Nostalgic or fresh? Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs from the 1980s

The 1980s transformed music history and had a profound impact on later musicians.

Even those who didn’t live through the era can bask in a sense of nostalgia that feels somehow familiar.

Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper.

We researched pop hits from the West that defined the ’80s.

From those, we carefully selected the most popular tracks based on reliable feedback from music fans who visit our site.

Find a favorite track and dive in!

Playlist

Nostalgic or fresh? Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs from the 1980s
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics		Innovative music, Annie Lennox’s captivating voice
2	Love In The First DegreeBananarama		The 1980s Bananarama classic “Venus.”
3	There Must Be An AngelEurythmics		A song that captivated listeners with a new style
4	Smooth CriminalMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's Influence and Music
5	Down UnderMen At Work		A legendary band that emerged in '82 and disbanded after a huge hit.
6	AfricaTOTO		An iconic 1980s song that depicts Africa
7	Take On Mea-ha		An innovative musical work with worldwide popularity
8	ThrillerMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits
9	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		the world-famous rock band Bon Jovi
10	Sunglasses at NightCorey Hart		Corey Hart, a representative Canadian singer of the 1980s
11	GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.		The popular theme song of Ghostbusters
12	Somebody’s Watching MeRockwell		Rockwell’s signature song, a classic featuring Michael
13	Walking On SunshineKatrina of Katrina & the Waves		A rhythmic rock song from '83 that became a huge hit worldwide
14	I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)Daryl Hall & John Oates		An iconic song by a popular duo representing the 1980s
15	Wake Me Up Before You Go GoWham!		A refreshing song played on a morning show
16	Hungry Like the Wolf (2009 Remastered Version)Duran Duran		The influential sound of a popular band from the ’80s
17	Time Waits For No OneFreddie Mercury		Freddy’s beautiful singing voice and music
18	Faith (2010 Remastered Version)George Michael		George Michael's solo hit song
19	Last ChristmasWham!		A classic winter song, a heartbreak anthem that resonates with the heart
20	Pour Some Sugar On MeDef Leppard		An iconic song of 80s hard rock
21	1999Prince		Prince conquers the U.S. with his smash 1982 album
22	Crazy for YouMadonna		Madonna’s love song, expressing passion
23	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman
24	Take My Breath AwayBerlin		The iconic song from Top Gun, a passionate love ballad
25	Back In BlackAC/DC		The third best-selling album in the world
26	Can’t take my eyes off you.Boys Town Gang		An iconic 80s disco track, dance floor
27	Don’t Stop Believin’Journey		Journey’s classic hit, Steve Perry
28	Everybody Wants To Rule The WorldTears for Fears		A British duo band with delicate melodies
29	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		A sensational song that reached No. 1 in both the U.S. and the U.K.
30	Open ArmsJourney		A classic song that became a hit again thanks to the movie “Umizaru.”
31	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		An emotionally expressive song with a calm melody
32	Careless WhisperWham!		An 80s classic: a bittersweet love song about an affair
33	JumpVan Halen		Van Halen’s rock-revolution anthem
34	Tom’s DinerSuzanne Vega		A classic song that sings about everyday life in New York
35	A Night To RememberShalamar		A milestone in 80s dance hits
36	The Final CountdownEuropa		A hugely popular Swedish hard rock band
37	Is There Something I Should Know?Duran Duran		An iconic 80s pop song that expresses the struggles of love
38	Holding Out for a HeroBonnie Tyler		Bonnie Tyler’s hit song from the movie Footloose
39	Break My StrideMatthew Wilder		Pioneer of synth-pop in the 1980s
40	BadU2		U2’s classic song “Pride” depicts drug-related issues.
41	CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band		1981 hit song, major breakthrough
42	ARTHR’S THEME (BEST THAT YOU CAN DO)Christopher Cross		A classic that echoes through the New York night
43	Let’s Go CrazyPrince		Prince’s innovative music and influence
44	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		Stevie Wonder’s classic love song
