Do you love rock music from the 1980s? Do you remember your favorite bands and musicians of that time. I grew up in the 80s and I loved rock music like crazy! There were lots of bands then and now it’s hard to choose what band you love the most. I have decided to create this article to help you find your favorite rock music 80s bands!
In this article, I will talk about “Rock Music 80S”. Let’s start.
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Child O’ Mine is the debut single by American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, released on June 16, 1988 from their debut studio album, Appetite for Destruction (1987). The song was written by lead singer Axl Rose about his girlfriend Erin Everly, the daughter of singer Don Everly of The Everly Brothers.
Sweet Child O’ Mine is often considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time and has been included in many lists about best rock songs ever made. It has been ranked number 1 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s and Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number 10 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
The 80s were a decade of excess. They were the decade of shoulder pads, big hair and big shoulder pads. They were also the decade of rock music taking over the world, with bands like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, AC/DC and Def Leppard making their mark on music history.
So what was your favorite song from the 80s? We’ve put together a list of the top 10 songs from that era to get you started:
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
This song was released in 1987 on Appetite for Destruction, which went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time. The band achieved great success during this period with hits like Paradise City and Welcome To The Jungle becoming classics in their own right.
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
One of the most popular songs from Def Leppard’s album Hysteria, this song was a huge hit in the late 80s and early 90s. It topped the charts in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
The song was written by Joe Elliot and Rick Savage while they were on tour in 1987. They wrote it while drinking champagne with their girlfriends at a hotel room in Detroit.
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
This song is a classic that everyone knows. It’s not just because of the lyrics, but the music video is unique and awesome. It shows a crazy party with the band performing in front of a crowd made up of people from all over the world. The tone is great too. If you’re looking for a fun song to get your party started, this is it!
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian” is one of the most popular songs of the decade, but it’s also emblematic of the worst excesses of ’80s rock. The music video is full of gratuitous nudity, and singer Jack Blades’ lyrics are so dumb they were parodied by Weird Al Yankovic in his song “Like a Surgeon”. But at least it’s a fun song to listen to — not true for all rock songs from this era.
Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” is an obvious choice for this list. It’s a great song that has stood the test of time and is still played on classic-rock stations today. And there are plenty more songs from Def Leppard that could have been included here (see “Hysteria”, “Armageddon It”, etc.). But I’m going with “Pour Some Sugar on Me” because it’s not only one of their best songs, it also exemplifies what made them so popular: lots of loud guitars and catchy hooks.
Jump – Van Halen
You can’t talk about rock music and not mention Van Halen. In the 80s, they were one of the most popular bands in America, and they were known for their over-the-top live shows. They’ve sold more than 60 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
The band’s first album was released in 1978, but it wasn’t until 1984 that they reached their peak with the release of 1984. The album featured three top ten singles – Jump, I’ll Wait and Panama – as well as Top 10 hits Hot For Teacher and Drop Dead Legs.
Jump is one of those songs that will never get old because it has been remade so many times by so many artists. It’s a great song for dancing too because it has a great beat!
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Michael Anthony. The band went on to become major stars, and by the early 1980s they were one of the most successful rock acts of the time.
The band’s breakthrough came with their self-titled debut album, released in 1978. In addition to featuring a guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen that almost broke into heavy metal territory it also contained a song called “You Really Got Me” which was covered by The Kinks in 1964 and changed their sound. This song was also featured in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits as DLC on April 20th 2009 along side with Jump by Van Halen which was released as DLC on May 4th 2009.
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
The most successful song from the band’s Slippery When Wet album, Livin’ On A Prayer was actually written about Jon Bon Jovi’s wife at the time, Dorothea Hurley. The song became an international hit and is one of the band’s most popular tracks. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent four weeks at number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In 1986, it was released as a stand-alone single in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In 1987, it reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1988, it reached number 2 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart and number 4 on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart.
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
The song is about a young couple who are struggling to make ends meet, but have each other. The song has been covered by many artists, including Bon Jovi themselves on their live album One Wild Night Live 1985–2001 and as a bonus track on their 2003 compilation album The Best of Bon Jovi in the 21st Century.
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
The song Another One Bites the Dust was released in 1980 by Queen. It was the third single from their album The Game.
Yet another classic from the band that brought you Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust is a funky disco song that has been covered by many artists.
It reached number 1 in the UK and US, and it also won several awards including an Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically & Lyrically.
Another One Bites The Dust is also notable for being one of the first songs recorded on a digital audio tape recorder (DAT).
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Bass Players: John Deacon and John Deacon
In the beginning, there was “Another One Bites The Dust.”
When it came out in 1980, the song was a smash hit, but it wasn’t until its video became a staple on MTV in 1982 that it truly became a pop culture phenomenon.
The video features the band performing in the desert while an army of dancers dances behind them. It was directed by David Mallet, who also directed “Bohemian Rhapsody” and countless other videos for Queen.
Mallet had originally pitched a concept for a video about Death as an Egyptian god with zombies as his servants. But when he heard “Another One Bites The Dust” he knew he had something better than his original idea. The song had been released as part of their 1980 album The Game, but it took another two years for MTV to be established enough that they could take advantage of its potential popularity by shooting videos specifically for the channel.
