Music

1.5k voters

The Best '80s New Wave Songs

Updated June 30, 2020 41.4k votes 1.5k voters 52.3k views182 items

So much of music in the '80s was defined by the new wave movement, but what are your favorite songs from the genre? Let's rank the best '80s new wave songs that truly defined the decade, with the help of your votes.

Many people think of new wave songs when they think of the 1980s, and it's no wonder why. Tracks like Kajagoogoo's "Too Shy" and Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" are the types of songs you'll always sing along to if you hear them on the radio. Even if you don't listen to '80s music, you surely know the lyrics to "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls. Another fantastic new wave song from the '80s is "People Are People" by Depeche Mode, despite the fact that the song's writer, Martin Gore, has been quoted as saying it's one of his least favorite.

Vote up the top '80s new wave hits and dance your problems away! There are so many good '80s new wave songs, so please add your own additions to the list if they aren't here already.

Photo:

...more

1
411
136
Bizarre Love Triangle
New Order
More Bizarre Love Triangle
#2708 of 3,867 The Best Songs Of All Time, Ranked#20 of 115 The Best '80s Dance Songs
2
471
167
Blue Monday
New Order
3
468
165
I Ran
A Flock of Seagulls
More I Ran
#180 of 193 The Worst Freakin' Songs of the '80s, Ranked#10 of 107 The Greatest Songs by '80s One-Hit Wonders
4
426
146
I Melt With You
Modern English
5
456
162
Don't You ( Forget About Me )
Simple Minds
6
453
165
Tainted Love
Soft Cell
More Tainted Love
#10 of 29 Songs You Didn't Realize Were Covers#37 of 82 The Best Love Songs Of The '80s, Ranked
7
409
144
Just like Heaven
The Cure
8
426
155
Don't You Want Me
The Human League
9
432
160
Sweet Dreams
Eurythmics
More Sweet Dreams
#63 of 122 Cover Songs That Are Better Than The Originals#9 of 36 The Best & Most Memorable Songs From Scary Movies
10
377
132
Cars
Gary Numan
11
436
166
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Tears for Fears
More Everybody Wants to Rule the World
#30 of 94 The Best Songs About Politics#4 of 100 The Best Songs With Rule in the Title
12
364
130
Just Can't Get Enough
Depeche Mode
13
442
170
Take On Me
a-ha
More
#13 of 56 The Most Difficult Songs To Sing At Karaoke#6 of 47 The Best '80s Karaoke Songs

14
363
135
Hungry Like the Wolf
Duran Duran
More Hungry Like the Wolf
#13 of 22 These Pop Songs Describe The Plots Of Your Favorite Horror Movies#45 of 284 The Best Rock Songs Of The '80s, Ranked
15
344
126
People Are People
Depeche Mode
16
354
131
Hold Me Now
Thompson Twins
More Hold Me Now
#27 of 77 The Best Ballads of the 80s#27 of 128 The Best Songs with Hold in the Title
17
331
124
Rock in the Casbah
The Clash
More Rock in the Casbah
#10 of 118 The Best Songs with Rock in the Title#34 of 51 The Best Rock Songs To Sing At Karaoke
18
311
114
Love My Way
The Psychedelic Furs
More Love My Way
#222 of 256 The Best Songs with Love in the Title#11 of 13 Popular Songs You Never Realized Are Actually About Date Rape
19
286
101
In a Big Country
Big Country
More In a Big Country
#82 of 246 The Greatest Pop Songs by One-Hit Wonders#54 of 142 The Greatest Songs by One-Hit Wonders
20
393
160
West End Girls
Pet Shop Boys
More West End Girls
#99 of 157 The Best Songs with Girl in the Title#1 of 99 The Best Songs with West in the Title
21
283
101
Once in a Lifetime
Talking Heads
More Once in a Lifetime
#78 of 114 The Best Party Songs Of The '80s, Ranked#25 of 73 The Best Rock Music Videos
22
276
101
Our Lips Are Sealed
The Go-Go's
23
293
112
Whip It
Devo
More Whip It
#20 of 30 Songs That Make For Unbelievably Awesome Drinking Games#7 of 45 The Greatest Dance Songs by One-Hit Wonders

24
348
144
Mad World
Tears for Fears
More Mad World
#8 of 113 The Best Alternative Songs Of The '80s, Ranked#2 of 162 The Best Songs with World in the Title
25
298
121
Our House
Madness, Madness
More Our House
#1 of 104 The Best Songs With House in the Title#4 of 118 The Best Songs About Houses