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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: Dave Micklon
  • 10. Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
    Different than anything else they did. Let's go to the sock hop!
  • 9. Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry
    Solid hip hop groove. Streetwise to say the least.
  • 8. Nasty by Janet Jackson
    "Gimme a beat!" The best record she ever did--MAN!
  • 7. Hurts So Good by John Cougar
    The best rocker ever. And his most irresistible one too.
  • 6. Centerfold by J. Geils Band
    Unmistakable tune. Such a catchy feel for a rock song!
  • 5. Ebony And Ivory by Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
    Did I LOVE this video! It looked like one shot of the 2 men at one piano, but Stevie did his take in LA, and Paul did his in London. Another winner!
  • 4. Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
    You can't forget that irresistible synth hook. And such clever lyrics.
  • 3. Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
    Just everywhere the first half of '86. That "historic" Canadian mix has always rocked my world!
  • 2. Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
    Killer. Just killer. Anyone who respects disco like Chic should FEEL THAT GROOVE!
  • 1. I Want Your Sex by George Michael
    Man, what a solid groove! Sure, it had its controversy, but George was the man!
The 80's were not quite as good as the 70's, but it was my pre-teen and teen years, and I hardly ever parted with the radio in the 80's (except for sleep and school, LOL)! Now excuse me while I go to Aladdin's Castle and play some Q*bert!
By: JULIO E. DE LEON ZEPEDA
  • 10. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
    el mejor pop ingles de la epoca y los videos de ellos eran super fregones.
  • 9. Broken Wings by Mr. Mister
    una cancion que te lleva fuera de tus pensamientos y te hace subir el volumen a todo lo que da.
  • 8. The Promise by When In Rome
    otro ejemplo de el pop exquisito de los años 80's imposible no sentir esa cancion
  • 7. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    el mejor tecno pop de su momento como siempre the cure una banda innovadora en su momento
  • 6. Animal by Def Leppard
    una super cancion con un ritmo de rock puro de los años 80's
  • 5. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    la mejor cancion roamntica d elos 80's y posiblemente de todos los tiempos
  • 4. Don't You Forget About Me by Simply Minds
    otro claro ejemplo de lo que fueron los 80's la letra de esta cancion y el ritmo es increible.
  • 3. Strange Love by Depeche Mode
    me encanta la tonada de esta cancion es un clasico de el sonido de los 80's
  • 2. Your Love by The Outfield
    con esta cancion me enamore la primera vez son recuerdos invaluables
  • 1. With Or Without You by U2
    es una cancion que te deja grabado muchos recuerdos en la memoria u2 es lo maximo , la voz de bono esd increible al igual que la bateria.
realmente la musica de los 80's sera mi favorita por siempre fue la mejor epoca d emi vida. the 80's music is the best music ever , the 80's it was the best part of my life and the best music dont' you think ?
By: David Lemley
  • 10. To Look At You by INXS
    the second best love song off all time. my girlfriend melts when i sing this at my shows
  • 9. Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones
    the song to listen when thinking of the early 80's
  • 8. Take On Me by A - Ha
    the most reconizable pop riff i've ever heard
  • 7. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    powerful song, especially live and acoustic
  • 6. Shout by Tears For Fears
    no nukes! no nukes! down with the bomb!
  • 5. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    hehehe - the party is never started or official until i hear that hot little giggle
  • 4. Axel F by not sure....
    the Beverly Hills Cop theme song...still a hot party tune
  • 3. Need You Tonite by INXS
    pure sex atop a tick-tock beat and an insect funk guitar (curtosey Shine Like It Does, the INXS Anthology 1979 - 1997)
  • 2. With Or Without You by U2
    the greatest love song of all time
  • 1. Calling All Nations by INXS
    THE song for THE decade of decadance, glamor, inflation, and extremity
By: Annette
By: Simon
Michael Jackson is the greatest perforner there ever will be
By: Dom
  • 10. Lean On Me (Ah Li Ayo) by Red Box
    The last brilliant song on this list.
  • 9. Self Control by Laura Branigan
    And another.
  • 8. Swords Of A Thousand Men by Ten Pole Tudor
    This is yet another brilliant song from this decade.
