When you think of the 80s, you might think of Michael Jackson’s original transformation. You might think of the big, wild hair or the big shoulder pads. You might think of the Reagan administration. But, I’m here to share with you some of the great music from that retro decade you might not know or remember.
Music videos first became popular in the 1980s, ushering in a new era in experiencing this music. When you compile a list of the 500 greatest songs of the 1980s, of course you have to include Madonna’s best, Michael Jackson’s own “Beat It”, and many songs by such great artists as Phil Collins or Richard Marx. These were the songs that defined the era.
I remember staying up late and seeing an info-mercial selling a collection of the 100 best songs of the ’70s. It was disappointing. They weren’t offering every song by every great artist of that era. So, I set off on a quest to build my own collections of the songs I remembered hearing on the radio. Many were songs from the ’70s, and many were songs from the ’80s. I decided to split the two, and I started finding some great music I had only heard samples of that I desperately wanted.
Here is the first sample of a wide-spread collection of songs from an era that changed the sound of rock n’ roll. It was also an era that brought about the creation of pop and hip-hop songs. Included in this collection is the fun dance music of Erasure, the great rock sounds of Journey, and the soothing sounds of Sting & The Police. They may not be the throbbing sounds of Busta Rhymes or the heavy self-deprecating sounds of Nirvana, but these songs are a must-have if you have any desire to live or relive the 1980s.
Greatest songs (201 – 300)
201) I’ll be Alright without You by Journey
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Journey written by Krista Jansen
202) I’ll be Loving You (Forever) by New Kids On The Block
Check out Associated Content, Profile: New Kids on the Block written by Lee Andrew Henderson
203) I’ll Tumble 4 You by Culture Club
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
204) I’m Alright by Kenny Loggins
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
205) In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Phil Collins written by Abe
206) In Too Deep by Genesis
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
207) In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
Check out Associated Content, Peter Gabriel: Genuine Genius written by M. M. Lyons
208) Into the Groove by Madonna
Check out Associated Content, The Life of Madonna written by Katy Alberts
209) Into the Night by Benny Mardones
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
210) Invisible Touch by Genesis
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
211) Is There Something I Should Know? by Duran Duran
Check out Associated Content, Duran Duran Discography: 25 Years and Still Going Strong written by Anelehmaria
212) Is This Love by Whitesnake
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
213) It Must Have Been Love by Roxette
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
214) It’s In The Way That You Use It by Eric Clapton
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Eric Clapton written by Anne Ng
215) It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me by Billy Joel
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Billy Joel written by Trudy Marshall-Bowler
216) I’ve Got My Mind Set on You by George Harrison
Check out Associated Content, The Life of George Harrison written by Sarahsponda
217) I’ve Had The Time of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
218) Jane by Starship
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
219) Jane’s Got a Gun by Aerosmith
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Aerosmith written by Heather Michelle
220) Jeopardy by Greg Kihn Band
Check out Associated Content, The Top Ten Music Videos of 1983 as Found on YouTube written by Erin Snap
221) Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Rick Springfield written by Linda M. McCloud
222) Joanna by Kool & The Gang
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
223) Juke Box Hero by Foreigner
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Foreigner written by Terry Edwards
224) Jump by Van Halen
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Dance Songs of the 80’s written by Melody Jones
225) Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon
Check out Associated Content, Reo Speedwagon is a Great Band written by todd parks
226) Keep Your Hands to Yourself by Georgia Satellites
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
227) Keeping The Faith by Billy Joel
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Billy Joel written by Trudy Marshall-Bowler
228) Key Largo by Bertie Higgins
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
229) Kids in America by Kim Wilde
Check out Associated Content, How to Throw a Great and Less Stressful 4th of July Party written by Sarah Kolbasowski
230) Kind of Pain by Sting & The Police
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Sting written by Stephanie H. Dray
231) Kiss on My List by Daryl Hall & John Oates
Check out Associated Content, Hall and Oates New CD Our Kind of Soul written by Faith Antonioni
232) Knocking On Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
Check out Associated Content, Favorite Bob Dylan Songs written by Joe Dimeck
233) Kyrie by Mr. Mister
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
234) La Isla Bonita by Madonna
Check out Associated Content, The Life of Madonna written by Katy Alberts
235) Lady in Red by Chris Deburgh
Check out Associated Content, The Top Slow Songs in High School Dance History written by Jetlag Democracy
236) Land of Confusion by Genesis
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
237) Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg
Check out Associated Content, The Biography of Dan Fogelberg written by Donna
238) Lean On Me by Club Nouveau
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
239) Legs by ZZ Top
Check out Associated Content, The Top 10 Music Videos of 1984 as Found on YouTube written by Erin Snap
240) Let’s Dance by David Bowie
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by David Bowie written by Ayanna Guyhto
241) Let’s Go All The Way by Sly Fox
