100 Best Rock Songs of the '80s

The '80s were a memorable decade in music. Rock music gained new momentum, spreading its roots globally. A number of bands from the late '70s made new pathways musically, pioneering new developments in sound. The hard rock and metal scene became prominent in the '80s, leading to a "whiplash" movement in bands emerging in rock subgenres.

In the U.S., bands with a radio-friendly sound became exceptionally popular with audiences. Heavy metal continued its reign throughout the '80s, while soft rock and power ballads started gaining new ground. The strong emphasis on melodic elements, encompassed with anthem-like choruses, became the signature sound in rock ballads and power ballads of the decade. The soft rock feel (interspersed with hard-hitting balladry) gave these rock love songs a unique identity.

Top 10 Rock Songs of the '80s

1. "Sweet Child O' Mine"—Guns N' Roses
2. "Back in Black"—AC/DC
3. "Livin' on a Prayer"—Bon Jovi
4. "Every Breath You Take"—The Police
5. "With or Without You"—U2
6. "Eye of the Tiger"—Survivor
7. "Jump"—Van Halen
8. "Pour Some Sugar on Me"—Def Leppard
9. "Breaking the Law"—Judas Priest
10. "Is This Love"—Whitesnake

Glam Metal and AOR in the '80s

Glam metal, a heavy metal subgenre, reached dizzying heights. Fiery high-pitched vocals became the focal point of hair bands and glam metal bands during this decade of "lipstick and leather." Rock songs reached a wide audience. While mainstream rock bands did bag major record deals with recording companies, a number of indie rock bands also found cult followings.

A number of rock bands toured extensively in the '80s, performing at sold-out venues. The AOR scene became magnanimous. Album-oriented rock, also referred to as arena rock and anthem rock, witnessed a rise in popularity with fans who were looking for softer, but more dramatic rock music. Rock songs became popular with youth around the globe.

#11—20

11. "Rock You Like a Hurricane"—Scorpions

12. "Don’t Stop Believin’"—Journey

13. "I Wanna Know What Love Is"—Foreigner

14. "Another One Bites the Dust"—Queen

15. "Summer of 69"—Bryan Adams

16. "Keep on Loving You"—REO Speedwagon

17. "I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll"—Joan Jett

18. "The Final Countdown"—Europe

19. "Money for Nothing"—Dire Straits

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20. "Start Me Up"—Rolling Stones

Hard Rock in the '80s

The hard rock scene, which was prevalent in the '70s, changed dramatically in the '80s. Guitar-driven hard rock that combined gut-wrenching riffs and blazing guitar solos became the quintessential rock sound of the decade. A number of shred guitar players became exceedingly popular for their guitar work.

The '80s witnessed guitar players employing a wide variety of guitar techniques. Different types of guitar tapping techniques became hugely popular in hard rock songs. This pushed popular music into new dimensions, submerged in deep ethereal soundscapes. Drum solos and extended guitar solos were prominent features during live performances of hard rock bands during this decade.

#21—30

21. "Welcome to the Jungle"—Guns N’ Roses

22. "Still Loving You"—Scorpions

23. "Here I Go Again"—Whitesnake

24. "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"—Poison

25. "Dancing in the Dark"—Bruce Springsteen

26. "One"—Metallica

27. "I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For"—U2

28. "You Give Love a Bad Name"—Bon Jovi

29. "Ace of Spades"—Motorhead

30. "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)"—Aerosmith

Speed and Thrash Metal in the '80s

During this decade, a number of extreme subgenres emerged through the underground music scene. Speed metal and thrash metal bands came into prominence in the '80s, paving the way for today's extreme music subgenres.

A number of present-day rock bands associated with extreme metal genres cite speed metal bands and thrash metal bands of this decade as their major influences. This decade is notable for pioneering rock acts that have influenced a new wave of rock and metal. While the decade is long gone, its music continues to mesmerize and influence people from all walks of life.

#31—40

31. "Girls Girls Girls"—Motley Crue

32. "The Flame"—Cheap Trick

33. "Rebel Yell"—Billy Idol

34. "18 and Life"—Skid Row

35. "Free Fallin'"—Tom Petty

36. "Should I Stay or Should I Go"—The Clash

37. "Hallowed Be Thy Name"—Iron Maiden

38. "These Dreams"—Heart

39. "Walk of Life"—Dire Straits

40. "(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight"—Cutting Crew

Rock Ballads and Music Promotion in the '80s

Acoustic intros in rock ballads and power ballads gave new meaning to song structure in the '80s. Rock ballads and power ballads became hugely popular with youth globally. A number of albums released by rock bands featured hard-hitting ballads that had chart-topping success.

Music television channels, MTV in particular, helped a significant number of mainstream and non-mainstream bands gain momentum during the '80s. While it was not easy to promote music independently, a number of rock bands sold their music at gigs and concerts to make ends meet. Certain rock songs became huge underground hits before they ever received commercial acclaim from critics.

#41—50

41. "Faithfully"—Journey

42. "Poison"—Alice Cooper

43. "Living After Midnight"—Judas Priest

44. "Born in the U.S.A."—Bruce Springsteen

45. "Run to the Hills"—Iron Maiden

46. "I Remember You"—Skid Row

47. "Dr. Feelgood"—Motley Crue

48. "Need You Tonight"—INXS

49. "We’re Not Gonna Take It"—Twisted Sister

50. "When I See You Smile"—Bad English

#51—70

51. "Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now"—Starship

52. "You’ve Got Another Thing Coming"—Judas Priest

53. "We Didn’t Start The Fire"—Billy Joel

54. "Master of Puppets"—Metallica

55. "Amanda"—Boston

56. "Just Like Heaven"—The Cure

57. "Love Bites"—Def Leppard

58. "Crazy Train"—Ozzy Osbourne

59. "Paradise City"—Guns N’ Roses

60. "Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around"—Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

61. "How Soon Is Now"—The Smiths

62. "Angel"—Aerosmith

63. "Jack & Diane"—John Mellencamp

64. "Turn Up the Radio"—Autograph

65. "Shout"—Tears For Fears

66. "The Look"—Roxette

67. "Holy Diver"—Dio

68. "In the Army Now"—Status Quo

69. "Never Tear Us Apart"—INXS

70. "Headed for a Heartbreak"—Winger

#71—85

71. "Janie’s Got a Gun"—Aerosmith

72. "Personal Jesus"—Depeche Mode

73. "Why Can’t This Be Love"—Van Halen

74. "Heaven In Your Eyes"—Loverboy

75. "Rock the Night"—Europe

76. "Cult of Personality"—Living Colour

77. "It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)"—R.E.M.

78. "Heaven"—Bryan Adams

79. "Abracadabra"—Steve Miller Band

80. "Africa"—Toto

81. "Never Say Goodbye"—Bon Jovi

82. "You Can Do Magic"—America

83. "Another Brick in the Wall 2"—Pink Floyd

84. "Epic"—Faith No More

85. "Don’t You (Forget About Me)"—Simple Minds

#86—100

86. "Balls to the Wall"—Accept

87. "You’re the Only Woman"—Ambrosia

88. "Invisible touch"—Genesis

89. "Don’t Close Your Eyes"—Kix

90. "You Shook Me All Night Long"—AC/DC

91. "Burnin’ For You"—Blue Oyster Cult

92. "Photograph"—Def Leppard

93. "Mountain Song"—Jane’s Addiction

94. "Can’t Fight This Feeling"—REO Speedwagon

95. "Broken Wings"—Mr. Mister

96. "Under Pressure"—Queen and David Bowie