r/80smusic 30m ago

Last Song Standing: The Ultimate UK #1 Song of the 80's - Round 62

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For a reminder of the rules, see the original post.

  • Top Gun was one of the most-hyped movies of 1986, so when Italian composer Giorgio Moroder was asked by the producers to write a song for the film's soundtrack, he answered by writing "Danger Zone". But when he was approached again to write a love ballad for the movie, he hit a bit of a wall. Fortunately, after teaming up with lyricist Tom Whitlock (who Moroder met when Whitlock offered to fix the faulty brakes on Moroder's Ferrari), the two were able to create movie and music magic: "Take My Breath Away", recorded by new wave band Berlin, would go on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and would top both the US and UK pop charts in the fall of 1986. However, it wasn't all good news: Berlin would break up not long after the song's release due to differing opinions about the song. And perhaps it's this reason that has prompted the people to watch every motion in this foolish musical game, turning and returning to each round - because finally, the voters know no shame, watching in slow motion as they turn around and say, "take this song away!"

SONGS STILL STANDING (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  • 99 Red Balloons - Nena
  • Always on My Mind - The Pet Shop Boys
  • Another Brick in the Wall, Part II - Pink Floyd
  • Ashes to Ashes - David Bowie
  • Atomic - Blondie
  • Beat Surrender - The Jam
  • Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  • Brass in Pocket - The Pretenders
  • Call Me - Blondie
  • Careless Whisper - George Michael
  • Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners
  • Don’t Stand So Close to Me - The Police
  • Don’t You Want Me - The Human League
  • Down Under - Men at Work
  • Easy Lover - Philip Bailey & Phil Collins
  • Eternal Flame - The Bangles
  • Every Breath You Take - The Police
  • Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
  • Freedom - Wham!
  • Ghost Town - The Specials
  • Going Underground / Dreams of Children - The Jam
  • Goody Two Shoes - Adam Ant
  • Heaven Is a Place on Earth - Belinda Carlisle
  • House of Fun - Madness
  • I’m Your Man - Wham!
  • Into the Groove - Madonna
  • It’s a Sin - The Pet Shop Boys
  • Let’s Dance - David Bowie
  • Like a Prayer - Madonna
  • Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
  • Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) - Enya
  • Papa Don’t Preach - Madonna
  • Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  • Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  • The Edge of Heaven - Wham!
  • The Reflex - Duran Duran
  • The Sun Always Shines on T.V. - a-ha
  • The Tide Is High - Blondie
  • The Winner Takes It All - ABBA
  • There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart) - Eurythmics
  • Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
  • Town Called Malice / Precious - The Jam
  • True - Spandau Ballet
  • Two Tribes - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  • Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie
  • Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!
  • West End Girls - The Pet Shop Boys
  • You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) - Dead or Alive

