top 10 journey songs from the 80s

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Ranking All 52 Journey Songs From the ’80s

Journey moved more than 6 million albums in America in the '70s, most of them after Steve Perry joined in time for 1978's Infinity . Not bad.

Then their second proper studio album of the following decade, 1983's Frontiers , sold more than that all but itself. By then, however, they'd amassed so much commercial momentum that this LP was actually considered something of a letdown.

Journey kicked off the '80s with a trio of very different farewell projects as co-founder Gregg Rolie left the band. The Top 10 hit Departure arrived first as a proper studio album, selling three million copies. Journey followed that with Dream, After Dream (a little-heard largely free-form import movie soundtrack) and Captured , a double-platinum Top 10 live sendoff with two new songs.

Then Jonathan Cain supercharged the band's more recent pop-leanings, bringing along a new sensibility (and a song idea for their highest-charting single). Perry was still their honeyed frontman and Neal Schon was still their soaring guitarist – but something fundamental had changed.

READ MORE: Top 10 Post-Steve Perry Journey Songs

The chart-topping Escape proceeded to reel off three Top 10 hits, while moving a career-best 10 million copies in the United States alone. Prior to that, they'd never had a song go higher than the No. 16 finish for 1979's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin.'"

Journey couldn't quite reach those heights again, concluding the decade with 1986's double-platinum Raised on Radio . But they still spun off four more Top 20 hits.

Along the way, they issued a little more than 50 proper songs in the '80s, including B-sides, bonus tracks and stand-alone releases. Here's how they ranked, with comments and insight from my new Amazon best-selling rock and pop band bio, Journey: Worlds Apart : No. 52. "Back Talk" From: Frontiers (1983)

This song almost single-handedly kept Frontiers from becoming Journey's best '80s album . That's enough to earn this spot. No. 51. "Departure" From: Departure (1980)

Pretty but insubstantial, this brief instrumental was tucked into the middle of co-founding member Gregg Rolie's last proper studio effort with Journey. No. 50. "I'm Cryin'" From: Departure (1980)

Steve Perry usually had a canny ability to convey emotion. "I'm Cryin'," however, slipped off into abject mawkishness. No. 49. "Positive Touch" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

The demos for this album were completed with a click track rather than in a room together as Journey had typically done in the past. That left drummer Steve Smith to either copy these metronomic sounds – heard to teeth-grating effect on "Positive Touch" – or to stay home. Partway through the sessions, it became the latter. No. 48. "Liberty" From: Time3 (1992)

A Frontiers -era leftover for those who wondering what Journey would sound like as a country band. No. 47. "Troubled Child" From: Frontiers (1983)

Another Side Two dud. Replace this with "Only the Young" or "Only Solutions," and all is forgiven.

No. 46. "Happy to Give" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Perry had trouble nailing the vocal on this too-atmospheric ballad, which should have told them something. (In fact, it got to the point where Cain started calling "Happy to Give" Perry's "pet song.") It's understandable: "Happy to Give" grew out of a soundtrack idea Cain had, and it sounds like it. Journey never played the song live. No. 45. "La Raza Del Sol" From: B-side of "Still They Ride" (1981)

The song's heart is in the right place, as Cain finds inspiration in the plight of immigrant California farm workers. Unfortunately, that narrative is surrounded by a meandering music bed that sounds like a rightly discarded leftover from their pre-Perry days. No. 44. "Mother, Father" From: Escape (1981)

An overwrought, understandably disjointed song that was pieced together from two separate ideas by Perry and Schon, then completed with another interlude written by Schon's dad. No. 43. "All That Really Matters" From: Time3 (1992)

Jonathan Cain took over the mic for this Frontiers outtake, returning to a sound that's more in keeping with his earlier tenure in the Babys . That's fine, but it's not Journey. No. 42. "Homemade Love" From: Departure (1980)

Despite discovering a newfound chart prowess, Journey was still prone to longing looks back to their earliest musical excesses. In keeping, this sludgy, clumsily salacious song couldn't have sounded more out of place on Departure . Positioning "Homemade Love" as the album-closing song made even less sense. No. 41. "Dixie Highway" From: Captured (1981)

"Dixie Highway" sounds like what it was: a throwaway track written on Journey's tour bus while traveling the eponymous interstate into Detroit. It was perhaps interesting enough to be tried out live, but not interesting enough to make it onto a studio album.

No. 40. "Keep On Runnin'" From: Escape (1981)

A pedestrian rocker, "Keep on Runnin'" is the only stumble on Side One of Journey's biggest-ever selling album. No. 39. "Dead or Alive" From: Escape (1981)

The second of two throwback-style songs on Escape that seek to approximate Journey's more rugged, fusion-leaning '70s-era, and the lesser of the pair. That "Dead or Alive" came directly after the too-similar "Lay It Down" didn't do the song any favors, either. No. 38. "Escape" From: Escape (1981)

Cain and Perry are credited as co-composers, but the title track from Escape still feels like the first of what became a series of not-always-successful attempts by Neal Schon to balance Journey's new knack for balladry with ballsier rock songs. That's certainly the role it played in contemporary setlists after he became the band's sole remaining original member. No. 37. "Line of Fire" From: Departure (1980)

A perfunctory rocker best remembered for a sound effect at roughly the 2:10 mark that Perry cribbed from Junior Walker's chart-topping 1965 R&B hit "Shotgun ." No. 36. "Precious Time" From: Departure (1980)

Rolie adds a gurgling harp squall, but not much else stands out.

No. 35. "Lay It Down" From: Escape (1981)

Steve Smith approximates early drummer Aynsley Dunbar's thudding, heavy-rock approach while Schon swirls into the stratosphere on one of two songs from Escape that could have seamlessly fit into a Rolie-era album. No. 34. "Chain Reaction" From: Frontiers (1983)

Schon finds a fusible groove, then joins Perry for a gutty vocal interplay. But "Chain Reaction" ends up getting lost somewhere along the way. No. 33. "Once You Love Somebody" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

They tried for a bluesy feel on a song echoing the relationship troubles that both Perry and Cain were then experiencing, but there's simply not enough grit to this. No. 32. "Natural Thing" From: B-side of "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981)

Your average classic rock radio-loving fan might not peg Steve Perry as a died-in-the-wool R&B guy who can totally pull off this sometimes very un-Journey style. Tell them to start here. No. 31. "Rubicon" From: Frontiers (1983)

This song drove a seemingly permanent wedge in the band. Schon said he was playing "Rubicon" when Perry walked over and turned down his amp . He argued that fans wanted to hear his voice rather than all of those guitars. They put out only two more albums together, and it took them 13 years to do it.

No. 30. "Frontiers" From: Frontiers (1983)

The second-best song on this album's deflating flip side. Singing in a clipped, coolly detached tone, Perry offers a great put-down for heartless generals and politicians: " War is for fools; crisis is cool ." No. 29. "It Could Have Been You" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Schon's riffy contributions work in brilliant counterpoint to Perry's poignancy, underscoring why this partnership meshed so easily – and so well. No. 28. "Where Were You" From: Departure (1980)

There's a reason Journey opened their concerts with "Where Were You" for so long. It simply crackles with energy. They were just coming off an opening gig with AC/DC at this point, and the headliner's knack for outsized, riffy rockers obviously rubbed off. No. 27. "Little Girl" From: B-side of "Open Arms" (1981)

"Little Girl" was the the only proper song from 1980's Dream, After Dream , a soundtrack that's not part of the band's main catalog since it's otherwise filled with incidental music for a now-forgotten foreign film. Elsewhere, the instrumentals provide an untimely restatement of their old penchant for prog and fusion, considering Journey was already on a pop-chart roll. Dream After Dream disappeared without a trace once Journey issued  Escape , and the too-often-overlooked "Little Girl" only saw U.S. release as the B-side to their "Open Arms" single. No. 26. "Raised on Radio" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Radio holds a talismanic place in Perry's imagination for two reasons. His absent father owned a station. At the same time, it's a constant presence in the youthful places where he returns, time and time again, for creative sustenance. If things had gone another way, Perry has said he could see himself as a DJ, rather than a huge pop star. No. 25. "Ask the Lonely" From: Two of a Kind (1983)

Jonathan Cain once said Perry could write love songs in his sleep , and this only-okay leftover is an example of that assembly line-type approach. Yet, he gives his whole heart to every line. "This is my big theory on Steve Perry: Beyond being a great vocalist, I think the secret and maybe why generations connect with him is he is an empath," former Rolling Stone editor David Wild told me. By the end, "Ask the Lonely" still proves to be a better choice that most of what appeared on the back end of Frontiers .

No. 24. "Why Can't This Night Go on Forever" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Written in tribute to their fans, "Why Can't This Night Go on Forever" moved past its quite overt "Open Arms" / "Faithfully"-style ambitions on the strength of performances by Schon and Perry.

No. 23. "The Eyes of a Woman" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Steve Smith only appeared on three Raised on Radio tracks, but that doesn't mean he didn't have an undeniable impact. His anticipatory rhythm builds this quiet tension on the underrated "The Eyes of a Woman," as Schon's echoing chords surround the vocal. Perry has called this one of his favorite Journey songs, and that might be because "The Eyes of a Woman" is one of the very few here that fully recalls their Escape / Frontiers -era midtempo sound.

No. 22. "Suzanne" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

If Steve Perry sounds a little overwhelmed on the second single from this album, there's a reason for that. This No. 17 hit was written in tribute to an actual crush – framed as a fantasy encounter with a film star who also had a singing career. He never revealed her name.

No. 21. "Edge of the Blade" From: Frontiers (1983)

Side Two of Frontiers gets off to a roaring start. Buckle up, though. As things progress, you're in for a bumpy ride.

No. 20. "Be Good to Yourself" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

A throwback Top 10 rocker, "Be Good to Yourself" had little in common with the sleeker, more adult-contemporary feel found elsewhere on Raised on Radio . It didn't make for the most representative lead single, but manager Herbie Herbert insisted – because "Be Good to Yourself" sounded the most like Journey on their previous two albums.

No. 19. "I'll Be Alright Without You" From: 'Raised on Radio' (1986)

Schon, who earned a co-writing credit with Cain and Perry, told me he tried out a then-new guitar in search of a distinct sound for this song. Best known for using a 1963 Fender Stratocaster, Schon experimented with a graphite Roland 707 to see if he could get a different, more even tone. It worked: "I'll Be Alright Without You" remains Journey's penultimate Top 20 hit, followed by 1996's "When You Love a Woman." Cain, like Perry, was going through a breakup and called this track the other half of the emotions expressed in "Once You Love Somebody."

No. 18. "Only Solutions" From: Tron (1982)

Unjustly forgotten, and barely used in the film at all, the hooky "Only Solutions" would have greatly enlivened what turned out to be a letdown on Side Two of Frontiers .

No. 17. "People and Places" From: Departure (1980)

A circular vocal effect makes the song's larger point, as Perry and Schon share a vocal that examines life's maddening duality.

No. 16. "Faithfully" From: Frontiers (1983)

Journey was in the midst of a two-leg, 132-show tour in support of Escape and Jonathan Cain was feeling disconnected from his then-wife. Cain noticed the moon above their tour bus and, to him, "it looked like the midnight sun." He wrote that down then fell asleep. Upon awaking, Cain said the rest of "Faithfully" came to him in a rush. He wrote it in his own key, and that allowed Perry to explore a different vocal timbre. "'Faithfully' is to die for. I mean, Jonathan Cain's lyrics are amazing, and Steve Perry gave it everything he had," original MTV VJ Martha Quinn told me. "From the opening lines, he's just absolutely dripping with emotion. Every time you put the needle down, you can just feel it." Journey finished the song with a memorable back-and-forth between Perry and Schon, also completely unrehearsed.

No. 15. "Walks Like a Lady" From: Departure (1980)

A great example of the way Journey songs evolved in the studio. Perry brought in a rough sketch, Schon added a blues-inspired riff, then Smith picked up his brushes. All that was left to complete things was Rolie's greasy Hammond B3 groove, and he said it's one of his favorites.

No. 14. "Girl Can't Help It" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Perry essentially took control of Journey in the run-up to this album, switching out band members for sidemen with whom he'd worked before then serving as the project's de facto producer. That led them to some song treatments that moved well away from anything Journey had done before, or since. "Girl Can't Help It," one of three Top 40 singles from Raised on Radio , was another exception. This was classic Journey, spit-shined up for a new era.

No. 13. "After the Fall" From: Frontiers (1983)

Perry began this song on the bass, perhaps an early indication of the changes in store for Journey. By the time they released 1986's Raised on Radio , Ross Valory had been replaced by Randy Jackson, later of American Idol fame. Smith departed too, but not before proving himself utterly invaluable here.

No. 12. "Good Morning Girl" / "Stay Awhile" From: Departure (1980)

Inextricably linked by their successive appearances on Departure , these two songs showcased Perry's dual gifts: "Good Morning Girl" was a fragile, impossibly beautiful ballad that emerged from a jam session with Schon, while "Stay Awhile" showed off his R&B chops.

No. 11. "Who's Crying Now" From: Escape (1981)

The initial single from Escape , a No. 4 hit, perfectly illustrates how Cain's new presence impacted Perry's writing style, then forever changed Journey. The first inklings of the track came to Perry as he was driving up to San Francisco on Route 99. But "Who's Crying Now" was a song with no real direction until Cain suggested the title. They worked out a cool b-section featuring only voice and keyboard, and their very first co-written composition was completed. "He helped me go to another place as a writer," Perry later gushed in Joel Selvin's Time3 liner notes. Inspired, Perry also fought to keep Schon's extended guitar solo on the single.

No. 10. "Someday Soon" From: Departure (1980)

The final major vocal collaboration featuring Perry and Rolie and, still, one of the more memorable for its thoughtful optimism. There were plenty of reasons for this upbeat outlook, even though "Someday Soon" appeared as Rolie exited. Departure reached the Billboard Top 10, then the band's highest-charting effort ever. Meanwhile, a subsequent, wildly successful tour was chronicled on 1981's Captured . But why weren't there more of these duets? "I didn't want to quit singing, but it got diminished, there's no doubt," Rolie told me. "I don't think Perry really liked me singing. 'I'm the singer.' Well, OK. But my answer to that is, you know, the Beatles did great with four singers. Four, right? Not one."

No. 9. "Open Arms" From: Escape (1981)

Jonathan Cain brought this to Journey after John Waite , the frontman in Cain's former band the Babys, rejected an early version. Schon didn't really want "Open Arms" either, but Perry intervened. He knew just what to do with it. "He was fascinating to write with because he's such a technician. I'd never worked with a vocal perfectionist," Cain told me. "I mean, he would memorize every line as we wrote it, then his voice — he'd put it in the register we wanted and deliver it how we wanted it. Steve rehearsed everything as we wrote it, so then when we got into the studio or rehearsal, he knew where it lived in his range. He was very specific about what words he wanted to say. I was kind of taken with it." That helped turn "Open Arms" a soaring paean to renewal. Oh, and Journey's highest-charting single ever.

No. 8. "Still They Ride" From: Escape (1981)

Cain and Schon earned co-songwriting credits on the lonesome "Still They Ride," and Steve Smith showed off an accomplished dexterity. But this song belonged in no small part to Perry. Its main character, Jesse, never left the town of his youth, and still drives through its darkening streets looking for some connection. Perry has admitted that this dreamer who refuses to give up on his youthful reverie works as a metaphor for himself. If you'd found yourself in mid-century Hanford, California, you might have seen Journey's future singer doing the same thing. Along the way, a touchingly emotional trip back to Perry's San Joaquin Valley youth showed that the seemingly ageless Escape could still produce a Top 20 single, more than a year after its release.

No. 7. "The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)" From: Captured (1981)

"After I left," Gregg Rolie told me, "it became more pop rock. It was a little heavier when I was in it." That transformation started with "The Party's Over," a Top 40 studio song tacked onto a live project which marked Rolie's exit. Journey's original keyboardist doesn't even appear on the track. Instead, the session featured Stevie "Keys" Roseman, who was later part of VTR with Ross Valory and George Tickner. He'd been working on a later-shelved project with Tickner, Valory and Schon in the next studio. He still hopes to have the old masters "baked so they can be released in some format," Roseman told me. "Neal played a couple of unbelievable solos that still need to be heard."

No. 6. "Stone in Love" From: Escape (1981)

Schon had a tape recorder going while he fooled around with the guitar during a party at his house in San Rafael. Perry and Cain did the rest. "Stone in Love" subsequently charted in the U.K., but never appeared on the main Cashbox or Billboard charts in America. After the release of "Open Arms" and "Still They Ride," however, it provided a welcome reminder that Journey had not given themselves completely over to balladry.

No. 5. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" From: Frontiers (1983)

Cain and Perry looked on, feeling a little helpless, as Valory and Schon endured painful divorces. "There's got to be a more soulful way of looking at this," Perry countered in the Time3 liner notes. Just like that, the pair had the makings of the Top 10 opening single from Frontiers . "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" so energized Journey that they began performing it onstage before Perry had completely learned the words. Then they filmed a video that sharply divided some fans. "Rock aficionados may have said, 'Oh, that was cornball,'" Martha Quinn told me. "Well, ask people that are still doing send-ups today, down to every last camera angle. Those people love that video. That's something else you couldn't have predicted that would have stood the test of time — but it has. People love it."

No. 4. "Send Her My Love" From: Frontiers (1983)

One of four Top 40 hits found on the album, the lonesome No. 23 anthem "Send Her My Love" is notable for an ambient turn by Schon (he used a high-end Lexicon 480L echo unit) and perhaps the most intriguing drumming contribution on Journey's string of familiar ballads from Steve Smith. A jazz lover who later founded his own combo, Smith added a slyly involving polyrhythm lifted from Miles Davis' "In a Silent Way." "The drummer on that was Tony Williams," Smith told me, "and he played quarter notes with a cross-stick on the snare drum — a very hypnotic groove." Same here.

No. 3. "Only the Young" From: Vision Quest (1985)

Another song that, had it been included, might have pushed Frontiers past Escape as Journey's best Cain-era album. Instead, "Only the Young" appeared much later on this soundtrack, and by then Kenny Sykaluk – a 16-year-old fan suffering from cystic fibrosis – had already died after becoming the first person to hear it . The song is now credited with bringing Journey back together after a period of solo projects. "Only the Young" eventually opened every concert on Journey's subsequent tour, too. Still, it will be forever associated with Sykaluk's brave fight.

No. 2. "Any Way You Want It" From: Departure (1980)

Perry said the vocal and guitar interplay on "Any Way You Want It" was inspired by the performances of Phil Lynott , after Thin Lizzy opened for Journey. So, Perry sang "she loves to laugh," and Schon responded with a riff. Perry sang "she loves to sing," and Schon responded again. Then "she does everything" led into another guitar riff — just like Thin Lizzy might have. Perry and Rolie then brought a tight focus to the bursts of shared vocals that close things out, fashioning Journey's second-ever Top 40 hit – but not before Rodney Dangerfield's character in Caddyshack broke out in a hilariously awkward dance as "Any Way You Want It" blared out of a golf bag radio.