45	Just Like HeavenThe Cure		The magic of love, a masterpiece that captivates the heart
46	Every Little Thing She Does Is MagicThe Police		A poignant unrequited-love classic, a love song that resonates with the heart
47	Second NatureDan Hartman		A classic hit by a popular producer from the disco boom era
48	With or Without YouU2		Introduce U2’s debut work and signature songs
49	FreedomWham!		China’s First Western Concert and Songs of Youth
50	POWER OF LOVEHuey Lewis & The News		An iconic song from a time machine movie
51	Girls Just Want to Have FunCyndi Lauper		Cyndi Lauper's classic hits from the '80s
52	Nothing’s Gonna Stop LoveStarship		An ’80s hit song becomes a movie theme song
53	Waiting On A FriendThe Rolling Stones		The Rolling Stones’ classic songs and their longevity as a band
54	Eye Of The TigerSurvivor		The theme song of Rocky III that makes you want to run
55	Like a VirginMadonna		Madonna’s provocative musical activities continue
56	Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)Billy Ocean		Billy Ocean's soul music
57	Blue MondayNew Order		Innovative 80s dance music
58	FlashQueen		Queen's classic 'Flash Gordon': a sonic world racing through space
59	Let’s DanceDavid Bowie		Bowie, the innovative artist of the music world
60	More Than WordsExtreme		The Unexpected Hard Rock Side of Famous Bands
61	Paradise CityGuns N’ Roses		An iconic rock masterpiece of the ’80s that stirs the soul
62	We are the WorldUSA For Africa		A famous charity song for African hunger relief
63	Old Time Rock & RollBob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band		Masterpieces of the 8-beat: a timeless appeal
64	FootlooseKenny Loggins		A famous song that sings the theme of the movie Top Gun
65	Dancing In the DarkBruce Springsteen		Legendary rock musician, a star with over 100 million records sold
66	Hard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGO		A masterpiece that sings of love’s revival with a wistful melody
67	Say You Say MeLionel Richie		Lionel Richie's masterpiece of love and hope, a soul-soothing classic
68	Purple RainPrince		Prince achieves great success in music and film
69	You Give Love A Bad NameBon Jovi		A Bon Jovi classic, a powerful song of love and betrayal
70	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		A famous song that is a classic loved around the world
71	Into the GrooveMadonna		Madonna’s movie theme song is popular overseas.
72	Tomorrow Doesn’t Matter TonightStarship		The sister song to the 80s hit “Sara.”
73	Play The GameQueen		Music that delivers a powerful message from women
74	Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates		Hall & Oates is a popular R&B duo.
75	Let’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire		A hit song from 'Raise!', a party anthem that invites you to dance
76	Sunday Bloody SundayU2		Anger at war and prayers for peace
77	WomanJohn Lennon		A gem of a love song, filled with love, that resonates with the heart.
78	Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield		The appeal of Rick Springfield
79	I’m in the Mood for DancingThe Nolans		The Nolans’ iconic 80s disco hit
80	Shout To The TopThe Style Council		An iconic, passionate 80s song that pushes dreams forward
81	The Goonies “R” Good EnoughCyndi Lauper		The Goonies, an iconic song of hope about never giving up on your dreams
82	Material GirlMadonna		Madonna, the pop queen who represents the 1980s
83	What A FeelongIrene Cara		A smash-hit song sung by Namie Amuro
84	Our Lips Are SealedThe Go-Go’s		Popular 1980s girls' band disbands
85	Sister ChristianNight Ranger		Popular for the appeal of its guitarist and vocalist
86	Call MeBlondie		Music of Blondie led by Harry
87	Here With MeREO Speed Wagon		The 80s rock band REO resonates with me.
88	Radio Ga GaQueen		Queen’s classic song “Love of My Life”
89	Eternal FlameThe Bangles		A classic masterpiece featuring Egyptian-style music that is gaining popularity
90	Billie JeanMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson’s masterpiece, a legend in the music world
91	Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses		A rock band with an impressive guitar riff
92	I Wanna Dance With SomebodyWhitney Houston		A classic of 80s dance-pop, Desire of Love
93	99 LuftballonsNena		A globally successful German pop song
94	Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners		An Irish band with worldwide popularity in Celtic music