[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs

The 1980s brought changes to music history and had a huge influence on later musicians.

Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire.

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

Compared to modern songs, the classics of the ’80s often boast purer song quality and stronger musical structure—or, seen another way, the larger market meant bigger budgets, letting you enjoy luxuriously produced sounds.

Find a favorite track and really dive into it!

Playlist

[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		A popular singer from the '80s, known for their individuality and vocal prowess.
2	Don’t Stop Believin’Journey		Don't stop believing; classic hit gains attention again.
3	Heaven is a Place on EarthBelinda Carlisle		Belinda Carlisle’s hit song about love and heaven
4	Take My Breath AwayBerlin		The iconic song from Top Gun, a passionate love ballad
5	I Miss YouKlymaxx		A heartrending ballad singing about the pain of a broken heart, climax
6	I Love Rock ‘n’ RollJoan Jett & The Blackhearts		Unconditional love for rock and roll
7	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		Bon Jovi, a globally popular rock band
8	Don’t Stop Me NowQueen		Queen, an indomitable masterpiece, loved around the world
9	I Wanna Dance With SomebodyWhitney Houston		Grammy-winning signature songs and timeless classics they left behind
10	Do You Believe In LoveHuey Lewis & The News		Huey Lewis's music career
11	Eye Of The TigerSurvivor		Survivor’s rock classic “I Am a Champion”
12	About A GirlNirvana		The masterpiece by the grunge masters, Nirvana.
13	Take on Mea-ha		a-ha’s smash hit song “Take On Me”
14	(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)Beastie Boys		A rebellious rock anthem that defies parental authority
15	Like a VirginMadonna		Michael Jackson’s iconic hits
16	ThrillerMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's "Thriller" becomes a massive hit
17	Manic MondayBangles		Iconic girl band(s) that defined the ’80s
18	True ColorsCyndi Lauper		Cyndi Lauper’s classic song “True Colors”
19	Don’t You Want MeThe Human League		Synthesizer classics and the romantic dynamics between a man and a woman
20	Club TropicanaWham!		Freedom and liberation envisioned in a tropical resort
21	Somebody’s Watching MeRockwell		Rockwell’s signature song, a classic featuring Michael
22	Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates		Hall & Oates’ signature song—amazing live!
23	Undercover Of The NightThe Rolling Stones		The depth of dance rock imbued with political undertones
24	JumpVan Halen		Van Halen’s groundbreaking hit song
25	We Are The WorldUSA For Africa		A charity song for African hunger relief
26	AfricaTOTO		A rock band that was a massive hit in the 1980s.
27	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		It's such a masterpiece—once you hear it, you can't forget it.
28	We Built This CityStarship		A hit song by a prestigious band from San Francisco
29	Union Of The SnakeDuran Duran		The biggest British band on MTV in the ’80s
30	Once In A LifetimeTalking Heads		Innovative music that sings everyday questions
31	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		The smash hit from the 80s: a classic by Culture Club
32	Welcome To The JungleGuns N’ Roses		Shocking song by Guns N’ Roses
33	It’s My LifeTalk Talk		A testament to Talk Talk’s musical transformation
34	Separate WaysJourney		A band that achieved great success after adding a vocalist
35	Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A		The soul of socially critical hip-hop, N.W.A
36	Hard to Say I’m SorryCHICAGO		Transforming music with synthesizers
37	Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics		The electric pop classic “Sweet Dreams”
38	The Final CountdownEurope		A representative Nordic metal band, currently active.
39	Funky TownLipps Inc		A classic song that sings of a yearning for the city and a desire to change one’s circumstances.
40	Do They Know It’s ChristmasBand Aid		A large-scale charity by stars
