100 Greatest Dance Songs of the 1980s

We have the perfect playlist to get your groove on if that’s what you’re looking for.

We have a few songs that will get you dancing on the dance floor, which was the focal point of music in the 1980s. These songs, from chart-toppers by The Pointer Sisters to new classics by Tears for Fears, will make you want to shake your booty all night long.

We’ve got you covered, whether you’re looking for a quick dance session or an epic dance party. With our rundown of the 100 best dance songs from the ’80s, you’ll never be unprepared for the century’s parties.

Music Trends of the 80s

Throughout the 1980s, dance music and ballads were the most popular types of music.

Boy bands such as Boyz II Men and the Supremes were among the first to gain popularity in the 1980s. In terms of musical culture, the 1980s were a pivotal decade.

Pop music from the 1980s was more lyrically oriented than music from previous decades, with an emphasis on both lyrics and melody. This was in contrast to earlier decades of pop music. The 1990s saw a continuation of this pattern. This change in tone was helped by the use of disco and soul music elements.

During the 1980s, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Duran Duran, and George Michael, to name a few, became well-known singers.

MTV rose to prominence in the 1980s and quickly established itself as a significant force in developing popular culture and the music industry. The channel was known for showing a lot of music videos, which helped a new generation of music lovers grow up. As a result, the channel contributed to the development of a new generation of music fans. In terms of musical culture, the 1980s were a pivotal decade.

A significant number of songs that were popular in the 1980s went on to become timeless classics because they were influenced by or perfectly captured the spirit of the era in which they were written. This trend can be seen in songs about high school romances and other high school dramas, for example. Songs about high school bullying are another example of this trend.

Even though there were some controversial musical trends in the 1980s, this was a very creative time for music. At the time, the synthpop and new wave movements were two of the most popular new styles of music and art. Because so many songs from this era are still played today and considered classics, this period is considered one of the most influential in the history of music. The musical genres of rock, rap, and hip hop developed during this period. The following generations of musicians owe them gratitude and respect for their contributions to the evolution of music. The musical aesthetic of the 1980s decade

The 1980s saw a significant increase in the number of creative endeavors and musical production. The contributions of many exceptionally talented musicians, among other genres of music, have irreversibly altered the rhythms of dance music, ballads, and rap. MTV allowed fans from all over the world to witness these works of art at the same time.

Music videos that first aired on the channel can all be traced back to music videos that first aired on the channel. MTV had a significant impact not only on the world of music but also on culture in general. The 1980s’ musical culture The music scene in the 1980s was fraught with controversy. Some songs include extremely sexual lyrics and imagery and references to illegal activities such as drug use or other forms of vice. There was a lot of debate about whether or not music should be censored during this time, but in the end, listeners got to choose what they wanted to hear.

