Top 20 Greatest 80s Songs (You've Never Heard Of)

These underrated 80s tracks slap! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for those 1980s bangers that may have flown under your collective radar. Our countdown of the greatest songs of the 80s you've never heard of includes artists like Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, New Order, Christopher Cross, and more! Feel like shouting out a deep cut from your favorite band? Let us know in the comments!
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#80s
#Songs
#Music
#Bands
#Underrated
#Underappreciated
#1980s
#GreatestSongs

[@WatchMojo]

Feel like shouting out a deep cut from your favorite band? Let us know in the comments! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqvNZWR8mcp0i7c Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@alexplorer]

Three more forgotten ones that come to mind: *John Parr - Naughty Naughty (1985) - I never hear that one anywhere. Haven't heard it on the radio since the late '80s. *Stan Bush - The Touch (1986) - Most famous to those who remember the one true Transformers movie (not that Michael Bay b.s.) *The Sisters of Mercy - Soooo many songs from their short recording career. Take your pick: Lucretia My Reflection, More, Dominion, Detonation Boulevard, and a bunch more.

[@pabloruiz6224]

My favorite artists in the ‘80s - ‘90s Rock, grunge, and metal bands: Metallica, Nirvana, and Guns N’ Roses Hip Hop: Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Eminem, and N.W.A

[@pabloruiz6224]

@@alexplorerDon’t forget the Scarface song “Push It To The Limit” that should’ve been in that list.. that and Stan Bush’s “The Touch” were bangers

[@suzybearheart530]

Oh, where to start? How about the song My Inner Voices by The Two Of Us

[@suzybearheart530]

She Was Always on Time by Shy Talk

[@cleanenergyinside1921]

Just because YOU have not heard it, does not mean WE have not heard it in the 80's. 😂

[@arctain1]

Exactly. *Mexican Radio* was well-known. Anything by GreatWhiteLionSnake was popular. *But not tonight* was popular because it was Depeche Mode. *Lady in Red* and *Don’t pay the Ferryman* were very, very well known. *No Way Out* for goodness sake was in Rocky… *Ride like the Wind* was the epitome of mainstream, as was *Wild, Wild West* … Basically, your list was a shout saying that you didn’t live in the 80s

[@fotomedien]

We still haven't heard it as he talked over the top of each track

[@Theeporkchopxprezz]

Heck, yeah man been there done that back then loved it

[@Magnum3144]

😂 so true

[@kitescuriosities7717]

Truth.

[@davidponseigo8811]

Everyone has heard of " Self Control "

[@mattbelinski7760]

Yeh, it was a massive hit.

[@consubandon]

...despite being a garbage song, and despite Branigan's utter ineptitude as a singer. My god, she's awful.

[@TonyLeadholm]

AMEN.

[@jenniferm6042]

It's still played pretty often on the radio where I live

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

I almost forgot how attractive Laura Brannigan was, too. Honestly, I remember bumming upon hearing the news Brannigan had passed, although, I had not purchased a record of hers and hadn't heard anything about her since the late 80's. But, the songs Gloria and Self Control were big hits and left a lasting 80's MTV impression. Laura Brannigan was only 52. RIP

[@Wendish1971]

If you don't know these songs, then boy do I have about 2,000 other 80s songs that you really never heard of.

[@kev3d]

Seriously. Wild Wild West? It's a Sin? Self Control? These were hardly obscure.

[@markkeneson6806]

​@@kev3d, and Ride Like the Wind.

[@paultreadaway102]

I raise u 3,000 songs from all around the World in the 80s deep cuts,album cuts,minor hits in the rare in retro way if it's done u never get an inch and take alot it's never ending research.Lifes short we do well to enjoy the knowledge and facts to thanks to the Artists that have done it will rule forever history has existed

[@popoff7808]

@@paultreadaway102 I go 5,000 and only from the UK and Australia and Ireland.

[@paultreadaway102]

@@popoff7808 those 3 oh yeah and the rest

[@ReverendPuck]

Laura Brannigan's "Self Control" went to #5 in the UK; #4 in America; #3 in Australia; #2 in Ireland; and #1 in Australia Top 40, Canada, Finland, France, and Germany. Safe to say people heard this song.

[@sandrasausville9103]

As a Gen Xer that grew up in the 80's i remember every one of these

[@alyzu4755]

Same! ☺️❤️

[@ellefitzpatrick6339]

Yeap, almost all of these were huge in Australia and I remember every one of them. Once again it’s glaringly obvious the US thinks only their charts are important.

[@Eckythump]

@@ellefitzpatrick6339 ^ This. Fellow Aussie. Anyone who put Rage on every weekend morning would be familiar with most of these songs.

[@owenshopson]

Never heard the Canadian cartoon theme song, but the rest of them were all on one or another of my mixtapes back then.

[@chrisdavis3055]

Same here, but I worked in radio in the 80s so I was probably exposed to more than the average listener.

[@jayuu3322]

#20 Bon Jovi - Only Lonely 0:27 #19 Laura Branigan - Self Control 1:31 #18 Oingo Boingo - Dead Mans Party 2:28 #17 The Pretenders - Message Of Love 3:24 #16 Lisa Lougheed - Run With Us 4:21 #15 Stan Ridgway - A Mission In Life 5:20 #14 Whitesnake - Wings Of The Storm 6:17 #13 Killing Joke - Eighties 7:18 #12 Depeche Mode - But Not Tonight 8:26 #11 Chris de Burgh - Don't Pay The Ferryman 9:21 #10 Albert Hammond - When I'm Gone 10:27 #9 Robert Tepper - No Easy Way Out 11:25 #8 New Order - Age Of Consent 12:39 #7 Kim Wilde - Cambodia 13:36 #6 Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin 14:36 #5 Ultravox - Dancing With Tears In My Eyes 15:32 #4 Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind 16:27 #3 The Escape Club - Wild Wild West 17:19 #2 Marillion - Kayleigh 18:12 #1 A-ha - The Sun Always Shines On T.V. 19:28

[@orlandocalder1645]

Thank you bro

[@user-sc8qy2ph4t]

GTA vibes for sure 😂

[@orlandocalder1645]

@user-sc8qy2ph4t I know Lauta Branigan's Self Control was definitely on Vice City's radio

[@22tango79]

Or any song from a-ha’s Hunting High and Low - a perfect masterpiece of light and dark.

