Sunday, December 31, 1989

Top 100 Songs from 1980 to 1989

Top 100 Songs of the Decade:

1980-1989

These are the top 100 songs from the 1980s according to Dave’s Music Database. Rankings are figured by combining sales figures, chart data, radio airplay, video airplay, streaming figures, awards, and appearances on best-of lists.

Check out other “songs of the decade” lists here.

Check out the Dave’s Music Database book, Music of the 1980s.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode Music of the 1980s which references songs on this list. It debuted December 14, 2021 at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.


1. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)
2. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
3. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)
4. Prince “When Doves Cry” (1984)
5. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts “I Love Rock and Roll” (1981)
6. U2 “With or Without You” (1987)
7. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
8. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
9. Van Halen “Jump” (1984)
10. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)

11. AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)
12. Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart”(1980)
13. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
14. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” (1982)
15. U.S.A. for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
16. The Human League “Don’t You Want Me?” (1981)
17. Madonna “Like a Prayer” (1989)
18. Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (1981)
19. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (1987)
20. Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981)

21. Queen “Another One Bites the Dust” (1980)
22. Kool & the Gang “Celebration” (1980)
23. Aha “Take on Me” (1984)
24. Blondie “Call Me” (1980)
25. New Order “Blue Monday” (1983)
26. U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (1987)
27. Foreigner “I Want to Know What Love Is” (1984)
28. Dexy’s Midnight Runner “Come on Eileen” (1982)
29. Olivia Newton-John “Physical” (1981)
30. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)

31. Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” (1983)
32. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five “The Message” (1982)
33. Run-D.M.C. with Steven Tyler & Joe Perry “Walk This Way” (1986)
34. Kenny Rogers “Lady” (1980)
35. Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (1985)
36. Willie Nelson “Always on My Mind” (1982)
37. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)
38. George Michael “Careless Whisper” (1984)
39. Frankie Goes to Hollywood “Relax” (1983)
40. Prince & the Revolution “Kiss” (1986)

41. Men at Work “Down Under” (1981)
42. Lipps Inc. “Funkytown” (album cut: 1979, single: 1980)
43. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
44. Irene Cara “Flashdance...What a Feelin’” (1983)
45. Prince & the Revolution “Purple Rain” (1984)
46. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
47. Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (1987)
48. Madonna “Like a Virgin” (1984)
49. The B-52’s “Love Shack” (1989)
50. AC/DC “Back in Black” (1980)

51. Diana Ross “Upside Down” (1980)
52. Dire Straits “Money for Nothing” (1985)
53. Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)
54. Guns N’ Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” (1987)
55. Band Aid “Do They Know It’s Christmas? ” (1984)
56. Bruce Springsteen “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)
57. Kenny Loggins “Footloose” (1984)
58. Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time” (1983)
59. Peter Gabriel “Sledgehammer” (1986)
60. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)

61. Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget about Me” (1985)
62. U2 “Pride (In the Name of Love)” (1984)
63. Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl” (1981)
64. David Bowie “Let’s Dance” (1983)
65. Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight” (1981)
66. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)
67. Tracy Chapman “Fast Car” (1988)
68. Michael Jackson “Thriller” (1982)
69. The Smiths “How Soon Is Now?” (1984)
70. Bruce Springsteen “Dancing in the Dark” (1984)

71. Public Enemy “Fight the Power” (1989)
72. Rick James “Super Freak” (1981)
73. The Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” (1981)
74. Tom Petty “Free Fallin’” (1989)
75. Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing” (1982)
76. Whitesnake “Here I Go Again” (1987)
77. Dolly Parton “9 to 5” (1980)
78. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton “Islands in the Stream” (1983)
79. Bryan Adams “Summer of ‘69” (1984)
80. Berlin “Take My Breath Away” (1985)

81. John Cougar Mellencamp “Jack and Diane” (1982)
82. Dionne & Friends (Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight, & Stevie Wonder) “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
83. J. Geils Band “Centerfold” (1981)
84. George Michael “Faith” (1987)
85. Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party” (1986)
86. Talking Heads “Once in a Lifetime” (1980)
87. Tears for Fears “Shout” (1984)
88. Toto “Africa” (1982)
89. Phil Collins “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) ” (1984)
90. Pet Shop Boys “West End Girls’ (1985)

91. Queen with David Bowie “Under Pressure” (1981)
92. INXS “Need You Tonight” (1987)
93. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” (1982)
94. Rick Astley “Never Gonna Give You Up” (1987)
95. Culture Club “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” (1982)
96. Bangles “Walk Like an Egyptian” (1986)
97. U2 “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (1983)
98. Poison “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (1988)
99. Lionel Richie “Say You, Say Me” (1985)
100. REO Speedwagon “Keep on Loving You” (1980)


Resources/Related Links:


First posted 1/21/2011; last updated 12/14/2021.

Spin: Top 100 Songs

Spin:

Top 100 Songs

Spin was an American music magazine founded in 1985. It stopped running print issues in 2012, but still operates as a webzine. Their initial focus was on college and indie rock and the emergence of hip-hop.

Click here to see other lists from publications and/or organizations.

1. Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock “It Takes Two” (1988)
2. Jessie Hill “Ooh Poo Paa Doo” (1960)
3. The Rolling Stones “Tumbling Dice” (1972)
4. Irma Thomas “It's Raining” (1962)
5. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)
6. Prince “When Doves Cry” (1984)
7. The Chiffons “One Fine Day” (1963)
8. Rod Stewart “Maggie May” (1971)
9. Dionne Warwick “Walk on By” (1964)
10. New Order “True Faith” / “1963” (1987)

11. The Beach Boys “Don’’t Worry Baby” (1964)
12. The Shangri-Las “Remember Walking in the Sand” (1964)
13. Doug E. Fresh And The Get Fresh Crew “The Show” / “La-Di-Da-Di” (1985)
14. Creedence Clearwater Revival “Green River” (1969)
15. Elvis Presley “One Night” (1958)
16. The Smiths “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” (1986)
17. Temptations “Just My Imagination Running Away with Me” (1971)
18. Donna Summer “Bad Girls” (1979)
19. David Bowie “Young Americans” (1975)
20. Public Enemy “Bring the Noise” (1988)

21. The Cure “A Night Like This” (1985)
22. Bad Company “Can’t Get Enough” (1974)
23. Madonna “Borderline” (1984)
24. Elvis Costello “Lipstick Vogue” (1978)
25. Gwen Guthrie “Ain't Nothing Goin' on But the Rent” (1986)
26. Lou Christie “Lightnin' Strikes” (1965)
27. Modern English “I Melt with You” (1983)
28. Aerosmith “Walk This Way” (1976)
29. The Miracles “Ooh Baby Baby” (1965)
30. Depeche Mode “Behind the Wheel/Route 66” (1987)

