Greatest '80s Songs

The Top Ten
1 Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Billie Jean is the best song. Almost any age group can recognize it and even knows the singer which is unusual. It just such a great universal song for everyone to love. The way he danced it makes it stand out even more in our minds... love for Michael xoxo RIP

FLAWLESS, SUPERB AND AMAZING, from the background music, especially the bassline, the lyrics, meaning and content, his voice and style... billie jean truly not just the best song of the 80's but one of the greatest compositions of all time...

There was only ONE song in the 80s and it was Billie Jean ;)... Nah, I'm just playing. The 80s had some great songs albeit many melodramatic, but still great. Billie Jean is just something else. It's got something hypnotic in it that just keeps you coming back over and over again.

Who knew at this time that 25 to 30 years ago today, he would be considered the most awarded, recognized, and popular music artist to ever live... long live the king of pop and entertainment Michael Joseph Jackson.

2 Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Living on a prayer is the FACE OF 80'S! I will wake up to this song and go to be with this song playing, and I'm 12 and in the 2020 pop songs and I still go back to this song because it make everyone feel something special. - Kaylee

Best song ever! Bon Jovi will always be living on a prayer! This is the song that you should listen to when you are unhappy. I like the band, although I liked the ORIGINAL band better. Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Alec John Such, David Bryan, and Tico Torres all the way!

Let me think... Michael Jackson was a Child mull-les-ter (sorry I can't spell the word) and Jon Bon Jovi and the rest of them were people trying to make music for people too enjoy (and as far as I know, still are) with no strings attached (like raping a kid, and buying your way out of it)

If only I had discovered this amazing band earlier in my life... I forget my problems when I listen to this song, I think about the future, I remember I'm lucky to live. Thank you Jon.

3 Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses

Whenever I listen to this song I feel so fired up and excited, by the way Axl is singing and how awesome Slash is playing in song. I sing it wherever I go!

I've been listening to this since I was 2 and it has the best ever guitar solo and great singing by slash and axl. this would have to be my favourite song of all time

Clearly one of the best songs ever his vocal range is extravagant I can't even go that high!

I love this band and this song. Slash's guitar playing is out of this world.

4 Take On Me - a-ha

All of the songs on this list are worthy to be on it - and as a pop song it is in a unwinnable contest against the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. However, this is one of the best pop songs to come in the 80s, and is still one of the best songs today. A catchy tune that is SO 80s style with amazing voice skills by Morten Harket. Not taking metal into consideration, one of the best songs to have come from Norway.

I'm so psyched that this song is high on the list! Best song and video of the 80's, in my opinion. It's the kind of song that gets stuck in your head for hours, and even so, you don't seem to mind, because it's just that good. C

Discovered this song in the radio, loved this ever since. This song made me realize the true difference between the authentic, historical music of the 80s and the music today.

This song has my 2nd favorite music video ever and deserves to be in the top 5 of this list.

5 Beat It - Michael Jackson

I think this should be number one above Billie Jean... I mean, this is one of the King of Pop's most successful songs!

My favorite song ever. Michael is the greatest music artist ever. Best song ever. Should be number one.

Such a kick-ass song. Not ashamed to admit that I dance the hell out of this song when it comes on.

This should be with Billie Jean... Everything else just Beat It!

6 Jump - Van Halen

Bill: That is why we need Eddie Van Halen!
Ted: And that is why we need a triumphant video...
Both: Excellent!

I think it's a fun song to hear, but also the most popular song from Van Halen!

EIGHTH!? REally people when you have great great rock and metal phenomenon's you put this amazing some a EIGHTH!

Worst Van Halen song recorded. They had some amazing songs, but out of all of those, THIS gets picked?

This song will want you to put on a leotard and dance around.
It is just that awesome.

7 Thriller - Michael Jackson

Come on guys! Thriller! One of the best, most well known, danceable songs of all time? It even took place before Michael Jackson screwed up his face! He was CUTE!

Same explanation as Billie Jean. The Thriller album was the best of the 80s.

Is this even 80s? Or isn't it more current?

"I almost tried to make a dance for it! "

8 Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

One of the greatest song of all times from a great band. This song walks into any playlist any day. Listen to it, realize it's true potential and beauty, fall in love with it and listen to it again and if you don't like it you do not deserve to listen to music at all. This songs ranks way above where it currently.