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
242) Let’s Go by The Cars
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
243) Let’s Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
244) Let’s Pretend We’re Married by Prince
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
245) Like a Prayer by Madonna
Check out Associated Content, The Life of Madonna written by Katy Alberts
246) Like a Virgin by Madonna
Check out Associated Content, The Life of Madonna written by Katy Alberts
247) Like No Other Night by 38 Special
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
248) Limelight by Rush
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Rush written by Roy Barnes
249) Little Jeannie by Elton John
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Elton John written by Lisa Davis
250) Little Lies by Fleetwood Mac
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Fleetwood Mac written by Victoria Miller
251) Little Red Corvette by Prince
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Prince written by Jeannette Murray
252) Little Too Late by Pat Benatar
Check out Associated Content, The Biography of Pat Benatar written by Kassidy Emmerson
253) Live To Tell by Madonna
Check out Associated Content, The Life of Madonna written by Katy Alberts
254) Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Bon Jovi written by Heather Michelle
255) Longer by Dan Fogelberg
Check out Associated Content, The Biography of Dan Fogelberg written by Donna
256) Look Away by Chicago
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Chicago written by Terry Edwards
257) Lost in Emotion by Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
258) Love Hurts by Ozzy Osbourne
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Ozzy Osbourne written by Margaret Kohut
259) Love In An Elevator by Aerosmith
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Aerosmith written by Heather Michelle
260) Love Me Tomorrow by Chicago
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Chicago written by Terry Edwards
261) Love My Way by Psychedelic Furs
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
262) Love Somebody by Rick Springfield
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
263) Love T.K.O by Teddy Pendergrass
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
264) Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
265) Loverboy by Billy Ocean
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
266) Lucky Star by Madonna
Check out Associated Content, The Life of Madonna written by Katy Alberts
267) Mad About You by Belinda Carlisle
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
268) Magic by The Cars
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
269) Making Love Out of Nothing at All by Air Supply
Check out Associated Content, Air Supply: Where Are They Now? written by Jennifer Frye
270) Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Michael Jackson written by Jeannette Murray
271) Maneater by Daryl Hall & John Oates
Check out Associated Content, Hall and Oates New CD Our Kind of Soul written by Faith Antonioni
272) Maniac by Michael Sembello
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
273) Material Girl by Madonna
Check out Associated Content, The Life of Madonna written by Katy Alberts
274) Message In A Bottle by Sting & The Police
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Sting written by Stephanie H. Dray
275) Mickey by Toni Basil
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
276) Midnight Blue by Lou Gramm
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Foreigner written by Terry Edwards
277) Miss Me Blind by Culture Club
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
278) Miss You Like Crazy by Natalie Cole
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
279) Missing You by John Waite
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
280) Modern Love by David Bowie
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by David Bowie written by Ayanna Guyhto
281) Momma I’m Coming Home by Ozzy Osbourne
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Ozzy Osbourne written by Margaret Kohut
282) Money For Nothing by Dire Straits
Check out Associated Content, The Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time written by M S Savo
283) Mony Mony by Billy Idol
Check out Associated Content, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Billy Idol: A Comparison of Three Music Icons written by Katie E. Frank
284) Mr. Roboto by Styx
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
285) My Heart Can’t Tell You No by Rod Stewart
Check out Associated Content, Rod Stewart Still Rocks After All These Years written by M.S. Medina
286) My Hometown by Bruce Springsteen
Check out Associated Content, Top Ten Songs by Bruce Springsteen written by Marissa Lee
287) Nasty by Janet Jackson
Check out Associated Content, Top 10 Songs by Janet Jackson written by Eric Williams
288) Need You Tonight by INXS
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
289) Neutron Dance by The Pointer Sisters
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
290) Never by Heart
Check out Associated Content, The Top Ten Songs by Heart written by Jennifer Anne Hart
291) Never Gonna Let You Go by Sergio Mendes
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
292) Never Surrender by Corey Hart
The Top 10 Music Videos of 1984 as Found on YouTube written by Erin Snap
293) Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
294) New Sensation by INXS
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
295) No One Is To Blame by Howard Jones
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
296) No One Like You by Scorpions
Check out Associated Content, The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music written by Diane Green
297) No Reply At All by Genesis
Check out Associated Content, Music of the 80’s: Iconic written by PenGlide
298) Nothin’ At All by Heart
Check out Associated Content, The Top Ten Songs by Heart written by Jennifer Anne Hart
299) Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship
Check out Associated Content, It Happened in the 80’s written by Sherri Granato
300) Now and Forever by Richard Marx
Check out Associated Content, Top 20 Not-So-Loved Love Songs written by Lana
