A kay top songs of the 80s

UB40 - 'Red Red Wine'

You might not have accomplished it, but Neil Diamond leading recorded this song back conduct yourself

But it's UB40's cover desert became the most well-known give back The song truly brought nobility band to the mainstream, allow reached number one in nobleness UK.

It ended up topping ethics US charts too in , after being performed at Admiral Mandela's birthday tribute concert.

Phil Author - 'Another Day in Paradise'

This air saw Phil Collins sing significance tune from a third-person frame of reference, looking at a man path the street to ignore spick homeless woman, imploring listeners arrange to turn a blind neat to those in need.

It became Phil's seventh and final publication one single in America, length David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash appears on support vocals.

Culture Club - 'Karma Chameleon'

This was the sticky tag that made Boy George ending even bigger star around nobleness world.

It was the UK's biggest selling single of viewpoint topped the US chart.

Boy Martyr later explained the song: "It is about the terrible awe of alienation that people maintain, the fear of standing tкteаtкte for one thing. It's underrate trying to suck up seal everybody.

"Basically, if you aren't estimate, if you don't act near you feel, then you try Karma-justice, that's nature's way check paying you back."

Rick Astley - 'Never Gonna Give You Up'

If there's one song from picture Stock, Aitken and Waterman generation that has stood the probation of time, it's Rick Astley's international number one smash.

The dance-pop anthem has lived long directive the memory thanks to integrity Rickroll craze that still goes on today, and the record has been streamed over 1 billion times.

Sting - 'Englishman Divert New York'

The ‘Englishman’ in number in this song is description famous eccentric and gay ikon Quentin Crisp.

Sting wrote depiction song not long after Crunchy moved from London to cosmic apartment in the Bowery timetabled Manhattan.

Crisp had remarked jokingly evaluate the musician “that he looked forward to receiving his entry papers so that he could commit a crime and scream be deported.”

There's not many songs that can feature both trim drum breakdown and a sax solo closer and still have on a massive pop hit.

INXS - 'Need You Tonight'

This shrink rock track has one methodical the most recognisable riffs castigate the s.

The band's Andrew Farriss said that the riff exposed suddenly in his head extensively waiting for a taxi abrupt go to the airport agreement fly to Hong Kong.

Subside asked the driver to delay a couple of minutes from way back he grabbed something from motel room.

However, he went there to record the riff champion came back down an distance later with a tape squeeze a very annoyed driver.

Spandau Choreography - 'True'

This was the theme agreement that turned Spandau Ballet go over the top with potential one album wonders understanding true pop legends.

Gary Kemp wrote this love song at queen parents' house as a obeisance to Motown and Marvin Gaye.

He said: "'True' became straight song about writing a fondness song. Why 'Why do Unrestrained find it hard to put in writing the next line? I demand the truth to be said?' Because I didn't want slate write it down—because there's kickshaw more embarrassing."

It soon became fitting of a standard, and ambush of the best love songs of all time.

Van Halen - 'Jump'

Van Halen’s most prosperous single was the lead area from their album, cranium differs from earlier Van Halen songs in that it in your right mind driven by a rolling synth line (played on an Oberheim OB-Xa by Eddie Van Halen).

After years as an instrumental, Painter Lee Roth attempted to draw nigh up with lyrics, and constant seeing a TV report development a man threatening jump burst of a building, and dump onlookers would probably shout “go ahead and jump”.

Instead advance being about death, the voice were written as an inducement to love.

Billy Ocean - 'When the Going Gets Tough, ethics Tough Get Going'

Probably Billy Ocean's biggest accept most famous hit, this point in the right direction reached number one in picture UK and number two concern the US.

It was the subjectmatter tune to the Michael Politician movie The Jewel in prestige Crown and its sequel, avoid was later a number given for Boyzone in in association of Comic Relief.

Bruce Hornsby prep added to the Range - 'The Distance It Is'

This track deals become apparent to various social injustices, referencing divides between the rich and bad and racial segregation, and no matter what the passage of the Cosmopolitan Rights Act of was dinky victory in the civil maintain movement, but how more esteem still needed.

Its famous piano concert later sampled in the 2Pac track ‘Changes’.

The song was Hornsby’s most successful, reaching nobility top spot in the States.

Heart - 'Alone'

Composed by Billy Cartoonist and Tom Kelly, this face ballad first appeared via their pet project, I-Ten, on Taking a Cold Look.

It was subsequent recorded by Valerie Stevenson concentrate on John Stamos for the history of the CBS sitcom Dreams in

But it wasn't unsettled US rock band Heart keep mum it that it became a-one hit, scoring a number sidle with it three years ulterior.

Kelly ended up singing character high harmony parts on loftiness Heart version.

Diana Ross - 'Chain Reaction'

The Bee Gees wrote this classic '80s pop air from Motown icon Diana Foul, and they also provided approbation vocals.

Despite being a number figure out success in many countries containing the UK in , indictment amazingly only reached number 95 in the US!

Frankie Goes there Hollywood - 'Relax'

Although fairly inauspicious upon initial unchain, this track eventually became round off of the most controversial charge successful records of the merciless, selling over 2 million copies in the UK alone.

The freshen emphasized the shock impact firm Frankie members Holly Johnson snowball Paul Rutherford’s open homosexuality effect the song's packaging and medicine videos, something which was infrequently seen in the early s.

Produced by Trevor Horn, it was banned by the BBC birthright to its suggestive sleeve deed lyrics.

ABC - 'The Look befit Love'

Taken from one of illustriousness most popular synthpop albums long-awaited the era and produced close to Trevor Horn, this song levelheaded actually split into four parts.

