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The 1980s in music

Who ruled the 1980s? Daryl Hall John Oates was Artist of the Decade on the Billboard Hot 100 and Madonna on the UK Singles Chart. Every #1 song of the 1980s, the biggest songs and the top artists.

Billboard Hot 100

Daryl Hall John Oates portrait

Artist of the Decade 1980s

Daryl Hall John Oates

23 crowns · 58 weeks among the top five artists · Era Power 568

Top artists of the 1980s
#ArtistEra PowerCrownsTop-five weeks
1Daryl Hall John Oates5682358
2Madonna5502674
3Michael Jackson4873364
4Lionel Richie4601851
5Billy Joel4351030
6Huey Lewis & The News394621
7Kool & The Gang390015
8Elton John388011
9Phil Collins3721135
10Duran Duran351341
Artist of the Year, 1980s
YearArtistCrowns
1980Queen3
1981Daryl Hall John Oates8
1982John Cougar13
1983Michael Jackson23
1984Cyndi Lauper2
1985Madonna17
1986Janet Jackson2
1987Madonna2
1988George Michael9
1989New Kids On The Block8
Every #1 song of the 1980s232 songs reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
First week at #1SongArtistWeeks at #1
Jan 5, 1980Please Don't GoKC And The Sunshine Band1
Jan 12, 1980Escape (The Pina Colada Song)Rupert Holmes1
Jan 19, 1980Rock With YouMichael Jackson4
Feb 16, 1980Do That To Me One More TimeCaptain & Tennille1
Feb 23, 1980Crazy Little Thing Called LoveQueen4
Mar 22, 1980Another Brick In The Wall (Part II)Pink Floyd4
Apr 19, 1980Call MeBlondie6
May 31, 1980FunkytownLipps Inc4
Jun 28, 1980Coming Up (Live At Glasgow)Paul McCartney And Wings3
Jul 19, 1980It's Still Rock And Roll To MeBilly Joel2
Aug 2, 1980MagicOlivia Newton-John4
Aug 30, 1980SailingChristopher Cross1
Sep 6, 1980Upside DownDiana Ross4
Oct 4, 1980Another One Bites The DustQueen3
Oct 25, 1980Woman In LoveBarbra Streisand3
Nov 15, 1980LadyKenny Rogers6
Dec 27, 1980(Just Like) Starting OverJohn Lennon5
Jan 31, 1981The Tide Is HighBlondie1
Feb 7, 1981CelebrationKool & The Gang2
Feb 21, 19819 To 5Dolly Parton2
Feb 28, 1981I Love A Rainy NightEddie Rabbitt2
Mar 21, 1981Keep On Loving YouREO Speedwagon1
Mar 28, 1981RaptureBlondie2
Apr 11, 1981Kiss On My ListDaryl Hall John Oates3
May 2, 1981Morning Train (Nine To Five)Sheena Easton2
May 16, 1981Bette Davis EyesKim Carnes9
Jun 20, 1981MedleyStars On 451
Jul 25, 1981The One That You LoveAir Supply1
Aug 1, 1981Jessie's GirlRick Springfield2
Aug 15, 1981Endless LoveDiana Ross & Lionel Richie9
Oct 17, 1981Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)Christopher Cross3
Nov 7, 1981Private EyesDaryl Hall John Oates2
Nov 21, 1981PhysicalOlivia Newton-John10
Jan 30, 1982I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)Daryl Hall John Oates1
Feb 6, 1982CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band6
Mar 20, 1982I Love Rock 'N RollJoan Jett & the Blackhearts7
May 8, 1982Chariots Of Fire - TitlesVangelis1
May 15, 1982Ebony And IvoryPaul McCartney & Stevie Wonder7
Jul 3, 1982Don't You Want MeThe Human League3
Jul 24, 1982Eye Of The TigerSurvivor6
Sep 4, 1982AbracadabraThe Steve Miller Band2
