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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: robert
By: Rob Santa
  • 10. Let Me Go by Heaven 17
    This song is the synth equivalent of gold.
  • 9. I Melt With You by Modern English
    Proof that all love songs don't have to be agonizing power ballads.
  • 8. Once In A Lifetime by Talking Heads
    The best Devo song that Devo never made.
  • 7. Walking On Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves
    Sure this is probably the most overplayed song, but doesn't it just scream "80's"?
  • 6. 99 Luftballoons by Nena
    Anybody who likes the English version should be bonked on the head. This is the real deal.
  • 5. Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung
    I kept flip flopping on my choice for #4 & #5. For now, this is #5.
  • 4. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    Doesn't it just make you want to feather your hair and acid wash everything? =)
  • 3. We Belong by Pat Benatar
    Pat had an absolutely gorgeous voice and a A+ calibre back catalog to back it up.
  • 2. How Soon Is Now by The Smiths
    Excellent though it may be, forget Love Spit Love's abbreviated cover. There's something otherworldly about this version.
  • 1. Purple Rain by Prince
    Both timeless and characteristically 80's, this song is pure magic. Find one hole or flaw. I dare you.
ARGH!!!! Must I choose? In addition to everything ever made by U2, I would've included... "Bette Davis Eyes", "The Sun Always Shines on TV", "Cry Little Sister", "Sweet Dreams", "Broken Wings", "Saftey Dance", "At This Moment", "Weird Science", & about a couple dozen more gems.
By: Trenton Price
  • 10. What I Am by Edie Brickell
    Smooth, intoxicating jazz-rock fusion. What in the hell happened to her (besides Paul Simon)?
  • 9. Marathon by Rush
    I'm not sure whether we're talking about air-play songs here, but this song is definitely (and this is saying a lot!)Rush at their best. Beautiful and inspiring song and video.
  • 8. Learning To Fly by Pink Floyd
    This one had two different videos. My favorite was the one in which the Indian spirit coerces the young man to attemtp to fly. Beautifully mystical.
  • 7. Defenders Of The Flag by Bruce Hornsby (with Huey Lewis on harmonica)
    Social and political commentary as only Hornsby can do it! Nice assist from Lewis on the harmonica.
  • 6. Shouldn't Take It So Hard by Keith Richards & The Expensive Winos
    Little known solo effort by Richards got heavy rotation when MTV ACTUALLY played videos. Great jammin, head-boppin song.
  • 5. Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
    In my opinion, the greatest road song ever written or performed.
  • 4. Overkill by Men At Work
    Can you believe it? Colin Hay's voice is as strong as ever and sounds just as good acoustically. Can this guy sing or what?
  • 3. Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
    God, was music interesting back then!
  • 2. With Or Without You by U2
    They haven't done (in my humble opinion) anything better since.
  • 1. Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes
    The whole cd '90125' could be nominated. Also, very few videos are as disturbing.
Finest Worksong/Orange Crush-- REM; Silent Lucidity-- Queensryche; Good Night Saigon (I cry every time I hear it)/ Keepin The Faith-- Billy Joel
By: Herry Ginanjar
By: XLibris
  • 10. Add It Up by Violent Femmes
    You don't need electric guitars to rock . . .
  • 9. With or Without You by U2
    Laid-back but intense and yearning.
  • 8. Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em Like That) by Greg Kihn Band
    Early 80s was a low-water mark for rock, but this song holds up.
  • 7. Sign Your Name by Terence Trent D'Arby
    Where did this song come from? Sinister and cool.
  • 6. I Know There's Something Going On by Frida
    Everybody forgets this song . . . it's so *intense*.
  • 5. Love Song by The Cure
    You can almost taste the sadness.
  • 4. Dreams by Van Halen
    Gauranteed to get your blood flowing.
  • 3. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns 'n Roses
    I hate GnR but they got this song right.
  • 2. One by Metallica
    One of the scariest rock songs ever written--sounds like (and is about) a violent death.
  • 1. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey
    I *defy* anybody to tell me what's wrong with this song--it's just about perfect.
By: Clinton
By: Alan Burns
  • 10. Theme From S-express (1988) by S-Express
  • 9. Get Up And Use Me (1981) by Fire Engines
  • 8. Seconds (1981) by Human League
  • 7. Song To The Siren (1984) by This Mortal Coil
  • 6. Charlotte Sometimes (1981) by The Cure
  • 5. Adultery (1980) by Scars
  • 4. House Nation (1986) by Housemaster Boyz
  • 3. In Private (1989) by Dusty Springfield
  • 2. This Charming Man (1983) by The Smiths
  • 1. Where Is My Mind? (1987) by Pixies
The 80s were the most varied musical decade until, ooh... the 90's?
By: Larry Hanson
  • 10. Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac
    The Mac was at their peak in 1982.
  • 9. Puttin' On The Ritz by Taco
    It's Taco, what more can I say? This song is all 80's.
  • 8. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight by Genesis
    Phil Collins needs to stay in this band.