41	Crazy for YouMadonna		Madonna’s love song, expressing passion
42	Beat ItMichael Jackson		The legendary music video that featured a street gang
43	Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley		80s classic hits see a revival online
44	Girls Just Want to Have FunCyndi Lauper		The big hit song from the '80s, 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'
45	Easy LoverPhilip Bailey, Phil Colins		Phil Bailey and Collins’s classic song
46	ManeaterDaryl Hall & John Oates		A hugely popular Black duo from the 80s
47	Lost In Your EyesDebbie Gibson		Big success as a teen idol in the 80s
48	Blue MondayNew Order		An emotional song by a rock band that overcame tragedy
49	I Was Born To Love YouFreddie Mercury		Mercury’s solo song is popular in Japan.
50	Burn Rubber On MeGap Band		The Gap Band’s signature funk classic
51	Run To YouBryan Adams		Bryan Adams's classic song 'Reckless'
52	CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band		J. Geils' hit tops the U.S. charts at No. 1
53	Purple RainPrince		A musical genius who represents the 80s
54	Another One Bites the DustQueen		Queen's 'Another One Bites' is a big hit
55	Believe It or NotJoey Scarbury		Theme song from a classic American hero comedy
56	Video Killed The Radio StarThe Buggles		A classic song that drove radio out with television
57	AllentownBilly Joel		The Changing Evaluations of Billy Joel’s “The Nylon Curtain”
58	When Doves CryPrince		Prince’s masterpiece “Purple Rain”
59	I Want to Know What Love IsForeigner		The band Forei, representing AOR music
60	The Screams Of PassionThe Family		Popular band of the Prince family
61	I’m In the Mood for DancingThe Nolans		A classic song by our sister group in Ireland
62	Waiting For A Girl Like YouForeigner		A tragic music hit that ranked second for 10 consecutive weeks
63	New FrontierDonald Fagen		A masterpiece that portrays an ironic dance party in the age of nuclear war
64	LukaSuzanne Vega		A socially critical masterpiece depicting child abuse
65	Heaven Is a Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle		An iconic hit from the ’80s, Belinda Carlisle’s classic.
66	RioDuran Duran		Duran Duran’s second album
67	Let’s DanceDavid Bowie		David Bowie's smash hit song “Let’s Dance”
68	Naughty NaughtyJohn Parr		Parr in the ’80s: hit songs and a strange charm
69	Smooth OperatorSade		A masterpiece that captivated the world with its sound and singing voice
70	GoodbyeNight Ranger		A classic ballad of West Coast rock
71	Woman in LoveBarbra Streisand		The captivating vocal prowess of popular 1980s actresses and singers
72	Can’t take my eyes off youBoys Town Gang		A representative popular dance song from the disco heyday
73	Sweet Child o MineGuns N’ Roses		Explanation of Guns N’ Roses’ classic song “Sweet Child.”
74	Sunday Bloody SundayU2		U2’s early classic album “War” was the catalyst for their breakthrough.
75	RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood		Even songs banned from broadcast were hit tracks that defined the 1980s.
76	Got My Mind Set on YouGeorge Harrison		Many famous songs by John Lennon of the Beatles
77	ManiacMichael Sembello		In 1983, it became a huge hit as a dance film soundtrack.
78	PhysicalOlivia Newton-John		A classic that shifted from pure and innocent to boldly sexy
79	Another Day In ParadisePhil Collins		Phil Collins’s classic hit; a major smash
80	FreedomWham!		The Christmas song “Last Christmas”
81	Mr. RobotoStyx		A leading band of progressive hard rock appears
82	No Sleep Till BrooklynBeastie Boys		Established rap rock from punk
83	VacationThe Go-Go’s		Pioneers of girls’ bands, sales success in the 1980s
84	Shout To The TopThe Style Council		A classic Style Council song from the ’80s
85	Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield		A massive hit in music, actor Rick Springfield
86	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		The theme song of the movie “The Woman in Red”
87	Can’t Fight This FeelingREO Speed Wagon		An inspiring band whose hard work paid off, earning them the number one spot in the United States.
