1. “Obsession” by Animotion
You’d think this song would be a permanent fixture of every ’80s playlist, with its hypnotic beat and sultry vocals. Animotion managed to capture a mix of new wave cool and synth-driven energy that defined the decade. It was even used in commercials and TV shows back then, making it feel like it was everywhere. Yet for some reason, it never quite stuck around as strongly as other hits from the same era.
When you hear “Obsession” today, you instantly get pulled back into the neon glow of the mid-’80s club scene. It’s got that perfect balance of catchy and slightly edgy, which should have kept it alive in karaoke bars and retro dance nights. But outside of diehard ’80s fans, most people couldn’t tell you who even sang it. It deserves a lot more love than it gets now.
2. “Voices Carry” by ’Til Tuesday
Aimee Mann fronted this band with such a distinct presence, and “Voices Carry” was their breakout moment. The song’s mix of vulnerable lyrics and an unforgettable chorus gave it all the makings of a classic. The music video was iconic too, with its emotional storytelling that matched the song’s intensity. Still, when people talk about great female-fronted bands of the ’80s, this track rarely makes the list.
Hearing it now, you realize just how ahead of its time it was. Mann’s voice had a clarity and strength that cut through the heavy synths in a way few singers could. It’s a song that deserves to be remembered right alongside hits from Blondie or Pat Benatar. But instead, it feels like it got lost in the shuffle.
3. “Major Tom (Coming Home)” by Peter Schilling
If you’re a David Bowie fan, you know the reference in the title. Peter Schilling created his own sci-fi-inspired anthem with “Major Tom (Coming Home),” and it became a surprise hit in the mid-’80s. The dramatic storytelling and synth-laden production made it a perfect radio song for the time. But for whatever reason, it faded out of memory after its initial run.
Listening to it now, you realize it’s as cinematic as any ’80s track could be. It feels like a mini space opera packed into four minutes. You’d expect it to be used in movies, commercials, or nostalgia playlists, but it doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. That’s a shame, because it’s one of the most unique songs of its decade.
4. “Let the Music Play” by Shannon
This track was a pioneer of the freestyle dance movement in the early ’80s. Shannon’s powerful vocals combined with that driving electronic beat made it an instant club classic. It was the kind of song that made people rush to the dance floor, and at the time, it felt like it was going to define a whole new era of music. But outside of dance enthusiasts, it rarely gets mentioned anymore.
Hearing it now, you realize just how groundbreaking it really was. It paved the way for countless other freestyle and dance-pop hits later in the decade. The energy, the attitude, and the innovation are all right there. It deserves to be remembered as a defining pop song of the ’80s, but instead, it slipped out of the spotlight.
5. “I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow
You know the chorus instantly, but a lot of people don’t even connect it to the band that made it famous in the ’80s. Bow Wow Wow put their punk-infused stamp on this old song and turned it into something totally new. It was bold, playful, and just the right amount of rebellious. Yet, despite being an earworm, it didn’t stick around as a staple.
If you hear it once, it’s in your head for hours. Annabella Lwin’s vocals added just the right amount of spunk to make it irresistible. It could easily be on every retro workout playlist, but it isn’t. Instead, it’s become one of those songs people vaguely remember but can’t quite place.
6. “Shattered Dreams” by Johnny Hates Jazz
This sleek pop ballad was made for late-night radio. “Shattered Dreams” had the perfect mix of melancholy lyrics and smooth production. Johnny Hates Jazz had a short-lived moment, and this song was their big claim to fame. But while it charted well in its time, it hasn’t lived on the way other ballads from the era have.
It’s the kind of song you put on when you’re driving at night, thinking about what could have been. The polished sound and heartbreaking lyrics give it timeless appeal. Yet, it feels like it’s been pushed aside in favor of bigger names like Tears for Fears or Duran Duran. That’s unfair, because it holds up beautifully.
7. “Breakout” by Swing Out Sister
This jazzy, upbeat pop song had so much personality, it practically leapt out of the radio. Swing Out Sister brought a polished, almost lounge-like vibe to the pop charts with “Breakout.” It was optimistic, stylish, and felt completely unique. But somehow, it’s not a song that gets remembered when people talk about ’80s hits.