Sep 11, 1982Hard To Say I'm SorryChicago2
Oct 2, 1982Jack & DianeJohn Cougar4
Oct 30, 1982Who Can It Be Now?Men At Work1
Nov 6, 1982Up Where We BelongJoe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes3
Nov 27, 1982TrulyLionel Richie2
Dec 11, 1982MickeyToni Basil1
Dec 18, 1982ManeaterDaryl Hall John Oates4
Jan 15, 1983Down UnderMen At Work4
Feb 5, 1983AfricaToto1
Feb 19, 1983Baby, Come To MePatti Austin A & James Ingram2
Mar 5, 1983Billie JeanMichael Jackson7
Apr 23, 1983Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners1
Apr 30, 1983Beat ItMichael Jackson3
May 21, 1983Let's DanceDavid Bowie1
May 28, 1983Flashdance...What A FeelingIrene Cara6
Jul 9, 1983Every Breath You TakeThe Police8
Sep 3, 1983Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)Eurythmics1
Sep 10, 1983ManiacMichael Sembello2
Sep 24, 1983Tell Her About ItBilly Joel1
Oct 1, 1983Total Eclipse Of The HeartBonnie Tyler4
Oct 29, 1983Islands In The StreamKenny Rogers & Dolly Parton2
Nov 12, 1983All Night Long (All Night)Lionel Richie4
Dec 10, 1983Say Say SayPaul McCartney & Michael Jackson6
Jan 21, 1984Owner Of A Lonely HeartYes2
Feb 4, 1984Karma ChameleonCulture Club3
Feb 25, 1984JumpVan Halen5
Mar 31, 1984FootlooseKenny Loggins3
Apr 21, 1984Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)Phil Collins3
May 12, 1984HelloLionel Richie2
May 26, 1984Let's Hear It For The BoyDeniece Williams2
Jun 9, 1984Time After TimeCyndi Lauper2
Jun 23, 1984The ReflexDuran Duran2
Jul 7, 1984When Doves CryPrince5
Aug 11, 1984GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.3
Sep 1, 1984What's Love Got To Do With ItTina Turner3
Sep 22, 1984Missing YouJohn Waite1
Sep 29, 1984Let's Go CrazyPrince And The Revolution2
Oct 13, 1984I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder3
Nov 3, 1984Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)Billy Ocean2
Nov 17, 1984Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!3
Dec 8, 1984Out Of TouchDaryl Hall John Oates2
Dec 22, 1984Like A VirginMadonna6
Feb 2, 1985I Want To Know What Love IsForeigner2
Feb 16, 1985Careless WhisperWham! feat. George Michael3
Mar 9, 1985Can't Fight This FeelingREO Speedwagon3
Mar 30, 1985One More NightPhil Collins2
Apr 13, 1985We Are The WorldUSA For Africa4
May 11, 1985Crazy For YouMadonna1
May 18, 1985Don't You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds1
May 25, 1985Everything She WantsWham!2
Jun 8, 1985Everybody Wants To Rule The WorldTears For Fears2
Jun 22, 1985HeavenBryan Adams2
Jul 6, 1985SussudioPhil Collins1
Jul 13, 1985A View To A KillDuran Duran2
Jul 27, 1985Everytime You Go AwayPaul Young1
Aug 3, 1985ShoutTears For Fears3
Aug 24, 1985The Power Of LoveHuey Lewis & The News2
Sep 7, 1985St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)John Parr2
Sep 21, 1985Money For NothingDire Straits3
Oct 12, 1985Oh SheilaReady For The World1
Oct 19, 1985Take On Mea-ha1
Oct 26, 1985Saving All My Love For YouWhitney Houston1
Nov 2, 1985Part-Time LoverStevie Wonder1
