80s New Wave and Synth Pop Hits — Volume 1 (Spotify Playlist)

80s Playlist and videos of New Wave rock and Synth Pop. Classic synth pop hits that defined the decade and still resonate today.

The first in a series of playlists of essential new wave and synth pop hits from the 80s. I will be publishing a new one every few days so keep coming back for more. Each song title is clickable so you can watch the video. The Spotify playlist below includes all the songs for one continuing listening session.

Duran Duran performing at the Apollo Theater in New York City — Photo: Andreas Komodromos

1. Sweet Dreams are Made of This — The Eurythmics (1983) The fourth single released from Eurythmics second album turn out to be the song that catapulted Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart to international stardom. The duo would go on to dominate the decade with a string of iconic synth pop gems like “Here Comes the Rain Again” and “Who’s that Girl” but “Sweet Dreams” remains the high point of the band’s career and today it is considered as one of the defining songs of that era. With some help from MTV, the single reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, but had to settle for the runner up spot on the UK chart, unable to dislodge Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” from the number 1 spot.
2. The Day Before You Came — ABBA (1982) The band’s penultimate single release prior to their 40 year hiatus is an atmospheric synth-pop ballad featuring a simple melody & minimalistic production. Agnetha performs the lead vocals without any vocal harmonization from Frida (a very unusual move for the band), but Frida does perform the operatic vocals between the verses. The video features the four members sitting far from each other and each one of them is facing in a different direction, a clear indication that they band has drifted apart and that the end was near. The single stalled at #32 on the UK. chart but was a top 5 hit around Europe and In Canada.
3. Big in Japan — Alphaville (1984) This German synth pop classic with a deceptively light sound, was a massive global hit in 1984. Marian Gold, the band’s lead singer and main songwriter has explained that the song is about drug addiction with the song’s title symbolising the idea of being successful in another world. According to Gold, “that line has a certain meaning. It means that if you’re a complete loser, you’re telling other people, ‘I’m not a loser because in Japan I’m really big.’ It’s the lie of the loser and it fitted perfectly into the story of these junkies, which the song is about, in a very tragic way”.
4. Keep Feeling Fascination — The Human League (1983) After hitting number 1 with the classic “Don’t you want me” the band returned with an even catchier song, with a danceable electronic beat. The verses feature solo vocals by four of the band members, starting with lead singer Phil Oakey, followed by keyboardist Jo Callis and then the two female co-vocalists Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall. It was a number 2 hit in the UK and reached the top 10 on the US Hot 100.
5. Rio — Duran Duran (1982) If there is just one video that defined the look and sound of the early 80s, then this is it. Filmed in Antigua while the boys are having fun on the beach, the song’s guitar hook, John Taylor’ bass line and Nick Rhodes layered synthesizers capture the moment in music better than anyone else. The single continued the bands string of top ten hits in the UK while it reached the top 20 on the HOt 100 i n the US.
6. The Wanderer- Donna Summer (1980) Donna Summer has been unfairly pigeonholed as a disco diva, despite most of her albums exploring other genres. This is a great example of Donna seeking out new sounds and recording a synth pop song that was more new wave than disco.
7. Johnny and Mary — Robert Palmer (1980) A major shift in musical direction for Robert Palmer, this classic helped establish him with a younger audience. One of the most beautiful melodies of the 80s.
8. You spin me round (like a record) — Dead or Alive (1985) Taking a page out of the Boy George book, Pete Burns cultivate the androgynous persona to the max. His voice elevates this synth pop gem to new heights. Try not to dance and sing along when this comes on in a bar — it’s impossible. The first number 1 hit by the production team of Stock/Aitken/Waterman who would go on to dominate the late 80s with hits for artists like Rick Astley & Kylie Minogue.
9. Kids in America — Kim Wilde (1981) A breathtaking singer with a gorgeous voice makes waves with her first hit. A true 80s classic, that has been covered countless times but never sounded as good as the original.
10. Blasphemous Rumors — Depeche Mode (1984) Depeche Mode were the top electronic band of the 80s and this song is one of their classics. Singing about the possibility that God has a sick sense of humor might not play well in middle America but in Europe this single was another big hit for the band.
11. Karma Chameleon — Culture Club (1983) In late 1983 Madonna was a few months away from becoming a household name, so the title of the world’s biggest media personality was held by Boy George. His face was on every magazine cover including Newsweek & Vogue (the first man to appear on Vogue’s cover). This wickedly catchy single was a number 1 hit around the world, including the US and UK (in the latter it was also the best selling single of the year).
12. Soft Cell — Tainted Love (1981) This synth pop duo took an obscure 60s R&B song and turned it into one of the decade’s defining hits. Marc Almond’s soulful voice was the perfect match with the cold synthesizer sound, creating a song that will get any party going. The single was the best selling song of 1981 in the UK and a surprising top ten hit in the US.
13. Radio GaGa — Queen (1984) Back in the 80s even rock band got on the synth pop bandwagon. Queen were among the most successful, thanks to this ode to radio listening. The song hit number 2 on the UK chart and inspired Lady GaGa’s name.
14. (Si Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star — Bill Wyman (1981) Another rocker, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, took a break form the band and released this marvelous electronic pop song that makes fun of his rock star status as he tries to pick up a young woman. Very underrated — the electronic beat is sick.
15. Ultravox — Vienna (1981) A brilliant electronic ballad that incorporates an orchestra and violins to maximum effect. Very dramatic.
16. Cars — Gary Numan (1979) A massive hit on both sides of the Atlantic, this ode to cars was just one of Gary Numan’s string of electronic hits.
17. Blue Monday — New Order (1983) One of the biggest selling new wave songs, this classic took inspiration from Donna Summer’s song Our Love (from Bad Girls) and soon spread across the globe with audiences falling heard for the cold electronic sound and detached vocals.
18. Situation — Yaz (Yazoo in UK) (1982)Long before Adele, there was Alison Moyet. Her warm soulful voice was the perfect counterbalance to Vince Clarke’s cold as ice synth beats. relegated to a b-side in the UK, this song became a massive club hit in the US.
19. Blind Vision — Blancmange (1983) Another UK electronic duo with a relentless dance beat and over the opt vocals that made this an instant hit that still holds up today.
20. I ran — A Flock of Seagulls (1982) Mostly remembered for the lead singer’s hairstyle, this song nevertheless became a massive US hit abd a defining synth pop classic.
21. Don’t you want me — The Human League — (1981) — The last release from the classic album dare, conquered the charts in both UK and US. Perhaps one of the most recognizable hits from the 80s. It may sound a bit dated today but back then this sounded like the future.
22. Venus — Bananarama (1986) Another US number 1 hit, this cover of a 70s song by Bananarama dominate the charts and clubs in the summer of 1986. A slick production didn’t hurt either and the three ladies continue to sing in unison rather than harmonize.
23. Too Shy — Kajagoogoo (1983) Produced by Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, this smooth single was a major hit across the world, mostly die to that unforgettable catchy chorus. In a few months Limahl, the lead singer, would be kicked out of the band but at least we have this enduring classic from that early collaboration.
24. A view to a kill — Duran Duran (1985) The title track of the latest James Bond movie, this song gave Duran Duran yet another number one and today it remains the only James Bond theme song to top the US charts.
25. Fade to grey — Visage (1981) Let by Steve Strange, this band appeared at the height of the New Romantic movement (check out the clothes in the video). Sang half in English and half in French, the song became a massive hit and is another highlight of that era’s music.

SPOTIFY Playlist

Part 2 coming soon. Stay tuned.