Best Selling Singles of the 1980's

Based on Worldwide Sales

  1   Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (part 2) - 1980

  2   Irene Cara - Flashdance... What a Feeling - 1983

  3   Michael Jackson - Billie Jean - 1983

  4   The Police - Every Breath You Take - 1983

  5   Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes - 1981

  6   Madonna - Like a Prayer - 1989

  7   Survivor - Eye of the Tiger - 1982

  8   Stevie Wonder - I Just Called to Say I Love You - 1984

  9   Barbra Streisand - A Woman in Love - 1980

10   USA For Africa - We Are the World - 1985

11   George Michael - Careless Whisper - 1984

12   John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over - 1980

13   Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock 'n' Roll - 1982

14   Culture Club - Karma Chameleon - 1983

15   Lipps Inc - Funkytown - 1980

16   Diana Ross - Upside Down - 1980

17   The Human League - Don't You Want Me - 1982

18   Phil Collins - Another Day in Paradise - 1989

19   Prince - When Doves Cry - 1984

20   Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody - 1987

21   Michael Jackson - Beat It - 1983

22   Los Lobos - La Bamba - 1987

23   Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up - 1987

24   David Bowie - Let's Dance - 1983

25   Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - 1984

26   Culture Club - Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? - 1983

27   Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder - Ebony & Ivory - 1982

28   Men At Work - Down Under - 1982

29   A-Ha - Take On Me - 1985

30   Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - (I've Had) the Time of My Life - 1987

31   Blondie - Call Me - 1980

32   U2 - With Or Without You - 1987

33   Berlin - Take My Breath Away - 1986

34   Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen - 1982

35   Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy - 1988

36   Starsound - Stars On 45 - 1981

37   Phil Collins - A Groovy Kind of Love - 1988

38   Falco - Rock Me Amadeus - 1986

39   The Bangles - Eternal Flame - 1989

40   Diana Ross & Lionel Richie - Endless Love - 1981

41   Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra - 1982

42   Bon Jovi - Livin' On a Prayer - 1987

43   Madonna - Papa Don't Preach - 1986

44   Soft Cell - Tainted Love - 1981

45   Richard Marx - Right Here Waiting - 1989

46   J Geils Band - Centrefold - 1982

47   Nena - 99 Red Balloons - 1983

48   Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart - 1983

49   UB40 - Red Red Wine - 1983

50   Tina Turner - What's Love Got to Do With It? - 1984

51   The B52s - Love Shack - 1989

52   George Michael - Faith - 1987

53   Roxette - The Look - 1989

54   Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - 1984

55   Olivia Newton-John - (Let's Get) Physical - 1981

56   Queen - Another One Bites the Dust - 1980

57   Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is - 1985

58   Guns n' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine - 1988

59   Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy - 1989

60   Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? - 1985

61   The Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls - 1986

62   Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax - 1984

63   Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes - Up Where We Belong - 1982

64   Dionne Warwick & Friends - That's What Friends Are For - 1986

65   John Lennon - Woman - 1981

66   Jefferson Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - 1987

67   U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - 1987

68   Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love - 1980

69   Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra - Xanadu - 1980

70   Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers - Swing the Mood - 1989

71   Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight - 1981

72   Phil Collins - Against All Odds - 1984

73   Prince - Batdance - 1989

74   Irene Cara - Fame - 1980

75   Van Halen - Jump - 1984

76   F R David - Words - 1982

77   Tears For Fears - Shout - 1985

78   Musical Youth - Pass the Dutchie - 1982

79   U2 - Desire - 1988

80   Madonna - Like a Virgin - 1984

81   The Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian - 1986

82   Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer - 1986

83   Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now - 1988

84   Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters - 1984

85   Billy Ocean - Get Outta My Dreams Get Into My Car - 1988

86   Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night) - 1983

87   Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a Place On Earth - 1988

88   Kaoma - Lambada - 1989

89   Kenny Loggins - Footloose - 1984

90   Abba - The Winner Takes it All - 1980

91   Chicago - Hard to Say I'm Sorry - 1982

92   Lionel Richie - Hello - 1984

93   Kool & The Gang - Celebration - 1981

94   INXS - Need You Tonight - 1988

95   Michael Jackson - Thriller - 1984

96   Madonna - Who's That Girl? - 1987

97   The Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - 1983

98   Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson - Say Say Say - 1983

