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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: Sidekick
  • 10. Wash The Rain by World On Edge
  • 9. Labyrinth Theme by David Bowie
    This is definetly one of my favorite movies... right up there with star wars, the last starfighter, neverending story, legend, I could go on and on and on and on...
  • 8. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
    This is one of those gotta get up and dance songs!! By the way, I loved the movie and the footloose soundtrack to.
  • 7. Know This Much Is True by Spandau Ballet
  • 6. Carmelia by Dan Hill
  • 5. Here Comes The Rain Again by Eurythmics
  • 4. Send Me An Angel by Real Life
    I first heard this on the movie THE WIZARD about Nintendo oh man... the eighties were good times!
  • 3. Run With Us by Lisa Lougheed
    The theme from The Racoons cartoon...
  • 2. The Never Ending Story by Lamahl
  • 1. Crying Over You by Platnium Blonde
    My favorite song!!!
By: Jeremy Marshall
  • 10. The Mayor of Simpleton by XTC
    Classic, "I'm a feeb, yes--but I love you," sort of vibe. XTC put out some of the best pop songs of the 80s.
  • 9. Veronica by Elvis Costello
    This song was co-written by Paul McCartney. This idea of an a lonely old lady with her memory going dim could serve as a perfect sequel to "Eleanor Rigby."
  • 8. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
    How could you not love this song? A dancehall protest from a roughnecked British punk band.
  • 7. Born In The Usa by Bruce Springsteen
    Makes me want to wave an American flag around, and scream out the lyrics, with a fire burning behind me. The irony of the song is that it's a protest song. It's not really patriotic, except in the sense that those of us who are TRUE patriots want to see America behaving wll, and not pull another Vietnam.
  • 6. Jokerman by Bob Dylan
    Like most Dylan songs, people are still debating the significance of the lyrics on this one.
  • 5. Under the Big Black Sun by X
  • 4. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
    Frontman Ian Curtis' headstone reads "Love Will Tear Us Apart." Lovely cynical response to the Captain and Tenille, ("Love Will Keep Us Together"), I'm sure.
  • 3. Trouble Me by 10,000 Maniacs
  • 2. If You Leave by OMD
    This one still brings tears to my eyes.
  • 1. The Lovecats by The Cure
    A Gothic lovesong with an extremely jazzy bassline. And that line about, "We should have each other for tea, we should have each other with cream." Robert Smith being all slyly seductive.
I was born in 1980. These songs are what I heard in the background growing up. I couldn't have cared any less about Michael Jackson, Hall and Oates, or Cyndi Lauper. Even at a very young age, I loved these songs as soon as I heard them, even though at the time I didn't really understand them. I love them even more now. Also of interest from the 80s are: Blister in the Sun, by the Violent Femmes; Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads; The Perfect Kiss by New Order; and (Birds Fly) Whisper to a Scream by Icicle Works. Songs like these, although maybe not thought of in terms of "classic 80s", are in fact the real deal. Classic songs from the era when Reagan reigned, neon was cool, and Nintendo was high tech.
By: Matt
By: dave sherrill
  • 10. Don't Stop The Dance by Bryan Ferry
    The cat could put down seriously smooth darkness which could be seen and heard even with the lights on!
  • 9. Message In Bottle by The Police
    This song got off in its day and so did The Police. Ever see 'em live? These dudes threw down 'til Sting turned into the Kevin Costner of musicians.
  • 8. All Songs By The Ramones... by The Ramones
    OK...So they busted forth in the Seventies...Dudes were rad and ahead of their time!
  • 7. Don't You Want Me by Human League
    This song definitely ushered in the cool side of 1981-82 dance music and pushed those John Cougar fans back onto the Christopher Cross scene.
  • 6. Big Mouth Strikes Again by The Smiths
    Light-hearted "I hope you die" music beautifully portrayed by Morrissey. Good clean 80's fun!
  • 5. Do You Wanna Hold Me by Bow Wow Wow
    Go Malcolm Mac...First "The Pistols" then Annabella! Bitchin' surfy erotica by the young Burmese one. A little bubble gum. Shaken not sticky.
  • 4. Kiss Them For Me by Souxie & The Banshees
    Extra-dimensional, out there, sexy darkwave music that transports one to another time and place.
