The year 1984 was when pop and musicians like Elton John and Prince were making waves and topping the charts throughout the world. We’re going to tell you about the 35 best songs from 1984, so read on to find out what made our list!
1. When Doves Cry – Prince & The Revolution
First on our list is When Doves Cry by Prince & The Revolution. This song was from the album and movie Purple Rain, and it was taking inspiration from his girlfriend at the time Susan Moonsie. This was the first time he had a track top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it’s one of his most well-known songs worldwide.
2. What’s Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner
Tina Turner is on the list next with What’s Love Got To Do With It. The song was on the album Private Dancer, and it was her only number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was one of the biggest singles of the year, and it won three Grammy Awards. It went into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012, and it’s one of the most iconic tracks of all time.
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3. Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper makes our list with her hit Girls Just Want To Have Fun, which was released on She’s So Unusual, her debut album as a solo artist. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a worldwide phenomenon. It is thought to be her signature song, and it’s considered to be one of the best tracks of the 80s.
4. Round and Round – Ratt
Next is Round And Round by Ratt, which is one of the most iconic heavy metal songs of the 80s, and it comes from the album Out Of The Cellar. This is a glam metal track that is all about the group and how they are going to be making music and touring. It made it to four on the Mainstream Rock chart and 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
5. Purple Rain – Prince & The Revolution
Next is Prince again with his song Purple Rain, which comes from the movie and album that has the same name. This is one of his most well-known and beloved songs, and it has gospel elements mixed with orchestra, rock, and R&B. It hit two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it’s considered to be one of the best tracks of all time. He performed this song at the Super Bowl XLI halftime show, and it rained during his performance of this track, which just gave everyone chills.
6. Careless Whisper – George Michael
Next on the list is George Michael with Careless Whisper, which was released on the album Make It Big. This song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Adult Contemporary chart but only made it to three on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. There is a memorable saxophone component to this track, and worldwide, it sold over six million copies.
7. Born In The U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
On the list next is Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen, which is considered to be one of the greatest songs of all time, and it’s one of his biggest and most well-known tracks. The song is all about the hardships that veterans had coming back after the Vietnam War, and it features one of the most thought-provoking music videos in music. It hit nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and eight on the Mainstream Rock chart.
8. Summer Of ‘69 – Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams had a hit with Summer Of ‘69, which comes from his album Reckless. The song is about the sex position according to him, and it made it to number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Hitting 40 on the Mainstream Rock chart, it remains one of his biggest tracks and one of his signature songs.
9. Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen makes our list again with Dancing In The Dark from his album Born In The U.S.A. The song hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was there for four weeks while this album ended up the biggest of his entire music career. It was also a worldwide hit, and it charted in the Top 10 in over nine countries.
10. Jump – Van Halen
Attention all fans of Glee, Rock band Van Halen is next with Jump, which is their biggest and most successful tune out of their catalog. This song made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list, and it was the first single from the album to hit the radio. You can also hear this track in the movie Ready Player One.
11. Missing You – John Waite
John Waite is on our list with Missing You, which was from his album No Brakes. It landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went to number one but became the only song in 1984 to only make it one week in that position. It was nominated for a Grammy but didn’t win and went to nine in the UK Singles chart. This track appears in a lot of movies and television shows such as Rules Of Engagement, Selena, and Miami Vice.
12. Hello – Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie is on the list with Hello, which is on his album Can’t Slow Down. It was released as the third song from this solo album, and it quickly went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart while hitting one on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts too. It was also a hit internationally and went to number one on the UK Singles chart where it stayed for six weeks!
13. I Feel For You – Chaka Khan
Up next is Chaka Khan with her remake of I Feel For You, which ended up being a huge hit in the US and the UK. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it hit three and stayed on the charts for 26 weeks. The song hit one on the UK Singles chart too and stayed for three weeks.
14. I Just Called To Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is on the list with I Just Called To Say I Love You, which is a ballad on the album for the movie The Woman In Red. This song is his biggest hit, and it was an international success too. In America, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also one on the R&B charts as well as the Adult Contemporary chart. In the UK, this track was his only number-one solo song.
15. We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
Rock group Twisted Sister had a hit in 1984 with We’re Not Gonna Take It, which is from the album Stay Hungry. This song made it to 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and they never had a single hit within the Top 40 after it. It’s one of their most iconic tracks and most think of it as their signature song.
16. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
On our list is a well-known song for the movie Footloose, and we’re talking about none other than the Kenny Loggins song of the same name. This was a huge hit and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart where it stayed for three weeks. It would be the only track from him that made it to number one on the charts.
17. Crazy For You – Madonna
Pop star Madonna is on our list with Crazy For You, which was released for the soundtrack to Vision Quest. This song was pretty popular on the charts and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, two on the Adult Contemporary chart, and 80 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
18. People Are People – Depeche Mode
On our list next is Depeche Mode with People Are People, which comes from their album Some Great Reward. This track hit 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 44 on the Dance Club Songs chart. It was their first top 20 hit in America, and it helped them become a bigger deal in the US during the 80s.