88	Born in the U.S.A.Bruce Springsteen		Bruce Springsteen classic song
89	I Feel for YouChaka Khan		A masterpiece where synths and rap are in harmony
90	Take your time (Do it right)The SOS Band		A classic hit by an R&B group that represents the ’80s
91	CONGAGloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine		A song that captivated the world with its Latin rhythm
92	Don’t CryASIA		A major hit by a renowned band of prog members
93	A Night To RememberShalamar		A milestone in 80s dance hits
94	Down UnderMen At Work		Popular Australian band tops the U.S. charts
95	ShoutTears for Fears		A shocking impact on the world with an antisocial song
96	Cum On Feel The NoizeQuiet Riot		The band reached No. 1 in the U.S. and then disbanded.
97	Call MeBlondie		Famous songs from Richard Gere movies
98	The ReflexDuran Duran		80s hit song, reached number one in both the UK and US
99	99 LuftballonsNena		Nena’s worldwide hit song “99 Luftballons”
100	FootlooseKenny Loggins		Explosive hit songs from the ’80s, dance numbers
101	Oh GirlBoy Meets Girl		An iconic song by an ’80s duo is a masterpiece.
102	Walk Like An EgyptianThe Bangles		The Egyptian-style walk dance attracted attention.
103	And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers		An iconic song that sees heartbreak in a positive light, with a rhythm that resonates with the heart.
104	Rock With YouMichael Jackson		The Appeal of Michael Jackson's Music
105	VenusBananarama		A signature hit of Bananarama from the 1980s
106	Rock the CasbahThe Clash		The Clash in JoJo Part 5 is named after the band.
107	The One That You LoveAir Supply		A signature hit by Air Supply representing the 1980s
108	Let’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire		Classic dance music hits of the '80s
109	Stray Cat StrutStray cats		Brian Setzer's music and appearance
110	I’m Coming OutDiana Ross		The birth of a Diana Ross classic beloved by gay people
111	Chariots of FireVangelis		The famous Vangelis theme from the film “Chariots of Fire”
112	Let It WhipDazz Band		R&B hit song, a classic by The Dazz Band
113	Rush HourJane Wiedlin		Rhythm guitarist of the first-ever girl band to reach No. 1 in the U.S.
114	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman
115	It’s Still Rock and Roll to MeBilly Joel		Billy Joel is a master of the music world.
116	Don’t Fight ItKenny Loggins ft. Steve Perry		An iconic rock ballad that gives you courage
117	Don’t Answer MeThe Alan Parsons Project		Iconic music videos from MTV’s 1980s era
118	Darlin’ IVanessa Williams		Active as a model, actress, and singer
119	First LoveStryper		Stryper, a Christian metal band from the ’80s
120	Live To TellMadonna		Madonna’s classic masterpiece with profound musicality
121	Gimme All Your Lovin’ZZ Top		ZZ TOP's smash-hit album achieves major success in the United States
122	Upside DownDiana Ross		Diana Ross’s signature 1970s song became a huge hit.
123	Bitter Is BetterKim Wilde		Kim Carnes song popularized by a commercial jingle
124	Holding Back The YearsSimply Red		Simply Red, a US number-one hit song
125	Back in BlackAC/DC		The legendary rock band AC/DC’s classic song
126	Up Where We BelongJoe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes		The famous song from the coming-of-age film of love, 'Departure'
127	Money For NothingDire Straits		A famous song co-written with Sting, a big hit on MTV
128	(Just Like) Starting OverJohn Lennon		John Lennon’s posthumous album, the final track
129	Hands To HeavenBreathe		A masterpiece imbued with a prayer for reunion, Breeze’s signature song
130	I Wanna Be AdoredThe Stone Roses		A classic song by the highly influential rock band The Stone Roses
131	Flashdance… What A FeelingIrene Cara		The famous song from 'Flashdance,' a classic everyone has heard at least once.
132	Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne		A classic song by Ozzy, a pioneer of heavy metal
133	Under PressureQueen		A classic conversation between the Queen and the Boy
134	Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)Pink Floyd		Socially conscious songs by Pink Floyd
