The top 100 songs of 1984 represent a golden year in music history. With pop icons like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna dominating the charts, and the rise of new wave, synth-pop, and rock anthems, 1984 showcased a vibrant blend of genres. This was a pivotal year when MTV solidified its influence, and music videos became essential for chart success. Let’s explore the iconic tracks that made 1984 unforgettable.

The Musical Landscape of 1984

In 1984, pop culture and music fused more than ever before. Michael Jackson’s Thriller was still riding high, Prince released his masterpiece Purple Rain, and Madonna became the queen of pop with Like a Virgin. New wave bands such as Duran Duran and The Cars continued to innovate, while rock legends like Bruce Springsteen and Van Halen delivered career-defining hits.

Top 100 Songs of 1984

1. Prince – “When Doves Cry”
2. Tina Turner – “What’s Love Got to Do with It”
3. Lionel Richie – “Hello”
4. Kenny Loggins – “Footloose”
5. Phil Collins – “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”
6. Cyndi Lauper – “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”
7. Van Halen – “Jump”
8. Yes – “Owner of a Lonely Heart”
9. Culture Club – “Karma Chameleon”
10. Michael Jackson – “Thriller”
11. Lionel Richie – “Stuck on You”
12. Duran Duran – “The Reflex”
13. Bruce Springsteen – “Dancing in the Dark”
14. John Waite – “Missing You”
15. Madonna – “Like a Virgin”
16. Wham! – “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”
17. The Cars – “Drive”
18. Huey Lewis and the News – “The Power of Love”
19. Cyndi Lauper – “Time After Time”
20. Laura Branigan – “Self Control”
21. Billy Ocean – “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)”
22. Steve Perry – “Oh Sherrie”
23. Prince and the Revolution – “Let’s Go Crazy”
24. Bananarama – “Cruel Summer”
25. Chicago – “Hard Habit to Break”
26. Hall & Oates – “Out of Touch”
27. Ray Parker Jr. – “Ghostbusters”
28. Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson – “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”
29. Lionel Richie – “Penny Lover”
30. Dan Hartman – “I Can Dream About You”
31. Sheena Easton – “Strut”
32. Pointer Sisters – “Jump (For My Love)”
33. Bryan Adams – “Run to You”
34. Survivor – “I Can’t Hold Back”
35. Alphaville – “Forever Young”
36. Tina Turner – “Better Be Good to Me”
37. Eurythmics – “Here Comes the Rain Again”
38. Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell”
39. Nena – “99 Luftballons”
40. Foreigner – “I Want to Know What Love Is”
41. Scorpions – “Rock You Like a Hurricane”
42. Queen – “Radio Ga Ga”
43. Madonna – “Borderline”
44. Bruce Springsteen – “Born in the U.S.A.”
45. Billy Joel – “Uptown Girl”
46. Thompson Twins – “Hold Me Now”
47. Chaka Khan – “I Feel for You”
48. Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Say It Isn’t So”
49. Julian Lennon – “Valotte”
50. Pat Benatar – “We Belong”
51. REO Speedwagon – “Can’t Fight This Feeling”
52. Sade – “Smooth Operator”
53. Lionel Richie – “Running with the Night”
54. Sheila E. – “The Glamorous Life”
55. Olivia Newton-John – “Twist of Fate”
56. Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson – “Say Say Say”
57. The Go-Go’s – “Head over Heels”
58. Shannon – “Let the Music Play”
59. John Lennon – “Nobody Told Me”
60. DeBarge – “Rhythm of the Night”
61. Van Halen – “Panama”
62. Elton John – “Sad Songs (Say So Much)”
63. Kool & the Gang – “Fresh”
64. Duran Duran – “New Moon on Monday”
65. Night Ranger – “Sister Christian”
66. Cameo – “She’s Strange”
67. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – “Islands in the Stream”
68. Thompson Twins – “Doctor! Doctor!”
69. Billy Ocean – “Loverboy”
70. Corey Hart – “Sunglasses at Night”
71. The Pretenders – “Middle of the Road”
72. Rod Stewart – “Infatuation”
73. New Edition – “Cool It Now”
74. Lionel Richie – “Hello Again”
75. Prince – “I Would Die 4 U”
76. Wham! – “Freedom”
77. Cyndi Lauper – “She Bop”
78. The Fixx – “Are We Ourselves?”
79. Kool & the Gang – “Cherish”
80. John Cougar Mellencamp – “Pink Houses”
81. Glenn Frey – “The Heat Is On”
82. Diana Ross – “Missing You”
83. Paul Young – “Every Time You Go Away”
84. Talking Heads – “Burning Down the House”
85. Huey Lewis and the News – “Heart and Soul”
86. Wham! – “Everything She Wants”
87. Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called to Say I Love You”
88. REO Speedwagon – “One Lonely Night”
89. Eddie Murphy – “Party All the Time”
90. Rick Springfield – “Love Somebody”
91. The Cars – “You Might Think”
92. Cameo – “Word Up!”
93. Mike Reno & Ann Wilson – “Almost Paradise”
94. Don Henley – “The Boys of Summer”
95. Madonna – “Material Girl”
96. The Police – “Wrapped Around Your Finger”
97. Billy Joel – “The Longest Time”
98. Howard Jones – “What Is Love?”
99. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – “Relax”
100. Bruce Springsteen – “I’m on Fire”

The top 100 songs of 1984 highlight a dynamic year when pop and rock thrived alongside new wave and R&B. From Prince’s groundbreaking Purple Rain to Madonna’s emergence as a pop superstar, 1984 set the tone for the decade’s music trends. These timeless hits continue to influence and inspire generations, proving the enduring power of 1984’s music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the top artists of 1984?
A: Prince, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Lionel Richie, and Bruce Springsteen were among the year’s biggest stars.

Q: What was the most popular genre in 1984?
A: Pop and rock dominated, with synth-pop and R&B also making strong showings thanks to MTV’s influence.

Q: Why is 1984 a significant year in music history?
A: 1984 was the peak of MTV’s influence, and artists like Prince and Madonna pushed the boundaries of pop music and performance, shaping the future of the industry.