[@donaldmacarthur]

I absolutely LOVE It's A Sin!!!!

[@yourweirdauntperfumeryskin3236]

"The Sun Always Shines on TV" HAD to be number 1 in my mind. It's a masterpiece. Absolutely beautiful song through and through. I smile the second it comes on and get ready to lose myself for a few minutes.

[@pedroteran5885]

It's a spectacular song and it still sounds fresh and poignant.

[@andrewmichaelfernandes9982]

Fully fully agree

[@RichardDicksondlyrch68]

When someone asks me what the '80s were like, I tell them "Go to the 3:46 mark in 'The Sun Always Shines on TV'."

[@jenw5056]

The whole album is full of great songs. I was in a store with my 19-year old daughter the other day when this song came on and she stopped me from walking and pointed it out. They rarely play anything other than Take on Me in the States, which is a shame.

[@audreywilkin8627]

100 percent agree! Definitely my favorite. I can listen to it over and over!

[@paulvee1299]

I always love it when people tell me what I’ve heard or seen and haven’t.

[@brickcitybrownchick]

Laura Branigan had such an amazing voice. She was gone way too soon.

[@cheetoprincess]

The Sun Always Shines on TV is brilliant and so catchy. I frequently sing the chorus around the house.

[@WrenFaithBridger]

It's been on my Spotify playlist pretty much since I set it up.

[@Edward-bd8iy]

When I hear it, and you get to the keyboard/synth coming out of the bridge, my mind's eye sees something along the lines of the anime Daft Punk videos. It always sounds like a soundtrack from Japanese animation.

[@MsRandom303]

A couple of years ago I was at a store, looking for some crowd-pleasing white wine, when Wild Wild West came on, and I thought, "Okay, NOW I'm ready to party." That song is timeless.

[@cheriemonami]

My kids loved this song from mixed tape.

[@gertibell]

"Don't Pay the Ferryman" was on heavy rotation in the early days of MTV. I always loved the song & the video was cool.

[@markdaniels7174]

Lots of plays on MTV! I think of *that* being his biggest song, not “Lady in Red.”

[@Soundofsilver2007]

The beats on Self Control captures the essence of ‘84 as good as any Billboard Hit.

[@Waaagh40KRed]

Knowing that it was a cover of an Italian artist makes the music video more sense to me. It feels like it was directed by Dario Argento.

[@carsisbest]

Everyone knows Self Control, it was prominent in the video game Grand Theft Auto Vice City, a big love letter to the 1980’s culture, music and media

[@timothyweers8054]

I have the 12 inch single of self control. The song just drags me into it.

[@ToABrighterFuture]

The video was actually directed by William Friedkin. Yes, THAT William Friedkin, who had already won Oscars for The French Connection and The Exorcist. It was one of the earliest music videos to be helmed by a director who'd already won an Academy Award.

[@Waaagh40KRed]

@@ToABrighterFuture I did not know that. Cool!

[@NomenLuni1975]

Talk Talk deserve a mention on this list. They are a hugely brilliant and very underrated band. They started off with a synthpop sound, before moving into alternative rock in the mid 80s, and eventually branching out into experimental jazz rock towards the end of their existence. They had a few hits, e.g. It's My Life, and Life's What You Make it, but one of their best songs is Living In Another World'.

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

It's My Life. Love that song so much. Sucks that Mark Hollis died. 😢

[@NomenLuni1975]

@@elizabethsullivan7176 Yeah. I know he had stopped making music a long time ago, but I was always hoping he would return one day.

[@willowbark5649]

​@@elizabethsullivan7176I loved his voice. I always thought he sounded so much Brian Ferry on that tune.

[@cosmopolitano4451]

In my opinion Such A Shame is their best song

[@dawnpatrol700]

Anyone who doesn't agree, needs to watch " its my life " live Montreux Jazz fest 1986.

[@AdamG1983]

If anyone likes "Take On Me", listen to all of "Hunting High and Low". Every song is amazing. It's a perfect album from top to bottom.

[@SO-ym3zs]

Indeed. One of the great 80's albums, and a joy from start to finish.

[@donnamcmanus7360]

I loved it. And You Tell Me is a favorite.

[@summerjade22]

Im American but dated a Swede but his Mom was Norwegian, when I was in my 20s. I was born in 83 so I kinda missed them outside of the mainstream Take on Me when I was older. He introduced me to the rest of their music. Their music will always have a special place in my heart ❤️

[@richardgoddard37]

A-ha are still going strong, and still releasing great music.

[@68kirk]

One of the silver linings of the worldwide mess of 2020 was that I discovered their post-Memorial Beach albums. Then I found out about the solo projects. And then I discovered Kent. Listen to Vapen and Ammunition or Tiggerdrottningen, you'll thank me later...

[@erinsilcox9652]

Marillion's "Misplaced Childhood" will forever be one of my favorite albums from beginning to end. "Kayleigh" goes into "Lavender," and you really have to listen to them together. ❤

[@WatchMojo]

Thanks for sharing your love for Marillion's incredible work!

[@ajc1888]

Agreed, I still have the vinyl somewhere in the loft

[@terracat2112]

I love that album. ♥️

[@ladybugsie8635]

Haven't thought about Lavender for some time. But immediately the lyrics pop up. Thank you! A penny for your thoughts my dear...

[@AmySox]

Marillion has been called "England's best-kept secret" and "the best band you've never heard of." _Misplaced Childhood_ and its followup _Clutching at Straws_ are brilliant albums, and their later work when Steve "h" Hogarth replaced Fish continues that brilliance.

