Music

Mejores canciones de los 80

Explore an unparalleled selection of the greatest musical hits that defined the 1980s. From catchy pop to iconic rock, this list celebrates the diversity and cultural impact of eighties music. Discover the most influential songs from legendary artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Queen, which continue to resonate today. Immerse yourself in nostalgia and relive the golden age of music with these timeless classics. It's the perfect guide for retro music lovers and new generations alike.

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  1. 1

    With or Without You

    356 Global Votes
    • Iconic hit that ruled radio and pop culture

      (+3)

    The song offers a profound and emotional exploration of the complexities of love and relationships, resonating with a global audience. Its distinctive instrumentation and Bono's powerful vocal performance make it a timeless rock ballad that captured the musical essence of the decade.

  2. 2

    Cruz de Navajas (1986)

    51 Global Votes
    • Still resonates with '80s realism and heartbreak

      (+1)

    The song features a deep and complex lyrical narrative about infidelity and its tragic consequences, capturing the essence of dramatic stories from the decade. Its musical composition and Ana Torroja's vocal performance made it a massive hit, resonating with audiences for its emotional depth and distinctive 80s pop sound.

  3. 3

    La Chica de Ayer (1980)

    37 Global Votes
    • Regarded as one of the most important rock pop songs in Spanish history

      (+4)

    This song is a fundamental pillar of Spanish pop rock from the 80s, capturing the essence of the Movida Madrileña with its distinctive sound. Its poetic lyrics and unforgettable melody solidified it as a timeless classic that continues to resonate with new generations.

  4. 4

    Don't Stop Believin'

    16 Global Votes
    • Most famous song

      (+3)

    This song is a timeless rock anthem that has transcended generations, becoming a symbol of hope and perseverance. Its cultural impact is undeniable, being the best-selling digital track of the 20th century and achieving double diamond status from the RIAA, demonstrating its immense popularity and lasting legacy.

  5. 5

    Billie Jean

    0 Global Votes
    • One of Michael Jackson's signature songs

      (+4)

    This song is a cultural and musical landmark of the 1980s, standing out for its innovative production, iconic bassline, and global impact. Its music video revolutionized the industry and made it a phenomenon that defined 80s pop, maintaining its relevance and chart success even decades after its release.

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  7. 6

    Sweet Child O' Mine

    0 Global Votes
    • Big-hearted rock anthem with depth

      (+4)

    The song features an unforgettable guitar riff and a dynamic progression that transforms it from a melancholic ballad into a powerful rock anthem. Its commercial success and cultural impact solidified it as a pillar of 1980s hard rock, resonating with a global audience for its emotional depth and raw energy.

  8. 7

    Take On Me

    0 Global Votes
    • Iconic music video of the '80s

      (+2)

    The song features an iconic synthesizer riff and a catchy pop melody that made it unmistakable in the 1980s. Its groundbreaking music video, which combined rotoscoped animation with live-action, set a new standard for music videos and significantly contributed to its cultural impact.

  9. 8

    Livin' on a Prayer

    0 Global Votes
    • Performed strongly on rock and pop radio

      (+1)

    This song captured the spirit of the 1980s with its motivational message about working-class perseverance in the face of economic hardship. Its narrative about Tommy and Gina, coupled with its catchy chorus and rock energy, made it a timeless anthem that continues to inspire millions.

  10. 9

    I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)

    0 Global Votes
    • Best-selling single by a female artist in the 1980s

      (+1)

    This song is a pop anthem that encapsulates the energy and optimistic spirit of the 1980s, standing out for Whitney Houston's unmistakable voice and its vibrant production. Its catchy melody and universal message about the desire for connection made it a global hit, resonating with millions of listeners and defining a musical era.

  11. 10

    When Doves Cry

    0 Global Votes
    • Prince's first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single

      (+4)

    The song stands out for its innovative production without a bassline, creating a unique and bold sound that set it apart in the 1980s. Its profound lyrics explore internal conflict, heartbreak, and the fear of repeating family patterns, resonating with a wide audience.

  12. 11

    Every Breath You Take

    0 Global Votes
    • Voted "Song of the Year" in 1983 Rolling Stone polls

      (+3)

    This song stands out for its unforgettable melody and complex lyrics, which explore themes of surveillance and obsession beneath a seemingly romantic facade. Its cultural impact and commercial success established it as a pillar of 80s music, resonating with global audiences and maintaining its relevance throughout the decades.

  13. 12

    Girls Just Want to Have Fun

    0 Global Votes
    • Iconic 80s pop music video

    This song became an iconic feminist anthem of the 1980s, transforming a pre-existing track into a powerful statement of female empowerment. Its catchy pop melody and message of equality resonated deeply, establishing it as a cultural touchstone of the decade. The music video was also groundbreaking and contributed to its global impact.

  14. 13

    Like a Prayer

    0 Global Votes
    • Greatest Madonna song of all time

      (+2)

    This song is a cultural and musical landmark of the 1980s, recognized for its innovative blend of genres including pop, rock, dance, and gospel. Its deeply personal lyrics and provocative nature made it an influential and controversial work, which continues to resonate for its artistic boldness.

  15. 14

    Persiana americana

    0 Global Votes
    • Anthem for road trips

      (+4)

    The song captures the essence of 1980s Latin American rock with its distinctive instrumentation and evocative lyrics. Its cultural impact and innovative sound solidified it as a musical benchmark of the decade, resonating with an entire generation.

  16. 15

    Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

    0 Global Votes
    • Synth-pop hit from the 1980s

      (+1)

    This song defined the synth-pop sound of the 1980s with its innovative production and Annie Lennox's iconic vocal performance. Its reflective lyrics about ambition and the search for meaning resonated deeply, making it a generational anthem that transcended the charts.

Frequently asked questions

This ranking includes the most influential and recognizable classics from the 1980s, featuring artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Whitney Houston, Journey, TOTO, AC/DC, Kenny Loggins, Billy Joel, and Survivor, among many others.
Positions are determined by a combination of popularity, cultural impact, global recognition, and the songs' prominent presence on charts and radio during the 80s.
Currently, the ranking is based on the provided information and context. However, we always appreciate community interest in 80s classics.
The ranking covers a wide range of genres that dominated the 80s, including pop, dance, rock, new wave, glam metal, and hip-hop, reflecting the musical diversity of the era.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

Our ranking of the best 80s songs is compiled from a comprehensive analysis of the cultural relevance and impact of music from that decade. We focus on identifying songs that were not only commercial successes but also left a lasting mark on music history.

  • Songs that dominated the charts, radio stations, and dance floors are considered, such as Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' or a-ha's 'Take On Me'.
  • The influence of artists and their works is valued, including iconic figures like Madonna, Prince, and Whitney Houston, who had multiple hits in the decade.
  • Songs that have been recognized in 'best of' lists by specialized publications and radio stations, such as SiriusXM's 80s on 8 Top 500 list, are taken into account.
  • Genre diversity, from pop and rock to new wave and glam metal, is an important factor to represent the musical richness of the 80s.
  • Cultural Impact and Popularity: Songs must have had a significant impact on popular culture and been widely recognized during the 1980s.
  • Chart Success and Airplay: Priority is given to songs that achieved high positions on the charts and had strong radio rotation.
  • Artist Recognition: Works by artists who were key figures and dominated the 80s music scene, such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince, are included.
  • Lasting Legacy: Songs must have maintained their relevance and be considered timeless classics of the decade to this day.