Music

Mejores canciones de synth-pop de los 80

Explore an exhaustive selection of the most iconic and revolutionary synth-pop songs from the 1980s. This list celebrates the golden era of synthesizers and catchy melodies that defined a musical decade. Discover the trend-setting hits and the lasting influence of this genre on modern music. Ideal for retro music fans and those looking to relive the sonic essence of the eighties.

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  1. 1

    Take On Me (A-ha) (1984)

    192 Global Votes
    • Quintessential 1980s pop song

      (+2)

    The song features an infectious synth melody and impeccable production that encapsulate the essence of 80s synth-pop. Its innovative music video, which combines rotoscoped animation with live action, revolutionized music video concepts and was key to its global success.

  2. 2

    Tainted Love - Soft Cell (1981)

    149 Global Votes
    • Attained worldwide fame

      (+4)

    Soft Cell's version of "Tainted Love" is a landmark of 80s synth-pop, redefining the original song's sound with iconic synthesizers and innovative production. Its global success and influence on the genre establish it as a fundamental piece of electronic music from that decade.

  3. 3

    I Ran (So Far Away) (1982)

    81 Global Votes
    • Launched A Flock of Seagulls into MTV-era stardom

      (+4)

    This song encapsulates the essence of 80s synth-pop with its distinctive synthesizers and futuristic atmosphere. Its catchy melody and innovative production established it as a benchmark for the genre, influencing countless subsequent artists. The track became a global hit, solidifying A Flock of Seagulls' sound and their impact on the decade's music.

  4. 4

    Situation (Yazoo) (1982)

    34 Global Votes
    • Synth-pop masterpiece

      (+1)

    The song features melodic synth orchestration and innovative production that defined the 80s synth-pop sound. Its distinctive Alison Moyet laugh has been sampled over 90 times, demonstrating its lasting impact on dance music.

  5. 5

    The Human League - "Don't You Want Me" (1981)

    25 Global Votes
    • Classic 1981 synth-pop anthem

      (+3)

    This song is a defining anthem of 1980s synth-pop, capturing the genre's essence with its distinctive synthesizers and unique vocal narrative. Its duet structure between Phil Oakey and the female vocalists created a dramatic dialogue that resonated deeply with audiences, cementing its status as an enduring classic.

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  7. 6

    Love Action (I Believe In Love)

    0 Global Votes
    • Groundbreaking synth pop

      (+1)

    This song is a pivotal milestone in the development of synth-pop, showcasing The Human League's ability to craft catchy melodies with purely electronic instrumentation. Its innovative production and commercial success in 1981 established it as an influential track that defined the sound of the 1980s.

  8. 7

    The Metro

    0 Global Votes

    The song features a pulsing synth line and a cold, emotional atmosphere that defined it as a pillar of 80s synth-pop. Its innovative sound and MTV presence made it a cultural touchstone of the decade, capturing the essence of new wave. John Crawford's composition and Terri Nunn's performance created a timeless piece that continues to resonate with genre fans.

  9. 8

    Enola Gay

    0 Global Votes
    • Anti-war song with political commentary

      (+4)

    This song features one of the most iconic and recognizable synth melodies of the 1980s, blending sweet, textured electronic instrumentation with a profound anti-war message. Its multi-layered structure and distinctive sound make it a seminal example of synth-pop from the era, influencing the genre with its innovative approach.

  10. 9

    Fade to Grey (Visage)

    0 Global Votes
    • Defining track of the New Wave and synthpop era

      (+2)

    The song features an innovative bilingual structure with alternating English and French vocals, lending it a unique artistic and atmospheric quality. Its distinctive pulsing synth bass and New Romantic aesthetic defined the 80s synth-pop sound, influencing the genre with its cutting-edge production.

  11. 10

    New Order - "Blue Monday" (1983)

    0 Global Votes
    • Became an international smash hit

      (+2)

    This song defined the 1980s synth-pop era with its distinctive robotic beat and innovative production. It became the best-selling 12-inch single in history, demonstrating its immense cultural and commercial impact on the genre.

  12. 11

    Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

    0 Global Votes
    • Synth-pop classic

      (+4)

    This song is a cornerstone of 80s synth-pop, notable for its innovative electronic production and the iconic defining synthesizer riff. Its cultural and commercial impact was immense, cementing Eurythmics as a genre benchmark and leaving a lasting mark on popular music.

  13. 12

    A Little Respect

    0 Global Votes
    • Still sounds fresh decades later

      (+4)

    This song is a landmark of 80s synth-pop, notable for its catchy melody and Andy Bell's emotional vocal performance. Its innovative production fuses synthesizers with rock elements, creating a distinctive sound that captured the decade's essence and became a global hit.

  14. 13

    What Is Love

    0 Global Votes
    • Reached number 2 on the UK singles chart

      (+1)

    The song features iconic synthesizer instrumentation and a catchy melody that encapsulate the essence of 80s synth-pop. Its commercial success and distinctive sound established it as a key reference point for the genre in that decade.

  15. 14

    Everybody Wants To Rule the World

    0 Global Votes
    • Landmark of '80s synthpop

      (+4)

    This Tears for Fears song defines the 80s synth-pop sound with its innovative production and iconic synthesizers. Its global success and catchy melody make it an undeniable benchmark of the genre and the decade.

  16. 15

    West End Girls

    0 Global Votes
    • Synth-pop classic

      (+4)

    The song defined the 80s sound with its innovative blend of synthesizers and a spoken-word narrative, creating a unique and distinctive atmosphere. Its cutting-edge production and introspective lyrics about urban life made it a cultural benchmark for 80s synth-pop.

Frequently asked questions

The ranking is based on popularity, cultural impact, and relevance within the 80s synth-pop genre, including songs from iconic artists and tracks that defined the era.
Users can participate by voting for their favorite songs and, in some cases, suggesting new entries they believe are representative of the best 80s synth-pop, provided they meet the selection criteria.
The results reflect a combination of community opinion and editorial curation, highlighting songs that the audience and context consider the most influential and enjoyable 80s synth-pop tracks. It serves as a guide for exploring the genre.
The ranking aims for a balance, including both widely recognized hits from artists like Depeche Mode and Human League, as well as songs that, while perhaps less known, had a significant impact or are highly valued by synth-pop fans.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

The ranking of the best 80s synth-pop songs has been compiled through an editorial process that values both community opinion and the historical and cultural relevance of each track within the genre. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive and representative guide to this iconic musical decade.

  • Songs from key 80s synth-pop artists such as Talk Talk, Depeche Mode, New Order, Human League, A Flock of Seagulls, and Erasure, among others, have been considered.
  • Inclusion is based on the song's impact on popular culture, its sonic innovation, and its lasting appeal over time, as evidenced by its presence in lists and mentions.
  • Consideration has been given to the presence of songs in remasters or re-recorded versions, indicating their continued relevance and appreciation by the audience.
  • Community participation through votes and suggestions helps reflect the current preferences of 80s synth-pop enthusiasts.
  • The diversity of sounds and subgenres within synth-pop is valued, from darker tracks to more commercial and danceable ones.
  • The song must have been originally released in the 1980s and clearly belong to the synth-pop genre or have a significant influence on it.
  • Originality and innovation in the use of synthesizers and electronic technology to create its distinctive sound are prioritized.
  • Songs that have achieved commercial or critical recognition are considered, as well as those deemed 'classics' by the synth-pop fan community.
  • The song's ability to evoke the atmosphere and spirit of the 80s, transporting the listener back to that era, is an important factor.
  • Tracks that have been influential for later artists or sampled by other music genres, demonstrating their enduring legacy, are included.