  • 3. Charlotte Sometimes by The Cure
    Prolly one of the coolest, haunting, darkwave 80's cuts ever recorded. Marylin who?
  • 2. Baby's In The Mountains by Peter Godwin
    Classic 80's Euro, easy dance/listen/groove/whatever cut
  • 1. The Promise by When in Rome
    Total space-age sex & love
Yeah. MTV was really fun from '81 to '82...remember 24 hr. vids with NO commercials? It totally cool to have on the TV in the background at parties...that was until Triple "J" interrupted and Nina's hair jumped up.
By: Ralf Scülfort
There are many more tracks I would like to mention (especially from the early- and mid-eighties; bands like Flock of Seagulls, Spandau Ballet, "Beat it" from Michael Jackson, ... etc.), but there`s no more space on this page!
By: Rory
  • 10. Sweet Child Of Mine by Guns and Roses
    Some of the best guitar solos that I can think of
  • 9. Come On Eileen by Dixie's Midnight Runners
    One of the greatest one-hit wonders.....ever.
  • 8. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    How long did it take you to realize they were singing 'Karma,' and not Come-a, or the dozens of other words it was confused for?
  • 7. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    A great song. Not a great love song, just a great song. If you think this is a love song, you need to actually listen to the lyrics.
  • 6. 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone
    This is one of those songs that was stuck in everyone's heads, and probably still is stuck in a lot of heads to this day.
  • 5. Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
    An awesome, awesome song, that gets any party rolling. Everyone likes this song.
  • 4. Boys of Summer by Don Henley
    I'm a huge Eagles fan, but not the biggest fan of Don Henley's solo career. With this song though, he really got it right. When the song opens to the 'tap-tap-tap' on that symbol, it just gets you pumped to hear this song.
  • 3. Africa by Toto
    80s songs just fon't get much better than this, Toto's most remarkable single.
  • 2. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
    The ultimate love song. Luckily, this song has been perserved through Cameron Crowe's classic 'Say Anything,' and should remain in music collections as a song that defined the 80s.
  • 1. Take On Me by A-ha
    Not only the gretest song, but undoubtedly the greatest music video to come out of the 1980s. Does it get any better than pencil sketches combined with a classic keyboard solo?
How is A-ha not on more lists?
By: Chris Blanchette
  • 10. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
    No 80s list would be complete without the theme to the ultimate 80's movie "The Breakfast Club".
  • 9. Hello Again (remix) by The Cars
    Favorite song from my favorite group of all time.
  • 8. Money For Nothing by Dire Straits
    Made us all want to play guitar.
  • 7. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    Back in a time when MJ was still somewhat normal and still black.
  • 6. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    Still just as good to dance to today as it was 20 years ago."Hey Girl, move a little closer!"
  • 5. Der Kommisar by After The Fire
    Doesn't get anymore new wave than this!
  • 4. Rockit! by Herbie Hancock
    Taught youth how to recycle those old refrigerator boxes.
  • 3. Down Under by Men At Work
    So goofy, yet so simple. Still haven't tried a Vegemite sandwich yet.
  • 2. Careless Whisper by Wham!
    The song brings back memories of my first true love in the summer of '84.
  • 1. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive
    The song still gives me chills and send adrenaline racing through my veins when I hear it in the retro clubs.Disco ,New Wave and early Techno all rolled into one.
Although none of their songs are listed honorable mention to Duran Duran--the ultimate 80s trendsetters. The "Nirvana of the 80s" if you will.
By: Alan Elam
  • 10. Don't Fall On Me by REM-1986
    The first song I remember hearing from these guys(though my 12-year old mind was a little puzzled by the video at first),it was also the song that,for me, began a lifelong admiration for REM which still exists to this very day.
  • 9. I Won't Stand In Your Way Anymore by Stray Cats-1983
    The Cats' first foray into balladry,in the inimitable way they could deliver it-Doo wop style! A forgotten top 10 smash that ruled the airwaves in late '83.Too bad you don't hear it anymore.
  • 8. Cry by Godley & Creme-1985
    A brilliantly quirky masterpeice from these legendary video directors and alumni of 10cc.I remember this from 5th grade!
