20 iconic pop songs that define the '80s

In 1987, Whitney Houston released her sophomore album Whitney, which was led by the hit single “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” On the track, Houston reflects on how life can be great, but it gets lonely at times, and she’s at a point where she wants to spend the rest of her life with that special someone. 

Rock band The Police dropped one of the biggest records in 1983 with their single “Every Breath You Take.” On the track, lead singer Sting plays the protagonist as someone who wants to have some type of control and power over a former lover. As he sings on the first verse, “Every breath you take / And every move you make / Every bond you break, every step you take / I'll be watching you.”

Chic band members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards wrote and produced Diana Ross’ 1980 single “I’m Coming Out.” On the track, Ross gives the perspective of a woman who’s ready to unapologetically be herself. As she sings on the first verse, “I think this time around, I am gonna do it / Like you never knew it, oh, I'll make it through / The time has come for me to break out of this shell / I have to shout that I am coming out.”

In 1986, rock band Bon Jovi released their third album Slippery When Wet, which featured the hit single “Livin’ on a Prayer.” On the track, the band highlights a couple who are simply trying to make it in life and believe that the love they have for each other will help them get through the hard times.

In 1983, Cyndi Lauper released one of her biggest hits, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” On the track, Lauper gives the perspective of a young woman who believes in the freedom and liberation of life. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

It’s safe to say that during the ‘80s is when Michael Jackson’s status as the King of Pop came to fruition. In 1982, he released his album Thriller, which garnered seven singles including “Beat It.” Produced by his frequent collaborator Quincy Jones, Jackson uses the track to advise someone to step away from fighting with the wrong crowd. 

In 1984, pop duo Wham! released their hit single “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” On the track, the duo gives the perspective of a man who’s truly in love with his partner, but he’s disappointed to find out his partner went partying without him. So he’s asking to wake him up for the next party plans. 

In 1984, Madonna released her sophomore album Like a Virgin, which featured the hit single “Material Girl.” Produced by Nile Rodgers, Madonna uses the track to describe how she has plenty of suitors, but the ones who truly pique her interest are the ones who are wealthy enough to buy her anything she wants. 

In 1983, pop duo The Weather Girls released their third album Success, led by the smash single “It’s Raining Men.” On the track, the duo gives listeners a weather report with a twist, that if women go out at night, they’ll be sure to find the men they’re looking for. “It’s Raining Men” was a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. 

In 1984, pop group Bananarama released their self-titled sophomore album, led by the single “Cruel Summer.” On the track, the group details the need to be with the ones they love during the summertime.

Tina Turner realizes that love can be beautiful thing, but it can also come with heartbreak, as she stresses on her 1984 track “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Although she understands why people give their hearts to the one they love, she also questions the purpose of having a heart when it can easily be broken. 

In 1982, pop rock band Duran Duran released their sophomore album Rio, led by the hit single “Hungry Like the Wolf.” On the track, singer Simon Le Bon describes the appetite and attraction he feels for a potential partner. As they sing on the track, “Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme / I'm on the hunt, I'm after you / Mouth is alive, with juices like wine / And I'm hungry like the wolf.”

In 1986, Prince released his eighth album Parade, led by the hit single “Kiss.” Known as one of his signature songs, Prince uses the track to describe how much he wants quality time and affection from a lover. 

In 1983, Billy Joel released his ninth album An Innocent Man, which featured the hit single “Uptown Girl.” On the track, Joel describes an upper-class woman who caught his eye, and who just so happens to be looking for a “downtown man” like himself. 

“Let’s Groove” was the lead single on Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1981 album Raise! Blending elements of funk and pop, “Let’s Groove” is the perfect track to get listeners out on the dance floor. As they sing on the hook, “Let this groove light up your fuse / It's alright, alright, alright / Let this groove set in your shoes / So stand up, alright, alright.”

In 1980, “Another One Bites the Dust” became the biggest hit record for rock band Queen. With its funky guitar riff and disco elements, the song is a catchy tune as it lyrically discusses how people take losses in life.

English band Sade (named for its singer, Sade) came onto the scene in 1984 with their debut album Diamond Life, which featured the hit single “Smooth Operator.” Using elements of jazz, pop, and bossa nova, the track details a man with player and conman tendencies. “Smooth Operator” became a top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and is one of Sade’s biggest records.  

In 1985, pop rock band Tears for Fears released their sophomore album Songs from the Big Chair, which featured their single “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” On the track, the band highlights how people have a desire to have control and power within the world. The song became a No. 1 hit across several Billboard charts including the Hot 100 and the Hot Dance Club Play. 

“Miss You Much” was the lead single from Janet Jackson’s fourth album Rhythm Nation 1814. Working with her frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jackson uses the track to describe the loneliness and sadness she feels whenever she’s away from her lover for too long. “Miss You Much” topped several charts including the Hot 100 and Dance Club Songs. 

In 1983, British pop duo Eurythmics released their hit single “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” On the track, the duo reflects on seeing people around the world have goals and dreams, but sometimes other people use them simply to bring them down.