Top 1984 Songs

Not only was 1984 the year that Apple unveiled their Macintosh computer (a dinosaur to the revolutionary iPod) -- it was the year the 'Thriller' album won a record-breaking eight Grammys, including Album of the Year. However, as the Top 1984 Songs (rated by AOL Radio listeners) illustrate, there was plenty more radio play in 1984 than just "Thriller" ...though witnesses might disagree.

'Pride (In The Name Of Love)'

The song was originally intended to be about Ronald Reagan's pride in America's military power, but ended up being in tribute to civil rights pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Round and Round'

Ratt

The video briefly features legendary comedian Milton Berle, whose nephew Marshall Berle was Ratt's band manager at the time.

iTunes | Lyrics

'It's My Life'

Talk Talk

The original version of this 1984 song and No Doubt's ubiquitous 2004 cover were featured in 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' and 'Rock Band,' respectively.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Jump'

Van Halen

The song's producer spliced parts of two different takes to create what Eddie Van Halen calls "The favorite solo [he] never wrote."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Easy Lover'

Phil Collins

The song was used as a theme song to the inaugural 'WrestleMania' in 1985.

iTunes | Lyrics

'How Soon Is Now'

The Smiths

In 1984, this song was considered an anthem for "Manchester gay club culture."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Drive'

The Cars

The music video features supermodel Paulina Porizkova, who later married lead singer Ric Ocasek.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Time After Time'

Cyndi Lauper

The line "the second hand unwinds" refers to producer Rick Chertoff's watch which was winding backwards.

iTunes | Lyrics

'When Doves Cry'

Prince & The Revolution

There is no bass line in this 1984 dance classic, which Prince took out because he considered the bass in the song "too conventional."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Thriller'

Michael Jackson

The song's hook was changed to "Thriller! In the night..." from the original "Starlight! Starlight sun..."

iTunes | Lyrics

What Songs Did You Love More In 1984?

Be sure to tell us what your favorite songs from 1984 are in the comments below. Also check out our lists of the Top 1983 Songs and Top 1985 Songs.

Listen to Awesome 80's Radio

Filed under: Best Songs, Top 10 Lists

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. Oh yea.
Thriller 4 life :)

Posted at 10:23PM on Sep 26th 2009 by Valeriaa

2. "It's my life" isn't in the GTA:Vice City's soundtrack!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 8:11PM on Sep 27th 2009 by Chris

3. These are the songs that are still alive in uor memories. Happy to see Cyndi among then!

See you!

Posted at 2:16PM on Oct 10th 2009 by Flavio SSz

4. the 80,s music is the best music I GREW UP ON IT and I,M 45 and dont care for any other kind!!!!!

Posted at 1:29PM on Apr 15th 2010 by michael

5. Jump was not my favorite VH song. I really liked Eddie's guitar playing more than keyboards. While I am big fan of Hagar and the Van Hagar years I still prefer the DLR era with the exception of this song!

Posted at 6:43PM on Apr 20th 2010 by David

6. Prince is a special talent in any era!

Posted at 6:44PM on Apr 20th 2010 by David

7. Hagar can't touch DLR with Van Halen! I'm an old follower of Van Halen so I'm kind of partial; Hagar isn't bad, but Roth is the best in my opinion.

Posted at 7:41PM on Aug 15th 2010 by DAVE

8. David Lee Roth was much better, before the disagrements with eveyone else :( Hagar wasn't a bad performer, Roth was just a better showman in my opinion.

Posted at 7:36PM on Aug 15th 2010 by Dave

9. WELL MY FAVORITE WAS FROM AH-HA THAT GOURGEOUS SONG CALLED TAKE ON ME. WAS FABOLOUS. I USED TO DANCED IT. VERY OFTEN WITH MY GIRL.

Posted at 12:40AM on May 3rd 2011 by leninomar

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Off-topic, promotional or otherwise inappropriate comments will be removed.

Top 1984 Songs

What Songs Did You Love More In 1984?

Follow Us