Best 1980s Pop Songs

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   Dirty Mind

   Prince · from Dirty Mind (1980) · Album scores 85/99

   The title track where his synthesis clicked into place.

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   Billie Jean

   Michael Jackson · from Thriller (1982) · Album scores 97/99

   The bassline, the isolated snare, the glove, the moonwalk — perfection.

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   Beat It

   Michael Jackson · from Thriller (1982) · Album scores 97/99

   Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo in a pop song — unprecedented and unrepeated.

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   Thriller

   Michael Jackson · from Thriller (1982) · Album scores 97/99

   Vincent Price and a zombie army — pop as spectacle.

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   Little Red Corvette

   Prince · from 1999 (1982) · Album scores 86/99

   Pop and funk fused into a career-defining single.

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   Time After Time

   Cyndi Lauper · from She's So Unusual (1983) · Album scores 79/99

   A tender, timeless ballad.

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   Girls Just Want to Have Fun

   Cyndi Lauper · from She's So Unusual (1983) · Album scores 79/99

   Day-glo defiance turned anthem.

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   Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

   Eurythmics · from Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (1983) · Album scores 80/99

   Icy synths and Lennox's commanding cool.

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   When Doves Cry

   Prince · from Purple Rain (1984) · Album scores 99/99

   No bass, synthetic drums, and still the best thing on the Purple Rain soundtrack.

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    Like a Virgin

    Madonna · from Like a Virgin (1984) · Album scores 86/99

    The song that made the entire decade uncomfortable about its own pleasure.

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    Purple Rain

    Prince · from Purple Rain (1984) · Album scores 99/99

    The guitar solo that ended the film and the song that made him immortal.

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    What's Love Got to Do with It

    Tina Turner · from Private Dancer (1984) · Album scores 81/99

    The comeback single that made 45-year-old Tina Turner the biggest pop star in the world.

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