When Doves Cry – Prince
When Doves Cry – Prince
The song was released in 1984 and it is one of the most recognizable songs in the world. It became the first song to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart without an official commercial single release. The song was released as a promotional single by Warner Bros. Records, with a video that earned heavy rotation on MTV. It was later included on the Purple Rain soundtrack, which featured the debut of The Revolution, Prince’s backing band.
The song’s lyrics were written by Prince and its music composed by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman (later known as Wendy & Lisa). The song has been covered extensively by other artists, including Malice in Wonderland, who reached #35 in 1994 with their version, “When Doves Cry”.
Purple Rain (1984)
Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Prince and The Revolution. The album’s title track was released as a single in June 1984, and “When Doves Cry” was released as the second single from the album in July 1984. The album itself was released on August 26, 1984 by Warner Bros. Records and went on to become the best-selling soundtrack of all time. It has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of ten million copies in the United States.
The album produced three top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100: “When Doves Cry” (number one), “Let’s Go Crazy” (number nine), and “Purple Rain” (number 10). In addition, Let’s Go Crazy and Purple Rain were number one hits on Billboard’s R&B singles chart, while When Doves Cry peaked at number two on that chart.
Rock You Like A Hurricane – Scorpions
Rock You Like A Hurricane – Scorpions
Scorpions’ Rock You Like a Hurricane was the song that epitomised the 80s for many people. The song was released in 1984 and went on to become one of the band’s most popular tracks. It became their first top 20 hit in the UK and reached number 6 on the US charts.
The song was written by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who had been inspired by seeing a TV news report about a hurricane in Puerto Rico. The band had been working on it for some time before they recorded it at Musicland Studios in Munich with producer Dieter Dierks. According to lead singer Klaus Meine, the lyrics were inspired by an encounter with an attractive woman at a party who had left him feeling “rocked like a hurricane”.
The video for Rock You Like A Hurricane featured a group of dancers dressed as sharks performing choreographed moves around Klaus Meine as he sang into a microphone suspended above his head like a fishing rod. The dance moves were later copied by fans at concerts and festivals all over the world.
Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses came out of Los Angeles in the late 1980s and became one of the most successful rock bands in history. Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, sold 30 million copies around the world and featured this track which reached number one in both the US and UK charts.
Man In The Box – Alice In Chains
This Seattle band were formed by singer Layne Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell in 1987 and soon found themselves as part of the grunge movement alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. They released five albums before Staley died from a drug overdose in 2002, but their biggest hit was this song from their second album Facelift which reached number two on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1990.
Guns N’ Roses were one of the most successful bands of the ’80s and their debut album Appetite For Destruction was one of the biggest selling albums of all time, with more than 30 million copies sold worldwide.
Since then, Guns N’ Roses have broken up and reformed several times. But it wasn’t until 1991 that they released their second album, Use Your Illusion I and II.
The band is made up of Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar).
Money For Nothing – Dire Straights
Money For Nothing – Dire Straights
Money for Nothing is the lead single from Dire Straits’ 1985 album Brothers in Arms. The song was a number one hit in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It was their only single to reach the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, it reached #1 on both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts as well as topping the Hot 100 Airplay chart for two weeks. The song also won an MTV award for Best Stage Performance at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards. The song has sold over 8 million copies worldwide.
Money For Nothing – Dire Straights
The song Money For Nothing was released in 1985 and is a rock song. It was written by Mark Knopfler, who also played guitar on the track. The other band members were David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Guy Fletcher (keyboards). Dire Straits are known for their unique style of music called “rock pop”.
Money For Nothing reached number one in America and number two in the UK charts. It was also the first video played on MTV Europe when it launched in 1987. The video featured cameos from Sting, Bob Geldof and Bryan Adams as well as Eric Clapton playing guitar with Eric Morecambe from Morecambe and Wise!
Don’T Stop Believin’ – Journey
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey) is a song that was released in 1981 by the American rock band Journey. The song was written by Steve Perry, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain. It is the first track on the album Escape, which was released on July 19, 1981. The single reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Top Rock Tracks chart for six weeks. It also reached number 1 on the Billboard Top Album Rock Tracks chart for six weeks. The song became a top 40 hit in eight countries outside of the United States and has been covered by many artists since its release in 1981.
The song was used in an episode of The Simpsons (“Homer’s Barbershop Quartet”), as well as an episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (“The Gang Goes to the Jersey Shore”).
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
This song is about a group of people who are trying to do something, but they keep getting knocked down. They don’t give up, though, and they eventually succeed.
The power ballad was released in 1981 and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, who wrote many other hits for Journey, including “Open Arms” and “Faithfully.”
The song was used as the theme song for the TV series The Sopranos. It also appeared in movies like The Big Lebowski and The Break-Up.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
The 1980s was a decade of great music. From the punk rock of the Sex Pistols to the pop rock of Duran Duran and Michael Jackson, people danced and sang along to their favorite songs.