[@rebeccamcdermott9259]

Dancing with tears in my eyes has been a favourite 80's song of mine for years.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

The video meant a lot to me--especially the last bit where the home movie melts away!

[@MDCSWildcats86]

Prefers the X (band, that is) song of the same name from 1982 "Cause the girl in my arms isn't you".

[@Dadtheimpaler]

Great song. Would've been nice to hear more than the six words that make up the title.

[@suzybearheart530]

I love that song too!

[@laustcawz2089]

​@@MDCSWildcats86 I love 'em both... alao that whole X album, "Under The Big Black Sun".

[@deaconsmom2000]

Ohhh, I get it. This list was compiled by people born in the 90's and 00's. I've heard most of these until I'm blue in the face, but I was plopped in front of the Mtv any time I was allowed to watch. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes is an amazing song. Sad, but great.

[@module79l28]

I'd rather say that this list was compiled by ignorant people.

[@evanhayward1502]

Back when the "M" stood for Music.

[@Edward-bd8iy]

For those of us who were college-age adults, MTV was IT!!! The early years, programs like 'IRS's The Cutting Edge' and 'Night Flight'(USA Network) kept me up at night and made my college studies a little harder to concentrate. I didn't care, I got them done... We grew up with three channels and paid out the wazoo for cable with a smile.

[@jimheimerl1637]

Marillion's "Misplaced Childhood" is a fantastic record. I'm glad I randomly found out about them in the early 2000s.

[@jh76103]

I liked "The Sun Always Shines On TV" more than "Take On Me" since the first time I heard it! It deserved a lot more play time.

[@newsmith]

Chris De Burgh's "Don't pay the Ferryman", one of my all time favorites. Make sure to listen to the "Spanish Train". Another of his classics.

[@user-mf4rm4fj6l]

Or "High on Emotion", "Ship to Shore", "Borderline", "A Spaceman Came Travelling", "Sailing Away", "Say Goodbye to it All", "This Waiting Heart" and last but never least "Missing You"...

[@caseymacmacl7463]

Kinda fond of Patricia the Stripper, myself! "And with a swing of her hips, she started to strip! To tremendous applause, she took off her ...!" "This girl was in her working clothes!!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@caseymacmacl7463]

@@user-mf4rm4fj6l I will always respect this man for being one of the few performers to perform in Toronto during SARS. All the other performers were cancelling shows left and right and Chris made sure to let everyone know that he was GOING to be there, come hell or high water! It was an amazing show that no one wanted to end. He actually started singing a couple Beatles' songs during his 4th encore!

[@Cherry91]

Omg Spanish Train is so good! One of his finest in terms of story telling if you ask me. They don't do it like him anymore.

[@newsmith]

@@user-mf4rm4fj6l I could have made a list of his songs but felt that Spanish Train is one of his more well (or should be) known story telling songs. Don't forget "Patricia The Stripper" lol

[@martincolvill5453]

So cool to hear Chris DeBurge on hear. Absolutely love, Don't Pay the Ferryman. He also has numerous other gems in his catalog.

[@em7dim9]

Anyone who watched MTV regularly knows that's far from an obscure track. Don't know why it's on this list as it got a ton of rotation.

[@maxmirni2768]

it's "fairy man" according to these pigs

[@theresalawrence156]

I was thinking the sun always shines on TV was that amazing song that I’ve always loved and was surprised that it didn’t get much attention.

[@freemind1923]

It actually did.. as well as It's a sin and self control.. they were huge hits.

[@nicolesalzmann5119]

This video transports a very american POV, half of the songs were massive hits in Europe. And everyone knows Stan Ridgeway 😳

[@danielakorneck8385]

I love Marillion "Kayleight" I've always loved it. Fish's voice was always brilliant.

[@laurieyekovich8218]

This is one of those songs where I had to record the video on VHS in order to have it because I just couldn't find it anywhere. Wow what memories! If threatened I probably could not have said Marillion did it, and most definitely did not know he went by Fish. His voice is stellar though. That's one of those factoids my little brother probably knew and would have schooled me on if he were still alive. I have a great memory but his was stellar lol! It's been just over 11 years now since he died, but the second that clip started to play, my mind directly went "Oh KJ and I used to listen to that all the time!" They nailed it. I had forgotten this song was so awesome!

[@antonnee]

My introduction to the band, and a fan ever since.

[@opackdrum]

One of my favorite guitar solos

[@mrmsbhvn]

Marillion has always been pretty amazing. Misplaced Childhood is one, of a very few of my ALL-TIME favorite records. It flows straight-through the songs, similar to The Wall, where the song breaks are nearly invisible. FISH (Derek William Dick) did some very powerful lyrics back then for 3 albums (I believe) and has continued for many years solo. Also, the band located a different singer (Steve Hogarth) and have also continued carrying on the band name, creating wonderful sounds as well.

[@mrmsbhvn]

@@opackdrum Steve Rothery

[@trojans7]

Tracey Ullman's "They Don't Know" is missing in this countdown, at least as an honorary mention. It's a great song and I'm sure A LOT of people never heard of it... They don't know (Pun intended)

[@lisaa.9341]

Love this song! Still play the video on a regular basis.

[@ladybugsie8635]

Anyone still remember O Superman from Laurie Anderson? Back then it really gave me the chills. So out of this world. Mission accomplished, Laurie.

