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The 15 Best Pop Songs of the 1980s

By YPB Team

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 — ranked #11
    Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
    The 1983 Thriller single that redefined pop and the music video.
    1000pts
  2. Prince – When Doves Cry — ranked #22
    Prince – When Doves Cry
    Prince's genre-blurring 1984 Purple Rain lead single.
    642pts
  3. Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill — ranked #33
    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 — ranked #44
    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) — ranked #55
    Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
    Eurythmics' hypnotic 1983 synth-pop signature.
    428pts
  6. Toto – Africa — ranked #66
    Toto – Africa
    Toto's lush 1982 soft-rock classic with a devoted following.
    350pts
  7. Bon Jovi – Livin' on a Prayer — ranked #77
    Bon Jovi – Livin' on a Prayer
    Bon Jovi's fist-pumping 1986 arena-rock anthem.
    350pts
  8. Journey – Don't Stop Believin' — ranked #88
    Journey – Don't Stop Believin'
    Journey's enduring 1981 sing-along staple.
    350pts
  9. Madonna – Like a Prayer — ranked #99
    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 — ranked #1010
    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 — ranked #1111
    Duran Duran – Hungry Like the Wolf
    Duran Duran's 1982 MTV-era breakthrough.
    257pts
  12. Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody — ranked #1212
    Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody
    Whitney Houston's exuberant 1987 chart-topper.
    257pts
  13. Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go — ranked #1313
    Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
    Wham!'s bouncy 1984 No. 1 hit.
    257pts
  14. a-ha – Take On Me — ranked #1414
    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 — ranked #1515
    Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want to Have Fun
    Cyndi Lauper's 1983 feminist party anthem.
    143pts

#pop215#music824#80s146

Comments

Shrink pop to a single three-minute record and Like a Prayer meets Billie Jean with no career credit attached: https://youpick.best/articles/how-many-ways-to-rank-madonna

YP
ypb-team·Aug 21·
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