19. Nightshift – Commodores
Next on our list is Commodores with Nightshift, and it was the first song released on their album of the same name. The track made it to number one on the Hot Black Singles chart, two on the Adult Contemporary chart, and three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is a song that’s a tribute to both Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson.
20. Hot For Teacher – Van Halen
Van Halen once again is on our list with their hit Hot For Teacher from their album 1984. This song hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart and made it to 56, and there is a double-bass section in the track by Alex Van Halen. This is thought to be one of their signature songs, and it’s a fan favorite.
21. Two Tribes – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Frankie Goes To Hollywood is next with Two Tribes, which was from their album Welcome To The Pleasuredome. This track was a huge hit in the UK where the band was from, and it’s an anti-war song. It hit the charts in the UK and stayed at number one for nine weeks on the UK Singles chart.
22. Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper makes the list once again with her hit Time After Time from the album She’s So Unusual. This track is thought to be one of the top love songs ever, and it’s one of her signature tracks. It hit the charts and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart while making it to three on the UK Singles chart.
23. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – Elton John
Rock sensation Elton John makes the list with I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues, which comes from his album Too Low For Zero. This song was a huge hit and one of his hottest of the 80s, coming at number two on the Adult Contemporary chart and landing four on the Billboard Hot 100.
24. Break My Stride – Matthew Wilder
Up next is the song Break My Stride from the album I Don’t Speak The Language by Matthew Wilder. This song hit five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it was a hit worldwide. Several artists have covered this track through the years including Puff Daddy.
25. Sunglasses At Night – Corey Hart
Next is Corey Hart with Sunglasses At Night, which comes from his album First Offense, and there is an iconic hook featuring a synthesizer in the song. This is one of the biggest tracks of the decade and made it to seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
26. Oh Sherrie – Steve Perry
Reaching three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is Steve Perry with Oh Sherrie, which comes from his solo album Street Talk. This song reached number one on the Top Tracks chart, and it had a ton of play on MTV, which helped it become successful. It was his swan song, and it was written for his girlfriend.
27. Hold Me Now – Thompson Twins
Up next is the Thompson Twins, who are a band out of Britain, with their hit song Hold Me Now, which comes from their album Into The Gap. This track made it to three on the Billboard Hot 100, which was their biggest hit on the American charts. It stayed on the Billboard chart for three weeks while topping the Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week.
28. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) – Dead Or Alive
Dead Or Alive had a smash hit with You Spin Me Round (Like A Record), which comes from their album Youthquake. This song is one of the top tracks of the 80s and hit number one in the UK while making it to 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In recent years, it has become a meme thanks to Meatspin.
29. Runaway – Bon Jovi
Rock star Bon Jovi had a hit with Runaway, which was his debut single. This song made it to 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it’s a track you can download on the video game Rock Band 3 to play.
30. Legs – ZZ Top
Rock band ZZ Top is next with Legs, which comes from the album Eliminator. The band won an MTV Video Music Award for the music video, and it was often played on MTV throughout the 80s. The song made it to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 13 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
31. Love Is A Battlefield – Pat Benatar
Next on the list is Love Is A Battlefield by Pat Benatar, which comes from her album Live On Earth. This is thought to be one of the best songs of the 80s and sold more than one million records. It reached number one on the Mainstream Rock chart and five on the Billboard Hot 100.
32. Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions
Scorpions are on our list with Rock You Like A Hurricane, which is a song full of sexual innuendo and references. The German rock band gained a lot of attention with this track, and it is considered to be their signature song. It made it to five on the Top Rock Tracks chart and 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
33. Rebel Yell – Billy Idol
Rock star Billy Idol is on the list with Rebel Yell, and this track is thought to be one of his most popular songs to date. It landed on the Top Rock Tracks chart at number nine and Billboard Hot 100 chart at position 46. VH1 had this song listed as the 79th-best track in the hard rock category of all time in 2009.
34. Sister Christian – Night Ranger
Next is Night Ranger with Sister Christian, which is from their album Midnight Madness. This track is their signature song and biggest hit. The drummer for the band wrote and even sang this song, and it was about his sister. It peaked at two on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and hit number five on the Billboard Hot 100. You may know this song in movies such as Superstar, Friday The 13th, and Boogie Nights.
35. I Want To Break Free – Queen
Queen is last on our list with I Want To Break Free, which comes from their album The Works. This track is a fight song against being oppressed and the band dressed up for the music video in drag clothes. It landed on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 45 and Dance Club Songs chart at 51 and topped the charts in the Netherlands and Belgium.
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From the time she was little, Florence loved listening to music and quickly learned how music can make you happy and feel fulfilled. One of her favorite memories is being in the garage with her dad working on classic cars with the local rock station blaring in the background. Ever since Florence was 3, she loved grunge music and spent hours listening to bands such as Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Soul Asylum, and Soundgarden.
She also enjoys classic rock, modern rock, nu metal, alternative rock, and old 90’s R&B. Her love of music grew as she got older, and used music to help her get through tough times in her life. More often than not, you’ll see Florence with earbuds in while she’s writing, cooking, cleaning, and doing other tasks. She also loves to debate music with her friends such as which lead singer is the best vocalist, the most iconic guitar solos in music, and what songs are really the best of the decade.