31. Hank Williams “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (1949)
32. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
33. Lloyd Price “Just Because” (1956)
34. Pebbles “Mercedes Boy” (1988)
35. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
36. Madonna “Where's the Party” (1986)
37. Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
38. 10cc “The Things We Do for Love” (1976)
39. Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love” (1969)
40. Lou Reed “Satellite of Love” (1970)

41. Public Image Ltd. “This Is Not a Love Song” (1983)
42. The Shirelles “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (1960)
43. Rod Stewart Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) (1976)
44. AC/DC “Back in Black” (1980)
45. R.E.M. “Don't Go Back to Rockville” (1984)
46. Bruce Springsteen “Glory Days” (1984)
47. The Jimi Hendrix Experience “Foxey Lady” (1967)
48. Echo & The Bunnymen “The Killing Moon” (1984)
49. Van Halen “Running with the Devil” (1978)
50. Betty Everett “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)” (1964)

51. The Kinks “Lola” (1970)
52. Sam Cooke “Bring It on Home to Me” (1962)
53. Jackie Wilson “Lonely Teardrops” (1958)
54. The Replacements “Kiss Me on the Bus” (1985)
55. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band “Night Moves” (1976)
56. Mott The Hoople “All the Young Dudes” (1972)
57. Gladys Knight & The Pips “Midnight Train to Georgia” (1973)
58. The Pretenders “Brass in Pocket (I’m Special)” (1979)
59. The Who “I Can’t Explain” (1965)
60. Martha & The Vandellas “Heat Wave” (1963)

61. Janis Joplin “Me and Bobby McGee” (1971)
62. The Robins “Riot In Cell Block #9” (1954)
63. Chuck Willis “It's Too Late” (1956)
64. World Famous Supreme Team “Hey DJ” (1984)
65. U2 “Pride (In the Name of Love)” (1984)
66. The Sex Pistols “Anarchy in the U.K.” (1976)
67. Tom Jones “It’s Not Unusual” (1965)
68. David Bowie “Heroes” (1977)
69. Time Zone “World Destruction” (1985)
70. The Velvet Underground “I’m Waiting for the Man” (1967)

71. Bob Dylan “Knockin’ on Heaven's Door” (1973)
72. Bobby Brown “My Prerogative” (1988)
73. The Four Tops “Standing in the Shadows of Love” (1966)
74. Iggy Pop “Lust for Life” (1977)
75. Tammy Wynette “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” (1968)
76. Sinéad O’Connor “Troy” (1987)
77. Squeeze “Slap and Tickle” (1979)
78. Edgar Winter “Free Ride” (1973)
79. The Feelies “Away” (1988)
80. Jackie Wilson “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher” (1967)

81. Black Sabbath “Paranoid” (1970)
82. Exposé “Point of No Return” (1985)
83. Dixie Cups “Iko Iko” (1965)
84. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” (1971)
85. The Jackson 5 “I Want You Back” (1969)
86. Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)
87. Peter Frampton “Do You Feel Like We Do” (1973)
88. The Clash “White Riot” (1977)
89. The Supremes “Someday We’ll Be Together” (1969)
90. The Sugarcubes “Motorcrash” (1988)

91. The Raspberries “Go All the Way” (1972)
92. The Smiths “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” (1984)
93. The Beatles “Please Please Me” (1963)
94. The Cure “Why Can’t I Be You?” (1987)
95. The Grateful Dead “China Cat Sunflower” (1969)
96. Michael Jackson “Don't Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)
97. The Doors “People Are Strange” (1967)
98. The Emotions “Best of My Love” (1977)
99. Joe Cocker “Delta Lady” (1969)
100. Killing Joke “Eighties” (1984)


Resources/Related Links:

First posted 4/8/2021.

Dave’s Faves: My Album Collection in 1989

Dave’s Faves:

My Album Collection in 1989

By year’s end, this was what my collection looked like. Albums acquired in 1989 are marked with an asterisk.

  1. Aerosmith Greatest Hits (compilation: 1973-79, released 1980) *
  2. Aerosmith Pump (1989) *
  3. Aha Hunting High and Low (1985)
  4. Aha Scoundrel Days (1986)
  5. Aha Stay on These Roads (1988)
  6. Air Supply Lost in Love (1980)
  7. Air Supply The One That You Love (1981)
  8. Alabama Greatest Hits (compilation: 1980-86, released 1986)
  9. Alabama The Touch (1986)
  10. Alabama Live (live, 1988)
  11. Asia Asia (1982)
  12. Asia Alpha (1983)
  13. Asia Astra (1985)

  14. Bad Company 10 from 6 (compilation: 1973-81, released 1985) *
  15. Bangles All Over the Place (1984)
  16. Bangles Different Light (1986)
  17. Bangles Everything (1988)
  18. The Beatles Yesterday…and Today (1966)
  19. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
  20. The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
  21. The Beatles Hey Jude (1968)
  22. The Beatles 1962-1966 (compilation: 1962-66, released 1973)
  23. The Beatles 1967-1970 (compilation: 1967-70, released 1973)
  24. The Beatles 20 Greatest Hits (compilation: 1962-70, released 1982)
  25. Pat Benatar Crimes of Passion (1980)
  26. Pat Benatar Get Nervous (1982)
  27. Pat Benatar Live from Earth (live, 1983)
  28. Pat Benatar Tropico (1984)
  29. Pat Benatar Seven the Hard Way (1985)
  30. Berlin Pleasure Victim (1983)
  31. Berlin Love Life (1984)
  32. Berlin Count Three and Pray (1986)
  33. Berlin Best of (compilation: 1979-88, released 1988) *
  34. Blondie Parallel Lines (1978)
  35. Blondie Eat to the Beat (1979)
  36. Boomtown Rats In the Long Grass (1984)
  37. Boston Boston (1976) *
  38. Boston Third Stage (1986)
  39. David Bowie ChangesOneBowie (compilation: 1969-76, released 1976)
  40. David Bowie Never Let Me Down (1987)
  41. Edie Brickell & New Bohemians Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars (1988) *
  42. Kate Bush The Sensual World (1989) *

  43. Paul Carrack One Good Reason (1987)
  44. Paul Carrack The Carrack Collection (compilation: 1974-85, released 1988) *
  45. Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman (1988)
  46. Tracy Chapman Crossroads (1989) *
  47. Chicago Chicago 16 (1982)
  48. Chicago Chicago 17 (1984)
  49. Toni Childs Union (1988)
  50. Eric Clapton Time Pieces (compilation: 1970-78, released 1982) *
  51. Eric Clapton Crossroads (box set: 1963-87, released 1988) *
  52. Lloyd Cole Mainstream (1987) *
  53. Phil Collins No Jacket Required (1985)
  54. Elvis Costello Spike (1989) *
  55. Robert Cray Strong Persuader (1986)
  56. Robert Cray Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1988)
  57. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young American Dream (1988) *
  58. Crowded House Crowded House (1986)
  59. Crowded House Temple of Low Men (1988)

