Best New Wave singles of all time - Rate Your Music
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Top New Wave singles of all time

Separate: live, archival, soundtracks and scores
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Updated: 14 May
Average Ratings Reviews
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime / Seen and Not Seen, Cover art
Once in a Lifetime / Seen and Not Seen
Talking Heads
4.45 3k 3,109 28 28
February 1981 Single
New Wave Post-Punk Neo-Psychedelia
Funk Art Rock Spoken Word Afrobeat Neo-Psychedelia
existential anxious rhythmic philosophical repetitive surreal quirky playful
3k Ratings 28 Reviews 4.45 Average
The Cure - Just Like Heaven / Snow in Summer, Cover art
Just Like Heaven / Snow in Summer
The Cure
4.39 3k 2,521 28 28
20 October 1987 Single
New Wave Jangle Pop
Dream Pop Post-Punk Jangle Pop Neo-Acoustic
romantic love melodic bittersweet ethereal passionate uplifting sentimental
3k Ratings 28 Reviews 4.39 Average
Talking Heads - This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) / Moon Rocks, Cover art
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) / Moon Rocks
Talking Heads
4.36 2k 2,228 26 26
October 1983 Single
New Wave
Synthpop Funk Rock Tropical Rock
love happy optimistic rhythmic melodic romantic passionate uplifting
2k Ratings 26 Reviews 4.36 Average
Talking Heads (トーキング・ヘッズ) - ヒート・ゴーズオン (ボーン・アンダー･パンチズ) (Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)) / シティーズ (Cities), Cover art
ヒート・ゴーズオン (ボーン・アンダー･パンチズ) (Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)) / シティーズ (Cities)
Talking Heads (トーキング・ヘッズ)
4.37 2k 1,614 9 9
1980 Single
New Wave Funk Rock Post-Punk
Afrobeat Dance-Punk Funk Mutant Disco Art Rock
abstract repetitive anxious tribal quirky cryptic political rhythmic
2k Ratings 9 Reviews 4.37 Average
Talking Heads - The Great Curve / Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On), Cover art
The Great Curve / Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Talking Heads
4.36 1k 1,454 4 4
1980 Single
New Wave Post-Punk
Afrobeat Funk Dance-Punk Mutant Disco Afro-Funk
tribal rhythmic energetic tropical abstract passionate playful polyphonic
1k Ratings 4 Reviews 4.36 Average
Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World / Pharaohs, Cover art
Everybody Wants to Rule the World / Pharaohs
Tears for Fears
4.27 2k 2,302 34 34
18 March 1985 Single
New Wave Pop Rock Big Music
Synthpop Sophisti-Pop
anthemic political melodic serious existential bittersweet passionate introspective
2k Ratings 34 Reviews 4.27 Average
David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes / Move On, Cover art
Ashes to Ashes / Move On
David Bowie
4.27 2k 1,860 29 29
8 August 1980 Single
Art Pop New Wave
New Romantic Synthpop Neo-Psychedelia Synth Funk
drugs melancholic cryptic anxious futuristic quirky passionate introspective
2k Ratings 29 Reviews 4.27 Average
Soda Stereo - En la ciudad de la furia, Cover art
En la ciudad de la furia
Soda Stereo
4.28 395 395 1 1
1988 Single
Post-Punk Big Music New Wave
Gothic Rock New Wave Alternative Rock
urban atmospheric nocturnal existential passionate mysterious poetic anthemic
395 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.28 Average
The Clash - Train in Vain (Stand by Me) / London Calling, Cover art
Train in Vain (Stand by Me) / London Calling
The Clash
4.23 2k 1,724 23 23
12 February 1980 Single
New Wave
Pop Rock Punk Rock Funk Rock Blue-Eyed Soul Disco
melodic bittersweet energetic breakup passionate rhythmic warm quirky
2k Ratings 23 Reviews 4.23 Average
The Cure - Lovesong / 2 Late, Cover art
Lovesong / 2 Late
The Cure
4.22 2k 1,708 16 16
19 August 1989 Single
Alternative Rock Gothic Rock New Wave
Jangle Pop
romantic love melodic nocturnal sentimental longing bittersweet melancholic
2k Ratings 16 Reviews 4.22 Average
The Cure - In Between Days / The Exploding Boy, Cover art
In Between Days / The Exploding Boy
The Cure
4.22 1k 1,449 15 15
9 July 1985 Single
New Wave Jangle Pop Neo-Psychedelia
Indie Pop Flamenco Pop
melodic bittersweet love melancholic energetic playful anxious longing
1k Ratings 15 Reviews 4.22 Average
