Top 10 Best Synthpop Bands of the 1980s

Crank up the synths, plug in the drum machines, and pull out your most outrageous shoulder pads.

The 1980s didn't just flirt with synthpop. It married it, gave it a Walkman, and blasted it through every radio station from Tokyo to Toledo. This was the era when synthesizers weren't just instruments. They were entire moods. Guitars still showed up, but they usually took a stylish backseat to cascading arpeggios, robotic beats, and lyrics that could either crush your soul or make you dance in your socks on linoleum floors.

This list is your chance to decide who really owned the synthpop throne. Which bands turned cold machines into warm anthems? Which voices rose above the electronic haze and convinced you that spinning in your bedroom under a strobe light was basically therapy?

The Top Ten

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode are an English electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The original lineup included Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. They are known for pioneering the electronic music genre and have sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Martin Gore is a genius. We need Alan Wilder. Without him, they sound a bit blunt. Dave Gahan continues to reinvent himself. Not that he's not alright, it's for the now generation to see how great this band is!

DM are the number one band in the world. They are the best live band. There is nothing else even close. They are the most consistent band still kicking ass today while others fade into obscurity or tour on old hits. Dave Gahan is the greatest frontman of all time. Putting A-ha above them is shameful.
A‑ha

A-ha is a Norwegian synth-pop band that was formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy. They are best known for their hit single Take On Me, which became a global success.

Best band ever. Great lyrics, great melodies, and compositions, and on top of that, the best male voice. So many songs got to me by hearing them for the first three or four times.

Of all the bands from this genre, A-ha stands out the best! The best '80s band indeed. They sound much better and more impressive in their live shows. This band needs to be on the top!

Norwegian band, one of the most well-known bands of the decade!
Erasure

Erasure is an English synthpop duo consisting of singer Andy Bell and songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke. The group was formed in 1985 and rose to prominence with hits such as A Little Respect and Sometimes. They have released numerous albums and are considered pioneers of the synthpop genre.

They are the definition of synthpop. Vince Clarke was an electronic music pioneer. Erasure may be the least critically acclaimed of all the bands he created, but it embodies the essence of synthpop the most.

Erasure is just amazing and is probably one of the most underrated bands in the history of pop music.

My favorite band of the '80s. I find it very surprising that they never made it that big in the United States.
Duran Duran

Duran Duran are an English new wave and synthpop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. They achieved major success in the 1980s and were a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States. The group is known for hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Rio," and "Ordinary World."

I think one of the reasons why Duran Duran deserves a high spot is because they were the right band at the right time. They were a part of the New Romantic movement, which was a backlash to the UK's punk scene during the late '70s, where everything was about being aggressive, looking torn up, and "play as fast as you can!"
The New Romantic movement was society's way of trying to be more innovative, elegant, and flamboyant, like, "Hey, it's a couple of straight guys trying to look all glamorous and be more reinventive (like back in the early '70s glam scene)." It was literally a backlash against punk. The only difference is that Duran Duran were the top dogs of the movement. They brought that scene to the mainstream and adapted it to the MTV generation. People wanted it, loved it, and fell in love with it. It changed a lot of people's hearts and minds, and that was partly the sound of the '80s.
New Order

New Order is an English rock band formed in 1980. The band's current lineup includes Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Phil Cunningham, and Tom Chapman. They were formed by members of Joy Division following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis and are known for blending post-punk and electronic... read more

Oh, you've got green eyes. Oh, you've got blue eyes. Oh, you've got gray eyes...
Eurythmics

Eurythmics were a British music duo consisting of Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. Stewart and Lennox were previously in the band The Tourists, which split up in 1980. Eurythmics were formed that same year in London and became known for hits such as Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) and Here Comes the... read more

Who has a mind to disagree? I've traveled the world and the seven seas. Everybody's looking for something.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

This is a tough one for sure. DM's Some Great Reward cassette was my first, and I was crazy over them. I loved their stuff until Alan Wilder left, and to me, they have never been quite the same. On the other hand, OMD has grown ever since I saw them open for DM in 1988. I really enjoy all their music, early and new stuff. They should be number two on the list.

DM's Some Great Reward tape was my first from them, and I was all aboard. I saw OMD on the Music for the Masses tour in May of '88, and I couldn't believe it. Still my favorite concert ever to this date. Both bands are the very best of the synth bands of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. Nothing compares.
INXS

INXS were an Australian rock and pop band formed in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1977, originally known as The Farriss Brothers. They rose to international fame in the 1980s and 1990s with hits like Need You Tonight and New Sensation. The band was fronted by Michael Hutchence until his death in 1997.

Best live. A proper band, tight as heck and sexy as hell.
Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears are an English pop and rock band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. They were founded after the breakup of their earlier band, the mod-influenced Graduate. Initially associated with new wave and synthesizer-driven music, they later shifted toward mainstream rock and pop.... read more

Their first album, "The Hurting," is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Two international hits and literally every other song on the album moves you in one way or another.

The quality and depth of their compositions were above the bands that are at the top here.

They are great! I think they deserve a higher place, but everyone has a right to their opinion.
Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1981. The group consists of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. They are known for hits such as West End Girls, It's a Sin, and Always on My Mind.

