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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: SIDNEY GIOVANNI GALEANO
GOOD SONGS
By: chris
  • 10. Rock The Bells by LL Cool J
    there are too many great hip hop songs from the 80's
  • 9. Borderline by Madonna
    the beginning of a monster
  • 8. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
    the title says it all
  • 7. Kiss Them For Me by Siouxsie & The Banshees
    coolest girl/woman of the 80's...if you like the cure then you have to like siouxsie
  • 6. Nasty Girl by Vanity 6
    you gotta love nasty girls...i do...
  • 5. Possessed To Skate by Suicidal Tendencies
    skateboarding was my life in the mid 80's
  • 4. Behind The Wheel by Depeche Mode
    great live band
  • 3. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    one of their more commercial songs, but still amazing. amazing band
  • 2. Shoplifters Of The World by Smiths
    silly, witty lyrics, great guitarist...just great!
  • 1. So In Love by OMD
    everyone knows "if you leave" but check out this one!
rob base "it takes 2", nitzer ebb "join in the chant", the nails, "88 lines about 44 women", slick rick "the show", romeo void "never say never", sonic youth "teenage riot", duran duran (too many songs), dead milkmen "instant club hit", etc, etc, etc
By: Missy
  • 10. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 (1987)
  • 9. What I Am by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (1989)
    Cool tune with a simple message.
  • 8. Welcome To the Jungle by Guns N' Roses (1989)
    This was the Anthem of my high school days.
  • 7. Let the Music Play (1984) by Shannon
    More school dance memories...
  • 6. Rock Of Ages by Def Leppard (1982)
    This was my fave band through the 80's. My first concert at $12.50 a ticket. I was in love with Joe Elliott :-)
  • 5. I Love Rock And Roll/Crimson And Clover by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (1982)
    My first cassette. I played it so much I had to get another one.
  • 4. You Give Love A Bad Name (1986) by Bon Jovi
    The hairspray days were the best. Bon Jovi rocked in concert.
  • 3. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (1988)
    Her voice was unique.
  • 2. Nothings' Gonna Stop Us Now by Jefferson Starship (1987)
    I remember this song from junior high dances...hmm those were the days of innocence.
  • 1. On The Dark Side by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band (1983)
    Eddie and the Cruisers was my favorite movie when I was younger.
The 80's was such a great time with many music variations. It started with break dance beats (Newcleus-Jam On It, Grand Master Flash - The Message)and then mixed in some pop (Human League, Prince, Madonna, Falco & Fine Young Cannibals) and ended with hairspray (Poison, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake & Def Leppard) I loved watching metal videos on MTV's head bangers ball (Helloween, Anthrax, Exodus, Malmstein, Alice Cooper and Metallica). The 80's rocked and was a wonderful time to grow up in.
By: Dave
I could make a top 100 list. I really LOVED the early 80's. I still miss those days !!
By: John Mickles, Jr.
  • 10. U Got The Look by Prince
  • 9. We Are The World by USA For Africa
  • 8. How Will I Know by Whitney Houston
  • 7. Dancing On The Ceiling by Lionel Richie
  • 6. Looking For A New Love by Jody Watley
  • 5. Put Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
  • 4. Living In A Box by Living In A Box
  • 3. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
  • 2. Miss You Much by Janet Jackson
  • 1. Send Me An Angel 89' by Real Life
By: STEPHEN TUBBS
  • 10. Milli Vanilli by Blame It On The Rain
    Even Doe These Guys Did't Sing The Songs On The Album It Still Was A Great Album Remember It Did Win A Grammy For One Hot Moment.
  • 9. In Your Eyes by Stevie B.
    Great Eye To Eye Cotact With A Girl Of Your Choice Ah Those Were The Days..
  • 8. Keep Me Hangin' On by Kim Wyles
  • 7. My Girl Like To Party All The Time by Eddie Murphy
    Girls Use To Lose There Mind For This Song And I Still He Should Stay Being A Stand Up
  • 6. Allison by Elvis Costello
  • 5. You Don't Have To Take Your Clothes Off by Jermaine Stewart
    You Know Where This Guy Is Coming From...
