317 Best 80s Songs For Your Wedding Or Dance Party (Top Hits)

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Are you looking for the best 80s dance music for your wedding or party? If so, you have come to the right place!

Putting together an 80s music playlist for your party will take you back to one of the best decades of all time (Big hair and parachute pants included)!

Here’s a list of our favorite 1980s wedding songs for your big day or retro dance party (you can scroll through from top to bottom, or you can simply click on one of the links below to be taken right to that section):

• Upbeat dance songs from the 80s
• First dance songs
• 80s songs for parents dance
• Slow dance 80s songs for couples
• 80s hip hop and rap songs
• Rock songs from the 1980s
• 80s music playlist for party
• Best dance moves of the 80s
• Top 10 hits of the 80s (by year)

Upbeat Dance Songs From The 80s For Your Wedding Reception Or Dance Party

These fun & upbeat 80s songs will definitely get your guests on the dance floor! You can use these top hits from the eighties to build your ultimate dance party playlist!

• “1999” by Prince
• “Beat It” by Michael Jackson
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
• “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
• “Summer Of ’69” by Bryan Adams
• “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield
• “Material Girl” by Madonna
• “Take On Me” by a-ha
• “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil
• “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang
• “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners
• “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
• “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
• “Dancing In The Dark” by Bruce Springsteen (The music video that made Courtney Cox from Friends famous. Check out the video)
• “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince & The Revolution
• “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley (You’ve officially been Rickrolled!)
• “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
• “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!
• “Borderline” by Madonna
• “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Deniece Williams (From the 1984 hit movie Footloose starring Kevin Bacon)
• “We Built This City” by Starship
• “8675309 (Jenny Jenny)” by Tommy Tutone
• “Addicted To Love” by Robert Palmer
• “Jungle Love” by Morris Day & The Time (From the hit movie Purple Rain starring Prince)
• “We Got The Beat” by The Go-Go’s
• “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon
• “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins
• “Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money
• “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor (From the 1982 hit movie, Rocky lll starring Sylvester Stallone)
• “Centerfold” by The J Geiles Band
• “Love Shack” by The B-52’s
• “The Bird” by Morris Day & The Time (From the hit movie Purple Rain starring Prince)
• “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran
• “Freeze Frame” by The J Geiles Band
• “Walk Like An Egyptian” by The Bangles
• “I Melt With You” by Modern English
• “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

The Michael Jackson Thriller music video was the start of story-form music videos in the 80s.

Here is the full video (a must-see if you have never seen the entire full-length feature). If the video is not showing up on your phone, you can simply open it in YouTube here.

• “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles (This was the very first music video ever played on MTV – August 1, 1981)
• “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie
• “Nasty” by Janet Jackson
• “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters
• “Don’t You Want Me” by Human League
• “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead Or Alive (From The Wedding Singer)
• “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
• “Like A Prayer” by Madonna
• “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama (From the 1985 hit movie, The Karate Kid starring Ralph Macchio)
• “Your Love” by The Outfield
• “Rock This Town” by Stray Cats
• “Into The Groove” by Madonna
• “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
• “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” by Michael Jackson
• “Get Down On It” by Kool & The Gang
• “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora
• “Rhythm of the Night” by DeBarge
• “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls
• “The Promise” by When In Rome
• “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Upside Down” by Diana Ross
• “Dancing On The Ceiling” by Lionel Richie
• “La Bamba” by Los Lobos
• “Simply Irresistible” by Robert Plamer
• “Like A Virgin” by Madonna
• “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston
• “Too Shy” by Kajagoogoo
• “Mr. Roboto” by Styx
• “Straight Up” by Paula Abdul
• “Super Freak” by Rick James
• “Kiss” by Prince
• “(You Got It) The Right Stuff” by New Kids On The Block
• “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown
• “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung
• “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode
• “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock (Just in case you want to get a break dancing contest going)
• “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen
• “Conga” by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine
• “I Would Die 4 U” by Prince and the Revolution
• “Ladies Night” by Kool and The Gang
• “Holiday” by Madonna
• “Physical” by Olivia Newton John (The number 1 single of the entire 80s decade)
• “Let It Whip” by Dazz Band
• “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” by Gap Band
• “Flashdance (What A Feeling)” by Irene Cara
• “Maneater” by Daryl Hall & John Oates
• “Invisible Touch” by Genesis
• “Freakshow On The Dance Floor” by The Bar-Kays
• “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell
• “Venus” by Bananarama
• “Goody Two Shoes” by Adam Ant