99   Europe - The Final Countdown - 1986

100 Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me - 1985

Best Selling Albums of the 1980's

Based on Worldwide Sales

  1   Michael Jackson - Thriller - 1982

  2   Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms - 1985

  3   U2 - The Joshua Tree - 1987

  4   Bruce Springsteen - Born In The USA - 1984

  5   Michael Jackson - Bad - 1987

  6   Prince - Purple Rain - 1984

  7   The Police - Synchronicity - 1983

  8   Paul Simon - Graceland - 1986

  9   Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston - 1986

10   Phil Collins - No Jacket Required - 1985

11   Guns n' Roses - Appetite For Destruction - 1987

12   Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down - 1983

13   George Michael - Faith - 1987

14   Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet - 1986

15   Original Soundtrack - Dirty Dancing - 1987

16   Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman - 1988

17   Def Leppard - Hysteria - 1987

18   AC/DC - Back In Black - 1980

19   Madonna - True Blue - 1986

20   U2 - Rattle & Hum - 1988

21   Whitney Houston - Whitney - 1987

22   John Lennon - Double Fantasy - 1980

23   Madonna - Like A Prayer - 1989

24   Original Soundtrack - Flashdance - 1983

25   Phil Collins - ... But Seriously - 1989

26   Madonna - Like A Virgin - 1984

27   Prince - Sign 'O' The Times - 1987

28   Culture Club - Colour By Numbers - 1983

29   Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair - 1985

30   The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You - 1981

31   Bryan Adams - Reckless - 1985

32   Peter Gabriel - So - 1986

33   Barbra Streisand - Guilty - 1980

34   Bruce Springsteen - The River - 1980

35   Men At Work - Business As Usual - 1982

36   Paul McCartney - Tug Of War - 1982

37   The Police - Ghost In The Machine - 1981

38   Bob Marley - Legend, The Best Of Bob Marley - 1984

39   Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel Of Love - 1987

40   The Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill - 1986

41   Phil Collins - Face Value - 1981

42   Sting - The Dream Of The Blue Turtles - 1985

43   Original Soundtrack - Footloose - 1984

44   Sting - ...Nothing Like The Sun - 1987

45   U2 - The Unforgettable Fire - 1984

46   Toto - Toto IV - 1982

47   David Bowie - Let's Dance - 1983

48   Wham! - Make It Big - 1984

49   Fine Young Cannibals - The Raw & The Cooked - 1989

50   Roxy Music - Avalon - 1982

51   INXS - Kick - 1988

52   ZZ Top - Eliminator - 1983

53   U2 - War - 1983

54   Asia - Asia - 1982

55   Tina Turner - Private Dancer - 1984

56   The Human League - Dare! - 1981

57   The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead - 1986

58   Billy Joel - Glass Houses - 1980

59   Foreigner - 4 - 1981

60   Bon Jovi - New Jersey - 1988

61   Queen - Queen's Greatest Hits I - 1981

62   The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta - 1980

63   Terence Trent D'Arby - Introducing The Hardline - 1987

64   Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual - 1984

65   Pink Floyd - The Final Cut - 1983

66   The Cure - Disintegration - 1989

67   Traveling Wilburys - Volume I - 1988

68   Original Soundtrack - Top Gun - 1986

69   REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity - 1981

70   Foreigner - Agent Provocateur - 1985

71   Sade - Promise - 1985

72   Janet Jackson - Control - 1986

73   Prince - Batman - 1989

74   Prince - Lovesexy - 1988

75   Sade - Diamond Life - 1984

76   Rick Astley - Whenever You Need Somebody - 1988

77   The Eurythmics - Be Yourself Tonight - 1985

78   Kate Bush - Hounds Of Love - 1985

79   Dire Straits - Love Over Gold - 1982

80   Bruce Springsteen - Live 1975-1985 - 1986

81   Van Halen - 5150 - 1986

82   The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue - 1980

83   Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl - 1989

84   Van Halen - 1984 (mcmlxxxiv) - 1984

85   Genesis - Genesis - 1983

86   Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814 - 1989

87   Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra - Xanadu - 1980