[@darkgirl83]

in Italy it was sadly known for being the music of a public service commercial about AIDS that was in heavy rotation back in the late 80s

[@bradleymcavoy3432]

Well I’m thinking of Martika’s hit “Toy Soldiers”. 😎

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

But people in America heard it quite a bit. Most of the songs on here are the ones that were ignored in the US but did great in the UK and other territories

[@bradleymcavoy3432]

@ScrewyDriverTheMan Huh?!! I mentioned it because it was a Hit single in the U.S.! 😉

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

@@bradleymcavoy3432 Correct! This video is about songs that were NOT heard in the US so much. If it was heard, it would not be on this video, which it isn't LMAO

[@bradleymcavoy3432]

@ScrewyDriverTheMan I don’t know why you’re LMAOing because you’re only half right! “The Only way Out” which was the hit single for Rocky IV had widespread release in the US and the Bon Jovi song “Only You” while not their most popular song at the time was also in wide US release plus the description of this video doesn’t really say what you are saying! 🙄🤨😉

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

@@bradleymcavoy3432 DUDE! THIS video is about songs that not many heard! Not ONE HIT WONDERS! Sheesh! Pay attention!!!! Toy Soldiers was a decent hit! These other songs on this video were hardly ever heard in the charts, THAT is the point!

[@julianaylor4351]

I could easily list over 20 British or European 1980s hits that you've never heard. Side note there are many groups and acts the US has ignored over the years. There are songs out there that were hits all-over the world, that were ignored in the US.

[@user-mf4rm4fj6l]

"And I could name so many in German, French and even Italian"

[@julianaylor4351]

@@user-mf4rm4fj6l Think of all the famous singers and bands from the decades since the dawn of modern popular music, the US has ignored.

[@andreim.5324]

Exactly. Baltimora's Tarzan Boy is the first that comes to mind. Tony Esposito's Kalimba De Luna, William Pitt's City Lights, London Boys's My Love, France Gall's Babacar, Bananarama's Do Not Disturb, The Outfield's Your Love, The Motels's Shame, Yazoo's Situation, The Smits's How Soon Is Now, Talk Talk's Such A Shame, Stacy Lattisaw' Dancin' Up A Storm, Siedah Garrett's Groove Of Midnight, Gazebo's I Like Chopin, Sandra's Everlasting Love, Quarterflash's Harden My Heart, Icehouse's Electric Blue, OMD's Maid Of Orleans, Modern Talking's Cherri Cherri Lady, Mike Oldfield's To France, Men At Work's Overkill, Kim Wilde's You Came, Eurythmics's King And Queen Of America, Jennifer Rush's I Come Undone, Jean Beauvoir's Feel The Heat, Howard Jones's Things Can Only Get Better, Erasure's Sometimes, Finzy Kontini's Cha Cha Cha, Dan Hill's Carmelia, Chris Rea's On The Beach, and the list of not so known 80's gems goes on and on. The 80's were fantastic and irrepeatable.

[@kylereece1979]

@@andreim.5324 Classic List. 👍 Shout out to ya for the inclusion of Ice House. Underrated band with huge songs. "Touch the Fire" is a song that, I would totally add to that already gem packed list you made. As for the 20 songs here, it always surprises me that Aha didnt seem to get further recognition beyond Take on Me in the US. Im Irish, and they were consistently successful throughout the 80s and early 90s everywhere else. They can easily still sell out arenas across countries without necessary having to rely on Take on Me as their only calling card.

[@stevemcdede8559]

What about Polynesian skiffle?

[@catherinewilliams9680]

Thank you for giving The Sun always shines on t.v. some serious love. Another overlooked gem on that album is Train of thought.

[@CalmAnimal]

Yep. Although I would have gone with Blue Sky. I used to be confused, but now, I just don't know....

[@alyzu4755]

The entire album is great.

[@tatiannag2866]

Mojo can mine the 80's for eternity and never get to the bottom of it all.

[@AdamG1983]

"Self Control"? I thought everyone knew that song. It's a certified hood classic.

[@stevekoller3314]

Dead Man's Party is my Halloween jam. (Also, seeing "Run with Us" on this list just made my day)

[@bwuh]

Hunting High and Low by A-Ha is an underrated, timeless gem of an album. Every track slaps.

[@CalmAnimal]

Oh, I used to be confused, but now, I just don't know.....

[@jenw5056]

Warner Brothers didn't promote a-ha in the States. A travesty. I only know a lot of their catalog because my dad was stationed in London in the 80s. Lucky me. :) The Sun Always Shines on TV came on in a store the other day and my 19-year old actually grabbed my arm and pointed it out... all we ever hear here is Take on Me. I was really surprised to hear it.

[@AdamG1983]

HELL YES!!

[@fittherapywellness]

I remembered ALL of tnese songs and know them all very well. You must have been born in the 90’s or 00’s to not have heard of these classic tunes.

[@vordman]

I knew most of these. Self Control was a mega-hit, I can't believe it's been forgotten. And Kayleigh is astonishing. Amazing lyrics.

[@jschnabl85]

The fact that you included “Run With Us” makes me SO HAPPY! The Raccoons is one of the best cartoons, let alone one of the best shows of the 1980s. The theme is absolutely awesome and needs to be on iTunes!!!

[@qwipperty]

Yep. Every Canadian knows that song.

[@ChrisKewl]

@@qwippertyOr people adjacent to Canada, I lived on the west-side of Cleveland, Ohio in my youth and watched The Raccoons as well. :) Good memories!

[@cpoomail]

jsyk, cybertronic spree does a really great cover

[@HonourGuardian]

Great Video! A part 2 for this video could/should include: The Promise You Made (1984) - Cock Robin Through the Barricades (1986) - Spandau Ballet Should've Known Better (1987) - Richard Marx Can't Stay Away From You (1987) - Gloria Estefan Johnny and Mary (1980) - Robert Palmer Brilliant Disguise (1987) - Bruce Springsteen Shake you Down (1986) - Gregory Abbott Somebody's Watching Me (1984) Rockwell

[@paultomaszewski1964]

While I like "The Promise you Made", I think it's a better song than their only Top 40 hit " When Your Heart is Weak". Either one would show people how good they were. Personally, their third album "First Loves, Last Rites" is excellent.

[@josephmacisaac3346]

"Whisper to a Scream".by Icicle Works "We Close Our Eyes" by Go West

[@sp8118]

@@josephmacisaac3346 I LOVE "Whisper to a scream" it took me almost 40 years to find it again!! I put it on my 80's playlist and my daughter heard it and LOVES it also!!

