[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	Review
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 song here is 1…
4	I Wanna Dance With SomebodyWhitney Houston		Whitney, who magnificently won a Grammy, hi…
5	Do You Believe In LoveHuey Lewis & The News		Reached No. 7 in the U.S. in 1982. It was their second albu...
6	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		The most successful rock band in the world, the peo…
7	Eye Of The TigerSurvivor		Survivor’s rock classic “I Am a Champion”
8	Take on Mea-ha		The Norwegian band a-ha’s 1985…
9	ThrillerMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's "Thriller" becomes a massive hit
10	Like a VirginMadonna		Michael Jackson’s iconic hits
11	Manic MondayBangles		No. 2 in the U.S. in 1986. From the mid to late ’80s…
12	I Love Rock ‘n’ RollJoan Jett & The Blackhearts		Released in January 1982, the American ro...
13	I Miss YouKlymaxx		A women’s R&B band breakup ballad
14	Don’t Stop Me NowQueen		Queen’s signature song “Don’t Stop Me Now”
15	Take My Breath AwayBerlin		Love theme song from Top Gun
16	Don’t You Want MeThe Human League		Synthesizer classics and the romantic dynamics between a man and a woman
17	About A GirlNirvana		Nirvana’s love song makes us rediscover the importance of relationships.
18	Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates		Hall & Oates’ signature song—amazing live!
19	Beat ItMichael Jackson		The legendary music video that featured a street gang
20	(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)Beastie Boys		My parents told me, “Don’t be partying—go study…”
21	True ColorsCyndi Lauper		A soothing masterpiece among Cyndi Lauper’s signature songs
22	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		It's such a masterpiece—once you hear it, you can't forget it.
23	AfricaTOTO		A rock band that was a massive hit in the 1980s.
24	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		The smash hit from the 80s: a classic by Culture Club
25	JumpVan Halen		Van Halen’s groundbreaking hit song
26	We Built This CityStarship		A hit song by a prestigious band from San Francisco
27	We Are The WorldUSA For Africa		A charity song for African hunger relief
28	Hard to Say I’m SorryCHICAGO		Transforming music with synthesizers
29	Club TropicanaWham!		Freedom and liberation envisioned in a tropical resort
30	Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley		80s classic hits see a revival online
31	Do They Know It’s ChristmasBand Aid		A large-scale charity by stars
32	Heaven Is a Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle		An iconic hit from the ’80s, Belinda Carlisle’s classic.
33	ManeaterDaryl Hall & John Oates		A hugely popular Black duo from the 80s
34	Separate WaysJourney		A band that achieved great success after adding a vocalist
35	Girls Just Want to Have FunCyndi Lauper		The big hit song from the '80s, 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'
36	Easy LoverPhilip Bailey, Phil Colins		Phil Bailey and Collins’s classic song
37	The Final CountdownEurope		A representative Nordic metal band, currently active.
38	Run To YouBryan Adams		Bryan Adams's classic song 'Reckless'
39	Union Of The SnakeDuran Duran		The biggest British band on MTV in the ’80s
40	I Was Born To Love YouFreddie Mercury		Mercury’s solo song is popular in Japan.
41	CONGAGloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine		A song that captivated the world with its Latin rhythm
42	Lost In Your EyesDebbie Gibson		Big success as a teen idol in the 80s
43	Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics		The electric pop classic “Sweet Dreams”
44	The ReflexDuran Duran		80s hit song, reached number one in both the UK and US
45	99 LuftballonsNena		Nena’s worldwide hit song “99 Luftballons”
46	Walk Like An EgyptianThe Bangles		The Egyptian-style walk dance attracted attention.
47	GoodbyeNight Ranger		A classic ballad of West Coast rock
48	RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood		Even songs banned from broadcast were hit tracks that defined the 1980s.