Nov 9, 1985Miami Vice ThemeJan Hammer1
Nov 16, 1985We Built This CityStarship2
Nov 30, 1985Separate LivesPhil Collins & Marilyn Martin1
Dec 7, 1985Broken WingsMr. Mister2
Dec 21, 1985Say You, Say MeLionel Richie4
Jan 18, 1986That's What Friends Are ForDionne Warwick4
Feb 15, 1986How Will I KnowWhitney Houston2
Mar 1, 1986KyrieMr. Mister2
Mar 15, 1986SaraStarship1
Mar 22, 1986These DreamsHeart1
Mar 29, 1986Rock Me AmadeusFalco3
Apr 19, 1986KissPrince And The Revolution2
May 3, 1986Addicted To LoveRobert Palmer1
May 10, 1986West End GirlsPet Shop Boys1
May 17, 1986Greatest Love Of AllWhitney Houston3
Jun 7, 1986Live To TellMadonna1
Jun 14, 1986On My OwnPatti LaBelle & Michael McDonald3
Jul 5, 1986There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)Billy Ocean1
Jul 12, 1986Holding Back The YearsSimply Red1
Jul 19, 1986Invisible TouchGenesis1
Jul 26, 1986SledgehammerPeter Gabriel1
Aug 2, 1986Glory Of Love (Theme From "The Karate Kid Part II")Peter Cetera2
Aug 16, 1986Papa Don't PreachMadonna2
Aug 30, 1986Higher LoveSteve Winwood1
Sep 6, 1986VenusBananarama1
Sep 13, 1986Take My Breath Away (Love Theme From "Top Gun")Berlin1
Sep 20, 1986Stuck With YouHuey Lewis & The News3
Oct 11, 1986When I Think Of YouJanet Jackson2
Oct 25, 1986True ColorsCyndi Lauper2
Nov 8, 1986AmandaBoston2
Nov 22, 1986HumanThe Human League1
Nov 29, 1986You Give Love A Bad NameBon Jovi1
Dec 6, 1986The Next Time I FallPeter Cetera & Amy Grant1
Dec 13, 1986The Way It IsBruce Hornsby & The Range1
Dec 20, 1986Walk Like An EgyptianThe Bangles4
Jan 17, 1987Shake You DownGregory Abbott1
Jan 24, 1987At This MomentBilly Vera & The Beaters2
Feb 7, 1987Open Your HeartMadonna1
Feb 14, 1987Livin' On A PrayerBon Jovi4
Mar 14, 1987Jacob's LadderHuey Lewis & The News1
Mar 21, 1987Lean On MeClub Nouveau2
Apr 4, 1987Nothing's Gonna Stop Us NowStarship2
Apr 18, 1987I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)Aretha Franklin & George Michael2
May 2, 1987(I Just) Died In Your ArmsCutting Crew2
May 16, 1987With or Without YouU23
Jun 6, 1987You Keep Me Hangin' OnKim Wilde1
Jun 13, 1987AlwaysAtlantic Starr1
Jun 20, 1987Head To ToeLisa Lisa And Cult Jam1
Jun 27, 1987I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)Whitney Houston2
Jul 11, 1987AloneHeart3
Aug 1, 1987Shakedown (From "Beverly Hills Cop II")Bob Seger1
Aug 8, 1987I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking ForU22
Aug 22, 1987Who's That GirlMadonna1
Aug 29, 1987La BambaLos Lobos3
Sep 19, 1987I Just Can't Stop Loving YouMichael Jackson & Siedah Garrett1
Sep 26, 1987Didn't We Almost Have It AllWhitney Houston2
Oct 10, 1987Here I Go AgainWhitesnake1
Oct 17, 1987Lost In EmotionLisa Lisa And Cult Jam1
Oct 24, 1987BadMichael Jackson2
Nov 7, 1987I Think We're Alone NowTiffany2
Nov 21, 1987Mony MonyBilly Idol1
Nov 28, 1987(I've Had) The Time Of My LifeBill Medley & Jennifer Warnes1
Dec 5, 1987Heaven Is A Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle1
Dec 12, 1987FaithGeorge Michael4
Jan 9, 1988So EmotionalWhitney Houston1