  • 7. The Honeythief by Hipsway-1987
    GEESH! I sure do know how to pick them 1-hit wonders don't I? these five scots are no exception.a tune that blanketed the airwaves in the spring of '87 when I was in 6th grade!I still have my copy of the 45 single(and it's still in BITCHIN' shape,too!)
  • 6. Sausolito Summer Nights by Deisel-1981
    I have $500 in monopoly money if anyone remembers this song(by another group of one-hit wonders);got the 45 for xmas when I was 7 years old-wore it flat out! WOH-OH-WOOOOOOOH(CLAP!CLAP!)Sausolito summer nights!!!!
  • 5. No More Lonely Nights by Paul McCartney-1984
    I have to include this one,being a huge Beatle fan and particularly of Paul;This is from his GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROAD STREET movie and his last U.S. Top 10 single.
  • 4. The Rain by Oran Juice Jones-1986
    Another R&B One-hit wonder who quickly vanished;upon listening to this laughable spoken word pastiche passing for rap,in retrospect,I have to file under "So bad,It's GOOOOOOD!)QUOTABLE line:"Me Without you is Like Cornflake' widout da MILK!"
  • 3. I Wanna Be Your Man by Roger-1987
    An R&B one-hit Wonder from 1987.awesome use of the vocoder and a smooth jam if ever there were one.AH,the many slow dances with my first love,Tonya!
  • 2. Glory of Love by Peter Cetera-1986
    The Ex-Chicago frontman's solo debut and the love theme from Karate Kid II.reminiscent of the summer of '86,when my sisters and I cried and sang along to this song after having to move away from a favorite nieghborhood(we moved alot,because my dad was a musician-as I now am).
  • 1. Our House by Madness-1983
    Brings to mind my first EVER exposure to MTV when I was a wee sprout of 9(in 1983)
Forgive me.but,I felt somewhat overly compelled to include in my list the one-hit wonders and forgotten favorites which ya just don't hear anymore.These songs need to be included on SOME kind of compilation(hello TIME/LIFE!)If they ever do make an all 80's radio format,I will be PISSED if any of these songs are not in the playlists(Do ya HEAR ME,CLEAR CHANNEL?!).I could think of a million more,but this limited space and the fact that I am up past my bedtime prevents me from mentioning any more.
By: Owen Rees
  • 10. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    The ultimate college party song
  • 9. Great Southern Land by Icehouse
    Another Australian classic
  • 8. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    Love that first verse before the band kicks in
  • 7. Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon
    Always the 2nd last song at the school dance
  • 6. What About Me by Moving Pictures
    Always the last song at the school dance
  • 5. Cadillac Ranch by Bruce Springsteen
    In 1980, I was 14 years old, and boring myself to death listening to the Eagles, not interested in punk - then I heard "The River" album, and life made sense.
  • 4. Unguarded Moment by The Church
    The most under-rated Australian band ever
  • 3. The Cutter by Echo and the Bunnymen
    Incredibly atmospheric, spooky song
  • 2. Throw Your Arms Around Me by Hunters and Collectors
    A classic that has been played to death on Australian radio, but still stands up
  • 1. One Perfect Day by Little Heroes
    A 1 hit wonder that captured the atmosphere of Australia in the 80's perfectly.
Strong Australian bias here - also could easily have put 10 Springsteen songs down, but that is not very imaginitive. Honourable mentions - Send Me an Angel (Real Life); Hungry Heart (Bruce Springsteen); Forever Now (Cold Chisel); Sweet Dreams are Made of This (Eurythmics)
By: Juan Pablo Costa
  • 10. Karma Chamaleon by Culture Club
    El video en el barco estaba bueno, aunque no estaba bueno participar de ese viaje. Eran todos maracas.
  • 9. Sometimes by Erasure
    Estos tipos(??) marcaron un hito tecno-pop.
  • 8. Down Under by Men At Work
    Los pude ver en el Teatro Coliseo (creo) en Febrero del 2000. Es barbaro el video, aparece un personaje muy parecido a un profesor que tuve en la secundaria llamado Tuñon.
  • 7. Square Rooms by Al Corley
    Otra cancion con sonido y golpe bien ochenta!! Que Cancion !!!! Thinkin´ square rooms, a human without illusion... (algo asi)
  • 6. Motion of Love by Gene Loves Jezebel
    Desire es otra cancion que me gusta mucho de G.L.J. Tengo el vinilo de ¨the house of dolls¨ eso es: ORO 18k.
