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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: Anthony
By: Gary Raymond
  • 10. The Tower Of Song by Leonard Cohen
    cohen showed all of his lyrical power and knowing wit in this pick of the bunch from his rebirth album I'm your man.
  • 9. A Series Of Dreams by Bob Dylan
    unreleased until the official bootleg series kicked off, dylan showed that he was a great musical visionary once again with this seering tune.
  • 8. If That's What It Takes by George Harrison
    a wonderful mix of typical harrison riffs and unconventional chord progressions mixed with a great feel, a man who made records for himself.
  • 7. Stop by Sam Brown
    performed by a wonderful soul singer, this self penned song reminded the eighties what soul was.
  • 6. China Girl by David Bowie
    bowies genius for combining thought, melody and a his own take on the style of the time were never better displayed than here.
  • 5. Tweeter And The Monkey Man by The Travelling Wilburys
    primarily a dylan song but with all the humour that made the wilbury's a pleasant surprise in an era that was often accused of taking itself too seriously.
  • 4. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
    a masterpiece of 1980's big production.
  • 3. The Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar by Bob Dylan
    lyricly superior to anything alse around at the time, dylan crept up on the young pretenders in 1982.
  • 2. Downbound Train by Bruce Springsteen
    while the boss spent most of his energy on writing overblown power-pop he found time to write this great rock tune with the heartfelt lyrics of the mythological rock n roll loner.
  • 1. I Know It's Over by The Smiths
    an epic lament, a grandiose admition of hopelessness and sharply wry.
anything by Phil Collins is a crime against the very idea of ears.
By: Antonio (from Mexico)
  • 10. Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen
  • 9. Africa by Toto
  • 8. Goodbye Horses by Q. Lazzarus
  • 7. I Just Died In Your Arms by Cutting Crew
  • 6. Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen
  • 5. Take On Me by A-Ha
  • 4. Square Rooms by Al Corley
  • 3. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
  • 2. The Promise by When In Rome
  • 1. Words by F. R. David
The Best (I think)
By: Greg
  • 10. Make Me Lose Control by Eric Carmen
    You almost have to sing along to this one. Very catchy, and reminds me of a gorgeous brunette I knew once. Or twice. ;)
  • 9. We Built This City by Starship
    This song got so much radio time... One station in my area had a special intro written into the beginning of the song that they played each time.
  • 8. Broken Wings by Mr. Mister
    Oh the memories... This song playing on a boom box while I was making out with my girlfriend on a deserted baseball field at night. God, how old am I?
  • 7. Overkill by Men At Work
    I loved this song. I wasn't terribly into the group, though. I got real tired of "Down Under" after hearing it played to death day after day on the radio. I remember the lead singer's wierd eyes. :)
  • 6. Against All Odds by Phil Collins
    I'm surprised I haven't seen this one elsewhere on here. It was so popular, but it seems to have all but disappeared after Collins' popularity grew with his solo work.
  • 5. If This is It by Huey Lewis & the News
    These guys had so many great songs, but I think this one is their best.
  • 4. Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon
    So many of these are signature songs of past relationships (or ones I wanted). This one hurts just to think about it. What I would change if I could go back..... :)
  • 3. Still Loving You/Big City Nights by Scorpions
    These two had to go together. They were the anthems of the group I partied with. We had 47 parties in 1985, just about one a weekend, and often they lasted more than one day. These two songs would be heard over and over again. I remember so many good times for which these songs provided a backdrop.
  • 2. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    Just about everyone who was in high school in the mid 80s identifies with this song, and one of the characters in the Breakfast Club. If any kid today wants to know what it was like growing up in the 80s, the cliques, the personality types, the power struggles, you MUST see this movie.
  • 1. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
    One year out of high school and this song was my new personal anthem. Like just about every other white American male of the time, I felt that this song was about me. So many things were changing. One of my all time favorites for any genre. Great guitars, great words, very catchy chourus. I still catch myself whistling it every once in awhile.
There are so many songs that were great in the 80s.. Whittling it down to 10 is really tough. I could go over and over this list a hundred times and it'd probably be different every time. It's really funny, but I didn't realize how much I liked a lot of these until they were not being played on the radio anymore. These songs are definitive of a generation. And to those who get the artists wrong, or misspell the titles, GO LOOK THEM UP! Neither Foreigner nor Air Supply did "Can't Fight This Feeling"!!