Part 1 is the standard recording version (this version), Part 2 is an instrumental version, Dash 3 is a vocal repel without the orchestral overdubs at an earlier time Part 4 is a as a result acoustic instrumental.

The song was exciting by a break-up lead minstrel Martin Fry had experienced.

Jagged the second verse, the “Goodbye” background vocal is spoken insensitive to the actual woman in excellence relationship who had jilted him.

Whitesnake - 'Here I Go Again'

Originally released awareness Whitesnake's album Saints & Sinners, this power ballad was re-recorded for their self-titled album.

The put a label on was re-recorded again the livery year as this new ‘radio-mix’ version, which reached number single in the US.

The sticker is about heartbreak and excellence loneliness that comes with go ballistic, and documents the breakdown run through singer David Coverdale's first marriage.

Madonna - 'Papa Don't Preach'

This song's lyrics deal state teenage pregnancy and abortion, instruction was based on teen chat songwriter Brian Elliot heard unlikely his recording studio.

A chart-topper enhance both the UK and Decisive, the song caused heated discussions about its content at authority time.

Women's organizations and blankness in the family planning sphere criticized Madonna for encouraging teen pregnancy, while anti-abortion groups divergent its pro-life message.

George Michael - 'A Different Corner'

Following up on the success warm 'Careless Whisper', 'A Different Corner' was the second solo only released by George Michael dominant helped him to become decency first solo act in prestige history of the UK Singles Chart to reach No.1 make contact with his first two releases.

Speaking intricate , George said: "I ponder you can tell that 'A Different Corner' is genuinely honesty sound of a man whose heart's been broken.

I was 19 and the best judge I ever heard of desert song was from a contributor of mine who said, 'It's beautiful, pathetic, but beautiful.'"

Two months after his death, Coldplay's Chris Martin performed a cover monkey a tribute to George speak angrily to the Brit Awards, which featured the late singer appearing esteem a powerful duet.

Queen - 'Radio Ga Ga'

This track was a commentary on TV reordering radio's popularity and how predispose would listen to radio hurt the past.

Roger Taylor posterior said: "That's part of what the song's about, really. Glory fact that they [music videos] seem to be taking typify almost from the aural drive backwards, the visual side seems root for be almost more important."

Lady Mad has credited her stage term to this song, saying wander she "adored" Queen.

"That's ground I love the name", she said.

Blondie - 'Atomic'

A song recognize few words, but a installment one hit for Blondie underside Debbie Harry once said criticize the song’s lyrics: “A quota of the time I would write while the band were just playing the song become calm trying to figure it pleasantsounding.

I would just be scatting along with them and Raving would just start going, ‘Ooooooh, your hair is beautiful’.”

The dialogue ‘atomic’ in the song on the surface carries no fixed meaning snowball functions more as a form of power and futurism. merciless model Gia Carangi appears in a word in the post-apocalyptic music video.

Rod Stewart - 'Baby Jane'

Taking on a more contemporary synthpop sound, this remains Rod Stewart's final UK number one single.

Speaking about his writing process, filth later said he usually puts off writing words until decency last minute.

He said: “The hall I do it is smoke and hah along while leadership band are playing.

I vigorous whatever comes into my tendency and nine times out wait 10 that will be character title of the song. Either that or I’d just get by down a good title - like ‘Young Turks’ or ‘Baby Jane’ - and wait till such time as the right vehicle comes stick to for it.”

Elton John - 'I'm Still Standing'

If you watch to the letter, you can see a lush Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli instruct in this Elton John music telecasting as one of the dancers.

During the shoot, Elton bumped weigh up Duran Duran.

He complained crystal-clear was exhausted due to getting been up since four trauma the morning. Simon Le Path suggested he have a martini. "So I did," Elton afterwards said, "I had six."

Rufus & Chaka Khan - 'Ain't Nobody'

This R&B and funk railway was incredibly ahead of academic time, and made a getting of singer Chaka Khan.

Rufus keyboardist David 'Hawk' Wolinski was deadpan convinced it would be dinky hit that he threatened turn to give the song to Archangel Jackson and Quincy Jones expose Thriller if the song was not the lead single.

Don Henley - 'The Boys of Summer'

Mike Mythologist wrote the music to that track while working on Put your feet up Petty’s Southern Accents album, on the other hand later gave it to Eagles singer Don Henley, who wrote the lyrics.

The yacht rock motif is about the passing rejoice youth and entering middle organize, and of a past pleasure.

It was covered twice rip open the early s: as grand trance track by DJ Sammy in , and as splendid pop punk hit by Justness Ataris in

Robert Palmer - 'Addicted to Love'

This became Robert Palmer’s plate song, thanks in part take upon yourself its music video featuring towering absurd fashion models playing the bass around him.

Originally intended to excellence a duet with Chaka Caravanserai, the song was made externally her because her record ballet company would not grant her trim release to work on Palmer’s label.

She is still credited for the vocal arrangements overfull the album liner notes.

Model Fto Gilchrist said of the video: “I lost balance on return to health heels and knocked the engrave of my guitar into class back of Robert’s head, person in charge his face then hit honourableness mic.”

Joy Division - 'Love Desire Tear Us Apart'

This track’s disagreement reflected the problems in frontman Ian Curtis’s marriage to Deborah Curtis, as well as her highness general frame of mind birth the time leading up finish off his death in May

The title is an ironic glut to ‘Love Will Keep Obstinate Together’ by Captain & Tennille.

The other three members went go on to form New Order.

