Top Songs From The 80s.

Sectioned year by year, I will attempt to name some of my favourite songs from the 80s. This is absolutely just my opinion so please take it with a grain of salt.

1980

Call Me - Blondie

It would be crazy to create a list of the best songs of the 80s without including this one. From the album, Autoamerican and featured in American Gigolo.

Dress me in the fashions of the 1980's

Whip It - Devo

Admittedly, this song haunts me since my belief that the chorus says 'Step on a brick' has caused quite the embarrassment, to the amusement of my mother. Nonetheless, the opening few beats is enough to get everyone out of their seats.

Step on a crack

You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC

I think my dad would kill me if I didn't include this one.

She was the best damn woman that I ever seen

Don't Stand So Close To Me - The Police

Taken on a completely new meaning since the pandemic started, proving that it truly stood the test of time. Otherwise, ignoring the strange contents of the lyrics, the beat is upbeat and fun.

Sometimes it's not so easy to be the teacher's pet

1981

Don't You Want Me - The Human League

Besides being the iconic tune behind that one Chip's Ahoy! advertisement, the song is credited as being one of the greatest songs of all time, and often regarded as such.

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar

Tainted Love - Soft Cell

Some recognize the song from that episode of Friends where Danny DeVito does a strip show to it. If that isn't the first thing you thought of, I highly recommend you go and watch it on YouTube.

The love we share seems to go nowhere

Our Lips Are Sealed - The Go-Go's

My mum introduced me to this song, since then, life has not been the same.

Doesn't matter what they say in the jealous games people play

Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire

As someone with a cringe memory associated with September, this helps me get my Earth, Wind & Fire fix without reliving awkward moments.

Loose yourself in the sky among the clouds in the heavens

Girls on Film - Duran Duran

Making their first appearance on the list, the cameras clicking just elicit a sense of excitement in me that is unmatched by all else.

And I sense a rhythm humming in a frenzy all the way down her spine

1982

I Ran - A Flock Of Seagulls

Since this song has entered my life, I'm unable to make a playlist without including it somewhere suspiciously amongst the others.

The kind of eyes that hypnotize me

Pass The Dutchie - Musical Youth

I have absolutely never been more serious in my life. The children singing manages to not sound like a kids song, but also it mimics the fun that children have.

Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side

Hungry Like The Wolf - Duran Duran

I know, another Duran Duran song. Just wait until we get into the Tears For Fears era. This song has to be in it, it's my dad's karaoke song.

In touch with the ground, I'm on the hunt I'm after you

Maneater - Daryll Hall & John Oates.

My parents think I have an obsession with Daryll & Oates, simply because I have a couple song on my playlist that I play in the car when I drive them places. It also makes me happy that the song is about a place, not a woman.

Oh, oh, here she comes, watch out, boy, she'll chew you up

And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going - Jennifer Holliday

Not sure if it counts, since it's from Dreamgirls, and not an actual song that was released. However, this is MY list and it makes me emotional.

We're part of the same place, we're part of the same time

The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats

Crazy beat. No more explanation needed.

We can dance if we want to

Thriller - Michael Jackson

Come on now, did you really think I would forget this song. Look at the video clip and note that people talked about it in the same way people talk about Marvel movies now.

It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark

Africa - Toto

Iconic song, if anyone knows what "As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti" means, shoot me a tip.

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you, there's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

1983

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

Obviously I was going to include this, especially after the 1985 film. This song is the anthem of the 80s.

My mother says "When you gonna live your life right?"

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics

Who, now really, who would I be to disagree?

I travel the world and the seven seas, everybody's looking for something

99 Luftballons (99 Red Balloons) - Nena

This was one of the first songs to get popular that wasn't in English. Saying that, my mum knew all the lyrics in both English and German. It's also interesting that the song is a political message about World War II, but also led the grunge era of 80s music.

