When you hear the 80s, what exactly comes to mind? A forgotten epoch? Halcyon days? Whatever the answers, one thing is still clear: the 80s was a golden era for music and showcased some of the brightest talents in music history.

Some of the voices of that era are no longer being heard. Some are listened to only sporadically. And yet others are heard no more, having dropped in the dust of transience.

All the same, they made an impact and the history books have recorded that for good. This article will explore the landscape of 80s music artists and bring you the top 10 – or, you might say, our top 10 – since opinions are subjective. Now qualms – let’s roll.

80s Music Artists Top 10

1. Michael Jackson

Born in 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson rose pretty early in the music orbit. But, before he smashed into the global music plane, he was part of a collective called the Jack 5 – made up of family members. He was the star of the collective, so it wasn’t surprising that he became a global pop sensation as a solo artist.

His last days on earth weren’t exactly the best, but the “Earth Song” maestro has already earned a secure place in history.

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Michael Jackson Songs

2. Bruce Springsteen

At 72, Bruce Springsteen is one of the oldies in the trenches. He is past his prime and may no longer be dropping the bars like before, yet he remains an iconic figure in the world’s pop universe, with several sterling tunes to his credit, including “Dancing in the Dark” and “Tougher Than the Rest.”

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Bruce Springsteen Songs

3. Madonna

A discussion of 80s music can’t possibly be complete without a mention of Madonna. She was one of the iconic figures of the 80s. Even now, decades after, she remains a respected voice in global pop.

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Madonna Songs

4. Phil Collins

In the days of his power, Phil Collins combined several offices in one. He was a drummer, singer-songwriter, as well as record producer and actor. Gone are the heydays, but the 71-year-old remains a key figure of the 80s, with winning tunes like “Against All Odds” and “Another Day In Paradise” to his name.

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Phil Collins Songs

5. Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson, known mononymously as Prince, shares a remarkable physical resemblance to Michael Jackson, but they are not exactly related. He was one of the greats of the 1980s, and it’s safe to say, in retrospect, that his naming was apt. He was a prince and purveyor of good vibes in an era long vanished. He died of an accidental drug overdose in Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Prince Songs

6. Ozzy Osbourne

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne shares striking physical similarities with Sir Elton John. He, however, stands out as a different person and musician. Born in Aston, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Ozzy Osbourne’s love for music dates back to when he was much younger. However, there was a great resonance to his name in the 80s. Among his significant numbers are “Paranoid” and “War Pigs.”

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Ozzy Osbourne Songs

7. Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston captured a whole generation with her voice and singing. She may have died suddenly and tragically, but her impact on global music is not in doubt. Many fans speak of just getting emotional simply by listening to her voice.

Whitney Houston may have left the material plane, but her songs are still being enjoyed all over the world. Among her notable numbers are “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Greatest Love Of All,” “Saving All My Love For You,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

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Whitney Houston Songs

8. Lionel Richie

Lionel Brockman Richie is a happer “49ner.” Born in 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama, Lionel Richie plodded his way into the consciousness of the music-loving public soon after, earning accolades along the way. With that magical voice of his, the wins shouldn’t be surprising at all.

The songster remains one of the best voices of the 80, with songs like “All Night Long,” “Stuck on You,” “Say You, Say Me,” and “Dancing on the Ceiling” to his name. However, our all-time favourite remains “We Are the World.”

The songster may have received multiple honours for his contributions to world music, but his all-time best award, according to him, was the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song given to him by the Library of Congress.

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Lionel Richie Songs

9. Tina Turner

Easily one of the finest singers of the material plane, Tina Turner is no longer active on the scene. But she has already distinguished herself as a singer of note on the global stage. “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “The Best,” “Proud Mary,” and “It’s Only Love,” she had solidified her place as one of the musicians the world would remember forever.

Tina Turner was lucky in love for the latter part of her life. Her husband, Erwin Bach, donated a kidney in 2016 to save her life. About that sacrifice, he had noted that he couldn’t live with another woman.

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Tina Turner Songs

10. Luther Vandross

Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr was another iconic musician of the 80s and one we think merits a place on our list. He may no longer be around, having died in 2005 of a heart attack, but his repertoire speaks for him. His flow as a soul singer was – and remains – a subject of great interest.

He stood out for many songs, including “Dance With My Father,” “Never Too Much,” “There’s Nothing Better Than Love,” and “A House IS Not A Home.” Time flies and people are forgotten. But we doubt Luther Vandross will be one of them.

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Luther Vandross Songs

Gone are the roaring 80s, but the memories of that period will continue to hum so long as armageddon doesn’t intrude on the material plane. And as the world walks back in time, in the music universe, the people who made life glorious and worth living with their music will be remembered.

There were many distinguished figures in the 80s, and packing them all into a single list would be no easy task. So we compressed the list and brought you just ten of them. Of course, we admit that opinions are subjective, and you might not agree with everyone on our list. So you are welcome to share another list with us if you please.