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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Year
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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The Warrior – Scandal Ft. Patty Smith
The Arena Rock Anthem That Became Scandal’s Signature Hit Released in August 1984, “The Warrior” propelled Scandal featuring Patty Smyth from a promising rock…
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Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty – Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
The Duet That Launched Stevie Nicks’ Solo Career in Spectacular Fashion Released in July 1981 as the lead single from Stevie Nicks’ debut solo…
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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…
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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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Poison – Alice Cooper
The Comeback Hit That Put Alice Cooper Back on Top Released in July 1989, “Poison” wasn’t just another hit for Alice Cooper—it was…
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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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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…
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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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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…
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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…
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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’ll Be There for You – Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi spent much of the 1980s dominating arenas with fist-pumping rock anthems and unforgettable sing-alongs. With songs like “You Give Love a Bad…
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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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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…
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Cherish – Kool & the Gang
For much of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kool & the Gang were known for filling dance floors with infectious grooves and feel-good…
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All Those Years Ago – George Harrison
The death of John Lennon on December 8, 1980, sent shockwaves through the music world. Fans struggled to comprehend how one of the most…
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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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What’s on Your Mind (Pure Energy) – Information Society
By the late 1980s, electronic music was becoming impossible to ignore. Synthesizers had evolved from futuristic novelties into essential instruments, and a new generation…
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Two Hearts – Phil Collins
Phil Collins spent the 1980s accomplishing something few artists have ever matched. Whether performing as the drummer and vocalist for Genesis or enjoying enormous…
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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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The Promise – When in Rome
Some songs become closely associated with an era. Others somehow manage to escape it. “The Promise” by When in Rome belongs to the second…
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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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Simply Irresistible – Robert Palmer
By 1988, Robert Palmer had already enjoyed a long and successful career, but he was experiencing an extraordinary second act. After years of critical…
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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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Round and Round – Ratt
By the early 1980s, heavy metal was beginning to evolve. Traditional metal bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were still thriving, but a…
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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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Nightshift – Commodores
The Commodores spent much of the late 1970s establishing themselves as one of the premier bands in R&B. With Lionel Richie serving as lead…
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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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Magic – The Cars
By 1984, The Cars had already established themselves as one of the most innovative bands in rock. Their unique blend of new wave, power…
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Lost in Love – Air Supply
Few duos have ever become as closely associated with romantic ballads as Air Supply. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Russell Hitchcock and…
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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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If You Don’t Know Me by Now – Simply Red
Some songs are so well written that they can thrive in completely different eras. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” is one of…
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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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