Best Songs of the 1980s
Synths, MTV and hip-hop's rise — twelve songs that defined the decade, each from an album worth owning.
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1MJ
Billie Jean
The bassline, the beat and the moonwalk.
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2PR
When Doves Cry
A number one with no bassline at all.
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3TH
Once in a Lifetime
Afrobeat polyrhythm meets existential dread.
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4SM
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
Morrissey and Marr's most beloved song.
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5U2
With or Without You
The slow-burn that made them stadium-sized.
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6MA
Like a Prayer
Gospel choir, controversy and a huge hook.
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7KB
Running Up That Hill
An art-pop landmark that found a vast new audience.
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8TF
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Effortless, melancholy synth-pop.
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9PE
Bring the Noise
A wall of sound and righteous fury.
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10RU
Walk This Way
The rap-rock team-up that broke MTV open.
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11SY
Teen Age Riot
Noise-rock's most tuneful five minutes.
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12GN
Sweet Child o' Mine
That opening riff and a soaring outro.
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13MJ
Beat It
Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo in a pop song — unprecedented and unrepeated.
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14PR
When Doves Cry
No bass guitar — just drums, synth, and Prince's total confidence.
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15MA
Like a Virgin
The song that made the entire decade uncomfortable about its own pleasure.
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16BS
Born in the USA
The anti-war lyric disguised as a stadium anthem — still being misread.
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17PO
Every Breath You Take
Sting's sinister love-as-surveillance lyric wrapped in the most radio-friendly arrangement.
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18U2
Pride (In the Name of Love)
The Edge's delay-drenched guitar and the MLK tribute that launched arena U2.
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19TH
Burning Down the House
Parliament's funk filtered through Eno's ambience.
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20TF
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Synth-pop as perfectly realised commercial ambition.
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21CL
Time After Time
The ballad that proved she was more than Girls Just Want to Have Fun.
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22NO
Blue Monday
The Roland 808, the sequenced bass, and the 12-inch that changed electronic music.
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23DM
Personal Jesus
The slide guitar and the electronic production: the most unusual thing on pop radio.
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24CU
Lovesong
Robert Smith writing a love song — the surprise that became their biggest US hit.
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