Many didn't even win the contest
A cover from the Italian singer Raf, Laura Branigan's version reached number one in several countries. It reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The eleventh single by English new wave band Duran Duran, 'The Reflex' became the band's first to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Released as a single from both the 'Footloose' soundtrack and the title track of Williams' album, it became her second number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
'The Glamorous Life' is the title track and closing song on Sheila E.'s debut solo album. The chart-topping track earned her two Grammy Award nominations.
Featured in Sade's debut album 'Diamond Life,' 'Smooth Operator' is the band's breakthrough single on the US charts, and their most successful single internationally.
Van Halen's most successful single, the track reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 177 on its updated list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
Written for the 1984 film of the same name, the song spent three weeks at number one. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 1985 ceremony, losing to Stevie Wonder's 'I Just Called to Say I Love You.'
Written and produced by Lionel Richie, 'Hello' reached number one on three Billboard music charts: the pop chart, the R&B chart, and the Adult Contemporary chart.
The opening track from their third studio album 'Touch,' this song was written by group members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. It became Eurythmics' second Top 10 US hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
Featured on the soundtrack of the film of the same name, 'Ghostbusters' the song was nominated at the 57th Academy Awards for Best Original Song.
Originally released in German, the song was later released in English, which is the version many of us know and love.
Perhaps one of Queen's most iconic music videos, it saw band members dressed as women, which caused controversy in the US.
Originally written and released by Prince, 'I Feel For You' was later released by Chaka Khan who had huge success with it. It became the recipient of two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song (for Prince as its songwriter) and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for Khan.
'I Just Called To Say I Love You' is Stevie Wonder's best-selling single to date, and back in 1984 it reached number one around the world!
The second single from the British new wave band's fourth album 'Into The Gap' reached number three in the UK.
Prince's 'Purple Rain' was the title track of his album from the same year. The song also featured on the soundtrack of the film of the same name, which starred Prince.
'Smalltown Boy' was Bronski Beat's debut hit, reaching number three in the band's native UK. A commercial success, nothing says '80s more than this synth-pop track.
Released in February 1984, Wham!'s 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' became the duo's first UK and US number one. Another hit from their album 'Make It Big' was the '80s classic 'Careless Whisper.'
Released in November 1984 Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 'The Power Of Love' was a big hit, but it only spent one week at number one.
A feminist anthem to this day, 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' was Lauper's breakthrough hit. The song received Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
One of Springsteen's best-known singles, the song addresses the economic hardships of Vietnam veterans upon their return home, juxtaposed ironically against the patriotic glorification of the nation's fighting forces.
Recorded for the soundtrack to the 1984 film 'Against All Odds,' this power ballad was the first of seven number ones of Collins' solo career.
REO Speedwagon's 'Can't Fight This Feeling' first featured on their album 'Wheels Are Turnin'' back in 1984. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks.
The lead single from Waite's second album 'No Brakes,' this song reached number one on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks and the Hot 100.
Another track that's turning 40, 'I Can Dream About You' was written for the film 'Streets of Fire' (1984). It reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The debut solo single by Journey frontman Steve Perry, the song was written for his then-girlfriend Sherrie Swafford. The song hit number three on the pop chart and number one on the rock chart in the US.
Sources: (Rolling Stone) (Planet Radio)
One of the group's signature songs, 'Automatic' reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song featured on the group's album 'Break Out.'
Turner's first and only Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, it sold over 2,000,000 copies worldwide. In 2012, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, marking the late Turner's third Grammy Hall of Fame award.
Released as Madonna's lead single from her album of the same name, the song became her first number-one in the Billboard Hot 100. Credited with encouraging women to embrace their sexuality, 'Like A Virgin' helped cement her as the Queen of Pop.
From Madonna to George Michael, and Tina Turner to Bruce Springsteen, 1984 was a great year for pop music. That's right, 40 years ago saw the release of some huge songs and equally iconic videos. So in the spirit of this milestone, we've gathered the biggest hits of 1984. To be considered, the song had to be released in 1984 or have a significant chart impact that year. Also, it had to have charted somewhere on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ready for some '80s nostalgia? Then check out this gallery.
Huge hits that are turning 40 in 2024
It was a big year for pop!
MUSIC Retrospective
From Madonna to George Michael, and Tina Turner to Bruce Springsteen, 1984 was a great year for pop music. That's right, 40 years ago saw the release of some huge songs and equally iconic videos. So in the spirit of this milestone, we've gathered the biggest hits of 1984. To be considered, the song had to be released in 1984 or have a significant chart impact that year. Also, it had to have charted somewhere on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ready for some '80s nostalgia? Then check out this gallery.