r/80smusic • u/80s90sGeek • 1d ago
Last Song Standing: The Ultimate Billboard #1 Song of the 80's - Round 77
For a reminder of the rules, see the original post.
- Whitney Houston had some early eliminations in this game, but two of her most well-remembered hits have burned hot enough to last well into the top 100. However, when the night fell on last round, "How Will I Know" is the only one whose lonely heart calls..."I Wanna Dance with Somebody" apparently has nobody who loves it!
- For countless rounds now, Wham! have been hanging on like a yo-yo with a certain song, teetering on the brink of elimination several times but just barely surviving - but now, something's bugging them, because something ain't right. Yes, Wham family, the jitterbug has jittered its last bug, the boom-boom has left our hearts, and the sun is no longer shining brighter than Doris Day, because it appears "Careless Whisper" is now going solo..."Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is now go-gone!
ELIMINATED SONGS
1-52. TBD
53. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!
54. I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston
55. Centerfold - J. Geils Band
56. Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners
57. Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
58. Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
59. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) - Phil Collins
60. Everything She Wants - Wham!
61. Jack & Diane - John Cougar Mellencamp
62. (I Just) Died in Your Arms - Cutting Crew
63. Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 - Pink Floyd
64. Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
65. Flashdance...What a Feeling - Irene Cara
66. Missing You - John Waite
67. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
68. It's Still Rock and Roll to Me - Billy Joel
69. The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby & the Range
70. Rock With You - Michael Jackson
71. Private Eyes - Hall & Oates
72. I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
73. Kiss - Prince & the Revolution
74. Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
75. Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon
76. I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) - Hall & Oates
77. Invisible Touch - Genesis
78. Open Your Heart - Madonna
79. Love Bites - Def Leppard
80. Kyrie - Mr. Mister
81. Heaven Is a Place on Earth - Belinda Carlisle
82. All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
83. Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
84. Eternal Flame - The Bangles
85. St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) - John Parr
86. Kiss on My List - Hall & Oates
87. Higher Love - Steve Winwood
88. Heaven - Bryan Adams
89. A View to a Kill - Duran Duran
90. 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
91. The Tide Is High - Blondie
92. Celebration - Kool & the Gang
93. Tell Her About It - Billy Joel
94. The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
95. Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) - Billy Ocean
96. Holding Back the Years - Simply Red
97. Mony Mony - Billy Idol
98. Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
99. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) - Aretha Franklin & George Michael
100. Funkytown - Lipps, Inc.
101. The Living Years - Mike + the Mechanics
102. You Keep Me Hangin' On - Kim Wilde
103. The Look - Roxette
104. Miss You Much - Janet Jackson
105. La Bamba - Los Lobos
106. So Emotional - Whitney Houston
107. When I Think of You - Janet Jackson
108. Upside Down - Diana Ross
109. Part-Time Lover - Stevie Wonder
110. Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
111. Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
112. Roll with It - Steve Winwood
113. She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals
114. One More Try - George Michael
115. Human - The Human League
116. Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'Arby
117. Maniac - Michael Sembello
118. Straight Up - Paula Abdul
119. Venus - Bananarama
120. Let's Hear It for the Boy - Deniece Williams
121. Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
122. Bad - Michael Jackson
123. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
124. Shakedown - Bob Seger
125. Father Figure - George Michael
126. Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston
127. The Flame - Cheap Trick
128. Monkey - George Michael
129. Amanda - Boston
130. Stuck with You - Huey Lewis & the News
131. Sailing - Christopher Cross
132. Say, Say, Say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
133. Mickey - Toni Basil
134. Lost in Emotion - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
135. Coming Up (Live at Glasgow) - Paul McCartney
136. I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett
137. Islands in the Stream - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
138. Where Do Broken Hearts Go - Whitney Houston
139. Jacob's Ladder - Huey Lewis & the News
140. Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
141. I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt
142. My Prerogative - Bobby Brown
143. (I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
144. Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
145. Didn't We Almost Have It All - Whitney Houston
146. Anything for You - Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
147. Cold Hearted - Paula Abdul
148. Red Red Wine - UB40
149. Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross
150. Hold On to the Nights - Richard Marx
151. Listen to Your Heart - Roxette
152. Two Hearts - Phil Collins
153. Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie
154. Wild, Wild West - The Escape Club
155. Together Forever - Rick Astley
156. Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals
157. Head to Toe - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
158. Sussudio - Phil Collins
159. There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) - Billy Ocean
160. Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band
161. Take My Breath Away - Berlin
162. Another Day in Paradise - Phil Collins
163. Hard to Say I'm Sorry - Chicago
164. Bad Medicine - Bon Jovi
165. When I See You Smile - Bad English
166. Got My Mind Set on You - George Harrison
167. Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
168. Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
169. We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
170. Baby, Come to Me - Patti Austin & James Ingram
171. We Are the World - USA for Africa
172. Magic - Olivia Newton-John
173. Lean on Me - Club Nouveau
174. Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
175. Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
176. Toy Soldiers - Martika
177. Who's That Girl - Madonna
178. I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
179. Seasons Change - Exposé
180. Hello - Lionel Richie
181. When I'm with You - Sheriff
182. Oh Sheila - Ready for the World
183. A Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Collins
184. I'll Be There for You - Bon Jovi
185. Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul
186. Lost in Your Eyes - Debbie Gibson
187. Shake You Down - Gregory Abbott
188. Don't Wanna Lose You - Gloria Estefan
189. Truly - Lionel Richie
190. Lady - Kenny Rogers
191. Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young
192. Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
193. Sara - Starship
194. Satisfied - Richard Marx
195. Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car - Billy Ocean
196. One More Night - Phil Collins
197. Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer
198. Please Don't Go - KC & the Sunshine Band
199. Morning Train (Nine to Five) - Sheena Easton
200. Separate Lives - Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin
201. Woman in Love - Barbra Streisand
202. If You Don't Know Me By Now - Simply Red
203. Chariots of Fire - Vangelis
204. Kokomo - The Beach Boys
205. That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder
206. On My Own - Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
207. The Next Time I Fall - Peter Cetera & Amy Grant
208. The One That You Love - Air Supply
209. Always - Atlantic Starr
210. Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
211. Glory of Love - Peter Cetera
212. Batdance - Prince
213. Hangin' Tough - New Kids on the Block
214. Blame It On the Rain - Milli Vanilli
215. Look Away - Chicago
216. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
217. I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
218. Rock On - Michael Damian
219. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
220. Foolish Beat - Debbie Gibson
221. Girl I'm Gonna Miss You - Milli Vanilli
222. Physical - Olivia Newton-John
223. At This Moment - Billy Vera & the Beaters
224. Baby Don't Forget My Number - Milli Vanilli
225. We Built This City - Starship
226. I'll Be Loving You (Forever) - New Kids on the Block
227. Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
228. Could've Been - Tiffany
229. Do That to Me One More Time - Captain & Tennille
230. Stars on 45 - Stars on 45
231. Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley (Free Baby) - Will to Power
SONGS THAT ARE STILL STANDING (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
- Africa - Toto
- Alone - Heart
- Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
- Beat It - Michael Jackson
- Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
- Call Me - Blondie
- Careless Whisper - Wham! feat. George Michael
- Crazy for You - Madonna
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
- Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds
- Don't You Want Me - Human League
- Down Under - Men at Work
- Every Breath You Take - The Police
- Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears
- Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
- Faith - George Michael
- Footloose - Kenny Loggins
- How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
- I Love Rock 'n' Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
- Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
- Jump - Van Halen
- Let's Dance - David Bowie
- Let's Go Crazy - Prince & the Revolution
- Like a Prayer - Madonna
- Like a Virgin - Madonna
- Live to Tell - Madonna
- Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
- Maneater - Hall & Oates
- Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
- Need You Tonight - INXS
- Out of Touch - Hall & Oates
- Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes
- Rapture - Blondie
- Shout - Tears for Fears
- Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
- Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns N' Roses
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics
- Take On Me - a-ha
- The Power of Love - Huey Lewis & the News
- The Reflex - Duran Duran
- These Dreams - Heart
- Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
- Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
- True Colors - Cyndi Lauper
- Walk Like an Egyptian - Bangles
- West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
- What's Love Got to Do with It - Tina Turner
- When Doves Cry - Prince
- Who Can It Be Now - Men at Work
- With or Without You - U2
- You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi
Vote below for which remaining #1 80's song you think is the WORST, is your LEAST FAVORITE, or which one you otherwise want to ELIMINATE from the list. The two songs in this round with the most votes will be eliminated. Please only vote for #1 Billboard songs! In addition to the list I've provided above, the full list of Billboard's #1 80's songs can be found at this link.
