Top Picks Lists
Top Alabama Songs of the '80s
Alabama emerged during the '80s as a major act not only in commercial country music but also as a serious crossover pop threat. Here's a look at the group's top songs of this period.
Best Fictional '80s Songs from Movies
'80s music continues to retain a mystique and retro charm that often bleeds into contemporary and even current filmmaking. A number of movies both recent and occasionally even made during the '80s make significant use of actual '80s music to great effect, but a select few go as far as creating original fictional compositions that serve both to celebrate and parody the music of that era.
Top 10 Hard Rock Frontmen of the '80s, Part 1
There is certainly no shortage of hard rock frontmen from the '80s that were significant, memorable and highly visible during the era. Here's a look at some of the most popular, flamboyant and even sometimes talented lead singers of '80s hard rock.
Top 7 Stevie Wonder Songs of the '80s
Here's a look at the finest '80s songs from Motown & soul legend Stevie Wonder.
Top 8 Bruce Cockburn Songs of the '80s
Here's a look at some of singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn's best song contributions during the '80s, a fertile and passionate period of his long career.
Top Songs from MTV's First Day of Music Video Broadcasting
Almost everyone remembers that the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" was the inaugural music video shown on MTV at its August 1, 1981 launch. But here's a look at the best of the rest.
Top 6 Stevie Nicks Solo Songs of the '80s
One of the most iconic and beloved pop music figures of both the '70s and '80s, Stevie Nicks became a full-fledged superstar during the latter decade. Here's a look at some of her best songs of the era.
Top 10 Michael Jackson Moments of the '80s
Now that he's suddenly gone forever, Michael Jackson is guaranteed to receive various tributes and appear as the subject of all manner of remembrances. Here's a look at some of the star's most interesting '80s moments.
Top 7 Rush Songs of the '80s
Because the sound of Geddy Lee's voice can at times feel like heated glass shards in my brain, I haven't done all that much listening to Canadian power trio Rush over the last 15 years or so. Even so, I've never even tried to build an argument that the group's dense compositions aren't musically impressive. Here's a look at the group's best.
More '80s Rock Hall Suggestions
A number of pop/rock artists made the bulk of their impact during the '80s, but far fewer have also accomplished enough to warrant a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sometime during the upcoming decade.
Top Joan Jett Songs of the '80s
Following a stint with the Runaways, Jett embarked on a successful if never fully realized solo career that helped cement her place as rock legend. Here's a look at some of the singer's finest songs of the era.
Top 10 REO Speedwagon Songs of the '80s
Here's a look at the finest tracks from REO Speedwagon's commercial peak of the early and mid-'80s, a collection heavy on power ballads and accessible pop/rock.
Top 8 Culture Club Songs of the '80s
As one of the most recognizable if short-lived superstar acts of the early '80s, Culture Club released some remarkably consistent soul-inflected pop that has stood the test of time. Led outlandishly by the stylishly androgynous Boy George, the band released two classic albums and racked up a number of deserving hit singles.
Top 8 Joe Jackson Songs of the '80s
Although singer-songwriter Joe Jackson quickly became a journeyman stylistically, the first decade or so of his career displays a sort of cohesion in terms of musical quality and consistent output. Here's a look at the finest songs from Jackson's most commercially and critically successful period.
Top '80s Rod Stewart Songs
Throughout a long and still-thriving career in the music business, British rocker, songwriter and pop music icon Rod Stewart has not always done what's expected of him. Here's a look at some of Stewart's finest eclectic '80s offerings.
Top 7 Human League Songs of the '80s
Though known primarily for two of the most lasting pop tunes of the '80s in "Don't You Want Me" and "Human," Sheffield, England's Human League exerted much more influence on the era's pop music landscape than it surely seemed at the time.
Top 9 INXS Songs of the '80s
As one of Australia's most successful musical exports to the United States, the long-lasting sextet INXS also ranks as one of the most consistent pop/rock acts of the '80s. From its early rough-edged pub rock/new wave days to full-fledged pop superstardom, this band explored various genres in always solid songwriting.
Worthy But Underrated Arena Rock Songs of the '80s
Arena rock enjoyed its moment in the sun for as many as six years stretching from the late '70s through the early '80s, which is a pretty good run indeed for one of rock's most maligned genres. Here's a look at some songs in the genre that don't always receive their due.
Top 10 Kenny Loggins Songs of the '80s
As one of the strongest pure pop/rock performers of the '80s - dependent equally on accessible songwriting, a propensity toward love ballads, and powerful injections of rock guitar - music veteran Kenny Loggins found a ready niche in the era's soft rock format.
