{"id":161118,"date":"2024-10-30T12:01:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T12:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.english-culture.com\/?p=161118"},"modified":"2026-07-26T13:39:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T12:39:03","slug":"best-music-and-songs-of-the-1980s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.english-culture.com\/best-music-and-songs-of-the-1980s\/","title":{"rendered":"Best music and songs of the 1980s"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Best<\/a>
Best music and songs of the 1980s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Best music and songs of the 1980s, a selection of the most famous hits of this legendary period with author, title, release year and original videos on Youtube.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1960s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 – 1970s<\/a>\u00a0 – 1980s<\/a>\u00a0 –\u00a0 1990s<\/a>\u00a0 –\u00a0 2000s<\/a>\u00a0 –\u00a0 2010s<\/a>\u00a0 – \u00a02020s<\/a>\u00a0 –\u00a0 2026<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.<\/span>
\nBerthold Auerbach<\/span><\/p>\n

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.<\/span>
\nBob Marley<\/span><\/p>\n

Music – it’s motivational and just makes you relax.<\/span>
\nTaika Waititi<\/span><\/p>\n

The 1980s was an eclectic and transformative decade for music, bringing about new genres, revolutionary production techniques, and iconic artists. Here\u2019s a look at some of the defining elements and best music of the ’80s:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Pop Superstars and Dance Pop<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jackson dominated the decade with Thriller (1982), still the best-selling album of all time, with hits like \u201cBillie Jean\u201d and \u201cBeat It.\u201d<\/span>
\nMadonna redefined pop with her bold style and edgy sound, releasing hits like \u201cLike a Virgin\u201d (1984) and \u201cMaterial Girl.\u201d<\/span>
\nPrince\u2019s Purple Rain (1984) blended pop, rock, and funk, with songs like \u201cWhen Doves Cry\u201d and the title track showcasing his talent and unique style.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Synthpop and New Wave<\/span><\/p>\n

Depeche Mode and New Order brought darker, moodier electronic sounds, with songs like \u201cJust Can\u2019t Get Enough\u201d and \u201cBlue Monday.\u201d<\/span>
\nThe Human League and Eurythmics popularized synthpop with hits like \u201cDon\u2019t You Want Me\u201d and \u201cSweet Dreams (Are Made of This).\u201d<\/span>
\nDuran Duran and A-ha brought visual flair to new wave with their iconic music videos for \u201cHungry Like the Wolf\u201d and \u201cTake On Me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Hard Rock and Glam Metal<\/span><\/p>\n

Guns N’ Roses\u2019 Appetite for Destruction (1987) became one of the best-selling rock albums of the decade, featuring \u201cSweet Child o\u2019 Mine\u201d and \u201cWelcome to the Jungle.\u201d<\/span>
\nBon Jovi, Motley Cr\u00fce, and Poison became MTV staples, popularizing glam metal with anthems like \u201cLivin\u2019 on a Prayer\u201d and \u201cGirls, Girls, Girls.\u201d<\/span>
\nVan Halen\u2019s 1984 album introduced rock hits like \u201cJump,\u201d blending synthesizers with their guitar-driven sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Hip-Hop and Rap\u2019s Golden Age<\/span><\/p>\n

Run-D.M.C. broke into the mainstream with their cover of Aerosmith\u2019s \u201cWalk This Way,\u201d blending rock and rap.<\/span>
\nPublic Enemy\u2019s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988) brought socially conscious rap to the forefront, with tracks like \u201cDon\u2019t Believe the Hype.\u201d<\/span>
\nBeastie Boys\u2019 Licensed to Ill (1986) became a breakthrough for white rappers in hip-hop, with party anthems like \u201cFight For Your Right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Alternative Rock and College Rock<\/span><\/p>\n

R.E.M. brought alternative rock to wider audiences with albums like Murmur (1983), leading to hits like \u201cRadio Free Europe.\u201d<\/span>
\nThe Smiths emerged from the UK with introspective lyrics and jangly guitars, with tracks like \u201cThis Charming Man.\u201d<\/span>
\nU2 rose to prominence with The Joshua Tree (1987), featuring classics like \u201cWith or Without You\u201d and \u201cWhere the Streets Have No Name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Power Ballads and Soft Rock<\/span><\/p>\n

Journey\u2019s \u201cDon\u2019t Stop Believin\u2019\u201d and Toto\u2019s \u201cAfrica\u201d became timeless anthems.<\/span>
\nPhil Collins and Foreigner continued to define soft rock, with hits like \u201cIn the Air Tonight\u201d and \u201cI Want to Know What Love Is.\u201d<\/span>
\nWhitney Houston became a superstar with her powerful ballads, including \u201cGreatest Love of All\u201d and \u201cHow Will I Know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Electronic and Dance Music<\/span><\/p>\n

Pet Shop Boys and Culture Club mixed dance rhythms with clever lyrics, creating songs like \u201cWest End Girls\u201d and \u201cKarma Chameleon.\u201d<\/span>
\nJanet Jackson\u2019s Control (1986) infused dance-pop with assertive themes, with tracks like \u201cNasty\u201d and \u201cWhat Have You Done for Me Lately.\u201d<\/span>
\nDonna Summer, a disco queen, carried dance music into the \u201980s with hits like \u201cShe Works Hard for the Money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Heavy Metal Surge<\/span><\/p>\n