Talking Heads - Crosseyed and Painless, Cover art
Crosseyed and Painless
Talking Heads
4.21 1k 1,104 3 3
September 1980 Single
New Wave Funk Rock Post-Punk
Funk Dance-Punk Mutant Disco Afro-Funk Neo-Psychedelia
polyphonic energetic abstract rhythmic anxious playful surreal manic
1k Ratings 3 Reviews 4.21 Average
The The - This Is the Day / Mental Healing Process, Cover art
This Is the Day / Mental Healing Process
The The
4.21 886 886 1 1
2 September 1983 Single
Art Pop New Wave Synthpop
Synthpop Sophisti-Pop Post-Punk
bittersweet melancholic introspective depressive passionate melodic sarcastic lush
886 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.21 Average
New Order - Temptation / Hurt, Cover art
Temptation / Hurt
New Order
4.18 2k 1,734 31 31
April 1982 Single
Alternative Dance New Wave Post-Punk
Synthpop Post-Punk Jangle Pop Electro-Disco
melancholic love rhythmic passionate melodic uplifting cold longing
2k Ratings 31 Reviews 4.18 Average
Talking Heads - Psycho Killer, Cover art
Psycho Killer
Talking Heads
4.15 2k 2,133 10 10
January 1978 Single
New Wave Post-Punk
Funk Rock Art Punk Dance-Punk
anxious crime rhythmic quirky energetic introspective playful manic
2k Ratings 10 Reviews 4.15 Average
Blondie - Heart of Glass / Rifle Range, Cover art
Heart of Glass / Rifle Range
Blondie
4.13 2k 2,163 38 38
January 1979 Single
Disco New Wave
New Wave
bittersweet love playful breakup energetic anthemic melodic rhythmic
2k Ratings 38 Reviews 4.13 Average
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay / Annex, Cover art
Enola Gay / Annex
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
4.11 1k 1,192 18 18
26 September 1980 Single
Synthpop New Wave
Coldwave
war history political bittersweet anxious energetic melodic passionate
1k Ratings 18 Reviews 4.11 Average
Talk Talk - It's My Life / Does Caroline Know?, Cover art
It's My Life / Does Caroline Know?
Talk Talk
4.11 1k 1,475 12 12
3 January 1984 Single
Synthpop New Romantic New Wave
Art Pop Big Music
passionate melodic melancholic bittersweet atmospheric ethereal poetic anthemic
1k Ratings 12 Reviews 4.11 Average
The Cure - Boys Don't Cry / Plastic Passion, Cover art
Boys Don't Cry / Plastic Passion
The Cure
4.10 2k 1,995 12 12
12 June 1979 Single
New Wave Post-Punk Indie Pop
Jangle Pop Twee Pop
energetic melancholic breakup introspective melodic bittersweet conscious rhythmic
2k Ratings 12 Reviews 4.10 Average
Tubeway Army - Are 'Friends' Electric? / We Are So Fragile, Cover art
Are 'Friends' Electric? / We Are So Fragile
Tubeway Army
4.10 982 982 22 22
19 May 1979 Single
Synthpop New Wave
Post-Punk Coldwave
cold anxious science fiction futuristic nocturnal lonely mechanical melodic
982 Ratings 22 Reviews 4.10 Average
Pulp - Disco 2000, Cover art
Disco 2000
Pulp
4.08 963 963 8 8
27 November 1995 Single
Britpop New Wave
Alternative Dance New Wave Synthpop Glam Rock
bittersweet melodic introspective longing energetic passionate lonely love
963 Ratings 8 Reviews 4.08 Average
Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It / It's Getting Late in the Evening, Cover art
Life's What You Make It / It's Getting Late in the Evening
Talk Talk
4.09 988 988 13 13
1985 Single
Art Pop New Wave
Big Music Sophisti-Pop
philosophical existential optimistic uplifting anthemic atmospheric lush bittersweet
988 Ratings 13 Reviews 4.09 Average
Roxy Music - More Than This / India, Cover art
More Than This / India
Roxy Music
4.08 1k 1,025 13 13
March 1982 Single
Sophisti-Pop New Romantic Pop Rock
Synthpop Soft Rock
ethereal atmospheric romantic bittersweet melodic longing lush sensual
1k Ratings 13 Reviews 4.08 Average
The Cars - Just What I Needed / I'm in Touch With Your World, Cover art
Just What I Needed / I'm in Touch With Your World
The Cars
4.08 1k 1,157 17 17
29 May 1978 Single
Power Pop New Wave
Post-Punk
energetic playful melodic anthemic love passionate sexual longing
1k Ratings 17 Reviews 4.08 Average
Talking Heads - Cities, Cover art
Cities
Talking Heads
4.08 707 707 3 3
June 1980 Single
New Wave Dance-Punk Post-Punk
Funk Rock Mutant Disco
energetic urban playful anxious quirky party rhythmic humorous