I’ve selected some of my favorite songs from the 80s era that you may have forgotten about or never heard of before.
1) “Smooth Operator” by Sade – This song is so smooth and relaxing that it could put anyone in a trance. The lyrics are so relaxing as well, they make you feel like you’re floating on air.
2) “Beat It” by Michael Jackson – This is one of my favorite songs by Michael Jackson. It has a great beat and Michael really shows off his vocals with this one!
3) “Call Me Al” by Paul Simon – Who doesn’t like this song? It has such an upbeat tune to it that makes you want to dance around in circles like a fool!
Wanted Dead Or Alive – Bon Jovi
Wanted Dead Or Alive – Bon Jovi
Wanted dead or alive is a song written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora for the band’s 1984 eponymous album. The song was released as the album’s first single on 20 March 1984, but it did not chart. However, the song became a massive hit when it was re-released in 1985 in the UK, reaching number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. This was due to a new mix produced by Peter Diggins being used for the single release, which was more heavily compressed than previous releases (the original mix had been done by Bob Rock). The re-release also featured a different vocal take from Bon Jovi.
The song has since been covered by several artists including Bonfire (on their album Feels Like Comin’ Home), The Killers (on their B-side collection Sawdust), Whitesnake (on their self-titled album) and LeAnn Rimes (on her album What I Cannot Change). It is also used as an intro music for WWE wrestler Randy Orton.
Rock The Night – Europe
Rock The Night – Europe
Rock The Night is a rock song performed by the Swedish band Europe. It was released as the second single from their third album Wings of Tomorrow, in 1987. A music video for the song was also released.
The song was written by Joey Tempest and John Norum, and produced by Ian Haugland and Johnny Lane.
Rock The Night – Europe
Rock the Night is a song by the Swedish rock band Europe. The song was released in 1983 as the second single from their debut album, Wings of Tomorrow.
The song was written by Joey Tempest.
The song became a hit in many countries, including Sweden, where it peaked at number one for two weeks and stayed on the charts for 23 weeks. In Germany and Switzerland it reached number two, in Austria and Netherlands it reached number three, in Belgium it reached number seven and in Norway it reached number ten.
Born In The Usa – Bruce Springsteen
Born In The Usa – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen’s album “Born in the USA” was released in 1984. The title track was a smash hit, but it wasn’t the only song on the album that was popular. Another song, “Dancing in the Dark,” also took off.
Born In The U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is one of the most successful rock artists of all time, and his 1984 album, “Born in the U.S.A.,” was his biggest success yet. The album included several hit singles including “Dancing in the Dark,” “Cover Me,” and “Born in the U.S.A.” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks, making it one of the most popular songs ever recorded by a male artist.
The album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of top-selling albums of all time. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Male Artist and Album of the Year at the 1985 Grammy Awards ceremony.
Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
Sexual Healing is a song by American soul singer Marvin Gaye, released in 1982 on the Columbia Records label. It was written by Gaye and produced by him and his brother-in-law, musician Robert “Quiet Storm” Moore. The song was the lead single from Gaye’s final studio album Midnight Love (1982).
In 1983, Sexual Healing won two Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. It also became Gaye’s third number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained atop the chart for three weeks.
The song was ranked number eight on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing is a soulful ballad that has become a classic. The song topped the charts in America, and was used in numerous movies and television shows (most notably, in The Cosby Show). A few years after its release, the song became one of the most well-known songs of all time – even for those who didn’t grow up during the 80s.
Back In Black – Ac/Dc
Back In Black – Ac/Dc
Back in Black is the sixth studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It was released on 25 July 1980 by Albert Productions, with Atlantic Records handling international distribution. It was the first album to feature guitarist Malcolm Young after his brother Angus Young returned to the band in 1979 after a brief departure. The title track was released as a single and reached #1 on the Australian charts.
Back In Black
(AC/DC)
Back in Black is the seventh studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on 25 July 1980. It is their best-selling album to date, with an RIAA certification of 22× Platinum, it is one of the highest-certified albums in history.
The album was produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange and recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. The title track was written about lead singer Bon Scott’s former girlfriend, who had died during the recording of the previous album and was also used for his funeral service. Most of the songs were leftovers from that earlier recording which were reworked under new guitarist Malcolm Young.
I Wanna Know What Love Is – Foreigner
This is one of those songs that you can never get sick of. It’s been played so many times on the radio that it just makes you happy.
I Wanna Know What Love Is – Foreigner
This song made me cry when I first heard it, but now I love singing along to it. It has such a beautiful melody, and the lyrics are amazing too.
Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division
This song was in the movie “Control” which is about Ian Curtis from Joy Division. The lyrics are so deep and meaningful, and I love listening to them over and over again!
I Wanna Know What Love Is. Foreigner. (1984)
I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner (Official Video)
I Wanna Know What Love Is Lyrics: I wanna know what love is / I want you to show me / I want a simple little love song / With a happy ever after ending / I wanna feel what love is / Can you take me by the hand? / Lead me through the darkness / And hold on to me tight / Cause I’m scared and I’m lonely and I’m bruised / And I’m broken down / But my heart still beats like a hammer – bang, bang, bang.
