Heartbreaker – Dionne Warwick
By the early 1980s, Dionne Warwick had already established herself as one of the most accomplished vocalists in popular music history. Throughout the 1960s…
Watch Now »
– 1982
You Can Do Magic – America
By the early 1980s, America had already secured its place as one of the most successful folk-rock bands of the previous decade. Classics like…
Watch Now »
Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
Few songs capture the quirky creativity of the early 1980s quite like “The Safety Dance.” Released at the height of the synth-pop explosion, the…
Watch Now »
Hot in the City – Billy Idol
Released in 1982, “Hot in the City” marked Billy Idol’s breakthrough as a solo artist and introduced American audiences to one of rock’s most…
Watch Now »
Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac
Released in July 1982, “Hold Me” became Fleetwood Mac’s biggest American hit of the 1980s and one of the defining songs from their album…
Watch Now »
Come Dancing – The Kinks
The Nostalgic Hit That Brought The Kinks Back to the Top Released in November 1982 as the lead single from State of Confusion, “Come…
Watch Now »
Blue Eyes – Elton John
The Tender Ballad That Marked Elton John’s Return to the Top Released in March 1982 as the lead single from Jump Up!, “Blue Eyes”…
Watch Now »
Truly – Lionel Richie
The Tender Ballad That Launched Lionel Richie’s Solo Superstardom Released in September 1982 as the second single from his self-titled debut solo album, “Truly”…
Watch Now »
Don’t Talk to Strangers – Rick Springfield
The Hit That Proved Rick Springfield Was More Than a One-Album Wonder Released in April 1982 as the lead single from Success Hasn’t Spoiled…
Watch Now »
Steppin’ Out – Joe Jackson
The Sophisticated Pop Classic That Captured the Magic of City Nights Released in August 1982 as the lead single from Joe Jackson’s album Night…
Watch Now »
Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth
How a Group of Birmingham Teenagers Created One of the Most Unforgettable Hits of the 1980s Released in September 1982, “Pass the Dutchie” by…
Watch Now »
Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby
Jackson Browne built his reputation during the 1970s as one of America’s finest singer-songwriters. With thoughtful lyrics, introspective storytelling, and beautifully crafted melodies, he…
Watch Now »
Jack & Diane – John Mellencamp
Some songs become chart-topping hits because they’re catchy. Others become classics because they capture a feeling that listeners carry with them for decades. John…
Watch Now »
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.…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
Even the Nights Are Better – Air Supply
Air Supply built an extraordinary career by doing something remarkably simple—they understood how to write and perform unforgettable love songs. While many artists chased…
Watch Now »
Crimson and Clover – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Released in 1982 as the second single from I Love Rock ‘n Roll, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ version of “Crimson and Clover” transformed…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
Back on the Chain Gang – The Pretenders
Grief has inspired countless great songs, but few recordings transform personal tragedy into something as uplifting and resilient as The Pretenders’ “Back on the…
Watch Now »
Open Arms – Journey
Power ballads became one of the defining sounds of the 1980s, but few have achieved the lasting popularity of Journey’s “Open Arms.” Released in…
Watch Now »
She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby
The early 1980s were filled with futuristic sounds, synthesizers, and musicians eager to explore the possibilities of new technology. While many artists embraced electronic…
Watch Now »
Give It Up – KC & the Sunshine Band
Disco’s decline in the early 1980s left many artists scrambling to reinvent themselves, and few bands faced a steeper challenge than KC & the…
Watch Now »
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me – Culture Club
The early 1980s were filled with colorful fashion, adventurous music, and artists eager to challenge convention. Few bands embodied that spirit more completely than…
Watch Now »
Earthquake Song – Little Girls
The early 1980s produced no shortage of unusual songs, but few were quite as delightfully odd as “Earthquake Song” by Little Girls. Never intended…
Watch Now »
Vacation – The Go-Go’s
Summer songs usually celebrate romance, road trips, and carefree afternoons. The Go-Go’s took a different approach with “Vacation.” Released in 1982 as the title…
Watch Now »
Puttin’ on the Ritz – Taco
Every once in a while, a song from another era finds new life in a completely different musical landscape. That was exactly what happened…
Watch Now »
Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
Few artists possess a voice as instantly recognizable as Stevie Nicks. Whether fronting Fleetwood Mac or pursuing a solo career, she has always combined…
Watch Now »
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Michael Jackson
Every great album needs an opening track that immediately grabs the listener’s attention. In 1982, Michael Jackson didn’t simply open Thriller—he exploded out of…
Watch Now »
You Can’t Hurry Love – Phil Collins
Released in November 1982 as the lead single from Hello, I Must Be Going!, “You Can’t Hurry Love” became one of Phil Collins’ biggest…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
Heat of the Moment – Asia
Released in March 1982 as the debut single from Asia’s self-titled first album, “Heat of the Moment” became one of the biggest rock hits…
Watch Now »
Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago
Released in May 1982 as the lead single from Chicago 16, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” marked one of the most important turning points…
Watch Now »
Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band
Released in May 1982, “Abracadabra” became one of the Steve Miller Band’s biggest commercial successes and one of the defining pop-rock hits of the…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
Always on My Mind – Willie Nelson
Some songs are so powerful they seem destined to be recorded more than once. “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare compositions.…
Watch Now »
Rosanna – Toto
Some songs become famous for their unforgettable melodies. Others are remembered for legendary musicianship. Toto’s “Rosanna” somehow managed to become both. Released in 1982,…
Watch Now »
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.…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
Eye in the Sky – The Alan Parsons Project
Some songs announce themselves with explosive guitar riffs or towering choruses. Others captivate through atmosphere, subtlety, and quiet confidence. “Eye in the Sky” by…
Watch Now »
Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
By the early 1980s, Marvin Gaye had already earned his place among the greatest singers and songwriters in popular music history. Through classics like…
Watch Now »
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…
Watch Now »
Rock the Casbah – The Clash
Few bands have ever balanced political awareness, fearless experimentation, and raw musical energy as successfully as The Clash. Already celebrated as one of the…
Watch Now »