The 1980s were arguably the greatest decade for music, when pop, rock, new wave and hair metal all collided to create some seriously unforgettable hits. From songs that still fill wedding dance floors to choruses people somehow know by heart decades later, these ’80s classics have survived every changing trend and are still impossible to resist.
Michael Jackson — Billie Jean
“Billie Jean” became Michael Jackson’s fourth solo No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed at the top for seven weeks. Its instantly recognizable bassline and legendary dance moments have made it one of the defining pop songs of all time.
Journey — Don’t Stop Believin’
“Don’t Stop Believin’” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 and later became one of the most enduring songs of the decade. Decades later, those opening piano notes are still enough to turn almost any room into a full blown singalong.
Bon Jovi — Livin’ on a Prayer
“Livin’ on a Prayer” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became Bon Jovi’s second consecutive No. 1 hit in the US. The talk box intro and enormous chorus turned it into one of those rare rock songs that practically everyone knows.
Queen — Another One Bites the Dust
“Another One Bites the Dust” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of Queen’s biggest American hits. That unmistakable bassline has made the song instantly recognizable across generations.
a-ha — Take On Me
“Take On Me” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985, while its groundbreaking animated video became just as famous as the song itself. That soaring chorus is so iconic that the track remains one of the first ’80s songs people recognize within seconds.
Toto — Africa
“Africa” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 and became Toto’s signature song. It somehow went from an ’80s soft rock hit to the song people request at parties when they want the entire room to sing.
Whitney Houston — I Wanna Dance with Somebody
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Whitney Houston’s defining hits. Play it at a wedding and watch the dance floor fill up before the first chorus is even over.
Cyndi Lauper — Girls Just Want to Have Fun
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Cyndi Lauper’s signature songs. Its colorful video and instantly catchy chorus helped turn it into the kind of song that still gets passed down from parents to kids.
Survivor — Eye of the Tiger
“Eye of the Tiger” spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after becoming synonymous with Rocky III. You do not even need to play the whole thing: those opening guitar hits are enough to make someone start shadowboxing.
Rick Astley — Never Gonna Give You Up
“Never Gonna Give You Up” topped the charts in 25 countries and became Rick Astley’s signature hit. The internet later gave it a second life through rickrolling, turning a straightforward ’80s pop song into a joke that people who grew up decades later still recognize.
The Police — Every Breath You Take
“Every Breath You Take” spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the Police’s biggest US hit. It has become such a familiar wedding and slow dance selection that plenty of people forget how unsettling the lyrics actually are.
Eurythmics — Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” gave the Eurythmics their first US No. 1 in 1983. That synth riff has been sampled, covered, parodied, and dropped into countless movies and commercials, making the song nearly impossible to escape.
Tears for Fears — Everybody Wants to Rule the World
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985 and became one of Tears for Fears’ defining hits. Give it to a group of friends at karaoke and somehow everyone knows exactly when that giant chorus is coming.
Madonna — Like a Prayer
“Like a Prayer” became Madonna’s seventh US No. 1 single and one of the most controversial pop hits of its era. Decades later, its choir intro is still enough to make an entire room realize exactly what song just started.
Prince — Purple Rain
“Purple Rain” became one of Prince’s signature songs and remains closely associated with his 1984 film and album of the same name. Whenever someone wants to perform an unnecessarily ambitious karaoke ballad, this is still one of the first songs that comes to mind.
George Michael — Faith
“Faith” spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became George Michael’s first solo US No. 1. The moment that little guitar riff kicks in, people who were nowhere near a radio in 1987 suddenly know exactly what to do.
Guns N’ Roses — Sweet Child o’ Mine
“Sweet Child o’ Mine” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became Guns N’ Roses’ only US No. 1 single. Slash’s opening guitar riff has become so famous that aspiring guitarists have been trying to play it at parties ever since.
Europe — The Final Countdown
“The Final Countdown” became a major international hit and reached the US Top 10. Its dramatic keyboard opening has become the ultimate musical announcement that something extremely important, or extremely ridiculous, is about to happen.
Kenny Loggins — Footloose
“Footloose” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became the signature song of the hit 1984 movie. It has spent decades turning perfectly respectable adults into people who suddenly believe they can dance like Kevin Bacon.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts — I Love Rock ’n Roll
“I Love Rock ’n Roll” spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Joan Jett’s signature hit. Its giant chorus has made it a karaoke staple for generations, particularly for anyone who wants to dramatically point at the audience.
Wham! — Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” became Wham!’s first US No. 1 and topped charts around the world. The song still has the magical ability to make an otherwise normal room feel like somebody just turned on an ’80s-themed dance party.
Billy Joel — Uptown Girl
“Uptown Girl” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Billy Joel’s most recognizable pop hits. Its old school doo wop sound and repeated title hook make it particularly dangerous at karaoke, where everyone suddenly knows every word.
Men at Work — Down Under
“Down Under” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 and became one of Men at Work’s biggest international hits. That instantly recognizable flute part has become so closely associated with Australia that it practically functions as a musical postcard.
