Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1980. Oh yes, I welcome you to the EIGHTIES!

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1980 was another eventful year. John Lennon was shot and killed in New York, a former Hollywood actor became the president of the United States, Alton Towers opened, the Rubik’s Cube was voted best toy, terrorists seized the Iranian embassy in London, which leads to the SAS to storm the embassy and release all the hostages, the world found out “who shot JR?” and my all time favourite film The Shining is released. And I turned the grand old age of 4 years old.

So here’s my top ten songs from 1980. There’s a few repeat artists here (artists that have appeared on previous Top Tens), but this list is no weaker for it. Lots of strong tunes here and there’s a Spotify playlist at the end as always.

1. Babooshka by Kate Bush

2.  Baggy Trousers by Madness

3. Going Underground by the Jam

4. Too Much Too Young by the Specials

5. Master Blaster (Jammin’) by Stevie Wonder

6. Happy House by Siouxsie and the Banshees

7. Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie

8. Atomic by Blondie

9. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division

10. Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders

Whilst it’s very close between Blondie and Joy Division for my favourite track this week (kind of annoying these two songs appear within the same year tbh), but it has to be Joy Division. Love Will Tear Us Apart is one of the greatest songs every written. So, which is your favourite then?

See you next week for 1981!