# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published July 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-15-best-pop-songs-of-the-1980s*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Michael Jackson – Billie Jean** — 100% (3 votes · score 1000/1000)
   The 1983 Thriller single that redefined pop and the music video.
2. **Prince – When Doves Cry** — 0% (0 votes · score 642/1000)
   Prince's genre-blurring 1984 Purple Rain lead single.
3. **Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill** — 0% (0 votes · score 494/1000)
   Kate Bush's brooding 1985 art-pop masterpiece.
4. **Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World** — 0% (0 votes · score 428/1000)
   Tears for Fears' polished 1985 new-wave hit.
5. **Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)** — 0% (0 votes · score 428/1000)
   Eurythmics' hypnotic 1983 synth-pop signature.
6. **Toto – Africa** — 0% (0 votes · score 350/1000)
   Toto's lush 1982 soft-rock classic with a devoted following.
7. **Bon Jovi – Livin' on a Prayer** — 0% (0 votes · score 350/1000)
   Bon Jovi's fist-pumping 1986 arena-rock anthem.
8. **Journey – Don't Stop Believin'** — 0% (0 votes · score 350/1000)
   Journey's enduring 1981 sing-along staple.
9. **Madonna – Like a Prayer** — 0% (0 votes · score 350/1000)
   Madonna's gospel-tinged 1989 anthem, one of her most acclaimed singles.
10. **Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up** — 0% (0 votes · score 350/1000)
   Rick Astley's 1987 dance-pop hit turned internet phenomenon.
11. **Duran Duran – Hungry Like the Wolf** — 0% (0 votes · score 257/1000)
   Duran Duran's 1982 MTV-era breakthrough.
12. **Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody** — 0% (0 votes · score 257/1000)
   Whitney Houston's exuberant 1987 chart-topper.
13. **Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go** — 0% (0 votes · score 257/1000)
   Wham!'s bouncy 1984 No. 1 hit.
14. **a-ha – Take On Me** — 0% (0 votes · score 143/1000)
   a-ha's 1985 synth-pop classic with its landmark rotoscoped video.
15. **Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want to Have Fun** — 0% (0 votes · score 143/1000)
   Cyndi Lauper's 1983 feminist party anthem.

Tags: pop, music, 80s