No. 1. "Don't Stop Believin'" From: Escape (1981)

It wasn't the biggest song of the year. In fact, "Don't Stop Believin'" finished at No. 72 on Billboard magazine’s year-ending Hot 100 singles of 1982. It wasn’t even the biggest song from Escape , which spun off not one but two songs that finished higher on the charts. It didn’t have a typical song structure, not referencing the title until 3:22 in, after three verses, two pre-choruses, and some abbreviated instrumental passages. It's set in a place — South Detroit — that doesn’t actually exist. So how did this become Journey's defining moment? "Who wants to keep believing? That would be everybody, you know?" Jonathan Cain told me. "And I think it's a certain song in uncertain times. You have this certainty about that song, and it has this rhythm to it that's just very assuring and very sure of itself. From the beginning piano line, it speaks — and it speaks to hope. I think people are looking for hope."

Nick DeRiso is author of the Amazon best-selling rock band bio 'Journey: Worlds Apart,' available now at all major booksellers' websites .

Rockers Whose Bands Tried to Erase Them

Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso

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Journey’s 10 Best Songs

Sure, "Don't Stop Believin'" -- but there's a whole lot more.

By Gary Graff

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Though it arrives amidst lawsuits , social media sniping and infighting, Journey is turning 50 this year.

During that half century, the group has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, logging 11 platinum-or-better albums (including Diamond certifications for 1981’s Escape and 1988’s Greatest Hits) , earning eight top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and 25 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s also been a reliable ticket-selling act for most of its career, and in 2017, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Journey’s is the story of eras. When the group originally formed in San Francisco in 1973, original manager Herbie Herbert helped bring together guitarist Neal Schon and keyboard player/vocalist Gregg Rolie from Santana, bassist Ross Valory and rhythm guitarist George Tickner from Frumious Bandersnatch and drummer Prairie Prince from The Tubes. Prince would be replaced by David Bowie/Frank Zappa skins man Aynsley Dunbar, while Tickner would leave after Journey’s self-titled first album in 1975. The remaining quartet recorded two more albums before Steve Perry came on board for 1978’s Infinity, which began the band’s run of multi-platinum smashes — also marking the first appearance of Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse’s iconic scarab logo for the band. Dunbar was replaced by Steve Smith for 1979’s Evolution , and Rolie would leave in 1980 with Jonathan Cain of The Babys joining to help elevate the band to even greater fortunes on Escape and Frontiers .

The palette has been diverse, but there are common elements among Journey’s best songs — sturdy melodies and sing-along choruses, usually leading into one of Schon’s majestic guitar solos. But within that mold there’s also been plenty of invention and clever arrangements that have never been as formulaic as some of the band’s detractors (particularly during their early ‘80s heyday) would have you believe.

Journey has gone through its fair share of lineups, with singer Arnel Pineda on board since 2007 — the longest continuous tenure of any Journey frontman. The group released Freedom , it’s first new studio album in 11 years, in 2022, and despite the current legal fractures (which you can read about in detail here ), still they ride, as the Escape track says — and may they keep on runnin’ for a long time.

With all that in mind, here are our picks for Journey’s 10 best songs — not all of which come from the biggest hits.

"Someday Soon" ( Departure , 1980)

This album track from Rolie’s finally studio effort with the band is a hypnotic tone poem, with a ringing, cushy ambience and a hippie kind of optimism – not to mention the best give-and-take Perry and Rolie achieved during their time together in the band. It’s of course been eclipsed by Journey’s myriad hits (“Any Way You Want It” is the enduring top 40 Hot 100 hit from Departure ), but it’s a gem worthy of discovery.  Listen here.

"Escape" ( Escape , 1981)

The title track from Journey’s Billboard 200-topping studio album straddled the hard rock/pomp attack of the group’s mid-‘70s output with the melodic sensibility of the Perry-Cain axis. Its five-minute length provides room for the arrangement to stretch out and flow from one song part to the next, with a crunch that was part of Journey’s palette at the time. Listen here.

"Of a Lifetime" ( Journey , 1975)

The Journey of 1973-77 was certainly a different creature than the hitmaking colossus so many know and love. The group’s initial lineups flexed instrumental muscles, smoothly knitting together a number of styles more interested in the journey (ba- dum ) than any commercial destination. The first track from its first album is a prototype, leaning into blues, psychedelic rock and a touch of Latin, with the first of what would become many standout Schon solos, and a tuneful sturdiness delivered by Rolie’s soulful vocal. Listen here.

"Faithfully" (Frontiers , 1983)

The melody of this top 20 Hot 100 hit came to Cain in a dream on a tour bus, and his paean to the struggle between home and the road was written in a half-hour. The result was a swoon-inducing ballad tailor-made for a sea of lighters (back then) and cellphone flashlights (now), capturing one of Perry’s best recorded performances and one of Schon’s most inspired solos. One of its great side stories is that Prince contacted Cain after he wrote “Purple Rain,” concerned that it might be too similar to “Faithfully.” Cain determined it wasn’t, but joked to Billboard that, “After seeing what it became, I should have asked for a couple of points….”

"Ask the Lonely" (single, 1983)

Recorded for Frontiers , this one wound up in the romcom Two of a Kind (starring the Grease duo of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John) and rocked its way to No. 3 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Like “Only the Young,” which wound up in Vision Quest two years later, it showed that Journey was on roll – and well-suited for big soundtrack moments. Listen here.

"Who's Crying Now" ( Escape, 1981)

The best of Journey’s swoon songs — started by Perry while driving into Los Angeles and finished with Cain — has a subtlety and dynamic build that sets it apart from the many others of its ilk they’d create. The verse slips into the chorus with a soulful ease, and Schon’s guitar accents deftly build up to his searing solo at the end. The Escape single reached No. 4 on the Hot 100. Listen here.

"Feeling That Way" ( Infinity , 1978)

If fans at the time wondered how Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie would co-exist, this was the answer — an ebb-and-flow tradeoff that proved they could complement each other as lead singers as well as harmonize smoothly together (first evidenced by Infinity ‘s lead track “Lights”). Its medley-like pairing with the next track, “Anytime,” was gravy that would become a motif on the next few Journey albums. Listen here.

"Just the Same Way" ( Evolution , 1979)

Journey’s fifth album had a punchier sound than Infinity — though they shared producer Roy Thomas Baker — which worked to the benefit of the album’s first single. Led by Rolie’s piano and muscular lead vocal, with Perry responding on the choruses and bridge, it reached No. 58 on the Hot 100 in 1979. In a perfect world this would have been as big as anything from Escape or Frontiers, but it’s still a convincing introduction to the Rolie era of the band. Listen here.

"Don't Stop Believin'" ( Escape , 1981)

More than a billion Spotify streams, a Library of Congress National Recording Registry placement and plays at virtually every sporting event around the world don’t lie — this one is Journey’s pinnacle of success. Created during a rehearsal at the group’s warehouse HQ in Oakland, Calif., it gave us the “streetlight people” of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip and put the non-existent South Detroit on the map. And it saves the chorus for the song’s end, after the guitar solo. A cross-generational hit? Believe it, gleefully.

"Stone in Love" ( Escape , 1981)

Schon reportedly called this “Stoned in Love” when he wrote the riff, and it’s certainly an addictive track that’s the best roll-down-the-windows-and-crank-it-up Journey fix you could ask for — not to mention a frequent show opener. A No. 13 Mainstream Rock Airplay hit in 1981, the song is practically a deep cut today. But its anthemic chorus is a spirit-lifter and the dynamic breakdown that segues into the song-closing guitar solo harks back to the ambitious musicality of the first few albums. “Stone” is a gem that still shines bright. Listen here.

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The Best Journey Songs Of All Time

What is Journey's biggest hit? Here are the best Journey songs of all time, ranked by fans everywhere. Journey are indisputably known as one of the greatest rock bands to ever walk the Earth, with former lead singer Steve Perry even crowned "the voice" by many industry moguls. Established in San Francisco, CA, in 1973, Journey has sold out countless concert tours worldwide throughout their five decade career. The arena rock band's legendary music and unparalleled performance style ultimately led to their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2017. Some of Journey's top songs include "Don't Stop Believin'" ( Escape , 1981), "Any Way You Want It" ( Departure , 1980), "Lights" ( Infinity , 1978), "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" ( Frontiers , 1983), and "Wheel In The Sky" ( Infinity , 1978).

From their new and latest music to their older popular songs, this Journey playlist features all of their greatest hits, according to the fans. Do your favorite Journey songs crack the top 10? Vote up the best songs by Journey, and don't forget to show their underrated tracks love as well.

Don't Stop Believin'

Best Lyrics:

Strangers waiting Up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching in the night Streetlights, people Living just to find emotion Hiding somewhere in the night

Stone in Love

In the heat with a blue jean girl Burning love comes once in a lifetime She found me singing by the rail road tracks Took me home, we danced by the moonlight

Those summer nights are calling Stone in love Can't help myself, I'm falling

When the lights go down in the City And the sun shines on the bay Ooh, I wanna be there in my City, oh Oh, oh, oh

Wheel in the Sky

Winter is here again, oh lord Haven't been home in a year or more I hope she holds on a little longer Sent a letter on a long summer day Made of silver, not of clay I've been runnin' down this dusty road

Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin' I don't know where I'll be tomorrow

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Someday, love will find you Break those chains that bind you One night will remind you How we touched and went our separate ways

If he ever hurts you True love won't desert you You know I still love you Though we touched and went our separate ways

Feeling That Way

Opened my eyes to a new kind of way All the good times that you saved Are you feeling You feeling that way too Or am I just Am I just a fool

And being apart ain't easy on this love affair Two strangers learn to fall in love again I get the joy of rediscovering you Oh girl, you stand by me I'm forever yours, faithfully

Send Her My Love

Callin' out your name I'm dreamin' Reflections of a face I'm seein' It's her voice That keeps on haunting me

Send her, send her my love Roses never fade Memories remain

Any Way You Want It

She said, any way you want it That's the way you need it Any way you want it

I was alone I never knew What good love could do Ooh, then we touched Then we sang About the lovin' things

Who's Crying Now

One love, feeds the fire One heart, burns desire I wonder who's crying now? Two hearts, born to run Who'll be the lonely one? I wonder who's crying now?

Only the Young

Shadows of a golden age A generation waits for dawn Brave carry on Bold and the strong

Only the young can say They're free to fly away Sharing the same desire Burnin' like wildfire

Ask The Lonely

You've got some fascination With you high expectations This love is your obsession Your heart, your past possession Let down your defenses Won't be up to the one who cares

Touchin', Lovin', Squeezin'

It won't be long, yes, till you're alone When your lover, oh, he hasn't come home 'Cause he's lovin' who he's touchin', he's squeezin' another

He's tearin' you apart Ooh, every day, every day

Just The Same Way

Take a chance now the timing's right. You're free to leave the key to my life. Stay with me. Won't you stay the night, In the mornin' feelin' fine, yeah.

That's the same way you love me. 

Girl Can't Help It

If he could hold her, so close in his arms again If she could show him The letter her heart forgot to send why They're livin' dreams on their own Ooh they'll never stop running

The girl can't help it, she needs more He hasn't found what he's lookin' for They're still standing in the rain He can't help it, and she's just that way

Still They Ride

Spinning 'round, in a spell It's hard to leave this carousel 'Round and 'round And 'round and 'round

Still they ride, on wheels of fire They rule the night Still they ride, the strong will survive Chasing thunder

Be Good To Yourself

Runnin' out of self-control Gettin' close to an overload Up against a no win situation Shoulder to shoulder, push and shove I'm hangin' up my boxin' gloves I'm ready for a long vacation

Be good to yourself when, nobody else will Oh be good to yourself You're walkin' a high-wire, caught in a crossfire

I'll Be Alright Without You

I'll be alright without you Oh love's an empty face, I can't replace (You don't need it) People wonderin' why we broke apart The great pretender here I go again These things I do (It's all because of you) I'll keep holdin' but I'll try (Try not to think of you)

Mother, Father

Through bitter tears And wounded years, those ties Of blood were strong So much to say, those yesterdays So now don't you turn away.

Hey, mother, father, sister Hey, come back, tryin', believein' Hey, mother, father, dreamer

The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)

So I will tell you this, Our love is in a fix. Just what more can I do. When I'm hopelessly in love with you?

When You Love A Woman

When you love a woman You see your world inside her eyes When you love a woman (Well) You know she's standing by your side A joy that lasts forever There's a band of gold that shines Waiting somewhere, oh, yeah

After The Fall

But a head strong stubborn man Only works it out the best he can Valentines he never sent There's not enough time he's a working man

Can't stop falling Heartaches calling Finds you after the fall

I see your face at the movies I hear your voice on the radio You're making love on the silver screen I want you more than you will ever know Temptation...Infatuation

Suzanne, don't walk away

Why Can't This Night Go On Forever

Lost in twilight, the memories Precious moments, you and me We've been old friends, all through the years Picture postcards, sharing tears

What's in our hearts, there's never time, to say Need you tonight, lover don't fade away I've seen your city lights As I walk away Why can't this night...go on forever

After All These Years

A faded wedding photograph You and me in our first dance Our eyes are closed We're lost in one sweet embrace Since those days the world has changed But our love remains the same God knows we've had our share of saving grace

Where Were You

I didn't know what the hell was goin' on, Someday you're gonna break. So don't try to get yourself straight, You're just a little too late.

• Classic Rock

The 10 best Journey songs

Let's face it, AOR just wouldn't have been the same without them – here are Journey's ten best tracks

For many, Journey are the band who define AOR better than anyone else. Their catalogue glitters with unforgettable anthems, which not only contain massive choruses, but also the sort of musicianship you might expect from a band who began life as jazz rock instrumentalists before embracing the melodic rock style for which they’re renowned. We've gone through the band's back catalogue and hand-picked their 10 finest moments.

10. Girl Can’t Help It (1986)

After taking a break from the band to work on his solo album Street Talk , vocalist Steve Perry was persuaded to return to the fold for 1986's Raised On Radio album. While the production shows a clear-cut influence of the times, Perry’s vocals shine as brightly as ever, while Jonathan Cain’s smooth keyboards complement Neal Schon ’s edgy guitar stride.

9. Faithfully (1983)

This is the way Journey explained the problems of trying to carry on a relationship while out on the road touring. One of the stand-out tracks from 1983's Frontiers , Faithfully has a soft lilt that exposes an emptiness. However, this is augmented by the lush rhythm and the way that Steve Perry croons his way through without ever wallowing in over emotional hyperbole. A power ballad in the best Journey tradition.

8. Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’ (1979)

Anyone who thinks that Journey aren’t capable of anything other than slushy ballads really should check out Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’ from 1979's Evolution album. It has a funk groove, and while the tempo is very much of the balladic kind, Neal Schon stabs through with some electrifying moments. What’s more, Steve Perry’s vocals soar impressively to ensure maximum dramatic impact. One of the highlights on Evolution .

7. Lights (1978)

The opening song from 1978's Infinity record – the album that introduced Steve Perry to the world, and also put the band’s new-found melodic style on display for the very first time. It’s easy to tell why American radio fell in love with Journey at this point in time. The music is filled with commercial astuteness, the harmonies are sublime and the whole timbre of Lights is evocative and stylish. This oozes the sort of class that would become the norm for Journey in the coming years.

6. Who’s Cryin’ Now (1981)

Who’s Cryin’ Now begins with an unvarnished piano piece from Jonathan Cain, on which Steve Perry builds his rich tone. And Ross Vallory provides some tasteful bass lines, to underline the whole feel of the song. This is the type of track that accentuates Perry’s love for great soul singers, while it also showcases the way in which Journey stood apart from all the huge selling AOR masters, and why Escape is regarded as the classic Journey album.

• Inside AOR, the most under-appreciated sub-genre of all time
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5. Stone In Love (1981)

The fact this song opens up with shards of Neal Schon's guitar riffing proves that Journey were always prepared to give full weight to the heavier side of their talent. And Steve Perry also comes across with a lot more power than you might expect. This is a song where Journey never forget about the melody, but also give free rein to a rocky vibe. It also accentuates that Escape was always far more than just a collection of power ballads.

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4. Any Way You Want It (1980)

It may seem odd, but this song was actually inspired by Thin Lizzy , with whom Journey had toured a couple of years before recording the Departure album in 1980. But when you dig down and analyse the way in which the vocals are constructed, and the interchange between the instruments, then the influence becomes a lot clearer. There’s a gliding feel to the guitar parts that does feel like it is Thin Lizzy influenced, and Steve Perry adopts a storytelling style that is close to the Phil Lynott approach – and the whole feel suits Journey superbly.

3. Wheel In The Sky (1978)

Wheel In The Sky was co-written by Robert Fleischman, the band’s original choice of vocalist when they moved into a more commercial direction. However, when Fleischman didn’t work out and was replaced by Steve Perry, the song was thankfully retained. It starts with a flashing guitar groove, through which Perry cuts with a vibrant performance. In some ways, this is a basic live performance from the band, bringing a heavier dynamic to bear, but this fitted right into the whole feel of Infinity , and showed Journey could pound with the best.

2. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (1983)

After the enormous success of the Escape album, how did the band choose to open up their next album Frontiers ? With a powerhouse rocker than fitted right into an era where AOR was beginning to become a little less reliant on studio technology and celebrated talent. Of course, the rich production is evident here, but what makes the song work superbly is that way Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry and Neal Schon intertwine. There’s a buoyancy in Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) that tells of a band who are really playing off of each other’s strengths. The result is undeniably passionate.

1. Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981)

Is there anyone on the planet who does not know this song? It has got to be one of the most exposed tracks over the past two decades or so. And, because it’s so well known, it’s very easy to lose sight of just why this is so popular. Because Don’t Stop Believin’ is a peerless example of musical genius. Everything about it is simply perfect – the musicality, the vocals, the simple structure, the insistent melody… hell, this is not just Journey’s best song, it’s one of the truly landmark moments of the 80s.

Malcolm Dome had an illustrious and celebrated career which stretched back to working for  Record Mirror  magazine in the late 70s and  Metal Fury  in the early 80s before joining  Kerrang!  at its launch in 1981. His first book,  Encyclopedia Metallica , published in 1981, may have been the inspiration for the name of a certain band formed that same year. Dome is also credited with inventing the term "thrash metal" while writing about the  Anthrax  song  Metal Thrashing Mad  in 1984. With the launch of Classic Rock magazine in 1998 he became involved with that title, sister magazine Metal Hammer, and was a contributor to Prog magazine since its inception in 2009. He died in 2021 . 

