From Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” on January 1st, 1980 through Phil Collins’ “Another Day In Paradise” on December 31st, 1989, there were exactly 232 different songs that climbed the charts to be the #1 song atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Fun 1980s Billboard #1 facts:
Olivia Newton John’s song “Physical” held the #1 position for ten weeks, tying the record for most weeks in the top spot originally set by Debby Boone’s “You Light Up My Life”
Including duets, Michael Jackson had nine #1 songs during the 1980s.
Madonna and Whitney Houston each had seven #1 hits – more than any other female artists in the 1980s.
Shortest title? “Kiss” by Prince and “Sara” by Jefferson Starship.
Longest title? “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston.
The Billboard charts for 1988 and 1989 had the most #1 singles (33 each) while 1982 had the fewest (16).
Ready for the list? Check THIS out.
Top Songs of 1980
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Rupert Holmes
Dec 22, 1979 – Jan 4, 1980
Please Don’t Go
KC & the Sunshine Band
Jan 5 – Jan 18
Rock With You
Michael Jackson
Jan 19 – Feb 15
Do That To Me One More Time
Captain & Tennille
Feb 16 – Feb 22
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Queen
Feb 23 – Mar 21
Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)
Pink Floyd
Mar 22 – Apr 18
Call Me
Blondie
Apr 19 – May 30
Funkytown
Lipps Inc.
May 31 – Jun 27
Coming Up (Live At Glasgow)
Paul McCartney & Wings
Jun 28 – Jul 18
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me
Billy Joel
Jul 19 – Aug 1
Magic
Olivia Newton-John
Aug 2 – Aug 29
Sailing
Christopher Cross
Aug 30 – Sept 5
Upside Down
Diana Ross
Sept 6 – Oct 3
Another One Bites the Dust
Queen
Oct 4 – Oct 24
Woman in Love
Barbra Streisand
Oct 25 – Nov 14
Lady
Kenny Rogers
Nov 15 – Dec 26
(Just Like) Starting Over
John Lennon
Dec 27 – Jan 30, 1981
Top Songs of 1981
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
(Just Like) Starting Over
John Lennon
Dec 27, 1980 – Jan 30, 1981
The Tide Is High
Blondie
Jan 31 – Feb 6
Celebration
Kool & The Gang
Feb 7 – Feb 20
9 to 5
Dolly Parton
Feb 21 – Mar 6
I Love A Rainy Night
Eddie Rabbitt
Mar 7 – Mar 20
Keep On Loving You
REO Speedwagon
Mar 21 – Mar 27
Rapture
Blondie
Mar 28 – Apr 10
Kiss On My List
Hall & Oates
Apr 11 – May 1
Morning Train (Nine To Five)
Sheena Easton
May 2 – May 15
Bette Davis Eyes
Kim Carnes
May 16 – Jul 17
Medley
Stars on 45
Jul 18 – Jul 24
The One That You Love
Air Supply
Jul 25 – Jul 31
Jessie’s Girl
Rick Springfield
Aug 1 – Aug 14
Endless Love
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Aug 15 – Oct 16
Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)
Christopher Cross
Oct 17 – Nov 6
Private Eyes
Hall & Oates
Nov 7 – Nov 20
Physical
Olivia Newton-John
Nov 21 – Jan 29, 1982
Top Songs of 1982
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Physical
Olivia Newton-John
Nov 21, 1981 – Jan 29, 1982
I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)
Hall & Oates
Jan 30 – Feb 5
Centerfold
J. Geils Band
Feb 6 – Mar 19
I Love Rock n’ Roll
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Mar 20 – May 7
Chariots of Fire
Vangelis
May 8 – May 14
Ebony and Ivory
Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
May 15 – Jul 2
Don’t You Want Me
The Human League
Jul 3 – Jul 23
Eye of the Tiger
Survivor
Jul 24 – Sept 3
Abracadabra
The Steve Miller Band
Sept 4 – Sept 17
Hard to Say I’m Sorry
Chicago
Sept 18 – Oct 1
Jack & Diane
John Mellencamp
Oct 2 – Oct 29
Who Can It Be Now?