  • 7. The Day Before You Came by Blancmange
    Ditto.
  • 6. Don't Tell Me by Blancmange
    Another great song.
  • 5. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    Number one in the UK charts the day I was born.
  • 4. Clouds Across The Moon by The Rah Band
    Brilliant song.
  • 3. See You by Depeche Mode
    I love this song. It's one of my favourites by this great band.
  • 2. Live Is Life by Opus
    Same as above.
  • 1. Obsession by Animotion
    Great song, the only one they had in the UK. Wonder why.
Can you do a top 20 or more. There are so many more brilliant songs in my head.
By: david parker
By: mike
  • 10. Ballad Of Jayne by L.A. Guns
    one of my favorite slow songs
  • 9. Creeping Death by Metallica
    this song just fucking rules(its also educational,listen to the words)
  • 8. Am I Evil? by Diamond Head
    not to many no this one but it fucking rocks
  • 7. One In A Million by Guns N' Roses
  • 6. Paradise City by Guns N' Roses
  • 5. Peace Sells... by Megadeth
  • 4. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
  • 3. Seek And Destroy by Metallica
  • 2. Patience by Guns N' Roses
  • 1. One by Metallica
    this song has one of the best solos ever!
By: Ford
By: J Black
By: vprince
  • 10. Animal Magic by Belouise Some
    Try to clear and hear this song..They are all The Good music..
  • 9. Out Of Hand by Mighty Lemon Drops
    Have you ever hear this stuff? well if u don't try to catch them for good
  • 8. Tears Run Rings by Marc Almond
    Closely next to tainted love..This I like about him..Any Comments People?
  • 7. Vienna Calling by Falco
    From old to new way of Life music..I love this Stuff..!!
  • 6. The Great Commaments by Camouflage
    The Band are most likely close to depeche mode...Never Gave Up New Wave..Thats The Great Commandments of all time
  • 5. Transfer Affection by A Flock Of Seagulls
    The way of beating is too much heaven in my ears..what kin of people are the New Wave Artist?
  • 4. The Sun Always Shine On TV by A-ha
    I remember this song when i was at Grade four..hehe
  • 3. When Lightning Strikes by Positive Noise
    One of The BEst SOng in the 80's but people marely dont hear bout this music..
  • 2. Bleeding Babies by Real Life
    ohhh..This Song extremely for all the soldiers whos out there.
  • 1. Love Me Simple by Tuesdy Blue
    One Of The Most Rare New Wave song in the 80's .similar to Icehouse,Wil Swans,Gene Loves Jezebel.
I'm 24 ..but I prefer New Wave music not this Music of the decade..They All Sucks..Boy Bands kiss lick Justin Timberlake ass..Stay New Wave ..I Really Love..British Artist..You Are The Best..Gooluck
By: Mickey
  • 10. Young Love by Janet Jackson
    1982
  • 9. Little Red Corvette/1999 by Prince
    1983
  • 8. Sugar Walls/Strut by Sheena Easton
    1985 another prince's original
  • 7. I Feel For You by Chaka Khan
    1984 prince's original
  • 6. Reflex by Duran Duran
    1982 too much hairspray!
  • 5. Take That To The Bank by Shalamar
    1981
  • 4. Don't Disturb This Groove by The System
    1987
  • 3. Shout by Tears For Fears
    1985
  • 2. New Sensation by INXS
    1988
  • 1. I Can't Stop Loving You by Michael Jackson
    1988
these songs are meant to dance to in the discotheque.
By: Nafa
  • 10. Come Up And See Me (Make Me Smile) by Duran Duran
    D2's cover of the Cockney Rebel tune, available on the UK version of "The Reflex". The best D2 single that never was.
  • 9. Stand & Deliver by Adam And The Ants
  • 8. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side by The Smiths
  • 7. Whistle Down The Wind by Nick Heyward
  • 6. Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band-Aid
  • 5. No One Is To Blame (Remix) by Howard Jones
  • 4. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
  • 3. Six Months In A Leaky Boat by Split Enz
  • 2. Overkill by Men At Work
  • 1. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
By: Jennifer
By: Maureen
By: Bob Saget
By: Amanda Shank
  • 10. She Bop by Cyndi Lauper
    A song about masturbation, what could be more clever? Cyndi Lauper is the most fun and stylish gal of the 80's, I love her!