Top 80s First Dance Wedding Songs

If you are looking for the perfect song for your first dance, we have put together some awesome choices for your big day.

Most of these songs would also work for walking down the aisle during the wedding ceremony.

• “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (From the 1987 hit movie, Dirty Dancing) If you are trying to watch the video below on your phone, and it’s not showing, you can see it on YouTube right here.

• “I Want To Know what Love Is” by Foreigner
• “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
• “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin (From the 1986 hit movie Top Gun)
• “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
• “Crazy For You” by Madonna
• “Is This Love” by White Snake
• “Heaven” by Bryan Adams
• “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen (From the 1987 hit movie, Dirty Dancing)
• “Drive” by The Cars
• “Stuck On You” by Lionel Richie
• “Lost In Your Eyes” by Debbie Gibson
• “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles
• “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon
• “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship (From the 1987 hit movie, Mannequin)
• “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
• “True” by Spandau Ballet
• “Stuck With You” by Huey Lewis and the News (A great choice for couples who want an upbeat first dance song)
• “A Groovy Kind of Love” by Phil Collins

If you want more first dance song ideas, we have an entire article about The Best First Dance Songs.

 

• “The Neverending Story” by Limahl (From the 1984 hit movie, The Neverending Story. If the video below does not load on your phone, you can watch the 3 minute video on YouTube)

 

If you are a fan of Stranger Things, then you will appreciate this scene of Dustin and Suzie singing their version of The Neverending Story (If the video below does not play on your phone, you can watch it on YouTube here).

80s Father Daughter & Mother Son Dance Songs

• “I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder
• “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper (A fun song choice for those looking for something a little more light-hearted)
• “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
• “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart
• “Somewhere Out There” by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram (From the 1986 hit movie, An American Tail)
• “Your Mama Don’t Dance” by Poison

*If you need more song ideas for the parent dances, check out the best songs for the father-daughter dance and the best songs for the mother-son dance.

The Best 80s Slow Dance Songs for Couples (Great Love Songs)

Some of these songs would also be a perfect choice for walking down the aisle at your wedding ceremony.

• “Forever Young” by Alphaville
• “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” by New Kids On The Block
• “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” by Christopher Cross
• “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston
• “Endless Love” by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross

What? Friends listen to Endless Love in the dark.

Happy Gilmore

• “One More Night” by Phil Collins
• “Open Arms” by Journey
• “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
• “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago
• “We’ve Got Tonight” by Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton
• “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie
• “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx
• “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins
• “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” by Air Supply
• “With Or Without You” by U2
• “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin‘” by The Righteous Brothers (From the hit movie Top Gun. Not officially an 80’s song, but we added it since it became really popular again after the Top Gun movie.)

• “Purple Rain” by Prince
• “These Dreams” by Heart

Rap and Hip-Hop Songs From The 1980s For Your Dance Party

• “Bust A Move” by Young MC
• “Push It” by Salt N’ Pepa
• “It’s Tricky” by Run D.M.C.
• “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” by Beastie Boys
• “Poison” by Bel Biv Devoe
• “It Takes Two” by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
• “Wild Thing” by Tone Loc
• “Apache (Jump On It)” by The Sugarhill Gang
• “Just A Friend” by Biz Markie
• “Walk This Way” by Run D.M.C. (ft. Aerosmith)
• “No Sleep Til’ Brooklyn” by Beastie Boys
• “Funky Cold Medina” by Tone Loc
• “Pump Up The Jam” by Technotronic
• “Hey Ladies” by Beastie Boys
• “Word Up” by Cameo
• “Me, Myself, & I” by De La Soul
• “Supersonic” by J.J. Fad
• “Children’s Story” by Slick Rick
• “Going Back To Cali” by LL Cool J

