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Featured a distinctive synthesizer riff and became one of the band's signature songs.

A rockabilly-revival hit that showcased the band's retro sound.

1999 opens Prince's 1982 album of the same name. The Prince Estate situates its party imagery against early-1980s anxiety about nuclear conflict. Synthesizers and drum machines anchor the album's sound, while...

A more rock-oriented sound for the duo, with socially conscious lyrics.

A rock ballad that showcased Springfield's more serious side.

Written by David Paich, who had never been to Africa at the time.

Inspired by Caribbean music, with made-up African-sounding lyrics in the bridge.

A more upbeat departure from Cross's usual soft rock style.

DeBarge was a sibling recording group with Michigan roots, distinct from the related band Switch. El, Bunny and their brothers developed songs together, with El arranging much of the music. Early Motown albums...

About the decline of the manufacturing industry in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

A synth-pop cover of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David classic.

A synth-heavy dance track that became one of the group's signature songs.

Gained popularity after being featured on the soap opera "General Hospital."

Written as a tribute to the band's original guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, who had recently died.

Featured a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen and aimed to blend rock and R&B.

Jackson described Billie Jean as a composite of women whose claims he had encountered around his brothers while the Jackson 5 toured. The song dramatizes a disputed paternity claim. Other biographical accounts...

Breaking Us in Two appears on Joe Jackson's 1982 Night and Day album, alongside Steppin' Out. The album marked a move toward piano-centered pop and away from the guitar-driven setting of his early new wave records....

Inspired by a chant heard at a Parliament-Funkadelic concert.

A more polished sound for the band, reflecting the production styles of the early 1980s.

Co-written with Iggy Pop for his 1977 album "The Idiot," Bowie's version became a hit.

A funk track from the former drummer of Slave, launching his solo career.

The Kinks formed in Muswell Hill, north London, around brothers Ray and Dave Davies. Their early R&B and rock-and-roll approach produced the forceful guitar sound of You Really Got Me. Ray's writing developed into...

Inspired by a girl from the band members' youth named Eileen.

A rock anthem that showcased Mellencamp's evolving sound and socially conscious lyrics.

A cover of Slade's 1973 hit, which became Quiet Riot's breakthrough single.

A funk-influenced dance track that showcased the group's evolving sound.

The second single from Prince's "1999" album, continuing his rise to superstardom.

An English cover of Falco's German-language hit from 1981.

A critique of sensationalist media and tabloid journalism.

Written about Boy George's relationship with drummer Jon Moss.

From the supergroup's second album, continuing their blend of progressive rock and pop.

A power ballad from their "Kilroy Was Here" album.

Named after a market street in Brixton, London, and inspired by the 1981 Brixton riot.

Sting wrote the song while staying in Jamaica. He has described its apparent tenderness as deceptive: its narrator is possessive, concerned with watching and controlling another person. It should not be classified as...

One of Costello's most commercially successful singles, using a book as a metaphor for a relationship.

Written by Jonathan Cain about the challenges of being married while on tour.

Earth, Wind & Fire developed a sound that brings funk, soul and jazz into richly arranged popular songs. Maurice White's musical direction emphasized vocal harmonies, prominent horns and rhythms that could support...

A cover of a Mike Oldfield song, with Hall & Oates adding their own R&B flair.

From the soundtrack of the film "Staying Alive," starring Frank's brother Sylvester Stallone.

Written for the movie "Flashdance," this song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Def Leppard emerged from Sheffield during the rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Their later records developed a melodic rock approach suited to large concert stages. Pyromania and Hysteria became central...

Robert Hazard initially wrote the song from a male perspective. Lauper changed parts of the lyric and reinterpreted it as a statement about women having the same freedom to enjoy life as men. Rick Chertoff brought...

An English adaptation of Umberto Tozzi's 1979 Italian song.

A satirical look at Ant's teetotal lifestyle and the media's perception of him.

The lead single from their breakthrough album "Sports."

Co-written with Michael McDonald, who also provided backing vocals.

Dionne Warwick brought a distinctive contralto and precise phrasing to the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the early 1960s. Anyone Who Had a Heart and Walk On By are landmarks of that partnership. Her later...