[@suzybearheart530]

@@josephmacisaac3346 Great choices!

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

I absolutely love 'Brilliant Disguise'. My boyfriend had 'Tunnel of Love' (cassette, no less!), and I almost wore the tape out listening to that song.

[@GarethMcKenzieHumphries]

The Sun Always Shines on TV is one of the greatest songs ever - with some of the darkest, don't say this to your psychiatrist, lyrics right from the off. Must be to do with 6 months of night in Scand, or something. It was also UK No 1 on my 15th birthday in Jan 86 - and that depresses me ;) It's a Sin is also one of the greatest songs ever. PSB's most brilliant moment - and there have been many - with, again as above - beautiful, powerful lyrics I've got to say that those two songs I have heard at least once a week for decades and I will never grow tired of them Good to see 7800 Farenheit's Only Lonely in your list as well. IMO Bon Jovi's best album - again listened to very often

[@babarox1998]

The sun always shine on tv is my favorite song from a-ha, the music is so theatrical... The second one, on my list, is crying in the rain (who was a cover), just beautiful...

[@suzybearheart530]

So happy to see Killing Joke get some love. I first heard them on the 80s surf movie North Shore. That movie had a great soundtrack featuring Pseudo Echo, Killing Joke, and more!

[@darkgirl83]

my favourite from them is of course Love Like Blood

[@foodflights1408]

Some that make my list: I Wish I Had That Girl - Henry Lee Summer Summertime Girls - YYT Salt in My Tears - Martin Briley Stay the Night - Benjamin Orr Something to Grab For - Ric Ocasek Rush Hour - Jane Weidlin Crazy and/or Electric Blue - Icehouse New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite

[@PirateLeota]

I love Rush Hour and Electric Blue! Great picks!

[@therealrodrgarcia]

Great throwbacks!

[@foodflights1408]

Oh! A couple (OK, more than a couple) more I thought of. Sausalito Summer Nights - Diesel You Don't Want Me Anymore and Dreaming is Easy - Steel Breeze. We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart What's He Got - The Producers

[@roddow612]

Every one of yours were miles ahead of this list.

[@devinhyde1139]

Henry Lee Summer was an Indiana staple and icon!! I feel like he was always just on the cusp of breaking big.....

[@Uncle_Smidge]

I also submit Icehouse's "Electric Blue". I never hear it in any 80's channels or lists but it's a banger.

[@laurieyekovich8218]

The album with that song on it was amazing! Ironically I heard it in a casino last weekend lol! Takes me back to college, since it was a standard tape I studied to.

[@casinodelonge]

co written by Daryll Hall??

[@denisebacher5040]

I would say Crazy is a more obscure song by them.

[@vsander09]

It’s literally in heavy rotation in XM Radio First Wave. Not underrated at all.

[@vsander09]

@@denisebacher5040both were hits. Neither is remotely obscure.

[@PirateLeota]

I'm so happy you included Oingo Boingo! Other songs I love by them are 'Stay' and 'Not My Slave'.

[@chrismorgan9153]

I hate to admit how many of these songs are on my playlist. I must have liked the things everyone else was unaware of, at least according to this list.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

Nah, don't hate to admit it - be proud! You've got great taste, there's some great music there! :)

[@deaconsmom2000]

Keep in mind, it was probably put together by some wee'un who thinks we all ran around in leg warmers and torn sweatshirts.

[@allenriordanyork3856]

Don’t sweat it. It’s a bad list. Some of these were even big hits. “Self Control” by Laura Brannigan??? That was a huge hit. Whoever put this list together should be fired. LOL

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

Same here. At least half of these songs are on my Spotify, namely Don't Pay The Ferryman, No Easy Way Out, and Dead Man's Party. Three of my all time favorite songs.

[@misterblister1200]

Nah. These are still pop tracks. They were liked enough.

[@plinkitee]

Fun fact! The video for "Self Control" was directed by William Friedkin (The Exorcist).

[@freemind1923]

I just watched "To Live and Die in L.A." after reading this comment. Guess they call it butterfly effect :)

[@DojoKunComics]

Some of my favorites that are seemingly unknown or long-forgotten are: The Promise - When In Rome Sweetheart - Franke & The Knockouts Don't Turn Around - Ace of Base Missing - Everything But The Girl Running On Ice - Billy Joel Do You Want Crying? - Siouxsie & The Banshees

[@1deoplastic]

Everything but the Girl started in the 80s and were severely underrated until Missing! Wrong from that era was also great!

[@Thediscodude79]

Some of my favorite lesser known tracks from the 80's include "Protection" by Donna Summer "Supernatural Love" by Donna Summer "Jimmy Loves Maryanne" by Josie Cotton "Spirit In The Sky" by Dr. & The Medics "Brand New Lover" by Dead Or Alive "Post Card From New York" by Movieland "Blue Kiss" by Jane Wiedlin "Landslide" by Olivia Newton-John

[@1deoplastic]

There absolutely should be a list of the best #2 songs because Brand New Lover was such a good mainstream single of theirs

[@jennstandring5172]

Duran Duran - Hold Back the Rain - from the Rio album, 1982 I love this deep track!

[@freemind1923]

I know it by heart because I had got that album as cassette. My favorites besides Rio was My Own Way and Hungry Like the Wolf.. all songs were great though.. exceptionally..

[@5roundsrapid263]

Very nice. I have Rio on vinyl and this is the deepest cut on it!

[@miz_logo_lee]

Pretty much none of these are unfamiliar to North American music fans in their 50s/60s today. I’d include: Will You - Hazel O’Connor Total Control - Motels Absolute Beginners - David Bowie Border Ska - Camper Van Beethoven Major Tom (Coming Home) - Peter Schilling (much bigger in Canada than US) Slug Line - John Hiatt (granted, 1979)

[@p.d.l7023]

I remember listening to that whitesnake album whilst traveling and the hotel started burning down. Scary night! Almost died! 😮

[@VonPunk]

'Kayleigh' was a big hit in the UK, and is still the bane of every woman called that, just like 'Smooth Criminal' is the bane of everyone called any variation of Annie. I've heard 'The Sun Always Shines On TV' about 500 times, i love that song, if people really haven't heard it then it does deserve to be #1.