49	Purple RainPrince		A musical genius who represents the 80s
50	Another One Bites the DustQueen		Queen's 'Another One Bites' is a big hit
51	I Want to Know What Love IsForeigner		The band Forei, representing AOR music
52	FreedomWham!		The Christmas song “Last Christmas”
53	Video Killed The Radio StarThe Buggles		A classic song that drove radio out with television
54	Waiting For A Girl Like YouForeigner		A tragic music hit that ranked second for 10 consecutive weeks
55	AllentownBilly Joel		The Changing Evaluations of Billy Joel’s “The Nylon Curtain”
56	RioDuran Duran		Duran Duran’s second album
57	CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band		J. Geils' hit tops the U.S. charts at No. 1
58	Let’s DanceDavid Bowie		David Bowie's smash hit song “Let’s Dance”
59	Believe It or NotJoey Scarbury		Theme song from a classic American hero comedy
60	When Doves CryPrince		Prince’s masterpiece “Purple Rain”
61	The Screams Of PassionThe Family		Popular band of the Prince family
62	I’m In the Mood for DancingThe Nolans		A classic song by our sister group in Ireland
63	Born in the U.S.A.Bruce Springsteen		Bruce Springsteen classic song
64	New FrontierDonald Fagen		A masterpiece that portrays an ironic dance party in the age of nuclear war
65	Naughty NaughtyJohn Parr		Parr in the ’80s: hit songs and a strange charm
66	ManiacMichael Sembello		In 1983, it became a huge hit as a dance film soundtrack.
67	LukaSuzanne Vega		A socially critical masterpiece depicting child abuse
68	Shout To The TopThe Style Council		A classic Style Council song from the ’80s
69	Sunday Bloody SundayU2		U2’s early classic album “War” was the catalyst for their breakthrough.
70	Can’t take my eyes off youBoys Town Gang		A representative popular dance song from the disco heyday
71	Got My Mind Set on YouGeorge Harrison		Many famous songs by John Lennon of the Beatles
72	Sweet Child o MineGuns N’ Roses		Explanation of Guns N’ Roses’ classic song “Sweet Child.”
73	Smooth OperatorSade		A masterpiece that captivated the world with its sound and singing voice
74	Mr. RobotoStyx		A leading band of progressive hard rock appears
75	Woman in LoveBarbra Streisand		The captivating vocal prowess of popular 1980s actresses and singers
76	Rock With YouMichael Jackson		The Appeal of Michael Jackson's Music
77	PhysicalOlivia Newton-John		A classic that shifted from pure and innocent to boldly sexy
78	Another Day In ParadisePhil Collins		Phil Collins’s classic hit; a major smash
79	Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield		A massive hit in music, actor Rick Springfield
80	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		The theme song of the movie “The Woman in Red”
81	VacationThe Go-Go’s		Pioneers of girls’ bands, sales success in the 1980s
82	ImagineQueen		A masterpiece that prays for peace, loved around the world
83	ShoutTears for Fears		A shocking impact on the world with an antisocial song
84	No Sleep Till BrooklynBeastie Boys		Established rap rock from punk
85	Call MeBlondie		Famous songs from Richard Gere movies
86	Oh GirlBoy Meets Girl		An iconic song by an ’80s duo is a masterpiece.
87	Live To TellMadonna		Madonna’s classic masterpiece with profound musicality
88	Down UnderMen At Work		Popular Australian band tops the U.S. charts
89	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.
90	First LoveStryper		Stryper, a Christian metal band from the ’80s
91	Let’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire		Classic dance music hits of the '80s
92	FootlooseKenny Loggins		Explosive hit songs from the ’80s, dance numbers
93	Cum On Feel The NoizeQuiet Riot		The band reached No. 1 in the U.S. and then disbanded.
94	Don’t CryASIA		A major hit by a renowned band of prog members
95	Owner Of A Lonely HeartYES		YES's 80s hit songs, pop tracks
96	Burn Rubber On MeGap Band		The Gap Band’s signature funk classic
97	A Night To RememberShalamar		A milestone in 80s dance hits
98	The One That You LoveAir Supply		A signature hit by Air Supply representing the 1980s
99	It’s Still Rock and Roll to MeBilly Joel		Billy Joel is a master of the music world.
100	Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler		The struggle between the darkness and light of a passionate love
101	I’m Coming OutDiana Ross		The birth of a Diana Ross classic beloved by gay people
102	Upside DownDiana Ross		Diana Ross’s signature 1970s song became a huge hit.
103	(Just Like) Starting OverJohn Lennon		John Lennon’s posthumous album, the final track
104	Don’t Fight ItKenny Loggins ft. Steve Perry		An iconic rock ballad that gives you courage
105	Crazy Little Thing Called LoveQueen		Queen’s U.S. No. 1 song, Freddie’s masterpiece
106	Under PressureQueen		A classic conversation between the Queen and the Boy
107	Chariots of FireVangelis		The famous Vangelis theme from the film “Chariots of Fire”
108	Somebody’s Watching MeRockwell		Rockwell’s signature song, a classic featuring Michael
109	Back in BlackAC/DC		The legendary rock band AC/DC’s classic song
110	Let It WhipDazz Band		R&B hit song, a classic by The Dazz Band
111	Money For NothingDire Straits		A famous song co-written with Sting, a big hit on MTV
112	Rush HourJane Wiedlin		Rhythm guitarist of the first-ever girl band to reach No. 1 in the U.S.
113	Bitter Is BetterKim Wilde		Kim Carnes song popularized by a commercial jingle
114	Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)Pink Floyd		Socially conscious songs by Pink Floyd
115	Stray Cat StrutStray cats		Brian Setzer's music and appearance
116	Don’t Answer MeThe Alan Parsons Project		Iconic music videos from MTV’s 1980s era
117	Darlin’ IVanessa Williams		Active as a model, actress, and singer
118	Last ChristmasWham!		The British duo that created a classic Christmas song
119	Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!		A global smash hit and signature song by Wham!, with their fashion also gaining popularity
120	Gimme All Your Lovin’ZZ Top		ZZ TOP's smash-hit album achieves major success in the United States
121	In A Big CountryBig Country		A legendary one-hit-wonder band for a single bagpipe tune
122	Heart(Stop Beating in Time)Leo Sayer		Leo Sayer, popular for his mellow, beautiful voice
123	TrueSpandau Ballet		Legendary hit song of the ’80s, a worldwide smash hit
124	Arthur’s ThemeChristopher Cross		The theme song of the 1981 film “Arthur”
125	Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners		Flagship song of Jugg Rock, a US number-one hit
