Summer Songs of the 1980s

Songs of the Summer – 1980s

The eighties brought Summer Songs to us via movies (Kokomo, Axel F, Flashdance, and Eye of The Tiger), Michael Jackson’s songs, and more ‘sunshine’, ‘hot’, and summer-ready songs. If a song’s title or primary lyrics are about Summer, that usually bumps it in nostalgia value on our Summer Music lists.

This PCM Top 125 Summer Song of the Eighties list includes over eight hours of the best of 80’s summer music classics.
We tried to combine both, the classic summer songs and songs that dominated the airwaves during the summer, with our own Pop Culture Madness look at the songs that outlasted others from their era. Summer Songs come in two different varieties:

1. The classic songs that describe summertime, vacations, beaches, and the boardwalk.

2. The songs that were played in constant rotation on the radio and dance clubs

1980s Summer Songs

1. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and The Waves, 1985
2. We Got The Beat – Go Go’s, 1982
3. I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 1982
4. Kokomo – Beach Boys, 1988
5. 867-5309/Jenny – Tommy Tutone, 1982
6. Boys of Summer – Don Henley, 1985
7. Funkytown – Lipps, Inc, 1980
8. Beat It – Michael Jackson, 1983
9. Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners, 1983
10. Vacation – Go Go’s
11. Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel, 1986
12. Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor, 1982
13. Love Shack – B-52s, 1989
14. Axel F – Harold Faltermeyer, 1985
15. Every Little Step – Bobby Brown, 1989
16. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston, 1987
17. Hot In The City – Billy Idol, 1982 (and 1988)
18. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2, 1987
19. Endless Summer Nights – Richard Marx, 1988
20. Flashdance (What A Feeling) – Irene Cara, 1983
21. Sunglasses At Night – Corey Hart, 1984
22. Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen, 1984
23. Summer Of ’69 – Bryan Adams, 1985
24. Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham, 1983
25. Magic – The Cars, 1984
26. The Reflex – Duran Duran, 1984
27. Cruel Summer – Bananarama, 1984
28. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Michael Jackson, 1983
29. Like A Prayer – Madonna, 1989
30. Rio – Duran Duran, 1983
31. Nasty – Janet Jackson, 1986
32. It Takes Two – Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, 1988
33. The Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston, 1986
34. Some Like It Hot – The Power Station, 1985
35. Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard, 1988
36. Addicted To Love – Robert Palmer, 1986
37. The Heart of Rock & Roll – Huey Lewis and the News, 1984
38. Don’t You Want Me – Human League, 1982
39. I’ll Be There For You – Bon Jovi, 1989
40. I’ll Be Loving You (Forever) – New Kids On The Block, 1989
41. Let It Whip – Dazz Band, 1982
42. Cars – Gary Numan, 1980
43. Magic – Olivia Newton-John, 1980
44. Shakedown – Bob Seger, 1987
45. Centerfield – John Fogerty, 1985
46. Suddenly Last Summer – The Motels, 1983
47. Magic – Olivia Newton-John
48. Once Bitten Twice Shy – Great White, 1989
49. On My Own – Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald, 1986
50. Jeopardy – Greg Kihn Band, 1983
51. Take Your Time (Do It Right) – The S.O.S. Band, 1980
52. Dirty Diana – Michael Jackson, 1988
53. Twistin By The Pool – Dire Straits, 1983
54. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz, 1986
55. Express Yourself – Madonna, 1989
56. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship, 1987
57. Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder, 1982
58. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds, 1985
59. Summer of Love – B-52s, 1985
60. Little Red Corvette – Prince, 1983
61. Oh Sherrie – Steve Perry, 1984
62. Every Breath You Take – The Police, 1983
63. Electric Avenue – Eddie Grant, 1983
64. She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby, 1983
65. When Doves Cry – Prince, 1984
66. Betty Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes, 1981
67. Sussudio – Phil Collins, 1985
68. Get Down On It – Kool and the Gang, 1982
69. Coming Up (Live At Glasgow) – Paul McCartney & Wings, 1980
70. Wipeout – Fat Boys featuring The Beach Boys, 1987
71. All Those Years Ago – George Harrison, 1981
72. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Deniece Williams, 1984
73. Tainted Love – Soft Cell, 1982
74. Time (Clock Of The Heart) – Culture Club, 1983
75. America – Neil Diamond, 1981
76. Almost Paradise – Mike Reno & Ann Wilson, 1984
77. Do You Believe In Love – Huey Lewis and the News, 1982
78. The Rose – Bette Midler, 1980
79. All I Need Is A Miracle – Mike + The Mechanics, 1986
80. Crush On You – The Jets, 1986
81. Key Largo – Bertie Higgins, 1982
82. With Or Without You – U2, 1987
83. I Want Your Sex – George Michael, 1987
84. Invisible Touch – Genesis, 1986
85. Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna, 1986
86. Don’t Talk To Strangers – Rick Springfield, 1982
87. Glory Of Love – Peter Cetera, 1986
88. We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart, 1986
89. Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins, 1986
90. Baby Don’t Forget My Number – Milli Vanilli, 1989
91. Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx, 1989
92. Freeze-Frame – J. Geils Band, 1982
93. Roll With It – Steve Winwood, 1988
94. La Isla Bonita – Madonna, 1987
95. Jump (For My Love) – The Pointer Sisters, 1984
96. The One That You Love – Air Supply, 1981
97. Head To Toe – Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, 1987
98. Steal Away – Robbie Dupree, 1980
99. West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys, 1986

Bonus 80s Summer Tracks:

100. Close My Eyes Forever – Lita Ford with Ozzy Osbourne, 1989
101. Toy Soldiers – Martika, 1989
102. Sign Your Name – Terence Trent D’Arby, 1988
103. You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Hall and Oates, 1981
104. Shout – Tears For Fears, 1985
105. Chariots Of Fire (Main Titles Theme) – Vangelis, 1982
106. The Finer Things – Steve Winwood, 1987
107. A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) – Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio, 1981
108. Little Jeanie – Elton John, 1980
109. You Keep Me Hangin On – Kim Wilde, 1987
110. I Like It – Dino, 1989
111. Sexy Eyes – Dr. Hook, 1980
112. Make a Move On Me – Olivia Newton-John, 1982
113. Blister In The Sun – Violent Femmes, , 1982
114. Wot’s It To Ya – Robbie Nevil, 1987
115. Forever Your Girl – Paula Abdul, 1989
116. Heaven – Bryan Adams, 1985
117. Batdance – Prince, 1989
118. 1-2-3 – Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine, 1988
119. New Sensation – INXS, 1988
120. Elvira – Oak Ridge Boys, 1981
121. Rosanna – Toto, 1982
122. Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) – Samantha Fox, 1988
123. La Bamba – Los Lobos, 1987
124. Heat Of The Moment – Asia, 1982
125. Stars on 45 Medley – Stars on 45, 1981