Best singles of 1982 - Rate Your Music
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Top singles of 1982

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1 2 ... 26 Next
Updated: 30 April
Average Ratings Reviews
The Cure - One Hundred Years / The Hanging Garden, Cover art
One Hundred Years / The Hanging Garden
The Cure
4.28 1k 1,184 8 8
1982 Single
Gothic Rock Neo-Psychedelia
Darkwave Psychedelic Rock Industrial Rock New Wave
dark nihilistic depressive cold death ominous suicide misanthropic
1k Ratings 8 Reviews 4.28 Average
Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five - The Message, Cover art
The Message
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4.20 2k 2,312 35 35
May 1982 Single
Conscious Hip Hop East Coast Hip Hop
Electro Synth Funk Disco Rap Instrumental Hip Hop
conscious political rhythmic urban alienation philosophical sampling repetitive
2k Ratings 35 Reviews 4.20 Average
New Order - Temptation / Hurt, Cover art
Temptation / Hurt
New Order
4.18 2k 1,730 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
Kate Bush - Suspended in Gaffa / Ne t'en fui pas, Cover art
Suspended in Gaffa / Ne t'en fui pas
Kate Bush
4.17 1k 1,032 8 8
2 November 1982 Single
Art Pop Baroque Pop Progressive Pop
Waltz Cabaret Celtic Rock
philosophical lush playful quirky melodic progressive anxious complex
1k Ratings 8 Reviews 4.17 Average
The Stranglers - Golden Brown / Love 30, Cover art
Golden Brown / Love 30
The Stranglers
4.16 1k 1,262 21 21
1 January 1982 Single
Baroque Pop Waltz
Psychedelic Pop Art Pop
uncommon time signatures waltz drugs psychedelic ethereal melodic lush romantic
1k Ratings 21 Reviews 4.16 Average
Iggy Pop - The Passenger / Nightclubbing, Cover art
The Passenger / Nightclubbing
Iggy Pop
4.17 779 779 2 2
May 1982 Single
Garage Rock Glam Rock
Post-Punk Art Rock New Wave
energetic urban nocturnal rhythmic raw melodic passionate playful
779 Ratings 2 Reviews 4.17 Average
Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City / Mansion on the Hill, Cover art
Atlantic City / Mansion on the Hill
Bruce Springsteen
4.12 732 732 14 14
September 1982 Single
Singer-Songwriter Contemporary Folk
Americana
passionate death melancholic raw pastoral sad love anxious
732 Ratings 14 Reviews 4.12 Average
Roxy Music - More Than This / India, Cover art
More Than This / India
Roxy Music
4.08 1k 1,024 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
A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song / Windows, Cover art
Space Age Love Song / Windows
A Flock of Seagulls
4.08 761 761 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
761 Ratings 10 Reviews 4.08 Average
The Chameleons - In Shreds / Less Than Human, Cover art
In Shreds / Less Than Human
The Chameleons
4.09 669 669 15 15
March 1982 Single
Post-Punk
Gothic Rock
angry pessimistic energetic introspective passionate raw rhythmic aggressive
669 Ratings 15 Reviews 4.09 Average
Blue Öyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper / Burnin' for You, Cover art
(Don't Fear) The Reaper / Burnin' for You
Blue Öyster Cult
4.10 243 243 5 5
1982 Single
Hard Rock Psychedelic Rock
AOR Progressive Rock
death bittersweet passionate melodic lush optimistic rhythmic existential
243 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.10 Average
Prince - **1999** / How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore, Cover art
**1999** / How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore
Prince
4.06 1k 1,148 12 12
24 September 1982 Single
Synth Funk Minneapolis Sound Synthpop
Disco Dance-Pop Electro-Disco P-Funk
apocalyptic party energetic rhythmic futuristic urban melodic playful
1k Ratings 12 Reviews 4.06 Average
The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way / Aeroplane, Cover art
Love My Way / Aeroplane
The Psychedelic Furs
4.05 898 898 9 9
2 July 1982 Single
New Wave Neo-Psychedelia
Post-Punk Synthpop Neo-Psychedelia
