Top 10 Most Iconic Songs of the 1980s

Top 10 Most Iconic Songs of the 1980s

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for songs released from 1980 to 1989 that defined the decade.

#10: Dont Stop Believin (1981)

Journey

While younger audiences may associate it with The Sopranos or even Glee, those who lived through the 80s know that Dont Stop Believin was already a cultural touchstone long before it became a meme. This Journey anthem perfectly encapsulates the decades signature blend of sincerity and excess, from Steve Perrys soaring vocals to the songs now-legendary piano intro. Fueled by the bands years of grinding it out on the road, its an ode to resilience, romance, and chasing something bigger. And sure, theres technically no South Detroit, but when Perry sings it, who cares? The point isnt geography. Its belief.

#9: Livin on a Prayer (1986)

Bon Jovi

It was never a question of if a Bon Jovi track would make our list only which one. After all, these arena rock titans are practically synonymous with the 80s. The real toss-up came down to this song and You Give Love a Bad Name, the chart-topping single that hit airwaves just before it. Both are undeniable anthems, but in the end, we had to go with Livin on a Prayer. Like Dont Stop Believin, its a power ballad built on grit, hope, and a chorus made to be screamed in dive bars and stadiums alike. Decades later, Tommy and Gina are still holdin on and so are we.

#8: Every Breath You Take (1983)

The Police

Of course we were going to save a spot for one of the tenderest, most romantic songs of the 80s or so it seems. Every Breath You Take is often mistaken for a heartfelt ode to lasting love, but over the years, singer/bassist Sting has repeatedly clarified that its actually about obsession and control. It sounds like a comforting love song, he once said. I didnt realize at the time how sinister it is. I think I was thinking of Big Brother, surveillance, and control. Even so, the track remains a masterclass in pop minimalism and mood, earning its place in the annals of 80s greatness and on our list with Grammy wins and countless imitators to prove it.

#7: Take On Me (1985)

A-ha

For a song Rolling Stone once dubbed one of the hardest-to-sing choruses in pop history, this Norwegian synthpop banger has proven to be one of the 80s most enduring hits. Take On Me is a shimmering slice of new wave perfection but its just as famous for its groundbreaking music video, which used the then-obscure rotoscoping technique to dazzling, era-defining effect. More than anything, though, its a showcase for frontman Morten Harket, whose sky-high falsetto has humbled generations of karaoke hopefuls. Sure, few have hit those notes, but its hard to deny that everyone knows them.

#6: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) (1987)

Whitney Houston

Its hard to believe in hindsight, but this summery, feel-good anthem was met with a lukewarm reception upon release. Critics at the time dismissed I Wanna Dance with Somebody as lightweight, even drawing unflattering comparisons to Houstons own How Will I Know. But the public knew better. The track shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to sell over 18 million copies worldwide, eventually earning an 8x platinum certification in the U.S. The verdict was clear this was Whitneys signature song. And if theres one lesson here, its simple: never bet against Whitney Houston.

#5: Fast Car (1988)

Tracy Chapman

By now, we all know Fast Car as a poignant tale of escaping generational struggle but its path to icon status wasnt guaranteed. That changed in June 1988 at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Londons Wembley Stadium. For Tracy Chapman, it was the biggest audience of her career. When Stevie Wonder unexpectedly pulled out of his surprise set, Chapman was asked to fill the gap. Alone on stage with just her guitar, she delivered a raw, acoustic performance of Fast Car to a global audience across 67 countries. That was the moment that transformed a quietly affecting folk-rock song into a healing, generational hymn for the 80s.

#4: Like a Prayer (1989)

Madonna

Leave it to Madonna to ignite a firestorm and drop one of the most iconic songs of the 80s in a single move. With its gospel-infused sound, confessional lyrics, and a video that sparked outrage from the Vatican, Like a Prayer was a full-blown cultural event. Blending pop hooks with religious imagery and in-your-face politics, Madonna didnt just push buttons; she mashed them. The controversy only amplified its impact, lifting the track to become a worldwide sensation and a defining statement for the hitmaker. Provocative, powerful, and impossible to ignore, Like a Prayer proved pop could be more than just catchy it could be confrontational, too.

#3: Sweet Child o' Mine (1987)

Guns N Roses

They were arguably the biggest band of the late 80s: brash, electrifying, and impossible to ignore. But it was Sweet Child o Mine that truly cemented Guns N Roses place in rock history. With its unmistakable opening riff and soaring chorus, the track didnt just top the Billboard Hot 100 it became one of the decades most iconic anthems, blending hard rock grit with a surprising dose of romantic vulnerability. Ironically, Slash, the guitarist behind that legendary riff, originally hated the song with a huge passion. Love it or not, Sweet Child o Mine became the anthem of a generation raised on leather, lighters, and loud guitars.

#2: Purple Rain (1984)

Prince and the Revolution

There are power ballads, and then theres Purple Rain, a song so towering, it practically demands its own weather system. Released at the peak of Princes imperial phase, the track closed both the album and film of the same name, delivering a cathartic, genre-blurring masterpiece that fused rock, soul, and gospel into something otherworldly. Clocking in at nearly nine minutes, it shouldnt have worked, but in Princes hands, it became a slow-burning epic for the ages. Emotional, operatic, and unmistakably his, Purple Rain wasnt just a career milestone. It was a coronation.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Once in a Lifetime (1981)

Talking Heads

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1983)

Cyndi Lauper

Careless Whisper (1984)

Wham! featuring George Michael

Everybody Wants to Rule the World (1985)

Tears for Fears

Fight the Power (1989)

Public Enemy

#1: Billie Jean (1982)

Michael Jackson

If theres one track that captures Michael Jacksons meteoric rise in the 80s, its Billie Jean. With its pulsing bassline, icy synths, and Jacksons unmistakable vocals, the song didnt just dominate the charts: it rewired pop music. It was mysterious, moody, and utterly magnetic. And when Jackson moonwalked to it on national television in 1983, the song transcended radio and became a generational event. It seems safe to say that Billie Jean was more than a hit it was the blueprint for the modern pop single. Decades later, the songs opening drum hits and slinky bassline still conjure the electric cool of early-80s nightlife: all sweat, swagger, and sequins.

Which song on our list defined the 80s for you? Are there any decade-defining anthems we missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!