Top 15 80s Dance Songs

The 1980s was a phenomenal decade for dance music. The emergence of new wave, post-disco, house, techno, and other electronic genres led to the creation of countless dancefloor classics. From Madonna to Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston to Prince, the ’80s produced some of the most iconic party anthems of all time. This article will countdown the top 15 dance hits of the 1980s, providing background on each track along with details about its unique features and origins. Whether you’re a child of the ’80s looking to relive these hits or a new fan eager to learn, this list offers a comprehensive look at the songs that made the 1980s one of the best eras for dance music.Top 15 80s Dance Songs

Top 15 80s Dance Songs Are:

#15 – “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince (1984)

“Let’s Go Crazy” comes from Prince’s landmark Purple Rain album, which also spawned hits like “When Doves Cry” and “Purple Rain.” Opening with church organ tones, it explodes into a propulsive dance-rock anthem driven by Prince’s falsetto vocals and electrifying guitar work. Recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, its gospel-inspired lyrics urge the listener to set aside their troubles and embrace the joy of music and dancing. The song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984 and the accompanying Purple Rain film showcased Prince performing it live to adoring crowds. With its mix of rock, funk, and disco, “Let’s Go Crazy” set the stage for the peak of Prince’s popularity in the ’80s.

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#14 – “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell (1981)

Originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964, British synthpop duo Soft Cell took this song to new heights in the ’80s. Their version opens with a distinctive synthesizer riff before lead singer Marc Almond’s dramatic baritone vocals. Produced by Mike Thorne, the recording was done on basic equipment in Leeds but the end result was massively successful. Almond’s emotional delivery coupled with the song’s catchy hook made it Soft Cell’s biggest hit. It reached #1 in the UK and #8 in the US, spearheading the Second British Invasion of new wave bands. Soft Cell paved the way for darker, more electronic dance music in the ’80s mainstream.

#13 – “Conga” by Miami Sound Machine (1985)

Putting Latin rhythms at the forefront, “Conga” by the Miami Sound Machine was one of the first mainstream hits to use African and Caribbean derived beats. Led by Gloria Estefan, the Cuban-American band blended disco with Latin pop to create an infectious dance hit. Built around the conga drum rhythm, the song is filled with bright horns, piano riffs, and Estefan’s uplifting vocals half in English, half in Spanish. Released on their Primitive Love album, “Conga” hit #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It launched Estefan’s phenomenally successful career and brought Latin pop into American dance clubs and radio. To this day, it remains a staple at weddings, parties, and more.

#12 – “Gloria” by Laura Branigan (1982)

Laura Branigan hit her peak with this pop song that quickly became a dancefloor favorite. “Gloria” was originally written and composed by Italian producer Umberto Tozzi, who didn’t expect it to get much traction outside of Europe. But Branigan, discovered by Leonard Cohen’s manager, took the track global. Her powerful, husky vocals made it a perfect disco track with a hint of ’70s arena rock. The anthemic chorus is paired with plenty of synthesizers andBackup vocals by Joe Esposito and Laura Pallas. Branigan’s signature performance earned her a Grammy nomination and took “Gloria” to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of the decade’s most enduring dance hits even after Branigan’s tragic passing in 2004.

#11 – “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League (1981)

British new wave/synthpop group The Human League struck gold with this male-female duet from their third album Dare! The tension-filled lyrics feature Philip Oakey as the male producer who makes a star out of the female singer played by Susan Ann Sulley. Set to an uptempo synth melody, the track builds drama around their fraying romantic relationship. Recorded at Virgin’s Townhouse in London, it incorporated innovative production techniques by Martin Rushent. When it was released, “Don’t You Want Me” became the band’s breakthrough hit. It hit #1 at Christmas 1981 and went on to sell over 1.5 million copies in the UK alone. To this day, its popularity endures on ’80s nostalgia tours by The Human League.