Top 5 ABC Songs of the '80s
Though active throughout the '80s as a musical entity, Britain's ABC presented most of its lasting work on its wonderful 1982 debut, 'The Lexicon of Love.' A brilliant combination of elegant synth pop, R&B and funk allowed the band to distinguish itself from more morose contemporaries.
Top 10 Ozzy Osbourne Songs of the '80s
The '80s rebirth of Ozzy Osbourne after his 1979 firing from heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath was the first of several occasions in which the singer endured and overcame hardships to continue his success.
Top 9 Psychedelic Furs Songs of the '80s
Aside from having a curious and mysterious band name and settling on an ingenious blend of pop and rock impulses, England's Psychedelic Furs simply had no shortage of great songs. That's what transforms the band's '80s consistency into something far better: a legendary legacy.
Top 7 Nick Lowe Songs of the '80s
The problem with high expectations can be that anything less than meeting them feels like a disappointment. That's a phenomenon that has hounded British singer-songwriter and alternative pop roots rocker Nick Lowe from his earliest pub rock efforts of the early '70s.
Top 10 X Songs
With music of such high quality in its catalogue, X makes it difficult to select only 10 songs to showcase. But it's the good kind of difficulty often referred to as a challenge, and time spent culling the top tunes from the band's five studio albums becomes a rewarding endeavor instantly.
Top 10 Hair Metal/Pop Metal Songs of the '80s
Contrary to popular belief, the prominent '80s genre labeled hair metal, pop metal or glam metal (depending on who was doing the classifying) contained far more than merely power ballads. Here's a look at some of finest rockers from this genre.
Top 10 New Wave Artists of the '80s
When people consider the variety of music genres that peaked during the '80s, new wave often comes up as one of the first topics of discussion. Once a term used somewhat interchangeably with punk rock, new wave eventually expanded to include almost any quirky pop/rock of the era.
Top 8 Sheena Easton Songs of the '80s
Though far from critically acclaimed during her remarkably consistent and eclectic '80s pop career, Scottish singer Sheena Easton always maintained a solid status as major star.
Top 10 Dokken Songs of the '80s
I try to check my biases mostly at the door while serving as your '80s Music Guide, but occasionally I can't help but draw heavily from my personal taste. That may be the case here, but I truly believe that the four-studio-album catalogue of L.A. hard rock mainstays Dokken is substantially deep in quality. Having treated two …
Top 10 Metallica Songs of the '80s
Despite releasing only four full-length studio albums during the band's most relevant decade, brand new Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Metallica delivered a strikingly high percentage of quality tunes during the '80s.
Top 7 Billy Idol Songs of the '80s
In a visual and musical sense, Billy Idol has consistently remained one of the most memorable and beloved icons of the '80s. Here's a look at some of Idol's finest work from that era.
Top 10 Talking Heads Songs of the '80s
In terms of lively eclecticism and independent pop spirit, perhaps no other American band active during the '80s comes close to matching New York's original punk/new wave pioneers Talking Heads. Here's a look at some of the band's finest songs from that period.
Top 7 Motley Crue Songs of the '80s
As one of pop metal's most successful acts of the '80s, Motley Crue thrived in the MTV generation as a photogenic glam metal quartet that was unique in its snarl and dark edge. Here's a look at some of the group's best songs.
Top 5 Motivational '80s Songs to Drive Your Job Search
Lists of generally inspirational '80s pop/rock songs can be long and plentiful, but I thought it might be interesting in these times of layoffs and economic crisis to pick out the ones best suited to galvanize a job search.
Top 8 Dan Fogelberg Songs of the '80s
It may be customary to exaggerate the achievements of musicians after they die young, but the fact remains that singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg will probably always remain a bit underrated. Even so, he was a major pop star through the '70s and '80s, presenting some of the latter decade's most melodic music that did not have any use for trends.
Top Elton John Songs of the '80s
By the end of the '70s Elton John was unmistakably one of the biggest pop stars in the world, even if some would suggest that his career appeared to be in a measure of decline at that point. Still, once his collaboration with long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin became fully renewed, John churned out some high-quality '80s tunes.
Top 6 Dire Straits Songs of the '80s
Most people don't really consider British rockers Dire Straits to be an '80s band, aside from the group's No. 1 hit from 1985, "Money for Nothing," and its music video. But in reality, when active, Dire Straits was one of the decade's most important and unique contributors to the music landscape.
Top 10 Tom Petty Songs of the '80s
As one of the most prolific and high-quality performers of the '80s, rocker and singer-songwriter Tom Petty sometimes slips off the radar of music fans when they consider the most important artists of the '80s. But that's a regrettable oversight easily remedied upon close examination.
Top 6 Heart Songs of the '80s
'70s hard rock outfit Heart didn't release its best, most memorable music of the '80s until it had entirely transformed into a mainstream pop/rock band. And although that transition had its drawbacks, much of this music was among the best of its kind.