126	Hands To HeavenBreathe		A masterpiece imbued with a prayer for reunion, Breeze’s signature song
127	Flashdance… What A FeelingIrene Cara		The famous song from 'Flashdance,' a classic everyone has heard at least once.
128	Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne		A classic song by Ozzy, a pioneer of heavy metal
129	Holding Back The YearsSimply Red		Simply Red, a US number-one hit song
130	Slow an’ EasyWhitesnake		A smash hit led by David Coverdale
131	Undercover Of The NightThe Rolling Stones		The depth of dance rock imbued with political undertones
132	Up Where We BelongJoe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes		The famous song from the coming-of-age film of love, 'Departure'
133	I Wanna Be AdoredThe Stone Roses		A classic song by the highly influential rock band The Stone Roses
134	It’s All A GameNational Pastime		Rediscovering the charm of 80s idol bands
135	Favorite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)Haircut 100		Classic songs by 1980s British pop bands
136	Safety DanceMen Without Hats		The band sang anti-establishment themes and went on hiatus.
137	Welcome To The JungleGuns N’ Roses		Sharp guitar riffs and screaming vocals...
138	Funky TownLipps Inc		A disco song by Lipps, Inc. that sings of longing for the city
139	Crazy for YouMadonna		Madonna’s signature ballad that earned her first Grammy nomination
140	Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A		A scathing criticism of the police and the stark realities of the streets, red…
141	Blue MondayNew Order		Overcoming the tragedy of their former band, the dance floor…
142	It’s My LifeTalk Talk		...with an impressive, cool synthesizer tone,
143	Once In A LifetimeTalking Heads		Suddenly, my life felt as if it were on autopilot...
144	VenusBananarama		A signature hit of Bananarama from the 1980s
145	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman
146	I Feel for YouChaka Khan		A masterpiece where synths and rap are in harmony
147	Material GirlMadonna		Madonna, the pop queen who represents the 1980s
148	Take your time (Do it right)The SOS Band		A classic hit by an R&B group that represents the ’80s
149	The Tide Is HighBlondie		Blondie covered the Paragons’ song.
150	SearchingChange		An Italian band from 1979 influenced by Chic
151	9 to 5Dolly Parton		Dolly Parton’s signature blockbuster movie theme song
152	Don’t Wanna Lose YouGloria Estefan		Gloria Estefan, her first solo album
153	Never Ending StoryLimahl		Music that lasts forever, a never-ending story
154	I wonder If I Take You HomeLisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force		Lisa Lisa, a standard-bearer of Hispanic music
155	Rock the CasbahThe Clash		The Clash in JoJo Part 5 is named after the band.
156	Heartbreak BeatThe Psychedelic Furs		A classic song by The Psychedelic Furs from the ’80s
157	And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers		An iconic song that sees heartbreak in a positive light, with a rhythm that resonates with the heart.
158	Take It EasyAndy Taylor		Andy's solo single, a song featured in a film
159	Secret LoversAtlantic Starr		Atlantic Starr's hit songs
160	Shy BoyBananarama		The appeal of Bananarama, a popular band from the 1980s
161	Now It’s My TurnBerlin		Teri Nunn’s unexpectedly cool singing voice
162	Do That To Me One More TimeCaptain & Tennille		A classic from the ’80s, a beloved ballad cherished by many.
163	Mutha (Don’t want to go to school today)Extreme		A fusion band of hard rock and funk
164	Give Me The NightGeorge Benson		George Benson’s classic song becomes a big hit
165	One More TryGeorge Michael		George Michael’s year of major solo hits
166	When I Think Of YouJanet Jackson		Janet Jackson’s smash hit song
167	Creeping DeathMetallica		Metallica is a world-famous band.
168	West End GirlsPet Shop Boys		An innovative electropop track with cool vocals
169	DominosRobbie Nevil		Robby keeps thriving even after the hit “C'est la Vie”
170	Psycho KillerTalking Heads		Talking Heads, an innovative music band
171	Make It RealThe Jets		Hit songs and vocals of a brother band from the '80s
172	They Don’t KnowTracey Ullman		Nostalgic PV of the versatile actress Tracy
173	Tryin’ To Kill A Saturday NightKeane		The Keen brothers’ rock band, a classic song
174	Especially For YouKylie Minogue & Jason Donovan		A classic song featuring 80s idols
175	SledgehammerPeter Gabriel		Peter Gabriel hits No. 1 in the U.S. with a smash single
176	Tainted LoveSoft Cell		A 1964 song that Soft Cell turned into a big hit with their cover
177	What I Like About YouThe Romantics		Detroit rock band breaks big
178	Red LightsCuriosity Killed The Cat		A soul band from London with outstanding musicality.
179	Don’t You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds		Theme song of “The Breakfast Club”
180	I Can Dream About YouDan Hartman		Insert song from the movie “Streets of Fire”
181	Still of the NightWhitesnake		David Coverdale's WHITESNAKE
182	La BambaLos Lobos		The famous song of the Mexican folk tune 'La Bamba'