29 Unforgettable 80s Bangers: The Best Songs of the Decade

Updated at: 03/06/2025

1989 was a monumental year in music, a melting pot of genres and styles that continues to resonate with listeners today. This wasn't just a year of catchy tunes; it was a cultural explosion. From the soaring power ballads that dominated the airwaves to the innovative synth-pop that pushed boundaries, 1989 offered a diverse soundscape that cemented its place in music history. We're celebrating this legacy by showcasing a collection of unforgettable tracks, each a testament to the era's creative energy and lasting influence. Think of the infectious energy that defined an entire generation, the heartfelt vulnerability poured into iconic anthems, and the groundbreaking sounds that redefined pop music as we know it. The artists behind these songs, many at the peak of their careers, gifted us with music that transcended trends.

This curated list aims to transport you back to a time of big hair, bold fashion, and music that simply moved you. Whether you were there the first time around or are discovering these classics for the first time, you'll find an incredible range of styles represented—from the iconic power chords of one generation's anthem to the smooth vocals that defined an era's romanticism. This is more than just a playlist; it's a journey through the sounds of a year that shaped the musical landscape, promising an unforgettable listening experience that highlights the enduring appeal of 1989’s musical genius. It's a reminder of the power of music to connect us across generations, and a celebration of the artists who gifted us with such timeless tracks.

  • Take on Me
    1

    Take on Me

    a-ha

    1984

    Hunting High and Low

  • Sweet Child O' Mine
    2

    Sweet Child O' Mine

    Guns N' Roses

    1987

    Appetite For Destruction

  • Billie Jean
    3

    Billie Jean

    Michael Jackson

    1982

    Thriller

  • Never Gonna Give You Up
    4

    Never Gonna Give You Up

    Rick Astley

    1987

    Whenever You Need Somebody

  • Girls Just Want to Have Fun
    5

    Girls Just Want to Have Fun

    Cyndi Lauper

    1983

    She's So Unusual

  • Every Breath You Take
    6

    Every Breath You Take

    The Police

    1983

    Synchronicity (Remastered 2003)

  • Careless Whisper
    7

    Careless Whisper

    George Michael

    1984

  • The Final Countdown
    8

    The Final Countdown

    Europe

    1986

    The Final Countdown (Expanded Edition)

  • Livin' On A Prayer
    9

    Livin' On A Prayer

    Bon Jovi

    1986

    Slippery When Wet

  • Africa
    10

    Africa

    TOTO

    1982

    Toto IV

  • Eye of the Tiger
    11

    Eye of the Tiger

    Survivor

    1982

    Working Class Dog

  • Sweet Dreams
    12

    Sweet Dreams

    Eurythmics,Annie Lennox,Dave Stewart

    1983

    Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

  • Another One Bites The Dust
    13

    Another One Bites The Dust

    Queen

    1980

    The Game (Deluxe Remastered Version)

  • Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
    14

    Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

    Wham!

    1984

  • I Wanna Dance with Somebody
    15

    I Wanna Dance with Somebody

    Whitney Houston

    1987

    Whitney

  • Take My Breath Away
    16

    Take My Breath Away

    Berlin

    1986

    Slippery When Wet

  • Don't You
    17

    Don't You

    Simple Minds

    1985

    Once Upon A Time (Super Deluxe)

  • Don't Stop Believin'
    18

    Don't Stop Believin'

    Journey

    1981

    Escape (2022 Remaster)

  • Like a Prayer
    19

    Like a Prayer

    Madonna

    1989

    Faith

  • You Spin me 'round
    20

    You Spin me 'round

    Dead Or Alive

    1985

  • Purple Rain
    21

    Purple Rain

    Prince

    1984

    Purple Rain

  • Jump
    22

    Jump

    Van Halen

    1984

    1984 (Remastered)

  • Man in the Mirror
    23

    Man in the Mirror

    Michael Jackson

    1987

    Bad 25th Anniversary

  • Pour Some Sugar On Me
    24

    Pour Some Sugar On Me

    Def Leppard

    1987

    Hysteria (Super Deluxe)

  • Fast Car
    25

    Fast Car

    Tracy Chapman

    1988

    Tracy Chapman

  • Rock the Casbah
    26

    Rock the Casbah

    The Clash

    1982

    Combat Rock (Remastered)

  • Call Me
    27

    Call Me

    Blondie

    1980

    Lost in Love

  • Faith
    28

    Faith

    George Michael

    1987

    Faith

  • Under Pressure
    29

    Under Pressure

    David Bowie,Queen

    1981

    Hot Space (Deluxe Remastered Version)