The 1980s? That’s where synthesizers went from quirky lab toys to weapons of chart domination. From stadium anthems to dance-floor bangers, this decade’s tracks still slap harder than a teased-hair guitarist. The selection process wasn’t just about Billboard numbers—we hunted for the songs that define the era’s sound, image, and unapologetic excess. Each track is a time capsule, ready to teleport you back to a world of neon spandex, MTV premieres, and enough hairspray to deplete the ozone layer single-handedly. So, crank up the volume and prepare for a synth-soaked joyride through the most bodacious tracks of the ’80s—just try not to pull a hamstring during your air-guitar solo.
10. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
A legend was born the moment Sylvester Stallone needed a theme for Rocky III.
What he got was Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” a track so anthemic it could make a cat poster motivational. The driving rhythm is the musical equivalent of Rocky’s training montage, each guitar riff a punch to the face—in a good way.
The song became Survivor’s biggest hit, its powerful vocal performance proving that you don’t need subtlety to inspire. It’s the soundtrack to every underdog’s comeback, that feeling when you’re about to conquer the world—or at least finish that last rep at the gym. That tension? Pure musical adrenaline, coursing through your veins like a 10-shot espresso after a 12-round fight.
9. Take on Me – A-ha
In 1985, the world was gifted a hyperkinetic earworm that sounded like a Casio keyboard having a love affair with a cartoon.
A-ha’s “Take on Me” was a cultural reset, proving icy synths and a vocal melody full of color and charisma could hijack your brain for decades. Any track still clocking millions of streams decades later isn’t just nostalgia; it’s witchcraft.
The song bends across generations like a sonic Möbius strip. Gen Z kids are shredding it on theremins, proving that pure 80s sorcery still infects playlists today. That rotoscoped music video? Pure visual crack that turned MTV into appointment television.
8. Thriller – Michael Jackson
The title track from what became the most famous pop album of all time plays off popular 80s horror movie tropes.
Blasting this mega hit at a Halloween party (or any party, really) proves it’s an excellent piece of music composition. The synth-laden intro sets a spooky tone, creating an atmosphere that’s ripe for dancing with the undead.
Ever watch your friend swear they’d never dance, then suddenly moonwalk (badly) toward the snack table after a few bars? It embodies the decade’s knack for blending genres and theatrical presentation in ways that still fill dance floors today. Vincent Price’s cackling outro seals the deal—now that’s a song worth screaming about.
7. Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
The catchiest earworms burrow into your brain and refuse to leave.
Rick Astley’s 1987 hit isn’t just a song; it’s the sonic equivalent of a persistent telemarketer. Its programmed drums and sappy lyrics are so corny they’re almost weaponized, yet Astley’s breezy attitude and over-the-top vocal performance turned the track into an unlikely pop phenomenon.
At weddings, three drinks deep, when the DJ drops this beat, resistance is futile. You’re now part of a global rickrolling epidemic that even the internet can’t cure. It’s musical comfort food with a side of self-aware cheese, proving sometimes the most unforgettable songs are the ones you love to hate… until you can’t help but love them again.
6. Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper’s anthem almost didn’t happen, penned originally by Robert Hazard.
The lyrics initially missed the mark on female empowerment until Lauper tweaked them, adding her vocal stamp to the 1983 release. The real magic was in the delivery: a raspy, joyous rebellion that turned a simple song into a declaration.
The track’s undeniable charm was like a shot of tequila to the collective spirit that still resonates through today’s dance floors.
5. Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Few tracks trigger pearl-clutching like “Relax,” a tune so scandalous it was banned by the BBC.
Trying to sneak this onto your mixtape in 1983 meant instant parental advisory. It wasn’t just the lyrical content that raised eyebrows; the lewd promotional work and video were like a Molotov cocktail of 80s energy and exuberance.
The suggestive content lurked beneath what otherwise felt like one of the punchiest pop songs ever written. Anyone who’s walked into a party running on pure nervous energy gets why it was so damn catchy. “Relax” was a statement, and the statement was loud, sweaty, and irresistible.
4. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
Simple Minds’ anthem almost didn’t happen, penned specifically for the 1985 film The Breakfast Club after other bands passed.
Thank god they didn’t pass, because it’s a punchy, synth-driven earworm that’s still stuck in your head. Gen X-ers in their basements get misty-eyed every time that opening vocal swell kicks in, instantly transporting them back to high school hallways and angsty teen feels.
The lyrics might be simpler than your average TikTok dance craze, but that’s the point. Instantly catchy verses and choruses turn it into a singalong that still earns its place on every 80s nostalgia playlist. For anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, this track’s a reminder that even the cool kids sometimes feel stuck in detention.
3. We Built This City – Starship
In a Rolling Stone magazine poll, “We Built This City” was crowned the worst song of the 1980s.
Which, let’s be honest, is like winning a Razzie for worst rom-com—it’s a badge of honor in its own bizarre way. This 1985 hit by Starship is the earworm that just won’t quit, sticking in your head like glitter at a Burning Man rave. It’s as divisive as pineapple on pizza, sparking debates that could fuel a small city.
Whether you love it or hate it, “We Built This City” is a sonic time capsule, a testament to the decade’s uncanny ability to turn cheese into gold. When it blasts from the jukebox like an uninvited guest, you’re witnessing history—a perfect storm of synths and questionable lyrics that somehow dominated the airwaves.
2. Maniac – Michael Sembello
The inspiration for “Maniac” struck after a news report about a serial killer.
Despite the dark origins, Michael Sembello turned it into a frantic piece of synth pop. The track became a dance floor banger after the Flashdance movie, with its mix of electronic beats and soaring vocals becoming an enduring anthem. It’s the kind of tune that makes you want to break out some leg warmers and hit the nearest aerobics class.
At a roller rink in 1983, lights flashing, when this song blasted through the speakers, you went from skating to auditioning for a music video. “Maniac’s” relentless energy turns every awkward shuffle into a high-stakes performance. Decades later, the song still owns every room it enters.
1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!
Legend began in 1984, when Wham! dropped this sugary sweet pop hit.
Not trying to change the world, just aiming for carefree fun and incredibly breezy pop genius, the song became an anthem of pure, unadulterated joy. The music video cemented the band’s place in pop culture history, showcasing their infectious energy and coordinated dance moves.
Need a quick mood lift before that sales meeting? “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” offers an instant serotonin boost and a reminder to inject some fun into the daily grind. The song remains a testament to the power of simple pleasures—sometimes, the best medicine is a dose of unapologetic, sugar-coated fun, proving Wham! were architects of joy.