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Top 10 Best Journey Songs Of All Time

Ahead of their time with pioneering live shows and productions, Journey is one of the most influential bands of all time. One of the first bands to successfully play ‘arena rock,’ Journey’s pioneering live shows are still seen as the standard to be met by international rock bands today.

Formed in 1973 in San Francisco, the band has gone through various lineup changes over the years. With over 20 albums released, they gave us plenty of material to draw from when creating our list of the best Journey songs.

Originally, Journey consisted of Neal Schon on lead guitar (also in Santana’s band), Gregg Rolie on keyboards and lead vocals, Ross Valory on bass guitar, George Tickner on rhythm guitar, and Prairie Prince as the drummer.

Originally called the Golden Gate Rhythm Section, the band’s sole intention was to be a backup band for other established Bay area artists. However, this backup band concept was abandoned soon after as they began writing jazz-fusion music and changed their name to Journey.

In 1974, Aynsley Dunbar joined the band on drums after recently working with one of the biggest stars on the planet, David Bowie . 1975 saw the departure of rhythm guitarist George Tickner with Neal Schon taking over the full duties of the guitar.

After poor sales of their first album, fortunes changed in October 1977 as Steve Perry was hired as the new lead singer.

Working with the producer Roy Thomas Baker, Journey began recording with a layered sound approach, something that has become ingrained in the recording industry to this very day.

Over the next 10 or so years, Journey enjoyed their biggest commercial success and recorded some of the best selling and most beloved rock songs in history such as Don’t Stop Believing, the top-selling track in iTunes history back in 2009.

It’s not been plain sailing for Journey as with any band as their recording and live show processes have come in for some criticism over the years. But, as it should be with any artist, it is their music that matters most.

Their iconic blend of hard rock guitar-driven music with powerful vocals has endured over the last 40 years with generation after generation finding a new admiration for the band.

From their early mix of progressive and rock fusion to their shift into a more commercial direction, Journey has recorded songs that will appeal to everyone.

There’s no doubt that the band’s level of instrumentation and Perry’s incredible vocal range and ability were ahead of most bands of the time and arguably ever since.

To really understand Journey’s impact on music, we need to delve into their musical archive. And that is exactly what we are doing today. Below, we will be guiding you through our choice of the top 10 Journey songs that you must check out if you didn’t know already.

From unforgettable rock anthems to some of the biggest choruses in popular music, join us as we take a glimpse into Journey’s back catalog of incredibly well-written and performed songs.

Our List Of The Top 10 Best Journey Songs (Including That One From Family Guy)

Table of Contents

10. Only The Young

We begin with a song that was originally going to be included on their 1983 album Frontiers. However, Only The Young was then sold to another band, Scandal. After Journey ended up recording and releasing their own version, Scandal received a large payment much to their delight.

As the name of the song suggests, Only The Young is about the freedom and promise of youth.

Rather than sing about younger generations in derogatory terms, as so many older generations have done throughout history, the band suggests that the youth are arguably smarter than any generation before them.

By seeing all the lies in the past, it’s an opportunity for the young to build a better and brighter future.

Although this song is full of positive connotations, there is some sadness behind it. It was played to a 16-year-old fan who suffered from cystic fibrosis on behalf of the Make a Wish Foundation. The band found out about this and were deeply moved.

However, they were devastated to find out that the young fan passed away the day after listening to the track. Given what the song is about, it is believed that the band members realized how unimportant any tension between them was in the grand scheme of life.

The song eventually opened up their shows on their Raised on radio Tour in tribute to the young teen.

As for the song itself, Only The Young has everything you would come to expect from 1980s Journey. A powerful and catchy chorus and, of course, a mind-blowing epic guitar solo from Neil Schon.

Although the solo is short in comparison to most of Schon’s work, it is full of intricate ideas. Somehow, the solo has some symbolism of freedom but is tinged with some sadness.

Not only is Only The Young a timeless classic and beautifully written song, its emotional backstory just gives it more meaning than it ever would have had otherwise.

9. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’

Going back to 1979, we have Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’, from the band’s Evolution album. This is an important track for the band as it was the first to break into the Billboard top twenty eventually peaking at number 16.

Written by lead singer, Steve Perry, this song appears to be deeply personal to the songwriter. It is believed that it is about a real relationship Perry had where he found out his girlfriend was having an affair with someone. Of course, this left Perry in a broken, lonely, and dark place.

But, the song takes a twist as the girl gets a taste of her own medicine. The man who she cheated with is found to be cheating on her. Talk about karma! Although the song is heartbreaking, it allows Perry to get the last laugh in and come out of the experience with some relief.

Unlike many of the band’s upbeat, anthemic commercial successes, this song starts with a bass-driven drum beat with a blues vibe. Of course, Schon soon enters with some bluesy, rich guitar tones as well as some warm piano chords from Gregg Rolie.

The screeching guitar soon transforms into a distorted sound. Combined with the beautiful piano chords and Perry’s heartfelt vocals, Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ has a mix of joyful as well as painful emotions throughout.

The anguish behind Perry’s lyrics and voice is none more evident than in the catchy title hook of the track.

The song moves from heartfelt and deeply meaningful lyrics to an almost Hey Jude (The Beatles) inspired second half. Perry sings “Na na na” repeatedly which could be considered lazy songwriting on the band’s behalf. But, this is Journey! They know how to write a song.

With the “Na na nas” soaring about the chunky guitar runs, Journey manages to perform a very catchy and enjoyable track. The song builds and builds until we are met with a very catchy and beautiful harmonized outro.

While it may not be as catchy as some other anthemic Journey songs, Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ is certainly a perfect song to sing along to and enjoy. And, the fact it was instrumental in the band’s success means it may be one of their most important tracks.

8. Stone In Love

From one of Journey’s most emotional and slower-paced songs to a hard rock track that is considered quite heavy for the band. Taken from Journey’s seventh studio album Escape, Stone In Love saw the introduction of newcomer Jonathan Cain’s songwriting talents.

Cain, who took over from Gregg Rolie on keyboards, wrote Stone In Love alongside Perry and Schon.

A combination of heavy rock riffs, mind-bending, storming guitar solos, and infectious melodies mean this song is an absolute classic. If you ever want to make a compilation CD for a road trip, you must add this!

Topped off with the world-class vocals of Steve Perry, Stone In Love quickly became a staple of rock radio and has remained so ever since.

This song was something that hardcore Journey fans had been waiting for. Although they had become famous for their anthems, some would argue that the band hadn’t explored their heavier side on many albums. But, this track changed all that.

The heavy riffs that any heavy metal band would be proud of thump you in the face and Perry’s vocals are more powerful than ever.

Stone In Love reminds us that Journey always had the melody of a song as their principal focus but could also rock out when they needed to as well.

And, it also reminds us that their album Escape was far more than a collection of power ballads. It was an example of Journey doing what they loved and doing it well.

7. Wheel In The Sky

Wheel In The Sky may not have been the hit Journey had hoped for when it was first released in 1978 but that doesn’t mean it’s not one of their best songs. Peaking at number 57 in the US charts, Wheel In The Sky’s impact has only been felt decades after its initial release.

Ask any bonafide Journey megafan and they will usually include Wheel In The Sky on their top 10 list.

Wheel In The Sky was recorded during a time when the band was changing their sound somewhat into a more edgy, hard rock direction. The guitar chords became more immediate and the rock beats had transitioned from intricate timings to more simple 4/4 timing signatures.

Beginning with an instrumental section, this track’s intro is more subdued than the rest of the song. But, as you come to expect from Journey, the guitar starts to growl, and the atmospheric sound kicks in, shadowing the song in an almost-ethereal essence.

Much like a wheel turning and turning, the guitar riffs churn over and over, as if to symbolize the ever-present movement of time. The wheel in the sky keeps turning like the seasons keep changing forever and ever.

Recorded in 1977, this song came at a time when the band had been touring continuously for some time. Wheel In The Sky references their time on the road and being away from home.

However, while being away can be tiring, the song ends on a more positive note where the hook changes from “turning” to “yearning.” It could be a sign that the band has found some hope and meaning through their endless touring and repetitive work cycle.

Of course, the meaning behind this song is not set in stone. Like many Journey songs, it is open to interpretation. What is for sure is that Wheel In The Sky is a Journey hard rock classic.

6. Who’s Crying Now

Beginning with impactful piano chords by Jonathan Cain and a synthesized sounding bass guitar riff by Ross Valory, Who’s Crying Now soon grows with the help of Perry’s rich vocal tones.

The bass behind this song is not “in your face” but the riffs are very tasteful and act as the backbone to the whole track.

One of the most successful songs for Journey, Who’s Crying Now peaked at number four in the US. But, it was in the UK where this song shone brightest becoming the band’s highest-charting single in the country.

Compared to other Journey songs, this is one of their most soulful pieces of work. It is believed that the song’s chorus was written by Perry on his way to Jonathan Cain’s house where they both started working on it that afternoon.

Moody and atmospheric, the instrumental of this song is almost like a storm. The fact that Perry was traveling in a storm whilst coming up with its chorus line is certainly evident.

With no surprise, Schon’s epic high-pitched and searing guitar solo enters the song’s frame giving us the sense of the tragic, stormy relationship sang about in the song.

This was actually the band’s first song to feature Cain and it is a testament to how easily he gelled with the other members both performance and songwriting-wise.

This is perhaps why this song is so piano orientated with very little drumbeat appearing throughout. This more ‘naked’ sound allows Cain’s piano hook to take center stage and act as the song’s anchor alongside the chunky bass line.

5. Any Way You Want It

Any Way You Want It was co-penned by Perry and Schon and released in 1980. When you listen to this track, it may not come as much of a shock to learn that it was inspired by Phil Lynott, the frontman of Thin Lizzy.

He was doing a rhyme scheme exercise with the two Journey members while waiting backstage when Thin Lizzy and Journey were on tour together.

Released on the band’s 1980 Departure album, the construction of Any Way You Want It and the interchanges between the instruments soon bear the influence of Thin Lizzy.

If Thin Lizzy released this song, it would have been different in terms of vocals but the overall sound would probably have been very similar.

The guitars seem to glide like Thin Lizzy’s iconic sound. Even Perry’s storytelling approach is similar to Lynott’s way of singing. But, it is undoubtedly a Journey song and an absolute classic.

The Departure album has a “live in the studio” sound to it and Any Way You Want It is a prime example. It is edgier than many previous Journey songs but it still contains Schon’s fast-fingered solos and the high notes and power of Perry’s vocals.

Lights was one of Journey’s first songs to feature Steve Perry on lead vocals. The beginning of something very special!

A soft rock ballad, Lights was initially a minor hit for the band, only peaking at number 68 on the US charts. However, it has become one of the band’s signature tunes and a favorite of Journey fans worldwide ever since.

Tune in to a whole host of classic rock radio stations or visit a sports event in San Francisco and you will probably hear Lights.

Its popularity in San Francisco is down to the fact that the song is an ode to the city which is where the band formed. Lights reference the beauty of the entire city including the bay.

However, Perry once stated that he originally wrote the song about Los Angeles but the lyrics didn’t suit LA so well. Therefore, Perry and Schon tweaked the track to help it become a San Francisco favorite.

Lights has not got that giant wall of sound to it like so many Journey songs. It is a subtle, soothing, and light ballad. With soft chords that verge on a little distortion, sweet piano chords, and beautiful harmonies, Lights is perfect to sway gently to wherever you are.

Relaxed and peaceful, Lights gives us an image of a serene and dreamy San Francisco.

3. Open Arms

Our number three spot belongs to the band’s third single off their 1981 album Escape. Another emotional power ballad, Open Arms is considered by many to be one of the best emotive songs from this sub-genre ever.

Before joining Journey, Jonathan Cain was a member of The Babys. It is believed that he started writing this song when in that band but the other members were not fans of the melody. However, Perry took an interest in the song immediately and soon finished writing it with Cain.

Again, the rest of the band were not that keen on the track but after playing it live, the audience’s reaction was warm and extremely positive. This led to Open Arms becoming a staple of the band’s live shows.

Yet again, Perry’s vocal prowess is awe-inspiring as he pleads with his lover to forgive his mistakes and rekindle their broken relationship. Unsurprisingly, Open Arms is full of vibrant piano chords, gritty guitar runs, and a thumping heartbeat drum pattern.

Produced with some wonderful orchestral instruments, this song is as emotional as Journey has made.

Reaching number two on the Billboard 100 chart, Open Arms is one of Journey’s most successful songs. Almost 20 years after its first release, the song reached new audiences as pop stars such as Britney Spears and Mariah Carey covered it for their respective albums.

And, it’s no surprise that this relatable and heartfelt song, as well as many other Journey tracks, have been used as first dances at so many weddings over the years.

2. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

If you wanted to find a sound that encapsulates the 1980s, Separate ways (Worlds Apart) may just be it. Recorded for the band’s 1983 album Frontiers, this song is a classic 80’s tune.

Reaching number eight on the chart for six consecutive weeks, Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) may not be one of the band’s biggest hits but it has all the ingredients of a timeless Journey track.

This is certainly one of Journey’s most dark and moody songs in their vast discography with atmospheric yet heavy guitar licks and those foreboding yet distinctly 80’s synth chords.

The song itself is about a couple who have broken up and headed their separate ways. However, they still share a deep connection from the time they were together. Again, this song was written from personal experiences.

Both Schon and Valery were going through pretty bitter divorces at the time they wrote this on tour. As a matter of fact, Journey debuted the song halfway through their tour meaning audiences heard Separate ways *Worlds Apart) live before ever hearing the recorded version.

As you can probably imagine, the song was greeted with positive reviews and love by Journey fans during and after the tour.

This song was released around the same time MTV came to prominence. Therefore, Journey had to come up with imaginative ideas for their music videos. Although the band would have thought long and hard about the video, it has gone down in history as one of the worst music videos of all time.

Click the link above and you will probably agree! Seeing these legendary musicians play air instruments alongside a wharf and looking at the camera with angst and some broodiness, the video is pretty damn ludicrous.

But, the song itself is a masterpiece that is probably best enjoyed on a record player without the music video in sight.

1. Don’t Stop Believing

If this song wasn’t on the list yet, you must have been expecting it to be number one! Whether you love it or hate it, Don’t Stop Believing is one of the most popular and famous songs of all time , let alone by Journey.

It’s so popular, it came in at number 13 on the poll of Top 100 Classic Rock Songs and became the best-selling track of the digital era with over 5 million sales.

Recorded for the band’s 1981 album Escape, Don’t Stop Believing is undoubtedly one of the most catchy, anthemic rock songs that have ever been. Written by Perry, Cain, and Schon, this song has become a favorite across multiple generations.

Not only is its arrangement out of this world catchy, but it holds an inspirational message of always believing in yourself and your dreams. A song that appeals to fans, young and old, all over the world.

Beginning with that now iconic keyboard riff, Perry joins in with his upbeat, powerful vocals. Next, the guitar steps in with some sort of urgency before building up and fading off for Perry to take the reins again.

The song just grows and grows with a catchy pre-chorus and infectious instrumentals before climaxing with one of the most gigantic, almighty, energetic choruses of all time.

Although a legendary song now, Don’t Stop Believing wasn’t as big a hit as you would expect when it was released. Like many Journey songs, it made a decent climb in the charts.

But, thanks to various TV shows such as The X Factor and Glee in recent years, the song was introduced to new audiences and re-entered the charts on numerous occasions. In 2010, 29 years after its initial release, the song was the 25th best-selling track of the year in the UK.

With its endearing, feel-good lyrics and upbeat music, Don’t Stop believing has enduring popularity. It is ingrained in the structure of rock’s most iconic songs and has certainly been on one of the most extraordinary journeys since its first release.

We hope you have enjoyed our journey into Journey’s top 10 songs. The band has created a plethora of everlasting feel-good rock songs over the years. Not only has the band created catchy anthems for arenas to sing along to but they have become one of the most influential bands ever.

You can be sure that audiences and generations far from now will continue listening to Journey’s songs and won’t stop believing in the band’s impact on the world of music.

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Top 10 Journey Songs

From the ashes of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch born this beast of a band in San Francisco in 1973. Full of artistic ups and downs, Journey’s strongest times were between 78′ and 87′ when Steve Perry was the lead vocalist.

For some of us, they are the band that wrote “that song from 80’s movies(Song #3),” and for some of us, they’re the summit of our teenage years. Let’s take a look at the top 10 songs of this amazing band!

Table of Contents

1. In My Lonely Feeling / Conversations

Released in one of their earliest albums ‘Journey’, the band influenced by the psychedelic feels of their previous bands, decided to take on a memorable riff that has you bobbing your head for days. 

Here’s a link to the performance at Winterland:

2. Nickel & Dime 

Journey got you covered with this 1977 instrumental, this track is filled with energy and real rock n’ roll. A classic hit from their third album that cannot be skipped! 

Here’s a link to the instrumental: 

3. Look Into The Future

We all like to reminiscence every now and then, or ‘reflect’ for those that don’t want to admit it. With all their emotions literally felt through the song, this song is probably the best option for a get together. 

Here’s a link to the winner of the list: 

4. It’s All Too Much

It’s summer, burgers are nearly done and in the meanwhile you’re nibbling on chips whilst you’re trying to dance in a socially acceptable manner. You just can’t help but shake it with this song! 

Here’s a link to the track: 

Released in their third album, this song meets the criteria of ‘I want a song that’s perfect start to my drive’. 

Here’s a link to your new Sing-A-Long track: 

6. Sweet & Simple

I mean, the song is sweet and simple… 

Here’s a link to something that will have you in your feels: 

7. Natural Thing

Soulful & genuine, the vocals alone will have you in a trance for the whole 3 mins. 

Here’s a link to that long needed shower song: 

Compared to the likes of Hendrix, this rockin’ piece will help you move on and let go of whatever it is that made you want to listen to this in the first place. 

Here’s a link: 

9. Any Way You Want It 

This opening track of Departure is an immense, energy-filled, good vibes track. It is usually used as the last song on any Journey show. Finishing in a  high tune like that is an experience that sticks in a good way. If you haven’t heard this song in 2010 during the heavily saturated world of Glee advertisements everywhere on your screen, then you’re quite lucky. 

Here’s a link to probably one of the second most famous Journey songs:

10. Keep on Runnin’ 

You’re missing out on that Journey tribute that’s going on in town? Don’t fret, this performance will have you feeling like you’re back in 1981! 

Here’s a link to the song: 

11. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ 

From the romantic mind of Perry, this extremely personal song about a relationship (which is believed to be inspired by true events) was the band’s first song to break into the Billboard top twenty, and It peaked at number 16.

12. Only The Young 

As you can guess from the title, this song is about the infinite promise and freedom of youth. Unfortunately, there’s a sad story about this song; this song was played to a 16-year-old fan with cystic fibrosis as part of a request from Make a Wish Foundation. Unfortunately, the fan died a day later, leaving the band with a broken heart.

