Top 100 Greatest Rock Songs of the '80s

(Pictured - Talking Heads 1980)

The 1980s were an incredibly transformative time for rock music. The decade saw the death of disco, the rise of alternative and indie rock, a growing interest in post-punk, noise rock, new wave, metal, and, of course, the golden age of college rock. While the charts were dominated by electronic instrumentation, one-hit wonders, and MTV icons during the Michael Jackson pop-star era, this list focuses solely on the rock songs of the decade. Our criteria encompass all styles of rock music, including metal, punk, post-punk, new wave, experimental, blues, roots, progressive, southern, glam, and symphonic rock—essentially, any genre with "rock" in its identity. To maintain a rock-centric focus, songs primarily classified as “pop songs,” even from giants like Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston, have been omitted, though their contributions to music remain undeniably significant. Similarly, tracks rooted in R&B, country, rap, soul, reggae, or other non-rock genres have been excluded, unless some significant rock crossover exists. On that note, a handful of synth-pop songs that exhibits rock crossover will be present. Most of the songs on this list achieved success on the pop charts, but they are first and foremost considered, significant, highly regarded rock songs. Here are our picks for the 100 greatest rock songs of the '80s.

1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears

Released from one of the most iconic albums of the decade, Songs from the Big Chair, Everybody Wants to Rule the World has become one of the most recognizable and cherished songs across the globe. If a sonically perfect song were ever to exist, this would undoubtedly be a contender. Plain and simple, Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and their producer Chris Hughes completely nailed it with Everybody Wants to Rule the World. The track flawlessly combines the cutting-edge musical technology of the time with new wave’s rock ideals, delivering a sincere lyrical message wrapped in a pristine, sonic collage of sound. It’s about as quintessentially ’80s as a song can get, and its legacy as one of the era’s defining tracks is both enduring and undeniable. I'm sure there are people out there who find fault, or have their gripes with this track, but there aren't many of them.

2. Africa - Toto

Toto formed in Los Angeles at the tail end of the ’70s, achieving immediate commercial success. The band blended power-pop with progressive rock, becoming one of the premier stadium rock acts of the coming decades. However, the early success they found seemed minor compared to the monumental impact of Toto IV in 1982, propelled by the international success of Africa. Africa has since become one of the most recognizable and celebrated rock tracks of the decade. Bobby Kimball and David Paich deliver a vocal masterclass, with Kimball unleashing a sonic shockwave in the choruses. Tasteful guitar work, quintessential ’80s keyboards, and drumming by one of the greats, Jeff Porcaro, all contribute to this near-perfect, era-defining rock track.

3. How Soon Is Now? - The Smiths

Although The Smiths achieved impressive commercial success in the UK, dotting the top 40 charts, they (along with R.E.M.) dominated the underground rock scene of the decade. In the US, their commercial success was largely limited to dance clubs, but they have since been considered among the finest rock acts of the decade—and even of all time. Of the remarkable number of top-tier rock tracks to emerge during their 1982–1987 run, one stands above the rest: How Soon Is Now? Johnny Marr’s wave-like guitar playing, scattered with shimmering motifs, pairs perfectly with Morrissey’s sparse and haunting vocals. Although the song only found modest chart success, it became an anthem for an era, resonating with millions of listeners and influencing a generation of indie rockers.

4. Purple Rain - Prince

This near-nine-minute musical tale seamlessly blends the emotional resonance of an R&B ballad with textbook ’80s hard rock ideals, all while weaving a lyrical story open to countless interpretations. No matter which meaning resonates most, the sheer emotional depth that Prince delivers remains undeniable. The track builds into a powerful climax, featuring one of the most celebrated guitar performances of the decade. Songs like Purple Rain clearly distinguish Prince from the pop stars of his era. While he possessed an undeniable flair for crafting top-tier pop hits, Prince was, above all, a true rockstar—a masterful vocalist and an guitar guru.

5. Walk This Way - Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith

Originally released in 1975 as a single off Aerosmith’s decorated album Toys in the Attic, Walk This Way took on a new life and legacy in 1986 when Run-D.M.C. got involved. The 1986 release marked the beginning of rap rock’s relatively short-lived commercial success. Before this groundbreaking collaboration, the few rock/rap collabs that did exist were largely ignored by radio and failed to capture significant public interest. However, Walk This Way shattered those boundaries, injecting new life into an already celebrated rock song and making it even more iconic than the original. It’s catchy, it shook up society, and it remains one of the most powerful and head-banging anthems of the decade.

6. Where Is My Mind? - Pixies

Picking up on the momentum of college rock, largely stirred up by bands like R.E.M., The Replacements, and Hüsker Dü, Pixies released one of the most impressive debut albums of all time, Surfer Rosa. Where Is My Mind? became the most celebrated track from the deeply lauded album and has unexpectedly found itself as one of the most revered and appreciated songs of the decade. Beyond the impact the song and record had on the grunge scene just around the corner, the track stands as a powerful statement to creativity and pure artistry. Joey Santiago’s innovative guitar work, paired with the vocal brawn of Black Francis, turned this track into an alt-rock staple. Even outside the alternative realm, it remains not just one of the best rock songs of the decade, but one of the greatest of all time.