This song has been popular in the 80s and in every year since. I doubt that there is a single person (in the US at least) who has never heard this song or does not like it. The placement of this song on this list, or rather off of it, is unbelievable.

There are so many songs that come along and make me question whether "Don't Stop Believin'" is still my favorite song, but they don't succeed.

Besides livin' on a prayer this is the best song EVER! I think this really needs to move up the list too. this song is just very moving and inspirational.

9 Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

This song was on the radio when my granddaughter was born. I thought it was so cool to have music during childbirth. I was knocked out during the birth of my children. I think of her the minute I hear this song.

This is my summer jam every year and every year later in the future. Thanks Bryan Adams for this song!

One of the most memorable songs from the 80's. Bravo Bryan! You made true classic and real masterpiece

All time great song, its song of the history & present...

10 Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

Queen - Another One Bites The Dust is one of the greatest examples of Queen and the rock genre as a whole, their playing style and their personality. Written by John Deacon, it's just plain and simply awesome, from the crazy great low bass line from John Deacon to the distinct vocal style of Freddie Mercury, giving this track a great start to begin with. And don't even get me started on the CPR drum beat. It's one of the things that makes this song. Hang on, the vocals are terrific, the bass line is funky, the drum beat keeps the tone of the song, and the guitar adds to the funkiness of the bass. All of this song's elements are just ridiculously good ON THEIR OWN, but put together? Forget it, this needs to be higher than 57, should be in the top 10.

I am getting a duster

Excellent I have it on my record and can't stop listening to the track

Should be in top 10

The Contenders
11 Every Breath You Take - The Police

Long time I looking for this songs, never found... And now the greatest moment 1/3/2013 I found it at this top tens websites... Very2 thank so much to the top tens cause appear this songs in this sites... Thank, thank, thank.. I never forget this songs in my life.. Is a greatest songs of all time... Please put this songs at #1... Please, please, please.. I will always love the top tens... Thank you so much... Bye bye

Looking back, now that I am older, its about onsession to the point of WOW! But what young woman did not want some hotty obsessing about her back before some of us realized the reality of obsession and in reality possible abuse. This was a classic and I never thought oc this great song as, anything but "take my breath away" hot and sexy

I hope I'm not the only one who knows this song is about a stalker. I mean, listen to the lyrics. HE'S ALWAYS WATCHING YOU
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you

Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you

This song works on guitar, as a string quartet, arraigned for a mandolin orchestra, done Barber Shope Style... The POLICE do a pretty good version too!

12 Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses

Absolutely best song from Hard Rock Genre. It deserves top 10.

One of the very best of slash.

Really?! I mean, 23?! Come on...

This is a awesome song!

13 Purple Rain - Prince & The Revolution

If you lived during the 80's, you know how prolific Prince was to the music scene. MTV played his stuff constantly, almost as much as Michael Jackson. Great artist.

When you try to visualize 80s in your head, you might think of puffy hairs, net tank-tops, rock or pop, but all of it looks so much more 80s when covered by purple rain.

Best Prince song and one of the most memorable of the 80s.

Better than Billie Jean...way better

14 When Doves Cry - Prince & The Revolution

This song should've been in the top 3! It was the greatest hit of 1984, and people from all over the world was crazy about this song! Michael Jackson and Bon Jovi rules but this song definitely doesn't deserve its place.

Doves Cry is one of the top songs of all time! Thriller was a great Album but beat it or Billie Jean are not even close to doves cry, People may not like prince but you can't take away what he has done for music. THE ICON

This song should definitely be in the top 5. This list is crazy for giving it the position it had now. It is and always will be an amazing, unique and groundbreaking song.

102nd on the list? Am I reading this list right? I thought this would be like number 3rd or 2nd on the list. what? 102nd?
This song needs to be in the top 5.

15 Like a Prayer - Madonna

One of the greatest songs ever recorded! Despite controversial music video, the song brings a very important message!

"Madonna's got something good going on."

Best song of all time.

16 Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

I'm not gonna lie-I like 1 song better than this: Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer. Michael Jackson was a Child Malester (did I spell that right? ) and some of these like take on me, Summer if 69 and sweet child of mine- Just weren't impressive.