13. Wheel In the Sky 

Started slowly by peaking at number 57 in the US – this song has gone on to become one of the strong Journey classics.

14. Lights 

One of the first Journey songs featuring Steve Parry, this one also started as a minor hit (#68 on charts) but became one of the signature songs.

15. Who’s Crying 

This soulful piece is Dressed in a beautiful piano riff. It is one of the most successful songs of the band. Peking at #4 in the US and becoming the highest UK charting Journey single at the time.

16. Open Arms 

This track is also one of the most successful songs of the band, earning them their highest position on the Billboard 100 (#2). Song was introduced to a wider and more contemporary audience by becoming a staple of many pop artists’ covers, including Mariah Carey.

17. Faithfully 

One of the most powerful Journey songs. Written by Jonathan Cain on the road and was completed very quickly (which the religious Cain puts down to divine intervention). 

18. Separate Ways 

The song tells the story of a couple who have broken up and gone their separate ways but will still always share a connection because of the time they spent together. As some of us know as ” that song from the 80s’ movies.”

19. Don’t Stop Believin’ 

The most iconic song of this band. This amazing song taken from 1981’s Escape is one of the most anthem-like catchy rock songs of all time. 

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The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s

By Rob Sheffield

Rob Sheffield

Welcome to the jungle. We got fun and games. The Eighties are one of the weirdest eras ever for music. It’s a decade of excess. It’s also a decade of INXS. It’s got big hair, big drums, big shoulder pads. Not to mention massive stars: Prince, Madonna, Michael, Bruce, Janet, Sade, Cher. New sounds and beats explode everywhere. Hip-hop takes over as the voice of young America. Glam metal rocks the Sunset Strip. New Romantic synth-pop invades MTV. Thriller becomes history’s biggest hit. Music gets louder, crazier, messier. Do you know where you are? You’re in the Eighties, baby. 

So let’s break it down: the 200 best songs of the Eighties, music’s most insane decade. The hits, the deep cuts, the fan favorites. A mix tape of pop classics, rockers, rappers, soul divas, New Wavers, disco jams, country twangers, punk ragers, dance-floor anthems, smooth operators, and karaoke room-clearers. There’s all-time legends and one-hit wonders. There’s new rebel voices that exploded out of nowhere. There’s cheese. There’s sleaze. Axl meets Slash. Salt meets Pepa. Echo meets the Bunnymen. Frankie goes to Hollywood. Public Enemy brings the noise. Madonna brings the sex. There’s Chicago house, Detroit techno, Miami freestyle, D.C. go-go. There’s ska, goth, reggae, acid house. But just one song per artist, or half the list would be Prince.

Some of these Eighties songs remain famous around the world. You hear them at weddings, parties, clubs, the karaoke bar. Others make people run and scream in terror. Many are songs you remember; some you desperately try to forget. But every one is a brilliant tune, and each one is part of the unsolvable Rubik’s Cube that is Hair Decade pop. 

So welcome to the Eighties. Put this mix tape in the boombox, pump up the volume, and hit play. Push it. Push it real good. 

Biz Markie, ‘Just a Friend’

Lighters up for the late, great Biz Markie, one of the most beloved music heroes of the Eighties or any other decade. The Diabolical One. The Human Beatbox. The class clown of old-school hip-hop. “Just a Friend” is a classic that never fails, especially when it’s time to holler along, “Oh, baby yooou! You got what I neeeed !” The Biz originally wrote it as a sob story. “But it came out funny,” he said. He tried it out on his friends Q-Tip and De La Soul, yet “when I sang the hook, they couldn’t stop laughing — they bugged out. Then I knew it was gonna be a good record.” A perfect song, and a perfect way to get this party started right.

Nena, ’99 Luftballons’

A German girl sings about nuclear apocalypse in a perky New Wave bop about the end of the world. Yet it’s also a doomy teen romance, at a time when half the hits on the radio were about the end of the world. The English version, “99 Red Balloons,” still rules the karaoke bars. But Nena sounds even harsher and cooler in German — oh, the way she snarls “Kriegminister.”

My Bloody Valentine, ‘Feed Me With Your Kiss’

The dawn of the shoegaze era. My Bloody Valentine give an early taste of their power on their debut album, Isn’t Anything : Irish guitar madman Kevin Shields’ tremolo overdrive and feedback-loop noise, Belinda Butcher’s breathy vocals, awesome power-klutz drumming. It all adds up to a brain-obliterating noise that feels like rapture. 

Bobby Brown, ‘My Prerogative’

The sound of New Jack Swing. Bobby Brown dishes the dirt on celebrity gossip, as the young Harlem prodigy Teddy Riley soups up a beat that would rule the radio for the next few years. Brown’s complaints were so relatable that Britney Spears used “My Prerogative” as the title of her 2004 greatest-hits album. 

The Fall, ‘New Big Prinz’

The Fall cranked out a slew of post-punk gems in the 1980s, with Mark E. Smith presiding as the “Hip Priest,” the caustic Manchester git who took pride in terrorizing fans and bandmates alike. “People still cross the road from me; I’ve still got that,” he boasted near the end of his life. “I can clear a pub when I want to. It’s a talent.” “New Big Prinz” is a stomp full of glam-rock guitars and hand claps, with his California bride Brix Smith adding her pop smarts. He barks, “Check the record, check the record, check the guy’s track record! He is nuts!”

The Bangles, ‘Hero Takes a Fall’

The California mod women come on tough, with snide wit filtered through their Rubber Soul harmonies and vintage Rickenbackers. “Hero Takes a Fall” was the breakout hit from their 1984 debut, All Over the Place , when they were still L.A. rock & roll hipsters with a Sixties thrift-shop fashion fetish. This was the song that made Prince a Bangles fan, inspiring him to write “Manic Monday” for them. Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson rave on guitar, with some choice words for male egos — a hint that Hoffs’ mean streak is one of her eternal flames.

A-ha, ‘Take On Me’

The Norwegian pop trio won America’s heart with their cheekbones, their video, but most of all, Morten Harket’s falsetto. Harket can hold that killer high note for 18 seconds at a time, which is unreal. “Things you learn from the Norwegian tourist bureau” department: Harket holds the world record for the longest-held note in a pop song, making it for 20.2 seconds on his 2000 single “Summer Moved On,” breaking the Bill Withers “Lovely Day” record by two seconds. Bravo, Norway.

Debbie Deb, ‘Lookout Weekend’

A Miami party girl scores a pioneering freestyle hit, with producer Pretty Tony Butler’s lethal DMX beats and the teenage Debbie Deb chanting, “Lookout weekend, ‘cause here I come/Because weekends were made for fun.” She transforms into a conquering goddess on the dance floor (“Jumping music! Slick DJs! Fog machines and laser rays!”), stepping into a disco where every one of her fellow party girls is a bomb waiting to explode.

Leonard Cohen, ‘Tower of Song’

Leonard Cohen takes over as the rock world’s elder statesman, a lust-crazed 53-year-old Jewish-Canadian poet murmuring about love and death and the lifelong torment of desire. Cohen’s 1988 album I’m Your Man made him more famous than ever, after years when he couldn’t even get his music released in the U.S. (Nobody even noticed “Hallelujah” until years later.) “Tower of Song” is his life story, especially when he rasps, “I was born like this/I had no choice/I was born with the gift of a golden voice.”

The Jungle Brothers, ‘Tribe Vibes’

The Native Tongues anthem from the Jungle Brothers’ insanely underrated second album, Done by the Forces of Nature . It’s a utopian throwdown meant to unite the fractious hip-hop scene, with mystic visions of Afrocentric consciousness. As the JBs say, “Work by day, ritual by night, the vibe holds the tribe, and it keeps it real tight.” But it’s not an exclusive, purist kind of tribe — it’s the kind with room for guitar solos sampled from the Bee Gees. The JBs shout out to their Strong Island friends — “We all are thinking on the same plateau, A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul” — over an incredible trippy headphone groove.

Falco, ‘Rock Me Amadeus’

One of the most ridiculous Number One hits, in an era when ridiculousness was the most crucial pop virtue. Falco rapped in German about Mozart, in a noble effort to make powdered wigs an Eighties fashion trend. (Didn’t really catch on, which proves the Eighties did have some standards.) He slipped words like “superstar” and “punk” into the Teutonic babble, explaining: “If Mozart were alive today, he wouldn’t be making classical music; he’d be an international pop star. And I felt it was time to write a song about him.” (And if Mozart were alive, he definitely would’ve been writing songs about Falco.) American fans preferred the “Salieri Mix,” with a handy timeline of the composer’s life: “1784: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart becomes a Freemason. 1791: Mozart composes The Magic Flute. On December 5th of that same year, Mozart dies. 1985: Austrian rock singer Falco records, ‘Rock Me Amadeus’!” 

Mecca Normal, ‘I Walk Alone’

An early proto-riot-grrrl pipe bomb. The only sound is the voice of punk poet Jean Smith, with the guitar of David Lester, about a woman walking by herself in a city and feeling like a target everywhere she goes. Every time she sings “I walk alone,” it hits deeper. A song designed to change the way you saw the world around you — and for many who heard it, it did and still does.

John Anderson, ‘Wild and Blue’

John Anderson helped start the New Traditionalist movement that rescued Eighties country radio. His voice is pure Florida backwoods in “Wild and Blue” — no pop fluff, no crossover slickness, just fiddle, banjo, and backup vocals from his sister Donna. A damn sad cheatin’ song, especially when Anderson sings “Somebody’s room on the far side of town/With your minds all made up and the shades all pulled down.”

Trouble Funk, ‘Drop the Bomb’

The D.C. go-go scene had some of the era’s heaviest live-band funk, with legends like Rare Essence, E.U., and Chuck Brown’s Soul Searchers. Trouble Funk sum it up on “Drop the Bomb”: congas, cowbell, cryptic party chants in the shadow of the White House. Trouble Funk drop the bomb on the Technicolor Crew, the Westside Crew, the White Boy Crew, the Freak Crew, the Potomac Crew, going strong to the break of dawn.

Toto, ‘Africa’

You ever hear this song and ask, “Why exactly do the wild dogs cry out in the night? Are they sad? Need a hug? Were they crying already when Toto got there? Is there a parallel universe where we are all just wild dogs crying in someone else’s Toto song?” You are not alone, friend.

INXS, ‘Never Tear Us Apart’

Michael Hutchence, one of the decade’s great frontmen, makes wine from your tears in a passionate torch song that shows why he’s one of your kind. As he told Rolling Stone, “We don’t fit into the real normal, cleaned-up, corporate rock thing.” “Never Tear Us Apart” has one of his most Hutch moments ever: “We all have wings, but some of us don’t know whyyyyy!”

Joan Armatrading, ‘Me Myself I’

Joan Armatrading taught herself guitar growing up in a West Indian immigrant family in England. “There wasn’t a female playing the way I played, or singing the songs that I sang,” she told me in 2021. “And there certainly wasn’t a Black person doing it. So there was nothing for anybody to have a reference to.” “Me Myself I” is her tribute to the joys of being a loner. “I wanna have a boyfriend and a girl for laughs,” she sings. “But only on Saturday/Six days to be alone.”

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, ‘Another One Rides the Bus’

“Riding in a bus down the boulevard and the place is pretty packed/Couldn’t find a seat so I had to stand with the perverts in the back.” “Weird Al” Yankovic altered the course of accordion history with this song. He first blew up on the Dr. Demento radio show with “My Bologna,” but everyone figured he’d be a novelty one-shot like Tom “T-Bone” Stankus , Freddie Blassie , or Barnes & Barnes . Yet “Another One Rides the Bus” was his pivotal second hit, proving that Yankovic had an endless supply of these gags. It led to “Yoda,” “It’s Still Billy Joel to Me,” “(I Lost On) Jeopardy,” “Chicken Pot Pie,” and maybe his finest narrative achievement, “The Rye or the Kaiser (Theme From Rocky XIII ).” By now, Yankovic’s career has outlasted almost any of the artists he’s parodied.

Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, ‘Ngicabange Ngaqeda’

A classic of South African mbaqanga, from the compilation The Indestructible Beat of Soweto, which opened the world’s ears to how township artists were creating beauty to defy the brutality of apartheid. Simon “Mahlathini” Nkabinde was “the Lion of Soweto,” the groaner with the deepest bass voice, teaming up with the Mahotella Queens. The Makgona Tshole Band were Johannesburg’s version of Motown’s Funk Brothers or L.A.’s Wrecking Crew — the house band that played on countless dance hits in the Sixties and Seventies. (Here’s to bass man Joseph Makwela, Africa’s James Jamerson.) Before Paul Simon’s Graceland, these artists were making the rhythm of resistance.

Spacemen 3, ‘That’s Just Fine’

Depraved lysergic English boys in a psychedelic guitar trance, which they put on a compilation called Taking Drugs to Make Music to Take Drugs To. Sonic Boom and Jason “Bassman” Pierce build a spidery loop of feedback and echo, zoned out between the Velvets and the Stooges, where absolutely nothing happens except a stoned dude staring into his amps mumbling “that’s just fiiiine ” or “blows my miiind ” for five, six, seven minutes, humming a delicate wisp of melody so beautiful it could be Brian Wilson. As romantic as “Surfer Girl,” in its way.

Peter Schilling, ‘Major Tom (Coming Home)’

The story of Major Tom, revisited. German one-shot Peter Schilling does an unauthorized sequel to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and “Ashes to Ashes,” following Major Tom in his space capsule, as he floats lost through the cosmos. But “Major Tom” became a synth-pop classic in its own right — not bad for musical fanfic.

Rush, ‘The Spirit of Radio’

Rush take on the radio, searching for signs of life amid all the glittering prizes and endless compromises. It’s a typically ingenious study of how pop music works, tuned into the timeless wavelength of rhythm, with a reggae break at the end. One of Geddy Lee’s most indelible radio moments: “It’s really just a question of your honesty/Yeah, your honesty !”

Steel Pulse, ‘Chant a Psalm’

“Good tidings I bring you,” David Hinds sings on “Chant a Psalm,” from Steel Pulse’s True Democracy. It was a song of hope, at a time of personal and political conflict for the U.K. reggae stalwarts from Birmingham. Hinds takes comfort in Biblical tales, chanting the names of Moses, Daniel, Samson, and Solomon, telling the faithful, “Attract these angels in dreams and in your prayers.” 

Strafe, ‘Set It Off’

An NYC underground boombox blast, with 808s in overdrive and the question “Y’all want this party started right? Y’all want this party started quickly?” Not a radio hit, but a song you heard echoed in hits for the next couple of decades. 

The Police, ‘When the World Is Running Down’

The bottle-blond threesome scored so many iconic hits, yet even their deep cuts put on the red light, as in this fan fave from Zenyatta Mondatta. “It was a very difficult time,” Sting said. “There was a sense of urgency and quite a lot of drugs.” You can kinda tell. It’s a juicy groove about the banality of capitalist tedium, as Sting sings about a bored European hiding in his mansion, watching bootleg James Brown videos on his VCR, and wondering why his expensive toys are no fun anymore. All that keeps him going is the mantra “When the world is running down, you make the best of what’s still around.”

Oran ‘Juice’ Jones, ‘The Rain’

Not exactly the sentimental type, this Oran “Juice” Jones. He sings a smoothed-out R&B ballad about spotting his special lady holding hands with her new guy, so by the time she gets home, he’s got her bags packed. Then he delivers a breakup monologue that should’ve won an Oscar. “What was you trying to prove? This was the Juice! I gave you things you couldn’t even pronounce!” Jones tells her, “You gotta get on outta here with that alley-cat-coat-wearing, hush-puppy-shoe-wearing crumb cake I saw you with! ‘Cause you dismissed!” But he saves his best line for the end: “You without me like cornflake without the milk!”

Bananarama, ‘Shy Boy’

Shy boys without Bananarama? Like cornflake without the milk. The girl gang of Siobhan Fahey, Sarah Dallin, and Keren Woodward had a hell of a run, going from post-punk shoop-shoopers (“Cruel Summer,” “Cheers Then”) to hi-NRG disco queens (“I Heard a Rumour,” “Robert De Niro’s Waiting”) without a moment’s thought given to actually learning how to sing. “Shy Boy” is their most irresistible hit, showcasing their seductively bored pouts and unison vocals, from their debut Deep Sea Skiving. It’s one of the few Bananarama songs where they have any time for boys at all — besides Robert De Niro. 

Minor Threat, ‘Straight Edge’

Hardcore at its most intense: just kids talking to other kids, from town to town to town, without any adult middlemen butting in, expressing emotions that can’t come alive any other way. The D.C. crew’s “Straight Edge” isn’t about following rules — it’s about looking at your life as yours, instead of something you let happen to you. It’s the briefest song on this list, but it’s 46 life-affirming seconds, especially the moment when Ian MacKaye pushes “something I just don’t neeeeed ” until his voice snaps in two. 

The Raincoats, ‘No One’s Little Girl’

The Raincoats were redefining punk rock in the early Eighties, with art-school feminist aggro and a very London sense of deadpan humor. “No One’s Little Girl” is a madcap groove, lashing out at misogynistic cliches in the mode of their albums The Raincoats and Odyshape. Gina Birch chants “I never shall be in your family tree,” over Ana Da Silva’s guitar and Vicky Aspinall’s violin.

Ray Parker Jr., ‘I Still Can’t Get Over Lovin’ You’

Ray Parker Jr. has always been one of the Eighties’ most insanely underrated pop auteurs, from “A Woman Needs Love” to “The People Next Door” to “The Other Woman.” (“Ghostbusters” is … fine?) Parker started out as a Motown prodigy — that’s him playing the guitar solo on Stevie Wonder’s “Maybe Your Baby.” For “I Still Can’t Get Over Loving You,” he decides to rip off U.K. synth-pop with his own New Wave ballad, purring “I can’t turn you loose, though I know it’s self-abuse” — with a bitterly sad ache in his voice. But he gives a shout out to his Brit pop inspiration at the end, when he slips in the line “Every breath you take, I’ll be watching you, girl.” 

Girlschool, ‘Yeah Right’

Feminist metal leather girls from the U.K., in kill-your-parents mode. Girlschool made this rager about every woman’s right to stay out all night raising hell, with Kelly Johnson showing off her hit-and-run guitar riffs. They get an assist from their buddies in Motörhead: Philthy Animal Taylor makes a drag cameo in the video, as somebody’s angry mom.

Ministry, ‘Revenge’

Al Jourgensen, the grand old scuzzbag of industrial metal sludge, has spent the past 40 years ranting about how much he hates his debut album, With Sympathy, where he pranced around with New Romantic synths and the world’s dodgiest faux-Brit accent. (“You did it agaaain ! And agaaain ! And agaaain !”) Unfortunately for Jourgensen, this shit is excellent, so fans won’t let him forget. “Revenge” is the pithiest of teen-psycho breakup plaints. But this fall, Ministry shocked fans by doing “Revenge” live for the first time in four decades.