From her early years as a full-tilt rocker to her quick evolution into a...
From her early years as a full-tilt rocker to her quick evolution into a pop/rock singer with wide appeal, Pat Benatar always remained an important and skilled representative of '80s music at its finest. Here's a look at a collection of her most signature tracks of the period.
Top 6 Night Ranger Songs of the '80s
Melodic hard rock outfit Night Ranger produced some of the most memorable melodies found in '80s hard rock, even if the group failed to gain much critical respect from rock audiences. Here's a look at some of the band's finest, most well-crafted songs of its seminal period.
Top 7 Billy Joel Songs of the '80s
Singer-songwriter and pop superstar Billy Joel certainly had an abundance of hits during the '80s, but he also suffered from a significant gulf between his critical and commercial reception. Nonetheless, Joel's best work has always exhibited great melodic sense, and he can be a fine, serious songwriter when he wants to be.
Top 6 Spinal Tap Songs of the '80s
As the top parody rock band of the '80s, Spinal Tap provided both commentary on contemporary music and functioned as a vital artist in its own right. Here's a look at the "fictional" band's best and most representative hard rock songs.
Top 7 ZZ Top Songs of the '80s
As one of the decade's most iconic bands in terms of visual image and sound, Texas blues-rock legends ZZ Top made the transition to full-tilt mainstream pop/rock with flair, conviction, and, most importantly, some pretty solid songs.
Top 7 Poison Songs of the '80s
One of hair metal's most popular and vilified bands of the '80s, Poison made some of the era's most defining music, for better or for worse depending on your perspective.
Top 6 Men at Work Songs of the '80s
Despite an unfortunately brief three-year run on the pop music landscape, the Australian former bar band Men at Work made an indelible mark on '80s music. And unlike many of its contemporaries, the group did so by focusing squarely on making great, eclectic rock music like these fine tunes.
Top Kool & the Gang Songs of the '80s
Here's my take on the best tracks from the most commercially successful years of the classic funk/soul band Kool & the Gang. Although the music certainly took on a strong pop flavor as the decade wore on, the band pumped out a consistent string of high-quality hits such as these, presented in chronological order.
Top 7 Chicago Songs of the '80s
Here's a look at the cream of the crop from Chicago's distinctive if somewhat disappointing '80s phase, a list of songs far shorter than the Billboard charts back then might have suggested.
Top 6 Go-Go's Songs of the '80s
The Go-Go's made quite a splash as one of rock's first entirely self-reliant, highly successful rock bands. In the process, the band released an impressive variety of quality music over three studio albums. Here's a look at the group's best.
Top 9 Genesis Songs of the '80s
Few bands have displayed a capacity for reinvention as dramatic or successful as Genesis, a band that embraced weirdness under the direction of Peter Gabriel but pure pop melodicism when drummer Phil Collins took the helm. Here's a look at some of that band's finest tunes in the latter category, pop confections that house far more musical substance than they're ever given credit for.
Top 8 Phil Collins Songs of the '80s
Pop-oriented Genesis frontman Phil Collins hasn't always received a lot of respect as a rock artist, but his solo work during the '80s provides no shortage of evidence that he released plenty of high-quality music as he made the transition from rock to full-fledged pop throughout the decade.
Top 10 Musical Themes Composed Especially for '80s TV Shows
This is one of those lists that varies wildly depending on the ear and the beholder, but I like to think this countdown touches both on my personal favorites and some of the most interesting, emblematic themes implanted permanently in our collective memory.
Top 6 Bangles Songs of the '80s
All-female '80s rockers the Bangles have always been most well-known for music its members contributed the least, but the truth of this fine band's legacy can be gleaned from its highly original '60s-tinged, guitar-based pop sound.
Top 10 Soft Rock Songs of the '80s
The golden age of soft rock came during the mid to late '70s, when the singer-songwriter movement and the propensity of country-rock and folk-rock blends combined to forge a gentle pop/rock sound quite popular among mainstream music fans. However, this trend also extended successfully into the first few years of the '80s, as these songs attest.
Top 6 Loverboy Songs of the '80s
Though several of Loverboy’s five full-length album releases of the '80s had their share of filler tracks and silly slices of cheesy machismo, the best songs from this one-of-a-kind new wave/arena rock band stand proudly as some of the best music of the decade.
Top 8 Cyndi Lauper Songs of the '80s
Cyndi Lauper became an unforgettable '80s icon through her unique blend of punk/new wave style and a distinctively free-spirited persona. But it's the strength of her best songs that will continue to ensure that she is remembered fondly as an important '80s pop music artist as well as a highly visible one.
