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Time Out Ranks the 10 Best Songs of the 1980s

other · 2026-09-03

Time Out has published a ranking of the 10 best songs of the 1980s, drawing from a larger list of 64 hits. The list spans diverse genres, from synth-pop to arena rock, and includes tracks by Madonna, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Eurythmics, Toto, New Order, Journey, Whitney Houston, A-ha, and Fleetwood Mac. The number one spot goes to Fleetwood Mac's 'Everywhere,' praised for its addictive quality and universal appeal. Other highlights include A-ha's 'Take On Me' at number two, noted for its groundbreaking music video and Morten Harket's vocal range, and Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' at number three, which balances euphoria with underlying loneliness. The list also features 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey, which became the best-selling digital track of the 20th century, and 'Africa' by Toto, which gained renewed popularity through a Weezer cover. The ranking emphasizes the decade's musical diversity and the enduring cultural impact of these songs.

Key facts

  • Time Out ranked the 10 best songs of the 1980s, based on a larger list of 64 hits.
  • Fleetwood Mac's 'Everywhere' is ranked number one.
  • A-ha's 'Take On Me' is ranked number two, with its video winning six MTV Video Music Awards.
  • Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' is ranked number three.
  • Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' became the best-selling digital track of the 20th century.
  • Toto's 'Africa' was covered by Weezer, introducing it to a new generation.
  • David Bowie's 'Modern Love' was his first collaboration with Nile Rodgers.
  • New Order's 'The Perfect Kiss' was directed by Jonathan Demme in a live performance video.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Time Out
  • MTV
  • Major League Soccer

Locations

  • Compton
  • Norway

Sources