  • 4. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    When You Want To Come... Great Song.
  • 3. If You Leave by OMD
    Ah Pretty In Pink
  • 2. Million Miles Away by The Primsouls
    Valley Girls Dude For Sure Loved It
  • 1. Chains Of Love by Erasure
    For Some Starnge Reason This Song Had A Beat That Start You Up And Glide You All The Way Down.
Duran Duran New Moon On Monday Is Also A Good Song. To Bad I Don't Hear It As Much As I Use To..
By: Greg Z.
  • 10. Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid
    It may be a Christmas song, but it's one of the most recognizable songs of the 80s. It blows away "We Are The World".
  • 9. Shout by Tears For Fears
    They had several hits (Head Over Heels, Everybody Wants To Rule The World), and for a short while they did rule the world.
  • 8. Africa by Toto
    A classic 80s song that would have been a hit if they released it today. I still hear people humming it when it comes on the radio.
  • 7. Rio by Duran Duran
    My favorite song by one of the best bands of the 80s. They had many songs that could have been on this list - but this is their best.
  • 6. Jump by Van Halen
    Van Halen fans may not consider it to be their best song, but it was easily their biggest hit of the 80s.
  • 5. Take On Me by A-Ha
    The greatest video of all time, and a terrific song too.
  • 4. Our House by Madness
    Another catchy, upbeat song that everyone loved. A great One Hit Wonder.
  • 3. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    The best song of the 80s by the best band of the 80s ... but it's not a typical 80s song. It's still a classic, one of the greatest of all time.
  • 2. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
    A huge hit even though the original version was in German and nobody knew what the words meant.
  • 1. Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Riders
    When I think of the 80s, I think of this song first and foremost. The greatest One Hit Wonder of the 80s.
By: Robert Johnson
  • 10. Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes
    Don't know why, I just like this song.
  • 9. Toto by Africa
    This song is sooo infectious. The Harmony sounds great.
  • 8. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
    Great opening guitar riff. Duran Duran music at its best: sexy, stylish, and seductive.
  • 7. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    The best hard rock song of the decade.
  • 6. Blue Monday by New Order
    Tell me how does it feel? Real good. Sounds even better. Part of that great British new wave of synchronizers and keyboards. Loved it.
  • 5. Take Me Home Tonight (Be My Little Baby) by Eddie Money
    This song best sums up my view of the 80s.
  • 4. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Good lyrics, nice music, great song.
  • 3. Take On Me by A-Ha
    Never really liked the video, but this is one of the best songs of the 80s.
  • 2. Only You by The Flying Picketts
    A haunting song about a guy who genuinely loves a girl, but she doesn't even notice him. Not a lot of people know this song, and the video looks kind of like a dream in a pool hall.
  • 1. Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    The best summer song of all time. Period.
Honorable mentions: Don't You Want Me, Human League; Beat It, Michael Jackson; Bizarre Love Triangle, New Order; With or Without You, U2; The Final Countdown, Europe; Cum on Feel the Noize, Quiet Riot; Home Sweet Home, Motley Crue.
By: Melanie
Like the 70s, it's hard to break it down to 10 songs.
By: Martina
  • 10. Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    The club song of the 80's and I still blast it from my radio ever time it comes on!
  • 9. Time (Clock of The Heart) by Culture Club
    What can I say? I love Culture Club.
  • 8. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
    Cyndi was the female of the 80's, and this was and is a great song.
  • 7. Loverboy by Billy Ocean
    Great tune for cruisin' or the dance floor.
  • 6. One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head
    Just a fun song from the mid 80's that brings back so many fun memories.
  • 5. Land Of Confusion by Genesis
    Still one of my favorites, and the video was a blast to watch! My kids love it now.
  • 4. Rio by Duran Duran
    Really my favorite group from the 80's. They were and still are the best representation of 80's music.
  • 3. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    It was popular the same time as the song from Chicago and was a favorite to dance to at the clubs with my boyfriend,{husband now}.
  • 2. You're The Inspiration by Chicago
    Wonderful! Peter Cetera was the best lead singer the group ever had.