  60. Terence Trent D’Arby Introducing the Hardline… (1987)
  61. Terence Trent D’Arby Neither Fish Nor Flesh (1989) *
  62. David + David Boomtown (1986)
  63. Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)
  64. Def Leppard Hysteria (1987)
  65. John Denver Greatest Hits (compilation: 1969-72, released 1973)
  66. Dennis DeYoung Desert Moon (1984)
  67. Dennis DeYoung Back to the World (1986)
  68. Dennis DeYoung Boomchild (1989) *
  69. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms (1985)
  70. Neil Diamond The Jazz Singer (soundtrack, 1980)
  71. The Doors The Best of (compilation: 1966-71, released 1987) *
  72. Bob Dylan Biograph (box: 1962-81, released 1985) *

  73. Eagles Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (compilation: 1971-75, released 1976)
  74. Eagles Greatest Hits Volume 2 (released 1982)
  75. Melissa Etheridge Melissa Etheridge (1988)
  76. Melissa Etheridge Brave and Crazy (1989) *
  77. Eurythmics In the Garden (1981)
  78. Eurythmics Sweet Dreams Are Made of This (1983)
  79. Eurythmics Touch (1983)
  80. Eurythmics 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother) (1984)
  81. Eurythmics Be Yourself Tonight (1985)
  82. Eurythmics Savage (1987)
  83. Everything But the Girl Idlewild (1988)

  84. The Fixx One Thing Leads to Another: Greatest Hits (compilation: 1982-86, released 1989) *
  85. Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits (compilation: 1975-88, released 1988) *
  86. Dan Fogelberg Greatest Hits (compilation: 1972-82, released 1982)
  87. Foreigner 4 (1981)
  88. Foreigner Records (compilation: 1976-82, released 1982)
  89. Foreigner Agent Provocateur (1984)
  90. Foreigner Inside Information (1987)

  91. Peter Gabriel Plays Live (live, 1983)
  92. Peter Gabriel So (1986)
  93. J. Geils Band Freeze Frame (1981)
  94. Bob Geldof Deep in the Heart of Nowhere (1986)
  95. Genesis Genesis (1983)
  96. Genesis Invisible Touch (1986)
  97. Grateful Dead In the Dark (1987)
  98. Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987) *
  99. Guns N’ Roses G N’ R Lies (1988) *

  100. Daryl Hall & John Oates H2O (1982)
  101. Daryl Hall & John Oates Rock ‘N’ Soul Part I (compilation: (1973-83, released 1983)
  102. Jimi Hendrix The Essential (compilation: 1966-70, released 1978) *
  103. Don Henley Building the Perfect Beast (1984)
  104. Don Henley The End of the Innocence (1989) *
  105. Hooters Nervous Night (1985)
  106. Hooters One Way Home (1987)
  107. Hooters Zig Zag (1989) *

  108. Indigo Girls Strange Fire (1987) *
  109. Indigo Girls Indigo Girls (1989) *
  110. INXS Kick (1987)

  111. Michael Jackson Off the Wall (1979)
  112. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982)
  113. Michael Jackson Bad (1987)
  114. Billy Joel Turnstiles (1976)
  115. Billy Joel The Stranger (1977)
  116. Billy Joel The Nylon Curtain (1982)
  117. Billy Joel An Innocent Man (1983)
  118. Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume I & II (compilation: 1973-85, released 1985)
  119. Billy Joel The Bridge (1986)
  120. Billy Joel Storm Front (1989) *
  121. Journey Captured (live, 1981)
  122. Journey Escape (1981)
  123. Journey Frontiers (1983)
  124. Journey Raised on Radio (1986)
  125. Journey Greatest Hits (compilation: 1978-87, released 1988) *

  126. Kansas Best of (compilation: 1974-84, released 1984) *
  127. Kingdom Come Kingdom Come (1988)

  128. Shona Laing South (1988) *
  129. Cyndi Lauper She’s So Unusual (1983)
  130. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
  131. Huey Lewis & the News Sports (1983)
  132. Little River Band Greatest Hits (compilation: 1975-82, released 1982)
  133. Little River Band Monsoon (1988)
  134. Living Colour Vivid (1988) *
  135. Loverboy Big Ones (compilation: 1980-89, released 1989) *
  136. Lynyrd Skynyrd Innyrds (compilation: 1973-77, released 1989) *

  137. Barry Manilow Greatest Hits (compilation, released 1978)
  138. Marillion Script for a Jester’s Tear (1983)
  139. Marillion Fugazi (1984)
  140. Marillion Real to Reel (live, 1984)
  141. Marillion Misplaced Childhood (1985)
  142. Marillion Brief Encounter (EP, 1986)
  143. Marillion Clutching at Straws (1987)
  144. Marillion B’Sides Themselves (archives: 1982-88, released 1988)
  145. Marillion The Thieving Magpie (live, 1988) *
  146. Marillion Seasons End (1989) *

  147. Paul McCartney All the Best! (compilation: 1970-87, released 1987) *
  148. Paul McCartney Flowers in the Dirt (1989) *
  149. Maria McKee Maria McKee (1989) *
  150. John Cougar (Mellencamp) American Fool (1982)
  151. John Cougar Mellencamp Uh-Huh (1983)
  152. John Cougar Mellencamp Scarecrow (1985)
  153. John Cougar Mellencamp The Lonesome Jubilee (1987)
  154. John Cougar Mellencamp Big Daddy (1989) *
  155. Men at Work Business As Usual (1981)
  156. Men at Work Cargo (1983)
  157. Men at Work Two Hearts (1985)
  158. Mike + the Mechanics Mike + The Mechanics (1985)
  159. Mike + the Mechanics Living Years (1988)
  160. The Moody Blues This Is the Moody Blues (compilation: 1967-72, released 1974)
  161. The Moody Blues Voices in the Sky (compilation: 1967-82, released 1984)
  162. The Moody Blues The Other Side of Life (1986)

  163. Olivia Newton-John Greatest Hits (compilation: 1971-76, released 1977)
  164. Olivia Newton-John Totally Hot (1978)
  165. Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra Xanadu (soundtrack, 1980)
  166. Olivia Newton-John Physical (1981)
  167. Olivia Newton-John Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (compilation: 1978-82, released 1982)
  168. Olivia Newton-John Soul Kiss (1985)
  169. Olivia Newton-John The Rumour (1988)
  170. Olivia Newton-John Warm and Tender (1989) *
  171. Stevie Nicks The Wild Heart (1983)

    Sinéad O’Connor The Lion and the Cobra (1987)