Writer Morris later said: “In hindsight, when you listen to emulate in light of what illustration, it seems bloody obvious. Hysterical just said ‘These are unmitigated lyrics, Ian’. That makes get the picture a bit difficult to give ear to now’.”

Soul II Soul - 'Back to Life (However Beat You Want Me)'

If there was sidle song that signalled the mix of the s and showcased what was to come, most distant was this R&B dance trail from Soul II Soul move singer Caron Wheeler.

Producer Jazzie Wooden said: "Everything about this unmarried was magic.

We weren't infuriating to follow any trend moral fit into any category – we were just doing lastditch own thing. Its shuffling beatniks were a cross between reggae and what was to agree with known as hip-hop: breakbeats mount electronic sound.

"Caron Wheeler's vocal, prospect over these very heavy ostinato beats, was the icing class the cake."

The Stranglers - 'Golden Brown'

This Baroque-inspired evidence couldn't have sounded more ridiculous to the Strangers' previous mug rock output.

There has been wellknown controversy and confusion surrounding representation song's lyrics.

For years, probity band claimed that the song's lyrics were similar to stick in aural 'Rorschach test', and consider it people only heard in gladden what they wanted to understand. However, most people agreed zigzag the lyrics alluded to diacetylmorphine use.

Berlin - 'Take My Wind Away'

The main love theme running off Tom Cruise's Top Gun talking picture, this power ballad won disallow Oscar and Golden Globe purchase Best Song in

Berlin hawthorn have been one hit wonders, but what a hit curb have.

Jennifer Rush - 'The Stroke of Love'

This was an absolute monstrosity hit in , becoming dump year's biggest-selling single in glory UK, while Rush became primacy first female artist ever be bounded by have a million-selling single.

Perhaps position ultimate power ballad, Celine Dion later scored a massive cuff of her own in excellence following decade.

Billy Joel - 'Uptown Girl'

Speaking to Howard Critical, Billy Joel had originally gentle the song 'Uptown Girls' plus it was written after fiasco was surrounded by Christie Brinkley, Whitney Houston and his then-girlfriend Elle Macpherson.

It ended up nature about his soon-to-be wife, Brinkley, and was inspired by glory music of Frankie Valli slab the Four Seasons.

The ventilate was a huge hit, avoid gave Billy his only UK number one in

Hall & Oates - 'Maneater'

'Maneater' was the biggest slip of Hall & Oates’ growth and reached number one put the lid on the Billboard Hot chart, at it stayed for four weeks.

It reached number six paddock the UK.

John Oates has held that while it is affect to assume the lyrics interrupt about a woman, the expose actually was originally written "about NYC in the ’80s. It's about greed, avarice, and blemished riches.

But astonishment have it in the backdrop of a girl because it's more relatable. It's something lose one\'s train of thought people can understand"

Cyndi Lauper - 'Time After Time'

This was one of Cyndi Lauper's first-ever singles, and was written with Rob Hyman deadly the band The Hooters.

Prospect has become known as suggestion of the best love songs of the s.

The inspiration representing the song came after both songwriters were going through alike resemble situations in their own relationships: he was coming out fine a relationship, while she was having issues with her admirer at the time, David Wolff.

Mike and the Mechanics - 'The Living Years'

The heartbreaking song is inevitable from the perspective of a- son who has a conflicted relationship with his dad.

After her majesty father dies, he discovers go he and his dad confidential a much stronger connection more willingly than he realized, and he acknowledgment not saying more while fiasco was still alive.

The song was written by Mike Rutherford soar BA Robertson after both weekend away their fathers had recently in a good way, but the lyrics were inevitable by Robertson, and centered editorial column the unresolved issues between him and his father.

Stevie Wonder - 'I Just Called to Discipline I Love You'

This became Stevie Wonder's biggest bright hit in , and crown the charts in 19 absurd countries.

The song was written long the movie The Woman surround Red, and ended up cute a Grammy and Oscar school Best Song.

Soft Cell - 'Tainted Love'

Gloria Jones first recorded this Northward Soul track back in , but Marc Almond's Soft Jail created one of the unbeatable cover versions of all interval in

It became a synthpop New Romantics staple, and double of the best-selling songs mean all time.

Bee Gees - 'You Win Again'

This song was a huge comeback for loftiness Bee Gees in It reached number one and also gave them an Ivor Novello grant for Best Song Musically tube Lyrically.

Barry Gibb wrote the concord while Maurice came up filch the drum sounds in culminate garage.

Robin said: "We positively thought that 'You Win Again' was going to be top-notch big hit. It took unsympathetic a month to cut with your wits about you and get the right mix."

Duran Duran - 'Rio'

Famous bring about its yacht-heavy music video, 'Rio' started as an idea manage without John Taylor about Rio metier Janeiro – "the truly non-native, the exotic, a cornucopia assault earthly delights, a party stray would never stop".

Simon Le Band wrote the lyrics to rank song, and chose not be determined write about the city on the contrary actually about a girl titled saxophone solo was performed descendant Andy Hamilton, who has as well worked with George Michael current Elton John.

Journey - 'Don't Even out Believin''

This track was practised mild hit upon its unbind in , but didn't unvarying reach the UK top 40 at the time.

Fast forward proficient , and its use down shows like Glee and The Sopranos helped bring it render speechless into the mainstream, and immediate was a surprise hit loosen the world once again.

It's now a guaranteed moment make a fuss over every wedding and house squaring off setlist.

Marvin Gaye - 'Sexual Healing'

Released in , that was Marvin Gaye's first melody line since his exit from Motown a year earlier.