Jan 16, 1988Got My Mind Set On YouGeorge Harrison1
Jan 23, 1988The Way You Make Me FeelMichael Jackson1
Jan 30, 1988Need You TonightINXS1
Feb 6, 1988Could've BeenTiffany2
Feb 20, 1988Seasons ChangeExpose1
Feb 27, 1988Father FigureGeorge Michael2
Mar 12, 1988Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley2
Mar 26, 1988Man In The MirrorMichael Jackson2
Apr 9, 1988Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My CarBilly Ocean2
Apr 23, 1988Where Do Broken Hearts GoWhitney Houston2
May 7, 1988Wishing WellTerence Trent D'Arby1
May 14, 1988Anything For YouGloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine2
May 28, 1988One More TryGeorge Michael3
Jun 18, 1988Together ForeverRick Astley1
Jun 25, 1988Foolish BeatDebbie Gibson1
Jul 2, 1988Dirty DianaMichael Jackson1
Jul 9, 1988The FlameCheap Trick2
Jul 23, 1988Hold On To The NightsRichard Marx1
Jul 30, 1988Roll With ItSteve Winwood4
Aug 27, 1988MonkeyGeorge Michael2
Sep 10, 1988Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses2
Sep 24, 1988Don't Worry, Be Happy (From "Cocktail")Bobby McFerrin2
Oct 8, 1988Love BitesDef Leppard1
Oct 15, 1988Red Red WineUB401
Oct 22, 1988Groovy Kind Of LovePhil Collins2
Nov 5, 1988Kokomo (From"Cocktail" )The Beach Boys1
Nov 12, 1988Wild, Wild WestThe Escape Club1
Nov 19, 1988Bad MedicineBon Jovi2
Dec 3, 1988Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird MedleyWill To Power1
Dec 10, 1988Look AwayChicago2
Dec 24, 1988Every Rose Has Its ThornPoison3
Jan 14, 1989My PrerogativeBobby Brown1
Jan 21, 1989Two HeartsPhil Collins2
Feb 4, 1989When I'm With YouSheriff1
Feb 11, 1989Straight UpPaula Abdul3
Mar 4, 1989Lost In Your EyesDebbie Gibson3
Mar 25, 1989The Living YearsMike + The Mechanics1
Apr 1, 1989Eternal FlameThe Bangles1
Apr 8, 1989The LookRoxette1
Apr 15, 1989She Drives Me CrazyFine Young Cannibals1
Apr 22, 1989Like A PrayerMadonna3
May 13, 1989I'll Be There For YouBon Jovi1
May 20, 1989Forever Your GirlPaula Abdul2
Jun 3, 1989Rock On (From "Dream A Little Dream")Michael Damian1
Jun 10, 1989Wind Beneath My Wings (From "Beaches")Bette Midler1
Jun 17, 1989I'll Be Loving You (Forever)New Kids On The Block1
Jun 24, 1989SatisfiedRichard Marx1
Jul 1, 1989Baby Don't Forget My NumberMilli Vanilli1
Jul 8, 1989Good ThingFine Young Cannibals1
Jul 15, 1989If You Don't Know Me By NowSimply Red1
Jul 22, 1989Toy SoldiersMartika2
Aug 5, 1989Batdance (From "Batman")Prince1
Aug 12, 1989Right Here WaitingRichard Marx3
Sep 2, 1989Cold HeartedPaula Abdul1
Sep 9, 1989Hangin' ToughNew Kids On The Block1
Sep 16, 1989Don't Wanna Lose YouGloria Estefan1
Sep 23, 1989Girl I'm Gonna Miss YouMilli Vanilli2
Oct 7, 1989Miss You MuchJanet Jackson4
Nov 4, 1989Listen To Your HeartRoxette1
Nov 11, 1989When I See You SmileBad English2
Nov 25, 1989Blame It On The RainMilli Vanilli2
Dec 9, 1989We Didn't Start The FireBilly Joel2
Dec 23, 1989Another Day In ParadisePhil Collins2
Biggest songs of the 1980sSongs that entered the chart in the 1980s, by Record Power
