Music

Mejores canciones synth-pop de los 80

Explore an unparalleled selection of synth-pop anthems that defined the 1980s. From iconic synthesizers to catchy melodies, this ranking celebrates the musical innovation of legendary artists. Discover the songs that marked an era and continue to resonate today, perfect for retro music lovers and new listeners alike. Immerse yourself in the distinctive sound that fused electronic music with pop, creating a timeless genre.

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  1. 1

    Relax (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) (1984)

    261 Global Votes
    • Became a global smash hit

      (+2)

    This song is an iconic 80s synth-pop anthem, recognized for its innovative production by Trevor Horn and raw energy. Its controversial nature and massive success established it as a cornerstone of the genre, influencing the decade's pop culture.

  2. 2

    I Ran (So Far Away) (1982)

    248 Global Votes
    • 1982 synth-pop hit

      (+3)

    This song encapsulates the essence of 80s synth-pop with its spacey synthesizers and catchy melody. Its distinctive sound and innovative production established it as a landmark of the genre, influencing the decade's musical direction. The song defines the early 80s synth-pop movement with its lush, atmospheric sound.

  3. 3

    Temptation (Heaven 17) (1983)

    1 Global Votes
    • Near-perfect example of power synth pop

      (+4)

    This song stands out for its innovative fusion of futuristic synthesizers with an emotional female vocal, creating a distinctive and danceable synth-pop sound. Its lyrics explore desire and the excesses of the 1980s, offering a musical piece that is both intimate and socially relevant.

  4. 4

    Chains of Love (Erasure) (1988)

    0 Global Votes
    • Uptempo dance-oriented synthpop track

      (+2)

    The song features an iconic synth-pop melody and impeccable production that encapsulate the essence of the genre in the 1980s. Its commercial success and enduring popularity demonstrate its cultural impact and its ability to define the sound of a decade.

  5. 5

    Cars - Gary Numan

    0 Global Votes
    • Proved late 70s/early 80s music was different

      (+4)

    This song is foundational to the synth-pop genre, as its 1979 release helped establish the sound and aesthetic of the early 80s new wave and electronic movement. Its iconic synthesizer riff and dystopian atmosphere captured the essence of electronic music, influencing countless subsequent artists. The track features a memorable melody and an innovative use of synthesizers that made it a global hit.

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  7. 6

    Love Action (I Believe In Love)

    0 Global Votes
    • More approachable and intimate

      (+1)

    This song encapsulates the essence of 80s synth-pop with its innovative production and pioneering use of analogue synthesizers, including a distinctive 'meow' sound and guitar processing techniques. Its intimate, semi-autobiographical lyrics, combined with sophisticated electronic instrumentation, make it a foundational example of the genre.

  8. 7

    Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson

    0 Global Votes
    • Captures the feel of the early 1980s

      (+4)

    This song is a brilliant example of 80s synth-pop, notable for its innovative use of synthesizers like the Prophet 5 and Minimoog, which defined the decade's sound. Its catchy melody and polished production made it a significant commercial hit, cementing its place in the genre's history.

  9. 8

    The Metro

    0 Global Votes
    • Captured the essence of the classic synthpop era 80s music

      (+2)

    This song is a foundational example of 80s synth-pop, notable for its distinctive sound that fuses new wave with punk rock and pop elements. Its innovative use of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 synthesizer and Terri Nunn's emotive vocal performance established it as a genre landmark.

  10. 9

    Enola Gay - Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark

    0 Global Votes

    This song features one of the catchiest and most recognizable synth melodies of the decade, blending a vibrant pop sound with a deeply reflective theme. Its innovative composition and commercial success established it as a key reference point for 80s synth-pop. The track demonstrates how the genre could tackle complex subjects with melodic accessibility.

  11. 10

    Fade to Grey (Visage)

    0 Global Votes
    • Pure art, atmospheric and futuristic

      (+4)

    This song is a cornerstone of 80s synth-pop, notable for its innovative blend of bilingual vocals and distinctive electronic atmosphere. Its futuristic and melancholic sound, achieved with synthesizers and minimalist production, captured the essence of the New Romantic movement and remains influential.