[@jenw5056]

In the States they rarely play anything by a-ha that isn't Take on Me, despite their immense catalog of music and so many good ones on Hunting High and Low, including Hunting High and Low, Train of Thought, and The Sun Always Shines on TV. It's a shame.

[@VonPunk]

@@jenw5056 It's the same here, A-Ha treated like a one hit wonder, I agree it is a shame. I just heard TSASOT so much because I choose to have it on, I never tire of it, Morten has a great singing voice. 🙂

[@dementedfurbie.]

Pet Shop Boys are my favorite band and I'm thrilled they're still going . They even have new music coming out in April 🎶 ❤

[@david2869]

My second favorite band, with only "Weird Al" Yankovic beating them out for my top spot.

[@neilwalker1847]

They are currently touring

[@lauran.9427]

Check out band "Electronic" Pet Shop + New Order= "Getting Away with It" AWESOME

[@rayeedaabir29]

Vice City players will know Self-Control from Flash FM 1:30

[@user-sc8qy2ph4t]

What an epic game, such simpler times too 😢

[@joda6748]

I knew this song only from vice city

[@GelthWalker1]

Im replaying the game atm I love it that and the ads on flash always crack me up

[@garyeldenmaggs2927]

First heard it when I jacked an Infernus for the "Waste The Wife" mission...

[@marcovtjev]

me 2. I knew the song somewhat before from childhood, but it only hit me on Flash FM. But the biggest one for me is Kayleigh.

[@hushson9411]

Great list! Here’s more: The Outfield - Shelter Me Mike + The Mechanics - Par Avion Gerry Rafferty - Standing at the Gates Peter Cetera - You Never Listen to Me Pseudo Echo - His Eyes Shark Island - Paris Calling Strangeways - Love Lies Dying and/or Goodnight L.A. Triumph - Rock Out, Roll On Wang Chung - Let’s Go! Beau Coup - Born and Raised (On Rock & Roll) Blue Oyster Cult - Shooting Shark Charlie Sexton - Beat’s So Lonely and/or Don’t Look Back Chris Rea - Curse of the Traveller, Looking for the Summer, Your Warm and Tender Love, I Just Wanna Be With You Eddie Money - The Love in Your Eyes, Boardwalk Baby, Far Cry from a Heartache, I Can’t Hold Back

[@thecorinthianguy]

Par Avion is a deep cut, definitely worth mentioning. I wish they had made more music.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

No Big Country? In a big country? 1980s!

[@christopherkerns639]

I graduated in 1984! I watched when MTV was born! Remember all these songs! And could name a huge number that people have long forgotten!

[@Animeguy300]

80s & 90s music are awesome

[@cocoaorange1]

Decades of my teens a d young adulthood. Memories!

[@dtemplar21977]

On Self Control, the video was directed by William Friedkin. Director of The French Connection and The Exorcist.

[@MoKingSr]

This made me remember the days of The Windy City Rock Show, a show I hosted on WKKC in the days when MTV was a thing on afternoons.

[@richarddavis9605]

Hanging on a Heart Attack by Device, Ball of Confusion by Love and Rockets, Senses Working Overtime by XTC, Seattle by PiL, 3 AM Eternal by KLF, Ya Ho by James, Here is Where the Story Ends by the Sundays.

[@writercleavebourbon]

Who Says and Hanging on a Heartattack by Device is ALWAYS overlooked. Two great 80s songs for sure!

[@junquette3000]

Love Hanging On A Heart Attack. Rediscovered it a couple of years ago. Awesome track!

[@Bo_D_Hansen]

I did not know number 11, but all the other songs I know after all, I was a teenager in the 1980s, and I miss the 1980's so much.

[@buddrud]

Oh Goodness. Don't Pay The Ferryman is a Chris De Burgh classic. The one on this list I've never heard of is Lisa Lougheed's Run With Us. But in that era I wasn't into the Canadian 80's. That came a little later.

[@Bo_D_Hansen]

@@buddrud Unfortunately, The only song I know from Chris De Burgh is "The Lady In Red".

[@jackwells8107]

There were six I didn't know, but a lot of the wins I do - like The Sun Always Shines on TV - is because I was one of those people who'd hear one song I really liked and go out and by the album. Remember when you could by most albums for about $6.99? It's hard to pick favorite 80s deep cuts, tho - Spandau Ballet's Gold? Haircut 100's Fantastic Day? Corey Hart's Spot You in a Coalmine? So many great songs - Heck, so many great performers - that no one really remembers anymore.

[@rileyfuckingrifle]

Sweet. I mostly missed the eighties (born in '88) and was excited to only recognize one song. 😅

[@jerryezel4530]

Is there a chance you know a song that has a hook that goes “ and if ever get to see you again” & no not the fast and furious song😌

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

You have no idea how much I appreciate you properly crediting Self Control to RAF.

[@strummercash5601]

Geez guys! Thanks for all the great additions, but I can’t possibly scroll and screenshot the entire comment thread, lol. Grateful for all the deep-cuts provided. It was 0°F in Minnesota when I awoke to walk my dog. Now, I’ve got a whole cold afternoon’s worth of flashback tracks from my teens! Yay. 🙏🏽✌🏽💙 from Minnesota, USA

[@francescaalvarez4376]

Thank you for validating my love for "The sun always shines on TV!" I always loved that song since I was a child, but no one ever heard of it. It was eclipsed by "Take on me." Both great songs, but I felt the first had more feeling and depth. 😊

[@JonnyInfinite]

This was a number one single in the UK- most of us of a certain age know it

[@ArthurVerhulst]

@@JonnyInfinite It was huge in Holland too

[@laurieyekovich8218]

It was my little brother's favorite A-ha song by far; he always was ahead of the curve.