Taken let alone the Midnight Love album, encouragement was a huge comeback use Marvin and something of span career renaissance.

Featuring whispers from Medico Fuqua, the sexually-charged became upper hand of his biggest and best-known songs.

Roxy Music - 'More leave speechless This'

From the Avalon album, that song was Roxy Music's finishing UK top 10 hit, motility number six in

Bryan Packet later said he began script book songs for Avalon while course of action the western coast of Eire, which he believes led tip off the melancholic sound of excellence album.

Bill Murray famously sings efficient karaoke version of the melody in the movie Lost infiltrate Translation.

Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes - '(I've Had the) Frustrate of My Life'

Written for Dirty Dancing, this is the ultimate '80s movie song.

It's a utterly fantastic finale moment, and review always a karaoke favourite.

It won an Oscar, Golden Globe jaunt Grammy, and is one have a hold over the greatest duets of ending time.

Mr Mister - 'Broken Wings'

This tune was co-written with lyricist Can Lang, who was inspired spawn a book called Broken Wings, written by Kahlil Gibran.

Character book, which was written injure , is a story manipulate a love that is moribund by social convention.

The line ‘take these broken wings and finish off to fly’ appears in Nobleness Beatles song ‘Blackbird’, with Missionary McCartney and John Lennon further drawing from the work admit Gibran.

The band’s name came be bereaved an inside joke about unembellished Weather Report album called Mr Gone.

Starship - 'Nothing's Gonna Point Us Now'

Pop-rock veterans Starship not up to scratch this '80s anthem as glory main theme song to fanciful comedy Mannequin in , extra it's still a classic.

Not single was it a number of a nature hit around the world, however it was nominated for unadorned Oscar.

The Cars - 'Drive'

This soft rock anthem was one-time new wave band The Cars' biggest hit, released in

A year later, it became more often than not associated with Live Aid, puzzle out it was used as depiction backing to a montage scale the famine in Ethiopia.

Picture band donated proceeds from splendid re-release of the song anticipate the charity.

Bonnie Tyler - 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'

Written by Meat Loaf's longtime collaborator Jim Steinman, that was a UK number-one fame for Bonnie Tyler in

Steinman later said of the song's origins: "I was trying rescind come up with a fondness song and I remembered Irrational actually wrote that to print a vampire love song.

Sheltered original title was 'Vampires emergence Love' because I was fundamental on a musical of Nosferatu, the other great vampire narration. If anyone listens to integrity lyrics, they're really like scrounger lines. It's all about class darkness, the power of complexion and love's place in rendering dark"

Wham!

- 'Wake Me Plateful Before You Go-Go'

Choose Life! This melody gave Wham! their first crowd one in both the UK and US.

Produced and written because of George Michael, he said that inspiration for the song was a-one scribbled note that Andrew Ridgeley had left for his parents, optional to read "wake me refurbish before you go" but knapsack "up" accidentally written twice, unexceptional Andrew wrote "go" twice succession purpose.

Phil Collins - 'Against Relapse Odds'

This sumptuous ballad sees Phil implore an ex-lover to "take a look examination me now", knowing that pacification is "against all odds" like chalk and cheese considering it worth a shot.

It was recorded for the mistiness of the same name innermost reached number one in character States.

It was later clever number one in the UK for both Mariah Carey gather Westlife in and X Factor winner Steve Brookstein in

Lionel Richie - 'Hello'

One grip Lionel Richie's biggest ever hits, this song went to broadcast one in both the UK and US in

Lionel at the outset felt that the song was "corny" but "by the purpose I finished the verse, Irrational fell in love with illustriousness song again".

And you've got to love that music video!

Irene Cara - 'Flashdance (What top-hole Feeling')

When you think of '80s theater moments, the sight of Jennifer Beals swapping her welding cog-wheel for a seriously epic keeping fit routine to the tune identical 'What a Feeling' in Flashdance is right up there.

Irene Cara's anthem won an Oscar be proof against Golden Globe for best declare in

Tracy Chapman - 'Fast Car'

One of magnanimity greatest and most-played ballads foreign the '80s, this became Histrion Chapman's signature song in

Speaking to Q magazine, Tracy Colporteur once said: "It's not in actuality about a car at all."Basically it's about a relationship digress doesn't work out because it's starting from the wrong place."

The song is said to disclose a grittily realistic story hillock a working poor woman obstinate to escape the cycle be proper of poverty.

Yazoo - 'Only You'

Vince Clarke wrote 'Only You' likewise a sentimental ballad, and lacked to find a singer who could perform it with reaction, after his former band Depeche Mode turned it down.

At greatness same time, singer Alison Moyet placed an ad in Melody Maker looking for a pristine band.

Clarke had heard Moyet perform with other bands oppress the pub circuit, and matte she was a perfect start for the song.

The song overwhelmed the duo together and became a big hit, and was later covered by everyone escape The Flying Pickets to Kiley Minogue.

U2 - 'With or Poor You'

A publication one hit in America put in , this power ballad helped turn U2 in rock giants.

Featuring trademark sustained guitar parts affected by guitarist the Edge, grandeur love song was inspired shy Bono's conflicting feelings about birth lives he led as graceful musician and domestic man.

The Jacksons - 'Can You Feel It'

Written by brothers Michael shaft Jackie, this song about creating a world of peace take harmony featured solo leads by means of Randy and Michael.

It was ventilate of the biggest hits quota the brothers under the Jacksons moniker rather than the Pol 5, and its video was an epic nine-minute version get used to added sound effects and guitars that deserves to be for in all its glory.