  • 1. If You Leave by OMD
    It simply reminds me of life in the early 80's after high school graduation. Its so haunting.
You know the 80's were IT when it comes to music. Nothing will ever come as close to absolute perfection as the 80's did. A decade where everything was great and you never had to channel surf.
By: Wayne Cochran
  • 10. I Didn't Mean to Turn You On by Robert Palmer
  • 9. Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams
  • 8. The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & The News
  • 7. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns & Roses
  • 6. Don't You Want Me by Human League
  • 5. Hourglass by Squeeze
    At least more than one person remembers this song now =)
  • 4. Chains of Love by Erasure
  • 3. Something About You by Level 42
  • 2. I'm Still Standing by Elton John
  • 1. The Reflex by Duran Duran
By: Scott
  • 10. Silent Running by Mike + The Mechanics
    interesting song, i guess thats why i love it.
  • 9. Broken Wings by Mr. Mister
    it just has a cool beginning, just a great song to listen to i guess.
  • 8. Boys of Summer by Don Henley
    number 1 song to listen to during the good ol' summertime
  • 7. Second Chance by .38 Special
    great lyrics, and it has a strong meaning.
  • 6. The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby & The Range
    this was the song that was their claim to fame in '86.
  • 5. Another Day In Paradise by Phil Collins
    phil collins won a grammy for this song and it was well-deserved.
  • 4. I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
    great 80's song through and through
  • 3. The Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics
    it makes me wanna just go play catch with my old man.
  • 2. Every Breath You Take by The Police
    they didnt win grammys for this song for nothing.
  • 1. The End of The Innocence by Don Henley
    it never gets old, and its a great driving song.
By: brad pritt
  • 10. Sanctuary by Iron Maiden
    So give me sanctuary from the law and ill be alright
  • 9. Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses
    It's gonna bring you down! HUH!!
  • 8. You're Crazy by Guns N' Roses
    You dont want my love You Want satisfaction You don't need my love You gotta find yourself another peace of the action Because you're crazy o my! You're fu**'n crazy
  • 7. The Trooper by Iron Maiden
    KICK A**!
  • 6. Pulling Teeth (anestesia) by Metallica
    Cliff was God on the Bass
  • 5. Shot in The Dark by Ozzy
    SHARRON!!
  • 4. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica
    A killer song with the perfect ending.
  • 3. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    Come crawling faster...
  • 2. Seek And Destroy by Metallica
    This song defines what METAL REALY IS!!!!!!!!!
  • 1. One by Metallica
    JUST F-ING ROCKS!!!!
By: CHAD CHAMPNEYS
  • 10. Major Tom by Peter Schilling
  • 9. Dreaming by OMD
  • 8. True Faith by New Order
  • 7. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
  • 6. Blasphemous Rumors by Depeche Mode
    This song helped make DM my all time favorite band.
  • 5. Troy by Sinead O'Connor
    To this day gives me goosebumps.
  • 4. If You Leave by OMD
    Another Junior High crush song...
  • 3. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
    the only cure song that made me smile - which is strange. I like the cure for a different reason.
  • 2. It's A Sin by Pet Shop Boys
    So dark and so cool to a 14 year old.
  • 1. But not Tonight by Depeche Mode
    My first experience with New Wave. Fell in and out of Love to this song a few times in Junior High - never forgot it...
As I wrote these songs, I realized that it IS IMPOSSIBLE to make a list like this. I have at least 20 more honorable mentions...Thompson Twins - Lay Your Hands on Me, about ten more Depeche Mode tunes and, more Cure, more New Order....oh well - I guess I need to get my songs prioritized and do this agian! I missed the Clash! AAAGH...
By: kait
  • 10. I Melt With You by Modern English
    One that you just want to grab that special guy or girl of your's and just dance along to.
  • 9. Toy Soldiers by Martika
    Great anti-drug song. Love the whole song.. lyrics, beat, and all.
  • 8. Talking In Your Sleep by The Romantics
    *sigh* this song is just one that you want to listen to over and over.