Top 6 Air Supply Songs of the '80s
Australian duo Air Supply dominated the pop music charts during the first half of the '80s, even if rock music purists cringed at the very realization of the group's existence. However, that certainly didn't stop legions of adult contemporary and soft rock record buyers from making the singing partnership of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock...
Top 8 Def Leppard Songs of the '80s
This quintet from Sheffield, England took early glam rock and British heavy metal leanings and transformed them into a hitmaking juggernaut in the '80s. And the result of that metamorphosis was, naturally, a bevy of good songs, high on hooks but still possessing a genuine hard rock drive.
Top 8 Elvis Costello Songs of the '80s
Although Elvis Costello made his biggest splash in the late '70s as a pub rock/punk/new wave singer-songwriter, the decade in which he demonstrably proved his eclecticism and broad range of talents was undoubtedly the '80s.
Top 7 Rick Springfield Songs of the '80s
Though often unfairly labeled as a teenybopper’s fantasy lacking in artistic substance, Rick Springfield was actually one of the '80s finest practitioners of mainstream rock, striking a singular marriage between a power pop obsession with melody and a rebel rocker’s penchant for guitar riffs.
Top 8 Huey Lewis & the News Songs of the '80s
As one of the '80s most quintessential bands, Huey Lewis & the News actually carved out a rather independent if middle-of-the-road path to pop stardom. After all, while other artists responded to changing trends and adapted to emerging genres, the Bay Area band continued to play its accessible brand of bar band heartland rock throughout the decade.
Top 8 Cars Songs of the '80s
Removing the Cars’ excellent first two albums from consideration would seem like a pretty devastating handicap, but the band’s consistency during its career of just under a decade ensures plenty of great '80s tunes to choose from for a best-of list.
Top 10 '80s U.S. Music Scenes
The fabric of American music, particularly of the underground variety, where distinctiveness could more easily be preserved, spread out to reveal a wonderful tapestry of innovation and energy. Along the way, a few geographical regions seemed to house most '80s musical activity.
Top 8 Duran Duran Songs of the '80s
When asked to name important artists of the '80s, very few music fans of that era would leave Duran Duran off their short lists. Here are eight reasons why the band has become so inextricably tied to the glamorous, shimmering decade it matched so perfectly.
Top 8 Journey Songs of the '80s
Over the course of only three albums, former prog rockers turned rock balladeers Journey churned out an impressive array of hit singles and prime album tracks. Almost all are worthy of praise, but it’s also notable that a handful of these tunes have not only withstood the test of time but stand up well to focused scrutiny.
Top 6 .38 Special Songs of the '80s: A Full Chamber
Rooted deeply in Southern rock and a hard-driving '70s rock sound, .38 Special actually did not become a distinct entity with its own sound until the band developed a smooth, tuneful hybrid of hard rock and melodic, guitar-oriented pop in the early '80s.
Top 10 Hall & Oates Songs of the '80s
Despite a versatility uncommon for musical artists of any era, few acts are more strongly linked to the '80s than the long-running duo of Daryl Hall & John Oates. During the first half of the decade, the pair forged an impressive status as reliable hitmakers that was simply unmatched.
Top 10 Bon Jovi Songs of the '80s
As arguably pop metal’s finest and most accessible band of the '80s, Bon Jovi churned out a number of arena rock classics, combining a straightforward, almost heartland rock sound with a glossy image to rule the latter half of the decade. Some were hits without being great songs, but this New Jersey band’s best work stands confidently with the...
Top 8 '80s Songs That Address a Person by Name in the Title
Here's a look at some of the best music of the '80s addressed directly to another person, an interesting list of top hits and lesser-known album tracks from various genres.
Top 8 Wham! & George Michael Songs of the '80s
Throughout his glossy '80s journey to superstardom, George Michael stood firm as perhaps the era’s purest pop singer-songwriter. His obsession with glamorous melodic content fueled the music of Wham!, the duo he founded with childhood pal Andrew Ridgeley, and also drove his massive success as a solo artist.
Top 10 Pretenders Songs of the '80s
Although always a vehicle for charismatic frontwoman Chrissie Hynde’s songwriting, the Pretenders initially emerged as a highly eclectic, talented quartet of musicians capable of producing various rock and pop styles. The best of the band’s '80s tunes employ a fierce, ragged rock and roll approach but benefit also from a tuneful pop sensibility fueled by Hynde’s unique vocal style.
Top 8 Bryan Adams Songs of the '80s
Many people may not be aware that Canadian mainstream rocker Bryan Adams enjoyed his greatest success in the '90s as a balladeer and movie theme crooner. Nonetheless, his chart success in the '80s was nothing to scoff at, not to mention the fact that his music during that period was much more interesting. Here’s a look at some of the singer’s...
