The
1980s were one of the most diverse and creative decades in
music history. From synth-driven pop to high-energy glam metal, the charts were filled with unforgettable hits that continue to influence music today. Artists pushed boundaries, competed for airplay, and defined the sound of a generation.
Each New Year’s Day, Billboard's Hot 100 gave us a glimpse of what was topping the charts as the calendar flipped. Let’s take a look at the number one song in the United States on January 1st of each year throughout the
80s — a musical snapshot of where
pop culture stood at the start of each new year.
80s insight: Before streaming and digital downloads, a song’s success relied on radio play,
cassette singles,
MTV airings, and record store sales. These #1 hits were often the result of weeks of cultural momentum.
1980 - Rupert Holmes "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)"
Featured in many films over the years, the song shot up in the US charts after being added to radio playlists in October and would be the final US #1 song of the 1970s as the decade turned into the 1980s.
1981 - John Lennon "(Just Like) Starting Over"
After being murdered on December 8, 1980, this would sadly be the last single Lennon would release in his lifetime.
Released in late September of 1981, “Physical” would remain #1 on top of the Hot 100 chart longer than any other song in the decade (10 weeks).
1983 - Hall & Oates "Maneater"
Featured on the duo's 11th studio album (
H2O), “Maneater” hit #1 on the Hot 100 chart on December 18, 1982, remaining in the top spot for four weeks, which would be longer than any of Hall & Oates five other #1's.
Written by both McCarney and Jackson, the song would be released as the lead single to McCartney's album Pipes of Peace. After its release in October 1983, it would become Jackson's unprecedented 7th Top 10 hit inside a year and would already be certified gold by the time the New Year hit.
Written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, “Like A Virgin” would spend six weeks at #1. The song was Madonna's first of many #1 singles, selling over five million copies around the world, cementing Madonna's place as a pop culture icon.
Winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, the track would become Richie's 9th #1 on the Adult Contempory charts.
Spending four weeks at #1 on the Top 100, the song would not only be The Bangles first #1 single, but also become Billboard's #1 song of 1987.
Following in The Bangles' footsteps in 1987, Michael's single from his debut solo album of the same name would become the #1 US single of the year in 1988.
Poison's signature song and their only #1 hit in the United States, “Every Rose Had Its Thorn” hit #1 on Christmas Eve of 1988 and stayed there for three weeks.
