Best 80s Synth Pop Songs [2024]

Do you ever find yourself craving the infectious beats and catchy melodies of the 80s synth pop era? We certainly do! The 1980s were a golden age for synth pop, with countless iconic songs that still resonate with audiences today. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the best 80s synth pop songs, exploring the history, significance, and lasting impact of each track. So, put on your neon leg warmers and get ready to dance as we dive into the world of 80s synth pop!

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

The 1980s were a golden age for synth pop, and we’ve compiled a list of the 25 greatest 80s synth pop songs that will transport you back in time. From the infectious beats of Spandau Ballet’s “To Cut a Long Story Short” to the iconic melodies of Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder’s “Together in Electric Dreams,” these songs defined an era and continue to captivate audiences today. So, put on your dancing shoes and get ready to groove to the best 80s synth pop hits!

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Synth Pop Songs on Walmart | Shop Synth Pop Songs on Etsy

Quick Tips and Facts

  • Synth pop, short for synthesizer pop, emerged in the late 1970s and reached its peak popularity in the 1980s.
  • Synth pop songs are characterized by their heavy use of synthesizers, electronic drums, and catchy melodies.
  • Many synth pop songs from the 80s have become timeless classics and continue to be influential in modern music.
  • The 80s synth pop era was known for its vibrant fashion, neon colors, and futuristic aesthetics.
  • Synth pop bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, and The Human League played a significant role in shaping the genre.

Background: The Rise of Synth Pop

selective focus silhouette photography of man playing red-lighted DJ terminal

Before we dive into the list of the best 80s synth pop songs, let’s take a moment to explore the background and history of the genre. Synth pop, also known as synthesizer pop, emerged in the late 1970s as a fusion of electronic music and pop sensibilities. It was characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers, drum machines, and catchy melodies.

The 1980s saw the rise of synth pop as a mainstream genre, with numerous bands and artists embracing the electronic sound. The accessibility of synthesizers and drum machines allowed musicians to experiment with new sounds and create music that was both innovative and catchy.

Synth pop songs became known for their infectious beats, futuristic aesthetics, and memorable hooks. The genre’s popularity was fueled by the rise of MTV, which showcased music videos that often featured elaborate visuals and cutting-edge special effects.

Now, let’s dive into the list of the best 80s synth pop songs and explore the stories behind each track.

1. Spandau Ballet – ‘To Cut a Long Story Short’

Year: 1980
Album: Journeys to Glory
Key Features: Moody New Romantic band, thought to be about a veteran’s experience

“To Cut a Long Story Short” is the debut single by British band Spandau Ballet. Released in 1980, the song quickly became a hit and established the band as one of the leading acts of the New Romantic movement. With its haunting synth lines and Tony Hadley’s distinctive vocals, “To Cut a Long Story Short” remains a classic example of 80s synth pop.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Spandau Ballet on Walmart | Spandau Ballet Official Website

2. Duran Duran – ‘Rio’

Year: 1982
Album: Rio
Key Features: Stylish 1980s music video, reflects the band’s popularity in 1982

“Rio” is the title track from Duran Duran’s second studio album. Released in 1982, the song became one of the band’s biggest hits and solidified their status as icons of the 80s synth pop era. With its infectious melody, catchy chorus, and stylish music video, “Rio” remains a beloved anthem of the decade.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Duran Duran on Walmart | Duran Duran Official Website

3. M – ‘Pop Muzik’

Year: 1979
Album: New York • London • Paris • Munich
Key Features: One-hit-wonder with a deliberate fusion of pop music styles

“Pop Muzik” is a song by British band M, led by musician Robin Scott. Although released in 1979, the song gained significant popularity in the early 80s and became an international hit. With its catchy chorus and innovative fusion of pop, disco, and electronic music, “Pop Muzik” remains a quintessential synth pop anthem.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop M on Walmart | M Official Website

4. Dead or Alive – ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)’

Year: 1984
Album: Youthquake
Key Features: Gave Stock, Aitken and Waterman their first UK number one, initially received negative feedback from the record company

“You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” is the breakthrough single by British band Dead or Alive. Released in 1984, the song became a massive hit and remains one of the most recognizable synth pop tracks of all time. With its infectious energy, catchy hooks, and Pete Burns’ distinctive vocals, “You Spin Me Round” is a true 80s synth pop classic.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Dead or Alive on Walmart | Dead or Alive Official Website

5. OMD – ‘Enola Gay’

Year: 1980
Album: Organisation
Key Features: Catchy song with cheerful sound but about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, OMD’s signature song, sold over 5 million copies worldwide