LGBT ethereal lush atmospheric passionate bittersweet melodic romantic
898 Ratings 9 Reviews 4.05 Average
The The - Uncertain Smile / Three Orange Kisses From Kazan / Waitin' for the Upturn, Cover art
Uncertain Smile / Three Orange Kisses From Kazan / Waitin' for the Upturn
The The
4.03 599 599 8 8
October 1982 Single
New Wave Art Pop Post-Punk
Jangle Pop Synthpop
passionate melodic rhythmic melancholic energetic bittersweet lush
599 Ratings 8 Reviews 4.03 Average
Donna Summer - I Feel Love, Cover art
I Feel Love
Donna Summer
4.02 649 649 10 10
1982 Single
Hi-NRG
Space Disco Progressive Electronic
futuristic love energetic party hypnotic uplifting rhythmic sensual
649 Ratings 10 Reviews 4.02 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
4.02 743 743 14 14
8 January 1982 Single
New Wave Jangle Pop
Progressive Pop Art Pop Paisley Underground
melodic playful poetic existential optimistic happy uplifting energetic
743 Ratings 14 Reviews 4.02 Average
Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy / Cool Water, Cover art
Gypsy / Cool Water
Fleetwood Mac
4.01 685 685 14 14
4 September 1982 Single
Soft Rock Pop Rock
Dream Pop Jangle Pop
melodic lush bittersweet sentimental ethereal passionate longing melancholic
685 Ratings 14 Reviews 4.01 Average
Tears for Fears - Mad World / Ideas as Opiates, Cover art
Mad World / Ideas as Opiates
Tears for Fears
4.00 1k 1,206 15 15
30 September 1982 Single
Synthpop New Wave
Art Pop Darkwave Coldwave
existential pessimistic depressive melancholic anxious rhythmic alienation melodic
1k Ratings 15 Reviews 4.00 Average
Tears for Fears - Pale Shelter / The Prisoner, Cover art
Pale Shelter / The Prisoner
Tears for Fears
4.01 713 713 11 11
March 1982 Single
New Wave Synthpop
Post-Punk New Romantic Jangle Pop
melancholic ethereal melodic atmospheric lonely passionate cold
713 Ratings 11 Reviews 4.01 Average
Simple Minds - Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / King Is White and in the Crowd, Cover art
Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / King Is White and in the Crowd
Simple Minds
4.00 555 555 10 10
November 1982 Single
New Wave Synthpop Big Music
Dream Pop Post-Punk
ethereal melodic melancholic summer introspective atmospheric longing poetic
555 Ratings 10 Reviews 4.00 Average
The Jam - Town Called Malice / Precious, Cover art
Town Called Malice / Precious
The Jam
3.98 737 737 18 18
29 January 1982 Single
New Wave Mod Revival Pop Rock
Blue-Eyed Soul Motown Sound Britfunk
energetic uplifting rebellious
737 Ratings 18 Reviews 3.98 Average
Rush - Subdivisions / Countdown, Cover art
Subdivisions / Countdown
Rush
3.99 428 428 8 8
October 1982 Single
Progressive Rock
New Wave Synthpop
alienation technical lonely philosophical uncommon time signatures urban progressive melodic
428 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.99 Average
The Cure - The Hanging Garden / Killing an Arab, Cover art
The Hanging Garden / Killing an Arab
The Cure
3.99 609 609 5 5
12 July 1982 Single
Gothic Rock Post-Punk Neo-Psychedelia
death cold psychedelic atmospheric depressive dark nihilistic anxious
609 Ratings 5 Reviews 3.99 Average
Japan - Ghosts / The Art of Parties (Version), Cover art
Ghosts / The Art of Parties (Version)
Japan
3.96 662 662 17 17
12 March 1982 Single
Art Pop Ambient Pop
Minimal Synth Darkwave Post-Industrial
introspective lonely existential sombre sparse nocturnal atmospheric avant-garde
662 Ratings 17 Reviews 3.96 Average
Dexys Midnight Runners & The Emerald Express - Come On Eileen / Dubious, Cover art
Come On Eileen / Dubious
Dexys Midnight Runners & The Emerald Express
3.94 1k 1,460 28 28
29 June 1982 Single
Pop Rock New Wave
Folk Pop Celtic Rock Blue-Eyed Soul
passionate energetic melodic romantic uplifting lush anthemic rhythmic
1k Ratings 28 Reviews 3.94 Average
Midge Ure / Modern Romance - The Man Who Sold the World / Band of Gold, Cover art
The Man Who Sold the World / Band of Gold