#SongArtistPeakWeeksRecord Power
1Billie JeanMichael Jackson#13263.4
2Another One Bites The DustQueen#13162.7
3PhysicalOlivia Newton-John#12662.2
4Hurts So GoodJohn Cougar#22860.4
5Eye Of The TigerSurvivor#12558.6
6Bette Davis EyesKim Carnes#12658.6
7Flashdance...What A FeelingIrene Cara#12558.5
8Jessie's GirlRick Springfield#13258.4
9Endless LoveDiana Ross & Lionel Richie#12757.6
10GloriaLaura Branigan#23657.6
11Waiting For A Girl Like YouForeigner#22357.2
12AbracadabraThe Steve Miller Band#12557.0
13Every Breath You TakeThe Police#12255.9
14Call MeBlondie#12555.8
15CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band#12555.4
16Say Say SayPaul McCartney & Michael Jackson#12255.2
17Don't You Want MeThe Human League#12854.1
18Upside DownDiana Ross#12953.8
19Beat ItMichael Jackson#12853.8
20All Night Long (All Night)Lionel Richie#12453.4

UK Singles Chart

Madonna portrait

Artist of the Decade 1980s

Madonna

27 crowns · 73 weeks among the top five artists · Era Power 488

Top artists of the 1980s
#ArtistEra PowerCrownsTop-five weeks
1Madonna4882773
2Shakin' Stevens4211138
3Michael Jackson369833
4Madness366529
5Cliff Richard339419
6UB40333520
7Duran Duran308626
8Queen279015
9Phil Collins276731
10Kool & The Gang274012
Artist of the Year, 1980s
YearArtistCrowns
1980Madness3
1981Adam & the Ants8
1982Madness2
1983Michael Jackson6
1984Frankie Goes To Hollywood16
1985Madonna15
1986Madonna6
1987Madonna3
1988Kylie Minogue8
1989Jason Donovan4
Every #1 song of the 1980s191 songs reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart
First week at #1SongArtistWeeks at #1
Jan 6, 1980Another Brick in the WallPink Floyd1
Jan 13, 1980Brass in PocketPretenders2
Jan 27, 1980Too Much Too Young (the Special AKA Live! Ep)Specials2
Feb 10, 1980Coward Of The CountyKenny Rogers2
Feb 24, 1980AtomicBlondie2
Mar 9, 1980Together We Are BeautifulFern Kinney1
Mar 16, 1980Going Underground/Dreams of ChildrenThe Jam3
Apr 6, 1980Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me GirlDetroit Spinners2
Apr 20, 1980Call MeBlondie1
Apr 27, 1980GenoDexys Midnight Runners2
May 11, 1980What's Another YearJohnny Logan2
May 25, 1980Theme from M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)Mash3
Jun 15, 1980CryingDon McLean3
Jul 6, 1980XanaduOlivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra2
Jul 20, 1980Use It Up and Wear It OutOdyssey2
Aug 3, 1980The Winner Takes It AllABBA2
Aug 17, 1980Ashes to AshesDavid Bowie2
Aug 31, 1980StartThe Jam1
Sep 7, 1980Feels Like I'm in LoveKelly Marie2
Sep 21, 1980Don't Stand So Close To MeThe Police4
Oct 19, 1980Woman In LoveBarbra Streisand3
Nov 9, 1980The Tide Is HighBlondie2
Nov 23, 1980Super TrouperABBA3
Dec 14, 1980(Just Like) Starting OverJohn Lennon1
Dec 21, 1980There's No One Quite Like GrandmaSt. Winifred's School Choir1
Jan 4, 1981ImagineJohn Lennon4
Feb 1, 1981WomanJohn Lennon2
Feb 15, 1981Shaddup You FaceJoe Dolce Music Theatre3
Mar 8, 1981Jealous GuyRoxy Music2
Mar 22, 1981This Ole HouseShakin' Stevens3