  • 9. Pop Musik by M
    New York, London, Paris, Munich, everybody talk about pop musik! A great tribute to a great genre of music.
  • 8. Reel Around The Fountain by The Smiths
    Morrisey is a pompus whiner, but that's what makes him wonderful. This song is the most beautiful Smiths song in my opinion.
  • 7. Time (Clock Of The Heart) by Culture Club
    Boy George is the artist who had the most definative style of the 80's, both musically and fashion wise. This is my favorite Culture Club song.
  • 6. Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode
    Apparently if your song is used in a Gap commecial it's a classic. This song is definately a classic, simple, pure synth pop.
  • 5. Wishing by A Flock of Seagulls
    "I Ran" was the group's only smash hit, but "Wishing" is far superior. The song is dreamy and longing, wonderfully crafted, and beautiful.
  • 4. Some Guys Have All The Luck by Rod Stewart
    I don't own any Rod Stewart albums, but whenever I hear this song I wish I did. The song has a great melody and is easy to relate to.
  • 3. In Between Days by The Cure
    The Cure are my favorite group, and the most wonderful moment in my life was hearing them perform this song live.
  • 2. The Reflex by Duran Duran
    This song should be tied for number one. This is the most ideal, perfect dance song of all time.
  • 1. It's My Life by Talk Talk
    This song is melodious, but also has a great intensity about it. Talk Talk aren't one of my favorite groups, but there's something about "It's My Life" that I love. The song makes me feel joyous.
I have so many favorite 80's songs, this list could change on any given day.
By: Rachel
All I can say is I was born in 1982 - too little too late. I love all these songs - they are the perfect compliment to my thick naturally curly hair that would have be oh-so-cool in the 80s :)
By: heather
  • 10. I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew
  • 9. She Works Hard For The Money by Tina Turner
  • 8. Beat It by Michael Jackson
  • 7. Thriller by Michael Jackson
  • 6. Waiting For A Girl Like You by Foreigner
  • 5. Tempted by Squeeze
    Super Catchy.
  • 4. Kids In America by Kim Wilde
    The song is good and underrated.
  • 3. What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner
    Good tune, good voice.
  • 2. One Thing Leads To Another by The Fixx
    This song is very catchy, but not in the annoying, overplayed way most catchy 80's songs are.
  • 1. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson (aka Peter Pan)
    This song is definately #1.
I'm a punk at heart, but I can't resist catchy 80's music.
By: Armand Llauradó
  • 10. One On One by Daryl Hall & John Oates
    Same as #7
  • 9. King In A Catholic Style by China Crisis
    I really enjoyed these guys' cool songs, although they don't seem to be too recognized. This one, together with "Black Man Ray" are their best works imo.
  • 8. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
    The best song of a great band.
  • 7. Wherever I Lay My Hat... by Paul Young
    I used to dance to this song with my girlfriend (today she's my wife), and that makes it special to me ;-).
  • 6. Take On Me by A-Ha
    Well, lots of people seem to consider this one the best song of the eighties and it probably is but, although i enjoy it a lot, it's not my favorite.
  • 5. Sowing The Seeds Of Love by Tears For Fears
    One of the best groups in the eighties. This is the best example of their genuine music style.
  • 4. The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby & The Range
    I simply like it!
  • 3. All By Myself by Eric Carmen
    Another relatively "forgotten" musician, who was able to write such a beautiful (and well known) song like this.
  • 2. Drive by The Cars
    A jewel by a group whose average quality, unfortunately, was not at the level of this song. One of my favorites ever.
  • 1. More Than This by Roxy Music
    Imho, Brian Ferry is one of the most talented singers and song writers ever, but he is somehow undervalued. I think that his work had such a great influence in the music of the eighties that he deserves #1. This is my favorite song by them.
I was 18 in 1981 and 27 in 1990. During those 10 years I made some of the things that have had a highest impact in my life thereafter, and maybe because of this it's the decade whose music I remember with the most pleasure. It's been very difficult to choose only 10 songs from these years, but tried to select those songs that I still enjoy the most, more than 20 years after.

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