Top 10 2020s Songs with That Classic 80s Vibe

Top 10 2020s Songs That SOUND Like 1980s Songs

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the best examples of songs with production values, sounds, and/or vibes that feel the most 80s.

#10: Breathe Deeper (2020)

Tame Impala

If you love groovy and psychedelic music, Tame Impala is probably right up your alley. Its the brainchild of Kevin Parker and features some beautiful and layered productions. Theres nothing quite like listening to Breathe Deeper, with the track giving you a glimpse into the singers brain. His vocals might remind you of John Lennon with effects that give you a deeper 80s funk vibe. The latter sound wafts through your speakers, sending listeners a postcard from the middle of a beloved decade. Its a lush experience that few can create as well as this performer. Starting off the 2020s in style, the single and the accompanying album The Slow Rush gives you a tornado of laidback beats.

#9: Leave the Door Open (2021)

Silk Sonic

Combining two talented people, Silk Sonic is something like a fantasy team-up for certain music fans. Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars take things slow with this tribute to R&B from long ago. Leave the Door Open is a warm rush of smooth jams, forming a love letter full of soul and pop elements. You dont need to be an expert to recognize this as a faithful adaptation of 70s and 80s styles. Throughout the listening experience, viewers might imagine putting on the period wardrobe and accessories as well. Both artists know exactly what theyre doing and make this an enjoyable effort. Unsurprisingly, the track won a slew of Grammys like Record of the Year.

#8: Good Luck, Babe! (2024)

Chappell Roan

This iconoclastic vocalist sounds like she couldve been a star in any generation. Good Luck, Babe! finds the artist in top form, creating an incredible melody that goes the distance. Roan is a fiercely independent voice that could be connected to titans like Kate Bush. As both a singer and songwriter, shes already proven herself as a timeless and multi-faceted pop star. Her provocative style harkens back to Madonnas trailblazing work in the 1980s. The song takes aim at somebody denying their identity, but with the charm of a synth pop groove underneath. The artist also explored an upbeat Toni Basil-esque single with her crowd-pleasing Hot to Go!

#7: Falling Through (2020)

Particle House feat. Ryan Gillmor

This one might sound so 80s that youll be doing a double take. Particle Houses Falling Through captures the wave of nostalgia that a well-placed synth can give you. While you could spend all day on the keys, you cant forget the rocking guitar either. Theres an ounce of new wave and arena rock in there too. With some heartfelt and sincere vocals, this song takes audiences to a time where Journey or even Kenny Loggins ruled the day. The immaculate production copies all of the finer elements of a bygone pop era. Even the drum fills make you wonder if a band like Starship secretly recorded this one.

#6: Lets Love (2020)

David Guetta & Sia

With a superstar producer and a world-class singer, you know this song is going to be good. Lets Love immediately hits you with its dreamy synths and an 80s drum machine-sound. If you listen closely, you might even hear a hint of Pat Benatar in the music. David Guetta lays down a great groove for Sia to sing over. The pop hook makes the catchy track all the more memorable, with a slick sound thatll have you skipping to the beat. Guetta is clearly a huge fan of the previous decade and makes his love known throughout.

#5: If Youre Too Shy (Let Me Know) (2020)

The 1975

Overflowing with influences, The 1975 travel into another era for this single. If Youre Too Shy (Let Me Know) shines with guitar and synth lines reminiscent of many 80s classics. Its a deceptively simple song thats jet-propelled by a crystal-clear production. The steady beat keeps a strong pulse, making the dance elements come alive. Their work here owes a healthy amount to any number of pop, rock, and electronic acts from yesteryear. Theyre able to both build tension and executive high-flying maneuvers with ease. Adding in a saxophone, the group calls to mind a day when more unexpected instruments filled mainstream music.

#4: Midnight Sky (2020)

Miley Cyrus

With her signature vocals, Miley Cyrus can seemingly blend any number of genres. Midnight Sky finds her going for a pure pop number with a splash of disco. Shining lights and bright dance floors might hit your brain as you listen. Its a fun ride full of a fusion of 80s pop, electronic, and synth flavors. Dont underestimate her ability to make you have a great time. You can groove to it and maybe even sing along to the sharp hook. In another successful era, Cyrus salutes the past and brings old sounds into the present day. Her raspy twang only makes it all that much better.

#3: Levitating (2020)

Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby

On her second album, Dua Lipa kicked it up a notch with a number of big hits like Levitating and Love Again. The former exemplifies her take on the nu-disco genre. It mixes modern production with a dash of late 70s and early 80s disco. You can see people of all ages dancing to this at the club. The song and its lyrics only uplift you, throwing you back to an earlier decade where many pop acts were doing the same. The single somehow manages to be nostalgic without being desperate. With Lipa at the helm, this one makes you want to dance in your parachute pants.

#2: Save Your Tears (2020)

The Weeknd

If you know The Weeknds music, youre probably hearing the 80s influence. Theres everything from Prince to other classic pop and R&B sounds. Save Your Tears is one of his most effective synth ballads, covering heartbreak with a rich layer of electronic keyboards. Its the moodier flip side of his other big and vintage-sounding single Blinding Lights. With his high-quality vocals, the artist knows how to give listeners a musical journey full of emotions. Its so catchy that you cant stop listening or wondering how he does it. Using a tried and true formula, the performer crafts tribute to dreamlike and melancholic 80s tracks.

#1: As It Was (2022)

Harry Styles

On his third album Harrys House, this pop star earns one of his biggest hits yet. As It Was finds the artist singing over bouncy synth lines. There is an ease with which he can access the massive highs of an 80s mixtape. This one in particular feels like a nod to any number of music icons, blending in what could be a mix of new wave and New Romantic sounds. Hes also proving once again that he shouldnt be underestimated. Throughout his acclaimed solo career, Styles shows that hes full of exciting choices and traditional pop elements.

Did we forget another recent song thats packed with 80s flavor? Let us know in the comments below.