Top 10 Madonna Songs of the '80s
Perhaps few would argue that the '80s were Madonna's peak of influence, but coming up with a list of the top Madonna songs from that period is a particularly challenging enterprise.
Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs of the '80s
With only three albums released within the decade, albeit big, successful ones, Michael Jackson is really best examined as a singles artist. As such, from a Billboard charts perspective, it’s tough to pinpoint his best work because he was such an '80s phenomenon. Here’s a look at 10 of his strongest tunes, warts and all.
Top 10 Punk Rock & Hardcore Bands of the '80s
The early '80s may have been best-known for new wave, but fiercely independent punk rock and hardcore bands like these continued to make vitally significant music throughout the decade.
Top 10 Prince Songs of the '80s
Here's a countdown of the most essential tunes from the extraordinarily varied '80s catalogue of the true American original who at that time went by the simple but striking name of Prince. Find out why he still stands today as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of the highest order.
Top 5 Whitney Houston Singles of the '80s
Although Whitney Houston burst on the scene only when the '80s were already half over and released only two albums within the decade, she was an '80s icon through and through. Still, her small output and singles-heavy albums require a greater selectivity when it comes to compiling her best work into a list format.
Top 10 Police Songs of the '80s
The Police were unique among its '80s compatriots as a band that produced remarkably consistent albums, so coming up with a short list of the group's top 10 songs of the decade is a challenging enterprise indeed. Nonetheless, this chronological selection of Police classics proves that the effort is a worthy one.
Top 10 U2 Songs of the '80s
U2 evolved from a post-punk jangle guitar outfit to arena rockers before finishing out the '80s delving into roots rock. Along the way, the band produced some of the highest-quality, most intriguing music of the rock era, not to mention the decade. Here’s a look at 10 of the best '80s songs from one of rock’s greatest bands.
Top 10 John Mellencamp Songs of the '80s
With or without the "Cougar" designation, Indiana singer-songwriter John Mellencamp enjoyed a very deep '80s catalogue. Distilling his best material from that body of work is therefore challenging and rewarding for the patient listener. Here's a preliminary look at this essential artist's finest compositions.
Top 10 Hard Rock Songs of the '80s
Hard rock during the '80s was a lucrative style of music that brimmed with multitudes of bands representing various genres. Therefore, separating out the best songs from such a large pool of possibility is quite the challenging enterprise. Here's a look at 10 tracks that stand out as would-be, should-be or set-in-stone classics from this fruitful era of hard rock.
Top 7 Lionel Richie Songs of the '80s
For better or worse, few things scream “'80s” quite like the songs of Lionel Richie. Even for listeners who fancied themselves sophisticated music fans, Richie’s biggest hits formed a semi-permanent soundtrack inside their brains. Here’s a look at a few of the smooth singer’s best, the ones you might not have to be ashamed of enjoying.
'80s Queen Songs - Top Queen Songs of the '80s
Operatic '70s hard rock superstars Queen ultimately generated nearly as much success during the band's '80s run as it did in its earliest phase, and that's no accident. The venerable British quartet released five full length albums during the latter decade, featuring eclectic music that spanned genres as disparate as funky dance-pop, roots...
Top Toto Songs of the '80s
Never one of rock music's most critically acclaimed bands, Toto nonetheless achieved impressive levels of success during its heyday from the very late '70s through the mid '80s. And although the group's best music doesn't extend far beyond its biggest hits and most familiar tracks, that handful of eclectic pop songs continues to stand as some of...
Top Eddie Money Songs of the '80s
Mainstream rock singer for the masses Eddie Money amassed a total of 23 charting singles during the first, more commercially relevant half of his career, which stretched roughly a decade and a half from 1977 to 1992. The clear majority of those songs were released during the '80s, a decade in which Money produced five solo albums and posted his...
Top 10 Scorpions Songs of the '80s
Germany's Scorpions are one of the longest-lived and consistently productive hard rock bands on the planet, having forged well beyond a 40-year career as major representatives of that genre. The group traversed most of the '70s in understated but workmanlike fashion, emerging ultimately in the '80s as pop/rock superstars as well as fine...
Top Styx Songs of the '80s
At first glance, it might not seem that Chicago-based arena rock band Styx released enough records to fill a lengthy '80s best-of songs list. However, the band's deep catalogue is probably underrated in terms of consistent quality, as not enough credit goes to the band's arsenal of three distinctive and collaborative songwriters. As a result,...
'80s Queen Songs - Top Queen Songs of the '80s
Operatic '70s hard rock superstars Queen ultimately generated nearly as much success during the band's '80s run as it did in its earliest phase, and that's no accident. The venerable British quartet released five full length albums during the latter decade, featuring eclectic music that spanned genres as disparate as funky dance-pop, roots...
