Top 10 selling singles of the 80s

10 -Dexy's midnight runners - Come on Eileen

This classic dancefloor stomper was a huge hit in the early eighties. Written by Kevin Rowland, Billy Adams and Big Jim Patterson, the song was a mix of celtic folk and soul. The song went number one in 1983, it was a song about Kevin Catholic upbringing about the taboo subjects Love and Lust.
9 - Jennifer Rush - The Power of Love
The most successful female in the 1980s in terms of singles sales. no mean achievement considering the likes of Madonna and Belinda Carlisle. originally when released it flopped but a change in title and a top of the pops performance saw this a end of night dancefloor classic.
8 - George Michael - Careless whisper

Written by the Wham boys but George re-recorded it and became a huge transatlantic hit and also knocking Frankie goes to Hollywood of the number one spot.
7 - Culture Club - Karma chameleon

written by the band and produced by Steve Levine. The song went number one in 1983 for 6 weeks and they also performed the song in the 1980s action drama the A Team. What Mr T made of Boy George Who Knows!!

6 - Wham - Last Christmas

This 1984 double A release (everything she wants) was written and produced by /George Michael. Due to it's release around The Band Aid song it remains the biggest selling single not to reach number one.


5 - Human League - Don't you want me

Christmas number one in 1981, written by Phil Oakey, Jo Callis and Phil Wright and produced by Martin rushent. The song was loosely based on teen photo story. Despite its huge appeal and success Phil Oakey felt the song was weak and he placed it last on the album Dare. After all that record labels do know what they are doing!


4 - Frankie goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes

This song was number one for 9 weeks in the summer of 1984 and also Relax went back up the charts and was number 2 giving FGTH the masters of the pop charts. The song was political reference to the Cold war in the 1980s between USA and The USSR.

3 - Stevie Wonder - I just called to say I love you

Featured in the 80s flick Women in red and stayed at number one for 6 weeks in 1984 and thus Motown record label biggest UK hit. The song was written and produced by the legend himself.

2 - Frankie goes to Hollywood - Relax

Number one in January 1984, was banned by BBC Radio One for it's lyrics which prompted a surge in sales. As a result the BBC lifted the ban. Was a top 75 hit for nearly a year. Written by the band and produced by the legendary Trevor Horn on ZTT records.

1 - Band Aid - Do they know it's Christmas time

A huge seller in the day and was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to help raise money for the Famine in Ethiopia. All the big names of the 80s starred on this single and the record sold in excess of 3.5 million copies Only Candle in the Wind Elton Johns tribute to Princess Diana has sold more. This song topped the charts at Christmas in 1984.