Utlimate Hits of the 80s

Attention!!!

Well, we all love the 80s, some consider it as their favorite decade of songs, although for me I prefer the 90s as I grew up to the likes of pop and alternative rock. The 80s were an awesome decade with the King and Queen of Pop - Michael Jackson and Madonna reigning supreme in the charts throughout the decade. We see alternative rock gaining momentum but only a few bands actually had success. Disco was dying and paving the way for the era of eurodance which gained immense popularity in the early 90s. Some of the greatest artistes and bands of all time came out with their best songs during this time. Dance music was clearly the favorites on the charts, together with major collaborations done by Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Kylie Minogue, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder and even Sir Paul McCartney. 

This list is a compilation of the greatest hits released between 1980-1989 by different artistes and bands with the exception of certain artistes who collaborated on duets during this period. I have deliberately excluded other double entries for the sole reason that if that is done then artistes like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston will receive many entries and the same will go for bands such as the Culture Club and Queen which would lead to other major artistes and bands who were popular at the time or a particular famous song at the time to be excluded. Therefore, painstakingly I have had to research and find out the best song released by these artistes and bands who were popular at the time. 

Thus, these are the Ultimate Hits of the 80s based on chart performance worldwide as well as accolades received.

1. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
2. Madonna – Like a prayer
3. Culture Club – Karma chameleon
4. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
5. Stevie Wonder – I just called to say I love you
6. Whitney Houston – I wanna dance with somebody
7. George Michael – Careless whisper
8. Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
9. Berlin – Take my breath away
10. Lionel Richie – Hello
11. Belinda Carlisle – Heaven is a place on earth
12. Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a prayer
13. Olivia Newton John - Physical
14. Human League – Don’t you want me
15. Bonnie Tyler – Total eclipse of the heart
16. Wham! – Wake me up before you go-go
17. USA for Africa – We are the world
18. Irene Cara – Flashdance…What a Feeling
19. A-ha – Take on me
20. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Relax
21. The Police – Every breath you take
22. Barbra Streisand – Woman in love
23. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – I love rock n’ roll
24. Foreigner – I want to know what love is
25. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – Endless love
26. Los Lobos – La Bamba
27. Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
28. Men at Work – Down under
29. Lipps Inc. – Funkytown
30. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – Islands in the stream
31. Kylie Minogue – Locomotion
32. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – Ebony and Ivory
33. Falco – Rock me Amadeus
34. Tina Turner – What’s love got to do with it
35. Prince – Kiss
36. Queen – Another one bites the dust
37. Guns N’ Roses – Sweet child of mine
38. Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes – Up where we belong
39. Heart – Alone
40. Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra
41. Aretha Franklin & George Michael – I knew you were waiting (for me)
42. Musical Youth – Pass the Dutchie
43. Elton John – Nikita
44. Soft Cell – Tainted love
45. Kenny Rogers – Lady
46. Billy Joel – Uptown Girl
47. New Order – Blue Monday
48. Cyndi Lauper – Girls just want to have fun
49. The J. Geils Band – Centerfold
50. Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters
51. Europe – The final countdown
52. Jennifer Rush – The power of love
53. Blondie – Tide is high
54. Spandau Ballet – True
55. Dione Warwick – That’s what friends are for
56. Rick Astley – Never gonna give you up
57. Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer
58. Bananarama – Venus
59. Roxette – It must have been love
60. Toto – Africa
61. REO Speedwagon – Keep on loving you
62. Dexys Midnight Runner – Come on Eileen
63. Black Box – Ride on time
64. Bryan Adams – Heaven
65. Bette Midler – Wind beneath my wings
66. Kim Wilde – Cambodia
67. Kool & the Gang – Celebration
68. Phil Collins – Against the odds
69. Lisa Stansfield – All around the world
70. Kenny Loggins – Footloose
71. Chris de Burgh – Lady in Red
72. David Bowie – Let’s dance
73. Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton John – Xanadu
74. Air Supply – All out of love
75. Kaoma – Lambada
76. Journey – Don’t stop believing
77. Billy Ocean – When the going gets tough
78. Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the dark
79. Bob Marley – Could you be loved
80. Adam Ant – Stand and deliver
81. Baltimora – Tarzan boy
82. Modern Talking – You’re my heart, you’re my soul
83. Shakin’ Stevens – Oh Julie
84. Paula Abdul – Opposites attract
85. Tiffany – I think we’re alone now
86. Starship – Nothing’s gonna stop us
87. The Beach Boys – Kokomo
88. Milli Vanilli – Girl you know it’s true
89. Katrina and the Waves – Walkin on sunshine
90. Bobby McFerrin – Don’t worry be happy
91. Steve Winwood – Higher love
92. Chicago – Hard to say I’m sorry
93. Mr.Mister – Broken Wings
94. The Jam – Town called malice
95. Linda Ronstadt ft. Aaron Neville – Don’t know much
96. Soul II Soul – Back to life (However do you want me)
97. Salt N’ Pepa – Push it
98. Laura Branigan – Gloria
99. Bee Gees – You win again
100. ABBA – Super Trouper
101. Simple Minds – Don’t you forget about me
102. Jan Hammer – Miami Vice Theme
103. Tight Fit – The Lions sleeps tonight
104. John Lennon – Just like starting over
105. Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers – Swing the mood
106. The Bangles – Eternal Flame
107. Cher – If I could turn back time
108. Technotronic – Pump up the jam
109. Paul Hardcastle – 19
110. Samantha Fox – Touch me (I want your body)
111. UB40 – Red red wine
112. Dead or Alive – You spin me around
113. Whitesnake – Here I go again 87
114. Fine Young Cannibals – She’s drives me crazy
115. Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – Especially for you
116. Dolly Parton – 9 to 5
117. Richard Marx – Right here waiting
118. The Smiths – How soon is now
119. Peter Cetera – Glory of love
120. Neil Diamond – Love on the rocks
121. Styx – Mr. Roboto
122. Wet Wet Wet – Angel Eyes
123. U2 – Desire
124. Jason Donovan – Sealed with a kiss
125. Bobby Brown – My prerogative
126. Pretenders – Brass in pocket
127. Miami Sound Machine – Anything for you
128. Aerosmith – Love in an elevator
129. Daryl Hall & John Oates – Maneater
130. Madness – Our House
131. New Kids on the Block – Hangin’ tough
132. Anita Baker – Sweet love
133. Eurythmics – Sweet dreams
134. Glenn Medeiros – Nothing’s gonna change my love
135. Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack – Tonight, I celebrate my love
136. Van Halen – Jump
137. Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing
138. Duran Duran – The Reflex
139. Taylor Dayne – Tell it to my heart
140. Joy Division – Love will tear us apart
141. Run DMC – Walk this way
142. Level 42 – Lessons in love
143. Boston – Amanda
144. Janet Jackson – What have you done for me lately
145. Donna Summer – This time I know its for real
146. Enya – Orinoco flow
147. Robin Beck – First time
148. Traci Chapman – Fast car
149. Gypsy Kings – Volare
150. Earth, Wind and Fire – Let’s groove
151. The Cure – Lovesong
152. INXS – Need you tonight
153. Fleetwood Mac – Little lies
154. Tears for Fears – Shout
155. Michael Bolton – How am I supposed to live without you
156. Pat Benatar – Love is a battlefield
157. Ottawan – D.I.S.C.O
158. Rod Stewart – Baby Jane
159. Nena – 99 Luft balloons
160. Don Henley – The boys of summer
161. The Weather Girls – It’s raining men
162. Sister Sledge – Frankie
163. Chaka Khan – I feel for you
164. Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme (Best that you can do)
165. Poison – Every rose has its thorn
166. Paul Young – Everytime you go away
167. Debbie Gibson – Foolish beat
168. The Rolling Stones – Start me up
169. Kajagoogoo – Too shy
170. Slade – My oh my
171. KC and the Sunshine Band – Give it up
172. Gloria Estefan – Don’t wanna lose you
173. Depeche Mode – People are people
174. Commodores – Nightshift
175. The Communards – Don’t leave me this way
176. Paul Simon – Late in the evening
177. James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt – Somewhere out there
178. Philip Bailey and Phil Collins – Easy lover
179. Dire Straits – Money for nothing
180. Captain & Tennille – Do that to me one more time
181. R.E.M – The one I love
182. Roy Orbison – You got it
183. Billy Idol – Eyes without a face
184. Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson – I know him so well
185. John Cougar – Jack and Diane
186. Renne and Renato – Save your love
187. Kelly Marie – Feels like I’m in love
188. Bucks Fizz – Making your mind up
189. Goombay Dance Band – Seven tears
190. The Flying Pickets – Only you
191. Smokey Robinson – Being with you
192. Doctor and the Medics – Spirit in the sky
193. Boris Gardiner – I want to wake up with you
194. T’Pau – China in your hand
195. Yazz and the Plastic Population – The only way is up
196. Marc Almond ft. Gene Pitney – Something’s gotten hold of my heart
197. Mike and the Mechanics – The living years
198. Sade – Smooth operator
199. Alphaville – Big in Japan
200. The Specials – Ghost town

Til the next beat…

At Ease!!!