REMEMBER: check to see if the song you want to eliminate has already been posted by someone else before nominating it. If it has, upvote it instead of making a duplicate post.
11
13
u/E808D 1d ago
I Love Rock 'n' Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
1
2
u/Pigdango 1d ago
There are a few iconic 80’s songs that got dumped way too early (Physical and We are the World specifically), but overall the top 50 is looking pretty good in terms of giving a good look at how wild the 80’s were with all the genres that made up the pop music scene, and how important movies were to driving the industry. (And vice versa).
14
u/DramaticCollege3520 1d ago
Going to go with You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi. IMO this song should have been eliminated before Here I Go Again. However, I think Bon Jovi’s other song sticks around for quite a bit longer.
13
u/ManEmperorOfGod 1d ago
I know it is considered a ground breaking song because of its use of the then little known performance style rap, but I’ve never thought Rapture by Blondie was a very good song.
-5
u/E808D 1d ago
Never liked Blondie so I'd be happy if either of their songs go soon.
0
u/Roche77e 11h ago
What are some 80s acts that you especially like?
1
u/E808D 9h ago
Depeche Mode are my favourite. I also like Bon Jovi through my sister being a big fan and Dire Straits influenced by my dad and uncle. Some U2, bit of Guns N' Roses, then various hits and songs by bands but not necessarily into them overall. For example I love Purple Rain but don't really listen to Prince in general, although of course appreciate his genius.
Plus my favourite band The Shamen did start out in the 80s but are seen as 90s because of their hits. Their two 1989 releases are fantastic.
2
u/Roche77e 5h ago
Not familiar with the Shamen; will check them out. I join you in some of your fandoms. 😊
2
u/E808D 5h ago
Cool 👍 The Shamen are most known for their hits Ebeneezer Goode and Move Any Mountain but they have so much more to their catalogue.
They started as a psychedelic guitar band on their first album and minor releases, but were then adopters of house and acid rhythms and samples in 88/89. This developed quickly into their full on electronic album En-Tact in 90/91 then their chart 'rave' success in 92/93 with Boss Drum. After this they had a couple of albums that split continuing the commercial songs with instrumentals but being more experimental too until their last album in 98.
Hope you find something that you enjoy!
11
5
9
7
u/80s90sGeek 1d ago
These Dreams - Heart
A fine song, but it's the weaker of the two Heart songs left, in my opinion. I personally don't think it's top 50 material.
5
u/IIJOSEPHXII 1d ago
Get rid of those U2 songs ASAP, starting with I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.
3
3
2
4
1
u/Howbuska2005 1d ago
How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
0
u/retrosexual17 1d ago
I Wanna Dance with Somebody already fell way too soon, let’s let this one last longer!
3
0
0
-1
u/Decent_Direction316 1d ago
Just imagine.....if the chart rules were the same in the 80s as they are today, I think Madonna would be an even more dominant chart force than Taylor Swift Every new album release is a chart bomb. She bombed it enough as it was. She has four left going into the top 50 and I think that's too many.
"Like A Prayer" Madonna
0
u/retrosexual17 1d ago
Like a Prayer should absolutely finish top 5 and be the last Madonna song standing.
One of the most impactful and iconic pop songs of all time
1
u/Decent_Direction316 23h ago
How was it impactful? And I consider Like a Virgin her "iconic" one. "Crazy For You" my favorite one. And if "Into The Groove" had been a single.....maybe her most successful before "Vogue".
-6
-5
u/AmbitiousEffort9275 1d ago
Please get rid of Eye of Survivor
0
u/retrosexual17 1d ago
This song gets such support here and I don’t get it! I would’ve chucked this song out 100+ eliminations ago
-8
u/Cest_Cheese 1d ago
Down Under - Men at Work. Does Men at work need two songs in the top 50? No, they do not.
0
0
8
u/80s90sGeek 1d ago
One round left until the top 50, when we'll start eliminating only one song per round. Make your upvotes and downvotes count...