Top 20 Pop Songs from the '80s

#20: “You Keep Me Hangin' On” (1986)

Kim Wilde

Taking a Motown classic and flipping it completely on its head is a bold move and English singer Kim Wilde pulled it off flawlessly. Her 1986 cover of The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On" ditched the soulful original arrangement entirely and rebuilt it as a pulsating hi-NRG track built specifically for the dancefloor. Wilde's version, which was produced by her brother Ricky Wilde, gave the song a cold, electronic edge. Synthesizers replaced the strings on the original, bringing a fresh urgency to the heartbreaking lyrics. Her cover of the song became a massive international success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and giving her the biggest hit of her career in the U.S.

#19: “99 Luftballons” (1983)

Nena

Who would’ve thought that a song about balloons would deliver one of the sharpest warnings about war ever put to pop music? Inspired by guitarist Carlo Karges watching balloons float over Berlin during a Rolling Stones concert, "99 Luftballons" imagines a harmless event escalating into global catastrophe through military paranoia. Somehow, Nena packaged Cold War anxiety inside an irresistibly catchy melody. The original German version became a worldwide phenomenon, even reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Decades later, its message still lands because the song understands that fear, miscommunication, and people with too much power can be a terrifying combination. Plus, that irresistible synth riff is permanently lodged in our brains.

#18: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)

Bonnie Tyler

Subtlety was never Jim Steinman's thing, and frankly, we're all better off because of it. Written and produced by Steinman, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" turned heartbreak into a full-blown theatrical event. Bonnie Tyler's raspy voice storms through lyrics about loss, longing, and emotional disorientation with complete conviction. Originally conceived for a musical inspired by vampires, the song somehow became one of the defining power ballads of all time. Every dramatic piano chord, choir swell, and key change feels enormous. It topped charts around the world and has remained a karaoke favorite ever since. If there were an Olympic event for singing at maximum emotional intensity, this song would still be bringing home gold medals.

#17: “Cruel Summer” (1983)

Bananarama

Summer songs usually involve beaches, playful romance and suspiciously perfect weather. But with this song, Bananarama decided to go in the opposite direction. Written by the group alongside Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, "Cruel Summer" explores loneliness and frustration during a sweltering season that feels anything but fun. The inspiration came from the trio being too busy promoting their growing success to take their usual summer holiday. That restless energy pulses through every second of the song. It reached number eight in the UK before gaining a whole new audience after appearing in "The Karate Kid," eventually peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. Few songs have captured the misery of feeling isolated in a crowd quite this effortlessly.

#16: “If I Could Turn Back Time” (1989)

Cher

Coming in just at the close of the decade, "If I Could Turn Back Time" finds Cher confronting mistakes and wishing she could undo the damage done to a relationship. Rather than wallow in sadness, though, she attacks every lyric with pure determination. Released in the summer of 1989, the song blended pop rock and soft rock with a huge chorus practically engineered for shouting along in the car. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed inside the top ten across multiple countries. Of course, the controversial USS Missouri music video generated plenty of headlines too. More than anything, this song reminded everyone that Cher possessed a once-in-a-generation ability to turn vulnerability into absolute superstar confidence.

#15: “Faith” (1987)

George Michael

George Michael had already conquered pop as one half of Wham!, but "Faith" was the moment he introduced himself entirely on his own terms. Opening with a church organ before launching into a rockabilly-infused groove, the song blended unexpected influences into something immediately irresistible. Michael wrote, produced, and performed nearly everything himself, a statement of artistic independence as much as musical skill. "Faith" topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the best-selling singles of 1988. His solo debut album of the same name also reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Plenty of artists successfully launched solo careers, but very few managed to do it with a song this effortlessly cool.