Men at Work
Oct 30 – Nov 5
Up Where We Belong
Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
Nov 6 – Nov 26
Truly
Lionel Richie
Nov 27 – Dec 10
Mickey
Toni Basil
Dec 11- Dec 17
Maneater
Hall & Oates
Dec 18 – Jan 14, 1983
Top Songs of 1983
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Maneater
Hall & Oates
Dec 18, 1982 – Jan 14, 1983
Down Under
Men at Work
Jan 15 – Feb 11
Africa
Toto
Feb 12 – Feb 18
Baby, Come To Me
Patti Austin featuring James Ingram
Feb 19 – Mar 4
Billie Jean
Michael Jackson
Mar 5 – Apr 22
Come On Eileen
Dexys Midnight Runners
Apr 23 – Apr 29
Beat It
Michael Jackson
Apr 30 – May 20
Let’s Dance
David Bowie
May 21 – May 27
Flashdance… What A Feeling
Irene Cara
May 28 – Jul 8
Every Breath You Take
The Police
Jul 9 – Sept 2
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Eurythmics
Sept 3 – Sept 9
Maniac
Michael Sembello
Sept 10 – Sept 23
Tell Her About It
Billy Joel
Sept 24 – Sept 30
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Bonnie Tyler
Oct 1 – Oct 28
Islands In the Stream
Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton
Oct 29 – Nov 11
All Night Long (All Night)
Lionel Richie
Nov 12 – Dec 9
Say Say Say
Paul McCartney featuring Michael Jackson
Dec 10 – Jan 20, 1984
Top Songs of 1984
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Say Say Say
Paul McCartney featuring Michael Jackson
Dec 10, 1983 – Jan 20, 1984
Owner of a Lonely Heart
Yes
Jan 21 – Feb 3
Karma Chameleon
Culture Club
Feb 4 – Feb 24
Jump
Van Halen
Feb 25 – Mar 20
Footloose
Kenny Loggins
Mar 31 – Apr 20
Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)
Phil Collins
Apr 21 – May 11
Hello
Lionel Richie
May 12 – May 25
Let’s Hear It For the Boy
Deniece Williams
May 26 – Jun 8
Time After Time
Cyndi Lauper
Jun 9 – Jun 22
The Reflex
Duran Duran
Jun 23 – Jul 6
When Doves Cry
Prince
Jul 7 – Aug 10
Ghostbusters
Ray Parker, Jr.
Aug 11 – Aug 31
What’s Love Got to Do With It
Tina Turner
Sept 1 – Sept 21
Missing You
John Waite
Sept 22 – Sept 28
Let’s Go Crazy
Prince & The Revolution
Sept 29 – Oct 12
Just Called To Say I Love You
Stevie Wonder
Oct 13 – Nov 2
Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)
Billy Ocean
Nov 3 – Nov 16
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Wham!
Nov 17 – Dec 7
Out of Touch
Hall & Oates
Dec 8 – Dec 21
Like a Virgin
Madonna
Dec 22 – Feb 1, 1985
Top Songs of 1985
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Like a Virgin
Madonna
Dec 22, 1984 – Feb 1, 1985
I Want to Know What Love Is
Foreigner
Feb 2 – Feb 15
Careless Whisper
Wham!
Feb 16 – Mar 8
Can’t Fight This Feeling
REO Speedwagon
Mar 9 – Mar 29
One More Night
Phil Collins
Mar 30 – Apr 12
We Are The World
USA For Africa
Apr 13 – May 10
Crazy for You
Madonna
May 11 – May 17
Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Simple Minds
May 18 – May 24
Everything She Wants
Wham!
May 25 – Jun 7
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Tears For Fears
Jun 8 – Jun 21
Heaven
Bryan Adams
Jun 22 – Jul 5
Sussudio
Phil Collins
Jul 6 – Jul 12
A View to a Kill
Duran Duran
Jul 13 – Jul 26
Everytime You Go Away
Paul Young
Jul 27 – Aug 2
Shout
Tears For Fears
Aug 3 – Aug 23
The Power of Love
Huey Lewis & The News
Aug 24 – Sept 6
St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)
John Parr
Sept 7 – Sept 20
Money For Nothing
Dire Straits
Sept 21 – Oct 11
Oh Sheila
Ready For the World
Oct 12 – Oct 18
Take On Me
a-ha
Oct 19 – Octr 25
Saving All My Love For You
Whitney Houston
Oct 26 – Nov 1
Part Time Lover
Stevie Wonder
Novr 2 – Nov 8
Miami Vice Theme
Jan Hammer
Nov 9 – Nov 15
We Built This City
Starship
Nov 16 – Nov 29
Separate Lives
Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin
Nov 30 – Dec 6
Broken Wings
Mr. Mister
Dec 7 – Dec 20
Say You, Say Me
