Most Iconic 80s Songs

I tried not to just include songs I personally like, and I could've included a lot more, so feel free to add.

But these are the 10 songs I most commonly associate with the 80s.

The Top Ten

Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi

The first song I thought of, even if I prefer "You Give Love a Bad Name." It's 80s arena rock. It's big hair. It's impossible to sing properly at karaoke.
Take On Me - a-ha

The lyrics sound a bit backward (Talking Away? Take On Me?), but this song and its video are undeniably very 80s. Good luck hitting those high notes.

Great song, superb vocals, solid synthesizer notes, and an amazing music video all at once.
Thriller - Michael Jackson

Thriller, Bad, Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, and The Way You Make Me Feel are my favorite Michael Jackson songs. I like his other songs too.

I could've gone with "Billie Jean," but this was a gigantic hit song, music video, and album.

One of the best '80s songs that's still a hit to this day!
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's first moonwalk was legendary, memorable, and one of the best dance moves ever!
Sweet Child O'Mine - Guns N' Roses

I prefer Welcome to the Jungle, but I think Sweet Child O'Mine was more popular and hence, more iconic.
Master of Puppets - Metallica

Not my favorite Metallica song, but a favorite of many and probably their most iconic 80s song.
Beat It - Michael Jackson

I also like the music video as well as the song!

I personally like this more than Billie Jean.
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits

Dire Straits is an iconic 80s band. This was an iconic 80s music video, and that riff? Damn.
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics

The Newcomers

?
Why Can't This Be Love - Van Halen
?
Is There Something I Should Know - Duran Duran

The Contenders

Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

It wasn't in my initial top 10, but I'm surprised it's not a lot higher than this.
Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard

One of my favorite bands, my favorite album, and one of the more iconic songs off that album. Def Leppard was a staple of MTV with their music videos and arena rock songs in the 80s.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

This song has had a greater cultural impact than Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield," Madonna's "Like a Virgin," or Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It." It is an anthem for a movement in women that still resonates in society today.

Honestly, I think this could easily be in the top five when it comes to songs associated with the 1980s. It should certainly be ahead of a song like Master of Puppets, which is primarily known to Metallica fans (no offense to them, though).
Purple Rain - Prince

A must-have album for any music lover of all genres or ages.
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley

I love this song. It's the best I've ever listened to! I always send it to all my friends because it's so good! This is the 80s song I've listened to the most!
(Not necessarily by choice.)
Like a Prayer - Madonna

I'm not a Madonna fan, but I respect her adaptability and capacity to change her image. This is probably my favorite song of hers and definitely one of her biggest 80s hits.
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston

It was either this or "How Will I Know." Both are '80s pop fun.
When Doves Cry - Prince

I'm not a Prince fan, but he's iconically '80s, and this is his best song by far.

Prince combined rock, R&B, funk, and punk into one song: "When Doves Cry."
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Africa - Toto

I hear the drums echoing tonight. Wow, the magic of David Paich and Jeff Porcaro!

Because I like the beat and rhythm.
The Final Countdown - Europe
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
Jump - Van Halen
Careless Whisper - George Michael

George Michael was such a talented person. I love him so much!