  12. 11

    To Cut a Long Story Short

    0 Global Votes
    • Debut single by Spandau Ballet

      (+2)

    This song is a cornerstone of 80s synth-pop, marking Spandau Ballet's debut with an innovative sound and New Romantic aesthetic. Its distinctive use of synthesizers and melancholic atmosphere established it as an influential piece in the genre. The song encapsulates the sonic experimentation and sophistication that defined synth-pop music of the decade.

  13. 12

    Rio - Duran Duran

    0 Global Votes
    • Cemented Duran Duran as synth-pop legends

      (+4)

    This song encapsulates the essence of 80s synth-pop with its crystalline synths, engaging beat, and multi-layered vocals symbolizing internal conflict. Its blend of new wave, pop rock, and dance-rock, along with disco and funk elements, makes it a genre benchmark that defined a decade.

  14. 13

    You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

    0 Global Votes
    • Captures the 80s sound more than anything ever

      (+4)

    This song is a cornerstone of 80s synth-pop, notable for its innovative fusion of synth-pop with the Hi-NRG genre, creating a catchy and danceable sound. Its global success, including being the first UK #1 for the Hi-NRG scene, demonstrates its cultural impact and influence on electronic music of the decade.

  15. 14

    The Look of Love

    0 Global Votes
    • Produced by legendary Trevor Horn

      (+4)

    This ABC song fuses lush orchestration with a distinctive synth-pop flair, creating a sophisticated and ambitious piece of pop. Its innovative production and commercial success established it as a benchmark of the genre in the 1980s.

  16. 15

    Kids in America - Kim Wilde

    0 Global Votes
    • Enduring 80s teen anthem

      (+3)

    The song features a catchy synth-pop melody and rebellious lyrics that captured the essence of 80s youth. Its distinctive synth sound and chant-like chorus established it as a defining track of the early 80s new wave era.

Frequently asked questions

We focus on songs released during the 1980s that are representative of the synth-pop genre, highlighting their cultural and musical impact. For instance, OMD's 'If You Leave' or Erasure's 'Chains of Love' are excellent examples of songs that defined the sound of the era.
Users can vote for their favorite songs on the list. Your participation helps reflect the community's popularity and appreciation for these iconic synth-pop tracks.
Songs are selected based on their relevance to the synth-pop genre, cultural impact, recognition, and release date within the 1980s. For example, Gary Numan's 'Cars', though released in 1979, is considered for its influence on the 80s synth-pop movement.
A song's position is influenced by community votes and editorial relevance. Songs with greater support and significant genre impact tend to rank higher.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

Our ranking of the best 80s synth-pop songs is built through a combination of editorial curation and community participation, ensuring both defining classics and fan favorites are recognized.

  • Songs are pre-selected based on their historical impact on the synth-pop genre and their relevance within the 1980s, such as OMD's 'If You Leave', described as a signature song.
  • The songs' influence in defining the synth-pop and new wave movement is considered, such as Gary Numan's 'Cars' role in shaping the genre.
  • The overall popularity and recognition of the songs are valued, including those that became hits or are widely remembered for their contribution to the 80s sound, like Erasure's 'Chains of Love'.
  • Community participation through votes and comments helps shape the final ranking, reflecting the current preferences of synth-pop enthusiasts.
  • The song must have been released predominantly in the 1980s, though influential late 1979 tracks that set the stage for the 80s sound, like Gary Numan's 'Cars', may be included.
  • The song must exhibit the distinctive sonic characteristics of synth-pop, including prominent use of synthesizers and an electronic production aesthetic, as seen in OMD and Erasure.
  • The song's cultural impact and relevance are considered, including its placement in films, its status as an artist's signature song, or its contribution to the genre's popularity.
  • The song's longevity and recognition over time are valued, demonstrating its ability to resonate with audiences decades after its release.