Neunundneunzig Luftballons

Cum On Feel The Noize

The end credit song to Rock of Ages, and one of the most fun songs to sing on the way to work.

So you think I got an evil mind? I'll tell you, honey

Talking in Your Sleep - The Romantics

Used to have a crush on these boys. Enough said about that, but I actually really love how eerie this song is while also sounding just like a popular 80s song.

I hear the secrets that you keep, when you're talking in your sleep

1984

Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell

The lyrics, the creepy content with the upbeat music. It's perfect for 80s slasher flicks, and the lyrics, although reminiscent of Thriller, are a unique kind of spooky.

But why do I always feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone?

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.

Another song for the horror (kind of) genre. The 80s loved making songs that were meant to resemble scary things. Given, this was for a film about ghosts, still. Just listen to that melody, insanely good. Also, "Four female ghostbusters? The feminists are taking over..."

I ain't afraid a no ghost

Careless Whisper - George Michael

The funny saxophone solo has been memed to death but PLEASE just listen to it without thinking about that for a moment.

Tonight the music seems so loud, I wish that we could lose this crowd

What's Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner

HER VOICEEEEEEE

You must understand, though the touch of your hand makes my pulse react

Like A Virgin - Madonna

Although I am truly mortified by the Glee scene in which they sing this song, it is an undisputable, certified banger.

Didn't know how lost I was until I found you

Jump - Van Halen

There is so much hair in this video.

I get up and nothin' gets me down

The Whamageddon (Last Christmas & Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go) - Wham!

It only makes sense to throw a shoutout to the Whamageddon of 1984. They really had rent to pay or something, they put their whole whamussies into these and I can't help but wonder if they knew Last Christmas would be played across the world on December 1st every year since its release.

You put the boom-boom into my heart

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart but the very next day, you gave it away

1985

The Tears For Fears Mix

I thought I'd rope this into an era, rather than a specific song because it only made sense, regarding their success and... I just really like Tears For Fears. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is one of the biggest songs, iconic and still VERY well known. Shout goes for ages but I will never skip. And Head Over Heels is my favourite of their songs so I thought I'd throw that in. I can't promise this is the last I will speak of them, but probably on this list.

Welcome to your life, there's no turning back

In violent times, you shouldn't have to sell your soul

Something happens and I'm head over heels

Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds

The classic from the Breakfast Club, making iconic references easier to pick up on since 1985. Can you believe there was time where this song didn't exist? Surely it was just here since the dawn of time.

Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling down

Easy Lover - Phil Collins & Phillip Bailey

Double trouble. Two Phils on one song. I will not say anymore about this song but there's a guitar solo followed by a drop that has me ascending to heaven.

She's an easy love, she'll take your heart but you won't feel it

How Will I Know - Whitney Houston

I will eat this song up every time it comes on, no questions asked.

There's a boy I know, he's the one I dream of

Take On Me - a-ha

Bro, this video clip. SLAMS DESK AGAINST THE WALL. I will never forgive y'all for making this song a meme.

I'll be coming for your love, okay?

Would I Lie To You? - Eurythmics

Mega Slay, we've been gooped and gagged, truly.

Would I lie to you honey?

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

Finally getting the attention it deserves, this song was one of Kate Bush's first bangers and by God did she start off strong.

If I only could, I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get him to swap our places

1986

Venus - Bananarama

I'll say it again, mega slay. Like absolutely more songs of this caliber please and thank you.

The summit of beauty and love and Venus was her name

Babooshka - Kate Bush

My favourite Kate Bush song so it had to make a quick appearance. The drop into the chorus gives me chills.

And how she was when she was beautiful, she signed the letter All yours, Babooshka

Take My Breath Away - Berlin

As much as it makes me deeply uncomfortable, after not only using it in every scene of Maverick and Charlie in Top Gun but also in their weird, tasteful sex scene. It is truly tainted at this point.

Watchin', I keep waiting, still anticipating love