Midge Ure / Modern Romance
3.99 281 281 3 3
1982 Single
Synthpop New Romantic
Art Pop Psychedelic Pop Coldwave Disco Dance-Pop
dark atmospheric rhythmic melodic poetic abstract mysterious mechanical
281 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.99 Average
The Clash - Rock the Casbah / Long Time Jerk, Cover art
Rock the Casbah / Long Time Jerk
The Clash
3.94 1k 1,263 22 22
11 June 1982 Single
New Wave Dance-Punk
Funk Dance-Punk Mutant Disco Art Punk
energetic political rhythmic playful anthemic humorous rebellious quirky
1k Ratings 22 Reviews 3.94 Average
The Who - Eminence Front / One at a Time, Cover art
Eminence Front / One at a Time
The Who
3.97 445 445 8 8
December 1982 Single
New Wave Pop Rock
Funk Rock Progressive Electronic Mutant Disco Space Disco
cryptic repetitive dark urban cold drugs rhythmic atmospheric
445 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.97 Average
Kraftwerk - Computerwelt / Nummern / Computerwelt 2, Cover art
Computerwelt / Nummern / Computerwelt 2
Kraftwerk
3.95 410 410 3 3
1982 Single
Synthpop Electronic
Electro Minimal Synth
rhythmic mechanical melodic atmospheric futuristic
410 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.95 Average
Yazoo - Only You / Situation, Cover art
Only You / Situation
Yazoo
3.93 730 730 11 11
15 March 1982 Single
Synthpop
love melancholic passionate ballad melodic minimalistic romantic bittersweet
730 Ratings 11 Reviews 3.93 Average
Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots / (She Will) Take You Down to Love, Cover art
Forget Me Nots / (She Will) Take You Down to Love
Patrice Rushen
3.94 657 657 10 10
1982 Single
Boogie
Funk Smooth Soul Contemporary R&B Synth Funk
lush rhythmic longing passionate love warm melodic romantic
657 Ratings 10 Reviews 3.94 Average
INXS - Don't Change / Go West, Cover art
Don't Change / Go West
INXS
3.94 472 472 10 10
October 1982 Single
New Wave Big Music Pop Rock
Post-Punk Power Pop
anthemic uplifting melodic energetic bittersweet
472 Ratings 10 Reviews 3.94 Average
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out / Another World, Cover art
Steppin' Out / Another World
Joe Jackson
3.92 702 702 16 16
October 1982 Single
Synthpop New Wave Sophisti-Pop
Sophisti-Pop Electro-Disco Art Pop
rhythmic melodic nocturnal romantic urban uplifting lush love
702 Ratings 16 Reviews 3.92 Average
Sylvian - Sakamoto - Bamboo Houses / Bamboo Music, Cover art
Bamboo Houses / Bamboo Music
David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto
3.93 584 584 4 4
30 July 1982 Single
Art Pop Synthpop
mysterious rhythmic atmospheric cryptic melodic bittersweet surreal futuristic
584 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.93 Average
Japan - Nightporter / Ain't That Peculiar, Cover art
Nightporter / Ain't That Peculiar
Japan
3.93 388 388 8 8
12 November 1982 Single
Art Pop
Impressionism Sophisti-Pop New Romantic
atmospheric romantic sensual melancholic nocturnal sombre sad lush
388 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.93 Average
Duran Duran - Save a Prayer / Hold Back the Rain, Cover art
Save a Prayer / Hold Back the Rain
Duran Duran
3.90 754 754 13 13
9 August 1982 Single
Synthpop New Romantic
Sophisti-Pop
melancholic romantic melodic passionate atmospheric ballad bittersweet longing
754 Ratings 13 Reviews 3.90 Average
Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast / Remember Tomorrow, Cover art
The Number of the Beast / Remember Tomorrow
Iron Maiden
3.89 833 833 12 12
26 April 1982 Single
NWOBHM Heavy Metal
apocalyptic epic energetic uncommon time signatures anthemic infernal melodic passionate
833 Ratings 12 Reviews 3.89 Average
The Clash - Straight to Hell / Should I Stay or Should I Go, Cover art
Straight to Hell / Should I Stay or Should I Go
The Clash
3.89 631 631 9 9
17 September 1982 Single
New Wave Post-Punk Neo-Psychedelia
Dub Gothic Rock Art Rock