  172. Alan Parsons Project I Robot (1977)
  173. Alan Parsons Project Eve (1979)
  174. Alan Parsons Project The Turn of a Friendly Card (1980)
  175. Alan Parsons Project Eye in the Sky (1982)
  176. Alan Parsons Project The Best of (compilation: 1977-83, released 1983)
  177. Alan Parsons Project Ammonia Avenue (1984)
  178. Alan Parsons Project Vulture Culture (1985)
  179. Alan Parsons Project Stereotomy (1986)
  180. Alan Parsons Project Gaudi (1987)
  181. Alan Parsons Project Best of, Vol. 2 (compilation: 1977-87, released 1988)
  182. Steve Perry Street Talk (1984)
  183. Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
  184. Pink Floyd The Wall (1979)
  185. Pink Floyd The Final Cut (1983)
  186. Pink Floyd A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
  187. Robert Plant Now and Zen (1988)
  188. The Police Outlandos D’Amour (1978)
  189. The Police Reggatta De Blanc (1979)
  190. The Police Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
  191. The Police Ghost in the Machine (1981)
  192. The Police Synchronicity (1983)
  193. The Police Every Breath You Take – The Singles (compilation: 1978-1986; released 1986)
  194. Prince 1999 (1982)
  195. Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain (1984)
  196. Prince & the Revolution Around the World in a Day (1985)
  197. Prince & the Revolution Parade (1986)
  198. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)
  199. Prince Batman (soundtrack, 1989) *
  200. Psychedelic Furs All of This and Nothing (compilation: 1980-88, released 1988) *
  201. Queen Greatest Hits (compilation: 1973-81, released 1981)
  202. Queen Hot Space (1982) *
  203. Queen The Works (1984) *
  204. Queen A Kind of Magic (1986) *
  205. Queen The Miracle (1989) *

  206. Gerry Rafferty City to City (1978)
  207. Gerry Rafferty North and South (1988)
  208. The Rainmakers The Rainmakers (1986)
  209. The Rainmakers Tornado (1987)
  210. The Rainmakers The Good News and the Bad News *
  211. Lou Reed New York (1989) *

  212. R.E.M. Life’s Rich Pageant (1986)
  213. R.E.M. Document (1987)
  214. R.E.M. Green (1988) *
  215. REO Speedwagon Hi Infidelity (1980)
  216. REO Speedwagon Wheels Are Turnin’ (1984)
  217. REO Speedwagon The Hits (compilation: 1976-88, released 1988)
  218. Lionel Richie Can’t Slow Down (1983)
  219. Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling (1986)
  220. Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-80, released 1980)
  221. The Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964-71 (compilation: 1964-71, released 1971)
  222. The Rolling Stones The Singles Collection: The London Years (box set: 1963-71, released 1989) *
  223. The Rolling Stones Rewind (compilation: 1971-84, released 1984)
  224. Todd Rundgren Anthology (compilation: 1968-85, released 1989) *
  225. Todd Rundgren Nearly Human (1989) *
  226. Rush All the World’s a Stage (live, 1976)
  227. Rush Moving Pictures (1981)
  228. Rush Exit…Stage Left (live, 1981)
  229. Rush Hold Your Fire (1987)

  230. Charlie Sexton Pictures for Pleasure (1985)
  231. Shooting Star Touch Me Tonight: Best of (compilation: 1979-89, released 1989) *
  232. Paul Simon Graceland (1986)
  233. Simple Minds Street Fighting Years (1989) *
  234. The Smiths Louder Than Bombs (archives: 1983-87, released 1987)
  235. The Smiths Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
  236. Bruce Springsteen Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)
  237. Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
  238. Bruce Springsteen Live 1975/1985 (live box set, 1986)
  239. Bruce Springsteen Tunnel of Love (1987)
  240. Squeeze Cool for Cats (1979)
  241. Squeeze Argybargy (1980)
  242. Squeeze East Side Story (1981) *
  243. Squeeze Sweets from a Stranger (1982)
  244. Squeeze Singles: 45s and Under (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982)
  245. Squeeze Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti (1985)
  246. Squeeze Babylon and On (1987)
  247. Squeeze Classics (compilation: 1978-87, released 1988)
  248. Squeeze Frank (1989)
  249. Steely Dan A Decade of Steely Dan (compilation: 1972-80, released 1985) *
  250. Rod Stewart Storyteller (box: 1964-89, released 1989) *
  251. Sting The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985)
  252. Sting Bring on the Night (live, 1986)
  253. Sting Nothing Like the Sun (1987)
  254. Styx Styx I (1972)
  255. Styx Styx II (1973)
  256. Styx The Serpent Is Rising (1973)
  257. Styx Man of Miracles (1974)
  258. Styx Best of Styx (compilation: 1972-74)
  259. Styx Equinox (1975)
  260. Styx Crystal Ball (1976)
  261. Styx The Grand Illusion (1977)
  262. Styx Pieces of Eight (1978)
  263. Styx Cornerstone (1979)
  264. Styx Paradise Theater (1981)
  265. Styx Kilroy Was Here (1983)
  266. Styx Caught in the Act (live, 1984)
  267. Supertramp Famous Last Words (1982)
  268. Supertramp Brother Where You Bound (1985)
  269. Supertramp Classics/The Autobiography of Supertramp (compilation: 1974-85, released 1986) *

  270. Tears for Fears The Hurting (1983)
  271. Tears for Fears Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
  272. Tears for Fears The Seeds of Love (1989) *
  273. Toto Toto IV (1982)
  274. Traveling Wilburys Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988) *
  275. Triumph Classics (compilation, released 1989) *

  276. U2 War (1983)
  277. U2 Under a Blood Red Sky (live, 1983)
  278. U2 The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
  279. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987)
  280. U2 Rattle and Hum (studio/live soundtrack, 1988)

  281. Van Halen Diver Down (1982) *
  282. Van Halen 5150 (1986)
  283. Van Halen OU812 (1988)
  284. Suzanne Vega Solitude Standing (1987)
  285. Violent Femmes Violent Femmes (1983)
  286. Violent Femmes Hallowed Ground (1984)
  287. Violent Femmes Blind Leading the Naked (1986)
  288. Violent Femmes 3 (1989) *

  289. Roger Waters Radio K.A.O.S. (1987)
  290. Whitesnake Whitesnake (1987)
  291. The Who Who’s Next (1971)
  292. The Who Greatest Hits (compilation: 1965-78, released 1983)
  293. The Who Who’s Better Who’s Best (compilation: 1964-80, released 1988) *
  294. John Williams (composer) Star Wars IV: A New Hope (soundtrack, 1977)

  295. XTC Skylarking (1986)
  296. XTC Oranges and Lemons (1989) *

  297. Yes The Yes Album (1971)
  298. Yes Fragile (1971)
  299. Yes Classic Yes (compilation: 1971-77, released 1981)
  300. Yes 90125 (1983)
  301. Yes Big Generator (1987)

  302. ZZ Top Afterburner (1985)

    Various Artists:

