Table of Contents 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. 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 |
