Kate’s Top 30 Songs of the 80s

Kate WillWow. Songs of the 80s were like totally AWESOME! It’s so hard to pare it down to just a few faves. I initially set out to create a Top 10, which grew into a Top 20 and finally ended up being a Top 30. But can you blame me? If given the opportunity I could definitely add more (hence my *Bonus Songs*) and I bet you could too. So without further ado, here are my “Top 30 Songs of the 80s.” Time to don your “Flock of Seagulls” doo, slip on your sparkle glove, and crack your whip. What a mix-tape these would make! Enjoy!

  • Billie Jean, Michael Jackson (1984)
  • Come On Eileen, Dexy’s Midnight Runners (1982)
  • Every Breath You Take, The Police (1983)
  • Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Tears for Fear (1985)
  • Go!, Tones on Tail (1984)
  • Good Thing, Fine Young Cannibals (1989)
  • I Melt With You, Modern English (1982)
  • I Ran (So Far Away), Flock of Seagulls (1982)
  • I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, U2 (1987)
  • I’m Gonna Be, The Proclaimers (1989)
  • Invisible Touch, Genesis (1986)
  • It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine),
  • R.E.M. (1987)
  • Jane Says, Jane’s Addiction (1988)
  • Love Shack, B-52s (1989)
  • One Thing Leads to Another, The Fixx (1983)
  • Owner of a Lonely Heart, Yes (1984)
  • People Are People, Depeche Mode (1984)
  • Rock This Town, Stray Cats (1982)
  • Simply Irresistible, Robert Palmer (1988)
  • Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2 (1983)
  • Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Eurythmics (1983)
  • Tainted Love, Soft Cell (1981)
  • Take On Me, a-ha (1984)
  • The Heart of Rock and Roll, Huey Lewis and the News (1983)
  • Time After Time, Cyndi Lauper (1984)
  • Under the Milky Way, The Church (1988)
  • Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Wham! (1984)
  • Whip It, Devo (1980)
  • White Wedding, Billy Idol (1982)
  • Who Can It Be Now?, Men at Work (1982)

*Bonus Songs*



  • Don’t Dream It’s Over, Crowded House (1986)
  • I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do), Hall & Oates (1981)

Author: Pia Sooney

Just a little obsessed with all things 80s, Pia still has her Swatch, her cassette tape collection, and her Converse Chucks. When not making friendship pins or listening to Depeche Mode, she runs a web design business.

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