[@freemind1923]

No one heard of it? I know it all the way from Istanbul bro. It was one of the most played song of the year along with Take on me.

[@kkp0505]

My fave decade for music… love alternative new wave so much…

[@darkestserenity6775]

I lived through the 80's in the UK and heard most of these Self control by Laura Brannigan is still one of my faves that I play frequently

[@thepouge1]

Don't Pay the Ferryman is an awesome song. I've always had a copy of some sort of that song until streaming music came around.

[@EchoesDaBear]

Good list!! 85% of these songs I already knew and loved (due to being a child of the 80's with two sisters in their late teens - bringing home LOTS of music & influences!! They were 13/14 years older, so really formed my earliest tastes in music!) The Sun Always Shines on TV has been one of my top 80's songs since it came out in '85! And thanks for the jogging of my memory on The Racoons theme song!! I had forgotten about that one! I think I'll add it to my Retro playlist! Cheers!

[@floraaurora3411]

The best decade for music. Other songs that could be included: Original Sin - INXS Hey, Little Girl - Icehouse Mothers Talk (US Remix) - Tears For Fears Under The Milky Way - The Church

[@tracybrennan4194]

Agree with all of these! And Icehouse is still an often-listened to band for me. ❤

[@dawnkindnesscountsmost5991]

I still love these songs and bands. I'd add _Reptile_ by The Church; not nearly as much airplay or recognition (in the States, anyway) as _Under the Milkyway,_ but that guitar riff is "chefs kiss."

[@sandrazed6089]

@@dawnkindnesscountsmost5991 Under the Milky Way, that song takes my breath away. Beautiful and if I recall so is the video!

[@ruantengyi]

Maybe Watchmojo should do a sequel of this clip!

[@em7dim9]

Under the Milky Way is too well-known for this list.

[@ClaytonCrispim]

I'm really glad that DM's 'But Not Tonight' is listed in the video.

[@mantibarlow6272]

Was searching for this comment! Lol

[@jimb.7523]

*The 80s are my jam. So much so that I've created an epic YT playlist that has more than 1900 music videos/songs.*

[@andreim.5324]

I hear you. I am obsessed with the 80's. Being born in the mid 80's meant that I grew up on all that decades's music. So much so, that my 80's Spotify playlist is aproaching 10000 songs.

[@jerryezel4530]

Quick question, Do you know a song which chorus goes “and if I ever get to see you again”

[@BrianJNelson]

Sirius XM, 80s on 8 with Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and (sometimes) Nina Blackwood.

[@alexhidalgo7110]

The 80s is the best ever

[@Maxjuliann]

Sorry but 90s is the best decade of human existence

[@leroyjenkins9246]

​@@Maxjuliann80s wins

[@sidsuperstar]

C o c a I n e ! ! !

[@Maxjuliann]

@@leroyjenkins9246 nope

[@Bo_D_Hansen]

​@@Maxjuliann 1980's music is the best decade ❤

[@jammer8282]

I love this list and #1 is the absolute perfect choice! I subscribed now!

[@joshuaburba1048]

Laura Branigan's "Self Control" is one of my favorite songs of the 80's. It's so catchy and has such a great beat. On a different note, "No Easy Way Out," which was featured in Rocky 4, was very recently covered by a phenomenal musician from Sweden named Tommy Johansson. I can't recommend it highly enough if you haven't seen it. Go check it out.

[@darkehorse71]

The cover of No Easy Way Out by the power metal band Beast in Black is one of the best songs I've ever heard.

[@joshuaburba1048]

@@darkehorse71 Cool, I'll check it out, thanks. Go give Tommy's version a listen and let me know what you think. He's freaking amazing.

[@joshuaburba1048]

@@darkehorse71 Damn dude, that was freaking awesome. Thanks for suggesting it. I just finished listening to it and their sound is amazing. I honestly wasn't super impressed with the lead singer, but their harmonies were great. But the band sounded absolutely awesome. Have a good one.

[@darkehorse71]

@@joshuaburba1048 Not impressed with the lead singer? His vocal range is amazing.

[@darkehorse71]

@@joshuaburba1048 Listened to it. Tommy is pretty good but his vocals are kinda weak in parts. The BiB version is definitely better.

[@kevanwhittaker8379]

i've been getting into 'The Motels' again lately.......'Only the Lonely' was pretty popular i think, but 'Total Control' makes my day

[@japhyryder66]

Give Mission of Mercy a listen. My favorite Motels song.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Only The Lonely was a top 40 FM DJs played from 1000pm to 500am not really a day 🌄 track.

[@jenniferm6042]

I had to stop in at the "Run with us" song. I recognized it immediately as a song from the Racoons cartoon! Thanks for the memory!

[@rbailey1240]

a-ha's first album is nearly perfect! One of the all-time greats!

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Great list! I would add these: One of Our Submarines(is Missing) by Thomas Dolby Desert Moon by Dennis DeYoung Feel It Again by Honeymoon Suite Living Inside Myself by Gino Vannelli If you were a 70’s-80’s kid, then you could list many more.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

Anyone remember Tony Carey's "A Fine, Fine Day"?

[@MegaSpecies8472]

​@@Blaqjaqshellaq as well as his planet p stuff

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

@@MegaSpecies8472 How about Heaven 17's "Come Live With Me"? (LUXURY GAP is an underrated album.) And Devo's "Speed Racer," with my favorite pop song line: "I've got brains and I like sex!"

[@olaoluwaafolayan6554]

Love the shoutout for Honeymoon Suite’s “Feel It Again” - more people need to know about that one! Also since you mentioned Gino Vannelli, I would add his song “Black Cars” to this list!

[@MegaSpecies8472]

So many Honeymoon Suite songs

[@bxpress6507]

I was a teenager throughout the 80s..one song that stoodout for me when Mtv was in its infancy was Quarterflash's harden my heart😊🎉🎉 i immediate associate Laura's self control with this song..such great music videos back then in addition to superb sound! Nostalgia overloaded!

