Don’t lie, we know you. The second “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” hits, your shoulders start doing that little wiggle you swear you don’t do in public. We might have pretended to be too cool for these songs back then, but these days we're happy to embarrass our kids by dancing to them in the mall.
From synth-pop sugar rushes to rock ballads, every track was a glitter-soaked invitation to feel alive. Decades later, they still make our hearts race and feet forget their age.
So crank it up, grab your imaginary mic, and get ready to confess, because this is the soundtrack of our guilty pleasures.
1
“Venus” Bananarama (1986)
Camp, bold, and still a drag-show classic.
2
“Doctor, Doctor!” Thompson Twins
Side effects may include uncontrollable dancing, air-sax solos, and calling your ex at 2 a.m. for strictly medical reasons.
3
“Come On Eileen” Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)
Starts slow, builds to chaos and suddenly everyone’s dancing in a circle yelling “TOO-RA-LOO-RA-AY!”
4
“99 Red Balloons” Nena (1983)
Whether in English or German, it’s impossible not to bounce to that beat.
5
“Material Girl” Madonna (1984)
Sparkly, sassy, and still a crowd favorite. The Queen of Pop at her glittering best.
6
“Take Me Home Tonight” Eddie Money (1986)
A power-pop love letter to the ’80s, complete with Ronnie Spector’s cameo.
7
“Call Me” Blondie (1980)
Disco meets new wave. Debbie Harry oozed confidence and made dancing look dangerous.
8
“Karma Chameleon” Culture Club (1983)
Boy George’s colorful anthem that’s equal parts catchy and camp.
9
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” Eurythmics (1983)
Cool, mysterious, and instantly recognizable from the first synth note.
10
“Let’s Hear It for the Boy” Deniece Williams (1984)
From Footloose, pure feel-good energy with an unstoppable groove.
11
“Love Shack” The B-52’s (1989)
“Tin roof… rusted!” You can’t not shout it. One of the happiest party songs ever made.
12
“Relax” Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1983)
Controversial, cheeky, and endlessly danceable; pure synth-pop decadence.
13
“Take On Me” a-ha (1985)
Iconic synth riff + one of the greatest music videos ever = eternal dance floor favorite.
14
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” Wham! (1984)
Infectious, bubbly, and impossible not to bop along to. George Michael made pastel shorts cool.
15
“Maniac” Michael Sembello (1983)
A Flashdance essential, makes you feel like you’re training for greatness.
16
“Dancing in the Dark” Bruce Springsteen (1984)
Proof that even The Boss couldn’t find the light switch; but hey, when the groove hits, who needs electricity?
17
“Never Gonna Give You Up” Rick Astley (1987)
Once a meme, always a masterpiece. Admit it, it slaps.
18
“Jessie’s Girl” Rick Springfield (1981)
Power-pop perfection, forever stuck in our heads.
19
“Livin’ on a Prayer” Bon Jovi (1986)
Everyone knows the words. Everyone screams them.
20
“Eye of the Tiger” Survivor (1982)
Technically motivational, but admit it, you’ve danced to it.
21
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” Cyndi Lauper (1983)
A feminist party anthem disguised as pure pop joy.
22
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” Def Leppard (1987)
Sticky, loud, and gloriously indulgent, a karaoke staple for a reason.
23
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” Whitney Houston (1987)
It’s basically illegal not to sing along to this one.
24
“You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” Dead or Alive (1985)
Pure synth-pop energy, equal parts camp and irresistible.
25
“Footloose” Kenny Loggins (1984)
The ultimate dance-floor liberation track. Try not to kick off your Sunday shoes.