Top Pop Artists of the 80s: The 20 Acts That Ruled the Decade

The 80s invented modern pop stardom. MTV turned singers into visual icons, synthesizers rewrote the sound of the radio, and a handful of artists became so big they only needed one name. These are the top pop artists of the 80s — the acts that defined the decade and still headline every throwback playlist.

The Kings & Queens of Pop

The biggest of the big — the artists who owned the decade outright.

• Michael Jackson — Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, and "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Bad" made him the King of Pop.
• Madonna — "Like a Virgin," "Material Girl," "Into the Groove"; no one reinvented herself, or provoked, better.
• Prince — Purple Rain fused pop, funk, and rock into something nobody else could touch.
• Whitney Houston — seven straight #1 singles, a record that still stands.
• George Michael — from Wham! ("Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go") to the solo smash Faith.

The New Wave & Synth-Pop

The 80s sound — synths, drum machines, and eyeliner.

• Duran Duran — "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Rio," the MTV band's MTV band.
• Tears for Fears — "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "Shout."
• INXS — "Need You Tonight" turned an Australian rock band into global pop stars.
• Cyndi Lauper — "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time."
• The Bangles — "Manic Monday" (written by Prince) and "Walk Like an Egyptian."

The Divas & Power Voices

• Tina Turner — "What's Love Got to Do with It" was the comeback of the decade.
• Pat Benatar — "Love Is a Battlefield" and "Hit Me with Your Best Shot."
• Janet Jackson — Control launched her out of her family's shadow and into her own empire.
• Lionel Richie — "All Night Long," "Hello," and co-writing "We Are the World."

The Heartland & Pop-Rock

• Bruce Springsteen — Born in the U.S.A. spun off seven top-10 singles.
• Phil Collins — solo and with Genesis, he was everywhere: "In the Air Tonight," "Against All Odds."
• Huey Lewis & The News — "The Power of Love" and the Back to the Future connection.
• Daryl Hall & John Oates — the best-selling duo in history, with "Maneater" and "Out of Touch."
• Billy Joel — "Uptown Girl" and a songbook that never quits.

Hear the whole decade

Every artist here has a page with their hits, deep cuts, and where to listen. Explore the full 80s in music, browse all pop songs & artists, or drop into a year like 1984 or 1987. And if the 90s were more your era, here are the top pop artists of the 90s.

Think you know your 80s? Play Trackdyl or take the 80s music quiz.