Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists of the 1980s [2026]

You can still catch glimpses of the achievements of popular Western music artists from the 1980s, who left behind many great songs, in many places today.

They are still loved by many fans today, but aren’t you curious how they would rank by modern standards? We’ve compiled a ranking of popular Western music artists from the ’80s, so let us introduce it to you.

Playlist

Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists of the 1980s [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Open ArmsJourney		Journey’s classic song “Open Arms” is moving.
2	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		The iconic 80s classic “Time After Time.”
3	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A hit song by The Police has held the number-one spot for eight consecutive weeks.
4	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		Introduce Bon Jovi’s hit songs
5	Take On Mea-ha		The shimmering, sparkling tones of the synthesizer leave an impression…
6	Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates		A classic hit from the ’80s that portrays trust and doubt in love
7	Beat ItMichael Jackson		Made an indelible mark on music history as the “King of Pop”…
8	AfricaTOTO		Toto’s signature song “Africa,” with its refined musicality
9	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		Culture Club’s classic hit conquers the world
10	Sweet Child o’ MineGuns N’ Roses		A classic song by Guns N' Roses
11	JumpVan Halen		Introducing Van Halen’s signature song “Jump”
12	Like A VirginMadonna		The appeal of Madonna’s classic hits from the ’80s
13	Hard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGO		The classic song “Hard to Say,” which sings of the pain of heartbreak.
14	AloneHeart		A sentimental yet powerful masterpiece that stirs the heart.
15	With Or Without YouU2		U2’s signature song, a love song that hit No. 1 in the US
16	Waiting for a Girl Like YouForeigner		A heart-stirring song born from meeting the woman of destiny
17	Purple RainPrince		A genius artist who represents the 1980s and…
18	Another One Bites the DustQueen		A signature song by Queen, with a black music vibe.
19	The ReflexDuran Duran		A classic song by a British band that defined the MTV era
20	Let’s DanceDavid Bowie		The musicality and depth of spirit of David Bowie
21	Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley		Debuting as a solo singer in 1987, they instantly...
22	Last ChristmasWham!		A Christmas song about heartbreak, a timeless classic that resonates with the heart
23	Back in BlackAC/DC		The appeal of AC/DC’s classic song “Back in Black”
24	Eye Of The TigerSurvivor		A boxing-themed film, Rocky...
25	Summer Of ’69Bryan Adams		Brian, a rock singer from Canada...
26	The Final CountdownEurope		A representative Nordic metal band, currently active.
27	Saving All My Love For YouWhitney Houston		A classic that captivates with its passionate vocals
28	AngelAerosmith		Aerosmith’s classic song “Angel,” perfect for autumn
29	Take My Breath AwayBerlin		Love theme song from Top Gun
30	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman
31	Blue MondayNew Order		Overcoming the tragedy of their former band, the dance floor…
32	One More NightPhil Collins		Phil Collins's wistful night ballad
33	Let’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire		Funk music and disco mus…
34	Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne		A classic song by Ozzy, a pioneer of heavy metal
35	Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler		Bonnie Tyler’s classic, resonant in the heart
36	FootlooseKenny Loggins		A vibrant, energetic dance tune that epitomizes the 1980s
37	Heaven Is a Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle		An iconic hit from the ’80s, Belinda Carlisle’s classic.
38	Do They Know It’s Christmas?Band Aid		Charity song for Ethiopian famine relief
39	RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood		An edgy smash hit from the ’80s
40	99 LuftballonsNena		A prayer for peace, a classic of 80s synth-pop
41	Can’t Fight This FeelingREO Speed Wagon		REO Speedwagon's classic song
42	Don’t You Want MeThe Human League		A wistful love song by The Human League from the ’80s
43	Call MeBlondie		That one-of-a-kind sound—cool and edgy…
44	Pour Some Sugar On MeDef Leppard		A summer-ready rock song with exhilarating guitar riffs
45	Lost In Your EyesDebbie Gibson		A heartwarming night with a charming love song
46	Down UnderMen At Work		1980s hit songs from Australia
