Top 10 Best Dance Songs of the '80s

The '80s were more than just neon leotards and crimped hair; they were a groundbreaking era that totally transformed music, fashion, and everything pop culture. When it came to dance tunes, the '80s were like a non-stop dance party mixtape that had your feet itching to hit the dance floor.

From the sizzling disco beats to the rad emergence of new wave and synth-pop, the '80s were all about musical diversity and gettin' down in style. Revisit the jams that had everyone roller-skating and moonwalking at the discotheques, house parties, and anywhere a boombox could go.
The Top Ten
1 Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson

Being a child of the '80s, there were many great dance songs, but Smooth Criminal would have to be the best.

My favorite Michael Jackson song of all time. The anti-gravity lean he does in the video was out of sight.

This is one of the best dance songs of all time. People will be dancing to this song 100 years from now!

2 Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

I'm not a big Jackson fan, but remember, people, this is the dance category. The song has to be a good song to dance to. Most songs on this list are not good dance songs.

Pretty equal to Smooth Criminal and Thriller. Hard to decide this one. Love them all.

Honestly, I could dance to all of his songs, but I have this emotional attachment to this one and could dance to it all day. I know the choreography to a variety of his songs, but this is the first one I learned and it has affected my life so much. - BillieJean777

3 Take on Me - A-Ha

Definitely my favorite pop song from the '80s. Great beat, lyrics, and even music video. That keyboard and chorus will forever be burned into my brain.

Catchy. Even the music video was nice.

4 Into the Groove - Madonna

Classic dance song! This one still holds up today. They still play this one in clubs, and it still gets everyone out on the dance floor.

Called the dance song of the decade!

5 The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson

This is the most catchy song of the '80s.

6 I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston
7 Blue Monday - New Order

Unlike the other songs on this list, this one is actually a dance song. Any publication worth its salt has this as No. 1.

Damn right, this song is the Magna Carta of Alternative Dance! The anthem of this little raver!

New Order rode the '80s dance wave and got the boys on the floor (rather than around it).

8 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics

When it comes to dancing, neither Billie Jean nor Take on Me can compete with the ever-popular rhythm of Sweet Dreams.

Sweet dreams are made of these. Who am I to disagree?

9 1999 - Prince
10 Maniac - Michael Sembello
The Contenders
11 Thriller - Michael Jackson

I'm so surprised that Thriller is in this place on the list when we all know that this is the song of the century, and there's no doubt about it!

There is no one on this planet who doesn't know the Thriller dance. I mean, I wasn't even born when it came out, but I know it very well.

12 Lambada - Kaoma
13 Flashdance...What a Feeling - Irene Cara
14 You Keep Me Hangin' On - Kim Wilde

Definitely an '80s big hit. Love her rhythm.

15 Gloria - Laura Branigan
16 The Reflex - Duran Duran
17 Footloose - Kenny Loggins
18 I Don't Want Your Love - Duran Duran
19 I'll Tumble 4 Ya - Culture Club
20 Holiday - Madonna

Should be in the Top 3! Dance classic of the '80s.

Definitely a classic, should be in the Top 5!

21 Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
22 People Are People - Depeche Mode
23 Let It Whip - The Dazz Band
24 Tainted Love - Soft Cell

A definite dance floor classic that still holds its own today.

25 New Attitude - Patti LaBelle
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