80s Rock Songs for Your Wedding Day

• “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
• “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard
• “Jump” by Van Halen
• “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol
• “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi
• “Back In Black” by AC/DC
• “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister

• “The Final Countdown” by Europe
• “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses
• “You Give Love A Bad Name” by Bon Jovi
• “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
• “Nothin’ But A Good Time” by Poison
• “White Wedding” by Billy Idol
• “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
• “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” by The Clash
• “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol
• “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake
• “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
• “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
• “Love Bites” by Def Leppard
• “Blister In The Sun” by Violent Femmes
• “Working For The Weekend” by Loverboy
• “Epic” by Faith No More
• “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol
• “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi
• “Highway To Hell” by AC/DC
• “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar
• “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones
• “I Remember You” by Skid Row
• “Dr. Feelgood” by Mötley Crüe
• “Animal” by Def Leppard

If you love rock music, check out The Best Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Wedding Songs or The Best Pop Punk Wedding Songs.

80s Music Playlist For Party (Or Getting Room On The Wedding Day)

Some songs from the eighties might not be upbeat enough for your reception or party dance floor, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be a part of your day or event.

Here are few more songs that you might want to add to your 80s music playlist:

• “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds (From the 1985 hit movie, The Breakfast Club)
• “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” by Poison
• “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew
• “I Still Havent Found What I’m Looking For” by U2
• “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls
• “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel
• “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & The New (From the 1985 hit movie, Back to the Future)
• “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel
• “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco
• “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood
• “Africa” by Toto
• “Rio” by Duran Duran
• “The Promise” by When In Rome
• “Careless Whisper” by George Michael (An 80s playlist would not be complete without including at least one song with an 80s saxaphone solo. They should bring back the mid-song sax solo!)
• “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson
• “Down Under” by Men At Work
• “When I Think of You” by Janet Jackson
• “Express Yourself” by Madonna
• “I’m on Fire” by Bruce Springsteen
• “Call Me” by Blondie
• “Faith” by George Michael
• “Red Red Wine” by UB40
• “Missing You” by John Waite
• “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie
• “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp
• “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys (From the 1988 hit movie, Cocktail starring Tom Cruise)
• “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart
• “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany
• “West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys
• “Every Little Step” by Bobby Brown

Which 80s song is still the most requested at US weddings?

Even though there are hundreds of awesome 80s songs to use at your wedding, there are 3 songs that continue to get requested the most.

We polled hundreds of couples, talked with over 30 wedding DJs, and the results showed that there were 3 obvious winners.

Here they are, in order:

1. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
2. “Don’t Stop Believin‘” by Journey
3. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The 3 most requested 80s wedding songs of all time.

What was the number 1 song of the 80s?

The number 1 song from the 1980s was “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John. “Physical” was released on October 13, 1981. It stayed in the first position on “Billboard’s Hot 100 Number 1 Singles” for 10 weeks in a row. No other song from the 1980s stayed at number 1 that long.

“Physical” by Olivia Newton-John

80s Dances

Now that you have picked out the best 80s songs for your wedding or dance party, it’s time to pair them up with some of the most popular dances from the ’80s.

If you want to impress your guests, learn how to do a few of these ’80s dance moves:

• The Running Man
• Moonwalk
• The Snake (a.k.a. The Axl Rose)
• Roger Rabbit
• The Kid N’ Play
• Hammer-Dance (U Can’t Touch This!)
• The Cabbage Patch
• The Sprinkler
• Thriller Dance
• The Lawn Mower
• The Clone (a.k.a. The Molly Ringwald)

A fun collection of dances from the eighties:

The best video tutorial on how to do The Roger Rabbit:

What Were The Biggest Hit Songs Of The 80s?