Lionel Richie
Dec 21 – Jan 17, 1986
Top Songs of 1986
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Say You, Say Me
Lionel Richie
Dec 21, 1985 – Jan 17, 1986
That’s What Friends Are For
Dionne Warwick featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder
Jan 18 – Feb 14
How Will I Know
Whitney Houston
Feb 15 – Feb 28
Kyrie
Mr. Mister
Mar 1 – Mar 14
Sara
Starship
Mar 15 – Mar 21
These Dreams
Heart
Mar 22 – Mar 28
Rock Me Amadeus
Falco
Mar 29 – Apr 18
Kiss
Prince
Apr 19 – May 2
Addicted to Love
Robert Palmer
May 3 – May 9
West End Girls
Pet Shop Boys
May 10 – May 16
Greatest Love of All
Whitney Houston
May 17 – Jun 6
Live to Tell
Madonna
Jun 7 – Jun 13
On My Own
Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
Jun 14 – Jul 4
There’ll Be Sad Songs (to Make You Cry)
Billy Ocean
Jul 5 – Jul 11
Holding Back the Years
Simply Red
Jul 12 – Jul 18
Invisible Touch
Genesis
Jul 19 – Jul 25
Sledgehammer
Peter Gabriel
Jul 26 – Aug 1
Glory of Love
Peter Cetera
Aug 2 – Aug 15
Papa Don’t Preach
Madonna
Aug 16 – Aug 29
Higher Love
Steve Winwood
Aug 30 – Sept 5
Venus
Bananarama
Sept 6 – Sept 12
Take My Breath Away
Berlin
Sept 13 – Sept 19
Stuck with You
Huey Lewis & the News
Sept 20 – Oct 10
When I Think of You
Janet Jackson
Oct 11 – Oct 24
True Colors
Cyndi Lauper
Oct 25 – Nov 7
Amanda
Boston
Nov 8 – Nov 21
Human
Human League
Nov 22 – Nov 28
You Give Love a Bad Name
Bon Jovi
Nov 29 – Dec 5
The Next Time I Fall
Peter Cetera featuring Amy Grant
Dec 6 – Dec 12
The Way It Is
Bruce Hornsby & the Range
Dec 13 – Dec 19
Walk Like an Egyptian
The Bangles
Dec 20 – Jan 16, 1987
Top Songs of 1987
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Walk Like an Egyptian
The Bangles
Dec 20, 1986 – Jan 16, 1987
Shake You Down
Gregory Abbott
Jan 17 – Jan 23
At this Moment
Billy Vera and The Beaters
Jan 24 – Feb 6
Open Your Heart
Madonna
Feb 7 – Feb 13
Livin’ On a Prayer
Bon Jovi
Feb 14 – Mar 13
Jacob’s Ladder
Huey Lewis & the News
Mar 14 – Mar 11
Lean On Me
Club Nouveau
Mar 21 – Apr 3
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
Starship
Apr 4 – Apr 17
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
Aretha Franklin & George Michael
Apr 18 – May 1
(I Just) Died In Your Arms
Cutting Crew
May 2 – May 15
With Or Without You
U2
May 16 – Jun 5
You Keep Me Hangin’ On
Kim Wilde
Jun 6 – Jun 12
Always
Atlantic Starr
Jun 13 – Jun 19
Head to Toe
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Jun 20 – Jun 6
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Whitney Houston
Jun 27 – Jul 10
Alone
Heart
Jul 11 – Jul 31
Shakedown
Bob Seger
Aug 1 – Aug 7
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
U2
Aug 8 – Aug 21
Who’s That Girl
Madonna
Aug 22 – Aug 28
La Bamba
Los Lobos
Aug 29 – Sept 18
I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
Michael Jackson
Sept 19 – Sept 25
Didn’t We Almost Have It All
Whitney Houston
Sept 26 – Oct 9
Here I Go Again
Whitesnake
Oct 10 – Oct16
Lost In Emotion
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Oct 17 – Oct 23
Bad
Michael Jackson
Oct 24 – Nov 6
I Think We’re Alone Now
Tiffany
Nov 7 – Nov 20
Mony Mony “Live”
Billy Idol
Nov21 – Nov 27
(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life
Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Nov 28 – Dec 4
Heaven Is a Place On Earth
Belinda Carlisle
Dec 5 – Dec 11
Faith
George Michael
Dec 12 – Jan 8, 1988
Top Songs of 1988
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Faith
George Michael
Dec 12, 1987 – Jan 8, 1988
So Emotional
Whitney Houston
Jan 9 – Jan 15
Got My Mind Set on You
George Harrison
Jan 16 – Jan 22
The Way You Make Me Feel
Michael Jackson
Jan 23 – Jan 29
Need You Tonight
INXS
Jan 30 – Feb 5
Could’ve Been
Tiffany
Feb 6 – Feb19
Seasons Change
Exposé
Feb 20 – Feb 26
