The 5 Top Motown Hits Of The '80s
From Diana Ross to Rick James, Motown's stars found new ways to rule the charts. These unforgettable '80s hits kept the legendary label in the spotlight.
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1987 No. 1, Inspired By 2 Motown Hits, Topped The Charts 39 Years Ago Today
In 1987, one of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam's songwriters heard two Motown classics by Mary Wells, and combined them with an '80s twist for this chart-topper.
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1986 No. 1, The Marker Of An Icon's Control Over Her Music, Hit The Top 40 Years Ago Today
Janet Jackson's first No. 1 hit made it clear that her family was no longer calling the shots, and Jackson was a star in her own right.
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1983 No. 1, Written As A Vampire Love Song, Topped The Charts 43 Years Ago Today
The origins of this operatic 1983 pop hit stretch all the way back to "Nosferatu," a 1922 silent horror classic that was in turn inspired by "Dracula."
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5 Of The Most Beautiful Voices In Soft Rock History
From Karen Carpenter to Celine Dion, these soft rock singers are known for beautiful voices that helped produce some of the genre's biggest hits.
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5 Drum Solos We Wish We Could Hear Again For The First Time
Here are five classic drum solos that not only pack a major punch, but make us wish we could experience hearing them for the first time again.
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1982 Pop No. 1, A 'Terrible Record To Make,' Hit The Top 44 Years Ago Today
Ostensibly a story of growing up and unrealized dreams, John Cougar's, aka John Mellencamp, sole No. 1 hit from 1982 was a frustrating piece to get just right.
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1984 No. 1, Penned For A Gene Wilder Movie, Hit The Top 42 Years Ago Today
Gene Wilder's romantic comedy is mostly forgotten today, but this Oscar-winning soundtrack cut by Stevie Wonder is an enduring pop classic.
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1980 No. 1, Which Gained New Life As A Sports Anthem, Topped The Charts 46 Years Ago Today
This song had barely been released when an NFL team jumped on it as a way to tout its prowess on the field, fire up its fans, and taunt its opponents.
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This 1986 Song Gave Barry Gibb The Most Joy To Write
Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees wrote a song in 1986 that brought him a lot of joy, but it was kept on ice for decades. Here's what happened with the track.
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The Greatest Self-Taught Drummers In Rock History
These rock drummers are not only legendary for their contributions to the genre, but for more or less learning how to play the instrument on their own.
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The Best '80s Supergroup Songs That Still Go Hard Today
The supergroup may seem like an increasingly rare species of artist these days, but the '80s were something of a golden age for them, as these songs show.
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1985 Pop No. 1, Long-Mistaken As A Prince Performance, Hit The Top 41 Years Ago Today
In the mid-80s, a six-piece Michigan group released an infectiously funky song about romantic jealousy, which was helped to No. 1 by a similarity to Prince.
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Is Steely Dan Really Yacht Rock? The Debate Rages On
A reductive term, or useful shorthand for the band's polished sound? Donald Fagen refuses the term with prejudice, while Walter Becker found it amusing.
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5 Songs That Prove 1982 Was The Best Year For Funk
In 1982, artists were really bringing the funk. Here are our favorite five funk hits from a landmark year full of inventive sounds and irresistible grooves.
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The 5 Best Funk Supergroups Of All Time
From rock and metal crossovers to jazz-funk virtuosos, the best funk supergroups brought serious musical talent and propulsive grooves.
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The 3 Best Folk Rock-Influenced Supergroups Of The '80s
In the '80s, folk rock took a backseat to a more modern sound, but these three folk-rock-influenced supergroups blended friendship and music to bring it back.
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One Of The Best Duets In Classic Rock Came Together Almost By Accident
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were riding high in the early '80s, yet a chance collaboration with a rock-royalty fan gave both acts their biggest hit.
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The Happiest Soft Rock Songs Of All Time, Ranked
If there is one thing all of these feel-good soft rock songs have in common, it is that they are sure to make you tap your foot and crack a smile.
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5 German Songs That Dominated The US Charts In The '80s
Busting out of Cold War Europe to show the U.S. that their Germanic cousins knew how to rock, these powerful tunes found a receptive audience across the pond.
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The 5 Best Pete Byrne Songs That Aren't Always Something There To Remind Me
Besides "Always Something There to Remind Me," Pete Byrne's songs "Promises, Promises," "Burning Bridges," and "Flag of Convenience" are among his best.
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Classic Rock Albums With The Most Hit Singles, Ranked
From Bruce Springsteen to Def Leppard, several classic rock acts turned excellent albums into hit factories, and these birthed the most chart-topping singles.
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The 5 Best Yacht Rock Hits Of The '80s
Let's set sail with five of the best yacht rock hits of the '80s. These iconic jams feature smooth grooves and breezy vocals perfect for easy listening.
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'80s Rock Hits That Took Over Thanks To The Power Of MTV
From Billy Idol to ZZ Top, MTV provided a new launchpad for '80s musicians to flex their creative muscle, reach bigger audiences, and climb the charts.
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5 Music Videos From The '80s Every Classic Rock Fan Should Watch
From Genesis' innovative "Land of Confusion" to Alice Cooper's seedy "Poison," these five videos offer a snapshot of rock 'n' roll in the 1980s.
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5 Epic Guitar Solos That Defined The '80s
Guitarists ruled the rock world in the 1980s, and these five solos from the likes of Prince, Randy Rhoads, and Kirk Hammett remind us why.
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If You're A Boomer Born In The '60s, You Got Your Money's Worth At These Concerts
Concertgoers in the '70s and '80s had some extraordinary chances to witness rock history. These unforgettable shows were worth every penny and then some.
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