too
  • 8. Al Corley by Square Rooms
    Just because I like it
  • 7. Madonna by Like a Virgin
    Obligated 80's Top Ten choice
  • 6. Hold Me Now by Thompson Twins
    Another classic
  • 5. Sowing The Seeds Of Love by Tears for Fears
    Peace anthem
  • 4. Careless Whisper by Wham
    George Michael romantic vocal performance
  • 3. Love In The First Degree by Bananarama
    the three British girls that broke records on the charts
  • 2. Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
    Whether you like it or not this was a big hit
  • 1. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
    Classic love theme of the 80s from Top Gun O.S.T.
Although there are lots of fantastic songs I've left behind, these songs are truly 80's classics!!!
By: Chuckies
  • 10. Head Like A Hole by Nine Inch Nails
    Yes, it *was* only 1989, even though "Pretty Hate Machine" sounds like it could have been made several years later. One of the best first albums in all of popular music.
  • 9. Stigmata by Ministry
    Concentrated angst directly squarely at your ears. The year was 1988 and this song perfectly set the stage for one of the best artists of the '90's, Nine Inch Nails.
  • 8. Seconds by Human League
    All of 1981's "Dare!" is excellent, with the notable exception of the mega-hit "Don't You Want Me."
  • 7. Everything Counts by Depeche Mode
    The hit before the hit that broke them into the mainstream. Probably would have been higher if DM hadn't become so damn popular and I got sick of hearing them by 1990.
  • 6. Swamp Thing by The Chameleons (UK)
    The entire 1986 album "Strange Times" is outstanding. Actually, all of this band's albums are.
  • 5. How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths
    Probably should be tied with "Bigmouth Strikes Again."
  • 4. In Between Days by The Cure
    Causing thousands of teens to sigh. Saw The Cure in concert in 2000 and they are still incredible.
  • 3. Alice by The Sisters of Mercy
    Before it was called Goth, this band was simply exploring new musical territory. Their minimal beatbox drums, Andrew Eldritch's booming baritone, and droning guitars combined to create magic. (Magick?)
  • 2. Down In The Park by Gary Numan
    Imitated but never equalled. Numan painted a vivid and bizarre image of a cold future that still seems eerily plausible twenty-three years later. Sad that this genius is considered a one hit wonder in the US.
  • 1. Smothered Hope by Skinny Puppy
    The track that opened up Cyberpunk, later known as "Industrial," and paving the way for Nine Inch Nails five years later, as well as a host of imitators. So simple and minimal and yet incredibly powerful.
I forced myself to only list each artist once. Also, I probably forgot a whole bunch of stuff. But this is a representative list for me. (Please do not post my e-mail address on the page. Thanks and great site!)

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