The 15 Best Pop Songs of the 1980s

Synth hooks, stadium choruses and chart-toppers that never left the radio, plus a couple of art-pop curveballs. Which one defines the decade?

1

Michael Jackson – Billie Jean

The 1983 Thriller single that redefined pop and the music video.

1000pts

2

Prince – When Doves Cry

Prince's genre-blurring 1984 Purple Rain lead single.

642pts

3

Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill

Kate Bush's brooding 1985 art-pop masterpiece.

494pts

4

Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Tears for Fears' polished 1985 new-wave hit.

428pts

5

Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Eurythmics' hypnotic 1983 synth-pop signature.

428pts

6

Toto – Africa

Toto's lush 1982 soft-rock classic with a devoted following.

350pts

7

Bon Jovi – Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi's fist-pumping 1986 arena-rock anthem.

350pts

8

Journey – Don't Stop Believin'

Journey's enduring 1981 sing-along staple.

350pts

9

Madonna – Like a Prayer

Madonna's gospel-tinged 1989 anthem, one of her most acclaimed singles.

350pts

10

Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up

Rick Astley's 1987 dance-pop hit turned internet phenomenon.

350pts

11

Duran Duran – Hungry Like the Wolf

Duran Duran's 1982 MTV-era breakthrough.

257pts

12

Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Whitney Houston's exuberant 1987 chart-topper.

257pts

13

Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Wham!'s bouncy 1984 No. 1 hit.

257pts

14

a-ha – Take On Me

a-ha's 1985 synth-pop classic with its landmark rotoscoped video.

143pts

15

Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Cyndi Lauper's 1983 feminist party anthem.

143pts