I love this song so much! When I first heard it in Rocky 3 I fell in love with the song! I can't believe people like the crappy pop music of today oldies are way better!

This song is featured in SEVERAL films, including Kicking and Screaming (2005) and The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), and that's rather annoying. HATE this song!

I was not alive nor born in the 20th century but this song & the 80s are the best if only a time machine was invented I would go back in time & be in the video and sing it cause at school when it comes to my mind I feel like fighting just like they did in MJ's music video "Beat it".

17 Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears

Absolutely takes me back in time to the sweet rides, waiting in the parking lot after school with your friends. Not having a care in the world but feeling on top of the world at the same time. No bills. Just living, loving and laughter. 80s rules the world!

This song teaches you about life, it's your inspiration. I WONDER this song is on 35th place. I think it should be one of the songs with BEST lyrics!

Is the best song in the world I love them so much everything is perfect I love the noth singers Go! Curt and Roland! Tears for fears is my band number one! Nothing can change it

This song is my jam. Every time it came on the radio my spirits were lifted. And nowadays it brings me back to those days when we were all care-free, you were cool no matter what you wore, the funkier your clothes or hairstyle the better, life was just AWESOME (like this song) to put it simply. LOVE YOU TEARS FOR FEARS

18 Back In Black - AC/DC

One of the best family-friendly '80s songs for kids to listen to, and also one of the best Australian songs of all-time, alongside Men at Work's "Down Under".

Serious who is "sandra" and how did she get before back in black with maria magdalena?

Why is this only 58? This clearly deserves top 3, one of the best songs of the 80's.

19 Listen to Your Heart - Roxette

It is a timeless wonderful song that inspired even to those who weren't fans of the Swedish duo. Listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye!

This ever lasting romantic sensation makes me listen to my bitter sweet memories in the sands of time.

Sameera Badurdeen De Sen..

Better than mr jackson

20 Master of Puppets - Metallica

This Should Be #2 instead of Living On A Prayer and Really Showed what was To Come in The 90's and is best Thrash Song ever Period.

Best song, still brilliant 30 years later.

This is the most memoriable metal song that ever made. Should be at least upper than here

Greatest Thrash metal song created so far, but I do see A point why this song can't hit number 1

21 Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran

Love duran duran and this song! So good live. There melodies were the epitome of the 80s.

Sensational song from Duran Duran. Best band ever

With this song I associate so many beautiful memories in my teenage years

22 The Final Countdown - Europe

I agree, I think the final countdown should be placed higher than it is right now. Europe turned out to be one of the most successful bands in the world when this one hit wonder was realeased as a number 1 hit single In 25 countries all over the world. In the beginning they were very very slowly climbing the charts until this song came out then they took off to Venus at the very top of the charts. This is one of the greatest songs of the 80's.

32nd? You've got to be kidding me, the songs above are great but Europe's The Final Countdown is the DEFINITION of 80's music, brilliant use of keyboards and vocals mixed with guitar solos that must've taken forever to perfect, when people say "80's music" to me this is always the first song that comes to mind, not because I like it, but because it embodies everything that makes for good 80's music.

Nobody beats the keyboard sound for a song like this. Put this on your playlist for your planned dance event, and use it as the last song before the party all ends.

I am from sweden and this band is from sweden, as well and I am proud of it. Listening to Joey Tempest, awesome vocals and the iconic synth riff is breathtaking.

23 Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

That song is very, very romantic. I don't like Bonnie Tyler, but that song totally rocks. The lyrics are so personal..."And if you only hold me tight, we'll be hoding on forever".

Hokey music video, Great song. An all time classic, and one of my personal favorite songs.

One of my personal favorites as far as all music goes. It's in the top 10.

This song is beautiful

24 In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins

There is no way that there are 36 songs from the 80s better than this! Its synonymous with the most iconic symbol of 80s.. Miami vice! B.S this song so low!

The best debut song from Phil Collins, this song whas writen for Genesis. I wonder that diffrence it would have sounded like. But non the less I am glad that Phil, performs it.

By far best 80s song. Iconic and great

Very good drum solo.

25 Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard

The best song by definitely Leppard, best song of the 80's, period.

The most popular song in my day of definitely Leppard!

Great song that you can have a lot of fun with!

Should be in the top 5 actually!

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