Metallica\u2019s Master of Puppets (1986) and Iron Maiden\u2019s The Number of the Beast (1982) laid the groundwork for thrash and heavy metal.<\/span>
\nAC\/DC\u2019s Back in Black (1980) became one of the best-selling albums, with powerful songs like \u201cHells Bells\u201d and \u201cYou Shook Me All Night Long.\u201d<\/span>
\nOzzy Osbourne, after leaving Black Sabbath, rose as a solo artist with his debut Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and the hit \u201cCrazy Train.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The 1980s music scene was diverse and vibrant, setting the stage for future genres and shaping the sound of popular music for years to come. Whether through the birth of hip-hop or the rise of glam metal, this decade created a long-lasting legacy that still resonates today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Best music and songs of the 1980s<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lipps Inc. – Funkytown – 1980<\/span><\/a>
\nGeorge Benson – Give Me The Night – 1980<\/a><\/span>
\nLucio Dalla – Balla ballerino – 1980<\/a><\/span>
\nDelegation – You And I – 1980<\/a><\/span>
\nVisage – Fade To Grey – 1980<\/a><\/span>
\nMireille Mathieu – Je suis une femme amoureuse – 1980<\/a>
\nPeter Jacques Band – is it it? – 1980<\/a>
\nBlondie – The Tide Is High – 1980<\/a>
\nLipps – How long – 1980<\/a><\/span>
\nMandolay – La Flavour – 1980<\/a><\/span>
\nSheila & B. Devotion – Spacer – 1980<\/a>
\nDonatella Rettore – Kobra – 1980<\/a>
\nMatchbox – Midnite Dynamos – 1980<\/a>
\nAlice – Il vento caldo dell’estate – 1980<\/a>
\nLio – Amoureux Solitaires – 1980<\/a>
\nKool & The Gang – Celebration – 1980<\/a>
\nBilly Joel – It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me – 1980<\/a>
\nThe Brothers Johnson – Stomp! – 1980<\/a>
\nRockets – Galactica – 1980<\/a>
\nBad Manners – Lorraine – 1980<\/a>
\nAbba – Happy New Year – 1980<\/a>
\nEumir Deodato – Night Cruiser – 1980<\/a>
\nQueen – Another One Bites the Dust – 1980<\/a>
\nRobert Palmer – Johnny and Mary – 1980<\/a>
\nThe Blues Brothers – Everybody Needs Somebody to Love – 1980<\/a>
\nRichie Havens – Going Back To My Roots – 1980<\/a>
\nThe Blues Brothers – Shake a Tail Feather Scene – 1980<\/a>
\nBarbra Streisand – Woman in Love – 1980<\/a>
\nJohnny Harris – Odyssey – 1980<\/a>
\nRay Parker Jr & Raydio – It’s Time To Party Now – 1980<\/a>
\nKano – I’m Ready – 1980<\/a>
\nBlondie – Call me – 1980<\/a><\/span>
\nKim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes – 1981<\/a>
\nDonald Byrd – Love Has Come Around – 1981<\/a>
\nRush – Tom Sawyer – 1981<\/a>
\nBarbra Streisand – Memory – 1981<\/a>
\nJ.R. Funk & The Love Machine – Feel Good Party Time – 1981<\/a>
\nDonald Byrd – Love Has Come Around – 1981<\/a>
\nPhil Collins – In The Air Tonight – 1981<\/a><\/span>
\nGrace Jones – I’ve Seen That Face Before – 1981<\/a>
\nRod Stewart – Young Turks – 1981<\/a>
\nThe Human League – Don’t You Want Me – 1981<\/a>
\nAlberto Fortis – Settembre – 1981<\/a>
\nQuarterflash – Harden My Heart – 1981<\/a>
\nPaolo Barabani – Hop hop somarello – 1981<\/a>
\nThe Cramps – Goo Goo Muck – 1981<\/a>
\nMen At Work – Down Under – 1981<\/a>
\nPino D’Angi\u00f2 – Ma quale idea – 1981<\/a>
\nSpider Murphy Gang – Skandal Im Sperrbezirk – 1981<\/a><\/span>
\nPierangelo Bertoli – La Fatica – 1981<\/a>
\nKool & The Gang – Fresh – 1981<\/a>
\nMen At Work – Who Can It Be Now? – 1981<\/a>
\nKim Wilde – Cambodia – 1981<\/a>
\nChas Jankel – Glad To Know You – 1981<\/a>
\nFranco Battiato – Bandiera bianca – 1981<\/a>
\nAneka – Japanese Boy – 1981<\/a>
\nPh.D. – I Won’t Let You Down – 1981<\/a>
\nLu Colombo – Maracaibo – 1981<\/a><\/span>
\nFalco – Der Kommissar – 1981<\/a>
\nChange – Paradise – 1981<\/a>
\nStars On 45 – Stars On 45 – 1981<\/a>
\nBlue Feather – Let’s Funk Tonight – 1981<\/a>
\nMiguel Bos\u00e9 – Bravi ragazzi – 1982<\/a>
\nImagination – Just an Illusion – 1982<\/a>
\nIron Maiden – The Number Of The Beast – 1982<\/a>
\nDonna Summer – Na Na, Hey Hey – 1982<\/a>
\nCulture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me – 1982<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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