  • 5. Promises (As The Years Go By) by IQ
    Esta cancion la pasaban en una propaganda de Cevitur (Viajes de egresado de escuelas) a fines de los ´80. Hace solo unos años pude saber el nombre.
  • 4. Heaven by Brian Adams
    Esta cancion me empezo a gustar mas cuando mi hermana se compro el disco ¨So far So good¨. La letra esta muy buena y es muy sencilla.
  • 3. Bizarre Love Triangle // Have In Mind by New Order // Cetu Javu
    Son muy parecidas, no?. No estoy muy seguro si Have in Mind es de principios de los ´90 o fin de los ´80.
  • 2. Mystify by INXS
    Inxs fue la banda que mas me gusto desde 1990 hasta la muerte de Michael. Esta cancion fue la que primero y mas me gusto.
  • 1. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    Sonido y efectos muy ochenta. El video en la aldea es excelente. Igual que Jenny la 2da.cantante.
Nooooo deje afuera U2, Police, Dire Straits, Madonna, David Bowie, Talkinheads, The Cars, Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Billy Idol.... No se puede hacer un Top Ten de musica con posiciones fijas, mucho menos de los años 80 donde surgio lo mejor. Hoy estas son mis 10 canciones de estos años, mañana seguro otras ocupen estos lugares.
By: david sutton
  • 10. Atomic by Blondie
    Ground breaking band who opened the door for Madge and her followers. This though shows that musically MAadge was and is still left reeling behind the quality of Blondie.
  • 9. Motorcycle Emptiness by Manic Street Preachers
    Wonderful pop tune. Introduced the Manics to the world nice and early. This though, for me, is their best yet.
  • 8. Barcelona by Freddie Merccury
    Totally original and unique. Not just the man, but this song too. Vocally amazing and completely fresh.
  • 7. I Want To Break Free by Queen
    Great tune. Great video.
  • 6. Wild Boys by Duran Duran
    Duran's best offering when they were at the peak of their popularity. Lots of fun and with some oomph.
  • 5. Careless Whisper by George Michael
    A slice of mush from George. Here he was at his best - never returned to this peak since. At last he proved he could sing.
  • 4. Radio Ga Ga by Queen
    A true classic - masterful pop rock by the masters of rock and pop. Written by Roger Taylor this was somehow held off the top slot by FGTH. There ws clearly no hustice in the world. And what a show stopper at Wembley in '85 at Live Aid. Possibly the greatest live track ever by the greatest live band ever.
  • 3. Love In An Elevator by Aerosmith
    A slice of fun! Great tune signalling the return to form of America's finest.
  • 2. Feels Like Heaven by Fiction Factory
    One hit wonders maybe...but what a hit.
  • 1. A Kind Of Magic by Queen
    What a voice - just listen to Fred Go! So many memories of great times come flooding back when Fred belts this out. Pure class.
Clearly the Band of the '80's was Queen. I know they were officially awareded that title by ITV too after a viewers poll, but their record (no pun intended)speaks for itself. Music of the highest order from musicians of the highest calibre.Hit after hit, over and over. Fabulous stuff.
By: Napo
  • 10. Is This Love by Whitesnake
  • 9. 18 And Life by Skid Row
  • 8. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
  • 7. Shock Me All Night Long by AC/DC
  • 6. Paradise City by Guns And Roses
  • 5. Looks That Kill by Motley Crue
  • 4. I Love Rock And Roll by Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
    me too!!!!
  • 3. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison
  • 2. Photograph by Def Leppard
    click!!!!
  • 1. One by Metallica
    Best speed metal song
Heavy Metal Rules!!!!!!!!! I'm Mexican
By: Genaro
There's So Many Songs....80's It's The Best Music...inxs,def Leppard, U2, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys... Etc Etc Etc.........
