The eighties gave us plenty of quality stuff. The style of music, films, cartoons, and fashion was as dark as it was colorful. However, we'll accent the dance music, as there are countless great songs from the period that still inspire young artists. Also, feel free to check our other list of Top Ten Best Glam Rock Songs from the '80s. So, are you ready to sing and dance and have some fun? Please put on your headphones and press play!
10. Cyndi Lauper - "Girls Just Want To Have Fun"
Lauper's first significant single as a solo artist from her first studio album She's So Unusual (1983)
This song instantly became number one on every girl's playlist. Therefore, it's not surprising that it quickly earned the feministic anthem's title. The song got a Grammy Award and a nomination for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Cindy Lauper couldn't have imagined that this song would have such enormous popularity, even in her wildest dreams. It represents freedom, and it's about a woman celebrating herself. Seriously, this song can make even a straight man feel like an empowered woman. So, girls, put on your red lipstick, blue eyeshadow, and some crazy, edgy outfit, and let's go to the '80s dancefloor!
9. a-ha - "Take On Me"
This fantastic video won six awards
"Taaaake oooon meeee (take on me)," now you sing "taaake meee ooon." Anyway, you know the struggle of not being capable of stopping singing this good old '80s tune. Today, many people say that this one evokes memories of their high-school days when they were carefree and had high hopes.
You just need to play this song and feel the experience of the era. A-ha made us start moving our bodies in the rhythm of their unforgettable speedy and cheerful synth melody. This song's video won six awards and gained a nomination for two more at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.
8. Pat Benatar - "Love is a Battlefield"
The video was the pioneer of using dialogue
"Love is a Battlefield" was the favorite song of many girls back in the '80s. The seductive bass line brings a wave of positive energy as soon as the music starts. What it does is make you scream the lyrics from the bottom of your heart! Interestingly, it was initially meant to be a tender ballad. Instead, it was given a much speedier pace.
This single reached 30th position in VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s, and it was featured in the movie "13 Going on 30". The remarkable line "Love is a battlefield" became the mantra of the main movie character Jenna Rink.
7. Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams"
This famous song is Eurythmics' signature one
Although Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart's explosive romance ended, that didn't stop them from creating more massive hits. Therefore, the beats of "Sweet Dreams" could be heard on countless Walkman headphones in 1983.
This song is a real roller-coaster of feelings, as it starts with a slightly depressing tone and then continues with the uplifting lyrics, "Hold your head up, moving on." Eurythmics made one of the greatest music hits of all time, as they reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
6. Whitney Houston - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"
This song won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
The lights go dim, the clock strikes midnight, and this song starts as an invitation to the dance floor. Therefore we instantly get the urge to dance with somebody! That's the exact description of how we feel while listening to "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."
The mighty voice of Whitney became an easily recognizable symbol of the '80s as she continues inspiring artists such as Ava Max or Ariana Grande. This timeless music masterpiece won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 30th Grammy Awards. You just can't get enough of this synth-pop classic that puts on fire on every party playlist.
5. Bruce Springsteen - "Dancing in the Dark"
The young girl who dances with Springsteen is, believe it or not, is Courteney Cox
We believe that all of the girls who were teenagers back in the '80s wanted to be in place of Courteney Cox, who was lucky to dance with Springsteen in his live show. The girls were melting even more when they heard a typically stunning sax solo by the late Clarence Clemons.
One and only "Boss" can bring pure good vibes through his songs. The musician and a writer succeeded in making all of us have fun while "Dancing in the Dark." Boost the volume on your speakers because you can't listen quietly to this piece of art! The song became so well received that it reached number two on Billboard Hot 100 and soon became a piece of popular culture history.
4. Soft Cell - "Tainted Love"
"Tainted Love" is the most famous song by Soft Cell
The Soft Cell cover of "Tainted Love" was massive. It was like Supernova, whose explosion gave birth to a new world of '80s synth-pop. Moreover, it still echoes through our lives, making it a must-have on our music playlists.
Who would ever guess that Glorias Jones's song from 1964 could live such a fine funky life at the beginning of the new music age in 1981? Apparently, Marc Almond did. So, let's enjoy the music from this creative genius once more, shall we?
3. Michael Jackson - "Billie Jean"
"Billie Jean" became one of the best-selling singles of 1983
Every teenage girl had her room walls filled with Michael Jackson posters. His moves were fabulous as every '80s boy and girl wanted to dance like him. They watched his music videos without blinking, not to miss any dance moves. In other words, his choreographies were pure perfection.
Jackson's famous outfit became so popular that everybody wore black leather jackets matched with a white shirt and white socks. Anyway, it remains one of the details by which we remember him. This legendary classic reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
2. Wham! - "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
In this video, Michael and Ridgely are wearing oversized T-shirts with a strong message on it ("Choose life")
This music piece represents the happy, cheerful side of the '80s, as the song lyrics say, "We'll go dancing, everything will be alright!" When George Michael begins his performance, you get the urge to put on your craziest outfit, call your besties, and have a colorful, '80s-themed party.
This tune puts everyone in a good mood, and we believe it could cheer up even the grumpiest person. The song reached 28th place on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.
1. Dead Or Alive - "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)"
The video features a disco ball, waving gold flags, and an evocation of the six-armed Vishnu.
As the song title says, we all start spinning and dancing while listening to it! Addictive beats make you want this one-hit-wonder to last longer. Therefore, you are clicking on the repeat button the moment it ends! Dead or Alive released it as a single in 1984, and it fastly reached No. 1 in the UK. It brings so much positive energy, and you can feel the magic this song carries.
It became so memorable that you probably don't know someone who didn't sing, "You spin me right round, baby, right round like a record, baby…". Pour yourself another cocktail and go back to your 80s-themed party!
There are many great songs from this decade, so this top ten list is only the tip of the iceberg you need to explore. What other memorable songs from this decade would you put on this playlist?
Cover photo: AnnaliseArt - pixabay.com