# The 16 Best Synthwave Songs of All Time

> From genre-defining outrun anthems to gritty darksynth cult favorites, this lineup spans neon nostalgia and underground grit alike. Which track owns the night?

*By YPB Team · Published August 24, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-16-best-synthwave-songs-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **In the Face of Evil** — score 1000/1000
   Magic Sword's arpeggio-driven anthem that crossed into mainstream culture via Hotline Miami 2 and a Thor: Ragnarok trailer.
2. **Nightcall** — score 897/1000
   Kavinsky's brooding 2010 synth-pop track that defined the outrun sound after appearing on the Drive soundtrack.
3. **Nightfall** — score 636/1000
   A melodic Waveshaper single blending sleek synths with a nostalgic outrun mood.
4. **Tech Noir** — score 636/1000
   Gunship's cinematic single steeped in 80s sci-fi imagery and film-score atmosphere.
5. **Voyage** — score 636/1000
   Lazerhawk's atmospheric cult-favorite track built around driving arpeggios and widescreen synth pads.
6. **Interceptor** — score 538/1000
   Mitch Murder's smooth, melodic title track that showcases the genre's nostalgic 80s instrumentation.
7. **Empty Streets** — score 538/1000
   A moody Scandroid single from Klayton's synthwave project, later reworked in a notable GosT remix.
8. **A Real Hero** — score 418/1000
   The dreamy, vocoder-laced duet by College and Electric Youth that became a defining anthem of the synthwave revival.
9. **Turbo Killer** — score 418/1000
   Carpenter Brut's aggressive, distorted synth anthem that helped launch the darksynth subgenre.
10. **Running in the Night** — score 418/1000
   FM-84's upbeat, radio-ready single with vocals by Ollie Wride, a genre-defining crossover hit.
11. **On the Run** — score 418/1000
   A driving, melancholic Timecop1983 track from the album Night Drive.
12. **Nightdrive With You** — score 418/1000
   Anoraak's dreamy 2008 track widely credited as one of the genre's foundational anthems.
13. **Humans Are Such Easy Prey** — score 269/1000
   One of Perturbator's most-streamed tracks, a menacing darksynth cut from the album I Am the Night.
14. **Sunset** — score 269/1000
   A guitar-tinged fan favorite from The Midnight's breakthrough album Endless Summer.
15. **Robots Never Sleep** — score 269/1000
   A gritty, guitar-infused darksynth track by Dance With The Dead blending retro electro with metal energy.
16. **Ocean Drive** — score 269/1000
   Miami Nights 1984's lush, romantic track evoking sun-soaked 1980s Miami nightlife.

Tags: music, 80s, electronic, synthwave, outrun