Ah… The 80’s. Who owned the top selling song? Michael Jackson? …(no) George Michael? …(nope) Prince? …(nah) Springsteen? …(nup) Must be Madonna? …(nooo). How about Tina Turner? …(yes!). What’s love got to do with it? Apparently… everything!
What an ecelctic list it is – and what a great decade it was, with something for (nearly) everyone. Here are the top selling songs of the 1980’s, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and the National Endowment for the Arts:
Alabama – My Home’s in Alabama - 1980
George Jones – He Stopped Loving Her Today - 1980
Kool & The Gang – Celebration - 1980
Willie Nelson – On the Road Again - 1980
Dolly Parton – 9 to 5 - 1980
Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall - 1980
Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes - 1981
Joe Cocker/Jennifer Warnes – Up Where We Belong - 1982
The Go-Go’s – We Got the Beat - 1982
Grandmaster Flash – The Message - 1982
Amy Grant – El Shaddai - 1982
Joan Jett – I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll - 1982
John Cougar Mellencamp – Jack and Diane - 1982
Prince – 1999 - 1982
Donna Summer – She Works Hard for the Money - 1983
Irene Cara – Flashdance - 1983
Herbie Hancock – Rockit - 1983
Michael Jackson – Beat It - 1983
Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want to Have Fun - 1983
Talking Heads - Burning Down the House - 1983
The Judds – Mama He’s Crazy - 1984
The Pointer Sisters – I’m So Excited - 1984
The Police – Every Breath You Take - 1983
Prince – Purple Rain - 1984
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. - 1984
*Tina Turner - What’s Love Got to Do With It - 1984
Van Halen – Jump - 1984
Hank Williams Jr. – All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight - 1984
USA for Africa – We Are the World - 1985
Madonna – Material Girl - 1985
Paul Simon – Graceland - 1986
Steve Winwood – Higher Love - 1986
Dionne Warwick & Friends – That’s What Friends Are For - 1986
U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - 1987
The Beastie Boys – Fight for Your Right (to Party) - 1987
George Michael – Faith - 1987
Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child o’ Mine - 1988
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy - 1988
Tracy Chapman – Fast Car - 1988
The B-52’s – Love Shack - 1989
Bette Midler – The Wind Beneath My Wings - 1989
Tom Petty – Free Fallin’ - 1989
Public Enemy – Fight the Power - 1989
Enjoy!