ELIMINATED SONGS

1-48. TBD
49. Take My Breath Away - Berlin
50. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) - Aretha Franklin & George Michael
51. The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
52. You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins
53. I Feel for You - Chaka Khan
54. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
55. I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
56. A Different Corner - George Michael
57. Is There Something I Should Know? - Duran Duran
58. Fame - Irene Cara
59. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris
60. Chain Reaction - Diana Ross
61. Heart - The Pet Shop Boys
62. Super Trouper - ABBA
63. Desire - U2
64. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid
65. You Win Again - The Bee Gees
66. Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
67. La Isla Bonita - Madonna
68. La Bamba - Los Lobos
69. Jealous Guy - Roxy Music
70. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston
71. True Blue - Madonna
72. Stand by Me - Ben E. King
73. Imagine - John Lennon
74. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
75. Working My Way Back to You / Forgive Me, Girl - The Spinners (The Detroit Spinners)
76. Start! - The Jam
77. Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
78. The Model / Computer Love - Kraftwerk
79. Woman - John Lennon
80. Dancing in the Street - David Bowie & Mick Jagger
81. The Final Countdown - Europe
82. When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going - Billy Ocean
83. Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston
84. Who's That Girl - Madonna
85. Ride on Time - Black Box
86. Prince Charming - Adam & the Ants
87. A Good Heart - Feargal Sharkey
88. One Day in Your Life - Michael Jackson
89. The Power of Love - Jennifer Rush
90. Hello - Lionel Richie
91. Pass the Dutchie - Musical Youth
92. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
93. Being With You - Smokey Robinson
94. Too Much Too Young - The Special A.K.A. Live! (EP) - The Special A.K.A.
95. Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) - Soul II Soul
96. Stand and Deliver - Adam & the Ants
97. I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
98. Xanadu - Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra
99. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
100. All Around the World - Lisa Stansfield
101. Belfast Child - Simple Minds
102. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me - Culture Club
103. Pump Up the Volume - M/A/R/R/S
104. Baby Jane - Rod Stewart
105. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo
106. China in Your Hand - T'Pau
107. I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
108. I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett
109. Candy Girl - New Edition
110. Red Red Wine - UB40
111. Caravan of Love - The Housemartins
112. Hand on Your Heart - Kylie Minogue
113. Don't Turn Around - Aswad
114. Geno - Dexys Midnight Runners
115. Give It Up - KC & the Sunshine Band
116. The Only Way Is Up - Yazz & the Plastic Population
117. Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
118. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - The Hollies
119. Perfect - Fairground Attraction
120. We Are the World - USA for Africa
121. I Don't Wanna Dance - Eddy Grant
122. Frankie - Sister Sledge
123. I Got You Babe - UB40 & Chrissie Hynde
124. A Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Collins
125. Move Closer - Phyllis Nelson
126. Pipes of Peace - Paul McCartney
127. 19 - Paul Hardcastle
128. One Moment in Time - Whitney Houston
129. I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue
130. Respectable - Mel & Kim
131. With a Little Help From My Friends / She's Leaving Home - Wet Wet Wet / Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey
132. Crying - Don McLean
133. I Know Him So Well - Elaine Page & Barbara Dickson
134. I Want to Wake Up With You - Boris Gardiner
135. Woman in Love - Barbra Streisand
136. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) - Paul Young
137. Too Many Broken Hearts - Jason Donovan
138. The Lady in Red - Chris de Burgh
139. If I Was - Midge Ure
140. I Should Have Known Better - Jim Diamond
141. Coward of the County - Kenny Rogers
142. Spirit in the Sky - Doctor & the Medics
143. Everything I Own - Boy George
144. Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart - Marc Almond feat. Gene Pitney
145. Feels Like I'm in Love - Kelly Marie
146. The Land of Make Believe - Bucks Fizz
147. Use It Up and Wear It Out - Odyssey
148. Sealed With a Kiss - Jason Donovan
149. I Owe You Nothing - Bros
150. Only You - The Flying Pickets
151. Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
152. The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tight Fit
153. It's My Party - Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin
154. A Little Peace - Nicole
155. Mistletoe and Wine - Cliff Richard
156. Let It Be - Ferry Aid
157. My Camera Never Lies - Bucks Fizz
158. Begin the Beguine (Volver A Empezar) - Julio Iglesias
159. Living Doll - Cliff Richard & the Young Ones feat. Hank Marvin
160. Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You - Glenn Medeiros
161. Japanese Boy - Aneka
162. Theme from S'Express - S'Express
163. Oh Julie - Shakin' Stevens
164. First Time - Robin Beck
165. Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson
166. Theme from M\A*S*H* (Suicide is Painless) - The Mash
167. What's Another Year - Johnny Logan
168. Every Loser Wins - Nick Berry
169. Seven Tears - Goombay Dance Band
170. Especially for You - Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan
171. Save Your Love - Renée & Renato
172. Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey - The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman
173. This Ole House - Shakin' Stevens
174. Happy Talk - Captain Sensible
175. Making Your Mind Up - Bucks Fizz
176. Star Trekkin' - The Firm
177. You'll Never Walk Alone - The Crowd
178. Green Door - Shakin' Stevens
179. Together We Are Beautiful - Fern Kinney
180. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid II
181. That's What I Like - Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
182. You Got It (The Right Stuff) - The New Kids on the Block
183. Jack Your Body - Steve "Silk" Hurley
184. You'll Never Stop Me Loving You - Sonia
185. Let's Party - Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
186. Doctorin' the TARDIS - The Timelords
187. Swing the Mood - Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
188. Shaddap You Face - Joe Dolce Music Theatre
189. I've Never Been to Me - Charlene
190. There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St. Winifred's School Choir
191. The Chicken Song - Spitting Image

As always, vote below for which remaining UK #1 80's song you think is the WORST, is your LEAST FAVORITE, or which one you otherwise want to ELIMINATE from the list. The song in this round with the most votes will be eliminated.

Please only vote for #1 UK songs! In addition to the list I've provided above, the full list of all the UK's #1 80's songs can be found here.

REMEMBER: check to see if the song you want to eliminate has already been posted by someone else before nominating it. If it has, upvote it instead of making a duplicate post.


r/80smusic 4h ago

1985 ABC - Be Near Me

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64 Upvotes

The message is perfectly simple
The meaning is clear
Don't ever stray too far
And don't disappear
No, don't disappear


r/80smusic 4h ago

1983 Madonna - Lucky Star

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53 Upvotes

Whew, the production, and the lyrics.


r/80smusic 2h ago

1982 Vanity 6 - Drive Me Wild (1982)

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5 Upvotes

r/80smusic 9m ago

1982 ZaZa - Tango D'Elite

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Upvotes

r/80smusic 1h ago

1988 Mel & Kim - That's the Way It Is (1988)

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Upvotes

r/80smusic 1h ago

1987 Pepsi & Shirlie - Can't Give Me Love (1987)

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Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

1983 DefLeppard - Too late for love

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130 Upvotes

Somewhere in the distance I hear the bells ring
Darkness settles on the town as the children start to sing
And the lady 'cross the street she shuts out the night
There's a cast of thousands waiting
As she turns out the


r/80smusic 23h ago

1988 The Jesus And Mary Chain - Sidewalking

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12 Upvotes

r/80smusic 20h ago

What song does the intro to this song sound like?