By: helena
  • 10. Love Action 1981 by The Human League
    another classy standard setting band who have a place thats indisputable in all music history
  • 9. Evergreen 1983 by Hazell Dean
    what a remarkable singeras good as any soulsinger and alovely version of the striesand son notforgotten hazell
  • 8. The Big Kiss 1985 by Thereza Bazar
    rockin good fun from the dollar song bird who is excellant in her own right a really good dancing number
  • 7. First Picture Of You 1983 by The Lotus Eaters
    again a beautiful song for early autumn memorys and an exceptional song
  • 6. The Other Side 1983 by Lime David And Denyse
    BRILLIANT
  • 5. Situation Jellybean 1983 by Yazoo
    what can i say fabulous blend of alison moyets blues voice and vince clarks expensive dance sound production. if any of you get to hear this rare version youl b blown away!!!!
  • 4. Delius 1980 by Kate Bush
    a late summer evening song conjuring images of lying under a big evergreen on a little hill by a small glistening stream birds an bees around. it would b around a 4.30 afternoon song
  • 3. Babooshka 1980 by Kate Bush
    fairlight recorded for the never forever albumdollar used the same sampler
  • 2. Videotheque 1982 by Dollar
    sampling heaven when it was really hightech
  • 1. Mirror Mirror by Dollar
    the begining of the commercial digital sampling revolotion heres a fantastic late 81 example
the 80s r an exiting music decade.far to many artists groups duos singles album tracks to put here.
By: James Goodhind
By: Erik Johnson
  • 10. Tears For Fears by Head Over Heels
    I always liked this song, but moreso now. It's a great song, and every note can be heard unlike the pop that's out now, and that hook you can't stop singing.. "Laaa la la laaa laaaa... la la la laaaa laaa"...
  • 9. Winger by Seventeen
    I bought the tape after seeing the video for "Madalaine", and when Seventeen came up, I kept replaying it. I almost wore the oxide off the tape! One of my all-time favorite Friday night cruising songs...
  • 8. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
    I've burned my hand on many a lighter during this song when I'd see Crue live. When I pass, this is my song to my family and friends, God bless 'em.
  • 7. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison
    One of the all-time great sing-a-longs, even for a cover band in the middle of nowhere!
  • 6. In My Dreams by Dokken
    Any song with a video featuring a tiger-striped guitar flying across the sky and then a drummer playing in the rain is gonna rock! (Oh yeah, it's a good song, too... damned MTV! (snicker))
  • 5. Pac-Man Fever by Buckner & Garcia
    What can I say? I played the game and was a total sheep to the merchandising svengalis of the time. Still am. (puts on Pac-Man cap and smiles)
  • 4. Radio Station by Run DMC
    I always dug this one, and I now know just how prophetic it is, as I work for a 80's hit station now!
  • 3. Our House by Madness
    The chorus that stuck in your head for days afterward... "Our House... in the middle of our street, our house..."
  • 2. Love Is Love by Culture Club
    Being a big hard rock fan, it's odd to list this one, but the songwriter side knows it's a simple, beautiful song. Boy George is a great crooner and this song is proof.
  • 1. Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant
    I was hooked on this one from the first drum hit. So much energy and groove that you just never hear.
It's hard to pick just 10. There was so much good music being made, and it all had the performer's identity. I'll mix up today's groups because it's all the same, but you know the difference in the 80's bands when you hear them...
By: Brenda
  • 10. Summer Of 69 by Bryan Adams
    Early high school, carefree summers and driving around in cars.
  • 9. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
    I just loved them back then and still do now!
  • 8. Say You Will by Foreigner
    Good song.
  • 7. Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant
    I just liked the song.
  • 6. Fascinated by Company B
    What can I say, I love those dance tunes!
  • 5. Wake Me Up Before You Go-go by WHAM
    upbeat and happy!
  • 4. Need You Tonight by INXS
    I just love the beat!
  • 3. Wonderful by Adam Ant
    Great Tune!