A rare ballad from the progressive rock band.

A straightforward rock song that became one of the band's biggest hits.

Written by Michael Bolton, who later had his own hit with the song.

Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro's official biography identifies him as the songwriter behind Human Nature and explains that he had not intended to submit it to Michael Jackson. Producer Quincy Jones heard the song...

The music video was inspired by the film "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

Featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica and became one of John's most enduring hits.

Produced by Phil Collins, who also played drums on the track.

A soft rock ballad featuring lead vocals by Steve Lukather.

A reggae-influenced pop song that continued the band's string of hits.

A defiant comeback song after John's struggles with addiction.

A lighter, more pop-oriented song than Clapton's usual blues-rock style.

Known for its distinctive guitar sound mimicking bagpipes, reflecting the band's Scottish roots.

Plant's attempt at a more contemporary sound, moving away from his Led Zeppelin roots.

Released as a standalone single and later included on the US version of their debut album.

Written by the Bee Gees, this country-pop duet became a massive crossover hit.

Stephen Bishop moved from San Diego to Los Angeles as a young songwriter and worked for E. H. Morris Publishing. His songs have been recorded by artists including Art Garfunkel, Eric Clapton and Phil Collins, while...

A song about the fear of nuclear war, common in the early 1980s.

The music video featured a parody of the game show "Jeopardy!"

Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, showcasing their emerging production style.

Boy George has said the song is about the fear of standing up for oneself.

Genesis formed in England in 1967 around school friends Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Anthony Phillips and Mike Rutherford. Phil Collins and Steve Hackett joined the early album lineup, whose long arrangements combined...

A novelty hit featuring Lynn Goldsmith using a vocoder, with backing vocals by Carly Simon.

A satire on Cold War tensions and American culture.

Produced by Nile Rodgers, this marked Bowie's return to more mainstream pop music.

Little Red Corvette was already on Prince's 1982 album 1999 before its later single campaign. The Prince Estate describes it as an important crossover between his funk, rock and pop audiences. MusicAtlas separately...

A powerful anthem that became one of Benatar's signature songs.

A continuation of the story from David Bowie's "Space Oddity," sung in both German and English versions.

Written by Jim Steinman, known for his theatrical, epic compositions.

A darker, more atmospheric track that showcased the band's evolving sound.

Inspired by New York City in the 1980s and its fast-paced lifestyle.

Originally written about a serial killer, the lyrics were changed to fit the movie "Flashdance."

Toni Basil is a singer, dancer, choreographer and filmmaker whose career began well before Mickey. Her work included Shindig, the T.A.M.I. Show, Bruce Conner's Breakaway and David Bowie's 1974 tour. The album Word of...

An upbeat track that reflected Bowie's more commercial sound in the early 1980s.

Part of the concept album "Kilroy Was Here," which told a futuristic story about a world where rock music is outlawed.

A romantic ballad that further established Richie as a solo artist after leaving the Commodores.

Never Gonna Let You Go appears on Sergio Mendes's 1983 self-titled A&M album. Joe Pizzulo and Leza Miller supply the vocals, while Mendes is credited as producer. The song was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil,...

A smooth R&B track that continued the group's success from the late 1970s.

A metaphor comparing love to basketball, inspired by Hall's love for the sport.

One of the band's most recognizable hits, with a catchy synth-rock sound.

A nostalgic song about lead singer Suggs' childhood home.

A more introspective song compared to their previous hits, dealing with anxiety and paranoia.

A departure from Yes's progressive rock roots, embracing a more mainstream sound.

Musical Youth grew from a group of school-age musicians in Birmingham, England, with family links to Jamaican vocal group the Techniques through Frederick Waite. Dennis Seaton became lead singer after the group...

Inspired by a photograph of Marilyn Monroe.

A more contemporary sound for Ross, produced by Gary Katz of Steely Dan fame.

The band's second hit, following their success with "Always Something There to Remind Me."

A synth-pop cover of the 1929 Irving Berlin song.

A reggae cover of Neil Diamond's song about drowning sorrows

A controversial dance track with suggestive lyrics that was initially banned by the BBC.