The Rolling Stones, ‘Undercover of the Night’

One of the great underrated Stones nuggets, from their most underrated era. Whatever else the Stones did or didn’t have going on at any given moment, they always had Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, who go nuts here. “Undercover of the Night” is the only time the Stones set out to make a real Eighties record, crunching the Clash, Grandmaster Flash, Lee Perry, and Duran Duran into an attack on U.S. imperialism in Latin America. 

The Jim Carroll Band, ‘People Who Died’

Has any rock star killed off so many of his friends in one song? Jim Carroll was a NYC poet and punk scenester, putting his tough street life into his book The Basketball Diaries . (You can hear him in the crowd on the Velvet Underground’s Live at Max’s Kansas Cit y , looking for Tuinols.) “People Who Died,” the hit from his debut Catholic Boy, is a high-speed rock & roll funeral for friends wiped out by drugs, booze, disease, war, subway trains, and killer bikers. Shout-out to Bobby, who manages to die three times.

Samantha Fox, ‘I Wanna Have Some Fun’

Oh, Samantha Fox — the irrepressible trash-disco starlet with the cheeky London accent, a future lesbian icon, returning from her hit “Naughty Girls Need Love Too” for a pro-fun-having anthem, with acid-house strings and a hired B-boy chanting “Sa-Sa-Sa-mantha Fox!” She begins this one with a drunk dial:  “ Helloooo — it’s me again! Don’t you know it’s hard to keep a good woman down? But then again [ naughty yet love-needing giggle ] maybe that could be fun!” 

Queen and David Bowie, ‘Under Pressure’

Freddie Mercury never packed so many Galileo-tastic vocal peaks into one song like he does in “Under Pressure.” It figures that Mercury would hit so many heights in a duet where he’s showing off for a fellow killer queen. But David Bowie keeps up by never trying to top the prima donna — instead of competing, they both just stop, collaborate, and listen. “Under Pressure” is a total one-off for both artists, with no parallels in either career. Neither made any other record with this sound. (Neither was big on flutes.) Heartwarming footnote to “Under Pressure,” stupidly left out of the Mercury biopic: Bowie got his hair done at Live Aid by Freddie’s boyfriend. 

Dexys Midnight Runners, ‘Come On Eileen’

Kevin Rowland and crew trotted out of the U.K. to score this Celtsploitation banger, with Irish fiddles blazing and “too-rye-aye” chants. They went right to one-hit-wonder heaven in the U.S. Great line: “At this moment, you mean everything.”

Lionel Richie, ‘All Night Long (All Night)’

“That song has created more babies after the song,” Lionel Richie said. “We have populated the world.” “All Night Long (All Night)” sums up Lionel in his pastel era, dancing on the ceiling in a calypso-inspired hit full of Trinidad-via-Tennessee lilt. He adopts a Jamaican accent so over-the-top Phil Collins must have sent him a fruit basket. (“Life is goood , wiiild , and sweeeet !”) As for the African chant, don’t bother trying to translate, because it’s total gibberish — Richie just made it up, but it works. Bonus points for one of the most pointless subtitles in the history of parentheses.

The Stone Roses, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’

Manchester guitar boys take a glorious ego trip. Drugs are overrated, adoration is underrated.

New Kids on the Block, ‘Hangin’ Tough’

Listen up everybody, if you wanna take a chance. Just get on the floor and do the New Kids dance. Here’s to Joey, Jordan, Donnie, Jon, and Danny, the perfect boy band, as they put you in a trance with their funky song. Chuck D proclaimed himself a fan of the New Kids — “they sincerely love hip-hop” — and that tells you how awesomely weird the late-Eighties were. 

Missing Persons, ‘Words’

Teen angst, man. When Dale Bozzio sang “No one notices/I think I’ll dye my hair blue,” we all felt that.

Ratt, ‘Round and Round’

Ratt came from the Sunset Strip glam-metal scene, but they instantly crushed the competition with their summer-of-’84 smash “Round and Round.” Stephen Pearcy sang like a thug, with seductive neon-light poetry (“looking at you, looking at me” counted as a romantic overshare by ’84 metal standards) and all that mysterious echo in the chorus. Fantastic video, starring old-school comedy legend Milton Berle in drag, and a fancy-dinner-party guest who hears Ratt jamming in the attic and naturally sheds her clothes. (Who amongst us, right?) Also, maybe the best Shakespearean allusion in any Ratt song: “Like Romeo to Juliet, time and time, I’m gonna make you mine.” This is not actually what happens in Romeo and Juliet, but hey, it’s a love story — baby, just say yes.

The English Beat, ‘Twist and Crawl’

One of the decade’s slinkiest bass lines. The Beat were a multiracial ska crew from Birmingham, England, flouting the racism around them with their herky-jerky rhythms. Bonus points for their Go Feet record-label graphics, which invited girls to the ska party in a pointed statement of anti-misogyny. (Gwen Stefani always said she got into ska because she wanted to be the Go Feet girl.) “We thought it would be nice to be a dance band,” Dave Wakeling told Rolling Stone in 1980. “We just want to survive World War III by trying to find a place where the bombs might miss.”

L’Trimm, ‘Cars With the Boom’

Psych — you thought you were driving a car, but it’s actually a guerilla boombox for two teenage girls named Tigra and Bunny to cause Miami-bass havoc on the highways. “Everybody beep your horns if you hear us! Beep louder! ” 

Modern English, ‘I Melt With You’

The greatest humming solo ever. As Modern English singer Robbie Grey said, “It was about a couple making love as the bomb dropped.” But when the music stops cold for that hmm-hmm-hmm climax, the future’s open wide. When Robbie sings “Making love to you was never second best,” that was probably meant to sound like a bigger compliment.

Billy Idol, ‘White Wedding’

Billy Idol lets it rip in “White Wedding,” rebel-yelling about sex and religion and shotguns. This was the summer-of-‘82 hit that established Idoil as one of the Eighties’ great rock & roll fame sluts, and he sure had some stiff competition.

Peech Boys, ‘Don’t Make Me Wait’

Larry Levan was the legendary DJ guru at the Paradise Garage, influencing dance music ever since. (Famously, NYC had record stores that opened early Sunday morning, right after closing time at the Garage, so rival DJs could snap up whatever Levan just played.) The Garage didn’t have a liquor license, so the house beverage was fruit punch spiked with acid — that’s where the Peech Boys got their name. Levan puts his whole musical vision into “Don’t Make Me Wait,” evoking a big city full of party people ready to crawl out at sundown and take over.

The Dream Syndicate, ‘Open Hour’

The L.A. post-punk garage band specialized in guitar fireworks, totally shameless about going for a psychedelic buzz. The Dream Syndicate came out of L.A.’s Paisley Underground scene with  The Days of Wine and Roses, one of the Eighties’ landmark six-string albums, inspiring bands from Dinosaur Jr. to Japandroids. But “Open Hour” was their “Sister Ray” or “Dark Star” or “Marquee Moon,” the jam they kept expanding live, later recorded as “John Coltrane Stereo Blues,” yet best in this KPFK radio jam reissued on the compilation  History Kinda Pales When It and You Are Aligned . Karl Precoda and Steve Wynn surf the feedback waves over a Creedence-worthy groove — eight minutes of guitars doing what guitars were invented to do.

Linton Kwesi Johnson, ‘Inglan Is a Bitch’

The Jamaican-born English dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson made a string of politically charged reggae albums, reciting his protest verse in patois. In “Inglan Is a Bitch,” LKJ reports on the oppression of Afro-Carribean immigrants in London, from his mighty 1980 LP Bass Culture.

Dominatrix, ‘The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight’

“The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight” was a kinky NYC club classic shrouded in mystery: the sound of whips cracking, drum machines slapping, synth frills burbling. The narrator is a robot-sex priestess with a fabulously bored voice. “That night, a wild party/Women beat their men/Animals watch beyond the fire/The dominatrix … sleeps … tonight! ”

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The 100 greatest songs of the 1980s, ranked

26 October 2023, 16:48 | Updated: 13 February 2024, 15:33

By Tom Eames

The 1980s may have been the decade of questionable fashion choices, but we'll probably say the same about the 2020s in a few years...

It was also the decade of great movies, the rise of video games and downright fantastic music.

• The 100 greatest songs of the 1970s, ranked

We've attempted the ridiculously hard (but not in any way a chore) task of picking the very best 1980s songs ever. Here are our 100 picks - are your favourites in there?

UB40 - 'Red Red Wine'

UB40 - Red Red Wine (Official Video)

You might not have realised it, but Neil Diamond first recorded this song back in 1967.

• UB40 feud: Reggae band's complicated history and why the Campbell brothers fell out
• UB40's greatest 10 songs ever, ranked

But it's UB40's cover that became the most well-known in 1983. The song truly brought the band to the mainstream, and reached number one in the UK.

It ended up topping the US charts too in 1988, after being performed at Nelson Mandela's birthday tribute concert.

Phil Collins - 'Another Day in Paradise'

Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise (Official Music Video)

This ballad saw Phil Collins sing the tune from a third-person perspective, looking at a man crossing the street to ignore a homeless woman, imploring listeners not to turn a blind eye to those in need.

• Phil Collins releases the original demo version of 'Another Day in Paradise', and it's amazing to hear
• The 10 greatest Phil Collins songs ever, ranked

It became Phil's seventh and final number one single in America, while David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash appears on backing vocals.

Culture Club - 'Karma Chameleon'

Culture Club - Karma Chameleon (Official Music Video)

This was the song that made Boy George an even bigger star around the world. It was the UK's biggest selling single of 1984 and topped the US chart.

• The Story of... 'Karma Chameleon'

Boy George later explained the song: "It is about the terrible fear of alienation that people have, the fear of standing up for one thing. It's about trying to suck up to everybody.

"Basically, if you aren't true, if you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back."

Rick Astley - 'Never Gonna Give You Up'

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Music Video)

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

The 1987 dance-pop anthem has lived long in the memory thanks to the Rickroll craze that still goes on today, and the video has been streamed over 1 billion times.

Sting - 'Englishman In New York'

Sting - Englishman In New York

The ‘Englishman’ in question in this song is the famous eccentric and gay icon Quentin Crisp. Sting wrote the song not long after Crisp moved from London to an apartment in the Bowery in Manhattan.

• Sting's 10 greatest songs ever, ranked

Crisp had remarked jokingly to the musician “that he looked forward to receiving his naturalization papers so that he could commit a crime and not be deported.”

There's not many songs that can feature both a drum breakdown and a saxophone solo closer and still be a massive pop hit.

INXS - 'Need You Tonight'

INXS - Need You Tonight (Official Video)

This funk rock track has one of the most recognisable riffs of the 1980s.

• Michael Hutchence: INXS singer's tragic death and his relationship with Kylie Minogue explained

The band's Andrew Farriss said that the riff appeared suddenly in his head while waiting for a taxi to go to the airport to fly to Hong Kong. He asked the driver to wait a couple of minutes while he grabbed something from his motel room.

However, he went up to record the riff and came back down an hour later with a tape to a very annoyed driver.

Spandau Ballet - 'True'

Spandau Ballet - True (HD Remastered)

This was the song that turned Spandau Ballet from potential one album wonders to true pop legends.

• Spandau Ballet's 10 greatest songs ever, ranked

Gary Kemp wrote this love song at his parents' house as a homage to Motown and Marvin Gaye . He said: "'True' became a song about writing a love song. Why 'Why do I find it hard to write the next line? I want the truth to be said?' Because I didn't want to write it down—because there's nothing more embarrassing."

It soon became something of a standard, and one of the best love songs of all time.

Van Halen - 'Jump'

Van Halen - Jump (Official Music Video)

Van Halen’s most successful single was the lead track from their 1984 album, and differs from earlier Van Halen songs in that it is driven by a rolling synth line (played on an Oberheim OB-Xa by Eddie Van Halen ).

After years as an instrumental, David Lee Roth attempted to come up with lyrics, and remembered seeing a TV report about a man threatening jump off of a building, and that onlookers would probably shout “go ahead and jump”. Instead of being about death, the words were written as an invitation to love.

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

Billy Ocean - When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going (Official Video)

Probably Billy Ocean 's biggest and most famous hit, this track reached number one in the UK and number two in the US.

• Billy Ocean's 10 greatest ever songs, ranked
• The Story of... 'When the Going Gets Tough', as told by Billy Ocean

It was the theme tune to the Michael Douglas movie The Jewel in the Crown and its sequel, and was later a number one for Boyzone in 1999 in aid of Comic Relief.

The Story of... 'When the Going Gets Tough' by Billy Ocean

Bruce Hornsby and the Range - 'The Way It Is'

The Way It Is

This track deals with various social injustices, referencing divides between the rich and poor and racial segregation, and how the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a victory in the civil rights movement, but how more is still needed.

Its famous piano melody later sampled in the 2Pac track ‘Changes’. The song was Hornsby’s most successful, reaching the top spot in the States.

Heart - 'Alone'

Heart - Alone

Composed by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, this power ballad first appeared via their 1983 pet project, I-Ten, on Taking a Cold Look .

• 19 of the greatest power ballads of all time

It was later recorded by Valerie Stevenson and John Stamos for the soundtrack of the CBS sitcom Dreams in 1984.

But it wasn't until US rock band Heart cover it that it became a hit, scoring a number one with it three years later. Kelly ended up singing the high harmony parts on the Heart version.

Diana Ross - 'Chain Reaction'

Diana Ross - Chain Reaction (Official Video)

The Bee Gees wrote this classic '80s pop tune from Motown icon Diana Ross , and they also provided backing vocals.

• Diana Ross's 10 greatest songs of all time, ranked
• 8 songs you didn't know were written by Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees

Despite being a number one success in many countries including the UK in 1985, it amazingly only reached number 95 in the US!

Frankie Goes to Hollywood - 'Relax'

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (Official Video)

Although fairly inauspicious upon initial release, this track eventually became one of the most controversial and successful records of the 1980s, selling over 2 million copies in the UK alone.

The song emphasized the shock impact of Frankie members Holly Johnson and Paul Rutherford’s open homosexuality in the song's packaging and music videos, something which was rarely seen in the early 1980s.

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

ABC - 'The Look of Love'

ABC - The Look Of Love

Taken from one of the most popular synthpop albums of the era and produced by Trevor Horn, this song is actually split into four parts.

Part 1 is the standard album version (this version), Part 2 is an instrumental version, Part 3 is a vocal version without the orchestral overdubs and Part 4 is a short acoustic instrumental.

The song was inspired by a break-up lead singer Martin Fry had experienced. In the second verse, the “Goodbye” background vocal is spoken by the actual woman in the relationship who had jilted him.

Whitesnake - 'Here I Go Again'

Whitesnake - Here I Go Again (1987 Edit/Remix) HQ

Originally released on Whitesnake's 1982 album Saints & Sinners , this power ballad was re-recorded for their 1987 self-titled album.

The song was re-recorded again the same year as this new ‘radio-mix’ version, which reached number one in the US. The song is about heartbreak and the loneliness that comes with it, and documents the breakdown of singer David Coverdale's first marriage.

Madonna - 'Papa Don't Preach'

Madonna - Papa Don't Preach (Official Video) [HD]

This song's lyrics deal with teenage pregnancy and abortion, and was based on teen gossip songwriter Brian Elliot heard outside his recording studio.

• The top 20 Madonna songs of all time

A chart-topper in both the UK and US, the song caused heated discussions about its content at the time. Women's organizations and others in the family planning sector criticized Madonna for encouraging teenage pregnancy, while anti-abortion groups opposed its pro-life message.

George Michael - 'A Different Corner'

George Michael - A Different Corner (Official Video)

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

• The Story of... 'A Different Corner'

Speaking in 2014, George said: "I think you can tell that 'A Different Corner' is genuinely the sound of a man whose heart's been broken. I was 19 and the best critique I ever heard of that song was from a friend of mine who said, 'It's beautiful, pathetic, but beautiful.'"

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

Queen - 'Radio Ga Ga'

Queen - Radio Ga Ga (Official Video)

This track was a commentary on TV overtaking radio's popularity and how one would listen to radio in the past. Roger Taylor later said: "That's part of what the song's about, really. The fact that they [music videos] seem to be taking over almost from the aural side, the visual side seems to be almost more important."

Lady Gaga has credited her stage name to this song, saying that she "adored" Queen . "That's why I love the name", she said.

Blondie - 'Atomic'

Blondie - Atomic (Official Music Video)

A song of few words, but a number one hit for Blondie in 1980. Debbie Harry once said of the song’s lyrics: “A lot of the time I would write while the band were just playing the song and trying to figure it out. I would just be scatting along with them and I would just start going, ‘Ooooooh, your hair is beautiful’.”

• Blondie's 10 best ever songs, ranked

The word ‘atomic’ in the song apparently carries no fixed meaning and functions more as a signifier of power and futurism. 1970s model Gia Carangi appears briefly in the post-apocalyptic music video.

Rod Stewart - 'Baby Jane'

Rod Stewart - Baby Jane (Official Video)

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

• Rod Stewart's 15 greatest songs ever, ranked

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

He said: “The way I do it is hum and hah along while the band are playing. I sing whatever comes into my head and nine times out of 10 that will be the title of the song. Either that or I’d just write down a good title - like ‘Young Turks’ or ‘Baby Jane’ - and wait until the right vehicle comes along for it.”

Elton John - 'I'm Still Standing'

Elton John - I'm Still Standing

If you watch carefully, you can see a young Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli in this Elton John music video as one of the dancers.

• How I’m A Celebrity's Arlene Phillips flawlessly created the choreography for Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ video
• Elton John's 20 greatest ever songs, ranked

During the shoot, Elton bumped into Duran Duran . He complained he was exhausted due to having been up since four in the morning. Simon Le Bon suggested he have a martini. "So I did," Elton later said, "I had six."

Rufus & Chaka Khan - 'Ain't Nobody'

Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody (Official Video) Remastered Audio HQ

This R&B and funk track was incredibly ahead of its time, and made a star of singer Chaka Khan.

Rufus keyboardist David 'Hawk' Wolinski was so convinced it would be a hit that he threatened to give the song to Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones for Thriller if the song was not the lead single.

Don Henley - 'The Boys of Summer'

Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer (Official Music Video)

Mike Campbell wrote the music to this track while working on Tom Petty’s Southern Accents album, but later gave it to Eagles singer Don Henley , who wrote the lyrics.

The yacht rock song is about the passing of youth and entering middle age, and of a past relationship. It was covered twice in the early 2000s: as a trance track by DJ Sammy in 2002, and as a pop punk hit by The Ataris in 2003.