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#10 – “Blue Monday” by New Order (1983)

Emerging from the ashes of post-punk band Joy Division, New Order pioneered electronic dance music with their hit “Blue Monday.” Recorded at Britannia Row Studios in London, it combines disco, synthpop, and early electropunk. The driving kick drum and synthetic textures came from one of the first digital sequencers, the Oberheim DMX. The cryptic lyrics hint at themes like lost love and the emptiness of commercialism. The seven-minute track became the biggest selling 12″ vinyl single of all time. Though initially a flop on the UK charts, “Blue Monday” became a slow-burning hit thanks to club and radio DJs. It brought New Order mainstream attention and remains their signature track. The video also boldly introduced CGI in music visuals.

#9 – “Into the Groove” by Madonna (1985)

Madonna’s career launched into the stratosphere with this upbeat dance-pop track. Initially recorded for the film Desperately Seeking Susan, “Into the Groove” appeared on Madonna’s second album Like a Virgin outside North America. Working with producer Stephen Bray, Madonna lays down feisty vocals over the pulsing synth beat. The lyrics center on finding joy on the dancefloor when life gets tough. Released as a 12″ single, it became Madonna’s first #1 hit on the Billboard dance charts. In fact, “Into the Groove” was so popular that it was later added to all pressings of Like a Virgin. This supercharged dance song cemented Madonna’s title as the Queen of Pop.

#8 – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston (1987)

With her second studio album, pop diva Whitney Houston began incorporating more dance beats into her music. That transition culminated in this high-energy dance floor anthem produced by Narada Michael Walden. Houston’s soaring vocals belt out optimistic lyrics about finding a dance partner. The horn lines and percussion give it an upbeat,Almost frenetic feel. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” quickly became Whitney Houston’s fifth consecutive #1 single after its release. It also won her a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The bouncing rhythms combined with Houston’s powerhouse vocals make this one of her most exuberant dance hits of the decade.Good morning My Love Message

#7 – “Beat It” by Michael Jackson (1982)

Leave it to the King of Pop to seamlessly fuse rock and disco into an all-time dance classic. The third single off Jackson’s blockbuster Thriller album, “Beat It” featured the legendary Eddie Van Halen on guitar. His hard rock riff weaves around Jackson’s R&B inflected pop vocals and the funky dance rhythm. The lyrics about avoiding violence coupled with the guitar solo gave “Beat It“ a edgy, rock edge rarely heard in pop-disco crossover tracks. Produced by Quincy Jones, it incorporated both live and synthesized instrumentation for maximum dance impact. When released in February 1984, it went straight to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The iconic video, featuring Jackson dancing with the West Side Story-style gangs, also won heavy rotation on MTV. It remains one of Jackson’s signature tracks.

#6 – “Walk This Way” by Run-D.M.C (1986)

New York rappers Run-D.M.C. broke down musical barriers when they collaborated with rock band Aerosmith on this groundbreaking rap/rock hybrid. By remodeling Aerosmith’s 1975 song as hip hop, Run-D.M.C. exposed both genres to new audiences. The drum machine provides the underlying beat while D.M.C. and Run trade verses. At the climax, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry join in with the original guitar riff and Tyler’s screamed vocals. Produced by Rick Rubin, the track exemplified rap’s mainstream breakthrough in the mid ’80s. When Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. performed it together at Live Aid in 1985, the rap/rock concept took flight. Released in 1986, the song peaked at #4 on the charts and remains a go-to dance anthem.

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#5 – “Take On Me” by A-Ha (1985)

With its innovative music video, the synthpop song “Take On Me” by Norwegian band A-ha became a visual spectacle as well as dance hit. The lead vocalist Morten Harket hitsstratospheric high notes on the chorus while keyboards and guitar provide the futuristic synthesized backing. The track was produced by Tony Mansfield, who pioneered the ‘big drum sound’ popularized in 80s production. But it was the pioneering pencil-sketch animation in the Steve Barron directed video that truly launched the song to fame. The clip won six MTV Video Music Awards including Best New Artist. Propelled by both radio play and constant MTV airtime, “Take On Me” climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1985. More than three decades later, it remains one of the most legendary hits to come out of the 1980s music video revolution.JAMB portal