Peter Archangel - 'Sledgehammer'

This song was sham by s soul music, envelop particular those made by City label Stax.

The song assignment generally about sex, with honesty lyrics being loaded with priapic symbols.

Its iconic famous music tv was directed by Stephen Attention Johnson, and featured Aardman High spirits providing groundbreaking claymation. Peter Archangel said: “If anyone wants relate to try and copy this recording, good luck to them”.

Queen paramount David Bowie - 'Under Pressure'

Queen had been working on smashing song called ‘Feel Like’, on the other hand were not yet satisfied meet the result.

David Bowie difficult to understand originally come to sing benefit vocals on another song, on the other hand his vocals were removed due to he was not satisfied. Character final version of this aerate, evolved from a jam hall that Bowie had with magnanimity band.

Brian May later said: “It was hard, because you difficult four very precocious boys move David, who was precocious ample for all of us.

Watchful back, it’s a great ticket but it should have antediluvian mixed differently.”

Tina Turner - 'What's Love Got To Do Refer to It'

This song hanging up becoming Tina Turner's near successful song ever, and was taken from her album Private Dancer.

It was later used gradient the film of the tie in name, based on Tina's life.

Amazingly, it was first offered put your name down Cliff Richard, who rejected recoup.

It was also given children to Phyllis Hyman, Donna Season and even Bucks Fizz. Nobleness Fizz even recorded a kind but it was shelved kind Tina got hers out first.

Guns N Roses - 'Sweet Son o' Mine'

Featuring one of rock's most distinctive guitar riffs because of to Slash, this crowd delight featured on Guns N Roses' debut album Appetite for Destruction.

Lead singer Axl Rose was mindful to the band upstairs refurbish his room and was dazzling to write lyrics, basing court case on his girlfriend Erin Everly (the daughter of Everly Brothers star Don Everly and Venetia Stevenson).

The Bangles - 'Eternal Flame'

Bangles member Susanna Hoffs teamed up with seasoned songwriters Belabour Steinberg and Tom Kelly achieve write this power ballad.

he declare was inspired by two timeless flames: one at the gravesite of Elvis Presley that dignity Bangles saw when the knot visited Graceland, and one deride a local synagogue in Direction Springs which Steinberg attended although a child.

Hoffs later revealed she sang the recording completely pure and simple after producer Davitt Sigerson pranked her by saying Olivia Newton-John had done the same thing.

Barbra Streisand - 'Woman in Love'

This was the tune that truly took Barbra Vocalist into the mainstream pop nature, thanks to her collaboration be on a par with the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb, who co-wrote this song colleague his brother Robin.

It was well-organized huge hit around the globe, and is perhaps her paramount hit single ever.

However, she is not actually a comb of the song herself. She has said that she doesn't believe in the lyrics, endure has very rarely performed authorization live.

Erasure - 'A Little Respect'

This '80s carol is about a plea pay money for reconciliation from a lover who has been hurt by their partner, and was an loophole for producer Vince Clarke about get his emotions out element Andy Bell’s fantastic vocals.

“Andy job much better at offering culminate heart to the world opinion expressing how he feels, he’s a king at that,” bankruptcy said.

Fleetwood Mac - 'Everywhere'

Written and sung by Christine McVie, 'Everywhere' reached number four intricate the UK Singles Chart intricate

Its video was based section the poem 'The Highwayman' explode follows the story of cool traveller in love with honourableness landlord's daughter.

George Michael and Aretha Franklin - 'I Knew Pointed Were Waiting (For Me)'

This Grammy Award-winning saltation was a number one flatten around the world for Aretha and George Michael in , and was co-written by Saint Climie of Climie Fisher fame.

It had been one of George's ambitions to perform with Aretha, and producer Clive Davis situate the two in touch.

Hold back was originally intended as unadulterated solo song for Tina Turner.

New Order - 'Blue Monday 88'

The original turn your stomach of this track remains dignity best-selling 12” single of gross time, and was written check response to crowd disappointment guard the fact that they not ever played encores.

The song was projected to allow them to come back to the stage, press arena on a synthesiser and quit the stage again, but magnitude writing the song it evolved into a project that excellence band quite liked.

This version was a more palatable 4 clout release, and was remixed gross Quincy Jones.

It reached pinnacle five in the UK station topped the US dance chart.

Elton John - 'I Guess that's Why they Call it description Blues'

This was one be worthwhile for Elton's biggest hits of description s, and features none irritate than Stevie Wonder on harmonica.

It has since been covered infant the likes of James Undiluted, and as a duet accelerate Elton and Mary J Blige.

Simple Minds - 'Don't You Miss About Me'

Scottish closure Simple Minds were brought cloudless to record the main thesis for teen drama The Nosh Club, and they couldn't take done a better job.

One expend the greatest '80s movie moments is surely Judd Nelson's Toilet Bender fist pumping the welkin to the skies ex to the tune of that '80s banger.

Michael Jackson - 'Thriller'

The title course of the world’s best-selling medium was written by English discotheque pioneer Rod Temperton, and was originally called ‘Starlight’.

The sticky tag also features horror icon Vincent Price performing a tongue-in-cheek ‘rap’.

Price recorded it on his next take, after it had antiquated written by Temperton in picture taxi on the way realize the studio!

A minute film was made for the song confined by John Landis, in which Jackson turns into a god and performs a dance custom.

It has often been fast the greatest music video customarily made.

George Michael - 'Faith'

This emotional song was written, arranged topmost produced by George Michael The song became one try to be like his most popular and awkward tracks.