political rhythmic melancholic dark atmospheric
631 Ratings 9 Reviews 3.89 Average
OMD - Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc) / Navigation, Cover art
Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc) / Navigation
OMD
3.92 482 482 9 9
15 January 1982 Single
Synthpop
Art Pop Coldwave
atmospheric history ethereal lush waltz melodic melancholic epic
482 Ratings 9 Reviews 3.92 Average
Kate Bush - The Dreaming / Dreamtime, Cover art
The Dreaming / Dreamtime
Kate Bush
3.90 616 616 7 7
27 July 1982 Single
Art Pop Progressive Pop Experimental Rock
Indigenous Australian Traditional Music Gothic Rock Art Rock Darkwave
surreal ritualistic nature spiritual dark atmospheric natural tribal
616 Ratings 7 Reviews 3.90 Average
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Soundtracks

  • 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
    466 Ratings 10 Reviews 3.74 Average
    3.74 466 466 10 10
  • Pink Floyd - The Wall: Music From the Film, Cover art
    The Wall: Music From the Film
    1982 Single
    259 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.53 Average
    3.53 259 259 8 8
  • Survivor - Eye of the Tiger / Take You on a Saturday, Cover art
    Eye of the Tiger / Take You on a Saturday
    1982 Single
    925 Ratings 18 Reviews 3.02 Average
    3.02 925 925 18 18
  • Chic - Soup for One / Burn Hard, Cover art
    Soup for One / Burn Hard
    1982 Single
    99 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.48 Average
    3.48 99 99 3 3
  • John Williams - Theme From E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial) / Over the Moon, Cover art
    Theme From E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial) / Over the Moon
    1982 Single
    59 Ratings 3.80 Average
    3.80 59 59
    • See all 12 Include in main chart

    Live

  • José Mário Branco - F.M.I., Cover art
    F.M.I.
    1982 Single
    111 Ratings 6 Reviews 4.01 Average
    4.01 111 111 6 6
  • Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson / Bridge Over Troubled Water, Cover art
    Mrs. Robinson / Bridge Over Troubled Water
    1982 Single
    83 Ratings 3.73 Average
    3.73 83 83
  • Talking Heads - I Zimbra / Life During Wartime / Cities (Live Versions), Cover art
    I Zimbra / Life During Wartime / Cities (Live Versions)
    1982 Single
    75 Ratings 3.82 Average
    3.82 75 75
  • Talking Heads - Take Me to the River (live) / Heaven / Life During Wartime (Live), Cover art
    Take Me to the River (live) / Heaven / Life During Wartime (Live)
    1982 Single
    57 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.77 Average
    3.77 57 57 1 1
  • The Rolling Stones - Going to a Go-Go / Beast of Burden, Cover art
    Going to a Go-Go / Beast of Burden
    1982 Single
    110 Ratings 7 Reviews 2.88 Average
    2.88 110 110 7 7
    • See all 19 Include in main chart

    Archival

  • The Doors - L.A. Woman / Roadhouse Blues, Cover art
    L.A. Woman / Roadhouse Blues
    1982 Single
    372 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.91 Average
    3.91 372 372 3 3
  • The Beatles - Ask Me Why / Twist and Shout, Cover art
    Ask Me Why / Twist and Shout
    1982 Single
    50 Ratings 3.44 Average
    3.44 50 50
  • The Beatles - Till There Was You / Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby, Cover art
    Till There Was You / Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby
    1982 Single
    38 Ratings 3.13 Average
    3.13 38 38
  • The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There / Can't Help It "Blue Angel", Cover art
    I Saw Her Standing There / Can't Help It "Blue Angel"
    1982 Single
    30 Ratings 3.44 Average
    3.44 30 30
  • The Beatles - A Taste of Honey / Besame Mucho, Cover art
    A Taste of Honey / Besame Mucho
    1982 Single
    38 Ratings 2.91 Average
    2.91 38 38
    • See all 10 Include in main chart
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