Every Breath You Take – The Police
Every Breath You Take – The Police
The Police, who had been going for about five years by the time Synchronicity was released in 1983, were at the height of their powers when they released this single. It spent nine weeks at number one and has become one of the most-played songs in the world. The song features Sting’s distinctive vocals which are backed up by Andy Summers’ guitar playing and Stewart Copeland’s drumming.
Take Me Home (Acoustic) – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is definitely one of the biggest names in pop music right now. Take Me Home was released as part of her 2010 album Speak Now and reached number two in the charts when it was released. The track has been re-recorded as an acoustic version for her 2012 Red tour and was performed during a session on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge show in 2013.
This song by The Police is a great one to play when your significant other is being a little too clingy.
Every Breath You Take – The Police This song by The Police is a great one to play when your significant other is being a little too clingy.
Here Comes the Rain Again – Eurythmics This song by Eurythmics was released in 1984 and featured on the album Be Yourself Tonight. It reached number 2 on the UK singles chart, but only reached number 42 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
I Should Be So Lucky – Kylie Minogue Kylie Minogue’s debut single was released in June 1988 and was written by Mike Stock and Pete Waterman (who were behind some of the biggest pop hits of the day). It hit number 1 in Australia and New Zealand, as well as reaching number 2 in both Ireland and the UK. It was also nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video in 1989.
With Or Without You – U2
With Or Without You – U2
This song is the quintessential 80s rock ballad. It’s not a song you can play at a party or even on your road trip with your friends. But, it is the perfect song to listen to when you need some quiet time. It’s about love and loss, but it also has an underlying theme of hope that keeps it from being too depressing. The music video shows Bono walking through a city and singing directly into the camera. He has a look of sadness on his face, which makes this song even more emotional for those who are fans of U2 or simply enjoy good music in general.
U2’s 1987 album The Joshua Tree was a huge success, thanks in part to “With Or Without You,” a song that became one of the band’s biggest hits. Written by lead singer Bono, guitarist the Edge, and bassist Adam Clayton, “With Or Without You” was released as a single and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition to its popularity with U2 fans, the song has been covered by artists such as Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen.
The Joshua Tree was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1989 Grammy Awards but lost out to Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814.
I Love Rock N Roll – Joan Jett & Blackhearts
I Love Rock N Roll – Joan Jett & Blackhearts
I Love Rock n Roll is the first single from Joan Jett’s third album, I Love Rock n Roll. The song was written by Jett and Kenny Laguna and produced by Laguna. It was released as a single in 1982 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 22, 1982, where it remained for one week until it was knocked out of the top spot by Rod Stewart’s “Love Touch”. The song also reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1982.
The song is notable for being one of the first songs to have been played on MTV when they launched in 1981 before they began playing music videos 24/7 later that year.[2]
The song was covered by Pat Benatar on her 1984 album Seven the Hard Way and by Billy Idol on his 1986 album Rebel Yell.
Hungry Like A Wolf – Duran
Hungry Like A Wolf – Duran Duran
Hungry Like The Wolf is a song written by Duran Duran members John Taylor and Nick Rhodes, with the lead vocal sung by Simon Le Bon. It was released as the band’s first single in May 1982, taken from their debut album Duran Duran.
The song was released in the US in September 1982, where it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks in February 1983; it also reached number one on Billboard’s Top Tracks chart and its Dance chart. In Canada, Hungry Like The Wolf peaked at number two on the RPM 100 national singles chart. The song also went to number one in Australia and New Zealand.
In August 1982, “Hungry Like The Wolf” became Duran Duran’s first top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart when it reached number six; this was followed by their breakthrough hit, “Rio”.
Don’T You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
Don’T You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
Written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff.
Originally performed by Simple Minds, from the soundtrack to the 1985 movie The Breakfast Club.
The song was a number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks in 1985, becoming the band’s only top 40 hit in America. The single also reached number 1 in Australia, Canada and New Zealand and number 2 in Ireland.
In 2009, Don’t You (Forget About Me) was ranked number 3 on VH1 list of Top 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s (behind Take On Me by A-ha and Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes’ “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life”).
The music video features four boys wearing school uniforms being harassed by a teacher and other students before they are rescued by two girls wearing leather jackets who take them away to a dance party at their house where they meet up with the other members of Simple Minds who are performing at the party while they dance with each other during breaks in between songs.
Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
This song is a rock song from the album “Rocky III” in 1982. This song is the theme song of the movie “Rocky III”.
The song was written by Peter Beckett, Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik. It reached No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 in December 1982 and stayed there for 2 weeks.
The original music video was directed by Bill Scott and it got nominated for an MTV Video Music Award in 1983 for Best Editing.
Eye Of The Tiger
Survivor
The song is the main theme of the Rocky III movie and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It also appears on the band’s 1982 album, Eye of the Tiger.