Absolutely the number one synth-pop band of all time! No question about it. Their new album, the third in a trilogy with Stuart Price, will be released in January 2020. They have two stage shows out at the moment and have produced music for the new show My Beautiful Launderette. They have not stopped since 1985! No splits, just consistent high-quality output. Collaboration with Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander is the next release.

From spinning around my parents' living room at age 7, I've loved them. They still get my vote for the number of top-flight songs they've written (both for themselves and others), with lyrics that reach far beyond most bands. I should say synthpop is my passion, and I also love pretty much all the other bands on this list.

The Newcomers

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Men Without Hats

Still going strong. "Love In The Age Of War" is Ivan's best album to date!
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Ministry

Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer and only original member Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a new wave synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the mid-1980s. In the late 1990s and beyond, the band explored other metal genres, most notably... read more

They were a synthpop band before becoming an industrial metal band.

The Contenders

The Human League

The Human League are an English synth-pop band formed in Sheffield in 1977. After signing with Virgin Records in 1979, they released two albums before achieving commercial success with their third album, "Dare," in 1981. The album featured four hit singles, including the chart-topping track "Don't You... read more

Should be in the Top 3. Why is A-ha, a one-hit wonder, even on this list?

How are they so low? These guys are the best.

Incredible band. Just awesome.
Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk is a German electronic music band formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970 in Düsseldorf. The band was fronted by both Hütter and Schneider until Schneider's departure in 2008. Kraftwerk is widely regarded as a pioneer in electronic music and has had a major influence on various... read more

Basic band but with interesting tracks!
Modern Talking

Modern Talking was a German synth-pop duo formed in 1983 by vocalist Thomas Anders and producer Dieter Bohlen. They became internationally famous with hits like "You're My Heart, You're My Soul," "Cheri Cheri Lady," and "Brother Louie."... read more
Soft Cell

Soft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s, consisting of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. They are best known for their international hit Tainted Love released in 1981. The duo disbanded in 1984 but reunited several times, releasing new material... read more
Alphaville

Alphaville is a German synthpop and new wave band that gained popularity in the 1980s. The founding members were lead singer Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, and Frank Mertens. They are best known for hits like Forever Young and Big in Japan.

For the synthpop German-based band!

Marian Gold is still forever young!
A Flock of Seagulls

A Flock of Seagulls are an English new wave and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Liverpool by Michael "Mike" Score and his brother Alister "Ali" James Score. The most well-known lineup also included Francis Lee "Frank" Maudsley and Paul Reynolds. The band is best known for their 1982 hit "I Ran (So Far... read more

This is the synthpop band! Lead guitarist Paul Reynolds was a pioneer who others copied. They were at the forefront of the era.

This band was basically Ziggy Stardust for the '80s New Wave era. That's just awesome!
Blondie

Blondie is an American rock band founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American new wave and punk scenes of the mid to late 1970s. Their hits like Heart of Glass, Call Me, and Rapture helped them cross over to mainstream success.

The ultimate dance-punk driven band! A pearl of the New Wave culture!
Japan

Mick Karn's progressive improvisational basslines were indescribable. David Sylvian's vocals had a blissful, unique tone. Barbieri was incredible on the synthesizers. This band was literally insane. Mick Karn moved around the stage like he was walking on water, and the funny thing is they were biggest in Japan, not the country in which they formed, England.
They played with an understanding of how to create really interesting melodies and structures. Their songs weren't necessarily catchy all the time. They were made for real music fans and developed their style over time, which is why they weren't really accepted up there with the commercial likes of Duran Duran (who completely and utterly ripped Japan off). There will never be another Japan. One of the greatest bands of all time.
Ultravox

Great with Foxx, but better with Midge. Billy Currie and Midge were also involved in Visage. Great albums and singles from both bands!

Ultravox was my and my father's favorite band before he sadly died. Some of this band's songs were played at the memorial.
Talk Talk

Talk Talk was an English band formed in London in 1981 by Mark Hollis, Lee Harris, Paul Webb, and Simon Brenner. They initially found success with synth-pop tracks such as Talk Talk, It's My Life, and Such a Shame during the 1980s. The band later shifted toward a more experimental sound with albums like... read more

All the bands above are a joke in comparison. I'm sorry to say this, but people voting for the other bands clearly know nothing about '80s music.

Best band ever. Mark and Tim created some of the greatest music ever.
Simple Minds

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band that formed in 1977. They achieved major commercial success during the 1980s with albums like New Gold Dream and Once Upon a Time. Despite changes in the band's lineup, they have continued to release new music and tour internationally.
Camouflage

One of the greatest German bands ever! They are still making music and should be in the top 5 for sure!

They are my all-time favorite synth band. They should be in the top 3!
Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Another 'Duran Duran' kind of music! Hope you like it.
Foreigner

Foreigner is a British-American arena rock band, originally formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran English musician Mick Jones and fellow Briton and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald, along with American vocalist Lou Gramm. The band became known for hits like I Want to Know What Love Is and Cold... read more

A rock/pop band from the '70s, incorporating the romantic movement of the '80s!
The Buggles

They joined Yes and made another great pop song.