Originally written by drummer Topper Headon about an imaginary king who banned rock music.

Inspired by the concept of Buddhist enlightenment.

The second collaboration between the two pop icons.

A power ballad that showcased Steve Perry's vocal range.

Written about the band members' failing marriages and relationships.

Written during Gaye's self-imposed exile in Belgium.

Written by country singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell.

Featured magnus Pike, a real-life scientist, in both the song and music video.

Inspired by a restroom attendant Summer met at a Grammy Awards party.

Inspired by carnival barkers and peep shows.

An English adaptation of a French song by Martine Clemenceau.

Inspired by Prince's "Little Red Corvette," with Prince playing synthesizer on the track.

An ode to New York City nightlife, featuring a prominent piano riff.

One of Adams' first major hits, showcasing his ability to write power ballads.

Stray Cats formed on Long Island with Brian Setzer on guitar and vocals, Lee Rocker on upright bass and Slim Jim Phantom on drums. A move to London helped establish their revival of rockabilly's spare, energetic...

Inspired by the Tennessee Williams play of the same name.

An answer song to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" from the perspective of the song's subject.

Annie Lennox linked the words to discouragement after the breakup of the Tourists. Dave Stewart developed an electronic beat and riff, and Lennox answered on another synthesizer. Their accounts describe a...

A darker, more intense track from the band's final studio album.

A follow-up to their earlier hit "Harden My Heart."

The band's biggest hit, with a catchy new wave sound.

A song about maintaining a long-distance relationship, reflecting the era's technology.

Written in the style of 1960s Motown music.

The lead single from the band's debut album, showcasing their hard rock sound.

The first single from "Thriller," featuring two of the biggest stars in music.

Little River Band formed in Melbourne in 1975, bringing experienced Australian musicians into a melodic soft-rock group. Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles and Graeham Goble were central to its early vocal and songwriting...

Another single from Cross's second album, maintaining his signature soft rock sound.

Written as a protest against bouncers stopping dancers pogoing to 1980s new wave music.

A return to a more R&B-influenced sound for the group.

The debut single from Prince's protégé, showcasing her percussion skills.

Another song inspired by Boy George's relationship with Jon Moss.

A romantic duet that became a popular wedding song.

Produced by Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, this was the band's biggest hit.

Written by Jim Steinman, known for his work with Meat Loaf, this power ballad became Tyler's biggest hit.

Written by Gary Kemp about his platonic relationship with Altered Images singer Clare Grogan.

Lionel Richie is a singer and songwriter from Tuskegee, Alabama, whose work combines soul, pop and touches of country. He first developed his recording career as a saxophonist, singer and writer with the Commodores....

A smooth R&B ballad that became the group's biggest hit.

Inspired by the TV series of the same name and the novel "The Bourne Identity."

From the soundtrack of the film "Two of a Kind," which starred Newton-John and John Travolta.

A politically charged song about Central and South American political conflicts.

The lead single from their third album "Seven and the Ragged Tiger."

Joe Cocker came from Sheffield, England, and developed through skiffle and pub performances of blues material. His rough vocal texture and emotionally forceful delivery became central to his interpretations of songs...

Inspired by Joel's relationship with model Christie Brinkley, whom he later married.

Originally written for his sister La Toya, Jackson kept it for "Thriller."

A cover of Bob Seger's 1978 hit, turned into a duet.

An Australian band's plea for attention that resonated internationally.

A love song about the comfort and security found in a relationship.

A power ballad that helped establish Night Ranger as a major act in the 1980s.

Sting was inspired by the dynamics of power in relationships, drawing from mythology and literature.

A country-pop crossover hit for the duo.

Lionel Richie is a singer and songwriter from Tuskegee, Alabama, whose work combines soul, pop and touches of country. He first developed his recording career as a saxophonist, singer and writer with the Commodores....

Phil Collins is a British singer, drummer and songwriter who worked as a child actor before joining Genesis as a drummer. His solo career developed alongside the band, with In the Air Tonight and albums including...

A song about the randomness of finding love.

One of Hagar's biggest solo hits before joining Van Halen.