The 100 Greatest Dance Songs of the 1980s

1. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
2. Push It – Salt-N-Pepa
3. Pump Up the Volume – M/A/R/R/S
4. Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind, and Fire
5. She Blinded Me with Science – Thomas Dolby
6. Let the Music Play – Shannon
7. I’m So Excited – The Pointer Sisters
8. Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
9. Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant
10. The Politics of Dancing – Re-Flex
11. Stomp – Brothers Johnson
12. My Prerogative-Bobby Brown
13. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Michael Jackson
14. More Bounce to the Ounce: Part I – Zapp
15. Our Lips Are Sealed – Go-Gos
16. When Doves Cry – Prince
17. Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths
18. Rapture – Blondie
19. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
20. The White Horse – Laid Back
21. Fame – Irene Cara
22. Who Can It Be Now? – Men At Work
23. Ride On Time – Black Box
24. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
25. The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
26. Situation – Yazoo
27. Whip It – Devo
28. The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground
29. You’re the One for Me – D-Train
30. Wild Thing – Tone Loc
31. The Rhythm of the Night – DeBarge
32. Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell
33. Gloria – Laura Branigan
34. All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
35. It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
36. You Dropped A Bomb On Me – Gap Band
37. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Deniece Williams
38. Planet Rock – Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
39. Give It to Me Baby – Rick James
40. Word Up – Cameo
41. The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson
42. Venus – Bananarama
43. Jump (For My Love) – The Pointer Sisters
44. Atomic Dog – George Clinton
45. You Spin Me Around (Like a Record) – Dead or Alive
46. Take Your Time (Do It Right) – SOS Band
47. Nasty – Janet Jackson
48. Celebration – Kool And The Gang
49. Pump Up the Jam – Technotronic
50. I Feel For You – Chika Khan
51. Super Freak Part I – Rick James
52. Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
53. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham
54. Heartbeat – Taana Gardner
55. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
56. Bust A Move – Young MC
57. Girls Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
58. Thriller – Michael Jackson
59. She Works Hard for the Money – Donald Summer
60. Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
61. What a Feeling – Irene Cara
62. She Drives Me Crazy – Fine Young Cannibals
63. The Glamorous Life – Sheila E
64. Upside Down (Inside Out) – Diana Ross
65. Genius Of Love – Tom Tom Club
66. Everybody Has Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
67. Into the Groove – Madonna
68. Kiss – Prince & The New Power Generation
69. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
70. Material Girl – Madonna
71. In My House – Mary Jane Girls
72. Holiday – Madonna
73. Mickey – Toni Basil
74. When I Think of You – Janet Jackson
75. Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) – Gap Band
76. Beat It – Michael Jackson
77. Rockit – Herbie Hancock
78. Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles
79. Blue Monday – New Order
80. Don’t You Want Me? – Human League
81. Sunglasses At Night – Corey Hart
82. Forget Me Nots – Patrice Rushen
83. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
84. I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
85. Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
86. Hungry Like the Wolf – Dura Duran
87. Maniac – Michael Sembello
88. It Takes Two – Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock
89. We Got the Beat – Go-Gos
90. Tainted Love – Soft Cell
91. Love Shack – The B-52s
92. Let It Whip – Dazz Band
93. Me, Myself, and I – De La Soul
94. Like a Virgin – Madonna
95. Funky Cold Medina – Tone Loc
96. Let’s Dance – David Bowie
97. Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
98. Oh Sheila – Ready For the World
99. The Conga – Miami Sound Machine
100. Staying Alive – Bee Gees

Questions About 80s Dance Music

Do you think that the 1980s represented a golden age for dance music?

While the 1980s were not the best decade for dance music, they were certainly interesting. The genre made its mainstream debut at this time, and many of today’s biggest stars began their careers at this time.

In addition to big names such as Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson breaking into the mainstream consciousness, synthpop became enormously popular with artists such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Cyndi Lauper, Pet Shop Boys, Whitney Houston, and Ace of Base reaching number one in many countries with Simply Red and More Tears.

This period also saw the rise of house music, which eventually became another staple of dance music. So, while it may not have been the best year for dance music, some groundbreaking moments are still remembered years later.

What do you think is the reason why dance music from the 80s is so popular?

There are several reasons why 1980s dance music is still popular today. For starters, the music at this time was unlike anything that had come before it. Synthesizers, drum machines, and disco-funk were all new and innovative sounds. Second, much of 1980s pop culture was centered on dancing. The music reflected that spirit, encouraging people to get up and move to the beat. Finally, many of today’s biggest stars got their start in this era, so if you like contemporary dance music, you probably first heard some great tunes in the 1980s.

Who are some of the most important artists from the 80s who contributed to dance music?

Michael Jackson was one of the most influential dance music artists of the 1980s. He was not only a forefather of pop music but also had a strong musical background that included singing and dancing. His early music video productions influenced modern dance styles such as Thriller, Moonwalk, and Bad.

Donna Summer, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan (of Take That), Madonna & David Bowie (of Eurythmics), Phil Collins (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Pet Shop Boys featuring Neil Tennant (Belly), Whitney Houston with Teddy Pendergrass (& Bobby Brown) on The Bodyguard soundtrack, and many more.

What do you think sets dance music apart from other genres in the 1980s?

Dance music in the 1980s was unique because it combined various styles and sounds. The music could be hard or soft, groovy or nu-disco. It was liked by many people and became one of the most popular types of music.

Conclusion

Do you have any memories of the 1980s? If this is the case, getting sentimental should not be too difficult. You could also have the impression that an excessive amount of music was released during this decade. This occasionally appeared to be the case because so many new songs were released each month. Despite this, we selected a few songs from the decade that will live on in infamy thanks to the quality of their compositions and the depth of their emotions.