The song was written by Survivor lead singer Frankie Sullivan and his father, Robert J. Sullivan. The song was recorded in 1981 by Sullivan with a piano and a synthesizer, with some guitar added later for texture.
Sullivan created the song’s signature guitar riff by playing two notes at once on a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. He then used a Roland RE-201 Space Echo to create an echo effect that would be mixed into the final recording.
Is This Love – Whitesnake
Is This Love – Whitesnake
The first track from their 1984 album ‘Slide It In’, Is This Love is a classic rock song that has inspired many covers and was even used in the soundtrack for the movie ‘Titanic’.
Is This Love – Whitesnake
The first time I heard this song was on the radio in my car. It’s one of those songs that you don’t realize you love until it gets stuck in your head and you can’t get it out. The video is pretty cool too!
I Wanna Know What Love Is – Foreigner
I remember hearing this song when I was a kid and thinking it sounded like a slow dance song. The music video is full of fog machines, but the song is still great!
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
This is one of those songs that everyone knows even if they are not a fan of rock music. The video for this song is pretty funny too (and long).
Start Me Up – Rolling Stones
Start Me Up – Rolling Stones
Start me up is a rock song from the Rolling Stones album Tattoo You. The song was released as a single in 1981, and it climbed to number 1 on the music charts in the US, Canada and Australia.
The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who also played guitar on it. The other musicians involved were Ronnie Wood (guitar), Charlie Watts (drums) and Bill Wyman (bass).
The music video for this song features Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts in a recording studio performing the song. There are also shots of various other people dancing around them.
Start Me Up – Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones’ song, “Start Me Up,” was released in 1981 on their album, Tattoo You. The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by Jimmy Miller. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine in the UK Singles Chart.
In 2005, Rolling Stone named it the best song of the past 25 years.
Don’T You Want Me – The Human League
Don’T You Want Me – The Human League
The Human League were a British synth-pop group who formed in Sheffield, England in 1977. The band consists of Philip Oakey (lead vocals), Wendy Ferguson (vocals), Joanne Catherall (vocals), Susan Ann Sulley (vocals) and Philip Adrian Wright (keyboards). Their hits include “Being Boiled”, “Love Action”, “Open Your Heart”, “Don’t You Want Me” and “Human”.
On the 19th March 1981, The Human League released their fourth studio album Dare . It reached number 3 in the UK Albums Chart and has been certified platinum by the BPI. The album was produced by Martin Rushent, with whom they had previously worked on Reproduction and Travelogue .
The album spawned several hit singles including: “Love Action” which peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart ; “Open Your Heart” which peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart ; and “Human” which peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart .
Planet Rock – Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force, also known simply as Afrika Bambaataa and The Soul Sonic Force, are a hip hop group formed in New York City in 1982. They are best known for their 1982 EP, Planet Rock: The Album that Changed the World.
The group was started by the electro-funk pioneer Afrika Bambaataa (born Kevin Donovan) along with his producer Arthur Baker and rapper Jazzy Jay. Their song “Planet Rock” was released as an instrumental single in 1982, but it became most famous when it was sampled by artists like Run DMC in their 1986 hit “Rock Box”. The song’s title also inspired a name for a whole subgenre of electronic music called electro-funk or electro-boogie.
The group’s debut album was originally supposed to be released by Tommy Boy Records in 1985, but due to internal problems within the label it wasn’t released until 1987 on Def Jam Recordings.
Photograph – Def Leppard
Photograph – Def Leppard
Photograph is a song by British rock band Def Leppard from their 1987 album Hysteria. It was released as the second single from the album on 4 October 1987, and reached number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts in December 1987. It was also a hit in Canada (#7), Australia (#6), New Zealand (#7) and South Africa (where it hit #1).
The song was written by guitarist Steve Clark, who died of pancreatic cancer on 8 January 1991 at age 30. The song’s lyrics have been described as “a moving tribute” to Clark by AllMusic reviewer Tom Demalon; “it’s about a guy who lives for the moment.” The music video for “Photograph” features the band performing live with fans, interspersed with footage of people taking photographs of themselves or each other.
The 1980s was a great time for rock music. There were many bands that came out and made their mark on the world. Here are some of the most popular bands from that time period.
Def Leppard
Def Leppard is an English rock band formed in 1977. They became extremely popular with their album Hysteria, which was released in 1987. The song “Pour Some Sugar On Me” sold over five million copies worldwide.
We’Re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
This is one of the most iconic songs of the 80s. It was written by Dee Snider, and it became an anthem for rebellion against authority. The music video shows a school teacher trying to keep order in the classroom, but he gets frustrated when all his students start singing along with the song. In the end, he gives up and lets them be loud. This video won Video of the Year at the first ever MTV Video Music Awards in 1984.
We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
The song We’re Not Gonna Take It was released in 1985 by Twisted Sister. The song was written by Dee Snider and Mark Mendoza. The single went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week.