707 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.08 Average
A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song / Windows, Cover art
Space Age Love Song / Windows
A Flock of Seagulls
4.08 768 768 10 10
28 May 1982 Single
New Wave Synthpop
Post-Punk Dream Pop Big Music Space Rock Revival
love ethereal atmospheric space melodic romantic lush bittersweet
768 Ratings 10 Reviews 4.08 Average
XTC - Making Plans for Nigel / Bushman President / Pulsing Pulsing, Cover art
Making Plans for Nigel / Bushman President / Pulsing Pulsing
XTC
4.07 1k 1,043 18 18
14 September 1979 Single
New Wave Post-Punk
Art Punk Neo-Psychedelia Reggae Rock
political anxious energetic rhythmic sarcastic quirky playful satirical
1k Ratings 18 Reviews 4.07 Average
The Cure - Close to Me / A Man Inside My Mouth, Cover art
Close to Me / A Man Inside My Mouth
The Cure
4.07 1k 1,234 13 13
17 September 1985 Single
New Wave
Indie Pop Synthpop
playful anxious love energetic rhythmic melodic passionate quirky
1k Ratings 13 Reviews 4.07 Average
The B-52's - Rock Lobster / 52 Girls, Cover art
Rock Lobster / 52 Girls
The B-52's
4.04 1k 1,401 19 19
May 1978 Single
New Wave Surf Punk Dance-Punk
Surf Rock Zolo Dance-Punk 2 Tone
humorous playful quirky energetic summer manic party rhythmic
1k Ratings 19 Reviews 4.04 Average
Kate Bush - Sat in Your Lap / Lord of the Reedy River, Cover art
Sat in Your Lap / Lord of the Reedy River
Kate Bush
4.05 849 849 10 10
21 June 1981 Single
Art Pop New Wave Progressive Pop
Zolo Experimental Rock Cabaret Progressive Pop
manic energetic philosophical uncommon time signatures playful tribal existential chaotic
849 Ratings 10 Reviews 4.05 Average
The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way / Aeroplane, Cover art
Love My Way / Aeroplane
The Psychedelic Furs
4.05 896 896 9 9
2 July 1982 Single
New Wave Neo-Psychedelia
Post-Punk Synthpop Neo-Psychedelia
LGBT ethereal lush atmospheric passionate bittersweet melodic romantic
896 Ratings 9 Reviews 4.05 Average
Billy Idol - Eyes Without a Face / Blue Highway, Cover art
Eyes Without a Face / Blue Highway
Billy Idol
4.05 1k 1,131 20 20
June 1984 Single
New Wave Pop Rock
Synthpop Hard Rock Dream Pop Sophisti-Pop Art Pop
ethereal atmospheric mysterious soothing melancholic melodic sombre hypnotic
1k Ratings 20 Reviews 4.05 Average
Charly García - Nos siguen pegando abajo "pecado mortal", Cover art
Nos siguen pegando abajo "pecado mortal"
Charly García
4.08 219 219
1983 Single
New Wave
Synthpop Zolo Post-Punk
protest political melodic energetic quirky uncommon time signatures humorous conscious
219 Ratings 4.08 Average
Image blocked in settings
Still Ill / Reel Around the Fountain / Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
The Smiths
4.05 901 901 8 8
November 1984 Single
Jangle Pop Indie Pop New Wave
Post-Punk
LGBT melancholic alienation melodic longing introspective existential anxious
901 Ratings 8 Reviews 4.05 Average
LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change, Cover art
I Can Change
LCD Soundsystem
4.03 1k 1,053 3 3
26 July 2010 Single
Synthpop New Wave
Indietronica Alternative Dance Electro-Disco
bittersweet longing romantic sad breakup love introspective passionate
1k Ratings 3 Reviews 4.03 Average
Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love / Lorelei, Cover art
Genius of Love / Lorelei
Tom Tom Club
4.03 1k 1,127 8 8
October 1981 Single
New Wave Synth Funk Mutant Disco
Disco Rap Mutant Disco
playful love rhythmic warm party psychedelic melodic energetic
1k Ratings 8 Reviews 4.03 Average
David Bowie - Modern Love, Cover art
Modern Love
David Bowie
4.02 926 926 15 15
September 1983 Single
New Wave Pop Rock
Dance-Pop Pop Soul
energetic passionate love rhythmic philosophical melodic alienation anti-religious
926 Ratings 15 Reviews 4.02 Average
Talking Heads - Life During Wartime / Electric Guitar, Cover art
Life During Wartime / Electric Guitar
Talking Heads
4.02 866 866 4 4
October 1979 Single
New Wave Post-Punk
Funk Rock Art Punk Mutant Disco Dance-Punk
anxious war rhythmic urban playful energetic avant-garde manic
866 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.02 Average