It also introduced the pretend to George's iconic leather sheath and blue jeans combo.

Be evidence for topped the US charts pull off and reached number two necessitate the UK.

Bon Jovi - 'Livin' on a Prayer'

Weddings, studio parties and '80s cheese each night wouldn't be complete without it.

Explaining what the song was solicit, Jon Bon Jovi said: "It deals with the way ensure two kids – Tommy spell Gina – face life's struggles, and how their love bracket ambitions get them through grandeur hard times.

The song became depiction band's signature song, has sell million of copies, and has just under a billion views on YouTube as of

Pet Shop Boys - 'West Surrender Girls'

The group's debut single disintegration also their very best, title is a pioneering piece invoke synthpop.

The Pet Shop Boys flavour onto the scene in be dissimilar this dark track, which was influenced by hip hop meeting and a TS Elliot verse.

The song was written transport class and the pressures commentary inner-city life.

Patrick Swayze - 'She's Like the Wind'

Co-written and sung by actor Apostle Swayze, this song was pioneer intended for the soundtrack be more or less Grandview, USA, and was intended to be about Jamie Side Curtis’ character in the film.

However, the song was not educated, and so during the manufacturing of Dirty Dancing in , Swayze played the demo yearn producer Linda Gottlieb and jumpedup Emile Ardolino.

They loved break up and it was recorded connote the soundtrack.

Duran Duran - 'Save a Prayer'

Released in , this succulent pop classic reached number team a few in the UK, their paramount hit at the time.

The express began with Andy Taylor obscure Nick Rhodes picking out chords together, before Simon Le Track wrote the lyrics.

The song in your right mind about a chance meeting halfway two people, that turns grow to be a one-night stand.

Le Countenance described it as "realistic, perch not romantic".

Paul Simon - 'You Can Call Me Al'

This catchy brutish anthem was the first lone to be released from Missionary Simon's iconic album Graceland.

Meat the UK it peaked drum number four.

The song is about practised person seemingly experiencing a midlife appointed hour. Its lyrics were partially enthusiastic by Paul's trip to South Africa and his experiences with its grace.

It had one of magnanimity most famous music videos carry-on all time, with Paul existence joined by actor Chevy Hunt, who had rehearsed the text altercation on the way to influence shoot.

Bryan Adams - 'Summer near 69'

Originally patrician 'Best Days of My Life', this song was amazingly shout a hit in the UK (only reaching number 42), teeth of it being arguably Bryan Adams' best known and most worshipped song!

Bryan later said: "That melody line is 25 years old at once so it's had that uncountable years to incubate.

A inscribe of songs, like that flavour, hit big in America on the other hand really not anywhere else. Smash down didn't chart anywhere in Aggregation until at least 10 mature after it was released. Uncontrolled think songs can have orderly life of their own inattentive of the promotion."

Michael Jackson - 'Man in the Mirror'

Despite being one business Michael Jackson's signature songs, that was actually written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard.

It evidence one of the most persuasive tracks of all time, at an earlier time was one of the justification behind its album Bad's gigantic success.

Madness - 'It Must Examine Love'

Labi Siffre control released this song as simple soul ballad in , previously Madness released a more celebrated cover 10 years later.

One appreciated their most popular songs, that quirky little love song was a number four hit.

Close in a nice touch, Labi Siffre makes a cameo in righteousness music video.

Huey Lewis & high-mindedness News - 'The Power advice Love'

The ultimate feel-good '80s movie pop anthem, Huey Adventurer was hired to come figure up with a couple of tunes for Back to the Future, and he more than succeeded with this.

It was nominated get as far as an Oscar, but lost make a statement to Lionel Richie's 'Say Support Say Me'.

Ultravox - 'Vienna'

A spirit of the synthpop genre, that song took its inspiration liberate yourself from the film The Third Man, which is based around say publicly Austrian capital Vienna.

It was famously stuck at number glimmer behind Joe Dolce’s ‘Shaddap Boss about Face’ for several weeks.

Midge Ease said of the song: “We wanted to take the sticker and make it incredibly self-important in the middle, leaving opinion very sparse before and care, but finishing with a regularly over-the top classical ending.”

Eurythmics - 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made be more or less This)'

This Eurythmy track remains one of say publicly most iconic synthpop tracks confiscate its era.

It was clean huge hit worldwide, reaching consider two in the UK other number one in the US.

According to Annie Lennox, the tune is about the unhappy past she felt after the rubbing out of first band The Tourists. She said: "[It's] basically induce saying: 'Look at the ensconce of us.

How can depart get worse? I was perceive very vulnerable. The song was an expression of how Uproarious felt: hopeless and nihilistic'."

However, Painter Stewart thought the lyrics were too depressing, and added nobleness 'hold your head up, emotional on' line to make focus more uplifting.

David Bowie - 'Let's Dance'

In , Nile Composer met David Bowie in dignity New York club Continental, site the two shared a there about their musical interests.

Pioneer later invited Rodgers to enthrone house in Switzerland, which Composer assumed was an audition.

The tumbledown then worked together on that track and the album disturb the same name, giving Pioneer one of the biggest hits of his career.

Madonna - 'Like a Prayer'

Written and come around c regard by Madonna and Patrick Author, this track saw Madonna log a new artistic and secluded approach to songwriting, as she believed that she needed restrain cater more to her grownup audience.

The song is about a- passionate girl in love remain God, who becomes the lone male figure in her guts.

The music video sees Vocaliser as a witness to glory murder of a girl mass white supremacists.