When making your wedding playlist, you might want to stick to the top hits. We have compiled the top music singles from each year of the 80s for you (according to Billboard magazine record charts).

1980 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Call Me” by Blondie
2. “Another Brick in the Wall, Part ll” by Pink Floyd
3. “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John
4. “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson
5. “Do That To Me One More Time” by Captain & Tennille
6. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen
7. “Coming Up” by Paul McCartney
8. “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc
9. “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” by Billy Joel
10. “The Rose” by Bette Midler

1981 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes
2. “Endless Love” by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
3. “Lady” by Kenny Rogers
4. “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon
5. “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield
6. “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang
7. “Kiss on My List” by Hall & Oates
8. “I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbit
9. “9 To 5” by Dolly Parton
10. “Keep On Loving You” by REO Speedwagon

1982 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John
2. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
3. “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
4. “Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
5. “Centerfold” by The J. Geils Band
6. “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League
7. “Jack & Diane” by John Cougar
8. “Hurts So Good” by John Cougar
9. “Abracadabra” by Steve Miller Band
10. “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” by Chicago

1983 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
2. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
3. “Flashdance (What a Feeling)” by Irene Cara
4. “Down Under” by Men at Work
5. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson
6. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
7. “Maneater” by Hall & Oates
8. “Baby, Come to Me” by Patti Austin and James Ingram
9. “Maniac” by Michael Sembello
10. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics

1984 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “When Doves Cry” by Prince and The Revolution
2. “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner
3. “Say Say Say” by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
4. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
5. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins
6. “Jump” by Van Halen
7. “Hello” by Lionel Richie
8. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes
9. “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
10. “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club

1985 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Careless Whisper” by Wham!
2. “Like A Virgin” by Madonna
3. “Wake Me up Before you Go-Go” by Wham!
4. “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner
5. “I Feel For You” by Chaka Khan
6. “Out Of Touch” by Hall & Oats
7. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears
8. “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits
9. “Crazy for You” by Madonna
10. “Take On Me” by a-ha

1986 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne and Friends (Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder)
2. “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie
3. “I Miss You” by Klymaxx
4. “On My Own” by Pattie LaBelle and Michael McDonald
5. “Broken Wings” by Mr. Mister
6. “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston
7. “Party All The Time” by Eddie Murphy
8. “Burning Heart” by Survivor
9. “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister
10. “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer

1987 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Walk Like An Egyptian” by The Bangles
2. “Alone” by Heart
3. “Shake You Down” by Gregory Abbott
4. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
5. “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship
6. “C’est La Vie” by Robbie Nevil
7. “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake
8. “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and the Range
9. “Shakedown” by Bob Seger
10. “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

1988 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Faith” by George Michael
2. “Need You Tonight” by INXS
3. “Got My Mind Set On You” by George Harrison
4. “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley
5. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
6. “So Emotional” by Whitney Houston
7. “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” by Belinda Carlisle
8. “Could’ve Been” by Tiffany
9. “Hands to Heaven” by Breathe
10. “Roll with It” by Steve Winwood

1989 Top 10 Hit Songs

1. “Look Away” by Chicago
2. “My Perogative” by Bobby Brown
3. “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” by Poison
4. “Straight Up” by Paula Abdul
5. “Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson
6. “Cold Hearted” by Paula Abdul
7. “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler
8. “Girl you Know It’s True” by Milli Vanilli
9. “Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley” by Will to Power
10. “Giving You the Best That I Got” by Anita Baker

More Songs Ideas That You’ll Love

• You might also love this article: Best 90s Songs For Your Wedding or Dance Party.
• Plus: 2000s wedding songs and the best dance songs of the 70s.
• If you are looking for wedding music for each part of your day, we have 100’s of amazing song ideas for you here.
• The best love songs for her
• Awesome songs to keep your family and friends on the dance floor all night.