  • 7. Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder
    Just a really good song.
  • 6. One Thing Leads To Another by The Fixx
    Man.. this song is just ggrreeaat! Awesome beat and just a real toe tapper.
  • 5. I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls
    One of my all time favorite groups.. this song is great and you can just totally sing along to it.
  • 4. Will You Still Love Me? by Chicago
    This is a great love song! I think perfect for your first dance at your wedding.
  • 3. (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew
    Ahh... I just can't get enough of this song
  • 2. I Wanna Be A Cowboy by Boys Don't Cry
    Ok.. I don't any other songs for this group.. but man! This is a great song! My friend and I are hooked to it!
  • 1. Mad World by Tears For Fears
    I don't think this one of their biggest hits... but it's a great song with a really good beat.
By: John Mickles, Jr.
  • 10. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight by Genesis
  • 9. Kyrie by Mr. Mister
  • 8. Summer Of 69' by Bryan Adams
  • 7. I Get Weak by Belinda Carlisle
  • 6. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
  • 5. Money For Nothing by Dire Straits
  • 4. Open Your Heart by Madonna
  • 3. Only In My Dreams by Debbie Gibson
  • 2. It Takes Two by Robe Base & DJ E-Z Rock
  • 1. My Perogrative by Bobby Brown
By: robin hood
Guesch Patti - Etienne, Gazebo - I like chopin, Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora - When the rain beginns to fall, Boomtown Rats - I don't like mondays, Corey Hart - Sunglasses at night, Desireless - Voyage voyage, Europe - The final countdown, Taylor Dayne - Tell it to my heart, T'Pau - China in Your Hand, Yes - Owner of a lonely heart, U2 - Sunday, bloody Sunday, ... ... to be continued!
By: Brittany
  • 10. Stand Back by Stevie Nicks
    I think everything Stevie Nicks has ever produced/sang is fantastic. This song has an awesome feeling to it and keeps you mystified.
  • 9. I Heard A Rumour by Bananarama
    This song is so "valley girl", but I love it! Totally!
  • 8. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
    Oh, you've gotta love a bad boy!
  • 7. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
    This song just plain rocks, simply put.
  • 6. Hungry Like A Wolf by Duran Duran
    The 80's wouldn't have been the 80's without Duran Duran.
  • 5. Electric Blue by Icehouse
    Fantastic!
  • 4. Together Forever by Rick Astley
    I was five when this song came out! I still like Rick Astley!
  • 3. Is This Love by White Snake
    I think a lot of people had this one on their list, but this has to be my favorite hair band ballad.
  • 2. Angel Eyes by Wet Wet Wet
    This song is beautiful!
  • 1. You're The Only Love by Payolas
    I had the HARDEST time finding this song, but I ended up finding it on KaZaa and I'm glad I did! It's awesome.
It's so hard to narrow so many good songs down to just 10. I easily could've put 100 more songs down as my favorites. I miss the 80s! I wish I could've been "grown up" to enjoyed them a bit more! haha
By: Vicki
By: Martin C
  • 10. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
    One of those "feelgood" tracks.
  • 9. Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
    One of THE songs of the 80's.
  • 8. Whole Of The Moon by The Waterboys
    This is the most uplifting track EVER.
  • 7. The Look by Roxette
    Easy lyrics, easy guitars and "na na na na na..."
  • 6. Summer Of '69 by Bryan Adams
    A song about memories of your childhood... a nostalgia track forever.
  • 5. She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
    Everyone knows the intro to this song. Get that air guitar out!
  • 4. Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle
  • 3. Boys Of Summer by Don Henley
    Driving along the beach at sunset with the player up LOUD.
  • 2. This Corrosion by Sisters Of Mercy
    Gravel voiced lyrics, pounding guitars and wearing shades indoors... sounds like Sisters to me.
  • 1. True Faith by New Order
    The song of my generation and I never EVER get tired of hearing it.
Shouts to: Richard Marx, Def Leppard, Blondie, Beastie Boys, Motley Crue, U2, and far too many to name here. Get the impression I like guitar music? 8)

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