Robert Palmer - 'Addicted to Love'

Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love (Official Music Video)

This became Robert Palmer’s signature song, thanks in part to its music video featuring high fashion models playing the guitar around him.

Originally intended to be a duet with Chaka Khan , the song was made without her because her record company would not grant her a release to work on Palmer’s label. She is still credited for the vocal arrangements in the album liner notes.

Model Mak Gilchrist said of the video: “I lost balance on my heels and knocked the top of my guitar into the back of Robert’s head, and his face then hit the mic.”

Joy Division - 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This track’s lyrics reflected the problems in frontman Ian Curtis’s marriage to Deborah Curtis, as well as his general frame of mind in the time leading up to his death in May 1980.

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

The other three members went on to form New Order. Stephen Morris later said: “In retrospect, when you listen to it in light of what happened, it seems bloody obvious. I just said ‘These are great lyrics, Ian’. That makes it a bit difficult to listen to now’.”

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

Soul II Soul - Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) (Official Music Video)

If there was one song that signalled the end of the 1980s and showcased what was to come, it was this R&B dance track from Soul II Soul and singer Caron Wheeler.

Producer Jazzie B said: "Everything about this single was magic. We weren't trying to follow any trend or fit into any category – we were just doing our own thing. ... Its shuffling beats were a cross between reggae and what was to become known as hip-hop: breakbeats and electronic sound.

"Caron Wheeler's vocal, coming over these very heavy bass beats, was the icing on the cake."

The Stranglers - 'Golden Brown'

The Stranglers - Golden Brown (Restored Music Video)

This Baroque-inspired track couldn't have sounded more different to the Strangers' previous punk rock output.

• The Story of... 'Golden Brown' by The Stranglers

There has been much controversy and confusion surrounding the song's lyrics. For years, the band claimed that the song's lyrics were similar to an aural 'Rorschach test', and that people only heard in it what they wanted to hear. However, most people agreed that the lyrics alluded to heroin use.

Berlin - 'Take My Breath Away'

Berlin - Take My Breath Away (Official Video - Top Gun)

The main love theme from Tom Cruise's Top Gun movie, this power ballad won an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Song in 1986.

• The Story of... 'Take My Breath Away' by Berlin, the Top Gun power ballad anthem
• 11 incredible Top Gun facts you need to know

Berlin may have been one hit wonders, but what a hit to have.

Jennifer Rush - 'The Power of Love'

Jennifer Rush - The Power Of Love (Official Video) (VOD)

This was an absolute monster hit in 1985, becoming that year's biggest-selling single in the UK, while Rush became the first female artist ever to have a million-selling single.

• When Des O'Connor sang a brilliant duet of 'The Power of Love' with Jennifer Rush

Perhaps the ultimate power ballad, Celine Dion later scored a massive hit of her own in the following decade.

Billy Joel - 'Uptown Girl'

Billy Joel - Uptown Girl (Official Video)

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

• The Story of... 'Uptown Girl'

It ended up being about his soon-to-be wife, Brinkley, and was inspired by the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons . The song was a huge hit, and gave Billy his only UK number one in 1983.

Hall & Oates - 'Maneater'

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Maneater (Official Video)

'Maneater' was the biggest hit of Hall & Oates’ career and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it stayed for four weeks. It reached number six in the UK.

• The 10 greatest Hall and Oates songs ever, ranked

John Oates has said that while it is natural to assume the lyrics are about a woman, the song actually was originally written "about NYC in the ’80s. It's about greed, avarice, and spoiled riches. But we have it in the setting of a girl because it's more relatable. It's something that people can understand..."

Cyndi Lauper - 'Time After Time'

Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time (Official HD Video)

This was one of Cyndi Lauper's first-ever singles, and was written with Rob Hyman of the band The Hooters. It has become known as one of the best love songs of the 1980s.

• The Story of... 'Time After Time'
• Cyndi Lauper's 10 best songs ever, ranked

The inspiration for the song came after both songwriters were going through similar situations in their own relationships: he was coming out of a relationship, while she was having issues with her boyfriend at the time, David Wolff.

Mike and the Mechanics - 'The Living Years'

Mike + The Mechanics - The Living Years (Official Video)

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

• The Story of... 'The Living Years' by Mike + the Mechanics

After his father dies, he discovers that he and his dad had a much stronger connection than he realized, and he regrets not saying more while he was still alive.

The song was written by Mike Rutherford and BA Robertson after both of their fathers had recently died, but the lyrics were written by Robertson, and centered on the unresolved issues between him and his father.

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

Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You (Music Video)

This became Stevie Wonder 's biggest ever hit in 1984, and topped the charts in 19 different countries.

• Stevie Wonder's 20 greatest ever songs, ranked

The song was written for the movie The Woman in Red , and ended up winning a Grammy and Oscar for Best Song.

Soft Cell - 'Tainted Love'

Soft Cell Tainted Love (1981)

Gloria Jones first recorded this Northern Soul track back in 1965, but Marc Almond 's Soft Cell created one of the greatest cover versions of all time in 1981.

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

Bee Gees - 'You Win Again'

Bee Gees - You Win Again (1987)

This song was a huge comeback for the Bee Gees in 1987. It reached number one and also gave them an Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

• The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked

Barry Gibb wrote the melody while Maurice came up with the drum sounds in his garage. Robin said: "We absolutely thought that 'You Win Again' was going to be a big hit. It took us a month to cut it and get the right mix."

Duran Duran - 'Rio'

Duran Duran - Rio (Official Music Video)

Famous for its yacht-heavy music video, 'Rio' started as an idea by John Taylor about Rio de Janeiro – "the truly foreign, the exotic, a cornucopia of earthly delights, a party that would never stop".

• Duran Duran's 10 greatest songs ever, ranked

Simon Le Bon wrote the lyrics to the song, and chose not to write about the city but actually about a girl named Rio.The saxophone solo was performed by Andy Hamilton, who has also worked with George Michael and Elton John .

Journey - 'Don't Stop Believin''

Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (Official Audio)

This track was a mild hit upon its release in 1981, but didn't even reach the UK top 40 at the time.

Fast forward to 2009, and its use in shows like Glee and The Sopranos helped bring it back into the mainstream, and it was a surprise hit around the world once again. It's now a guaranteed moment at every wedding and house party setlist.

Marvin Gaye - 'Sexual Healing'

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Official HD Video)

Released in 1982, this was Marvin Gaye 's first song since his exit from Motown a year earlier. Taken from the Midnight Love album, it was a huge comeback for Marvin and something of a career renaissance.

• Marvin Gaye's 10 greatest songs ever, ranked

Featuring whispers from Harvey Fuqua, the sexually-charged became one of his biggest and best-known songs.

Roxy Music - 'More than This'

Roxy Music - More Than This

From the Avalon album, this song was Roxy Music's final UK top 10 hit, reaching number six in 1982.

Bryan Ferry later said he began writing songs for Avalon while on the western coast of Ireland, which he believes led to the melancholic sound of the album.

Bill Murray famously sings a karaoke version of the song in the movie Lost in Translation .

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

Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes - (I've Had) The Time Of My Life (Official HD Video)

Written for Dirty Dancing , this is the ultimate '80s movie song. It's a perfectly fantastic finale moment, and is always a karaoke favourite.

• The Story of... '(I've Had) The Time of My Life' from Dirty Dancing
• The Story of... The Dirty Dancing Soundtrack: Kate Garraway speaks to iconic movie's songwriters

It won an Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy, and is one of the greatest duets of all time.

Mr Mister - 'Broken Wings'

Mr. Mister - Broken Wings

This song was co-written with lyricist John Lang, who was inspired by a book called Broken Wings , written by Kahlil Gibran. The book, which was written in 1912, is a story of a love that is doomed by social convention.

The line ‘take these broken wings and learn to fly’ appears in The Beatles song ‘Blackbird’, with Paul McCartney and John Lennon also drawing from the work of Gibran.

The band’s name came from an inside joke about a Weather Report album called Mr Gone .

Starship - 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now'

Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (Official Music Video) [HD]

Pop-rock veterans Starship provided this '80s anthem as the main theme song to romantic comedy Mannequin in 1987, and it's still a classic.

Not only was it a number one hit around the world, but it was nominated for an Oscar.

The Cars - 'Drive'

The Cars - Drive (Official Music Video)

This soft rock anthem was former new wave band The Cars' biggest hit, released in 1984.

A year later, it became mostly associated with Live Aid , after it was used as the backing to a montage about the famine in Ethiopia. The band donated proceeds from a re-release of the song to the charity.

Bonnie Tyler - 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'

Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (Video)

Written by Meat Loaf 's longtime collaborator Jim Steinman, this was a UK number-one hit for Bonnie Tyler in 1983.

Steinman later said of the song's origins: "I was trying to come up with a love song and I remembered I actually wrote that to be a vampire love song. Its original title was 'Vampires in Love' because I was working on a musical of Nosferatu, the other great vampire story. If anyone listens to the lyrics, they're really like vampire lines. It's all about the darkness, the power of darkness and love's place in the dark..."

Wham! - 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go'

Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Official Video)

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

• Wham!'s best songs ever, ranked

Produced and written by George Michael, he said that inspiration for the song was a scribbled note that Andrew Ridgeley  had left for his parents, intended to read "wake me up before you go" but with "up" accidentally written twice, so Andrew wrote "go" twice on purpose.

Phil Collins - 'Against All Odds'

Phil Collins Against All Odds (Official Music Video 1984)

This gorgeous ballad sees Phil implore an ex-lover to "take a look at me now", knowing that reconciliation is "against all odds" while considering it worth a shot.

• The Story of... 'Against All Odds' by Phil Collins

It was recorded for the movie of the same name and reached number one in the States. It was later a number one in the UK for both Mariah Carey with Westlife in 2000 and X Factor winner Steve Brookstein in 2005.

Lionel Richie - 'Hello'

Lionel Richie - Hello (Official Music Video)

One of Lionel Richie 's biggest ever hits, this song went to number one in both the UK and US in 1984.

• The Story of... 'Hello' by Lionel Richie

Lionel initially felt that the song was "corny" but "by the time I finished the verse, I fell in love with the song again". And you've got to love that music video!

Irene Cara - 'Flashdance (What a Feeling')

Irene Cara - "What A Feeling" (1983) - MDA Telethon

When you think of '80s cinema moments, the sight of Jennifer Beals swapping her welding gear for a seriously epic dance routine to the tune of 'What a Feeling' in Flashdance is right up there.

• The Story of... 'Flashdance... What a Feeling' by Irene Cara

Irene Cara's anthem won an Oscar and Golden Globe for best song in 1984.

Tracy Chapman - 'Fast Car'

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Official Music Video)

One of the greatest and most-played ballads from the '80s, this became Tracy Chapman 's signature song in 1988.

• The Story of... 'Fast Car' by Tracy Chapman
• Watch this powerful, raw early performance of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' from 1988

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

The song is said to tell a grittily realistic story of a working poor woman trying to escape the cycle of poverty.

Yazoo - 'Only You'

Yazoo - Only You (Official Music Video)

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

• The Story of... 'Only You' by Yazoo

At the same time, singer Alison Moyet placed an ad in Melody Maker looking for a new band. Clarke had heard Moyet perform with other bands on the pub circuit, and felt she was a perfect fit for the song.

The song brought the duo together and became a big hit, and was later covered by everyone from The Flying Pickets to Kylie Minogue .

U2 - 'With or Without You'

U2 - With Or Without You (Official Music Video)

A number one hit in America in 1987, this power ballad helped turn U2 in rock giants.

• Watch Bono perform beautiful solo rendition of U2 ballad 'With Or Without You'

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

The Jacksons - 'Can You Feel It'

The Jacksons - Can You Feel It

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

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

Peter Gabriel - 'Sledgehammer'

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (HD version)

This song was influenced by 1960s soul music, in particular those made by Memphis label Stax. The song is generally about sex, with the lyrics being loaded with... phallic symbols.

• Peter Gabriel's 10 greatest songs ever, ranked

Its iconic famous music video was directed by Stephen R Johnson, and featured Aardman Animation providing groundbreaking claymation. Peter Gabriel said: “If anyone wants to try and copy this video, good luck to them”.

Queen and David Bowie - 'Under Pressure'

Queen - Under Pressure (Official Video)

Queen had been working on a song called ‘Feel Like’, but were not yet satisfied with the result.

David Bowie had originally come to sing backup vocals on another song, but his vocals were removed because he was not satisfied. The final version of this song, evolved from a jam session that Bowie had with the band.

Brian May later said: “It was hard, because you had four very precocious boys and David, who was precocious enough for all of us. Looking back, it’s a great song but it should have been mixed differently.”

Tina Turner - 'What's Love Got To Do With It'

Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It (Official Music Video)

This song ended up becoming Tina Turner 's most successful song ever, and was taken from her 1984 album Private Dancer .

• Tina Turner: Simply her 10 best songs ever, ranked

It was later used in the 1993 film of the same name, based on Tina's life.

Amazingly, it was first offered to Cliff Richard , who rejected it. It was also given around to Phyllis Hyman, Donna Summer and even Bucks Fizz . The Fizz even recorded a version but it was shelved as Tina got hers out first.

Guns N Roses - 'Sweet Child o' Mine'

Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine (Official Music Video)

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

Lead singer Axl Rose was listening to the band upstairs in his room and was inspired to write lyrics, basing it on his girlfriend Erin Everly (the daughter of Everly Brothers star Don Everly and Venetia Stevenson).

The Bangles - 'Eternal Flame'

The Bangles - Eternal Flame (Official Video)

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

• The Story of... 'Eternal Flame' by The Bangles
• The Bangles' 10 best ever songs, ranked

he song was inspired by two eternal flames: one at the gravesite of Elvis Presley that the Bangles saw when the band visited Graceland, and one at a local synagogue in Palm Springs which Steinberg attended as a child.

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

Barbra Streisand - 'Woman in Love'

Barbra Streisand -- Woman In Love Video HQ

This was the song that truly took Barbra Streisand into the mainstream pop world, thanks to her collaboration with the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb , who co-wrote this song with his brother Robin.

• Barbra Streisand's 10 greatest ever songs, ranked

It was a huge hit around the world, and is perhaps her greatest hit single ever. However, she is not actually a fan of the song herself. She has said that she doesn't believe in the lyrics, and has very rarely performed it live.

Erasure - 'A Little Respect'

Erasure - A Little Respect (Official HD Music Video)

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

“Andy is much better at offering his heart to the world and expressing how he feels, he’s a king at that,” he said.

Fleetwood Mac - 'Everywhere'

Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere (Official Music Video)

Written and sung by Christine McVie , 'Everywhere' reached number four in the UK Singles Chart in 1988.

• The 20 greatest Fleetwood Mac songs, ranked

Its video was based on the poem 'The Highwayman' and follows the story of a traveller in love with the landlord's daughter.

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

George Michael, Aretha Franklin - I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Official Video)

This Grammy Award-winning duet was a number one smash around the world for Aretha and George Michael in 1987, and was co-written by Simon Climie of Climie Fisher fame.

• The Story of... 'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)' by George and Aretha

It had been one of George's ambitions to perform with Aretha, and producer Clive Davis put the two in touch. It was originally intended as a solo song for Tina Turner .

New Order - 'Blue Monday 88'

New Order - Blue Monday 88 (Official Music Video)

The original version of this track remains the best-selling 12” single of all time, and was written in response to crowd disappointment at the fact that they never played encores.

The song was planned to allow them to return to the stage, press play on a synthesiser and leave the stage again, but while writing the song it evolved into a project that the band quite liked.

This version was a more palatable 4 minute release, and was remixed by Quincy Jones. It reached top five in the UK and topped the US dance chart.

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

Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

This was one of Elton's biggest hits of the 1980s, and features none other than Stevie Wonder on harmonica.

It has since been covered by the likes of James Blunt , and as a duet with Elton and Mary J Blige.

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

Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)

Scottish band Simple Minds were brought in to record the main theme for teen drama The Breakfast Club , and they couldn't have done a better job.

One of the greatest '80s movie moments is surely Judd Nelson's John Bender fist pumping the sky to the tune of this '80s banger.

Michael Jackson - 'Thriller'

Michael Jackson - Thriller (Official Video - Shortened Version)

The title track of the world’s best-selling album was written by English disco pioneer Rod Temperton, and was originally called ‘Starlight’. The song also features horror icon Vincent Price performing a tongue-in-cheek ‘rap’.

• The Story of… ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson

Price recorded it on his second take, after it had been written by Temperton in the taxi on the way to the studio!

A 14-minute film was made for the song directed by John Landis, in which Jackson turns into a zombie and performs a dance routine. It has often been voted the greatest music video ever made.

George Michael - 'Faith'

George Michael - Faith (Official Video)

This funky song was written, arranged and produced by George Michael himself. The song became one of his most popular and enduring tracks.

• The Story of... 'Faith'

It also introduced the world to George's iconic leather jacket and blue jeans combo. It topped the US charts in 1987 and reached number two in the UK.

Bon Jovi - 'Livin' on a Prayer'

Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer

Weddings, house parties and '80s cheese nights wouldn't be complete without it.

• Bon Jovi's 10 greatest songs ever, ranked

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

The song became the band's signature song, has sold million of copies, and has just under a billion views on YouTube as of 2023.

Pet Shop Boys - 'West End Girls'

Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (Official Video) [HD REMASTERED]

The group's debut single is also their very best, and is a pioneering piece of synthpop.

• The 10 greatest Pet Shop Boys songs, ranked

The Pet Shop Boys burst onto the scene in 1984 with this dark track, which was influenced by hip hop music and a TS Elliot poem. The song was written about class and the pressures of inner-city life.

Patrick Swayze - 'She's Like the Wind'

Patrick Swayze - She's Like The Wind (Official HD Video) ft. Wendy Fraser

Co-written and sung by actor Patrick Swayze , this song was originally intended for the soundtrack of Grandview, USA, and was meant to be about Jamie Lee Curtis’ character in the film.

• The Story of... 'She's Like the Wind' by Patrick Swayze

However, the song was not used, and so during the production of Dirty Dancing in 1987, Swayze played the demo for producer Linda Gottlieb and director Emile Ardolino. They loved it and it was recorded for the soundtrack.

Duran Duran - 'Save a Prayer'

Duran Duran - Save A Prayer (Official Music Video)

Released in 1982, this mellow pop classic reached number two in the UK, their biggest hit at the time.

• The Story of... 'Save a Prayer'

The song began with Andy Taylor and Nick Rhodes picking out chords together, before Simon Le Bon wrote the lyrics.

The song is about a chance meeting between two people, that turns into a one-night stand. Le Bon described it as "realistic, and not romantic".

Paul Simon - 'You Can Call Me Al'

Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al (Official Video)

This catchy 1980s anthem was the first single to be released from Paul Simon 's iconic album Graceland . In the UK it peaked at number four.

