Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
Released in March 1982 as the lead single from Paul McCartney’s album Tug of War, “Ebony and Ivory” brought together two of popular music’s…
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– Pop
True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
Released in August 1986 as the title track and second single from her sophomore album True Colors, “True Colors” marked a dramatic artistic shift…
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Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
Released internationally in 1985 from the album Falco 3, “Rock Me Amadeus” became one of the most unlikely global hits of the 1980s. Performed…
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Party All the Time – Eddie Murphy
Released in September 1985 as the lead single from Eddie Murphy’s debut album How Could It Be, “Party All the Time” surprised critics, delighted…
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We Got the Beat – The Go-Go’s
Released in July 1981 as the second U.S. single from the Go-Go’s debut album Beauty and the Beat, “We Got the Beat” became one…
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Fame – Irene Cara
Released in May 1980 as the title song from the film Fame, “Fame” became one of the defining anthems of ambition, creativity, and youthful…
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Rhythm of the Night – Debarge
Released in March 1985 as the lead single from the soundtrack to The Last Dragon and later included on DeBarge’s album Rhythm of the…
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I’m So Excited – The Pointer Sisters
Released in 1982 from the album So Excited! and reissued in 1984 after being remixed, “I’m So Excited” became one of the most joyful…
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Father Figure – George Michael
Released in December 1987 as the fourth single from Faith, “Father Figure” became one of George Michael’s most memorable and emotionally complex songs. Built…
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Cruel Summer – Bananarama
Released in June 1983 in the United Kingdom and later in 1984 in the United States, “Cruel Summer” became one of Bananarama’s signature songs…
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Maniac – Michael Sembello
Released in May 1983 as the lead single from the Flashdance soundtrack, “Maniac” became one of the defining songs of the 1980s. Driven by…
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Hungry Eyes – Eric Carmen
Released in October 1987 as part of the soundtrack to the hit film Dirty Dancing, “Hungry Eyes” became one of Eric Carmen’s biggest solo…
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Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House
Released in October 1986 as the second single from Crowded House’s self-titled debut album, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” became the band’s defining song and…
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Venus – Bananarama
Released in July 1986 as the lead single from True Confessions, “Venus” became Bananarama’s biggest international hit and one of the most recognizable dance-pop…
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Hands to Heaven – Breathe
Released in July 1988 as the third single from All That Jazz, “Hands to Heaven” became the breakthrough hit that introduced millions of listeners…
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Cold Hearted – Paula Abdul
Released in June 1989 as the fifth single from Paula Abdul’s blockbuster debut album Forever Your Girl, “Cold Hearted” became one of the defining…
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The Tide Is High – Blondie
Not every great hit begins as a chart-topping success. Sometimes a song quietly waits years before the right artist comes along and introduces it…
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Mickey – Toni Basil
Very few pop songs are recognizable from the very first shouted word. Yet all it takes is someone yelling “Oh Mickey!” and almost everyone…
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I Ran (So Far Away) – A Flock of Seagulls
When people think of the sound of the early 1980s, a handful of songs immediately come to mind. Among them is A Flock of…
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Crazy for You – Madonna
By 1985, Madonna had already established herself as one of pop music’s brightest new stars. Hits like “Holiday,” “Lucky Star,” “Borderline,” and “Material Girl”…
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True – Spandau Ballet
Certain songs instantly transport listeners to another time. A single piano chord or saxophone phrase is enough to evoke memories of slow dances, late-night…
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Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Some duets sound good on paper. Others create magic the moment the singers step up to the microphone. “Islands in the Stream,” the unforgettable…
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Our House – Madness
Few songs capture the warmth, chaos, and charm of family life quite like Madness’ “Our House.” Released in 1982, the upbeat pop classic became…
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Walk Like an Egyptian – The Bangles
Few songs capture the playful spirit of the 1980s quite like The Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian.” Released in 1986, the quirky pop hit…
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It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me – Billy Joel
Every generation believes it has discovered something completely new. Music changes, fashions evolve, and critics eagerly declare the latest trend to be the future.…
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The Power of Love – Huey Lewis and the News
Some songs become hit singles. Others become movie songs. Very few manage to become permanently linked with one of the greatest films ever made.…
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The Longest Time – Billy Joel
Some songs impress with dazzling guitar solos. Others rely on elaborate studio production or massive orchestras. Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time” accomplished something entirely…
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Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go-Go’s
Some songs sparkle with an energy that instantly transports listeners to another time and place. The Go-Go’s “Our Lips Are Sealed” is one of…
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Manic Monday – The Bangles
Very few songs have managed to make the first day of the workweek sound fun, but “Manic Monday” accomplished exactly that. Released in 1986,…
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1999 – Prince
Long before the calendar actually turned to the year 1999, Prince had already made it one of the most famous dates in music history.…
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The Winner Takes It All – ABBA
By 1980, ABBA had already conquered the world. The Swedish quartet had spent most of the previous decade producing an incredible string of international…
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Straight Up – Paula Abdul
Before “Straight Up,” Paula Abdul was known primarily as one of the hottest choreographers in the music business. She had created memorable dance routines…
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Gloria – Laura Branigan
Some songs explode onto the charts and disappear just as quickly. Others slowly build a reputation before becoming cultural landmarks. Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” belongs…
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Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna
Madonna was already the biggest female pop star in the world by the summer of 1986, but she wasn’t interested in playing it safe.…
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Dirty Diana – Michael Jackson
When people think of Michael Jackson, they often picture infectious dance hits like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” or “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”…
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Whip It – Devo
Some songs become hits because they follow the rules. “Whip It” became a hit because it ignored nearly all of them. Released in 1980…
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Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
When most people think of Cyndi Lauper’s breakthrough album She’s So Unusual, energetic hits like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “She Bop”…
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Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
Some songs are remembered for their unforgettable melodies. Others endure because they tell a story listeners never forget. “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by…
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Rock With You – Michael Jackson
Before Thriller became the biggest-selling album in history and before Michael Jackson transformed music videos into cinematic events, there was “Rock with You.” Released…
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Heaven Is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle
When Belinda Carlisle left The Go-Go’s to launch a solo career, many wondered whether she could achieve the same level of success on her…
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Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
Some songs are remembered for their unforgettable hooks. Others become woven into life’s most meaningful moments. “Wind Beneath My Wings,” as performed by Bette…
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Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
By the late 1980s, Michael Jackson had already achieved a level of superstardom few artists in history could match. Thriller had become the best-selling…
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Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr
Some movie theme songs perfectly complement the films they accompany. Others become so iconic that it’s impossible to think of one without immediately hearing…
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Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
Movie theme songs often enjoy a brief moment in the spotlight before fading into nostalgia. Every so often, however, one transcends the film that…
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Little Red Corvette – Prince
Before “Little Red Corvette” raced up the charts in 1983, Prince was already earning a reputation as one of the most gifted musicians of…
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