[@ynot531]

Considering number 10 Albert Hammond, he hardly remained completely anonymous. His 1972 debut album of the same name yielded the hit "It Never Rains in Southern California". It peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

[@Imgrateful777]

What an awesome video with great songs! The 80s for me were great times! I was 24 in 1980 and just bought a 62 Corvette for $4500. What a deal. In 1984, I met and married the most wonderful woman I have ever known. 40 years later, she is more beautiful and amazing than ever. We still enjoy Corvettes as I surprised her with a 22 C8 Corvette (this one is all hers). She was absolutely blown away!!!! But better than that we have 7 children born between 1985 and 1996. Now have 5 grandchildren. We only list to 70s and 80s music, especially when out cruising in any of our amazing cars! A happy wife is a blessing

[@carlstawicki1915]

Marillion sounds like what Genesis would have had Peter Gabriel stayed with them through the 80s. They are definitely underrated.

[@bent3736]

Cobain was very upfront about using the Eighties riff in Come As You Are. He never missed a chance to give a shout out to his favorite lesser-known bands.

[@ricardoviana271]

Great! Some new additions to my Playlist

[@fisheyenomiko]

Obscure 80's song I remember: "One of Our Submarines is Missing" - Thomas Dolby "It's a Fine, Fine Day" - Tony Carey "Wouldn't it Be Good" - Nik Kershaw "New Moon on Monday" - Duran Duran "Words" - Missing Persons

[@david2869]

Great obscure 80s songs!

[@laurieyekovich8218]

Never understood why "New Moon on Monday" wasn't HUGE. I think it's the best song on "7 and the Ragged Tiger" by far. 🤷‍♀️

[@user-sn9ig9vl5p]

Agree with Nik Kershaw

[@marteenmaffai3169]

Love the last 3 songs too!

[@freemind1923]

I knew and loved them all except One of Our Submarines was not my kind of song

[@marcus813]

I've heard "Wild Wild West," "Ride Like the Wind," "Self Control" and "It's a Sin," but not the others. I enjoyed those deep cuts!

[@ericthuemmel5275]

They were all top 10 hits in the USA - I think everyone from the 80s has heard them before!

[@em7dim9]

@@ericthuemmel5275 Exactly. This was a lazily slapped-together list. Only half the songs belong here.

[@angelaandersons7918]

Words can't describe, I can't describe, this is exquisite x and I haven't heard this before x watched an watch mojo 20 greatest harmonies x. So soothing x

[@greyladybast]

If Dead Man's Party isn't on your Halloween playlist, what are you even doing with your life?

[@BlenderStudy]

Thank you for the update, WatchMojo..!! The 80s was the best.. Even though I was only a kid growing up in the 80s, no other periods can match how great the 80s was. Great music. The best time to listen to the music was the 80s. There was a constant cold war nuclear war scare though, but that was ok. It was the world without network computers and the Internet and it appeared everyone was happy with their lives. Everything was so cheap as well.

[@MissWitchiepoo]

I love "Dancing with tears in my eyes" and play it often Midge Ure is a great singer!! People back then loved this song and he was very popular.

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

In The Netherlands it was a huge hit. At the end of the year we have an all time top2000, and it's always in that list.

[@alyzu4755]

Midge Ure is a legend! He just turned 70, he's still touring, and he still sounds amazing. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jp3813]

"Edge of a Broken Heart" by Bon Jovi was supposed to be included in their Slippery When Wet album, but it somehow ended up in the Disorderlies movie soundtrack instead. It got some significant airplay which indicated that it could've been a hit. Hence, Jon has apologized for its exclusion.

[@RadioTeal]

Thank you for the flash back to my younger years. Most of these tracks were VERY MUCH on my radar and on my music mix cassettes or recordings from MTV. :)

[@caseymacmacl7463]

"Top 20 Greatest 80s Songs (You've Never Heard Of)" Unless You Actually Were Alive In The 80s. There. Fixed it.

[@badkitty4922]

Thank you! Who ever came up with this list was born in 2000. 😂😂😂

[@Bo_D_Hansen]

​@@badkitty4922 You are absolutely right that the person that came up with this list must be born in the 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 😂

[@lynnhettrick7588]

Thank you for fixing it!

[@Cherry91]

I was born in the 90s and yet I know some of these songs. They're getting worse and worse at coming up with titles I swear 😂

[@kramalbion]

I can only imagine this list was made for the American audience as in the UK we’ve heard of most of these, in fact quite a few of them were big hits.

[@AdamG1983]

About time New Order gets some love

[@misfitwookiee3177]

Grateful for the recognition of Pet Shop Boys, Oingo Boingo, and Christopher Cross... and I had the "Wild Wild West" cassette single... and a-ha's "Hunting High And Low" still stands up to this day... ...but it's an unequivocal tragedy to ignore Toy Matinee. "The Ballad of Jenny Ledge", "Last Plane Out", "Turn It On Salvador" or "Things She Said" are unsung legends in terms of 1980s tracks. Feel free to include Toy Matinee (and Kevin Gilbert) in subsequent lists.

[@laustcawz2089]

"Wild, Wild West" always sounded to me like just a bad imitation of Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up".

[@misfitwookiee3177]

@@laustcawz2089 Once I heard Elvis Costello, absolutely! I was once an uncultured swine prior to getting obsessed with music! Thanks for the observation!

[@lizardog]

If you know what clog dancing is, you'll appreciate this: many years ago at a festival in Lakeland Florida, I saw a clogging troupe dance to Wild Wild West. It was an amazing experience, so much so that I haven't forgotten it in almost fifty years.

[@suzybearheart530]

That sounds awesome!

[@barbarakohn503]

Dead Man's Party, Ride Like the Wind, Wild Wild West and that song from Rocky IV were EVERYWHERE in the 80's. Crazy they are on this list. I would have chosen Afterimage by Rush.