61 Best Songs From the '80s That Are, Like, Totally Bitchin'
Re-fall in love with these bangers.
The ‘80s—in all of its hair-crimping, shoulder-pad-wearing, and neon-forward glory—produced so many iconic songs that it’s almost impossible to rally them all up. It was also a time of wild variety, from house music to whatever Michael Bolton was doing. If you grew up in the '90s, you'll see where *a lot* of your favorite bands got their inspiration from. And if you didn't, and you're discovering/rediscovering the decade, you'll see what all the fuss was about: Truly, it was a time of "throwing a bunch of stuff at the wall" and "sometimes making some of the catchiest music of all time."
But which '80s songs are the best, you ask? Well, here's our (entirely subjective, probably incredibly biased) list of bops that you should add to your fave playlists immediately. Some of them are love songs for the ages. Some of them are the danciest dance hits of all time (yea, I said it). Some are absolutely weird and wonderful "songs." All of them? A hundred percent amazing.
It was tough work, but it had to be done! We put in the labor so that instead trying to recall all of the best ‘80s hits, you can channel your energy into actually singing them, while using your hairbrush as a mic and dancing around in your bedroom. It's, like, scientifically proven these songs will instantly put you in a hella good mood. I kid you not!
Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Katherine J Igoe (she/her) was a contributing editor for Cosmopolitan and is a freelancer covering style, lifestyle, culture, and beauty (she's obsessed with gift guides, best-of movie lists, and beauty products). She's been a freelance writer and editor for over a decade, previously working for Marie Claire (2018 to 2021) and Bustle (2021), with bylines in the The New York Times, Parents magazine, and elsewhere. She lives in Boston with her family, and you can follow her on Instagram or Twitte. It's "I go to dinner," not "Her huge ego," but she responds to both.
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