Apr 12, 1981Making Your Mind UpBucks Fizz3
May 3, 1981Stand and DeliverAdam & the Ants5
Jun 7, 1981Being With YouSmokey Robinson2
Jun 21, 1981One Day In Your LifeMichael Jackson2
Jul 5, 1981Ghost TownSpecials3
Jul 26, 1981Green DoorShakin' Stevens4
Aug 23, 1981Japanese BoyAneka1
Aug 30, 1981Tainted LoveSoft Cell2
Sep 13, 1981Prince CharmingAdam & the Ants4
Oct 11, 1981It's My PartyDave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin4
Nov 8, 1981Every Little Thing She Does Is MagicThe Police1
Nov 15, 1981Under PressureQueen & David Bowie2
Nov 29, 1981Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar)Julio Iglesias1
Dec 6, 1981Don't You Want MeThe Human League5
Jan 10, 1982The Land of Make BelieveBucks Fizz2
Jan 24, 1982Oh JulieShakin' Stevens1
Jan 31, 1982The Model/Computer LoveKraftwerk1
Feb 7, 1982Town Called Malice/PreciousThe Jam3
Feb 28, 1982The Lion Sleeps TonightTight Fit3
Mar 21, 1982Seven TearsGoombay Dance Band3
Apr 11, 1982My Camera Never LiesBucks Fizz1
Apr 18, 1982Ebony And IvoryPaul McCartney & Stevie Wonder3
May 9, 1982A Little PeaceNicole2
May 23, 1982House of FunMadness2
Jun 6, 1982Goody Two ShoesAdam Ant2
Jun 20, 1982I've Never Been To MeCharlene1
Jun 27, 1982Happy TalkCaptain Sensible2
Jul 11, 1982FameIrene Cara3
Aug 1, 1982Come on EileenDexys Midnight Runners & the Emerald Express4
Aug 29, 1982Eye Of The TigerSurvivor4
Sep 26, 1982Pass The DutchieMusical Youth3
Oct 17, 1982Do You Really Want To Hurt MeCulture Club3
Nov 7, 1982I Don't Wanna DanceEddy Grant3
Nov 28, 1982Beat SurrenderThe Jam2
Dec 12, 1982Save Your LoveRenee and Renato4
Jan 9, 1983You Can't Hurry LovePhil Collins2
Jan 23, 1983Down UnderMen At Work3
Feb 13, 1983Too ShyKajagoogoo2
Feb 27, 1983Billie JeanMichael Jackson1
Mar 6, 1983Total Eclipse Of The HeartBonnie Tyler2
Mar 20, 1983Is There Something I Should KnowDuran Duran2
Apr 3, 1983Let's DanceDavid Bowie3
Apr 24, 1983TrueSpandau Ballet4
May 22, 1983Candy GirlNew Edition1
May 29, 1983Every Breath You TakeThe Police4
Jun 26, 1983Baby JaneRod Stewart3
Jul 17, 1983Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)Paul Young3
Aug 7, 1983Give It UpKC And The Sunshine Band3
Aug 28, 1983Red Red WineUB403
Sep 18, 1983Karma ChameleonCulture Club6
Oct 30, 1983Uptown GirlBilly Joel5
Dec 4, 1983Only YouThe Flying Pickets5
Jan 8, 1984Pipes of PeacePaul McCartney2
Jan 22, 1984RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood5
Feb 26, 198499 Red BalloonsNena3
Mar 18, 1984HelloLionel Richie6
Apr 29, 1984The ReflexDuran Duran4
May 27, 1984Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!2
Jun 10, 1984Two TribesFrankie Goes To Hollywood9
Aug 12, 1984Careless WhisperGeorge Michael3
Sep 2, 1984I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder6
Oct 14, 1984FreedomWham!3
Nov 4, 1984I Feel For YouChaka Khan3
Nov 25, 1984I Should Have Known BetterJim Diamond1
Dec 2, 1984The Power of LoveFrankie Goes To Hollywood1
Dec 9, 1984Do They Know It's Christmas?Band-Aid5
Jan 13, 1985I Want To Know What Love IsForeigner3