88   Queen - The Game - 1980

89   Paul Young - No Parlez - 1983

90   Billy Joel - An Innocent Man - 1983

91   Prince - Around The World In A Day - 1985

92   Fleetwood Mac - Tango In The Night - 1987

93   Abba - Super Trouper - 1980

94   Dire Straits - Making Movies - 1980

95   Prince - 1999 - 1982

96   Electric Light Orchestra - Time - 1981

97   Simon & Garfunkel - The Concert In Central Park - 1982

98   The Eurythmics - Touch - 1983

99   Genesis - Invisible Touch - 1986

100 Huey Lewis & The News - Sports - 1984

Top 50 Music Artists of the 1980's

Based on Worldwide Sales

  1: Prince

  2: Madonna

  3: U2

  4: Michael Jackson

  5: Bruce Springsteen

  6: Phil Collins

  7: Dire Straits

  8: Queen

  9: The Police

10: The Rolling Stones

11: Billy Joel

12: The Eurythmics

13: The Cure

14: David Bowie

15: Whitney Houston

16: Elton John

17: Duran Duran

18: Iron Maiden

19: Barbra Streisand

20: The Smiths

21: Lionel Richie

22: Paul McCartney

23: AC/DC

24: Van Halen

25: Depeche Mode

26: Genesis

27: Bon Jovi

28: Rod Stewart

29: Simple Minds

30: Culture Club

31: Tina Turner

32: John Lennon

33: Talking Heads

34: REM

35: Diana Ross

36: John Cougar Mellencamp

37: Foreigner

38: George Michael

39: Elvis Costello

40: Tears For Fears

41: The Pet Shop Boys

42: Pat Benatar

43: Def Leppard

44: Peter Gabriel

45: Stevie Wonder

46: Abba

47: Kiyoko Matsuda

48: Wham!

49: Guns n' Roses

50: Pink Floyd

 1989 Number One Singles U.S. Pop

Title / Artist / Weeks at #1​:​​ 

• Every Rose Has It's Thorn - Poison (1 week)
• My Perogative - Bobby Brown (1 week)
• Two Hearts - Phil Collins (2 weeks)
• When I'm With You - Sheriff (1 week)
• Straight Up - Paula Abdul (3 weeks)
• Lost In Your Eyes - Debbie Gibson (3 weeks)
• The Living Years - Mike & The Mechanics  (1 week)
• Eternal Flame - The Bangles (1 week)
• The Look - Roxette (1 week)
• She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals (1 week)
• Like A Prayer - Madonna (3 weeks)
• I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi (1 week)
• Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul (2 weeks)
• Rock On - Michael Damian  (2 weeks)
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler (1 week)
• I'll Be Loving You (Forever) - New Kids On The Block (1 week)
• Satisfied - Richard Marx (1 week)
• Baby Don't Forget My Number - Milli Vanilli (1 week)
• Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals (1 week)
• If You Don't Know Me By Now - Simply Red (1 week)
• Toy Soldiers - Martika (2 weeks)
• Batdance - Prince (1 week)
• Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx (3 weeks)
• Cold Hearted - Paula Abdul (1 week)
• Hangin' Tough - New Kids On The Block (1 week)
• Don't Wanna Lose You - Gloria Estefan (1 week)
• Girl I'm Gonna Miss You - Milli Vanilli (2 weeks)
• Miss You Much - Janet Jackson (4 weeks)
• Listen To Your Heart - Roxette (1 week)
• When I See You Smile - Bad English (2 weeks)
• Blame It On The Rain - Milli Vanilli (2 weeks)​
• We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel (2 weeks)
• Another Day In Paradise - Phil Collins (2 weeks)

1989 Number One Singles U.K.

Title / Artist / Weeks at #1​​: 

• Especially For You - Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan (3 weeks)
• Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart - Marc Almond (4 weeks)
• Belfast Child - Simple Minds (2 weeks)
• Too Many Broken Hearts - Jason Donovan (2 weeks)
• Like A Prayer - Madonna (3 weeks)
• Eternal Flame - The Bangles (4 weeks)
• Hand On Your Heart - Kylie Minogue (1 week)
• Ferry 'Cross The Mersey - Various (3 weeks)
• Sealed With A Kiss - Jason Donovan (1 week)
• Swing The Mood - Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers (5 weeks)
• Ride On Time - Black Box  (6 weeks)
• That's What I Like - Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers (3 weeks)
• All Around The World - Lisa Stansfield (2 weeks)
• You Got It (The Right Stuff) - New Kids On The Block (3 weeks)
• Let's Party - Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers (1 week)
• Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid ll (2 weeks)​