Hearing it now, you realize just how much it stood out. The horns, the smooth vocals, and that catchy chorus made it irresistible. It could easily be considered a classic right alongside “Don’t You Want Me” or “Karma Chameleon.” Instead, it’s been relegated to the background.
8. “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell
This song was everywhere in 1984, thanks in part to its paranoid lyrics and Michael Jackson’s unmistakable backing vocals. Rockwell, who was actually the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy, created a track that blended funk, pop, and just enough weirdness to make it unforgettable. It hit the charts hard, and for a while it seemed destined to be a permanent ’80s classic. But outside of Halloween playlists, it doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as it should.
Revisiting it today, it’s easy to see why it had such an impact. The quirky theme, the catchy hook, and Jackson’s contribution made it stand out in a crowded pop landscape. It has all the ingredients of a timeless hit, yet it somehow got relegated to a novelty status. That’s unfair, because “Somebody’s Watching Me” deserves to be remembered right alongside the decade’s biggest pop songs.
9. “Say It Isn’t So” by Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates had so many hits that one of their great songs was bound to slip through the cracks. “Say It Isn’t So” was catchy, soulful, and totally worthy of classic status. But compared to “Maneater” or “Private Eyes,” it didn’t get the same long-term love. It almost feels unfair given how strong the song really is.
Listening to it now, you realize it has everything that made Hall & Oates special. The groove, the harmonies, and that effortless cool are all there. It’s a shame it isn’t mentioned more often, because it deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their biggest songs. Instead, it remains a forgotten gem in their catalog.
10. “Electric Blue” by Icehouse
Icehouse delivered one of the smoothest pop songs of the ’80s with “Electric Blue.” It had that dreamy, synth-heavy sound that was tailor-made for the time. The chorus soars in a way that makes you want to sing along instantly. Yet, for all its strengths, it hasn’t lasted in the same way as other synth-pop hits.
There’s something both romantic and cinematic about it. It feels like it should have been in a dozen movie soundtracks, forever linking it to the decade. Instead, it’s rarely talked about outside of fans who remember Icehouse. That’s a shame, because it holds up just as well as anything by INXS or Simple Minds.
11. “Cry” by Godley & Creme
This haunting ballad was unusual for the ’80s in all the right ways. Godley & Creme, former members of 10cc, created something stark and emotional with “Cry.” The music video was groundbreaking too, using morphing faces long before CGI was the norm. It should’ve cemented the song’s place in pop history, but it didn’t.
Listening to it now, you can feel how raw and innovative it was. It’s minimalist but powerful, and the emotion comes through in every word. It deserves to be remembered not just for the video but for the artistry behind the song itself. Sadly, it often gets overlooked.
12. “Steppin’ Out” by Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson had a real knack for crafting pop songs that felt sophisticated, and “Steppin’ Out” is the perfect example. It’s jazzy, breezy, and full of nighttime city energy. The song was even nominated for a Grammy, proving it had critical recognition. But despite that, it’s not often included in conversations about ’80s classics.
It still feels timeless, though. The twinkling piano and understated vocals capture a mood that never really goes out of style. It’s the perfect soundtrack for imagining yourself walking through a lit-up city at night. Yet, it’s too often forgotten when people look back at the decade.
13. “Modern Love” by Peter Gabriel
While most people instantly think of David Bowie when they hear “Modern Love,” Peter Gabriel had his own song by that name. Released in the early ’80s, it carried Gabriel’s signature mix of experimentation and pop accessibility. It was energetic, bold, and had a chorus that could stick in your head for days. Still, it’s been completely overshadowed by both Bowie and Gabriel’s later, bigger hits.
Hearing it now, you realize it was a key step in Gabriel’s transition into a pop powerhouse. It’s fun, quirky, and pure ’80s energy. If it had gotten a bit more attention, it might’ve been remembered as one of his defining songs. Instead, it’s been left in the dust of “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes.”