By: GENARO
  • 10. Atado A Un Sentimiento by Miguel Mateos
  • 9. La Muralla Verde by Los Enanitos Verdes
  • 8. Lo Que Sangra (La Cupula) by Soda Stereo
  • 7. Hombre Lobo En París by La Unión
  • 6. Matenme Porque Me Muero by Caifanes
  • 5. Viento by Caifanes
  • 4. Persiana Americana by Soda Stereo
  • 3. En Algún Lugar by Duncan Dhu
  • 2. Nada Personal by Soda Stereo
  • 1. A Cara O Cruz by Radio Futura
Mis mejores canciones en español según yo.......en los ochentas el rock en español fue lo mejor....existen muchos buenos grupos...for people from anothers countries, the best spanish rock 80's..soda stereo, radio futura, caifanes, enanitos verdes, and more....
By: K. Gus Vlahadamis
  • 10. Gone Daddy Gone by Violent Femmes
    Coming from Milwaukee, I played in a band with Brian Ritchie, the bass player. They rocked Wisconsin for years
  • 9. I Love A Man In A Uniform by Gang Of Four
    Remember in 1981 when we all thought the Soviets would bomb us?
  • 8. Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
    What an impact this band and song had during the mid 80;s
  • 7. India by Psychedelic Furs
    Saw them at San Diego State University. They were so loud that we ran to the bathroom to put toilet paper in our ears.
  • 6. First And Last And Always by The Sisters of Mercy
    Saw them live at an outdoor concert in Amsterdam. Unreal.
  • 5. London Calling by The Clash
    Influential band and song. Would not have been the 80's without this band
  • 4. Go by Tones On Tail
    Remember high energy slam dancing in Madison Wisconsin
  • 3. New Year's Day by U2
    Hanging out in Austin's Irish bars on Dec. 31 just to hear this song again
  • 2. Cities In Dust by Siouxsie And The Banshies
    Summed up the Reagan 80's pretty well
  • 1. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
    The most perfect song ever written
By: PANCHIRICAS
  • 10. Sergio El Bailador by Bronco
  • 9. El Alacran by Mr. Chivo
  • 8. Sorullo by Sonora Dinamita
  • 7. Fiesta Suavecito by Rigo Dominguez
  • 6. El Sirenito by Rigo Tovar y su Costa Azul
  • 5. Abusadora by Laura Leon
  • 4. Zancudito Loco by Plebeyos
  • 3. Pipiripau by Plebeyos
  • 2. No Te Metas Con Mi Cucu by Sonora Dinamita
  • 1. Quien Pompo by Chico Che
Queremos Agradecer A Todas Estas Personas Que Nos Dan La Pura Sabrosura Y Bailongo En Nuestras Vidas. Vean Las Peliculas De Los Almada, Oigan A Los Tigres Del Norte, Ramon Ayala, Y Demas Guarreces !!!! Pasatela Chido Paisano !!!!
By: Wim Meeus
  • 10. Live To Tell by Madonna
  • 9. Born In The Usa by Bruce Springsteen
  • 8. I Won't Let You Down by PHD
  • 7. The Power Of Love by Huey Lewis & the news
  • 6. The Reflex by Duran Duran
  • 5. The Edge Of Heaven by Wham
  • 4. Maid of Orleans by OMD
  • 3. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
  • 2. The Final Countdown by Europe
  • 1. Jeanny by Falco
By: Rommel
Ironically, the Scorpions are my favorite 80's band but they aren't in the top 10. Rock was my thing and hits by Danger, Danger, Y & T, Tony Carey & Planet P, Loverboy and Dokken almost made it.
By: Summitboy5
  • 10. Send Me An Angel by Real Life
    I first heard this song in the BMX movie RAD. Kind of a cool techno song!
  • 9. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    This song has to make my top ten too! A classic 80's video!
  • 8. With Or Without You by U2
    First CD I ever bought was the Joshua Tree...One of my all time favorite songs!
  • 7. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    The Breakfast Club is a great movie, with a great soundtrack!
  • 6. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
    What can I say...another great song.
  • 5. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    Good video, GREAT SONG! Even though I can't follow the lyrics...who cares.
  • 4. I Don't Want To Lose Your Love Tonight by The Outfield
    You know, I like my girls a little bit older.
  • 3. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    This song has to be in the top five! A truly hilarious video! S A F E TTTT YYYY SAFETY DANCE...
  • 2. She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals
    Funny video, a true classic!
  • 1. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol
    Great song! Speaking of dancing...
Even though I was hatched in the early eighties, I was very familiar with all the tunes. MTV really progressed through my childhood, I followed the music and grew with the bands!
By: Ronnie

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