Feb 3, 1985I Know Him So WellElaine Paige & Barbara Dickson4
Mar 3, 1985You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)Dead Or Alive2
Mar 17, 1985Easy LoverPhilip Bailey & Phil Collins4
Apr 14, 1985We Are The WorldUSA For Africa2
Apr 28, 1985Move CloserPhyllis Nelson1
May 5, 198519Paul Hardcastle5
Jun 9, 1985You'll Never Walk AloneThe Crowd2
Jun 23, 1985FrankieSister Sledge4
Jul 21, 1985There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)Eurythmics1
Jul 28, 1985Into the GrooveMadonna4
Aug 25, 1985I Got You Babe ft Chrissie HyndeUB40 feat. Chrissie Hynde1
Sep 1, 1985Dancing In The StreetDavid Bowie & Mick Jagger4
Sep 29, 1985If I WasMidge Ure1
Oct 6, 1985The Power Of LoveJennifer Rush5
Nov 10, 1985A Good HeartFeargal Sharkey2
Nov 24, 1985I'm Your ManWham!2
Dec 8, 1985Saving All My Love For YouWhitney Houston2
Dec 22, 1985Merry Christmas EveryoneShakin' Stevens2
Jan 5, 1986West End GirlsPet Shop Boys2
Jan 19, 1986The Sun Always Shines on TVa-ha2
Feb 2, 1986When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get GoingBilly Ocean4
Mar 2, 1986Chain ReactionDiana Ross3
Mar 23, 1986Living DollCliff Richard & the Young Ones3
Apr 13, 1986A Different CornerGeorge Michael3
May 4, 1986Rock Me AmadeusFalco1
May 11, 1986The Chicken SongSpitting Image3
Jun 1, 1986Spirit In The SkyDoctor And The Medics3
Jun 22, 1986The Edge Of HeavenWham!2
Jul 6, 1986Papa Don't PreachMadonna3
Jul 27, 1986The Lady In RedChris de Burgh3
Aug 17, 1986I Want to Wake Up with YouBoris Gardiner3
Sep 7, 1986Don't Leave Me This WayThe Communards4
Oct 5, 1986True BlueMadonna1
Oct 12, 1986Every Loser WinsNick Berry3
Nov 2, 1986Take My Breath Away (Love Theme From "Top Gun")Berlin4
Nov 30, 1986The Final CountdownEurope2
Dec 14, 1986Caravan of LoveThe Housemartins1
Dec 21, 1986Reet Petite {1986}Jackie Wilson3
Jan 18, 1987Jack Your BodySteve 'Silk' Hurley2
Feb 1, 1987I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)George Michael & Aretha Franklin2
Feb 15, 1987Stand by Me {1987}Ben E. King3
Mar 8, 1987Everything I OwnBoy George2
Mar 22, 1987RespectableMel & Kim1
Mar 29, 1987Let It BeFerry Aid3
Apr 19, 1987La Isla BonitaMadonna2
May 3, 1987Nothing's Gonna Stop Us NowStarship4
May 31, 1987I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)Whitney Houston2
Jun 14, 1987Star TrekkinThe Firm2
Jun 28, 1987It's A SinPet Shop Boys3
Jul 19, 1987Who's That GirlMadonna1
Jul 26, 1987La BambaLos Lobos2
Aug 9, 1987I Just Can't Stop Loving YouMichael Jackson & Siedah Garrett2
Aug 23, 1987Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley5
Sep 27, 1987Pump Up the Volume/Anitina (the First Time I See She Dance)M/A/R/R/S2
Oct 11, 1987You Win AgainBee Gees4
Nov 8, 1987China in Your HandT'Pau5
Dec 13, 1987Always On My MindPet Shop Boys4
Jan 10, 1988Heaven Is A Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle2
Jan 24, 1988I Think We're Alone NowTiffany3
Feb 14, 1988I Should Be So LuckyKylie Minogue5
Mar 20, 1988Don't Turn AroundAswad2
Apr 3, 1988HeartPet Shop Boys3