Top Marshall Crenshaw Songs of the '80s
Singer-songwriter Marshall Crenshaw emerged on the pop music scene at the right time for his melodic, throwback rock and roll to find an immediate niche. During the early '80s, a power pop revival of sorts along with the popularity of new wave allowed music fans to hear his accomplished but accessible guitar pop. Unfortunately, the remaining...
Top 7 Bob Seger Songs of the '80s
Heartland rocker Bob Seger delivered some of the '80s finest, quietly moving mainstream rock and did so with a greater consistency than almost any of his peers. Despite only three studio albums, his impact on the decade's musical landscape was significant enough to put him on the short list of important rock artists for both the '70s and '80s....
Top Donna Summer Songs of the '80s
Some music observers may not realize that R&B/dance pop singer-songwriter Donna Summer enjoyed almost as much success in the '80s as she did during the '70s, when she became a bona fide disco diva superstar. In fact, Summer was arguably more active during the latter decade, releasing six studio albums compared to the five she produced during...
From the start of their career as the '80s began, New Jersey's Smithereens...
From the start of their career as the '80s began, New Jersey's Smithereens put their focus on pop music songcraft wrapped up in an aggressive, crunchy guitar rock package. The band's blend was quite singular and became a favorite in college rock and early alternative rock circles without falling into any obvious categories. Here's a look at this...
Top '80s Songs of The Fixx
English rock band The Fixx was one of the most consistent and prolific artists of the '80s, posting several hit singles and releasing five full-length albums. However, the high quality of the band's catalogue extends far beyond its most familiar tracks. For this reason, distilling the best songs from The Fixx during the group's peak era requires...
Top Billy Squier Songs of the '80s
Seasoned mainstream rock artist Billy Squier may have seemed like a new face when he emerged with his debut album in 1980, but actually he had been plying his trade for years in Piper, a band that never quite made it big in '70s rock. That experience helped Squier hit the ground running, and he perfected a certain brand of big rock through six...
Top Kenny Rogers Solo Songs of the '80s
As the '70s became the '80s, few musical artists existed on the planet who were more widely popular than country music veteran and soft rock specialist Kenny Rogers. Although his biggest hits had probably already happened by the turn of the decade, Rogers remained a huge crossover pop artist for the first half of the '80s.
Top '80s Solo Songs by Members of The Eagles
Following the break-up of The Eagles, one of '70s rock's most popular and critically revered bands, the group's members had talent to burn outside the confines of a band structure. All in all, six of the band's total of seven members released at least two records during the '80s as solo artists. While only a small proportion of these artists...
Top '80s Songs by The Who
Despite releasing only two studio albums during the early '80s before going on long-term hiatus, The Who produced some important and lasting music in the years immediately following original drummer Keith Moon's tragic death. This output may not have matched several of the band's classic album-length statements of the '60s and '70s, but the...
Top J. Geils Band Songs of the '80s
Though as a consistent, full-fledged six-piece powerhouse rock ensemble its best work was already in the past, the J. Geils Band made a vital contribution to the pop and mainstream rock landscape of the early '80s. With its two albums before frontman Peter Wolf left for a solo career, the group produced eclectic, bluesy music that also embraced...
Top '80s Songs of The Alarm
Although '80s Welsh rock band The Alarm received only limited critical respect for its impassioned, arena-ready guitar rock, the group produced plenty of strong melodic songs that at times stood tall among the best early alternative rock of the era. Constantly overshadowed by a band with a similar sound and career path - Irish superstars U2 -...
Top Crowded House Songs of the '80s
Though Australia-based guitar pop band Crowded House released only two full-length albums and a smattering of singles during the '80s, the group made a major mark on that decade. For nearly a decade extending into the '90s, in fact, Crowded House held a proud flag aloft for thoughtful mainstream rock with a touch of alternative rock sensibility....
Top Robert Palmer Songs of the '80s
It was tempting to dismiss British singer Robert Palmer as a slick product of the '80s and a pop star in the most superficial sense of the term. However, upon closer examination, Palmer had already built a stunningly eclectic, surprisingly accomplished pop/rock career by the time he became a superstar during the mid '80s. Here's a chronological...
Top Corey Hart Songs of the '80s
Montreal native Corey Hart emerged during the early '80s with quite a few weapons in his arsenal: matinee-idol good looks, a powerful, passionate pop/rock voice and some convincing, distinctive melodies. Immediately upon the release of his debut album, Hart became a star in both the U.S. and his homeland. And even though that trend would...
Top '80s Songs of The Church
Probably one of the finest and most prolific guitar rock bands of the '80s, The Church began its career with a hard-charging rock sound accompanied sometimes oddly by frontman Steve Kilbey's almost gothic vocal delivery. Later on, the band would soften its sound and become known for a far more mellow sound that hinged on haunting, arpeggiated...
