Music is one of the most universal and expressive forms of art, culture, and communication. Music reflects the trends, tastes, and values of different generations, societies, and regions. Music also influences and inspires other aspects of life, such as fashion, politics, and technology. In this article, we will explore the evolution of music, by looking at the most popular songs of each month since January 1980. We will also analyse the factors and forces that shaped the musical landscape over the past four decades.
The 1980s: The Decade of Pop, Rock, and Synth
The 1980s was a decade of musical diversity and innovation, marked by the rise of pop, rock, and synth genres. Pop music, which originated in the 1950s, reached new heights of popularity and sophistication, thanks to artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and Whitney Houston. Pop music was characterised by catchy melodies, danceable rhythms, and glamorous visuals. Rock music, which emerged in the 1960s, also continued to evolve and diversify, with subgenres such as hard rock, heavy metal, punk rock, and new wave. Rock music was characterised by electric guitars, powerful vocals, and rebellious attitudes. Synth music, which developed in the 1970s, also gained prominence and influence, with subgenres such as synth-pop, electro, and hip hop. Synth music was characterised by electronic keyboards, drum machines, and sampling.
Some of the most popular songs of the 1980s were:
January 1980: Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)
February 1980: Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love
March 1980: Blondie – Call Me
April 1980: Lipps Inc. – Funkytown
May 1980: Paul McCartney – Coming Up
June 1980: Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu
July 1980: ABBA – The Winner Takes It All
August 1980: Diana Ross – Upside Down
September 1980: Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
October 1980: Barbra Streisand – Woman in Love
November 1980: John Lennon – (Just Like) Starting Over
December 1980: John Lennon – Imagine
January 1981: John Lennon – Woman
February 1981: Blondie – The Tide Is High
March 1981: REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
April 1981: Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
May 1981: Smokey Robinson – Being with You
June 1981: Stars on 45 – Stars on 45 Medley
July 1981: Kim Wilde – Kids in America
August 1981: Soft Cell – Tainted Love
September 1981: The Rolling Stones – Start Me Up
October 1981: Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)
November 1981: Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
December 1981: Olivia Newton-John – Physical
January 1982: The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
February 1982: Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)
March 1982: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll
April 1982: Vangelis – Chariots of Fire
May 1982: Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – Ebony and Ivory
June 1982: Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
July 1982: Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
August 1982: Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra
September 1982: Chicago – Hard to Say I’m Sorry
October 1982: Culture Club – Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
November 1982: Lionel Richie – Truly
December 1982: Toni Basil – Mickey
January 1983: Men at Work – Down Under
February 1983: Toto – Africa
March 1983: Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
April 1983: David Bowie – Let’s Dance
May 1983: Irene Cara – Flashdance… What a Feeling
June 1983: The Police – Every Breath You Take
July 1983: Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
August 1983: The Police – Every Breath You Take
September 1983: Michael Sembello – Maniac
October 1983: Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart
November 1983: Billy Joel – Uptown Girl
December 1983: Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson – Say Say Say
January 1984: Yes – Owner of a Lonely Heart
February 1984: Culture Club – Karma Chameleon
March 1984: Nena – 99 Luftballons
April 1984: Kenny Loggins – Footloose
May 1984: Lionel Richie – Hello
June 1984: Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
July 1984: Duran Duran – The Reflex
August 1984: Prince – When Doves Cry
September 1984: Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You
October 1984: Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
November 1984: Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
December 1984: Wham! – Last Christmas
January 1985: Foreigner – I Want to Know What Love Is
February 1985: Phil Collins – One More Night
March 1985: REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling
April 1985: USA for Africa – We Are the World
May 1985: Madonna – Crazy for You
June 1985: Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World
July 1985: Bryan Adams – Heaven
August 1985: Tina Turner – We Don’t Need Another Hero
September 1985: Dire Straits – Money for Nothing
October 1985: A-ha – Take On Me
November 1985: Starship – We Built This City
December 1985: Whitney Houston – Saving All My Love for You
January 1986: Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me
February 1986: Mr. Mister – Kyrie
March 1986: Falco – Rock Me Amadeus
April 1986: Prince – Kiss
May 1986: Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
June 1986: Madonna – Live to Tell
July 1986: Simply Red – Holding Back the Years
August 1986: Madonna – Papa Don’t Preach
September 1986: Berlin – Take My Breath Away
October 1986: The Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian
November 1986: Bon Jovi – You Give Love a Bad Name
December 1986: The Final Countdown – Europe
January 1987: Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down
February 1987: Madonna – Open Your Heart
March 1987: Huey Lewis and the News – Jacob’s Ladder
April 1987: Aretha Franklin & George Michael – I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
May 1987: U2 – With or Without You
June 1987: Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)
July 1987: Heart – Alone
August 1987: Los Lobos – La Bamba
September 1987: Michael Jackson – I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
October 1987: Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up
November 1987: T’Pau – China in Your Hand
December 1987: George Michael – Faith
January 1988: George Harrison – Got My Mind Set on You
February 1988: INXS – Need You Tonight
March 1988: Rick Astley – Together Forever
April 1988: Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth
May 1988: Terence Trent D’Arby – Sign Your Name
June 1988: Kylie Minogue – I Should Be So Lucky
July 1988: Glenn Medeiros – Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You
August 1988: Yazz and the Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up
September 1988: Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry, Be Happy
October 1988: Whitney Houston – One Moment in Time
November 1988: Enya – Orinoco Flow
December 1988: Cliff Richard – Mistletoe and Wine
January 1989: Phil Collins – Two Hearts
February 1989: Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart
March 1989: Madonna – Like a Prayer
April 1989: The Bangles – Eternal Flame
May 1989: Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – Especially for You
June 1989: Soul II Soul – Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)
July 1989: Sonia – You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You
August 1989: Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers – Swing the Mood
September 1989: Black Box – Ride on Time
October 1989: Milli Vanilli – Girl I’m Gonna Miss You
November 1989: Lisa Stansfield – All Around the World
December 1989: Band Aid II – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