135	TrueSpandau Ballet		Legendary hit song of the ’80s, a worldwide smash hit
136	Heart(Stop Beating in Time)Leo Sayer		Leo Sayer, popular for his mellow, beautiful voice
137	Crazy Little Thing Called LoveQueen		Queen’s U.S. No. 1 song, Freddie’s masterpiece
138	ImagineQueen		A masterpiece that prays for peace, loved around the world
139	In A Big CountryBig Country		A legendary one-hit-wonder band for a single bagpipe tune
140	Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!		A global smash hit and signature song by Wham!, with their fashion also gaining popularity
141	Slow an’ EasyWhitesnake		A smash hit led by David Coverdale
142	Owner Of A Lonely HeartYES		YES's 80s hit songs, pop tracks
143	Heartbreak BeatThe Psychedelic Furs		A classic song by The Psychedelic Furs from the ’80s
144	Last ChristmasWham!		The British duo that created a classic Christmas song
145	I wonder If I Take You HomeLisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force		Lisa Lisa, a standard-bearer of Hispanic music
146	Don’t Wanna Lose YouGloria Estefan		Gloria Estefan, her first solo album
147	9 to 5Dolly Parton		Dolly Parton’s signature blockbuster movie theme song
148	West End GirlsPet Shop Boys		An innovative electropop track with cool vocals
149	Creeping DeathMetallica		Metallica is a world-famous band.
150	DominosRobbie Nevil		Robby keeps thriving even after the hit “C'est la Vie”
151	Psycho KillerTalking Heads		Talking Heads, an innovative music band
152	Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler		The struggle between the darkness and light of a passionate love
153	SearchingChange		An Italian band from 1979 influenced by Chic
154	Never Ending StoryLimahl		Music that lasts forever, a never-ending story
155	Now It’s My TurnBerlin		Teri Nunn’s unexpectedly cool singing voice
156	Favorite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)Haircut 100		Classic songs by 1980s British pop bands
157	Make It RealThe Jets		Hit songs and vocals of a brother band from the '80s
158	The Tide Is HighBlondie		Blondie covered the Paragons’ song.
159	Do That To Me One More TimeCaptain & Tennille		A classic from the ’80s, a beloved ballad cherished by many.
160	Give Me The NightGeorge Benson		George Benson’s classic song becomes a big hit
161	Safety DanceMen Without Hats		The band sang anti-establishment themes and went on hiatus.
162	SledgehammerPeter Gabriel		Peter Gabriel hits No. 1 in the U.S. with a smash single
163	What I Like About YouThe Romantics		Detroit rock band breaks big
164	It’s All A GameNational Pastime		Rediscovering the charm of 80s idol bands
165	Take It EasyAndy Taylor		Andy's solo single, a song featured in a film
166	Mutha (Don’t want to go to school today)Extreme		A fusion band of hard rock and funk
167	Especially For YouKylie Minogue & Jason Donovan		A classic song featuring 80s idols
168	Arthur’s ThemeChristopher Cross		The theme song of the 1981 film “Arthur”
169	Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners		Flagship song of Jugg Rock, a US number-one hit
170	Secret LoversAtlantic Starr		Atlantic Starr's hit songs
171	Tainted LoveSoft Cell		A 1964 song that Soft Cell turned into a big hit with their cover
172	Shy BoyBananarama		The appeal of Bananarama, a popular band from the 1980s
173	When I Think Of YouJanet Jackson		Janet Jackson’s smash hit song
174	They Don’t KnowTracey Ullman		Nostalgic PV of the versatile actress Tracy
175	Material GirlMadonna		Madonna, the pop queen who represents the 1980s
176	I Can Dream About YouDan Hartman		Insert song from the movie “Streets of Fire”
177	Tryin’ To Kill A Saturday NightKeane		The Keen brothers’ rock band, a classic song
178	La BambaLos Lobos		The famous song of the Mexican folk tune 'La Bamba'
179	Still of the NightWhitesnake		David Coverdale's WHITESNAKE
180	One More TryGeorge Michael		George Michael’s year of major solo hits
181	Red LightsCuriosity Killed The Cat		A soul band from London with outstanding musicality.
182	Don’t You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds		Theme song of “The Breakfast Club”