#14: “Physical” (1981)

Olivia Newton-John

By 1981, Olivia Newton-John was already a household name, but "Physical" pushed her into territory nobody quite expected. The song, written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, is a cheeky, aerobics-era anthem that barely disguises its suggestive undertones behind all that wholesome energy. It spent a staggering ten consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running number-one single of the entire 1980s. Radio stations banned it in some markets, which, predictably, only made people more curious. Newton-John leaned into the decade's fitness obsession with a wink, pairing the track with a workout-themed music video. Between the infectious energy and endlessly quotable chorus, "Physical" remains one of the clearest snapshots of early '80s pop excess.

#13: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” (1983)

Eurythmics

There's something delightfully unsettling about this tune. Released in 1983, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” written and produced by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, opens with one of the most recognisable synthesizer riffs in pop history and never quite lets you feel comfortable. Lennox's delivery is cool, detached, almost philosophical, as the lyrics examine human desire and motivation with a raised eyebrow. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the United Kingdom, turning the duo into global stars virtually overnight. Lennox's striking androgynous image in the accompanying video only amplified the song's cultural impact. Cerebral, hypnotic and genuinely strange – all qualities that, in this case, worked spectacularly.

#12: “When Doves Cry” (1984)

Prince

Prince made a deliberate and radical decision with this song: he removed the bassline entirely. “When Doves Cry,” released in 1984 as the lead single from the “Purple Rain” soundtrack, is built on drums, synthesizers, and guitar, with a deliberately sparse arrangement that felt unlike anything else on pop radio at the time. That unconventional choice paid off enormously; the song spent five weeks at number one on the Hot 100 and became the best-selling single of 1984 in the United States. Lyrically, it explores the turbulent emotional patterns inherited from dysfunctional parents. Prince wrote, produced, and performed every single element himself… because of course he did. Genre-defying doesn't even begin to cover it.

#11: “Take On Me” (1984)

A-ha

Norwegian trio A-ha had already released "Take On Me" twice before the world finally paid attention. Third time, as it turns out, was very much the charm. The 1985 version, produced by Alan Tarney, featured a propulsive synth-pop arrangement anchored by Morten Harket's extraordinary vocal range, famously hitting a high E note at the end of the chorus. The song topped charts across Europe and reached number one in the U.S. But the pencil-sketch animated music video, directed by Steve Barron, was the cultural event that cemented its legacy, winning six MTV Video Music Awards. "Take On Me" is proof that persistence matters, and that the right production, the right visuals, and the right moment can turn a song into something timeless.

#10: “Hangin’ Tough” (1989)

New Kids on the Block

The granddaddies of the modern boy band, New Kids on the Block have sold over 80 million albums worldwide. The band’s second album “Hangin’ Tough” proved to be their breakthrough into the mainstream, and the titular single became one of their most popular songs. With lead vocals by Donnie Wahlberg, brother of “Marky Mark” Wahlberg, the song shot to number one in September of 1989 and became the UK’s first number one single of the 1990s. While seemingly tough guys from Boston and boy band music don't necessarily go hand-in-hand, it's still the best way to have starstruck fangirls begging for more.

#9: "Footloose" (1984)

Kenny Loggins

Co-written and performed by Kenny Loggins, "Footloose" comes from the movie of the same name, and is one of two chart-topping singles released from the soundtrack. While "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" is a good song, "Footloose" is on a whole other level entirely. We challenge anyone listening to this song to remain stationary. There's just something about it that instantly puts listeners in a good mood, whether it be the upbeat nature of the music or the carefree, "get up and dance" lyrics. It's easily one of the most recognizable songs from a movie, and it even won the Grammy Award in 1985 for Song of the Year. Not bad at all.

#8: "In the Air Tonight" (1981)

Phil Collins

Serving as Collins's debut single as a solo artist, this song showed everyone that he would be just as good on his own as he was with Genesis. The song has an eerie and dream-like quality to it that makes the experience unique, mostly stemming from Collins's echo-y, reverberating vocal effect. Also, let's not forget that classic drum break that’s almost impossible to refrain from drumming in the air like a maniac whenever you hear it. Just, maybe not in public.