Apr 24, 1988Theme From S-ExpressS-Express2
May 8, 1988PerfectFairground Attraction1
May 15, 1988With a Little Help from My Friends/She's Leaving HomeWet Wet Wet, Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey4
Jun 12, 1988Doctorin' The TardisThe Timelords1
Jun 19, 1988I Owe You Nothing {1988}Bros2
Jul 3, 1988Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For YouGlenn Medeiros4
Jul 31, 1988The Only Way Is UpYazz And The Plastic Population5
Sep 4, 1988Groovy Kind Of LovePhil Collins2
Sep 18, 1988He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother {1988}The Hollies2
Oct 2, 1988DesireU21
Oct 9, 1988One Moment In TimeWhitney Houston2
Oct 23, 1988Orinoco FlowEnya3
Nov 13, 1988First TimeRobin Beck3
Dec 4, 1988Mistletoe and WineCliff Richard4
Jan 1, 1989Especially for YouKylie & Jason3
Jan 22, 1989Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart ft Gene PitneyMarc Almond feat. Gene Pitney4
Feb 19, 1989Belfast ChildSimple Minds2
Mar 5, 1989Too Many Broken HeartsJason Donovan2
Mar 19, 1989Like A PrayerMadonna3
Apr 9, 1989Eternal FlameThe Bangles4
May 7, 1989Hand on Your HeartKylie Minogue1
May 14, 1989Ferry Cross the MerseyGerry Marsden, Paul McCartney, Holly Johnson & The Christians3
Jun 4, 1989Sealed with a KISSJason Donovan2
Jun 18, 1989Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)Soul II Soul4
Jul 16, 1989You'll Never Stop Me from Loving YouSonia2
Jul 30, 1989Swing The MoodJive Bunny & The Mastermixers5
Sep 3, 1989Ride on TimeBlack Box6
Oct 15, 1989That's What I LikeJive Bunny & The Mastermixers3
Nov 5, 1989All Around The WorldLisa Stansfield2
Nov 19, 1989You Got It (The Right Stuff)New Kids On The Block3
Dec 10, 1989Let's PartyJive Bunny & The Mastermixers1
Dec 17, 1989Do They Know It's Christmas?Band Aid II3
Biggest songs of the 1980sSongs that entered the chart in the 1980s, by Record Power
#SongArtistPeakWeeksRecord Power
1Fairytale of New YorkThe Pogues feat. Kirsty Maccoll#2139246.8
2Do They Know It's Christmas?Band-Aid#1116167.7
3Merry Christmas EveryoneShakin' Stevens#1108151.6
4RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood#163103.2
5Running Up That HillKate Bush#16291.3
6Billie JeanMichael Jackson#15890.9
7Driving Home for ChristmasChris Rea#109088.7
8Don't Stop BelievinJourney#612580.6
9GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.#24869.3
10Beat ItMichael Jackson#34361.2
11EverywhereFleetwood Mac#416760.7
12Two TribesFrankie Goes To Hollywood#13358.8
13I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder#13956.4
14Blue MondayNew Order#97454.5
15White Lines (Don't Do It)Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel#76154.5
16ThrillerMichael Jackson#96254.4
17The Power Of LoveJennifer Rush#13354.4
18Ride on TimeBlack Box#12250.2
19Fast CarTracy Chapman#45149.0
20AgadooBlack Lace#23748.8

Artist of the Decade and the rankings are the ChartReign Power model: the artist with the most chart power over the decade, not the most #1s. Crowns are weeks crowned Artist of the Week. How it works