  • 7. Heart & Soul by Huey Lewis & The News
    A very under-rated band. This was a great song.
  • 6. Dancin' In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen
    The Boss was huge in the 80's.
  • 5. It's A Mistake by Men At Work
    A great band, with great songs.
  • 4. Runnin' With The Night by Lionel Richie
    What about Lionel?
  • 3. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police
    This song reminds me of video arcades.
  • 2. Jump by Van Halen
    These guys were the #1 band in the world in the 80's.
  • 1. Beat It by Michael Jackson
    Like him or not, when you hear this song, you remember what you were doing when you first heard it.
By: Nicole Larocco
By: Jay V.
  • 10. We Didnt Start The Fire by Billy Joel
    It speaks for itself..
  • 9. Notorious by Duran Duran
    No..No..Notorious..
  • 8. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    "Shot Through The Heart!!!........"
  • 7. Summer Of '69 by Bryan Adams
    Key song..
  • 6. Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
    Top Gun..Go Maverick..
  • 5. Meet Me Half Way by Kenny Loggins
    Sylvester Stallone in the movie Over The Top..key flick
  • 4. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
    Definitely a song to listen to while on the expressway..
  • 3. Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Nikki French (90's version)
    Girls go crazy for this song at CC..Nikki French's version..
  • 2. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    Huge rock hit from the 80's..
  • 1. Take On Me by A-Ha
    Culture Club written all over it..
Vey Key Songs..
By: gwen
  • 10. Burning Up by Madonna
  • 9. Say Say Say by Michael Jackson And Paul
  • 8. Sugar Walls by Sheena Easton
  • 7. Don't Leave Me This Way by The Communards
  • 6. Like The Way I Do by Melissa Ethridge
  • 5. Party All The Time by Eddie Murphy
  • 4. Can You Feel It by Fat Boys
  • 3. Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry
  • 2. Jealous Fellows by L'trimm
  • 1. Hold Me by Menudo
By: Arni
  • 10. Feels Like Heaven by Fiction Factory
  • 9. Two Rivers by The Adventure
  • 8. Girlfriend In Coma by The Smiths
  • 7. Joey by Concrete Blonde
  • 6. First Picture by The Lotus Eaters
  • 5. Don't Dream It's Over by Crouded House
  • 4. What by Soft Cell
  • 3. Castles In The Air by The Colourfield
  • 2. Walk Out To Winter by Aztec Camera
  • 1. Thank You by Pale Fountain
By: Derek
There are so many good songs from the 80's its tough to pick the best ones but oh well.
By: Amy
  • 10. What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner
    I felt Tina's pain with that boy in my 3rd grade class!
  • 9. Purple Rain by Prince
    The worst movie of all time!
  • 8. Endless Summer Nights by Richard Marx
    Oh, I thought this was the most romantic song.
  • 7. Celebration by Kool And The Gang
    I'm still celebrating those good times!
  • 6. Electric Avenue by Eddie Grant
    This song was at the top of the charts for a whole summer in Chicago!!
  • 5. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    My first album!
  • 4. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    I remember when Michael's hair caught on fire. I was at a party with a bunch of girls and we were all hysterically upset.
  • 3. Hello by Lionel Ritchie
    I remember the video with the blind girl.
  • 2. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    My mom thought it was such a bad song...
  • 1. Walk Like An Egyptian by Bangles
    We were all walking around like Egyptians!
By: Larry LeBlond
Def Leppard in my opinion is perhaps one of the greatest bands ever. To overcome such obstacles in their life and to continue on with such rocking power ballads. Rick Savage is my hero. Rock On!
By: christian
By: filipina
  • 10. Time And Tide by Basia
    this song is really good....
  • 9. Whenever I See Your Smiling Face by James Taylor
    awwww...sweeettttttttttt............
  • 8. What Might Have Been by Lou Pardini
    it's so nice to here a guy singing this song.....if he is relly into it
  • 7. I Remember by Madonna
    wish i have a copy of this song....
  • 6. Puttin On The Ritz by Taco
    i feel like im a model when im hearing this song
  • 5. When Will I See You Again by Third Degree
    when will i see you again? hope soon...
  • 4. Working My Way Back With You (babe) by Spinners
    this is a bit sweet...a guy who's gonna ask for your forgiveness
  • 3. Suddenly by Soraya
    i just love this......
  • 2. If I by Patti Austin
    i just love this song...it kinda relates.....
  • 1. I Dont Wanna Live Without You by Foreigner
    .....i dont wanna live w/o you...live w/o your love......it only shows how much you care about the person you like and love
this 10 song listed here are just 1 of my favorites....nyway i love beach boys!!!
By: Jeff
  • 10. My Girl by Chilliwhack
    Catchy, different, creative. Even the band name...Chill-A-Whack! had people asking What-The-**** is a Chill-A-Whack? Not a bad marketing strategy. :} A cool song with a nice hook...what more could you ask for?