We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
We’re Not Gonna Take It was released in 1984 and is from the album Stay Hungry. The song was written by Dee Snider who also sings lead vocals on it. The track features a guitar solo by Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French. The song has been described as a “protest song against censorship” and was written after Dee Snider read an article about Tipper Gore’s PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) and their campaign to label music that contained violent or sexually explicit lyrics. The song has since become an anthem for the anti-censorship movement in the United States and Britain, with many musicians performing it live at concerts to show their support for freedom of speech.
You Shook Me All Night Long – By Ac/Dc
Rock music 80s
You Shook Me All Night Long – By Ac/Dc
The song was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson, who also performed lead vocals on the song. It was released as the first single from the band’s album Back in Black (1980). The song was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas during April 1980 with producer Mutt Lange.
The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1981 and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Tracks chart for 1981.
“You Shook Me All Night Long” has been listed as one of AC/DC’s best songs by several publications including Rolling Stone magazine and VH1.
In a 2012 interview with Guitar World magazine, Malcolm Young said that “You Shook Me All Night Long” is his favourite AC/DC track: “It’s just got that great groove to it; it hits you right away.” He also said that it has “a lot of energy in it,” especially live when Angus Young would play it faster than it was recorded on record.
Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
Whitesnake is a British hard rock band formed in England in 1977 by David Coverdale. Their early material has been compared by critics to the blues rock of Deep Purple, but they slowly developed a more commercially accessible rock style. Whitesnake has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and have had 18 top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. As of June 2014, Whitesnake has released nine studio albums, two live albums, five compilation albums (three of which are considered to be “greatest hits” releases), and 22 singles.
The band’s 1987 self-titled album has sold nearly 12 million copies worldwide (including 4 million in the US alone). The band formally disbanded in 1997 when Coverdale retired from recording and touring. In 2001, David Coverdale reformed the group as “Whitesnake” with a new lineup which included former Judas Priest vocalist JUDAS PRIEST – Painkiller 1986-1990 Rob Halford. However, this incarnation of Whitesnake did not feature any other original members or singer John Sykes.
You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do
When the girls come for you?
You give love a bad name.
Bon Jovi’s 1987 hit You Give Love A Bad Name was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the state of rock music at the time. The song has been used in several films and TV shows including American Psycho, Sex and the City, The Sopranos and Friends.
You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi’s ’80s hits “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” are still two of the most popular songs in rock music. The band has sold over 130 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time.
The song was released as the first single from Bon Jovi’s third album Slippery When Wet. The album went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums ever.
Bon Jovi’s 1986 tour with Bryan Adams was a huge success, and they were playing stadiums across North America by 1987.
It was an incredibly successful year for Bon Jovi, who went on to win four Grammys at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards in 1988: Best New Artist; Song Of The Year (for “Livin’ On A Prayer”); Record Of The Year (for “Livin’ On A Prayer”) and Best Rock Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (for “Livin’ On A Prayer”).
One – Metallica
One – Metallica
What do you get when you cross a heavy metal band with a symphony orchestra? Beautiful, moving rock music.
The song “One” was written by Metallica and performed by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1991. The song has been covered by many other bands and singers, including Three Days Grace and Josh Groban. But no one can deny the power of hearing Metallica perform their own song with an orchestra behind it.
The video, directed by Wayne Isham, won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video in 1992.
Metallica is one of the most successful heavy metal bands in history, having sold more than 80 million albums worldwide since their formation in 1981.
The most popular band of the 80s was Metallica, who performed songs like Master of Puppets, One and Enter Sandman. The band was formed in 1981 by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine and Ron McGovney.
Metallica released their first album Kill ‘Em All in 1983, which received poor reviews from critics but sold well enough to reach number 100 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The band’s second album Ride the Lightning was released in 1984, but it wasn’t until 1986 that they had their first big hit with Master of Puppets, which reached number 35 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by RIAA.
The band followed this up with another platinum album called And Justice for All in 1988, which featured the hit single One.
Girls Girls Girls – Mötley Crüe
Girls Girls Girls – Mötley Crüe
The best song for me on this album is “Girls Girls Girls”. The song was written by Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil, and it was released as a single in 1987. The song reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The music video features the band performing in front of a crowd while scantily clad women dance around them. It also features clips from their movie “The Dirt”.
The ’80s was a decade of excess, and nowhere was this more evident than in the world of rock music.
Rock music exploded in the ’80s, fueled by an endless supply of new bands on independent record labels. The result was some of the most innovative, exciting and downright weird music ever recorded.
Here are 10 essential albums from the 1980s:
Girls Girls Girls – Mötley Crüe (1987)
Mötley Crüe’s seventh album is their best, and one of the best hard-rock albums ever released. It contains some of their biggest hits (“Wild Side,” “Girls, Girls, Girls”) as well as some of their best lesser-known songs like “Sticky Sweet” and “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away).” But there’s also filler here — the band would release better albums later on in their career.
Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Poison
Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Poison
Every Rose Has Its Thorn is a song written by American hard rock band Poison. It was released in 1988 as the fourth single from their second album, Open Up and Say… Ahh!. The song reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
It also reached number one on Billboard’s Top Rock Tracks chart and number two on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. In addition, it reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
Poison was one of the biggest bands of the ’80s, and they had some big hits. Their debut album, Look What The Cat Dragged In, sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
The band’s second album, Open Up And Say… Ahh!, featured their first Top 40 hit single “Talk Dirty To Me.” Every Rose Has Its Thorn was their third single from that album and it became their biggest hit ever. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for three weeks in March 1988.
