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