  • 9. Fantasy by Aldo Nova
    I can still remember Aldo coming down out of the helicopter on the MTV video and shooting lasers out of his guitar. Sweet! :) A pop-rock song with alot of energy. Life is just a Fantasy, can you live this Fantasy life?
  • 8. Change by John Waite
    A staple on MTV in the early days. As a former lead singer of the baby's he had a nice little solo career there for awile. Unless you remember the video, you probably don't remember the song. It did not get alot of radio airplay but it should have. His big hit was "Missing You". If you don't know this one however, check it out...you'll be glad you did!
  • 7. Only The Lonely by The Motels
    A great song, a great video with a sexy lead singer. It is one of those songs that you immediately like when you hear it for the first time. It also features a cool sax solo and an overall smooth sound.
  • 6. Talk To Ya Later by The Tubes
    Everyone remembers "Shes a Beauty" and it was great also but check out this song and see if you can stay still. You'll be in front of the mirror playing air guitar in no time! :)
  • 5. Cars by Gary Newman
    With the exception of Little Richard and his song "Tutti Fruity" who is still doing commercials to this day (2003), is there anyone in the 80's who has gotten more mileage from a song? It is featured to this day in car commercials around the world. Not bad for a song that came out in 1980. You can immediately recognize it when you hear it. It's one of those songs that makes you want to put the top down and crank up the radio.
  • 4. She Shiela by The Producers
    Speaking of an underappreciated band...The Producers fit the bill to a "T". These guys had some great albums with many songs that could hook you in quick and have you singing them before you know it. This song had a great video that featured a beautiful girl that to this day I would put against anyone out there. Every guy in this band has talent and they are still playing together quite frequently (as of 2003) in the Atlanta area. Check out their website and see how many fans of the band are still out there...and rightfully so!
  • 3. Wouldn't It Be Good by Nic Kershaw
    A great song from a great songwriter. This one makes you think a little which is what Nic is so great at doing. He only had a few hits in the states with this one being the most famous. "The Riddle" was also a great one and Nic is another talent who is under appreciated. Check out his official website if you get the chance. He talkes about his life and his struggles with the music business. A good read for a true 80's fan.
  • 2. On The Loose by Saga
    Here is a great song that never got it's due in the states. A great band that never got it's due either. What a shame...they have alot to offer. If you are not fimiliar with them, you should be.
  • 1. Space Age Love Song by A Flock of Seagulls
    The music, the hook, the melodies, the haircut, the video, the feel. It just strikes a cord in your emotions. It has everything for me. It's simplicity is brilliant.
Hey Everybody! Glad to see that there are still some fans of the good 'ol 80's. The decade for great music, great movies, and cool clothes! Come on...you know you had a Members Only jacket and parachute pants! My list was based on the songs that when I hear them... they immediately take me back to that great time in my life. For those of us who grew up in the 80's as a teenager it is hard to believe that some of these songs are over 20 years old already. I, like many others need alot more than 10 songs to make a best of list (maybe 100!) :) I collected a ton of records in the 80's and to this day I am still stuck on them ...and I am 35! Some great selections that everyone has contributed! Here is a quick list for you. If you have not heard of them all check them out, you will like them. Some others that I like ...Don't You Forget About Me- Simple Minds, Eyes Without a Face- Billy Idol, More Than Just The Two of Us- Sneaker, Love is Like a Rock- Donny Iris, I Really Want To Know You- Gary Wright, Just an Illusion- Imagination....on and on and on! If you would like to talk 80's write me at 80sFreak@prodigy.net. Thanks!
By: Garven
  • 10. Every Little Thing by The Police
    I really love the bass in this song and the way it starts off.
  • 9. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd
  • 8. We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel
    A lot of the things present then are still around today. Very well done.
  • 7. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles
    Sorry, I couldn't leave it out :)
  • 6. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    I love the beat in this
  • 5. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
    I'm a U2 nut. The Edge is amazing in this song.
  • 4. Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2
  • 3. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    The 80's was the biggest era of one-hit wonders; this was my favorite :)
  • 2. Pride by U2
    "Hidden" lyrics about Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King
  • 1. With Or Without You by U2
    So many emotions are in this song. I love U2 :)
Anything by U2
By: blackwhite
  • 10. You`re The Voice by John Farnham
    Makes me shiver...
  • 9. Toy Soldiers by Martika
    Couldn`t miss this one...
  • 8. Feels Like Heaven by Fiction Factory
    Good sound, good song.
  • 7. Back On The Chain Gang by The Pretenders
    simply a good song.
  • 6. 99 Luftballons by Nena
    ...nothing more to add:)
  • 5. We Belong by Pat Benetar
    My favourite love song.
  • 4. I Drove All Night by Cindy Lauper
    Makes me feel the summer night.
  • 3. Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle
    Belinda is simply great.
  • 2. Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
    Pure passion.
  • 1. Take On Me by A-ha
    This is the perfect feeling.
80`s are great and just 10 songs could never describe enough...:)

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