• QUIZ: How well do you know the lyrics to 'You Can Call Me Al'?

The song is about a person seemingly experiencing a midlife crisis. Its lyrics were partially inspired by Paul's trip to South Africa and his experiences with its culture.

It had one of the most famous music videos of all time, with Paul being joined by actor Chevy Chase, who had rehearsed the lyrics on the way to the shoot.

Bryan Adams - 'Summer of 69'

Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69 (Official Music Video)

Originally titled 'Best Days of My Life', this song was amazingly not a hit in the UK (only reaching number 42), despite it being arguably Bryan Adams ' best known and most loved song!

• Bryan Adams' 15 best songs ever, ranked

Bryan later said: "That song is 25 years old now so it's had that many years to incubate. A lot of songs, like that one, hit big in America but really not anywhere else. It didn't chart anywhere in Europe until at least 10 years after it was released. I think songs can have a life of their own regardless of the promotion."

Michael Jackson - 'Man in the Mirror'

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror (Official Video)

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

• The Story of... 'Man in the Mirror' by Michael Jackson

It remains one of the most inspirational tracks of all time, and was one of the reason behind its album Bad 's huge success.

Madness - 'It Must Be Love'

Madness - It Must Be Love (Official Video)

Labi Siffre first released this song as a soul ballad in 1971, before Madness released a more famous cover 10 years later.

• The Story of... 'It Must Be Love' by Madness

One of their most popular songs, this quirky little love song was a number four hit. In a nice touch, Labi Siffre makes a cameo in the music video.

Huey Lewis & the News - 'The Power of Love'

Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love (Official Video)

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

It was nominated for an Oscar, but lost out to Lionel Richie's 'Say You Say Me'.

Ultravox - 'Vienna'

Ultravox - Vienna (Official Music Video)

A staple of the synthpop genre, this song took its inspiration from the 1948 film The Third Man , which is based around the Austrian capital Vienna. It was famously stuck at number two behind Joe Dolce’s ‘Shaddap You Face’ for several weeks.

• The Story of... 'Vienna' by Ultravox

Midge Ure said of the song: “We wanted to take the song and make it incredibly pompous in the middle, leaving it very sparse before and after, but finishing with a typically over-the top classical ending.”

Eurythmics - 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)'

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (Official Video)

This Eurythmics track remains one of the most iconic synthpop tracks of its era. It was a huge hit worldwide, reaching number two in the UK and number one in the US.

• Annie Lennox and Eurythmics' 10 best songs ever, ranked

According to Annie Lennox , the song is about the unhappy time she felt after the breakup of first band The Tourists. She said: "[It's] basically me saying: 'Look at the state of us. How can it get worse? I was feeling very vulnerable. The song was an expression of how I felt: hopeless and nihilistic'."

However, David Stewart thought the lyrics were too depressing, and added the 'hold your head up, moving on' line to make it more uplifting.

David Bowie - 'Let's Dance'

David Bowie - Let's Dance (Official Video)

In 1982, Nile Rodgers met David Bowie in the New York club Continental, where the two shared a conversation about their musical interests. Bowie later invited Rodgers to his house in Switzerland, which Rodgers assumed was an audition.

The pair then worked together on this track and the album of the same name, giving Bowie one of the biggest hits of his career.

Madonna - 'Like a Prayer'

Madonna - Like A Prayer (Official Video)

Written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, this track saw Madonna enter a new artistic and personal approach to songwriting, as she believed that she needed to cater more to her adult audience.

• The Story of... 'Like a Prayer' by Madonna

The song is about a passionate girl in love with God, who becomes the only male figure in her life. The music video sees Madonna as a witness to the murder of a girl by white supremacists.

While a black man is arrested for the murder, Madonna hides in a church, and it also features a dream sequence about kissing a black saint.

The Vatican condemned the video, while family and religious groups also protested its broadcast. All the fuss did was make Madonna an even bigger star.

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

KENNY ROGERS & DOLLY PARTON - ISLANDS IN THE STREAM - HQ Audio

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

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

• The Story of.. 'Islands in the Stream'

"And we had been singing this song in my studio in L.A. for four days. And I finally said, 'Barry, I don't even like this song anymore.'

"And he said, 'We need Dolly Parton .'"I said, 'Well, why not, you know?'. And Ken Kragen, my manager said, 'I saw her downstairs.' I said, 'Well, go get her.' "And Dolly, in her inimitable fashion, marched into the room and the song was never the same."

Michael Jackson - 'Beat It'

Michael Jackson - Beat It (Official 4K Video)

This song and its video helped Thriller become the world’s best-selling album of all time. Producer Quincy Jones had wanted to include a rock song in the vein of The Knack’s ‘My Sharona’, though Jackson reportedly had never previously shown an interest in the genre.

The lyrics relate to life on the streets and gang activity, something Jackson was very detached from. Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo, after doing it as a favour for Jones, and was not paid aside from two six-packs of beer!

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

Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder - Together in Electric Dreams (Official Video)

This was first recorded for the 1984 movie Electric Dreams , and later formed part of Human League frontman Philip Oakey and electronic musician Giorgio Moroder’s collaborative album a year later.

• The Story of... 'Together in Electric Dreams' by Phil Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

In the UK, it proved to be even more popular than the movie it was intended to promote. It is often mistakenly attributed to The Human League, though they have often performed it live.

Kate Bush - 'Running Up that Hill'

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill - Official Music Video

EMI bosses were hesitant to release the song with its original title of 'A Deal with God' due to possible negative reactions because of its use of the word 'God'. Kate Bush relented and changed the title.

• The Story of... 'Running Up that Hill'

The song itself has often been misinterpreted. Kate later said: "I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman can't understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other's roles, if we could actually be in each other's place for a while, I think we'd both be very surprised!

"And really the only way I could think it could be done was either... you know, I thought a deal with the devil. And I thought, 'well, no, why not a deal with God!' Because in a way it's so much more powerful the whole idea of asking God to make a deal with you. You see, for me it is still called "Deal With God", that was its title."

The song had a resurgence in popularity in 2022, after its heavy use in the latest season of Stranger Things .

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

Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Official Music Video)

One of their signature songs, this track gave Tears for Fears one of their biggest international hits in 1985, despite being one of the last songs recorded for Songs from the Big Chair .

• The Story of... 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' by Tears for Fears

Curt Smith sang lead vocals on the track, which is about the desire humans have for control and power, and the themes of corruption.

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

Simply Red - 'Holding Back the Years'

Simply Red - Holding Back The Years (Official Video)

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

• The Story of... 'Holding Back the Years' by Simply Red

Mick Hucknall wrote it when he was just 17, but the chorus didn't arrive until years later. He wrote it after the chaos created when his mother left the family when he was three years old.

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

John Farnham - 'You're the Voice'

John Farnham - You're the Voice (Official Video)

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

• Watch Celine Dion sing 'You're the Voice' with John Farnham live in Australia - video

It became one of the biggest Australian hits of all time, and was a success around the world, though in the US it was Heart’s cover in 1991 that proved more popular.

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

A-Ha - 'Take on Me'

a-ha - Take On Me (Official Video) [Remastered in 4K]

This '80s classic actually flopped twice before it was finally a hit around the world. This was largely down to its revolutionary rotoscoping animation music video, taking six months to complete.

• The Story of... 'Take on Me' by A-Ha

It then became a worldwide hit thanks to the video and its heavy use on MTV, reaching number one in the USA and number two in the UK.

The Police - 'Every Breath You Take'

The Police - Every Breath You Take (Official Video)

Often mistaken for a love song, it's one of the most misinterpreted tracks in the history of music, when it's in fact about a deluded stalker who convinces himself that the emotions he feels are true love.

• The Story of... 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police

Written after Sting separated from his first wife, the song's creation was fraught with in-fighting within the band (who were actually physically punching each other in the studio) with Sting saying that the time of its release that "it's a nasty little song, really rather evil."

It was the first single released on The Police 's final album Synchronicity, ensuring that the trio went out on a supreme high with the song winning Song of the Year at the 1984 Grammy Awards and staying at the top of the US Billboard Charts for a total of eight weeks.

The Human League - 'Don't You Want Me'

The Human League - Don't You Want Me (Official Music Video)

One of the best-selling singles of the 1980s, this surprising Christmas number one sold over 1.5 million records upon its release in 1981.

The song was inspired after singer Philip Oakey read a story in a teen-girl's magazine. he was also inspired by the film A Star Is Born and decided to turn the song into a duet with one of the band's two teenage female vocalists.

Susan Ann Sulley was asked to take on the role. Until then, she and Joanne Catherall had only been assigned backing vocals. Sulley says she was chosen only through "luck of the draw".

Prince - 'Purple Rain'

Prince - Purple Rain (Official Video)

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

• The Story of... 'Purple Rain' by Prince

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

The song became something of a singature song for Prince, and he famously performed it in the rain during his Super Bowl halftime show.

Lionel Richie - 'All Night Long'

Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)

In this Caribbean-influenced song, Lionel admitted that the ‘African’ lyrics, such as ‘Tom bo li de say de moi ya’ and ‘Jambo jumbo’, were in fact made-up gibberish. He described these portions as a “wonderful joke”, after he discovered that he lacked the time to hire a translator.

• The Story of... 'All Night Long' by Lionel Richie

Lionel said: “What I try to write about are real events. There will always be an easy like Sunday morning. There will always be an endless love. There will always be an all night long.”

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

ABBA - 'The Winner Takes it All'

ABBA - The Winner Takes It All (Video)

Bjorn Ulvaeus has denied that his heartbreaking ballad is about his and Agnetha Faltskog 's divorce. However, he has said that is about divorce in general and the emotions that come with it.

• The Story of... 'The Winner Takes it All' by ABBA
• ABBA's 20 greatest ever songs, ranked

The song put Agnetha in the strange situation of being asked to sing a breakup song, written by her ex-husband, just a short period afterwards.

However, Bjorn didn't intend it to happen this way. She later said it was her favourite ABBA song to perform.

Foreigner - 'I Want to Know What Love Is'

Foreigner - 'I Want To Know What Love Is' [Official Music Video]

Foreigner's biggest ever hit, this excellent power ballad reached number one in both the UK and US.

• The Story of... 'I Want to Know What Love Is' by Foreigner

Writer Mick Jones said of the song: "I don’t know where it came from. I consider it a gift that was sent through me. I think there was something bigger than me behind it. I’d say it was probably written entirely by a higher force."

Fact: it features keyboard work by Thompson Twins frontman Tom Bailey.

Whitney Houston - 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'

Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Official 4K Video)

This is one of the ultimate feel good songs ever released, and was the lead single from Whitney's second album.

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

It became one of Whitney's signature tunes, and was the title to her official biopic in 2022.

Queen - 'I Want to Break Free'

Queen - I Want To Break Free (Official Video)

Written by bassist John Deacon , the song is from the male perspective of the women’s liberation movement. The video parodied Coronation Street , and famously showed all four members in drag, a move which saw the video banned on MTV in the States.

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

Phil Collins - 'In the Air Tonight'

Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (Official Music Video)

Famous for its epic drum solo, Phil Collins ’ debut solo single was written during the grief he felt after divorcing his first wife, Simone.

• The Story of... 'In the Air Tonight' by Phil Collins

The lyrics take the form of a dark monologue directed towards an unnamed person. An urban legend has claimed that it's about a drowning incident in which someone who was close enough to save the victim did not, while Collins, who was too far away to help, looked on.

The song was famously used in a Dairy Milk advert in 2007, in which a gorilla drummed along to it, because why not?

Toto - 'Africa'

Toto - Africa (Official HD Video)

It's almost impossible to not burst into song at the top of your lungs as soon as you hear the famous catchy intro of Toto's 'Africa', let alone its epic chorus.

• The Story of... 'Africa' by Toto

In 2015, David Paich said that the song is about a man's love of the continent Africa, rather than a personal romance.

He based the lyrics around a late night documentary with depictions of African plight and suffering. It had a lasting impact on him: "It both moved and appalled me, and the pictures just wouldn't leave my head. I tried to imagine how I'd feel about it if I was there and what I'd do."

George Michael - 'Careless Whisper'

George Michael - Careless Whisper (Official HD Video)

This was the song that made people stand up and take notice of George as a credible artist outside the pop fun of Wham!

Released when he still in the boyband with Andrew Ridgeley , the song topped the charts around the world. Co-written with Andrew when they were 17, the song took inspiration from stories from Michael’s early romantic experiences with two different girls.

• The Story of... 'Careless Whisper' by George Michael

He later said: "The whole idea of 'Careless Whisper' was the first girl finding out about the second – which she never did. But I started another relationship with a girl called Alexis without finishing the one with Jane. It all got a bit complicated."

Jane found out about her and got rid of me. The whole time I thought I was being cool, being this two-timer, but there really wasn't that much emotion involved.

"I did feel guilty about the first girl – and I have seen her since – and the idea of the song was about her. 'Careless Whisper' was us dancing, because we danced a lot, and the idea was – we are dancing...but she knows...and it's finished."

Michael Jackson - 'Billie Jean'

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Official Video)

There are several claims on the meaning behind this classic song’s lyrics. One suggests that they came from a real-life experience, in which a female fan claimed that Michael Jackson (or one of his brothers) had fathered her twins. However, Jackson stated that it was actually based on groupies he had encountered.

• Rare footage of Michael Jackson practicing iconic 'Billie Jean' routine in 1983 is incredible
• The Story of... 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson

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

It remains perhaps the greatest pop song of all time, and has that timeless quality that will never disappoint.

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The greatest singles of the '80s —as in any era—possess the power to change the world in three minutes. Failing that, these songs at least share the ability to leave their stamp on a vast musical landscape. While chart performance, radio airplay, and longevity are all important criteria to help build a list of the best of the best, these essential '80s songs announce themselves as vital through sheer force of gravity. Each of these tunes, presented in no particular order, is simply impossible to ignore in the context of '80s music.

"Every Breath You Take" by The Police

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Regardless of how many times this song is played, it retains a magic that exists only for the most solidly constructed, universally themed, and uniquely presented musical compositions. Sting's songwriting centerpiece from 1983's Synchronicity achieves a rare pop/rock perfection, featuring a top-notch vocal performance, a groundbreaking guitar riff , and a highly personal lyrical theme that explores obsession, heartbreak, and romantic doom. Somehow, the song seems familiar in spite of its originality. "Every Breath You Take" is definitely one of the finest moments of The Police anthology and the '80s music scene .

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

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This Chicago-area mainstream power rock band is known mostly for its power ballads  that always had a knack for delivering some of the most bombastic lyrics of the decade. But with this song, featured prominently and appropriately in the film, Survivor brought fist-pumping arena rock to an entirely new plane of soaring bravado. The somewhat silly overuse of metaphor and cliche at times grows a bit off-putting, but the hold of the melody and the power-chord opening is undeniable.

"I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner

Foreigner enjoyed a number of hits in the '80s, but none reached as high a level of over-the-top romantic longing as this keyboard-heavy love ballad does. Guitarist Mick Jones has always been an underrated songwriter, and his command was never on finer display than when the calmness of this tune's verses explode into a crescendo of a chorus perfectly suited for Lou Gramm's impressively high vocal range. When the gospel chorus kicks in at the end, it's a perfectly appropriate topping for this confection.

"Jump" by Van Halen

Some '70s and '80s hard rock bands turned to pop out of desperation or just pure greed as the hair metal phenomenon kicked off. In the case of Van Halen , the stylistic turn seemed as organic and wonderful as the splendid synthesizer riff that fuels this tune, or David Lee Roth's exuberant leap, or Eddie Van Halen's infectious grin. On this one occasion, the band wrote a nearly perfect pop song. This hit was the highpoint of the band's career. Unfortunately, the genre spent the remainder of the decade rolling slowly downhill from this moment.

"With or Without You" by U2

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U2 's track to stardom (not to mention its ensuing legendary status) has been an intriguing one, filled with explorations of a variety of music styles and artistic approaches. One of many excellent songs by the group, With or Without You strikes a perfect balance of pop and rock sensibilities. Catchy, hauntingly and indelibly beautiful, it somehow remains both a testament of its era and a timeless classic. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the song has one of the best—if simplest—bass lines in rock history.

"Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses

As raw and unabashed as they were, Axl Rose and his then-mates knew how to craft intricate and polished rock songs. The band's sound was no happy accident, and this song more than any other reveals Guns N' Roses at its peak, collectively and individually. Never has Rose revealed his versatility as a singer more completely than through the calm verses and fierce chorus sections of the tune. It's a tour de force of rock guitar buoyed by an unexpected lyrical sweetness, and the song's broad appeal helped take 1987 to a mainstream music pinnacle no one could have expected.

"So Emotional" by Whitney Houston

The late, great pop diva Whitney Houston's '80s heyday produced several singles worthy of inclusion on best-of lists, but this one represents her best blend of danceable beats and an irrepressible chorus. Houston was an indisputably fine, precise singer, but perhaps her best attribute was her ability to select top-notch material. This tune is a celebration of an '80s pluckiness we're not likely to see again, and it's so infectious that even a lot of rock fans found themselves subject to its seduction.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler

One of the greatest '80s collaborations was undoubtedly this Welsh female singer, with her unmistakable voice, and Jim Steinman, songwriter-producer of Meat Loaf fame. It was a match made in heaven, as Steinman's gift for lyrical bombast and over-the-top arrangements to match helped him produce his finest musical moment. In concert, Tyler's gritty but sensitive voice perfectly conveyed the longing of this great love song.

"Endless Love" by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

Speaking of ballads and the '80s, it's impossible to go too far without discussing duets pairing male and female singers. There was no finer example of that phenomenon than this overwrought but undeniably engaging tune from 1981. Lionel Richie certainly covered this same kind of ground effectively in his solo career, but the addition of a capable female singer with whom to exchange verses raises this song to another level. It helped that Ross was beyond capable of carrying the song even all by herself.

"Centerfold" by J. Geils Band

Even though it's easy to get the "na-na-na-na-na-na" part mixed up with the Smurfs theme, this song is a highlight for the entire decade's musical catalog. The band's frontman, Peter Wolf, was tailor-made for the '80s with his Mick Jagger swagger and exuberance, even though he had more than paid his dues before the band went pop. It may be undeniable that the group reached its highest level of success during the '80s, but this tune's memorable playfulness is a big reason why.

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Revisiting 10 Journey Songs From The ’70s

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Best Moments

Although some of their most enduring tracks were released in the early ’80s, Journey also had several classic hits from the ’70s. They formed in 1973 but it wasn’t until they got singer Steve Perry onboard when they finally achieved massive commercial success. He made his debut with them in 1977 and it was clear from the get-go that they were a match made in music heaven.

Let’s take a look at their unforgettable hits in the 1970s.

10. Do You Recall (1979)

Talk about pure power! Steve Perry’s vocals is fire.