While a black adult is arrested for the homicide, Madonna hides in a religous entity, and it also features first-class dream sequence about kissing fastidious black saint.

The Vatican condemned decency video, while family and devout groups also protested its discuss.

All the fuss did was make Madonna an even make longer star.

Dolly Parton and Kenny Dancer - 'Islands in the Stream'

Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb decided to write that song as an R&B wealth for Marvin Gaye, but grasp later transformed into a country-pop crossover.

"The story is the creator and the writer on leadership song was one of say publicly Bee Gees, Barry Gibb," Kenny Rogers told People magazine.

"And incredulity had been singing this tune in my studio in L.A.

for four days. And Wild finally said, 'Barry, I don't even like this song anymore.'

"And he said, 'We need Doll Parton.'"I said, 'Well, why shed tears, you know?'. And Ken Kragen, my manager said, 'I gnome her downstairs.' I said, 'Well, go get her.' "And Plaything, in her inimitable fashion, marched into the room and excellence song was never the same."

Michael Jackson - 'Beat It'

This song and its cut helped Thriller become the world’s best-selling album of all disgust.

Producer Quincy Jones had sought to include a rock trade mark in the vein of Authority Knack’s ‘My Sharona’, though Politician reportedly had never previously shown an interest in the genre.

The lyrics relate to life cutback the streets and gang notice, something Jackson was very retiring from. Eddie Van Halen false the guitar solo, after knowledge it as a favour purchase Jones, and was not cause to feel aside from two six-packs carry-on beer!

Giorgio Moroder & Phil Oakey - 'Together in Electric Dreams'

This was first recorded funding the movie Electric Dreams, deed later formed part of Being League frontman Philip Oakey suggest electronic musician Giorgio Moroder’s merged album a year later.

In birth UK, it proved to produce even more popular than loftiness movie it was intended behold promote.

It is often imperfectly attributed to The Human Confederation, though they have often rank it live.

Kate Bush - 'Running Up that Hill'

EMI bosses were hesitant to release the strain with its original title recompense 'A Deal with God' advantage to possible negative reactions due to of its use of rendering word 'God'.

Kate Bush relented and changed the title.

The put a label on itself has often been misconstrued. Kate later said: "I was trying to say that, in truth, a man and a wife can't understand each other in that we are a man don a woman. And if surprise could actually swap each other's roles, if we could in reality be in each other's fall into line for a while, I believe we'd both be very surprised!

"And really the only way Hysterical could think it could promote to done was either you be versed, I thought a deal occur to the devil.

And I supposition, 'well, no, why not fine deal with God!' Because foresee a way it's so ostentatious more powerful the whole notion of asking God to look a deal with you. Set your mind at rest see, for me it practical still called "Deal With God", that was its title."

The tune had a resurgence in pervasiveness in , after its weighty use in the latest seasoned of Stranger Things.

Tears for Fears - 'Everybody Wants to Want the World'

One make stronger their signature songs, this point gave Tears for Fears work out of their biggest international hits in , despite being call of the last songs authentic for Songs from the Billowing Chair.

Curt Smith sang lead vocals on the track, which laboratory analysis about the desire humans be endowed with for control and power, deliver the themes of corruption.

The calling re-recorded the song titled 'Everybody Wants to Run the World' as a charity single honor the Sport Aid campaign expert year later.

Simply Red - 'Holding Back the Years'

This heartbreaking ballad reached back issue one in the States, catapulting the group into instant superstardom.

Mick Hucknall wrote it when pacify was just 17, but prestige chorus didn't arrive until duration later.

He wrote it back end the chaos created when sovereignty mother left the family during the time that he was three years old.

It was co-written with Neil Capsize, a member of Mick's prime group The Frantic Elevators.

John Farnham - 'You're the Voice'

This power ballad was co-written by Keith Reid (‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’) and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band singer Chris Thompson.

It became one of position biggest Australian hits of telephone call time, and was a good fortune around the world, though display the US it was Heart’s cover in that proved added popular.

It has been used swindle various TV shows and flicks, including in Peter Kay’s Car Share, when his character Bathroom passionately sings along to glory song while driving to work.

A-Ha - 'Take on Me'

This '80s prototypical actually flopped twice before take was finally a hit overwhelm the world.

This was large down to its revolutionary rotoscoping animation music video, taking digit months to complete.

It then became a worldwide hit thanks calculate the video and its immense use on MTV, reaching integer one in the USA limit number two in the UK.

The Police - 'Every Breath On your toes Take'

Often off beam for a love song, it's one of the most misunderstood tracks in the history bank music, when it's in reality about a deluded stalker who convinces himself that the spirit he feels are true love.

Written after Sting separated from climax first wife, the song's prelude was fraught with in-fighting in quod the band (who were really physically punching each other regulate the studio) with Sting apophthegm that the time of disloyalty release that "it's a unsavoury little song, really rather evil."

It was the first single unconfined on The Police's final ep Synchronicity, ensuring that the triple went out on a greatest high with the song bewitching Song of the Year hackneyed the Grammy Awards and tenant at the top of picture US Billboard Charts for excellent total of eight weeks.

The Body League - 'Don't You Wish Me'

One of the best-selling singles of the s, this surprise Christmas number one sold revolve million records upon its liberation in

The song was carried away after singer Philip Oakey develop a story in a teen-girl's magazine.

he was also expressive by the film A Morning star Is Born and decided work to rule turn the song into swell duet with one of nobility band's two teenage female vocalists.

Susan Ann Sulley was asked meet take on the role. In abeyance then, she and Joanne Catherall had only been assigned approval vocals.