  303. Brimstone and Treacle (soundtrack, 1982)
  304. Flashdance (soundtrack, 1983)
  305. Footloose (soundtrack, 1984)
  306. K-Tel: High Energy (1979)
  307. K-Tel: Starflight (1979)
  308. K-Tel: Wings of Sound (1979)
  309. Legend (soundtrack, 1986)
  310. No Small Affair (soundtrack, 1984) *
  311. Party! Party! (soundtrack, 1982)
  312. Pretty in Pink (soundtrack, 1986)
  313. Rock for Amnesty (1986)
  314. The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball (soundtrack, 1982)
  315. She’s Having a Baby (soundtrack, 1988)
  316. Some Kind of Wonderful (soundtrack, 1987)
  317. The Songs of Lennon and McCartney (1986)
  318. St. Elmo’s Fire (soundtrack, 1985)
  319. Tequila Sunrise (soundtrack, 1988) *
  320. Two of a Kind (soundtrack, 1983)
  321. A Very Special Christmas (1987)
  322. Vision Quest (soundtrack, 1985)
  323. We Are the World (1985)
  324. When the Wind Blows (soundtrack, 1986)

Resources and Related Links:


First posted 2/13/2022.

USA: #1 Pop Songs, 1980-1989

USA’s #1 Pop Songs:

1980-1989

These are the #1 pop songs in the history of the United States pop charts from 1980 to 1989. Songs could have hit #1 on any of the following charts:

  • Billboard Hot 100 chart, 1955-present (BB)
  • Billboard pop airplay chart, 1984-present (BA)
  • Cashbox, 1950-1996 (CB)
  • Hit Records, 1954-1982 (HR)
  • Radio & Records/Mediabase, 1973-present (RR)
Numbers following the letter codes indicate how many weeks the song spent at #1 on that chart. Note that those songs topping the Billboard Hot 100 are in blue, indicating a link, specifically to Stereogum.com and its pages on Billboard #1 songs.

Click here to access a full list of #1 songs from 1890 to present.


1980:

  1. 1/5: KC & the Sunshine Band “Please Don’t Go” (BB: 1 week)
  2. 1/11: Eagles “The Long Run” (RR: 2)
  3. 1/12: Michael Jackson “Rock with You” (BB: 4, CB: 3, HR: 2)
  4. 1/25: Fleetwood Mac “Sara” (RR: 1)

  5. 2/1: Dan Fogelberg “Longer” (CB: 1, RR: 2)
  6. 2/2: Captain & Tennille “Do That to Me One More Time” (BB: 1, CB: 1, HR: 1)
  7. 2/2: Kenny Rogers “Coward of the County” (CB: 1, HR: 1)
  8. 2/15: Queen “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (BB: 4, CB: 3, HR: 2, RR: 3)
  9. 2/16: Smokey Robinson “Cruisin’” (CB: 1)

  10. 3/1: KC & Teri DeSario “Yes I’m Ready” (HR: 1)
  11. 3/8: Pink Floyd “Another Brick in the Wall Part II” (BB: 4, CB: 3, HR: 5, RR: 3)
  12. 3/8: Donna Summer “On the Radio” (HR: 1)
  13. 3/28: Blondie “Call Me” (BB: 6, CB: 7, HR: 6, RR: 6)

  14. 5/9: Ambrosia “Biggest Part of Me” (RR: 1)
  15. 5/31: Lipps Inc. “Funkytown” (BB: 4, CB: 5, HR: 4)

  16. 6/6: Bette Midler “The Rose” (CB: 1, HR: 1, RR: 1)
  17. 6/13: Paul McCartney “Coming Up (live at Glasgow)” (BB: 3, RR: 1)
  18. 6/20: Billy Joel “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” (BB: 2, CB: 3, HR: 4, RR: 4)

  19. 7/18: Olivia Newton-John “Magic” (BB: 4, CB: 3, HR: 3, RR: 2)

  20. 8/1: Christopher Cross “Sailing” (BB: 1, CB: 2, HR: 1, RR: 4)
  21. 8/23: The S.O.S. Band “Take Your Time (Do It Right)” (CB: 1)
  22. 8/29: Air Supply “All Out of Love” (HR: 2, RR: 2)

  23. 9/6: Diana Ross “Upside Down” (BB: 4, CB: 3, HR: 2, RR: 1)
  24. 9/19: Paul Simon “Late in the Evening” (RR: 2)

  25. 10/3: The Doobie Brothers “Real Love” (RR: 2)
  26. 10/4: Queen “Another One Bites the Dust” (BB: 3, CB: 4, HR: 6)
  27. 10/17: Barbra Streisand “Woman in Love” (BB: 3, CB: 2, HR: 1, RR: 3)

  28. 11/7: Kenny Rogers “Lady” (BB: 6, CB: 4, HR: 5, RR: 5)

  29. 12/6: Stevie Wonder “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” (CB: 1)
  30. 12/12: Neil Diamond “Love on the Rocks” (RR: 1)
  31. 12/19: John Lennon “Just Like Starting Over” (BB: 5, CB: 5, HR: 5, RR: 2)

1981:

  1. 1/16: Blondie “The Tide Is High” (BB: 1, CB: 2, HR: 2, RR: 3)

  2. 2/6: John Lennon “Woman” (CB: 1, RR: 4)
  3. 2/7: Kool & the Gang “Celebration” (BB: 2, CB: 1, HR: 1)
  4. 2/21: Dolly Parton “9 to 5” (BB: 2, CB: 1, HR: 5)
  5. 2/21: Eddie Rabbitt “I Love a Rainy Night” (BB: 2, CB: 1)

  6. 3/6: Styx “The Best of Times” (RR: 3)
  7. 3/7: REO Speedwagon “Keep on Loving You” (BB: 1, CB: 1, HR: 1)
  8. 3/27: Daryl Hall & John Oates “Kiss on My List” (BB: 3, CB: 1, HR: 1, RR: 2)
  9. 3/28: Blondie “Rapture” (BB: 2, CB: 2, HR: 2)

  10. 4/10: Steve Winwood “While You See a Chance” (RR: 1)
  11. 4/17: Bill Withers with Grover Washington Jr. “Just the Two of Us” (RR: 2)
  12. 4/18: Sheena Easton “Morning Train (Nine to Five)” (BB: 2, CB: 5, HR: 3)

  13. 5/1: Smokey Robinson “Being with You” (CB: 1, HR: 1, RR: 2)
  14. 5/15: Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (BB: 9, CB: 5, HR: 5, RR: 5)
  15. 5/16: Juice Newton “Angel of the Morning” (HR: 1)

  16. 6/13: Stars on 45 (aka Starsound) “Medley I (aka ‘Stars on 45’)” (BB: 1, CB: 2, HR: 1)
  17. 6/19: George Harrison “All Those Years Ago” (RR: 2)