“Enola Gay” is a song by British band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). Released in 1980, the track became one of OMD’s biggest hits and remains their signature song. Despite its upbeat melody, “Enola Gay” tackles the serious subject of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. With its infectious synth lines and thought-provoking lyrics, “Enola Gay” is a standout track of the 80s synth pop era.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop OMD on Walmart | OMD Official Website

6. Heaven 17 – ‘Temptation’

Year: 1983
Album: The Luxury Gap
Key Features: Formed after members left The Human League, song about rising sexual tension

“Temptation” is a song by British synth pop band Heaven 17. Released in 1983, the track became one of the band’s biggest hits and remains a beloved synth pop anthem. With its infectious synth hooks, soulful vocals, and lyrics about rising sexual tension, “Temptation” showcases Heaven 17’s unique blend of pop and electronic music.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Heaven 17 on Walmart | Heaven 17 Official Website

7. Kim Wilde – ‘Kids in America’

Year: 1981
Album: Kim Wilde
Key Features: Co-written by Kim Wilde’s brother, went viral after a video of Kim singing the song on the Tube

“Kids in America” is the debut single by British singer Kim Wilde. Released in 1981, the song became an international hit and remains one of the most iconic synth pop tracks of the 80s. With its energetic melody, catchy chorus, and Kim Wilde’s distinctive vocals, “Kids in America” perfectly captures the spirit of the era.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Kim Wilde on Walmart | Kim Wilde Official Website

8. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – ‘Relax’

Year: 1983
Album: Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Key Features: Initially fairly inauspicious but became controversial and successful, emphasized the shock impact of the band members’ open homosexuality

“Relax” is the debut single by British band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Released in 1983, the song initially received a lukewarm response but soon became a massive hit, topping the charts in the UK. With its provocative lyrics, infectious beats, and controversial music video, “Relax” pushed the boundaries of 80s synth pop and remains an iconic track of the era.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Frankie Goes to Hollywood on Walmart | Frankie Goes to Hollywood Official Website

9. Yazoo – ‘Don’t Go’

Year: 1982
Album: Upstairs at Eric’s
Key Features: Synthpop nightclub favorite, gave them a top three hit in the UK

“Don’t Go” is a song by British synth pop duo Yazoo, consisting of Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke. Released in 1982, the track became one of Yazoo’s biggest hits and remains a staple of 80s synth pop playlists. With its infectious synth lines, powerful vocals, and memorable chorus, “Don’t Go” perfectly captures the essence of the genre.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Yazoo on Walmart | Yazoo Official Website

10. Visage – ‘Fade to Grey’

Year: 1980
Album: Visage
Key Features: Quintessential synth pop song with haunting vocals, features English and French lyrics

“Fade to Grey” is a song by British synth pop band Visage. Released in 1980, the track became Visage’s signature song and remains a classic of the genre. With its atmospheric synth sounds, haunting vocals by Steve Strange, and bilingual lyrics, “Fade to Grey” perfectly captures the mysterious and captivating spirit of 80s synth pop.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Visage on Walmart | Visage Official Website

Stay tuned for the next section of our article, where we’ll continue our journey through the best 80s synth pop songs. From iconic hits by Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode to timeless classics by Pet Shop Boys and A-ha, we’ll explore the songs that defined an era and continue to captivate audiences today.

Continue reading: Part 2 – The Best 80s Synth Pop Songs [2024]

Conclusion

closeup photo of raindrops

In conclusion, the 80s synth pop era produced some of the most memorable and influential songs in music history. From the infectious beats of Spandau Ballet’s “To Cut a Long Story Short” to the iconic melodies of Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder’s “Together in Electric Dreams,” these songs continue to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of musicians.

While we’ve only scratched the surface of the best 80s synth pop songs in this article, we hope it has sparked your interest and encouraged you to explore more of this incredible genre. So, put on your favorite synth pop playlist, turn up the volume, and let the music transport you back to the neon-lit dancefloors of the 80s.

Shopping Links: CHECK PRICE on Amazon | Shop Synth Pop Songs on Walmart | Shop Synth Pop Songs on Etsy

Remember, the 80s synth pop era was a time of innovation, creativity, and unforgettable music. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the genre, we hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide to the best 80s synth pop songs. So, grab your favorite pair of headphones, hit play on your favorite synth pop playlist, and let the music transport you to a time of neon lights and electronic beats.

Jacob
Jacob
Articles: 185

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Trending now

Alphaville YouTube: Exploring the Synth Pop Sensation [2024] 🎶CHVRCHES (a modern synth pop band)Is Synth-Pop EDM? [2023]
photo of black and blue audio mixer
The Ultimate Guide to the Characteristics of Synth Music [2023]