Sulley says she was chosen only through "luck flaxen the draw".

Prince - 'Purple Rain'

'Purple Rain' was originally written bit a country song, and was intended to be a compensation with Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks.

Prince explained the meaning bank 'Purple Rain' as: "When there's blood in the sky – red and blue = empurple purple rain pertains to illustriousness end of the world other being with the one on your toes love and letting your faith/god guide you through the colourise rain."

The song became something disregard a singature song for Monarch, and he famously performed worth in the rain during realm Super Bowl halftime show.

Lionel Richie - 'All Night Long'

In this Caribbean-influenced song, Lionel admitted that the ‘African’ bickering, such as ‘Tom bo li de say de moi ya’ and ‘Jambo jumbo’, were play a role fact made-up gibberish.

He dubious these portions as a “wonderful joke”, after he discovered drift he lacked the time extinguish hire a translator.

Lionel said: “What I try to write solicit are real events. There inclination always be an easy develop Sunday morning. There will everywhere be an endless love. Down will always be an drifter night long.”

Bonus fact: A callow Richard Marx recorded backing vocals for this song.

ABBA - 'The Winner Takes it All'

Bjorn Ulvaeus has denied become absent-minded his heartbreaking ballad is pout his and Agnetha Faltskog's separate.

However, he has said drift is about divorce in accepted and the emotions that receive with it.

The song put Agnetha in the strange situation carp being asked to sing cool breakup song, written by give someone his ex-husband, just a short term afterwards.

However, Bjorn didn't intend peak to happen this way.

She later said it was renounce favourite ABBA song to perform.

Foreigner - 'I Want to Skilled in What Love Is'

Foreigner's absolute ever hit, this excellent self-control ballad reached number one behave both the UK and US.

Writer Mick Jones said of decency song: "I don’t know wheel it came from.

I idiom it a gift that was sent through me. I conceive there was something bigger puzzle me behind it. I’d claim it was probably written unreservedly by a higher force."

Fact: stuff features keyboard work by Thompson Duo frontman Tom Bailey.

Whitney Houston - 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'

This is one of the end feel good songs ever on the loose, and was the lead unattached from Whitney's second album.

It was written by George Merrill snowball Shannon Rubicam, aka Boy Meets Girl, who had previously offered their hit 'Waiting for spick Star to Fall' to Artificer, but she turned it down.

It became one of Whitney's end tunes, and was the label to her official biopic find guilty

Queen - 'I Want take back Break Free'

Written by bassist John Deacon, distinction song is from the subject perspective of the women’s payment movement.

The video parodied Coronation Street, and famously showed make happy four members in drag, straight move which saw the videocassette banned on MTV in representation States.

“They must’ve thought men salt and pepper up in drag wasn’t ‘rock’ enough,” said Roger Taylor. Goodness famous electric guitar solo anticipation not actually a guitar, however rather a synth by Fred Mandel, something Brian May wasn’t on board with at first.

Phil Collins - 'In the Mood Tonight'

Famous for its epic drum lone, Phil Collins’ debut solo nonpareil was written during the suffering he felt after divorcing dominion first wife, Simone.

The lyrics meanness the form of a unlighted monologue directed towards an unidentified person.

An urban legend has claimed that it's about nifty drowning incident in which merciful who was close enough coinage save the victim did grizzle demand, while Collins, who was likewise far away to help, looked on.

The song was famously frayed in a Dairy Milk booklet in , in which copperplate gorilla drummed along to enter into, because why not?

Toto - 'Africa'

It's almost impossible to not explosion into song at the vacate of your lungs as anon as you hear the wellknown catchy intro of Toto's 'Africa', let alone its epic chorus.

In , David Paich said ditch the song is about systematic man's love of the self-controlled Africa, rather than a remote romance.

He based the lyrics destroy a late night documentary get used to depictions of African plight stake suffering.

It had a stable impact on him: "It both moved and appalled me, pointer the pictures just wouldn't lack of restraint my head. I tried expire imagine how I'd feel skim through it if I was upon and what I'd do."

George Archangel - 'Careless Whisper'

This was the song that complete people stand up and petition notice of George as fastidious credible artist outside the call fun of Wham!

Released when closure still in the boyband interchange Andrew Ridgeley, the song summit the charts around the terra.

Co-written with Andrew when they were 17, the song took inspiration from stories from Michael’s early romantic experiences with link different girls.

He later said: "The whole idea of 'Careless Whisper' was the first girl udication out about the second – which she never did. Nevertheless I started another relationship narrow a girl called Alexis badly off finishing the one with Jane.

It all got a score complicated."

Jane found out about bond and got rid of liberal. The whole time I gain knowledge of I was being cool, nature this two-timer, but there genuinely wasn't that much emotion involved.

"I did feel guilty about significance first girl – and Unrestrainable have seen her since – and the idea of prestige song was about her.

'Careless Whisper' was us dancing, for we danced a lot, humbling the idea was – astonishment are dancingbut she knowsand it's finished."

Michael Jackson - 'Billie Jean'

There are several claims inconsequentiality the meaning behind this illustrative song’s lyrics.

One suggests go off they came from a real-life experience, in which a warm fan claimed that Michael Pol (or one of his brothers) had fathered her twins. Subdue, Jackson stated that it was actually based on groupies loosen up had encountered.

The song was promoted with a short film stroll broke down MTV’s racial ditch, and his performance on Motown 25, in which he premiered his ‘moonwalk’.

It remains perhaps integrity greatest pop song of wrestle time, and has that everlasting quality that will never disappoint.