The 1980s is a super underrated era that is under looked compared to the music of both the 1960s and 1970s. The music was both innovative in many genres like metal, rap, and alternative and even influenced the pop music of the time.
Below you will find my opinion of the best songs that were released in the 1980s. For the top 10, you will find links to the song.
- “How Soon is Now” – The Smiths (1984)
This incredible musical Masterpiece combined Morrissey’s amazing Vocals with one of the few times, Johnny Marr, let it all out with a harder beat.
- “Epic” – Faith no more – (1989)
This was one of the first modern attempts combining Rap with Metal. Faith no More truly created a Musical fantasia!
- “One” – Metallica – (1988)
Metallica’s Mona Lisa of a song that combined deep lyrics with amazing guitar synthesis.
- “Lovesong” – The Cure – (1989)
Smith’s love for his wife endures in maybe the greatest rock ballad of all time.
- “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” – Simple Minds – (1985)
This song might define the true spirit of the era.
- “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor – (1982)
Maybe the most epic song for a movie of all time!
- “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” – The Smiths – (1986)
Morrissey truly delivers an emotional roller coaster with this song.
- “Battery” Metallica – (1988)
Metallica’s hidden gem brings listeners on a roller coaster of emotions.
- “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper (1984)
Lauper’s epic 80’s song still holds up today.
- “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen – (1980)
Most people when they think of Queen think of the ’70s but possibly their best song was this one from 1980.
The Rest of the top 100
- Suedehead Morrissey – (1988)
- Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses (1987
- Master of Puppets – Metallica – 1988
- Don’t Believe The Hype – Public Enemy
- Welcome Home – Metallica 1986
- The Boys Of Summer’ Don Henley
- Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
- Cult Of Personality Living Colour – 1988
- “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure (1987)
- April Fool – Chalk Circle (1986)
- “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy (1988)
- Real American – Derringer
- TINA TURNER – We Don’t Need Another Hero 1985
- Like A Prayer’ – Madona
- And Justice for all – Metallica -1988
- Shake The Disease – Depeche Mode – 1989
- “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar (1983)
- Fade To Black – Metallica – 1984
- Gypsy – Fleetwood Mac 1982
- Head Over Heels – Tears for Fears
- Rhiannon– Fleetwood Mac 1981
- I Think We’re Alone Now – Tiffany –
- “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie (1981)
- Papa Don’t Peach – Madona 1986
- Another Day in Paradise – Phil Colins – 1989
- “What’s Love Got to Do with It” – Tina Turner – 1984
- Bizarre Love Triangle – New Order
- Blue Monday’ – New Order
- A criminal Mind – Gowan – 1985
- Pleasure and Pain – Divinyls
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson (1982)
- Little Lies – Fleetwood Mac – 1987
- Love My Way -The Psychedelic Furs – 1982
- ‘Buffalo Stance’ – Neneh Cherry
- Heaven – The Psychedelic Furs – 1984
- Big Country – In A Big Country 1983
- Never Let Me Down Again – Depeche Mode
- u2 – Sunday bloody Sunday
- “Walk This Way” by Run DMC (1986)
- “Higher Ground” – Red Hot Chilli Peppers 1989
- Safety Dance – Men Without Hats -1982
- Tainted Love” by Soft Cell (1981
- “Down Under” by Men at Work (1982)
- “Master & Servant” – Depeche Mode – 1984
- Knock me Down – Red Hot Chilli Peppers 1989
- For Whom the Bell Tolls – Metallica – 1984
- “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush
- “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins (1981)
- Pretty In Pink – The Psychedelic Furs –
- J”A View to a Kill – Duran Duran – 1985
- Thomas Dolby – Hyperactive! 1984
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses (1987)
- Corey Hart – Sunglasses At Night 1983
- ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) – Dead or Alive
- True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
- Moonlight Desires – Gowan – 1987
- Everyday Is Like Sunday – Morrissey
- Blow at High Dough – The Tragically Hip
- Rocket Queen – Guns n Roses
- “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen (1984)
- Strange Animal – Gowan – 1985
- Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles (1986)
- West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys – 1984
- Til Tuesday – Voices Carry – 1985
- 38 Years Old – Tragically hip – 1989
- Kim Mitchell – Patio Lanterns – 1986
- The one I love REM -1987
- “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper (1984)
- Eyes of a Stanger – Payolas 1983
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi (1986)
- “Beat It” by Michael Jackson (1982)
- “99 Luftballons” by Nena (1983)
- Burning Down the House” by Talking Heads (1983)
- The Fixx – Saved By Zero 1983
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears – June 8, 1985
- “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama (1984)
- Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell – 1983
- “867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone (1981)
- “Love Shack” by The B-52’s (1989)
- “Nasty” by Janet Jackson (1986)
- “White Wedding” by Billy Idol (1988)
- “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa (1986)
- “Faith” by George Michael (1987)
- “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco (1986)
- Jack and Diane” – John Mellencamp – 1982
- “The Reflex” – Duran Duran – 1984
- Wolf” by Duran Duran (1982)
- Live To Tell -Madonna – 1986
- Hold Me Now – Thomson Twins 1984
- Romantic Traffic – Spoons – 1984