Every Rose Has Its Thorn has been covered by artists including Maroon 5, Taylor Swift and Prince Royce.
Angel – Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as “the Bad Boys from Boston” and “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop rock, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues. They were formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. The band consisted of lead vocalist Steven Tyler, guitarist Joe Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer at different points throughout the group’s history. Guitarist Ray Tabano was also a member for a short period of time but never appeared on any studio recordings with the band. In 1990, Tabano sued the band for breach of contract after having been fired by them. The case was settled out of court in 1992. In 1975 their live album Nine Lives was released (it reached #5 on the Billboard 200 chart). Their single “Dream On”, taken from the same album, won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal; it was their first Top 40 hit single (peaking at #35).
The Look – Roxette
The Look – Roxette
Roxette was one of the biggest bands in the world in the late 80s and early 90s, so it’s no surprise that their 1988 single ‘The Look’ has made it onto this list. This is one of Roxette’s most popular songs, although they have many more hits than this. The song was written by Per Gessle and released on their album ‘Look Sharp!’. The band consists of Marie Fredriksson (lead singer) and Per Gessle (songwriter).
The Look became a worldwide hit, topping charts in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and Switzerland. In addition to this it also reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number three in the UK Singles Chart and number four in Ireland.
The Look is the debut studio album by Swedish pop duo Roxette, released on 29 April 1988 by EMI. The album’s title comes from the hit single “The Look”, which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in June 1988 and became a worldwide hit.
The Look was an immediate success and has sold over 9 million copies worldwide. It topped the charts in many countries, including Austria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The album was certified gold or platinum in numerous territories, including 3× platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), diamond by the Syndicat National de l’Édition Phonographique (SNEP) and Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 1989, The Look received a nomination for Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Africa – Toto
Africa – Toto
Africa is a popular song by Toto, released in 1982. The song has been described as “a classic example of the musical fusion of rock and roll with elements of jazz and world music”.
The song was written by Toto members David Paich and Jeff Porcaro and appeared on their 1982 album Toto IV. It won two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 1983. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on April 12, 1983, denoting shipments in excess of 500,000 units in the United States.
“Africa” has been covered several times by different artists over the years, including by American rock band Weezer on their 2008 EP Death to False Metal. A parody titled “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “Bob” also appears on that EP, which features Yankovic singing about his favorite foods while wearing a curly wig and fake sideburns.
Breaking The Law – Judas Priest
In the late 1970s, Judas Priest was one of the first bands to fuse heavy metal and rock & roll, creating a sound that would go on to influence many other bands in the genre.
The band’s iconic song “Breaking The Law” has been played at every concert since its release in 1980. The song has become known as a staple of heavy metal music and is used by many other bands as an intro or finale for their own shows.
Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, West Midlands, England. The band consists of Rob Halford (vocals), Glenn Tipton (guitar), K.K. Downing (guitar), Ian Hill (bass) and Scott Travis (drums). The band has sold more than 50 million albums to date.
The group received a Grammy nomination for their live album Unleashed in the East, and their DVD Breaking the Law: Live was nominated for Best Long Form Music Video at the 2004 Grammy Awards. They were also ranked number 85 on VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock”. In 1989, they were named as defendants in a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment by Elton John during an appearance he made on Saturday Night Live with John singing “You’ve Got a Friend”, who alleged that it was intended to humiliate him when he thought he was going to be shown on screen with Halford and guitarist KK Downing.
Ace Of Spades – Motörhead
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I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll
I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll is a hit song written by Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker and Tony Manero, and performed by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (with additional vocals provided by Paul Leka). It was released as a single in 1981, and has since become one of Jett’s signature songs.
The song was originally recorded by the Arrows in 1975 with different lyrics titled “Sha La La”. That version reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1976.
The 1980s were a time of change, and the music industry was no different. It was in this decade that the world saw the rise of new genres such as rap, hip hop, heavy metal and electronic dance music.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best rock music from the 1980s.
The 1980s was an exciting decade for rock music in America. Some of the most famous bands were formed during this era: The Smiths, U2 and R.E.M.
The 1980s saw a number of new subgenres emerge, including glam metal and hair metal (also known as “pop metal”). Some of these bands even reached mainstream success with their catchy melodies and upbeat lyrics.
FAQs for Rock Music 80S
Now that you understand “Rock Music 80S”, let’s move on to the FAQ section.
What Is 80’S Rock Music?
What Is 80’s Rock Music?
80’s Rock music is the style of rock music that was popular in the 1980s, particularly in North America. It is characterized by a return to guitar-based music and other elements associated with rock music of the 1950s and early 1960s. A number of subgenres evolved including glam metal, punk rock and alternative rock. Popular bands include AC/DC, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden and Van Halen.