  18. 7/3: Air Supply “The One That You Love” (BB: 1, CB: 1, HR: 1, RR: 3)
  19. 7/18: Joey Scarbury “Believe It or Not (Theme from ‘Greatest American Hero’)” (CB: 1, HR: 2, RR: 1)
  20. 7/25: Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl” (BB: 2, CB: 1, HR: 2)
  21. 7/31: The Pointer Sisters “Slow Hand” (RR: 2)

  22. 8/1: The Oak Ridge Boys “Elvira” (CB: 1)
  23. 8/14: Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (BB: 9, CB: 9, HR: 9, RR: 5)

  24. 9/18: Journey “Who’s Crying Now” (RR: 1)
  25. 9/25: Christopher Cross “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” (BB: 3, CB: 4, HR: 3, RR: 4)

  26. 10/23: Daryl Hall & John Oates “Private Eyes” (BB: 2, CB: 1, HR: 2, RR: 2)

  27. 11/6: Foreigner “Waiting for a Girl Like You” (RR: 6)
  28. 11/21: Olivia Newton-John “Physical” (BB: 10, CB: 8, HR: 9)

  29. 12/18: Daryl Hall & John Oates “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” (BB: 1, CB: 2, HR: 1, RR: 6)

1982:

  1. 1/30: J. Geils Band “Centerfold” (BB: 6, CB: 6, HR: 5)

  2. 2/12: Journey “Open Arms” (CB: 1, HR: 1, RR: 7)

  3. 3/13: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts “I Love Rock and Roll” (BB: 7, CB: 5, HR: 5)

  4. 4/2: Olivia Newton-John “Make a Move on Me” (RR: 1)
  5. 4/3: Stevie Wonder “That Girl” (CB: 1)
  6. 4/9: Rick Springfield “Don’t Talk to Strangers” (RR: 5)

  7. 5/1: Vangelis “Chariots of Fire – Titles” (BB: 1, CB: 2)
  8. 5/14: Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory” (BB: 7, CB: 6, RR: 4)

  9. 6/11: Toto “Rosanna” (RR: 4)
  10. 6/26: The Human League “Don’t You Want Me?” (BB: 3, CB: 1)

  11. 7/9: Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” (BB: 6, CB: 4, RR: 5)
  12. 7/24: John Cougar Mellencamp “Hurts So Good” (CB: 1)

  13. 8/13: Chicago “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” (BB: 2, RR: 4)
  14. 8/26: Steve Miller Band “Abracadabra” (BB: 2, CB: 5)

  15. 9/10: John Cougar Mellencamp “Jack and Diane” (BB: 4, CB: 3, RR: 3)

  16. 10/1: Michael McDonald “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” (RR: 3)
  17. 10/22: Fleetwood Mac “Gypsy” (RR: 1)
  18. 10/23: Men at Work “Who Can It Be Now?” (BB: 1, CB: 2)
  19. 10/29: Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes “Up Where We Belong” (BB: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)

  20. 11/19: Lionel Richie “Truly” (BB: 2, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  21. 11/26: Daryl Hall & John Oates “Maneater” (BB: 4, CB: 5, RR: 4)
  22. 11/27: Laura Branigan “Gloria” (CB: 1)

  23. 12/11: Toni Basil “Mickey” (BB: 1)

1983:

  1. 1/7: Men at Work “Down Under” (BB: 4, CB: 5, RR: 5)

  2. 2/5: Toto “Africa” (BB: 1)
  3. 2/11: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band “Shame on the Moon” (RR: 1)
  4. 2/18: Culture Club “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” (CB: 1, RR: 2)
  5. 2/19: Patti Austin & James Ingram “Baby, Come to Me” (BB: 2)

  6. 3/4: Lionel Richie “You Are” (RR: 1)
  7. 3/5: Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (BB: 7, CB: 6, RR: 2)
  8. 3/25: Journey “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” (RR: 2)

  9. 4/8: Greg Kihn Band “Jeopardy” (RR: 3)
  10. 4/23: Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” (BB: 1, CB: 1)
  11. 4/29: Michael Jackson “Beat It” (BB: 3, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  12. 4/30: Styx “Mr. Roboto” (CB: 1)

  13. 5/6: Men at Work “Overkill” (RR: 3)
  14. 5/21: David Bowie “Let’s Dance” (BB: 1, CB: 1)
  15. 5/27: Irene Cara “Flashdance...What a Feelin’” (BB: 6, CB: 6, RR: 5)

  16. 7/1: The Police “Every Breath You Take” (BB: 8, CB: 7, RR: 8)
  17. 7/9: Eddy Grant “Electric Avenue” (CB: 1)

  18. 8/26: Michael Sembello “Maniac” (BB: 2, RR: 1)

  19. 9/2: Billy Joel “Tell Her About It” (BB: 1, RR: 3)
  20. 9/3: Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” (BB: 1, CB: 2)
  21. 9/17: Taco “Puttin’ on the Ritz” (CB: 2)
  22. 9/23: Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (BB: 4, CB: 4, RR: 3)

  23. 10/1: Men Without Hats “The Safety Dance” (CB: 1)
  24. 10/14: The Police “King of Pain” (RR: 2)
  25. 10/28: Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (BB: 4, CB: 3, RR: 3)
  26. 10/29: Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton “Islands in the Stream” (BB: 2, CB: 2)

  27. 11/18: Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson “Say, Say, Say” (BB: 6, CB: 3, RR: 5)

  28. 12/31: Duran Duran “Union of the Snake” (CB: 2)

1984:

  1. 1/6: Yes “Owner of a Lonely Heart” (BB: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  2. 1/20: Culture Club “Karma Chameleon” (BB: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)

  3. 2/10: Michael Jackson “Thriller” (RR: 1)
  4. 2/17: Van Halen “Jump” (BB: 5, CB: 2, RR: 5)

  5. 3/10: Nena “99 Red Balloons” (CB: 1)
  6. 3/17: Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (CB: 2)
  7. 3/23: Kenny Loggins “Footloose” (BB: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)

  8. 4/13: Phil Collins “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” (BB: 3, CB: 3, RR: 4)

  9. 5/11: Deniece Williams “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” (BB: 2, CB: 2, RR: 3)
  10. 5/12: Lionel Richie “Hello” (BB: 2, CB: 2)

  11. 6/1: Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time” (BB: 2, CB: 1, RR: 3)
  12. 6/16: Duran Duran “The Reflex” (BB: 2, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  13. 6/29: Bruce Springsteen “Dancing in the Dark” (CB: 2, RR: 1)

  14. 7/6: Prince “When Doves Cry” (BB: 5, CB: 4, RR: 4)

  15. 8/3: Ray Parker Jr. “Ghostbusters” (BB: 3, CB: 2, RR: 3)
  16. 8/24: Lionel Richie “Stuck on You” (RR: 1)
  17. 8/25: Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (BB: 3, CB: 3)
  18. 8/31: John Waite “Missing You” (BB: 1, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  19. 9/14: Prince & the Revolution “Let’s Go Crazy” (BB: 2, CB: 2, RR: 4)

