Best Eighties Love Songs, EVER

I have a mix CD with this title: The Best 80s Love Songs Ever! These songs were near & dear to my heart during those formative junior high years. I fell asleep every night with my headphones on and my walkman tuned to 99.9, The Affection Connection, with Karla Foxx. I was always dreaming of my one true love, whomever that might be at the moment. When I heard a song I liked, I would write it down on a little square of paper that soon became filled with titles and artists. I still have that paper somewhere. Over the years stand-out favorites rose above the one-hit wonders and I came up with a list of the best. Here's my top 13, in no particular order.

1. When I'm With You- by Sheriff. I remember hearing on the radio that the last note of the song holds the record for the longest-held not. Or something like that. This song reached #1 in 1989.

2. Faithfully - by Journey, 1983. This song might be on everyone's top 13 list, even though they topped out on the charts at #12. And Journey is still touring! I'm throwing Open Arms in here too, as it's on my mix CD. It was on the 1981 Escape album, which scored three #1 singles, including Open Arms.

3. I Can't Fight This Feeling - by REO Speedwagon. This hit #1 in 1985. This was the song dedicated to any boy that I was friends with first. Including (much later) my husband! And it's eternally dedicated to him now!

4. Every Breath You Take - by The Police, 1983. According to Billboard, this was the #1 song for 1983. No question why.

5. After All - by Peter Cetera. This was a duet with Cher that came out as a movie soundtrack in 1989. My friends and I repeatedly watched this movie, Chances Are, which featured this song as a major part of the story line. Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O'Neal, and Mary Stuart Masterson - if you haven't seen this, get to Blockbuster right now!


6. Take My Breath Away - by Berlin. This song is the ultimate for sexy and sultry, I love the slow beat. And of course, was made popular by Top Gun. I didn't see Top Gun until I was in college (mid 90s) but this song hit #1 in 1986, when the movie came out.

7. Right Here Waiting - by Richard Marx. Ahh, this was the ultimate song during the "TRB ♥s RJP Forever" phase. Which lasted about four years, a long time for teenagers. Richard Marx had a slew of top 10 hits in the late 80s - this song was on the 1989 Repeat Offender album, which had three #1 hits!

8. Crazy For You - by Madonna. This is my favorite song by Madonna, it has always made me melt. I guess I loved it at the time because I went to every Saturday Night Dance for the 14-year-olds and I dreamed of having this kind of chemistry with someone. This song hit #1 in 1985, along with almost every song Madonna put out in the mid 80s. Superstar!

9. All I Need - by Jack Wagner. Reached #2 in 1985. Apparently Jack Wagner was a soap opera star before he came out with one album. He was on General Hospital, Santa Barbara, Melrose Place, and The Bold and the Beautiful. I had no idea. I still like this song.

10. Babe - by Styx. This song actually came out in 1979 - but hit #1 in 1980. I was three. I have loved this song since the first time I heard it and it seems impossible for people not to sing along when it's on the radio.

11. Forever Young - by Alphaville. According to Billboard, this song (from a 1984 album of the same name) reached 32 on the "Hot Dance Music/Club Play" Chart. And then in 1988 it reached 65 on The Billboard Hot 100. I can't believe it never made it into the top 10! This is a staple of 80s songs, full of nostalgia and meaning for almost everyone. It certainly makes my top 13.

12. When I See You Smile - by Bad English. Bad English was made up of an ex-Journey member, John Waite, who did that awesome song Missing You ('84), and a bunch of other guys. When I See You Smile was their first single, and hit #1 in 1989. Their second album was a flop and they split up. But left us this great song!

13. Groovey Kind of Love - by Phil Collins. This one gets me right in the heart and I always want to close my eyes and sing at the top of my voice. And usually do. A #1 hit in 1988, this song was part of 13 straight songs to hit the Top Ten for Collins. That's some good music.

Honorable Mentions:

Lady in Red - by Chris DeBurgh. #3 in 1987, he wrote it himself

Hands to Heaven - by Breathe. #2 in 1988

The Search is Over - by Survivor. #4 in 1985

Sometimes When We Touch - by Dan Hill. smash hit in 1977 but still playing in the 80s!

Endless Love - by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross. #2 overall for 1981.

What Are Your Favorites?

Check out other Thursday 13 posts here.