The term “80’s Rock music” can refer to a wide variety of genres including glam metal, pop metal, hard rock and heavy metal as well as punk rock, new wave, synthpop and alternative rock.
The 1980s were the first decade of heavy metal music. It was a time when rock bands were starting to go mainstream and people began to associate with their musical tastes. There was a lot of change in this decade, and it changed the way we look at music forever. The 80s gave us some of the best songs ever written and some of the most popular bands as well.
The 80s were a time when pop music was starting to take over from rock music, but there were still plenty of good rock bands around. There were also new bands emerging all the time creating new sounds that would later be labelled as alternative rock or heavy metal (which would become more popular in the 90s).
Many people think that punk is dead now, but it isn’t really; punk is still alive in many ways such as grunge and garage rock. Punk bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols paved the way for other types of rock bands like Green Day who used their music as an outlet for their political views (although they’re not really punk anymore).
There are many great artists who emerged during this time period including Madonna, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Michael Jackson who combined pop music with R&B into something new and exciting!
What Was The Number One Rock Song In The 80S?
The 1980s was a decade of great music, but there was one song that stood out above all the rest. What was the number one rock song in the 80s?
If you grew up in the 80s, chances are you remember this song. It’s one of those songs that has been stuck in your head since you first heard it as a child. You may not even know all the words, but when the music starts playing, you start singing along. I’m talking about The Final Countdown by Europe.
The Final Countdown is a classic rock song from the 1980s by Swedish band Europe. It topped charts around the world and continues to be popular today with plenty of radio airplay and music videos on YouTube. The single version of The Final Countdown is four minutes long and includes an extended guitar solo bridge section with synthesizer effects by Joey Tempest.
Was Rock Popular In The 80S?
The 80s was a decade of excess. And by excess I mean alcohol, drugs and rock music.
It was a decade that gave us some of the greatest bands in history – Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Def Leppard and Van Halen to name just a few.
But was it really the best decade for rock music?
Rock music was popular in the 80s.
Rock music had been around since the 1950s, but it took off in the 1980s. The rise of MTV in 1981 helped to promote rock music videos and made rock stars even more famous than they already were.
The 1980s saw a lot of different types of rock music. Some bands played hard rock or heavy metal music, while others played synthpop, alternative rock or new wave. Some bands were influenced by punk rock and early hip hop music, while others incorporated elements of funk and disco into their songs.
What Was The Biggest 80S Hit?
The biggest 80s hit was “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. It was the first song to sell over 7 million copies. It also won a Grammy award for Best R&B Male Vocal Performance, and it was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Other big hits from the 80’s include “Beat It” by Michael Jackson, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Eurythmics, “Like A Virgin” by Madonna, “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey and “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner.
The 1980s was a decade of change in music. It saw the rise of new styles and genres, including hip hop, heavy metal and even rap/hip hop. Here are some of the biggest songs from that decade:
“Thriller” by Michael Jackson (1982)
One of the most popular songs of all time, “Thriller” was released on this album by Michael Jackson. It spent 37 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and won four Grammys for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male) and Best Music Video (Short Form).
“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson (1983)
This song was released as a single from Jackson’s fifth album, Thriller. It was an instant hit and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for seven weeks. The song also won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male).
What Is The #1 Rock Song Of All Time?
Rock music has been around for a long time. And, since it’s release, there have been hundreds of rock songs that have hit the charts and become huge hits.
But what is the best rock song of all time? That’s a hard question to answer, because there are so many great songs out there. But we can give it a shot!
We’ve taken some of the most popular songs from the 80s and 90s and matched them up against each other in our head-to-head matchups. We’ll be looking at popularity and charting position, but also things like writing quality and influence over the years.
You’ll get to vote on the top two finalists in each matchup and then see which song wins each round. You can vote as often as once per day until it closes on Saturday at 11:59 PM EST!
After that we’ll reveal who is crowned as the winner!
Is 80S Rock Classic Rock?
Yes, 80s rock is classic rock. You’ll hear a lot of people argue that 80s music isn’t classic rock because it’s not from the 60s or 70s, but that’s simply not true. Classic rock is all about the sound and attitude of the music, and 80s rock has both of those qualities.
The best way to figure out if a song qualifies as classic rock is to listen to it and make your own decision. If you like it, then it’s probably classic rock!
This is a great question and one that is often debated. The answer is yes and no.
The 80s was a decade in which rock music took many turns. It was the decade of New Wave, Hair Metal, Grunge and Alternative Rock. However, there were also bands like Aerosmith, Def Leppard and Van Halen who continued to play hard rock music in the 80s.
In my opinion, this makes 80s rock music classic rock. I think it has a place alongside 60s and 70s rock music as part of the classic rock genre.
Conclusion for Rock Music 80S
In addition to the individual songs mentioned above, you may also want to check out these popular rock music 80s songs that are worth listening to: “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears, “The Final Countdown” by Europe and “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger. These choices still seem to hold up well today, and many people consider them as some of the best rock music 80s songs ever recorded.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you get the point of “Rock Music 80S”. If not, please contact me or leave a comment below. I would be pleased to help in any way I can.
