80’s Pop Music Playlist: The Must Haves

Here’s a look at 15 essential tracks from the 1980s – what we like to call the “Must Haves” from that decade of pop music!

Introduction

The 1980’s was a decade of great music. From new wave to hair bands, there was something for everyone. If you are putting together an 80’s playlist, there are some must haves. Here is a list of 80’s pop songs that should be on your playlist.

1. “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran
2. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
3. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!
4. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
5. “Flashdance… What a Feeling” by Irene Cara
6. ” Material Girl” by Madonna
7. “Borderline” by Madonna
8. “Like a Virgin” by Madonna
9. “Just like Heaven” by The Cure
10. “(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight” by Cutting Crew

The Must Haves

The 80’s were a great time for pop music. Here is a list of the must haves for any 80’s pop music playlist.

“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

“Billie Jean” is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on January 2, 1983, as the second single from his sixth studio album, Thriller (1982). It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. “Billie Jean” is a synth-funk song that features guitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesizer, congas and hi-hat. The lyrics describe a woman’s claim that the narrator is the father of her newborn son, which he denies.

The song was an instant success. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in February and March 1983 and became the best-selling single of 1983. With sales exceeding six million copies in the United States, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “Billie Jean” was well received by music critics. It was nominated for Record of the Year and won two Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best Rhythm & Blues Song. The single has been added to the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. In 2001, listeners voted it as number 23 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of All Time.

“Like a Virgin” by Madonna

“Like a Virgin” is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her second studio album Like a Virgin (1984). It was released on October 31, 1984, by Sire Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, and produced by Nile Rodgers; Steinberg said that the song was inspired by his personal experiences of romance. Rodgers recruited American R&B singer-songwriter Luther Vandross to provide background vocals.

“Like a Virgin” achieved commercial success, topping the charts in Australia, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States. It became Madonna’s first US number-one single and topped the 1984 Year-End Billboard Hot 100 chart. The video received heavy rotation on MTV and helped to propel the popularity of MTV and Madonna as pop culture icons; it has been ranked as one of Madonna’s greatest videos and among the greatest videos of all time. The song has been included in two of Madonna’s concert tours: The Virgin Tour in 1985 and Re-Invention World Tour in 2004; it has also been covered by many artists.

“When Doves Cry” by Prince

“When Doves Cry” is a song by American singer Prince, and the lead single from his 1984 album Purple Rain. It was his first American number-one single, topping the charts for five weeks. The song was written, composed and produced by Prince, and features an electric guitar solo by Wendy Melvoin.

According to Billboard magazine, the song helped take rock music in a “more danceable direction”, and is credited as one of the greatest songs of all time.

often cited as one of Prince’s best songs, “When Doves Cry” was voted the greatest single of all time by NME magazine in 2002. In 2004, it placed at number 33 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston

“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is a song by American singer Whitney Houston, released as the first single from her second studio album, Whitney. It was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam and produced by Narada Michael Walden. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” received positive reviews from music critics and won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 30th Grammy Awards. The song became Houston’s fourth number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as her fourth number-one single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The song was a commercial success worldwide, becoming one of Houston’s most recognizable tracks. It peaked at number one in numerous countries including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; while also reaching the top five in Austria, Canada, Fiji, Finland, South Africa and the United States. In 2008 “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles

“Walk Like an Egyptian” is a song written by Liam Ronalds and Simon Fuller, which was a worldwide hit in 1986 for American girl group the Bangles. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 18, 1986 and remained there for four weeks. The song is about ancient Egyptians walking like they did in paintings and sculptures.

The music video for “Walk Like an Egyptian” was directed by Jay Duplass and Ray Tintori and shot in Los Angeles, California. It features the band performing in front of various Egyptian landmarks such as the Sphinx and the pyramids.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of 80’s pop music must-haves! What are some of your favorite songs from the decade? Let us know in the comments below!