47	Can’t Take My Eyes Off YouBoys Town Gang		Expressing the thrilling feeling of love in an 80s disco classic
48	The Boys Of SummerDon Henley		A classic that evokes the end of summer
49	Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield		The appeal of Rick Springfield
50	TrueSpandau Ballet		Spandau Ballet’s classic, a mature love
51	Walk Like an EgyptianThe Bangles		A famous song by the Bangles, a popular female band from the ’80s
52	Rock the CasbahThe Clash		The Clash in JoJo Part 5 is named after the band.
53	You Spin Me RoundDead Or Alive		The classic song by Dead or Alive
54	Still Loving YouScorpions		A poignant power ballad that sings of love’s revival
55	Mr. RobotoStyx		A leading band of progressive hard rock appears
56	You Might ThinkThe Cars		Award-winning 'You Might Think' making waves on MTV
57	Money For NothingDire Straits		A famous song co-written with Sting, a big hit on MTV
58	I Should Be So LuckyKYLIE MINOGUE		A breezy 80s disco hit
59	Girls, Girls, GirlsMötley Crüe		Mötley Crüe, the emblem of ’80s metal
60	Let the Music PlayShannon		Shannon from the United States, in 1983, …
61	CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band		J. Geils' hit tops the U.S. charts at No. 1
62	Start Me UpThe Rolling Stones		A legendary rock band that has been active for over half a century
63	And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers		An iconic song that sees heartbreak in a positive light, with a rhythm that resonates with the heart.
64	Owner of a Lonely HeartYES		A lonely anthem for Jesus, packed with groove
65	Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners		An iconic song of the ’80s, music of hope and passion
66	Hurts So GoodJohn Mellencamp		Introduction to John Mellencamp’s classic songs
67	I Miss YouKlymaxx		A women’s R&B band breakup ballad
68	GloriaLaura Branigan		Laura Branigan's hit song was originally by an Italian singer.
69	TrulyLionel Richie		Timeless songs that heal the heart and sing of eternal love
70	Funky TownLipps Inc		Steven, who transitioned from being a wedding DJ…
71	Every Rose Has It’s ThornPoison		An iconic 80s hair metal track, the pain of a broken heart
72	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		A classic Stevie Wonder song perfect for autumn
73	I Heard RumourBananarama		Bananarama’s massive 1980s hit song “Venus.”
74	Sunglasses at NightCorey Hart		Hearing that distinctive synth phrase in the intro...
75	I Can Dream About YouDan Hartman		Insert song from the movie “Streets of Fire”
76	Careless WhisperGeorge Michael		A talent who epitomized the pop scene of the 1980s…
77	Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The News		The famous song from Back to the Future
78	Naughty NaughtyJohn Parr		A one-hit wonder, or as they say in Japan, kinda like...
79	Right and a Wrong WayKeith Sweat		Keith Sweat’s classic love song
80	CelebrationKool and The Gang		An iconic song from the ’80s—the dance beat is amazing.
81	ManiacMichael Sembello		Introduction to the Flashdance theme song “Maniac”
82	Smooth OperatorSade		Sade’s mature music is captivating.
83	LukaSuzanne Vega		The songstress of the folk scene, classic tunes perfect for autumn
84	BreakoutSwing Out Sister		An iconic 80s synth-pop track with a sleek, fast-paced sound
85	ShoutTears for Fears		Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith's smash hit
86	KokomoThe Beach Boys		The Beach Boys: a band of diverse music and remarkable longevity
87	It’s Raining MenThe Weather Girls		Men falling from the sky, an energetic dance track
88	Making Love Out Of Nothing At AllAir Supply		「Making Love Out Of …
89	AlwaysAtlantic Starr		A moving R&B hit song that sings of eternal love
90	Eyes Without A FaceBilly Idol		From punk rocker to world-renowned musician
91	SailingChristopher Cross		A singer who has been active since the late 1970s…
92	Don’t Dream It’s OverCrowded House		A ballad resounding in the autumn dusk, a hope that never abandons its dreams
93	Sweet DreamsEurythmics		Eurythmics’ classic song “Sweet Dreams”
94	Breaking The LawJudas Priest		Judas Priest’s classic song “Breaking the Law”
95	Bette Davis EyesKim Carnes		An adult dance hit that captivates a femme fatale
96	Cold HeartedPaula Abdul		Paula Abdul's funky song
97	Lay It DownRatt		An iconic 80s glam metal song, passionate
98	GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.		The popular theme song of Ghostbusters
99	Love ShackThe B-52’s		The B-52’s’ classic song “Love Shack”
100	VacationThe Go-Go’s		The Go-Go’s’ summer smash hit “Vacation”