#4 – “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner (1984)

After leaving her abusive husband Ike Turner, Tina Turner made an impressive comeback in the ’80s as a solo pop star. The lead single from her album Private Dancer, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” became her biggest hit. British producer Terry Britten crafted the sleek, synth-driven dance track as a vehicle for Turner’s sultry R&B vocals. The lyrics tell the gripping tale of a woman burned by love. Turner’s bold, emotive performance ensured it crossed over from R&B charts to pop radio. In 1991, the song earned Turner three Grammy Awards including Record of the Year. It hit #1 in America and cemented Turner’s status as a pop icon. The smash success of this dance track sealed her spectacular comeback.

#3 – “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson (1983)

The megahit lead single from Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller album, “Billie Jean” takes its place among the absolute best dance tracks of the decade. From its recognizable gated drum intro to Jackson’s velvety smooth vocals, everything about the track became legendary. Produced by Quincy Jones, the funk-pop arrangement combines bass, keyboards and synthesizers for a lush, inviting sound. The lyrics tell a haunting tale of a stalker claiming Jackson is the father of her child. Jackson’s vocal hiccups and vocalizations give his performance extra flair. When released as a single in 1983, “Billie Jean” rocketed to #1 on charts across the world. Its famous music video became the first by a black artist played in heavy rotation on MTV. Both the song and video for “Billie Jean” represent the full blossoming of Michael Jackson into a global pop idol.Information guide Nigeria

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#2 – “Like a Prayer” by Madonna (1989)

After causing controversy with the sexual undertones of her videos and image, Madonna took her music in a new creative direction at the end of the decade. Teaming with producer Patrick Leonard, she crafted her most meaningful, substantive pop release yet with “Like a Prayer.” Gospel choir vocals and rock guitar mingle with dance beats and Madonna’s urgent vocals. Lyrically, she gets introspective examining themes ranging from religion to racism. While the Vatican condemned both the song and its provocative video, critics praised her willingness to tackle serious topics. “Like a Prayer” became Madonna’s seventh #1 hit and her biggest commercial success up to that point. The song and video represent the creative and cultural impact Madonna harnessed during her phenomenal rise in the ’80s. Thirty years later, the track remains a dance anthem for the ages.

#1 – “Thriller” by Michael Jackson (1984)

Our #1 dance hit of the 1980s is none other than Michael Jackson’s legendary “Thriller.” Title track of the best-selling album worldwide, “Thriller” reinvented dance pop as high entertainment. The 14-minute video directed by John Landis essentially serves as a short horror film set to music. On the recording, Jackson adds B movie sound effects between verses sung in an urgent halfspoke, half-sung voice. The funky rhythm guitar, keyboard, and horns give the track its danceable backbone. But it was the lavish music video that catapulted the song into infamy. From his iconic red leather jacket to the zombie dance sequence, Jackson set a new standard for the scope and ambition of pop music visuals. Combining pop with rock, funk, and R&B, “Thriller” spent over a year on the charts. Later inducted into the National Recording Registry, it remains Jackson’s greatest achievement and the top dance phenomenon of the 1980s.Romantic love message

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Conclusion

The synthesizers and drum machines that proliferated in the ’80s opened the floodgates for dance pop music to thrive on radio as well as in nightclubs. Artists like Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson didn’t just have hits – they created a dance soundtrack for an entire generation. Yet they weren’t alone. All across the musical spectrum, from synthpop to hip hop, electronic dance rhythms prevailed on the charts. Songs like “Gloria,” “Conga,” and “Walk This Way” brought diverse genres into the mix. This list revisits just some of the most prominent dance hits from a decade overflowing with them. The ’80s left a permanent mark on pop music. Decades later, modern artists continue to sample and recreate the dancefloor magic ignited in this memorable era. For a time when disco met new wave met funk met pop, the 1980s delivered dance pop gold.NYSC Portal

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