A Different Corner – George Michael
By 1986, George Michael had already established himself as one of pop music’s brightest young stars. As one half of Wham!, he had written…
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– 1986
Throwing It All Away – Genesis
By the mid-1980s, Genesis had completed one of the most remarkable transformations in rock history. Once known primarily as a progressive rock band celebrated…
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I’ll Be Over You – Toto
Released in late 1986 as the second single from Fahrenheit, “I’ll Be Over You” stands as one of Toto’s most heartfelt and enduring ballads.…
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Breakout – Swing Out Sister
Released in 1986, “Breakout” introduced much of the world to Swing Out Sister and immediately established the British group as something different from the…
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Notorious – Duran Duran
Released in October 1986, “Notorious” marked one of the biggest turning points in Duran Duran’s career. The band had spent the first half of…
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Keep Your Hands to Yourself – Georgia Satellites
The Rowdy Rock Hit That Brought Barroom Swagger Back to the Charts Released in November 1986 as the lead single from the Georgia Satellites’…
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In Too Deep – Genesis
The Tender Ballad That Showed Genesis at Their Most Vulnerable Released in August 1986 as the fifth single from Invisible Touch, “In Too Deep”…
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Your Wildest Dreams – The Moody Blues
The Dreamlike Comeback That Introduced The Moody Blues to MTV Released in April 1986 as the lead single from The Other Side of Life,…
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We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes off – Jermaine Stewart
The Refreshing Pop Hit That Proved Romance Could Be About More Than Physical Attraction Released in 1986 as the lead single from Frantic Romantic,…
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Human – Human League
The Sophisticated Ballad That Reinvented The Human League Released in August 1986 as the lead single from Crash, “Human” marked a dramatic shift in…
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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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Will You Still Love Me? – Chicago
Few bands have reinvented themselves as successfully as Chicago. During the 1970s, they built their reputation on an ambitious blend of rock, jazz, brass,…
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The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby and the Range
Not every hit song of the 1980s was built around synthesizers, screaming guitar solos, or flashy music videos. Sometimes all it took was a…
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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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R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. – John Cougar
Released in 1986 as the fourth single from Scarecrow, “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60’s Rock)” is one of John Cougar Mellencamp’s…
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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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Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
Released in 1986 as the third single from her self-titled debut album, “Greatest Love of All” became one of Whitney Houston’s defining performances and…
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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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On My Own – Patti Labelle & Michael Mcdonald
Released in 1986, “On My Own” became one of the biggest adult contemporary hits of the decade and an unforgettable showcase for two of…
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You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi
Rock music was overflowing with big guitars, towering choruses, and larger-than-life personalities by the mid-1980s, but few songs captured the spirit of the era…
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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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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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Why Can’t This Be Love – Van Halen
Rock fans knew something significant had changed the moment they heard the opening synthesizer chords of “Why Can’t This Be Love.” Released in March…
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Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
Few songs are as instantly associated with the exuberance of the 1980s as “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung. Released in 1986, the…
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Kyrie – Mr. Mister
Few songs from the 1980s are as instantly recognizable as “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister. With its soaring chorus, polished production, and unforgettable melody, the…
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Higher Love – Steve Winwood
By the mid-1980s, Steve Winwood had already enjoyed an extraordinary career. He had been the teenage voice behind the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some…
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When I Think of You – Janet Jackson
By the mid-1980s, Janet Jackson was determined to step out from the enormous shadow cast by her famous family. While she had already released…
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True Blue – Madonna
By the mid-1980s, Madonna had already become one of the biggest stars in the world. She had built her reputation on fearless reinvention, provocative…
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Cameo – Word Up
Few songs capture the playful confidence and infectious energy of the 1980s quite like “Word Up!” by Cameo. Released in 1986, the song exploded…
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Land of Confusion – Genesis
By the mid-1980s, Genesis had mastered the art of creating music that balanced commercial appeal with thoughtful songwriting. While the band had evolved from…
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Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C
Released in July 1986, “Walk This Way” became one of the most important recordings in modern music history. Originally written and recorded by Aerosmith…
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These Dreams – Heart
Released in January 1986 as the third single from the self-titled album Heart, “These Dreams” became a milestone in the legendary band’s career. The…
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Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel
Released in April 1986 as the second single from So, “Sledgehammer” became the biggest commercial success of Peter Gabriel’s solo career and one of…
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Amanda – Boston
Released in September 1986 as the lead single from Third Stage, “Amanda” marked Boston’s triumphant return after an eight-year absence from the music scene.…
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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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(I Just) Died in Your Arms – Cutting Crew
Released in July 1986 as the debut single from Cutting Crew’s first album, Broadcast, “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” became one of the…
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Somewhere Out There – Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram
Released in November 1986 as the centerpiece of the An American Tail soundtrack, “Somewhere Out There” became one of the most beloved duets of…
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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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Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money
Not every hit song launches a career. Some save one. By the mid-1980s, Eddie Money had already established himself as one of rock radio’s…
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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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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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The Lady in Red – Chris Deburgh
Some songs capture a specific moment so perfectly that they become inseparable from romance itself. Chris de Burgh’s “The Lady in Red” is one…
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Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer
Some songs become famous for their unforgettable hooks. Others are remembered for groundbreaking music videos. “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer achieved both. Released…
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