9. Too Late (1979)

Perry wrote it about a friend who has become a drug addict. He said, “The drugs were setting up housekeeping.”

8. Daydream (1979)

It has that dreamy feel and while the musicianship is stellar, it’s Perry’s voice that steals the spotlight.

7. When You’re Alone (It Ain’t Easy)

Neal Schon lets loose with his brilliant guitarwork.

6. Lovin,’ Touchin,’ Squeezin’ (1979)

It’s the band’s first top 40 hit in the US. Written by Perry, it was inspired by an actual event – when he saw his girlfriend get out of a car and kiss the driver.

5. Just The Same Way (1979)

The layered harmony vocals is simply exquisite. It added more depth to the song.

4. Lights (1978)

The song is about San Francisco and it’s one of the first songs Perry sang for Journey. Perry explained, “I had the song written in Los Angeles almost completely except for the bridge and it was written about Los Angeles. It was ‘when the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on LA.’ I didn’t like the way it sounded at the time. And so I just had it sitting back in the corner. Then life changed my plans once again, and I was now facing joining Journey. I love San Francisco, the bay, and the whole thing. ‘The bay’ fit so nice, ‘When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay.’ It was one of those early-morning-going-across-the-bridge things, when the sun was coming up and the lights were going down. It was perfect.”

3. Anytime (1978)

Written before Perry joined Journey, Schon recalled: “Gregg Rolie was doing Bing Crosby – you know, ‘ooh, ooh.’ And I’d listened to lots of Beatles records when I was a kid, so I just went ‘Anytime that you want me.’ It came out real easy in rehearsal.”

2. Feeling That Way (1978)

This was initially an instrumental titled “Velvet Curtain” which they later abandoned. Eventually, Rolie got back to it and added words then renamed it to “Please Let Me Stay.” It was shelved at the last minute. After Perry joined, Rolie rewrote it again and shared the lead vocal duties with Perry.

1. Wheel in the Sky (1978)

One of their finest moments, it began as a poem titled “Wheels In My Mind”. It was their first single with Perry that eventually became a staple in their live repertoire.

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The Biggest ’80s One-Hit Wonders Ever, from ‘Take On Me’ to ‘Electric Avenue’

They topped the charts once — but stayed in our hearts and playlists forever!

National One-Hit Wonder Day is September 25, a day to reflect on the artists who burst onto the scene and into the charts with one incredible song. While these acts may not have replicated their initial successes with later releases, their hit songs remain etched in our memories — and on our playlists!

This year, we’re looking back at one of the most iconic decades in music — the 1980s. From the powerhouse vocal duo The Weather Girls  to the quirky upbeat sound of The B-52s  and a surprise celebrity cameo from Eddie Murphy, the ’80s had it all!

So, join SiriusXM’s ONEderland channel as we take a nostalgic trip back in time and celebrate the most iconic ’80s one-hit wonders ever!

Related: Listen to decades’ worth of one-hit wonders on the ONEderland channel

’80s New Wave One-Hit Wonders

An eclectic blend of punk, rock, and pop, new wave peaked in the ’80s. Whether cheery and upbeat like Toni Basil’s “Mickey” or an emotional ballad like Limahl’s “Never Ending Story,” new wave gave audiences plenty to enjoy.

Music aside, the genre brought a distinct visual flair, allowing artists to spruce up their image and fully express themselves. And they didn’t disappoint! Devo brandished unique red energy dome hats while Dexys donned dungarees and bandanas. A Flock of Seagulls wore space-age-inspired garments and their lead singer, Mike Score, sported a unique hairstyle with high volume and an exaggerated swooping shape that truly embodied the era’s fashion.

These iconic looks only made the music all the more memorable, so if you’re in the mood for a little nostalgia, check out these new wave one-hit wonders:

1. “99 Luftballons” — Nena

2. “Mickey” — Toni Basil

3. “Come On Eileen” — Dexys

4. “Whip It” — Devo

5. “Never Ending Story” — Limahl

6. “Walking on Sunshine” — Katrina and the Waves

7. “I Ran (So Far Away)” — A Flock of Seagulls

’80s Synth-Pop One-Hit Wonders

Synth-pop exploded onto the charts across the decade and led to some incredible one-hit wonders. The genre included emotive, catchy tunes and featured a collection of electronic instruments, the most common being the eponymous synthesizer. That instrument screamed “1980s” as much as the acts that featured it most prominently.

Berlin’s 1986 ballad “Take My Breath Away” encapsulated this best with its melodically-rich sound of synth-pop. Originally written for Top Gun, it impressed film critics, winning an Academy Award and a Golden Globe award for best original song in 1986 while flying to the top spot of the charts.

Similarly, Soft Cell’s dark synth cover of Gloria Jones’s 1965 soul song “Tainted Love” set a Guinness World Record at the time for the longest consecutive stay on the US charts, where it spent a whopping 43 weeks. Take a trip back in time with these synth-pop bops:

8. “The Safety Dance” — Men Without Hats

9. “Tainted Love” — Soft Cell

10. “Somebody’s Watching Me” — Rockwell

11. “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” — Dead or Alive

12. “Tarzan Boy” — Baltimora

13. “Take On Me” — a-ha

14. “Take My Breath Away” — Berlin

’80s Dance/Funk One-Hit Wonders

The ’80s was a dynamic period for funk and dance music, filling the decade with energetic beats and rhythmic grooves.

“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. embodies funk’s transition into the disco era with its catch lyrics, heavy basslines, and futuristic feel. Meanwhile, “Party All The Time” made comedian and actor Eddie Murphy an unlikely one-hit wonder in 1985. As part of a bet with Richard Pryor, Murphy worked with Rick James, who wrote and produced the song. The tune was a hit, climbing to No. 2 on the charts and proving that Murphy can sing!

Here are the best dance and funk one-hit wonders of the ’80s:

15. “Funkytown” — Lipps Inc.

16. “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off” — Jermaine Stewart

17. “Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life” — Indeep

18. “It’s Raining Men” — the Weather Girls

19. “Rhythm of the Night” — DeBarge

20. “Party All the Time” — Eddie Murphy

21. “Love Shack” — The B-52s

’80s Reggae/Ska One-Hit Wonders

Thanks to the mainstream success of reggae and ska in the ’60s and ’70s — attributed to the likes of Jimmy Cliff , Desmond Dekker, and Bob Marley & The Wailers — both genres earned global recognition and love. This gave artists a platform to break through to the charts, and they didn’t disappoint.

British-Jamaican reggae band Musical Youth’s 1982 song “Pass The Dutchie” sold over 5 million copies worldwide and made its way into countless films and TV shows — including Stranger Things , which boosted the song and briefly lifted it back into the charts in 2022.

Bobby McFerrin’s acapella hit “Don’t Worry Be Happy” used reggae-style rhythms to create an upbeat track that made its way to the top of the charts and has remained a memorable song to this day. And it’s impossible not to be happy while listening to these one-hit wonders:

22. “Pass the Dutchie” — Musical Youth

23. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” — Bobby McFerrin

24. “Electric Avenue” — Eddy Grant

25. “Our House” — Madness

26. “Break My Stride” — Matthew Wilder

’80s Rock One-Hit Wonders

The ’80s was a huge decade for rock music, with various sub-genres like glam, arena rock, and heavy metal gaining popularity. Naturally, the decade delivered a host of one-hit wonders, with iconic artists releasing memorable anthems that made a lasting impact on the music industry and popular culture.

Austrian singer Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus” combined New German Wave, synth-pop, and hip-hop to create an inarguable banger that rocked all the way to the top of the charts, landing the No. 1 spot!

John Waite’s “Missing You” just oozes the ’80s. It’s the perfect power ballad, blending the raw energy of rock with the emotional sensitivity of pop, making a quintessentially ’80s bop. Plus, the aesthetics of the “Missing You” music video is on point!

Rock out to these throwback tunes this One-Hit Wonder Day:

27. “Rock Me Amadeus” — Falco

28. “Missing You” — John Waite

29. “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” — Cutting Crew

30. “In a Big Country” — Big Country

31. “La Bamba” — Los Lobos

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10 Best Karaoke Songs of All Time Guaranteed to Shake the Room

K araoke is an excellent way to spend a night out on the town, enjoying the company of friends and strangers alike, and engaging in some crowd-wide bonding , provided you’ve chosen an appropriate song. There is truly something magical about belting out your favorite tunes to a backing chorus of raucous applause, with an optional side of alcoholic beverages .

Of course, not all karaoke songs are equal in quality. Some tracks have a special ability to inspire the crowd, taking your average pop single to new heights, while others languish in relative obscurity. For those struggling to find the right song, here’s a list of 10 of the best karaoke songs you could possibly pick, guaranteed to blow the top off of the establishment. From timeless dance classics to generational anthems, these are the 10 best karaoke songs of all time.

10. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey

If your aim is to get everyone in the room singing along with you, or just to trigger the fight-or-flight response in a fan of The Sopranos , “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey is one of the best karaoke songs you can choose. This anthem needs no introduction, as the iconic track has become a cultural phenomenon, commonly played at proms, reunions, bars, and other party settings. Its memorable piano intro is sure to perk up the ears of those only half-tuning in, while its soaring chorus gives you an opportunity to flex your vocal cords on the main stage. The inspirational lyrics and messages of positivity and perseverance make “Don’t Stop Believin'” an uplifting anthem sure to shake the room, and punctuate your karaoke experience with an unforgettable groove.

9. “Juice” by Lizzo

Clocking in at number 9 on our list is a relatively new song that is as bold and vibrant as they come. While “Juice” by Lizzo may not have had enough time in the cultural zeitgeist to reach each and every partygoer at your karaoke event, the infectious anthem’s funky baseline and catchy chorus surely makes it a hit amongst crowds of all creeds. The track packs a punch of sass and attitude that makes it impossible to stand still, providing you with a chance to ooze charisma on stage, and liven a quiet event. “Juice” is a guaranteed mood-booster, sure to leave a lasting impression on every other karaoke participant of the evening. Unless another singer takes the stage to perform one of the other high-quality tracks on this list, you’re guaranteed to be the highlight of the evening with this one.

8. “Regulate” by Warren G & Nate Dogg

Hip hop tracks tend to be a little too verbose and fast-paced for most people to sing-along with, though there are a few notable exceptions. For those party-goers who prefer a rap-centric tracklist, the best karaoke song is surely the G-funk anthem “Regulate” by Warren G and Nate Dogg. This hip hop classic blends a smooth, laid-back beat with irresistibly groovy vocal melodies, offering those who choose the song an opportunity to slow things down for the evening in the best way possible. From the iconic opening riffs to the silky tones of the late, great Nate Dogg, this track offers a timeless appeal loaded with infectious energy. Luckily, this song also requires very little vocal range, making it ideal for karaoke singers with less confidence to find their voice. By the time you reach the closing croons on the back-end of “Regulate,” your cool-factor will have risen exponentially.

7. “No Scrubs” by TLC

Sometimes, you just need to take the stage to provide an informed opinion on what exactly constitutes a scrub. In case you need a refresher, this track opens with the powerful lyrical statement “ a scrub is a guy who thinks he’s fly, and is also known as a buster. ” This empowering track is one of the best karaoke songs of all time, serving as a fierce self-worth anthem for women and a hilariously self-aware jaunt for men. The harmonies of “No Scrubs” may be slightly more treacherous to traverse in front of a crowd than something more laid-back like “Regulate,” though fans of the hard-hitting song will surely assist with backing vocals from the comfort of the crowd. TLC’s unapologetic attitude on this track is part of what cemented the group as a musical force to be reckoned with, making “No Scrubs” one of their biggest tracks of all time.

6. “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys

Number 6 on our list is “I Want It That Way,” originally performed by the Backstreet Boys. However, depending on your age, you may know this song best as the track performed by the police lineup in a viral cold-open of Brooklyn Nine-Nine , or the basis of a hilarious parody about strange purchases made on Ebay by Weird Al Yankovic. Any way you slice it, this iconic ballad is the karaoke staple that you need to take your big night on the town to the next level. The infectious crooning and heavenly harmonization makes the 1999 hit a major crowd-pleaser, while the lyrics about unrequited love and differences of worldview within a relationship allow everyone in the building to relate. “I Want It That Way” is a nostalgia trip to the turn of the century, making it a perfect throwback for the karaoke stage.

5. “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child

Speaking of a nostalgia trip, the next option on our list of best karaoke songs of all time is the R&B masterpiece “Say My Name” by the inimitable Destiny’s Child . If your friends hear the opening lyrics to this iconic jam and don’t immediately launch into a fervor, you need new friends. The infectious harmonies, soulful instrumentation, and simple yet effective lyrics make this love ballad of suspicion and betrayal a karaoke favorite, rife with opportunity to bring the house down. While you may not have a realistic shot at mimicking the impeccable vocal delivery of the original song, karaoke is all about cutting loose and having fun, regardless of your sonic capabilities. Having said that, this may be considered an expert-level karaoke song, reserved for dive-bar veterans and those who have logged their 10,000 hours of singing in the shower at home.

4. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston

This list simply wouldn’t be complete without at least one iconic vocal performance by Whitney Houston. While there are many incredible karaoke songs to choose from the multi-platinum selling singer known as “the voice,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is the best. The timeless and electrifying pop hit holds an unmatchable energy, and an upbeat tempo which commands listeners to leap from their seats and bust a move on the dance floor. If you need a feel-good vibe to lift the spirits of the karaoke establishment, you can’t do much better than this spectacular jam.

3. “Purple Rain” by Prince

Rounding out the top 3 best karaoke songs of all time is “Purple Rain” by Prince. The transcendent power ballad takes listeners on an emotional journey unlike any other, with haunting guitar riffs and soulful melodies that demand a masterful performance. Unlike many of the other songs on this list, “Purple Rain” may not inspire the entire room to burst into a sing-along with you, as most fans are familiar with only a handful of the lyrics, making this pick something of a tight-rope walk. Still, if you’re confident with your public singing skills, busting this song out on the big stage will make you the highlight of the night. The raw passion and emotional resonance present in the track are difficult to nail in one try, as the unparalleled genius of Prince continues to shock audiences to this day.

2. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

Our penultimate pick for best karaoke song of all time is the timeless genre-blending rock opera from Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” If you don’t mind having your voice drowned out by the entire room full of people guaranteed to be scream-singing along with you, this is the end-all be-all of karaoke favorites. From the haunting beauty of lyrical passages like “ Mama, just killed a man. Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he’s dead. Mama, life had just begun, but now I’ve gone and thrown it all away ” to the thunderously rocking refrain “ Galileo Figaro ” this theatrical mixture of vibes and sounds will transport the club into a new dimension of rock and roll. This song may be viewed as an easy pick, since someone is all but bound to whip this hit out at any given karaoke party, but there’s a reason why the classics are classics.

1. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

The undisputed GOAT of karaoke songs is the triumphant anthem “I Will Survive” by the living legend Gloria Gaynor. The timeless disco-funk hit offers some of the finest instrumentation in the history of music, with lyrics that offer a declaration of strength and empowerment. From the moment you press play, “I Will Survive” is 100 percent guaranteed to electrify the crowd, blowing the roof off the establishment and cementing your place as the king or queen of the stage. This spirited song allows your powerful voice to shine through, with plenty of prolonged instrumental solos to catch your breath and cut a jig on the stage.

No matter your karaoke mastery, choosing this song showcases your indefinable spirit and unwavering confidence, and captures the very essence of karaoke as a fun and lively evening activity. With all this in mind, go forth, and sing with reckless abandon, dance like nobody is watching, and enjoy your delightful evening in the company of friends old and new.

• classic rock
• The Rolling Stones

Ranking the Top 5 Rolling Stones Songs of the ’80s

by Jim Beviglia April 12, 2024, 10:45 am

The Rolling Stones came out the other side of the ’80s unified and prepared to show other rock and roll bands what longevity really meant. To get to that point, however, they had to overcome a rough 10-year stretch that included some shaky albums and a near-breakup.

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It’s to their credit that they managed to rise to the occasion several times during the decade to deliver songs that were every bit as wonderful as the classics from the ’70s and the ’80s. Here are our choices for the Stones’ five best songs from the 1980s.

5. “Emotional Rescue,” from Emotional Rescue (1980)

The Emotional Rescue album deserves more credit as a whole , as it found the band tackling many different genres with a sneering grace. As for the title track, many critics whined that it was just a rehash of “Miss You.” That makes about as much sense as complaining that “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” was just a rehash of “Satisfaction.” Why not return to the quasi-disco vein that had been so rich for them before? “Emotional Rescue” is a blast, featuring Ronnie Wood pinch-hitting for Bill Wyman with a slinky bass line, Charlie Watts as cool as ever on the beat, and Mick Jagger riding in on a fine Arab charger with his falsetto.

4. “She Was Hot,” from Undercover (1983)

Undercover captures the Stones at a time when the aggression in their music kind of overrode everything else. ( Dirty Work from 1986, an unfortunate misfire of an album, was the natural culmination of this process.) But “She Was Hot” avoids that pitfall, perhaps because the band returned to a sweet spot by paying homage to the chugging rock and roll of Chuck Berry. It’s one of the rare songs of that era where the Stones actually seem to be having fun, from the easy chemistry of the instrumentalists to Jagger’s winning depiction of a frustrated lover stuck on a cold night without a warm body.

3. “Start Me Up,” from Tattoo You (1981)

It’s hard to imagine this massive hit as a reggae song, but that’s indeed the direction it was headed before the band originally abandoned it. Luckily, Tattoo You was all about finding the band’s forgotten songs from the ’70s. They rescued “ Start Me Up ” via an opening guitar salvo that earned its way into the band’s Hall of Iconic Riffs. Nobody really ever pays attention to what’s going on in the lyrics outside the refrain (there’s actually a story about auto racing buried in there). Better to stick with the lascivious innuendoes and irresistible rhythmic pull.

2. “Slipping Away,” from Steel Wheels (1989)

It wasn’t the greatest Stones’ album (although it was plenty good), but Steel Wheels will go down as perhaps the band’s most important album. Jagger and Keith Richards returned from the brink of pistols at 40 paces to prove that they could indeed work together again. Maybe some of Richards’ concerns they might not reform slipped into the writing of the album closer. There’s something moving about the moment when Jagger comes in to harmonize with Richards in the middle eight, before leaving again so that his buddy can bemoan the passing of time over some luscious horns.

1. “Waiting on a Friend,” from Tattoo You (1981)

Nobody but the two men themselves will likely know the exact parameters of the personal relationship between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. But “Waiting on a Friend” at least yielded a fictional world where their most faithful relationship has always been with each other. And even if you had no idea who Jagger and Richards were and tuned into this song for the first time, it would still pack an emotional wallop as one of the finest rock songs about friendship in general. What a counterintuitively perfect closing track for an album where the band had to rework leftovers because they couldn’t get along long enough to do new stuff.

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