  • 2. Real Love by Mary J Blige
    I still listen to this song! One of my all time favorites
  • 1. All Of Her Songs by Madonna
    I love Madonna, she's a great musician and artist. she is not affraid to do her thang!
These are my favorite songs from the 80's and I still listen to them today! Of course there is a lot more songs that I love but they only give us 10 spots.
By: Pere Accésan
  • 10. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
    Hush-hush eye-to-eye.
  • 9. Wishful Thinking by China Crisis
    A chinese atmosphere for this song
  • 8. 99 luftballons by Nena
    The German version. The latest Cold War song.
  • 7. Enola Gay by OMD
    A lot of people don´t know what Enola Gay is, yet.
  • 6. Don´t You Want Me by Human League
    Human League and their greatest hit, although they had many good songs.
  • 5. Vienna by Ultravox
    An example of an atmosphere. This means anything to me
  • 4. Every Breath You Take by Police
    Or how to make a song from a chase.
  • 3. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    The version of this song that Soft Cell performed was a hit. I gave you all a boy could give you.
  • 2. Down Under by Men At Work
    The vegemite sandwich and the zombie on a hippy trail.
  • 1. Avalon by Roxy Music
    The best song of Roxy Music in my opinion. If you want to know how to create an atmosphere, this is the song.
My english is not very good. I´m sorry.
By: David
  • 10. Werewolves Of London by Warren Zevon
    Can you say fun? I think you can.
  • 9. Everyday Is Halloween by Ministry
    This song is just plain cool!
  • 8. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    From the 3rd greatest movie from the '80's, "The Breakfast Club" (first and second being "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi"). Pretty much every other movie on that list is a John Hughes film. (Did anyone else make movies in the '80's other than Lucas, Spielberg, and Hughes?) ;)
  • 7. Human Touch by Rick Springfield
    The original Nick Night (for those fans of the series Forever Night).
  • 6. The Touch by Stan Bush
    He, it was the '80's. Gotta throw in something from Transformers: The Movie. That, and I had alot of fun doing this at an air band competition.
  • 5. Heaven by Bryan Adams
    Great song, great video, and he's a BC boy, like me!
  • 4. We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
    Re-defined UGLY in the '80's. Gave Mick Jagger and Steve Tyler something to shoot for. :)
  • 3. Borderline by Madonna
    The Material Mom at her finest.
  • 2. Send Me An Angel by Real Life
    The original is FAR superior to "Send Me An Angel '89", but that's a good version, too.
  • 1. Strange Animal by Gowan
    If you're from Canada, you SHOULD know this one. If not, he's currently front man on Styx current tour (Dennis DeYoung couldn't make the tour).
I probably could have filled this list just with songs from Gowan, but I figured I should show SOME variety.
By: THECOOLGUY
  • 10. Detroit Rock City by Kiss
    detroit has lots of gun problems..
  • 9. Crazy Train by Ozzy
    crazy :)
  • 8. Diary Of A Madman by Ozzy
    best song
  • 7. Thunderstruck by AC/DC
    acdc is cool but not that cool
  • 6. Hysteria by Def leppard
    i gotta know tonight, if your alone tonight =)
  • 5. Dreams by Van Halen
    good song
  • 4. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def leppard
    AWESOME
  • 3. Flying In A Blue Dream by Joe Satriani
    peace
  • 2. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    gta 3 is a good game
  • 1. Bark At The Moon by Ozzy
    bark
i had a few more songs to anter, if only uve F***ing made it "top 20 songs" that would be much nicer...but NOOOOOOOO. anyways bye
By: D
  • 10. Get Out Of My House Roach by Shuffle Demons
    This relationship. Just isn't hip.
  • 9. All I Want Is You by U2
    Black and white. Sorrowful. Beautiful.
  • 8. Ship Of Fools by World Party
    Save me from tomorrow.
  • 7. Hard Habit To Break by Chicago
    *sigh*
  • 6. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    *sigh*
  • 5. Hazy Shade Of Winter by Bangles
    Riding a convertible in a lightning storm.
  • 4. Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    Black and white. Drum. Beach on canvas.
  • 3. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
    Jon Cusack in a trenchcoat with a boombox over his head.
  • 2. Every Breath You Take by Police
    Black and white. Drum. Window.