  20. 10/12: Chicago “Hard Habit to Break” (RR: 1)
  21. 10/13: Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 4, RR: 2)

  22. 11/2: Prince & the Revolution “Purple Rain” (BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  23. 11/3: Billy Ocean “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)” (BB: 2)
  24. 11/10: Wham! “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (BB: 3, BA: 4, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  25. 11/30: Daryl Hall & John Oates “Out of Touch” (BB: 2, BA: 2, RR: 1)

  26. 12/7: Duran Duran “The Wild Boys” (CB: 2, RR: 1)
  27. 12/8: Chaka Khan “I Feel for You” (CB: 1)
  28. 12/14: Madonna “Like a Virgin” (BB: 6, BA: 5, CB: 5, RR: 3)

1985:

  1. 1/18: Chicago “You’re the Inspiration” (BA: 1, RR: 1)
  2. 1/25: Foreigner “I Want to Know What Love Is” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR, 2)

  3. 2/8: George Michael “Careless Whisper” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 4, RR: 2)
  4. 2/9: Philip Bailey with Phil Collins “Easy Lover” (CB: 1)
  5. 2/22: REO Speedwagon “Can’t Fight This Feeling” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 4)

  6. 3/22: Madonna “Material Girl” (CB: 1, RR: 1)
  7. 3/29: Phil Collins “One More Night” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)

  8. 4/5: U.S.A. for Africa “We Are the World” (BB: 4, BA: 4, CB: 5, RR: 3)
  9. 4/26: Madonna “Crazy for You” (BB: 1, BA: 1, RR: 2)

  10. 5/10: Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget about Me” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  11. 5/24: Wham! “Everything She Wants” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  12. 5/31: Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  13. 6/14: Bryan Adams “Heaven” (BB: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  14. 6/21: Phil Collins “Sussudio” (BB: 1, BA: 4, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  15. 7/5: Prince “Raspberry Beret” (BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  16. 7/12: Duran Duran “A View to a Kill” (BB: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  17. 7/19: Paul Young “Everytime You Go Away” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  18. 7/26: Tears for Fears “Shout” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 3)

  19. 8/16: Huey Lewis & the News “The Power of Love” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 3)

  20. 9/6: John Parr “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  21. 9/13: Dire Straits “Money for Nothing” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 4, RR: 3)

  22. 10/4: a-ha “Take on Me” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 3)
  23. 10/12: Ready for the World “Oh Sheila” (BB: 1)
  24. 10/25: Stevie Wonder “Part-Time Lover” (BB: 1, BA: 3, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  25. 10/26: Whitney Houston “Saving All My Love for You” (BB: 1)

  26. 11/8: Starship “We Built This City” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  27. 11/9: Jan Hammer “Miami Vice Theme” (BB: 1, CB: 1)
  28. 11/22: Marilyn Martin with Phil Collins “Separate Lives” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)

  29. 12/6: Mr. Mister “Broken Wings” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  30. 12/13: Lionel Richie “Say You, Say Me” (BB: 5, BA: 5, CB: 5, RR: 4)

1986:

  1. 1/17: Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (BB: 4, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 2)
  2. 1/31: Billy Ocean “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” (CB: 1, RR: 1)

  3. 2/7: Whitney Houston “How Will I Know” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  4. 2/21: Mr. Mister “Kyrie” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  5. 3/7: Heart “These Dreams” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  6. 3/15: Starship “Sara” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1)
  7. 3/21: Falco “Rock Me Amadeus” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 3)

  8. 4/11: Prince “Kiss” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  9. 4/18: Robert Palmer “Addicted to Love” (BB: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  10. 4/25: Pet Shop Boys “West End Girls” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)

  11. 5/9: Whitney Houston “Greatest Love of All” (BB: 3, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  12. 5/17: Van Halen “Why Can’t This Be Love” (CB: 1)
  13. 5/23: Madonna “Live to Tell” (BB: 1, BA: 3, CB: 1, RR: 3)

  14. 6/13: Patti LaBelle with Michael McDonald “On My Own” (BB: 3, BA: 2, CB: 3, RR: 1)
  15. 6/20: Howard Jones “No One Is to Blame” (RR: 1)
  16. 6/27: Billy Ocean “There’ll Be Sad Songs to Make You Cry” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)

  17. 7/4: Genesis “Invisible Touch” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  18. 7/12: Simply Red “Holding Back the Years” (BB: 1)
  19. 7/18: Peter Gabriel “Sledgehammer” (BB: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  20. 7/25: Peter Cetera “Glory of Love” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)

  21. 8/8: Madonna “Papa Don’t Preach” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  22. 8/22: Steve Winwood “Higher Love” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  23. 9/5: Lionel Richie “Dancing on the Ceiling” (BA: 1, RR: 1)
  24. 9/6: Bananarama “Venus” (BB: 1)
  25. 9/12: Huey Lewis & the News “Stuck with You” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)
  26. 9/13: Berlin “Take My Breath Away” (BB: 1, CB: 1)

  27. 10/3: Genesis “Throwing It All Away” (RR: 1)
  28. 10/10: Janet Jackson “When I Think of You” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  29. 10/17: Tina Turner “Typical Male” (CB: 1, RR: 1)
  30. 10/24: Cyndi Lauper “True Colors” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  31. 10/31: Boston “Amanda” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)

  32. 11/21: Huey Lewis & the News “Hip to Be Square” (RR: 1)
  33. 11/22: The Human League “Human” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1)
  34. 11/28: Bruce Hornsby & the Range “The Way It Is” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  35. 11/29: Bon Jovi “You Give Love a Bad Name” (BB: 1, CB: 1)

  36. 12/6: Peter Cetera with Amy Grant “The Next Time I Fall” (BB: 1)
  37. 12/12: Wang Chung “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” (CB: 3, RR: 1)
  38. 12/19: The Bangles “Walk Like an Egyptian” (BB: 4, BA: 4, CB: 1, RR: 2)

1987:

  1. 1/9: Gregory Abbott “Shake You Down” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  2. 1/16: Billy Vera & the Beaters “At This Moment” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  3. 1/23: Madonna “Open Your Heart” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)

  4. 2/6: Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (BB: 4, BA: 4, CB: 4, RR: 3)
  5. 2/27: Huey Lewis & the News “Jacob’s Ladder” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 2)

  6. 3/13: Club Nouveau “Lean on Me” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  7. 3/27: Starship “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 2)

  8. 4/10: Aretha Franklin with George Michael “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  9. 4/24: Cutting Crew “I Just Died in Your Arms” (BB: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  10. 5/8: U2 “With or Without You” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)
  11. 5/29: Kim Wilde “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (BB: 1, BA: 1, RR: 1)

  12. 6/5: Atlantic Starr “Always” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  13. 6/12: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam “Head to Toe” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  14. 6/19: Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 3)