Father Figure
George Michael
Feb 27 – Mar 11
Never Gonna Give You Up
Rick Astley
Mar 12 – Mar 20
Man In The Mirror
Michael Jackson
Mar 26 – Apr 8
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
Billy Ocean
Apr 9 – Apr 22
Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Whitney Houston
Apr 23 – May 6
Wishing Well
Terence Trent D’Arby
May 7 – May 13
Anything For You
Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
May 14 – May 27
One More Try
George Michael
May 28 – Jul 17
Together Forever
Rick Astley
Jun 18 – Jul 24
Foolish Beat
Debbie Gibson
Jun 25 – Jul 1
Dirty Diana
Michael Jackson
Jul 2 – Jul 8
The Flame
Cheap Trick
Jul 9 – Jul 22
Hold On to The Nights
Richard Marx
Jul 23 – Jul 29
Roll With It
Steve Winwood
Jul 30 – Aug 26
Monkey
George Michael
Aug 27 – Sept 9
Sweet Child O’ Mine
Guns N’ Roses
Sept 10 – Sept 23
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Bobby McFerrin
Sept 24 – Oct 7
Love Bites
Def Leppard
Oct 8 – Oct 14
Red Red Wine
UB40
Oct 15 – Oct 21
Groovy Kind Of Love
Phil Collins
Oct 22 – Nov 4
Kokomo
The Beach Boys
Nov 5 – Nov 11
Wild, Wild West
The Escape Club
Nov 12 – Nov 18
Bad Medicine
Bon Jovi
Nov 19 – Dec 2
Baby, I Love Your Way
Will To Power
Dec 3 – Dec 9
Look Away
Chicago
Dec 10 – Dec 23
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Poison
Dec 24 – Jan 13, 1989
Top Songs of 1989
Song Title Artist Dates Spent at #1
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Poison
Dec 24, 1988 – Jan 13, 1989
My Prerogative
Bobby Brown
Jan 14 – Jan 20
Two Hearts
Phil Collins
Jan 21 – Feb 3
When I’m With You
Sheriff
Feb 4 – Feb 10
Straight Up
Paula Abdul
Feb 11 – Mar 3
Lost In Your Eyes
Debbie Gibson
Mar 4 – Mar 24
The Living Years
Mike & The Mechanics
Mar 25 – Mar 31
Eternal Flame
The Bangles
Apr 1 – Apr 7
The Look
Roxette
Apr 8 – Apr 14
She Drives Me Crazy
Fine Young Cannibals
Apr 15 – Apr 21
Like a Prayer
Madonna
Apr 22 – May 12
I’ll Be There for You
Bon Jovi
May 13 – May 19
Forever Your Girl
Paula Abdul
May 20 – Jun 2
Rock On
Michael Damian
Jun 3 – Jun 9
Wind Beneath My Wings
Bette Midler
Jun 10 – Jun 16
I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)
New Kids On The Block
Jun 17- Jun 23
Satisfied
Richard Marx
Jun 24 – Jun 30
Baby Don’t Forget My Number
Milli Vanilli
Jul 1 – Jul 7
Good Thing
Fine Young Cannibals
Jul 8 – Jul 14
If You Don’t Know Me By Now
Simply Red
Jul 15 – Jul 21
Toy Soldiers
Martika
Jul 22 – Aug 4
Batdance
Prince
Aug 5 – Aug 11
Right Here Waiting
Richard Marx
Aug 12 – Sept 1
Cold Hearted
Paula Abdul
Sept 2 – Sept 8
Hangin’ Tough
New Kids On The Block
Sept 9 – Sept 15
Don’t Wanna Lose You
Gloria Estefan
Sept 16 – Sept 22
Girl I’m Gonna Miss You
Milli Vanilli
Sept 23 – Oct 6
Miss You Much
Janet Jackson
Oct 7 – Nov 3
Listen to Your Heart
Roxette
Nov 4 – Nov 10
When I See You Smile
Bad English
Nov 11 – Nov 24
Blame It On the Rain
Milli Vanilli
Nov 25 – Dec 9
We Didn’t Start The Fire
Billy Joel
Dec 9 – Dec 22
Another Day In Paradise
Phil Collins
Dec 23 – Jan 13, 1990
What a decade, eh?
For my initial pass through all those songs I plucked out the tunes that immediately made it onto my “oh yeah, I love that one!” list. This managed to narrow the full listing down to roughtly seventy-five songs.
Two-thirds gone. One-third to go. I still can’t believe that there wasn’t a single Journey song in there.
I gave my list a rest and came back the following day with the goal of whittling them down to my favorite five from each year.
How’d I do? Well, keep on reading…
Pages: 1 2 3 4
It’s hard to choose between Ghostbusters and Thriller. I had some kind of creepy afterworld thing going there, I guess.
Can you believe that “Thriller” never hit #1? The highest it ever reached was #4.
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