Top Eurythmics Songs of the '80s
British pop music duo Eurythmics emerged during the early '80s with a unique post-punk aesthetic that meshed immediately with the developing genres of new wave and synth pop. However, the singular, soul-inflected vocals of Annie Lennox combined with Dave Stewart's analytical musical approach helped distinguish the group from a wide array of...
Top Cheap Trick Songs of the '80s
The pride of Rockford, Illinois, Cheap Trick perfected a unique form of melodic mainstream rock and generated some classic tunes during both the '70s and '80s.
Top Richard Marx Songs of the '80s
Here's a look at the best Richard Marx songs culled from a small but potent body of late '80s work.
Top Steve Winwood Songs of the '80s
Rock legend Steve Winwood contributed a number of permanent pop classics to the '80s music landscape. Here's a look at his best work of that period.
Top '80s Songs of The Replacements
The Replacements remain one of the most important rock bands of the '80s even if they never received due attention during their peak era.
Top Tears for Fears Songs of the '80s
Tears for Fears developed a deserved reputation as one of the premier rock music bands for sensitive, thoughtful audiences. Here's a look at the British group's finest work of the '80s.
Top 10 Songs of 1985
Aside from being right in the middle of the '80s chronologically, 1985 was undoubtedly a central year in the decade’s musical offerings. Many of the most popular and highest-quality tunes this year stood as big, sweeping statements of both style and substance.
Top Berlin Songs of the '80s
Synth pop band Berlin produced some fine songs within its genre during the first half of the '80s. Here's a look at the group's best work.
Top 9 Violent Femmes Songs of the '80s
Exploring the back catalogue of a band like the Violent Femmes, one of rock music’s all-time cult favorites, is a rewarding enterprise just on its own merit. But when placed against the backdrop of the '80s music landscape, it’s a particularly eye-opening experience.
Top 8 Foreigner Songs of the '80s… Plus Lou Gramm Solo
While the meticulous nature of group leader Mick Jones helped limit Foreigner’s '80s output to just three albums, the reinvented '70s arena rock band produced some of the decade’s most memorable and iconic tunes.
Top Squeeze Songs of the '80s
U.K. new wave and guitar pop band Squeeze brought a certain sophistication to '80s music with urbane songwriting and bright, complex melodies. Here's a look at some of the group's best songs of the era.
Top 10 Van Halen Songs of the '80s
Although Southern California’s hard rock heroes Van Halen made quite a splash in the late '70s when the band debuted, the group certainly built its lasting legacy through its prolific work during the '80s.
Top '80s Songs of The Outfield
English guitar rock band The Outfield managed for a time during the late '80s to be one of mainstream rock's fast-rising talents to watch. Here's a look at some of the group's best songs of the period.
Top Gloria Estefan Songs of the '80s
As lead singer and frontwoman of Latin pop band Miami Sound Machine, Gloria Estefan became a major star in English-speaking markets. Here's a look at her best '80s songs.
Top Songs of The Motels
Though dependent on the feminine attributes of lead singer Martha Davis, The Motels also presented an array of quality music during the first half of the '80s.
Top Mr. Mister Songs of the '80s
'80s pop/rock band Mr. Mister rarely gets much respect from music enthusiasts looking back on its somewhat safe sound, but the group became major hitmakers in 1985 and scored some genuine classics along the way.
Top Howard Jones Songs of the '80s
English keyboardist and singer-songwriter Howard Jones quietly became a major pop music artist of the mid '80s, delivering plenty of memorable melodies and thoughtful material.
Top 8 Most Memorable Pop/Rock Holiday Songs of the '80s
Any list of songs, best or worst and in between, contains the potential of inspiring polar emotional responses, but perhaps on no topic is this more true than Christmas music. Here's a look at my picks for the most memorable pop/rock holiday tunes of the '80s.
Top 10 Male-Female Duets of the '80s
One of pop music’s best opportunities to explore its theatrical side reveals itself quite often in duets featuring aptly paired male and female performers. This form has persisted throughout many eras of music but perhaps never belonged more fully than during the '80s. Here’s a look at some of the decade’s finest both-gender pairings.
Top David Bowie Solo Songs of the '80s
'70s glam rock icon David Bowie entered the '80s as an active, relevant artist and quick fit into the post-MTV landscape as a continuously stylish singer-songwriter. Here's a look at his best songs from the latter decade.
Top Bonnie Tyler Songs of the '80s
Scottish singer Bonnie Tyler built an iconic '80s mainstream rock sound that remains significant even if her chart relevance was limited. Here's a look at her best songs of the period.