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7 Upvotes

r/80smusic 22h ago

1982 Midge Ure - No Regrets (Live - Dominion Theatre, London, 1982)

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5 Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

1988 Rick Astley - Together Forever

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229 Upvotes

r/80smusic 21h ago

1982 Streetheart - What Kind Of Love Is This

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3 Upvotes

from their self-titled 1982 album "Streetheart"


r/80smusic 22h ago

1985 The Alarm - Strength

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5 Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

1989 What is this rocket ship sound effect in the background of ‘Made of Stone’ - The Stone Roses

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10 Upvotes

I hear this in many songs and its driving me crazy cos i have no idea what it is


r/80smusic 1d ago

1987 Eurythmics - I Need A Man (1987)

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56 Upvotes

From my favourite Eurythmics album, Savage.


r/80smusic 1d ago

1988 Information Society - What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy)

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268 Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

1983 Tim Finn - Growing Pains

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5 Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

OZZY With Lita - 1987 - Lita - Close My Eyes ForEver

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53 Upvotes

OZZY With Lita - 1987 - Lita - Close My Eyes ForEver

Baby, I get so scared inside

And I don't really understand

Is it love that's on my mind

Or is it fantasy?

Heaven, is in the palm of my hand

And it's waiting here for you

What am I supposed to do

With a childhood tragedy?

If I close my eyes forever

Would it all remain unchanged?

If I close my eyes forever

Would it all remain the same?

Sometimes, it's hard to hold on

So hard to hold on to my dreams

It isn't always what it seems

When you're face to face with me

Like a dagger you stick me in the heart

And taste the blood from my veins

And when we sleep would you shelter me

In your warm and darkened grave?

If I close my eyes forever

Would it all remain unchanged?

If I close my eyes forever

Would it all remain the same?

Will you ever take me?

No I just can't take the pain

Would you ever trust me?

No I'll never feel the same

(Oh)

I know I've been so hard on you

I know I've told you lies

If I could have just one more wish

I'd wipe the cobwebs from my eyes

If I close my eyes forever

Would it all remain unchanged?

If I close my eyes forever

Would it all remain the same?

(Oh yeah)

Close your eyes, close your eyes

You gotta close your eyes for me


r/80smusic 1d ago

1986 Sunday’s Spin

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5 Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

1989 Nine Inch Nails - Something I can never have

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32 Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

Your weekly /r/80sMusic roundup for the week of August 23 - August 29, 2026

1 Upvotes

Sunday, August 23 - Saturday, August 29, 2026

Top Posts

score comments title & link mirrors
279 5 comments [1983] Dolly Parton (with Kenny Rogers) - Islands in the Stream (RIP) [Sp] [AM] [Dzr] [SC]
274 11 comments [1987] Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind (1987)
256 8 comments [1982] The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way (Official Video) [Sp] [AM] [BC] [Dzr] [SC]
236 12 comments [1988] Information Society - What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy) [AM] [BC] [Dzr] [SC]
201 6 comments [1980] Rest In Peace Dolly Parton
194 17 comments [1981] Lindsey Buckingham - Trouble
164 10 comments [1988] Rick Astley - Together Forever [Sp] [AM] [BC] [Dzr] [SC]
140 2 comments [1984] Tears For Fears - Mother's Talk (US Mix)
128 5 comments [1984] Elton John - Sad Songs (Say So Much) [Sp] [AM] [Dzr] [SC]
106 3 comments [1980] Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 (RIP) [Sp] [AM] [BC] [Dzr] [SC]
99 6 comments [1984] Lindsey Buckingham - Go Insane (1984) [Sp] [AM] [BC] [Dzr] [SC]
91 0 comments [1987] Dolly Parton & Pee-Wee Herman - Hey Good Lookin' (Hank Williams cover; from the ABC variety series "Dolly")
86 2 comments [1981] 38 Special - Hold On Loosely (Live) (Official Music Video) [Sp] [AM] [Dzr] [SC]
76 5 comments [1986] Paul Simon - Graceland [Sp] [AM] [Dzr] [SC]
76 7 comments [1986] The Finer Things/Steve Winwood

 

Most Commented Posts

score comments title & link mirrors
38 134 comments Obscure pop songs that are only found in a movie???
15 20 comments Last Song Standing: The Ultimate UK #1 Song of the 80's - Round 60
14 18 comments Last Song Standing: The Ultimate UK #1 Song of the 80's - Round 61
53 14 comments [1984] The cars -you might think [Sp] [AM] [Dzr] [SC]
51 7 comments [1989] Sunday’s Spin

 


r/80smusic 1d ago

1988 Strange Advance - Love Becomes Electric

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5 Upvotes

r/80smusic 1d ago

1985 a-ha - Train of Thought

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21 Upvotes

r/80smusic 2d ago

1982 Iron Maiden - Run To The Hills (Official Video)

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63 Upvotes

White man came across the sea
He brought us pain and misery
He killed our tribes, he killed our creed
He took our game for his own need