Best 1980s Pop Songs
The best pop songs of the 1980s (80s), ranked — each one links to the album it came from, on vinyl, CD or Amazon Music.
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1PR
Dirty Mind
The title track where his synthesis clicked into place.
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2MJ
Billie Jean
The bassline, the isolated snare, the glove, the moonwalk — perfection.
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3MJ
Beat It
Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo in a pop song — unprecedented and unrepeated.
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4MJ
Thriller
Vincent Price and a zombie army — pop as spectacle.
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5PR
Little Red Corvette
Pop and funk fused into a career-defining single.
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6CL
Time After Time
A tender, timeless ballad.
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7CL
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Day-glo defiance turned anthem.
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8EU
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Icy synths and Lennox's commanding cool.
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9PR
When Doves Cry
No bass, synthetic drums, and still the best thing on the Purple Rain soundtrack.
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10MA
Like a Virgin
The song that made the entire decade uncomfortable about its own pleasure.
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11PR
Purple Rain
The guitar solo that ended the film and the song that made him immortal.
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12TT
What's Love Got to Do with It
The comeback single that made 45-year-old Tina Turner the biggest pop star in the world.
Tap the artwork or "Listen" to find the track on Amazon Music; "Watch" opens a YouTube search; the song title opens its album page. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases and sign-ups.