Top 10 Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s
While no one would ever argue that hair metal was a genre full of variety, the form did boast a handful of archetypes, the most well-known of which is probably the glorious power ballad. Here's a look at 10 of the '80s most impressive representatives of that form.
Top Christopher Cross Songs of the '80s
Soft rock singer-songwriter Christopher Cross enjoyed massive success during the early '80s even if he didn't always receive matching respect as an artist. Here's a look at his finest songs of the period.
Top 10 Husker Du Songs
Initially, Husker Du's songs were short blasts of aggressive guitar, shouted vocals and breakneck tempos. However, as the trio grew and expanded its sound, a greater emphasis on melody and genre exploration began to define a Husker Du track. Along the way, the band was highly responsible for forging the emerging styles of modern rock,...
Top Deep Purple Songs of the '80s
Though known for its memorable '70s output, British hard rock band Deep Purple also produced a number of underrated songs during an '80s period of reformation.
Top Steve Earle Songs of the '80s
Though active for nearly a decade previously as a burgeoning singer-songwriter on the Texas music scene, eclectic country rock artist Steve Earle seemed to emerge suddenly as an important figure during the latter half of the '80s. Across three albums of genre-busting material, Earle reflected an outlaw renegade spirit that allowed him to explore...
Top 10 '80s Songs Featured on '80s Film Soundtracks
One way to experience '80s music on an entirely different level was through the visual medium of film, and often a tie-in to a hit film could give a single a boost like no other. While some '80s films were focused on retro music, especially if they were period pieces, the most indelible soundtrack offerings celebrated the '80s right along with...
Top 10 European Artists of the '80s
Artists from Europe made a definite impact on '80s music in Britain and America, and although they were generally able only to do so when they sang in English, sprinklings of European culture found their way into heavy metal and synth pop alike.
Top 10 '80s Songs About Work
Songs about work have always been a staple of popular music, but modern music has placed a special spin on the topic. The '80s in particular were blessed with plenty of fodder for meditations on the changing landscape of the workplace, from gender roles to the erosion of America's industrial base.
Top 10 '80s Love Songs of Heartache & Heartbreak
The '80s were heavily populated with over-the-top love songs, so a list of the most notable ones holds that much more significance for the selectivity involved. These songs allow the listener to wallow so completely in self-involved sorrow that the world outside ceases to exist. They're not necessarily the best love songs '80s pop music had to...
Top 10 '80s Artists from Australia and New Zealand
Although largely Anglicized and therefore not obviously distinct from rock and pop musicians of the U.S. and U.K., artists from Australia and New Zealand spun an intriguing web of musical offerings during the '80s. The two island nations contributed a wide array of styles and demonstrated unique tinges of eclecticism, all of which rounded out...
Top 10 Canadian Artists of the '80s
Our neighbor to the north has always produced an impressive array of entertainers, from movies to TV and, of course, music. The '80s were a particularly kind decade to Canadian artists, as the U.S. mainstream rock and pop charts often left plenty of room for them to spread out and get comfortable.
Top 6 Stevie Nicks Solo Songs of the '80s
One of the most iconic and beloved pop music figures of both the '70s and '80s, Stevie Nicks became a full-fledged superstar during the latter decade. Here's a look at some of her best songs of the era.
Top Kansas Songs of the '80s
The American rock band Kansas experienced an onslaught of change during the '80s, ranging from personnel shifts, a rise in spiritual and even outright Christian lyrical themes, and a steady move away from its original heartland take on progressive rock. Most critics saw these changes in an almost exclusively negative light, but the various '80s...
Top 10 Eric Clapton Songs of the '80s
Though valued mainly for his distinctive electric guitar sound as a lead guitarist in several legendary bands as well as his long solo career, British superstar Eric Clapton is also a fine singer-songwriter capable of success in various genres from pure blues to blues rock and classic rock. Here's a chronological look at Clapton's best tunes...
Top Singing Drummers of the '80s
Full-time rock music drummers who also spent a significant amount of their time singing lead for their bands are rare commodities indeed. The landscape of '80s music is no different in this regard, although the biggest names may not always be the best examples of this musical phenomenon. Here's a look at the best singing drummers of the '80s.
Top Jefferson Starship & Starship Songs of the '80s
Never a critical favorite, the arena rock version of Jefferson Starship morphed into the even more maligned slick pop outfit Starship with much commercial success. The group's output certainly suffers from mixed quality but does have its moments.
Top Ratt Songs of the '80s
'80s pop metal band Ratt combined a heavy, menacing sound with pop-tinged melodies to become one of the era's best and most underrated hard rock bands of the era.
Top Fleetwood Mac Songs of the '80s
Though ultimately remembered best for its massive '70s output, legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac managed to remain quite active and successful throughout the '80s.