THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL 80s SONGS- The Top 10. THIS IS THE FINAL INSTALMENT FOR THIS COUNTDOWN. A new countdown begins here next week.

THE ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS

OF THE

1980s

These are the songs that mattered most in terms of breaking new ground; changing the musical landscape and influencing the music that followed. These 200 songs helped shape the music of the present day and / or captured that timeless quality.

To be eligible for the list, a song first appeared –on an album or single- between Jan. 1980 and Dec. 1989

10 A FOREST

THE CURE -1980

 

The Cure drew from the psychedelia and punk rock of the past to recreate a brand new approach to music. The group's sound was mysterious and alluring yet still cleverly included pop hooks.

9 HOW SOON IS NOW?

THE SMITHS - 1984

 

The Smiths changed British pop forever. Morrisey's vocals remain influential, as does Johnny Marr's inspiring guitar work.

8 WALK THIS WAY

RUN D.M.C. featuring Steven Tyler & Joe Perry -1986

 

Hip-hop group Run DMC scored rap's 1st Top 10 hit when it covered an Aerosmith song. This re-interpretation featured that band's lead singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry as guests. Their inclusion helped usher rock and mainstream audiences towards the genre. This hit opened the floodgates. 

7 THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT

THE JAM - 1980

 

Paul Weller became 1 of the leading songwriters of British rock with his stinging lyrics on songs by his groups The Jam and (later) The Style Council. "That's Entertainment" set The Jam up as 1 of the integral punk groups of the 1980s with its confronting observations.

6 RAPTURE

BLONDIE - 1980

 

In 1980, rap was still a niche` sound largely despised and ignored by the mainstream. When "Rapture" was released as a single in 1981, white audiences suddenly had a rap song in their record collection. Blondie, always a musically adventurous group, made rap safe and palatable for a white and pop market. Groundbreaking stuff.

5 PACIFIC

808 STATE - 1989

With "Pacific" (aka "Pacific 707" & "Pacific State"), 808 State pioneered the sound of acid house that would explode in the 1990s. 

4 THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE

U2 - 1984

 

U2 shifted musical gears on the 1984 album 'The Unforgettable Fire'. With producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, the group created an innovative new sound that exemplified the sound of the 1980s. The title track influenced countless other rock acts in the years to come.

3 PLANET ROCK

AFRICA BAMBAATAA & THE SOUL SONIC FORCE - 1982

 

In the years when rap was struggling to find mainstream popularity, "Planet Rock" merged hip hop beats with the electronic sound of Kraftwerk. Africa Bambaataa went on to influence house music and trance. While it was never a commercial hit, the song has left an undeniable mark on rap and dance music. 

2 BLUE MONDAY

NEW ORDER - 1983

 

"Blue Monday" defined dance music in the 1980s. New Order used sequencers to shape a new sound that drew from the electronica of Kraftwerk. This dance music anthem has been remixed countless times and is still the best selling 12" of all-time.

1 THE MESSAGE

GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS FIVE - 1982

 

By the time of this song's release, you could still count all the rap hits on 1 hand. While the genre's 1st chart entry "Rappers Delight" introduced audiences to its bluster and swagger. "Rapture" incorporated a rap from Debbie Harry on a Blondie pop hit. But "The Message" introduced the maintream to the candid themes and commentary of the burgeoning new genre. It took the street sounds of America to the Top 10 charts in Britain, New Zealand and Europe. Today, hip hop is the dominant sound in pop music.