#7: “Flashdance... What A Feeling” (1983)

Irene Cara

It's clear by now that 80s movies had some terrific theme songs! “Flashdance” was released in 1983 to negative reviews, but it was a surprise hit at the box office, earning over $200 million, the third largest box office take for the year in the U.S.. As the theme song, “Flashdance... What A Feeling” perfectly encapsulates the tone of the movie and the goofiness of the decade, but also works well on its own terms as a fun, upbeat pop song. Winner of a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award, the song was a huge success and reminds us all of how fun and energetic the 80s could be.

#6: “Hungry Like the Wolf” (1982)

Duran Duran

In the early 1980s, British new wave band Duran Duran hadn’t quite made an impact in North America. Then “Hungry Like the Wolf” and its iconic video caught everyone's attention, and the song became their first international hit. Filmed in the jungle of Sri Lanka, the video was played as much as four times a day on MTV, quickly becoming an instant classic and helping the song reach number three in the United States. The band wrote and recorded the song in one day after playing around with new recording equipment, creating an instant 80s classic, complete with singer Simon Le Bon’s signature echo-y, almost robotic vocals.

#5: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (1987)

Whitney Houston

By 1987, Whitney Houston had already made her mark on the music industry, as her debut album retained the top spot on the Billboard chart for fourteen weeks and spun off three number one singles. However, it's this timeless song that captures the soul of the 1980s dance-pop era the most. Complete with that poppin' bassline and Houston’s perfect, angelic voice, the song helped Whitney reach new heights in her career and remains one of her trademark pieces. It became her fourth straight number one in the US, has sold over seven million physical copies worldwide, and won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. In short, this is Whitney at her very best.

#4: “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (1984)

Wham!

Wham!, the duo consisting of Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael, had an image that was a little moodier than a mainstream audience was ready for. However, with the release of this single, they became much more radio-friendly due to the track’s bright and colorful tone. Written and produced by George Michael, the song became the duo’s first number one hit in many countries, including the United States, and is known as one of their signature songs today. The lyrics lend themselves nicely to the fun, upbeat music, and we can't help ourselves from dancing along. Now if we can only clear Chris Griffin’s take on it out of our memories…

#3: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)

Cyndi Lauper

While Lauper’s version was renowned for its feminist approach, this song was actually written and performed by a man named Robert Hazard in 1979. After altering some lyrics with Hazard’s approval, Lauper’s debut single shot her to instant fame. With the help of its classic music video, this song reached the top spot in ten countries and became a feminist anthem. It's an instantly recognizable piece from its very first synthesized notes, and Lauper’s energetic vocals carry a sense of fun throughout the entire song while still retaining a powerful stance. It's a tricky balancing act, but Lauper pulls it off perfectly, creating one of the most memorable songs of the entire decade.

#2: “Like a Virgin” (1984)

Madonna

What would a 1980s list be without Madonna? While “Material Girl” is always fun to listen to, it simply doesn't compare to the importance and influence of “Like a Virgin”. Serving as the lead single from her second album, this song became Madonna’s first number one hit in the United States, beginning her ascent as a pop culture icon. “Like a Virgin” became a defining song for young women of the 1980s who hoped to make a statement, and they began imitating the performer, especially in regards to her confident fashion style and aggressive sexuality. It's not only a fun pop song, but a defining piece of 80s culture.

#1: "Billie Jean" (1983)

Michael Jackson

Admit it. Even if you're not a fan of Michael Jackson, you love this song. "Billie Jean" just screams "classic" from the title, with the groovy opening notes of the bass transitioning to the sharp sounds of the synthesizer. It's instantly recognizable, and insanely memorable. Michael commands the song, from the powerful chorus to his signature vocal hiccups spread throughout the song. There's truly something here for everyone, whether it be the stellar production, Michael himself, the wicked guitar solo, or the confident, dominating lyrics. Often considered to be one of the best pop songs of all time, "Billie Jean" is a true, timeless classic and arguably one of Michael's greatest achievements.

What is your favorite pop song from the ‘80s? Let us know in the comments below.