  • 1. In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
    Helicopters flying over nighttime Los Angeles. A non-techno cyberpunk song.
Long Live CFTR, and the 5:10 Stupid Joke of the Day
By: Oscar (from Argentina)
  • 10. Appetite by Prefab Sprout
  • 9. Machinery by Propaganda
  • 8. Twilight World by Swing out sister
  • 7. Wouldn´t It Be Good by Nik Kershaw
  • 6. Forever Live And Die by OMD
  • 5. Broken Land by Adventures
  • 4. That's When I Think Of You by 1927
  • 3. Tausenmal Du by Münchener Freiheit
  • 2. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  • 1. Union Of The Snake by Duran Duran
    Born in the 80's, the greatest band ever.Changed video clip´s history.
It was very hard to choose these songs.It would have been easier if I had to choose the top 100.But the chief said "just ten".
By: Adrian
  • 10. All I Need Is A Miracle by Mike and the Mechanics
    Great song that i haven't really seen listed above?
  • 9. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
    Song that i originally heard during the first Karate Kid movie.
  • 8. It Ain't Enough by Corey Hart
    An old, moving, favourite.
  • 7. Talking In Your Sleep by Romantics
    gooooood!
  • 6. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
    Great track that's still popular with a lot of people.
  • 5. Princes Of The Universe by Queen
    Well remembered from the original Highlander movie.
  • 4. Obsession by Human League
    Obsessive song!
  • 3. Walk Like An Egyptian by Bangles
    yeah, yeah...too bad it's here!
  • 2. Sexcrime (1984) by Eurythmics
    interesting early song from annie.
  • 1. Right On Track by Breakfast Club
    Not a bad song, aye!
Not listed in order of favouritism.
By: Chris
Drive, Africa, Nothings gonna stop us now, All outta love, Livin on a prayer, I think were alone now, keep on loving you, Rythm of the night, Against all odds, Hungry eyes, Purple Rain, Wild Boys, Live to tell, Town called malice, Here i go again, These dreams, Take on me, Freedom, Living years. These are all worthy of my top ten on another day some of them might.
By: John Hamilton
  • 10. Rock You Like a Hurricane by Scorpions
    Yeah baby!
  • 9. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    He had to be there somewhere.
  • 8. Crossfire by Stevie Ray Vaughan
    If you don't believe me, listen to SRV and you'll understand why he was one of the best blues men ever.
  • 7. Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
    My theme song.
  • 6. Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
    'nuff sed. The whole Hysteria album is genius.
  • 5. Back in Black by AC/DC
    A masterfully produced track...still an anthem to rock out to.
  • 4. Jump by Van Halen
    Still a favorite
  • 3. St. Elmo's Fire by John Parr
    One hit wonder...
  • 2. We Built This City on Rock and Roll by Jefferson Starship
    Hehehe.
  • 1. Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News
    C'mon people...Back to the Future.
By: Gabriel
I really miss those years a lot!!!
By: Steve
  • 10. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
    Amazing guitar riff by the late great Randy Rhoades - check it out
  • 9. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    the ultimate New Wave song
  • 8. True by Spandau Ballet
    Catches that 80s sound to perfection
  • 7. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    still fresh after all these years
  • 6. Radio Ga Ga by Queen
    Great vocals from Freddie Mercury, the best queen song of the decade
  • 5. Learning To Fly by Pink Floyd
    For some reason a lot of Pink Floyd fans dont like this song, I think its their best ever song
  • 4. Jump by Van Halen
    one of only a few Rock songs to reach no.1 in the USA, memorable synthesizer playing - sounds great on CD
  • 3. Turn Me Loose by Loverboy
    One of a few catchy tunes by this Canadian Rock Band, great guitar and bass playing, Mike Reno has awesome vocals
  • 2. Drive by The Cars
    great car song!, sounds best on CD although you have to be in the right mood
  • 1. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    A great song from a great movie, makes me wish I was back in 1985 everytime I hear it
By: Brandon Peoples
Michael Jackson, no matter how much anyone hates him was the king of the eighties like it or not. I was born in 1985 and I absolutely love Michael Jackson's music as well as the hair bands of the 80s. They put more into their music those days whereas today its basically watered down crap.
By: Nikki Papesh

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