  15. 7/10: Heart “Alone” (BB: 3, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  16. 7/24: Bob Seger “Shakedown” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  17. 7/31: U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)

  18. 8/7: Madonna “Who’s That Girl” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  19. 8/21: Los Lobos “La Bamba” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  20. 9/4: Michael Jackson with Siedah Garrett “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  21. 9/18: Whitney Houston “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  22. 9/25: Whitesnake “Here I Go Again” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)

  23. 10/2: Europe “Carrie” (RR: 1)
  24. 10/9: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam “Lost in Emotion” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  25. 10/16: Michael Jackson “Bad” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  26. 10/30: Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  27. 11/13: Billy Idol “Mony Mony (live)” (BB: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  28. 11/20: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  29. 11/27: Belinda Carlisle “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)

  30. 12/4: George Michael “Faith” (BB: 4, BA: 5, CB: 5, RR: 3)

1988:

  1. 1/1: Whitney Houston “So Emotional” (BB: 1, RR: 1)
  2. 1/8: George Harrison “Got My Mind Set on You” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  3. 1/15: Michael Jackson “The Way You Make Me Feel” (BB: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  4. 1/22: INXS “Need You Tonight” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  5. 1/29: Tiffany “Could’ve Been” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  6. 2/12: George Michael “Father Figure” (BB: 2, BA: 4, CB: 3, RR: 4)
  7. 2/20: Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” (CB: 1)
  8. 2/20: Exposé “Seasons Change” (BB: 1)

  9. 3/11: Rick Astley “Never Gonna Give You Up” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  10. 3/18: Michael Jackson “Man in the Mirror” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)

  11. 4/8: Billy Ocean “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  12. 4/22: Whitney Houston “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  13. 4/29: Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine “Anything for You” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  14. 5/7: Terence Trent D’Arby “Wishing Well” (BB: 1, CB: 1)
  15. 5/13: George Michael “One More Try” (BB: 3, BA: 4, CB: 3, RR: 4)

  16. 6/10: Rick Astley “Together Forever” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  17. 6/17: Debbie Gibson “Foolish Beat” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  18. 6/24: Michael Jackson “Dirty Diana” (BB: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)

  19. 7/1: Cheap Trick “The Flame” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  20. 7/15: Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (CB: 2, RR: 1)
  21. 7/22: Steve Winwood “Roll with It” (BB: 4, BA: 4, CB: 3, RR: 3)
  22. 7/23: Richard Marx “Hold on to the Nights” (BB: 1, BA: 1)

  23. 8/12: George Michael “Monkey” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 3)

  24. 9/2: Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 3, RR: 2)
  25. 9/10: Huey Lewis & the News “Perfect World” (BA: 1)
  26. 9/16: Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (BB: 2, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  27. 9/23: Def Leppard “Love Bites” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)

  28. 10/7: UB40 “Red Red Wine” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  29. 10/14: Phil Collins “A Groovy Kind of Love” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  30. 10/28: The Beach Boys “Kokomo” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)

  31. 11/11: The Escape Club “Wild Wild West” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  32. 11/18: Will to Power “Baby, I Love Your Way/Free Bird” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  33. 11/19: Bon Jovi “Bad Medicine” (BB: 2, CB: 1)

  34. 12/2: Chicago “Look Away” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  35. 12/16: Poison “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (BB: 3, BA: 4, CB: 4, RR: 2)

1989:

  1. 1/6: Phil Collins “Two Hearts” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  2. 1/14: Bobby Brown “My Prerogative” (BB: 1)
  3. 1/20: Sheriff “When I’m with You” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  4. 1/28: Taylor Dayne “Don’t Rush Me” (CB: 1)

  5. 2/3: Paula Abdul “Straight Up” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  6. 2/17: Debbie Gibson “Lost in Your Eyes” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 4)

  7. 3/17: Bangles “Eternal Flame” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  8. 3/18: Mike + the Mechanics “The Living Years” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2)
  9. 3/31: Roxette “The Look” (BB: 1, BA: 2, RR: 1)

  10. 4/7: Fine Young Cannibals “She Drives Me Crazy” (BB: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  11. 4/8: Milli Vanilli “Girl You Know It’s True” (CB: 1)
  12. 4/14: Madonna “Like a Prayer” (BB: 3, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)

  13. 5/5: Bon Jovi “I’ll Be There for You” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)
  14. 5/12: Paula Abdul “Forever Your Girl” (BB: 2, BA: 2, RR: 2)
  15. 5/20: Jody Watley “Real Love” (CB: 1)
  16. 5/26: Michael Damian “Rock On” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)

  17. 6/2: New Kids on the Block “I’ll Be Loving You Forever” (BB: 2, BA: 2, RR: 2)
  18. 6/10: Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (BB: 1, CB: 2)
  19. 6/16: Richard Marx “Satisfied” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 2)
  20. 6/30: Fine Young Cannibals “Good Thing” (BB: 1, BA: 2, CB: 2, RR: 1)

  21. 7/1: Milli Vanilli “Baby Don’t Forget My Number” (BB: 1)
  22. 7/7: Simply Red “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” (BB: 1, BA: 1, RR: 2)
  23. 7/21: Martika “Toy Soldiers” (BB: 2, BA: 1, RR: 1)
  24. 7/22: Madonna “Express Yourself” (CB: 1)
  25. 7/28: Prince “Batdance” (BB: 1, CB: 3, RR: 1)

  26. 8/4: Richard Marx “Right Here Waiting” (BB: 3, BA: 5, CB: 2, RR: 3)
  27. 8/25: Paula Abdul “Cold Hearted” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)

  28. 9/1: New Kids on the Block “Hangin’ Tough” (BB: 1, RR: 1)
  29. 9/8: Gloria Estefan “Don’t Wanna Lose You” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 2, RR: 1)
  30. 9/15: Milli Vanilli “Girl, I’m Gonna Miss You” (BB: 2, BA: 3, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  31. 9/29: Madonna “Cherish” (CB: 1, RR: 1)

  32. 10/6: Janet Jackson “Miss You Much” (BB: 4, BA: 3, CB: 3, RR: 3)
  33. 10/27: Roxette “Listen to Your Heart” (BB: 1, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 1)

  34. 11/3: Bad English “When I See You Smile” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 1, RR: 2)
  35. 11/4: Tears for Fears “Sowing the Seeds of Love” (CB: 1)
  36. 11/17: Milli Vanilli “Blame It on the Rain” (BB: 2, BA: 2, CB: 1, RR: 2)

  37. 12/1: Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (BB: 4, BA: 6, CB: 5, RR: 5)
  38. 12/2: Paula Abdul “It’s Just the Way That You Love Me” (CB: 1)
  39. 12/9: Billy Joel “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (BB: 2, BA: 1, CB: 1)

Resources/Related Links:


First posted 2/24/2021; updated 11/14/2021.