7. Every Breath You Take - The Police

If there’s one song that effortlessly marries beauty and obsession, it’s Every Breath You Take by The Police. Released on their 1983 album Synchronicity, the track is often misunderstood as a tender love song when it’s actually a haunting exploration of surveillance and possessiveness. Sting’s poetic yet unsettling lyrics are perfectly balanced by Andy Summers’ shimmering guitar riff, creating a hypnotic contrast that keeps listeners hooked. Decades later, it remains a masterclass in crafting a song that feels both intimate and universal. Its subtle complexity and emotional tension make it a standout not just of the ’80s, but of rock music as a whole.

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

One aspect of the ’80s that makes it such a nostalgic decade—not just for those who lived through it, but for those who romanticize a time before their own—is its many memorable movies and, of course, their unforgettable songs. Released as the signature track from the classic movie The Breakfast Club, Don’t You (Forget About Me) has become one of the most iconic rock anthems of all time. It’s a song practically designed to be sung along to, and it’s hard to resist doing exactly that. Perhaps the quintessential tune to blast while dancing around your home as you tackle chores, Simple Minds truly nailed it with this one. Much like Everybody Wants to Rule the World, it’s one of those tracks that just about everyone has a soft spot for in one way or another.

9. Back in Black - AC/DC

Released several years into AC/DC’s already impressive tenure as one of the world’s most powerful hard rock bands, Back in Black hits harder than just about any other song of the decade. With one of the greatest intros of all time, Brian Johnson’s screaming vocal delivery turned heads and silenced doubts following the death of the band's prior frontman, Bon Scott. The album of the same name marked Johnson’s first studio effort with the band, and he kept AC/DC’s success train rolling. The sheer power and energy the band unleashed on this track have been something that countless bands have tried to emulate for decades.

10. With or Without You - U2

U2 became one of the most successful rock bands in the world during the ’80s, later showcasing impressive longevity by topping charts and selling millions of albums well into the 21st century. Their most decorated album, 1987’s The Joshua Tree, features a string of fantastic tracks, including With or Without You. Like most of the songs near the top of our list, it remains one of the most streamed songs of the decade, as its popularity continues to endure. With or Without You utilizes open space to create a beautiful soundscape, accented by The Edge's distinctive guitar effects and Bono’s captivating vocals.

11. Under Pressure - David Bowie & Queen

12. This Charming Man - The Smiths

13. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads

14. I Am the Resurrection - The Stone Roses

15. When Doves Cry - Prince

16. Money for Nothing - Dire Straits

17. Super Freak - Rick James

18. Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division

19. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

20. Pride and Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughan

21. Bad Reputation - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

22. Jump - Van Halen

23. Another One Bites The Dust - Queen

24. Love Shack - The B-52’s

25. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2

26. I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder

27. One - Metallica

28. Debaser - Pixies

29. It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - R.E.M.

30. Age of Consent - New Order

31. Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

32. Take On Me - A-ha

33. Let's Dance - David Bowie

34. Free Fallin' - Tom Petty

35. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses

36. Tom Sawyer - Rush

37. Jane Says - Jane's Addiction

38. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

39. Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

40. The Trooper - Iron Maiden

41. What's Love Got to Do with It? - Tina Turner

42. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics

43. Should I Stay or Should I Go? - The Clash

44. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne

45. Lovesong - The Cure

46. Need You Tonight - INXS

47. Whip It - Devo

48. Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) - Kate Bush

49. West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys

50. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon

51. Tainted Love - Soft Cell

52. Romeo & Juliet - Dire Straits

53. All Those Years Ago - George Harrison

54. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen

55. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

56. Down Under - Men at Work

57. Don't You Want Me? - The Human League

58. You Got Another Thing Coming - Judas Priest

59. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police

60. Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

61. The Power of Love - Huey Lewis and The News

62. Bigmouth Strikes Again - The Smiths

63. Rock the Casbah - The Clash

64. Invisible Touch - Genesis

65. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - Paul Simon

66. Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi

67. Your Love - The Outfield

68. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses

69. Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones

70. Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

71. Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles

72. Shout - Tears for Fears

73. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister

74. Walk of Life - Dire Straits

75. Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan

76. Jack & Diane - John Mellencamp

77. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

78. Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes

79. Just Like Heaven - The Cure

80. She Bangs the Drums - The Stone Roses

81. Blue Monday - New Order

82. I Love Rock 'n Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

83. You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC

84. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

85. Eminence Front - The Who

86. Rosanna - Toto

87. Blister In The Sun- Violent Femmes

88. Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon

89. I Melt with You - Modern English

90. Against the Wind - Bob Seger

91. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions

92. Where the Streets Have No Name - U2

93. Learning to Fly - Pink Floyd

94. Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

95. Mayor of Simpleton - XTC

96. Call Me - Blondie

97. Tempted - Squeeze

98. Town Called Malice - The Jam

99. Teen Age Riot - Sonic Youth

100. Heat of the Moment - Asia

Songs Ranked 101-150