The Jam - Going Underground / The Dreams of Children, Cover art
Going Underground / The Dreams of Children
The Jam
4.01 876 876 18 18
14 March 1980 Single
Mod Revival New Wave Punk Rock
Power Pop Punk Rock
energetic political passionate melodic anthemic conscious alienation bittersweet
876 Ratings 18 Reviews 4.01 Average
XTC - Senses Working Overtime / Blame the Weather / Tissue Tigers (The Arguers), Cover art
Senses Working Overtime / Blame the Weather / Tissue Tigers (The Arguers)
XTC
4.02 745 745 14 14
8 January 1982 Single
New Wave Jangle Pop Psychedelic Pop
Progressive Pop Art Pop Paisley Underground
melodic playful poetic existential optimistic happy uplifting energetic
745 Ratings 14 Reviews 4.02 Average
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Soundtracks

  • Blondie / Giorgio Moroder - Call Me, Cover art
    Call Me
    1980 Single
    1k Ratings 16 Reviews 3.89 Average
    3.89 1k 1,379 16 16
  • Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me) / A Brass Band in Africa, Cover art
    Don't You (Forget About Me) / A Brass Band in Africa
    1985 Single
    1k Ratings 25 Reviews 3.80 Average
    3.80 1k 1,341 25 25
  • David Bowie / Giorgio Moroder - Cat People (Putting Out Fire) / Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase), Cover art
    Cat People (Putting Out Fire) / Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase)
    1982 Single
    468 Ratings 10 Reviews 3.74 Average
    3.74 468 468 10 10
  • Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life / People Like Us (Movie Version), Cover art
    Wild Wild Life / People Like Us (Movie Version)
    1986 Single
    365 Ratings 7 Reviews 3.55 Average
    3.55 365 365 7 7
  • Devo - Working in the Coal Mine / Planet Earth, Cover art
    Working in the Coal Mine / Planet Earth
    1981 Single
    153 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.44 Average
    3.44 153 153 3 3
    • See all 42 Include in main chart

    Live

  • Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime / This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody), Cover art
    Once in a Lifetime / This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
    1984 Single
    469 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.42 Average
    4.42 469 469 3 3
  • Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (Girlfriend Is Better) / Heaven, Cover art
    Stop Making Sense (Girlfriend Is Better) / Heaven
    1984 Single
    294 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.08 Average
    4.08 294 294 3 3
  • Talking Heads - Slippery People / Naive Melody, Cover art
    Slippery People / Naive Melody
    1984 Single
    227 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.84 Average
    3.84 227 227 1 1
  • Cyndi Lauper - Money Changes Everything, Cover art
    Money Changes Everything
    1984 Single
    208 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.56 Average
    3.56 208 208 3 3
  • Miley Cyrus - Heart of Glass / Midnight Sky, Cover art
    Heart of Glass / Midnight Sky
    2020 Single
    270 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.29 Average
    3.29 270 270 3 3
    • See all 35 Include in main chart

    Archival

  • The The - Giant, Cover art
    Giant
    2014 Single
    140 Ratings 3.98 Average
    3.98 140 140
  • Talking Heads - Cities (Live), Cover art
    Cities (Live)
    2023 Single
    64 Ratings 4.24 Average
    4.24 64 64
  • The Jetzons - Hard Times / When the Sun Goes Down, Cover art
    Hard Times / When the Sun Goes Down
    2020 Single
    73 Ratings 4.01 Average
    4.01 73 73
  • Prince - I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (1979 Version), Cover art
    I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (1979 Version)
    2020 Single
    52 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.73 Average
    3.73 52 52 1 1
  • Prince - Our Destiny / Roadhouse Garden, Cover art
    Our Destiny / Roadhouse Garden
    2017 Single
    49 Ratings 3.59 Average
    3.59 49 49
    • See all 26 Include in main chart
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