Top 20 80s Songs You Forgot Were Awesome

These singles deserve as much attention as the biggest hits and classics from the decade. For this list, we’ll be looking at the 1980s tracks that might have slipped through the cracks. Our countdown includes “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, "If This Is It", “Dead Man’s Party”, “Never Tear Us Apart”, and more! Did we forget an underrated ‘80s hit? Let us know in the comments below.

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#80s
#Music
#Underrated
#Underappreciated
#80sSongs
#80sBands
#80sMusic
#Songs
#OneHitWonder
#Pop

[WatchMojo]

Did we forget an underrated ‘80s hit? Let us know in the comments below.

Available in other regions soon!

[trinaq]

The 80's: "The future will be awesome, we can't wait!"
The 2020's: "We want to go back to the 1980's."

[garyfrazier]

No love for Talk Talk? "It's My Life" is just brilliant, no two ways about it.

[sanfrancisco]

HERE WE GO....
20. Vienna (Ultravox)
19. Don't Dream It's Over (Crowded House)
18. Send Me An Angel (Real Life)
17. If This Is It (Huey Lewis & The News)
16. Voices Carry (Til Tuesday)
15. Waiting For A Star To Fall (Boy Meets Girl)
14. The Killing Moon (Echo & The Bunnymen)
13. Self Control (Laura Brannigan)
12. Out of Touch (Hall & Oates)
11. All Through The Night (Cyndi Lauper)
10. Dead Man's Party (Oingo Boingo)
09. In A Big Country (Big Country)
08. The Perfect Kiss (New Order)
07. I Got You (Split Enz)
06. The Promise (When In Rome)
05. Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush)
04. Head Over Heels (Tears for Fears)
03. The Stroke (Billy Squier)
02. Urgent (Foreigner)
01. Never Tear Us Apart (INXS)

WHEW!

[otherworlder]

As a Gen Xer, I approve of this list. It’s high school and university. All wrapped up. When in Rome. Split Enz. Big Country. And of course INXS. ❤️❤️❤️

[grayshigami]

Boys - Sabrina
St. Elmo's Fire - John Parr
Dance Hall Days - Wang Chung
Domino Dancing - Pet Shop Boys
In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell
Who's Crying Now? - Journey
Woman - John Lennon

[DominickRuocco]

80's music STILL dominates my playlists. I love when WatchMojo does lists about 80's music.

[alisonbailey]

I swear the 70s and 80s were brilliant for music 🔣

[isaiahtolbert]

Scritti Politti - A Perfect Way. Always forgotten but such a classic tune. Lyrically sound, the whole album is good really.

Living In A Box - Living In A Box. A great single that didnt really take off but fits with all these songs. Perfect new wave rhythms, soulful singing and catchy chorus.

Touchy - A-Ha. Same as above. Just encompasses 80s pop oh so well and again great vocals and catchy chorus. Just wait 'till you get to the "yeah yeah" chants for more 1987 neon hairspray goodness. All of these should have been #1 for weeks

[pharaohstatus]

I'd put Life in a Northern Town by The Dream Academy on this list. Timeless hit

[trinaq]

"Never Tear Us Apart" always gives me the chills, especially with Michael Hutchence's powerful, raw vocals. It even played at his funeral in 1997, which was very fitting.

[ruthparks]

In Australia Never Tear Us Apart by INXS has always been huge

[rebelswynn]

Growing up in the eighties was so incredibly good. Bands and hits like these take me back to a very beautiful time.❤️

[manueltapia]

I'm an 80s born kid so yes the music is better. RIP Michael Hutchence.

[dramac]

"Voices Carry" was and still is my favorite track from the 80s. Aimee Mann's emotional rendition - not to mention her unique voice - made this recording one of the strongest tracks in the final quarter of the twentieth century. I still listen to it frequently.

[cowboycb]

I totally agree. Laura Brannigan is so under rated. Love her music. Sadly she was taken from us way too soon.

[kimmitchell]

Voices Carry has always been my favorite song by 'Til Tuesday!!!

[artisstrong]

No one ever mentions Level 42. "Lessons in Love" and "Something About You". A very underrated group....

[corkycobon]

I was a tween/teenager during the 80's and that was definitely the time to be alive when it came to music. I can honestly say that 95% of my music collection is all 80's. Duran Duran, Missing Persons, Berlin, Tears For Fears, Terence Trent D'arby, Information Society, Shannon, Thomas Dolby, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Gene Loves Jezebel, Love and Rockets...I could go on FOR DAYS!!

[SophiaLotsari]

1. Breakout-Swing Out Sister
2. Wang Chung- Dance Hall Days
3. Stay the Night-Chicago
4. The Captain of her Heart-Double
5. La Habanera- Yello
6. Ghost Town- The Specials
7. Heartbeat City- The Cars
8. Come on Eileen -Dexys Midnight Runners
9. Me and the Farmer- Housemartins
10. We Got the Beat- The GoGo's
11. Manchild- Neneh Cherry
...and the list can go on for, like, ever!