1989 Best Selling Singles

Based on Worldwide Sales

  1 Madonna / Like a Prayer

  2 Phil Collins / Another Day in Paradise

  3 Fine Young Cannibals / She Drives Me Crazy

  4 Roxette / The Look

  5 The Bangles / Eternal Flame

  6 Richard Marx / Right Here Waiting

  7 Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers / Swing the Mood

  8 The B52s / Love Shack

  9 Prince / Batdance

10 Kaoma / Lambada

11 Mike & The Mechanics / The Living Years

12 Milli Vanilli / Girl, I'm Gonna Miss You

13 Madonna / Express Yourself

14 Technotronic / Pump Up the Jam

15 Simply Red / If You Don't Know Me By Now

16 Paula Abdul / Straight Up

17 Martika / Toy Soldiers

18 Soul II Soul / Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)

19 Cher / If I Could Turn Back Time

20 Billy Joel / We Didn't Start the Fire

21 Roxette / Listen to Your Heart

22 Janet Jackson / Miss You Much

23 Tears For Fears / Sowing the Seeds of Love

24 Bette Midler / Wind Beneath My Wings

25 Neneh Cherry / Buffalo Stance

26 Fine Young Cannibals / Good Thing

27 Chicago / Look Away

28 Tone Loc / Wild Thing

29 New Kids On The Block / You Got it (The Right Stuff)

30 Tina Turner / The Best

31 Debbie Gibson / Lost in Your Eyes

32 Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville / Don't Know Much

33 Paula Abdul / Forever Your Girl

34 Gloria Estefan / I Don't Wanna Lose You

35 Bobby Brown / On Our Own (Theme from 'Ghostbusters II')

36 Milli Vanilli / Blame it On the Rain

37 Madonna / Cherish

38 Guns n' Roses / Paradise City

39 New Kids On The Block / Hangin' Tough

40 Will To Power / Baby, I Love Your Way

41 Milli Vanilli / Baby Don't Forget My Number

42 Marc Almond & Gene Pitney / Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart

43 U2 / Angel of Harlem

44 Black Box / Ride On Time

45 Roy Orbison / You Got It

46 The Rolling Stones / Mixed Emotions

47 Bon Jovi / I'll Be There For You

48 Bad English / When I See You Smile

49 Janet Jackson / Rhythm Nation

50 Bobby Brown / My Perogative

51 Paula Abdul / Cold Hearted

52 Michael Damian / Rock On

53 Alice Cooper / Poison

54 Guns n' Roses / Patience

55 Richard Marx / Angelia

56 Poison / Every Rose Has It's Thorn

57 Young MC / Bust a Move

58 New Kids On The Block / I'll Be Loving You (Forever)

59 The Cure / Love Song

60 Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan / Especially For You

61 Tone Loc / Funky Cold Medina

62 Jody Watley / Real Love

63 Edelweiss / Bring Me Edelweiss

64 Bon Jovi / Born to Be My Baby

65 Don Henley / The End Of The Innocence

66 Love & Rockets / So Alive

67 Richard Marx / Satisfied

68 Donna Summer / This Time I Know It's For Real

69 The Cure / Lullaby

70 Soul II Soul & Caron Wheeler / Keep On Moving

71 Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers / That's What I Like

72 Aerosmith / Love in an Elevator

73 Belinda Carlisle / Leave a Light On

74 Bobby Brown / Every Little Step

75 Jason Donovan / Sealed With a Kiss

76 Depeche Mode / Personal Jesus

77 Sheena Easton / The Lover in Me

78 Peter Cetera & Cher / After All

79 Skid Row / 18 & Life

80 Warrant / Heaven

81 Inner City / Good Life

82 Natalie Cole / Miss You Like Crazy

83 Martika / I Feel the Earth Move

84 Roxette / Dressed For Success

85 Queen / I Want it All

86 Simple Minds / Belfast Child

87 Holly Johnson / Love Train

88 Lil' Louis / French Kiss

89 Prince / Partyman

90 Jason Donovan / Too Many Broken Hearts

91 Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians / What I Am

92 Michael Jackson / Leave Me Alone

93 Neneh Cherry / Manchild

94 Paul McCartney / My Brave Face

95 U2 / All I Want is You

96 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers / I Won't Back Down

97 De La Soul / Me, Myself & I

98 John Cougar Mellencamp / Pop Singer

99 Sheriff / When I'm With You

