An Innocent Man – Billy Joel
Billy Joel’s Loving Tribute to the Golden Age of Soul Music Released in February 1984 as the third single from the album An Innocent…
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– Pop
America – Neil Diamond
The Patriotic Anthem That Celebrated the Immigrant Dream Released in 1980 as part of the soundtrack to The Jazz Singer, “America” became one of…
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You May Be Right – Billy Joel
The Rowdy Rocker That Showed Billy Joel Had an Edge Released in March 1980 as the lead single from Glass Houses, “You May Be…
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You Keep Me Hangin’ on – Kim Wilde
How Kim Wilde Reinvented a Motown Classic for the MTV Generation Released in 1986, Kim Wilde’s version of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” proved…
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Who’s That Girl – Madonna
The Soundtrack Hit That Kept Madonna’s Unstoppable Run Alive Released in June 1987, “Who’s That Girl” continued one of the most remarkable streaks in…
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Shout – Tears for Fears
The Anthem That Took Tears for Fears to the Top of the World Released in November 1984, “Shout” transformed Tears for Fears from a…
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Sad Songs (Say So Much) – Elton John
How Elton John Turned Heartbreak Into One of the Most Uplifting Hits of the 1980s Released in May 1984 as the lead single from…
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Physical – Olivia Newton-John
The Song That Reinvented Olivia Newton-John and Defined a New Era of Pop Released in September 1981, “Physical” didn’t just become Olivia Newton-John’s…
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Nikita – Elton John
Love Across the Iron Curtain: Why “Nikita” Remains One of Elton John’s Most Emotional Hits Released in October 1985 as the second single…
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Let’s Wait Awhile – Janet Jackson
When people think about Janet Jackson’s breakthrough album Control, energetic hits like “Nasty,” “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” and “When I Think…
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Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend will forever be recognized as the brilliant guitarist, primary songwriter, and creative force behind The Who. His groundbreaking work on albums like…
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I’ve Never Been to Me – Charlene
The music industry is filled with stories of songs that become instant hits, climbing the charts shortly after their release before fading into history.…
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I Wanna Be Your Lover – Prince
Long before Purple Rain, sold-out stadiums, and global superstardom, Prince Rogers Nelson was a young musician from Minneapolis with an extraordinary amount of talent…
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Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant
By the early 1980s, Adam Ant had already established himself as one of the most distinctive personalities in popular music. As the frontman of…
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Do You Believe in Love – Huey Lewis & the News
Before Huey Lewis & the News became one of the biggest American rock bands of the 1980s, they were simply another hardworking group trying…
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St Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) – John Parr
The 1980s produced countless movie theme songs, but only a select few managed to take on a life of their own. “St. Elmo’s Fire…
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Saving All My Love for You – Whitney Houston
Every generation produces a handful of singers whose voices seem almost impossible to believe. Whitney Houston was one of those rare artists. Before she…
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One Night in Bangkok – Murray Head
When people think of songs inspired by Broadway or London’s West End, they usually imagine sweeping ballads or elaborate show tunes. “One Night in…
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Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
Very few songs have managed to become chart-topping hits, cultural touchstones, internet phenomena, and beloved classics all at the same time. Rick Astley’s “Never…
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Morning Train (Nine to Five) – Sheena Easton
The early 1980s produced no shortage of memorable pop songs, but few debut singles made as immediate an impact as Sheena Easton’s “Morning Train…
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Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer
Very few television themes become hit records. Even fewer manage to top the music charts. Yet in 1985, an instrumental composed by Jan Hammer…
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Live to Tell – Madonna
By the middle of the 1980s, Madonna had already become one of the biggest names in music. Hits like “Holiday,” “Like a Virgin,” “Material…
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Kids in America – Kim Wilde
When Kim Wilde burst onto the music scene in 1981 with “Kids in America,” she didn’t slowly work her way up the charts—she exploded…
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I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
Released in 1985 and becoming a worldwide hit in 1986, “I Can’t Wait” transformed Nu Shooz from a little-known Portland, Oregon duo into international…
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Heart and Soul – T’pau
Released in 1987 as the debut single from Bridge of Spies, “Heart and Soul” introduced the world to British rock band T’Pau and their…
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Don’t Wanna Lose You – Gloria Estefan
Released in 1989 as the second single from Cuts Both Ways, “Don’t Wanna Lose You” became Gloria Estefan’s first No. 1 hit on the…
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Do That to Me One More Time – Captain & Tennille
Captain & Tennille – “Do That to Me One More Time” Intro Released in late 1979 and reaching its chart peak in early…
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Allentown – Billy Joel
Released in 1982 as the second single from The Nylon Curtain, “Allentown” stands as one of Billy Joel’s most socially conscious and emotionally resonant…
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Wishing Well – Terence Trent D’Arby
Released in 1987 as the lead single from Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby, “Wishing Well” announced the arrival of one of…
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The Loco-Motion – Kylie Minogue
Released in 1987 in Australia and internationally in 1988, “The Loco-Motion” launched Kylie Minogue’s recording career in spectacular fashion. Already a household name in…
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Lean on Me – Club Nouveau
Released in 1987, Club Nouveau’s version of “Lean on Me” accomplished what many people thought was impossible: it successfully reinvented one of the most…
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Kokomo – The Beach Boys
Released in 1988, “Kokomo” became one of the most surprising comeback hits in popular music history. Nearly a quarter-century after redefining American pop music…
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Kiss – Prince and the Revolution
Released in 1986 as the lead single from Parade, “Kiss” stands as one of Prince’s most brilliant artistic achievements and one of the defining…
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Hip to Be Square – Huey Lewis & the News
Released in 1986 as the fourth single from Fore!, “Hip to Be Square” perfectly captured the upbeat, confident spirit that made Huey Lewis &…
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Girl You Know It’s True – Milli Vanilli
Released in 1988, “Girl You Know It’s True” launched Milli Vanilli into international superstardom and became one of the defining pop hits of the…
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Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
Released in 1985 as the lead single from Who’s Zoomin’ Who?, “Freeway of Love” marked one of the greatest comebacks in popular music history.…
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Dancing on the Ceiling – Lionel Richie
Released in 1986 as the title track from his third solo album, “Dancing on the Ceiling” showcased Lionel Richie’s remarkable ability to create joyful,…
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When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going – Billy Ocean
Released in 1985, “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” was another major milestone in Billy Ocean’s remarkable run of hit singles…
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Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
Few songs are as closely associated with late-1980s teen pop as Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Released in 1987 as the lead single…
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Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton
Released in 1981, “Queen of Hearts” became the signature hit of Juice Newton’s career and one of the defining crossover songs of the early…
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What Have You Done for Me Lately – Janet Jackson
Before Janet Jackson became one of the most influential entertainers in popular music, she was known primarily as the youngest member of the famous…
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Voices Carry – ‘Til Tuesday
Every decade produces songs that perfectly capture the emotional tensions of their time, and “‘Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry” stands among the finest examples of…
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Open Your Heart – Madonna
By 1986, Madonna had already become one of the biggest stars in popular music, but she showed no signs of slowing down. Following the…
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Lucky Star – Madonna
Before Madonna became the undisputed Queen of Pop, she was a determined young artist fighting to establish herself in a rapidly changing music industry.…
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Hold Me Now – Thompson Twins
Pop music in the 1980s was filled with memorable love songs, but few balanced emotional vulnerability and irresistible hooks as gracefully as the Thompson…
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