100 Debbie Gibson / Electric Youth

1989 Best Selling Albums

Based on Worldwide Sales

  1 Phil Collins / ... But Seriously

  2 Madonna / Like A Prayer

  3 Fine Young Cannibals / The Raw & The Cooked

  4 Prince / Batman

  5 Janet Jackson / Rhythm Nation 1814

  6 Paula Abdul / Forever Your Girl

  7 New Kids On The Block / Hangin' Tough

  8 The Cure / Disintegration

  9 Bonnie Raitt / Nick Of Time

10 Aerosmith / Pump

11 Tina Turner / Foreign Affair

12 Tracy Chapman / Crossroads

13 Simply Red / A New Flame

14 Roy Orbison / Mystery Girl

15 Bobby Brown / Don't Be Cruel

16 The Rolling Stones / Steel Wheels

17 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers / Full Moon Fever

18 Richard Marx / Repeat Offender

19 NWA / Straight Outta Compton

20 Original Soundtrack / Cocktail

21 Billy Joel / Storm Front

22 The Pixies / Doolittle

23 Simple Minds / Street Fighting Years

24 Tanita Tikaram / Ancient Heart

25 Gloria Estefan / Cuts Both Ways

26 The Stone Roses / The Stone Roses

27 Journey / Journey's Greatest Hits

28 Queen / The Miracle

29 Motley Crue / Dr Feelgood

30 Tears For Fears / The Seeds Of Love

31 Roxette / Look Sharp!

32 Elton John / Sleeping With The Past

33 Milli Vanilli / Girl You Know It's True

34 Debbie Gibson / Electric Youth

35 Lou Reed / New York

36 Don Henley / The End Of The Innocence

37 De La Soul / 3 Feet High & Rising

38 Soul II Soul / Club Classics Volume One

39 Tone Loc / Loc'ed After Dark

40 Skid Row / Skid Row

41 The Beastie Boys / Paul's Boutique

42 Paul McCartney / Flowers In The Dirt

43 Eric Clapton / Journeyman

44 Chris Rea / The Road To Hell

45 Cher / Heart Of Stone

46 Kate Bush / The Sensual World

47 Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers / The Album

48 Depeche Mode / 101 Live

49 John Cougar Mellencamp / Big Daddy

50 The Eurythmics / We Too Are One

51 Bette Midler / Beaches

52 New Order / Technique

53 Rod Stewart / The Best Of Rod Stewart

54 Neil Young / Freedom

55 Milli Vanilli / All Or Nothing

56 Stevie Nicks / The Other Side Of The Mirror

57 The Bangles / Everything

58 Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians / Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars

59 Bob Dylan / Oh Mercy

60 Andrew Lloyd Webber / The Premiere Collection

61 Neneh Cherry / Raw Like Sushi

62 The Cult / Sonic Temple

63 Alice Cooper / Trash

64 Nine Inch Nails / Pretty Hate Machine

65 Whitesnake / Slip Of The Tongue

66 Belinda Carlisle / Runaway Horses

67 Jason Donovan / Ten Good Reasons

68 Linda Ronstadt / Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind

69 Barbra Streisand / A Collection, Greatest Hits & More

70 Peter Gabriel / Music For The Last Temptation Of Christ

71 Joe Cocker / One Night Of Sin

72 Van Morrison / Avalon Sunset

73 Texas / Southside

74 Gary Moore / After The War

75 Lenny Kravitz / Let Love Rule

76 Mike & The Mechanics / The Living Years

77 Holly Johnson / Blast

78 Tin Machine / Tin Machine

79 Elvis Costello / Spike

80 Gipsy Kings / Mosaique

81 Stevie Ray Vaughan / In Step

82 Jeff Healey Band / See The Light

83 Melissa Etheridge / Brave And Crazy

84 10,000 Maniacs / Blind Man's Zoo

85 Mike Oldfield / Earth Moving

86 Martika / Martika

87 Chris de Burgh / Spark To A Flame - The Very Best Of

88 Milli Vanilli / The U.S.-Remix Album 'All Or Nothing'

89 Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe / Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe

90 Bobby Brown / Dance!... Ya Know It!

91 The Pogues / Peace & Love

92 Transvision Vamp / Velveteen

93 Erasure / Wild!

94 Bee Gees / One

95 John Lee Hooker / The Healer

96 Jethro Tull / Rock Island

97 Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead / Dylan & The Dead

98 Kylie Minogue / Enjoy Yourself

99 Neville Brothers / Yellow Moon

100 XTC / Oranges & Lemons